Wid's Filmdom (1921)

© Sunday, July 3, 1921 é | 13 7 ee AR Biblical Story Given Spectacular Presentation Malcolm Strauss Production “THE TWICE BORN WOMAN” Sonora Pictures—State Rights STD These ROM ets ss... s oun ce Not credited AUBReroe...... Malcolm Strauss and Eve Unsell SC eee oGuc te ...... e Eve Unsell CANE DEEIN 70 oo... . wR Not credited AS A WHOLE...... Foreign made production that shows serious effort but doesn’t compare favorably with American contemporaries STORY... : A rather faithful version of the life of Mary Magdalen and incidents typical of the Passion Play DikB LION. .... A matter mostly of attention to settings and handling of players PitmeO Grice eLiY hy... <6. cee Usually good Lee eWer gees... cee Satisfactory CS REE VO TRIAS cee 5. 6... OREM gat Good PUARBERS#?. ... &.: Deyha Loti an impassive Mary; emotional ability required for such an interpretation is lacking; make-ups generally poor EX@eRIORS =...... Many well constructed and large sets RMR CR IR SS P c eGo lein oes 0.5 shai iols wi A Very good TD Ts oe eves ore ss amigie 8 ee -8 wes Suffices CHARACTER OF STORY...... Strictly religious atmosphere LENGTH OF PRODUCTION...... About 6,000 feet Malcolm Strauss Productions are presenting under the title of “The Twice Born Woman” a picture based on the life of Mary Magdalen. It is really not a story are well handled. but a series of incidents in the life of the woman famed in religious history as a penitent. The facts are imparted hy means of necessary titles which are both long and numerous, although absolutely essential in maintaining some sort of a continuity, without which the production would be merely a series of photographs. Technically the feature, which is said to be the output of an Italian company, cannot compare with the American motion picture. The settings are well constructed and denote a certain quality of skill, but they usually appear stagey to the extent of destroying any sense of reality. There are one or two large exterior settings which are effective and in which mob scenes The interior settings aim to conform to the period they represent but are doubtful in some matters of detail. The cameraman has used good judgment in locations and position, and the photography is usually up to the standard, with one or two exceptions where it is jerky. It is quite likely that in preparation for American audiences the production has undergone considerable cutting and revision. If such be the case, credit is due to those who did the work and were able to retain at least a connected interest. The work of Italian actors, headed by Deyha Loti in the title role, offers poor contrast to both American and other European players, not only in ability but in matters of poise, make-up, and the like. They often indicate an uneasy manner and the camera frequently catches them unprepared at the first grind of the handle. character. Modern up-to-date Laboratory devoted entirely to Printing and Developing Motion Picture Film, REPUTATION The biggest esset—and the best—any Film Laboratory can have is a well earned reputation for absolute reliability. Such a reputation inspires confidence and trust. assurance of good faith, of straight-forwardness, of fair dealing. It has been and is now the consistent policy of the Republic Laboratories, Inc., to establish a reputation of this Republic Laboratories, Inc. 128 West 52nd Street It is New York City PHONES CIRCLE 5828-5829