Screen Opinions (1923-24)

"BOOK THE NEW PERCENTAGE WAY” 117 Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE — You Can’t Teach Old Dogs New Tricks — 'the Injustice of Petty Gossip. Much-Heralded Production Rather Disappointing — Opportunities for Char acter Development Lost Those who have read “Main Street” may or may not be disappointed in the screen production of the novel. The cast, composed oof prominent screen players, is a perfectly adjusted one, and there is no fault to be found with the work of any individual in the picture. The leading members of the cast, Florence Vidor and Monte Blue, give delightful performances, and the photographer has done admirably by Miss Vidor especially. But in spite of all the good things we have to say of “Main Street,” there is something lacking from the anticipated enjoyment of the picture. In adapting “Main Street” to the screen the soul of the story has been lost; the quality that should make it a character study worth while is not there, and in contemplation we find that the only persons in the large and interesting character group with whom the picture has made us passably well acquainted are Carol Milford and Dr. Will Kennicott, the city-bred wife and the country-bred husband. We have rated “Main Street” at 80 per cent because of its artistic attributes and entertaining qualities. It is not best suited to small-town audiences, but should draw well in the larger theatres, and in neighborhood houses with audiences familiar with the book and its author. STORY OF THE PLAY Carl Milford, a Minneapolis artist, marries Dr. Will Kennicott, and accompanies him to Prairie Gopher, a small town with the usual main street, small town characters and accompanying spirit of gossip. Carol means to transform the town and convert its main street into a thing of beauty, but is unable to convince the citizens of the necessity for change. In the incidents that follow, frequent association with Eric Volborg, a young man of the town with ambitions beyond the ordinary, causes the gossips to talk, resulting in a coldness between husband and wife. The climax arrives when Eric’s father, embittered against the Kennicotts because the doctor found it necessary to amputate his arm, sees his son through a window, attempting to embrace Carol, and calls the townspeople to witness it. Dr. Will, apprised of what is going on, hurriesi to the scene, takes his wife in his arms, and puts an end to gossip. PROGRAM COPY — “Main Street” — Featuring Florence Vidor and Monte Blue Have you read the fascinating Sinclair Lewis novel, “Main Street?’’ Then you will be doubly interested in the screen adaptation featuring Florence Vidor and Monte Blue. Don’t miss it — it’s one of the season’s best. “WOMAN WITH FOUR FACES”— [Class A] 80% (Adapted from story of same name) Story: — Girl Crook Persuaded to Lend Cunning to Fight Against Narcotics VALUE Photography — Excellent — James Howe. TYPE OF PICTURE— Interesting. Moral Standard — Average. Story — V ery good — Melodrama — Adults. Stars — Very good — Betty Compson and Richard Dix. Author — Very good — Bayard Veiller. Direction — Very good — Herbert Brenon . Adaptation — Very good — George Hopkins. Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. — Producer — Paramount Footage — 5,700 ft. CAST Elizabeth West Betty Compson Richard Templer Richard Dix Judge Westcott George Fawcett Jim Hartigan Theodore von Eltz Judson Osgood Joseph Kilgour Morton James Farley Warden Cassidy Guy Oliver Ralph Dobson Charles A. Stevenson The Boy Gladden James The Mother Eulalie Jensen Distributor — Famous Players Our Opinion MORAL O'THE PICTURE! — It Is as Easy for a Good Brain to Serve a Good Purpose as a Bad One. Betty Compson’s Versatility More Pronounced Than Ever in Interesting Crook Story — Well-Made Picture Catering to popular taste for the sensational type of story, Betty Compson’s latest appearance on the screen places her in a crook role which she plays fascinatingly, revealing the various moods to which the average feminine responds. Miss Compson emphasizes more than ever her remarkable versa (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted!