Screen Opinions (1923-24)

198 SCREEN OPINIONS WEEKLY SERVICE “EAST IS WEST”— Class A-c (Adapted from play of same name) Story: — Romance of White Girl Reared as Chinese VALUE CAST — Antonio Gaudio. Ming Toy Constance Talmadge TYPE OF PICTURE—-Humorous — Billy Benson Edward Burns ,, Sensational. Lo Sang Kee E. A. Warren Moral Standard — Average. Charley Yong Warner Oland Z “ 7T Z ! Hop Toy Frank Lanning gtory— Excenent— Comedy-drama— Family. Chang Lee Nick de Ruiz Star — Excellent — Constance Talmadge. Jimmy Potter Nigel Barrie Authors — Excellent— Samuel Shipman and Mr. Benson Winter Hall John IL Hymer. Mrs. Benson Lillian Lawrence Direction — Excellent — Sydney Franklin. Proprietor of Love Boat Jim Wang Adaptation — Excellent — Frances Marion. Technique — Excellent. ---- Spiritual Influence — Neutral. February 1 to 15, 1923. Producer — Joseph M. Schenck Footage — 7,737 ft. Distributor — First National Onr Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None. Constance Talmadge Outshines Self in Well-Made Picture In none of her recent pictures has Constance Talmadge appeared to as good advantage as she does in “East Is West,” for not only is the play from which the picture story is taken one of excellent opportunities and interesting plot, but it is exceptionally well directed and artistically mounted. The character of Ming Toy, reared by a Chinaman in the belief that she is an Oriental, is portrayed by Miss Talmadge, vivaciously, emotionally, intelligently. She is irresistible as the beautifully costumed and mischievous Ming Toy. The cast is a carefully selected one, and a well-remembered character of the story is the Charley Yong of Warner Oland. His portrayal of the smiling, crafty, Americanized Chinaman of wealth is a distinct achievement. Edward Burns is a fascinating Billy Benson, and the Jimmy Potter of Nigel Barrie’s outlining is is also memorable. A fine combination of comedy, romance and melodrama is to be found in this picture, and those who love sensational things will be pleased with the escape from the Love Boat, where the heroine is placed on the marriage market, and her second escape from marriage with Charley Yong. The photography, lighting and general technique are good. STORY OF THE PLAY Ming Toy, the eldest of several children in the home of Hop Toy, while secretly cherishing a love for Billy Benson, an American who has been kind to her, is placed on the auction block in the Love Boat, and is about to be purchased by a wealthy Chinaman when Billy enters the situation and saves her. Later she accompanies a kindly Chinaman, Lo Sang Kee, to San Francisco, where she lives happily until Charley Yong, a wealthy restaurant owner, threatens to kill Lo Sang Kee if she refuses to marry him. Benson, who loves Ming Toy, saves her a second time, and before the close of the story Hop Toy confesses that Ming Toy is a white girl. Billy and Ming Toy marry. PROGRAM COPY — “East Is West” — Featuring Constance Talmadge What could be more thrilling than the romance and adventures of Ming Toy, whose beauty and charm made her a priceless jewel of the Chinese marriage market. Constance Talmadge will please you a thousand times better than ever before in “East Is West.” “KINGDOM WITHIN”— Class A (Especially prepared for screen) Story: — Cripple With Spiritual Insight Regains Use of Arm VALUE Photography — Very good — J. S. Stumar. TYPE OF PICTURE — Sentimental. Moral Standard — Good. Story — Very good — Melodrama — Family. Cast — Very good — All-Star. Author — Very good — Kenneth B. Clarke. Direction — Very good — Victor Schertzinger. Adaptation — Very good — Kenneth B. Clarke. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Good. CAST Caleb Deming Russell Simpson Emily Preston Pauline Stark Krieg Ernest Torrence Dodd Gordon Russell Connie Marion Feducha Will Preston Hallam Cooley Danny West G. Walt Covington February 1 to 15, 1923. Producer — Producers’ Security Corp. Footage — 6,063 ft. Distributor — W. W. Hodkinson (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted!