Screen Opinions (1923-24)

118 SCREEN OPINIONS TELLS THE TRUTH tility — her capacity really to act. The opening of the picture presents a young woman in the act of stealing gems from another woman, via the spectacular method of treading a window sill pistol in hand. The scene changes to a courtroom, where the charming thief smiles the jury into acquitting her, and is followed by an interesting phase of the crook question — putting the fertile brain of a thief to work on a task with a creditable purpose. The picture is artistic in every respect, and Miss Compson’s portrayal of the woman Elizabeth West is beyond criticism. The supporting cast is excellent, and Richard Dix, co-starring with Miss Compson, is fascinating as the district attorney who gives up his position to investigate the drug traffic. This is an excellent program feature suitable for almost any neighborhood. STORY OF THE PLAY Elizabeth West, a young woman crook, succeeds in escaping a prison sentence by winning the jury with her smiles. Later Richard Templer, district attorney, resigns his position to investigate the drug traffic, and determines to put Elizabeth’s fertile brain to work to serve his purpose instead of the aimless one of gem stealing. She consents, and together they enter the home of Judson Osgood, in whose safe is concealed a paper governing the importation of narcotics. After Elizabeth has opened the safe and secured the paper, a struggle takes place in which Templer is bound, and Elizabeth, after being grilled by jiu jitsu methods, pretends to faint, at the same time gaining possession of a gun. Holding the party at bay, she releases Templer, and with the police on hand, the question of who is the guilty one, is soon settled. The story closes with the betrothal of Templer and Elizabeth. PROGRAM COPY — “The Woman With Four Faces” — Featuring Betty Compson and Richard Dix What could be more thrilling than a successful attempt to turn the sagacity of a gem thief on the dope ring. This is what happened to pretty Elizabeth West when District Attorney Templer discovered that a bad woman could be converted into a good one. Betty Compson and Richard Dix are the stars. C “GARRISON’S FINISH”— [Class B] 65% (Adapted from story of same name) Story: — Experience of Jockey Who Was Framed on a Race and Lost Memory Through Fall VALUE CAST Photography — Good — Hal Rosson. Billy Garrison Jack Pickford TYPE OF PICTURE — Sporting. Sue Desha Madge Bellamy Moral Standard — Average. Colonel Desha Charles A. Stevenson ■ ■ Major Desha Tom Guise Story — Good — Drama — Family. Mr. Waterbury Frank Elliott Star — Good — Tack Pickford. Crimmins Clarence Burton Author — Good — W. B. M. Ferguson. Sue’s Friends Direction — Good — Arthur Rosson. _ ( Audrey Chapman Adaptation — Average — Elmer Harris. j Dorothy Manners Technique — Good. Lilly Allen Ethel Grey Terry Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Judge of Race Course Herbert Prior Col. Desha’s Trainer Charles Ogle Billy’s Mother Lydia Knott July 1 to IS, 1923. Producer — Allied Prod, and Dist. Corp. Footage — 5,000 ft. Distributor — Not given Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None. Production Interesting as Adaptation of Celebrated Racing Novel, but Lacks Spirit “Garrison’s Finish” is a disappointment, the fault for which seems to be up to the director. It lacks pep and the spirit of romance that we look for in a story of Kentucky and the derby. The racing scenes are well photographed, the plot is interesting, and it is a pity that a more rapid method of development has not been resorted to. Or perhaps it is the lack of definite purpose in individual scenes that is disturbing. The star does not do his best, neither does pretty Madge Bellamy — little real opportunity is afforded either of the leading performers. The cast is good, the photography is excellent, and there are many features of interest in the picture, but it has not the punch that is expectecL No Advertising Support Accepted!