Arizona republican., 1917-04-24
SOUL IF PART Is CAUGHT BY
 WONDER WOMAN

In spectacular impressiveness, en- crossing dramatic interest sympa- thetic appeal, Joan, the Woman" the most soul l-stirring picture play of the day, created a sensation at the Colum- bia theater. where it was shown for the first time yesterday. Even in this age of technically perfect productions. the Lasky production thrilled with it's beauty. Exquisite as it is in it's pa geantry and settings, the real soul of 1t lies in it's spiritual note emphasized by Geraldine Farrar, who caught the exaltation that dominates the role. It is a magnificent picture in every sense.
 There is timely interest in Jeanie MacPherson's photodrama which she has based on the history and legend of Joan of Arc. The story has modern setting by producing the life of the girl patriot h the dream of an English soldier, who discovers an an- cient sword in the trenches some where in France" on the eve of call for volunteers to perform a desperate mission against the German trenches. Then comes the heart stirring story which even now is an inspiration to the men of France at the front
 Cecil E. De Mile, who directed the production, has followed flawlessly the atmosphere of the period. The battle of Orleans, with its charge of knights at the stockade with lance points and armor gleaming-the fight about the walls of the beleaguered city is one of the most spectacular moments of the play. The pomp and glory of the court. the charming woodland scenes about Domremy-all contribute to make Joan, the Woman" marvellous beyond description. loans voices" put motion picture technique to test and the director has managed this optical illusion skillfully and with won derful effect Coloring effects are in- troduced with startling realism.
 The episode in history needs no re- telling. Every school girl and boy is familiar with the incidents of Joans Journey to the king, her selection as leader of the French army, the great battle of Orleans, loans capture, the inquisitiOn and her terrible death at the stake. The author of the scenario has injected a love theme in which the British officer in his dream sees him self Eric Trent, an English soldier, twice indebted tG Joan for his life The anti climax brings one back to the present war. The young Britisher, in- 'spired by his dream, volunteers the dangerous mission and is mortally
 wounded, and as he dies on the battle- field the vision of Joan appears While not diminishing the glory ot
 her heroism the conception of Joan is foremost of all as woman. She is shown, it is true, with her coat of mail and in all the splendor of her brave
 deeds, but Miss F'arrars genius is suf ficient to not only represent her as the deliverer of France, but at the same time to give her the quivering heart of a woman. She is the simple peasant girl listening to the voice of God, glori- lled with the honor that it is to come l to her; she is shown grasping the standard of France and calling upon | the armored throng of nobles to follow l her; she is woman in love and agaiT
 martyr dying for cause, deserted by
 her king and betrayed by the people | she led to victory. The greatest war | rior of the age. she is also the tendereSl i of women, and this is effectively strik-
 ing where, after the coronation in the Rheims cathedral, she leaves Charles 1 VII and goes to the entrance of the l great pile to greet her uncle There ! are many other such instances, beauti- l ful and artistic.
 Miss Farrar is superb as she experi- l ences the horror of the inquisitior i chamber and later on her way to the | stake The star has effective support
 in Wallace Reid, Theodore Roberts kHobart Bosworth, Fully Marshall
 James Neill, Raymond Hatton and | Charles Cary.
 The photoplay is extraordinary in
 story, photography and direction, and
 not a person can afford to miss the | attraction.
 Joan, the Woman" will be repeated
 today and tomorrow, afternoon and evening.