BIG FILMS.

Shannon News, 3 October 1922, Page 2

BIG FILMS.

— “BEHIND THE DOOR” ON WEDNESDAY. A vengeance so terrible that it is told only in shadows is the climax of Thomas H. luce’s screen version of Gouverneur Morris’s story, “Behind the Door,” which will be presented as - a Paramount-Artcralt Super-Spe-cial attraction at the Shannon Theatre on Wednesday. The leading roles are taken by Hobart Bosworth, Jane Novak and Wallace Beery. “Behind the Door” is an example of the best- work of Tlios. H. Ince, producer of “The Guilty Man,” “The False Faces,” and many other remembered photoplays. It, too, is a production that will live. Linked in it’s scope are the gentleness of love and the Jury of revenge, the tenderness of affection and the implacability ol hate—and behind it all is the thought that mortal grief shall prove the immortality of love and while earth may hamper it cannot destroy a love divinely given.

D. W. GRIFFITHS’ MASTERPIECE,

“WAY DOWN EAST”—FRIDAY.

After “Intolerance” and “Hearts of the.' World, it was safe to predict that any further advance in the majesty and beauty of screen- drama would be made by their great author, D. W. Griffith, in “Way Down East” the critics are unanimous that he has succeeded in almost achieving the impossible. The public at any rate have given their verdict in no uncertain terms, and all the great cities of the world have seen seasons ol this photoplay which are longer than those enjoyed by successes in legitimate drama or musical' comedies. The ice break scene never fails to lead to tumultuous excitement, and pandemonium occasionally, reigns when David, alter his titanic struggle with the elements, rescues his dainty sweetheart. Lilian Gish, as the heroine, is completely delightful in every moment siie is on the screen, and occasionally her emotional passages measures up with the greatest work ever seen on the screen. She is heartbreak ingiy lovely in early scenes of her infatuation with the careless philanderer who ruins her and tosses her aside, and indescribably pathetic when she passes through the Gethsemaiie of all mothers. Richard Bethelmess is the perfect hem He simply is David, and his work is flawless. A word is needed about the spectacle scenes, which are tributes to the artistic genius of Griffith.. In the big ballroom scenes, the colour effects are magical, having the effect of actual coloured material, and in one striking scene, where Lilian Gish stands as a debutante under the glow of a lamp, she is a feast to the eye, and the riot of colour about her is indescribable. The liumQur of the piece is of the riotous order, provoking uncontrolled shrieks of laughter, and there are roaring 'scenes of country life as only Griffith can paint it.- It is melodrama, hut the story is human, gripping and alive with touches which keep it among the realms of big things. A revelation is promised to entertainment lovers when the season opens in Shannon.