The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (Apr-Jun 1922)

THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. 21 A GREAT NEW BRITISH FILM. Wonderful Acting of New Screen Artiste Creates a Sensation. Herbert Langley, a new find in British Films, gives a masterly portrayal in ‘‘The Wonderful Story.’ , A magnificently acted film that is a certain winner. the outstanding success so far in British. pictures this year, for in their latest film, ‘‘ The Wonderful Story,” A STRA NATIONAL PRODUCTIONS are responsible for Pee they give us a photoplay which, for acting, story, and produeIf tion is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. foe nothing else, this film introduces a British screen actor whose portrayal can only be compared to the finest work given by those celebrated exponents of screen acting, the Swedish players. A GREAT FIND. Herbert Langley, who makes his début in ‘t The Wonderful Story,’’ is the greatest find that British pictures have yet had. How on earth it is that such a splendid actor has not appeared in pictures before is beyond our comprehension, but his portrayal of Robert Martin, a strong, silent man, who is stricken with paralysis, in ‘‘ The Wonderful Story,’’ is one of the finest performances that any British or American picture has yet given us. Blasé critics who have been viewing film productions daily for years past, were held enthralled by the strength of Mr. Langley’s acting. From the moment he enters the picture he dominates the screen, and his wonderful dramatic powers throughout the entire course of this photoplay hold viewers spell bound. HERBERT AN UNUSUAL FILM. Rarely have I seen such a_ sensational success scored The film The entire by an individual actor in the past few years. is an unusual one in many _ respects. cast numbers four people, and when one reflects that the principal character is bedridden throughout three parts. of the film, it gives one a slight idea of the dominating personality of a man who, on his first performance, has placed himself in the forefront of screen actors. ‘* The Wonderful Story” is a combination of production by Mr. Graham-Cutts, the talented producer, whom we have had occasion to refer to just recently, and Mr. Herbert Wilcox, who has adapted the scenario of this photoplay. This happy combination has given us a picture which is, in every way, a credit to British film production. igitized by CO gle AN EFFECTIVE STORY. The story is simple and wonderfully effective. It is essentially an English story, and breathes rustic simplicity throughIt shows Robert Martin, a son of the soil, a silent, strong his brother James in a three-roomed cottage. On the eve of his marriage to Kate Richards, he has a fall, and is stricken with paralysis. The girl, who loves him for his strength, experiences a change of feelings at seeing him bedridden, ventually, she falls in love and marries the brother. Robert, on the day of their marriage, curses them both, and is a living menace to them with his suppressed anger. In the course of time, a child is born, and in a wonderful scene ‘one sees the reclamation brought about by the touch of a child. out. man who lives. with A GREAT PRODUCTION Briefly, this is the story of a great production, which literally holds one spellbound by its strength. As I have said before, there are only four people in the cast, yet never was there a more holding pic ture or one more perfectly acted. One splendily acted scene, where Robert Martin drags himself from his bed in an endeavour to embrace Kate, is one of the finest pieces of acting ever.seen.on.the screen. Herbert Langley’s portrayal of Robert Martin would have been a triumph for a seasoned actor, but for a new comer to LANGLEY. the screen it is difficult to find words in which to praise his wonderful performance. Lillian Hall-Davisy, as Kate lichards, is equally as effective. Graham-Cutts, whose first picture this is, is to be heartily congratulated on giving to British pictures a contribution which it will be very hard to beat. He has given just those deft touches which make this photoplay great, His settings are so simple and yet so effective that it appears as a story of England breathing English air. It is difficult to praise too highly everyone concerned in the making of this picture, but if this is a sample of what Graham-Cutts and Herbert Wilcox are going to give us, then there is a very happy outlook for Astra National Productions. ‘* The Wonderful Story ’’ is a wonderful picture, and the showman who wants to give his public a real British masterpiece can bank with safety upon the drawing power of this superb‘ photoplay.—E.W.F.