Screen Opinions (1923-24)

34 Serna Opinion* Tells the Truth “ROSE OF PARIS”— 65% (Adapted from the novel "Mitsi”) VALUE Photography — Good — Charles Stumar. Moral standard — Average. Story — Good — Melodrama — Adults. Author — Good — Delly. Star — Very good — Mary Philbln. Direction — Very good — I. Cummings. Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. Reviewed November, 1921 CAST Mitsi Mary Philbln Christian Robert Cain Andre du Vallois... John Sainpolis Mme. Bolomeff Rose Dione Jules Edwin J. Brady Producer — Universal. Footage — 6362 feet. Distributor — Universal. THE OPINION Good audience picture with sensational appeal: unusually well directed, with & strong vein of suspense. The settings give the necessary Parisian atmosphere. Including scenes in a home of wealth, in a convent, and In an Apache ’resort. Good, sensational 6tory. THE STORY Mitsi becomes the victim of a plot to possess her fortune. The bulk of the story deals with her struggle to escape a woman paid to find and Imprison her. Interesting romance is included, “STORY WITHOUT A NAME”— 50% (Adapted from a story of the same name) Reviewed November. 1924 VALUE CAST Photography — Good — Hal Rosson. Mary Walsworth Agnes Ayers Moral standard — Average. Alan Holt Antonio Moreno Story — Average — Melodrama — Family. Drakma Tyrone Power Author — Average — Arthur Stringer. ICurder ..Louis Wolheim Star — Good — Agnes Ayres. Claire Dagmar Godowski Direction — Average — Irvin Willat. Technique — Average. Producer — Paramount. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Footage — 6912 feet. Moral — None. Distributor — Famous Players-Lasky. THE OPINION Ordinary melodrama. Does not hold the interest and lacks the pep that la necessary to put productions of this kind over with a bang. Typical serial picture plot. The most thrilling scenes of the picture occur where the inventor escapes from the ship and rescues the girl from a rum runner’s boat. THE STORY Foreign government agents try to gain possession of invention for the projection of a death ray by radio and Mary, the inventor’s sweetheart, breaks the model to prevent its being taken. Exciting adventures follow with happy ending. “BLUE WATER”— 25% (Adapted from a play of the same name) Reviewed November, 1921 VALUE Photography — Poor — Not credited. Moral standard — Average. Story — Fair — Melodrama — Family. Author — Fair — Capt. F. W. Wallace. Cast — Fair — All-Star. Direction — Poor — David M. Hartford. Technique — Poor. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — Beware of strong drink. CAST Jimmy Westharer Pierre Gendron Lillian Denton Norma Shearer Carrie Dexter Jane Thomas "Frenchy” .Louis D’Arclav "Long Dick” Jennings Harlan Knight Producer — New Brunswick Film Co. Footage — About 6000 feet. Distributor — State Rights. THE OPINION Poor enough to drive patrons from your theatre. An attempt to make a picture with a moral ruined through incompetent adaptation and direction. The picture is carelessly edited, and with the exception of some storm scenes at sea it has little to offer by way of real entertainment. THE STORY A cross in love causes Westharer to give way to drink, but he conquers him self after a struggle. " CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS”— 80% (Adapted from “Mother O'Day”) Reviewed November, 1924 VALUE Photography — Very good — Karl Brown. Moral standard — Average. Story — Very good — Drama — Family. Author — Very good — Leroy Scott. Cast — Very good — All-Star. Direction — Very good — James Cruze. Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence— Good. Moral — Riches mislead. CAST Mother O'Day Louise Dresser Mark Roth Ricardo Cortez Mrs Kendall Kathlyn Williams Molly Kendall . Virginia Lee Corbin Mike — James Farley Producer — Paramount. Footage — 6997 feet. Distributor — Famous Players-Lasky.