Screen Opinions (1923-24)

90 "BOOK THE NEW PERCENTAGE WAY” Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE — None Outstanding Peppy Race Track Scenes Redeeming Feature of Ordinary Production In spite of the fact that “Little Johnny Jones” is based on a George M. Cohan stage success, the screen version of the story is slightly disappointing. The plot is very like a number of others that have been transferred to the screen, and takes the ordinary means of working up enthusiasm for the climax, in an attempt to prevent the hero from riding his horse to victory. However, the excellently managed race scenes photographed at various exciting angles, and skillfully assembled in the picture counterbalance to a great extent other shortcomings noticeable in the film. Some good comedy occurs in connection ( with Johnny Jones’ visit to the home of an English girl, where, during the dinner he keeps an irate butler busy lighting candles which he blows out with his sneezes, or a retinue of servants answering bells which his feet ring unconsciously while they keep time under the table to a jazz number played on the phonograph. A wholesome note is injected with the presence of the little mother of the jockey who, unknown to him, follows to London to see her boy win the cup at the derby. With an appropriate musical setting we can imagine that “Little Johnny Jones” will give good satisfaction in the average moving picture house. The photography is not as clear as it might be, and is detrimental to the enjoyment of the picture. STORY OF THE PLAY Johnny Jones, a jockey, is delighted to learn that instead of bidding goodbye when Yankee Doodle, his favorite horse, is sold to an Englishman, the Earl of Bloomsburg, he is to be engaged to ride him at the English derby. In the incidents that follow, he is entertained at the home of the Earl, and later pursues a romance started in America with pretty Edith Smytlie. an English heiress. The day of the derby Robert Anstead, a notorious gambler, also in love with Edith, bribes his jockey to throw a certain liquid, from a hollow handled riding whip, into Johnny’s face with the idea of blinding him. The trick fails to daunt Johnny, who rides Yankee Doodle to victory in spite of obstacles. The story closes with the betrothal of Johnny and Edith. PROGRAM COPY — “Little Johnny Jones” — Featuring Johnny Hines Here is one of those peppy racetrack stories that keep you at the edge of your seat. You’ll laugh to your heart’s content at Johnny Jones’ adventures in English society. Don’t miss seeing Johnny Hines in the title role of the celebrated George M. Cohan stage play. “MILLION TO BORN”— [Class B] 85% (Adapted from story of same name) Story: — Adventures of Young Man Trying to Help Disgruntled Workers to Attain Ambitions VALUE Photography — Average — John Stumar. TYPE OF PICTURE: — Humorous. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Good — Comedy — Family. Star — Good — Herbert Rawlmson. Author— Good — Mary Whiteside. Direction — Good — William Parke. Adaptation — Good — Raymond L. Schrock. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Producer — Universal CAST Thomas Gwynne Herbert Rawlinson Nickoli Rubnov Kalla Pasha Daisy Jones Beatrice Burnham P. D. Riley Tom McGuire Mark Mills Melbourne McDowell Sybil Mills Margaret Landis Old Ben Marlowe George Marion Landgen Frederick Stanton Auditor Frederick Bertrand Footage — 4,556 ft November 15 to 30, 1923. Distributor — Universal Our Opinion MORAL O'THE PICTURE — Aspiring to Be that for Which One Is Not Fitted Is Apt to End In Confusion Humorous Subject Presented With Capable Cast — Good for Average Audience t In spite of a crudeness of construction, and an ordinary quality of subtitles, “A Million to Burn” makes fair entertainment. The picture has a message to deliver, and for this reason it wins a certain amount of approbation that might otherwise be withheld. The theme deals humorously with those (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted!