The Theatre

NO QUESTIONS ASKED, a play in three acts, by Anne Morrison Chapin. Staged by John Golden and Edward Goodman; settings by P. Dodd Ackerman; produced by John Golden. At the Masque Threatre. Evelyn Emma Bunting Noel Parker Barbara Robbins Richard Gorham Milo Boulton Sonny Raeburn Ross Alexander Pet Walsh Spring Byington Mary Barna Ostertag Willie Parker Charles Lawrence Ernle Dulane y Brian Donlevy Harriet Wells Margery Garrett Miss Kubec Dorothy Vernon Dr. King Joseph King Mrs. Gorham Kate McComb

Since the advent of legal drinking the old familiar bottle-lover, or in more scientific verbage, the dipsomaniac, has returned to our midst. It isn’t as though he did not exist before the repeal of the Amendment but in those hypocritical days he simply was not mentioned. At the Masque Theatre the other night under the guidance of John Golden, a play by Anne Morrison Chapin was put on which revolves around one of these steady drinking fellows.

As the proceedings commence, you are shown the interior of a Staten Island ferry boat in which our hero Sonny is seen reeling about the deck under the influence of strong drink. He is laboring under the delusion that-he is aboard an ocean liner. On the same ship is our heroine, Noel, who to use an old phrase, is no better than she should be, In addition, the gal is “with child” and about to commit suicide. Sonny, however, convinces her that she should delay her departure from this world for the time being and suggests a visit to what was once a speakeasy. Soon they are married and Sonny has reformed.

But alas, after meeting his wife’s friends he goes back to his first love, the bottle, and you are then entertained with a scene of stage delirium tremens punctuated by an attempted shooting. Our heroine, whose interesting condition is obvious to everyone but the hero, finally confesses all. She is forgiven and the last moments of the play find the pair forgiving each other and promising a bigger, better and sweeter life for themselves and the baby.

Ross Alexander and Barbara Robbins as the married couple are able to inject life and interest into this melodramatic series of situations. Spring Byington plays the part of the Mother convincingly and with unusual skill. The entire piece is well directed, “well cast and well acted even down to the most minor role. P. Dodd Ackerman has designed the settings which are among the finest seen in the theatre this season.