Screen Opinions (1923-24)

48 Screen Opinions Tells the Truth “BY DIVINE RIGHT”— 80% (Adapted from a novel of the same name) Reviewed April, 1924 Theme — Politician Humbled by Divine Power Expressed Through Missionary CAST VALUE Photography — Very good — Ray June. Type — Serious — Interesting. Moral Standard — Very good. Story — Very good — Drama — Family. Star — Very good — Elliot Dexter. Author — Very good — Adam Hull Shirk Direction — Very good — R. Wm. Neill. Adaptation — Very good — Florence Heir Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence — Very good. Moral — Power of divine law. Austin Farrol Elliot Dester The Girl Mildred Harris Trent A.nders Randolph Mrs. Trent Grace Carlisle The Hireling Sidney Bracey “Tug” Wilson DeWitt Jennings The Trent Baby. Jeanne Carpenter Producer — Harry Ascher. Footage — About 6800 feet. Distributor — F. B. O. The Opinion Strong Spiritual Puneh — Artistic Direction — Gripping Plot “By Divine Right” is one of the best pictures dealing with the infallibility of divine law, the gratifying results of adhering to it, and the unhappy consequence of ignoring all but physical desires, ever produced. The production is well made, well cast, and artistically set and directed. In short it is both entertaining and inspiring. The stoiy hinges about the evid pursuit of an innocent young woman by a rich politician with a wife and child. The “Prince” of the slums protects the girl, and is framed by the man Trent with having set the mission on fire. On his way to prison the train is wrecked, a spectacular scene by-the-way, and the “prince,” supposed to be dead is later discovered as the social secretary of Trent. When Trent’s child is injured the faith of the prince together with prayer and concentration is successful in overcoming evil results. This episode completely changes the heart of Trent who then acknowledges the existence of divine law. Dexter Elliot gives a good performance and is supported by an excellent cast. “SILENT STRANGER”— 50% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed April, 1924 Theme — Adventures of Detective Posing ns Deaf Mute in Ranch Country VALUE Photography — Average — Ross Fisher. Type — Sensational. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Average — Melodrama — Family. Star — Average — Fred Thompson. Author — Average — Marion Jackson. Direction — Average — Albert Rogell. Adaptation — Average — Marion Jackson. Technique — Average. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. CAST Jack Taylor Free Thompson Lillian Warner Hazel Keener "Dad" Warner George Williams Laddie Warner Richard Headrick Dick Blackwell Frank Hagney Sam Hull Horace Carpenter Law Sleeman Bud Osborne Producer — Not credited. Footage — About 6000 feet. Distributor — F. B. O. The Opinion Ordinary Western — Attractive Athletic Star “The Silent Stranger” is just ordinary western stuff, with a plot built around the adventures of a detective posing as a deaf mute in a western town where mail robberies have been baffling the authorities. A romance with the daughter of the postmaster and general storekeeper adds color. Fred Thompson, the star, is athletic, and with his trained white horse should satisfy the average audience. The action in which the horse plays a prominent part is not always consistent owing to the human understanding vested by the producer in the horse. Nevertheless we arie willing to be children again to watch this beautiful horse perform. This is a picture for the neighborhood house. No Advertising Support Accepted!