Screen Opinions (1923-24)

“BOOK THE NEW PERCENTAGE WAY” 141 Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE — What a Man Gets Through His Labor He Treasures, but the Gilts of the Gods He Squanders as Worthless Elaborate Production Moves Slowly — Fantastical Plot Has Dashes of Comedy — Cast Excellent What may be the future of the Maurice Tourneur production “The Brass Bottle” is difficult to predict; but it doesn’t look like a money getter. The action moves slowly in spots, and in spite of Harry Myer’s comedy, which by-the-way is very fetching, it fails to grip the interest. The opening scenes in an Arabian court thousands of years ago are elaborately set and well directed, and Barbara ( La Marr is lovely as the queen doomed to death by her king for faithlessness. Ernest Torrence gives a finished performance through, playing the role of the Fakresh-el-Aamash, who appears as a genii in the modem story. Tully Marshall as Professor Hamilton has limited opportunities, and Ford Sterling with little to do is still the finished comedian. The fantastical type of story will appeal strongly to those who enjoy the improbable. “The Brass Bottle” is fashioned on the style of the story of “Alladin’s Lamp,” only there is no rubbing of the bottle necessary to bring the owner his desires — he has merely to wish for them, and the genii who was released from the ancient bottle when Horace Ventimore angrily tossed it across the room, makes the most elaborate attempts to please his master. The banquet served by orientals in ancient Arabian style, and the Moorish house built for one of Horace’s clients before his plans for the gentleman’s mansion are completed and which get Horace into all kinds of trouble, are among the amusing situations of the picture. The scenes in which Professor Hamilton, turned into a Jackass by the genii for the purpose of gaining his consent to his daughter’s marriage with Horace, kicks the furniture to splinters, is also funny. This might be used as a special in the neighborhood house, and should serve excellently for a child audience. STORY OF THE PLAY Horace Ventimore, a young architect, buys an antique brass demijohn as a gift for his sweetheart's father, Professor Hamilton an authority on antiques. But the brass bottle does not hare as Horace had expected, the effect of bringing consent to his marriage with Marjorie. On his return home he throws the bottle across the room in anger, and immediately an explosion occurs, the cork flies out, and an Arabian figure emerges from the mouth of the bottle. In his gratitude to Horace for having released him he tells him he has only to wish for a thing and it shall be his. The result is that Horace becomes successful in all he undertakes, including the winning of consent to marry Marjorie. PROGRAM COPY— “The Brass Bottle”— With an All-Star Cast If you like “Tales of the Arabian Nights” you will enjoy the fantastical production "The Brass Bottle.” Come and see the wonderful things that happened to Horace Ventimore, architect, when he released the spirit of an ancient from its bondage. Harry Myers, Ernest Torrence, Barbara La Marr, Tully Mashall and Ford Sterling are members of a wonderful cast. “FLAMES OF PASSION”— [Class C]50 % (Especially prepared for screen) Story: — Conspiracy to Overthrow Manager of Lumber Camp VALUE CAST Photography — Average — J. C. Cook. Grant Whitney George Larkin TYPE OF PICTURE — Spirited. “Jimmie” Turner Ruth Stonehouse Moral Standard — Average. "Brute” Turner Frank Whitlock 1 ■ 1 1 Markham Frank Whitson Story — Average — Melodrama— Family. Alys Markham Lura Anson Star — Average — George Larkin. Victor Lonsdale Karl Silvera Author — Average — Not credited. — — — — ■ Direction — Average — Not credited. August IS to 31, 1923. Adaptation — Average — George Hively. Technique — Average. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Producer — Premoer Productions Footage — 5,000 ft. Distributor — State Rights Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None Outstanding Entertaining Picture With Forest Backgrounds and Spectacular Forest Fire There is nothing about “Flames of Passion” to entitle it to a higher rating than we have given it, and yet it is an entertaining picture and quite (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted!