Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-28
'BARTHELMESS' new
FILM IS A TRIUMPH
"Tol'able David" Stands Out as
One OF Best Masterpieces Of
Screen-Other Photoplays

ceuSc III hlmdOm.
For here. in tho same picture II
which an inspired director makes a eel
luloid masterpiece out OF "Bluc Ridg
Mountains of Virginia story Richar'
Barthclmcss emerges. for once and all
| from his cocoon Of "handsome youn,
male star" and becomes definite scrcci
artist.
"Tola David" is another Of th,
American producers answers to tn,
| threat of foreign superiority. BY Il
Henry King, the director, reaches &
niche occupied by the screens best
directors. The camera has achieved d
! personal triumph. Joseph Hcrgeshci
mcr's dramatic story has not lost an iotd
! Of power or picturcsqucness in bein.
screened. Outside Of those small items
there isn't much to be said about '"Tol-
'ablc David"
Seriously, though. it is doubtful il
ever story Of its kind has held sucL
swny over an audience = feelings. Be-
ginning with scenes Of peace and conten,
! in the quiet little mountain town and
the love and good feeling that existed
in the kncmon family, '"rol' able
David" never rclinquishes its hold,
through the beginning of the feud,
through the tragic death Of the Kline e
mon brother. through the days of un.
happiness and sorrow that come to the
family. through 10 the very end. when
David kiuemon (Barthelmess) finds
himself finally face to face with his
Toe in a battle to the death.
Words are apt TO make 'Tol able
David sound bunal, ten twenty thirty
mclodrama, and il is never either of
those things. There is no trace of the
average movie fCud throughout its seven
reels. The killings when they come
are in 10 wise related 10 the seven-
buckets OF blood school. And the
fight ,,--biasc photoplay fans were grip
ping their chair arms and the rails in
front of them as they thought they
would never have 10 do.
Probably the reason that these or
dinarily trashy events became so real
and SO gripping was the presence Of
artistic little touches. the work either
self, since the latter watched and
helped in the screening OF the story.
Barthemess has such O part as fcw
young screen players have ever at-
tempted. From the light comedy
scenes with his beloved dog TO the
poignant tragedy Of his brothers mur-
der and the death of his father. and
then back again {" the dclicatcly hu-
morouS and wistful scenes AT the danre
in the schoolhouse. and finally to tive
grim struggle at the end, he passes
with ulways increasing skill.
Ernest Torrcnce. musical comedy
star. makes probably the most execra-
bic figure the screen has ever known as
Luke lIatburn. David's foe. The other
players acQuit themselves more than well
they are the most astOnishinHly real
and human group OF people ever flashed
in one picture.
II you can watch the happenings Of
that cventful day when David first
drove his cherished stage coach, and
met his traditional enemy. as they are
flashed upon the screen and remain
unmoved. then stay away from all pho.
tcplay houses. You're incorr!gible.
Arcadia--Just what would you sus.
peet from the name is this latest feature
with Mae McAvoy with tho tide of "A
Virginia Courtship." Except for the
fact that II always seems Il pity to see
Il really promising screen artist wasted
on inferior material "A Virginia Court
SIIl.' II average III value.
She plays the role Of Il little orphan,
Prudence Fairfax (curious mixture OF
Pennsylvania Quaker and +. F. W.
ming, but ''awakcns to great love"
about the third reel and
finally marr!cs her guardians nephew.
Yes, you're right. This is one Of
those yarns about 'guar.'y' and his
beautiful young ward, laid in beautiful
,cttiugs in the South.
Kathlyn Williams is srIended ias she
always Isl in fairly important role.
and Casson Ferguson + appealing as
the hero. Alec 3. Francis Is ''suardy." "
Victoria - "Tightin' Mad is jus,
about what 1t sounds like, and az such
makes rrackcriacl screen entertain
rnent. enjoyed for the minute and for
gotten as soon as one leaves the theatre.
William Desmond do you fans re-
number him with Bessie Barriscnle in
the old Triangl" days. Is just as fas.
and athletic as ever, and he
leaves no stone unturncd in order to
make himself a hero in act as well as
looks. Neither docs the scenario.
Comedy is introduced into this
''W"stcrn," which is its saving grace.
h''tN'1H- az tHr SuHlHs iIbN'ss IL
Rosemary Th"hy, who scers 70 grow
Younger on the screen every day. and
Virginia Brown Fairc. who is easy To
look upon as the heroine.
Regpnt--Warda liawlny worked hard
70 deserve h"r >turring spurs, and now
that she i once more back In the
ranks VIC may hope 70 see many other
excellent charaCtrrtzntIous. In Her
Face Value, one Of her last starriug
vehicles, she keeps her hair IN curl,
smiles prcttily and wears attractive
clothes. and IN general, does everything
shr Is allowed TO by an average pro.
gram feature.
T. Roy Barnes introduces something
O2 new note in pictures by playing
the role Of press agent. and playing
i very ajnWSiug,v and entertainiugly.
incidental. :, he : ne ono who wins the
fnir Wauda. 50 thut' ) thar Her Face
Na,ur HAy be summed up as "anothcr
nf tEo.c n'wITwed comedies. no better
cn0n a." average, but worthy hour
pass"r,
tapltoi--"Al!lS Jimmy Valentine" is
not dead, actually or theaIrically. /,
would seem, for his spirit walks again
tand cracks safes IN Bert Lytell's lat.
est feature, "Ladytngers.
Bert. who proved in the Armstrong
n Ia