New Pictures

Young April (Joseph Schildkraut, Bessie Love). At the Hippodrome, onetime magic home of elephants, clowns, high-divers; recent realm of vaudeville; now frankly succumbed to the cinema as well, is No. 4,000 in the endless series of mythical kingdom romances. This one recounts the adventures of the Crown Prince of Belgravia, who gives up his heritage so that he may marry a U. S. citizeness, only to learn that she is in reality the grand duchess he was to have been forced to wed. The whole affair is safely routine with one outstanding exception. For Rudolph Schildkraut, father of the film's leading man, gives such a delightful portrayal of an easy-going and life-loving monarch that he not only wins all the acting honors, but also gives Young April a charming quality it doesn't deserve.

Fine Manners (Gloria Swanson, Eugene O'Brien). Those primarily interested in the Marquise de la Falaise de la Coudraye will take pleasure in seeing her displayed over at least ninety-five per cent of the entire length of her newest film. Her story is that of a poor but honest lass from a downtown burlesque show. She is vital. She turns handsprings, plays with a parrot. She is not like the pale water flowers of young Mr. Alden's Park Avenue set. So Mr. Alden decides to marry her. But first she must learn fine manners. Alas! Fine manners destroy her piquant charm. She reverts to handsprings, to the parrot. It ends happily and is almost utterly devoid of sense or beauty.