The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-08
MOUing Pictures
1.-THE Miracle Man"

There are times when superlatives as
applied to a legitimate stage produc-
ton or to a motion picture, seem in
adequate to really convey the merito-
rious qualities Of the subject at hand,
and 1t is of The Miracle Man." the big
George Loane Tucker production which
had its premiere at the Strand theater
Sunday, that 1t may be said superla-
tives are ineffective to properly give
credit to the performance.
Seldom has a p~hotoplay 30 profoundly
stirred an audience al did this Para
mount-Artcraft release which Is being
shown In MemphiR simultaneously with
New York city and other big picture
centers of the East. The delightful
comments of the spectators who crowd
ed the theater Sunday were a splendid
tribute to a photoplay, which without a
doubt deserves a place beside the really
great screen masterpieces Of the pres
emit day.
While the play has as its central
characters four crooks of New York's
Chinatown, 1t is more powerful than a
thought-out sermon, more educational
than a series of studies on human ma
ture. and above all, Is morally clean and
wholesome in its effects. 1t takes rank
with the best of modern day dramas
which leave n feeling better for hav-
ing seen 1t. Those who have seen
to ,Ey tsc RI1htlh ana nB1 a3Sse e. vs. y whiTn
y u AtAshN, dtAu otiO Plhgo WlllNhi
convey a moral. will experience the
same beneficial effects-of having seen
what the mate goodness Of mankind
will do--in eliminating immoral and
criminal tendencies in the human heart.
The picture is based upon the famous
| story by Frank l.. Packard, which sub
%sequently vas dramatized by George M,
Cohan with marked success. The adroit-
ness with which its director, George
Loane Tucker, has worked out a tre-
mendous theme and his handling Of the
exquisitely beautiful scenic effects,
raises The Miracle Man" far above
the ordinary cinema production.
The story centers around a white
haired patriach Of the hills, who is
credited with power to heal the sick
and crippled. News Of his prowess
reaches Tom Burke, leader Of an I'M
%scrupulous band of crooks in New
York's Chinatown. He conceives the
purposes and taking the proceeds for
himself and his pals, Rose, the Dope,
and the Frog.
Through a fake cure in which the
Frog figures, their plan is worked out,
but they had not figured on a small
miracle spreads like wildfire and soon
l Burke and his gang find themselves
\ growing rich. But Burke is losing his
staunch followers. They are finding
the error of their ways and one by one
they fall away from him, to find love
and real kindness in the heart Of .
good soul. Burke alone remains hard
hearted.
When he thinks another man is about
to win Rose from him he threatens t
kill Roses sutton. Then suddenly .
great wave of remorse sweeps ovel
him, he seeks and finds the peace tina
his soul yearns. Thus. Rose, who hal
loved him all the time, finds him ant
they face a bright future together.
While THE Miracle Man" boasts o
no particular star in its cast, Ton
Mejghan does the finest work Of his ca
reer. Betty Compson, as Rose, is SUB
lie and a oonsummate actress. and 10.
seph j. Bowling as the Miracle Man II
a wonderful screen characterization.
1.-THE Miracle Man" remains at thu
Strand all week and, as SAID before, i
one of the best photoplays ever shown
here and is one that every one SHOULD
see, NED COURTNEY.