The Crimson Playgoer

Frank Wead, a navy filer and warbird was grounded several years ago and since then he has turned his talents to dramatic exposition of his inside knowledge of the air. His play, "Ceiling Zero" (if Noel gaiety hasn't too completely dulled our memory) was performed with considerable success last season in New York by the estimable Mr. Osgood Perkins, Mary Young's company of Copley Theatre players have brought the work to Boston where it has been running since Christmas.

Straight-forward drama with accent on the thrills, "Ceiling Zero" proves exciting in spots though generally a bit pedestrian and rather humorless. The entire action takes place in the central office of the Federal Air Lines which are presided over with ruthless efficiency by Jake Lee, one of the truly old hands. Tex Clark and Dizzy Davis are the two chief pilots, experienced filers of the old school, who refuse to submit to the new efficiency and demand a bit of fun now and then even if the mail or passengers are at stake. This Dizzy chap is quite a hand with the girls, but when he meets the lovely Tommy Thomas it's the real thing at last. But, alas, Tommy is affianced to another pilot, a good young fellow who is rapidly making his mark. There are lots of other people running about in the office and they all have their little problems too, but the important thing to note is that the weather gets very bad, the ceiling becomes zero, nerves grow taut, whirring noises arise off stage. A plane crashes and another pioneer of the ozone has gone west, if that is where the noble men of the sky go. Dizzy makes the beau geste, the grand sacrifice for friendship, chastity and the future of aviation.

It has not been the intention of this reviewer to present "Ceiling Zero" as a dull play, for that would not be accurate reporting. Rather let us say that the play is free from impressive content of thrills or humor. It is well acted by a capable cast, starring Robert Ober, who would do much better, we feel, if he attempted to control the incessant and annoying movement of his eyebrows. Sandra Greene and several other pretty females dash about, adding zest and color to the proceedings. It's light fare which should prove soothing to exam-roughened palates.