Screen Opinions (1923-24)

ALL THE “TRUTH" ABOUT PICTURES 207 “POWER OF A LIE”— Class B (Adapted from novel of same name) Story: — Man’s Refusal to Admit Presence at Party Causes Complications VALUE CAST Photography — Good — Not credited. Betty Hammond Mabel Julienne Scott TYPE OF PICTURE — Interesting. John Hammond David Torrance Moral Standard — Average. Joan Hammond Maude George 1 Mrs. Hammond Ruby Lafayette Story — Good — Drama — Adults. Richard Burton Earl Metcalfe Cast — Good — Featuring Mabel Julienne Scott. Lily Cardington June Elvidge Author — Good — Johann Bojer. Jeremiah Smith Phil Smalley Direction — Good — George Archainbaud. Mr. Lawrence Stanton Heck Adaptation — Good — Charles Kenyon. Julian Hammond Winston Miller Technique — Good. 1 Spiritual Influence — Average. February 15 to 28, 1923. Producer — Universal Footage — 4,910 ft. Distributor — Universal Oar Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE — An Untruth Is a Destructive Power. Entertaining Production Has Unusual Story and Good Cast The story of “The Power of a Lie” is unusual enough to give a production based on it more than the average appeal. It is, however, superficial in some respects, and one is apt to get out of patience with the character development as associated with the role of John Hammond. This character, which appears in the beginning to be one of strength and tolerance, develops quite a weakness in allowing a little lie to grow into a big one without presenting a big enough reason for so doing. However, this aspect of the case may not occur to the average observer, and the interesting treatment of main incidents of the story, the attractiveness of the settings, the well-handled dramatic situations, and the excellent cast playing the picture, are an assurance of its success as a program feature. David Torrance and Earl Metcalfe are excellent as the leading male characters, and Mabel Julienne Scott, the featured member of the cast, is exceedingly charming and dignified. Maude George also does excellent work, and June Elvidge is another of the outstanding members of the cast. STORY OF THE PLAY John Hammond, anxious to help his sister’s sweetheart to establish a business for himself, agrees to sign John Burton’s note along with another friend. On the evening when he calls at Burton’s apartment to indorse the note, Jerry Smith, the other backer, who happens to be a rounder, brings a party of gay friends, and during the evening the house takes fire and Jerry Smith falls from a window and is killed. Because of a scandal caused by the incident, Hammond refuses to admit backing Burton’s note, and allows the latter to be tried for forgery. During the trial Hammond repents, and following a confession by his sister Betty that she was at the party and saw her brother there, he finally admits the lie. PROGRAM COPY— “The Power of a Lie”— Featuring Mabel Julienne Scott John Hammond’s fear of having his name connected with a scandal forced him to a lie that wrought untold havoc. There’s fine entertainment in this tale of a woman’s courage and faith. Mabel Julienne Scott is the star. “FOOTLIGHT RANGER”— Class D (Especially prepared for screen) Story: — Youth Rescues Would-Be Star from Sensual Manager VALUE Photography — Good — Jeff Jennings. TYPE OF PICTURE — Sensational — Ordinary. Moral Standard — Fair. Story — Fair — Melodrama — Adults. Star — Fair — Charles (Buck) Jones. Author — Fair — Dorothy Yost. Direction — Fair — Scott Dunlap. Adaptation — Fair — Dorothy Yost. Technique — Average. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Producer — Fox Bill Moreland. . Janet Ainslee.. A1 Brownley... Nellie Andrews Miss Amelia... David Marsh. . CAST Charles (Buck) Jones Fritzi Brunette .James Mason ...... Lillian Langdon Lydia Yeamans Titus Henry Barrows February 15 to 28, 1923. Footage— 4,729 ft. Distributor— Fox (Continued on next page) lIllTflTTnTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTtTTTTTTfflTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTHTTTTtTHTTnmnilllll I I T1111 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 No Advertising Support Accepted!