‘ROMOLA’

Evening Star, Issue 19385, 20 October 1926, Page 3

‘ROMOLA ’

FILMED IN ITALY, A world-famed story and a big cast, headed by Lillian and Dorothy Gish, are but two reasons for the success of ‘llomola,’. the Motro-Goldwyu-Mayor picture coming to tho Octagon Theatre on Friday. Another is its close affinity to ‘Tho White Sister,’ having the same star and director. It is the picture version of George Eliot’s well-known novel, ‘llomola,’ a tale of fire and intrigue, told in an Italian setting. Perhaps further reason could he ascribed to the fact that this big picture, like ‘ The White Sister,’ was filmed entirely in Italy, against the actual backgrounds of the story. This allowed the director great freedom of space and movement, of which ho took fpll advantage. Excellent results were achieved by the players, the wonderful work of tho Gish sisters, tho spirited portrayals of William H. Powell in the role of tho treacherous Tito Melcma, .Ronald Colman, Charles 'Lane. Herbert Grimwood, and others. , In brief the story tells of a young Greek, Tito Melema, who comes to Florence with gems with which to obtain money to ransom his foster-father, who is in the hands of pirates. Instead Melema sells the jewels and buys his way into Florentine society. Ho marries llomola, daughter of a noted scholar, and by political intrigue becomes the virtual ruler of Florence. He is instrumental in having Savonarola, a monk preaching against the ruling class, sentenced to be burned, and at the execution makes a bid for supreme power. But Fate at last turns on him, and ho is forced to flee. Soon afterwards he meets death at tho hands of Valdassarre, who has escaped and come to Florence seeking vengeance.