New Pictures

Polykushka. The story of this Russian film's production at the Fifth Avenue Playhouse comes as a surprise to natives who grumble about "foreign invaders." It was made in 1918, when Russia had just entered the turmoil of social reconstruction and film studios, in consequence, were crippled. Several years after its creation, the Director, M. Nelidov, fled to the U. S., sought occupation for his talent, found only a $20-a-week job in a bank. Cinema magnates, when they granted interviews, asked for samples of his work. He could offer nothing, because the Socialist Party in the U. S., owners of the right to Polykushka, refused, for political precautions, to allow the picture to be revealed. A few months ago, they were prevailed upon to permit M. Nelidov to show his work. Then came weary months of pavement-pounding in search of an exhibitor. Finally, the Fifth Avenue Playhouse took the film under consideration. One bright day, the directors telephoned the good news to M. Nelidov at his dingy rooming-house. His picture would soon be seen by a U. S. public. From the other end of the wire came a guttural voice, "Nelidov died this morning."

Polykushka, however, is showing. Its simple story is the tragedy of a 19th Century serf, a drunkard and a petty thief. His mistress forgives him a serious larceny, provided he swear on the Cross to mend his ways. This the poor wretch solemnly does, whereupon, to prove her faith in him, the benefactress despatches him to bring a purse of rubles from the village. In the course of the errand, the money is accidentally lost. The miserable serf hangs himself from a rafter in the barn, while an honest traveler returns the money found along the roadside, to the owner. Director Nelidov, with scanty equipment, made such a good picture that now, after nine years of obscurity, it is being held over an extra week at the Playhouse.