Screen Opinions (1923-24)

78 “BOOK THE NEW PERCENTAGE WAY" things of the kind that we have seen. The lack of science with which the fight is carried on is an amusing feature of the occasion.. A note of pathos is present in the struggle of Robert Fulton to gain backing for his steamboat, and the scenes relative to this interesting thread of the story are remarkably well managed in detail, even to the reproduction of the trial of the vessel on the river. Indeed, we could write pages on the merits of “Little Old New York,” which is one of the most v/holesomely romantic pictures that has ever been produced, if space would allow. But let it suffice to give the players and director their just praise for the excellent work accomplished. Marion Davies has never played a part more admirably suited to her type and talents. She is delightful. Harrison Ford gives a fine performance as Larry Delevan, and Courtenay Foote, Mahlon Hamilton, Riley Hatch and Andrew Dillon are invaluable members of an excellent cast. Harry Watson, as Bully Boy Brewster, is the comedy high light of the picture, and Louis Wolheim is also an important asset to the * comedy of the picture. STORY OF THE PLAY At the death of her brother, Patrick O’Day, Patricia impersonates him, and on her arrival in New York, along with her father, she dons boy’s attire and struggles with the new situation. And after persuading John Jacob Astor, executor for her deceased uncle’s estate, to give her a draft for $10,000, she buys an interest in Robert Fulton’s new steamboat and saves the situation for Larry Delevan, who, previous to her arrival on the scene, promised the money from the estate which he would have inherited had Patricia failed to appear. After various escapades Patricia is dragged into the street and tied to the whipping post for ringing the fire bell and thereby putting an untimely end to a prizefight. At this point of the story she reveals her sex, and later becomes betrothed to Larry. She is summoned to court to answer a charge of disorderly conduct in impersonating a boy. After telling her story the judge fines her and orders the men to pay her fine. PROGRAM COPY — “Little Old New York” — Featuring Marion Davies If you want to spend a truly delightful evening, see “Little Old New York,” the beautiful screen version of the celebrated stage play. Lovely Marion Davies and a wonderful cast play the picture. “HELD 10 ANSWER” [Class B] 65% (Adapted from story of same name) Story: — Welfare Worker Risks Own Name to Save That of Sweetheart’s Brother VALUE CAST Idiotography — Good — George Rizard. John Hampstead House Peters TYPE OF PICTURE — Sentimental — Marien Dounay Grace Carlyle Ordinary. Hiram Burbeck John Sainpolis Moral Standard — Average. Bessie Burbeck Evelyn Brent Rollie Burbeck James Morrison Story — Good — Melodrama — Adults. Mrs. Burbeck Lydia Knott Star — Good — House Peters. “Red” Lizard “Bull” Montana Author — Good — Peter Clark MacFarlane. Maid Gale Henry Direction — Good — Harold Shaw. Judge. Thomas Guyse Adaptation — Average — Winifred Dunn. Organist Robert Daly Technique — Good. “Spider” Welch Charles West Spiritual Influence — Average. District Attorney Charles Mailes November 15 to 30, 1923. Producer — Metro Footage — 5,601 ft. Distributor — Metro Our Opinion MORAL O'THE PICTURE — Protecting the Weak Sometimes Inspires Confidence and Confession Ordinary Development Prevents Story From Getting Across Big "Held to Answer” has the advantage of having a manly hero, a role satisfactorily interpreted by House Peters. But apart from the excellent work of the star, and of the cast as a whole the production is not as tensely interesting as it might be, a fault which we believe lies rather with the adaptation than with the direction of the picture. There should be a stronger human appeal in the picture than there is, in view of the fact that the hero’s work in the slums brings him in contact with the darker side of life. As it is the melodramatic side of the theme, which deals with Rollie Burbeck’s embezzlement of bank funds, and theft of jewels is given the lion’s share. None of the characters are satisfactorily rounded out, with the result that the story falls a bit flat. Closer trimming would help the picture, which is considerably too long. Evelyn (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted! C