Screen Opinions (1923-24)

28 Screen Opinions Tells the Truth “BAG AND BAGGAGE”— 50% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed April, 1924 Theme: — Country Girl Whose Handbag Is Exchanged With Jewel Thief’s CAST VALUE Photography — Good — Not credited. Type — Romantic. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Good — Drama — Family. Cast — Good — Gloria Grey. Author — Good — Not credited. Direction — Average — Finis Fox. Adaptation — Average — Not credited. Technique — Average. Spiritual — Influence — Average. Moral — None. Hope Anthony Gloria Grey Lola Cooper Carmelita Geraghty Hal Tracy John Roche Philip Anthony Paul Weigel Mrs. Marian Cooper Adele Farrington Jathrow Billings Arthur Stuart Hull Police Inspector Fred Kelsey Hotel Detective Harry Dunkinson Producer — Finis Fox. Footage — 6300 feet. Distributor — Selznick. The Opinion Picture a Bit Too Long — Faulty Technique We believe that the average audience will like “Bag and Baggage” which has the advantage of being different from the ordinary run of picture. Gloria Grey is charming in the role of Hope Anthony, a country girl, who arouses the love of a certain handsome city chap, and the jealousy of an overbearing neighbor. The situation in which a jewel thief leaves his black hand bag in place of her’s causing her to be suspected of theft has quite a punch, and leads to a satisfactory climax in which the young man appears on the scene to save her, and to marry her. The settings of this picture are artistic. John Roche and Carmelita Geraghty are members of an excellent cast. The direction is faulty, and Gloria Grey is saved by her quaint ways and gowns. “AMERICA”— 100% Series One— “The Sacrifice” (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed April. 1924 Theme: — America’s Sacrifice In Struggle for Independence CAST VALUE Photography — Masterful — H. Sartev. Type — Inspiring. Moral Standard — Excellent. Story — Masterful — Drama — Family. Cast — Masterful — All-Star. Author — Masterful — R. W. Chambers. Direction — Masterful — D. W Griffith Adaptation — Masterful — R. Chambers. Technique — Masterful . Spiritual Influence — Excellent. Moral — Highly inspiring lessons. Nathan Holden Neil Hamilton Justice Montague Erville Alderson Nancy Montague Carol Dempster Chas. P. E. Montague Chas. E. Mack Capt. Walter Butler Lionel Barrymore George Washington Arthur Dewey Paul Revere Harry O’Neill Producer — D. W. Griffith. Footage — About 14000 feet. Distributor — Not credited. The Opinion The Ride of Paul Revere — the Big Thrill “America” is essentially a special — fourteen reels of a big hit — typically Griffith from start to finish, and tremendously inspiring. The big features in this historical production are, first and foremost, the ride of Paul Revere, which is going to be the most talked of thrill of the picture, scenes of privation and suffering at Valley Forge where the soldiers actually stand about in the snow bare-footed, and the murderous charge of the English troops on a handful of American soldiers at Lexington and Concord Bridge. The villages of Lexington and Concord were reproduced accurately, and in fact all historical details have been carefully arranged. The love story between Nancy Montague (Carol Dempster) and Nathan Holden (Neil Hamilton) is beautifully done. The usual human interest quality of Griffith productions is not lacking in this one, although we are not going to compare it to “The Birth of a Nation.” Historically speaking, it has a broader scope, but it is not as rich in sentiment. Character drawing is astonishingly well done, nor will the lone American soldier facing the guns of the enemy with an inspired patriotism easily be forgotten. The cast and the many extras are tireless in their efforts to serve the occasion. This is the first of a series and is entitled “The Sacrifice.” No Advertising Support Accepted!