Screen Opinions (1923-24)

54 Screen Opinions Tells the Truth “DANCING CHEAT”— 65% (Adapted from “Clay of Ca’Lina”) Reviewed April, 1924 Theme — A Game of Blackmail Played by the Wife of a Gambler VALUE Photography — Very good — W. Thornley Type — Interesting. Moral Standard — Fair. Story — Good — Melodrama — Adults. Star — Good — Herbert Rawlinson. Author — Good — Calvin Johnson. Direction — Good — Irving Cummings. Adaptation — Good — Ray L. Schrock. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. CAST Brownlew Clay Herbert Rawlinson “Poppy” Andrews Alice Lake Bobby Norton Robert Walker Mose Joe Blackwell “Dender” Kane Edwin J. Brady “Moron Mike” Harmon MacGregor Producer — Universal. Footage — 4727 feet. Distributor — Universal. The Opinion Good Audience Picture — Slender Moral — Stars Attractive In presenting “The Dancing Cheat” you must be sure of your audience on account of the weak moral backbone of the picture. The story treats of a game of blackmail played by the wife of a gambler on a man who, after resisting her for some time finally decides to reform her. His awakening comes when he discovers that instead of a misguided girl she is a married woman. The death of the husband clears the situation, and leaves the woman and the man who really love one another, free to marry. It is not clear whether the woman lives at the man’s apartment or not during her attempt to blackmail him, hence the uncertainty of the story’s moral. Alice Lake and Herbert Rawlinson are excellent in their respective roles, and are supported by a capable cast. The picture is well made and enteraining. “GEORGE WASHINGTON, JR.”— 80% (Adapted from a play of the same name) Reviewed April, 1924 Theme — Boy Thwarts Count's Scheme and Aid’s Cousin’s Romance VALUE Photography — Very good — Not credited Type — Humorous — Sensational. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Very good — Com.-Melo. — Family Star — Very good — Wesley Barry. Author — Very good — George M. Cohan. Direction — Very good — Mai St. Clair. Adaptation — Very good — Rex Taylor. Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None outstanding. CAST Geo. Washington, Jr Wesley Barry Dolly Johnson Gertrude Olmstead Count Gorfa Leon Bary Eton Ham -...Charles Conklin Senator Hopkins Otin Harlan Senator Belgrave W. Courtwright Robert Lee Hopkins Ed. Phillips Producer — Warner Bros. Footage — 5674 feet. Distributor — Warner Bros. The Opinion Picture Will Satisfy Followers of Wesley Barry Wesley Barry is getting to the line between childhood and maturity which causes difficulties in obtaining screen material with which to retain his popularity with a public that still thinks of him as a child. “George Washington, Jr. proves satisfactory in a general way, creating interest through story, types and cast, rather than through the star, in spite of the fact that young Wesley does well what is expected of him. The butler role played by Edward Phillips is one of the best-humored bits of character work in the picture, and Otis Harlan and William Courtwright also appear to advantage in a comedy light. Gertrude Olmstead iq charming as the sweetheart of the picture, about to be sacrificed to a bogus count whose schemes are uncovered through the quick wit of George Washington, Jr. The rivalry between two senators, and the struggle on the part of one of them to obtain a title for his niece, and prevent her from marrying the son of his rival forms the main thread of the story in which George Washington, Jr.’s1 mischievous nature combined with an innate honesty is the cause of interesting complications. No Advertising Support Acceptedl