Screen Opinions (1923-24)

OS Screen Opinions Tells the Truth “WHAT THREE MEN WANTED”— 50% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed June, 1924 Theme — Plot to Gain Possession of Girl's Property by Foreclosure VALUE CAST Photography — Average — Not credited. Harriet Lancaster -....Miss Dupont Moral standard — Average. Billy Lambert Jack Livingston Story — Average — Com.-Melo. — Family. Marion Fair.— Catherine Murphy Star — Average — Miss Dupont. Sir Oliver .Robert Boulder Direction — Average — Paul Burns. — Technique — Average. Producer — Jesse J. Goldberg. Spiritual influence — Neutral. Footage — About 6000 feet. Moral — None. Distributor — State Rights. THE OPINION This is essentially a cheap theatre production. The story is a bit improbable, and the development of the plot flimsy. An uncle on his way from England to save his niece’s property from the loan shark, a youth hired' to impersonate him, and the accompanying adventures and romance are the high lights of the story. “SEA HAWK”— 95% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed June, 1924 Theme — Brother’s Perfidy Makes English Peer Galley Slave • VALUE Photography — Excellent — N. Brodin. Moral standard — Fair. Story — Superior — Drama — Family. Cast — Excellent — All-Star. Author — Superior — Rafael Sabatini. Direction — Superior — Frank Lloyd. Technique — Excellent. Spiritual Influence — Average. Moral — None. CAST Sir Oliver Tresillian Milton Sills Rosamund Godolphin Enid Bennett Lionel Tresillian Lloyd Hughes Jasper Leigh Wallace Beery Sir John Killigrew Marc MacDermott Producer — First National. Footage — 12046 feet. Distributor — First National. THE OPINION “The Sea Hawk” looks like a money-maker. It is based on a story of the sea. The picture is a truly big one — a genuine special. Moorish, English and Spanish ships of the period are remarkably authentic as to type and fittings. Realism in every detail has been obtained. The picture has an educational quality in that it gives an accurate idea of the civilization of the period and of the fearful brutality of the galley system. “RECKLESS AGE”— 90% (Adapted from “Love Insurance”) Reviewed June, 1924 Theme — Romance of Youth Who Defeats Plot to Marry Girl for Money VALUE Photography — Excellent — Wm. Fildew. Moral standard — Average. Story — Excellent — Comedy — Family. Star — Very good — Reginald Denny. Direction — Excellent — Harry Pollard. Technique — Excellent. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. CAST Dick Minot Reginald Denny Cynthia Meyrick Ruth Dwyer Henry Trimmer Hayden Stevenson Lord Harrowby William Austin Producer — Universal. Footage — 6954 feet. Distributor — Universal. THE OPINION A good bet for the average house, spirited and humorous throughout. Reginald Denny appears to advantage in the role of an insurance detective who falls in love with a girl about to be married to an impoverished title whose owner has insured himself heavily against possible failure of the) marriagd to take place. The star exhibits a decided talent for an original type of comedy entailing hand gestures and facial expressions that cause a riot of laughter. Ruth Dwyer is delightful as the girl. The cast is good throughout. A fight in a newspaper office, and a race with the train in a Ford car by lovers on’ the “outs,” are features.