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“THE PASSION OR JOAN OF ARC” —Stanford Assembly Hall.“The Passion of Joan of Arc,’* and especially the performance of Mile. Maria Falconetti, proved to be all that advance stories claimed. It stands alone as a motion picture.To most of us Americana, this picture presents something new in the way of theme. Where we are accustomed to simple and oft-repeated plots, or, in rare instances, to rather uncertain satire, “The Passion of Joan of Arc” strives to put across to the audience but one thing: the emotional experience of martyrdom by the French heroine. This is the theme, and because everything in the picture contributes to it, the result is extraordinary unity and power. And unity is art.The acting of Mile. Falconetti is superb. A great deal of continuity is given by her facial expressions alone. Certainly no American actress has approached anything like this on the screen, and probably not on the stage.Every supporting character in the picture is almost perfectly cast. There is no such thing as a director in the picture (or so it seems)—the actors are feeling and living their parts so intensely that they know intuitively what to do.The technique is, of course, unique. To us it is unconventional; that is because our technique inevitably follows stereotyped lines. In “The Passion of Joan of Arc” technique is used to further the theme of the picture. When placing the camera at an unusual angle would emphasize a character or a significant situation, the camera was placed so. The result is amazing power of expression. We look directly down on a crowd, or up under a man’s chin at his face, or over his forehead; and we see and feel those elements that are significant and need to be brought out.The settings and costumes are entirely satisfactory. There is no flaw in the picture to detract from attention to the theme. May Hollywood observe and take heart. —Allan Hart.“DIAMOND LIL,” at the CurranTheaterMae West, author and leading lady of “Diamond Lil” at the Curran Theater, apparently believes that the best way to teach the right is to show the results of the wrong. “Diamond Lil as a play is hardly more remarkable than its author.The setting of the play is the Bowery of thirty years ago. The story concerns a beauty who came out of Pennsylvania, visited the Bowery as a sightseer, and stayed. Her physical attractions won her the royal crown of the cabarets—and incidentally the crown jewels.The difficulties of writing and producing such a play are many. The play must be faithful to its period and satisfactory to this. Its melodrama must be restrained in order to avoid offending modern taste. The large cast of thirty must be carefully manipulated to avoid a confusion of personalities.All of these things are well done. Miss West’s performance is the finest thing in the play. Her role is so convincing that it will not add to her popular reputation. She holds the pose to the last curtain.J. Merrill Holmes in the role of Gus Jordon, Diamond Lil’s consort, plays his part well. Jackson Halliday as Pablo Juarez is the male counterpart of Lily Damita. How the movies have missed him is strange. However, the play will be filmed. We may see him again.Raphaella Ottiano is very talented but overplays her part. Gerald Kent as Captain Cummings of the Salvation Army is good, especially in the passion scenes. He has a perfect Salvation Army complexion and haircut.When you have seen this play you will admit that the hour-glass feminine figure had its possibilities. The barkeeper with the Robert Louis Stevenson coiffure is uproarious. The settings are excellent. The beer looks real, and the flight of Bowery opera in the third act is unforgetable. However, if you are easily offended by what a tactful woman one row back termed “plain talk, don't go. You’ve missed so much already you won’t miss this. Otherwise, see it by all means.—Bernard PollardDR. JORD SHOWINincre;Dr. Jordar slight 1 rn pro condition of stated yesterAs evidenc Dr. Jordan is half hour to morning, thaiIntimate fr taking advan offered durinj to enjoy shor scarcely a da president of £ a visit.Dr. Jordan his garden, j every mornin taking pleasi sunshine, anc the pet monl weeks ugo bHarold He On Dei“Modern 5 the subject o old Helvenstc matics, at th San Francisci talk w'as the on “The The row.”The freshr College aver: age.CONTRAC' bridge taugh quoia Hall.—Student:member the fa Passion Geary 1
Newspaper Details
Stanford Daily
Stanford, California, US
Fri, Nov 15, 1929
Page 2
Full Page
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Anonymous
USA 18 Jan 2019
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