The New York herald., 1921-10-15
'Theodora,' Italian
Film, Is Play of
Dazzling Scenes
Spectacular Picture at the As.
tor Excels in Its Stupendous
Settings. ).

'Theodora," the latest spectacular
Italian film. presented by Goldwyn at
the Astor Theatre last night, proved to
be live wire connection with history,
own sister to 'Cabiria," the first Aim of
blessed memory that spectators weren't
ashamed to applaud. This photoplay, pro-
duced at great cost and much rear
rangement of the landscape by the
Unione Cinematagrafica Italiana, didn't
have quite the thrill or dash. perhaps.
OF the world series, but it showed quite
as large crowd, which swarmed over
the ratings OF the grandstand In true
baseball fashion to register a kick with
the umpire OF the games. who happened
TO be also the Emperor
Founded on Victorien Sardous drama
OF ancient Byzantium, later called Con-
stantinople. the picture was bound to
have crafty dramatic workmanship in
Its story OF the Empress Theodore, who
reigned with Emperor Justinian in the
sixth century. 1t is through its stupen-
dous settings. far excelling anything
seen here before, with the possible ex-
ception of THE Fall of Babylon" that
IT is likely to become one of the sights
of New York
There are fascinating and at times
dazzling vistas OF the various towers
and gates of that luxurious capital of the
later imperial Rome. surnounted by the
gorgeous palace with rs corridors. its
courtyards and Its magnificent throne
room, done in the f1orid and richly ornate
style or the period that would rouse the
envy or any little Balkan king. Against
this chaste villas shine forth delicately,
with statues dropped about in the fore
ground Just where they will do the most
good.
Down grim. winding spaces the way
leads to the ghastly torture chamber
where the intelligence department. It
would seem, was always busy squeezing
out reluctant information. Near this is
the tremendous Hjppodrome. said to be a
replica OF the original, stunning In it's
wide sweep with tier on tier Of beauti-
fully decorative detail 90 grandiose, in
deed that the very lions who charge
into 1t stop and blink their eyeE.
1t is here that the Empress turns
loose the lions on the multitude to save
from death her rebel lover. Very inn
pressive are the scenes as the great
cats come rushing pell-mell into the
arena and the multitudes scale walls
and climb over the top of one another.
But perhaps the scenes that most po-
tently laid their talons on ones atten-
tion were those showing Marcell,as the
centurion stealing into the palace at
dusk to murder the Emperor, climbing a
marvellous staircase, with his head sill
houetted most strikingly against the sky.
That Is probably the finest example OF
clandestine assassination ever seen on
the screen. and should be a model to all
future regicides.
The final moments in the weird un-
derground reaches Of the palace touch
the hem of fine tragedy with Theodore
holding the lover whom she has in
advertently slain. The film becomes,
then. one Of the most regal of love
stories.
Lustrous beauty and q splendid I'm
perial carriage are given to the part of
Theodore by Rita Jolivet who plays the
courtesan turned ruler with dignity
varied by intensity that Is a small riot
in itself. Rene Maupre. as her tenn
pestuous lover; Ferrucio Biancini as
Justt,Mdn and indeed all the other prin-
| cipals are worthy of history.