"THE WINNING OF BARBARA WORTH."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18968, 5 April 1927, Page 13

"THE WINNING OF BARBARA WORTH."

FAMOUS STORY IN PICTURE. All of Harold' Bell Wright's stories are famous, but none is more widely known, none more deservedly popular, none more obviously the fruit of this prolific writer in his most brilliant and entertaining mood than "The Winning of Barbara Worth," a strongly dramatic tale of the Amorican desert, and how that pitiless force makes or mars a man, and is ruthless in either. The story has been picturised, directed by Henry King, the man who has a list of proud successes to Ms credit, and with Vilma Banky and Ronald Colman heading the cast. "The Winning of Barbara Worth" will bo presented at the Grand Theatre next week. It is. .a comparatively simple matter to treat of the actual production, but it .is altogether another pair of shoes when it comes to the writing of the story. There is so much of everything which makes for superlatively good drama, so much of swift, cleanly-cut romance, so much naturally thrilling interest, that the entirety presents » whirling spectocle of events and theatrical effects. There is everything in the story to make it groat, and this everything has been constructed by a master hand; the events follow orderly, building themselves up to a climax which is the acme of at once emotionalism, melodrama, and the director's love of.the human, realistic touch. It is n drama of the desert, but with what a difference. Here are no burnoused sheiks, no abductions, no palms, no tents; it is the desert, American it is true, the desort as it really is, and the object of "The Winning of Barbara Worth" is, not to tell in flowery words of the exotic romance and fiery passion of the sandy wastes, but of what man, in his creative energy, can make of those undulating plains; it is a romance of irrigation, absorbing, fagcinatinz, infinitely ino-e entertaining, and conspicuously more intelligent than the average effusions about deserts. Ronald Colman ?nd Vilma Banky sustain the human interest, ullhoush not allowing the other artists to do all the technical and engineering feats in the story. While the supporting cast is of the highest calibre, composed of sterling players, Colman and the henutitul Banky command prior interest; they are both artists of docision and grace, and tlioy have it in their power to make any picture. Thoro is no requirement, however, tor tliem to make "The Winnine of Barbara It was there before them; they but accentuate its wide appeal, instil more »*« «*»• its already vital fascination. The I<£ p.ans for this attraction open at The Bristol Puno Company on Thursday morning, v.here seats may be reserved.