Screen Opinions (1923-24)

178 ‘BOOK THE NEW PERCENTAGE WAY” cast, are also up to form in their work. J. Warren Kerrigan gives a spirited performance as Hollingsworth Chase — in other words, “the man from Brodney’s.” Pat O’Malley and Bertram Grassby, not supplied with the best of opportunities, do well what is required of them. The settings in the palace of the princess are spacious and rich, and in fact throughout are scenes of artistic quality. The exhibitor will find “The Man from Brodney’s” a good general purpose feature. Nothing to boast about, but an exhilarating rapid action melodrama. STORY OF THE PLAY Hollingsworth Chase, American and diplomatic free lance, after serving his government in the Grand Duchy of Rapp-Thorberg for some time, finally meets and falls in love with the Princess Genevra. Later Chase makes bold to rescue the princess from the unwelcome embraces of Prince Karl, believing him to be merely the band leader. For this the princess begs him to leave the country to avoid embarrassment for her. Chase goes to an Oriental island where a certain Lady Deppingham and her party are summering. Here he again meets the princess who comes to visit, and is instrumental in overcoming an uprising of the natives of the island, who have been incited by Rasula, an enemy white. The end of the story shows the princess deciding that she would rather marry Chase and be just an ordinary woman, than live the life of a princess. PROGRAM COPY — “The Man from Brodney’s” — With Alice Calhoun, J. Warren Kerrigan, Wanda Hawley and Miss DuPont Hollingsworth Chase had adventure thrust upon him in the Orient that topped any he had ever known. But it brought him romance and a beautiful princess for a wife. Alice Calhoun, J. Warren Kerrigan, Wanda Hawley and Miss DuPont are in the cast. “MYSTERY GIRL”— [Class C] 50% (Adapted from story of same name) Story: — Woman Hater, Framed by Friends, Has Series of Adventures Trying to Return Girl’s Handbag VALUE Photography — Average — William Thornley. TYPE OF PICTURE — Mystery Adventure. Moral Standard— Average. Story — Good — Comedy -Melodrama — Family. Star — Good — Herbert Rawlinson. Author — Good — Marion Orth. Direction — Average — Robert F. Hill. Adaptation — Average — William Wing. Technique— Average. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Producer — Universal Footage CAST Kerry Reynolds Herbert Rawlinson Gloria Bliss Ruth Dwyer Laurette Slingsby Margaret Campbell Ben Bliss Jere Austin Dick Reynolds Ralph F. McCullough Valet William Quinn February 15 to 29, 1924. Distributor — Universal —4,487 ft. Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None Fails to Come Into Its Own in Spite of Melodramatic Development The story of “The Mystery Girl” should serve as an excellent basis for a farce comedy production. In the present instance, however, the picture smacks of cheapness and hurry. Herbert Rawlinson is not at his best. Perhaps the part does not suit him, but our impression is that he has not been well directed. Ruth Dwyer gives a capable performance in the role of Gloria Bliss, and William Quinn makes the role of Kerry Reynolds’ valet stand out. Altogether, the action of the picture, which struggles between straight and farce comedy interpretation, is a bit childish as a result. The frame-up in which Kerry is accused of stealing a young lady’s handbag might have been quite a peppy affair. The photography is not up to the mark. STORY OF THE PLAY Kerry Reynolds, pretending to be a woman hater, and an annoyance to his friends because of his ultra-seriousness, is framed by his associates who mean to prove to him that he is not immune to feminine charms. They make him believe that he is ill and needs the attention of a doctor, in whose office a pretty girl is planted, who tearfully looks for sympathy. Later in the hotel she accidentally leaves her handbag on a chair, and Kerry, meaning to return it, picks it up. She then tries to prove that there were diamonds in the handbag. A series of adventures with the house detectives in the hotel finally brings the story to a climax with Kerry’s engagement to the girl. PROGRAM COPY — “The Mystery Girl” — Featuring Herbert Rawlinson Kerry Reynolds adventures merely go to prove that any man is going to have a hard time being a woman-hater when there are pretty girls about. Herbert Rawlinson is the star of this amusing comedy-melodrama. (Continued on Next Page) No Advertising Support Accepted!