Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-31


TNHE most interesting feature about
i "The Wonderful Thing" is that It
is nearly as much comedy rs drama.
- Film fans have
Sorn,, Tr,,,,d,o become uscd to Sec
Should DO More in s boawv @ i",f mYmaIiv
Comedies lnchrymose, parts,
in which her most
delightful smile has only occasional op-
portunities to show. At a matter Of
fact. Norraa is just as clever n come.
dicnne as her sister. Constance, but
owing to the peculiar habit of movie
makers. she has become associated with
certain kinds Of parts and is never al
lowed to be separated from them.
When Norma first broke into movies
land In those days when Constance ap-
peared every now and then with maid
cup and npron) she used TO do two
reel comedies under the direction of
Van Dyke Brooke. since dead, with Leo
Delaney as her leading man. Occa-
sionally s. Rankin Drew, son of the
popular Sidney and n victim Of the war.
joined them, and the combination made
some light but charming pictures.
Now and then they would do drama.
too, just to show that they could get
away with II.
In the case of "rhe Wonderful
Thing Is q film novice in the person of
Mrs. Lydig Hoyt. New York society
woman. who is taking flyer in the
world of make believe. She tried the
pictures first In this Talmadgc film. but
rumor has It that she wasn't so terribly
Impressed. Nov she is appearing with
William Fnvcrsbam in n revival of
S1tt boil I,n
lights. At that. the films need few
people who can appear really at home in
society roles.
COME unthinking and puny minded
~ person has made the comment that
tho events related in "DiSraci" 9TH"
purchase by England Of the Supz Canul)
are too far removed TO be Of interest 10
American Elm audiences. Isn't that
ridiculous? This particular diplomatic
stroke on the part Of the willy statps-
man Is no more reTuotc than the FrCnCb
Revolution ar iho massacre of st. Bar.
thOlomew. All old history Is remote IN
the sense that II occurred before the
memories OF those living. but that docs
not mean in any way that IL is remote
IN interest. True, the Suez question is
not SO well known TO the average man
or woman as tho French Revolution.
but 1t is just as true that many In
conspicuous events of history are far
more fascinating than the bigger ones.
'Disraelf' was not SO remote IN
theme as 10 prevent ilH being touring
vehicle again and again by Mr.. .ipliss.
who has become associated IN the minds
Of many with this ro ., far above ull the
others hn has tried. How tho great
statesman ioiled his foes. vanQuiShcd
the spies Of the Russian Guvcrlncnt
(Which also wanted to get the cunaN
and still had time to help engineer the
love affair OF friend. is told in this
vivid story of Louis y. PARKER: and IL
It has been transferred to the screen
In anywhere near the form it had ON
the stage. it IS just the sort of thing
that will tend to mako history not only
bearable but fascinating.
ND It. ever occur to you that the
~ screen. despite It's wonderful uoSIi- p
bilities, has uot don" the square, thing
in the matter Of
JVhy Not More history? Seven ur
Ujcfor;c>J E;,,,e more wears ng"
80, Co.. saw 4 striking his
y" of'ee" torical subject en-
titled "\VUlf and
Montcalm." Which took for it's subject
the final phase OF the French and In
dian Wars. with the battle on the
plains Of Abraham at Quebec as its
climax. II was done by the old kalem
company (since defuncD, and 1t was
Ike Il page out OF Francis Parkmun.