Elsie Ferguson at 57 Is Radiant in Heavy Allegory Below Franken's Standard

By Lawrence Perry

(Special Correspondent Cleveland Plain Dealer)

NEW

EW YORK, Nov. 6—(NANA) -Miss Elsie Ferguson who was and still is a lovely person at 57, used to appear to advantage in light comedy and an 'occasional more serious drama here and on the road.

Retiring from the stage 14 years ago, Broadway had not seen her until last Wednesday night, when she played the lead in Rose Franken's new play, “Outrageous Fortune," at the 48th Street Theater.

As you probably know, Gilbert Miller was to have produced the piece but washed his hands of it on the road. Reason for this act or managerial abnegation is now clear.

For at the outset, be it said that the piece is heavily laden with allegory. So much is this the case that the play as a dramatic structure is, if not non-existent, at least very fragile. Miller was afraid of it.

It may prove his fears were without reason.

Of particular moment, aside from Miss Franken's prestige as an accomplished playwright, was the appearance of Miss Ferguson as the featured player in a company including Margalo Gillinore, Maria Ouspenskaya and Frederic Tozere.

Tale of Jewish Family

In line with theme, suggested perhaps by "Servant in the House,” with side glances at "Man Who Came to Dinner" and "Third Floor Back," Miss Ferguson, accompanied by a promising young musician acted by Dean Norton, enters the seashore home of the Harris family.

Frederic Tozere plays a contented head of a Jewish household, very well satisfied with life, tolerant of the lot of his race which has suffered, as he puts it, for thousands of years and should be used to its treatment, which has greatly improved.

He takes his wife for granted and

she is gradually becoming a mentai case because of this. He has a younger brother who is engaged to a girl whom he does not love because he is a homosexualist. The young musician is trending toward this vice.

Elsie Saves Them

Miss Ferguson, whose character relates to a background unexplained-she may be really a spiritual presence working in the minds and hearts of the household-undertakes by sage advice, wise counsel and general uplift to restore normality to the beleaguered family and associates.

By yielding herself to the musician, she redeems him from tragedy. She influences the husband so to conduct himself in his private life as to ease his wife's tortured and up to this time ungratified impulses.

In general she serves as a catalytic agent and then, in the end, having accomplished all purposes, her ailing heart suddenly ceases. Through all, she gives a grand performance.

The play, as said, lacks the warp and woof of convincing dramatic fabric. It is overladen with themes. It is much too talky with the result of frequent drags and the homosexual element is not at all odorous.

On the other hand, the piece is at times brilliantly written and the characterization is splendid. It is a piece of stage literature that makes for thought and this may carry it in spite of the fact that it is not a play.