Photoplay (Jan - Jun 1926)

SAVES YOUR PICTURE TIME AND MONEY The Six Most Pictures of the Month BEN-HUR THE SEA BEAST STELLA MARIS THREE FACES EAST THE AMERICAN VENUS THAT ROYLE GIRL The Six Best Performances of the Month Ramon Novarro in "Bcn-Hur" John Barrymore in "The Sou Boast" Claire MacDowell in "Ben-IInr" Dolores Costello in "The Sea Beast " Carol Dempster in "That Rovle Girl" Mary Philbin in "Stella Maris" Casts of all pictures reviewed will be found on page 114 THE SEA BEAST— Warner Brothers TO the thousands who have been thrilled by Herman Melville's "Moby Dick," the story of a white whale, this screen translation will be eminently satisfying. Those who have not read the book have in store for them a motion picture that the Warners can conscientiously call a classic. The outstanding feature of the film play is the exquisite love story of A hob and Esther, beautifully played by John Barrymore and Dolores Costello. The flowering of their romance, the sweet agony of their partings when Ahab goes to sea, the anguish caused by the misunderstanding that separates the lovers — are some of the most poignant moments ever pictured on the screen. John Barrymore gives his usual finished performance. His agony is almost too realistic in the scene wherein the sailors cauterize the bloody stump of the leg torn off by the sea beast. It's too gruesome for sensitive souls. And later, too, when he burns the tattooed name of "Esther" off his arm, Dolores Costello's beauty is a delight to behold, and her acting is unbelievably good for a comparative newcomer. The scene in which she first sees the havoc wrought upon her lover by the white whale reaches artistic heights that leave one trembling. And the scene is perfect pictorially. Thrilling moments are provided in the sequences wherein Ahab drives his ship through the waterspout in his mad chase for vengeance on Moby Dick, the whale; and again where he fights to the death his villainous brother. George O'Hara as the scheming brother performs very well and looks startlingly like John Barrymore in many scenes. Director Millard Webb has put strength and beauty into the telling of his tale. A slight criticism might be offered, however, that the story does not get started soon enough. THE AMERICAN VENUS Paramount THIS picture lias all the clement-, of motion picture entertainment: an interesting story, excellent cast, good performances, able direction and pictorial beauty. It is the much heralded picture of the Atlantic City beauty pageant of last year, in which Miss Fay Lamphier won the title of "Miss America." Miss Lamphier plays a part in the film, but leaves much to be desired in photographic beauty. She won't go far, we fear. Esther Ralston and Lawrence dray arc so gooddooking and full of pep that the romance of the story romps along at a very gratifying rate. The story is generously sprinkled with gags that are refreshingly simple and quite funny. Watch Louise Brooks, a new face. That gal's there. THAT ROYLE GIRL— Paramount D. W. GRIFFITH can't, apparently, make a poor picture. Even when he slips out of character for a moment to depict swift melodrama with jazz and younger generation, he does it pleasingly. Carol Dempster gives a performance that skyrockets her into any ten best list of players named from now on. "That Rovle Girl" presents a fresh idea on the screen — that is, that a girl can mean different things to different men. Daisy Royle doesn't love the jazz orchestra leader, and she certainly is not a bad girl; but she makes the very feminine error of leading a man on and then trying to close the door in his face. What follows is highly dramatic and interesting, with the keen suspense that characterizes all Griffith's pictures. 55