The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-12-13
POli Review

Featuring Betty Blythe in the long looked for feature ''The Queen of Sheba." Polls theatre, for the first time since the Birth of a Nation" reverts for this week to an all pie ture policy The program of pictures includes a news reel. a cartoon com edy, wonderful series of beautiful dives executed by the only Anette KelIerman, made more interesting by the use of the ultra-slow camera; and Buster Keaton comedy, 'T'he Play House. The idea of injecting this comedy in the program is good. It start at looking over the Queen or Sheba" or acts as a relief after the two hours of thrills, tense moments and weeps, that abound the big fea- ture. It is the best thing ever done by Buster KeatOn, is clean, and IS slap stic1ish without a slap stick.
 The program was reviewed at the supper show so that the reviewer missed the musical score that must add a great deal to the picture. Also at the supper show the camels, real one are out to eat, but from circus instinct the reviewer just knew some cameIs we're parked nearby, to add atmosphere to the picture
 Betty Blythe is beautiful. Perhaps few before realized just how beauu- full stately, and grand she Is. Run
 ming over in your mind the picture stars that are known to you; no one
 can be thought of more capable ot
 filling the role of the Queen or
 Sheba." And a great deal of real emotfon-acting was necessary, and
 most capably done by this star. She has good support. That goes for the
 hundreds of "eXtras' as well as for
 others of the cast, not so large as to
 be confusing.
 To tIrose who are familiar with Egyptian history, in the days or the queen of Sheba'' David. solomon, Pharaoh. ct al, the picture Will be a treat To those not so we'll posted the feature will be as treat and an educa- ton as well. There have perhaps been other pictures as stupendous. "Cleopatra. .' ''The Birth of a Nation Dante's "Inferno', "Cabiria'', and ..The Shiell'-yet to have a Bridge port showing-must not be forgotten.
 The fight at the castle walls and oyer the moat in 'Cabiria,'' a contribution by the Italian poet Capt. Gabriel D'Annunzio, has never been equalied: l The other pictures were good, ana other good ones are to come.
 But the Queen of Sheba' is hers now. and for all this week. Many 1 will see it more than once. Some will 1 be disa ppofnted, especially If they eN- 1 pected to see plot conceived to make an excuse for a show of near-nudlty | The plot was not conceived. It was l carefully picked from an exhaustive | reading of the Bible, and the best l histories It is based upon fact; as ! near as the line can be detected be | tween actual happenings and legend | in Biblical history.
 1 There are some noments in the | Queen of Sheba'' never before equal ed in a film drama. The chariot 1 race is wonderful. It is real, and : 1 real 'tspilP' on a curve has any au- tom obile race ever filmed looking hke l a home talent production of 'Piana- i forte The wonder is, where, in this day when all the circuses have drop ped the traditional chariot race, die l they get so many real chariot drivers l willing to risk their lives. A sec ond race in which Betty Blythe really l drives one of two teams, is a crasls l in the picture.
 1 The best scenes first made famous 1 ibv older production are welded into l q beautiful smooth running picture The display of wisdom by King Solo mon is reminiscent of the old JohI l spectacle under canvas, King Solo
 mon and the Queen of Sheba." NJ such chariot race was ever possible in a stage production of "Ben Hur.
 but the scene in the picture tin tht ton1bs of the kings, when the miracle is performed and Prince Davit 1 brought back to life; takes one back | to the original Klaw 6 Erlanger pro duction of Lew Wallace's Ben Hur' and the scene Of the Mount of Olives Still other desert scenes and. cara
 "Calbiria'' and Cleopatra" but tn
 Queen of Sheba," embodying as i
 does, the best from those superb pie
 tures and reels and reels of new scenes gorgeous costumes, stirrlnt
 action. and wonderful acting. always
 dominated by the beautiful Betty