Screen Opinions (1923-24)

“BOOK THE NEW PERCENTAGE WAY" 55 ment in Greenwich Village. Marjory surprises even Swiftie by marrying Lester Hodges, who hopes to live on dad’s generosity, and is taken back home by Swiftie when Lester discovers his mistake and quits. Later Swiftie, who has successfully escaped the snares set for beauty, tries to earn her own living, and one night when she has accepted an invitation to dine at a famous restaurant with an old friend, the place is raided, and she barely escapes the patrol wagon through the quick action of Roger Corbin, a steady-going young man who has long loved her. Swiftie's emotional return to the old home is an event in the Forbes household. The story closes on the betrothal of Swiftie and Roger. PROGRAM COPY — “Prodigal Daughters” — Featuring Gloria Swanson The story of the adventures of two unruly daughters of wealth is sure to interest you. Gloria Swanson, in the role of “Swiftie,” the elder of the two, is delightful. An excellent cast supports the star, including Ralph Graves, Theodore Roberts and Robert Agnew. “BILL OF DIVORCEMENT”— [Class A] 90% (Adapted from play of same name) Story: — Child of Insane Man Sacrifices Happiness for Parents' Sake VALUE Photography — Very good— Not credited. TYPE OF PICTURE— FascinatingProblematic. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Very good — Drama — Adults. Star — Very good — Constance Binney. Author — Very good — Clemence Dane. Direction — Very good — Denison Clift. Adaptation — Very good — Denison Clift. Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence — Average. Producer — Ideal Footage — 6,000 ft. CAST Sydney Fairchild Constance Binney Margaret Fairchild Fay Compton Hillary Fairchild Malcolm Keen Gray Meredith Henry Victor Dr. Alliot Henry Vibart Rev. Pumphrey Fewlass Llewellyn Kit Pumphrey Martin Walker Aunt Hester Dora Gregory May IS to 31, 1923. Distributor — Associated Exhibitors, Inc. Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE — Injustice of Bringing Children Into the World Under Taint of Insanity. Fascinating Picture Has Unpleasant Story Based on Vital Theme — Star Lovely — Has Good Support Because of Constance Binney’s charming portrayal of the role of Sydney Fairfield, and because of the expert handling of the story by Denison Clift, director-scenarist, “A Bill of Divorcement” proves an unusually fascinating production. The picture, made in England, we would judge from the character of the exterior settings, which incidentally are very beautiful, including scenes in old-fashioned gardens, is different in style from the majority of films that reach the market. The fact that it is based on a story in which a husband fails to disclose to his wife the fact that he inherits insanity, until after they are married and a child is about to be born, would, under ordinary circumstances, be more or less repellent, in spite of the importance of the subject to humanity at large. However, in the present instance the pleasing portrayal of character, the charm of youth with which Constance Binney imbues the role of the daughter, the intelligent interpretation of the role of the wife and mother by Fay Compton, the excellent handling of the role of Hillary Fairfield, a victim of insanity, by Malcolm Keen, and the perfectly human way in which the director has expressed the strange story, combine to make a production that will hold any audience fascinated. STORY OF THE PLAY The taint of insanity which hangs over Hillary Fairfield is hurried into effect by the passage of a bill which provides for divorce in case of incurable insanity in husband or wife, and Margaret Fairchild, about to give birth to a child, is horrified to learn what had not been revealed to her previously, and to realize that she is bringing a child into the world under the taint of insanity. Fairchild is sent to the insane asylum and pronounced incurable after ten years, but his wife, still faithful, refuses to think of divorce until she meets land falls/ in love with Gray Meredith, the man next door. She is about to marry when Fairchild returns home cured, happy in the thought of being again with his loved ones. After due deliberation he is forced to admit that the divorce secured by his wife a year previous is justifiable, and that she should have a chance to enjoy life with the man she now loves. The daughter, Sydney, realizing her father’s loneliness, allows a quarrel between her and her lover to serve as a reason why she should renounce her right to happiness and comfort her father’s loneliness. PROGRAM COPY — “A Bill of Divorcement” — Featuring Constance Binney You will be inteested in this tale of a tragedy which occurred in a home where inherited insanity cast its shadow. Lovely Constance Binney is the star, and is supported by an excellent cast. No Advertising Support Accepted!