Screen Opinions (1923-24)

“BOOK THE NEW PERCENTAGE WAY” 145 Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE — Courage Is a Manly Asset. Good Acrobatic Work and Thrilling Action in Firefighting Scenes in Produc tion of Average Artistic Merits The situation on which the story of “Through the Flames” is based is interesting, although the picture is just ordinary movie stuff in which Dick Talmadge plays the role of a hero firefighter who posed as a crook to run down a gang of firebugs. The most thrilling scene in the picture is where in crossing a ladder between two buildings the ladder gives way, hurling the hero and the person he is rescuing from the fire against the opposite wall. Those who like fine scenes and sensational crook stories will be pleased witlj “Through the Flames,” which is suitable for cheap theatres and some transient houses. The star has had better stories than this and is capable of better work than exhibited in this production. STORY OF THE PLAY Dan Merrill, recently become a member of Engine Company No. 24, wins the attention of his chief for efficient service during a fire. He is discharged, however, for refusing to obey commands. Later he sees a chance to expose a gang of fire bugs with whom “Red" Burke, the neighborhood bully, is associated, by joining their ranks. In a fire started by the gang, Dan makes some daring rescues, and further proves his mettle by helping in the arrest of the ring leadersi. His reinstalment in the fire brigade brings happiness to his mother and sweetheart. PROGRAM COPY — “Through the Flames” — Featuring Richard Talmadge Again you will get a chance to see the young athlete, Richard Talmadge, in daring acrobatic stunts. A rescue of victims from a burning building brings a thrill you will not soon forget. “FORBIDDEN RANGE”— [Class D]40% (Especially prepared for screen) Story: — Cattleman’s Fight Against Violence Practised Against Sheepherder VALUE Photography — Poor — Jack Specht and William Steiner, Jr. TYPE OF PICTURE: — Ordinary Western. Moral Standard — Good. Story — F air — Melodrama — F amily. Star — Fair— Neal Hart. Author — Fair— Neal Hart. Direction — Fair — Neal Hart. Adaptation — Fair — Neal Hart. Technique — Fair. Spiritual Influence — Average. Jack Wilson.. Buck Madison Mary Brodie. . . John Brodie... Missou CAST .Neal Hart Yakima Canutt Violet Sheldon .Max Wessel Virginia De Barre August IS to 31, 1923. Producer — William Steiner Footage — 5,000 ft. Distributor — State Rights Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE — There is Nothing to be Gained in Fighting a Fancied’ Wrong; With Lawlessness Ordinary Western of Trifling Plot and Tiresome Development Perhaps if the print which the writer viewed had received better attention in the laboratory as well as from the camera, the general idea of “The Forbidden Range” gained would have been more favorable. The picture is just ordinary, and treats of a feud between cattlemen and sheepmen, with the hero a cattleman, fighting to protect a sheepman and his daughter from the villain and his adherents. One of the best scenes in the picture contains a raid on the sheep range. Here a vast flock of sheep race past the camera in flight from mounted men. There are several fights between the hero and the villain, but the entertaining value of this production is quite low. The cast is ordinary. STORY OF THE PLAY Jack Wilson, an. upright cattleman in a part of the west where a deadline has been drawn between the cattle country and the sheep country, stands by John Brodie and his daughter, who arrive on the scene after Jim Brodie’s cabin has been burned to the ground, and himself killed by Buck Madison and his associates among the cattlemen. Wilson defeats Madison in the end, and wins the love of Mary Brodie. PROGRAM COPY — “The Forbidden Range” — Featuring Neal Hart Jack Wilson, cattleman, stood for what was right and just in dealing with the newcomers with their flocks of sheep. You will be interested in the fight of an honest man against the violence of his associates. Neal Hart is the star. No Advertising Support Accepted!