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Show A man namefi. Chapln has figured out the popularity of tho various plays by a system of points. He classifies applause, laughter,, tears, and sniffling under the general head of "points" and has kept a strict account of the number of ; "points" scored by each of the plays; deemed worthy of attention. ' "The Old Homestead" leads, according to' re- p turns from this analysis, averaging 400 "points" , I to a performance. "Uncle Tom's Cabin" comes second on the list with 378 "points" to its credit. "Rip Van Winkle" totals 3G4 "points" and "Way ' Down East" 3G2. These plays, if Chapin is to be relied upon, form the most popular quartette i: upon which the public has rendered judgment'. To succeed, so Chapin explains, a dramatist must stir the emotions at least 200 times. No play with less than that number of "points" can i hope to cause agitation in the box office. No ! play with 300 points has ever failed. Thus: it is ! written in Chapin's dope book. |