Screen Opinions (1923-24)

234 SCREEN OPINIONS WEEKLY SERVICE Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None. Trivial Plot Marks Production With Popular Star Up to Standard Frank Mayo plays up to his usual standard in “The Bolted Door,” which is based on a trivial plot of more or less sex appeal. The theme of the “bolted door” is an old one, in which a bride, married under the stipulations of her uncle’s will, locks the door on the bridegroom. Phyllis Haver gets very little out of the role of Natalie Judson; in fact, she is miscast. And we can imagine that a warmer personality would have developed interesting phases of Natalie’s character. However, there is every reason to believe that “The Bolted Door” will be popular with the average audience. It is a cheaply made picture, we should say, with an average cast. STORY OF THE PLAY Brooke Garriott has worked himself from elementary stages in a machine shop up to a place on the executive staff. His employer, anxious that his niece, Natalie, should marry Brooke, who has always loved her, is unable to persuade her to forget her prejudices against a man who has been a mechanic. At his death the old man leaves his property to Natalie and Brooke, provided that they marry within six months. Otherwise the estate will be given to charity. Natalie consents, but persists in associating with a fortune hunter, Rene De Land. When it is discovered that the funds of the estate have been dissipated by a dishonest executor, Rene De Land steps out, but not before he is given a well-deserved thrashing by Brooke. Natalie finally discovers that she loves her husband. PROGRAM COPY — “The Bolted Door” — Featuring Frank Mayo Brooke Garriott’s manliness finally appealed to a wife who looked upon her husband as nothing more than an expert mechanic. Frank Mayo gives a colorful performance in “The Bolted Door,” a picture based on the marriage problem. “BOHEMIAN GIRL”— Class A (Adapted from opera of same name) Story: — Romance of Girl Stolen by Gypsies VALUE Photography — Very good — Rene Guissart. TYPE OF PICTURE— Romantic. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Very good — Romantic drama — Family. Cast — -Very good — Featuring Gladys Cooper. Author — Very good — Michael William Balfe. Direction — Very good — Harley Knowles. Adaptation — Very good — Not credited. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Producer — Harley Knowles Footage — 6,462 CAST Arline Thaddeus Buda Gypsy Queen Devilshoof Count Arnheim Count Florestein ...Gladys Cooper Ivor Novello Ellen Terry Constance Collier C. Aubrey Smith ....Henry Vibart . . . G. McLaughlin March 1 to IS, 1923. ft. Distributor — American Releasing Corp. Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None Outstanding. Pleasing Adaptation of Popular Opera Ivor Novello, the magnetic new leading man introduced to America through the Harley Knowles screen version of “The Bohemian Girl,” is destined to be a favorite, and we understand is to be added to the list of screen stars in America. As Thaddeus, the Polish youth whom fortune placed in association with a band of gypsies, he is as romantic as the role demands and projects a personality that is not easily forgotten. Mr. Novello is distinctly fetching and unquestionably talented. Gladys Cooper has the title role, and although she has not been seen on the American screen in some time, she proves that she has lost nothing through absence, but on the contrary is a refreshing change. The plot of “The Bohemian Girl” is substantial enough to provide good entertainment, and the settings found for it abroad are both appropriate and beautiful. The forest scenes, the gypsy camp, with its queer looking wagons and its various types, and the home of the heroine’s father, with its rich appointments, are interesting. And one of the loveliest settings is that given the well-known musical number from the opera, “I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls.” The cast, as will be noticed, is unusually interesting, and containing the names of Ellen Terry, who, (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted!