The Washington herald., 1921-08-01
METROPOLITAN.
Alice Lake.

Another delightful midsummer
program OF photopIays yesterday
was revealed for the first time in
Washington beDre capacity audi
ences at Crandalls Metropolitan
Theater. The foremost feature Of a
bill Of noteworthy diversity Is sup
piled by Alice Lake in Metros artis-
tic screen version of Arthur Somers
Roche's -Over the Wire" a drama
of orderly and logical development
and tense situations. The princi-
pal supplementary Offering is Vita
graph latest special comedy re-
lease, The Bakery" starring Larry
Semon. News. topical and other ALB
breviated camera novelties rounl out
the entertainment.
"Over the Wire" is the best ye-
hicle in which Miss Lake has been
seen since her elevation to stardom
as a reward for splendid work with
Bert Lytell in lombard, Ltd" and
serves as concrete evidence that this
brilliant young actress takes her art
, seriously. There is nothing hap
hazard in her assumption of the role
of Kathleen Dexter and her imper-
sonation of a complex character.
Her work is earnest, natural ana
convincing.
The story unfolded upon the
| screen is Of young girl whose
brother was goaded to suicide By
his totally mistaken idea t:Se in
tention of a financial power from
whom he had embezzled S2O.OoV.
Behind the millionaire's stern ex-
terror was a warm desire to set the
lad upon the right path. ignorant
o fthis, the bereaved sister perceives
in the tragic death of her brother
| only a reason for visiting dire ven
geance upon the man VINO caused
her sorrow. With no other motive in
view she obtains a secretarial posi-
| ton in his office and in time wins
his love. Her attempts to ruin him
financially having failed. she enlists
the further aid OF a business rival
msrries her employer and imfedl-
ateiy elopes. Brought back to face
her husband and confronted with
unimpeachab1e evidence Of his IN
/ nocenoe Of any plot to jail her
brother, Kathleen Is brought 10
realization that her husband is real
Nv the man she loves and not the
unscrupulous blackguard through
whom she has tried to ruin him.
The action of the drama is pune
tuated with scenes Of unsuuaI
strength. highly charged with the
element of suspense. Demands al
most as heavy as those made upon
1.-The ability of the star are I'M
tposed upon the members OF the
Scarefully chosen supporting COM
cpany. The principal contrihutory
parts are played with skill by AZ
bert Roscoe, in the role of the hus-
band: Alan Hale as Twyford, his
business rival. and George Stewart
4 (brother of Anita), as Terry Dex-
ter. The production is a handsome
one, and. the photography excellent
In The Bakery" Larry Semon mas
another Of his hiCh-voltsge two
real farces. with the cyclonic action
rushing through every department
of a large bakery from sales .coun-
ters to dough- mixing machines sno
oven room. The fun is fast anc
furious and crowded with aero
batic and gymnastic feats, appar-
entity fraught with real danger for
the intrepid performers who exc
cute them.
An exceptional orchestral inter
probation of the pictured subjects
under the conductorship Of N. Mir
skey adds to the effectiveness OF the
program, the overture Norma
adding a musicianly fillip TO bal
snced bill.