Screen Opinions (1923-24)

“BOOK THE NEW PERCENTAGE WAY” 107 college lover does an exceptionally fine piece of work in the portrayal of this unobtrusive role. George Fawcett, although one of the featured players, appears only in a few scenes. Needless to say, the character of Hiram Sanborn, father of Widow Stanley, who makes it possible for the younger Stanleys to get a college education, as portrayed by Mr. Fawcett, is not easily forgotten. "Only 38” is an especially fine production for high-class audiences, and will' be best appreciated in the high-priced houses. STORY OF THE PLAY When Mrs. Stanley is left a penniless widow by her ministerial husband who has filled her life with gloom in various ways, her father, Hiram Sanborn, makes it possible for her children, Lucy and Bob, to get a college education. Mrs. Stanley, determined to erase the gloom from her home, starts out by resurrecting treasures of art which she has had to keep hidden away during her husband’s lifetime, and by covering the horse-hair furniture with pretty cretonne, all of which is a shock to Lucy and Bob, who have imbibed the prudish views of their father. A change comes into Mrs. Stanley’s life through Professor Charles Giddings, who recognizes behind the old-fashioned dress and timid ways of the widow, beauty, a charm unnoticed by others. The result is that after the Professor has convinced Lucy that she and her brother are very selfish, Mrs. Stanley enters at last the springtime of life with the road of romance open before her. PROGRAM COPY — “Only 38” — Featuring May McAvoy, Lois Wilson, Elliott Dexter and George Fawcett All you want to know about the age limit of romance you will learn in the latest William DeMille production, “Only 38,” which is one of the most entertaining and most human productions of recent date. May McAvoy, Lois Wilson, Elliott Dexter and George Fawcett are the featured members of the cast. “SMASHING BARRIERS”— [Class B] 65% (Especially prepared for screen) Story: — Adventures of Young Man Who Left Home Penniless to Become Millionaire VALUE CAST Photography — Good — Not credited. Dan Stevens William Duncan TYPE OF PICTURE— Thrilling. Helen Cole Edith Johnson Moral Standard — Average. “Wirenial” Hedges Joe Ryan I,, ... "Slicker” Williams Walter Rodgers Story — Good — Melodrama — Family. I?*1” Stevens George Stanley Star — Good — William Duncan. Benjamin Cole Frederick Darnton Author — Good — Not credited. “Long Tom” Brown .Slim Cole Direction — Good — William Duncan. Henry Marlin William McCall Adaptation — Good — Not credited. , ■ — ■■ Technique — Good. July IS to 31 ,1923. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Producer — Albert E. Smith Footage — 5,600 ft. Distributor — Vitagraph Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE — No Obstacle Is Too Great for Courage to Overcome. Condensed Version of Successful Serial Makes Peppy Feature — Thrills a-Plenty Crowded Into Six Reels You can make no mistake in booking “Smashing Barriers,” which proves to be one of the fastest melodramas that we have seen in some time. This is not surprising, inasmuch as it was made from choice bits of a thirty-reel serial of the same name, released some time ago. The continuity is good, with the exception that once in awhile things happen without explanatory detail' leading up to them. However, this seems to be a license borrowed from the serial form; or perhaps in condensing the action it was found necessary to eliminate those very things that the critical eye may miss. However, “Smashing Barriers” is peppy enough to smash box office records, if the exhibitor advertises spectacularly enough beforehand. We can imagine that in the average neighborhood sections, and also in the cheaper locations, it will be a riot. At the same time it may not please in high-class neighborhoods, because it is essentially cheap stuff — the sort loved by the masses. William Duncan is splendid in the role of Ban Stevens, and Edith Johnson does well as Helen Cole. Thrills that occur are such as falling from a cliff into the water, hairbreadth escapes from a gang bent on gaining possession of a deed to a lumberman’s property, a rescue of the heroine from a burning building, or sliding out over the river on a supply line. The feature is full of thrilling situations, and (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted!