PARAMOUNT AND ARTCRAFT.

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 123, 25 May 1923, Page 2

PARAMOUNT AND ARTCRAFT.

"The Village Blacksmith," a delightful story founded on the well-known poem by Longfellow, will be screened today at the Paramount, andl Artcraft Theatres. A specially selected cast acts the story, headed by William Walling, in the title part, and Virginia Boardman, in that of his wife. The plot is a thrilling one, and there are two pretty love stories running through the thema that provide relaxation to the more sensational parts of the story. The scenery is a feature of the film, and there is also included a, well-staged railway sma.sh.-up. Briefly, the story tells of a blacksmith named John Hammond, who with his wife and three children lives happily in a small town. A short distance away from their homestead lives the village squire, who hates Hammond because the latter had married the girl the wealthier man had also loved. This enmity is the theme of the story, and how the Hammond family rise superior to the machinations of the squire makes most interesting telling. A delightful musical prologue has been prepared by Mr. C. Parnell, during, which Mr. F.Hewitt is the vocalist, assisted by a choir of children. Excellent supports are included on the programme, and 1 the music at both theatres has been specially selected.