Wid's Filmdom (1921)

DIN re, Novoreae 13, 1921 ght a f? DAILY Wonderful Acting Puts Over Unusual Version of “Hamlet” Asta Nielsen in “HAMLET” | Asta Films, Inc. Sven Gade POLL flank e Ancient Danish legend and theory of Dr. Edward P. Vining SCENARIO....... American version by Dr. Francis Trevelyan Miller CAMERAMEN....Curt Courant and Axel Graatkjer AS A WHOLE...... New version of Hamlet given impressive production. Wonderful acting filled with heart interest and splendid direction make gripping drama. Artistic photography and settings SOO ee Tragedy as powerful as Shakespeare’s version with plausible love interest added. Character consistent to action. Continuity follows play with some striking exceptions. Start and ending different. Many lines from play used for sub-titles DIRECTION 112308 Excellent throughout. Splendid handling of emotional scenes. Mobs and marching armies impressively staged. Effective use of comedy touches PHOTOGRAPH Yer... Good. Scenes well balanced. Some unusual shots. Interesting and varied WS "ee s) Ghiel «0h ay 01 es IC le reverie "s 0 3 0 «8 LIGHTINGSea..:. Clear, though not always to the advantage of the star Se itis sce Gives excellent performance—powerful and emotional. Facial expression and gestures well timed and finished. Puts over and simplifies a most difficult role DOERR. Levies. “2 Good. Types well chosen with a few exceptions Pe remrorel Cin ume earns Wee ae at. ek Good INTERIORS....Some large and many splendid sets. All artistic PP se eee Pee ee Bas wo ee Careful ert reices CL ihe be sy DOR Yc acca. Danish prince dis covers that his uncle killed his father and married his mother to get the throne of Denmark. Plans revenge PHN OF PRODUCTION: ........ 9,500 feet “Hamlet” is a remarkable production. While other foreign pictures have presented moving spectacles, “Hamlet” will claim greatness through its splendid acting, excellent direction and appealing drama. The entire production hinges about the realistic acting of the star, Asta Nielsen. From the start she gains your attention and sympathy and holds it to the very end. In spite of the complex nature of the character that the star presents, the acting is simple and direct, making it easy to follow and within the under standing of the average audience. With apparently little effort and a great economy of means Asta Nielsen puts over some big heart moments and carries you along through her many emotions. She has that remarkable gift of making you see what she thinks. And she thinks before she acts. The director has taken every possible advantage of the material in hand to make the production an artistic and finished picture. The big scenes employing many extras are well timed and controlled. The groups are splendidly composed and the types and costumes well contrasted. The solo scenes, in which a single character occupies the entire stage, are handled in such a way as to make it personal and intimate. He has given careful regard to expression and to subtle gestures. The sets are picturesque and artistic, all of them interesting. The photography is fine and above the average, though not equal to the best. In many instances the lighting is flat and a great handicap to the star. This version of Hamlet is certainly not as doleful as Shakespeare’s play. The picture goes back to ancient legend and employs the modern theory that Hamlet was a woman and in love with Horatio. For reasons of state Hamlet is forced to take the guise of a prince and this deception is carried through to the very end. Hamlet’s father, the king of Denmark, is murdered by his brother who soon marries Hamlet's mother and crowns himself king. Hamlet, tormented by the horror of the deed and urged on by the spirit of his father, plans revenge. The situations follow not unlike those in the play excepting that toward the end Hamlet sets fire to the house where the king is having an orgy. The queen drinks the poison that she intended for the prince as Hamlet, fighting for vengeance, dies upon the steps of the throne. It is only then that Horatio discovers that Hamlet is a woman. Talk About The Star, The Acting And The Unusual Production Box Office Analysis for the Exhibitor Your big talking point is the star, Asta Nielsen, the famous Danish actress. Mention the fact that many of Europe’s best critics have acclaimed Asta Nielsen as one of their greatest tragic actresses. You can safely play up her acting to the limit. At this no one will be disappointed. Tell your people that this is not Shakespeare's story of the melancholy Dane, but a version taken from the old legend and presented with a good deal of heart interest and thrilling intrigue. Advertise the picture as a big European production employing large mobs and armies. Show them stills of some of the sets using hundreds of extras. | A little teaser campaign using the line: “Was is sure to arouse interest, In college Hamlet a man or a woman?” especially among better class audiences, towns this picture should go over big. ; Talk about Hamlet as the greatest tragic figure in the literature of all time. Tell them about the situation, and that the prize at stake was the throne of Denmark. It will also help if you will use lines from the excellent criticisms that this production received in the New York newspapers. $