Screen Opinions (1923-24)

8 Screen Opinions Tells the Troth “DARING CHANCES”— 65% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed September. 1924 Thome — Romance of westerner accused of kidnaping dead alster*s child VALUE Photography — Very good — H. Neumann. Moral standard — Good. Story — Good — Melodrama — Family. Star — Good — Jack Hoxie. Direction — Good — Clifford Smith. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Average. Moral — None outstanding. CAST Jack Armstrong — Jack Hoxie Agnes Rushton Alta Allen Sampson Burke Claude Peyton Joe Slavin Jack Pratt Producer — Universal. Footage — About 9000 feet. Distributor — Universal. THE OPINION Wholesome production with good riding scenes and rodec stunts. The kind any audience will welcome. Direction and photography help entertainment. Alta Allen is charming as the school teacher who cares for the wounded hero and little niece. Good general purpose feature. THE STORY jack Armstrong upsets brother-in-law’s plans by entering his horses in a rodeo. Result is that when Jack’s sister dies and he is bringing his little niece away at the child’s request, his brother-in-law, hoping to prevent his riding in the steeple chase, sets his gang on him. He is discovered wounded by Agnes Rushton, a school teacher, who cares for him and the child. Later he is accused of kidnapping, but with the sheriff’s consent he rushes to the scene and wins the race. His service in running down his brother-in-law’s gang, who have robbed the rodeo cashier, is rewarded by exoneration. “TIGER THOMPSON”— 65% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed September, 1924 Theme — Romance and adventures of reformed bandit VALU E Photography — Good — Henry Sharp Moral standard— Average. Story — Good — Melodrama — Family. Star — Good — Harry Carey. Direction — Good — Reeves Eason. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. CAST Tiger Thompson Harry Carey Ethel Brannon Marguerite Clayton Jim Morley John Dillon Bull Dorgan Jack Richardson Producer — Hunt Stromberg. Footage — About 5000 feet. Distributor — W. W. Hodkinson. THE OPINION Entertaining western. Gets its punch through good direction and nicely e-tablished atmosphere. Tiger Thompson’s pet kitten gets a number of laughs. The story is not above par but serves the purpose of western melodrama acceptably. Former bandit vieing with crook for possession of map showing location of dead bandit’s cache, decides for right through love of dead man’s daughter who is in ignorance of father’s profession. “BREATH OF SCANDAL”— 65% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed September. 1924 TIi erne — Girl’s struggle against scandal caused by fathei*8 misdeeds VALUE Photography — Very good — Harry Perry Moral standard — Average. Story — Good — Melodrama — Aults. Cast — Good — All-Star. Direction — Good — Gasnier. Technique — Average. Spiritual Influence — Average. Moral — Misdeeds will find you out. CAST Sybil Russell Betty Blythe Marjorie Hale Patsy Ruth Miller Charles Hale Lou Tellegen Helen Hale Myrtle Stedman Producer — B. P. Schulberg. Footage — 6900 feet. Distributor — B. P. Schulberg Prod. THE OPINION Just another angle on domestic tragedy. Heart-broken daughter seeks to understand men by becoming manicurist in slums, while mother neglecting own fireside, attends convention of women’s clubs in Chicago. Attempt to get even with father by striking through daughter introduces a raid scene in a questionable restaurant. The close of the story balances all scores and restores harmony in scandal threatened family. Patsy Ruth Miller gives good performance, Betty Blythe a bit stagey, Lou.Tellegen and Forrest Stanley excellent. Should get across, but not always convincing.