Screen Opinions (1923-24)

101 No AilvertltkiK Support Accepted t “TRUE AS STEEL”— 90% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed July, 1324 Theme — Problem of business woman’s contact with business men VALUE Photography — Excellent — John Mescal. Moral standard — Fair. Story — Excellent — Drama — Adults. Cast — Excellent — All-Star. Direction — Excellent — Rupert Hughes. Technique — Excellent. Spiritual influence — Neutral. Moral — None outstanding. CAST Mrs. Eva Boutelle Adleen Pringle Frank Parry Huntley Gordon Mrs. Mary Parry Cleo Madison Harry Boutelle Norman Kerry Producer — Goldwyn. Footage — About 6000 feet. Distributor — Goldwyn. THE OPINION With beautiful Aileen Pringle in the feminine lead, and the sex idea played to the limit, one would have guessed that Elinor; Glyn had written “True as Steel” had not Rupert Hughes’ name appeared as the author. The picture is beautifully mounted, Miss Pringle dressed the intellectually passionate role of Mrs. Eva Boutelle tastefully, and the story which is really something different, presents woman in the most extreme situation in which she could find herself in trying to put a business deal over with a fascinating man, equally fascinated by herself. The fact that the woman’s husband lives on her earnings gathers considerable sympathy to her side. And after all she errs but once, then decides that she has no right to wreck four lives just for one brief moment of madness. “VALLEY OF HATE”— 50% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed July. 1924 Theme — Romance of moonshine district of South Carolina VALUE Photography — Average — Ernest Miller. Moral standard — Average. Story — Average — Melodrama — Family. Cast — Good — All-Star. Direction — Average — Russell Allen. Technique — Average. Spiritual influence — Neutral. Moral — None. CAST Millie Hendricks Helen Ferguson Harvey Swope Raymond McKee Bob Darley Ralph Tearsley Jim Darley Wilfred Lucas Producer — Russell Production. Footage — About 4900 feet. Distributor — State Rights. THE OPINION Average entertainment value— correct southern mountain atmosphere. Good suspense and interesting romance. Barn fire from which heroine bound with a chain by unwelcome lover is rescued by handsome stranger who loves her, is spectacular feature. Sombre story with no bright moments. Good feature of its class for transient or cheap theatres. “WESTERN LUCK”— 65% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed July, 1924 Theme — Adopted son thwarts scheme to gain possession of ranch VALUE Photography — Good — Not credited. Moral standard — Average. Story — Good — Melodrama — Family. Star — Good — Charles Jones. Direction — Good — George Beranger. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. CAST Larry Campbell Charles Jones Betty Gray Beatrice Burnham James Evart Pat Hardlgan Lem Pearson Tom Lingham Producer — Fox. Footage — 6020 feet. Distributor — Fox. THE OPINION Ordinary western enlivened with a cow-man’s trip to New York, and a race back to the old ranch to beat the villain at his own game. A fire scene in the early part of the picture is an attraction, as is also good riding of spirited horses. The star does well and is supported by a capable cast.