The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-13
.Stupendous Production Of Quo Vadis" Offering at
 Alcazar AM This Week
An Unanswerabe Appeal For Worlds Democracy, is Quo Vadis" Which Relates More Vididly Than Tongue Pen Can Portray the Result of Autocracy and
 Military Rule

The revised and elaborated edition or | the greatest of photodramas, quo vadis." will be shown at the Alcazar theatre all this week. This photo interpretation of Henry Sienkiewicz's s novel of Rome in the days of the dissolute Nero when the empire was crumbling and the Christian era was dawning, is not only magnificent spectacle, but it is excellent propaganoa nresented at a critical time in our na- tion's history.
 .o,o yadis" shows more wildly than tongue can relate or pen can portray the result of autocratic government and military rule. It is an unansWeraoie appeal for world democracy.
 The story follows very closely the DOT of Sienkiewicz's novel, opening in the private bath of Petronius. Roman patrician who, even in those profligate days. retained his fastidiousness and nhtIosophy. There enters Petronius nephew, vinitius. just returned rom war in Asia Minor. He tells his uncle of his love for Lygia, a daughter or . barbarian king who is held in hostage in Rome and who has been converted to Christianity.
 Taking I'D the thread of young Vim titus love story, we are led by It tnroueh the all-night orgies of the royal oah ouets in Nero's palace. to the arena where the contests between the siau- iators are held, to the secret meeting place of the small pano or Dn. a.as 'i.,,n1 and whose leader is the Apostle Peter, anu hack again to the home of Nero, ms senators and noblemen, where We nave an intimate view of the lives and cus- toms of those days
 Nothing more realistic has been pro- duced in this great art which mas peen born and reached maturity in our own eennration than the scene in the arena where the Christians are fed to the lions and that great scene ln when Rome is burned. One feels the terror and the panic of the fleeing populace' as, bearing their household goods, tnelf children and their aged relatives, they flee before the all devouring flames.
 One contrasts. too. this scene when the Roman empire was crumbling wlth the scenes of today, when the innapi, tants of many villages in Belgium ana northern France have likewise fled from their homes-but before the invading hordes, not to make roh"i Iiii peror's holiday.
 In the scene in the arena where the band of Christian martyrs await the most horrible of deaths, one is remind ed also of the martyrs of our own cay who face privation and death Tor the sake of an ideal dearer to them than life.
 After the games arc over, when the Roman populace has imposed its will upon the selfish and degenerate Nero yenitius escapes with Lygia, and Pe- tronius at the order of his ruler takes his own life.
 The banquet scene in which he anc his beloved slave, Eunice. die together is also one of the nose impressive thing' ever seen on screen or board.
 Tn the scene where the Apostle Peter fleeing from the confusion and danger. of the Eternal City. meets his master on the Appian way and asks him th' question from which the name of thu book is derived, we have portrayed { again the strength of the great ideal Tn many ways the Apostle Peter bring to us the beautiful character and thu leadership of Cardinal Mercer in thi last great world war.
 ..Quo vadis' is the highest form o drama transferred to the screens l has history. religion and art, and t have 1t presented again is a privileg which no one in America should fail t appreciate.