Screen Opinions (1923-24)

No HrwtlalM l«w»rt THE OPINION Majority of audiences will like this. Variety of setting's and action, the scenes ranging from the Bowery saloon to the modern cabaret and Fifth Avenue residence. Dashes of comedy relieve the plot, together with the modern Jazz atmosphere. A period of probably fifteen years elapses between the opening and the finishing reels. The cast is capable, and noticeable for competency is Louis* Dresser and Ricardo Cortez. THE 9TORY Mother O’Day operating deceased husband's saloon, contracts with a lawyer to have her little girl adopted by a Fifth Avenue swell. The remainder of the story has to do with the experience of Mother O’Day, who was forced to see her child mingling in a stylish drunken set, and about to be married to a handsome crook. She rescues her and realizes that a girl is safest under the guidance of her own mother. “GO-GETTERS”— (Serial)— 50% (Especially prepared for the screen) VALUE Photography — Good — George Rlzard. Moral standard — Average. Story — Average — Com. Melo. — Family. Author — Average — George Marion, Jr. Cast — Good — All-Star. Direction — Average — Del Andrews. Technique — Average. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. Reviewed November. 1921 CAST Peggy Davis “...Alberta Vaughn Ted Adams -.George O’Hara Tim Mooney Kit Guard Sylvester Tomkins Albert Cooke Harold Van Cleve Stanley Taylor Producer — F. B. O. Length — 12 chapters. Distributor — F. B. O. THE OPINION Hasn’t the punch of a good serial. Subtitles are poor attempts at wit, and comedy does not always carry. While it can help to fill your program, it will not be the hit “The Telephone Girl’’ was. THE STORY Peggy Davis, a telegrapher, becomes the belle of the village. The story concerns the rivalry between the admirers, in which there are some thrills. “SILENT WATCHER”— 90% (Adapted from “The Altar on the Hill”) VALUE Reviewed November, 1924 CAST Photography — Excellent — N. F. Brodin. Joe Roberts _ Glenn Hunter Moral standard — Excellent. Mary Roberts ... Bessie Love Story — Excellent — Drama — Family. John Steele Hobart Bosworth Author — Excellent — Mary R. Rinehart. Jim Tufts George Nlcholls Cast — Excellent — All-Star. Detective Stuart DeWitt Jennings Direction — Excellent — Frank Lloyd. — Technique — Excellent. Producer — First National. Spiritual Influence — Excellent. Footage — 7675 feet. -Moral — Choose wisely. Distributor — First National. THE OPINION Most human drama of the year. Home life of young married couple portrayed with fascinating touches of comedy. Genuine pathos of Glenn Hunter's portrayal of young husband whose admiration for his employer wrecks him physically and domestically. Bessie Love gives a fine performance in an emotional role, and Hobart Bosworth, De Witt Jennings and Alma Bennett also excellent. Splendid direction of an appealing story, capable editing and general technical excellence. There is something doing every minute, and originality is the keynote of the production. THE STORY Joe Roberts worships his employer, who is running for senator. His loyalty causes him to obey to the point of indiscretion. After carrying notes to a soubrette for Steele, and renting an apartment for her in his own name, he suddenly finds himself not only in difficulties with his wife, but under suspicion for the murder of the soubrette. Steele makes amends to Joe, restoring his wife's faith in him. “WESTERN WALLOP”— 50% (Adapted from “On Parole”) VALUE Photography — Average — H. Neumann Moral standard — Average. Story — Average — Melodrama — Family. Author — Average — Adolph Bannauer. Star — Average — Jack Hoxie. Direction — Average — Clifford Smith. Technique — Average. Spiritual Influence — Average. Moral — Value of guarding honor. Reviewed November. 1024 CAST Bart Tullison Jack Hoxie Anita Stillwell Margaret Landis Jefferson Bradshaw J. Gordon Russell Sheriff Malloy Charles Brinley Bandit Duke R. Lee Producer — Universal. Footage — 4611 feet. Distributor — Universal. THE OPINION Unusual western melodrama with the exception of a quite strongly projected moral. Hoxie and support is fair. Attractive western backgrounds and the usual type of thrills. Will suit average neighborhood audience and low-priced houses. THE STORY Bart Tullison. paroled convict, saving girl from injury becomes manager of her ranch, and exciting romance follows.