The Washington times., 1921-01-09
Connie Talnaadge Finds Herself
In Mxup Following Her Lying


part OF . girl who tells lie TO save
hsrsolf from one embarrassing anair
aAd Immediately nnds herself In such
an amazing web OF difficulties that
she II even afraid TO cry out when
forced to disrobe in the bridal cham
Der and get into bed by the man
whom she has falsely claimed as her
husband. When the man seats him
self on the side OF the nuptial couch
and starts TO unclothe, the tenseness
OF the crisis pictured on the screen
can be better imagined than de-
scribed.
-Anatole France, one of the wisest
men alive, has said that two things
were necessary to render women the
terrible force they are today; civil
ization. which gave them draperies,
and religion. which gave men
scruples. Well, in this picture the
woman surrenders the protection OF
the first, and Anatole France says
further that with the departure OF
the draperies go the scruples OF the
men.
Dangerous Business Is said by
dramatic critics TO offer an entirely
new contretemps in the drama. To
be distinct departure from the con
Ventional mechanics OF playWriting
where at the critical juncture the
ready wit OF the heroine, the inter
vention OF the hero, or some other
unlooked-for Interruption occurs. But
nothing of this character takes place
and the night passes.
A DARING SCENE.
That such a daring scene will
arouse discussion is a forgone con-
riusion. One would hardly realize
mat new situation in a photoplay
could become the focus for nation
wide attention. But the public is quick
to grasp something that is uncom-
mon and to attempt to solve or at
least argue the moral question in
volyed
therefore / expect to be deluged
with letters from devotees OF the
screen as to their views on the ethics
or Nancy Flavell. And | want to say
right here, that | read every letter
whether ii be from Il girl behind the
counter, or minister of the gospel
who thinks life should not be pictur-
ed as ii really is. If | did not try to
throw myself body and soul into
every part and to try and actually
live and feel the trials and tribula-
lions of the girl under fire | suppose
| would be amused at the seriousness
with which my correspondent identify
me with the roles / enact
But | look upon their criticisms OF
the character ! essay as the sincerest
battery. ! feel that | have submerged
the woman in the actress that | have
succeeded somewhat in the art that
conceals art when my admirers take
me to task for the derelictions Of the
girls l portray.
A FIERY FURNACE.
to express approval of the paragon.
we admit her virtues. offer incense
at her shrine and then rivet our at
tention on the girl who is passing
through the Gery furnace, who is
sore beset by temptation, who is not
always able to strictly hew to the
straight line, but. who never gets far
enough away to lose all her self
Respect. or. the ultimate. good opinion
of the world. And right here / wish
to say something in defense of my
sex that may arouse hostile comment
in some quarters. and that is that
no woman or maid. ever was thrown
on her own resources and fought her
battle with th" world and emerged
without ono whit" IL" or her con
science. II | am wrong | can only
ask thoS' who ar" without such
moral b'rmiSh to cast the first stone
/
do nul refer TO what has been called
the fatal step but to - white lie.
which dos not dead With sex. |
mean w'Efll prrva,ir"linn which
concerns ones self only and docs not
bear false Witness aGninst ones
neighbor.
LIE ~ \ LIE.
"Yct ! hat" n lie and believe il is
an act Of roWarficc. II vas lie
that inv,l"cd Money Flavcl' i" such
n tragic situation. Some say that in
the first place Their" can ne no such
thing as a white lie, \ lie is Il lie.
There way be Erada tio"s "r the
same. but not distingushablc by
color; therefore, Their" car be 10
white lie.
Life in its entirety they claim is
based uron t".o principles thus dis
tinguishcd: The positive. the mega
tive: light and darknoss--day and
night. Truth and falsehood- good
and cvil; nal" and female; bitter and
sweet honey and vineGnr There
can be- no halfway measure in prin-
ciplC. \ lnuti"r uf a surety must
either h" 70 truth or n falSchood'-
absolutely verify or a lie one or
tho other. Two Of the said condi-
tons car miv no moro than can oil
and water. These clements stand alb
somtely separate"
1t is said a liar is worse than a
thief The latter steals your earthly
possession which can Oe replaced.
but th" former steals your confidence
and "uins your happiness. which re-
tards spiritual growth..a necessary
attril ut" for .umortality. i}ut some
If the best huown women and men,
Of tn" past whose names are writ
large on IA" pages of lifr's dra ma
have either confessed to i WIT" Lc
Or. their hiuprapnrrs have ,"rditrd