New-York tribune., 1920-03-02
On the Screen
1.-THE Right of Way" at Capitol
Strong Picture Built on Sir
Gilbert ParlSer's Story
BY Edwin H. Blanchard

At the Capitol this week "The Right
OF Way" the screen version Of Sir
Gilbert Parkers novel of the same
name, is an exceptional picture. It is
well-told story and the acting IS
good.
Bert Lytell, the Charley Steele Of
tie film, deserves praise not onyl for
his Interpretation of his role but for
the quality Of restraint that he brings
to ms acting, which is so rare in the
STINT drama. To the thousands of
leaders who have built up a Charley
Steele from the pages of Parker's
book Bert Lytell will be roaliza-
tion Of the vague pictures that they
have formed of the man. In a hun
dred opportunities he almost uniformly
took advantage of his chance to give
complete revelation of the true char
arter.
The story viii be so familiar to most
of those who go to the Capitol this
week that it wiz not need retelling
in full. Charley Steele, brilliant and
cynical lawyer, zones to the turning
point Of his life in the little tavern
whore Suzon serves. Brought there
by his thirst there comes the quarrel
in the dark, the blows on Steele's head,
the heaving of the body into te river
and the providentiaI arrival of 10
Portugais. From that point in the
story comes the gradual development
Of tho true Steele through the new
opportunities in the little village of
Chaudcre A surgeon brings back the
memory that The blows had taken away
bat his new friends, the Cure and 10
and Resale, give him the faith tnat
brings to him at the moment of death
the contentment he had sought in vain
1t is not necessary to give more than
this outline Of the story for it is told
after all in terms Of emotion, through
excellent acting and direction.
1t Is unfortunate that the approach
to such an excellent picture is through
two tedious hours, but it is true, for
"The Right of Way" has to be seen
IN conjuAetion with an exceedingly
long and barren program.
The third movement of the Sixth
Symphony Of Tschaikowsky, played by
the Capitol Symphony orchestra. was
welcome, as was in a lesser degree
"Ihe Artists Dream" novelty, bu.
not wholly harmonious color pic
turo. For the circus acts little can be
SAID in way Of praise Dippy Diers
and company \of one), direct from the
Alhamhra have brought with them =
brand of humor that needs great deal
Of translation. ALI Loyal's Dogs, from
Einglngs Circus, are better, if for
no other reason than that they have
less wish to display their sense OF
humor. "Ihe Five Dollar Plate,v a
detective film, with Herbert Rawlinson
in the lead. is boring, and the topical
odds and ends serve merely to lengthen
the program. With the feature film
aud normal number of additional
offerings the bill would have been be-
yond criticism. but as constituted it is
much like listening to the detailed
story of mans life from the cradle
up that one may hear at last the great
chapter Of his life.
Al the Rivoli, which has announced
comedy week for its patrors, thcry
is to be found the phenomenon OF a
comedy which is funny, clean and not
based upon assault and battery as a
plot. 1t is in "Nlary's Ankle" to which
Douglas MacLean and Doris MAY brine