"BEN HUR."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19158, 15 November 1927, Page 13

"BEN HUR."

FOURTH WEEK OF SCREENING. Ba drawing-power of "Ben Hur," now isfettd on its fourth week of screening at ft* Grind Theatre, remains undiminished. Cnnrat sttill attend the three daily sessions if thk magnificent production from the Metro-Goldwyn-M&yer studios, and many patrons are viewing the picture for the ■stand »nd third time. Dm story is one of revenge and of love. Btrwje that is sought by Ben Hur for tho ttiaf don* him and his noble House by tie Bonians. When the new Senator, Talerin* Gratus, is being welcomed to Jeruittun, tad ss he makes his triumphal way tlosg crowded streets, a tile from an overttffiar, roof falls from the palace of Judah, hum of Hur, and strikes his head. That tW occurrence was an accident is an exriuutioa which carries no weight with the Bonsai, and Ben Hur is sent to the galleys fw Ufa, and his mother and sister to the LidtoM dungeon of Antonia. Ben Hur slaves is (a* awful conditions of the galleys - but urn forgets his one purposo in life, to snap th* indignity and suffering so unjustly Am to his House. At last opportunity con*), and in a chariot race which, as a Ttrtnili, will stand as ono of tho greatest notion picture tcenes yet produced, he gains Wo hu revenge and victory over the bachty patriarchs of Rome. Then & a prologue, wherein the quest of th#. ThtaaJßiae-Men of the East, their fol-.. lorinr W,th» star, and their eventual artiltt «Tto stable in Bethlehem, provide asm* lotata and' moments of exquisite toatj, emotional and spiritual force. William BlaWs iunoui" painting, the "Star of BttbJihim," hu been completely reproduced iu colour and detail for this scene. For some of the scum in tho picture, scenes in which tot Christ inrilibly figures, the masterpieces of ItslUn, British, and Flemish masters lavs btm utilised, so that Da Vinci's gorgteos Tast Bnpper," Tissot'e colourful "Pool of Siloam," Raihael's "Sistine SWonna," Mtmkacsy's "Christ Before Putts," Bttbons's "Holy Family," and Bors'i "Dsnts'i Inferno," for the harrowing seine in the galleys, are the splendid tableaux which give the film greatness and richness. A fine prologue introduces the •tarjr proper, Mr David McGill singing "Star of Btthlehem." The Grand Orchestra, •penally augmented for the season, interputs a musical score written for the pictore, and a quartet singe "Abide with Mo" iarinr the Crucifixion scenes.