The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-14
FILM DRAMA OPENS
SEASON AT COHAN'S
David w. Griffith Surprises
Audience by Posing as
Music Composer.
MANY ELEMENTS IN PLAY
"Broken Blossoms" Is Blend
of Greek, Chinese, London
and American Effects.

The opening of David w. Grifiith's
repertory season at George M. Cohan's
Theatre last night revealed the producer
In new light, which had nothing to do
with the novel Illuminating effects that
were exuded in connection with the pic
ture. 1t lay in note In the programme
which announced that the music accom-
panying the feature film, Broken Bios
soms." included Original compositions
by Louis f. Gottschalk and d. w. Grif-
NTH" "A side OF his talents that has re-
ceived scant notice from his press agents.
But why not some music by Mr.. Grif-
nth since he obviously had a finger in
every other detail of the production? So
presumably Mr.. Griffith contributed to
the thematic overture that preceded the
photoplay while the curtain swept aside
on the stage and revealed a Chinese Joss
house 6lled with characters representa-
tive OF the story and half concealed, half
disclosed by nebulous mists OF light save
for rich golden shaft that poured over
white girl lying on divan.
1t was an artistic device for setting
the mood and the atmosphere OF the
picture. without relying entirely on the
orchestra, the cymbals and the big bass
drum. But the musical selections for
their part warmed the emotional con-
tent OF the picture more than the GUS
tomary cins.na accompaniment. And
whenever one was IN doubt as to the
Interpretation, 10! the screen was al
ways bathcd with curious, vibrant
mauve. while the innor core OF the pic
ture itself shimnered with salmon pink.
One got so one could recognize the
love theme Just by this color comblna-
tion--it was like n movie produced by
Arthur Hopkins.
As for the picture itself, It was n
rather extraordinary blending Of cos
mopolitan elements-Greek feeling, Chi
American plan Adapted from The
Chink and the Child" in Thomas Burke s
''Limehouse Nights" It deals in a direct
and moving way with the brutal terror
Ism of a Limehouse pugilist over his
starved child, a girl like q faded flower
! The father, a sort of modern Bill Skies
beats her cruelty and the girl wanders
! in a daze to the shop of a dreamy
poetic young Chinese. who sees in her
the lily on the rubbish heap
He cherishes her tenderly. arraying
her In silks and making her his own
human joss. But the pugnac!ous father
hears or IL ana jumps 10 the proper Lime
house conclusion. lie drags her away
he Is very sensitive about his honor
The result liz death for the three OF
! them.
The Aim drama moves with the cumu-
lative sense OF the inevitable handed
down from Euripides. which seems
finally TO have drifted out TO the Los
| Angeles studios. Told with all the
emotional flourish. and yet real artistry
of this producer. this tragedy is q
notable achievement in motion pictures
Largely this is due TO the finished
acting OF Lillian Gsh-who was or
hand last night, hiding behind a large
fioppy hat AS the frightened, sensitive
child she made n rare ivory cameo OF
her part.
| Richard Barthelmess, as tho mystic
! Chinese lover OF gentle spirit played
with n delicacy OF feeling and sense
| OF the Oriental character that distin
| guished him as never before Donalt
CrisO portrayed the father realistically
even to a tin ear Incense hoateC
through the house. which was lit by ode
purple lights. for which permission. one
| hopes. was obtained from Roland r
West, But It must be acknowle dyed that
! despite claims to the contrary the movi,
repertory season is not a new thlng-foi
have we not still the Strand Rivoli
| Rialto and others?