Screen Opinions (1923-24)

"BOOK THE NEW PERCENTAGE WAY” 31 proves more fascinating than ever. Earle Williams does well as the second man in the case, and Wallace Beery, with few opportunities, makes the most of what are afforded him. Barbara La Marr is also charming, and without going into further particulars on the cast, suffice to say that all are excellent. We do not recall seeing a more perfect correlation between subtitles and type that in the case of Renee Adoree — the vivacious and at times soulful quality of her performance is notable. “The Eternal Struggle” will bear special advertising although perhaps not a raise in price. It is an especially welldirected picture and thoroughly human. One of the thrills of the picture is an escape in a canoe through the rapids. STORY OF THE PLAY Bucky O’Hara, the wildest and bravest trooper in all the great Northwest, was a craze with the ladies wherever he met them — he had a way with the women that was not to be depended on. But when he carelessly kissed Andree Grange he didn’t reckon on the serious light in which the unsophisticated girl was to view him, and it was not until Andree, in an outraged frenzy, threw a knife at Barode Dukane when he attempted to assault her in his cabin and Bucky was sent on her trail to bring her back on a charge of murder, that he discovered that he really loved her. Incidents in which Sergeant Tempest, also in love with Andree, tries to help her to escape, and both founder in a canoe in the rapids. On the arrival at police headquarters it is revealed Aat Dukane was only stunned, but was afterward killed by another woman. At the close of the story Bucky and Andree are betrothed. PROGRAM COPY— “The Eternal Struggle” With an All-Star Cast Who would envy a man the task of bringing the girl he loved in over a snow trail to face a charge of murder? This was the lot of Brave Bucky O’Hara of the Northwest Mounted, played by Pat O’Malley. Pretty Renee Adoree is delightful in the feminine lead. “CHEAT”— [Class A] 80% (Adapted fom story of same name) Story: — Woman All but Forfeits Happiness Through Gambling Complications VALUE CAST Photography — Very good — Arthur Miller. Carmelita de Cordoba Pola Negri TYPE OF PICTURE — Sensational. Dudley Drake Jack Holt Moral Standard — Fair. Claude Mace Charles de Roche Lucy Hodge Dorothy Cummings Story— Very good — Drama — Adults. Jack Hodge Robert Sellable star — Very good— Pola Negri. Horace Drake Charles Stevenson Author — Very good — Hector Turnbull. Duenna Helen Dunbar Direction — Very good — George Fitzmaurice. Attorney for the Defense Richard Wayne Adaptation — Very good — Ouida Bergere. District Attorney Guy Oliver Technique — Very good. — Spiritual Influence — Neutral. October 1 to 15, 1923. Producer — Paramount Footage — 7,413 ft. Distributor — Famous Players Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE — Those Who Resort to False Methods Must Expect Sorrow. Elaborately Staged Production Not Up to Expectations in Story Development “The Cheat” is too well known a story to criticise on its own account, and yet the screen adaptation starring Pola Negri does not seem to contain the necessary “punch” to make it stand out as a memorable production. The fact that it is elaborately staged will bring it up to a point of excellence in the opinion of the average spectator, and Pola Negri, not at all at her best, is still an attractive figure in the role of the misguided wife. The big situation of the play, where the woman endeavoring to cover a theft of money from her husband to pay her gambling debts shoots and wounds an Indian Prince who is Q enamoured of her, is one of the thrilling features of the picture, and from this point on the interest is held by reason of the excellent plot. The screen development of the story is not out of the ordinary, and the exhibitor cannot afford to say big things about the production in advertising it. The best exploitation angle will be along the line of its former success. An excellent cast supports the star. STORY OF THE PLAY Carmelita de Cordoba becomes the wife of a man with not enough money to cover her love of luxury as well as her gambling debts. In the complications that arise from this situation she steals charity funds from her husband in the belief that she will double the money at the gaming house. The result is disaster, which she again tries in vain to cover. Finding herself in the power of a Hindu Prince from whom she has borrowed, she goes to his apartment to (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted!