High power romance with oriental trappings forms the piece de resistance this week at R. K. O. Keiths. "East is West" starring Lupe Velez is a screen version of the play of the same name, which enjoyed a long and successful run. In spite of this the improbability of the plot is nearly too much of a handicap for the cast, who rescue the play from the depths of ham melodrama by skillful and intelligent acting. White slavery on the Chinese and San Francisco water fronts with the usual handsome young hero to rescue his fair maiden from the clutches of would be evil doers are the ingredients of the plot. This time it is further complicated by the difficulties of a liaison between a Chinese girl and her American lover, but love finds a way before the final fade-out so that the audience won't be disappointed.

The best characterizations were done by E. Alyn Warren as Lo Sang Kee, the cultured and dignified old Chinaman and E. G. Robinson as the vulgar and blatant half caste, Charlie Young. Lewis Ayres makes an ornamental hero and Lupe Velez has her moments, but she has a tendency towards overacting and is a shade too kittenish for a demure Chinese doll. In short the excellent direction and casting save it from being just another one of those pictures.

The comedy, a war picture of the hommes 40 chevaux 8 type, was above the average. Even the slapstick seemed funnier than usual. Another feature was an excellent display of football scrimmages in slow motion interspersed with explanations by Knute Rockre.