Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-12
GRIFFITH'S LATEST NJ
PHOT0PLAy SHOWN
'orphans Of Storm" Opens at
Forrest, With Producer and Gish
Sisters as Added Attractions

There cannot be much doubt that most
of che big audience that crowded into
the Forrest Theatre last night think that
Grifith's "Orphans Of the Storm" is a
wonderful picture. The frequent and
reneral applause during and after the
showing gave this first night the aspect
H \ personal triumph for the producer
and. the stars. And to grace the occa e
1loh and receive the triumph, Mr.. Grif-
Nth himself and the two stars, 'the
Misses Gishes," as he called them, were
there in person to appear on the stage
and say few words of appreciation.
"Orphans of the Storm" is un-
doubtedly an unusually big piece of
work Whether or not 1t ranks with
Griffth's biggest may be a matter Of
opinion. but 1t seems to lack some
thing of the depth aud breadth of The
Birth of Nation He has never
handled crowds with more cumulative
dramatic effect than he does in this latest
film. In fact, he has here built up u
story with masterfut growth from
quiet beginnings to tremendous climaXes,
and his mob scenes depicting the streets
Of Paris during the French Revolution
and breathlessly thrilling cavalry ride
headed by Danton, to save llenrietto from
the guillotine just in the nick of time,
have not been surpassed even in the
much discussed masterpieces that we
have seen. But cutting the picture from
the great footage shot to the footage
practicable for a showing has left It
curiously Jcrky and uneven in many
spots.
The story is founded, as is we'll
known, on the famous old play, The
Two Orphans" Griffith has enlarged
upon the drama and built up new
scenes and new situations, with an ovi-
dent intent of pointing the mora that
the unleashcd bigotry of people, drunk
with too much freedom. may result In a
tyranny AS despotic and hCartlcSs rs any
under an aristocracy.
LILLIAN Gish. as Hcnrcttc, ono Of the
orphans, does some of he best work Of
her career. She has developed Il most
natural and effective comedy talent that
flashes delightfully."- out of the action
here and there. and that serves to ac-
Ieentuate and to strengthen the pathos
OF the lowering tragedy. The camera
man has done wonders for her in vir-
tually all Of her close e-ups in fact, his
work throughout the production cannot
be commended too highly.
Dorothy GiSh plays the part of
Louise. the blind orphan, and. though
she has not so much chance in the story
as her sister, she makes it an appealing
figure that wins deep sympathy. Joseph
Schildkraut, stage star III 'Lillom" in
New York, won to the screen for this
production, is the perfert and Unbc-
Iieyably handsome Chevalier de Nau-
drey, who loses all his good looks most
unaccountably when he drops his arts
.tocrat's trappines and appears as plain
citizen. Schildkraut has not vet learned
the slower tempo Of the screen, but he
gives every promise of being q distinct
addition TO film celebrities with more
practice.
The crippled Pierre is played by
Frank Puglia. another newcomer. who
was discovered by Griffith acting in the
Italian Theatre in New York and who
vitalizes his role with the surety of
veteran in the work. Sheldon Lewis, 1
a favorite on the screen, is Pierre's
rogue of brother, Jacques. and the
inimitable Lucille La Verne pictures old
Mother Frochard with all the unbelicve-