The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-12-08
BANKY is
NOW A FILM STAR

1.-THE Awakening" Samuel Gold
wyn's latest production, which
comes to the Palace on Saturday,
presents Wilma Banky as star in
her own right for the first time,
in role which gives her new and
greater opportunities for highly
strung emotional acting as Marie
Ducrot, the belle of the simple lit
tie village of Pre- dor. Heretofore,
Miss Banky has been a feature
player, appearing in the main with
Ronald Colman.
The picture is a notable example
of straightforward plot, unmarried
by side developments, laid in only
two settings, but achieving contrast
through the depletion, side by side,
of peaceful peasant life just before
the World war and the horrors Of
the first few days of the conflict.
Carey Wilson's script of Frances
Marion's story first depicts Marie
Ducrot, sought in vain by many
lovers, as the symbol of beauty and
innocent purity for the whole viii
lage.
Karl Won Hagen, a dashing lieu
tenant of Uhlans, played by Wal
ter Byron, sees her and determines
to make a conquest of her during
the week that his troop is stationed
in Pre- dor. Won Hagen, accus-
toned to success with women, finds
himself opposed by Lebolt, the rich
est peasant in the village, played
by Louis Wolheim.
Won Hagen, who succeeds in en-
ticing Marie to his quarters on the
night of his departure, discovers
too late that he really loves the in
nocent girl whom he has taught to
love him, for the villagers, led by
Lebolt, have whipped her out of the
village in disillusioned rage and
over the doorstep of her cottage
pitch, symbolic of her fall from vir-
tue.
Won Hagen leaves, believing that
Marie has committed suicide. After
the beginning of the World war, he
discovers her again as a novice in
convent which is dangerously close
to the scene of the fighting. She has
found comfort in the church and re-
fuses his ardent pleading.
But the current of war swings
until the convent is under shell fire
and the picture swiftly develops the
dangers which bring them irretriev-
ably together. Lebolt, who has been
Savagely hunting for Won Hagen,
turns up as a sergeant of French
infantry to add additional compli-
cations and is finally the instrument
of their salvation.
The village fete which provides a
pastoral prelude for the tragedy and
danger of the story has furnished
Samuel Goldwyn with an opportu-
nifty for charming scenes of dance
and rustic revelry. The uniforms of
the German officers mingle with
the picturesque costumes of the
piece, since the uniforms and the
peasant dresses are not American
made replicas, but actual costumes
imported from Germany and Alsace.
A specially. prepared SOUND &C
compartment is feature of the
presentation of 1.-THE Awakening. ;"
The musical score and sound effects
personally devised by Hugo RieSen-
field, celebrated composer and con-
ductor, formerly musical director
for the Criterion, Rialto and Rivoli
theaters in New York City, are CIV
en- by the Riesenfeld orchestra
through the medium of the new
sound projecting apparatus installed
for the benefit of the Palace pa
tropS.
The surrounding program will in
clude the Metro Movietone Review,
a miniature musical comedy pre-
sentation in which will be seen
Harry Rose, acting as Master of
Ceremonies, Grace Rogers, Van and
Schenck, an dWalt Roesner and his
Capitolian orchestra. Elsa Ersi and
Nat Aver will appear in another
Metro Movietone act.
Other novelties to be shown are