Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-09-13
By wALTER d. HICKMAN.

thump, but soon It becomes humor-
esqued in its patty pit-pat; eyes become
moistened and the pulse beats faster.
When that happens, one surely has
fallen under the spell of "Humoresque. )"
For years violinists have played Dvo-
rak's "Humoresque," that melody which
masquerades tears with laughter, chuckles
with sobs; but today the movie camera
has recorded these melodious heart beats
to the screen.
Undoubtedly "Humoresque" is the
most human of the movies. and / do not
hesitate to say that the screen has never
revealed mother-love as convincing ly
presented as done by Vera Gordon as
Mama kantor, the Jewish mother,
whose faith in one of her eight chill
dren resulted in making Leon kantor, the
worlds greatest violinst.
Mama Kantor, a Madonna of the
Ghetto, said her prayers while a VIC
tim of poverty in the east side in New
York City, and prayed that one of her
children would be a great violinist.
Papa Kantor has dreams of his son sue
ceeding him In his little brass shop and
he frowned upon the idea of Mama Kan
tor Insisting that Leon be given violin
on his seventh birthday, when the lad
cried for a seven dollar fiddle.
But Mama Ksntor knew that her
prayers had been answered-the violinist
had arrived.
Papa Kantor was not so sure
Had not Mama Kantor cried with de-
light when one OF the older sons. when
mere child, ran away TO follow initial
ian organ grinder?
How did I know that he wanted the
monkey and not the music box ?" asked
Mama Ksntor Of Papa Kantor
But Leon was the real answer to Mama
kantor's prayers and so successful was
he that the Kantors moved from the pow
erty stricken side OF New York to a
home very near Fifth avenue.
Leon had played before the crowned
heads OF Europe out his greatest triumph
was before an audience OF his own peo-
pie in New York
That night he played 'Kol Nidre." that
weird Hebrew melody. and then
"Humoresque."
And what q triumph is this scene in
the movie for Frank Borzage, the dl-
rector. and Gilbert Warrenton. the cam
era man.
Those scenes are fun of east side
types and what wonderful types they
are-risht from the book Of life
On the heels Of his great triumph.
Leon. instead Of taxing s., 900 per con-
cert contract. "sgns mp" with the United
states army to fight the Huns.
Then comes the most human scene OF
the movie and the best acting ever done
before the camera.
Mama Khntor promises not ito turn
the waterworks loose" during the fare
Wnll a. 10
giles 10 conquer her tears will remain
the GROWING achievement Of the screen
for al least the next ten years.
IL Is a; their stage Of the picture
that Alma Rubeas. who was the child
hood love OF Leon, mounts 70 splendid
dramatic hight where suppressed emo
;ional acting IS the proof OF me creates,
Of this actress.
Leon goes TO war. :
The return
That is whore your heart will beat
faster and your eyes viii become warm
with tears.
Leon had been shot in the arm he
right arm. the arm which made possibl,
rich melody.
The arm apparently was useless.
II Is in those scenes that CASTOR Glass
distinguishes himself by not overpla ring
the strength Il wounded manhood
How wonderful Is the suffcriax ~
Mama kantor for her Leon, the great
est JOY ia hes life.
She does not weep-she plays
In the big scene. Leon tells his sweet
heart that he releases her from her
promise to wed him on his return be-
cause 10 Is cripple
So crusheH is Gina. PLAYED By Miss
| Rubens, that she faints and falls.
Suddenly life returns 10 the inactive
right arm Of Leon, he springs from his
invalid's chair and picks up the girl he
loves
Gently placing Gina on sofa, he
picks up bis beloved violin.
Can he play?
The prayers ~ Mama Kantor have
| been answered because she again hears
her son play "Humoresque" with all the
mastery displayed In the days before
! the war
God always answers mothers
prayers" sobs Mama Kantor to Papa
! Kantor
But what about the papas prayers?'
| asks Papa Kantor.
That's "Humoresque." movie mao.
/ from Fannie Hurst's truthful story oil
/ ghetto life.
Opinion: "Humoresque' is the most
| human photoplay ever produced and do
not forget that the Jewish mother. a,
/ played ny Vera Gordon. IA the finest
/ character which has ever been flashed OF
| the screen.
| The picture is 30 worth while that we
give the entire "Humoresque" cast as
follows:
Mama kantor ............. Vera Gordon
Abraham Kantor - nore Davfdsor