Arizona republican., 1922-01-29

Theodore herself. beautiful and
voluptuous daughter of a tanner of
wild animals, raised to the throne
through the mad infatuation of the
emporer, is a creature of beauty and
fire; the sort of woman one men,
tally pictures when Helen of Troy or
Cleopatra is mentioned. Whether
clad as a beggar maid or as the
proud ruler of realm in all the cost
ly fittings of her state, Theodore
dominates every situation. The seem
cry, magnificent and massive, is but
a setting for this imperious and pas
sionate woman, who made a play
thing of the emperor and in the end
flung away her throne with a care
less hand for love of another man.
To describe exactly the effect Of
such a stupendous production is inn
possible. Stately palaces, picturesque
costumes of the sixth century, SOL
diery marching in armor, cavalry
flashing by in countless numbers
with banners waving and spears
pointing, noblemen and slaves alike
plotting and scheming to further
their own ends-all these move and
revolve in a gigantic and goreous
spectacle the like of which is said
never before to have been attempted
in the moving picture world.
They say that this picture was two
years in the making and that it cost
more than $3,000,000 to produce. One
scene alone-that terrible one in the
arena-had more than 10000 human
beings in it. This is the heart-grip-
ping, enthralling place where Theo-
dora, finding that her husband has
discovered her love for the Greek
Andreas and determined to save that
lover at any cost, gives her servant
orders to loose the lions on the peo-
pie.
The mad scramble which follows
brings one up from the seat with al
most a Shrek. One moment it is
jeering, shouting throng of contempt
uous humanity calling for the en-
press life; the next il is a fear-rid-
den mob running over itself in Its
mad hurry to escape the raven1pg
beasts. On come the lions, splitting,
snarling, striking at the first obsta-
cles they encounter. jumping toward
the high balustrade where many have
found safety by climbing. One holds
ones breath in terror and turn away
as the hapless victim loses his holu
and falls back into the jaws or the
lion. One beast makes the balustrade
ana. wandering lAlIOuEh llN
corridors, comes on Andreas bound to
a column and deserted by the fleeing
guards. He is being literally eaten
alive when Emru, the lion tanner and
foster mother of Theodore, springs
on her pet and forces it away from
it's human feast.
Words cannot be found to describe
the imposing scenery, the wonderful
color effects which are used to bring
out this drama of hapless love. words
cannot make you feel the infinite
beauty of the picture as whole, nor
the art and artistry of effort ex-
pended on its making. They can
merely prepare one for the picture
itself.
"Theodora" comes to the Columbia
February IL, 13. IA. Is. 1t will be
staged with all the impressiveness OF
a Goldwyn picture in a big-town
first showing, augmented orchestra
special lighting effects, everything
which will go toward making per-
feet picture even more perfect.
The price, which has been " lot
best seats in every city in when IL
has shown, will be so cents in Phoe,
nix. This much advertised anu
much sought after film will be shown
ct five performances during the Iour
days of it's stay in Phoenix.