Boxoffice (Oct 6, 1951)

Tee ee The EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY (Continued from preceding page? any business since “At War With the Army.” They seem to have but one interest—to get your name on the contract. From there on, just try and get a print out of them. Business Was down 20 per cent. I have been taught the business the hard way. Played Fri. Sat. —Don Donohue, Novato Theatre, Novato, Calif. Small town, rural patrons. has RKO RADIO Gambling House (RKO)—Victor Mature, William Bendix, Terry Moore. A very good show with an Americanism theme that should prove okay. Business average. Played Fri. Sat. Weather: Good—D. W. Trisko, Ritz Theatre, Jerome, Ariz. Mining patrons. Tarzan and the Slave Girl (RKO)—Lex Barker, Vanessa Brown, Robert Alda. Since Tarzan got so fat, he had to become Jungle jim. All my patrons seem to be boycotting this series and saving their shekels for Columbia’s Tarzan. I had a fair midweek on this one but still nothing but squawks about this not being the real Tarzan. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Warm.—Bob Walker, Uintah Theatre, Fruita, Colo. Small town, rural patrons. see Thing From Another World, The (RKO)— Kenneth Tobey, Margaret Sheridan, James Young. This did average or a little better but was nothing extra. Some curious came who might not have attended an ordinary booking. The national advertising and song puts this over but the picture itself drags in spots and many complained that they were sorry it did not show the “Thing” in any closeups. Played Sun. (preview), Mon. Weather: All right—William J. Harris, Crown Theatre, Lincoln, Ark. Rural, small town patrons. Sexe REPUBLIC Arizona Cowboy, The (Rep) — Rex Allen, Teala Loring, Gordon Jones. For some strange reason I played two other Rex Allens before this one. The trailer on this really sells Rex Allen, with an introduction by Roy Rogers. Business was almost what it is on a Rogers, and the action fans, farmers and kids seem to like him. If Republic keeps his stories good with his singing and plenty of action, he can’t miss. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Cool.—Carl F. Neitzel, Juno Theatre, Juneau, Wis. Local area patrons. stud Rock Island Trail (Rep)—Forrest Tucker, Adele Mara, Adrian Booth. Something was wrong with this one—not enough star value, maybe, but it gave us the worst Fri., Sat. we've had in months. And it certainly wasn’t the cheapest feature I've used on this change in months. The picture isn’t bad and seemed to entertain those who did take a chance but if you haven’t chumped yet, I’d be mighty careful how anxious I got. It ain’t worth it! Weather: Warm—Bob Walker, Uintah Theatre, Fruita, Colo. Small town, rural patrons. Ah 20th CENTURY-FOX Cariboo Trail, The (20th-Fox)—Randolph Beott, George “Gabby” Hayes, Bill Williams. Business was good but the picture was not as outstanding as the price I paid would indicate. Customers grudgingly said, “Fair.” Played Fri. Sat., Sun. Weather: Good.— Frank Sabin, Majestic Theatre, Eureka, Mont. small town patrons. ooo Fourteen Hours (20th-Fox)—Paul Douglas, Richard Basehart, Barabara Bel Geddes. Here is a very good drama, if you can get them to come in and see it. You will find it hard to sell, as the cast is not too strong and the title is not too good—but if made me g@ little money. Played Tues., Wed., Thurs. Weather: Good—E. M. Freiburger, Dewey Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patrons. ees Guy Who Came Back, The (20th-Fox) — Paul Douglas, Linda Darnell, Joan Bennett. v4 This js okay as strong support. It is about 15 minutes too long. However, all here were satisfied. It played under “Passage West’ from Paramount, which was a bust. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Clear—Don Donohue, Novato Theatre, Novato, Calif. Small town, rural patrons, dt Me Yl Get By (20th-Fox)—June Haver, William Lundigan, Gloria DeHaven. You know something? When the critics pan hell out of any film, that's the time we clean up with it! This was one of the nicest musicals we have seen from Fox in a long time. The cast, for 2 change, did not have Betty Grable and they did so well we played to the best Sun., Mon. business in months. Dennis Day certainly has something the patrons are looking for. Play this and sing. Weather: Cold— Dave S. Klein, Astra Theatre, Kitwe/Nkana, N. Rhodesia, Africa. Business and mining patrons. wie Lucky Nick Cain (20th-Fox)—George Raft, Colleen Gray, Charles Goldner. This picture is not so hot. It was made in Italy, many of the scenes are too dark, and some of the recording is bad. I got by with it on Fri., Sat., but I was not proud to have shown it. Weather: Good—E. M. Freiburger, Dewey Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patrons. eos Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay! (20th-Fox)—June Haver, Lon McCallister, Walter Brennan. This one came out while we were out of business due to the fire, but we went back and picked it up. I went down front and explained to my folks that it wasn’t new but was one I could guarantee they’d enjoy. They came All Making Westerns Spoiling Everything GADDLE TRAMP (U-I)—Joel McCrea, Wanda Hendrix, John Russell. Everyone is horning in on Autry and Rogers and-spoiling it all. McCrea is not bad, though. Played Thurs, Fri, Sat. Weather: Fair.—Harland Rankin, Rankin Enterprises, Chatham, Ont. General patronzge. ag nln out to see it and let me know they liked it— Jim Mote, Friendship Theatre, Sterling, Okla. Rural and small town patrons. bette Secret of Convict Lake, The (20th-Fox)— Glenn Ford, Gene Tierney, Ethel Barrymore. Here is ea picture that was different. I couldn’t call it a western—more of a drama. The people here liked it, and mainly because it WAS different. It did a little better than average business. Without a doubt, it can be played any time. Played Thurs., Fri., Sat— Howard C. Bayer, Iowa Theatre, Schleswig, Iowa. Farm patrons, sai UNITED ARTISTS Mister Universe (UA)—Jack Carson, Janis Paige, Vincent Edwards. Brother, did I take it on the chin with this one! It’s supposed to be a comedy but it isn’t. It’s supposed to have star value, but its stars didn’t mean a, thing. I was supposed to make money on it, but I didn’t. If you play it, put it on the tail-end of a double bill—and don’t pay a fortune for it, either. Doubled with “Luck Losers” (Mono), which is not one of the better Bowery Boys, and the whole deal failed miserably. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Warm.— Carl F, Neitzel, Juno Theatre, Juneau, Wis. Small town patrons. bt ed My Outlaw Brother (UA)—Mickey Rooney, Wanda Hendrix, Robert Preston. A very good outdoor nicture—this is the one time they put Mickey Rooney in the type of role he seems to do best. As the half-pint cowboy, he was a scream. For our small towns, it was definitely okay. Played Sunday. Weather: Fair—Lloyd Hutchins, Pangburn and Kensett theatres, Pangburn, Ark. Rural patrons. UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (U-I) — Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Nancy Guild. I thought after running @ reissue a while back these boys were played out. However, I did normal business with this and it did have some humor. Played Sat., Sun. Weather: Rainy—Josef F. Nehring, Floodwood Theatre, Floodwood, Minn. Small town, rural patrons. 2% Bedtime for Bonzo (U-I)—Ronald Reagan, Diana Lynn, Walter Slezak. How the kids loved this—and the parents came along, too! You all know that’s what counts. We were about 15 per cent over normal for midweek. When I think of the first group of Universal pictures I bought (which didn’t do a thing) and this newer bunch (which all seem to click), I can’t help complimenting them on making what at least my patrons like. Played Wed., Thurs.—Joseph F. Nehring, Floodwood Theatre, Floodwood, Minn. Small town, rural patrons. oe Bedtime for Bonzo (U-I)—Ronald Reagan, Diana Lynn, Walter Slezak. U-I is giving the small towns the type of entertainment they like. This thrilled the children and even drew well from the adult trade. It gave us the best Sun., Mon. for some time. Weather: Hot.—Jim Mote, Friendship Theatre, Sterling, Okla. Rural, small town patrons. seit Fat Man, The (U-I)—J. Scott Smart, Julie London, Rock Hudson. Very well liked. The Fat Man, jitterbugging with a cute dame, was a big hit. J. Scott Smart handled his role well and there were no walkouts. We think Universal has the makings of a good series in these. Business was better than usual for midweek. Played Tues., Wed., Thurs. Weather: Okay.—William J. Harris, Crown Theatre, Lincoln, Ark. Rural, small town patrons. eo¢ Ma and Pa Kettle Back on the Farm (U-I) —Marjorie Main, Percy Kilbride, Richard Long. It was a pleasure, Universal, in all respects. Thanks for keeping up a good bet in this series. Our patrons said this was the best of the series so far. We are looking forward to the next one. Played Sun., Mon. Tues. Weather: Cool—Ken Christianson, Roxy Theatre, Washburn, N. D. Small town patrons. soe WARNER BROS. Along the Great Divide (WB)—Kirk Douglas, Virginia Mayo, Walter Brennan. There were sO many desert scenes in this one that my patrons just about wore a trail to the drinking fountain. Business was below average. The picture is too slow—give it plenty of help. Played Fri. Sat. Weather: Clear.— Don Donohue, Novato Theatre, Novato, Calif. Small town, rural patrons. pat Ae Flame and the Arrow, The (WB)—Burt Lancaster, Virginia Mayo, Robert Douglas. A beautiful Technicolor production brimful of action. This picture should please any-~ where. Played Sun., Mon., Tues. Weather: Cool.—Bill Leonard, Leonard Theatre, Cedar Vale, Kas. Small town, rural patrons. **°* Lullaby of Broadway (WB)—Doris Gene Nelson, S. Z. Sakall. This is Fah wholesome entertainment for the entire family—except for one drinking scene. S, K Sakall should share top honors with Doris and Gene, as he gets more laughs in this one than in any he has ever appeared in here Why not give us more of him? Business is way off as the hot weather is taking them to the nearby beaches and to other outdoor entertainment. The show itself Is tops. Played Sun., Mon,—I, Roche, Vernon Theatre, Vernon, Fla. Small town, rural patrons, "eee BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: October 6, 1951 iS w~