"ROBIN HOOD"

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 124, 26 May 1923, Page 9

"ROBIN HOOD"

UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE. Los Angeles has its own ideas as to how English history should be,prepared for general consumption in these '(Jays. It does everything on a colossal scale ami never counts the expense. With magnificent courage it embarks on any film enterprise with the certainty of commercial success from tho first turning of the camera handle. Historical accuracy does not matter, nor does adhesion to tradition; but the rigid following of cinema convention is insisted upon. " Robin Hood," as shown for the first time at the Opera House last evening, was a modem Los Angelas reading of the. old story. It complied with all requirements of modern cinematography. Of course the ballad of " Rpbin Hood " was in mind when its reading in celluloid was undertaken, but was only followed where it did' not conflict therewith. The version presented to a. crowded and delighted house last night was novel, and'it would have greatly interested historians who have looked into material bearing on tibLe life or the hero and his merry men. Richard and Huntingdon, who becomes "Robin Hoodi," went off to the Crusades. Wiiile absent, Prince John makes havoc in England. News of his wickedness reaches Huntingdon by special messenger. The Earl implores the King to let him return to England, where the people are suffering from John's oppression, and the fair Lady Marian Fitswaiter, Huntingdon's lady love, is among, the victims. Richard refuses. Huntingdon offers no satisfactory explanation, but takes French leave, is apprehended, thrown into a dungeon, and is liberated by Will Scarlet; hastens to England; becomes Robin Hood, heading up disaffected citizens and capturing the city of Nottingham from John's myrmidons; saves his lady-love from the foul embraces of Gisbourae, not a moment too soon; is finally recognised, pardoned, and exalted by his liege lord, Richard.l., who unexpectedly returns to England, discovering himself to the merry men in the leafy fastnesses of Sherwood Forest.

The title role, of course, is taken by Douglas Fairbanks. He capered, skipped, bounded, jumped, vaulted, just as he always does; he was here, there, and everywhere; on horseback one second, on foot the next; swinging from lofty trees, dropping down from terrific high battlements, leaping on to galloping horses in approved cowboy fashion. He was the hero, not the more or less mythical Robin of ballad, song, and story.

The conception of the picture showed a lively imagination and a- fine sense of the impre'ssiveness of the vast in everything—enormous crowds on foot and mounted; tremendous buildings, with great hall 3 and , remote prospectives.. " Robin Hood " is a truly wonderful picture of its kind and worth any effort to see. It is a masterpiece an modern cinematograph ensemble. Appropriate music was competently played by an orchestra directed by Mr. de Mauny. " Robin Hood" will be repeated this evening.