Screen Opinions (1923-24)

Our Classifications Are as Follows: Class AA — Masterful. Class A-b — Superior. Class A-c — Excellent. Class A Very good. Class B — Good. Class C — Average. Class D — Fair. Class E — Poor. Every picture reviewed in SCREEN OPINIONS is analyzed according to its established values before arriving at a conclusion. The independent summary in “Our Opinion’’ is submitted to you for final judgment, because in all cases you must have the last word when it comes to selecting the pictures. A thorough reading of “Our Opinion” will give a clearer idea of the nature of the picture, so that you may be better able to judge its money-making possibilities for you, its entertainment value and suitability for your patronage. “SCARLET CAR”— Class A (Adapted from story of same name) Story: — Successful Effort to Discover Crookedness of Mayor-Elect VALUE Photography — Very good — Virgil Miller. TYPE OF PICTURE— Sensational. Moral Standard — Good. Story — Very good — Comedy-melodrama. Star — Good — Herbert Rawlinson. Author — Very good — Richard Harding Davis. Direction — Very good — Stuart Paton. Adaptation — Very good — George R. Chester. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Average. CAST Billy Winthrop Beatrice Forbes Ernest Peabody Violet Gaylor Jim Winthrop Jerry Gaylor Mitt Deagon Herbert Rawlinson Claire Adams Edward Cecil . . . .Norris Johnson Tom McGuire Marc Robbins Tom O’Brien February 1 to 15, 1923. Producer — Universal Footage — 4,417 ft. Distributor — Universal Our Opinion MORAL O'THE PICTURE — Coward Is Bound to Show His Yellow Streak. Interesting Plot Presented in Vigorous Style You will find “The Scarlet Car” a satisfactory feature, partly because the story on which it is based is interesting, and largely because the adaptation of the story is sympathetic. The human interest element of the tale has been worked to the full, and serious situations are often given a comedy turn that redoubles their natural attractiveness. The cast is a well-selected one. Herbert Rawlinson, in the stellar role, represents a vigorous type of American manhood. Claire Adams and Norris Johnson are both charming in their respective roles. Tom O’Brien, as “Mitt” Deagon, a tough with a tender heart for the woman he loves, and a healthy contempt for a crooked deal, gives one of the best performances in the picture, which is in a measure due to the attractive development allowed by the director. The production is peppy and can be used to advantage in neighborhood and transient theatres. STORY OF THE PLAY Billy Winthrop is fired and sent home after being arrested for speeding thirty times in thirty days. On his arrival he finds that Beatrice Forbes, a girl he has hoped to make his wife, is engaged to Ernest Peabody, who has not only gained the confidence of Beatrice but the support of her father and the newspaper he publishes, in his campaign for mayor. Billy, already suspicious of Peabody, is convinced that he has a yellow streak when, after knocking a man down with his car, he runs away. Later, intercepting an attack on Peabody by “Mitt” Deagon, whose sweetheart has been betrayed by Peabody, Billy imprisons Deagon at his father’s suburban home and eventually gets valuable facts regarding Peabody, which result in his exposure and a readjustment of romances. PROGRAM COPY — “The Scarlet Car” — Featuring Herbert Rawlinson Billy Winthrop’s frivolous habits didn’t prevent him from successfully playing detective on a political crook. You’ll enjoy “The Scarlet Car,’’ which tells a peppy story of the discovery of a yellow streak. Herbert Rawlinson is the star. No Advertising Support Accepted!