Screen Opinions (1923-24)

172 KSS “BOOK THE NEW PERCENTAGE WAY” “GENTLE JULIA”— [Class A-c] 90% (Adapted from story of same name) Story: — Romance of Small-Town Girl Who Returned to Rejected Lover When City Revealed Her Small Toad in Big Puddle CAST VALUE Photography — Excellent — G. A. Post. TYPE OF PICTURE— Humorous. Moral Standard — Good. Story — Excellent — Comedy — Family. Cast — Excellent — With Bessie Love and Harold Goodwin. Author — Excellent — Booth Tarkington. Direction — Excellent — Rowland V. Lee. Adaptation — Excellent — Donald Lee. Technique — Excellent. Spiritual Influence — Average. Producer — Fox Julia Bessie Love Noble Dill Harold Goodwin Florence Atwater Mary Arthur Randolph Crum Frank Elliott John Atwater Charles K. French George Atwater Clyde Benson Uncle Charlie Patterson Frank Norcross Ridgely Harvey Clark Aunt Fannie Patterson Emma Tansey Uncle Joe Atwater Harry Dunkinson Newland Sanders Jack Rollins Mrs. Joe Atwater Frances Gaunt George Plum Bill Irving Kitty Silver Mde. Sul-Te-Wan Mrs. George Atwater Agnes Aker Herbert Atwater William Lester Mrs. Herbert Atwater Gypsy Norman Dill Frank Farrington Mrs. Dill Virginia Johnson Herbert Atwater Richard Billings February 1 to 15, 1924. Distributor — Fox Footage — 5,837 ft. Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE — The Choicest Picking Is Often Found Nearest Your Own Door Human Development of Human Story — Good Cast Chosen for Tarkington Characters — Production Suitable for any Theatre Bessie Love gets another excellent opportunity in “Gentle Julia,” of which she makes the most. Her portrayal of the title role is something to be remembered. She dresses the part charmingly, and she is wholesomely coquettish as Julia Atwater, whose love affairs are the favorite topic of conversation among a score of relatives. A genuine small-town atmosphere has been secured for the picture, and the usual array of Tarkington characters keeps the action of the picture interesting and colorful. Harold Goodwin gives an excellent imitation of a distressed lover, and Mary Arthur proves to be one of the most talented of screen children. Her portrayal of Florence Atwater, Julia’s niece, and self-elected reception committee to Julia’s many lovers, is one of the best of its kind that the screen has given us. A large and capable cast contributes splendidly to his fascinating picturization of a Booth Tarkington novel. There are many reasons why “Gentle Julia” is apt to be one of the most popular pictures of the screen, not the least of which is the understanding attitude of director and adapter toward the story. Bill this as a Booth Tarkington story and boost the comedy angle. STORY OF THE PLAY Julia Atwater looks with disdain on the most faithful of her lovers, Noble Dill, the smell of whose cigarettes her father detests, and whose persistent attentions prevent Julia from realizing that she really loves Noble. A stranger from Chicago by the name of Crum, who comes to see her father on business, gratifies Julia’s vanity. But when, on accepting an invitation from a friend to visit her in Chicago she learns among other things that Crum is already married, she takes the next train home just in time to prevent Noble from hurrying away on the same train to try to forget her. Julia has had her lesson, and the story has a happy ending with the betrothal of Julia and Noble. PROGRAM COPY — “Gentle Julia” — With Bessie Love and Harold Goodwin Julia Atwater’s method of making every lover believe he was the only one, worked beautifully in her home town, but see what happened when she arrived in the big city. Bessie Love, Harold Goodwin and a capable cast play “Gentle Julia,” a homespun comedy. immrtnKffliisscntKSKtiisnitiitmntmKtmKmtmmmKKKinmnnnsumimnnnn No Advertising Support Accepted!