Evening star., 1926-09-27
NATTONAL-"Ren-Hur."

Ben Hur." the photoplay from Lew
Wallaces classic novel opened at the
National Theater last night. stirring
men and women in well-nigh awe
struck audience TO tears. to thrills.
to outbursts of impulsive and pro
longed applause. Already ranked by
severe critics and the hundreds of
thousands who have seen it else
where AS one Of the truly great prod
ucts of the motion picture world.
"Ben-Hur" was welcomed by Wash
inston in one of the traditional sane
tums of the spoken drama with heart.
felt and generous eDthusia SIN.
The question Of why this great film.
which for months has been running
IN the big cities of the country should
he so late in reaching the capital. was
forgotten last night by the audience
as it willingly. submitted TO the com
pellinG beauty and power OF a story
simply and ma iesticallN transposed
from the immortal pages .ot " slla"e
10 what may we'll he immortal cellu-
loid.
SuperlatiVes. hs4 We been indulced in
hv cynics themselves in rating this
motion picture. 1t well deserves
superlatives. Truly tanslatine the
Lew Wallace story into action, the
combinati tion of film genius WhIcE VAS
brought together to produce Ben
Hur' has succeeded not only in max
ing a picture of absorbing story, thrill
ing episode and coherent plot. but IN
building up spiritual tone OF such
exquisite beauty, and such strength
Of appeal as strangely to combine the
virtue Of Christian honily With the
pulling power of vivid drama.
Neither the one nor the Other ap-
pears to be subordinated: 'Ren-llur
is tho uuintessenco of both. 1t Is. IN
The par!ance of the screen. tru"
"super-thriler. yet it iS m"re-ih
spirit. il is sublime. Through the IL
tenselv human story Of The very hu-
man hero and his family. is infused
the spirit Of the Christ. whose miracle
a: the close provides the climax 30 a
story Of ma gniiicent smaller eli
MAKES.
The plCture was produced ny Metro
(4oldwvn- Mayer in arrangement WITH
Abraham l.. E,rlanger. Charles Is. Dil-
bingham and FlorenZ ZieGfeld, 1r.. the
marks Of whose craftsmanship may ne
seen in flashes throughout the pro
duction. Directed by Fred Nibio. the
entire picture moves 1orWafd as
smoothly and swiftly as if made with
me instead of the several minds be
hind it.
The story tells Of the Jewish prince.
Ren-I1,,.. bow the Roman officer Mes
eala and his cohorts seized him tor A''
cidontallN dropping a tile on the great
ruler C;ratus. throwing him INTO the
caIlevs for life and his mother ana
sister into dungeon. With lust Tor
revenge against MesSala and dreams
of conquest over the Romans to tree
his people from the yoke. Ben-llur
escapoS from tho callcys in gorgeous
sea fieht. becomes adopted son OF the
Roman whose iffe he had saved. drives
IN the great chariot race where ne
triun,phs over his adversary. MESSIAH.
crushin. him in body, finances ana
snirit, and finally is reunited with MS
mother and sister. Ben-tlurs love Tor
Esther, daughter of the former stew
ard to the house of llur. provides tho
love story of the theme.
Spectacular and gorgeous are the
sea fights and the thrilling chariot
race while there is Il stupendous i'm
preston made by crashing OF the I'M,
nense Roman palace Of justice in the
earthuuake following the crucifiHion.
Ramon Navarro is a wonderful Ben
Hur Alessala Is played hl THAT old
favorite. come back more animated
and vigorous than ever. Francis y.
Rushman. May McAvoy is appealing
as Esther. while Carmel Myers con
tributes a VoluptuouS siren to the
role Of Iras the Egyptian.
The musical score accompanying
"Ren- Hur' was arranged hy Mai. Ed
ward BoVes. David Mendoza and Will
liam AXt. of the Capitol Theater New
York, and is a powerful factor in the
presentation.