The Omaha guide., 1935-01-12

Jr., For "The Omaha Chronicle")
This writer was invited by the
MANAGEMENT Of the Orpheum Thea
tire to review John NJ. Stahl's dar-
ing and spectacular Elimination Of
the great Fannie Hurst's sensa-
tionaI novel, Limitation Of Lfe",
when it showed in Omaha several
days ago.
The star roles were marv-lous,
and the aurperb acting of Louise
Beavers, leading Negro participant,
and Claudette Colb,rt. white lead
ing star, 1T the fire of extra-ordi-
nary acclaim of all Orpheeum thea
J-e-goers who saw this master
piece.
From casual observation. this
writer would say: That the film
ming Of this picture must have been
q delicate task, because the plot
involv $ the Economic and Social
problems Of the Negroes of Amerl-
ca. The broad-minded and sympa-
thetic Stahl was indeed a Jul
hgeous d rson to produce this
daring. stirring, and in most scenes
super-sensational melodrama which
--z--I - III ~onlInr 2 II nU0TU
pr caution not to offend either
race. To Nh. Stahl this film rep
re. ented the unprecedented fnesse
Of that sup-r-genius. This play
forces the Negro, / hope, to be
true enough to himself to accept
the truth; also, the Negro has the
chance to learn that only patience,
time, faith in himself, education.
efficiency and the proper financial
gains are the nearest approach to-
wards his salvation from race
prejudice.
1t follows, as a perfectly human
trait, that there are sequences in
the film that tends to sadden my
race, but however great the bur-
den has been, we implore them to
be big-hearted and tolerant, for it
is only with such instrumentalities
as ths modern and broad-minded
productions of screen versions that
will help more than anything else
to destroy the unholy vulture OF
race prejudice, and will assist to
erase the "Color-line". To be in
tolerant by way Of screen criticism
makes for greater financial ad-
vances. Negroes Of Omaha and
America must realize that "Imita-
tons OF Life" gives to them their
first real star, lucrative Economic
gains for our race, and opens great
err opportunities for other race
actors in FINLAND.
This writer thinks that the above
epic really serves its purpose mas
much as it shows, conclusively. the
unjust, unkind and inhuman treat
ment that has been accorded the
Negro peoples by the opposite race
for hundreds of years, to the end
that the i~nter-races Of u land
might scale the peak of a more
human understanding, affection and
love for each other and a finer
spirit Of brotherly love of the
White race toward its Black
brothers.
From that review, | have sensed
"a new high" in terms Of humani-
tarianism which will ebb first, from
the great thinkers of the white
race, l feel better days are ahead
for the Negro.
The Drama or Opus confines it
sell about the lives of two hum.
BILE widowed American mothers
one black and the other white. They
both had the same desire in minc
of rearing their little daughter:
into fine womanhood. And, having
he same outlook and common in
terest, those two mothers effect al
inseparable friendship Throughout
life. They hold the greatest low
imaginable for their daughters
So, they start their lust for sue
cess in the home of Beatrice "Bea'
Pullman-played by Claudette Col
bert who is a Caucasian; Louis
Beavers is the Negro mother VIII
plays the part of "Delilah." A
this stage, you picture, quite vivid
ly, the strong inter-racial ties tina
cause the two small families to liv
together under the same roof.
/ 1t follows that the two daugh
tiers live together Ike sisters; final
ly. the hour comes when "Jess
: Pullman" played by Marily
Knowlden, calls "Peola," played b
Dorothy Black-BLACK! Ther
zones a breech Of friendship whic
} gre with the years: this prompd