Screen Opinions (1923-24)

52 Screen Opinions Tells the Truth “SINGER JIM McKEE”— 80% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed April, 1924 Theme — Mine Partners Caring tor a Motherless Child VALUE Photography — Very good — D. Warren. Type — Romantic. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Very good — Rom.-Melo — Family Star — Very good — William S. Hart. Author — Very good — William S. Hart. Direction — Very good— Clifford S. Smith Adaptation — Very good — J. G. Hawks. Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence — Average. Moral — None outstanding. CAST “Singer’’ Jim McKee W. S. Hart Mary Holden Phyllis Haver Buck Holden Gordon Russell Dan Gleason Bert Sprette Betty Gleason _ Ruth Miller Hamlin Glass, Jr._ Edward Coxen “Brute” Bernstein. George Selgmann Producer — Paramount. Footage — 7098. Distributor — Famous Players-Lasky. The Opinion Pleasing Melodrama — Not Exactly Hart Type — Very Human William S. Hart fans will be well enough pleased with “Singer Jim McKee,” in spite of the fact that it is not quite the type he is used to playing. The story opens at a certain mine where two partners caring for the motherless child of one, find the parting of the ways when the law takes note that one of them is a bandit, and the other flees with the child. The romance of the story then follows when “Singer Jim,” named for his addiction to singing on all occasions, in making a home for, and educating the motherless girl Mary, falls in love with her, and after many adventures claims her for his wife. There are thrills and considerable pathos in the picture, and the hero’s love for animals affords some interesting touches. One startling incident shows Hart and his horse somersaulting down an embankment. “STORM DAUGHTER”— 65% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed April, 1924 Theme — Romance of Girl and Brutal Skipper VALUE Photography — Average — J. Cronjager. Type — Sensational. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Average — Melodrama — Family. Star — Good — Priscilla Dean. Author — Average — Leete Renick Brown Direction — Good — George Archainbaud. Adaptation— Good — E. J. Montaigne. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. CAST Girl Priscilla Dean Skipper Tom Santschi Members of the Crew: Cyril Chadwick Bert Reach J. Farrell McDonald Alfred Fisher William B. Davidson Producer — Universal. Footage — 5303 feet. Distributor — Universal. The Opinion Star Not Seen at Her Best “The Storm Daughter” is a good sea picture of the type of “The Sea Wolf” but with a story of lesser significance. Priscilla Dean has not the opportunities that her talent deserves, and Tom Santschi seems to walk away with the honors. The story is not particularly forceful. It deals with the adventures of the daughter of a fisherman at whose death she becomes mistress of his small boat. Her fishing smack is run down by a schooner whose brutal skipper persecutes her. A mutiny among the crew places him in irons from which he is released at the appeal of the girl when the vessel, driven ahead by a vengeful first mate, founders on the rocks. It transpires that the skipper is not really a bad man, but has become embittered through disappointed love. The girl and the skipper, the only ones saved from the wreck, plight their troth on the rock-bound island on which they are thrown. No Advertising Support Accepted!