Screen Opinions (1923-24)

Serpen Oplnloim Telia the Trnth K2 THE OPINION Nice, clean production for the neighborhood house. Human and entertaining — could be used for Sunday program. Patsy Ruth Miller and cast excellent. This is not a big picture but one of the right sort for young people to see. The difference between refined conduct and the irresponsible, jazzy sort frequently espoused by the modern girl, shown. THE STORY Kitty, always full of life, overheard Russell Baldwin denouncing girls of her type. On a visit to her aunt she poses as a shy, refined girl. She wins Russell Baldwin's love. At a party she is forced to fall back on old methods to make it a success. Explanations follow and Russell changes his opinions. “CHEAP KISSES”— 90% (Especially prepared for screen) Reviewed December, 1924 VALUE CAST Photography — Excellent — J. Cronjager. Ardell Kendall Lillian Rich Moral standard — Average. Donald Dillingham Cullen Landis Story — Excellent — Com. — Family. Kitty Dillingham Vera Reynolds Author — Excellent — C. G. Sullivan. Bill Kendall Lincoln Stedman Cast — Excellent — All-Star. Jane Dillingham Louise Dresser Direction — Excellent — J. Ince-C. Tate. — — — Technique — Excellent. Producer — C. Gardner Sullivan. Spiritual Influence — Oood. Footage — 6538 feet. Moral — Man's wife safest companion. Distributor — F. B. O. THE OPINION One of the best comedy-dramas of the season. Very human and exceptionally entertaining. Newly rich people brought down to earth by talented artist, a feature that will please the majority. Lincoln Stedman as fat brother is excellent. The cast is good throughout, settings are artistic and all technical details are well taken care of. You can’t afford to miss this one. It’s a winner. THE STORY Ardell Kendall, a chorus girl, marries Donald Dillingham on the spur of the moment, and latter's parents order the couple out of the house. Through the efforts of Borgstrom a reconciliation between the elder Dillinghams and Ardell is brought about. Later an adventuress causes a domestic split. In the end there is happy reconciliation and love. “BLASTED HOPES”— 50% (Especially prepared for the screen) VALUE Photography — Fair — Not credited. Moral standard — Good. Story — Average — Melodrama — Family. Author — Good — Daniel F. Whitcomb. Star — Good — Edmund Cobb. Direction — Ashton Dearholt. Technique — Average. Spiritual Influence — Good. Moral — Spirit of manhood awakes. Reviewed December, 1924 CAST Nathan Wagner Edmund Cobb Toby Warner Robert McKenzie Dismal Dora Louise Lester Bella Marshall Helene Rosson Mike Stone Ashton Dearholt Producer — Ashton Dearholt. Footage — 4697 feet. Distributor — Arrow. THE OPINION Interesting story and some comedy. The photography is not good, the cast is ordinary with the exception of Robert McKenzie, who has comedy role. Good desert atmosphere. Very good picture for cheap theatres; has a nice moral balance, and a good deal of suspense, and plenty of action. Not thrilling nor speedy. THE STORY Nathan Wagner, a spendthrift, fights the crooks who deceived an old woman with a forged letter purported to be from her son, and succeeds in prevtnting them from extracting information from his sweetheart regarding a lost mine. “PRICE OF A (Adapted from a story of same name) VALUE PARTY”— 50% Reviewed December, 1924 CAST Photography — Good — John F. Seitz. Grace Barrow Hope Hampton Moral standard — Fair. Robert Casson Harrison Ford Story — Average — Melodrama — Adults. Kenneth Bellwood A. Edmund Carew Author — Average — William MacHarg. Alice Barrows Mary Astor Cast — Good — All-Star. Evelyn Dolores Dagmar Godowslcv Direction — Average — Charles Giblyn. — — — — Technique — Average. Producer — Howard Estabroolc. Spiritual Influence — Neutral. Footage — 5500 feet. Moral — Evil deeds have their price. Distributor — Associated Exhibitors. THE OPINION As an average feature for the transient theatre the picture will give fair satisfaction. Each characters suffers in portrayal from what appears to be hurried preparation. Lack of direction. Hope Hampton has a solo dance which is unusually effective. THE STORY There is a plot to gain of certain Brazilian concessions. In the events that follow Alice, a young sister of Grace Barrow, arrives, and the latter's efforts are turned to protecting the girl. Bellwood, a roue, is shot, and Alice is suspected, but a confession left by another clears the situation. Grace and Casson plight their troth.