Screen Opinions (1923-24)

64 “BOOK THE NEW PERCENTAGE WAY” xtxxttttt:: duction of a certain insidious quality contained in a rather strong sex appeal. The picture is beautifully set, tastefully decorated interiors, cabaret scenes and elaborate stage scenes which include a ballet performance by a chorus said to be from the New York Hippodrome. A real thrill occurs in a train wreck in which two trains meet in a head-on collision killing manager Sherrill. There is a good deal of play to the grand stand in the scenes relative to Tom Drake’s pending execution for a murder he did not commit. The girl, racing on a locomotive with a pardon, while he is being led to the chair, afford scenes in which good suspense is secured. Doris Kenyon and Harrison Ford are well cast as the sweethearts of the picture, and Claire Dolorez is excellent as the scorned woman. A burlesque dance by Charles Murray has the effect of being dragged in — it misses fire. The picture is well directed and will suit the average transient theatre. £ STORY OF THE PLAY Irene Markey’s voice attracts Randall Sherrill, a theatrical producer who happens to be passing a country church where she is singing, accompanied on the church organ by her lover, Tom Drake. An offer to come to New York is all that is required to cause Irene to change her mind about becoming Tom Drake’s wife, and before long she is the favorite of the sensuous Sherrill, who places her name in electric lights on Broadway, and persuades her to become his wife, while she is being entertained at supper in his apartment after the show. Tom Drake, hurrying to New York on the strength of a telegram warning of Irene’s peril, engages in a scuffle with Sherrill, the result of which is that Connie King, a former flame of Sherrill’s, hiding behind the portieres, is shot and killed. Sherrill throws the blame on Tom who is arrested and is about to be executed when Irene who has extracted a confession from Sherrill at the point of a gun, hurries to the prison to free him. Sherrill, racing to overtake her, is killed in a train collision. The story ends happily with the two lovers reunited. PROGRAM COPY — “The Bright Lights of Broadway” — With an All-Star Cast Irene Markey’s experience with “The Bright Lights of Broadway” brought a double tragedy before she finally found her way back to love and romance in the old town. Lowell Sherman, Harrison Ford and Doris Kenyon have the principal roles. “ETERNAL THREE”— [Class B] 65% (Especially prepared for screen) Story: — Domestic Happiness of Two Ruined by Husband’s Adopted Son VALUE CAST Photography — Very good — David Kesson. Dr. Frank Walters Hobart Bosworth TYPE OF PICTURE — Interesting. Mrs. Walters Claire Windsor Moral Standard — Average. Leonard Foster Raymond Griffith — — — Bob Gray George Cooper Story — Good — Drama — Adults. Hilda Gray Bessie Love Cast — Good — All-Star. Tommy Tucker Tom Gallery Author — Good — Marshal Neilan. Miriam Barnes Helen Lynch Direction — Good — Marshal Neilan and Dr. Steven Browning Alec Francis Frank Urson. Housekeeper Lillian Leighton Adaptation — Average — Carey Wilson. Owner of Hacienda Wm. Arlamond Technique — Good. Butler Charles H. West Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Maid Marion Aye Old Roue Wm. Norris Governor James F. Fulton Governor’s Wife Irene Hunt Governor’s Child Peaches Johnson Mrs. Tucker Victory Bateman Mrs. Tucker’s Friend Billie Bennett November 1 to 15, 1923. Producer— Cosmopolitan Footage — 6,708 ft. Distributor — Goldwyn Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None. Familiar Theme With Unpleasant Developments Interpreted by Good Cast — Well-Dressed Production The old theme with the wife, the husband and the lover holding the center of the stage is the basis of “The Eternal Three.” The fact that an adopted son of the man becomes the wife’s lover is apt to leave an unpleasant taste in the mouth of the spectator, and certainly the character of the wife was not created for sympathy. The development of the story lacks to some extent the human touch that makes one remember the people of a picture, for, while there are a great many in the cast, and the names of the players are favorably known, the (Continued on next page) c No Advertising Support Accepted!