The New York herald., 1922-01-23
George Arliss Has
Dual Screen Role
in Novel Comedy
Acting of Star Places 'The
Ruling Passion in Forefront
of Business Plays.

STRAND--Georse Ariiss In "The Ruling
Passion" a United Artists picture,
adapted from Earl Derr Blggers's
story, "Idis Hands," and directed by
Harmon Weight Scenario by Forrest
Halsey.
Here is revealed an extremely honest
garage. where prices are kept low.
courtesy ia made almost a creed. and
the exterior Is made almost as attrac-
tive as any OF the numerous beadquar-
ters OF George Washington scattered
about the country. But there's a catch
in 1.-THE garage IL run by a millionaire
as hobby. Now you know it's a
movie.
But that is one OF the few obviously
fictionsl elements In IL. for George Arliss
by hls restrained yet almost inspired
acting raises this film comedy by numer-
GUS human touches to the point where
you fee! that this might happen almost
around the corner. regardless of tho fact
that the star In tinkerlng with automo-
biles never gets stain on Ills face.
while his two helpers have their faces
stained like Indians. IL IL one OF the
uniquely delightful comedies of the win
ter, raising Arliss. along with "Disraeli."
to the pinnacles Of the screen and pro-
viding chucklcs for the elderly as well
as the young TO take home with them.
Continuous chortles were the order of
the day yesterday.
The garage in point 10 taken over By
wealthy motor manufacturer whose
regular business has caused him 70
break down from overworlS and retire.
but who presently finds out. what is
commonly being suspected these days.
that rest can mean rust if taken In
homeopathic Aoses, as prescribed by
James Aiden's physician. At the sug-
gestion of an insurance salesman he
dabbles in automobiles to prolong his
life. and this charming and unforced
romance wends It's way happily through
Aiden's endeavors to drive out of busi-
ness the competitor who has tricked him
into buying a stagnant garage and
incidentally to induce his han 1sor,e
young partner TO marry his pretty young
daushter--not hard Job, on the face
OF II.
or course, Aldas leads a double life
to follow his ruling passion OF keeping
busy. apd does not let his family know
his identity as john Grdnt, tho mechanic
who can flx an engine with twist on
the wrist--and waves away payment. so
that this time one senses the wings
sprouting from Arliss. rather than tho
horns OF Tho Devil" Such a dual char
acter enables ArlIss to display some OF
his sardonic quality as the father In
evening dress. and again to have some
fun M the philanthropic 0ront in over
ails dodgfng relatives who might wear
him out by compelling him to rest"
Tho role is the antithcsis OF the Roja OF
Rwkh, and yet the star can wear his
neat jumpers with an air.
He carries out the delicious entertain
ment with the most feathery OF touches.
80 that one declines TO believe. despite
the evidence. that Il is twenty years
since he essayed straight comedy. When
he portrays the manufacturer bidding
goodbye to his empty Office he gives
one OF the subtly memorable moments
of fllm history. and whom he sees the
newspaper stories of elderly men who
died soon after retiring he gets over
his effect OF comic dismay without tho
Painful Registering that so often
causes eye etrain. His artistry has tho
same economy OF method as Sessue
Hawakaya, and he pours oil on the
film In more ways than one here. He
gives an uncanny suggestion of noted
financier In marking down the price OF
his gasoline from IS cents TO 10 cents
a gallon.
MIss Doris Kenyon. moro asreeably