Screen Opinions (1923-24)

“Book the New Percentage Way” 43 “DAUGHTERS OF TODAY”— 80% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed April, 1924 Theme — Tragedy End of Modern Flapper’s Fling CAST VALUE Photography — Very good — M. Moore. Type — Sensational. Moral Standard — Fair. Story — Very good — Com.-Melo. — Adults. Cast — Very good — All-Star. Author — Very good — Lucien Hubbard. Direction — Very good — Rollin Sturgeon. Adaptation — Very good — D. Hubbard. Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence — Average. Moral — Morality of home is best kind. Dois Whitall Patsy Ruth Miller Ralph Adams Ralph Graves Reggy Adams Philo McCullough Mabel Vandergrift _ Edna Murphy Peter Farnham Edward Hearne Mrs. Vandergrift _ Gertrude Claire Lorena Platt — Zasu Pitts Producer — Selznick. Footage — 7400 feet. Distributor — Selznick. The Opinion A Picture with n Kick — For Grown-Ups Only “Daughters of Today” is one of the best box office attractions of the season, despite the fact that it is no picture for children or adolescent youth to see. There is a kick in every inch of the action with smartly dressed flappers aplenty and handsome, spirited young manhood playing with fire. The outcome of Mabel Vandergrift’s yielding to the voice of pleasure is the murder of a man by a housemaid who becomes jealous of Mabel. The near arrest of a country-bred youth, and former lover of Mabel adds a note of suspense, and the presence of Gertrude Claire as the sweet and unsophisticated mother brings with it a wholesomeness, and to the wayward young people a sensation of shame-faced regret. What takes place during a wild party at the home of the youth who is afterward found murdered is harmeless excepting in the matter of example — just a lot of fun of the sort not for emulation. This is a genuine jazz production, of the type that will draw especially in the transient theatre. The cast is an excellent one and all details are fascinatingly convincing. “DISCONTENTED HUSBANDS”— 65% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed April. 1924 Theme: — Man Courting Another’s Wife Finds His Daughter in Danger VALUE Photography — Good — Not credited. Type — Interesting — Problem. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Good — Drama — Adults. Cast — Good — All-Star. Author — Good — Evelyn Campbell. Direction — Good — Edward J. DeSaint. Adaptation — Good — Not credited. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — Fidelity Safest in Matrimony. CAST Michael Fraser James Kirkwood Mrs. Fraser Cleo Madison Marcia Fracia Fraser Carm. Geraghty Jack Ballard .. Vernon Steele Emily Ballard Grace Darmond Dick Everton Arthur Rankin Child .....Baby Muriel MacCormac Producer — Harry Cohn. Footage — About 5600 feet. Distributor-— State Rights. The Opinion Should Give Results In Neighborhood and Transient Theatres Men and women will be interested in the screen production “Discontented Husbands” which treats of the marriage problem. The players have been well chosen for the different characters, and adapter and director have made good use of the material given, them. The settings of this picture are charming, the women are becomingly gowned, and the technical details are carefully arranged. Grace Darmond is lovely as Emily Ballard, in spite of the fact that the role is a disagreeable one in which a discontented wife tries to steal another woman’s husband. Clee Madison also does well, and James Kirkwood and Vernon Steele are convincing as the husbands. Carmelita Geraghty gives a pleasing performance as the daughter. No Advertising Support Accepted!