The Washington times., 1920-10-11

KETROrOLIrAN- p.
sTbs Wsman In His Hsase.~

STho woman In His Hoaso.~
Distinguished by a variety Of mood
and diversity OF scene that seldom
and their way to tho screen and
exalted BY \ tenderness and beauty
that are genuinely impressive. Louis
H. Mayors production Of THE Woman
In His House." yesterday made u
profound Impression upon the huge
audiences that viewed the nrst pub
lie presentation OF this master-drams
at crsnoairs Metropolitan Theater.
While "The Woman In His House"
may quite properly be cAeAlogued as
psychic drama. IL 10 above all else
perfect photodramatic entertainment.
Before! the picture Ia fairly under
way the spectator has witnessed one
of the most realistic storm scenes
ever Mmed-an episode In the story.
by the way. that Initiates . motif
that 10 carried throughout the plays
absorbing development
Again, after the action has carried
HiIda, the heroine, bred TO the rLxors
Of a rugged Canadian coast. to tho
position OF wife In the homo OF one
OF Americas most celebrated young
scientists. . note Of gaiety is sounded
by the ebulltent reproduction OF q
New Years Eve revel in ono of New
York's most opulent lobster palaces.
|, Finally. when the child OF the
young couple who have grown farther
and farther apart, as the husband de-
votes more and more time to his
and more tntentiy to the blandish-
ments of An urban young scoundrei
who thrives upon the martial infeli-
cities OF others. 10 stricken with the
mslady that the father has been
struggling to stem. there 10 injected
into the narrative q quality of pathos
infinitely more exquisite than has
ever before been recorded by the
camera
The recurrence OF climaxes that
mark the elimination OF various ele-
ments Of this sterling drama of q
lcve that came dangerously near
crashing upon the rocks of mutual
Misunderstanding is completely over
shadowed by the tremendous sweep.
the irresistible tenderness and the
devout contrit,on OF the last magnin-
cent scene in which the little crippled
babe is restored to health by the
miracle OF mother love.
There were few dry eyes in the
Metropolitan last night when this
portion of the picture dimmed into
insignificance the other ramifcations
OF a story that is always Interest," ng
it's pathos and its connubial incom-
patibility. ''The Woman in His House"
10 not in any sense q depressing
photoplay.
1t Is. on the contrary. like every
worthy drama that derives It's mo-
tivation from the daily life every
where about us, inspiring In its op-
timism and convincing in its reality.
1t sings a song of boundless Joy. not
4 dirge ofNbetalsd hopes.
The cast assembled by Mr.. Mayer
and directed with unusual skill by
John NJ. Stahl contains the names of
many who have attained stellar emf
nence, but none who will not gain
immeasurably in the public esteem by
virtue Of the splendid characteriza-
tion that ne offers in this vehicle.
Ramsey Wallace and Mildred Harris,
as the young couple whose matrimon-
ial bark SO barely escapes mishap.
contribute impersonations that tran
scend the finest they have ever here
tofore brought to the screen.
Gareth Hughes, a young actor who
has only recently abandoned straight
juvenile roles to undertake the moro
difficult business of playing char
acter parts, is beyond criticism as
Sigurd. the 'demented cripple, whose
pitiful figure stands throughout the
narrative as the symbol OF the doom
that 10 to overtake the Emersons.
Winter Hall, George Fisher. as the 80.
ciety jacksl; Katherine Van Buren,,
and Thomas Holding, n the far-see-
ing friend Of the family. also offer por-
traitures of exceptional value. The
screen has never reflected the imags
of so adorable q youngster rs little
Richard Hedrick, who carries the
pivotal scenes.
Not the least feature of the tremen
dous popular success scored by "The
Woman In His House" yesterday lies
in the effectiveness Of the orchestral
Interpretation afforded by the aug
mented symphony under the conduc-
torship of Mr.. Vioni. The score ar
ranged for this subject Is one o,
great beauty and dignity commen-
surate with the power of the pic
tured drama.
Brief supplementary reels complete
one of the most notable bills ever Of
fered upon a Washinfton screen. 1t
is OF interest to note that despite the
noteworthy quality Of the entertain
ment the definite announcement Is
made that the showing will be posi-
lively limited to this week only.