Screen Opinions (1923-24)

No Advertising Support Accepted! 79 “UNTAMED YOUTH”— 50% (Adapted from “As the Cyclone Blows”) Reviewed May,, 1924 Tliemc — Romance of Gypsy Girl and Religions Youth VALUE Photography — Average — J. A. Dubray. Moral standard — -Average. Story — Average — Melodrama — Family. Cast — Good — All-Star. Author — Average — G. Marion Burton. Direction — Average — Emile Chautard. Technique — Foor. Spiritual influence — Average. Moral — None outstanding. CAST Marcheta Dorelys Perdue Robert Ardis Lloyd Hughes Joe Ardis Ralph Lewis Pietro Joseph Swlckard Rev. Eli Loranger Joseph Dowling Producer — Robertson -Cole. Footage — About 5000 feet. Distributor — F. B. O. The Opinion “Untamed Youth” is a good example of what overdrawn development and careless editing can do to a perfectly good story. Dorelys Perdue ha3 possibilities, and can do better work than opportunity affords in “Untamed Youth.” On the whole the picture is second rate, and suitable for the second and third rate theatre. The story treats of the romance of a favorite son of the village who was intended for the ministry, but whet fell under the spell of a gypsy fortune teller. The girl gains a personal knowledge of God when her prayers are ansv/ered during a cyclone and the man is saved from death in the torrent. Quite a thrilling spectacle is presented in the cyclone scenes. “TORMENT”— 80% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed May, 1924 Theme — Thieves Trapped by Earthquake In Yokoliiimn Money Y’nult VALUE Photography — Very good — Arthur Todd Moral standard — Good. Story — Very good — Melod rama — Family Star — Very good — Owen Moore. Author — Very good — W. Dudley Pelley. Direction — Very good — M. Tourneur Technique — Very good. Spiritual influence — Good. Moral — Anguish causes regeneration. CAST Hansen Owen Moore Mrs. Flint Maude George Flint Joseph Kilgour Fogarty George Cooper Marie Bessie Love Producer — M. C. Levee. Footage — 5422 feet. Distributor — First National. The Opinion “Torment” as a production has something more to offer than merely a melodramatic story. The big spectacle of the picture and one which is remarkably well staged, is a reproduction of the earthquake at Yokohama. Buildings are seen crumbling and destruction within and without together with the trapping of a party of thieves in certain huge money vaults. The plot of the story centers about a scheme to rob Boris, who has been persuaded to sell the Russian crown jewels for the purpose of robbing him of the money. Boris is shot by one of the party in a scuffle over the money, but before he dies he converts Hansen, the leader of the gang, to a resolve to go straight. The cast gives an excellent performance. “PRINTER’S DEVIL”— 65% (Adapted from a novel of the same name) Reviewed May, 1924 Theme — Printer’s devil aids new owner and rounds lip bank robbers Y’ALTJE Photography — Good — Not credited. Moral standard — Average. Story — Good — Com.-Melo. — Family. Star — Good — Wesley Barry. Author — Good — Julien Josephson. Direction — Good — William Beaudine. Technique — Good. Spiritual influence — Neutral. Moral — Discouragement brings success. CAST Brick Hubbard Wesley Barry Sidney Fletcher Harry Myers Vivian Gates Katherine McGuire Lem Kirk Louis King Ira Gates George Pierce Producer — Warner Brothers. Footage — About 6000 feet. Distributor — Warner Brothers.