Screen Opinions (1923-24)

“Book the New Percentage Way” 55 “HIS DARKER SELF”— 80% (Adapted from “Mammy’s Boy”) Reviewed April, 1924 Theme — Adventures of Youth as Blaek-Pace Detective VALUE Photography — Very good — Not credited Type — Humorous. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Very good — Farce — Family. Star — Very good — Lloyd Hamilton. Author — Very good — Arthur Caesar. Direction — Very good — Jack Noble. Adaptation — Very good — Not credited. Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. CAST Claude Sappington Lloyd Hamilton Bill Jackson Tom Wilson Uncle Eph Tom O’Malley Aunt Lucy Lucille La Verne Darktown’s Cleopatra Irma Harrison Jackson’s Sweetheart Edna May Sperl Sappington’s Sweetheart Sally Long The Governor Warren Cook Producer — Albert Grey. Footage — 5300 feet. Distributor — Educational Films Corp. The Opinion Much Negro Comedy Abounds in this Picture Here is something quite different from the average picture. We predict that it is going to be popular from the fact that it is not alone a well-made production, but because of its irrepressible humor even in moments that might otherwise be described as deeply tragic. Lloyd Hamilton, unique in his delivery of comedy, is all that he was in the very popular series of short comedies in which he appeared, and is surrounded by a cast of players many of whom are genuine negros. Much negro comedy will be found in the picture, and numerous original touches. The scenes at the negro dance where the villain tries to hold the affections of two lady-loves at the same time are amusing. The murder of a negro in connection with a smuggling scheme, and the pursuit of bootleggers in motor boats has quite a kick. The main thread of the story has to do with a youth’s successful struggle to free an old negro accused of the murder, by playing detective disguised as a black. “THIEF OF BAGDAD”— 95% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed April, 1924 Theme — Romance of Thief Loved by Princess VALUE Photography — Masterful — R. Holahan. Type — Fantastic. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Excellent — Fantasy — Family. Star — Superior — Douglas Fairbanks. Author — Excellent — Elton Thomas. Direction — Masterful — Raoul Walsh. Adaptation — Superior— Lotta Woods. Technique — Masterful. Spiritual Influence — Average. Moral — Happiness must be earned. The CAST Thief of Bagdad Douglas Fairbanks Exil Associate Snitz Edwards Princess Julanne Johnston Mongol Prince So-Jin Indian Prince Noble Johnson Persian Prince M. Comont Mongol Slave Anna May Wong Producer — Douglas Fairbanks. Footage — About 12000 feet. Distributor — United Artists. Opinion Douglas Fairbanks In a Fantasy of Athletic Gracefulness Describing “The Thief of Bagdad” is considerably different from talking about the average feature production. Never before has a fantasy been presented on the screen in so elaborate a manner. Never before has Douglas Fairbanks played a role which so emphasized his athletic gracefulness of physique. There are individual poses in which he resembles a bit of bronze statuary; and the fact that the picture is done in brown tones intensifies this quality. In the matter of settings, even the fantastic, or shall we say grotesque character of architecture in “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” could not vie successfully with those of “The Thief of Bagdad.” Then the photography is a (Continued on next page) No Advertising Support Accepted 1