Screen Opinions (1923-24)

“BOOK THE NEW PERCENTAGE WAY” 17 “TOWN OF SCANDAL”— [Class C] 50% (Adapted from story of same name) Story: — Chorus Girl Exposes Home Town Men and Puts End to Blue Laws VALUE CAST Photography — Good — Victor Milner. Jean Crosby Gladys Walton TYPE OF PICTURE— Ordinary. Toby Caswell Edward Hearn. Moral Standard — Average. Avery Crawford Edward McWade i ■ .1 Bill Ramsey Charles Hill Mailes Story — Average — Comedy-drama — Adults. Samuel Grimes William Walsh Star — Average — Gladys Walton. Ly sander Sprowl William Franey Author — Average — Frederick Arnold Kummer. Mrs. Crawford .Anna Hernandez Direction — Average — King Baggot. Mrs. Sprowl Virginia Boardman Adaptation — Average — Not credited. Effie Strong Rosa Gore Technique — Average. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. April IS to 30, 1923. Producer — Universal Footage — 4,704 ft. Distributor — Universal Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE — People in Glass Houses Should Not Throw Stone. Trivial Plot and Ordinary Development — Essentially for Cheaper Houses Gladys Walton has not been provided with the best class of story for her recent efforts, and “The Town Scandal” is no exception to the rule. The plot is trivial, although we believe that a better adaptation of the story could have been made. The small town types are well portrayed, and the intention of the author gets across, but in a manner of cheap design. The scenes at the theatre in which Miss Walton wears an elaborate ballet dress with the minimum amount of covering for her body above the waist, are not refined, even if they may not belong strictly to the risque class. The situation in which some of the home town reformers come to New York on business and try to carry on a secret flirtation with the same little actress is quite amusing and fairly well presented. Gladys Walton does passably well and is supported by a fairly capable cast. The subtitles are conspicuously aimed at the blue law system. STORY OF THE PLAY Jean Crosby, a chorus girl who spends her vacations helping her married sister in her home town, is looked down upon by the blue law supporters. After her return to New York for rehearsals, three or four of the male performers come to the city on business, and incidentally with a view to a flirtation with the pretty young actress. When she comesl back to her home town to look up a job, each pretended admirer turns his back on her. With the aid of the new editor of the home town paper, she publishes a series of articles exposing their methods. A promise to stop their interference with the people’s pleasures halts the scandal. The story ends with the betrothal of Jean and the editor. PROGRAM COPY— “The Town of Scandal”— Featuring Gladys Walton Jean Crosby’s experience with blue law reformers and the effort to be honest, though, a chorus girl, provides good entertainment in “The Town of Scandal,” Gladys Walton’s latest comedy-drama. See how she turns the tables on a group of hypocrites. “GREAT EXPECTATIONS” — [Class B] 65% (Adapted from novel of same name) Story: — Young Man Educated With Convist’s Money VALUE CAST Photography — Good — Not credited. Little “Pip” “Buddy” Martin TYPE OF PICTURE — Interesting— (Other members of the cast omitted) (P Sensational. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Very good — Romantic melodrama — Family. Star — Good— “Buddy” Martin. Author — Very good — Charles Dickens. Direction — Good — Not credited. Adaptation— Good — Not credited. Technique — Good. ' Spiritual Influence — Average. April 15 to 30, 1923. Producer — Nordisk Footage — 5,000 ft. Distributor — Hopp Hadley-State Rights (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted!