Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1938)

Page scan 00053 from Motion Picture Herald

Record Details:

Title:
Motion Picture Herald
Date:
Nov-Dec 1938
Publisher:
[New York, N.Y. : Quigley Pub. Co.]
Volume:
Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1938)
Leaf #:
00053
Language:
English
Subjects:
motion pictures, Motion pictures -- Periodicals
Collection:
Hollywood Studio System
Format:
Periodicals
Contributor:
Library of Congress, MBRS, Moving Image Section
Sponsor:
Library of Congress, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division
Coordinator:
Media History Digital Library
Description:
Founded in 1915 by a Chicago printing company as a regional trade paper for Midwest exhibitors. In 1916, editor Martin Quigley bought out the owners, and over the next 15 years, he grew EXHIBITORS HERALD into one of the most important national, weekly trade papers in the film business. Quigley acquired MOTOGRAPHY in 1917 and MOVING PICTURE WORLD in 1927. In 1930, he acquired MOTION PICTURE NEWS and the new 'consolidated' publication became MOTION PICTURE HERALD. From the pulpit of his editorial page, Quigley preached the need to improve the motion picture industry and improve the quality of the films. He skillfully served as a mediator in disputes -- between distributors and exhibitors, between the film industry and the Catholic Church (Quigley was one of the architects of the Production Code). Quigley claimed that EXHIBITORS HERALD represented the 'independent exhibitor' and sections like 'What the Picture Did for Me?' certainly provided a forum for theater owners. But plenty of exhibitors viewed Quigley as a servant to the studios and large theater chains. In response, publications such as SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN, HARRISON'S REPORTS, and BOX OFFICE were either formed or grew significantly in the years following Quigley's brief moment of consolidation in 1930. -- Eric Hoyt, 2014
Date Added:
May 30, 2024
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November 5, 1938 MOTION PICTURE HERALD 45 it gets underway it keeps the audience in one round of laughter. However, Lloyd is not nearly as popular as a few years back. Played October 19-20. — Frank J. Biberstein, Attica Theatre, Attica, Kansas. Rural and small town patronage. ROMANCE IN THE DARK: Gladys Swarthout, John Boles, John Barrymore — This picture to my surprise went over fine here. Many favorable comments. Gladys Swarthout very, very good. Can't see why she doesn't make more pictures. Entire cast in this picture were really fine. — Sammie Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. General patronage. SONS' OF THE LEGION: Lynne Overman, Evelyn Keyes, Billy Lee, Billy Cook, Tim Holt, Donald O'Connor, Elizabeth Patterson — A picture strongly endorsed by Legion everywhere and one that should be played. Pleased our people. Outstanding was the work of the younger element, especially that of Tim Holt, Billy Cook and Billy Lee.— P. G. Estee, Estee Theatre, Parker, S. D. Small town patronage. SONS OF THE LEGION: Donald O'Connor, Lynne Overman, Evelyn Keyes, Elizabeth Patterson, Billy Lee, Tim Holt, Billy Cook — A very weak picture to poor business. Propaganda excellent; cast ok, but lacks realism. Just does not click. — C. L. Niles, Niles Theatre, Anamosa, Iowa. General patronage. SONS OF THE LEGION: Donald O'Connor, Elizabeth Patterson, Lynne Overman, Evelyn Keyes, Billy Lee, Tim Holt, Billy Cook— The thought behind this picture is good in this time of isms. However, unless you can get the support of the Legion and the Junior Organization, it will not appeal to the regular run of patrons. The kids in the cast are good. But, the title indicates that it is a kid picture and that we did not overcome, even in advertising it as not a kid picture but of general interest to both young and old. which it is. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia "Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. General patronage. SPAWN OF THE NORTH: George Raft, Henry Fonda, Dorothy Lamour — Exciting melodrama. Good cast. Clever trained seal. — Leon C. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. General patronage. SPAWN OF THE NORTH: George Raft, Henry Fonda, Dorothy Lamour, John Barrymore, Lynne Overman, Louise Piatt — One of the finest pictures ever made. Business excellent. Two men fainted on this production and had to be carried out, one on Thursday night and one on Saturday. It's a he-man picture and we so advertised it, but the women came anyway. Running time, 110 minutes. Played September 29-30.— William J. Powell, Lonet Theatre, Wellington, Ohio. Small town and rural patronage. TEXANS, THE: Randolph Scott, Joan Bennett, May Robson, Walter Brennan— Not as good as "Wells Fargo," "The Plainsman," etc. However, was interesting and for the action loving fans it had everything.— P. G. Estee, Estee Theatre, Parker. S. D. Small tovra patronage. TEXANS, THE: Randolph Scott— Very good.— Leon C. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. General patronage. TOUCHDOWN ARMY: Mary Carlisle, John Hpward, Robert Cummings — Swell story, plenty of action, and those that love football as it should be played should go for this. It has everything to please any audience. Running time, 70 minutes. Played October 19-20.— B. A. McConnell, Emerson Theatre, Hartford, Ark. Small town patronage. TOUCHDOWN ARMY: John Howard, Mary Carlisle, Robert Cummings — Program picture of college football which pleased average business. Played it on Guest Night, as it has no star power. Played October 17-18. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. Republic BILLY THE KID RETURNS: Roy Rogers, Mary Hart, Smiley Burnette — Pretty good picture which pleased average business. Roy Rogers will in time develop into a real draw. Played October 14-15. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. GOLD MINE IN THE SKY: Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, Carol Hughes — Autry doesn't bring them in like he used to. Acting very poor. Singing only salvation. Smiley Burnette steals the show. Running time, 60 minutes. Played October 7-8.— Ray S. Hanson, Fox Theatre, Fertile, Minn. Rural and small town patronage. PRAIRIE MOON: Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, Shirley Deane — People say they do not like westerns. Well, in that case, this one is not a western because the people certainly flocked in and left feeling like they had gotten their money's worth. Autry's singing is getting better all the time. Played October 14-15. — Frank J. Biberstein, Attica Theatre, Attica, Kansas. Rural and small town patronage. RKO Radio AFFAIRS OF ANNABEL, THE: Jack Oakie, Lucille Ball, Ruth Donnelly — No star names but a very pleasing comedy if you can get them in. Lucille Ball is good and reminds me of the popular favorite, Jean Harlow. Running time, 68 minutes. Played October 8-9.— Gladys E. McArdle, Owl Theatre, Lebanon, Kansas. Small town patronage. BLIND ALIBI: Richard Dix, Whitney Bourne— The essential merit of this one is that it is quite different from the usual pictures. Only small crowds seemed to be satisfied. Running time, 61!^ minutes. Played October 9-10.— G. A. Van Fradenburg, M.D., Valley Theatre, Manassa, Col. Farming community patronage. BLIND ALIBI: Richard Dix, Whitney Bourne— Dix has slipped in the last few years. This just fair. Running time, 60 minutes. Played October 11. — Ray S. Hanson, Fox Theatre, Fertile, Minn. Rural and small town patronage. BREAKING THE ICE: Bobby Breen, Irene Dare, Charles Ruggles, Dolores Costello — We just can't get business with this kid. Eighty per cent are ladies and the men stay away. The picture is okay but I think his light voice is offensive to the men. He sounds too much like a girl. Anyway, they stay away as if we had a smallpox sign on the door, and no kids to speak of. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. General patronage. CAREFREE: Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Ralph Bellamy — The first by this pair ever to be shown here and so wasn't as good box office as expected. Picture was good in its way and pleased. Miss Rogers giving vent to her suppressed desires while under the hypnotic influence of Astaire was a clever bit of comedy that struck a response in us all here. Running time, 80 minutes. — A. E. Eliasen, Rialto Theatre, Paynesville, Minn. Rural and small town patronage. GUN LAW: George O'Brien, Rita Oehmen— Good out-of-door picture with more plot than most of the westerns. Pleased. — P. G. Estee, Estee Theatre, Parker, S. D. Small town patronage. HAVING WONDERFUL TIME: Ginger Rogers, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. — Very poor story and no entertainment.— Leon C. Bolduc, Majestic "Theatre, Conway, N. H. General patronage. JOY OF LIVING: Irene Dunne, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.. Alice Brady, Guy Kibbee — It seemed to me as though RKO has tried to make a high hat comedy that would go over in the small houses, too, but failed both ways. Too much of the songs and music that are not for the small time. To very poor business. Played October 12-13. — Ed Crew, Empress Theatre, Waurika, Okla. General patronage. KING KONG (Reissue): Fay Wray, Bruce Cabot, Robert Armstrong — We billed this one like a circus and did well on it. Running time, 100 minutes. — E. C. Arehart, Strand Theatre, Milford, Iowa. General patronage. KING KONG (Reissue): Fay Wray, Bruce Cabot, Robert Armstrong — Excellent reissue. — L. A. Irwin, Palace Theatre, Peacock, N. H. General patronage. VIVACIOUS LADY: Ginger Rogers, James Stewart, James Ellison, Beulah Bondi, Charles Coburn — By all means pick this one up. It's a dandy. Does business. Running time, 75 minutes. Played September 25-26.— Ray S. Hanson, Fox Theatre, Fertile, Minn. Rural and small town patronage. Twentieth CenturyFox ALEXANDER'S RAGTIME BAND: Alice Faye, Tyrone Power, Don Ameche, Ethel Merman, Jack Haley — It has what it takes to a certain extent. Certainly, it did better than average business after it had been milked both first and second-run in a neighboring big city. Who am I to criticize, but I do think that it went high brow the last half and so did the audience. They reacted to this that they would have liked a couple of more skits at the last half as the first half contained. That is where the entertainment was. Even the jitterbugs said so. So, it must be so. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. General patronage. CHECKERS: Jane Withers, Stuart Erwin, Una Merkel, Marvin Stephens — Excellent Withers picture.— Sammie Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. General patronage. COUNTY CHAIRMAN, THE (Reissue): Will Rogers, Mickey Rooney, Evelyn Venable, Kent Taylor — A good show. Rogers still good. Nice business. Many asked when we were to show another. Running time, 70 minutes. Played September 23-24. — Ray S. Hanson, Fox Theatre, Fertile, Minn. Rural and small town patronage. COUNTY CHAIRMAN, THE (Reissue): Will Rogers, Mickey Rooney, Evelyn Venable, Kent Taylor — One of Rogers' better pictures and yet this drew only a fair house. Played October 7-8. — L. A. Irwin, Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. General patronage. FOUR MEN AND A PRAYER: Loretta Young, Richard Greene, George Sanders, David Niven, William Henry — A prayer that wasn't answered. — A. G. Miller, Lyric Theatre, Atkinson, Neb. General patronage. HOLD THAT CO-ED: John Barrymore, Joan Davis, George Murphy, Marjorie Weaver — Laughable situations. Good acting. Diverting entertainment. Joan Davis steals all the honors. — lieon C. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. General patronage. HOLD THAT COED: John Barrymore, Joan Davis, George Murphy, Marjorie Weaver, Jack Haley — Here's a good picture; will stand up to extended runs in all spots. Not a cleanup but you cannot refuse to extend the run and you will do all right. Running time, 79 minutes.— W. E. McPhee, Strand Theatre, Old Town, Maine. General patronage. I'LL GIVE A MILLION: Warner Baxter, Marjorie Weaver, Peter Lorre, Jean Hersholt — A scream from start to finish and will please 100 per cent if comedy is liked. Peter Lorre is swell in the show. Played October 17-18.— Cecil Ward, Stone Theatre, Bassetts, Va. Factory and rural patronage. LITTLE MISS BROADWAY: Shirley Temple — Good. — Leon C. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. General patronage. LITTLE MISS BROADWAY: Shirley Temple, Jimmy Durante, George Murphy, Edna Mae Oliver — Shirley is sure on her way down. Business nothing like former pictures. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ontario, Canada. General patronage. MEET THE GIRLS: June Lang— Just a picture.— Leon C. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, (x)nway, N. H. General patronage. MY LUCKY STAR: Sonja Henie. Richard Greene, Joan Davis Buddy Ebsen, Cesar Romero — Fox didn't give Sonja much of a scenario. Rather sketchy, but they came to see this winsome little star do her stuff. The high spot was the ballet in color (sepia). I believe I can see the difficulty of fitting a story to a specialist like Sonja. But I don't think that even she can keep out in front if they don't use more care in the material of which her pictures are built. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. General patronage. STRAIGHT, PLACE AND SHOW: Ritz Bros.— Very good comedy.— Leon C. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. General patronage. THREE BLIND MICE: Loretta Young, Joel Mc Crea, David Niven, Stuart Erwin, Marjorie Weaver — A very entertaining picture, but lacked the drawing power for some reason. Is Loretta Young dragging a little? We hope not. — Horn and Morgan, Inc., Star Theatre, Hay Springs, Neb. Small town patronage. United Artists BLOCKADE: Madeleine Carroll, Henry Fonda, Leo Carrillo, John Halliday — A very fine picture that did only normal business. Maybe it was the exhibitor's fault.— Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ontario, Canada. General patronage. « COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO, THE (Reissue): Robert Donat, Elissa Landi — Done average business. (.Continued on following page) ShooU. develop., print.. then phone Railway Express There's the convenient, dead-line film route — direct from your studio door to the screen. Pick-up and delivery without extra charge. Fast forwarding on through trains. Fastest by nation-wide Air Express — 3 miles a minute — 2500 miles overnight. Complete and perfect for spot news specials, equipment, replacements and anything else that's due. low cost. High economy. Good business. And remember, you merely telephone. RAI LWA^i:^,*EXPRE S S AGENCY ">C. NATION-WIDE RAIL-AIR SERVICE AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA