Screen Opinions (1923-24)

74 “BOOK THE NEW PERCENTAGE WAY” Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE — Flirting Is Apt to Lead to Trouble. Subject Hackneyed but Picture is Well Directed and Should Get Across “The Social Code” is based on a murder mystery not sufficiently different from the ordinary tale of the same sort to give it a place of distinction. Viola Dana is attractive in the leading feminine role, in fact she gives an unusually good performance in a character that is considerably removed from the type she ordinarily plays. She scores principally in the scenes relative to the murder mystery and the trial of the man she loves, where the old but interesting sacrifice by a woman for a woman and incidentally for the man, brings her a just C reward. Edna Flugarth also gives a pleasing performance, and Malcolm McGregor, Huntly Gordon and Cyril Chadwick are prominently successful in the principal musculine roles. STORY OF THE PLAY Babs Van Buren, a society girl, known only as an irresponsible butterfly, learns that her sister-in-law’s name is likely to be dragged into a scandal on account of letters she has written to Dean Cardigan previous to her marriage. Dickinson, an unscrupulous clubman, gains possession of the letters with the purpose of imposing blackmail, and after a quarrel with Cardigan, who goes to Dickinson’s room demanding the letters, an envelope bearing his name is left crumpled on the floor, and Dickinson is found dead. At the trial Mrs. Grant, wife of the presiding judge and by whom the letters were written, fears to disclose her connection with the affair. But Babs, at the moment when the jury is about to adjourn to bring in a verdict, rushes forward and tells that the handwriting on the envelope is hers, and also that Dean spent the hour when the murder was committed in her company at her home on Long Island. PROGRAM COPY — “The Social Code” — Featuring Viola Dana Babs Van Buren proved that there was something more than flirting in her pretty head, when she saved a life and a reputation at a murder trial. You’ll like Viola Dana in “The Social Code,” in which she plays a role that is different. it MONNA VANNA”— | (Adapted from play of [Class B] 65% same name) Story: — Girl’s Sacrifice for Her People Leads Her Back to Man She Loves VALUE CAST Photography — Poor — Not credited. Giovanna Lee Parry TYPE OF PICTURE — Tragic. Guido Gurlino Paul Wegener Moral Standard — Average. Piero Luigi Hans Strum — — Genezzano Paul Graetz Story — Very good — Drama — Family. Tonio Hans Hurka Cast — Good — All-Star — Featuring Lee Parry. Frederigo Fondalo Emil Rameau Author — Very good — Maurice Maeterlinck. Pater Coelestin Dr. Max Poll! Direction — Good — Richard Eichberg. Machiavelli Toni Zimmerer Adaptation — Good — Not credited. Andrea Buonacorsi Albert Steinrueck Technique — Good. Maddalena Pazzi Lydia Salmonova Spiritual Influence — Average. Paola Victor Gehring Rimuzzio Fritz Kampers Burgli Hans Strum November 1 to 15, 1923. Producer — Not credited Footage — 8,646 ft. Distributor — Fox Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE — Self-Sacrifice Is the Distinguishing Feature of True Love — Fickleness of Mob Adoration. European Production of Ordinary Quality — Traffic Story Carries Interest The European screen production of “Monna Vanna,” directed by Richard Eichberg, doesn’t measure up to artistic standards in every particular. If we consider only the splendid acting of Paul Wegener in the role of Gurlino, then we would be well satisfied. His emotional climaxes are especially good. But there are features of the production, such as the flat photography, and the conventional methods employed by both players and director, that prevent it from being a great production. A little of the soul of the story gets across, the tragic incidents of the play are clearly outlined, many of the sets are impressive, and the mobs are quite well handled. Lee Parry is a satisfactory type for the role of Monna Vanna. She is beautiful and talented, but is not what might be (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted!