The Washington times., 1922-01-09
LOEW'S PALACE
"The COnquering Power"

Inc OOnQucIiuS TOWcI.
An inspection of "The Conquerinr
Powers" the powerful and vivid Rex
Ingram adaptation of 4 noted story by
Honore Balzac. issued under the
nnema title of "The ConquerinE
Power" at Leow's Palace Theater yes
terday afternoon. goes a long way to.
ward explaining the sudden and un.
precedented popularity Of Rudolph Val
entino. the brillian young Metro star.
Who laid down such remarkable stellar
portrayals In Ingram's production Of
Ibanez's -Four Horsemen of the
Apocalypse" and later In Camille"
and 1.-THE Sheik." II Is in THE Con-
quering Power" which began a weeks
run at the Palace yesterday. however.
that Valentino gives what Is probapl
his greatest Interpretation and IL
which he lays bare the secret OF The
amazing vogue for this stars work
which suddenly sprung into existence.
Mr.. Ingram has brilliantly screened
the noted story of Honore ,Bal.ac,
Eugene Grandet." under the film
title of THE Conquering Power" To
the chief role he has brought Mr..
Valentino. whose Interpretation OF the
role Of the younger Desnoyers In THE
-Four Horsemen" was so notable. and
to the leading feminine role, Mr., In
sram has also brought Alice Terry.
who also played a prominent role In
the same production. June Mathis.
who scenarized the Ibanez story. ID
also responsible for the screen adapta.
ton of Balzac's work.
Such then, Is the screen version OF
Eugene Grandet," Balzac's character
study Of provincial France. which pre-
SCENTS Mr.. Valentino as a dashins but
penniless Partisan dandy who, az the
death of his father, is entrusted to
the care of a provincial uncle, q man
Ct great wealth, the father of beautt.
full daughter who will be his he!ress
hut O man whose misery tendencies
render him ,antagonistic to even lis
own family.
Between the heiress and her da ldi.
fled Partisan cousin the spark OF love
Immediately flames, and when the
father. to rid himself of the dandy,
ships him off to Martinique, the girl
aids his goinw with presents given by
her own miserly father.
T. On learning this. the enraged father
imprisons his daughter in his own
home and forces her to sign awav ner
inheritance, hut his rage brings In It's
train a chain Of circumstances which
result In the fathers violent death.
The girl. left his entire fortune, is
heart broken because she has never
heard from the man she loves. but II
transpires that the cousin in Marti-
nique has been falsely informed that
she Is married and happy. and u 10
only when he makes a sentimental
journey to her home that he discovers
Ills uncle's perfidy, and the two are
once again united. never again to part,
Mr.. Valentines characterization OF
the Partisan dandy In one CT the
greatest of all his contributions to the
literature Of the screen. He Is a fetch
ing and irresistible young blade. nut
his devotion IL as warm as his cruces
and mannerisms, while Alice Terry In
sweet, devoted. and charming hero
inc, whose dainty beauty and becoming
sweetness are forcefui romantic ele-
'|lsnts of the production. Ralph Lewis,
in the character role Of the misery
father. gives one of his best interprcta-
tons. and the supporting cast Leaves
Eothing to be desired. |
In addition to the pretensious nature
OF the featured attraction. Manager
Eeatus has amplified the program with
notable array of added short length
screen and musical features thai in.
clude the latest and most hils rious
Mutt and jeff animated cartoon seen
in months: the latest issue of the
Pathe news, and the Literary Digest
Topics OF the Day" while Director
Cannon, of the Palace SYMPHONY Or
chestra, contributes another Of his in
coprparable overture selections and
accompanying musical scores.