Indianapolis Times, Volume 39, Number 100, Indianapolis, Marion County, 3 September 1927 — Page 7

SEPT. 3, 1927

Pola Does a Real Film Comeback JT~ ' - Pick Barthelmess Seems to Have a Winning Movie. BY GENE COHN NEA Service Writer NEW YORK, Sept. 3.—A couple of reputations which were slithering toward the downgrade seem to have got back to assured going again in the opening reels of the new fall ffiovie season. They belong to Pola Negri and Richard Barthelmess, and all the veteran movie worshipers who r treasured their old idols are rejoicing. The grounds for this optimism are Pola Negri’s “Barbed Wire" and “Women on Trial,” and Barthelmess’ “patent Leather Kid." The stories are worthy of doing, the acting and direction .are enlightened, appropriate and stirring- These pictures are so ■ much better than either star has turned out for years that seeing them is like witnessing the debut ' pf anew discovery. New York had the chance a few weeks ago to see Pola Negri’s past and present, side by side, before and after taking her plunge info Hollywood. Within five minutes walk down Forty-second St. were “Barbed Wire,” her latest release, and the old foreign-made “Passion,” with which she was introduced to America seven or eight years ago. The latter picture had been dug up because of the flare of enthusiasm for Emil Jannings, and he had a good minor part, but the picture was all la Negri. An Old One The title of “Passion” indicated the pedestal upon which the actress was set for American consumption. She was to be the successor of the declining Theda Bara. Every flicker of the old film was aimed and timed to accent her physical appeal. She could act then, but she was directed to play up the charmer, the vamp, the seductive young thing, audiences liked that sort of thing and bought lots of tickets to see it, just as they

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First Run Features itSIS Opposite Terminal Station First Half Next Week HOOT GIBSON “Painted Ponies’’ A Sizzling- Western Comedy Drama * * *-* ANDY GUMP COMEDY “A CLOSE CALL” 10c ALL SEATS 10c

For Adults^Only! Dr. Lee Krauss, celebrated student of anatomy, president of the Bureau of Moral and Hygienic Education, Inc., will lecture after each performance on “Human Development,” starting today. Doors open 12;30; Show Starts IP. M.

NO ADVANCE IN PRICES

Parents This Picture I. Not Suitable for Children. Do Not Bring Them

‘Title Change * The title of Vera Reynolds’ latest DeMille picture has been changed from “Beautiful But £)umb” to “Almost Human.” Frank Urson directed and Kenneth Thomson appears opposite the star.

flocked to see Pola’s next importation, ‘ One Arabian Night ” In parenthesis, it might be added that the showing of “Passion” after all these years demonstrates again the startling mechanical improvement of the pict’-res. In the old pictures there is a flimsiness and monotony of sets, a thin theatricality to the atmosphere, a choppedup, cutting-in of scenes and a hardness of photography which seems amazing today. ' The point, however, i3 that in those days, Pola Negri was doing a definite type, suited to her years and her coloring, and was hitting the box office bull’s eye. Then the American directors took her in hand, wanted her to be a warm mama, according to their - lights and their experience, and she wasn’t convincing. There were years and years of futile pictures —some downright bad. A Different Pola Pola Negri today has become something else. She appears in “Barbed Wire," and likewise in the previewed “Women on Trial,” as primarily a character actress, ancK a great one. Her lines are not so soft and her curves are not so alluring as in years agone, although in her love scenes she can look highly desirable. But she has developed a wide range of emotions in place of the single appeal which she once flaunted. She has replaced abandon with restraint- She makes you follow her thinking, and she brings a lump to your throat. Barthelmess struggled through miles of film under the handicap of poor stories. ~ The early promise of h : “Way Down East,” “Broken Blossoms" and “Tol’able David” passed into a state of suspended animation. A disappointed admirer had to come away explaining that he was better than his pictures. “The Patent Leather Kid” gave him a fair chance, and he made it a big chance.

BROAD RIPPLE PARK AND POOL O—BIG WONDERFUL DAYS-0 SUNDAY AND LABOR DAY FIREWORKS DISPLAY MONDAY NITE SWIMMING NEVER WAS BETTER Come on Oat for “A Day of Real Sport”

Many Local Boys Join Harmonica Contest Here

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Many boys of Indianapolis who play the harmonica have entered their names in the search being made by The Times and the Indiana Theater for the best boy harmonica player. The boys are Interested because Borrah Minevitch, national known as founder of harmonica bands for boys, has offered a first prize, a gold-plated harmonica valued at S3O for the best boy harmonica player in this city. Minevitch, who will be at the

AMUSEMENTS

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Sketches of Borrah Minevitch.

Indiana next week, will select the best harmonica player after hearing the boys play. This contest is open to all boys

>RIVERSIDE<

SUNDAY AFTERNOONandNIGHT CAPTAIIi Jack Ellis HIGH DIVER The most hair-raising leap ever attempted in this city. From the dizzy heights of his electric tower tills latest member of the Riverside Suicide Club will hurl himself into space, trusting ho will alight in the tiny net far below iir the center of the park. Nervous Pedple Please Stay Home

Free Admission—Free Parking—Free Acts —Free Checking

Starting Sunday ( ' ZANE GIVEY'S \Q aramount J Cooper Tlielma Todd-William Powell NEVADA—when every turn brings anew turn of suspense, danger, bravery, thrills and adventure. Helen and Warren Comedy, ft 5? .. “HER SILENT WOW” JjL M. G. M. News f&Eei

For One Week Only!

7 ,THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

AMUSEMENTS

FREE AMUSEMENT PARK

N LABOR DAY’ -AfternoonProf. SHAFER Will Skirt the Borderland of Eternity FIVE PARACHUTE JUMPS 5 Count Them wvvv 1 2 3 4 5 The new Riverside balloon stunt man comes here from the East with a record of 500 successful performances.

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not over 19. The way to enter is to come to The Times and enter the name with the Harmonica Editor or enter it by letter.

MU 11 J| H held over by popular acclaim E jjj j| . I en, > s^ n i ans I I BEN LYON 1 yfjWl '! I" I '‘For the Love of Mike ” 0 I y/ 1 A romance of the other side of college □ll Jj I * cas spilb and chills. And V| || Coming Saturday— NORMA TALMADGE _ in "Camille Inaugurating Our Saturday Opening Policy [____ ! 11l

Gp'otfo'

HARD ON THE LAUGHTER SYSTEM! EASY ON THE EYES! 1 MACK SENNETT COMEDY “THE COLLEGE KIDDO” FOX NEWS WEEKLY EMIL SEIDEL’S APOLLO MERRYMAKERS JIMMY MULVANEY, Soloirt EARL GORDON, Organist

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