New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-28
On the Screen
Chaplin s Lincoln Cycle One
ofMost Realistic Features
Ever Produced

Harold Edel. director Of the Strand,
H. chosen Benjamin Chaplin TO present
A., whole pictorial programme this
tvsk. Aside from the Strand Topical
ig,dew, the Lincoln Cycle Is the only
I.eure shown. 1t is divided into four
,,inet stories: "My Mother" show
IL sweet Nancy Hanks; "My Father"
I.yyelfo and "The Call 10 Arms
The most sweetly tender Of these is
4.yy Mother" where Mr.. Chaplin plays
Hon Lincoln, the father of the Presi-
lIspt Il seems incredible that the
Latter and the son were played by the
aus actor, for as Tom Lincoln Mr..
hspin has managed to suggest char
rter quite different from that Of Abra-
IAN Lincoln. Even physically he seems
o4lly different, but this is art.
Mr. Chaplin has gathered together
rendid cast. The names arc not given
On the programme, but the young wom-
an who plays Nancy Hanks Lincoln de-
serves the highest praise. She gives
Nsslightful performance. The boy who
portrays Abraham Lincoln in his youth
one of the cleverest children ever
Isen on the screen. He never misses
IN opportunity 10 bring out all the
fsthos or humor in a situation. He is
Ixactly the sort of boy one would ex-
psct 70 grow up into man such as the
keloved, msrtyred President was.
\ The motif for the first picture is
1Abrshsm Lincoln's statement, "All that
III am or hope to be I owe TO my loving
Nnother." Abe's promise TO his mother
las she Law dying, never to fight again,
bu, 70 win by service and patience,
cane 10 him many times when he was
forced 10 face the crisis Of the Civil
nWsr.
The text for the second picture Is
"My fsther-he taught me TO fight, but
only as a last resort" Tom Lincoln,
rugged and uneducated, taught Abe TO
strike hard when fighting was lmpera-
tive, and 70 fight with all his might.
The third episode is called Myself,
and il was 20 this picture that Mr.. Cha
pin devoted the greatest time. In
score Of years he studied the life and
FORKS Of the great President, until now
,e not only looks like him. but he lives
IS Lincoln lived and thinks as Lincoln
Thought.
The Call 10 Arms" shows Lincoln
as he faced the crisis of 1861. Il am
the most advised man in the world,
Ideesred the President. What l need
KS support, not advice"
1 There have been plenty Of Abraham
Liheolns on the screen. and some OF
them have been remarkably clever por-
irsysls. but Mr.. Chaplin has done some
4 thing no living actor has ever achieved
In this he has been aided by nature,
which made him almost the exact coun-
ierpart Of the famous President.
TIE overture is "The Grand American
Fsntasie." There is a violin solo by
Irene Stolofsky. and Grace Hoffman
tenders "Ah Fors Lui," from "Travi-
lh.'
The Rialto is in it's summer garb,
which means that the red velvet cur
lsns have disappeared and that, IN
their place are cooi-looking green silk
hsngings. decorated with polar bears
and mermaids; the seats are linen-clad
AID the wind-shields have disappeared
non the back of the theatre.
In honor Of "The Land Of the Rising
Sun" which is being presented this
week, the decorations are cherry bios
sons. japanese banners and Japanese
prints for Mr.. Rothapfel is nothing If
lot artistic. The drops represent
iuiiyama and peaceful japanese land
sespe.
The Japanese pictures are delight
iui They were taken in cooperation
with the Toxic government, under the
! supervision Of J. NJ. Millet, noted au-
'hority on Japan.
The overture was. Of course, MADAM
Butterfly"
i. The feature picture is 'The Call Of
her People" with Ethel Barrymore as
gypsy girl. The scenario was writ
zen from Edward Sheldon's play.
Miss Barrymore is more lkable IN
,ne production than In anything she
has done in pictures, but there is some
hing lacking which leaves the star al
Ways out of the picture. Whether this
y he fault Of the vehicle or whether
he iault lies with the actress is dit
,eglt 10 say. One knows that one Is
.Voslng At Ethel Barrymore, and yet all
q, The charm. the whimsical humor
nh'eh makes her such delight on the
sSge Is missing. Also, actresses with
n'seh less pulchritude than Miss Barry
mote possesses appear TO better ad-
'<hlage on the screen.
~ Is difficult 10 say just why saucy
ss' with surls and no knowledge OF art
.nssoeyer can do wonderfully impress
.Ns things on the screen, where a
sPsncid actress with ability. brains
esa beauty often fails, but that is one
me mysteries Of the screen.
ne story Is good and the cast is well
.eeted; also some Of the exteriors are
magnificent.
robert Whittier, as Young Faro, the
1kysy lover. is most attractive, and
! nilsm B. Davidson, as the "Gorgio,"
mere .here Is prologue in which Henry
ssoen recitss Kipling's dangerous
rvsn' The Gypsy Trail:
7ihe white moth to the closing vine.
.sne pee 10 the open clover,
"'' NE gypsy blood TO the gypsy
s'er the wide world over"
=. ons cannot help being impressed with
picturesque marriage service of