Emmet DeVoy and Co.

Dialogue and comedy.

"Mother's Diary."

Emmet DeVoy, assisted by a company of three players, two women and a man, is offering a new sketch vehicle in which he again has an opportunity to play the hard-hearted father, who is finally restored to the good graces of his family through seeing the error of his conduct and mannerisms by having the scenes of years before recalled to him. In a great measure the vehicle will prove sure fire for DeVoy, principally because of the manner in which it is presented. He is pictured as a successful millionaire, who has been hardened through his constant pursuit for dollars, and who has thereby permitted any real association with his family to slip into the discard. The time is the twenty-first anniversary of his wedding. The wife and a grown son and daughter are present. Father has forgotten all about the date and all attempts to offer him a hint as to the nature of the occasion fall on barren soil. Then as the wife and children leave the room he jumps to .the phone and seemingly gets his mistress, promising her a diamond necklace if she will let him call the next afternoon. The return of the children and the discovery by the girl of the mother's diary leads to the reading of the record of happenings of the year before. They are visualized by DeVoy and the woman playing the wife, through a scenic trick. The intent is they are supposedly pictured in the husband's mind as he is seated before the fireplace. Two scenes have the effect of bringing the husband back into the arms of the family and the wife is presented with the diamond necklace. There is comedy, handled by the son and daughter, but at times there seems to be a forced quality to their work. This is especially true of the girl.. Mr. DeVoy and the elder woman gave splendid performances.

Variety, 54:12 (05/16/1919)