The Washington times., 1922-10-15
Critics In London
Laud " Knig Ood' 4.
Leading Papers Of Metropolis Hail
American Film as Triumph Of Art. ].

I. Special Gable b Uaivsrssi sssvics.
LONDON, Oct. 14.-swhsn
Knighthood Was In Flower" the
great American photoplay Of Henry
the Eighth's time, continues to re-
ceive the plauditsi Of press md
public. Capacity audiences at the
Scala Theater attest the popularity
Of q production that has been hailed
as thsmost stupendous ever pro-
duced. ~ \
Theatrical critics Of London are
practically unanimous In their
verdict that from q spectacular
viewpoint the masterpiece Of Cos
mopolitan Productions Is in . class
by itself. 7
Views OF Critics. ~
Here are comments from some of
the leading English critics:
The News of-the World. having o
circulation OF s.ooO,o0o. the largest
In England, says: rs
when Knighthood. Was In Flow
en-" honored by the Prince Of Wales.
showing at the Scala Theater, II an
ambitious production In Griffith
style, and conceived and carried otit
on a gorgeous scale. -
"Intermingled with scenes Of bis
torical interest. II is q charming
story Of the mutual love Of a girl and
man, separated by iron bars OF caste
and custom.
"The former is Mary Tudor Mar.
ion Davies) younger sister Of, Bluff
King Hal. while the man is a plain
gentleman known :as, Charles Bran
don. The parts are played respcc-
lively by Lyn7. Harding. as Henry
VIII. Marion Davies as the princess,
and Forest Stanley as Brandon. -
Aids London Charity. u Z.
'"The settings and dress are mag.
nificent, the photography II remark.
ably, good and the acting 10 very fins.
Altogether the film presents asspee-
tacular play that is likely to run
some time. .s.,., ~
THE whole first weeks takinss
have been. handed over4to the Prince
Of .Ws1ey Hospital fitndi for, London's
crippled children and poor" -
The Sunday Chroniole's review.
written by Vaughn. one of Londou's
foremost critics. says: lSss
How many people visiting The
Scala Theater know much about
Mary. Tudor, Henry Wits sisterf
ITO most of us the name suggests
his daughter-with the shavian ad-
jective. We ought to thank the
producer Of When knight.
rood was in Flower, for having made
us look up the story Of Mary Tudor.
who was compelled to marry Louis
XII. .!s r.
A Romance Of History.
'It is one Of these little rornances
of history scattered UP and down
the pages of history, What she was
like in character history does not tell
us. She was probably unmatched
for her domineering and energetic
and brusque brother. Yet its Is said
he was very fond Of her. Cardinal
Wolsey certainly was 49,.
.And Mary gained the love of
Charles. Brandon. . Viscounf Lisie.
who was one of the handsomest and
most accomplished mer Of his day
and the personal friend of Henry
VIII, then quite q young monarch,
who had not yet begun TO show the
worst side Of his character.
For two young people who were
passionafely In love. one can I'M
Agine hdW Mary was gradually
foroad to- marry Louis XII. in order
to brint gtnore power to her brother.
The strange thing IL that Brandon
accompanied Mary Tudor to France
as the British ambassador.
Louis, who dismissed all her suite
except Anne Boleyn and another
maid, could have, therefore. dis.
missed Charles Brandon.
- "a "a Pretty Story"
tIE should like to know some
thing about Mary's life in the
French courts. It only lasted q
few months, and then Louis con-
vepiently died. Charles and Mary
almost Immediately married and re.
turned to Eng and. They were
kept away from court, because
Henry VIII was, or pretended 70
be-. very angry. but all ended
Henry forsave his sister mainly.
Il Is stated, through the good Of.
fices Of Cardinal Wolsey. II ID
quite q pretty story and anyone
making II into q film has the right
to supply the details absent In his.
tory. The American filmer's Mary
Tudor Is in love with Charles Bran
don and does espouse Louis XII
against her will and immediately
marriesF Charles after his death. a.!
"The only new points inconsistent
in the American film are that
Charles and Mary try to ,elope and
that he is in danger of being be-
headed; but Mary obtains his pardon
at the price Of her consenting TO
marry Louis. and that Francis is sup
posed to be q possible second hus-
band when she was already married.
"Close to History" /,
"when Knighthood was In Flower
10 really closer to history than any
Of shaitespeare's plays. or, to take
modern instances, than Wills
Charles L and Drinkwater's Mary
Stuart
Marion Davies In prettier than
any princess ever was. She even
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