Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

The Spokesman-Review’s critic had trouble explaining his reaction to the new film, “Hypocrites,” which was drawing crowds at the Casino Theater.

“Owing to the world having been divided for centuries as to where vulgarity ceases and art begins, it is difficult to frame a criticism of this film that will be satisfactory to all who witness the performance,” he wrote. 

He said “from a dramatic standpoint, the subject of hypocrisy is dealt a stinging arraignment,” mostly through allegorical characters. From a moral standpoint, he said, the National Board of Censors approved it, but “the board is composed only of human beings after all.” He never did get around to explaining what the movie depicted, but he did say lines for the movie were so long police had to be called in.

As it turns out, “Hypocrites” was about a sculptor who created a nude statue.

From the highway beat: A party of drivers met at the top of Blewett Pass in order to prove a point: It was a feasible route for a trans-state auto highway. The drivers were from Wenatchee, Cle Elum, Roslyn and other cities with an interest in promoting this route. 

They reported the “last 2 miles were found slippery” because of heavy rains, but other than that, the route was declared to be “available for tourists.” The lone woman driver, Mrs. C.B. Hughes, took a car with five passengers all the way to the top without difficulty.