Screen Opinions (1923-24)

56 SCREEN OPINIONS TELLS THE TRUTH “AFFAIRS OF LADY HAMILTON”— [Cl. B] 65% (Adapted from “The Life and Loves of Lady Hamilton” and “Lord Nelson’s Last Love”) Story: — English Maiden’s Rise from Obscurity to the Love of an Admiral and a Place in History VALUE Photography — Average — Carl Hoffman. TYPE OF PICTURE— InterestingHistorical. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Good — Drama — Family. Star — Good — Liane Haid. Author — Good — H. V. Schumacher. Direction — Good — Richard Oswald. Adaptation — Fair — Not credited. Technique — Average. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Producer — Sterling Film Corp. CAST Lady Hamilton Liane Haid Horatio Nelson.... Conrad Veidt Sir William Hamilton Werner Kraus gueen Maria Caroline ....Else Heims ing Ferdinand of Naples. .Reinhold Schunzel Arabella Kelly Gertrude Welcker George Romney Theodor Loos Charles Francis Greville. ... .Anton Pointner Josiah Nesbit. . . .Hanas Heinz V. Twardowski Jane Hailing Kate Waldeck May 15 to 31, 1923. Footage — 7,900 ft. Distributor — W. W. Hodkinson Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None. German-Made Production of Ordinary Quality Based on Interesting Historical Facts There are a number of features in “The Affairs of Lady Hamilton” that commend this German-made picture to the more intelligent class of picture patrons. The fact that the love affair of the famous Lady Hamilton, and the even more celebrated English admiral, Lord Horatio Nelson, is the objective point in the story, is surely reason enough why it should be greeted with a considerable amount of interest, and yet there are qualities, or lack of certain qualities we should say, that will interfere with its going over in a big way. The adaptation of the story is indirect, the action of the picture is conventional, and the indefinite way in which the story is presented causes many opportunities for dramatic development to go by unheeded. Werner Kraus is the star player of the performance, and even if the spectator is unacquainted with the work of this talented actor, there is no mistaking the master stroke in the interpretation of the character of Sir William Hamilton. Conrad Veidt does passably well with the role of Lord Nelson, and Liane Haid, a pretty and talented actress, is charming as Lady Hamilton. All of the players suffer from the rather poor quality of the photography and inartistic illumination. One of the pleasing features of the picture lies in the fact that a number of interesting locations in and about Naples have been used. There are also one or two impressive interiors. The exhibitor will have to be his own judge as to whether this is a picture for his particular class of patrons or not. Book it on its historical and romantic values. STORY OF THE PLAY Emma Lyon, an obscure village maiden, goes to London, and through her beauty becomes the wife of Sir William Hamilton, who meets her through an artist friend. Emma, fired with social ambition, tolerates her aged husband while she secretly pursues love affairs with younger men. Her meeting with Lord Horatio Nelson, whom she aids in gaining the influence of the Queen of Naples in securing the right of way for the English fleet when the French fleet becomes a menace, brings about the real love affair of her life. Previous to the death of her husband she bears a child to Lord Nelson. But fate decides against her permanent happiness, for shortly after the death of Sir William Hamilton, Lord Nelson is killed in battle. PROGRAM COPY — “The Affairs of Lady Hamilton” — Featuring Liane Haid The love affair of a beautiful English maid who rose from obscurity to a place in the sun is thrilling as it is romantic. The story of the famous Lord Horatio Nelson cannot fail to interest you. Do not miss this excellent historical production produced on the actual locale scenes of the story. Are You Booking by Percentage? With the summer season coming it behooves you to watch the percentage figures carefully — they mean dollars to you — made or lost. Which way do you book? No Advertising Support Accepted!