Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-09-27
NORMA TALMADGE IS
AT BEST IN NEW FILM
Her "Sign on the Door" 6
Great Picture-Five Other
First Showings

| pidley - OnHnnlHR IOllOSh' VIM
isn't mentioned anywhere on the pro
gram, but who happens to have been
the author of 1.-THE Sign on the Door
in its stage form, declared when he
saw the pictured version that it was the
only work Of his which had been trans
ported to the ccrcen exactly as he would
have wanted it.
a viewing of the picture in question
leads to the belief that not only may
MIR. Pollock be right, but "The Sign
on the Door, is the best screen melo-
drama shown here for two years, and the
hncst .iIt thing Norma has done since
Those who saw It here on the stage
iaSt year may be surprised at the faith
tul and still forceful way in which the
transition to the screen has been made.
me surprise endlng--lt wouldn't be
fair to tell it's still surprise. The
police element of the picture, including
the third degree which Norma has to
undergo, are almost perfectly done.
wore than that. so well has Herbert
Brenon accomplished his work as di-
rector, during the last three quarters
OF the picture, there is not single let
down in the action. nor single ex-
traneous scene or sub title.
Miss Talmadge has her big scene-as
Miss Rambcau had hers on the stage
IN the moments following the killing Of
the villain, when she finds herself
trapped in the room with the body.
1t seemed pity that poor photography
o1tcn marred the wonderful expressive
ness OF her face. Paul McAllister as the
District Attorney. Charles Richman as
the husband and Lew Cody as the VII
roles.
Arcadia-Those who seek novelty must
confess themselves satisfied after see
ing Bert Lytell's newest picture, "The
Man Who.' It disproves the often
heard statement that there is no such
thing as new thing in screen plots.
1t tells of young man who de-
ttermines to break the shoe trust and
lower the price of "kicks." To do it
he walks barefooted through the streets,
with high hat, muffier and overcoat
FOR the rest of his equipment. There is
some love interest. but it is allowed to
be rather lost in the shuttle most Of the
time. That is shame in view of the
fact that Lytell has two such beauties
as Lucy Cotton and Virginia Valli as
Leading ladies. Lytell himself is rather
funny, but seems to lack something in
many Of his scenes.
'Palace-Vistas of mountains and plains
and forests never lose their fascination
for photoplay audiences, and so "The
SKY Pilot, taken from one of Ralph
Connor'S St-knOwn novels, ought to
be popular release. 1t has no stars,
but Nature plays so many parts and
plays them so well that the most
captious critics are stilled.
Memories of past pictures are recalled
by the plot, which tells Of the efforts of
young clergyman to bring religion to |
Cow town. but there is much that
IS dramatic and moving.
John Bowers, Colleen Moore, David |
Butler and Harry Todd are the leading |
people in the cast and they have to rival |
cattle stampede which, coming as q |
'llmax, stirs up things in general and
s guaranteed to enliven any audience.
Victoria-Handsome, smiling Dusty"
'arnum comes back to his admirers
fter prolonged absence in "The
'rimal Law" which has it's limitations
md does not come up to the standard
~
nut still serves as an entertaining We
icle.
Mary Thurman, pretty ex-bathing
lrl, is the charming heroine Harry
has a congenial role.
The story concerns the usual plot of
n Eastern villain to obtain rich oil
ands without letting their owners know
heir value. There is also the Eastern
irl engaged to the villain, who finally
nds up in the arms of the husky West
rner. For good measure. there are
1exiCan raids, bad women" and bad
len."
Regent-"The Princess Of New York"
! by Cosmo Hamilton, but it is a re-
trained and moderate CoSmo Hamilton,
OF the daring author of the risque
Scandal or the moralizing Coslno
hamilton of 1.-THE Blindness of Virtue"
This is n picture taken by an Ameri-
an company in England. The scenes
re the best feature of the picture,
lough the story holds the interest. I'm
assive David Powell is the leading
an, and beautiful English girl, Mary
lynne, Is the heroine.
The story tells of an American girl
/ England whose wealth attracts a
warm Of lovers, but who is finally won
y the right man. Their love is shown
,ainst a background of hedgerOws and
nglish lanes which please the eye even
they do not tend to hurry the action.