Screen Opinions (1923-24)

72 SCREEN OPINIONS TELLS THE TRUTH Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None. Vulgar Developments Spoil Otherwise Good Farce Comedy We understand that objectionable scenes, which, by-the-way, are vulgar but not immoral, will be cut before the picture reaches the theatres, and, taking the distributor’s word for this, we will say that the production “Luck,” starring Johnny Hines, is an average farce comedy, which will delight many audiences. Some amusing scenes occur in which the hero, attired in running garb, meets all sorts of adventure in his attempt to earn ten thousand dollars inside of a year, and also those in which he is forced to run the gauntlet when he is mistaken in a small town for for a champion prize fighter. The subtitles are a bit raw in places. The cast is composed of tried players, as will be seen at a glance. If the picture is sterilized before it reaches your theatre, you will, no doubt, find that it will give satisfaction. STORY OF THE PLAY Bob Carter, accused of being yellow just as the cross country running race is about to begin, bets that he can enter and win. lie afterward bets that he can start out in his running attire and earn ten thousand dollars inside of a year. His adventures are many, and mistaken for a prizefighter, mixed up in a graft story, and in love with a pretty girl, he finally winds up with the ten thousand and the girl he loves in the bargain, after rescuing her from a mine cavein and helping his prospective father-in-law in a town-building scheme. PROGRAM COPY — “Luck” — Featuring Johnny Hines Bob Carter didn’t count on quite as many and as thrilling adventures as came his way when he started out to earn ten thousand dollars. See Johnny Hines in his latest and funniest comedy, supported by an A-l cast. t “EAGLE’S TALOMS”— [Serial] 65% VALUE Photography — Good — William Nobles. TYPE OF PICTURE— Sensational. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Good — Melodrama— Family. Cast— Good — Featuring Ann Little. Author — Good — Theodore Wharton. Direction — Good — Duke Worne. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Producer — Universal Length — Fifteen CAST Enid Markham Ann Little Jack Alden Fred Thompson Dean A1 Wilson Judson Steele Edward Cecil John Markham Herbert Fortier Dolores Thorne Edith Stayart Burton Thorne Joseph Girard “Cinders” Roy Roy Tompkins June 1 to IS, 1923. two-reel episodes Distributor — Universal (Especially prepared for screen) Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None. Interesting Melodrama in Which A.erial Stunts Are Featured The fact that Fred Thompson, champion athlete, and A1 Wilson, a champion stunt flyer, are in the cast of “The Eagle’s Talons,” is sufficient guarantee that this serial will provide excitement and suspense in plenty. The first couple of episodes give good promise, and with a mystery house with all sorts of secret panels and secret passages, eyes peering from holes in the wall, hands protruding from behind shelves and pictures, and people disappearing from sight in the twinkling of an eye, together with explosions, demolishments, thrills amid air, the average fan will find good entertainment of the sensational sort in “The Eagle’s Talons.” It is played by an interesting cast including Ann Little, who, in the episodes mentioned, has not the usual opportunities required for a display of talent. Fred Thompson does well, and of course his work is confined for the greater part to athletic stunts. We wonder if he is another Richard Talmadge. “The Eagle’s Talons” is not as strong as some previous Universal serials, but still it is a good bet, and is apt to improve with age. STORY OF THE PLAY Burton Thorne, a power in the wheat market, controls a group of men who are trying to corner the world’s supply of wheat. Gregory Markham, opposed to the scheme, becomes a victim of the persecution of the group, and is forced to fight an attempt to ruin him in the wheat pit. Jack Alden and Charles Dean come to Markham’s aid and save the latter through the importation of wheat from South America. The story is also interwoven with a romance between Alden and Enid Markham. PROGRAM COPY — “The Eagle’s Talons” — Featuring Ann Little No stunt amid air is too difficult for the hero of “The Eagle’s Talons,” and you are going to get the thrill of your life every time you see an episode of this smashing serial. Don’t miss it. No Advertising Support Accepted!