Judge — February 2, 1929 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

JUDGE iit all the honesty and dignity maintained W:: the novel, Director Brennon has made a beautiful movie of Conrad's story, “The Rescue.” He has been so faithful in retaining the original story there are periods when you fail to p the deep tragedy of the theme ‘unless you have read the novel, because Conrad's situations can- not be built up effectively in a movie, but this is the one major fault. Brennon, may he be given a raise, spared us a happy ending and retained one of the most heart-breaking conclusions ever written, It would be impossible to cast a pls women who could act Conrad convin and women were too great. Ronald Colman had about as much chance of acting like King Tom as a Singer Midget of makin Yale Crew, but I know of only two movi who might have approached the red-bearded buckaroo of the South Seas in appearance, and they might not have given as capable a performance as Colman, Eliminating this natural handicap, every part was carefully cast. They all there—Jorgensen, the half-crazed old- timer; Jaflir, little Immada, pinning their faith to the blond giant who failed them at the last moment because a white woman sailed into the harbor and whipped him, There is not one instance of bad craftsmanship in the entire production. See it by all means before a Clara Bow-sailor epic comes along and denies you the opportunity. y ‘tt probably be irritated with the conclusion of “The Case of Lena Smith,” but you'll go home with the knowledge that you've seen a movie created hy an artist. » with men and ngly—his men the story for the moment, Joseph already established himself as one pnt movie directors in the world the fact that George Jean Nathan Von Sternberg of the few intel (notwithst din UVGING TEMOVIES says there are no such things) and his latest movie does him credit. He does story sense—he s: rifices drama for the sake of a picture—but he unc a movie with the attitude that it isn't nec to spell out the long words, that a part of all audiences don’t need three sub-titles to under stand a scene if that scene is graphic and dramatic. With the guidance of the director, Esther Ralston develops into a first-rate actress. It is a drab story of a betrayed country girl and her relentless battle with the society of old Vienna, and the director has done such an un-movie-like thing as portray a villain who is not wicked, but merely as much a victim of society as the girl he dragged into the network. The ending is hastily sketched, and lets you down with a dull thud—it is true to life, but not to the picture. movic However, that is the one fault. I don't know how Von Sternberg put it over on the directors, but there it Go see it for yourself. is exceptionally good, and I am g responsible for includi Symphony in D minor. W: will now turn away from these disturbing signs of age in the movies and take up “A Lady of Chance,” which comes under the head of regular business. Note the difference—the heroine of “Lena Smith” is merely a déclassé wife, but she ma suffer. The heroine of Lady of Ch ‘is a lady of many boudoirs, but as the director never once at- tempts to create an illusion of life, pain or grief or avarice, it turns out to be a gentle fairy good triumphing over e that love never could. There are some amusing situations in this movie. all due to the adroit mannerisms of Lowell Sherman, and it might serve to while away a few idle hours. But don’t turn down “The Rescue” or “The Case of Lena Smith” to see it © musical score eful to whoever n it Cesar Franck’s es you tale with nd love wiping out stains The Movie Guide “Alias Jimmy Valentine” — Which “My Man”—Fanny Brice is ges, but makes William Haines the moet pleasing she hasn't enough songs or gags to carry Youngster in the movies. it off. Behind the German Line od tedious, but it gives cal review of the lat therly Love” —Rough and tumble, d very funny “The Rescue™—Reviewed in this isrue. ‘Homecoming’ entertainment. Stow, but still good "4 Lady of Chanee”—Reviewe! in this ve. jer Dancing Daughters" —\ rather tragie story of our young ladies finding out about fife. Recommended. Barker”—With Milton Sills “The Patriot” —About time for a second trip. comicbooks.com aa | |