Screen Opinions (1923-24)

222 SCREEN OPINIONS WEEKLY SERVICE “DARK SECRETS”— Class A (Especially prepared lor screen) Story: — Experience of Woman Cripple Under Influence of Hypnotist VALUE CAST Photography — Very good — Hal Rosson. Ruth Rutherford Dorothy Dalton TYPE OF PICTURE — Fascinating. Lord Wallington Robert Ellis Moral Standard — Average. Dr. Mohammed Ali Jose Ruben "■ Mildred Rice Ellen Cassidy Story — Very good — Drama — Family. Biskra Pat Hartigan Star — Very good — Dorothy Dalton. Dr. Case Warren Cook Author — Very good — Edmund Goulding. Direction — Very good— Victor Fleming. Adaptation — Very good — Edmund Goulding. Technique — Very good. ■■ Spiritual Influence — Average. February 15 to 28, 1923. Producer — Paramount Footage — 4,337 ft. Distributor — Famous Players Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— Power of Mind Over Matter. Production Makes Excellent Entertainment — Star at Best — Story Worth While “Dark Secrets” is likely to be one of the most popular of program features. It is an interesting picture produced in a spirited manner. It is also well dressed and carefully cast. Dorothy Dalton gives an especially pleasing portrayal of Ruth Rutherford, whose daring attempt to ride a wild horse ended in an accident that made her a cripple and all but ruined her happiness. The cure effected through a hypnotist, who strove to possess her, and whose death at the hand of the woman’s faithful servant opened the way to the mastery of her body by herself, affords some interesting incidents. The unusual nature of the plot is one of the picture’s attractive features. The photography is excellent, and editing and subtitling is especially well done. Robert Ellis is satisfactory in the role of Lord Wallingford, and one of the best portrayals of the picture is the role of Dr. Mohammed Ali, as played by Jose Ruben. STORY OF THE PLAY Ruth Rutherford, a young woman of wealth, persists in riding an untamed horse at the horse show. She is thrown and thereafter has to be perambulated in a wheel chair. After breaking her engagement with her fiance, Lord Wallington, she is persuaded to submit to treatment by an Oriental, Dr. Mohammed Ali, who has a grudge against Wallington. His price for causing her to walk is marriage. At her refusal to comply with his request he threatens to put her back in the wheel chair for life, which reveals that he has hypnotized her. His attempt to force his caresses on her causes her servant, Biskra, to stab }iim to death. As he dies1 he forces her back into the chair, but later, Biskra, realizing that Ruth is suffering from the effects of hypnotism, pretends that he is going to stab Wallington, which causes her to so far forget herself that she leaps from the chair and rushes across the ioom. PROGRAM COPY — “Dark Secrets” — Featuring Dorothy Dalton The dark secret that seemed to hold the destiny of beautiful Ruth Rutherford as in a vise, was dispersed by a faithful servant. Dorothy Dalton is irresistible in "Dark Secrets,” her latest production. Don’t miss it. “PAUPER MILLIONAIRE”— Class C (Adapted from novel of same name) Story: — Millionaire Learns Pangs of Poverty VALUE Photography — Average — William Shenton. TYPE OF PICTURE — Humorous — Adventure. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Good — Comedy-drama — Family. Cast — Good — All-Star. Author — Good — Austin Fryers. Direction— Average Frank H. Crane. Adaptation — Average — Eliot Stannard. Technique — Average. Spiritual Influence — Average. CAST John Pye Smith Mrs. Pye Smith Harry Smith Hilda Martin Jenks Old Sally . .C. M. Hallard Norma Whalley . . .J. P. Roberts Katherine Blair . . . .Jeff Barlow . ..Pollie Emery February 15 to 28, 1923. Producer Playgoers Footage — 5,000 ft. Distributor — Pathe Exchange (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted!