The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-11-20
breaking Chains" Soviet Wonder Film

spy and endeavor to dig up tho
hidden booty.
Factories Rebuilt.
"In the meantime, the Russian
workers have rebuilt the factory
Katie, now five years older, stands
at her fathers loom and does the
work he used to do. The perfect re.
semblance between the child that
first plays the part and the charming
Russian girl star is the art of effect
many American directors have tried
unsuccessfully to achieve. In the
village school military maps are also
studied but the arrows point the op-
posite way toward the driving out
Of the White Guardists who would
rob the workers Of their victory. and
an argument between two ten-year-
old strategists winds up in free
for-all fight.
"The intensity and high spirit Of
the free workers is shown in their
efforts to electrify the whole local
industry, an effort about to be
crowned with success just as the
spy returns to the village. His early
successes, even TO the extent of win
ming Katie away from her young en-.
gineer sweetheart, keep suspense az
a high pitch. Time after time the
villain almost gets the jewels dug up,
but every time there is an INTERRUPT.
ton, often to the grave peril of the
unsuspecting interrupter. Finally
one slip arouses suspicion, and a
second almost conyicts, so in despera-
ton to get the swag he blazes a
trail Of assault and murder that ends
in his own death as he runs away.
"This would mark the end of an
American film. but not so here. Katie
feels deeply her own part in unwit-
tingly contributing to the progress
Of the spy as she avoids her young
lover and tries to forget in doubly
hard work. Then cloud settles up.
on the whole community as It anx-
iously follows the reports on the III
ness OF the beloved leader, Vladimir
Ilyitch Nenin). Even the children
show the deep psychic response, and,
as in other Russian films, the child
actors contribute heavily to the ar
hstic success. The heights Of pa
thos are reached when a fiye-year-old
gravely asks that her most cherished
possession, a doll, be also given to
Lenin as her gift of love.
Ride Thru Storm for News Of LenIn.
Finally, as the villages are max.
ing ready, despite a raging blizzard,
for the anniversary celebration OF tho
1905 Revolution, a fragmentary phone
message indicates that Lenin may
have died. Then the wires are down,
and the suspense, which communi.
Gates itself clearly to the audience as
1t watches the film. will allow no
other solution than that someone
must ride to the city for definite
word. A thrilling ride thru the bliz-
Yard, one horse after another Is rid.
den down. The news is found to be
true, and is finally relayed to the
crowd that has waited in silence for
six hours. II darkens all with a
mantle OF poignant grief. But soon
comes the answer, call TO the
masses TO Ill up the vacant place OF
Lenin with thousands OF the best ele'
ments OF the proletariat.
Heroine Joins Party.
"Katie hesitates. Should she ask
for this treasured membership after
she had unwittingly helped the spy?
But the meeting decides for her,
she shall be admitted, and her tire.
mendous Joy capped by her recon.
Citation with the over-ready engln-
eer brings lump and cheer to the
threats OF those who watch.
There is nothing trivial or trlte
In the whole film. Not dull moment.
not hacknoyed sentiment. As &
unfolds Il shows us the effect OF the
revolution on the inside Of tho Rus
sian people, II reveals their strength
and courage, their never failing hu.
NOR, and their unquenchablo will 10
freedom. The picture took Russia
by storm"