Screen Opinions (1923-24)

12 SCREEN OPINIONS TELLS THE TRUTH Who can fail to be interested in the psychology of a situation which makes an overbearing bride her own judge, and urges conscience to a point of persuasion that brings about a change of heart and a change of attitude toward a gentle old man of whom she had been ashamed. The majority of people will find themselves following the story with unabated interest, partly because the circumstances of the story and the treatment of the subject are out of the ordinary, and partly because many of them will recognize the truth of the situation. The story is told in an interesting and colorful way, starting with the girl’s arrest for speeding and showing her arrogant manner in the police court in a humorous light. In fact, one of the pleasing things about the picture is the comedy angle at which the director has viewed a good many of the situations. A strong quality of human interest is intensified in the scenes relative to the bride’s remorse at her treatment of her future father-in-law, and where she hurries to bring him to the wedding. It may be a bit improbable, but the moral bearing of the story and the spiritual development of the girl’s character is interesting. The cast is an exceptionally capable one. William Norris as the old man, and Robert Frazer as the son, are especially good. This is a picture that can be understood and enjoyed by any class of audience. STORY OF THE PLAY Hope Warner, the proud daughter of a rich manufacturer, falls in love with Martin Van Huison, one of her father’s chief engineers. A visit to the home of Mart|in’s| father in a common part of the city causes Hope to omit the old man from the list of wedding guests. She is siezed with remorse when she is about to leave her room for the ceremony, and on the spur of the moment she rushes out, enters an automobile and drives to the old man’s house, where she persuades him to accompany her to the wedding. In the panic that results when the bride is seen hurrying from the house, the only calm one is Martin Van Huison, the bridegroom, who explains his attitude to the disappointed by saying that he knew the girl he was marrying. PROGRAM COPY — “The Love Piker” — Featuring Anita Stewart Hope Warner’s mortification at finding her future father-in-law a plain man who smoked a corncob pipe finally made her a harsh judge of her own narrow vision. You cannot help liking “The Love Piker” as played by Anita Stewart and a fine cast. “ST. ELMO”— [Class B] 65% (Adapted from the novel of the same name) Story: — Woman Hater and Blasphemer Regenerated by Girl He Eventually Loves VALUE CAST Photography — Good — Not credited. St. Elmo Thornton John Gilbert TYPE OF PICTURE — Interesting. Agnes Hunt Barbara La Marr Moral Standard — Average. Edna Earle Bessie Love Murray Hammond Warner Baxter Story — Good — Melodrama — Family. Alan Hammond Nigel De Brulier Star — Good — John Gilbert. Mrs. Thornton Lydia Knott Author — Good — Augusta Evans. Direction — Good— Jerome Storm. September 1 to 15, 1923. Adaptation — Good — Jules Furthman. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Average. Producer — Fox Footage — 5,778 ft. Distributor — Fox Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None outstanding Old-Fashioned Melodrama Not Good Vehicle for John Gilbert — Interesting, But Box Office Value Lies in Exploitation of Title £ No doubt the picturizing of “St. Elmo” is a happy thought on the part of William Fox, but since it was to be made it would have been well to have given more thought to a choice for the title role. John Gilbert, although a talented actor with a magnetic personality, is not by a long stretch of imagination the St. Elmo of the novel. St. Elmo of the story is an experienced, calculating man, with a bitterness in his soul that repels. John Gilbert’s conception of the role is not forceful enough. Bessie Love, on the other hand, playing the role of Edna Earle, the blacksmith’s daughter, destined to restore St. Elmo’s faith in humanity and in God, gives a satisfactory and intelligent portrayal of the part. She is sweet and convincing. Barbara La Marr also does well, and is (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted!