Cinema

TEH SIMPLE TALLOR, a silent film, with I. Mindlin, Y. Solnzeva and M. Lyarof; directed by Vilner; a WUFKU production. At the Acme Theatre.

The tragedy of being a Jew in Russia before the Communists come into power is not a particularly new theme for a story, play or moving picture, but down at the Acme Theatre on 14th street, a silent film with a new angle on the problem is now being shown.

Instead of concerning itself entirely with the fate of the Jews under the Czar, this Russian-made film also pictures the conflict that raged between the various classes of Jews, the rich Jew against the poor Jew, etc. The scene is a small town in Russia during the World War. The plot follows the fortunes of two families, one of them poor (the father is a tailor), the other wealthy. The head of the latter owns a shoe factory. While the poor tailer (I. Mindlin)is away fighting for the Czar, the factory owner (Y. Solnzeva) is at home fighting for more profits.

Tragedy descends upon the tailor’s family and his sister is forced to marry the unattractive son of the factory woner. Corci,stances arise whereby all the Jews of this stown are forced to leave. It is at this point that the Soviet producers of the film have injected their doese of propaganda. The capitalists (personified by the factory owner) are held up to scorn. They are shown enjoying all manner of luxury white their co-religionists are literally starving.When the whole town is evacuated the capitalists are permitted to take their wealth with them, while the poorer classes are left to their fates.

The plot is a trifle melodramatic but the fine acting, intelligent directing and competent photography lift this film above the ordinary “plot” picture. Better pictures have come out of Russia but if this is an example of the usual thing they can do, then the Revolution has not been in vain.

LONG OLOST FATHRE, based on a Ernest B. Schoedsack; an RKO Radio production. At the roxy.

Movie fans are so accustomed to see John Barrymore over act a part that when he does get into a picture that allows him some emotional latitude, their gratefulness might make them forget the shallowness of the plot. In “Long Lost Father” which weas based on a novel by G. B. Stern, Mr. Barrymore has been handed the role of a profligate father who having left his wife and daughter for a career of swindling indulges himself with a variety of schemes. His path finally crosses that of his daughter (Miss Helen Chandler) and how he saves her from prison by duping his own employer makes one of the more dramatic moments in the film.

There is of course much more plot than I have outlined, in fact there is an extravagance of plot that finally outrages your credulity but the excellent acting of Mr. Barrymore and Miss Chandler makes th picture a trifle better than fair entertainment.

There is also at the Roxy another Fanchon and Marco stagte show which featuers Mills, Gold and Raye; Stone and Lee; the Gae Foster dancers, Red Donahue and Rube Wolf and his orchestra.