Evening star., 1923-09-16
SCARAMOUCHE HAS
ITS PREMIERE HERE
Notable Audience at BeIaSCO
Film ShoWing-Japanese
Fund Increased.

Before high officials of the United
States government the District gov
ernment, diplomats and representa-
rives of foreign countries. and just
plain citizens, Rex Ingram's master
production, "Scaramouche." was pre-
sented in the National Capital last
night at the Belasco Theater, great
ahrongs crowding the house TO it's ut
most capacity,
This occasion was notable for two
Dig reasons-ffrst, because the kindly
spirit OF brotherly love that reaches
out to help a neighbor in distress
comes before anything else in human
afiliations-this performance was a
benefit, bringing to close a week OF
giving by the people of the District
for the relief Of the stricken Jap
anese: second, because this was the
Z premier showing of Mr. lngrams
marvellous production of Rafael Sa-
batini's famous novel OF the French
The French revolution has fu:
nished material for a number of film
q stories, but this long-heralded and
anxiously awaited dramatization of
ton and hopes in the tremendous
4 splendor of it's production. Unbe-
lievable perfection m settings, cos
tunes and other infinite details OF
equipment amaze the beholder with
every change of scene.
Gripping Reality.
Ramon Navarro is cast as the hand
some young. revolutionist, Andre
Louis Moreau, and with striking con-
1 sistency and accuracy of action. he
makes the play a gripping reality.
Lewis Stone also is excellent as. the
Marquis de La Tour .dAZyr, with
Alice Terry as Aline de kercadlou,
Lloyd Ingraham as Quintin de ker-
cadiou and Julia Swayne Gordon as
the Countess Therese de Plougastet
One of the most striking character
types ever portrayed on stage OF
r'screen is that of George Siegmann. as
the immortal Georges Jacques Danton.
Holding strictly to historic facts,
Mr.. Ingraham has given TO the Woriu
picture that will make history IN
&self, for all nations which see shali
believe and take heed lest oppression
and Injustice breed another seething
tide of human passions and hatreds
that may rock the foundations OF
Commissioner Cuno H. Rudolph was
master of ceremonies at last evening
performance. opening the program
with a short comment on the achleNe-
ment of the past week in raising the
fund for Japan's relief. He introduced
DR.. Thomas Z. Green, chairman OF
the drive, whose timely and apprecl-
atiye address was closed with toaSt
TO 'plucky. brave Japan.
Mr.. Ingram himself was presented
70 the audience at the close of the
picture, and in response TO the ire
mendous applause of approval given
this superproduction expressed ms ap-
probation of the splendid reception
of his achievement.
A special score of music has been
adapted for the production, and the
demonstration throughout combines 70
make a great film play stili more
entrancing. %
Selections by EIman.
Mischa Elman, violinist, who vol
untcered his services to help make
the evening a success, came from
New York to make good his oHer'
and following Mr.. Ingram's address
he rendered four selections In ms
own inimitabIe style. First came
the sweet strains of Ave Maria, so
smooth and soothing as to seem al
most a benedtction after the tense
nerve strain attending the film story.
Then followed Heydn's 'Minuet a
Chopin "Nocturn" and Gypsy
Dance" brought the evenings per-
fornance to close.
An enthusiastic member OF the au-
dience made an impromptu appeal 10
those present to make another con-
trfbution TO the Japanese relief fund
and stated that he planned to leave
his own check for $50 at the box
office at the close of the show.