Evening journal., 1921-06-20
THOUSANDS At
ALDINEOPENING
Patrons Highly Pleased
With Show, Orchestra
And Surroundings
RUSH TO GET BIG
SIGN UP IN TIME

| AARH'A AN'h 0AAAf hAN NAAN aft%N "a 80
amusement career came on Satur-
day night when Charles Emmett
Mack and Ralph Graves. co-stars Of
David Grimth's dramatic comedy,
Dream Street." attended perform
ances Of this. the latest bit Of cinema
magic from the masters laboratory.
at the Aldine Theatre, Market above
Eighth.
It was estimated 1900 persons
attended the theatre Saturday.
The formal inaugural was marked
with such features as a speech from
Mayor Taylor; the appearances OF
the two Griffith luminaries, and mu-
sic OF the highest grade and best
selective quality, interpreted by the
Aldine Orchestra, under the direction
OF j. Frank Merrick.
Expressions OF approval for the
beautiful photoplay temple were
heard on all Sides The appoint
ments-in the best OF modern ar
tistic taste,-were lavishly praised,
and the hands OF the clever Felt
Brothers were discerned in every
jot and title OF the theatre. both as
regards physical impressiveness and
house attendance.
Those who attended Saturdays
smooth performances at the Aldine
could not possibly have realized the
labor behind IL all, credit for which
should be given Manager Ray c.
Brown and his colleagues, Louis and
Harry Felt. the trio beng determin-
ed to have the house shipshape in
time for the opening. During the
preceding week, all three actually
made the playhouse their residence,
in an effort to live up to all require
ments
One OF the symbols OF their en-
deavors is the gigantic sign on the
| front OF the edifice The golden rays
OF this emblem indicated WELCOMED"
and its attractive appearance was
largely commented upon. But ii was
a task of difficulty to erect the NAM
moth messenger on the dot Of the
hour which was to see the Aldine
| launched on its career. Only by en-
ploying an extra force Of men did
the Valentine Sign Company of At
lantic City complete the affair as per
schedule. Freight deliveries are new
err quite certain, and there was all
ways the chance of fatal delay. So
the management got two motor
trucks. the sign was packed in its
various parts and the journey from
the seashore city to Wilmington was
begun. Because Of this foresight
the sign arrived in time to be assem-
bled and Illuminated.
At the Aldine the Miniature Con-
cert Orchestra, under Mr.. Merrick' 8
direction proved an instant hit He
had wisely chosen the "Orpheus"
overture as a composition with both
classical and popular phases OF ap-
peal From the first flash of Mr..
Grinth's photoplay tin the affecting
close. Mr. Merrick and his musicians
offered a smooth. interpretive flow of
melody that was 20 the liking OF
all, judging from their rapt atten-
tion and applause at the close. The
director clinched his claim to be
one OF the foremost cinema inter-
prefers of the country by his accu-
rate and sometimes inspired perform
ance.
The screen drama, in itself exerted
the same charm over it's onlooxers
that many OF Mr.. Grifiths past films
have. It is no stupendous undertake
ing like the four-storied "intoler-
ance;" its attempts no quasl-nationai
thrills, such as those OF THE Birth
of a Nation;" its effect is not that
of the squalid. yet beautiful. Broken
Blossoms" And yet Dream Street.
has a dual charm OF its own: the
charm OF a stirring story, told with
consummate power and drive, and
the charm OF true character por-
trayal, as exemplified in the work
even, OF minor members Of the
cast
Mr.. Griffith is postmaster at adap-
tation. a task in which, this time
he has been ably aided by Roy Sim
clair as scenarist. Not quite con-
tent with the original stories OF
Thomas Burke. the famous British
novelist and short-story writer. hs
has blended two tales. "Gina Of the
Chinatown" and THE Sign Of tho
lamp" taking his chief roles from
the former narrative, and his plot
/ elimination from the latter. For in.
stance. Gina becomes. in the screer
, product, Gypsy Fair" a music hal
queen of Limehouse, London; ant
p Hunk Bottles, the brutal pugilist Il
likewise metamorphosed into James
Spike McFadden, gentler, NOR,
- likeable fellow. Billie. the brother
, is not to be found in any of tn,
"IimchOuse Nights" sketches helm,
= an Interpolation Of Mr.. Grimth's
and a most interesting character
Then there are the good and evi
- influences enacted by Tyrone Powe
as a wandering street preacher, an,
by Morgan Wallace. whose superl
makeup is only fittingly disclose,
g when he removes his benda mask
: Others In the long and finely traine,
i, cast are: Porter Strong. William
j. Ferguson, noted for his stage ap
pearance, and Edward Peil. father o
little Johnnie Jones, who, as Boot
rarkington's Edgar Pomeroy, ha
held the attention Of many a Gold
4 wyn audience.
Hendrix Sartov was the camera
man for the picture, and he ha
y wrought varied scenes of elusiv
,s loveliness out Of Limehouse's misti
= fogs and lurid Moons In setting.
IS accurate costuming and general al
IS mosphere, the director has neve
he been better represented than /
DR. Dream Street" which, with II
er quaint types shifting multtudes &
e. population. and scenes Of suspensiv
So