Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-06


wick" as recognition of its i'm
portance a. a Dickens center. What
Dickens thought about America was
not calculated to promote bond OF
affection, however much his attain
ments as novelist might be ad-
mired. He was uncomfortable while
here. and, as so often happens i'll
travelling, was compelled to accept
types conspicuous in public places
as representing the real qualities OF
citizenship. He seemed to think to-
| bacco chewing was unanimously &C
cepted as national custom and that
cuSpidors were conspicuously dis
tributed around every well furnished
home. No offense was taken at the
authors remarks, even though more
of the same tenor appeared i'll Mar
tin Chuzzlewit.' He was accorded
the privilege the humorist often OK
ercises to draw exaggerated pictures
and often to make criticisms SO All
daciously blunt that il is necessary
to laugh to avoid accelerating the
ridicule by becoming angry.
81 = X
A distinct triumph has been
achieved in the synchronizing proc
ess in which motion pictures are
now engaged 1t has since the first
motion picture was shown been the
ambition of those concerned III its
| future to attain point so near per
lection that it would rival the stage
that is peopled with living actors.
1t was soon demonstrated that the
picture was but a shadow, and how
ever beautiful and however striking
| in interest could not take the place
| of the substance.
| * * x x
| At first it was even hoped that the
response of actual applause could
be commanded. A dramatization
| OF Tolstoi's Resurrection was
filmed with the noted actress,
Blanche Walsh, i'll the principal
role. That she played we'll was
recognized in the studio. and it was
expected that all outburst OF ap-
plause would greet the finale. The
camera recorded the picture of Miss
Walsh coming before the curtain
and bowling with all the graces of
star deeply touched with gratitude
for these kind demonstrations 1t
was a fine picture OF an actress re-
ceiving an ovation. The difficulty
was that there was no ovation in
the auditorium to correspond to the
appearance on the film. The Incl
dent was not merely unconvincing
It was a shade grotesque.
X X X
Efforts at synchronization have
been numerous, and in many cases
the impression has been somewhat
akin to that which might be pro-
duced by ventriloquist in morgue.
x X x
The applause of an audience sig
nifies close and peculiar under
standing. Just why people should
find satisfaction in clapping their
hands together as signal that they
are pleased is not clear. The Gus
tom hints of a far barbaric ances-
trail origin. but it remains the SUI
preme tribute as far as this country
is concerned. No. American would
think of cheering a performer by
shouting bravo or encore"
" y x
experimentation has accomplished
at last the dream of the film inventor
that audiences would one day ap-
plaud the figure in celluloid. Mr..
Will Hays. as synchronized star,
describes the new devices and also
points with pardonable pride to the
marvellous advances made by the
motion picture industry. In doing
SO he commands recognition as no
less an orator today than he was
when he went forth as a political
campaigner to be hailed or heckled.
He is convincing after the fashion
of the outdoor roster with no threat
OF rivalry Of his screen neighbor,
Mr.. John Barrymore, as melo-
dramatic and romantic film star.
But Mr.. Hays, audible as we'll as
visible, accomplishes what the photo
player has not been able to secure
for many years and makes his bow
to a resounding demonstration of
approval. Miss Walsh's experiment
was not practical. Nevertheless, like
SO many impractical things, it was
prophetic.
The part of the public that re-
CARDS the revue as one of the sim
plest forms of entertainment, de-
pending entirely on scenery and cos
tune, might have learned something
by attending performance of 'The
Awakening 1t is a form of enter
prise which does not usually visit
the larger cities and depends on the
abilities of some man as a rapid or
ganizer rather than as an impre-
sario. It is reminder of the work
required TO produce a Broadway
spectacle.
The show has a touch OF every-
thing known to the stage, from the
ancient Amazon marcher" to the
most recent exponent Of the near
aboriginal dance. 1t has music
adroitly limited to few measures
in endless repetition, thus averting
complicated necessities OF much re-
hearsal. It's costuming and poses
sometimes missed the beauty of a
Helen; there were frequent enliven-
ing suggestions OF Harry Lauder.
There are "reminiscences of old times
and difficulties of social adjustment.
The plot is SO serious that il appears
to turn the tables, as near descend
ant OF Uncle Tom reminds the
progeny of Simon Legree that the
Cabin" is no more and that he i.
about to foreclose the mortgage on
the Legree homestead-or words to
that effect. He announces in tones
that sound like echoes from the dear
lOng-ago daYS of ten-twcnt' thirt,