True to its announcement, "Step This Way," now running at the Majestic Theatre, has again brought Lew Fields, his very self, to the Hub of the Universe. We should have been delighted with this years ago, and we may well be now, for a few years have done nothing to the power of this able comedian, and he appears as remarkably funny as ever. One secret of Lew Field's perennial success seems to be the fact that he always enjoys himself so much, and his merriment proves more than contagious.

But star as he is, "Step This Way" cannot escape criticism because of the presence of its principal. An attempt to revive "The Girl Behind the Counter" surely ought to have aimed higher than this production has. Its first failing is in a lack of support, for, with the exception of Sam Dody's dancing and the few songs of Marguerite Farrell, the rest of the work is very mediocre, especially so in contrast with the clever performance of inimitable Lew Fields. Alice Fischer as Mrs. Schniff just misses success, for occasionally she shows a truly comic gleam, but she often descends into rough-house which almost becomes vulgarity.

The general staging of "Step This Way" is faultless, the carnival scene being particularly effective. In the chorus, however, much is lacking, which might escape notice were this body not so frequently in evidence, but since no remarkable dancing is seen and this, coupled with an absence of beauty, we wonder for what function this good old American Institution is intended; if just to pass the time we lose patience, for we long ago have ceased to expect real singing.

Good songs are included, especially a few modern ones, such as "If I Knock the L Out of Kelly" which Marguerite Farrell gets across; there is no other way to describe it. All in all, we are glad Lew Fields is in town, for if his co-workers are not up to snuff, he still is able to make us forget for a while that there are such things as wars and elections.