Screen Opinions (1923-24)

120 SCREEN OPINIONS TELLS THE TRUTH esting way. The only thing about the picture to distinguish it from othetf features of the same kind is the way in which this angle of the story is handled, and the fact that with one or two exceptions the subject has not been done. Hoot Gibson gives a satisfactory portrayal of Duke Travis, a returned soldier who failed to tell his father of his condition until he had been branded a coward for being stricken with a peculiar spasm whenever he heard a gun fired. Good riding, which has been excellently photographed, is a feature of the picture. Laura La Plante is pleasing in the faminine lead. This is a good generalpurpose feature. STORY OF THE PLAY Duke Travis, who has been shell shocked in the World War, is in love with Mary Randolph, daughter of a neighbor with whom his father has quarreled. Duke’s father, not realizing that his son is suffering from shell shock, believes that his agony at hearing a gun fired is caused by cowardice. One day when Mary is attacked and eventually carried off by Dan Hobson, Duke recovers himself sufficiently to go out and rescue Mary and bring Dan in. The result is a reunion between the two neighbors as well as between Duke and his father. Duke and Mary are betrothed. PROGRAM COPY — “Shootin’ for Love” — Featuring Charles (Hoot) Gibson Duke Travis was misunderstood when he returned from the war shell shocked. But see what happened to his enemies when he finally regained his health. Hoot Gibson plays the hero. “WOLF TRACKS” — [Class C] 50% (Especially prepared for screen), Story: — Adventures and Romance of Man Mistaken for Bandit VALUE Photography — Good — Bert L. Longenecker. TYPE OF PICTURE— Interesting. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Average — Melodrama — Family. Star — Average — Jack Hoxie. Author — Average — William Lester. Direction — Average — Robert North Bradbury. Adaptation — Average — Not credited. T ecnnique — Average. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. John Hastings... Jean Meridith. . . Rose Romaine... The Wolf LarOque Lem Blatherwick Ma Blatherwick. John Meredith... July 1 to IS, 1923. Producer — Sunset Productions Footage — 5,000 ft. CAST Jack Hoxie Andree Tourneur Marin Sais A1 Smith Bill Lester Thomas Lingham Kate Price James Welch Distributor — State Rights Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None. Good Western Atmosphere — Peppy Action — Star Satisfactory There is a fascinating quality to “Wolf Tracks” for those who like stories of western heros and the old-fashioned bandit stuff. The director has succeeded in putting quite a punch into the action of the picture, and in spite of one’s prejudices against repetition of the same old thing, it is impossible not to be interested in John Hastings’ adventures on the desert when he was framed by a bandit and then mistaken for him. The picture has some good comedy bits supplied by Kate Price and Thomas Lingham, and altogether the cast chosen to support the star is a capable one. The star and his associates give some thrilling riding exhibitions, and there are many moments of genuine suspense during the run of the picture. This is a good feature for the average neighborhood house, and can be counted on as excellent for the cheaper grade theatres. STORY OF THE PLAY John Hastings, on his way across the western desert, wakens one morning to find himself surrounded by a sheriff’s posse and about to be arrested for robbing the mails, a trick having been played on him by Wolf, a bandit, who took from the mail bag a letter he wanted and left the bag and his horse as a matter of identification for the sleeping traveler. Escaping from the posse, he later succors old man Meridith, who is on his way to his grandaughter, Jean, to whom he has sent the location map of a certain rich mine. Wolf's search for Jean, whose whereabout is described in the stolen letter, is thwarted by another gang. The remainder of the story has to do with Hasting’s efforts to rescue the girl. In the end he is successful and also wins the girl. PROGRAM COPY— “Wolf Tracks”— Featuring Jack Hoxie John Hastings' cheery manner of greeting a difficult situation served him in good stead when he was mistaken for a bandit and told to put on bis hat and get ready to hang. You’ll like this Jack Hoxie feature. It has a lot of good things to its credit. c f No Advertising Support Accepted!