Screen Opinions (1923-24)

134 Screen Opinions Tells the Truth “WINE”— 65% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed September. 1924 Theme — Rankrupt aristocrat’.-* daughter victim of )aiz when father is forced Into partnership with bootlegger VALUE CAST Photography — Very good — Not credited Angela Warriner Clara Bow Moral standard — Fair. Carl Graham Forrest Stanley Story — Average — Melodrama — Adults. John Warriner Huntley Gordon Cast — Good — All-Star — With Clara Bow Mrs. Warriner Myrtle Stedman Direction — Good — Louis Gasnier. Technique — Good. Producer — Universal. Spiritual Influence — Average. Footage — 6220 feet. Moral — Evil of intemperance. Distributor — Universal. THE OPINION Designed for box office rather than for sociological reasons. Sensationalism in jazz life characterizing feature. Production should be toned down to be convincing. For instance a closeup of girls’ limbs protruding upward from a number of barrels in a cabaret performance might be eliminated with good effect. Clara Bow does well as the flapper, but is prevented from appearing to best advantage through careless photography. The camera man has not been careful to avoid photographing her face from certain ineffective angles. “BEING RESPECTABLE”— 65% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed September, 1924 Theme — Unhappy results when father choose** children’s marriage mates VALUE CAST Photography — Very good — Not credited Valeria Winship Marie Prevost Moral standard — Fair. Charles Carpenter Monte Blue Story — Fair — Drama — Adults. Deborah Carpenter Louise Fazenda Cast — Very good — All-Star. Suzanne Schuyler Irene Rich Direction-Good — Phil Rosen. Technique — Good. Producer — Warner Bros. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Footage — About 6000 feet. Moral — Leave others’ plans alone. Distributor — Warner Bros. THE OPINION Story based on fictitious situation. Youth forced into marriage with girl he had never proposed to. Girl apparently happy at prospective father-in-law’s announcement of marriage in spite of omission of proposal formality. Incorrect psychology in development of characters prevents picture from being con.vincing. Other details of production satisfactory. Irene Rich excellent in emotional scenes. “LITTLE ROBINSON CRUSOE”— 65% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed September. 1924 Theme — Adventures of shipwrecked boy chosen eannihnl war god VALUE Photography — Very good — Frank Good Moral standard — Good. Story — Average — Comedy — Family. Star — Good — Jackie Coogan. Direction — Good — Jack Coogan, Sr. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Average. Moral — None. CAST Mickey Hogan Jackie Coogan Capt. of Police Will Walling Capt. Dynes Tom Santschi Adolphe Schmidt -....Bert Sprett Producer — Jackie Coogan Prod. Footage — 6216 feet. Distributor — Metre-Goldwyn. THE OPINION Fine tropical atmosphere and sensational presentation of ship foundering in typhoon. These scenes are illuminative and thrilling. Jackie’s comedy opportunities scarce. His adventures with the cannibals are interesting and contain considerable suspense; but the average spectator will miss the characteristic punch of a standard Jackie Coogan feature. Does everyone who leaves your theatre receive an interesting and attractive picee of advertising aimed to BRING HIM BACK AGAIN?