Screen Opinions (1923-24)

“BOOK THE NEW PERCENTAGE WAY” 53 Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None. Elegantly Staged Production Has Unwholesome Plot — Star Gives Creditable Performance Just what effect the production “Bella Donna” will have on the popularity of Pola Negri we cannot predict, but we do believe that a more sympathetic story could have been chosen for her debut in an American production. However, George Fitzmaurice, together with a competent cameraman, a capable cast, and an art director of unusual skill, has turned out a picture that is enjoyable and in many ways beautiful. The character of the woman, Bella Donna, converted by adversity into a conscienceless vampire whose second marriage, for money, becomes so tiresome to her that she allows herself, under the spell of a rich Egyptian, to poison her husband, is splendidly outlined by Pola Negri, who looks well, dresses well and acts well. Adolphe Menjou has a brief life in the picture, during which he gives a creditable performance. Conrad Nagel is excellent as Nigel Armine, the second husband, but Conway Tearle is badly miscast in the role of the Egyptian, Baroudi. Lois Wilson is charming as Patricia, the former fiancee of Armine, and Claude King, Macey Harlam and Robert Schable give intelligent portrayals. The picture is capably edited and subtitled and if the spectator is not too particular about the character quality of the heroine, it will be found very enjoyable, especially about Cairo and along the river Nile. STORY OF THE PLAY When Mrs. Chepstow’s husband kills a man through jealousy and spurns her as he is being taken away by the police, her nature changes and she becomes a ruthless vampire. Her apparently lonely condition arouses the sympathy of Nigel Armine, whom she later marries, believing him to be the heir to a large fortune. When the birth of twins to Armine’s uncle, from whom he is expected to inherit an estate, is announced, Bella Donna, asi Mrs. Chepstow has come to be known, decides to get rid of her husband The urge toward liberty is greater because she is in love with Mahmoud Baroudi, a wealthy Egyptian whose influence causes her to feed her husband poison in slow doses. The arrival of Armine’s own physician from England, along with his former fiancee, Patricia, saves his life. The close of the story shows Bella Donna, who has been spurned by Baroudi, seeking forgetfulness in the desert, and Armine and Patricia renewing the old ties of love and friendship. PROGRAM COPY — “Bella Donna” — Featuring Pola Negri Bella Donna found love a bubble that vanished at her touch, and the gold that she envied swept away by the evil passions that beset her soul. Pola Negri is superb in her first American production. “SOULS FOR SALE”— [Class B] 65% (Adapted from story of same name) Story: — Runaway Wife’s Experience as Movie Actress VALUE CAST Photography — Very good — John Mescall. Remember Steddon Eleanor Boardman TYPE OF PICTURE — Sensational — Robina Teele Mae Busch Interesting. Leva Lemaire Barbar La Marr Moral Standard — Average. Frank Claymore Richard Dix Tom Holby Frank Mayo Story — Good — Melodrama — Family. Owen Scudder Lew Cody Cast — Very good — All-Star. Jimmy Leland Arthur Hoyt Author — Good — Rupert Hughes. Caxton David Imboden Direction — Good — Rupert Hughes. Arthur Tirrey Roy Atwell Adaptation — Good — Rupert Hughes. Lord Fryingham William Orlamond Technique — Good. ■ — — ■ ' — Spiritual Influence — Neutral. May 15 to 31, 1923. Producer — Goldwyn Footage — 7,864 ft. Distributor — Goldwyn Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None. Glimpses of Studio Life in Hollywood Feature of Production “Souls for Sale” is more or less of a hodge podge of incidents connected with the making of moving pictures in and about Hollywood. It will, no doubt, prove more than ordinarily interesting to the general public to whom studio life is something of an illusion. The various stunts, such as accidents in a circus tent, which appear to be very real, but from which the players emerge (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted!