The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-07
OLD BIBLICAL STORY
RETOLDI 'SALOME'
Spectacle Has It's First Pres
entation at Oorty-fourth
Street Theatre.

An ambitious cinematic spectacle
''salome." based on the Biblical story
that has been 30 many times recounted
began its engagement last night at the
Forty-fourth Street Theatre. 1t Is lie.
scribed by the producers as q blending
OF drama and spectacle. but the latter
element 10 the more impressive. Some
500 worknen were required to make the
sets representing the palace OF Herod
and other views in ancient Jerusalem,
and II Is said that 5000 players were
engaged for the pictures.
The reputed aptitude Of Theda Bara
for delineatins such character parts as
that given her in this production was
evidently relied upon TO impart atmos-
phere and insure dramatic unity. Credit
for the fable is duly awarded on the
programme to Flavius Josephus. his
torian OF the first century, and TO
Adrian johnson for the scenario. but no
mention Is made OF stephen Phillips or
Of Hermann Sudermann. whose re-
spective works OF "Herod and Marianne
and John the Baptist" could be dove
tailed into a single play that might In
fringe the copyright OF this ceiluloid
masterpiece.
Kerod Antipas. a truel usurpe-. rules
as Tetrarch under the power OF Rome.
The oppressed Judeans plot for the
restoration OF the old dynasty, Of which
David. the brother Of Herods queen. is
the head. At the instisation OF his
cousin. Solome. Herod orders the
assassination OF Dopid. Sejanus, cap
tain OF the guard, browns the prince in
his bath.
Salop,e then turns her attention to
~ A. al -
Of whom she il Jealous and who stands
In the way OF her own supremacy over
the will OF the Tetraroh. She. therefore
po!sons a cup OF wine that the queen
has sent to Herod and warns him OF lea
odor. He gives the draft to the cup
bearer. who falls dead. Having inter-
coded hypocritcally in behalf OF the
queen. she next informs her that Rerod
ordered her brothers death. and CON
spires with the queen 10 murder Herod
As the queen is about TO drive home the
dagger Soloms screams. awakening
Herod. who now does not delay about
having his consort beheaded.
John the Baptist, who has come to
jerusalem preaching seditlon. piques the
fancy OF sniome She visits him Ia
prison. but he scorns her seductions. To
shorten a familiar story. the injured
woman demands his head OF Herod.
who. warmed by wine and the specta Gle
of Sdlome's dance OF the wells, readily
acquiesces. When Solomc has obtained
tho head on charger the palace IL as
sailed by a tempest. and Herod. terrified
cY the crashing thunder. commands his
soldiers to pu; Sdloms to death.
In spite OF Miss Bara's experience
she does not make An entirely acceptable
Sdiome.
The photography II commendabie. The
decorative value OF many of the settings
is high, massive effects are obtained and
some OF the natural scenery is pictur-
esque. The mob scenes when the popu-
lace advances to attack the palace and
Is finally routed upon the unexpected
reurn OF Herod and his bodyguard are
spirited. but become sonewh contus-
ing. The story is haldly told, without
subtlety or imagination.
At the Rlvoli was shown George Scar
borough's The Forbidden City" a Chi
nese story. in which Norma Talmadge
has a double role.
The feature at the Rialto was Such
Little Pirate" a story of the Spanish
Main. In which Lila Lee represented the
chief parsonage. In THE Kingdom OF
Youth" at the Strand Madge Kennedy
had role that was particularly suited
10 her talents. Hearts OF the World"
was seen at the Knickerbocker Theatre.