PAID IN FULL

Paid in full: translation

Eugene Walter's astringent four-actmelodramaopened on 25 February 1908 for 167 performances at the Astor Theatre. Despite some leavening farcical humor, this tale of Joseph Brooks, a self-centered and morally corrupt young man, played byTully Marshall, was a grim portrait of selfishness. Brooks exploits Emma, his loving wife, insisting that she offer herself to the boss from whom he has embezzled funds. Too unpleasant for popular acceptance by a Broadway audience, even though the wife, finally realizing her husband's vile nature, does leave him,Paid in Fullwas generally well-received by critics. They especially appreciated Marshall's performance, which he repeated in a 1914 motion picture version, with another screen adaptation appearing in 1919.