Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-07-20

greatest tragsdienns living, since the
retirement Of the Divine Sarah. It 10
in every respect worthy Of this sub
lime artiste's marvellous genius and
in it Miss Nansen rises to dizzy
heights Of sublime artistry, eXcelling
even the great dramatic triumphs in
which she has brought the world to
her feet. The player queen herself
says OF Anna Karenina:
anna is a product Of modern civil
ization and convention. She dares to
defy it, and is forthwith stretched up
on the cruel rack OF the judgment Of
society. 1t is q tremendous sermon
on the irredeemable tixity Of the NOR
al code and the fearful fate of those
who seek to defy it,
1t is not easy to deal with so vast a
topic as that presented by Anna Kav
emma in a few words. But, briefly
stated. the plot is as follows:
Alexis karenina, secretary Of state
to all the Russias is married to Anna,
a creature OF impulse, warm, passion
ate and beautiful. Alexis, on the 9TH
er hand, is a pillar Of society. Cold,
correct and a model of craftsmanship.
Judging from his frigid exterior one
would never dream that deep in his
soul slumbers a mighty love for his
beautiful wife. The couple have one
child; whom they both equally idol.
ice. In fact, it is only when with his
son that Alexis allows his stern ma
ture to relax.
One day Prince Wronsky, a hand
some and dashing young cavalry Off.
Ger, enters into their lives. From the
first there Is a mutual attraction be-
tween Wronsky, who is as unscrupu-
lous as he is attractive, and the neg
lected Anna. Their friendship rap
idly ripens into love. Alexis, cold and
dignitied on the surface as ever yet
suspects and suffers tortures Of jeal-
ousy without unsealing his lips. He
waits and watches.
Then the crash comes. In a ire
mendous scene, the husband at last
unlatches the flood-gatcs of his soul
and, heaping denunciation upon the
woman who has betrayed him, drives
her and her lover from his house for
ever. But the child he retains. An
ma and Wronsky at first are happy to-
gether. But a revulsion Of feeling
soon sets in. Wronsky finally aban-
dams Anna. Too late she realizes that,
no matter how she may suffer, woman
may not defy the law.
BY a supreme effort she decides to
seek her husband and implore his for
%giveness. But Alexis is unmelting.
Sternly he orders her away. Prayers.
persuasion, pleading on her hands and
knees, avail nothing. The wretched
woman creeps Fundamentally away
from the house that now holds all that
is dear TO her. The bitterest remorse
gnawing at her heart, she hides from
the world, like a stricken animal. Fin
ally, driven to desperation by her mis-.
fortunes and suferings, the miserable
Anna decides to end it ell. Through
a binding snowstorm she makes her
way to the railroad station. In the
distance there is the screech of an
approaching locomotive. The glare OF
its headlight p%enetrates the storm and
CLEANS on Annals white, desperate
face. The thunder OF wheels grows
louder, and . woman's scream min.
giles with it. Anna leaps outward
from the platform. e.,
Later, in death, she is admitted to
the home Of the suffering l.lexis, who,
alone with his dead at last, gives vent
to the pent-up passion Of his life.
There is no question that the screen
version Of Anna Karenina is destined
to create ever moro talk than tho
book itself. 1t is powerful, with the
mighty currents of the great whirl.
POOL that %envolaps the unfortunate
Anna. In addition, it pulsates with
action and suspense. When it is said
that the photography is perfect, the
mountings magnificent and correct,
and every detail carried out to the
topmost pinnacle Of perfection. it
can be seen that Anna Karenina" as
a photo.play production stands alone,
towering nightly above any screen
drama yet presented. Above all, it
makes you think. Try as you may.
you a never forget its powerful
moral lesson o. the marvellous acting
of Miss Nansen ST.. 49,