Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1934)

November 10, 1934 MOTION PICTURE HERALD 61 WHAT THE PICTLCE DID E€P ME Columbia IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT: Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert — As every exhibitor knows, this is the best of last season's pictures. We played it late, and I'm glad we did. Played October S-6. — Art Warner, Colonial Theatre, Grandview, Wash. Small town and rural patronage. LET'S FALL IN LOVE: Ann Sothern, Edmund Lowe, Gregory Ratoff, Miriam Jordan, Tala Birell — Very good entertainment. Audience reaction good. Business above normal. Played September 21-22.— Art Warner, Colonial Theatre, Grandview, Wash. Small town and rural patronage. MOST PRECIOUS THING IN LIFE: Jean Arthur — While there really was no star in this picture, and Miss Arthur only received top billing as a featured player, her acting was of the stellar variety and she deserves that rank. She and Donald Cook, after a hasty college courtship, were married. Now, Donald was completely sold on his own parents, as any son should be within certain limits. Unfortunately these "certain limits" do not always include the newly wed wife, who has ideas of her own, about a home of her own. (Most of them do, you know.) Shortly after a son was born, the wife and mother insisted that her wishes in the matter be given more consideration. The husband and father (Cook) being a hard headed and unreasonable cuss, charged his wife with possessing the shortcomings that were not hers at all, but his'n. Upshot being a separation of the young couple, the wife leaving her son with the father and grandparents, because he could be given advantages that she saw no way of providing for him. Twenty years go by in a flash, as they have a way of doing in reel life but not real life. We next see her as a scrub woman at the college her husband attended, at the time of her marriage. Eventually, her son comes to that same college and. when she learns who he is, she takes a hand in directing his destiny from then on. The sacrifices she makes and the battle she wages to make her son's college career a successful one, is the best piece of acting I have ever seen Jean Arthur do. That's my story (I mean her story) and I'll stick to it. Running time, 8 reels. Played October 24.— Peter Bylsma, Victory Theatre, Napoleonville, La. Small town patronage. MOST PRECIOUS THING IN LIFE: Jean Arthur. Donald Cook — Good program picture. Character acting of Jean Arthur was wonderful. Running time, 70 minutes.—P. G. Held, New Strand Theatre, Griswold. Iowa. General patronage. WHOM THE GODS DESTROY: Walter Connolly, Robert Young, Doris Kenyon — Well done drama that was weak at the B. O. Played October 11-13, — Hollis Drew, "Temple 'Theatre, East Jordan, Mich. General patronage. First National MANDALAY: Kay Francis, Ricardo Cortez— Story of a lady of easy virtue who finally sees the light. We previewed this, then cut off the whole last reel; it makes a better picture. Weak story; just another picture. Too bad they can't give Kay better vehicles, she can act if given the opportunity. Not for children and mavbe not for adults. — Don Adler. Empress Circuit, Fairbanks, Alaska. General patronage. MASSACRE: Richard Barthelmess. Ann Dvorak— Storv dealing with poor treatment of Indians by those in charge of Indian reservations. Fine story, and Barthelmess and Dvorak play their parts very well. Clean. Should please.— Don Adler, Empress Circuit. Fairbanks, Alaska. General patronage. MIDNIGHT ALIBI: Richard Barthelmess— Played on double bill. My patrons liked it and it held the interest well. Better than I expected. Plaved Oct, 15-16.— A. E. Christian. Wayne Theatre, Monticello, Ky. Small town patronage. REGISTERED NURSF: Bebe Daniels. Ly!e Talbot— Better than most of the hospital stories. _Su.spenseful drama with more comedy than there is in most of this tyoe of story. Business above average. — J. E. Stocker, Myrtle Theatre, Detroit. Mich. Neighborhood patronage. Fox BABY TAKE A BOW: Shirley Temple— If you are not using Shirley Temple's pictures you are cheating your patrons as well as your pocketbook. Spend some money to get them in the first time and little Shirley will take care of them from then on. She is a big bet and if you fail to do business it's your fault. _ Hope she doesn't get "spoiled." Running time, 68 minutes. N this, fhe exhibitors' own department, the theatremen of the nation serve one another with information on the box office performance of product for their mutual benefit. It is a service of the exhibitor for the exhibitor. Address all communications to — What the Picture Did For Me MOTION PICTURE HERALD 1790 Broadway, New York Played Sept. 10-11.— A. E. Christian, Wayne Theatre, Monticello, Ky. Small town patronage. CARAVAN: Charles Boyer, Loretta Young, Jean Parker, Phillips Holmes — Possibly this cannot be classed as a great picture, but the music lovers particularly will call it great. Several said it was the best they have ever seen. In any case, it will please as near 100 per cent as any picture ever has. Played October 23-24.— Hollis Drew, Temple Theatre, East Jordan, Mnch. General patronage. CARAVAN: Charles Boyer, Loretta Young, Jean Parker, PhiUips Holmes — Lavish from the opening to the close. It has three musical numbers most cleverly presented, but, it is just a little long, although it holds the interest throughout. It pleased very well, but got no business. Played October 20-21-22. — Harold Haubein, Cozy Theatre, Lockwood, Mo. Small town patronage. CARAVAN: Loretta Young, Charles Boyer-^Well worth boosting as a clean and entertaining picture. Running time. 80 minutes. Played October 14-16. — H. J. Longaker, Glenwood Theatre, Glenwood, Minn. General patronage. CAT'S PAW, THE:— Harold Lloyd, Una Merkel— This is a very good picture; as a matter of fact the best Harold Lloyd ever made. It is straight comedy, with plenty of thrill, romance, drama and comedy. It is entirely different from any of his previous pictures. The dramatic finish is the hit of the entire picture. The excellent supporting cast perform splendidly. Played two days to fair business, but above average for Lloyd pictures. Running time, 100 minutes. Played October 22-23,— J. J. Medford, Orpheum Theatre, Oxford, N. C. General patronage. CHARLIE CHAN IN LONDON: Warner Oland. Drue Leyton — Excellent. The best of the Chan series to date. Many favorable comments. Played October 9-10. — Hollis Drew, Temple Theatre, East Jordan, Mich. General patronage. CHARLEY CHAN IN LONDON: Warner OlandThe first "Charlie Chan" feature to make any money in this town. Patronage was good and everyone seemed pleased. The story unfolded in a manner that held the closest attention of the audience. Photography and recording were of the high class that one has learned to expect from Fox, Running time, 77 minutes. Played October 25-26-27.— W. J. Powell, Lonet Theatre, Wellington, Ohio. Small town and rural patronage. DUDE RANGER: George O'Brien— Zane Grey western of familiar pattern. Well received by average attendance. Played October 4-6. — Hollis Drew, Temple Theatre, East Jordan, Mich. General patronage. DUDE RANGER, THE: George O'Brien— Just another western. Not much change in story from others that we have had and so many of them cut over the same_ pattern. We find that the westerns are not drawing normal business any more. I know that the producers claim that it is only the small towns that demand westerns and that they cannot spend the money on them. Maybe if they did and moved some of these drawing room pictures out of their programs and put some money into westerns they might be surprised what they would do. I recall "Light of the Western Stars." "Arizona Kid." "Cisco Kid." "Shooting of Dan McGrew," and all I saw in a first run house. I would like to see some producer send up a trial balloon on a couple of bang-up outdoor stories. The run of the mill westerns are not getting the money. But I think that the public are getting readv for something besides "Kiss and Make Up" and "Ladies Should Listen." — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. General patronage. DUDE RANGER, THE: George O'Brien— Person ally thought it above the average western, but many complaints were passed on it. Irene Hervey grand. Marvelous scenery, clever comedy lines. Played October 24-25. — Harold Haubein, Cozy Theatre, Lockwood, Mo. Small town patronage. DUDE RANGER, THE: George O'Brien— Good show with plenty of comedy. Running time, 65 minutes.— H. J. Longaker, Glenwood Theatre, Glenwood, Minn. General patronage. DUDE RANGER, THE: George O'Brien, Irene Hervey — A good Saturday show for a theatre that runs western pictures. My patrons enjoyed this picture very much. Business average. Running time, seven reels. Played October 20. — J. A. Verchot, Opera House, Abbeville, S. C. Small town patronage. FRONTIER MARSHAL: George O'Brien— O'Brien is quite a favorite here and lost none of his popularity in this picture. The Fox Corporation is fast emerging from its obscurity brought about by mediocre productions of the last few years, to a place in the Sun reserved for those who both promise and produce. They may yet produce some inferior pictures, but unless I'm very much mistaken, the 10% cancellation privilege should take care of them. Played October 13. — Peter Bylsma, Victory Theatre, Napoleonville, La. Small town patronage. HANDY ANDY: Will Rogers— Not as good and did not draw as well as "David Harum," but Rogers always draws for us and "Handy Andy" will please Rogers' fans and is a good Rogers picture. Running time, 81 minutes. Played Sept. 28-29. A. E. Christian, Wayne Theatre, Monticello. Ky. Small town patronage. HOLD THAT GIRL: James Dunn, Claire Trevor— -Another one from Fox that pleased here. Played Oct. 24-25. — Harold C. Allison, Baldwin Theatre, Bald%vin, Mich. Small town patronage. HOLD THAT GIRL: James Dunn, Claire TrevorJust an ordinary picture. Will get by. Played October 20.— J. N. Creswell, Cedarville Theatre, Cedarville. General patronage. I AM SUZANNE!: Lilian Harvey— I played this late. Those of you who have not played this should play it if you can get a good print. I got a real good print out of the Detroit exchange. It is really two shows in one. "The puppet show, which is part of the story, is truly wonderful. I did not know that marionettes could be made on so elaborate a scale. This picture is a real treat for old and young. Do not think that it is a kids' story on account of the puppets. It is also good adult fare. Business above average,— J. E. Stocker. Myrtle Theatre, Detroit, Mich. Neighborhood patronage. JUDGE PRIEST: Will Rogers— A great show. A natural for Rogers and balance of characters equally well cast. However, did not do half the business it deser\'ed, I believe Rogers' radio talks re-ponsible for declining pull of his pictures. He is becoming "commonplace." Played October 18-20.— Hollis Drew, Temple Theatre, East Jordan, Mich. General patronage. JUDGE PRIEST: Will Rogers— About the best Rogers show made and could be shown in any church. Nuflf said. Running time. 80 minutes. Played October 21-23.— H. J. Longaker, Glenwood Theatre, Glenwood. Minn. General patronage. JUDGE PRIEST: Will Rogers— My patrons almost unanimously concur that this is Rogers' best picture. Drew splendidly in spite of the fact that my two competitors both showed it ahead of my theatre. Fox certainly has the cream of motion picture releases thus far this year. Running time, SO minutes. Plaved October 28-29-30.— W. J. Powell, Lonet Theatre, Wellington, Ohio. Small town and rural patronage. LOVE TIME: Nils Asther. "Pat" Paterson— \ dandy show of the type. Producers should learn to leave the word "love" out of titles as patrons interpret it as another bunch of mush. If you can impress upon music lovers that this is Franz Schubert's life and work during his earlv career, and have music clubs and the schools plug it, you are bound to enjoy the appreciation they will express. It is as clean as a whistle. Played October 24-25.— H. J. Longaker. Glenwood Theatre, Glenwood. Minn. General patronage. MY WEAKNESS: Lilian Harvey, Lew Ayres— Story of a housewife who becomes a lady. A li.ght musical comedy with plenty of laughs. Not a big picture by any means, but should pass vour aud-ence. —Don Adler. Empress Circuit, Fairbanks. Alaska. General patronage. PILGRIMAGE: Henrietta Crosman. Marian Nixon. Norman Foster — Story of a selfish mother w-ho sees the error of her ways after visiting her son's Rrave overseas. Fine story but a bit overdrawn. Henrietta Crosman a good actress, but she overacts. With Mav Robson in the role, this picture would hane been one