Screen Opinions (1923-24)

14 Screen Ox>inions Tells the Truth “PIED PIPER MALONE”— 65% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed March, 1924 Theme: — Misunderstood Youth Tries to Reform Drunken Sea Captain VALUE Photography — Very good — E. E. Hallor. Type — Romantic — Humorous. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Good — Comedy Drama — Family. Star — Very good — Thomas Meighan. Author — Good — Booth Tarkington. Direction — Good — Alfred E. Green. Adaptation — Good — Tom Geraghty. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Average. Moral — Appearances Often Deceive. CAST Jack Malone Thomas Meighan Patty Malone Lois Wilson Mother Malone Emma Dunn Jas. P. Malone Charles Stevenson Capt. Clarke George Fawcett Charles Crosby, Jr Cyril King Charles Crosby, Sr Claude Brook Producer — Paramount. Footage — 7264 feet. Distributor — Famous Players-Lasky. The Opinion STORY PLEASINGLY PRESENTED — WILL SATISFY BECAUSE OF STAR It is a question whether the average audience will note the absence of quality in the material supplied for the latest Thomas Meighan feature. The star is popular enough to draw under strained circumstances, and in the case of “Pied Piper Malone” there is little to talk about excepting the work of the players. Thomas Meighan plays up to form, and George Fawcett as the drunken sea captain who is constantly back-sliding, gives an excellent performance. There are a number of bright youngsters in the picture. Jack Terry, an excellent comedian, responds humorously to the requirements of an ice cream soda man. One astonished closeup, as the bewildered man sees a score of little faces and “Pied Piper Malone” eagerly looking to him for service, is brief but memorable. Lois Wilson has few opportunities. The cast is good throughout. Some amusing scenes with the village gossips, and bits of pathos in the home of the Malones, as well as some sea stuff, is contained in the picture. “EXTRA GIRL”— 90% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed March, 1924 Theme: — Girl Who Believed She Was Born to Be a Screen Actress VALUE Photography— Excellent — Homer Scott. Type — Humorous. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Excellent — -Farce-Corn. -Drama. Star — Excellent — Mabel Normand. Author — Excellent — Mack Sennett. Direction — Excellent — F. Richard Jones Adaptation — Excellent — B. McConville. Technique — Excellent. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. CAST Sue Graham Mabel Normand Pa Graham George Nichols Ma Graham Anna Hernandez Dave Giddings Ralph Graves Aaron Applehohn .Vernon Dent T. Phillip Hackett Ramsay Wallace The Actor William Desmond Producer — Mack Sennett. Footage — 6426 feet. Distributor— Associated Exhibitors. The Opinion A PICTURE OF HUMOR, PATHOS AND ROMANCE We are not disappointed in “The Extra Girl” which features Mabel Normand. The story has enough originality in its makeup to satisfy under any circumstances. But in the hands of Director Jones it becomes one of the most delightfully humorous productions that has appeared this season. It is typically Mabel Normand in style. Mabel Normand gives a splendid performance, and is ably supported by Ralph Graves as the lover. One of the most amusing stunts in the picture is where Sue, who has dressed Teddy to play the role of a lion, goes to get him a drink, spills it at the cage door, and when she decides to lead him to the water discovers that she is leading a real lion through the studio, the dog having been replaced by the lioh during her absence. In some locations “The Extra Girl” could safely be played as a special. No Advertising Snx>port Accepted!