"THE WINNING OF BARBARA WORTH."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18970, 7 April 1927, Page 7

"THE WINNING OF BARBARA WORTH."

i COLMAN AND VILMA BANKY. 1 ! Two of ihe greatest *rli,U of the s-'roen appear together in "The Winning of Barbara Worth," the United Artists' production to be presented »t the Grand Theatre next week. Viimy Banky and Ronald Colman have become the most ropular stars with the motion picture world, and certainly the most brilliant team in the films, in this powerful and arresting picturisation of I/Hro.'d Bel! Wright's famous book they have the flneet story of. their joint careers to work upon, on exceptionally clever man to direct them, and the three forces, stars, author, and director, have succeeded in raouldtn; what is unquestionably one of the moat enduring pictures made within the las', lew years. Mainly, "The Winning of Barbara Worth" is an intelligent story, and intelligence.' in any arena, is always supremely interesting and acceptable; it never, buffers from a dearth of en- ' tertainment qualities; it is often dramatic, | and a clever writer can always make it I humanly .interesting, which Wright has done | in this'instance. Moreover, as the story is laid in the Ifojave Desert, with irrigation as tho plot, tho picture is, most naturally, I enormously thrilling, action in every scene, ' suspense in every, movement, and what picture, starring this romantic pair, Colman and Vilma Banky. could be onj thing, else but" the epitome of romance, even though dame, ditches, and ranches hold the attention of engineers and mortgagors The most prosaic event in the story can be invested with the colourful aureole of drama and fascination, and while the story is concerned with an engineering, feat, it is never technical n'or swallowed up in a surfeit of generalities. The locale is magnificent, imposing, giving the production an atmosphere of dignity and solidity. The picture was made in the actual desert, and Uiib touch of realism makes it so much more thorough and effective. ■ An interesting fact about the sale of Wright's books can be applied to the pictures as well: his novels rank next in number of salo to the • Holy Bible, avoraging some millions a year, go, translated to the screen, thoy should, and they do, prove just' as popular. They aro all so wonderfully and delightfully human, so poised and natural, besides being finely dramatic in always the right place. And of all his works. "The Winning of Barbara Worth" has been the most successful, and that.is why the producers have expended themselves' so much upon it.- Xothing.was too good for this picture, and the result, seen J atthe Grand Theatre next week,' will be surprising to the most experienced picture-goer. Vilma Banky makes a charming Barbara Worth; this young Hungarian makes a typical American girl, practical and efficient, but she j haß those fine and polished touches to her art j which bespeak at all times the European art- | iat. Eonald Colman is faultless as ever, and j the supporting cast, which includes the genial and paternal George Fawcett, is composed of distinguished players. The box plans open at The Bristol Piano Company this morning, whero scats, may bo reserved..,