Evening star., 1927-09-18
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producer and a hundred-thousand-
dollar star appear to be struggling
with what might be frankly esti-
mated in terms ,of precise artistic
value as a seventy-five-dollar manu-
script.
The National Theater is tiptoeing
toward the regular season OF SUBJ
stantial drama, upon which the Sc
cure reputation of this famous play
house has so long been based. One
of the really great motion picture
classics, "Old Ironsides," has estab-
lished itself here as a creation to be
admired. not merely as specimen OF
camera art and producing direction,
but as a vigorous and intelligently
patriotic revelation of the motives
and the identities of the old heroes
of whom we still love to think. 1t IS
an inspiring reminder OF the battle
instinct in the normal human.
X x X
In film like odd lronsides' that
indispensable ingredient labeled by
the studio pharmacists heart inter
est" is not easily applied. A love
story streaks in and out OF Old
Ironsides" with a coquetry and a
love-at- first sight carelessness which
cares not in its romping Stiffness tor
imperiled men on board, or even tor
national destinies which may be III
the balance. The heart interest is
frequently administered, but oper-
ates as no great sedative to the
temper of the spectators, who SIT on
the edge of the chairs grateful tor
the opportunity to have ringside
seats at nominal cost to witness so
terrific and so genuine a light.
In spite of the we'll impressed
axiom "All the worlds a stage" the
ater reviewing has found little occa-
sion to note, in all this contention tor
spotlight honors, ranging from prison
to palace, the appearance unherald
of the Best Little Actor of Them
ALL The actor who used his own
life as the plot of the story. con-
Quoted his own rehearsals, never
knew what it was to have press
agent and who used the sky itself
as his stage entrance, conquering
world audience with simple speech.
81 am Charles Lindbergh! One OF
the surprises in Lindbergh's public
career was the perfect composure
with which he bore himself as q
center of the most spectacular pub
licity. when called upon to speak on
platforms and at banquet boards.
where his voice received even greater
attention than that bestowed on the
worlds most distinguished person
atty. Here was no blashing. stam-
mering youth, with prompters sta
toned at his elbow. He faced crowds
with all the secure equipoise OF one
accustomed to face his public under
all circumstances. His brief biog-
raphy explains this on terms which
again rescues him from the importa-
ton of being "a tin saint" super
naturally endowed.
The story of his first plane and of
his transforming experiences reveal
with vivid humor experiences with
the crowds as he performed the
perilous tricks of aviation for audi
ences that merely wanted their
moneys worth. They could have no
idea of the opportunities they were
missing to throw bouquets to the
hero and lay in a storea OF rer1il-
niscences of personal acquaintance
ship with which to charm grandchil-
dren listening in wide-eyed wonder.
1t is quite within imagination that
the flyer had to face disappointed
throngs sometimes when the old
plane did not perform in a manner
that might have rendered it remote
ly eligible to membership in I'VE"
combination. And no doubt he had
many interviews with county fair
committees in which he had to stand
his ground unmoved by the oratory
of practiced speakers combined in
an effort to persuade him to think
it over and see If he could not re-
duce the cost of his performance to
the shareholders and financial back
ers. It is the peculiar fortune of
Lindbergh never to be found unpre-
pared. Study, experience and
power of single minded concentra-
ton seem somehow to enable him to
take his cues in any scene and situa-
tion. He is the best little actor of
them ali--and invariably we'll re-
hearsed for any change of role.
It remains for our sky prodigies,
as they compel new intense inter-
est, to surpass even the motion pic
ture stars themselves in utilizing
vast expanses of nature as mise en-
scene. The colossal equipment of
the motion picture as now developed
restrains the merciless comment
which is SO frequently leveled at the
actor who contributes voice.. as well
as facial expression and gesture, to
his playing within the limitation of
a stage, where only lathe and can
vas afford the illusions of castles or
outdoor perspective.
The spoken play may be easily
changed, and, even without any ex-
aggerated loss, retired from action.
A cinema drama is not so easily dis
posed of. 1t may have cost a million
dollars, or may be two, or even three
However courageous sense of ar
tistic discrimination may be, there
is bound to be a certain hesitancy
about making wry faces at million
dollars.
A recent picture play affords an
example Of how completely the inn
zzlIlIuIIIII