Screen Opinions (1923-24)

If* Advertising Support Accepted! Ill “THERE’S MILLIONS IN IT”— 80% (Adapted from "Men of Affairs") Reviewed July, 1924) Theme — Attempt to gain mastery of radium fields hnrred through double identity VALUE CAST Photography — Very good — Not credited Moral standard — Average. Story — Very good — Melodrama — Family Cast — Very good — All-Star. Direction — Very good— Dennison Clift. Technique — Very good. Spiritual influence — Neutral. Moral — None. Anthony Barraclough Olive Brook Richard Altar Olive Brook Hilbert Torrington Ernest Douglas Auriole Craven Catherine Calvert Producer — Not credited. Footage — About 5000 feet. Distributor — F. B. O. THE OPINION This has a vigorous plot played by a competent cast. The action moves rapidly and supplies thrills and a novelty in the dirigible used by the hero to beat his enemies in the game of grab. A fight aboard the blimp in mid-air is a feature. The employment of the hero’s double to throw his enemies off the track while he races to the radium fields and obtains his option, introduces a quality of suspense. The production has the exciting quality of a good1 serial with all the action packed into five reels. Competent players keep the bail rolling. “RECOIL”— 80% (Adapted from Rex Beach story of same name) Reviewed July, 1924 Theme — Romance of woman driven by hunger to marriage she believed loveless VALUE Photography — Very good — R. Guissart. Moral standard — Fair. Story — Very good — Drama— Adults. Cast — Very good — Betty Blythe. Direction — Very good— T. H. Hunter. Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — Right way the best. CAST Gordon Kent Mahlon Hamilton Norma Selbee Netty Blythe Laurence Regan Marchmont C. Brook William Sothern Fred Paul Producer — J. Parker Read, Jr. Footage — 7089 feet. Distributor — Metro-Goldwyn. THE OPINION Well-dressed production. Betty Blythe attractive and right type for woman. Mahlon Hamilton picturesque and manly here. Scenes representing Andes mountains very beautiful. Gloomy note resounds throughout. Moral balance reclaimed in closing scenes where woman, after death of husband who deserted her, is rescued from grip of illegitimate lover and realizes she loves second husband who formerly saved her from hunger and the streets. Up-to-date, well-made and entertaining. “ROMANCE RANCH”— 65% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed July, 1924 Theme — Romance of Southern California — Youth destroys will which would enrich him and impoverish sweetheart VALUE Photography — Good — Bert Baldridge. Moral standard — Average. Story — Good — Romantic Melo. — Family. Star — Good — John Gilbert. Direction — Good — Howard Mitchell. Technique — Good. Spiritual influence — Neutral. Moral — True love protects. CAST Carlos Brent John Gilbert Carmen Hendley Virginia B. Faire Clifton Venable John Miljan Tessa Evelyn Selbie Producer — Fox. Footage — 4471 feet. Distributor — Fox. THE OPINION Pep and romance characterizing qualities. John Gilbert excellent in hero role. Interesting story with absorbing Spanish-American atmosphere. The production has dash and go that should carry an audience with it. Virginia Brown Faire is attractive and talented. Excellent suspense in tale of hidden will, and letter delayed fifty years.