Screen Opinions (1923-24)

9/^ £)}>) “Book tlie Sen Percentage Way” “TRAIL OF THE LAW”— 65% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed March, 1924 Theme: — Blue Ridge Mountain Romance of an Artist and Girl VALUE Photography — Good — Not credited. Type — Adventurous — Romantic. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Good — Drama — Family. Cast — Good — Norma Shearer. Author — Good — Marion Brooks. Direction — Good — Oscar Apfel. Adaptation— Good — Not credited. Technique — Average. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. CAST Fraser Burt ..Wilfred Dytell “Jerry” Varden Norma Shearer Alvin Varden John Morse Tom Frost, alias Merrill Richard Neill Caleb Willis Charles Beyer Bobby Willis Robert Holcombe Matthew George Stevens Producer — Apfel Productions, Inc. Footage — About 5000 feet. Distributor — Producers Security Corp. The Opinion PICTURE TOO LONG — ROMANCE PLEASING AND CAST CAPABLE “The Trail of the Law” may be considered too long by the majority of . those who will see it. The plot is slender, and but for Norma Shearer, who plays Jerry, the picture might be considered rather dull. The locality in the Blue Ridge mountains, where it is photographed, is pleasing, and Director Apfel has done a lot with the material at hand. Wilfred Lytell does well as Fraser Burt, an artist. An interesting situation reveals the villian who pursues Jerry, as the man who was the indirect cause of her mother’s death. John Morse and George Stevens are outstanding figures of the cast. “NOT A DRUM WAS HEARD”— 65% (Adopted from a story of the same name) Reviewed March, 1924 Theme: — Romance of Cowboy Who Risked Own Life to Save Honor of Pal VALUE Photography — Good — Joseph August. Type — Romantic — Thrilling. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Good — Western Melo. — Family. Star — Good — Charles Jones. Jack Mills CAST Charles Jones Jean Ross Banker Rand James Ross Sheriff Betty Bouton Frank Campeau Rhody Hathaway A 1 Fremont Bud Boupel William Scott Author — Good— Ben Ames Williams. Jack Leupel Micky McBain Direction — Good — -William Wellman. Adaptation — Good — Doty Hobart. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Average. Producer — Fox. Footage — 4823 feet. Moral — True Friendship’s Sacrifice. Distributor — Fox. The Opinion PLEASING ROMANCE — USUAL AMOUNT OF ATMOSPHERE — MELODRAMA “Not a Drum Was Heard” is a good general purpose feature. The theme kon which the story is based is hackneyed. It proves interesting because its is 'preceded by a fairly interesting complication in which the pal is in the grip of the bank manager who is his landlord, and the wife of the pal is loved by the man who throughout the picture is ever in. the attitude of sacrifice. Good outdoor scenes in the cattle country, and some feats of horsemanship are included in the action. Charles Jones gives a good performance in the leading male role; William Scott, Betty Bouton and Frank Campeau do much to make the production interesting. Whatever is said, in the way of helpful criticism, in these editorial notes, has no influence upon the reviews; because, in all cases', reviews are made from an unbiased standpoint. We serve all truthfully and independently. No influence can control our honest opinion. No Advertising Support Accepted!