Screen Opinions (1923-24)

38 Screen Opinions Tells the Truth “HAPPINESS”— 80% (Adapted from a play of the same name) Reviewed April, 1924 Theme: — Experience of Poor Girl Befriended by Rich Acquaintance CAST VAGUE Photography — Very good — C. A. Lyons. Type — Interesting. Moral Standard — Good. Story — Very good— Com. -Dra.— Family Star — Very good — Laurette Taylor. Author — Very good — J. H. Manners. Direction — Very good — King Vidor. Adaptation — Good — J. H. Manners Technique — Very good — J. H. Manners. Spiritual Influence — Average. Moral — Happiness is in looking forward Jenny Wreay Laurette Taylor Formey MacDonough Pat O’Malley Mrs. Crystal Pole Hedda Hopper Philip Chandes Cyril Chadwick Mrs. Wreay Edith Yorke Sally Perkins Patterson Dial Mr. Rosselstein Laurence Grant Producer — Metro. Footage — About 8000 feet. Distributor — Metro. The Opinion A Picture Good and Bad In Spots “Happiness” will be slightly disappointing to those who saw and liked “Peg O’ My Heart” in which Laurette Taylor made her screen debut. It has not quite the sincerity of the former production, and is not as consistent in plot, not as faultless, technically speaking, as “Peg O’ My Heart.” Laurette Taylor plays with the same natural grace, but the director has made her overact some scenes of the picture. Others again are delightfully natural. It would be best to consider “Happiness” good and bad in spots. An excellent cast supports the star, Hedda Hopper is especially pleasing, and Pat O’Malley and Cyril Chadwick are excellent. A pleasing vein of comedy pervades the picture together with a fair amount of human interest. “GALLOPING GALLAGHER”— 50% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed April, 1924 Theme: — Youth’s Experience as Sheriff In Western Town VALUE Photography — Average — Ross Fisher. Type — Humorous — Sensational. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Average — Com. -Dra. — Family. Star — Average — Fred Thompson. Author — Average — Marion Jackson. Direction — Average — Albert Rogell. Adaptation — Average — Marion Jackson. Technique — Average. Spiritual Influence — Average. Moral — None. CAST Bill Galagher Fred Thompson Evelyn Churchill Hazel Keener Joseph Burke Frank Hagney Leon I. Berry Nelson McDowell Tub “Shorty” Hendricks Slim Andy Morris Producer — Harry J. Brown. Footage — 4700 feet. Distributor — F. B. O. The Opinion May Go Over In the Cheaper Houses This is not a high class production, but good for the cheaper houses where the mobid type of humor which it projects will be appreciated. The atmosphere is western, and most of the fun is centered in the attitude of the village undertaker who keeps a keen eye on situations that may cause death and so bring business his way. The thrills of the picture are managed by the star, Fred Thompson, acrobatic actor, his good white horse Silver, and the villain with his usual group of followers. Thompson makes some: thrilling leaps, and some good fights occur. The cast is average in quality. Screen Opinions is a business builder and a real money maker for any and every exhibitor — large or small, when it comes to selecting the pictures. The value of every picture is in big, plain, black figures. No other organization, from their position, ever could afford an actual figure value — Just like dollar marks. No Advertising Support Accepted!