Location:
Theater:
Date:
Type:
"Judgment" is Victor H. Smalley's posthumous playlet. Smalley was one of the few writers who knew vaudeville so well that the "big moment" never failed. Miss Bergere is an indefatigable producer and handled his work well.
Smalley expressed the ever present fallacy of circumstantial evidence in "Judgment." May Slocum locks the door, turns out the lights and shrieks for help while entwining her arms around Judge Brill in the parlor of his own home. Mrs. Brill bursts into the room and demands to know why her husband is holding another woman. The judge could not soothe his wife's suspicions. May Slocum then replies "how can you charge the jury tomorrow that because they found my Jim in a room with a revolver in his hand, he had committed murder." Recognizing that both situations were circumstantial evidence, the judge capitulates.
Miss Bergere's portrayal of May Slocum conveyed the tense strain of the character without falling all over the stage. She did not rave and rant. Herbert Warren makes an able judge, except for his make-up. While "Judgement" is not an isolated case of circumstantial evidence, it's simplicity brings it success. It will do nicely if the opening is hastened along. The set does not look new; the act is worthy of an elaborate set.
Source:
Variety 21:12 (02/25/1911)