Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-12-01
MOST POWERFUL AND GRIPPING THEME
WONDERFULLY SCREENED IN THE FOOL
L WONDER

Il wonder.
the screen last night at the opera
House as the film version OF Inc
80, ,ooobad its conclusion. To
those who had witnessed the PIC
torial Interpretation of the play the
words held a world of meaning.
One can conceive of no one ulleS9
he be an out and out atheist VINO
can fail to be Influenced for the pet,
ter after witnessing The fooi'
While the theme Of the story iaVors
Fundamentalism, even a Mooernls'
can find solace in 1t. The Dig ques-
ton that stands out all through the
story is What would happen II a
man tried to live his life as ChrisI
would have lived il?
There is marked absence OF sen.
sationalism in 1.-The Fool" But II
grips one, nevertheless. 1t plumps
the depths of human emotions.
whether one clings literally to the
old beliefs or the later interpreta-
tions. there are scenes in "The Fool,
that challenge scepticism and play
on the feelings. Perhaps the great
est heights are reached near the
close when the central figure, Danlel
Gilchrist, is beat down by the mop,
cursed at. jeered at, spit upon, all
because of peoples misconceptlon OF
his pnrpose. Then the climax When
crippled girl whom he had befriend-
ed kneels and recites the Lords
prayer as the scourging goes on.
Comes the momen. when the mop
STAYS its hand and the cry Tor a
SIGN from heaven" dies down. me
nrostrate form is still. Then the moo
with fearful eyes sees the girl arise
unaided by the crutches, walk to ana
kneel at the bruised and bleeolns
body. The writer was at pains 10
glimpse as many faces as possible IN
the semi-gloom and without excep-
ton they were rapt.
1.-THE Fool' is the most acceptaple
and satisfying screen sermon ever
seen in Augusta. Go this afternoon,
90 tonight, go tomorrow afternoon,
90 tomorrow night. See 1t at least
once. 1t will do you good.
The following is an outline OF me
Fool"
Daniel Gilchrist, the young curate
of a fashionable New York church,
constantly asks himself: What
would happen IL man tried TO hVe
his life as Christ would have lived
II ?" He earns the title THE Fooi
because he gives away his private
fortune and refuses to preach sugary
untruths.
Gilchrist announces his Christmas
sermon will deal with Capital, me
s,lave, luxury loving rector warns
him not to offend the men of money.
Daniels reply is so savage sermon
that the angered congregation walks
out. His dismissal follows; his ioVey
fiiancee. Clare Jewett, hands MIN
back his ring and permits herself TO
be dragged into a loveless marriage
with Teddy Goodkind, the roue son
of the enormously rich senior war
den. -
Gilchrist thereafter makes MS
home in his little mission near the
waterfront, called "Overcoat Hail
because the "down-and-outs who go
there leave with Gilchrist's overcoat
over their thin rags.
Goodkind sends Gilchrist to his
mines as strike mediator. Jerry be-
trays Joe Henning, a drunken brute
of a coal checker and lures his wife
to New York. Henning suspects Gill
christ. At a stormy scene in Good
kinds mansion, Gilchrists settlement
plan is turned down. He returns
to Overcoat Hall. The housekeeper 8
little daughter, Mary Margaret, Is
cripple who idolizes the preacher.
Henning has moved to New York
to pursue his wife and 'get" Gill
christ. He leads a mob In an at
tack on the mission. Gilchrist Is be-
ing savagely beaten when Mary Mar
garet, who looks on through horror
stricken eyes, forgets her crutches
and makes her way to his side. This
miracle awes all present and they
fall back.
Jerry" Goodkind accuses Clare OF
towing Gilchrist. He works himself
into such a frenzy that he falis,
paralyzed. Clare fees to Gilchrist
and offers herself to him, but he puts
aside the temptation and makes her
return to her stricken husband.
Aother Christmas comes to over
coat Hall to find Gilchrist happy
in the calmness of victory, gazing
over the myriad twinklfng lights or
Manhattan with little Mary Margare-
now wholly understanding at his
side.