New Play in Manhattan

Three-Cornered Moon by Gertrude Tonkonogy; Richard Aldrich de Liagre, producers). Feyest of the Rimplegars of Brooklyn is Mother Rimplegar (Cecilia Loftus), who is generally attired in a Mother Hubbard, with a huge towel wrapped about her silly head. Absentmindedly she gives all her money to someone whose name she believes to be Brown. It is invested for her in a stockmarket margin account, thereby impoverishing her. Her moonstruck brood has to go to work or starve, which they nearly do. The youngest becomes a swimming instructor. Another applies himself to his law studies. Interrupted in the midst of naive plans to commit suicide with an unpublished novelist, Daughter Elizabeth (Ruth Gordon) turns practical, gets a job at Macy's.

Earning her keep compels Elizabeth to view Donald, the novelist, in a new light. Having had some sense knocked into her, she chirrups: "I don't care if I never read another poem again--so long as my stomach's full. Love is not a potato. You can't eat it." An unpoetical but potato-providing suitor is close at hand. Dr. Stevens (Brian Donlevy), family friend and star boarder.

Last act of Three-Cornered Moon is even more erratic than the first two. The brother passes his examination. The novelist is dismissed. While lunatic panic sweeps through the house Elizabeth and her businesslike sweetheart settle themselves on the stairway for a little lovemaking. It is 6 a. m. Mother Rimplegar wistfully wanders in mending a hat.

"Elizabeth," she asks vaguely, "who is that you're kissing? Why, it's Dr. Stevens!"

"Yes, mother."

"Donald yesterday and Dr. Stevens today!"

"Yes, mother."

"That's nice."

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