The Washington herald., 1921-05-02
METROPOLITAN.
HM.n--womaa-Marriase..,

Alan Holubar's latest exemplifca,-
tion Of the film directors art. Man
-Woman--Marriage." as displayed
to packed houses atgCrandail,s Met
ropolitan yesterday Is a screen
spectacle that win seldom be sur
passed for magnihcence and lavish
expenditure. though 1t will probably
be best recalled by devotees of the
silver sheet as providing Dorothy
Phillips with Nthe greatest role of
her photoplay career.
Since the Heart of Humanity"
the few Appearances of Miss Phil
lips as a screen luminary have
called for no commanding test of
her ability to display the gamut of
her emotions for the camera. Man
Woman--Marriage" spells oppor-
tunity for her, constantly realized.
A screen performance by James
Kirkweod In. the same picture indi-
Gates his forte is that OF a leading
man. rather than that. of a director.
The main theme of this photo
play is not entirely new and 1t is
the skilful hand of master direc-
tor, plus intelligent acting. that
places this silent drama in the
realm of masterpieces. 1t vlsualizes
the ever true story of the frequent
disa ppointments that are synono-
NOUS with marriage and the sublime
mower of a woman's love in It's ca
pacity to overcome them.
Victoria gives her all with the
marriage vow and lives through the
cooling of the honeymoon affection
that evolves into indifference on the
mart of the husband. The arrival OF
motherhood fails to stem the tide OF
fast-waning feeling while neglect
and unfaithfuIness follows in ma
| turaI sequence. Through 1t all
Victoria preserves her 'superhuman
| faith and is able to regenerate her
srrinr husband and restore her do
mestic ideals.
In the seouential steps of her ro-
| nance she sees the counterpart OF
her problem as fought oy the e'er
nal feminine in the prehistoric Pc
riod and in the age OF chiyairy"
| These portions of the picture
story offer Director .Holubar NJ
moments to reveal a talent In COM
manding great crowds in ancient
battle scenes. staged with magni-
ncence and disregard for cost that
| is truly amazing.
| The battle. OF the Amazons Is
mass scene employing nundreds o.
women soldiers In hand-to-hand
clashes with an armored masculine
/ forcs, and marks a thrilling tri-
umph for the weaker sex. the
| Racchanaliana relevs of the time oil
Constantine are pictured in all their
opulence and garish display. and an
| opportunity is afforded TO contras'
them with the modern debaucheries
| of society. presumably before pre-
Volstead days. There Is the certain
appeal for women in the cave-mar
tactics of the first pupils of Cupid
and the irresistible methods of the
plumed knights of old.
! Dorothy Phillips enacts the diff
fcult role of Victoria with surety
land command of screen amotions thai
places her firmly IN the gallery OF
real film stars. James KirkwoOd
as the thoughtless husband. II
| ideally fitted for a difficult char.
acterization. and makes it appeal
| ing, even in his erring moments
The supporting company of princi'
pals are all congenially cast and are
true types.
Some remarkable examples o
photography depict wonderful
scenes in their natural beauty. ant
a synchronizing orchestral score en-
hances the. enjoyment of watchint
these nine reels. s.
"Man-WomaD-M Marriage" has story
acting, direction, Photography anc
wonderful spectacle. and with such
combination earns the description
offered by First National-"One o
its five big productions Of the year