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"Small War on Murray Hill -- Fine, Smart Comedy, Smoothly Acted"

Another dead man has joined Shakespeare, Shaw and O'Neil in pumping life into our faltering play season. He is Robert E. Sherwood, whose was presented at the Barrymore by the Playwrights' company last evening. It is the most delightful comedy, played by a most delightful company.

Sherwood wrote and rewrote "Small War" before he died in November, 1955, and for several months now director Garson Kanin has been preparing the production. This work has shown results, for the comedy has style and polish--and so does a large picturesque company of players, including Leo Genn, Jan Sterling, Daniel Massey and Francis Compton.

Sherwood let his frequently impish imagination toy with an item in the history books--the one in which Mrs. Robert Murray beguiles British General Sir William Howe into tarrying in her home instead of pushing on with his redcoats and his Hessians and driving a wedge between the armies of General Israel Putnam and George Washington. Thanks to this lady's enticements, Putnam was able to join Washington on the Harlem River under cover of night.

According to Sherwood, Mrs. Murray's delaying tactics include a cocktail made of Holland gin and sherry called a stone wall, an excellent lunch prepared by a Creole cook, some intelligent conversation, a diner featuring steamed clams, plenty of good brandy and, one suspects, finally her own beautiful self. Since her merchant husband was on the British side for profit's sake, he could not have declared, "I regret that I have but one wife to give for my country."

The comedy is written and played on a high level of polite badinage. Even when he realized that he has been outwitted by a woman, General Howe does not lose his courteous aplomb; and on her part, the woman never lets a glint of triumph show in her eyes.

The action if it can be called that, takes place in the lavish Murray home on a Manhattan hilltop which was then known as Inclenburg. [It was Sherwood's notion that it was Mrs. and not Mr. Murray which caused so much trouble.] Boris Aronson has devised a beautiful house and the woods of New Jersey Palisades beyond. Round about the house sentries march, children both white and colored scamper and servants go about their chores...While within Miss Sterling goes on with her lady like seduction of the Genn.

These two are splendid opponents, for she is ravishingly beautiful in her Irene Sharaff gowns, and every handsome inch of him bespeaks the suave English gentleman.

There are many other excellent and entertaining performances, down in size to Jonelle Allen, who plays a little Negro girl. Massey, son of Raymond, makes a pleasing American debut as a boyish girl-crazy lieutenant on Howe's staff. And the girl he pursues, Patricia Bosworth, is worth the hunt.

The only ones who make any noise in "Small War on Murray Hill" are Stefan Schnabel as a German mercenary general and his aid, Michael Lewis. Schnabel is very funny as he keeps insisting that they should get on with the war and go after Putnam. Nicholas Joy is amusing as a bewildered American major, and Joseph Holland is properly unctuous in the role of Murray. And Francis Compton is superb as a crafty, sardonic American banker. It may have been a small war on Murray but it is a big thing on Broadway. [By John Chapman: Daily News, Jan. 4, 1957, p. 397]

Small War On Murray Hill: A comedy in two acts by Robert E. Sherwood; staged by Garson Kanin; settings by Boris Aronson; costumes by Irene Sharaff; presented by the Playwrights company at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, January 3, 1957.

        Lt Lord Frederick Beckenham...............Daniel Massey

        Major Clove...............................Nicholas Joy

        Sam Peters................................Harry Sheppard

        Gen. Sir William Howe.....................Leo Genn

        Hessian...................................Michael Lewis

        Gen. Graf von Donop.......................Stefan Schnabel

        Robert Murray.............................Joseph Holland

        Mary Murray...............................Jan Sterling

        Capt. DuPont..............................Nicholas Probst

        Daisy.....................................Jonelle Allen

        Susan Lindley.............................Patricia Bosworth

        Amelie....................................Vinnette Carroll

        Samuel Judah..............................Francis Compton

        Mrs. Torpen...............................Sally Walker

        Abigail Torpen............................Susan Oliver



"Small War on Murray Hill -- A Lethargic Work"

The late Robert E. Sherwood launched a brilliant career as dramatist with a comedy called "The road to Rome." It had to do with a beautiful Roman matron, who charmed Hannibal into sparing her city. Shortly before his death, Sherwood penned a companion piece, "Small War on Murray Hill." In this amiable but small play, the lovely Mrs. Robert Murray charmed General Sir William Howe into sparing General Israel Putman's army so that it might escape a trap and join the forces of Commander-in-Chief George Washington North of New York. The gallant Howe also re- named a Manhattan hill after his patriotic hostess.

Sherwood implied that the fair Amytis and Mary were not averse to entertaining such personable and interesting warriors as Hannibal and Howe. And he suggested that Howe was quite aware of the possible results of his tarrying in the Murray mansion, for he was sympathetic to the colonists and a kindly man.

As he aided Putnam's troops, so head he done with a tired and cornered fox on a hunt in England. Sir, later Lord, William was a civilized fellow, if not the greatest of generals. he was probably the most popular of the top-echelon Redcoats with the embattled American revolutionaries.

"Small War on Murray Hill" lacks the satiric bite, the wit of "the Road to Rome." Its laughs are far fewer, for its lines are less sparkling and sexy. About the best it can do, for all its good intention, is to garner a chuckle here and there. This despite the fact that the Playwright's Company has given it the advantages of an excellent cast.

Jan Sterling is captivating as the Mary Murray whose hospitality and generosity helped to change the course of history. Leo Genn is enormously likable as the suave Howe. Daniel Massey is ingratiating as a not-overly-bright, but ever so romantic, aide to the British general.

Patricia Bosworth, as Mrs. Murray's sister, is also a most attractive eye tonic. And there are worthy contributions by Nicholas Joy, Stefan Schnabel, Joseph Holland, Francis Compton and Jonelle Allen. Little Miss Allen is a juvenile edition of Butterfly McQueen.

Garson Kanin, one of our truly gifted directors, has done his best by the Sherwood comedy. And Boris Aronson has designed settings that give an idea of picturesque New York when Murray Hill was but a lush farm, toped by a tasteful manor house.

If you would like to know Sherwood 's version of how a determined woman gave a breathing spell to her countrymen's weary forces, then a visit to the Ethel Barrymore Theatre might be in order. But may we warn that you won't find top-shelf Sherwood .

Though what really happened was vastly important to the cause of Colonies, "Small War on Murray Hill" makes it seem a minor though pleasant affair. The doings at the Barrymore are graciously lethargic. A bit disappointing, too. [Daily Mirror: Jan. 4, 1957. Robert Coleman's Theatre]



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