The earliest available Herbert Brenon-directed film, The Passing of the Third Floor Back was produced in New York by Brenon's own company, and then sold to First National. John Forbes Robertson, who has been called by some the theatre's greatest Hamlet, had made the role very much his own on the stage, and the cast of totally unfamiliar supporting players is probably from a touring company of the play. Despite being totally stagebound, it is a very moving story (a Christ-like figure comes to a boarding house, his presence settling the strife and problems of the residents) due no little to Brenon's own taste and sensitivity, and the restrained performance by Robertson. Surprisingly, it is much better than the British remake of the thirties with Conrad Veidt which, despite dialogue and some exteriors, seemed confused and unconvincing. Our print is a beautiful toned original. William K. Everson