Screen Opinions (1923-24)

112 Screen Opinions Tells the Truth “CODE OF THE WILDERNESS”— 80% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed July, 1924 Theme — titrl's mlMunderHtanding of lover who would save her from schemer VALUE CAST Photography — Very good — S. Smith, Jr. Moral standard — Average. Story — Average — Melodrama — Family. Cast — Very good — All-Star. Direction — Very good — David Smith. Technique — Very Good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None outstanding. Rex Anderson Ruth Darkness. Willard Master] Uncle Jephon John Rowers Alice Calhoun Alan Hale Otis llaHrlan Producer — Albert E. Smith. Footage — 6483 feet. Distributor — Vitagraph. THE OPINION Represents beautiful Alice Calhoun’s best work. Moods of the role she plays afford opportunity of which she makes the most. Story of girl’s adventures in the western Hi Us attractively presented with competent cast. Spirited action scarcely conceals ordinary quality of vehicle. Comedy relief in character played by Otis Harlan — an uncle always suspicious and always certain his ^‘vituition is correct. Good general purpose feature — will not stand big billing. “FIGHT AND WIN” Series— 80% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed July, 1924 Theme — Adventures of prize fighter forced from seclusion by circumstances VALUE Photography — Very good — Not credited. Moral standard — Average. Story — Good — Melodrama — Family. Star — Average — Jack Dempsey. Direction — Very good — G. Beaumont. Technique — Very good. Spiritual influence — Neutral. Moral — None. CAST Jack O' Day Jack Dempsey “Beans” Martin George Ovey "Ironsides” Reilly Ed. Kennedy Queenie Esther Ralston Mary Mary McAllister Producer — Universal. Length — 16 two-reelers. Distributor — Universal. THE OPINION Jack Dempsey series cannot fail to prove satisfactory to box office. Pugilist star not great actor but gets away with his task creditably. First of series “Winning His Way” based on story of prize fighter returning to ring to win money to pay for sick mother’s sojourn in country. Peppy action with comedy relief and ringside atmosphere. “MONTMARTRE”— 90% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed July, 1924 Theme — Romance and social struggle of girl of French dance halls VALUE Photography — Excellent — Not credited. Moral standard — Fair. Story — Excellent — Drama — Adults. Star — Excellent — Pola Negri. Direction — Excellent — Ernst Lubitsch. Technique — Excellent. Spiritual influence — Neutral. Moral — None outstanding. CAST Yvette Pola Negri Andre Le Due Herman Thimig Raoul Fourtier Alfred Abel Producer — Not credited. Footage — 6713 feet. Distributor — Famous Players — Lasky. THE OPINION Best of recent Pola Negri screen efforts. Picturesque and unusually artistic. French cafe atmosphere of hoop skirt period. Romance of dance hall girl and composer beautifully interpreted. Much interest attaches to the experience of the little wife prevented from attending the first performance of her husband’s symphony because of her profession and humble birth. The hand of the master director is present in every inch of this fascinating film, which was made abroad with a foreign and very excellent cast. Good suspense and human qualities make it a commendable box office attraction.