Evening journal., 1918-07-23
"HEARTS OF WORLD"
GRIPPING PICTURE


lty audience at breathless attention at
the Playhouse last night, when the fam
Gus picture drama was shown to VIII
mlngton people for the flrst time. The
onlookers realized that the picture full
ly lived up TO It's advance reputation,
as the 1900 feet OF Aim unrolled ro-
nance, tragedy and comedy against the
grim background OF war scenes, for
two nours and half.
The actual war views, taken by d. w.
Griffith on the French and British
fronts, gave a reality 10 the film that
far surpassed any OF the spectacular
made-up scenes achieved by the pro-
ducer in Intolerance or The Birth OF
a Nation" Where made-up scenes were
necessary, personal experiences and
observations OF thCcompany OF players
at the front made them true reproduc-
tions Of the war. This picture has
strong human interest given by a grip
ping love story In which the audience
follows the fortunes Of two young low
ers and their relatives and neighb0rs,
and thus sees the war In the vivid light
OF strong emotion. The power or
Hearts OF the World" lies In the fact
that It combines all possible features
OF the war In one picture. The wars
greatness Is shown by huge spaces COW
cred with troops OF France, England,
Canada and America, alternately with
the Hun hOrdes; by limitless caravans
OF supercannon, tanks and miles OF
trenches; tragic stretches OF ruined VII
lagos; skies fllled with sirplane circus
ses and observation "sausages.' by
special permission, the producer took
all these scenes from the front; there
Is no faxed scenery in the entire play.
Many OF the views are OF rare beauty.
The inferno which our boys have 10
face at ihef ront Is shown In the pic
ture in barrages liquid fre, and gas
attacks, trenches crumbllng under high
explosive shells the nightly fireworks
along the front. bombardments, hand
to-hand bayonet lighting In trenches,
attacks by grsnsde. Grinlth and
his players took many Of the scenes in
places OF great danger; Dorothy and
Lillian Gish fsinted several times from
the nearness OF shell explosions. The
way the audience was taking II to hearl
was evidenced by the whispers heard
! \ over the theatre, There's where som'
OF the Delaware boys are now"
The spontsneity with which the an
= dlence sprang 10 their feet at the fro
e notes OF the sNfarseillaise," was one O
y the slncerest tributes ever paid by hi
n city to glorious France. All picture
% OF allied troops were signals for thu
J. derous applause and when the Anne
N leans appeared al the end. the noise VI
J. like an artillery preparation over \
m Mans Land.
N One OF the intensely real incidents
oi the play showed the hero, disguised
n the uniform Of a German Of1icer, eros
IS Ing No. Mans Land and iourneyin
e through the German trenches on 81
cret mission.
8 The comedy was furnished by tw
I poi.us and Dorothy Gish, who swep
] the audience from tragedy into roar
OF laughter. The French double kiss
between the masculine French, never
failed 10 call forth a laugh from the
American spectators.
Three little boys Jealous because
their ldollzed brother was captured by
a fair maiden furnished several touch
Ing scenes that appealed TO everybody.
The bravery Of the 6-year-0ld actor In
posing for a scene where he was COW
cred by the debric OF an explosion, was
wonderful. There Is a splendid orches-
| ira accompanying the picture. swing a
concert that Is a treat in itself. Hearts
/ Of the World" will be shown at the
Playhouse all this week with an after
noon and evening performance daily.
AT THE QUEEN.
A double feature bill OF extraordinary
merit was shown at the Queen yester-
day. John Barrymore heads the dra-
matic feature in polarization OF
"Raffles." which held the interest OF
the large audience from beginning to
end. while Fatty Arbuckle was seen in
his newest comedy. entitled Good
Night Nurse" a feature In which the
lfat comedian introduces many new
comedy stunts. John Barrymore In
"Raffles" proves that he Is also an ac-
tor OF the heavier type having hereto
fore won most Of his successes In
dramas OF lighter vein. The picture
4 cast aims a prologue which has heen
srtisilcally arranged and eXcellenuy
photographed and is a splendid intro
duction 10 the story, which is almost
too well known 10 invite description.
The action starts on a steamship where
Raffles. posing as a count, gains the in
formation through Mrs. Vidal that a
priceless pearl is In the possession OF a
certain man on the boat. Rallies clever
" steals It, jumps overheard and swims
ashore. but Is seen by Mrs. Vidal. He
next appears In England with entry into
the most exclusive circles. In the com
edy feature Fatty Arbuckle and his
company Of laugh makers kept the au-
dience in a roar Of laughter. Good
Night Nurse" is one Of Fatty's best and
everyone knows what that means.
AT THE MAJESTIC.
Charles Ray made his appearance at
the Majestic in new role in his new
est play, "The Claws Of the Hun" while
this is a timely drama dealing in part
with the war, there are no battle
scenes. Mr.. Ray was seen in a most
congenial role and his portrayal Of a
red-blooded young American patriot
was as vivid as It was artistic and sat
isfying. Mr.. Ray gave a forceful por-
trayal OF the young hero. and as usual
Robert McKim proved a very despic-
able villain as the German spy. Jant
! Novack was charming other number:
lon tha r-oorarn included the latest odi