Screen Opinions (1923-24)

“Book the New Percentage Way” 15 “DEFYING DESTINY”— 65% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed March, 1924 Theme: — Romance of Man Who Benefited by Plastic Surgery VALUE Photography — Good — Lenwood Abbott. Type — Interesting. Moral Standard — Average. CAST Jack Fenton Beth Alden Monte Blue Irene Rich Dr. Gregory Tully Marshall Story — Good — Drama — Family. Cast — Good — Monte Blue. Author — Good — Grace Sanderson Michie Direction — Good — Louis Wm. Chaudet. Adaptation — Good — Not Credited. Technique — Good. Spiritual — -Influence — Average. Moral — None. Mr. Wilkens — Russell Simpson James Gordon Frona Hale Producer — Selznick. Footage — 5600 feet. Distributor — Selznick. The Opinion INTERESTING ROMANCE — GOOD CAST — CAPABLE DIRECTION “Defying Destiny” is a good program picture. Not strong enough for a special. Irene Rich, who plays the feminine lead, is usually a guarantee of some entertainment value in any production! in which she appears. Monte Blue has the leading male role. Tully Marshall has a lesser role than usual. Jackie Saunders does well in some scenes as extravagant Mrs. Harris, who drives her husband to wrong-doing. Russell Simpson lends individuality to the role of Mr. Wilkins. The characterization is an interesting one, and is carefully interpreted. “Defying Destiny” will prove satisfactory in the neighborhood house or in fact in any average priced house. “HEART BANDIT”— 80% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed March, 1924 Theme: — Romance of Girl Crook Who Hid in a Respectable Home CAST VALUE Photography — Very good — John Arnold. Type — Humorous — Romantic. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Very good — Com. -Drama — Fam. Star — Very good — Viola Dana. Author — Very good — Fred K. Myton. Direction — Very good — Oscar Apfel. Adaptation — -Very good — T. J. Hopkins. Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. Molly O’Hara .Viola Dana John Rand Milton Sills Mrs. Rand Gertrude Calire "Spike” Malone Wallace MacDonald Ramon O. Cordova Bertram Grassby Pat O'Connell DeWitt Jennings Jenks Nelson McDowell Producer — Metro. Footage — About 5000 feet. Distributor — Metro. The Opinion VIOLA DANA AT HER BEST — FIRST RATE AUDIENCE PICTURE The majority of people will like “The Heart Bandit” which features Viola Dana and presents her at her best. The story proves an excellent vehicle for her; it is well directed. The star plays intelligently and is charming. Milton Sills is the best choice for the role of John Rand. The development of the story is more or less original. The girl crook becomes a beloved inmate of a perfectly respectable home with a lovely old lady and her son. The romance of the story is fascinating, and with the advantages of neat editing and subtitling, artistic settings and a good supporting cast the production is one of the best of current features. Forty-five reviews in this issue — representing nearly 20 producers. Some variety to select from. Facts boiled down to the bone. Show good judgment for your theaters’ sake. No Advertising Support Accepted!