The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-22


am giving my Idea Of THE Miracle
Man" really before the picture has been
given a public showing here, but l was for
trnate n seeing it at private ate
Orpheum. thru the kindness of Mr.. Hooper.
l am rushing this review in today's paper
spasms of mine may take my word for 1t.
that IT is worth while performance. And
upon one scene alone depended the amazing
sentimental success unquestionably achiev-
ell by the picture version of The Miracle
Man" which opens today Mt the Orpheum.
Thursday the small crowd. as II single
person lost its breath in a sob at certain
point Unfortunately for the cumulative
dramatic value Of this offering that scene
Nothing that follows can touch 1t. The
picture itself is founded on the novel Of
the same name by Frank L. Packard. or
this novel George NJ. Cohan made play.
Now George Loane Tucker has made
picture of It. but before handing him any
bonquets as he deserves for his work here
II should be said that he owes most of his
results to Mr.. Packard's conception of
sentimental values. Since "I}en Hur" moth
stage or screen. and 1t has ben Hur
beaten seven ways for real sentiment 1t is
simpler, more true to life. as we know It.
and so more effective. You've been crying
for something different and with this pic
ture you have 1t. It's an unusual picture
Il Is great picture and George Lolne
film warrants the highest grade of eN-
cellence. Do you remember Betty Compson
except George Loane Tucker would have
seen in her n great emotional actress? In
this you first meet her as tawdry little
skirt" member OF gang or underworld
takers: the wnntOn, hOtlipped. heavy-eyeI
mistress of the leader of the gang. And
thru a strange circle of events you follow
her, marvelling more each minute at tho
work she does. Tom Meighan is the leader
NJ the gang. His religion is Money" And
he believes in allowing nothing to inter
fere with his religion. His are the brains
Of the crooks -ho 5lindly follow his lead
His is the remarkable idea that furnishes
the motif for the story. Joseph ]. Bowling
the deaf. dumb and blind prophet seems
more n presence than n character He has
invested the role with the remarkable
quietness that holds you as no other inter-
probation could do. Then. Lon Clancy !:
Cast as Of those weird and horrible
beggers who thru contOrtfOns can make of
themselves such object of horror and Ei:y
that none would refuse them aid. he Is
hldcous, convincing and immensely likable
when unfolded. The other characters arc
all well taken. The story holds your in
terest from start OF finish. When / heard
II had been filmed / was quite excited
for long ago 1 read II in a magazine and
NJ. Cohan. you know. made n play of 1t
which ran about q year on broadway. And
in the course of human events George
Loane Tucker laid his magic hand upon It.
And made Of the Miracle Man" a mirac e
picture. Artistically. 1t marks hopes tri-
reason for Its success is that 1t states in
convincing terms what would all like
to believe, namely. that sins are forgiven.
that the afflicted are comfOrted. and what
Won think. IS that which you are. It's a
lesson and big lesson, every man and wO-
mar-every boy and girl should see this
/ miracle picture. And guess that will be
about all. n. S. A.