The New York herald., 1921-07-04
'Cabiria' Revived
and BaIzac NOpeI
Reaches theScreen
D'Annunzio Scenario, First
to Demand 50 a Ticket,
Returns.


"Cabiria." wficn was impressively re-
vived at the Strand yesterday. holds
unique place in the ctys cinema his
tory. II is to be sure the only scenario
which can claim the famous Gabrielle
d'Annunzio. It's local Importance is,
however. greater. 1t is the first of the
picture plays to be shown at the rate of
81 ticket. Managers watched nervous
ly some seven or eight years ago the re-
lentless advance of the movie. But they
had one confidence. This form of di-
version could never rival their so-called
Broadway offerings. One could never.
"Cabiria" came to the KnickerboclSer
Theatre and did 1t successfully. just by
way of showing how mutable are con-
ditlons in the world of Punch and Judy.
"Cabiria" in it's imagination and in
many details of its actual execution is
still notable essay in this field. In it's
vastness Of plan there have inevitably
been more impressive successors. Mr..
Griffith. for instance, in his Babylonian
scenes has from time TO time recon-
struCted period more elaborately and
more impressively. But "Cabiria" is
well worth seeing. The wonderful Ma
ciste, who was baptized by this Aim, still
dominates it. and the tragic acting of
Signora Manzni makes impressive all
the scenes in which she appears.
OF course, the spectacle is all too
latinate for the taste OF this cline in
some o. its scenes. Among these are
the pi oonged death agonies of the Prin-
cess. But the picture abounds in in
terest and beauty. 1t Is by way of be-
ing rather a noble artistic achievement
in field that does not always keep high
ideals in mind.
"Cabiria" is a sufficiently large order
to occupy so much OF programme that
no ether diversion is necessary. But
the Mark Strand Tropical Review was
as vivacious as ever and Carl Edouarde
conducted the symphony orchestra in
various numbers.
BnIzac at the Rivoli.
1t was foregsne conclusion that the
hero of THE Conquering Power" which
was the new film at the Rivoli yester-
day. was going to get on in the world.
When the other characters in this
adaptation from Balzac's Eugene
Grandet" signed important papers with
the quill pens used in these early years
of the nineteenth century the hero drew
out of his pocket a neat stylographic.
Any man who kept so far ahead Of the
rest of the world was bound to be heard
from. Rudolph Valentino played this
role. 1t may be truthfully said that he
shone in IT, Indeed. there were pictures
in which mis- carefully brushed locks
were as shiny as patent leather and his
silken dressing gown looked like rain
coat that had been through a heavy
storm. But as the picture advanced
Mr.. Valentino lost his glitter without
being any less impressive as the young
lover
Rex Ingram Is one of the new direc-
tors who has acquired the sudden fame
that comes in the picture theatre. He
was recently threatened with degree
from a university. but its progress was
arrested somewhere between the faculty
and the press agents office. Mr. Ingram
deserves high praise IL not a degree,
however, for what he accomplished yes
terday. Its pictures were beautiful
specimens of photography The values
of light and shade were artisticslly ap-
portioned. More striking possibly than
any OlitT utldH was lnt ODdltsCtnL
glow which lighted the portraits of the
heroine. This gave an exquisite quality
to them.
Then all the backgrounds were a
strilkingly artistic realization of the
scenes of Balzacs novel, which were
laid In provincial France during the la st
century The old fashioned garden, the
dismal house, the chattering laundresses
at the brookside-these pictures were
and beautiful and highly
creditable to the taste and knowledge
OF the director. even II fountain pen
did slip into one scene. Then the types
are striking.
OF course the wonders come in the
scene of the appartitlons which attack
the miser. They were skilfully contrived.
Maybe Mr.. Ingram took the Balzac
novel just for the opportunity this scene
gave. But there Is not enough Balzac
to hurt. Like all famous names. this
one is but the excuse for a few tableaux
from a master piece which II In no other
respect even vaguely suggests.
Miss Alice Terry. who palpitates most
hecomingly in emotional scenes, played
the heroine naturally.
There was an effort at tabloid opera
on the Rivoli programme. The first
scene of the second act of Massenet's
"Herodiade" was sung and there was a
little ballet. Desha danced and there
was also the usual Rivoli pictorial.
The Capitol Theatre showed it's pat
rons series of Aim advertisement"
with Harold Lloyd in Among those
present" as the most elaborate. The
Rialto programme comprised Oppenheim-
er's Behind Masks" with Miss Dorothy
Dalton In the leading role. Frank Reicher
directed the picture, which is melo-
dramatic in character. The Rialto Mag
azine and music conducted by Hugo
Riesenfeld and julius Littau were also
"The Old Nest" continues to attract
large audiences 10 the Astor Theatre
''rhe Queen of Sheba" stu holds court
at the Lyric. "Over the Hill" is at the
Park and "a Connecticut Yanpee in
King Arthurs Court" is at the Central
Theatre.
The Hippodrome continues to show two
feature pictures. Tradition" and THE
Twice Born Woman" at the daily per-
There Is large orchestra
and comedy films are also shown.
MRS. w. A. BUTLER DIES
IN cTTMAEP unME