Screen Opinions (1923-24)

SCREEN OPINIONS TELLS THE TRUTH 169 “BOY OF MIME”— [Class A-b] 95% (Adapted from story of same name) Story: — Father’s Misunderstanding of Son Causes Mother to Choose New Home VALUE CAST Photography — Superior — Not credited. Bill Latimer Ben Alexander TYPE OF PICTURE — Inspiring. Dr. Robert Mason Rockliffe Fellowes Moral Standard — Excellent. William Latimer Henry B. Walthall ■ — Mrs. Latimer Irene Rich Story — Superior — Comedy-drama — Family. Mrs. Pettis. Dot Farley Cast — Superior — All-Star. Junior Pettis Lawrence Licalzi Author — Superior — Booth Tarkington. 1 Direction — Superior — William Beaudine. February 1 to IS, 1924. Adaptation — Superior — Hope Loring. T echnique — Superior. Spiritual Influence — Excellent. Producer — J. K. McDonald Footage — 6,000 ft. Distributor — First National Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— The Father Who Would Mold His Boy Into a Man Mult First Learn to Understand Him. Good All Through — One of Tarkington’s American Boy Stories Conveyed to the Screen With Its Original Punch We venture to say that “Boy of Mine” will be one of the year’s most popular pictures. It is of the type of which we have all too few — and presents Booth Tarkington at his best as well as the director, players and technical staff employed in converting this fascinating story of a real American boy to the screen. The understanding of boy life, of his view of the world from his own individual angle, the characteristics of the best type of mother, and the mistaken view of the father who had so far forgotten the emotions of boyhood that he could not understand his own son’s determination to get the best out of boyhood days, all are effectively described in the picture. Ben Alexander is the wholesome, lovable, mischievous boy of the story. He plays the part so convincingly that it is easy to forget that the boy on the screen is not a flesh and blood specimen. The negro child, the little son of a junk man, with whom Bill Latimer struck up an acquaintance, is also well played by Gene Jackson. The gun episode in which Bill takes the child to his father’s room to show him a gun, and then hides him in the bottom bureau drawer when he hears his father coming up the stairs, is but one of the many amusing incidents of the picture. Bill’s association with Doctor Bob, who was still able to look at life with the eyes of a boy, is delightfully illustrated, and Rockliffe Fellowes plays the role of Dr. Bob as if he had stepped from the pages of the book. Irene Rich is splendid as Bill’s mother. Her face is capable of a certain tender expression that makes her better suited to the part than anyone else who might have been chosen. Henry B. Walthall gives as usual a notable performance. His conception of the father who could not understand until deserted by his loved ones, loneliness forced him to a recognition of his mistake. The closing scenes of the picture where he goes to his wife’s cottage to ask her to return to him with the boy will draw tears from any audience. This is a human story wonderfully told. No exhibitor should make the mistake of passing it up. STORY OF THE PLAY William Latimer, a rich bachelor who has lived his life on schedule, marries Ruth Lawrence, a choir singer. A boy is born and Latimer tries his best to bring the boy up in the way that he should go. But Bill Jr. has the genuine boy spirit and his various escapades cause misunderstanding between him and his father, and finally when he has been taunted by his father with not keeping his word, and with not being worthy the name of Latimer, he decides to run away from home. He is seized on the road by some ruffians, and is rescued by Doctor Bob Mason, who brings the boy home and is thereafter his good friend. Mrs. Latimer, realizing that Bill will never have a real boy’s chance as long as he is with his father, takes a cottage in another part of the town for herself and Bill. Here they live happily under the watchful eye of Dr. Bob, until Mr. Latimer, realizing what he has lost, decides to be a boy again if his family will only return to the big house. A reunion takes place which does not eliminate Dr. Bob. On the other hand, Mr. Latimer decides to join the gang, and be one of the boys. (Continued on next page) Unbiased and Independent Reviews Only !