Screen Opinions (1923-24)

26 S.CREEN OPINIONS TELLS THE TRUTH Alden has not the opportunities which she should have had, had the story been adapted in a more professional way, and the same may be said of others of the cast who play roles that are carelessly outlined. Charles Lane as Millgrate gives a notable performance, and Macey Harlam is every inch the villain. Splendid specimens of horses are seen in this picture. STORY OF THE PLAY When Commander Millgrate fell in love with Oulaid, a princess of the Moroccan desert and rescued her from a dreaded marriage with the Sultan, he became separated from her, and years afterward, in trying to bring a desert bandit named Chiddar Ben-Ek to justice on a false charge of kidnaping an American girl, Elaine Calvert, he meets Oulaid and learns that Chiddar is his son. Determining to save him from being shot at dawn as decreed, he announces that he himself will see justice done, and taking Chiddar out into the desert, he frees him. Chiddar, believing that his father has done his mother an injury in so long being separated from her, refuses to have anything to do with him. But later, when Millgrate and Oulaid are trapped by the Sultan on one of his ships, and Millgrate is being meted out the Moroccan punishment of being suspended from the ship’s mast to be battered to death, Chiddar arrives on the scene and saves him. The close of the story shows the betrothal of Elaine and Chiddar, who has saved her from the power of the Sultan, and a reunion of Millgrate and Oulaid. PROGRAM COPY— “The Tents of Allah”— Monte Blue and Mary Alden You will be interested in the romance of a Sultan's bride as told in “The Tents of Allah," staged in realistic surroundings and played by an excellent cast, headed by Monte Blue and Mary Alden. Unforgetable desert scenes splendidly photographed. “CRASHING THROUGH”— [Class B] 65% (Adapted from “If a Woman Will”) Story: — Adventures of Ranchman in Advertising for Wife and Unearthing Cattle Rustlers VALUE Photography — Good — William Thornley and Robert DeGrasse. TYPE OF PICTURE— Interesting. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Good — Melodrama— Family. Star — Average — Harry Carey. Author — Good — Elizabeth De Jeans Direction — Good — Val Paul. Adaptation — Good — Beatrice Van. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Average. Producer — P. A. Powers CAST Blake Harry Carey Cons Cullen Landis Celia Myrtle Stedman Diane Vola Vale Saunders Charles LeMoyne Gracia Winifred Bryson Holmes Joe Harris Allison Donald MacDonald April 15 to 30, 1923. Distributor — F. B. O. Footage — 6,000 ft. Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE — None Outstanding. Human Interest and Convincing Western Atmosphere Features of Typical Western There is nothing out of the ordinary in the latest Harry Carey production, but the familiar face of a wholesome star and the convincing western atmosphere with its quota of thrills make “Crashing Through” a picture that is likely to be greeted by the average public with a degree of interest. .The production contains a well-defined vein of human interest, in which the crippled partner of the hero figures, and altogether the story is an interesting one. A conspiracy to put the hero, Blake, out of the cattle business by stealing each shipment of cattle that he gets together, affords opportunity for some good suspense, swift riding and thrilling struggles between men. Harry Carey is up to his usual standard, Vola Vale is pleasing as Diane, and Cullen Landis does well as the weakling son. The cast is capable throughout. STORY OF THE PLAY Jim Blake’s conviction that his partner, crippled in rescuing him from danger of being killed by a bull, needs the care of a woman, decides to advertise for a wife. When he goes to (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted!