Screen Opinions (1923-24)

34 SCREEN Xllliii OPINIONS TELLS THE TRUTH Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE — True Friendship Outlives Petty Trifles. Fascinating Screen Version of Popular Play, Played With Stars of Original There can be no question about the ultimate success of the screen adaptation of “Potash and Perlmutter,” with the stars of the stage play appearing in their original roles. It is brimming over with the human element that made the play, and no doubt the screen version, with illuminative subtitles and many effective closeups, will prove as enjoyable as the original. Some of the play’s best lines have been used in the subtitles, and certainly Alexander Carr, Barney Bernard, Vera Gordon and every member of an excellent cast have done their utmost to bring about a correct screen interpretation of the play. Jewish characteristics as exemplified in the stage version become even more realistic as applied on the screen, and altogether the amusing comedy-melodrama, “Potash and Perlmutter,” is a big success and a feature that the exhibitor can safely use as a special. The picture is very human and is one of the best of the season. STORY OF THE PLAY Abe Potash is on the verge of bankruptcy because of an over plus of old stock in his clothing store. Some hot words exchanged with Morris Perlmutter finally convincee Abe that Perlmutter is the kind of man he ought to have for a partner. The partnership proves successful, and before long Abe’s wife, Rosie, realizes the dream of her life living in an apartment on Riverside Drive. All goes well until the workmen in the cutting shop strike, and a murder is committed in the shop, for which Boris Andrieff, Irma Potash’s sweetheart, is framed. The generosity of the partners shows itself when they put thirty thousand dollars up for the young man’s bail. Abe, fearing that Boris may be convicted, persuades him to run away to Canada, and Abe is about to be thrown into jail for his interference with the law, when Boris returns to shoulder his own trouble. A confession of the crime by the murderer clears the situation, and the story ends happily. PROGRAM COPY — “Potash and Perlmutter” — Featuring Alexander Carr, Barney Bernard and Vera Gordon “Potash and Perlmutter,’’ a tale of Jewish partners in a clothing store, is as human as it is humorous. Don’t miss this excellent adaptation of the celebrated stage play with the original stars, Barney Bernard and Alexander Carr, and a fine cast, including Vera Gordon. < “IF WINTER COMES”— [Class A-c] 90% (Adapted from novel of same name) Story: — Unloved Husband Condemned for Aiding Unfortunate Girl and Baby VALUE CAST Photography — Excellent — Joseph Ruttenberg. Mark Sabre Percy Marmont TYPE OF PICTURE — Gloomy — Sensational. Nona, Lady Tybar Ann Forrest Moral Standard — Good. Mabel Margaret Fielding ■ Effie Gladys Leslie Story — Excellent — Drama — Family. Twyning Sydney Herbert Cast— Excellent — All-Star. Rev. Sebastian Fortune. .. .Win. Riley Hatch Author — Excellent — A. S. Hutchinson. Lord Tybar.. Raymond Bloomer Direction — Excellent — Harry Millarde. Harold Twyning Wallace Kolb Adaptation — Excellent — Not credited. Young Perch Russell Sedgwick Technique — Excellent — Not credited. Spiritual Influence — -Good. October 1 to 15, 1923. Producer — William Fox Footage — 10,000 ft. Distributor — Fox Oar Opinion MORAL O'THE PICTURE — The Spirit of Love Can Often Smooth the Harshest Situations Interesting Adaptation of Popular Novel Has Abundant Tears — Picture Too Long — Cast Excellent — English Settings Fascinating C No doubt the endeavor to preserve the sensational element in “If Winter Comes” will do good service to the box office. As the picture stands at the present time it is too long, and it is only reasonable to suppose that before it reaches the smaller houses it will be reduced considerably in footage. The production in its entirety is entertaining, beautifully set against genuine English backgrounds, and especially forceful in its presentation of the theme. To this end director Millarde seems to have strained every effort, and he has succeeded in extracting intelligent co-operation from his players. Percy Marmont has' never been seen to as good advantage on the screen as in “If Winter Comes.” He is physically well suited to the character of Mark Sabre, whose domestic (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted!