The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-12-18
ELLA HALL,
By GARDNER MACK.

with the particular character of
foreign films to which reference has
been made, than in the production of
Damon and Pythias." the classic
spectacle which Is now being shown
at the BelaSco Theater IN this city.
This is the first spectacular fea-
ture of what has come to be called
the classic drama made in this coun-
try that has ever been seen In this
city. The purpose Of such dramas,
we have been told by the makers of
them heretofore, was educational as
well as spectacular. The idea was
not only of show the ancient cities
and customs. but to develop an in
terest in history and the art and the
philosophy of those times. The stories
that have been used in the film
dramas have all been Of this type.
The pictures-the foreign pictures
have contented themselves with
showing the story as well as they
could with such limitations as would
naturally suggest themselves.
The American film, however, not
only shows the story in quite the
same elaborate way Of foreign manu-
facturers show il, but there is
another interesting feature of an edu-
cational value that cannot be under
estimated In Damon and Pythias."
Tor instance, the story treats of
ancient Greece. 1t revolves around
historic buildings and monuments the
names OF which are almost house
hold words. Few people realize the
immensely Of some of these great
structures. Even when they are seen
in film stories there is the underly-
ing Idea in the audience that the
structures in the film are not real,
but are simply scenic effects. and
that the artist who made them. and
the director who ordered them made
might take many liberties with the
actual structure. Therefore. in "Da-
mon and Pythias' the audience is
flrst shown the ruins of the ancient
buildings as they stand TODAY. In
some instances these are simply
masses Of ruined masonry. But in
almost every instance some idea OF
the size and character Of the struc-
lures is obtained from them.
Then when the story is flashed on
the screen, ii is seen that the struc-
lures used are what IL requires no
particular stretch of the Imagination
10 realize the ruins that must origi-
nally have been. The views that are
shown Of the ruins are a complete
set of the Grecian pictures collected
IN such a way as has not vet be-
come usual in motion pictures. Tho
educational value Of these pictures
Is, therefore. of great Importance
IN the productions OF the play the
actors and actresses who appear are
men and women who have become
very popular with photoplay patrons
throughout the country. William
WorthiEgton. Herbert Rawlinson,
Frank Lloyd. Cleo Madison, and
Anna Littl" are four of the big STARE
that hav7 parts in the drama. Worth
lrGtou and RaVlinson are Damon and
PythisS. respectively. Frank LLOYD
is in the strong role Of Dionysius
Cleo Madison plays HermIOn, Da-
mons wife, and Anna Little is Cal
anthe, the girl beloved by Pythias
ard DiOuvsius. The appeal in the
plav ." popular favor is. therefore
Increased by tho presence Of this
quintet OF wcll-kno1-n stars
II would seem 10 US. therefore,
that tho wa~ IN which this film has
been pTodu"ed-and we've selected
this because il happens 10 be at
haDd-that the American producer is
not only quite able to compete with
the foreign made spectacle. but to
20 4 bit ahead Of Il in educational
value and popular interest in the
people playing the various parts
G ~