Screen Opinions (1923-24)

100 Screen Opinion* Tells the Truth “DARK STAIRWAYS”— 80% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed July. 1924 Theme — Adventures of youth eonvlcted of theft at rleh father's death VALUE Photography — Very good — W. Thornley Moral standard — Average. Story — Very good — Melodrama — Family Star — Very good — Herbert Rawlinson. Direction — Very good — Robert Hill. Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. CAST Sheldon Polk Herbert Rawlinson Sunny Day Ruth Dwyer Frank Farnsworth Hayden Stevenson "Dippy” Blake Robert E. Homans Producer — Universal. Footage — 5030 feet. Distributor — Universal. THE OPINION Good general purpose feature of the mystery type. The action is quite rapid from the moment that the hero’s father is found dead of heart failure, simultaneously with the disappearance of a diamond necklace given in security for a sum of money being delivered by his son. Herbert Rawlinson gives a satisfactory performance as the son wrongly accused of stealing the money. Ruth Dwyer is charming as the sweetheart. A good cast supports the star. Average underworld atmosphere, a dash of humor in the development of the hero role, but no startling spectacular or sensational moments occur. "GUILTY ONE”— 65% (Adapted from a play of the same name) Reviewed July, i924 Theme — Wife’s flirtation creates situation In which husband Is suspected of murder VALUE CAST Photography — Very good — Faxon Dean. Moral standard — Average. Story — Average — Drama — Adults. Star — Good — Agnes Ayres. Direction — Good — Joseph Henabery. Technique — Good. Spiritual influence — Neutral. Moral — Careless actions far-reaching. Irene Short Agnes Ayres Donald Short Edward Burns Philip Dupre Stanley Taylor Seaton Davies Crauford Kent Producer — Paramount. Footage — 5365 feet. Distributor — Famous Players-Dasky. THE OPINION Star’s opportunities limited. Agnes Ayres dresses the part well and does her best with a role that calls for little else than posing. The story in which a wife flirts with influential man to gain opportunity for architect husband, has little originality, and wife’s detection of murderer through intuition rather farfetched. Our impression is that adaptation is faulty. “$20 A WEEK”— 80% (Adapted from "The Adopted Father”) Reviewed July, 1924 Theme — Posing as bookkeeper man saves friend’s family from financial ruin VALUE Photography — Very good — H. Fishbeck. Moral standard — Good. Story — Very good — Com.— Dra — Family Direction — Very good — H. Weight. Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence — Average. Moral — You cannot thrive on idleness. CAST John Reeves George Arliss William Hart Taylor Holmes Muriel Hart Edith Roberts Chester Reeves Ronald Coleman Producer — Distinctive Pictures. Footage — 5990 feet. Distributor — Distinctive. THE OPINION Good audience picture but not a suitable vehicle for George Arliss. Situation interesting and different, but Taylor Holmes in an eccentric comedy role walks away with the picture. Edith Roberts is delightful, and little Joseph Donohue is easily master of the child role. The picture moves at a too leisurely pace to the climax. George Arliss plays a rich man who, trying to prove he can live on $20 a week, takes a job in the office of the son of a former friend!, who adopts him as a father to punish his sister for adopting a child.