OFFICER 666

Opening on 29 January 1912 at the Gaiety Theatre, this farce by Augustin MacHugh (with uncredited revisions byWinchell Smith) ran for 192 performances. The mistaken identity plot involves a policeman (played by Francis D. McGinn) who lends his badge and uniform to a wealthy art collector, Gladwin (Wallace Eddinger), who disguises himself to investigate the theft of his identity by a burglarizing art expert (George Nash) who moved into his house while the real Gladwin was abroad and who is also about to win the girl (Vivian Martin). It was "carried out in the broadest farcical spirit, with plenty of humorous situations, a large number of surprises, and considerable bright dialogue" (NewYork Times, 30 January 1912).