The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-09-24

Inc poWerIul appear Oh JAN
nings Characterization Is really
amazing. He is not a handsome
man, and it is doubtful If all the
wonders of makeup box could
transform him into matinee
idol His figure is large and shape
less. His natural eatures are
coarse and gross, although they
are astoundingly plastic. The
presence of any Glynesque 1T" has
never been detected. In THE
Patriot" he plays the, part of
ruler who is pitifully horrible, andN
yet the sturdy realism of his act
ing actually engenders mount
ing sympathy that verges close to
downright appeal. 1t just must
be the art of fine actor.
A year ago Broadway took this
same play and made of 1t an i'm.
posing production, but it failed
miserably. The leading character
could never be called heroic.
Paul I Of Russia is not heroic in
the story as Jannings has adapted
1t for camera purposes.
The insane Car, as conceived
by Jannings, is cruel and OPP
pressive monarch. His people are
forced to endure the whims, ca
prices and tantrums of disor-
dered brain; at times Paul is child
is1ly silly, in other moments bes.
tial, but always tragically help
less figure in his furs and orna-
ments. BY the grace of God he
rules, but not by the will of his
people.
To make such a character domi-
mating requires more than con-
slant presence before the camera
and the skillful building up of "a
role by the methods synonymous
with the Hollywood starring
system. Jannings is past
master at the art of conveying
emotions by the process of facial
expressions. He makes the crack
Drained Gar at times look and
act thoroughly vapid and idiotic.
again keen and cunning and now
cringing and insignificant. My
gallery of screen favorites lists
none who could approach Herr
Jannings in making this unhappy
monarch a creature of such re-
pulsive, but convincing realism.
Lifting the iron heel from a
tyrannized people is one Count
Pahlen. This role spells oppor-
tunity for Lewis Stone. Rarely
does Stone give other than
finished performance, but in THE
Patriot" he is truly magnificent.
AS the trusted advisor of the
Car and his eventual betrayer
there are periods when he liter
ally steals the picture. With any
other actor than the German star
the result would be disastrous by
contrast. AS 1t is, I say give
Lewis Stone the same intelligence
in story selection, acting chance,
and able direction as has been
conferred on the Paramount ace,
and you have another Al star.
TnS lovely Florence Vidor
furnishes the feminine lure and
the object of romantic intrigue
about the st. Petersburg palace.
Some of her scenes required deli
cate handling treading as they do,
close to the risque, but Il is a
tribute to Director Lubitsch and
actress alike that the camera is
cut before they become offensive.
Director Lubitsch seems thor
oughly at home, given mega
phone and ordered to capture for
teIe celluloid the glamor and pomp
of royal establishments. His sets
looked substantial and regal, and
his mass grouping are picturesque
and have been beautifully photo
graphed.
II you are Jannings fan don't
miss this picture. If not already
initiated, 1.-THE Patriot" provides
an excellent chance to become
one.