Screen Opinions (1923-24)

36 SCREEN OPINIONS TELLS THE TRUTH MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None Outstanding. Gloomy Subject Well Presented — Plenty of Heart Interest If the theme on which “The Nth Commandment” is based were not so melancholy the picture’s chances for popularity would be much better, and we are not at all sure that it will not be well received as it is, for the majority of people love to be moved to tears. The principal male character, Harry Smith, played in convincing style by James Morrison, is a victim of consumption, and for this reason has never been able to progress in a business way beyond the parcel wrapping counter in a department store. This situation is of I course pathetic, and grows more so as the young man’s failing strength makes him a burden to his wife, who struggles to get money for his removal south before the snow falls, and is terrified when the first white flakes put in an appearance and the price of a railroad ticket to California is still an illusion. Colleen Moore gives a very realistic performance as the wife, excelling in her portrayal of a number of different moods. In the earlier reels of the picture some bright bits of comedy occur in connection with a skating carnival where the lovers quarrel and then make up again out in the park. Eddie Phillip and George Cooper, and also Charlotte Merriam are entitled to special praise for their good work. The “Nth” commandment is a commandment governing human life, which does not appear among the other ten. STORY OF THE PLAY Sarah Juke is courted by Harry Smith, whom she really loves, and by Jimmie Fitzgibbons, who is more of a dandy than Harry. A quarrel affords Jimmie an opportunity to “keep company” with Sarah, but fear of becoming affected with tuberculosis through Sarah’s association with the sickly Harry, causes him tc> drop her. Sarah and Harry marry, and all goes well until Jimmie and a couple of other friends who are prosperous, come to see Sarah and sow the seeds of discontent. She plans to leave home, but is held by Harry’s great need of care. As he grows worse and the doctor tells Sarah that he will have to go south before the snow flies if he means to live, the struggle to secure the money fills her life, and one night in desperation she accepts Jimmie’s invitation to dine with him, with a view to getting a good job'. For performing a dance at a cabaret he pays her a large sum of money, and with this she takest Harry to California. The story closes with a happy home in the land of sunshine, where Harry has become a well man. PROGRAM COPY — “The Nth Commandment” — Featuring Colleen Moore With a sickly husband and poverty as companions Sarah Juke had a hard road to travel until destiny led the way to a land of sunshine. Pretty Colleen Moore is the star. “HAS THE WORLD GONE MAD?”— [Cl. A] 80% (Especially prepared for screen) Story: — Husband and a Wife Break Happiness of Two Families VALUE CAST Photography — Good — Not credited. TYPE OF PICTURE— Interesting. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Very good — Drama — Adults. Cast — Very good — All-Star. Author — Very good — Daniel Carson Goodman. Direction — Very good — J. Searle Dawley. Adaptation — Very good — Not credited. Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence — Average. Producer — Daniel Carson Goodman Mr. Adams. . . . Mrs. Adams..., Their Son Mrs. Bell Mr. Bell Their Daughter Cabaret Dancer ..Robert Edeson ...Heda Hopper Vincent Coleman Mary Alden Charles Richman Elinor Fair Lyda Lola May 1 to 15, 1923. Footage — 6,047 ft. Distributor — Equity Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE — Happiness Cannot Result from Shirking Responsibilities. Social Problem Presented Entertainingly There is nothing especially new about the type of story presented in “Has the World Gone Mad,” it treats of the social problem of universal interest in which the husband and father of one family and the wife and mother in another, through their attraction for one another, are the means of breaking both families. The adaptation and direction of the story is sympathetic but in many instances the subtitles do not support the intention of the action. An (Continued on next page) 4 No Advertising Support Accepted!