What did critics think of The Street of Forgotten Men (1925)? Opinion was positive. Some thought it a good film, while others thought it exceptional. Here is a survey, in the form of a number of quotes, from some of the American newspapers and magazines of the time.
“An absorbing story, done by a cast of people who really know how to act and directed in a skillful manner by Herbert Brenon.” — Dorothy Day, New York Morning Telegraph
“A gripping story of the sordid side of life up to Broadway’s Forties . . . one of those too rare offerings that have everything to be desired in a film production.” — Connie Miles, New York Evening World
“Almost as fascinating as its setting, partly because of its setting. But some credit must go to the cast, the director and the story.” — New York American
“We could not summon any fierce enthusiasm over this melancholy matter. It does not bother much with the subtleties of sorrow nor cry its heart out quietly. It sighs for sympathy in bulk.” — W.R., The World
“The result is an excellent motion picture on exhibition at the Rivoli. It has humanity, sentiments, drama, atmosphere and love. And it has Percy Marmont in the best bit of acting he has done yet.” — New York Telegram
“Percy Marmont, as a bogus crippled beggar . . . has a role that is more closely akin to his great interpretation of Mark Sabre in If Winter Comes than any since the Hutchinson novel was put upon the screen. All of which means that this artist again has an excellent role for the display of his rare genius.” — Washington Star
“The story told by this picture is one of the most amazing ever unfolded. It is the kind of story that haunts you long afterward.” — Washington Post
“And it is expertly good entertainment, to say nothing of educational, save for the final ten minutes of the story.” — Polly Wood, Chicago Herald
“This story is decidedly impressive, out-of-the-ordinary and interesting and we believe that it will be quite generally liked.” — C. S. Sewell, Moving Picture World
“The Bowery in the days of long ago is faithfully transcribed to the screen in this story dealing with the lives of the professional beggars who prey on the easy-going public. Herbert Brenon, with the aid of a fine cast, headed by Percy Marmont, has made a gripping and entertaining picture.” — M. B., Photoplay
“It is probable that the picture will satisfy over-sentimental people, but it is doubtful if it will appeal to the cultured classes.” — P.S. Harrison, Harrison’s Reports
“Percy Marmont as a fake cripple beggar adds a choice one to the select list of outstanding character-creations of the screen.” — Film Daily
“ . . . it will go down as one of those rare films, beloved of the true blue fan, that contain such a wealth of choice parts as to make of nearly every player an outstanding artist.” — Los Angeles Herald
“Herbert Brenon has striven for realism but not morbidness. His interpretation throughout is sincere even to avoiding a sugar-coated ending.” — Leonard Boyd, Los Angeles Examiner
“Here we have an underworld drama, stark and naked in its picturing of the beggars and fakers who prey on the public in the name of charity and the particular events figuring in the lives of two of them.” — Curran D. Swint, San Francisco News
“The Street of Forgotten Men, to which Herbert Brenon has lent the magic of his skill at direction, his ability to poeticize even the most sordid theme.” — George C. Warren, San Francisco Chronicle
” . . . a feature attraction that opened to a packed house.” — Santa Barbara Morning Press