Screen Opinions (1923-24)

Wo Advertising gnpport Accepted! 19 Tom attend a party given by Connie’s angel, Monty Breck, where Tom’s attentions to Connie cause) Molly to decide to employ jazz methods to hold him. A drink of liquor containing wood alcohol causes her to become blind. Tom la ostracised by Molly’s mother who finally consents to his marrying Molly and taking her to IVenna to an eye specialist. “ALASKAN”— 65% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed October, 1924 Theme — Fight of Alaskan youth against grinding money powers VALUE Photography — Very good — James Howe Moral standard — Good. Story — Good — Drama — Family. Author — Good — Jas. Oliver Curwood. Star — Good — Thomas Meighan. Direction — Good — Herbert Brenon. Technique — Good. Spiritual Influence — Average. Moral — Value of pioneering spirit. THE CAST Alan Holt Thomas Meighan Mary Standish ...Estelle Taylor Rossland John Sainpolis Stampede Smith Frank Campeau John Graham. _ Alphonz Ethier Producer — Paramount. Footage — About 5000 feet. Distributor — Famous Players-Lasky. OPINION Good for neighborhood house where pictorial beauty will be appreciated. Lacks the punch usual in story of the north, and lacks opportunities that made Meighan popular. Clear photography and wonderful Alaskan landscapes give fine atmosphere. Some Eskimos and Indians in cast. Estelle Taylor very good in feminine lead. Ocean and Yukon river scenes with steamer Nome starting for Seattle. The big issue of the story is sidetracked in developing romance. Many will have read popular Curwood book. THE STORY Alan Holt, son of an Alaskan pioneer, inherits his father’s love of the north, and also his vigorous hatred of injustice and wrong-doing. He goes to Washington with an appeal from the pioneers for relief from the unjust invasion of money power. On his return trip he is forced by circumstances to champion the cause of a strange young woman who later leaps overboard and escapes to the mainland. The remainder of the story is consumed with adventures which attend his struggle on her account with a husband she fled on the eve of her marriage. The man and his associates are killed, and Holt and the girl marry. “NAVIGATOR”— 90% (Especially prepared for the screen) Reviewed October, 1924 Theme — Lovers adrift on ship attacked by cannibals — rescued by submarine VALUE Photography — Very good — E. Lessley. Moral standard — Average. Story — Excellent — Comedy — Family. Author — Excellent — J. A. Mitchell. Star — Excellent — Buster Keaton. Direction — Excellent — Donald Crisp. Technique — Excellent. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. CAST Buster Buster Keaton Betsy O'Brien Kathrine McGuire (Others Frederick Vroom, Clarence Burton, Noble Johnson and H. M. Clugston.) Producer — Buster Keaton Prod. Footage — About 6000 feet. Distributor — Metro-Goldwyn. THE OPINION Original and funny. Moves at rapid pace. Fine for neighborhood theatre. The scenes under water in which Buster stalks the bottom of the ocean in search of a leak In the deserted ship are interesting. Scenes among cannibals have genuine atmosphere. An octopus which passes before the camera lens is a rather harmless novelty. A storm at sea, amusing scenes getting used to the ship's kitchen, and a note of intrigue in connection with the munitions ship are features. Keaton and cast excellent. THE STORY Buster, a son of wealthy parents, loves a girl across the street, and plans to marry her and sail to the tropics on honeymoon. Following her refusal he goes to the docks and by mistake boards a ship which has just been sold by the girl’s father to agents of a foreign revolutionary party. The girl going in search of her father, who has gone aboard In quest of papers, is carried to sea along with Buster on the deserted ship which has been set adrift to escape the secret service men waiting to confiscate munitions. They are attacked by cannlbals and are rescued accidentally by a submarine. The first, step toward the success of a theatre is to show GOOD pictures. The second fundamental is to advertise regularly, every day, so that the people in the neighborhood know about the good attractions provided for them.