Word: arnolds
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Dates: during 1960-1969
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...that was one of the few bright spots. And when Conlon was leaving, he was accosted by Arnold Lochin, a 26-year-old biochemistry graduate, who sneered: "Get this straight, sweetie. We're not going to fight your filthy fascist war. Go fight it yourself...
...trick in writing a chronicle play is to use the historical events to show off the characters of the leading figures. But Culpepper never even deliniates his protagonist. We learn in the first scene that Arnold is suspicious and quick tempered, but also a valiant general. Later on we learn he has a tendency to live beyond his means. But we never see how or why his meaner characteristics overcome his nobler ones...
Idle in Philadelphia, while less capable generals are being given commands--and losing them--Arnold is persuaded by his wife that Washington thinks him a "crippled fool." She suggests he go over to the British. Ten thousand pounds are offered. He accepts. But we never see whether it's avarice or anger that provokes his treason. And, even more inexcusable, Culpepper does nothing whatsoever with the scene in which Arnold decides...
...playwright draws "the incomparable Peggy Shippen," Arnold's wife, with equal fuzziness. She tells us herself she is audacious; she appears to be rather stupid. Her relations with her husband are left vague. Just how much does she influence him? Does he suspect her former liaison with Major Andre, the British intelligence officer? Does he mind...
Robert Ginn has the hardest job, and he almost succeeds. His Arnold is consistent, believably cantankerous, but rather flat. He doesn't pick a particular interpretation to project...