Screen Opinions (1923-24)

244 SCREEN OPINIONS WEEKLY SERVICE Maurice B. Flynn, as the Christian crusader, is one of the most effective types in the picture, and also plays the part intelligently. STORY OF THE PLAY Omar, son of a persian tentmaker and one of three students to be accepted as the pupils of the Iman of the district, falls in love with his teacher’s pretty daughter Shireen. His dream of love is cut short when the Iman denounces him for his daring attempt to revise the calendar, and forbids him to come again into his garden where his secret love for Shireen has caused the Iman to believe that he has brought a woman of the bazaars. Later the Shah sends his emissaries to bring Shireen to become his wife. She is thrown into prison for refusing to yield to the shah, and there a child is born to Omar, and spirited away by Shireen’s nurse, who takes the little Shireen to Omar telling him it is the child of the Shah. After years have passed Shireen, cast out and made to serve as a slave, comes again to the city where Omar resides, and aids in rescuing Omar from death by the command of one of the three students who has forgotten a pledge to share alike whatever fortune should come to any one of the three. The third student, Nizam ul Mulk, governor of the province, appears on the scene in time to prevent the death of Omar who is being tortured with whips at his feet The story closes happily with the reunion of Omar and Shireen, and the betrothal of the little Shireen and a Christian Crusader. PROGRAM COPY — “Omar the Tentmaker” — Featuring Guy Bates Post Romance and tragedy are wonderfully blended in the story of the Persian, poet, Omar Khayyam, whose bride-to-be was stolen by a shah. You will be thrilled by this story of love on the one hand and intolerance and intrigue on the other. The splendid actor Guy Bates Post is the star. “CHRISTIAN” — Class A-c (Adapted from novel of same name) Story: — Struggle Between the Impulses of Spiritual and Physical Life VALUE CAST Photography — Excellent — Charles Van Enger. John Storm Richard Dix TYPE OF PICTURE— Inspirational. Glory Quayle Mae Busch Moral Standard — Excellent. Brother Paul Gareth Hughes Polly Love Phyllis Haver Story — Excellent — Drama — Family. Lora Robert Ure Cyril Chadwick Cast — Excellent, featuring Richard Dix and Horatio Drake. Mahlon Hamilton Mae Busch. Father Lampleigh Joseph Dowling Author — Excellent — Hall Caine. Lord Storm Claude Gillingwater Direction — Excellent — Maurice Tourneur. Parson Quayle John Herdman Adaptation — Excellent — Not credited. Technique — Excellent. — — Spiritual Influence — Average. March 1 to 15, 1923. Producer — Goldwyn Footage — 8,333 ft. Distributor — Goldwyn Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE — The Strong Man Responds to the Call of Spiritual Ideals. Impressive and Thrilling Adaptation of Famous Novel — Richard Dix Exceptional as John Storm Maurice Tourneur’s picturization of “The Christian” is the most worthy attempt that has yet been made to analyze the famous author’s intention. The result is exceptionally fine, for in making the picture the director has not only penetrated deep into the hearts of the story but he has made a fortunate choice in casting Richard Dix in the title role. This talented actor has portrayed the character of John Storm with the fervor and religious idealism that is necessary to intensify the situation in which the man, struggling toward the fulfillment of spiritual ideals, finds himself foundering in an agony of physical desires. Meditating Tourneur’s conception of “The Christian,” the writer believes that he has more nearly encompassed the spiritual intention of the story than has been accomplished in the former efforts. The abyss between John Storm, who saw through the conventionalities to which he had been born to the needs * of the poor and oppressed, and the girl, Glory Quayle, the sweetheart of his youth, whose chief aim in life was to arrive at a condition of wealth and fine clothes, is outlined in a superior and impressive way. It may seem that the closing scenes, in which the London mob, outraged because of a false prophecy attributed to John Storm by an enemy, attack him in Trafalgar Square, are rather too melodramatic. The wise conclusion, however, is that the public' demands a spectacular thrill before a production can be made to appeal to it as extraordinary. Mae Busch is a satisfactory Glory Quayle; Gareth Hughes has a small part, and Cyril Chadwick is excellent as Lord Robert Ure, the heavy. The cast is all that could be desired. One of the features of the picture (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted!