Screen Opinions (1923-24)

7S Screen Opinions Tells the Truth The Opinion “The Sword of Valor” is a clean adventure story that will be enjoyed by the majority of neighborhood audiences. If the exhibitor acquaints his patrons with the fact that Snowy Baker is an Australian, a champion swimmer, life saver and athlete, it may help' to pack his house. The picture is not out of the ordinary in any way, but presents a fast moving series of adventures in Spain in which an American army captain is called on to fight the battles of a pretty Spanish girl against an amorous gypsy. Duelling, rough-riding, romance and fascinating Spanish atmosphere are features of the picture. Pretty Dorothy Revier gives a good performance. “BLUFF”— 80% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed May, 1924 Theme — Adventures of Dress Designer Who Succeeded Through Bluff VALUE Photography — Very good — A. Gillcs. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Very good — Comedy — Adults. Star— Very good — Agnes Ayres. Author — Very good — Rita Weiman. Direction — Very good — Sam Wood. Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — Bluff makes bad foundation. CAST Betty Hallowell Agnes Ayres Robert Fitzmaurice Antonio Moreno Norton Conroy E. H. Calvert Jack Hallowell Roscoe ICarns Algy Henderson Arthur Hoyt Producer — Paramount. Footage — About 5000 feet. Distributor — Famous Players-Laaky. The Opinion The adventure of a young woman,1 designer who spent her last cent in a mad plunge for success is interesting. Posing as another woman known as “the fashion plate” but who has strangely disappeared, she is successfully bluffing her way to fortune when a detective suddenly appears on the scene to arrest her for embezzlement, a crime of which the other woman was guilty. The whole thing turns out to be a plot to prevent her brother from collecting from a political boss for injuries inflicted by the latter’s automobile. Agnes Ayres gives a pleasing performance as the girl and is afforded an opportunity to wear pretty clothes. Antonio Moreno is attractive as the lover, and the cast throughout is good. This is a good general purpose feature. “MILE. MIDNIGHT” — 80% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed May, 1924 Theme — Romance and Escapades of Mexican Girl VALUE Photography — Very good — O. T. Marsh. Moral standard — Average. Story — Very good — Drama — Family. Star — Very good — Mae Murray. Author — Very good— John Russell. Direction — Very good — R. Z. Leonard. Technique — Very good. Spiritual influence — Neutral. Moral — None. CAST Renee De Quires Mae Murray Owen Burke Monte Blue Corrales Robert McKim Don Pedro De Quires Robert Edeson Padre Francisco Otis Harlan Producer — Metro. Footage — G678 feet. Distributor — Metro. The Opinion “Mile. Midnight” can be listed by the exhibitor as a good audience picture and suited to the regular program. It is not strong enough for a special. The usual dash of the risque ill which a display of Miss Murray’s really beautiful form is exhibited, is present, but in a smaller degree than usual. The bulk of the story has to do with the escapades of a pretty French-Mexican girl Who loves an American stranger, and defies her father’s locks and bolts just to get a glimpse of him. The villain played excellently by Robert McKim is the usual fiery Mexican type. Miss Murray plays in a rather artificial way. The action of the picture is a bit jerky throughout. But in spite of its faults it should satisfy the average movie audience. It is different from the usual Mae Murray production, and not of the same elaborate type.