Screen Opinions (1923-24)

86 "BOOK THE NEW PERCENTAGE WAY” her. He rescues her and sends her to his boys’ camp in the country, from which Cyclone tries to lure her. On her return to the camp, and her discovery that Dan’s wife is dead, she becomes betrothed to Dan, whom she had always loved. PROGRAM COPY — “Big Dan’’ — Featuring Charles Jones A wholesome hero and a romantic story will prove to you that the latest Charles Jones feature is worth an evening spent with “Big Dan.” Pugilistic nonsense and heart thrills are plentiful. “HALDANE OF THE SECRET SERVICE”— [Class C] 50% (Especially prepared for screen) Story: — Son Discovers Father’s Murderer on Trail of Counterfeiters VALUE Photography — Average — Not credited. TYPE OF PICTURE— Sensational. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Average — Melodrama — Family. Star — Average — Houdini. Author — Average — Not credited. Direction — Average — Not credited. Adaptation — Average — Not credited. Technique — Average. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Producer — Houdini Pictures Corporation Heath Haldane.. Adele Ormsby... Edward Ormsby. Joe Ivors Raoul Usher Mrs. Clive Usher Ah Ling Andrea Drayton., Bruce Drayton... CAST Houdini Gladys Leslie William Humphrey Richard Carlyle Edward Boulden Jane Jennings Charles Fang Myrtle House Irving Brooks November 15 to 30, 1923. Footage — 5,900 ft. Distributor — F. B. O. Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None. Good Feature for Cheap Localities — Sensational Quality and Star’s Name Should Draw Excepting for the fact that Houdini, the strong man, is featured in “Haldane of the Secret Service” the production has nothing beyond the ordinary to offer. The story is fairly well constructed along melodramatic lines, and has a few thrills that are featured in the picture, such as Haldane’s narrow escape from death tied to a water wheel. The scene where the wheel falls into the water and Houdini disentangles his arms while his head is below the surface of the water, is quite thrilling for the average spectator. The chase after the black bag of money through several countries entails a good deal of adventure which will be enjoyed in the cheaper localities. The picture is just ordinary and depends for its punch on the name of the star and the feats of endurance he performs. A capable cast is employed in the making of the picture. STORY OF THE PLAY Haldane, Sr., is murdered while trailing a gang of international counterfeiters, and the chase is taken up by his son, Haldane, Jr. While rescuing a girl from a gang in the street, a black bag containing counterfeit money is left with him, but is exchanged in the home of the girl shortly afterward. His search for the bag takes him to Hull and London, and later to a distributing point in an Apache cafe in Paris. Finally he traces the spurious money to its source, and incidentally discovers his father’s murderer. A romance between Haldane and the leader of the gang complicates matters, which are satisfactorily settled in favor of the lovers in the end. PROGRAM COPY — “Haldane of the Secret Service” — Featuring Houdini A production in which the great Houdini performs remarkable feats of strength and endurance as a detective fighting to avenge his father’s death. “FORGIVE AND FORGET” -[Class B] 65% (Adapted from story of same name) Story: — Wife’s Flirtation Brings Husband to Verge of Prison Cell VALUE CAST Photography — Good — King Gray. Mrs. Cameron Estelle Taylor TYPE OF PICTURE — Sensational. Mr. Cameron Wyndham Standing Moral Standard — Fair. Ronnie Sears Vernon Steele ■ Blake Philo McCullough Story — Good — Melodrama — Adults. Virginia Clark Pauline Garon Cast — Very good — All-Star. Dick Merrill Raymond McKee Author Good — Charles Furthmau. John Standing Joseph Swfclcard Direction — Good — Howard M. Mitchell. ■ Adaptation — Good — Charles Furthinan. November 15 to 30, 1923. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Producer — Harry Cohn Footage — 5,900 ft. Distributor — C. B. C. (Continued on next page) ♦♦ a. i No Advertising Support Accepted!