Screen Opinions (1923-24)

43 “BOOK THE NEW PERCENTAGE WAY” Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None. Attractive Snow Atmosphere and Canine Star Those who are expecting another “Silent Call,” in which Strongheart, the “wonder dog” appeared to have almost human intelligence, are going to be disappointed with his latest starring vehicle, “Brawn of the North”; for it is neither as well made as the former nor is its story as well suited to the exploitation of this remarkable dog. A little more careful study of the story by the adapter would have brought about a different result, and also had the editors used the scissors more frequently the film would not have been as tiresomely lengthy as it is. Five reels would have told the story nicely. The completing of an interesting romance between two humans before the real dog story has begun causes a bad anti-climax. In fact, if the story had begun a few scenes previous to where Marion and Peter start out with their baby and a dog team to reach the settlement, the anti-climax might have been avoided. One reel or a reel and a half of the story of Marion and Peter would have been sufficient to encompass their romance and to lead up to that part of the story where Strongheart falls in love with Lady Silver, a timber wolf, and later plays the hero by saving the baby from the wolves when the dogs, left alone for a few moments by Peter and Marion, become panic-stricken at the howl of the wolves and bolt with the sled and the baby. The picture is delightful in a pictorial way; for what could be more fascinating than well-photographed perspectives of the great white waste? STORY OF THE PLAY Brawn, a police dog owned by Marion Wells, is taken into the north when she obeys a summons from her brother and a lover ; she sells her home and takes the journey to marry and help to finance a mining camp. On her arrival she discovers that her lover has become a drunken brute, and on the trail to the mine the two men fight because of the lover’s; cruelty to Brawn, and her brother is drowned. Deserted by all save Brawn, Marion seeks shelter in the cabin of Peter Coe, who immediately falls in love with her and determines to marry her. After a forced marriage, Peter realizes he has done wrong and takes her to the settlement, where Marian suddenly discovers that she has been mistaken in Peter and that he is a man worth loving. Later, when they have returned to the cabin and have had a lucky strike, Brawn becomes a hero when the stampeding dogs bolt with the baby and he finds it and carries it to the house of the missionary. Brawn also has a sweetheart in Lady Silver, a pretty timber wolf. PROGRAM COPY — “Brawn of the North” — Featuring Strongheart You cannot afford to miss the enchanting atmosphere presented in the latest picture starring the wonder dog, Strongheart. Snow wastes, wolves, dog teams and a romance of a man and a woman in the far north, together with the story of a dog who loved a pretty timber wolf. “AN OLD SWEETHEART OF MINE”— [Cl. C] 50% (Adapted from poem of same name) Story: — Reminiscences Inspired by Old Letters VALUE CAST Photography — Average — L. William O’Connell. John Craig, as a boy Pat Moore TYPE OF PICTURE — Sentimental. John Craig, as a man Elliott Dexter Moral Standard — Good. Mary Ellen Anderson, as a girl Mary Jane Irving Cast — Good — All-Star. Helen Jerome Eddy Author — Good — James Whitcomb Riley. Stuffy Shade, as a boy Turner Savage Direction — Average — Harry Garson. Stuffy Shade, grown up Lloyd Whitlock Adaptation— Average — Luis Duryea Lighton. Irene Ryan Barbara Worth Technique — Average. — — — Spiritual Influence — Average. May 1 to 15, 1923. ^ Producer — Metro Footage — 5,065 ft. Distributor — Metro — .ui.uu x-uuidgc — ii. rzisrriuuror — ivietro Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE — Value of a Faithful Friendship. James Whitcomb Riley Poem — Direction and Adaptation Not Up to Mark Children will like the screen adaptation of the James Whitcomb Riley poem, “An Old Sweetheart of Mine,” especially the earlier reels, which deal almost entirely with child life, and in which Pat Moore, Mary Jane Irving and several other talented children carry out the idea of childhood sweethearts and school days. The central portion of the picture has to do with the career of Jack (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted!