Screen Opinions (1923-24)

SCREEN OPINIONS TELLS THE TRUTH 79 Brent and Grace Carlyle do good work in dissimilar roles, and James Morrison is especially worthy of commendation for his portrayal of the character of Rollie Burbeck. The cast is good throughout, and we believe that “Held to Answer” will have a good reception in cheaper theatres, and in some transient houses. STORY OF THE PLAY John Hampstead, once an actor, is engaged in welfare work and has succeeded in becoming the center of a wonderful work in the slums. Just at the moment when a happy future with his fiancee, Bessie Burbeck, seems most likely, a shadow crosses his path in the shape of a woman he once thought he loved, but whose choice of a career, accompanied by immorality, had caused him to give her up. At this time also he is called on to help Rollie Burbeck, Bessie’s brother, who has misappropriated funds from the bank in which he works, and Marien Dounay, the woman from the past, learning of the situation sees a way to wreak vengeance on John through luring Rollie into her clutches. Rollie steals a diamond necklace from Marien, and hides it in John’s safe. The latter is arrested for theft, and is about to be thrown out of the church and disgraced, when Rollie, repentant, confesses before the whole congregation. The story ends happily for John and Bessie, while Marien walks away remorsefully. PROGRAM COPY — “Held to Answer” — Featuring House Peters John Hampstead preferred to be his brother’s keeper, even to the extent of being branded with ignominy. “Held to Answer” will give you something to think about and will entertain you as well. House Peters plays the hero role. “RAMBLIN’ KID”— [Class B] 65% (Adapted from story of same name) Story: — Romance of Westerner and Adventures at Rodeo VALUE Photography — Good — Virgil Miller. TYPE OF PICTURE — Spirited. Moral Standard — Arerage. Story — Good — Comedy-drama — F amily . Star Good — Hoot Gibson. Author — Good — Earl Wayland Bowman. Direction — Good — Edward Sedgwick. Adaptation — Good — E. Richard Schayer. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. CAST Ramblin’ Kid .....Hoot Gibson Carolyn June Laura La Plante Skinny Rawlins Harold Goodwin Lafe Dorsey William Welsh Sheriff Tom Poole W. T. McCulley Joshua Heck Charles K. French Mike Sabota G. Raymond Nye Mrs. Ophelia Cobb Carol Halloway Parker Cooper Glenn Sing Pete George King Gyp Streeter John Judd November 15 to 30, 1923. Producer — Universal Footage — 6,095 ft. Distributor — Universal Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None. Good Western — Spirited Action — Plot Ordinary “The Ramblin’ Kid” is a good regulation feature which the exhibitor can recommend to his patrons without fear of a comeback. The spirited action and attractive western atmosphere include scenes at a rodeo, and many other scenes of which excellent horsemanship are a part. The chase after a wild mare is well photographed, and the race won by the mare in spite of efforts made by the villain to disable the Kid and prevent him from riding, is quite thrilling. A scene in which the heroine rides into a bog of quicksand is fairly convincing, but the shooting of the horse instead of rescuing it with a lasso seems uncalled for. The romance of the story is nicely put across, and we feel sure that the picture will give good satisfaction. Hoot Gibson is well suited to the role of the Ramlin’ Kid, and Laura La Plante and Carol Halloway are attractive in the leading feminine roles. The cast is good throughout. STORY OF THE PLAY Carolyn June comes to visit her uncle, a cattleman. The Ramblin’ Kid, one of her uncle’s ranch hands, attracts her attention when he brings in a wild mare and trains her for a race at a big rodeo. The day of the race the Kid is given doped coffee by the villain’s henchman, and almost misses getting into the race. He recovers sufficiently to ride to victory. The close of the story shows the betrothal of Carolyn and the Kid. PROGRAM COPY— “The Ramblin’ Kid”— Featuring Hoot Gibson If you like g;ood westerns with plenty of spirited action, rodeos and like thrills, you should not miss Hoot Gibson’s latest, “The Ramblin’ Kid.” Unbiased and Independent Reviews Only!