Screen Opinions (1923-24)

"BOOK THE NEW PERCENTAGE WAY" 21 Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None. Ordinary Production — Star Not Suited to Title Role — Excellent Supporting Cast Transient theatres and those in the cheaper sections will find good satisfaction in “The Destroying Angel” we have no doubt. But there is no way of summing up the merits of the picture which would place it beyond the ordinary standard. The star, Leah Baird, is not well suited to the title role — or perhaps it is that she is a bit too tall to be attractive in bathing suits and ballet skirts. However, an excellent cast supports her, and there are some good situations 0 in the story that have been well taken care of by both adapter and director. The reappearance of the young lawyer, husband of the woman, when it ha^ been thought that he was dead, affords some comedy moments, and the kidnaping scene and the rescue of the woman by her husband is thrilling and well done. The theatre scenes are quite elaborately dressed, and the photography and illumination are of the best. Noah Beery and John Bowers give good performances; also Ford Sterling, who serves as the central comedy figure. STORY QF THE PLAY When Mary Miller’s husband, a sickly young lawyer, disappears without leaving his address, she decides to become a stage star, and is known by the name of ‘‘The Destroying Angel.” The fact that she inherits an estate causes her to become the victim of a kidnaping gang, from which she is rescued by her husband, who has reappeared on the scene, and is not cognizant that the woman he is rescuing is his wife, until he is caring for her in a cabin by the water. Other complications arise in connection with the wife of one of the kidnapers who had been protected by Miller when he found her at the point of suicide at being deserted by her lover. PROGRAM COPY — “The Destroying Angel” — Featuring Leah Baird Being rescued by a husband you didn’t know existed is something of a thrill you must admit. This is what you will see in the latest Leah Baird production. “ALIAS THE NIGHT WIND”— [Class B] 65% (Adapted from story of same name) Story: — Romance and Adventures of Broker in Love With Girl Detective VALUE CAST Photography — Good — Ernest Miller. Bing Howard William Russell TYPE OF PICTURE— Sensational. Katherine Maxwell Maude Wayne Moral Standard — Average. Amos Chester Chas. K. French ■■ Thomas Clancy Wade Boteler Story — Good melodrama — Family. Stuart Clancy Jack Miller Star — Good — William Russell. Clifford Rushton Donald McDonald Author — Good — Varick Vanardy. Detective Otto Matieson Direction — Good — Joseph Franz. Detective Bob Klein Adaptation — Good — Robert M. Lee. E. J. Brown.... H. Milton Ross Technique — Good. Police Commissioner Chas. Wellesly Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Nurse Mark Fenton September 15 to 30, 1923. Producer — Fox Footage — 4,145 ft. Distributor — Fox 1 ivuuwi i'VA ruuidgc 1U idiauiuuiui A’OA Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None. Peppy Melodrama With Good Sprinkling of Comedy Exhibitors will find the latest William Russell feature an excellent program feature, and in sections where Mr. Russell is liked, it will give more than the ordinary amount of satisfaction. The story has a fascinating air of mystery about it, which is quite carefully guarded on the screen. The situation which arises when a pretty girl holds the hero up at the point of a gun and tells him he is under arrest, and which is followed by the awakening of the wounded man in bed in a strange apartment with a colored servant dancing1 attendance cannot fail to interest. Then there is the usual dodging of detectives by the young broker, who is charged with a theft of bonds, and the many interesting details, and various pleasing settings afforded by the plot, all of which aid in making an excellent entertainment feature. Maude Wayne does well in the feminine lead, and the cast is good throughout. STORY OF THE PLAY Bing Howard, a young broker, is wrongly accused of a theft of bonds. While he is trying to avoid the police he acquires the name of ‘‘Night Wind” because he is so hard to catch. One evening he saves a friend from being robbed, and on his exit from the house he is obliged to (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted!