Screen Opinions (1923-24)

SCREEN OPINIONS TELLS THE TRUTH 81 Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None. Attractive Settings and Desert Atmosphere, But Story Construction Poor “Shifting Sands” is based on a story of unhappy marriage, not unlike the average story of the same sort. We can imagine that if the adaptation had been constructed in a more professional way; if, for instance, the romance of Barbara Thayer had been kept more in prominence than the details of the elopement of the faithless wife, the result would have been more satisfactory. As it is, an anti-climax occurs with the death of the wife, and the thread of Barbara’s romance is developed fully. Peggy Hyland does well in the role of Barbara, and Lewis Willoughby makes an attractive hero. Splendid desert atmosphere has been secured. In fact, this is really a feature of the picture. The production should serve well on the regular program in the neighborhood house and in the transient theatre. STORY OF THE PLAY When Barbara Thayer realizes that she is in love with Dr. Willard Lindsay, who is already married, and whose wife she knows to be faithless, she persuades her father to take her far away. They go to Tripoli, North Africa, and a few days later are amazed to meet with Mrs. Lindsay in company with her lover, Pierre Moreau. Lindsay comes to the desert in search of his wife, and is knocked unconscious by an agent of Moreau’s with intent to kill. Shortly afterward Mrs. Lindsay repents of her rashness in giving herself to Moreau, and during a quarrel between them she backs to the window and falls out. Barbara and her father take charge of Lindsay’s young son, who is left alone when his mother dies, and several years later Barbara and Lindsay meet again and marry. The story also included Barbara's adventures on the desert where she is kidnaped by Moreau. PROGRAM COPY— “Shifting Sands”— With an All-Star Cast You’ll never forget the wonderful desert atmosphere of "Shifting Sands,” and the romance that trailed its way over three continents. An excellent all-star cast, including Peggy Hyland and Lewis Willoughby play the picture. “SPANISH DANCER”— [Class A-c] 90% (Adapted from play "Don Cesar de Bazan”) Story: — Romance of a Gypsy Dancer Whose Lover Is Condemned to Death Through Spanish King’s Jealousy VALUE CAST Photography— Excellent — James Howe. Maritana Pola Negri TYPE OF PICTURE — Romantic — Thrilling. Don Cesar de Bazan Antonio Moreno Moral Standard — Average. King Philip IV of Spain Wallace Beery gueen Isabel of Bourbon ... Kathlyn Williams azarillo Gareth Hughes Star Excellent Pola Negri. Don Salluste Adolphe Menjou Authors — Excellent — Adolphe D’Ennery and Marquis de Rotundo Edward Kipling P. S. P. Dumanoir. Don Balthazar Carlos Dawn O’Day Direction — Excellent — Herbert Brenon. Cardinal’s Ambassador. .Charles A. Stevenson Adaptation — Excellent — June Mathis and Juan Robert Agnew Beulah Marie Dix. — — — — — — Technique — Excellent. November 15 to 30, 1923. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Producer — Adolph Zukor Footage — 8,434 ft. Distributor — Famous Players Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None Interesting Screen Version of Celebrated Play Should Prove Good Box Office Draw ^ Herbert Brenon’s accomplishment in the production of “The Spanish • Dancer” has placed him in the front row of moving picture directors. He has displayed an exceptional vision and skill in converting out of old material a really worth while picture, and only those prejudiced in favor of the German director of “Rosita,” a production based on the same story, will fail to recognize the superiority of Mr. Brenon’s handling of the story. To be sure, there are a number of persons besides the director, the star and the cast, to whom credit is also due. The adapters of the play, June Mathis and Beulah Marie Dix are also worthy of praise, and with the exception of a jerkiness apparent in the carnival scenes, which seem to be too closely trimmed, the editors have done their work well. But against this error an exceptional amount of color (Continued on next page) Unbiased and Independent Reviews Only !