Probably the best presentation of the Summer Theater this season, "The Emperor Jones" nevertheless contains a number of flaws which remain to be smoothed out. Rex Ingram was definitely good, a though his laugh resurrects disconcerting images of Lucle Lucifer, Jr. of "The Cabin in the Sky," William Mendrek, although acceptable in a mediocre sort of way, has done much better with cockney accents in past presentations.

On the whole the play was well staged. A carpeted stage in the jungle scenes would have eliminated the undesirable stamping effect. Another hack of considerable magnitude was the handling of drum beats. According to stage directions, the drum is supposed to begin at the normal pulse rate of 72 beats per minute and should gradually accelerate to simulate a rising pulse. Instead, the rate was too slow at the beginning and too fast and irregular at the end.

Another variation from stage directions was the dance of the witch doctor in the final scene. Rather than Mrs. Ingram's unorthodox rendition; it should have been slow and ceremonial.

Best scene was probably that of the slave auction. In other jungle scenes unrealistic lighting detracted from the net effect. In general, however, the play was very good. A short production by itself, the entire effect was lengthened by the addition of an uncalled for pre-curtain nightmare. Its elimination is the most outstanding improvement which night be suggested.