PARAMOUNT AND ARTCRAFT.

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 62, 10 September 1921, Page 9

PARAMOUNT AND ARTCRAFT.

A shepherd of simple faith, with/ powers of healing, a sweet country girl oontainated by the city, and disappointed in her ideal of marriage, are the two main characters in "The Faith Healer," the powerful Melford production showing to big houses at the Paramount and Artcrait Theatres. The picture has a theme of pure dramatic power, being the narrative of f devout man/s labour of love for humanity, and hia meeting with a girl who had missed, in her quest of love, the substance of lifePoignant in appeal are the scenes • wherein the simple shepherd- heals the siclc and crippled. The news of the miracle spreads, and suffering humanity flocks to the faith-healer. Piteous is he when his mental perfection, brings back his wonderful power, but'a child's simple faith, and his own recognition of the added glory Of spiritual, love' allied to his miental perfection, brings ; back bis healing, and the pilgrimage of the siclo and lame is not \insucceasful.' " Th« Melford master,hand is,,apparent in th« many scenes in which the genius of directors has" put "intelligence "and . .»■ sense of beauty, and fitness.'The restless excitement of the city cabarets with their dancers is contrasted 'with the peace and repose of the country where the faith healer tends his sheep and his afflicted people, The work.'of Milton. Sills in the title role is superb, and dainty Ann Forrest ■ ■ and • Fontaine la Rue, play. opposite, with complete success.' Gertrude Burg^, 'soprano, adda. emotional atmosphere to the film by her ; cultured singing"; of .appropriate songs Lduiing thß-'soreening..;.; A:N.ew; Zealand; scenixl and- a■• Vandenberg ■• picture of the pygmies in Darkest Africa complete) the bill.