Screen Opinions (1923-24)

ALL THE “TRUTH” ABOUT PICTURES 237 which an extravagant young woman who believes that papa is good for all the pretty clothes, jewels, etc., that she may buy, is forestalled in her career of recklessness by a knowing young man left in charge of papa’s affairs while he goes on a vacation, is one of the best. Eva’s attempt to make papa believe that he is the victim of a serious illness so that he will go away and leave her and the rest of the family to their extravagances, provides some especially good comedy. The scenes on the farm, where believing that father is a ruined man, Eva and her friends “buckle to” and make good on the production of eggs and honey, contain the real lesson of the picture. Eva’s disgust when father arrives from South America richer than ever, and she learns that Adam has tricked her into believing a big white lie, is an amusing point. Marion Davies makes good every inch of the way, and T. Roy Barnes is quite the type for Adam. Tom Lewis is excellent as the father, and the remainder of the cast is composed of finished players. The star wears some pretty clothes, and altogether the picture is one that recommends itself to the best theatres as well as to the neighborhood houses. STORY OF THE PLAY Eva King, thoughtless and extravagant, resents her father’s interference and also his announcement that he is going to send her to the farm. To avert this seeming disaster she schemes with a young doctor to make her father believe he is ill and in need of a vacation. A young man, Adam Smith, looking for an opportunity, is given charge of Mr. King’s affairs while he is away in South America, and when no longer able to prevent the family from overstepping its monthly allowance, he tells them that their father is a ruined man. Eva decides to hide her jewels and save them for father, and also to take the family to the farm. On his return Mr. King finds Eva converted into a farmerette, running a thriving egg and honey business. After Eva has recovered from being angry with Adam they decide to marry. But the family has learned a lesson of usefulness and economy it will never forget. PROGRAM COPY — “Adam and Eva” — Featuring Marion Davies Eva needed taming and got a much-needed lesson in economy when Adam took the reins. Dainty, romantic and humorous is Marion Davies’ latest production — comedy de luxe. “PHANTOM FORTUNE”— Serial (Especially prepared for screen) * Story: — Young Man’s Fight to Save Father’s Business from Ruin VALUE Photography — Good — Buddie Harris. TYPE OF PICTURE— Sensational. Moral Standard — Good. Story — Good — Melodrama — Family. Star — Good — William Desmond. Authors — Good — Dewey Coldewey and George Hively. Direction — Good — Robert Hill. Adaptation— Good — Dewey Coldewey and George Hively. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Average. Producer — Universal Length — 12 Larry Barclay. Mary Rogers.. Speck O’Dawn Hamilton Owens Nadine The Flame. . . . The Ox CAST William Desmond Esther Ralston Lewis Sargent Harry DeVere George Webb Cathleen Calhoun A1 Hart Dick Sutherland March 1 to IS, 1923. two-reel chapters Distributor — Universal Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE — Determination and Faith Half the Battle of Success. Series Drives Home Truths on Business Success If you are looking for an extraordinarily peppy, fast-moving serial, you may be disappointed in “The Phantom Fortune.” On the other hand, the substantial quality of its plot, and the fact that it has an inspirational appeal with a vigorously applied lesson on winning business success through determination, should serve as a high recommendation for its use in the neighborhood house. William Desmond is surrounded by a good cast, in which Lewis Sargent, George Nichols and Esther Ralston are prominent members. Each chapter has its special thrill, and the story, in which a young man refuses to allow his dead father’s business to be swallowed up by competitors, and is aided in his efforts by his feminine secretary and the office boy, is interesting. The first three chapters give good promise. No Advertising Support Accepted!