Screen Opinions (1923-24)

188 "BOOK THE NEW PERCENTAGE WAY’ “LET NOT MAN POT ASUNDER”— [Cl. A-c] 90% (Adapted from novel of same name) Story: — Experience of Three Divorced Couples Who Found That the First Love is the Best VALUE CAST Photography — Superior — Not credited. Petrina Faneuil Pauline Frederick TYPE OF PICTURE — Interesting. Dick Lechmere Lou Tellegen Moral Standard — Average. Harry Vassall Leslie Austen ■ ■ ■■■■ 1 Felicia de Prony Helen D’Algy Story — Excellent — Drama — Adults. Lady Emmy de Bohun Pauline Neff Stars — Excellent — Pauline Frederick and Sir Humphrey de Bohun ... Maurice Costello Lou Tellegen. Mrs. Vassall Martha Petelle Author — Excellent — Basil King. Gentian Tyrell Gladys Frazin Direction — Masterful — J. Stuart Blackton. Major Bertie Clifton Webb Adaptation — Excellent. Chaillot Homer Lynn Technique — Excellent. — ■ — ■ Spiritual Influence — Good. February IS to 29, 1924. Producer — Albert E. Smith Footage — 8,114 ft. Distributor — Vitagraph i Our Opinion MORAL O’THE PICTURE — Divorce Cannot Alter the Moral Obligation Entailed in the First Marriage Most Forceful Visualization of Marriage and Divorce Situation Yet Presented — Artistic and Entertaining There are many who will say that “Let Not Man Put Asunder,” which is adapted from Basil King’s novel of the same name, is a bit of foolishness. The majority of those will be persons who are secure and satisfied in their own marriage ventures, and some who are on the outside looking in. We cannot imagine, however, that those who have passed through just such situations as are depicted in the story, can look at this production without pondering seriously the integrity of their own motives and actions. The psychology of the picture is correct, the characters are admirably cast, the direction is masterful, and at times the photography and illumination is much above par. One of the most effectively presented situations in the picture is that where a wife, played by Pauline Frederick, and a husband, played by Leslie Austen, have a quarrel, and in the morning the wife is ready to forget and forgive, but the husband leaves declaring that he will not return. A group of scenes interspersed with effective subtitles show the woman waiting in the belief that he will come back to her, reasoning optimistically, holding her faith and her repentance fresh for two years. Then comes the crash of realization that the man never really loved her as he loved his first wife. Pauline Frederick plays the role of Petrina Faneuil wonderfully well, and Lou Tellegen is excellent as Dick Lechmere. Leslie Austen is a very handsome and picturesque figure as Petrina’s first husband. He plays the role with excellent discrimination. Helen D’Algy is charming as Felicia de Prony, and Maurice Costello does well in the role of Sir Humphrey de Bohun. The support is excellent throughout. We do not recommend “Let Not Man Put Asunder” as a sure-fire program feature. But we are inclined to think that the title will attract, and that the majority of people will like it. The delicate handling of Dick Lechmere’s suicide prevents the usual unpleasant effect. STORY OF THE PLAY Petrina Faneuil and Harry Vassall are married and divorced. Petrina then marries Dick Lechmere, divorced from his wife, Felice de Preny, who is an opera singer. A quarrel between Mrs. Lechmere (second) and her husband, over her frivolous manner of living, brings about a separation, and after two years the first wife, poor and ill, comes to the home of her former husband, Dick Lechmere, begging to be taken in, not knowing that he is married to another. Petrina drives her out into the storm, but repentant goes after her and brings her in. Dick appears on the scene and Petrina realizes that it is Felice and not her that Dick has always loved. Felice dies and Dick shoots himself. The close of the story shows Harry and Petrina reunited, and also Sir Humphrey de Bohun, another divorcee, and his wife and family. PROGRAM COPY — “Let Not Man Put Asunder” — Featuring Pauline Frederick and Lou Tellegen You’ll get the lesson of your lifetime in “Let Not Man Put Asunder,” in which wives and husbands learn that divorce does not alter the moral obligation of the first marriage. Pauline Frederick and Lou Tellegen and a wonderful cast play the picture. No Advertising Support Accepted!