Screen Opinions (1923-24)

160 "BOOK THE NEW PERCENTAGE WAY" scenes of the picture he plays admirably. May McAvoy is charming, and the screen has never presented a more fascinating pair of lovers than this HunterMcAvoy team. Our quarrel lies between author, adapter and director, for a better cast is seldom seen than that portraying the characters of the story. A new-comer to the screen who does himself proud is Jack Terry, playing the role of Harlan Thompson, the village cut-up. Mr. Terry makes the most of every opportunity; and while he appears only in a few scenes, his accomplishment is marked by success. Ernest Torrence is not especially well suited to the role of Adrian Plummer. He plays in his usual finished manner, but it requires a stretch of imagination to fit him with the cloak of a clergyman. Riley Hatch makes an excellent Cod Dugan, and George Fawcett appears to advantage in the few scenes accorded Charles Chew. Zazu Pitts, Charles Abbe and Allen Baker are choice members of an excellent cast. We do not recommend this picture for young people who might misunderstand its motive. Better things would most certainly have resulted from a more careful development of story and characters, together with a closer knitting of the continuity. STORY OF THE PLAY Guy Plummer, son of Rev. Adrian Plummer, loves Bee Chew, daughter of Charles Chew, an unbeliever. The match is strongly opposed by Guy’s father, with the result that after trying to keep his promise to stay away from Bee, he finally unburdens himself to Cod Duga,n, the keeper of a billiard room and saloon, who grasps the opportunity to strike Plummer through his son. Dugan takes Guy and Bee to a neighboring town, where a hurried ceremony is performed. The secret is safe until Bee finds herself approaching motherhood, and Guy hurries in desperation to Dugan, begging him to get him the long-promised certificate that they may safely announce their marriage. Dugan tells him the ceremony was a fake, but at a later date after the death of Mr. Chew abroad, and the return of Bee to settle up her father’s estate, the missing certificate is delivered by the man who performed the ceremony, and husband and wife are united with the blessing of the Rev. Plummer. PROGRAM COPY — “West of the Water Tower” — Glenn Hunter-May McAvoy Misunderstanding drove Guy Plummer and his pretty bride-to-be into a secret marriage that entailed many unfortunate incidents before the dawn of happiness. Glenn Hunter and May McAvoy are featured in “West of the Water Tower,’’ with Earnest Torrence, Guy Fawcett and a fine cast. “HOOK AND LADDER”— [Class A] 80% (Especially prepared for screen) Story: — Adventures and Romance of Youth Tricked by Fate Into Becoming a Fireman VALUE Photography — Very good — Not credited. TYPE OF PICTURE— Thrilling— Humorous. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Very good — Comedy -drama — Family. Star — Very good — Hoot Gibson. Authors — Very good — Edward Sedgwick and Raymond L. Schrock. Direction — Very good — Edward Sedgwick. Adaptation — Very good — E. Richard Schayer. Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. CAST Ace Cooper Hoot Gibson Sally Drennan Mildred June Capt. “Smoky Joe” Drennan Frank Beal “Big Tim” O’Rourke Edwards Davis Gus Henshaw Philo McCullough February 1 to 15, 1924. Producer — Universal Footage — 5,568 ft. Distributor — Universal Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None. One of Hoot Gibson’s Best — Humorous Situations as Well as Thrilling Fire Scenes — Interesting Hoot Gibson is at his best in portraying cowboy Ace Cooper in his latest production, “Hook and Ladder.” He plays a boob role out of which he gets a lot of fun for the spectator. The picture is produced in a way that cannot fail to interest the average person, and includes humorous scenes in which the timid hero takes his first leap from a high building into a fire net. These scenes photographed partially from above, are quite thrilling. The scenes in the fire hall, where Ace is forced to serve to escape the notice of a pursuing cop, are rich in humor. An interesting vein of intrigue is inserted in which Gus Hen (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted!