It has been said that Greenwich Village during the twenties was filled with young men writing novels about young men writing novels. S. N. Behrman, in his latest play, "No Time For Comedy", has gone the young men of Greenwich Village one better. He is a young man, or at least a middle-aged man, who has written a play about a young man writing a play about the wife of a young man writing a play. The total effect, leading up to a grand climax in the last act, leaves the audience a bit at sea about what playwright is writing which play about whom.

The show at the Wilbur does not really seem to be a play at all, but merely the discussion of the possibilities of plays. It is an illuminating and entertaining discussion, to be sure, but it gives the impression that Mr. Behrman is spending three acts rolling up his sleeves and sharpening his pencils without ever really getting down to work. He has spent three acts in eloquent defense of comedy and yet has only succeeded in writing a comedy which is self-conscious, superficially novel without being actually original.

Why, then, has "No Time For Comedy" packed the houses in New York and gives every indication of packing the houses on the road? The answer is a combination of three names, three figures who have given the contemporary stage in America a great deal of its high quality and some of its greatness,--Cornell, McClintic, and Miclziner, star, director, and stage designer. They put on a production so polished, so beautifully done in every respect that Mr. Behrman's temporary foibles fade into the background.

Miss Cornell's performance was magnificent. Criticizing her or making an attempt at analysis would be futile. All one can do is sit in awe and reverence before someone who is making stage history with every part she takes. The rest of the cast, fine actors all of them, are forced to play second fiddle, not because of their lack, but her tremendous skill.

"No Time for Comedy" is packing the houses, and long may it do so! It is Miss Cornell's show and she deserves a packed house--anytime--anyplace.