New-York tribune., 1920-11-16
On the Screen
Otis Skinner E.xceis in Film
Version of ki-inet al the
Strand Thealcr
By Iarriette Underhill

Praise be to Allah, We have seen
great picture. 1t is "Kismct," pre-
sentcd at the Strand by Robertson
&C, with Otis Skinner in the role
which he originated in the stage pro
duction. This is Mr.. SINNERS initial
appearance on the screen, and we
cherished no fond hopes as we took
our seat in the box opposite the stage.
while the orchestra began to play
"Scheherazade.' Too often had We sad
ly witnessed the screen debut of stage
stars and felt as though what we saw
was desecration. And then the
magniicencc of the surroundings was
ominous. And the sumptuous pro
logue! Too often, also, had we seen
these much horalded features disguised
with incense and music and lights, and
they looked to us like a very poor
pudding covered with a very alluring
sauce. But you needn't be afraid to
cat this pudding at the Strand--it is
filled with plums, if such an alluslon
is not uniting, considering the
grandeur of the production.
1t seems to US that never on the
stage has Otis Skinner been seen to
greater advantage. OF course, the
magic of the camera reproduces all OF
the subtlety of his acting and all
the charm of his personality. lie is
the screen, as surely as ever he was
on the stage He is superb in his in
science and his strength, and his make
up reveals no defect, even in the
closest closeup.
1t seemed as though every one in
the picture was keyed up to do his
best Louis Gosnier, the director, we
do not know, but he must be q great
general. Hamilton Revelle was COM
pelling figure as Mansur, the role which
WAS his in the stage production, and
this is the first time that we ever
have been impressed with Mr.. Revellc
as a screen actor. Elinor Fair was
very lovely as the girl Marsinah. and
Leon Barry was an imposing Caliph.
Rosemary Theby also, was at her best
as the buxom cx-favQritc of the
Mansur.
The story is told exactly as it was
told on the stage and there is no devi-
alton from the original plot. OF course
the screen makes it possible to sur
iNu'AA WIG PldS SClc WIN a
quite impossible in any stage produc-
tion even though it be on the Century
stage. The sets are marvel of beauty
and extravaganza, and the lighting and
photography arc as fine as any VIC have
seen.
The picture runs for two hours, so
there is nothing on the program save
the feature and the prologue that
shows street in Bagdad. and the size
of the Strand stage makes it possible
to do this very effectively The dances
were arranged by Alexis Koslof.
Joseph Martel sings Far Across the
Desert Sands"
The theater vas filled with incense
and the lobby is hung with Oriental
rugs which made us wish we we're as
slick a thief as Hadj.. The crowd
which waited for admittance extended
we'll down around the corner of Forty
seventh Street. Never have we seen
anything like it at motion picture
theater. Several policemen were re-
quired to keep the people in line and
20 clear the sidewalk for the people
who wanted to walk on that side of
Broadway.
But the nice part Of it is that those
who waited for hours to sec "Kismet"
must have felt that they were fully
repaid when they did get chance to
see the picture 1t is we'll worth stand
ing in line for.