New-York tribune., 1922-01-29
Kate ClaxtOn on
The Film Version of
''The Two Orphans
BY Kate Claxton


Where could Mr.. Griffith have picked
two more perfect girls than lillisn
and Dorothy Gish for tre roles OF
Ecnrictte and Louise?
After having been identified with
Louise In "Thc T7ro Orphans" sor
nearly Malt q century, you may vol
think that I an somewhat e.actirg
concerning the qualities and require
1nents for Interpreting these part, to
tie newer generation. Nr. Griffith
has shown skill in selection Chat, like
his directorial skill, is almost un-
| canny. Particularly 50 in selecting q
comed:enne like Dorothy Gsh FOR t5c
sad part o2 Louise. Ha7cn't you
noticed thst first rate comedians have
plenty OF pa.hos: Tho player that
! can make sou laugh without loss Of
your self-rcspect can generally make
you weep. I remember Stuart Robson,
wlo played Picard IN the original
Two Orphanc," hsd this power.
Joseph Schi!dlraut is an ideal lover,
ard when cay this am mindful o.
the distinguished Charles r. Thorne,
who was the leading romantic figure
Of the New York stage in the '7os
aad played the rolo originally. Joseph
Scl,ildkraut brings to Chevalicr &c
Naudley tho experience o. lifetime
and the teachings Of hi. fnther, Rudolf
Schildkraut. While q young man, he
is al old actor. His knowledge Of the
sword and his actin. in tho absolute
manner OF his garments, SO to speak,
stamp him rs an aris.ocrat OF the
period OF 1889. Another very, vcyy
! good iMpcrsonstion IS that Of Miss
Lucille La Ncrro ss ia Frochard, the
part that vas played in our Union
Square Company BY Marie wilkins, our
character woman. OF the new char
scters Monte Blues Danton and Sgd
ncy Hc7bert's Rcbcspierre strike me
as suprcmely good. In word, the
entire cast is excellent, the back
grounds suggest old Paris, and the
accessories arc most perfect ard faith
| ful to dctaA, reminding me Of the
archaeological research that Ned
Sothern dcyotes to the Sothern and
Marlowe stage productions.
In looking at tho "Orphans Of the
Storm" at tho Apollo Theate: I feel
somewhat like mother vho had been
separated from her little daughter
when ths latter was about fifteen and
didn't see her again until tho child
had become maturcd beauty Of simply
o7crpowering attractions. Our little
stage play OF "Ths Two Orphans" is
so changed that sometimes As I sit
IN front o. "Orphans o. the Storm
ru5 my eyes in wonder or barely rccog~
riae It. Most o. ny stage vehicle il
there before NE, OF course, but as the
germ Of \ simply tremendously en-
la-ged echcme o. production, in which
great histories! events and personagee
agure. Ny Louise and my Hen.iette
(you must remember owned the play
and all the characters are n,ine) have
become 60 wonderful. that it is hard
to identify them with the "little folks
OF forty-Hve years ago.
The Chevalier in my play merely pre-
d;ctcd tire Revolution. Hero he is nov
in tho thick Of It, managing q thrilling
escape from Cacn, returning disgu;scd
70 the city and all but suTcrins the
penalty Of the gu:llotinc! Pierre ha.
become big boy and helps sway tbs
dcstin;es Of France. The story, from
having been dramatic only. has become
epocii&l. And Mr.. Griffith is Ike come
Homer, who has woven the songs o.
cloc- and rudcr singer, into g great
Had Of the motion picture. finally, in
execution he is the master control!ins
the much vas.e- Keyboard 90 Grand
human syn.phony on which he plays 80
aS 70 get acting effects uncoua!cd by
ary other director 0. men and women
ocfo:. Tho camera. 1t is one Of the
pleasures of his having adapted nv
work that hec. BEEN able to see Mr.
GrlHish IN action and to realize this
marvellous hypnotic faculty &; I nav
SO call it) which hs possesse. over
those who ere the instruments O. hi,
will and idea.