American Photoplays Are
Insincere Say Europeans
Foreign Film Men and Dramatists State That While
Technically Ahead of Europe, American Photo
plays Are Most Immature and Lacking
Sincerity of Heal Life.
—. Mn__!
American picture* are charged a*
being Immature and Insincere by
Jerome Lachenbruch, a well known
film authority of Europe nnd after a
•urvey wa* made the charge was
backed up by the most of the thinking
men of the drama and motion picture
of foreign countries.
While admittedly American pictures
are very popular all through Europe,
they complain loudly of the falsely
romantic atmosphere of American
production* and declsre that with
pictures made true to life these same
producers with their wonderful light
ing and the finest of equipment could
produce pictures that would show
for month after month Just as do big
stage productions In their extended
runsr
The vllllan In an American photo
play they aver always overhears a
plot. Intercepts a letter—the author
makes every move and the audience
ran picture the whole story after the
first reel. The puritanical assump
tions always present in American film
are also assailed and here the Ameri
can producer brings forth as his de
fense the bugaboo of censorship. But
before censorship the same things
were true, states Mr. Lachenbruch.
Newest European productions have
striven to create this one thing In
which America does not surpass them
■^-the atmosphere of sincerity. The
imperfections of technique, will they
believe, be overcome in time and act
ing devoid of tricks will please
audiences more than a sugared pro
duction.
Mr. Lachenbruch sums up his In
dictment neatly In this paragraph In
which he says, “I think Americans
have Intincts much the same as Euro
peans, and that it Is about time mo
tion picture producers and directors
stopped Insulting their lnteltgence by
giving them pictures labeled as ‘seri
ous problem?,’ which have the In
tellectual content of a First Reader.”
Douglas Fairbanks Comes
Again in “Robin Hood”
Douglas Fairbanks In his great
classic "Robin Hood," which ran so
successfully to large audiences at ad
vanced prices at the Stj-and theater
•his winter, returns to Omaha screens
this week at popular feature prices
at the Rialto.
"Robin Hood” has been welcomed
everywhere, ns it was in Omaha, as
one of the classics of the screen and
It undoubtedly is a story of romance
of the Twelfth century that will live
in the cinema until seen at least once
by everyone.
There Is a delightful blending of
fact and fancy throughout the 12
reels of "Robin Hood” and the whole
has been built into an artistic whole
that has proven irreslstable to audi
ences. Vivid Impressions of the life
of that day are brought forward and
throughout all the romance of a
knight and lady is carried.
The romantic life of “Rohln Hood,”
himself is fully as colorful as the
famous tales of his existence in Sher
wood Forest and the redoubtable and
active Fairbanks makes an ideal
merry robber of the rich and friend
of the poor.
“Brass” at the Strand
Story of Divorces
The screen version of Maj. Charles
O. Norris’ novel, ’’Brass,” with Monte
Blue portraying the role of Philip
Baldwin, opens today at the Strand.
The picture is said to retain the viv
idness characteristic of the novel. Tn«
setting of the story is In sunny Cali
fornia, first in a prosperous rural
community, then shifting to bustling
San Francisco, where most of the
action passes.
The queer domestio life of the
young married Baldwins is the theme
around which the story la apun. Phil
ip is ao busy storming the gates of
fortune during the day that he longs
for the home evenings, while hia wife,
Marjorie, a piquant slip of a girl,
doesn't see why a baby should keep
lier away from cabarets, gay boon
companions and a generally good
time. They get divorced' each goes
separate ways, falling in love but In
the end feeling the gap In their lives.
The end Is developed In a whirlwind
climax.
Monte Blue’s supporting cast con
sists of Marie Prevost, Harry Myers,
Vera Lewis, Irena Rich, Frank Kee
nan, Helen DuPont, Margaret Red
den, Helen Ferguson. Edward Jo(j
son, Harvey Clark, Cyril Chadwick,
Tat OJ&alley, Gertrude Bennstt and
Kthef Grey Terry.
William Farnurn Star$
in “Moonshine Valley”
William Farnurn opens today at the
Gayety In a story of the foothills
called “Moonshine Valley,” from the
pen of Mary Murrillo. It Is said to he
a picture with many thrilling Inci
dents and striking photography.
During the picture Farnurn stages
two thrilling fights with Holmes Her
he.rt, an old screen favorite, who te a
number of the excellent supporting
cast.
Dawn O'Dsy, a tiny three-year-old
r^hedlenne. and Sadie Mullen, who Is
playing her first leading role, are
imminent, members of the cast. Jean,
thesamous moving picture dog, shows
off pi good advantage.
fact that Herbert Brenon dl
r the picture Is the best assur
ince that “Moonshine Valley” Is a
photoplay out of the ordinary run by
moving pictures.
“When Dawn Came,” a story
f|«Bded on the value of religious be
llefTidfi rated as one of the better plc
1 urea^f the year, Is booked for the
last, half of the week.
--
&i*nHall Chine's Novel,
_“The Christianat Sun
in the photodramatle version of Sir
Hall Caine’s great novel, “The Chrln
lunjj jit the Kun, Maurice Tourneur
has demonstrated In no uncertain way
the w(|dom of selecting him to direct
the production.
It adds greatly to the interest In tbe
i
[picture to know that the exterior
scenes, all were taken by Mr. Tour
neur in their natural settings in Lon
don, nt Epsom Downs and one the Isle
of Man, in close and friendly co-oper
ation with Sir Hall Caine. Sir Hall,
in fact, was most closely associated
throught the translation of hia novel
to the silver sheet.
Although Mir. Tourneur has shown
bis genius for portraying mental con
flice on the screen in his working out
of the peculiar psychology of John
Storm, played by Richard Dix, he has
filled the picture with stirring action
—the scenes at Epsom Downs on Der
by day, the mob scene in Trafalgar
square (for the making of which Mr.
Tourneur by special permission of the
British government turned that his
toric spot into a huge motion picture
set from mldnignt until dawn of one
day).
Mr. Dix, in the title role, Is gener
ally considered to have done the best
work of his career before the camera.
Mae Busch, as Glory Quayle, has to be
seen to be appreciated. Others in the
great cast are Gareth Hughes, Phyllis
Haver, Cyril Chadwick, Mahien Ham
ilton, Joseph Dowling, Claude Gilling
water, John Herdman. Beryl Mercer,
Robert Bolder, Milla Davenport. Alice
Hesse, Aileen Pringle, Harry Nor
thrup, Eric Mayne, and William
Moran.
Viola Dana Portrays
Southern Girl Now
The latest photoplay to star Viola
Dana la "Crinoline and Romance,”
which is at the World this week.
Many novelties, both in characteriza
tion and in story, are promised for
this film. ,
Miss Dana's versatility takes an en
tirely new turn in "Crinoline and. Ro
mance." In the photoplay she is seen
as a naive southern miss, completely
sequestered front the rest of the world
on her grandfather's estates In North
Carolina. The star is everything that
her role calls for—demure, vivacious,
spirited and fascinating.
The story of the picture tells of the
young girl's determination to escape
from the rigidity of her surroundings.
She visits the home of her aunt, and
there tastes modern "social” life only
to be bitterly disappointed and disil
lusioned: There is a great deal of
charm and amusing incident in the
telling of the story, and It afford* the
i|| jfar-nam*'
Kk (5/ive.tv
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1 Dana \
IDOG.LD
* A
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G/dna iPufaneon. <
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- g’TK’ANO.-’
vivacious star ample opportunities to
indulge in her distinctive brand of
comedy.
Supporting Mice Dana are players
of real skill. Two of her suitors In
the story ore portrayed by A .an For
rest and John Bowers. Claude Gil
lingwater plays her sturdy southern
grandfather, and others of Importance
are TJlltan I^awrence and Gertrude
She ft
“The Drug. Traffic" and
“Head Hunters" at Moon
"The Drug Traffic" picturing the
working* of the trade In drugs and
the harm that It I* doing to this
country Is being offered at the Moon
this week rs the feature attraction
with Martin Johnson's "Head Hun
tera of the South Rea*" fir* reel*
of most Interesting film of a strange
and weird people, as th* added at
traction.
Telling a story in entertainingly
convincing fashion. "The Drug Traf
fic" Is bound to pull at the heart
strings of the moat fastidious theater-1
goer, for it is true tr> life and is
cleverly and realistically enacted by
an all-star cast that doe* credit to the >
meritorious work of Harvey Gates.
"The Drug Traffic” la an Interest
ing character production replete
with action and a romance that, will
please any audience. It was carefully
produced with everey attention paid
to public entertainment value:
Gladys Brockweii in the role of the
reformed drug fiend presents an In
teresting study of the addict. It Is
typical of those unfortunntes without
any overacting on the part of Miss
Brockweii who truly does the best
work of her career. Other members
of the splendid cast Include Miss Bar
bara Tennent and Boh Walker.
*
Music Notes
Miss Sadie Levey will give a recital
Tuesday evening. May 1, at the
Schrnoller & Mueller auditorium.
Miss Alta Gillette will present Ruth
Ehlers, Marjorie Herrnansky and
Marlon Rea In a piano recital Tneg.
day evening, April 24, at Kchmoller &
Mueller auditorium, at 8:15 o'clock.
The public is cordially Invited.
Cecil Berryman presents his advanc
ed pupils In a piano recital Thursday
evening, April 28, at Schrnoller &
Mueller auditorium. Those taking
part are Sadie Levey. Jane Fisher,
Mrs. Barneby, Lillie Englund, Chris
line Coughlin of Plattsmouth, Helen
Root, Ruth Slama, Ida Lustgarten,
Marie Byars of Valley, Anna Parker.
Mr. Fred G. Ellis will present Miss
Ruth Gordon, contralto, In recital at
Burgess - Nash auditorium Monday
evening, April 3h, at 8:15 o’clock.
Flora Sears Nelson will he at the
piano. This recital will be in the
nature of a farewell to Omaha music
lovers, as Miss Gordon has resigned
her position as contralto soloist at the
First Central Congregational church
to take a similar position In the First
Methodist church at Portland. Ore.
Mis* Gordon will he greatly missed
In Omaha musical circles. The public
Is cordially Invited.
The public is cordially invited to
attend the piano recital to be given
by the pupils of Mrs. L. F. Kilgore
at the Burgess Nash auditorium. .Fri
day evening, April 27, at 8 o’clock.
Those taking part are: Phillip Wol
ber, Gladys Pease, Vera Brlghtwell,
Wayne Wright, Zorada Alexander,
l4tura Ixiulse Kirk. Virginia Reed,
Ruth-Johanson, Phyllis Leeka, Louise
Morison. Lois Anderson, Estheer
Haney, Naomt Haney, Leo May Cham
berlin, Bluma Neveleff, Juanita John
son, William Anderson, Nilma Smith,
Eileen Murphy, Alice Zimmer, Ann
Amsden, Fern Wilson, Elaine Leeka,
Minnie Shawcross. Carrie Shawcross.
Admission free. Come and bring your
friends.
NEIGHBORHOOD THEATERS
GRAND - • - 16th and Bin nay
RICHARD BARTHELMESS and
DOROTHY GISH
la "FURY"
HAMILTON - - 40th and Hamilton
RUDOLPH VALENTINO and
ALICE TERRY
In "THE CONQUERING POWER"
VICTORIA - * 24th and Fort
DOROTHY PHILLIPS
in "HURRICANE S GAL"
Three Who Will Play Piano
Ruth Killers, Marjorie Hermansky and Marion Rea. who will appear in a
rerilal at the Sehmoeller 4 Mueller auditorium on Tuesday evening.
“Life’s Collateral”
endorsed by thinking men and
women throughout the country as
one of the greatest messages of this
day to the citizens of America.
Sponsored by The Omaha Bee and
prominent real estate men inter
ested in Omaha’s welfare, this
little heart interest drama will be
shown as an added attraction
ALL THIS WEEK
at the
and'All'Vfeelc.
ettll-l-3-5-7~9
EVE $ SUN DAY MAT. SO$
WEE*DAY MATS'. 33$
CHILDRENAETD/iE 1CK
DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS
ROBIN HOOD
Rich With Romance—Thick With Thrill*—
Abounding With Adventure— N •
Complete With Comedy.
The Greatest Achievement in
the History of Motion Pictures!
STARTS TODAY COME EARLY
Special Musical Accompaniment bjr
Harry Brader and Symphony Players
Juliua K. Johnson at the Organ
