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Show -a " LITTLE CHILD OF &IX PROVES SENSATION IN GRIFFITH FILM A little child or six years of age, so small that he appears little more than a babe in arms, has suddenly burst forth on the theatrical horl-son horl-son and proved a genuine sensation. So realistic Is his acting that everyone every-one has been amazed at his almost unbelievable genius in portrayal. The little fellow's name is Ben Alexander Al-exander 'and the guiding hand that has brought him so prominently in the publi ceye Is some other than D. IW. Griffith, that genius of the motion mo-tion 'picture world, whose latest mas terplece Is "Hearts of the World" which is now playing at the Lyric .theatre. With the sensational acting of this Utile boy has also come one of tho filggest surprises In he history of the film world. When David Wark Griffith left his home In Pasadena, California, just nineteen months ago ) with the. simple explanation that he was bound for "over there", his ad- i mlrers believed that he was departing depart-ing to make another "Birth of a Nation Na-tion or "Intolerance" With all the spectacular mob 'scenteTaad spectacles specta-cles that has placed him in the front rank among motion picture, produc-, era. When reports began to come back v to America stating that he" was ohtheWlng'llae In Trance" and" was receiving the" aid of the British and' Fr'ench "governments in 'securing 'secur-ing realistic scenes, these same' admirers ad-mirers were positive In 'their as sumption 'that aaoiner spectacular fighting picture wasrin'the'roce'ss' of making. So' sure were 'his many friends of his purpose a'ndplaas'thai the word was whispered throughout the motion 'picture 'colonies in California Cali-fornia "He Is coming back with a war 'picture." 'True, this master director of the World, with his players and his cameramen, cam-eramen, his assistants and technical techni-cal directors was on the firing line in France. In fact the little band of actors moved forward with their director di-rector until within actual range of the roaring guns and he bursting shrapnel. Here with grim war on every side, Mr. Griffith began the the filming of whatT A battle picture? pic-ture? A struggle of army against army? Another "Intolerance?" A tale of blood and torture and death? No. That was Griffith's surprise. Somewhere In Franco, with death on every side and ruthless German destruction de-struction In the air, David Wirk Griffith produced '"The Sweetest I Love Story Ever Told," Amid the real trenches (and Mr. Griffith was the first American to enter (be front line reaches') through the smoke S and flre"'f'aeual-conflict thevlageu- 8 ulty and genius of the greatest mas- I ter director in the wotldj utlllwtt the blood-soaked battlefields of France to unfold upon the motion y picture screen the eternal and nev- a er dying story of a great love which' could not be destroyed. 1 And through the entire produc tton occupying three hours- in tho: A unfolding of the story, there moves y the little genius,- Master Ben. From. far off California has come tho tale 1 of his triumph, while from Now York City where "Hearts of the World" was viewed by a notable gathering of state" and city officials and officers of the army and navy, we learn that j Master Ben "covers himself wltQ glory." Another 'critic said of the little fellow: "Ben Alexander - as the littlest brother makes one tope- that his next picture "will be released soon." I . |