The first night of "The Late Christopher Bean" at the Plymouth Theatre marked the return of Pauline Lord to the Boston stage for the first time in six years. Miss Lord is one of America's most capable actresses, and while "The Late Christopher Bean" is far from being her greatest success, it at least must leave her reputation intact.

Viewing the production itself, one must accept the fact that Sidney Howard, the author, made no serious attempt to sweep his audience off its feet. The violent emotions of fear, hate, and rage, that Harvard's eminent Dr. Cannon has so well described are permitted to lie dormant. Effects are obtained by the presentation of agreeable and familiar types, involved in situations which bring out character and comedy.

The scene is laid "not far from Boston." The Haggett family is a group of characteristic Yankee types, with, of course, their contrast of weakness and virtue. Some paintings which have been left them by an impoverished artist are suddenly found to be worth thousands of dollars. This discovery overwhelms the different members of the family. Impelled by greed they catch themselves in ugly conspiracies that would have ordinarily shocked them. The central character is Abby, the Haggett's maid of all work, who keeps her perspective as well as her rights in the helter skelter scramble to get hold of the paintings.

Some plays are popular because of the fierce excitement brought about by a succession of crises in the plot. Others attract the public because the characters are well-known and likeable. "The Late Christopher Bean" is of this latter genre. With Miss Lord it seems to do well.