"CRIMINAL-AT-LARGE"--Tremont

Like Anthony Trollope, Edgar Wallace was a most workmanlike practitioner of literature. Unfortunately, Mr. Wallace's work bears more evidence of the mechanical way in which it was turned than does that of Trollope. While Wallace is frequently boring, his work is also at times better than one would expect--due, I suppose, to the fact that the tricks and devices upon which he relies have been proven to be sure-fire through years of constant use.

"Criminal-At-Large," which is appearing this week at the Tremont falls into this last category. The plot is hackneyed enough and all the time-honored stage tricks are used; yet in spite of this -- or perhaps because of it -- the play gets across and a fairly enjoyable evening is provided. Of course, if one gets no pleasure at all out of the conventional mystery claptrap, it will be a very dull evening indeed. But if one likes sudden shots in the dark, hands reaching out of walls, hidden panels, and so on, what Mr. Wallace has to offer is usually as good and quite often better than other plays of this type.

Miss Frederick is very satisfactory as the tensely speaking Lady Lebanon and she is ably supported by the rest of the cast. On the whole, the play is adequate, and the cast more than adequate.