Motion Picture News (March 1917)

1954 MOTION PICTURE NEWS Vol. 15, No.. 13 Sarah Bernhardt /{ SPECIAL \ THE WORLD'S GREATEST ACTRESS Greater Than Any | in "Mothers of France" The Sensation of the v Season at The Rialto V New York's ^ First Run // Written by Jean Richepin Member of the French Academy Directed by Louis Mercanton Read These Reproductions from the Great Dailies of New York ONE OF THE FINEST THINGS EVER DONE (N. Y. Herald, March l2tK) "Mothers of France," with Mme. Sarah Bernhardt in the chief role, attracted throngs yesterday to the Rialto Theatre. In this picture art and good taste are combined and it fairly breathes patriotism. IT IS ONE OF THE FINEST THINGS THAT HAS BEEN DONE ii\ FILMS. * * * Mme. Bernhardt gives a notable portrayal of the bereaved and patriotic mother. the principal role, is the feature at the Rialto Theatre this week. * * • It is a really great picture, one which evokes applause from the crowds which see it. * * * The picture has created so much interest that the Rialto management is throwing the theatre's door* open at 1 0 A. M. daily in order to accommodate all who would see it. ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECEIVED MOVES RIALTO AUDIENCES (N. Y. Times, March 12th.) "MOTHERS OF FRANCE" ATONES FOR MOST OF THE SINS OF THE MOVIES; TO SEE IT IS RECOMPENSE FOR HAVING SAT THROUGH A SERIES. OF ATROCIOUS AND BANAL WAR . FILMS PURPORTING TO POINT A MORAL. IT IS SUBTLE AND POWERFUL AND MUST MOVE EVEN THE MOST CALLOUSED OBSERVER. THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE (M Y. Tribune, March 'l 2th.) THE GREAT, THROBBING, BLEEDING HEART OF FRANCE WAS LAID BARE AT THE RIALTO THEATRE YESTERDAY IN MME. SARAH BERNHARDT'S WONDERFUL PICTURE. ."MOTHERS OF FRANCE." * * * Every man forgot that he was in the theatre. * * * The appla use became so thunderous that the music was drowned and people stood up and waved their programs. * * * IT IS HARD TO TELL JUST WHY THIS WAR PICTURE HAD SUCH A GREAT APPEAL TO THE HEART AND TO PATRIOTISM; BUT THE FACT REMAINS THAT THERE WAS ON THE SCREEN YESTERDAY THAT WHICH BROUGHT MEN TO THEIR FEET AND WAS BOUND TO GIVE THE MOST CARELESS OBSERVER PAUSE. WOMEN OF UNITED STATES OUGHT TO SEE MOTHER FILM ("Zit." In N. Y. Evening Journal, March 13th.) . Probably no greater lesson has been shown since the war began than the heart-rending five reel feature film "Mothers of France." It will give to American mothers an opportunity to see what is happening to their sisters; abroad. * * * "Mothers of France" is a work of art. FILM A TRIUMPH (Morning World, March 12th.) Spectators in the big moving picture theatres as a rule do not applaud, but the crowds at the Rialto Theatre yesterday afternoon and last night received "Mothers of France," a new patrioic film for which Sarah Bernhardt posed shortly before coming to America, with great bursts of hand-clapping. * * * The part that Mme. Bernhardt acted serves to increase the marvel of her wonderful vitality and youthfulness. CAPACITY CROWDS GREET PICTURE (Evening Telegram, March 12th.) Mme. Sarah Bernhardt in "Mothers of France," as presented this week at the Rialto, amply fulfills the expectations aroused by the announcement that she had posed for a photodrama which was to typify the spirit pervading and upholding the French Republic of todav. * * * THE CAPACITY CROWDS WHICH GREETED THE PICTURE'S FIRST PRESENTATION ON SUNDAY JUSTIFIED THE WISDOM OF THE MANAGEMENT IN ITS DECISION TO OPEN' THE DOORS OF THE THEATRE AT TEN O'CLOCK EACH MORNING THROUGHOUT THE WEEK. A TRIUMPH (Evening World, March 3rd.) "Mothers of France," a. new patriotic film in which Sarah Bernhardt acts (New York Sun, March 12th.) "Mothers of France" was received with enthusiastic appreciation. The crowds yesterday which attempted to see the picture were the equal of any in the history of the house and the waiting lines outside reached half way down the block. * * * MOTHERS OF FRANCE" GIVES A MORE GRAPHIC PICTURE OF FIGHTING FRANCE THAN ANY OF THE SOCALLED "WAR PICTURES" BECAUSE THE CIVIL And military AUTHORITIES COOPERATED WITH THE MAKERS OF THE PICTURE AND THE BATTLE SCENES WERE MADE IN FRANCE WITH "POILUS" IN THE TRENCH STAINED UNIFORMS. A THRILLING FILM (N. Y. Evening Mail, March 12th.) That tragedy that is war and the glory that is courage are the dominant notes of 'Mothers of France," the master picture shown at the Rialto. * * » IT IS A STIRRING PICTURE. MOSf OF IT YOU SEE THROUGH A MIST OF TEARS, BECAUSE. IT REACHES DOWN TO THE SIMPLE EMOTIONS STIRRED UP BY HUMAN SUFFERING AND UP TO THE GREATER EMOTIONS WHICH ARE THE HERITAGE OF A COURAGEOUS PEOPLE. * * * Sarah Bernhardt so wonderfully typifies the indomitable courage of her country-women that there could hot conceivably be another choice for the role. Be sure to mention " MOTION PICTURE NEWS " when writing to advertisers.