The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-09-12
Douglas MacLean Appears At Palace
METROPOLITAN
THE Old Nest"

A program that would do credit
to any theater In the United States
charging the 81 scale OF admissions
10 on view at Crandalis Metropolitan
Theater this week, where II complete
ly captivated overflow crowds upon
the occasion of It's premiere pre-
sentation yesterday. Not only 10
nation OF Rupert Hughes popular
short story Of the same name. q
masterpiece OF realistic photodrama,
but Il II surrounded on the bill by
an array Of shorter film features and
special musical offerings that trans
cend anything to which patrons or
motion pictures are accustomed.
As a prelude to the chief film at.
traction, Flora McGill Keefer, q
mezzo soprano Of brilliant attain
ments and national reputation, sings
MY Little Gray Home In the Westy
full orchestral accompaniment. Mrs.
Keefer's rendition of this sterling
ballad yesterday was marked by su-
perb tone, beautiful shading and ex.
qdisite finish. A specially selected
Folks" arranged by M. L. Lake, was
flawlessly played by the Metropolitan
Symphony under the skillful con.
ductorship Of N. Mirskey. The or
chestra was forced to rise as q body
In acknowledgment Of the ovation
which its playing of the gem OF
melody inspired. ~.
In "The Old Nest" Rupert Hughes
has achieved q wonderfully realistic
reproduction OF q well.known phase
Of home life and the eternally
staunch love Of . mother for her
babies, even after they have grown
to middle life. With a sympathy that
10 deep, and an understanding that
IL aI-enbracing. Mr.. Hughes has sue
ceedcd In placing the years that have
gone before the minds eye with q
degree OF tenderness that cannot but
mo Its echo In every human breast.
The family consists of father, inf
nttely patient mother and six small
chiidren, whom we see develop into
adolescence and later into middle life
a. the action OF the family history pro.
crosses into the dusk for the devoted
parents. There are all of the hopes,
al OF the disappointments and all Of
the dreams OF youth in the early
scenes. The high aspirations Of early
maturity and the triumphs OF more
developed years punctuate the further
pursuit Of the story.
There 10 the renegade boy, too, who
commits petty thefts and In other
ways tears the maternal spirit, but is
easily recalled to the paths Of recti-
tude by the unalterable love of the
mother whose sacrifices are made
win a smile on her lips and q prayer
In her heart.
Then comes the day when all OF the
scattered flock wing back to the old
nome and the mothers cup of 10y Is
nlied to OVERLOOKING. 1t IL upon this
heart.warmfng scene that the final
fadeout comes. but before Il have been
iiashed upon the screen bits Of thrill.
Ing action. q wealth Of VII, scenes as
divergent a the dreams of childhood
ana satire m rich n Hughes alone
knows how to create.
There could be no more praise
worthy drama than this welded from
the everyday life about us. II Il IL
not drama In its highest form, then
HE cannot be the source OF such
drama, for The Old Nest" Is life
streets.
The cast selected to impersonate the
leading figures in the play is one OF
exceptional ability. Mary Alden, as
the mother. offers a portrayal that
VIII live long in the memories of all !
who view It. Dwight CrittenSen, Cui. |
len Lands, Helene Chadwick, Louise |
Lovely and q host Of others whose |
names are famous add to the effec- |
uveness OF the extraordinary en-.
semble.
The musical setting provided for the |
major feature by Mr.. Mirskey is the !
most tuneful and most genuinely in.
terpretative Of the pictured scenes |
over heard In Washington. That In
saying much. but 10 the fact The |
bill for the week II completed by the
customary shorter film subjects which
round out an entertainment Of mag.
nificent appeal.