Screen Opinions (1923-24)

it» Adrertislny Sppport Accepted! 3S “HIS HOUR”— 90% (Adapted from a story of the same name) VALUE Photography — Excellent — J. J. Mescal. Moral standard — Fair. Story — Excellent — Drama — Adults. Author — Excellent — Elinor Glyn. Cast — Excellent — All-Star. Direction — Excellent — King Vidor. Technique — Excellent. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None, Reviewed November. 1924 CAST Tamara Loraine Aileen Pringle Prince Gritzko John Gilbert Princess Ardacheff Emily Fitzroy Horis Varishkine Bertram Grasby Princess Murieska Carrie Clark-Ward. Producer — Metro -Goldwyn. Footage — 6300 feet. Distributor — Metro-Goldwyn. THE OPINION Elaborately staged with impressive exteriors with horses and sleighs and snow in Russia. The story has long sex appeal. The hero played excellently by John Gilbert is a scintilating, vigorous type, full of life and daring. The heroine played as have other Elinor Glyn heroines, by Aileen Pringle, is a fascinating type and is portrayed with good taste and intelligence. Plenty of action and change of scene, introduction of types and dancing, flashes of subtle comedy and carefully arranged detail, characterize one of the best pictures of the season. Tt will be liked in neighborhood houses as well as transient theatres. THE STORY An English woman visiting in Cairo meets a Russian prince. He falls in love with her, and later in Russia. Goaded in his advances during a storm he takes her to a lonely cabin where she swoons after threatening to shoot herself. She consents to marry him and reveals her love later on discovering his sense of honor. “PAYING THE (Especially prepared for the screen) VALUE Photography — Average — Geo. Crocker. Moral standard — Average. Story — Average — Melodrama — Adults. Author — Average — Tom Gibson. Star — Good — Ora Carew. Direction — Average — Tom Gibson. Technique — Average. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. LIMIT”— 50% The Girl Reviewed November, 1924 CAST Ora Carew The Man Lowden Eddie O’Brien May... _ Helen Lowell Davis George Wellington Producer — Gerson Pictures. Footage — About 5000 feet. Distributor — State Rights. THE OPINION Ordinary crook melodrama for cheap audiences. Ora Carew is attractive and gives a satisfactory portrayal of “the girl.” The story is not particularly well handled, but will get across. The thrill of the picture is a fight between two men in an automobile dashing down a mountain road. THE STORY Released from prison, a beautiful girl known in crook circles as “The Firefly,” decides to take the straight road. As maid to the daughter of a lumber man she meets a couple of crooks who are trying to overthrow her benefactor and she saves him. “TENTH WOMAN”— 80% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed November. 1924 VALUE CAST Photography — Very good — John Mescall VV ilia Brookes Beverly Bayne Moral standard — Average. Barry Compton John Roche Story — Very good — Comedy — Adults. Rose Ann Brainerd.. June Marlowe Author — Very good — Harriet Comstock. Billy Brainerd Raymond McKee Cast — Very good — All-Star. Donaldson Charles Buddy Post Direction — Very good — James Flood. Technique — Very good. Producer— Warner Bros. Spiritual Influence — Average. Footage — About 6000 feet. Moral — Reason may fly out the window. Distributor — Warner Bros. THE OPINION Fascinating society drama in which character portrayal is one of best features. Will directed, well played, well photographed, and technically satisfactory. You can count on this picture based on the marital problem, as a sure hit with the average audience. It has pep, a fair moral balance, nice settings, some comedy and an interesting plot. June Marlowe is lovely as the flapper wife who loved her husband but resented being bossed. In this respect the plot will be recognized as being somewhat of a repeat on the other presented on the screen. But withal the production is one of the most interesting of current features. John Roche and Raymond McKee give excellent performances, and Beverly Bayne'* portrayal of.Willa is very good. THE STORY A flapper wife resents her husband a show of authority and in a tantrum follows Barry Compton to his ranch. At the ranch she discovers he has not yet arrived, but meets a young woman there. By the time Barry arrives the wife discovers that she wants to go home. Events follow thick and fast. With the arrival of the husband the fur flies until Barry’s explanation results in reconciliation.