Screen Opinions (1923-24)

84 Screen Opinion* Tell* the Truth “MAYTIME”— 65% (Adapted from musical play of the same name) Reviewed June, 1924 Theme — Romance of Rich Rian’ VALUE Photography — Very good — Karl Struss. Moral standard — Average. Story — Average — Rom. Melo. — Family. Cast — Very good — All-Star. Direction — Good — Gasnler. Technique — Average. Spiritual influence — Neutral. Moral — Love is not respecter of station. Daughter and Gardener’s Son CAST Otilie Van Zandt Ethel Shannon Richard Wayne Harrison Ford Matthew William Norris Alice Tremaine Clara Bow Producer — B. P. Schulberg. Footage — 7500 feet. Distributor — Preferred. THE OPINION The hoop skirt and pantalette period of the eighteenth century gives a picturesque setting to the first reels of ‘‘Maytime, ” a romance of old New York. The story is not substantial enough to prove greatly absorbing separated from the musical setting which it enjoyed on the stage, and the dividing of the plot between two periods makes it still more difficult to sustain interest. Some attractive ballet scenes are interjected and an old romance is revived in grandchildren of ancient lovers. “SPIRIT OF THE U. S. A.”— 90% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed June, 1924 Theme — Father Reaps Tragedy Through Rlind Idolatry of Least Deserving Sou VALUE CAST Photography — Excellent — Ross Fisher. Johnnie Gains Johnny Walker Moral standard — Good. Mary Gains Mary Carr Stofry — Excellent — Melodrama — Family. Thomas Gains Carl Stockdale Star — Excellent — Johnny Walker. Gretchen Schultz Gloria Grey Direction — Excellent — Emory Johnson. — Technique — Excellent. Producer — F. B. O. Spiritual influence — Good. Footage — 8312 feet. Moral — Undaunted ardor of youth. Distributor — F. B. O. THE OPINION The fact that this production is similar in theme to “Over the Hill” is not apt to interefere with its popularity. The direction was conducted in sympathy with the story, and one of the picture’s attractions is its wealth of homely detail. An impression of what the arrival of the American boys in France meant to besieged sections is a masterful achievement. A battle between two aeroplanes in mid-air, and the wrecking of a dam in which, by a clever trick of photography, two people are apparently swallowed up, are features. Father’s blow prevents hero serving with regular army. “MARRIAGE CHEAT”— 80% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed June, 1924 Theme — Romance of Clergyman with Woman Thrown by Sea on Tropical l*le VALUE Photography — Excellent — Henry Sharp. Moral Standard — Fair. Story — Very good — Drama — Adults. Cast — Very good — All-Star. Direction — Very good — J. G. Wray. Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence — Average. Moral — Not clearly outlined. CAST Helen Canfield Leatrice Joy Paul Mayne Percy Marmont Bob Canfield Adolphe Menjou Rosie Laska Winter Producer — Thomas H. Ince. Footage — 6622 feet. Distributor — First National. THE OPINION “The Marriage Cheat,” presented with a musical setting of Hawaiian melodies is fascinatingly romantic. The picture bears unmistakable evidence of having been photographed in the tropics. Surf scenes and long distance coast line shots are beautiful. Leatrice Joy was never more charming than in this production. Adolph Menjou’s “heavy” is flawless. Many natives are employed. Laska Winter exhibits unusual talent.