Picture Play Magazine (Mar-Aug 1927)

51 Tolstoy great Russian author's the aid of his son, Count be^o gripping and realistic himself would applaud it. Reid ficing as little of it as possible and changing nothing. The adaptation was then turned over to Finis Fox, who constructed the scenario. Inspiration is the company through which Mr. Carewe produces. He was given carte blanche on all details of production and casting. His choice for the leading feminine role in "Resurrection" was Dolores del Rio — his own protegee and a proven actress. For the very important part of Prince Dimitri, Carewe and his associates unanimously decided upon Rod La Rocque. But when they approached him with the offer, La Rocque was already in the very midst of a film for De Mille. Now Rod is a conscientious young man. Contracts, to him, are more than mere scraps of paper to be thrown aside at will. But when he learned that the part offered him was that of Prince Dimitri in "Resurrection," he quite literally paused in the middle of a scene and walked off the set— to De Mille's office. As was natural, the prospect of having his biggest star suddenly drop a production that was nearly half finished didn't particularly appeal to Mr. De Mille. His re Katusha and Prince Dimitri, in the sunny days of their budding romance, entertain the villagers with a native dance. fusal to lend La Rocque to Inspiration was flat and final. But he reckoned without Rod, who is as determined as he is conscientious. Rod had, for years, been yearning to do Prince Dimitri. First he had hoped for it on the stage — later, in pictures. Now that the role was at last within reach, he certainly had no intention of letting it elude him. Contract or no contract, he was determined to play Prince Dimitri! As far as he was concerned, the thing was settled. De Mille, for once, was beaten. His only recourse was to shelve the picture on which Rod was working until such time as his wayward star should return. But — he charged Inspiration not only a lot, but plenty, for La Rocque's So anxious, however, were Carewe and Inspiration to secure the man they considered to be the perfect Prince Dimitri that they scarcely turned pale as they agreed to the terms. The deal was closed — high finance with a vengeance ! — and everybody was happy. Especially Mr. Carewe and Rod La Rocque. The picture was begun auspiciously, slated to be one of the big films of the year. Probably its only rival in importance is De Mille's "The King of Kings," which will be released at about the same time. "Resurrection," however, is not essentially spectacular — it is tremendous, rather, in its uncompromising simplicity, honesty, and reality. The stark story of Katusha, the peasant ward of two Russian spinsters, is well known. Prince Dimitri, the nephew of Katusha' s benefactresses, is at first only her shy playfellow. The budding of their romance is fresh and sweet. But it has hardly taken its first tremulous breath when Dimitri leaves to join the Royal Guards in St. Petersburg. Two years in the army change the wholesome boy into a highly sophisticated young man. On his way to join his regiment in Turkey, he spends a fateful night at the Continued on page 97 services. Katusha, now homeless and friendless, and scorned by all, presents a tragic figure. The happy, youthful lovers sit and daydream, little knowing the darkness and suffering that lie ahead of them.