Screen Opinions (1923-24)

I ‘BOOK THE NEW PERCENTAGE WAY” for instance, is lavishly decorated in Egyptian style, and is wonderfully spacious, and the gowns of its mistress are in keeping with the amount of money swindled from the tables of chance. One of the features of the production is the excellent work of the cast. Each character is so faithfully portrayed that it would be difficult to single out any one member for special praise. Nita Naldi, the feminine heavy, is cast in a role she knows so well how to play — her portrayal of Vivian Hepburn is quite superior. Lew Cody plays the role of Jack Tarlow, a society crook, in a spirited, half-humorous fashion, and Conrad Nagel is excellent as Andrew Dorsey, caught in the gaming net and extricated by a clever wife, and last, but not least by any means, comes Hope Hampton, topping the list in one of the most intelligent, colorful character portrayals that the writer has seen in some time. “Lawful Larceny” is easily Miss Hampton’s best picture. Her method of putting across the role of Marion Dorsey, the faithful wife, is direct, clean cut and effective. She works without effort and is charmingly graceful. We do not know an actress of the screen who has a wider range of emotions, or who registers passing moods more unerringly. We predict an eminently successful run for the screen adaptation of “Lawful Larceny,” which is one of the best dressed, most fascinating of recent production. In advertising the picture, Gilda Gray’s South Sea dance should serve a good purpose, together with the names of the featured players and previous popularity of the stage version of the play. STORY OF THE PLAY While Marion Dorsey is enjoying a trip to Europe, her husband, Andrew Dorsey, becomes a constant visitor at Vivian Hepburn’s gaming-house, and through [the manipulation^ iof Vivian and her partner, Jack Tarlow, Andrew is not only stripped of his own fortune, but is persuaded to draw a check for one hundred thousand dollars on the firm with which he is employed. On Marion’s return and discovery of what has happened, she steps into the ring with a determination to win, and while Jack Tarlow, easily enamored of her, is gathering together necessities for an elopement to Montreal, Marion opens the safe of the Hepburn apartment and regains the forged check. At her home the butler impersonates the district attorney, and Vivian and Jack are persuaded to make a quiet exit, leaving behind the note and the amount of money swindled from Andrew. PROGRAM COPY — “Lawful Larceny” — Featuring Hope Hampton, Nita Naldi, Lew Cody and Conrad Nagel Was it lawful larceny for Marion Dorsey to take money from the safe of a gaming house in return for the theft of a wife’s happiness, a child’s future and a husband’s fortune? Don’t miss the best picture of the season — a picturization of the famous stage play “Lawful Larceny,” featuring lovely Hop eHampton, Nita Naldi, Lew Cody and Conrad Nagel. “BLUEBEARD'S EIGHTH WIFE”— [Cl. A-b] 95% (Adapted from play of same name) Story: — Romance of Girl Who Married Rich and Much Married Man to Save Family Exchequer VALUE CAST Photography — Superior — Alfred Gilks. Monna de Briac Gloria Swanson TYPE OF PICTURE — Humorous — Elaborate. John Brandon Huntley Gordon Moral Standard — Fair. Robert Charles Greene ■ ■■ ■ ■ ■ Lucienne Lianne Salvor Story — Very good — Comedy — Adults. Marquis de Briac Paul Weigel Star — Superior — Gloria Swanson. Lord Henry Seville Frank R Butler Author — Very good — Alfred Savior. Albert de Marceau Robert Agnew Direction — Superior — Sam Wood. Alice George Irene Dalton Adaptation — Superior — Sada Cowan. 1 Technique — Superior. September 1 to IS, 1923. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Producer — Paramount Footage — 5,960 ft. Distributor — Famous Players Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None Richly Staged Production Abounds With Original Humor — Star and Cast in Best Form “Blubeard’s Eight Wife” in one of the most Fascinating and richly staged pictures of the season. Gloria Swanson attired in the loveliest of clothes, and photographed in that hazy, seductive style, was never in better form than in the role of Monna de Briac, youngest daughter of a penniless aristrocrat. Nor was Huntley Gordon ever cast in a role better suited to him than that of John Brandon, a rich American, seven times divorced. Everything necessary to give (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted!