Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-26
ADJUSTMENTS
lies Miserables" at Polls.

Darkened Polls awakened last night
to receive q mammoth and distin-
guished invited audience to witness an
advance showing Of the much-talked-o of
French photoplay production of Vic
tor Hugo's Lies Miserables," offered
under the auspices Of the National
Press Club and with must al accom-
paniment by large orchestra of sym
phonic caliber.
The picture is being presented in
America by Carl Laemmle, president
of the Universal Pictures Corporation,
in connection with recent interna-
tiOnal agreement in the film world,
whereby foreign-made pictures are to
be accorded a share in American pres
entations.
Mr.. Uric Bell, president of the Ma
tional Press Club, in a brief address
introduced DIR. Martin Knecht, sec
rotary of the famous French news
paper lie Matin. who spoke Of the
pioneer efforts of the French film in
dustry and of the efforts now being
made to improve and to elevate
French photoplays.
LES Miserables' was produced by
Henri Fescourt, with the assistance Of
Louis Nalpas, artistic director, and of
Miss Sylvia Tress, who supplied the
titles and edited the picture.
All the world knows the story of
Jean Vatican, the outstanding char
acter of Victor Hugo's famous classic,
a man Of superhuman strength, who,
after his release from long prison con-
nnement, was more embittered against
the world because of bis treatment as
an outcast, of his never-ending perse-
cution by Javert, the unrelenting po-
lice agent, and of the kindly old cure,
who bought his soul with the silver
stolen from him that he might offer
it to God.
The story is presented by an all
French cast, with NJ. Gabriel Gabrio
as Vatican. NJ. Jean Toulout as Javert,
NJ. Paul Jorge as Mgr. Myriel, the
cleric. and with Nine. Sandra Milo
wanof in the dual roles of Famine
and Cosette after she is grown. All
give remarkably striking character.
cations. with perhaps NJ. Gabriel
Gabrio sharing the honors of the
picture with little Mile. Andree
Rolane as Cosette, the child. a won
derful bit of pathetic artistry.
The picture itself presents many
beautiful and impressive scenes, al
ternating with many that are less
SO. In so many reels that the story
as whole has had to be separated
in two parts for picture recital, it
might still be edited and improved so
as to bring it within a reasonable
evenings performance. and this edit
ing, it is believed. might be so car
ried out as to relieve the picture of
tedium as we'll as of many imperfec-
tons. There has been a disposition
at times to overdo, and yet withal the
picture, by reason of it's magnificent
and impressive story, must always
have an intense appeal. Measured
by recent American masterpieces of
the screen. 1t seems to fall short of
the standard to which the American
public has become accustomed. And
yet, along with handsome souvenior
programs. were distributed last eve
| ming, at least to the active members
of the press in the audience, wonder
full testimonials from the English
press. including one from Lloyd
George himself
Les Miserables." it was announced,
| is not to be released for public view
| for some time, its present showing
doubtless being in a measure expert
| mental.
| The orchestral music of accom-
paniment is beautiful, and yet there
were times when il seemed a bit Cp-
presive and in need of a measure OF
| repression. There were unmistakable
volumes of applause of appreciation,
but there seems to be little doubt
that the great length of the picture
is tiresome for a single showing and
Gs little doubt that this defect may
be easily remedied and the action of
the story as a whole made more
spirited.