Screen Opinions (1923-24)

ALL THE "TRUTH” ABOUT PICTURES 227 ing way. The queen’s determination to lift the burden of income tax from her people, and the allusions to this in subtitle more than once, will strike a popular vein with most audiences. You can’t make any mistake in booking this picture. Bill it for all the jazz that’s in it and it should make good. An excellent cast supports the star. STORY OF THE PLAY Queen Ninon, queen of a certain Balkan kingdom called Jazzmania, is wooed by Prince Otto of Como in anticipation of gaining control of affairs of state. Resisting her minister s attempt to force her into this marriage, she falls in love with an American reporter, Sonny Daimler, and through his influence she abdicates and goes to America, under an assumed name. Later she learns that her people are suffering under the leadership of Prince Otto, and she returns just in time to prevent the mineral resources of Jazzmania being sold to another country. Queen Ninon, profiting by what she has seen in America, converts her kingdom into a republic, of which she becomes the president, governing the land on super-modern methods. PROGRAM COPY— “Jazzmania” — Featuring Mae Murray The jazziest picture ever made, with pretty Mae Murray as the star! What more could you wish for in light, clean entertainment, and not a dull moment. Don’t miss it. “POOR MEN’S WIVES”— Class A (Especially prepared for screen) Story: — Unhappy Experience of Poor Man’s Wife Tasting Joys of Rich VALUE CAST Photography — Very good — Karl Struss. Laura Maberne Barbara La Marr TYPE OF PICTURE— Interesting. Jim Maberne David Butler Moral Standard — Good. Claribel Betty Francisco ■ ■ Richard Smith-Blanton Richard Tucker Story — Very good — Drama — Family. Apple Annie Zasu Pitts Cast— Very good— All-Star. xhe Heavenly Twins. ... f Murid McCormac Author — Very good — Agnes Johnson. ( Mickie McBan Direction — Very good— Gasnier. Adaptation — Very good — Agnes Johnson. Technique — Very good. ■ 1 1 — ■ Spiritual Influence — Average. March 1 to 15, 1923. Producer — B. P. Schulberg Footage — 6,963 ft. Distributor — A1 Lichtman Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE — Contentment With One’s Lot in Life. Entertaining Presentation of Vital Problem You will be almost sure to find a favorable reaction among your patrons to the latest B. P. Schulberg production, “Poor Men’s Wives,” especially among the feminine element. And indeed it is not unlikely that men too will be interested in the problem of Jim Maberne, taxicab driver, who lost his temper together with his respect for his wife when he found that she had paid the money he had saved to buy a taxi for an outfit to attend a ball. They will sympathize with his sensation of shattered dreams of a home and the comforts he had meant to give his family. Another interesting phase of the marital game is disclosed in Claribel’s disappointing choice of a man with money and position in preference to a poor man and love. The picture is developed in an interesting way, with empty spaces neatly filled in with detail and atmosphere. Zasu Pitts serves splendidly in this capacity. Barbara La Marr is lovely as the poor man’s wife and evidences marked emotional ability. David Butler is the best possible choice for Jim Maberne, and Richard Tucker gives a fine portrayal of the sort of man none of us admire. Betty Francisco is also an excellent acquisition to the cast and wears some beautiful clothes well. The children of the play are delightful. STORY OF THE PLAY Laura Maberne becomes dissatisfied with her lot as the wife of a poor man through the influence of Claribel, her chum who threw down Jim Maberne to marry Richard Smith-Blanton, a wealthy reprobate. Laura, urged by Claribel to order an outfit on approval to wear to the artistes’ ball, meets a tragic situation when, on awaking late the morning after the ball, sihei finds the gown cut in pieces by her twin babies. A persuader in the shape of an agent, accompanied by a policeman, causes Laura to break open her husband’s savings bank and pay for the gown with the money he had saved to buy a taxicab of his own. The incidents that follow include a stormy interview between husband and wife, during which the latter is turned (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted!