Screen Opinions (1923-24)

66 "BOOK THE NEW PERCENTAGE WAY" avenge his sister’s wrong, is amusing in view of the fact that the supposed boy is a girl in disguise. Scenes in Thomsine’s chamber, where she hides the condemned youth under the mattress of her bed, are both thrilling and fascinating, and there have been few as convincing, or as beautifully enacted love scenes as those between Thomsine and Karl in this picture. There are many reasons why “The Fighting Blade” is a good box office attraction, and not the least is the excellent direction of the picture by John Robertson. All the moods of the story are registered convincingly by means of a competent cast. Dorothy Mackaill’s conception of the role of Thomsine is delightful. The director has injected many human touches in the action of the picture that will be appreciated, and we feel sure that “The Fighting Blade” will be accorded a good reception by the average moving picture audience. Its success in the better class theatres is unquestionable. STORY OF THE PLAY Karl Van Kerstenbroock, a Flemish soldier of fortune, trails Basil Dormer to England to avenge the death of his sister. An unwarranted report of Karl’s skill with the sword reaches Thomasine Musgrove, who fears an encounter between her half-brother, “Roaring Wat" MusgTove, and Karl, and seeking to prevent further tragedy she pleads with Karl in the guise of Watt's younger brother. This incident is the starting point of a romance between Karl and Thomsine. Later she rescues him from the Royalists and hides him under her mattress; when condemned to death he escapes from the guards with his wrists bleeding, confined in a machine of torture. He is later entrusted with the storming of Staversham castle, where he rescues Thomsine from an enforced marriage and rides off with her, later to make her his own wife. PROGRAM COPY — “The Fighting Blade” — Featuring Richard Barthelmess As a hero of the days of Cromwell, Richard Barthelmess appears in his most fascinating role in “The Fighting Blade,” a romantic tale of adventure in the middle ages. A production of beauty and distinction. c “CAMEO KIRBY”— [Class A] 80% (Adapted from play of same name) Story: — Romance and Adventure of Mississippi River Gamblers VALUE Photography — Very good — George Scheiderman. TYPE OF PICTURE— AdventurousRomantic. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Very good— Melodrama — Family. Star — Very good — John Gilbert. Authors — Very good — Booth Tarkington and Harry Leon Wilson. Direction — Very good — -John Ford. Adaptation — Very good — Robert N. Lee. Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Producer — Fox Footage CAST Cameo Kirby John Gilbert Adele Randall Gertrude Olmsted Colonel Moreau Alan Hale Colonel Randall Eric Mayne Tom Randall William E. Lawrence Cousin Aaron Randall Richard Tucker Judge Playdell Phillips Smalley Larkin Bunce Jack McDonald Ann Playdell Jean Arthur Madame Davezac Eugene Ford November 1 to 15, 1923. Distributor — Fox —6,931 ft. Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None. Romantic Atmosphere of Half Century Ago, With Clever Direction and Plot Construction Lend Distinction It is some time since John Gilbert has appeared in a screen vehicle so well suited to him, or under direction as efficient as John Ford’s proves to be in “Cameo Kirby.” There is a sparkle about the production that fascinates. The adventures of Cameo Kirby as presented in the screen version of the Booth Tarkington play are very real, the leading character wins both the sympathy and the admiration of the spectator, and the spirit with which Mr. Gilbert meets each situation of the interesting plot is of. the contagious sort that thrills. The Louisiana atmosphere of a half century ago, the scenes on the old Mississippi river boat with its gamblers and its tragedy, and »the various adventures in which intrigue and death, love and romance are constantly crossing purposes, holds one spell-bound. There are various gripping situations in the story, such as Col. Randall’s suicide which prevents Cameo Kirby from returning the money he won from him, as intended, or that where the gambler is framed by Ran ( Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted! C