The New York herald., 1921-12-26

RIYOLI--uiss Betty Compson In "The
Little Minister" Paramount produce
tion based on Sir James NJ. Barrie's
novel and play and directed by PEN
rhyn Stanlaws. Scenario by Edfrid
Bingham.
Lady Bdb6ie is one OF the most diff
ficult characters TO act ever drawn by
Barrie. and an ordinary actress would
seem to need more than one kind of
Scotch in her to play It. Above every
other trait she must show that gieeful
gloss. She must be capable OF sparkling
like Moselle to order on any occasion.
and yet not overdo it 30 that some
Highlander in the audience might ex-
claim. I'D like to shake the leering
hussyv'
Barrie seems to have poured all the
elfin spirit of mischief into her. to
coLnterbaiance the utter seriousness of
the little minister, who seemed to want
to hush the birds in their songs on the
Sabbath--or at least teach them hymns.
Moreover, an actress playing the role
must face comparisons with Miss Maude
Adams, the perfect Barrie heroine, who
first put charm on working basis.
So. with these postulates in mind. one
can say that Miss Betty Compson In
some features falls short of the ideal
Barrie player. and In others comes clos
er to filing the appointed petticoats sat
isfactoriiy than any other star who has
tried to operate the Scotsman's witchery
on the screen. While one likes her and
while one sees her In the clutches of a
Hollywood reflex, 1t is when she sud-
denly seems to recollect she ought to
have more Of the Barrie winsomeness
that the movie virus breaks out in her.
One can almost hear friendly player
cry: Strain just little bit more. Miss
Compson, and the extra charm will
comel'
The result is q roll Of the eyes and a
sparrowlike tilt of the head that is as
deliberate as an assassination. Thus
she makes of that enthralling, romantic
meeting in the glen, when the singing
Of the supposed gypsy troubles the small
clergyman, little more than a high
school Irritation. Yet in the scenes when
the pastor finally avows his love for this
wayward woodland girl--those scenes
outside old Nannys cottage that cause
his stern church elders to bring charges
against the minister--no one could be
more artlessly alluring without sprout-
ing wings.
Her faults and her virtues are largely
to be ascribed to Stanlaws, who has
stamped his own artistic individuality
on the picture-a rare feat for a movie
director-and has fulfilled the promise Of
his first picture with a production in
which romance has been well seasoned
with drama, with an atmosphere as
pronounced as kilt. Though 1t lacks
the whimsical and wistful air of "Senti-
mentau Tommy" it has the character of
the period so we'll one senses the red
coats of the British soldiers uniforms.
The fact that the suspense as to the
identity Of the gypsy with the earls
daughter, is not sustained as in the
book, but that is one Of the drawbacks
to a medium where every move must
be plain as daylight or sunlight arcs
can make it. Edfrid Bingham. scenarist.
has rendered service in letting Barrie
occasionally speak for himself In the
subtitles. The novelist made the little
minister a real man, but George Hacka-
thorne. though visualizing the serious
ness of the role, seems constantly in
fear Of stepping on some ones toes
maybe the camera mans. Edwin
Stevens and Nigel Barrie have excellent
company and blend well with the
heather.