Screen Opinions (1923-24)

108 Screen Opinions Tells the Truth “CAPTAIN JANUARY”— 90% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed July, 1924 Theme — Sea waif’s adventures trying to prevent separation from foster daddy VALUE Photography — Excellent — Not credited. Moral standard — Good. Story — Excellent — Drama — Family. Star — Excellent — Peggy Montgomery. Direction — Excellent — Edward F. Cline. Technique — Excellent. Spiritual influence — Good. Moral — Indestructible bond of love. CAST Captain January Baby Peggy Jeremiah Judkins Hobart Bosworth Isabelle Morton Irene Rich George Maxwell Harry T. Morey Producer — Sol Lesser. Footage — 6194 feet. Distributor — Principal Pictures. THE OPINION Plenty of comedy relief, fascinating sea atmosphere and human interest. Hobart Bosworth and Baby Peggy give life-like portrayal of foster daddy and child. Forced separation of pair tear-compelling. Escape of child from kindly disposed relatives and return to light island in barrel aboard ship amusing incident. Children as well as adults will like the picture. A pet pelican and a fascinating dog, also a cow, figure in the light-house family. Wholesome, well-made production played by competent cast. “SWORDS AND THE WOMAN”— 80% (Adapted from a novel of the same name) Reviewed July, 1924 Theme — Romance an*l Adventures of French Revolutionary Period VALUE Photography — Good — J. Rosenthal, Jr. Moral standard — Average. Story — Very good — Drama — Family. Cast — Very good — All-Star. Direction — Very good— Henry Kolker. Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — Non^. CAST Sir Percy Blakeney Holmes Herbert Paul Deroulide Pedro De Cordoba Juliette De Marny Flora Le Breton Annie Mio Marquisette Le Bosky Producer — Not credited. Footage — About 7000 feet. Distributor — F. B. O. THE OPINION Convincing period atmosphere, excellent suspense, and careful editing are features of this production. Titles might be improved. Unfamiliar and pretty feminine lead gives notably good performance. Holmes Herbert is effective as the “Scarlet Pimpernel,” and Pedro De Cordoba as Paul Deroulide, the story’s lover. Spirit of adventure together with fascinating romance of girl who fell in love with man who killed her brother in a sword duel, give historical production popular appeal. “DOWN BY THE RIO GRANDE”— 65% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed July, 1924 Theme — Buried mail sack delays inheritance — Youth kidnaps girl to prevent unhappy marriage VALUE Photography — Good — Roland Price. Moral standard — Average. Story — Good — Rom. Drama — Family. Cast — Good — Dorothy Revier. Direction — Good — Alvin J. Neitz. Technique — Good. Spiritual influence — Neutral. Moral — None. CAST Senorita Carmen Dorothy Revier Carlos Verdugo William Fairbanks Philip Granada Jack Richardson Teresa Valdez Olive Trevor Producer — Phil Goldstone. Footage — About 5000 feet. Distributor — State Rights. THE OPINION Same story as that used in Fox production “Romance Ranch.” Will satisfy if latter film has not preceded it, and small items of difference may forestall objections on the ground of similarity. Dorothy Revier and William Fairbanks doing attractive team work as the enemy lovers. Cast good throughout. Production not elaborate, but entertaining.