Judge — February 25, 1928 — page 26: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Sadie ‘Thompson and the Marines Abroad or the Pagan of Pago Pago A Movie Review by PARE LORENTZ (Reading time HE movie “Sadie Thompson,” a sce- narization of Somer- set Maughan’s story “Miss Thompson,” from which the stage play “Rain” was also adapted, is well executed, admirably acted, and excellent entertainment. It is the latest production of Gloria Swanson, nie Svenson, recently the Marquise de la Falaise de la Coudraye, and I think she gives in it the best performance of her successful ca- reer. Produced under her own name, its ex- cellent direction _ fol- lows the stage pla “Rain” almost gesture for gesture—in fact, the star wears what appear to be the same clothes so gloriously flaunted across the boards for several years by Miss Jeanne (How- ever, the laundry marks were S. B., so I don’t know whose they were.) If the movie could have been sup- ported by a Movietone or.a like ar- rangement allowing the doleful pat- ter of the rain on the tin roofs of Pago Pago and the nasal jangle of the cheap gramophone to work on the nerves of the audience the movie would have had all the strength of the pls As it ii Jie Thompson” is as effective as a movie can be with- out auditory supplement, and Raoul Walsh not only directs the production with a firm and learned hand, but plays a major part with distinction. The original story dealt with the psychological study of a gentleman of the clergy who hits the tropics with the Bible in his hand and religious fervor in his eyes, and whose reformation of a member of the world’s oldest pro- fession is followed by the tragic anti- climax of his own downfall, In order One Paramount organ solo.) A scene from the movie of “Sadie Thompson” showing Gloria Steanson and Raoul Walsh not to disturb the clergy or the tender feelings of Bishop Will Hays, the character of Reverend Davison was changed to a Mr. Hamilton, labeled a professional reformer. It does not ex- plain what sect he is advocating, nor what text he is using, thereby insulting only the professional reformers of the country, and most commentators agree that there has been too much emphasis on professional sports lately, so that the concession to this character in the play may be accepted as a distinct coup for the amateur reformers. So far, Tex Rickard has offered no pro- test. Lionel Barrymore is as mean a psalm-singer as you could ask (from a professional, of course), and his ex- cellent work in this production is simply another proof that he is a better screen actor than his brother. (And if that annoys you, write to the editor and see how far that gets you. He hasn't opened a letter I wrote him Gloria Swan a film ver “Sadie the m pron.” Thompson,” ry, iss five years ago asking for a job.) “Sadie Thompson” is one of the best pictures of the year, and its only weakness is a host of dumb titles. I think you will enjoy it. PROTEST Some fifteen years ayo, while tour- ing the Swiss Alps on a bicycle tour, I saw in Berne a movie called “The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari.” This movie was made by a German com- pany, as well as I remember (and that is not very well because at that time I had been in Oxford only seven years and I had not yet become accus- tomed to the mournful cries of the yodelers echoing against the walls of my litle cabin) and it was directed by Mr. Paul Leni. (1 am not. sure whether that is right either, but I know Mr. Leni. did something about that picture because he has been in this country making pictures for several years on the strength of it. “The Cat and the Canary” was one, for instance. We will now go back to the original discussion.) At the time I was very much im- pressed with this German production because of the peculiar idea of camera angles and lines used by the director. [CONTINUED ON PAGE THIRTY] comicbooks.com