Screen Opinions (1923-24)

196 SCREEN OPINIONS WEEKLY SERVICE Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None. Graceful Acrobatic Star Pulls One Laugh After Another Lupino Lane’s first five-reel comedy is a success. We predict that it will prove a riot in the majority of theatres, and that the public will be waiting for more of the same kind with the same star. Mr. Lane is exceedingly graceful in his work, and the plot in which a man with a camping outfit for two is forced to spend his vacation working for a cranky mother-in-law and a host of his wife’s relatives, is splendidly adapted to the particular requirements of his talent. One of the funniest things in the picture is his hunting trip, from which he returns on the run, believing he is pursued by a bear, which turns out to be a harmless rabbit. A skunk episode is also amusing, in which this undesirable creature falls into his baggy trousers. The film is a series of equally funny stunts interjected with acrobatics, and the bandit episode, which includes an amusing innovation in the shape of a game of checkers and a ouija board will bring roars of laughter. Book this one. You can make no mistake. An excellent cast supports the star. STORY OF THE PLAY Friend husband, with a raise in salary and twp weeks vacation before him, purchases a portable outfit on wheels for camping. As he and his wife are about to start for the country, wifie’s mother, “a submarine in the matrimonial pool,” arrives on the scene with a dozen relatives, and not only monopolizes the entire outfit but makes “friend husband” do all the work, including the cooking. The remainder of the story encompasses episodes in connection with his unhappy experience and final rise to fortune when he captures a bandit gang under inspiration of wife Tootsie’s kisses, and wins a five thousand dollar reward. PROGRAM COPY — “A Friendly Husband” — Featuring Lupino Lane How would you like to have your vacation spoiled by a crusty mother-in-law and a dozen sponging relations? There is a treat in store for you in Lupino Lane’s first five-reel comedy. It’s one of the pictures that’s different, played by a fine cast and an acrobatic star. “DANGER POINT”— Class C (Especially prepared for screen) Story: — Misunderstanding Righted Through Accident VALUE Photography — Average — Ross Fisher. TYPE OF PICTURE— OrdinarySensational. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Average — Melodrama — Adults. Cast — Good — Featuring Carmel Myers and W. P. Carleton. Author — Average — Victor Hugo Halperin. Direction — Good — Lloyd Ingraham. Adaptation — Good — Not credited. Technique— Good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Alice Torrance. James Benton. . Duncan Phelps. Benjamin Sam Biggs Elvira Hubbard CAST Carmel Myers William P. Carleton Vernon Steele Joseph J. Dowling Harry Todd Margaret Joslin February 1 to 15, 1923. Producer — Not credited Footage — 5,807 ft. Distributor — American Releasing Corp. Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None Outstanding. Story Interesting — Beautiful Feminine Lead “The Danger Point” is interesting because of a well-selected cast rather than the value of the story on which the picture is based. The setting of the story is pleasing, and William P. Carleton has quite an appeal in the role of an oil king who marries a pretty girl from the east and then forgets the feminine craving for attention. Carmel Myers is lovely as the girl and wife, and Vernon Steele does well as the unscrupulous admirer of the woman who meets punishment in a train wreck, which is the beginning of a new life for the couple whose lives he has severed. The principal objection to this picture, beyond the ordinary method of development, is the reminiscent quality of the story. STORY OF THE PLAY James Benton, oil king and founder of the town of Benton, is more absorbed in business than in women or society. Alice Torrance, a girl from the east, comes on the scene and, realiz (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted!