Screen Opinions (1923-24)

9« Screen Opinions Tells the Truth The Opinion “The Chechahcos,” a production photographed on the scene of the gold rush to Dawson in 1897. The great glaciers on which some of the story is enacted are made to fit dramatically into the plot. The long line of good seekers zig-zagging over the snow slopes, the dog teams bearing the burden of supplies, the Yukon river hurrying small boats over the rapids. It would not be complete without a blizzard, and so wq have one thrillingly! presented. Herds of reindeer are shown, view of Mount McKinley and reminiscences from old trading posts on, the trail. The plot of the story concerns the separation of the pretty wife and child of a man killed on the boat en route. The mother, deceived by the villain into believing her child dead becomes a singer in the dance halls, and the child grows to young womanhood under the protection of a couple of kindly prospectors, one of which she later marries. We cannot close without mention of the splendid performance given by William Dills. The picture opens with scenes from President Harding’s trip to Alaska. “TRIUMPH”— 95% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed May, 1924 Theme — What Happened When Destiny Caused Two Men to Change Places VALUE Photography — Superior — Bert Glennon. Moral standard — Average. Story — Superior — Com.-Dra. — Family. Cast — Superior — All-Star. Author — Superior — May Edgington. Direction — Superior — Cecil B. De Mille. Technique — Superior. Spiritual influence — Good. Moral — Two sides to a story. CAST Ann Lund Leatrice Joy King Garnet Rod La Roque David Garnet George Fawcett Factory Girl Zazu Pitts Varlnoff Theodore Kesloff Producer — Paramount. Footage — 8292 feet. Distributor — Famous Players-Lasky. The Opinion Cecil DeMille has more nearly reached a point of constructional perfection in his production of “Triumph” than in any other which he has made. He ha9 produced bigger, more spectacular things, but “Triumph” is an all around good picture. Rod La Roque gives a fine performance and so also does Leatrice Joy to whom opportunity is kind. The role she plays lifts from the position of forewoman in a tin can factory to a stellar place on the stage and back again to poverty and the arms of the man the woman really loves. This is a picture for the masses. You make no mistake in booking it. “WANTED BY THE LAW”— 50% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed May, 1924 Theme — Adventure* of Youth Wrongly Aceuaed of Shooting VALUE Photography — Average — E. McManigal. Moral standard — Average. Story — Average — Melodrama — Family. Star — Good — J. B. Warner. Author — Average — R. North Bradley. Direction — Average — R. North Bradley. Technique — Average. Spiritual influence — Neutral. Moral — None outstanding. CAST Jim Lorraine J. B. Warner Jessie Walton Dorothy Walton Bill Baxter J. Morley Bush McGraw ...Bill McCall Jerry Hawkins Frank Rica Producer — A. J. Xydias. Footage — About 5000 feet. Distributor — State Rights. The Opinion There is nothing to recommend this western beyond the fact that it is clean, and the atmosphere is convincing. You have seen many another like it in which a youth is wrongly accused, is trailed and brought to bay in a mountain cabin. The girl brings the man supposed to have been killed on the scene just at the right moment to prevent the sheriff taking the hero into custody and to expose the real culprits. Cheap localities should welcome this production as clean spirited amusement. Dorothy Walton, a pretty and talented new player, appears in the feminine lead.