New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-31

"Motion pictures are still in their IN
fancy" This is one Of the commonest OF
bromide remarks, and in a sense 1t is ac-
curate. IL the infantile stage is stiil III
sway in Italy We are moved 10 a stupe-
fed wonder as TO what maturity VIII pro-
ducc after viewing "Cabiria.
'Stupendous" and allied expressions
are the only ones that are in any way
adequate in speaking of "Cabiria.' II IS
much more than revelation in motion
pictures. 1t is probably the greatest
single spectacle that has ever been pre-
uared i'm any line OF entertainment. vi
course. il cost a lot of money-s2oO'ooo'
il Is said. and il seems cheap at That hS-
,,re-besides two years of time, but TO
us the greatest interest is not connected
with mere money matters. The real charm
of this superb production is in its eXempli-
fcation Of what can he created wheh
dreamer and lover OF the beautiful such
as Gabrielle d'Annunzio. works with ltalys
most talented scenic designers and photo
xrsphic ceniuses. II is literal realils-
lion Of a vision.
From the very first fash on the screen
until the last inch of the 10000 feet oi
Glm have passed through the protector
there is such a constant succession OF daZ-
ling scenes that the most startling Ell
fccts seem TO he only what is expected
as the end of the film approaches. Not
,,nIv are the special settings which were
built for the picture remarkable in them
selves. but their beauty is further en-
HANGED by delicate tints and tones and by
seemingly impossible Photography
* mentioned above. the scenario Tor
"Cabiria" WAS written by Gabrielle An
runzio. II deals with the wars between
Rome and Carthage. which ultimately lea
10 the complete destruction OF the great
African city The play opens in the VII
,are Of Catayia. ON the lower slopes oil
Mount Etna. Cabiria is a pretty niue
siclljan .irl FIVE years Of age. An erup-
tion of the volcano destroys the palace oil
her parents. and in the mad hight she Is
carried away by her nurse, who escapes
with few OF the slaves. The party II
captured by Phenician pirates ana taken
TO Carthage There Cabina ana her
nurse are sold as slaves 10 the hish priest
of Noloch The priest decides 10 sacI'-
nee the little girl in the merry nav OF 'he
great iooi. hut. thanks TO the nterNeh-
ton Of a Roman spy. who Is hNins III
Carthage. she is rescued
From this time on Cahira's fortune u
closely connected with the affairs OF Rome
and Carthage. The destruction OF inc
Carthaginian navy. Hannibals march
across the Alps and scores Of other events
are shown. al, on a grand scale ana with
astounding realism.
BY way NJ Gaping the climax OF eiSp-
crate entertainment the film is accom-
panied by a complete music drama Wnich
ntsrprets the moods and serves to tell the
story in musical form. The WORK was
composed by Idebrando dc Parma OF 'he
ROYAL Opera House al Milan. II is rem
oerea by an orchestra of about fifty pieces
and chorus under the direction oil sem
Smonson.
The public showing of "Cabirla COM
msnces tomorrow night at the kncher'
booker Theatre. house which has never
before been used FOR motion pictures we
do not care 20 say anything more ABOUT
this colossal picture lest We be taken TOT
press agent