Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-19
- HE prize epic Of the year. Odd
Ironsides." 10 now playing at
the Rivoli Theater In New
York, and IL justifying the most

IroneidAe." 10 now playing at
the Rivoh Theater In New
L York. ana IL justifying the most
hopeful expectations.
When Famous P1Ayers-Lasky an
nounced this production about a year
ago they intimated that it would be
something extraordinary. James Cruze
hero Of The Covered Wagon" cpl
sode-was assigned to direct 1t. and
Laurence Stallings. author OF The
Big Parade" was engaged to write
the story.
1t so happened that at the time one
OF those perennial save OLD Iron.
sides" campaigns was in pragpeet and
school children throughout the cOun-
try were being urged to contribute
their pennies. nickels or dimes for the
reconstruction OF the famous old ship
that 10 now rottinG In Boston Harbor.
SO the motion picture OF "Old Iron
sides" had the cooperation Of the
Navy Department. ana when 1t open
ed at the Rivoli Theater the audience
included Secretary Wilbur, attended
by a large gathering Of imposing ad-
mirals, generals OF the Marine Corps
and a few mere gobs. Their enthusi-
asm for the picture was aufacient evil
dence that II IL nautically correct.
"Old Ironsides"-is primarily a great
thrill for the eye. Its story IL weak
In places, and it's dramatic interest IL
inclined to nag, but It's pictorial quail.
tiles are magnificent beyond words.
A model Of the U. 8. 8. Constitution
was built for the occasion, perfect in
every detail, and the sight Of this
gallant ship blowing through the
water with all sails bulging in the
wind IL sufficient cause for cheers.
When the ship hrst appears on the
screen d sensational and extremely
effective trick In worked. The screen
flls the entire prOscenium Of the
sort of maGnihcation IL applied to the
projection machine 30 that the re-
hected image of the ship is enor-
mously enlarged.
When Old Ironaides" assumed
these heroic proportions the entire
first-niGht audience Secretary vii.
bur, admirals and ali--rose to its feet
and gave vocal tribute to the grand
old vessel that was once an entire
navy in itself.
The cast OF "Old Ironsides" in.
cludes two splendid comedy perform
ances by Wallace Beery and George
Bancroft. Charles Farrell, a recent
discovery, 10 the hero and Esther Raj.
ston the heroine.
odd Ironsides" Ia another substan.
tial triumph for James Cruze, who
deserves to he classed a. the fore
most interpreter Of American history
on the screen.
Samuel Goldwyn has been in New
York for two weeks looking over the
current crop OF plays with a view to
discovering material that might do
for his pet stars, Ronald Colman and
Wilma Banky.
asked Mr.. Goldwyn what his main
idea IL In the production Of motion
pictures.
Originality" was his suficient re-.
Spouse. Then he expanded on this
theme: "A producer can always play
safe and guarantee himself a reason.
able return on his investment IL he
follows up one enormously successful
picture with another Just like It,
Imitation Ia the sincerest form of fiat.
terry: It's also the surest road to sue
cess. IL you know whom to initiate.
But / don't like that system. You
can make money that way. but you
can't make history. The really big
pictures are always orisinal--new in
theme and treatment. / like to do
things that the other fellow hasn't
done, and do them better than he'd
have done them II he had thought OF
them first"
"Th4t'e q risky business" he con-
hded. you have to guess what the
public wants before the public knows
10 wants It. Sometimes I've guessed
wrong. But when I've guessed right
I've done 1t on big scale.
Look At stella Dallas" he added