The Washington times., 1913-05-25
QUO vAD|S" FILM
TAKES SEVEN REELS
Biggest Picture Ever Imported
Is Excellent Production of
the Thrilling Drama.

NEW YORK. May 3.-"Quo vadis?"
IN eight-part picture, the biggest ever
imported under the Patents Company
banner made its first appearance in this
country recently at the Astor Theater.
New York. OF which Cohan & Harris
are the iessees and managers. Judging
from tts reception by an impartial audi
ence on the opening night it viii hold a
p;ace among Broadway attractions
strictly on its merits for some time to
ce0s.
For II 10 q real picture, there is no
denying that. and worth at least seven
reeda Frequent subtifles. one before
every scene: even before short cut
baeks." are noticeable but do not de-
tract.
From this hlm American manufact-
urers can learn two things. One is to
make spectacular film really spectacu-
lar and not depend on burning an
abandoned New Jersey barn for a holo-
caust scene or seek in any way to evade
the issue or heavy expense The other
10 that close camera work and an eight
foot working line with the actor right
down upon 1t are not essential to a
dramatic production. On the contrary
1891 &SeAAs8 Sokl Ucc tSCn even Win the
players far enough from the camera
% that the scene contains real perspec-
ttva.,
Film Carries Big aPunch."
fwo big scenes give the whole film IN
undeniable punch They are the
burning Of Rome and the scene in the
ampl-theater when the Christian mar
tyfs. men. women, and children, are
.orufaiv driven into the arena and the
uon1. are turned loose upon them. Both
Of these scenes must have been pro-
dueed with no regard for expense and
- 6ne ID the Illusion that enthusiastic
Applause greeted them Monday night.
The action Of the film closely follows
the book It IL divided into three acts,
the nrst two Of which have three parts
and he last has two Scenes a, a
Roman banquet. not forgetting pointed
1ne1maf1ons Of the orgies Of decadens
6ome. are introduced in the first act,
together With. expository action which
eess cyer the serminai idea to the
andience that Vinitius. q nephew of
Rsronius.n who is Nero's favorite, is
deeQ19 IN love with Lygia, n Christian
g1n held BY Rome as a hostage. Crsus.
2 hue slave. is Lygia's faithful ward
and rescues her from the unwelcome
attentions Of yinitias.
Burning Of Rome Shown.
n oct II. the burning of Rome Is the
main spectacIc Great columns crash to
M ground. The streets are filed with
tn rabbie; hurryfnE. .hither and thither.
taking their scaify baggage with them.
Hod flames and black smoke fill the sir.
Inserted scenes chow vinitius search
ing for Lygia. and Nero at last graft
flying his desire to see Rome in .ian.es
that hsa might have inspiration for his
uiaA
In the last act the msmmonth arena is
unronsd, crowded with people. with Ne
70 IN the royal box. The Christians are
driven. dumbly protesting, mothers
with children By their side amonS the
number. into The arena The lions
come out by trap d"cr. As they get
about ten feet from their prey rhe
seenn shifts to Nero gloating ever the
spectacle. and then the action shows
the great aniIasis crd.lciing the bones
Of tie dead
Work Of Cast Good.
A. huge bull dashes into the arena with
Q woman dashed to fits back "Lygia.
LyGaG believe! Oh. Christ. a miracle!'
cries vlnitius. Ursus, pushed into the
arena, sees the bull, wrestles with the
animal and erscues Lygia- The anger
Of the epopulace forces Nero to give the
thumbs-up signal for mercy.
Nero sends word to his former favor
its. Petronius, bidding him to kill him.
sell Pstronius takes the advice like a
stole and with Eunice. once q slave girl
Eho loved him. but later his mistress.
BY his side. both have their veins opened
and die slowly.
~.
pie that II was Nero who burned Rome.
The Apcsie Peter and hazardous are
leaving Rome when the figure Of the
Master appears before them. Quo
Vadie. Donine?" c<Whither goeth thou,
Mastery they ask He bids them turn
back.
The reign Of Nero is ended. With the
people In revolt he tries suicide and one
OF Ia followers drives the dagger home
The work Of several Of the cast is con-
splcuous. c. Cetttneo. as Nero; G. Sc
rena. as Petron1rs; a. Noveili, as VIM:
$780, Ma. T. Gfinchi 40 IyPia. and