Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-03-01

Shall love be sacrificed upon the
altar of imperial greed for power?
This is the question pointedly asked
in the photo-drama, "War Brides"
which Herbert Brenon has now COM
pleted. Although il is impossible to
escape this question in witnessing the
play, no attempt is made TO teach
on preach. Mr.. Brenon simply tells
the story and lets the moral, if there
be one, take care of itself. In WAR
Brides" the constant clash between
the individual and the state makes
the problem obvious.
The individual in the play is Joan,
young peasant girl, in which role
Nazimova will make her first appear
ance on the moving picture screen.
She played the part with great sue
cess in vaudeville, but many incidents
have been added, giving her wider
scope for her unique talents than she
has had in her stage productions.
The story shows the life of the
peasants of mythical kingdom. The
poor people have been oppressed by a
grasping owner of factory, and in
strike which ensues the workers are
led by Joan The workers win, and
celebrate their victory At a picnic.
where Joan meets Franz, young
( farmer, one Of four brothers who live
with THEN widowed mother. and their
sister. Amelia Franz and Joan are
betrothed when ahe shadow Of war
Is oon on the horizon of the country.
Franz Is eager 10 fight but Joan IS
filled with apprehension. They cease
working GA the little home they had
begun, but before Franz leaves with
( the troops they are married
At length the young husband leaves
with his regiment The other broth
ers are drfted into the ranks. until
at last the bride, the sister and moth
er are left alope TO weep and hope
for the return Of the loved ones
Then comes news Of great battle.
and with it information that Franz
has been killed. Joan first thinks
only Of her bereavement, and is deter
mined TO end her own life But the
aged mother Of the dead husband re-
minds her Of new duty which con
| fronts her, TO "A child that will be born
\ fatherless. SO She sadly takes up the
\ thread Of her existence once more.
Soldiers are falling by thousands in
the battles. and the authorities con
ceive the idea OF virtually compelling
the unmarried women TO marry sol
diers on the eve Of their departure
for the war. 50 that there may be
more soldiers to carry out the imperi-
al ideas of power To Joan. the idea
is revolving. Her old talents for lead
ership come TO the surface. and she
goes among the women, arguing
against permitting themselves to be
made victims of the ruling powers.
This action brings Joan under the
displeasure Of the authorities, and
she is ordered shot When il is learn
ed that she is to be a mother, the or
deI is rescinded, and she is sent to
jail.
In her cell Joan learns that the king
is to pass through the village. and she
escapes Mourning has been forbid
den, but Joan persuades the women
to disobey, and IN black meet the
monarch, carrying their babes in their
arms, as a protest against war.
The king approaches, and the wonl-
an go to meet him Without using
yiolencc the civil and military au-
thorities are unable 90 stem the tide
Of humanity. and Is women are now
held immune from punishment for
purposes OF state they march on As
they near the royal encourage the sol
/ Tiers make a desperate effort TO stop
them by threatening to shoot their
eader, Joan But the woman darts
10 where the king is watching the
scene and delivers message her
own message, IMPLYING the revolt IL
the women Of the country against the
oppression under which they nave suf-
fered
See it al Genesta Monday afternoon
and evening Adv