The World in Falseface by George Jean Nathan; A.A. Knopf, 1923

On Dramatic Chastity.-- It is unquestionably true that Miss Maude Adams' great popular favour was due in no small degree to the fact that she never appeared in a play in which she was called upon to be either drunk or criminally assaulted. The American public venerates an actress according to her dramatic chastity. Let an actress, however talented, appear in a play, however fine, in which she portrays either a willing or an unwilling victim of sin and soon the public comes to lose its personal affection for her. She may continue to be a box-office card (that is, if her plays are interesting enough), but she cannot keep her position as a public idol.

---