Screen Opinions (1923-24)

“Hook tlie New Percentage Way” 5 “WEEK-END HUSBANDS”— 50% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed March, 1924 Theme: — Misguided Wife Rescued from Point of Suicide by Forgiving Husband VALUE CAST Photography — Good — Not Credited. Barbara Belden Alma Rubens Type — Unsatisfactory. William Randall H. E. Herbert Moral Standard — Fair. Thomas Mowry Montague Love John Keane Maurice Costello Story — Average — Drama — Adults. Mrs. Dawn Sally Crute Star — Good — Alma Rubens. Robert Stover Charles Byers Author — Average — Daniel C. Goodman. Mons. La Rue Paul Panzer Direction — Fair — E. H. Griffith. ; Adaptation— Average — Not Credited. Technique — Fair. Producer — Equity. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Footage — About 6800 feet. Moral — Regrets for Disregarded Vows. Distributor — Equity. The Opinion HACKNEYED THEME — MAY SATISFY IN CHEAP LOCATIONS It’s the same old tale with a slightly different twist that is told in “WeekEnd Husbands,’’ a production starring Alma Reubens. The development of the story is superficial, and done in a hurry without careful weighing of the subject. Things just happen. This story presents the feminine sex in a very uncomplimentary light. Alma Rubens is charming in the role of Barbara Belden, and H. E. Herbert gives one of the best performances of the picture. “PAINTED PEOPLE”— 65% (Adapted from “The Swamp Angel”) Reviewed March, 1924 Theme: — Adventures of Glass-Blower’s Daughter Who Won Stage Success VALUE Photography— Good — -Rud. Bergquist. Type — Humorous — Romantic. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Average — Com. -Rom. — -Family. Star — Very good — -Colleen Moore. Author — Average — Richard Cornell. Direction — Good — Clarence Badger. Adaptation— Good — Edw. Montague. Technique— Good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. CAST Ellie Byrne Colleen Moore Don Lane Ben Lyon Stephanie Parrish Charlotte Merriam Preston Dutton Joseph Striker Tom Byrne Charles Murray Fred Lane Russell Simpson Mrs. Byrne Mary Alden Producer — First National. Footage — 6900 feet. Distributor — First National. The Opinion STORY MEDIOCRE BUT MOST AUDIENCES WILL LIKE PICTURE “Painted People” is not what might be expected from its title. Colleen Moore does her best with a role that offers few opportunities, and Ben Lyon is an attractive choice, for the role of Don Lane. The story has a slender plot — and few interesting characters. The main situation of the story deals with aspirations of Ellie Byrne, whose mother washed clothes for the rich, but meant her daughter to be a lady. Ellie, as portrayed by Colleen Moore, is an interesting flapper. Humor isi the prevailing emotion of the picture, and the significance of the title as applied to the picture is very slight. If exhibitors, in all sincerity, would devote one day a week to build up their business, they would be amazed at the improvement. Begin now, and plan ways and means to extend, and enlarge your business, like successful commercial houses do. Are you going to give it one-day-awcek of your personal time? No Advertising Support Accepted!