Screen Opinions (1923-24)

“BOOK THE NEW PERCENTAGE WAY” 19 is suitably cast as John Hale, but the part does not afford him substantial opportunities. The climax of the picture in which Rufe Tolliver is shot by one of his own people because they cannot bear to have a Tolliver hanged, is well staged. There is nothing big about this picture, but neighborhood audiences will be pleased with it. STORY OF THE PLAY June Tolliver, daughter of Judd Tolliver, a leader in a feud between his family and the Falins, is betrothed to John Hale, a young man in the employ of the government. On her return from school June is thrust into an unhappy situation when Rufe Tolliver, her uncle, gets drunk and kills a policeman. Rufe’s sentence to death brings the Tollivers to town in a body, determined that Rufe shall not hang. While he stands at the window waving farewell to his friends, Rufe is shot down by Dave Tolliver to avoid having the name of Tolliver tainted with a prison record. Dave also shoots John Hale, who later recovers and marries June. An appeal from June to both Tollivers and Fallins, in which she points out the futility of bloodshed, brings both groups to a realization of their wrong doing. PROGRAM COPY — “The Trail of the Lonesome Pine” — Featuring Mary Miles Minter, with Antonio Moreno The romance of pretty June Tolliver, coupled with the enlightening influence of education, ended a bitter feud. You will like this tale of the southern mountains, with Mary Miles Minter and Antonio Moreno. “LITTLE CHURCH AROUND THE CORNER” [Class B] 65% (Adapted from play and novel of same name) Story: — Young Minister’s Faith and Heroism Wins Miners and Helps Dumb Girl Speak VALUE CAST Photography — Good — Homer Scott and Leila Morton Claire Windsor Edward Dumar. David Graham ; Kenneth Harlan TYPE OF PICTURE — Sentimental — Morton Hobart Bosworth Thrilling. Hetty Pauline Starke Moral Standard — Good. Hex 4.... Walter Long ■ — 1 — ■ '■ — — — ' — Rev. Bradley Alec Francis Story — Good — Melodrama — Family. Mrs. Graham Margaret Seddon Cast — Good — All-Star. Jude George Cooper Authors — Good — -Marion Russell (novel) and Doc Graham Winter Hall Charles E. Blaney (play). Mark Hanford Cyril Chadwick Direction — Good — William A. Seiter. Adaptation — Good — Olga Printzalu. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Good. April IS to 30, 1923. Producer — Warner Brothers Footage — 6,300 ft. Distributor — State Rights Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— “Your Faith Hath Made You Whole.” Sentimental Melodrama Has Human Interest and Thrills — Likely to Please There doesn’t seem to be any question but that “The Little Church Around the Comer” will find many appreciative audiences throughout the country. Its plot is truly melodramatic — so much so indeed that at times the action seems unconvincing. However, that may be the average person, and perhaps especially the woman and children will be sympathetically moved by some of the characters of the play — the dumb girl Hetty, for instance, so convincingly played by Pauline Starke. Miss Starke’s portrayal of the dumb girl is an unusual piece of work, as interpreted by her — the girl’s struggle to speak, vain efforts at the urge of the minister, her childhood friend — are truly affecting. The scenes at the mine where following the cave-in the minister’s heroic rescue work wins the admiration and respect of those who heretofore scoffed at him, are well done and quite thrilling. Here a word of praise is due the editors of the film of the effective assembling of correlative scenes. This is not a picture which warrants a raise in price, but if your patrons like melodrama you can afford to boost it strongly on the strength of the human interest element, and the thrilling rescue scenes at the mine. The work of the cast is very good throughout. STORY OF THE PLAY David Graham, born with a religious fervor, is educated by a mine owner, Morton. After being ordained as a minister, he is unable to resist the call which he feels to return to the mining town and preach the gospel to the miners. He is scoffed at and is unable to make any (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted!