Screen Opinions (1923-24)

168 “BOOK THE NEW PERCENTAGE WAY” pleasing in the role. The forest fire from the effect of which Mimi dies, despite the efforts of Stephen and Lucretia to save her, is quite spectacular. This is a good feature for the transient theatre, and for adult audiences in neighborhood sections. STORY OF THE PLAY Lucretia Lombard, striving to do her duty by her invalid husband, Sir Allen, who has made her life miserable since the day she married him and discovered him to be a drunken and dissolute reprobate, forms a friendship with Stephen Winship next door, whose father, Judge Winship, unaware of Stephen’s preference for Lucretia, requests that he become engaged to Mimi, tne Judge’s ward, before his death. The death of Sir Allen leaves the way open for Lucretia, with Mimi the only barrier between her and happiness with Stephen. A forest fire engulfs their home and Mimi dies in spite of the efforts of Stephen and Lucretia to save her. The story closes with Stephen and Lucretia looking forward to a happy future together. PROGRAM COPY — “Lucretia Lombard” — With Irene Rich, Monte Blue and Norma Shearer Was it wrong for Lucretia Lombard to seek relief from her invalid husband in the friendship of a younger man? See “Lucretia Lombard” and decide for yourself. A thrilling production with Irene Rich, Monte Blue and Norma Shearer. “PURE GRIT”— [Class B] 65% (Adapted from “A Texas Ranger”) Story — Romance of Texas Ranger and Girl He Rescues From Impostor VALUE CAST Photography — Good — Ben Kline. Bob Evans Roy Stewart TYPE OF PICTURE — Adventurous. Stella Bolling Esther Ralston Moral Standard — Average. Buddy Clark Verne Winter ■ „■■■■, jjm Kemp. Jere Austin Story — Good — Melodrama — Family. Frank Bolling Jack Mower Star — Good — Roy Stewart. _ ■ Author — Good — William MacLeod Raine. February 1 to 15, 1924. Direction — Good — Nat Ross. Adaptation — Good — Isadore Bernstein. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Producer — Universal Footage — 4,571 ft. Distributor — Universal Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None Outstanding. Spirited Melodrama — The Kind That Appeals in Cheap Sections and Some Neighborhood Houses “Pure Grit” is a good general purpose picture for second grade theatres and some neighborhood houses. A new boy actor, Verne Winter, appears to advantage in the picture. He is a freckle-faced youngster with a pleasing personality which should make him popular, and he gets away with what is expected of him in average style. The situation in which an impostor passed himself off as the man he has robbed and shot is quite interesting, inasmuch as the romance of the wounded man’s sister and a Texas ranger is involved. One of the thrills of the picture is contained in a runaway scene in which the ranger rescues the girl from being hurled over an embankment, and yet another in the fight between hero and villain. Roy Stewart is quite the type for Bob Evans, the hero, and Esther Ralston is pleasing as the girl. The cast is good throughout. STORY OF THE PLAY Bob Evans, a Texas Ranger calling on Stella Bolling, a pretty school teacher, is prevented from making her the intended proposal of marriage because of the reflected face of a stranger which he sees in the mirror. Buddy, an orphan who is being cared for by Stella, finds a mystery connected with the fact that the strange man who poses as Stella’s brother whom she has not seen for ten years is hanging about her house, and that Buddy is secretly caring for a wounded man who mutters strangely in his delirium. When Stella is lured to a cabin a distance away by the stranger who pretends that he must reach the border to esscape the rangers, Evans, warned of Stella’s danger by Buddy, hurries after them and arrives in time to save her and arrest the outlaw. The story closes with their betrothal. PROGRAM COPY — “Pure Grit” — Featuring Roy Stewart A fascinating story of adventure and romance in which a small boy discovers an impostor, and a Texas ranger makes a daring rescue. Roy Stewart i9 the star. No Advertising Support Accepted!