New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-06
"RAM0NA" FULL
OF ATMOSPHERE
Mrs. Jackson's Story IS
Made Into COlOrful
Picture.

Undoubtedly a large number Of per
sons are destined 70 see and to Ike
Ramona" Preceded BY a lusty fan
fare OF trumpets land at prices rang
ing from 25 cents 10 so. this moving
picture version Of Helen Hunt Jack
sons novel began its metropolitan Ca
recr AZ the Forty-fourth Street Thea
ire last night Both pictorially and
unsteady Ramona" indicates a sin
ocre attempt to improve on the fol-de-rol
that makes up a ma jority OF the pres
ent screen entertainments. L is
film that has both color and beauty
assuming that those qualities may be
attributed TO an art that possesses but
a single dimension.
Particularly in color is Ramona"
rich. 1t IS highly atmospherical.
Filmed in the locale of Mrs. Jackson's
story, IL never fails 70 take full advan-
tage OF the fact One departs with the
mind carrying a confused tumble o.
hacendas. dobe walls. senoritas, Ind
ians OF all ages and conditions Of at
tire. long-robed priests. gurgling Cali
foraia brooks. bounding sheep and
romping dogs. horses and wood-doyes.
moonlt Southern evenings and hot
blooded lovers OF Spanish descent
Just as Mr.. Belasco buried The
Rose Of the Rancho" under = wealth of
atmosphere, so the makers Of "Ra-
mona" have all but forgotten their
story in the quest for color. But it IS
fairly good story. and, despite the pro-
ducers. it comes frequently to the fore.
However. an intelligent curtaIling OF
the colored matter would &c OF great
aid. The entertainment IN lis present
form runs well into the fourth hour,
and all but the most confrned film
fans will be unable to keep back the
yawns after II o'clock.
In the matter OF music, there Is
coordination with the tlm which be
speaks long rehearsal and greatly
heightens the effect OF the picture. Inc
music, IN fact. must receive At least oy
per cent OF the credit for the produc-
ton. After few performances It may
be that the coordination VIII be eX-
tended TO include the stage crew.
The film is shown in three parts, and
each Of these is preceded BY al at
mospherical setting" on the stage de-
signed 20 aid In working the audience
into the proper mood. A score Of per
sons are used in these pictures. and
the effect is not unpleasins 20 the eye.
They are, however. distinct dlsap-
pointment decidedly the least impor-
tant part Of the production. They DO
nothing 70 further the story, and con-
sequently are merely in the way.
movies place is the screen.
The film has been intelligently cast.
and good work Is done By AIDA Glea-
son. Richard Sterling. Monroe Sails
bury and others, who comprise TOO long
a list 20 print. Last nights audience
took particular delight in the antics
Of tho various dumb animals and
couple OF infants and especially IN the
clever acting Of four-yesr-old named
Anna Lehr. To give full credit n must
be added that Lloyd Brown and Donald
Crisp directed the picture. and hat ".
II. Ciune Is he presenting genius.
Ramona" In its capacity a. "cir-
enia theatrical entertainment blazes
20 neN path along which the motion
picture may triuwphartly progress. But
it IS . good picture. accompanied hy
good music. and as Ics viii I'M
acub'ciiv be- carried 20 success.