Evening star., 1933-01-28
Forceful Chinese Drama,
With Helen Hayes, at Fox.

DEATH, which is the price Oh
Chinese treachery to its own,
merely creates the moments of en-
phasis in q story of the Orient in
California. which is filmed as The
Daughter" and presented at
the Fox Theater. A company OF
American actors breathes the senti-
ments Of the East. speaks the terse
language of the yellow race. and en-
acts tragedy Of mounting CHI
makes to its lonely end, with set
tings of intrigue and the excitement
of milling crowds.
This play was conceived in the
Belasco fashion, had its brief day
on the stage, and has now the real
istic assistance of the camera. while
its exhibition Of fatalistic loyalty to
a writhing republic is in the keep
ing of so thoughtful group of
players as Helen Hayes. Ramon No
varro, Lewis Stone, Warner GLAND,
Ralph Morgan. Louise Closer Hale
and H. B. Warner.
There is no novelty in the per-
formance of Mr.. GLAND. for he is
here placed in a favorite environ
ment, but the others in the cast
must reach a worthy level Of their
art, in the creating of drama with
the force of truth, while exhibiting
the impulses Of the Chinese. This
is done with the preservation OF the
Chinese mentality.
Miss Hayes may be credited with
something which Is SO clear-cut. so
affecting. so filled with the chang
ing emotions of an Oriental woman
that it has a stronger effect than II
she were dealing with an American
subject. Playing in association with
Ramon Novarro. as Chinese prince
in disguise, she develops with fine
imagination the romantic attach
ment for an admirer whose royal
origin is undisclosed. In order to
raise money to send arms across the
Pacific, she is sold in marriage to a
wealthy member of the colony by
her father. in a wave of patriotism.
She dismisses her lover with the
thought that whatever one does for
love of country Is right" declaring
that ''the gods wish it so," and
Ito China give myself"
In the development OF the plot
Miss Hayes reveals the compulsion
of extreme. modesty that attaches
to her class. and in the striking
scenes with Mr.. Novarro. who also
reaches distinction as q Chinese,
she excuses her slightest acceptance
of attention as breaking AL the
rules Of modesty." Inherent cour-
age is revealed when she advises her
lover to 60 land fight like seven
devils" and avenges death with
death in the end. One of the most
effective scenes is that in which she
conducts an auction among the
wealthy Chinese for her own hand.
Miss Hayes throughout retains the
rare combination of the timidity in
duced by her training with the wis
dom of maturity. There is obvious
increase of her stature as she sends
her lover away.
The production is worth while.
interesting. and one to show all the
members of the cast to advantage
The action Is well timed, and the
incidental features capably planned.
The stage performance is headed
by Anatole Friedland and his
musical revue. Phil Lsmpkin and
his orchestra are effective in
a Suppe overture. Geor5ie Price.
radio artists, sings and gives imi-
tations: the Three st. Johns are
showy acrobats: Jack Pillard and Al
Hitler with Lynn Mayberry have q
seance Of complete nonsense; and
Lowe -Burnof and Wensley are
strong exporents Of q satirical idea
Of ball room dancing. D. 9. Q.