Screen Opinions (1923-24)

138 SCREEN OPINIONS WEEKLY SERVICE the three the real romance arrives and Minnie actually changes her shoes, but it is to accompany “him” to bring gasoline, and she comes back to Pa married. Leatrice Joy plays Minnie in an inimitable manner. Her ruse to uphold her contention that she has a lover who sends her flowers and candy every day also affords a number of laughs, and shows Minnie identifying a body at the morgue by means of a ring on the man’s hand. It is not until after the funeral that she learns from the reporter who later becomes her husband, that the dead man was a Chinaman, a thief, a murderer and a white slaver. While the majority of the humor of the story is presented in straight comedy style, there is also an edge of farce, as may be judged from the situation at the morgue. The opening of the production has a series of beautiful outdoor shots and a number of subtitles that lead one to believe that a drama in place of a comedy is on the way, and so far as the plot is concerned, are superfluous. The closing’ scenes, which serve to show what a difference clothes and plastic surgery can make in people who have been considered homely, could also be ommitted with good effect, except for the sake of showing Leatrice Joy and Matt Moore in evening attire. Raymond Griffith makes one of the hits of the picture as the chewing gum salesman. The cast is excellent throughout. Matt Moore, as the reporter, gives one of the best performances of his career. STORY OF THE PLAY Minnie is the daughter of a hotel keeper and being homely and peculiar has always been a wallflower. In desperation she writes letters to herself, and sends money to an aunt out of town to mail one to her each day, along with candy and flowers. Her ruse, about to be discovered, a newspaper item regarding an unidentified man at the morgue, wearing a curious ring, inspires her with the idea of pretending that she is his sweetheart. After the funeral the truth is extracted from her by a reporter whom she marries later. PROGRAM COPY— “Minnie”— With an All-Star Cast Originality and fun characterize Marshall Neilan’s latest feature “Minnie.” You can’t afford to miss the funniest comedy feature on the market, played by an A-l cast and directed in Neilan’s best style. Minnie’s adventures, romance and transformation will keep you smiling “WHILE JUSTICE WAITS”— Class B (Especially prepared for screen) Story: — Adventures of Prospector in Search of Wife and Little Son VALUE CAST Photography. — Good — Don Short. Dan Hunt Dustin Farnum TYPE OF PICTURE — Ordinary-Interesting. Nell Hunt Irene Rich Moral Standard — Average. George Carter Earl Metcalf Hunt, Jr Junior Delameter Story — Good — Melodrama — Family. Joe Frankie Lee Star — Good — Dustin Farnum. A Man Hector Sarno Authors — Good — Charles A. and Don Short. Man’s Daughter Peaches Jackson Direction — Average — Bernard J. Durning. Mollie Adams Gretchen Hartman Adaptation — Good — Jack Strumwasser. Technique — Average. ■■ ■ ■ ■ Spiritual Influence — Neutral. January 1 to 15, 1923. Producer — Fox Footage — 4,762 ft. Distributor — Fox Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None. Ordinary Western With Entertaining Story “While Justice Waits” is a good feature for the average run of picture houses. The story provides an average vehicle for the star, serving the purposes of ordinary entertainment well, and contains a good vein of suspense. But excepting for the cheaper localities the highly melodramatic treatment of some of the scenes may be a detriment — for instance, the scenes in the saloon near the close of the picture where the mother, played by Irene Rich, is presented in strictly “movie” style, rushing about hysterically. The accident to the child, who says “I must go and tell father” and then enters the saloon in the nick of time to receive the bullet intended for his father, is quite obvious in intent. Dustin Farnum is fairly convincing, and Frankie Lee, as the child, does well. The cast is an average one, and in spite of criticism, your patrons will no doubt be well entertained with “While Justice Waits,” which is staged against effective scenic backgrounds. STORY OF THE PLAY Dan Hunt, after striking it rich in Alaska returns to find that his wife, who has wearied of waiting, has disappeared with her young son. Learning that a man named George Carter has (Continued on next page) » No Advertising Support Accepted!