Screen Opinions (1923-24)

\o AiivrrtinInK Support ArrepteA! 7 “BUTTERFLY”— 80% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed September. 1924 Theme — Self-saeriflee of elder sister In guiding destiny of younger VALVE Photography — Very good — Not credited Moral standard — Average. Story — Very good — Drama — Family. Cast — Very good — AU-Star. Direction — Very good — Clarence Brown. Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence — Average. Moral— Sin of selfishness. CAST Dora Collier .Laura La Plante Hilary Collier Ruth Clifford Craig Spaulding Kenneth Harlan Konrad Kronski Norman Kerry Producer — Universal. Footage — About 6000 feet. Distributor — Unievrs&l. THE OPINION Not totally convincing, but the sort of thing the average public likes. Story interesting but considerably of the “made to order” variety. Self-sacrificing girl thwarted at every move toward happiness by younger sister’s demand for desired treasure. Laura La Plante works intelligently in a somewhat thankless part. Ruth Clifford especially sympathetic in elder sister role. Modern jazz atmosphere effectively injected. Not vastly artistic, but entertaining. “LEND ME YOUR HUSBAND”— 50% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed September. 1924 Theme — Girl who carried borrowing habit Into realm of matrimony VALUE CAST Photography — Very good — Jack Brown. Aline Stockton Doris Kenyon Moral standard — Fair. Henry Seton. . David Powell Story — Average — Drama — Adults. Mrs. Seton Dolores Cassinelli Cast — Good — All-Star. Burrows Stockton J. Barney Sherry Direction — Average — Christy Cabanne. Technique — Average. Spiritual Influence — Average. Producer — Burr Pictures, Inc. Moral — Danger of ignoring conventions Footage — 5389 feet. of marriage law. Distributor — Burr Pictures, Inc. THE OPINION Audiences will be interested in the characters, rather than in the action, which is unconvincing and melodramatic. An unhappy impression of society life is projected. Direction is not up to par. The excellent selling title will help the transient theatre to get the crowd once. Neighborhood audiences in general will resent cheap quality of subject. THE STORY Aline Stockton and Jennie MacDonald, daughter of the Stockton gardener, have been close friends from childhood. Aline goes abroad, and returning, enters the home port in company with a married man, Henry Seton. In the incidents that follow, Aline carries a habit of borrowing, formed in childhood, into the lives of her women friends, borrowing a husband here and there under the guise of friendship. Jennie is finally coveted by Seton, who lures her to his summer cottage. Aline rushes to apprise her of her father’s anger. As the old man holds a pistol at bedroom door, Aline steps out in place of his daughter, thus shouldering the disgrace. Later she follows Jennie to the river edge, saving her from suicide. The story ends happily. “MAN FROM NEW Y0RK”-^I0% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed September, 1924 Theme — Romance nml adventures of tenderfoot lured to heroism through girl VALVE Photography — Average — J fan French. Moral Standard — Average. Story — Fair — Melodram a — ^amUy. Star — Fair — Fred C. Church. Direction — Fair — Fred Balshofer. Technique — Fair. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. CAST Bob Tarrant Fred C. Church Ruth Crawford Marie E. Wells Dad Crawford Morgan Jones Red Dawson W. W. Jones Producer — Fred J. Balshofer. Footage — About 5000 feet. Distributor — State Rights. THE OPINION Conventional direction and incompetent star rob production of normal entertainment value. Marie Wells attractive and talented. Worthy of better opportunities. Good western atmosphere.