Evening star., 1925-08-17
METROPOLITAN-"The Desert
E'Inxua,. "

Colleen Moore is the picture star a
Crandall's Metropolitan Theater this
week in her latest First National
photoplay The Desert-.Flower." tax
en- from Don Mullally'S play. in which
Lloyd Hughes has the leading male
role
Colleen as The Desert Flower"
brings all of her infectious humor and
lovable personality into play. walking
a step farther into the hearts of the
film public. to whom she is fast be-
coming one of the favOrite stars of
the screen. Maggie Fortune is the
joyous, carefree but plucky little step
daughter of a foreman of a railroad
gang working in the Mojave desert
Her mother, who had changed in the
brief span of a score of years from 4
bright-eyed, laughing girl to a worn
out drudge of a wife. had left as her
legacy to Maggie naught but her new
ly born baby and a joyous Irish ma
ture. Maggie stands it a long d : pos
Sible. encouraged by a young gentle
man hobo who has blown into camp
and who has in return for many kind
nesses taught her to read and write.
Her stepfather's brutality. however.
becomes unbearable and she fees with
her tiny baby sister to the gold rush
town of Bullfrog, where she becomes
sort of privileged pet in Jack
Royals dance hall
Her hobo friend has followed her
and much to her sorrow. has gone
from bad TO worse because of drink
until she has fears of his ever really
making a man of himself Indeed. he
does give up, but Maggie keeps on
hoping, working. praying-quaint
prayers in which she takes the
guiding spirit into her confidence
wholly, pouring out her problems
which seem endless. Finally, after
kindness, encouragement and pa
thence have wrought no change in
the hobo whom she now knows she
has come to love. she taunts him. in
suits. him, pours out the liquid fire OF
her rage and disgust at his lack of
manhood until, stung to red-hot fury
and awakened TO a picture of his true
self, he ruSheS out TO find HIMSELF to
make d man of himself 1t is at this
period that things begin to happen to
Maggie that bring the story to an ef-
feCtive climax.
The role gives Colleen splendid op.
pOrtunities to display her mimetic
abilities. and the story is one that
combines pathOs with romance and
thrills in an absorbing and logical
manner Lloyd Hughes is an excel
lent foil for Miss MOore's piquant
charm.
An added attraction of beauty and
charm is a special act staged by Stat
ford Pemberton's Dancers. who are
seen in d series of poses, effectively
staged and lighted, with a climax in
the form of a graceful dance called
joy" executed with excellent rhythm
and fine technique. This is probably
the best display of the Stafford Penn
berton Dancers to date in the Capital
News reels. a comedy and kreiSler's s
lii,
prelude to the feature, played by the
Metropolitan Orchestra. beautifully
and sympathetically played. completes
the Greater Movie Season program.
TIVOLI-"Her Husbands Secret" :"
Her Husbands Secret" inaugu-
rates the great movie season" at
CrandalIs Tivoli Theater the first two
days of this week. \ film drama of
unusual pattern. The story unfolds
a romance involving two generations
of the same families. The son of a
renegade proves to be almost as bad
as his father. but is redeemed in con
vincing fashion by the daughter of
the man who has befriended his moth
err ever since the precipitate departure
of his dad. 1t was personally direct
ed by Frank Lloyd. maker of THE
Sea Hawk" and Antonio Moreno and
Patsy Ruth Miller do beautiful work
in the two major roles, assisted by
Phyllis Haver. David Terrence, Wal
ter McGrail and Ruth Clifford.
Lyold Hamilton's new two-reeler,
waiting" in which the screens
drollest comedian is cast as a dish
washer who is promoted to the floor
of a smart cabaret, the Pathe Review
and pipe organ accompaniment and
solo intervals by Otto f. Beck, con-
cert organist, and Harold 7. Pease,
his assistant Cnmnlete the bill