Screen Opinions (1923-24)

4S Screen Opinions Tells tbf Truth “HOT WATER”— 80% (Especially prepared for screen) VALUE Photography — Very good — Not credited Moral standard — Average. Story — Good — Farce-Corn. — Family. Authors — Good — S. Taylor, T. J. Gray. Star — Very good — Harold Lloyd. Direction — Very good — Sam Taylor. Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. Reviewed December, 1924 CAST Hubby Harold Wifey Jobyna Ralston Her Mother -Josephine Crowell Her Big Brother Charles Stevenson Her Little Brother Mickey McBan Producer — Harold Lloyd Productions. Footage — About 5000 feet. Distributor — Pathe. THE OPINION It will be a scream in any theatre. I’lenty of old stuff that never fails to please, and some new. The first reel is consumed with Harold’s journey home with bundles. The episode of the new car is full of laughs. So also is the ghost episode in which Harold thinks his mother-in-law, who he has quieted with a chloroformed handkerchief, is dead. Lloyd fans will like this one. THE STORY A ride in his new car with mother-in-law brings on one disaster after another. He becomes intoxicated and overhears parts of conversations that make him think the police are after him for murder. The adventures which follow furnish great entertainment. “MY HUSBAND’S WIVES”— 50% (Especially prepared for screen) Reviewed December, 1924 VALUE Photography — Good — Not credited. Moral standard — Fair. Story — Average — Com. -Drama — Adults Author — Average — Barbara La Marr. Star — Good — Shirley Mason. Direction — Average — Maurice Elvey. Technique — Average. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. THE CAST Vale Harvey Shirley Mason William Harvey Bryant Washburn Marie Wynn Evelyn Brent Madam Corregic Paulette Duval Producer — Fox. Footage — 4609 feet. Distributor — Fox. PINION Unusual although unconvincing situation presented in this picture will help to put it across. Treated either as a satire or farce the effect would have bees better. As presented there is always question as to the author’s intention. THE STORY Following the honeymoon of Harvey and wife No. 2, the latter invites a school friend to visit her. Complications occur owing to the fact that the friend happens to be Mrs, Harvey, No. 1, bent on winning back husband. LOVE”— 65% Reviewed December, 1924 “DARING (Adapted from novel, “Driftwood") VALUE Photography — Good — Oliver Marsh. Moral standard — Average. Story — Good — Drama — Adults. Author — Good — Albert Payson Terhune &tni — Very g-ood. Direction — Good — R. G. Edwards Technique — Good. Spiritual influence — Average. Moral — None. CAST Bebe Elaine Ilammerstein John Stedman Huntley Gordon Phylis Stedman Gertrude Aster Queenie Cissy Fitzgerald “Red" Bishop Walter Long Producer — M. H. Hoffman. Footage — About 5000 feet. Distributor — Truart. THE OPINION Will please average audience. Elaine Hammerstein gives an unusually good performance, handling the role of Bebe, dance hall girl, with intelligence. Character portrayal well done, and there is a fair amount of sex appeal. Excellent for transient theatre. THE STORY An entertainer in a slum cafe rescues Stedman from “Red” Bishop, the proprietor. Stedman goes to war and is reported dead. The report proves false, Stedman returns, and Bebe’s devotion is rewarded with a wedding ring. “GARDEN OF WEEDS”— 80% (Adapted from play of same name) VALUE Photography — Excellent — Karl Brown. Moral standard — Fair. Story — Average — Drama — Adults. Authors — Average — Gordon-Marquette Star — Very good — Betty Compson. Direction — Very good — James Cruze. Technique — Very good. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Moral — None. Reviewed December, 1924 CAST Dorothy Betty Compson Flagg Rockliffe Fellowes Douglas Crawford Warner Baxter Paulson Charles Ogle Archie William Austin Producer — Paramount. Footage — About 5000 feet. Distributor — Famous Players -Lasky.