Screen Opinions (1923-24)

12 Screen Opinion* Tell* the Truth “RAINBOW RANGERS”— 50% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed October. 1924 Theme — Romance of leader of drifter* — ndvrnture* In rescue of girl VALUE ~ CAST ~ " Photography — Good — Ross Fisher. Buck Adams -— -Pete Morrison Moral standard — Average. Rose Wainer — Peggy Montgomery 8tory — Average — Com. -Drama — Family Manuel Lopez Lew Meehan Author — Average — Not credited. "Anteater Jake”. — .........Eddie Dennis Star — Average — Pete Morrison. Deacon Slim Nelson McDowell Direction — Average — Forrest Sheldon. — — — “ ~ Technique — Average. Producer — William Steiner. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Footage — About 5000 feet. Moral None. Distributor — State Rights. THE OPINION Western with a Jolly swing. The majority of neighborhood houses will welcome it as a relief from the usual western melodrama because of the comedy angle interjected. Some good riding and thrill attached to the rescue of the girl and her father from the clutches of the villain. Pete Morrison fits the role of the happy hobo ranger well. Wholesome atmosphere. THE STORY Buck Adams Is leader of a small band of men who drifted from different walks of life into the open road. Real adventure enters their lives when a runaway team with a girl and her father, pursued by a bandit, crosses their path. Buck becomes the rescuer, and later wins the love of the girl and a place on her father's ranch, after a number of adventures with the villain. “CIRCE, THE ENCHANTRESS”— 65% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed October, 1924 Theme — Circe-like woman courted l*y gay men — finally loves non-jnzz type VALUE Photography — Excellent — O. T. Marsh. Moral standard — Average. Story — Good — Drama — Adults. Author— Good — Vinente Blasco Obanez. Star — Good — Mae Murray. Direction — Good — Robert Z. Leonard. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Average. Moral — Joys of immorality are fleeting. CAST Circe-Cecilie Brunne.... Mae Murray Dr. Wesley Van Martyn J. Kirkwood Archibald Crumm Tom Ricketts "Bal” Barrett Charles Gerard Producer — Tiffany Productions. Footage — 6882 feet. Distributor — Metro-Goldwyn. THE OPINION Sex appeal characterizing quality. A great deal of the action devoted to Jazz parties and vulgar dancing by the star. Scenes in which Mae Murray is called upon to interpret varied moods interesting and exceptionally well done. One slow motion dance performed by the star intended to represent the dancing of Circe not sufficiently artistic to stand analysis. Picture not good for neighborhood audiences. Transient houses will respond to sex appeal but will be apt to be indifferent toward it in general. The production is obviously an attempt to put the star across entirely on powers of physical attraction. THE STORY Suggested by the story of Circe, daughter of the Sun, who turned sailors Into swine until checked by Ulysses. Beautiful Cecilie Brunne, educated in a convent, Is hounded by men. Finally, in desperation, turned her energies to ensnaring men. Next door to her home on Long Island lives Dr. Van Martyn. a type she has not met before. He spurns her because of her vulgar parties, telling her he does not understand women of her kind. She falls in love with him, and finally after gambling away her home, and then disappearing to bury her sorrow in life at the convent, she suffers paralysis through automobile. Dr. Van Martyn, now madly in love with her, seeks her out. The sight of him causes her to rise from her wheel chair and walk. “COYOTE FANGS”— 50% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed October. 1924 Theme — Adventure* of cowboy framed with shooting girl he love* VALUE CAST Photography — Average — Not credited. "Hi Pocket” Hawkins Jack Perrin Moral standard — Average. Deputy Sheriff Jack Richardson Story — Average — Melodrama — Family. Sam Stover Lew Meehan Author — Average — Not credited. Jack Dodge Jack Saxon Star — Average — Jack Perrin. Sylvia Dodge Josephine Hill Direction — Average — Harry Webb. Technique — Average. Producer — F. & W. Productions. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Footage — About 5000 feet. Moral — None. Distributor — State Rights THE OPINION Just average western melodrama. The kind that goes well in cheap districts. A pretty girl, a winsome child, and a fairly good plot help matters along. The usual strife of the wild west production is present — rivals for the girl in bitter enmity. THE STORY Sam Stover, Jealous of “Hi Pocket” Hawkins, because pretty Sylvia Dodge prefers Hawkins, shoots at him through the window when the two are embracing, and the girl wheeling between her lover and the gun. is wounded. The villain's hat, found in the rain barrel, releases Hawkins from blame for the shooting which Hawkins has tried to pin on him. Story ends happily.