Screen Opinions (1923-24)

ALL THE “TRUTH” ABOUT PICTURES 157 Our Opinion MORAL O'THE PICTURE— None. Production Is Crude, But Has Pleasing Backgrounds The cast of this production is scarcely strong enough to give an effective interpretation of the story, which has a fairly interesting plot, but is not well adapted. William McQuade does well as the Chinaman, who presumably is a half brother of the girl through whom he hopes to avenge an imaginary wrong. This will pass in cheap localities and contains nothing objectionable. The backgrounds are attractive. STORY OF THE PLAY Esther Ralston has been reared by Lee Wong, a Chinaman who has a grudge against Dan Hallet, who turns out to be Esther’s father. The Chinaman makes it appear that Hallet stole a poke of gold, and tries to incite trouble that may cost the hero his life. The story ends happily with Esther and her father reunited and Paul Preston, the lover of the story, betrothed to Esther. PROGRAM COPY— “Her Half Brother”— With an All-Star Cast With hatred burning out his soul Lee Wong pursued his plot of vengeance to his own undoing. See this thrilling picture in which a white girl adopted by a Chinaman strives Iot freedom. “BOSS OF CAMP 4”— Class B (Especially prepared for screen) Story: — Adventures of Man Fighting Crooked Construction Gang VALUE CAST Photography — Good — Ernest Miller. Chet Fanning Charles Jones TYPE OF PICTURE— Thrilling. Iris Paxton Fritzi Brunette Moral Standard — Average. Dave Miller G. Raymond Nye Dude McCormick Francis Ford Story — Good — Melodrama — Family. Warren Zome Sid Jordan Star — Good — Charles Jones. Andrew Paxton Milton Ross Author — Good — Arthur P. Haskins. Direction — Good — W. S. Van Dyck. Adaptation — Good — Paul Schofield. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. January I to 15, 1923. Producer — Fox Footage — 4,235 ft. Distributor — Fox Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None Outstanding. Peppy Melodrama of the Outdoors Staged somewhere in the west where rugged backgrounds are easily located “Boss of Camp 4” proves to be entertaining largely by reason of the predominance of the fighting spirit in the hero. The story is artificial in structure, a fault that is not diminished by subtitles over anxious to explain the action. But in spite of this people are going to like the picture, and when the thrilling climax arrives, in which rocks, seemingly enormous in size, come hurtling down a slope after being displaced by the villain, and the hero, securely bound, struggles for freedom to prevent the touching off of a charge of dynamite that will kill his friend imprisoned in the tunnel, they will be willing to forgive a good deal in the way of cheap construction. Charles Jones is satisfactory in the male lead, and Fritzi Brunette and a good cast support the star. STORY OF THE PLAY Chet Fanning, a newcomer on a road construction gang, takes issue with a ruffian insulting the name of the road contractor’s daughter as well as for his rudeness to a fellow worker. The fight which ensues causes Chet to win the position of foreman of the gang, a fact that also assures him the hatred of the dismissed foreman and his associates. In the events that follow, McCormick, owner of the land in league with Chet’s enemies to hold up the building of the road and incidentally to prevent contractor Paxton from getting money to make the final payments on the land purchase, fights desperately to put through a faulty blast and is conquered by Chet, who is then made boss of the camp and bridegroom-elect for Iris Paxton. PROGRAM COPY — “Boss of Camp 4” — Featuring Charles Jones Chet Fanning’s grit plus a strong right arm won the day against a plotting land owner, and incidentally gave him a job for life as husband to the contractor’s pretty daughter. Charles Jones is the star, assisted by Fritzi Brunette and a good cast. No Advertising Support Accepted!