Screen Opinions (1923-24)

124 SCREEN OPINIONS TELLS THE TRUTH STORY OF THE PLAY Following the arrest of Jimmy Brown, a dope fiend, for stealing from a pawn broker, Alan MacFarland, the lawyer who convinced the judge that what Jimmy needed was treatment for the dope habit, himself becomes addicted to morphine. His wife takes him away to a lonely spot on the sea beach to fight the battle against narcotics. Here comes the agent of Steve Stone, the leader of the dope ring, bringing with him a supply of morphine. Then follows a successful war against the “ring,” and the final recovery of MacFarland. Other instances of dope addiction are also introduced. PROGRAM COPY — “Human Wreckage” — Featuring Mrs. Wallace Reid A heart-rending story of the ravages of dope that you will never forget. Mrs. Wallace Reid’s appeal to you and to me to help fight the battle of the countless victims of the dope ring. You must see this picture, which is much more than merely a drug traffic production. “PETER THE GREAT”— [Class A-a] 100% (Especially prepared for screen) Story: — Peter the Great of Russia’s Victory Over Sweden, His Romance With Catharine, Murders Own Son VALUE CAST Thotography — Masterful — Not credited. Peter the Great Emil Jannings TYPE OF PICTURE — Historical — Tragic. Catherine Dagny Servaes Moral Standard — Average. Menchikov Bernhard Goetzke — ■ ■ Alexis Walter Janssen Story — Masterful — Drama — Family. Czarina Eudoxia Cordy Milovitch Star — Masterful — Emil Jannings. Aphrosinia Alexandra Sorina Author — Masterful — Sada Cowan. — 1 ■■ ■ ■■ ■■■ — ■■■' ■■■ ■ Direction — Masterful — Dimitri Buchowetzki. August 1 to 15, 1923. Adaptation — Masterful — Sada Cowan. Technique — Masterful. Spiritual Influence — Good. Producer — Hamilton Theatrical Corp. Footage — 6,042 ft. Distributor — Famous Players Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE — Remorse Is a Relentless Teacher. ( Powerful Presentation of Story of Russia’s Greatest Czar — Emil Jannings Superb in Title Role Viewed from the standpoint of art, “Peter the Great” is a masterly screen achievement. Again Director Buchowetzki has demonstrated his skill in outlining prominent characters of history and his faith in results to be obtained from painstaking effort. “Peter the Great” also represents Emil Jannings’ best work. The role as interpreted by him is a master creation. Peter is a fascinating combination of all the emotions — one of the features of Jannings’ portrayal is the demonstration of thought behind an act. He looks, meditates, and then smiles blandly or raves like a demon, as the case may be. The story, filled to the brim with dramatic situations, is clearly outlined and drained to the last of every drop of its tragic content — and it is wonderfully directed. Buchowetzki has marvelous tricks of bringing one to a point of breathless consternation, for instance in the belief that some daringly suggestive act is about to be committed, and then, flinging tragedy into the center of the stage, dispels the momentary illusion. The battle scenes, the encounters between Peter and his weakling son Alexis, whom he murders after discovering him in a plot to usurp the throne; the swift glimpses of merrymaking in the great halls of the palace; the playful lovemaking between Peter and the refugee Catherine, who becomes his wife, are all splendidly realistic. There is no superfluous footage in “Peter the Great”; every inch of the film contains something interesting. The star is supported by an excellent cast, and we do not know a more beautiful or talented actress than Dagny Servaes, who plays the role of Catherine. The picture is best suited to high-class audiences. STORY OF THE PLAY Peter the Great, czar of all the Russians, offended the church when he commanded his armies to make war on Sweden to obtain an outlet for the Russian fleet, and sowed the seed of revolution. Divorced from the czarina, he marries a pretty refugee named Catherine, after which a plot to overthrow him and place his weakling son, Alexis, on the throne, is discovered. Alexis, placed on the rack by his father to make him tell who were his accomplices, is unable to name but one, the priest Adrian, formerly cast out of the palace by Peter for interfering with his commands. Determined to bring out the leaders of the conspiracy, Peter circulates the report that he is dead. The result is that Alexis is placed on the throne with great pomp, and (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted!