FILMED HISTORY.

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 148, 10 March 1923, Page 13

FILMED HISTORY.

LADY D. DUFF COOPER AS QUEEN BESS. If beautiful photographs oi beautiful scenery, and mediaeval portraits seemingly come to life, could make an historical drama, the Stuart Blackton spectacular production, “Tho Virgin Queen,” shown in London recently, would be one of the best films yet produced in this country. Lady Diana Duff Cooper is a statuesque Queen Elizabeth, but her performance is not particularly distinguished, nor (says a London critic) does Carlyle Blackwell, tho American star who was brought over to play Lord Dudley, succeed in away with his part. Tho best little piece of acting is comes from Violet Virginia Blackton, in tho minor character of one of Elizabeth’s maids of honour.

Changes in a man's nature while unjustly confined in prison for twenty [years are shown in “Perjury,” the jWilliam Fox film now showing at the Paramount and Artcraft. Harry Millarde, who made the famous Fox picture “Over the Hill,” directed tho I production, which presents 'William Barnum .in an emotional role.

The long-expected Steinach film, which has taken two years to make, was recently released in Berlin, drawing crowded houses (states the London “Observer’s” correspondent). After the technicalities of the Einstein film, there were misgivings concerning public interest in any other film dealing with experiments not veryclear to the average layman. But the Steinach pictures have overcome this difficulty, and from avoiding the opposite extreme, arc. if anything, on the side of sentimentality. It may as well be said at once that, though great pains have been taken to avoid offence to good taste, tho great majority- are unsuitable for an xknMo-Saxoii aud.ence. They’ are probably- of value to a medical institution once all the superfluous interludes have been cut away. These range from tho external differences between the sexes, as shown by male and female, of familiar friends in the Zoo, to the billings and cooings of doves in their cote. For the rest, in a long scries of photographs of guinea pigs- lying chloroformed upon the operating table, the most minute details of transference .of various organs from one animal to another are shown with every - stitch of tho surgeon’s needle visible to the cy-e. The different stages in the healing of these organs and their subsequent effect upon the nature of the animal in question occupyA a large portion of the film, which is infinitely less concerned with tho rejuvenation of the aged than .with thu effect of gland. secretion- in those in full possession of health and strength. Only in one case is the public entirely- gratified with respect to the lopular conception of the Steinach theory. This is in the scries of astounding photographs of the ancient rat, Methusalem, who from tho last stages of senile decay- picks no by degrees sufficient vitality to crock a limp tail, brae? up bent whiskers, and take a lively interest in the lady next door. ' Where human beings are. concerned, the film fails to show the gradations that n-.nrt nccess-rily .have taken place before tho elderly and sicklv man be- 1 comes sufficiently strong' to lift the I wejghty articles he is seen to do, in tho’ next picture or so. So much here |

A double-featured programme now showing at Shortt’s Theatre is a good one. Alma Rubens appears in a vivid James Olive Conrad story of the frozen

North, “The Valley of Silent Men” (widely read in New Zealand, while the late Wallace Reid is seen in a gaytale of adventure and love, “The Ghost Breaker,” in which he is supported by Lila Lee.

may be a trick exposure that doubt may be excused. But the photographs of rats, guinea pigs, and even horses, leave no doubt as to the genuineness of tho “cure.” Just in this respect it is interesting to note that there is a distinct movement on foot in Germany to remove from the Steinach operation tho doubtful reputation so indissolubly connected with it. Not the vita sexualis, but diseases arising

Nita Naldi—Queer slant eyes, a marvellous figure and an exotic personality make Nita Naldi one of the really interesting persons of the cinema. She is of Italian parentage, and early became a successful New York show girl. Graduating into piotures, she made an instantaneous success in “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" and “Experience.” She displays her acting ability with excellent results m “Blood and Sand” with Rodolph Valentino at "’Everybody’s this week.

•The ladder superstition, is perhaps one of the oldest in existence, and around this superstition, and countless others such as thirteen at a table, stepping over a broom, spilling salt, and the like, “Tho Ladder Jinx,” a Vitagraph super-comedy, was written and produced.

Tho entire story of the “Sheik’s Wife” is told with t-rue artistic feeling. There is no villain, in the hackneyed sense of the word. The psychology of the Sheik who loves his wife with an ancient fierceness and who trigs to dominate her in. true Oriental fashion, is sympathetically set forth. Tho character of the romantic and high-spirited girl is also skillfully etched.

Ever since Mother Eve embedded her pearly teeth in the fabled apple humanity has pondered from time to time tho age-old; problem, “What’s Wrong with tho Women?” The picture wastes no time in getting into the core of the subject. With bold and powerful strokes it rips aside tho curtains that hide the whims, the foibles and weaknesses of that dynamo of ever-changing emotions—the Modern Woman. It is in no sense an attack on womanhood. It is in no sense preachy, although in its big treatment mav be found a sermon that will shatter deceit and extravagance, and weld closer together the bonds of love and human sympathy.

from derangement of internal secretions, diabetic affections, and the like, is the object of tho experiments beingcarried on by Steinach’s disciples. Ibis hoped that the first steps have now" been taken along the difficult path leading to the unravelling of all the mysteries of glands and their importance in tho human body, with a po»siblo revolution in clinical treatment as the result.