Screen Opinions (1923-24)

118 •BOOK THE NEW PERCENTAGE WAY" murdered by the girl’s father to prevent harm coming to the girl. The obviousness of situations prevents the action many times from carrying conviction. The cast is a capable one, with the merits for acting going to Carmel Myers, Clyde Fillmore and Melbourne McDowell. The picture is fairly well directed, but we do not recommend it as an unquestionable hit. It is not fair to close without a word of recommendation for pretty Kathryn McGuire, who is charming in the role of Ruth. STORY OF THE PLAY Ruth Revere, a pretty musician, comes to town to study, and in the course of events she plays the violin in the “Blackbird,” a notorious cafe run by one Carnan. Carnan quickly transfers his affections from Ruby Le Mar, a dancer, to Ruth. When Carnan is ordered to close the resort because of illicit liquor traffic, his cousin, who is employed in the district attorney's office, tries to prevent publicity on account of Carnan’s wife. Just about that time Carnan lures Ruth to an apartment where he attacks her, and drops dead from a bullet wound as Ruth’s father, who has served a prison sentence through Carnan’s perfidy, shoots him from the window. The story closes happily when Ruth and her lover are betrothed. PROGRAM COPY — “The Love Pirate” — With an All-Star Cast The story of a girl violinist and her unhappy experience with the unscrupulous manager of a cafe is thrillingly related in “The Love Pirate”, in which Carmel Myers, Kathlyn McGuire, Melbourne McDowell and Clyde Fillmore are outstanding members of the cast. “WILD BILL HICKOK”— [Class A] 80% (Especially prepared for screen) Story: — Romance of Wild Westerner in Frontier Days VALUE Photography — Very good — Dwight Warren. TYPE OF PICTURE — Romantic — Sensational Moral Standard — Average. Story — Good — Romantic melodrama — Family. Star — Veiw good — William S. Hart. Author — Good — William S .Hart. Direction — Very good — Clifford Smith. Adaptation — Very good — J. G. Hawks. Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. CAST Wild Bill Hickok William S. Hart Calamity Jane Ethel Grey Terry Elaine Hamilton Kathleen O’Connor Jack McQueen .James Farley Bat Masterson Jack Gardner Clayton Hamilton Carl Gerard Col. Horatio Higginbotham William Dyer Bob Wright Bert Sprotte Joe McCord Leo Willis Fancy Kate Naida Carle Gambler Herschel Mayall December 15 to 31, 1923. Producer — William S. Hart Footage — 6,893 ft. Distributor — Famous Players Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None Typical Hart Production Should Draw — Story Trivial — Convincing William Hart’s return to the screen after months of retirement should prove interesting to his many admirers, even if his choice of screen material is not quite up to the standard of former Hart productions. “Wild Bill Hickok” gives him a romantic role in which he has the ill-fortune to fall in love with a pretty married woman, believing her to be single. The hero pulls considerable agony over this situation, and in the intervals are a few bits of comedy and some wild shooting after he has been challenged to prove up against failing eyesight. This latter situation adds to the human interest element, but on the whole the story is weak. Ethel Grey Terry and Kathleen O’Connor do well in the leading feminine roles. Others of the cast who are deserving of special mention are Herschel Mayall, James Farley, Jack Gardner and Bert Sprotte. Naida Carle gives a good performance in the role of Fancy Kate. We will look for better things in William Hart’s next. Don’t boost this one too strongly. STORY OF THE PLAY Wild Bill Hickok is noted for his skill with a gun, and after various adventures he is called on to befriend Elaine Hamilton and her sick husband from Jack McQueen, proprietor of the saloon, who recognizes Mrs. Hamilton’s charms. Bill, believing Hamilton to be Elaine’s brother, allows himself to fall in love with her. Calamity Jane loves Bill also, and when his eyesight fails him and things begin to go wrong, Jane proves a good friend. Bill’s protective qualities are kept in practice trying to keep Hamilton out of trouble when McQueen lures him into a gambling trap, and in fighting for the women of the story. PROGRAM COPY— “Wild Bill Hickok”— Featuring William S. Hart “Wild Bill Hickok”, William S. Hart’s latest picture, is thrilling enough to remind you of the romantic western hero’s former triumphs. Gun play and romance characterize the picture. No Advertising Support Accepted!