The educational screen (c1922-c1956])

r.'s The Educational Screen program after two days running for very good reasons. How any star could allow a picture to exist that burlesqued all his past (and possibly his future) as this does, is another of the several unanswerable questions we have propounded this month. PEACOCK ALLEY This film is a difficult one to review. It has many commendable points; many undesirable ele- ments. Miss Murray was unconvincing in the beginning largely through the absurdly provincial idea of Paris night life rather than through any lack on her part. She immediately became tin finished actress she is, as the film got under way. At times her sincerity hurt as high moments on the legitimate stage hurt. It was more, too, than the amazing beauty of her close-ups for they could have moved but not stirred as did the quality of her acting. The idea behind the story, the courage of a fine woman, was dimmed to mediocrity by the trite plot. Thus Peacock Alley can be classed as neither a good nor a bad film but an uncomfort- able mixture of both. THE RULING PASSION A film with the smooth, silken George Arliss is bound to be good. The slightly sardonic grin, the subtle flexing of the eyebrows, the firm con- fidence of this actor prove again what the screen can do with trained people behind its efforts. The story is, of course, a humorous friendly pic- ture of a home amid the idle rich with plenty of good common sense behind its activities. The situation of the "old imposter" gives the oppor- tunity for many a clever play of words. They are particularly delightful with the half closed eyes of Mr. Arliss behind their humor. One of the films not to be missed by the family. HIS BACK AGAINST THE WALL Anything Raymond Hatton has much to do with is very apt to deserve persistent applause. We are not disappointed in this amusing tale of a hero despite himself. In the tailorshop cowering before his boss, at the Union Tailors' dance contest, spinning his Jane to victory and the silver goblet, or later as the quaking hero, "killer" of two famous bandits, Raymond Hat- ton is delightfully funny. Virginia Valli, his support, is always poised, charming and thor- oughly lovely. Miss Valli will probably never be a great star; she has little potentiality, but she is the perfect support for a part that re- quires natural grace of mien and movement, a rare quality in the average sub-lead. A PRINCE THERE WAS A quiet unaggressive film, having as its chief and in fact its only attraction, the tenderness of the gentlemanly Tommy Meighan. A t sense of the dramatic on the part of the cor ity editor might have improved the undul action. I DO If you like comedy, plotting up with the t ity of a machine gun assault, you'll like "I in which Harold Lloyd's meaningful empty and wan shoulder shrug smack at you with funniest significance. It is the most r« moving force Harold Lloyd has made. "I I the sort that happens along only once in a EXIT—THE VAMP The naturalness of Miss Clayton as wif< mother and "fighting mate" is the deligh simplest bit we have seen for some time, supporting cast supplied charmingly ade interpretations of this sincerely written \ None of the cheap effects of the triangle tion or the outraged and raging wife wi back her man! A clear, clean, winningly j bit of the ridiculous situations we mortal ourselves into. The Romantic History the Motion Picture (Concluded from page 113) stallment, Mr. Ramsaye will give us best write-up of the subject to date The writer has evidently gather wealth of material, has selected d and distributes his emphasis to make interest and readableness rather thai completeness. He begins his story Edison in 1888—though he rightly s that there is much to be told before date—and Edison dominates the re: the first installment. Many others mentioned, but rather briefly, espec the foreignefs. The article ends Woodville Latham and his sons a to start the next great step ahead, n; ly, to get the picture out of the peep- and throw it upon the screen. One could wish for more detail in « parts of the story, and a bit less in ot but Mr. Ramsaye's "history" pror to be the best thing of its kind sc and decidedly worth reading.