Genesis.

And now the play itself. It was, of course, based very directly on the Reichstag Fire Trial. George Khitov in the play representing George Dimitrov; General Rakovski representing General Goering; and Kurt Schneider representing Van der Lubbe.

The story of the three months' struggle at Leipzig is well known. In the words of Dimitrov: "All the corruption of German Fascism with its judges, defence attorneys, prosecuting attorney, policemen, police commissars and all other police officials was exposed at the trial."

Treated by a mind of real depth and integrity, the Reichstag Fire Trial could have been the subject of a tremendous play: instead, Elmer Rice has a flashy though highly competent melodrama. Comnetent in the technical sense. Elmer Rice is an experienced dramatist—entrance, exit, situation climax—everything is well lubricated.