Screen Opinions (1923-24)

SCREEN OPINIONS TELLS THE TRUTH 167 Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— As a Man Is, So Thinketh He. Good General Purpose Film — Not Out of Ordinary — Popular Cast and Good Direction “The Meanest Man in the World” is an ordinary type of picture that serves the purpose of the average picture house satisfactorily. Some acceptable humor is injected in the situation in which a young lawyer discovers that a kind heart cannot successfully follow the path of meanness. The endeavors of Richard Clarke to win success by this method when all others have failed are highly amusing and will be enjoyed by the average audience. Bert Lytell gives a good performance in the role of Clarke, and Bryant Washburn makes a good second for the hero. Blanche Sweet, as Jane Hudson, whose heart was also too kind for her pocketbook, is pleasing. The picture has a good moral which will get over. The scenes in which a gusher is located on Kitty Crockett’s farm are quite thrilling. STORY OF THE PLAY Richard Clarke, a young lawyer who fails to make a success because of his generosity and kindliness, finally decides that he will try being the meanest man in the world. The collection of a bill of $800 from a storekeeper named J. Hudson introduces an amusing situation in which "J. Hudson” turns out to be a young woman afflicted with the same soft-heartedness as Clarke. In the events that follow a plot to swindle the young woman, whose name is Jane Hudson, out of a farm on which an oil deposit is discovered, is frustrated by Clarke, and the close of the story foretells happiness for Clarke and Jane. PROGRAM COPY — “The Meanest Man in the World” — Featuring Bert Lytell, Blanche Sweet and Bryant Washburn Richard Clarke just couldn’t be mean. He wasn't built that way. Come and see what happened when "Richard was himself again.” Bert Lytell, Blanche Sweet and Bryant Washburn head a fine cast. “LUCRETIA LOMBARD”— [Class A] 80% (Adapted from novel of same name) Story: — Victim of Unhappy Marriage and Invalid Husband Has Romance With District Attorney VALUE • CAST Photography — Very good — David Abel. Lucretia Lombard Irene Rich TYPE OF PICTURE — Sensational. Stephen Winship Monte Blue Moral Standard — Fair. Sir Allen Lombard Marc McDermott 11 — ■ 1 1 ■— Mimi Norma Shearer Story — Very good — Drama — Adults. Judge Winship Alec B. Francis Cast — Very good — With Irene Rich, Norma Fred Winship John Roche Shearer and Monte Blue. Mrs. Winship Lucy Beaumont Author — Very good — Kathleen Norris. Sandy Otto Hoffman Direction — Very good — Jack Conway. 1 Adaptation — Very good — Sada Cowan. February 1 to 15, 1924. Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Producer — Warner Brothers Footage — 7,500 ft. Distributor — Warner Bros. Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None. Interesting Production — Good Forest Fire Climax — Capable Cast and Direction “Lucretia Lombard” is just different enough in story material to be interesting beyond the average picture. We would not recommend it on its moral soundness, but on the other hand it entertains by its human qualities. The plight of Lucretia Lombard, married to a reprobate aristrocrat, who became a disagreeable invalid from whom she sought relief in a friendship with Stephen Winship, her next door neighbor, cannot fail to entertain. Irene Rich, as Lucretia, plays the role sympathetically. In fact, Miss Rich’s wholesome personality lifts the character almost beyond criticism. Monte Blue, as Stephen Winship, is also convincing, and Norma Shearer, as Mimi, who at Sir Allen Lombard’s death remains the only barrier between Stephen and Lucretia, is (Continued on next page) Unbiased and Independent Reviews Only!