Screen Opinions (1923-24)

“Book the New Percentage Way” 53 “ROUGH RiDIN’ ”—65% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed April, 1924 Theme Romance and Adventures of Westerner Framed for Murder VALUE Photography — Good — Ernest Hiller. Type— Sensational. Moral Standard — Average. Story — -Good—-Melodrama — Family. Cast— Average — All-Star. Author-— Good — Elizabeth Burnside. Direction — Good— -Richard Thorpe. Adaptation — Good — Margaret M. Harris Technique— Good. Spiritual Influence— Neutral. Moral — None. CAST Buddy Benson Buddy Roosevelt Mary Ross Elsa Benham Dick Ross -..-Richard Thorpe Jack Wells.. Joe Rickson Rosalind Nolan Frances Beaumont Old Man Nolan Mike Ready Producer — Approved Pictures Corp. Footage — 4650 feet. Distributor — State Rights. The Opinion Excellent Riding — A Spirited Story “Rough Ridin’ ” is a good general purpose Western feature. The plot of the story is more or less trivial, and treats of the romance of a young Westerner who is framed for murder by a man already under a ban and posing under an assumed name. The youth resolving to expose his accuser kidnaps the girl he loves and places her in charge of an Indian woman until he settles the situation. The villain confesses as he dies from a gun wound inflicted during a cattle raid by him and his gang, and the lovers are reconciled and happy once again. Excellent riding is a feature of the picture which should please in the average theatre where Westerns are liked. The story is told in a spirited manner and is wholesome throughout. The cast is average. “WANTERS”— 80% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed April, 1924 Theme— House-Maid’s Escapade In Borrowed Clothes Brings Rich Husband VALUE Photography — -Very good — E. G. Hallor. Type — Interesting. Moral Standard — Average. Story— Very good — Drama — Family. Cast — Very good — With Marie Provost. Author— Very good — Leila B. Wells. Direction— Very good — John M. Stahl. Adaptation— Very good— J. G. Hawks. Technique — -Very good. Spiritual Influence— Neutral. Moral — None outstanding. CAST Myra Hastings Marie Provost Elliott Worthington Robert Ellis Marjorie Norma Shearer Mrs. Van Pelt Gertrude Astor Theo. Van Pelt Huntly Gordon Tom Armstrong. .Vernon Steele Mary Louise Fazenda Producer — Louis B. Mayer. Footage— 6785 feet. Distributor — First National. The Opinion Good Box Office Value and Star Attraction Picture “The Wanters” is richly endowed with box office attributes, and is especially attractive in the selection of a cast. Marie Provost is delightful as the house-maid mistaken by her mistress’s brother for a guest. Robert Ellis is satisfying as the hero of the story, and Gertrude Astor and Huntly Gordon in prominent roles are fully equal to the occasion. Pretty interior settings, pretty clothes, comedy situations give this production an appeal for neighborhood and transient theatres. The house-maid becomes the wife of her mistress’s brother after having been discharged. Just at that moment her husband's brother-in-law enters her room and is found there by his wife, providing further opportunity for unkind criticism. The fact that her sister-in-law is later found in a compromising situation with a secret lover clears the atmosphere. No Advertising Support Accepted!