The Washington times., 1921-05-30
METROPOLITAN
Jim the Penman."

"Jim the Penman." the Aim version
OF Sir Charles L. Young's famous
melodrama of the same name. In
which Lionel Barrymore yesterday
was screened for the nrst time In
Washington AZ star OF the weeks bill
at Crandalrs Metropolitan Theater. 10
unique in plot and startling in the
power of its climax.
Seldom has q more interesting story
been translated into camera drama
and certainly the silver sheet has
acter drawing as that offered by Mr..
Barrymore in the role OF the forger
who bound himself to twenty years
of criminality to escape a term Of
equal length In the penitentiary.
A supplementary feature in strik-
ing contrast to the major Offering is
presented in "She Sighed by the Sea-
side" one OF the funniest of Mack
Sennett's two-reel comedies. In which
Ben Turpin and Marie Provost are the
featured lawmakers
The story of Jim the Penman"
traces the business and domestic ex-
periences of q young bank cashier
who POSSESSED a remarkable ability
to reproduce the handwriting Of
others. BY an odd trick OF fate. he
attempted to save the president of
his bank from financial ruin by un-
Willingly offering a masquerading
crook his own forged signature on a
check in liquidation Of a debt.
Perceiving the value of the services
OF such an expert forger. the intended
victim OF the uttering permitted
James Ralston to choose between
years of prison. Although practicing
all of the villainies known to the
police during the two decades of his
subservience to the will of the
masterpieces who held his signed
agreement. Jim the Penman" gave
his wife and daughter every ad-
vantage of wealth and travel and
heaped luxuries upon them.
When detection seemed imminent
and the expiration of his contract
drew near. Ralston saved his family
from the dishonor that discovery Of
his crimes would have brought by
ending his own life and taking with
him on the long journey the entire
band Of plunderers with whom he
had work cd hand and glove for years.
In the final scenes of the play. Mr..
Barrymore offers the most impressive
character analysis he has ever
brought to the screen. Despite the
fact that he Is surrounded by one OF
the strongest supporting casts ever
assembled. he commands every scene
by the sheer dominance Of his art.
The climacteric episode In the camera
version of tho famous play 10 one
that will stick in the memory of
everyone who views II by reason of
the unexpected nature of the develop
ments and the forceful manner of
their enactment.
Those who contribute In greatest
measure to the effectiveness of the
picture are Anders Randolph, In the
role of the master-mind among the
powers that prey: Doris Rankin, as
the wife Ralston won by forgery;
Gladys Leslie. especially well cast
in the role Of his daughter: Ned Bur-
ton, Arthur RANKIN and others whose
names mean much in the theater.
'.She Sighed by the Seaside" pre-
rents a glimpse of one of those cele-
brated California beaches that is
particularly appropriate to a holiday
week. In addition to Ben Turpin In
the role of an heroic life guard and
Marie Provost as the object of all
Of the male attention in the COM
munity, James Finlayson, Charles
Conklin and others of the Sennett
stars participate in the absurdities
in which the subject hilariously
abounds. other short-reel features
and delightful orchestral accompani-
ment complete the excellent Memorial
week bill.