Screen Opinions (1923-24)

10 SCREEN OPINIONS WEEKLY SERVICE is created entirely by means of beautiful settings. The settings, both interior and exterior, are unusually beautiful, and characterized by depth of perspective and artistic choice. Everything is done on a large scale. Pola Negri was never more beautiful than she is in this picture, for Buchowetski has the rare faculty of getting the best out of his artists. In “Mad Love” she is refreshingly natural, becomingly gowned, and always alive to the moods of the story. She has excellent support in a cast whose names are not given. STORY OF THE PLAY Liane, noted in Paris as a flirt, is present at a popular Parisian resort when a man, whoae cousin has gone insane for love of her, enters the scene in search of the woman. Liane, taking advantage of the fact that he does not associate her with the unhappy incident, exerts her charms to make him love her, succeeding to the extent of becoming hi* wife. During their honeymoon a jealous rival reveals to Liane’s husband the fact that he has married the woman who caused his cousin’s downfall, whereupon a separation takes place. Later the cousin, escaping from the asylum, strangles Liane just as a reconciliation between husband and wife is about to take place. PROGRAM COPY — “Mad Love” — Featuring Pola Negri Punishment came swift and sure to beautiful Liane, whose beauty drove men mad. You will be thrilled both by the tragedy and the exquisite staging of the latest Pola Negri production. “MR. BILLINGS SPENDS HIS DIME”— Class B (Adapted from story of same name) Story: — Cigar Throws Discharged Clerk Into Hands of Revolutionists VALUE CAST Photography — Good — C. E. Schoenbaum. John Percival Billings Walter Hiers TYPE OF PICTURE — Humorous. Suzanna Juarez Jacqueline Logan Moral Standard — Average. Gen. Paola Blanco George Fawcett ■ — Captain Gomez Robert McKim Story — Good — Comedy— Family. Priscilla Parker Patricia Palmer Star — Good — Walter Hiers. Estaban Juarez Joseph Swickard Author — Good — Dana Burnet. John D. Starbock Guy Oliver Direction — Good — Wesley Ruggles. White Edward Patrick Adaptation — Good — Albert S. LeVino. Diego Clarence Burton Technique — Good. — — — — — Spiritual Influence — Neutral. April 1 to 15, 1923. Producer — Paramount Footage — 5,585 ft. Distributor — Famous Players Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE — Dividends Accrue Making the Best of a Bad Bargain. Picture Entertaining, But Star Can Do Better It is unfortunate that Walter Hiers’ first starring vehicle had not been more wisely chosen. The material is old stuff with a new kink, and the South American atmosphere, with its revolutionists, has been used in too many pictures of late to be anything of a novelty. The situation in which Billings, enamored of the picture of a South American beauty which he has seen in a newsreel, is led by destiny through the purchase of a ten cent cigar straight to her, is the original angle of the story. The adventures through which Mr. Billings passes between the time when he is discharged from his place of business and the day when he comes back home an attache of the president of a South American republic, are quite thrilling and often amusing. Walter Hiers can do much better things, and we look forward to seeing this wholesome comedian in stories that are worthy of his ability. Jacqueline Logan, Robert McKim and George Fawcett are the other prominent members of the cast, all of whom acquit themselves well. This is a good picture for the neighborhood house, but will not be a riot anywhere. Its tendency toward farce helps matters along considerably. STORY OF THE PLAY John Percival Billings is discharged from business for continually taking too much time at the lunch hour. While he is brooding over his troubles he uses his last dime to buy a cigar, on the label of which is the picture of the pretty daughter of a president of a South American republic, whom he has seen in a newsreel. In the course of events he is seized by the revolutionists because in the wrapping of the cigar was a secret message for them. He is bound to secrecy and paid for spying on the family of the president. The result is that the revolutionists are overcome and Billings becomes the son-in-law of the president, returning to face his old employer triumphantly. PROGRAM COPY — “Mr. Billings Spends His Dime” — With Walter Hiers Who would have thought that a dime cigar might have far-reaching effects. Come and see what happened to Mr. Billings with the spending of his last dime. You’lli find plenty of amusement in this comedy, in which funny Walter liters stars for the first time. No Advertising Support Accepted!