Evening star., 1922-04-09
Movies Win Their Way
Advancing Steadily and Rapidly to Place of Dignity
and Responsibility in Public Attention-Pro.
vide a Refuge for Spoken Drama.

uSiy ., uuC the StOFNl Is mr. Grlfntn 8.
The simple heart appeal of the blind
girl and her sister is regarded as not
sufficient, in the producers opinion,
to sustain them. He brings Danton
to the rescue and troops of horsemen
to enable the clatter of hoofs from
the orchestra to joggle the auditors
nerves into proper receptive state
as Miss Gish's head reposes uncom-
fortably between the boards of the
guillotine, awaiting the descent Of
the cruel knife. OF course, the knife
did not descend. Nobody expected it
would. Miss Gish, at the conclusion
of the drama, leaves the impression
that she has suffered a needless dis
comfort, something like that of a
prisoner in the stocks in the old
Puritan days.
Suspense Too Prolonged.
The suspense is prolonged to the
verge of absurdity, and it is D'En-
nery's pretty story, after all, that
speaks to the hearts of the audience.
While expressing his sauthor Mr..
Griffith was brilliant and command
ing. When expressing himself he
took the spotlight too overwhelming-
lys He does not hold it. in the appre-
ciative recollection of those who saw
the film, for 'The Two Orphans" still
provide the vital interest.
This determination to prolong sus-
pense was shown in way Down
East" where the floating ice was
hammered into the eyes until the
clock at the side Of the stage became
a hopeful part Of the proceedings.
How the ice came to crack in a spring
thaw with the snow swirling in mid
winter blasts was not defined to at
tention any more than. was the mix
ture of old-time costumes with the
modern. modes Of dress. There is
nothing SO unreal as exaggerated
realism.
In his prior success. Birth of a
Nation" founded on the sensational
novel, "The Clansmen." he pursues
the same method of amplified mechan-
ical detail and prolonged suspense.
yet depending all the while on the
real story for the genuine and re-
membered thrill. And gratitude is
due to Mr.. Griffith for making genu-
inc stories of big interest available,
Just as gratitude Is due for the chance
afforded by the producers Of the
'"Three Musketeers" to enjoy the
wonderful Dumas story. The ro-
nance remained, and 1t was enjoyed
in spite Of the incongruous acrobatics
of the comedian star and financial
backer, who interpreted D'Artagnan
In the lines Of q Tony Lumpkin.
Criticism Comes Late.
A discussion Of a motion picture
drama cannot be regarded as con-
structive criticism. By the time 1t
gets to the ultimate consumer 1t has
become simply Z. o. b. proposition,
with no guarantees for replacement
Of defective material. The public
knows 1t Is in the way, and that no
rehearsals will be called for 10 am.
or can be called by a stage manager
if the local notices happen to be un-
favorable. References as to work
manship Of aim can have no value
in a corrective way, but they may be
Of interest in defining the intellectual
attitude Of the producer toward his
product. The allusion to the ostentation
Of technique at the risk Of sacrifice
Of artistic subtlety provided by the
author does not imply lack of keen
discernment as to the requirements
Of his audiences. He is giving the
audience what 1t wants, but he is also
giving It what he thinks 1t ought to
have, The motion picture 10 regard