"EAST IS WEST."

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17742, 19 April 1923, Page 11

"EAST IS WEST."

A CONSTANCE TALMADGE TRIUMPH. LIBERTY THEATRE SATURDAY. The name of Constance Talmadgo brings visions of mirth and mimicry, adds a feeling of expectancy, and creates ani impression of some special treat in store for her host of admirers when she appears in a picture. And not once has Connie let us down. She comes through with some wonderful stories, beautifully enacted, with all those little touches for which she is so famous. Wo have seen her in all kinds of from the demure little maiden to the mischievous imp, from the spoiled b;anty to ihe p.ett,' vamp; but hor latest and greatest achievement is that of Ming Toy, tho lilLe C.inesi girl iu "East is West," a 1923 special, and a First National attiuction, winch will be screened at the Liberty Theatre foT on 3 week, commencing next Saturday. Alwayu ready to catch you unawares and delight you all the more, Connie leaps right away from hcz comedy character to something different, yet something so becoming in Oriental setting, so dramatic in its narration, of the colour conflict, that you are treated tj an amazing realisation of what she can do. As you are probably aware, "East is West" was a tremendous stage success before it was picturised, and the -author wa3 invitod to the first private showing of the screen adaptation. Afterwards he told' Constan-je Talmadgo that he considered the photoplay even superior to the stage version. "It is not often," remarked the distinguished author to Miss Talmadgo "that an> author can sit entirely through the perfoimance of one of his plays without registering a solitary complaint, but in this case such was actually the fact." Corning from such a source, this was praise indeed. It would be impossible to speak too highly of East is AVest," which is a veritable triumph of screen, artistry, and quite ihe most ciginal story in which this popular star has been featured. She is seen first as a. beautiful Chinese girl, who is placed on the "Love Boat" for auction, and later as a daughter of San Francisco Chinatown. Her way is fraught with all sorts of dangers, and her white hero, in braving the dangers of Chinatown in her cause, establishes himself aa a Romeo of the first order. "On trial for his life" is a. phrase that carries with it a grim chill. Men hare been placed on trial for their lives for deeds of violence committed because of the demands nf their code of honour. This is the situation in which Robert Lee Pitman is placed in "White Shoulders," another First National attraction with the lovely K-itherins Mac Donald as star, which opens at thi Liberty on Saturday. This episode is one of the most gripping in this pr-dtielion, full of thrills «nd unexpected twists, not the least surprising of which is the verdict reached by the jury at this trial. Next- to the brother, the chief strain fall's upon Virginia Pitman, played by Miiw Mac Donald. Her .portrayal of the sister racked by the most "vital emotions reaches sincere heights of histrionism. This episode is exceptionally well staged, the bitr court room with its erravc proceeding seem.i to bo a reality. From this time the storv of "White Shoulders" rises to even greater heights. The supporting pictures will include a Christie comedy, "Cold Feet," and the latest Pathe Gazette. A specially selected mus'cal programme will be renderfd by the Liberty Grand Orchestra under the conducton*hip of Mr Arthur Gordon. The box plans forthe season are now open at the Bristol ' Piano Company.