Screen Opinions (1923-24)

183 SCREEN OPINIONS TELLS THE TRUTH “JUST OFF BROADWAY”— [Class B] 65% (Adapted from story of same name) Story: — Romance and Adventures of Detective Mistaken for Counterfeiter VALUE Photography — Good — G. A. Post. TYPE OF PICTURE— Sensational. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Good — Melodrama — Family. Star — Good — John Gilbert. Authors — Good — Frederick and Fannie Hatton. Direction — Good — Not credited. Technique — Average. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. CAST Stephen Moore Jean Lawrence Nan Norton Florelle Comfort February 15 to 29, 1924. Producer — F ox Footage — 5,544 ft. . . . .John Gilbert ..Marian Nixon . . . . Trilby Clark . Pierre Gendron .Ben Hendricks Distributor — Fox Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE— None Good Suspense and Some Comedy in Spirited Melodrama “Just off Broadway” isn’t exactly what one might expect, judging from the title; and yet the crook story contained in the film happens chiefly in the near vicinity of the Great White Way. It is a pity that the picture has not been subtitled with more snap. In fact the jarring note of this production is to be found in the uninteresting expression of the subtitles. Aside from this the action is spirited, and the picture fan is apt to be attracted to the handsome hero, played in excellent style by John Gilbert, and by the effective impersonations of detective and crook by Pierre Gendron and Ben Hendricks. Hendricks’ portrayal of Comfort, the sort of a crook that even a detective could like, is especially successful. Trilby Clark plays the role of Nan Norton, also a member of the crook gang. Miss Clark photographs well, and displays intelligence in her work. Marian Nixon also works intelligently, but is not strong enough for leads. “Just off Broadway” will be found a fair general purpose feathre for transient and neighborhood houses. STORY OF THE PLAY The story opens in Paris where Stephen Moore, a young millionaire, and incidentally in the employ of the New York police force, is trying to track a band of international crooks. To successfully do this he poses as a crook, and becomes friendly with “Smooth” Moran, a counterfeiter, who, in a dying condition, begs Stephen to deliver some letters and a message to Nan Norton, in New York. Nan being absent from home when he arrives, Stephen is mistaken by Jean Lawrence, a strange girl whom Nan has befriended, for “Smooth” and when he drops from a blow from Florelle, a detective, who also mistakes him for “Smooth,” she takes care of him, and thus a romance originates. Jean believes Stephen a crook, and begs him to go straight. And it is not until he hands Nan over to Florelle, that his associates learn who he is. PROGRAM COPY — “Just Off Broadway” — Featuring John Gilbert It was a long and hazardous adventure in which Stephen Moore, millionaire detective, played the lead through Paris, London and New York. But romance was waiting just around the corner. See “Just Off Broadway,” one of John Gilbert’s best. “ALIMONY”— [Class C] 50% (Especially prepared for screen) Story: — Husband Who Becomes Dupe of Scheming Woman Is Saved From Financial Ruin by Wife’s Alimony VALUE CAST Photography — Fair — Joseph DuBray. Marion Mason Grace Darmond TYPE OF PICTURE — Ordinary. Jimmy Mason Warner Baxter Moral Standard — Fair. Gloria DuBois Ruby Miller 1 1 Philip Coburn William A. Carroll Story — Average — Drama — Adults. Betty Coburn Jackie Saunders Cast — Good — All-Star. Granville Clyde Fillmore Author — Average — A. T. Locke. Blake Hershel Mayall Direction — Average— Wyndham Gittens and Grey Alton Brown E. M. Ingleton. — ■ Technique — Average. February 15 to 29, 1924. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. • Producer — Robertson-Cole Footage — 6,917 ft. Distributor — F. B. O. (Continued on next page) Unbiased and Independent Reviews Only!