The New Pictures

America. D. W. Griffith has given the Revolutionary War its official camera test. It screens well--in particular the midnight ride of Paul Revere. In view of this producer's Birth of a Nation and the Klansmen's ride, it might be expected that he would express the drum beats of a rising nation with hoof beats; they charge right into the spectator's heart. But after the first half of his film Griffith reins in his Pegasus. He strives to increase the suspense by drawing out his scenes, which often makes them thin, haggard. His favorite trick of shifting scenes abruptly demands--at times--a jackrabbit alertness. But through It all runs a simple, yet eloquent romance. Griffith has made history and fiction listen to their master's voice. The battle of Bunker Hill is done with all the sincerity of the original. On the whole, a beacon light of American history, first of a series, well worthy of the backing of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Neil Hamilton is a capital hero (Barthelmess style), Lionel Barrymore a dynamic villain, and bird-like Carol Dempster acts very well when she isn't conscious of appearing on the same bill with George Washington.

Yolanda. Marion Davies follows her first spectacular picture, When Knighthood Was in Flower, with a cinema out of the same wardrobe. It is. a medieval tale, highly costumed --a Princess of Burgundy, her cruel father, the half-wit son of the French King. Miss Davies manages two roles. She weeps artistically over a handsome suitor, but the story leaves you calm. Despite great pictorial beauty and a squad of villains, the picture has no drive. It is a gorgeous military parade, with armies in armor and battlements for lighter relief.

The Song of Love. From an overelaboration of attire in costume dramas Norma Talmadge turns to the bare minimum of an Algerian dancing girl. She unwittingly betrays her people by falling in love with a French spy, masquerading as an Arab to learn of the regular monthly Tuareg rebellion. The happy ending is easily anticipated, although she stabs herself. In her first semi-vamp role, Miss Talmadge makes good. But Joseph Schildkraut seems to be working under wraps. Atmosphere is generally excellent, being obviously hand-made only in the girl's name--Noorma-Hal, fashioned from the cable address of the Talmadge company.