Screen Opinions (1923-24)

2 Screen Opinions Tell the Truth Percentage Figure Values Masterful 100% Superior 95% Excellent 00% Very good ...... 80% Good .. 65% Average .. 56% Fair ... 40% Poor .. 25% Every picture reviewed in SCREEN OPINIONS is analyzed according to definite standards before arriving at positive percentage value. The independent summary in "The Opinion" is submitted to you for final judgment, because in ail cases you must have the last word when it comes to selecting the pictures. A thorough reading of "The Opinion’’ will give a clearer idea of the nature or the picture, so that you may be better able to judge its money-making possibilities for you, its entertainment, value and suitability for your patronage. “MEN, WOMEN AND MONEY”— 50% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed September. 1924 Theme — Strife between capital and labor VALUE Photography — Average — Not credited. Moral standard — Good. Story — Average — Drama — Family. Cast — Good — All-Star. Direction — Average — Not credited. Technique — Average. Spiritual Influence — Good. Moral — Value of industrial democracy. OAST Tom Thayer William H. Tooker Manager J. Herbert Frank Thaver’s Daughter-Marguerite Courtot Child Miriam Batista Producer — Sun Ray Pictures, Inc. Footage — About 5000 feet. Distributor — State Rights. THE OPINION Lacks dramatic force. Poorly chosen subtitles a detriment. The story of struggle between capital and labor, between crook manager and philanthropist, the murder mystery when head of firm is found dead in home, the sacrifice of his crippled son in struggle with fanatic contains material for a good picture. Dr. Frank Crane is the author. Moral influence good, but audience will resent paying money to see tiresome production. THE STORY In Queenstead, an American city, Warren & Thayer’s manufacturing plant had labor troubles. A conniving manager, together with a stool pigeon, murder Warren, for the purpose of getting control in his own hands and freezing out Thayer. Thayer’s plan of inspiring the spirit of industrial democracy through the circulation of pictures dealing with the subject has its effect And after a strike that threatens the workers’ families with starvation, Thayer finally establishes an industrial democracy as planned. “THAT FRENCH LADY”— 65% (Adapted from "The Strange Woman”) Reviewed September, 1924 Theme — Lover’x mother restores woman's faith in marriage VALUE ‘ CAST Photography — Average — Not credited. Inez De Pierrefond Shirley Mason Moral standard — Average. John Hemingway Theodore Von Eltz Story — Average — Drama — Adults. Charlie Abbey Harold Goodwin Star — Good — Shirley Mason. Uncle Walter Charles Coleman Direction — Good — Edmund Mortimer. ■ — Technique — Good. Producer — Fox. Spiritual Influence — Average. Footage — About 5000 feet. Moral — Enduring principle of marriage. Distribution — Fox. THE OPINION Interesting version of William J. Hurlburt’s stage play, ‘‘The Strange Woman,” although intention of play is not thoroughly exploited. Adaptation superficial. Shirley Mason not suited to title role. Theodore Van Eltz excellent in artist-lover role. Lucy Beaumont very sweet as mother whose willingness to waive ideal of lifetime causes son’s sweetheart to replace free love theories with marriage. Production well dressed and attractively staged. Good program feature for adult audiences. Produced in clean style. SHORT SUBJECTS A MONKEY ROMEO — Fox — (Monkey Comedy) — Clean and clever. Unusually intelligent monkey-actor pursues life like human being. Get this one. FIRST HUNDRED YEARS — Sennett-Pathe two-reel comedy — A riot of fun. Exceptionally original. Hiring new cook introduces female detective, and weird noises mistaken for ghosts. Harry Langdon excellent comedy star. Printed in U. S. A.