The Washington herald., 1921-08-15
|1|f NEW ATTRACTIO NSA
1YAT THE TEIEATERS
METROPOLITAN.
Paia Negri On 4Gypsy Blsed.'

Paia Negvi In 4Gypsy BIssd.v
The bill arranged for premiere
presentation at crandail's Metropoi-
ltan Theater this week. which yes
terday attracted record-breaking
crowds, embodies three features OF
strong popular appeal. Gypsy
Blood" in which Poia Negri, re-
membered as the star OF Passion"
Is cast in the role Of La Carmen
cita, central figure In First Ma
tional's remarkably vivid picturizs-
tion of Prosper Merimee's original
story of Carmen" Is one OF the
most colorfui, most tspsely dramatic
and most realistic camera dramas
ever screened. The. overture num-
Der, directed by ". Mirskey, con-
ductor OF the Metropolitan Sym.
phony, Is comprised of delightful
arrangement Of selections from BIZ
sets opera OF Carmen" An In
terpretatiye prelude to the pictured
narrative, Sarasate's GYPSY Airs"
played al a violin solo by Alexander
Podnos, solo violinist of the SYM
phony, accompanied by e. Harrison,
formerly associated with Elias Bree-
skin on the concert stage. and the
full symphonic ensemble provides
q perfect introduction to the story.
Pola Negri. as Carmen IN Gypsy
Blood" offers one OF the most amaz-
Ing portrayais Of the character ever
seen In America. Unlike others who
have essayed the role. Negri does
not linn the spitfire Of Seville As
q creature of silks, satins and met
ropoiitan refnements. She Is low
caste. vindiotive. constituencies.
vengefui. fascinating and ackle. Her
true companions are the smusglers
and the notsam OF the cheap drink
inE-piaces Of a city Injured to crime.
She makes no pretenss beyond the
ability to lure men by the charms
with which a generous Providence
has endowed her.
Her victims are Of the aristocracy
as well as Of the lower strata Of
the social scale. but chief among
them all is jesse, the hapless dra-
COON, who IL dragged from an OBJ
scure but honorable career in the
army down pain that leads
through robbery. smuggling. decep-
ton and finally murder. It Is a
vastly interesting drama. pitched
In a high key and punctuated with
bits of daring that mark the new
production Of an old story with all
Of the delights Of novelty.
To Ernst Lubitsch, the European
genius whose skill in achieving
Inighty effects was SO admirably
demonstrated In the pictured story
Of Du Barry. Is due the credit for
/ L. /
ties which other "Carrenss have
! the scenes that emphasize the sor-
did and the common in the charac-
ter of the Sevillana are spectacular
scenes in which hundreds Of actor:
appear and which lend the drama a
sweep and q power that no other
version has been able TO boast.
Not only does Pola Negri afford q
commanding characterization. Harr!
Liedtke. who was the Armand ir
Passion likewise contributes
deiineation, as Don Jose, that 10 In
comparably fine. The other mem
bers OF the supporting cast and en-
semble enhance the effectiveness o
every important scene.
Il The subsidiary features Of the bill
are in themselves noteworthy. Fore
most; among them lisa my fwoFee
Christie comedy 1'Sothing LAR
It." which genialiy travesties HI
amateur performance Of q hastil.
written dramas OF the Nile and af
fords countless laughs. The ne,
issues of the Pathe News and tn
Literary ,Digest's Topics OF tn
Day" round out bill that bids fai
to attract yesterdays record-break
!ag crowds throughout the week.