Screen Opinions (1923-24)

1SX °\?v 5ll/lQ.v)0 No Adrertlalne Support Accepted! “MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE”— 95% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed September. 1924 Theme — Romance nn«l ml veil lures of Bourbon prince In France and England VALUE Photography — Superior — H. Fishbeck. Moral standard — Average. Story — Superior — Drama — Family. Star — Superior — Rudolph Valentino. Direction — Superior — Sidney Olcott. Technique — Superior. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. CAST Monsieur Beaucaire.Rudolph Valentino Princess Henriette Bebe Daniels Queen Mary of France Lois Wilson King Louis XV of France L. Sherman Producer — Paramount. Footage — 9932 feet. Distributor — Famous Players-I.asky. THE OPINION Exceptionally artistic with gorgeous costuming and authentic settings o£ the period. Action set at a brisk tempo with fascinating variations of mood. This production brings Rudolph Valentino back to the screen with proof that he has made good use of the absent period. His work in this picture is characteristic by grace and polished pantomime. He is at home in athletic scenes, the use of the sword and foil, and wrestles with ease. And never has this handsome star been more appealing than in the elegantly attired, romantic role of Duke De Chartres, “a prince of the blood.” Bebe Daniels is grace and beauty pesonified as Princess Henriette, and Lowell Sherman gives a notable performance as Louis XV of France. Paulette Du Val’s Madame Pompadour is also very good. A good special for the neighborhood house. Built essentially for the high class audience. Delicately outlined sex appeal a feature. “BORROWED HUSBANDS” — 40% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed September, 1924 Theme — Experience of woman wlio llirted with other women’s husbands VALUE Photography — Good — Steve Smith. Moral standard — Low. Story — Fair — Drama — Adults. Star — Good — Florence Vidor. Direction — Good — David Smith. Technique — Fair. Sp’ritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. CAST Mrs. Burrard Florence Vidor Jerry Burrard Robert Gordon Dr. Langwell Rockcliffe Fellows Peggy Violet Palmer Producer — Vitagraph. Footage — 6850 feet. Distributor — Vitagraph. THE OPINION Trashy production of fair entertainment value and unwholesome moral influence. A story about careless flirtations and consequent results, nicely dressed and well played. Plot is not always clear. A poison death is dragged in in conection with a doctor of unsavory character. Florence Vidor excellent. “WESTERN VENGEANCE”— 50% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed September, 1924 Theme — Prospector avenges death of little sister at hands of mine tapper CAST VALUE Photography — Good — Walter Griffin. Moral standard — Average. Story — Average — Melodrama — Family. Star — Average — Franklin Farnum. Direction — Good — J. P. McGowan. Technique — Average. Spiritual Influence — Average. Moral — None. Prospector Franklin Farnum Sister Doreen Turner Sweetheart Marie Walcamp Crooks Jim Corey, Mack V. Wright Producer — Independent Pictures. Footage — About 5000 feet. Distributor — State Rights. THE OPINION Satisfactory western which gains its punch through efficient direction. Character portrayal also interesting. Jim Corey and Mack V. Wright give notable performances as the villains, and Doreen Turner is fetching in a child role. Marie Walcamp and Franklin Farnum very good. A clever dog lends comedy to the film.