Screen Opinions (1923-24)

“Book the New Percentage Way” 30 “NIGHT MESSAGE”— 65% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed April, 1924 Theme: — Innocent Youth’s Last Minute Rescue from Execution for Murder VALLE Photography — Good — Jackson Rose. Type — Sensational. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Good — Melodrama — Family. Cast — Good — All-Star. Author — Good — Perley P. Sheehan. Direction— Good — Perley P. Sheehan. Adaptation— Good — Ray. L. Schrock. Technique— Good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. CAST ‘‘Old Man Lefferts” Howard Truesdell Elsie Lefferts Gladys Hulette Lee Lengstreet Charles Cruz Mrs. Longstreet .....Margaret Sedden Harney Lefferts Norman N. Runkow Hank Lefferts .....Robert Gordon Lem Beeman Edgar Kennedy Producer — Universal. Footage — 4591 feet. Distributor — Universal. The Opinion This Picture Will Go in the Average House Spicy melodrama with sensational riding through a thunderstorm by a mother to plead with the governor for her son awaiting his execution, which takes place at midnight, most aptly describes the flavor of “The Night Message.” The technical part of this picture is well taken care of, the storm scenes at night are well photographed. The romance between Elsie Leffert and Lee Longstreet is nicely worked up, and altogether the production can be banked on to please the average audience. A good picture for the neighborhood house. Gladys Hulette, Howard Truesdale, Charles Crux, and Margaret Sedden are outstanding members of the cast. “VAGABOND TRAIL”— 80% (Adapted from the novel ‘‘Donnegan’’) Reviewed April. 1924 Theme: — Experience of Mnn Searching for His Brother in Gold Fields VALUE Photography — Very good — Not credited Type — Spirited. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Very good — Melo. — Family. Star — Very good — Charles Jones. Author — Very good — George O. Baxter. Direction — Very good — Wm. Wellman. Adaptation — Very good — Doty Hobart. Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. CAST Donnegan Charles Jones Lou Macon Marian Nixon Aces Charles Coleman Slippy ...Frank Nelson George George Reed Lord Nick L. C. Shumway Nellie LeBrun Virginia Warwick Producer — Fox. Footage — 4302 feet. Distributor — Fox. The Opinion A Red-blooded Adventure Melodrama Red-blooded action is the characterizing feature of “The Vagabond Trail” starring Charles Jones. The character, Donnegan, played by Jones, is of the heroic type that pleases women and youth generally. The situation between Donnegan and Lord Nick, a rich mine owner, and incidentally a swindler, when, after Donnegan is wounded by Lord Nick, they discover that they are brothers, is intensely interesting. The picture is well directed, and sensational enough for any audience. The cast is equal to the occasion, but is not a particularly brilliant one. Bill the picture as a red-blooded adventure story, or romantic melodrama. No advertising support has been accepted for the past eight years — proving that exhibitors want and demand an Independent and Unbiased Service for selecting their pictures. No influence can sway our opinion — because we are free from advertising control of any kind or nature. No Advertising Support Awsepted!