Screen Opinions (1923-24)

“Book the New Percentage Way” 31 “RIDE FOR YOUR LIFE”— 65% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed April, 1924 Theme: — Westerner Poses as Bandit to Win Girl’s Love VALUE Photography — Good — Virgil Miller. Type — Romantic — Sensational. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Good — Melodrama — Family. Star — Good — Ed (Hoot) Gibson. Author — Good — Johnston McCulley. Direction — Good — Edward Sedgwick. Adaptation — Good — R. L. Schrock. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — If there’s a will there’s a way. CAST Bud Watkins Hoot Gibson Betsy Burke .Laura La Plante "Plug” Hanks Harry Todd "Gentleman Jim ’ Slade Robert McKim Cocopah Kid Fred Humes Dan Burke -.Howard Truesdell Tim Murphy Clark Comstock Producer — Universal. Footage — 5310 feet. Distributor — Universal. The Opinion A Peppy Western Story Your Patrons Will Like “Ride for Your Life” is a good romantic melodrama for the average house. If your patrons like peppy western stories with a touch of comedy and a good vein of romance, they will like this one. The story tells of the adventures of Bud Watkins, a shiftless youth, who loses his ranch to “Gentleman Jim” Slade and incidentally loses the respect of Betsy Burke, the girl he wants to marry. Betsy’s declaration that she would rather marry the “Cocopah Kid,” a masked bandit, gives Bud a fit) of the blues, which is shortly dispelled by the death of the Cocopah Kid at Bud’s door, and an opportunity to impersonate him and rescue Betty from the unwelcome attentions of Slade. Bud wins the girl, and Slade and his crooked gang get their punishment. The scene of the clash between Slade’s friends and Bud includes wild riding and gun shooting. A good cast with pretty Laura La Plante supports the star. “WOLF MAN”— 65% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed April, 1924 Theme: — Victim of Brother’s Jealousy Finds Romance in Canadian Forest CAST VALUE Photography — Average — Don Short. Type — Ordinary. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Good — Melodrama — Adults. Star — Good — John Gilbert. Author — Good — F. and Fanny Hatton. Direction — Average — Edmn’d Mortimer. Adaptation — Average — F. Hatton. Technique — Average. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. Gerald Stanley John Gilbert Elizabeth Gordon Norma Shearer Beatrice Joyce Alma Frances Lord Rothstein George Barroud Pierre Eugene Pallette Phil Joyce Max Montisole Sam Gordon Charles Wellesley Producer — Fox. Footage — 5145 feet. Distributor — Fox. The Opinion Trivial Story Prevents John Gilbert From Scoring; Big “The Wolf Man” is based on a story that provides a poor vehicle for John Gilbert. It is one of those far-fetched tales that so often find their way to the screen. The opening scenes of the picture show the hero, Gerald Stanley, recovering from dissipation of the night before. The situation between him and his brother, in which both are angling for the same girl, is interesting inasmuch as the older brother uses a false basis for winning the girl. That portion of the picture which takes us to the Canadian forest brings with it the usual lumberjack atmosphere and some more or less thrilling episodes in which the hero awakens to a sense of his manhood. Norma Shearer is attractive in the feminine lead and the cast is good throughout. Screen Opinions tells you the type of picture, whether for family or for adults only. It gives you “The Opinion” of the production as a whole. No Advertising Support Accepted!