Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

Record Details:

Title:
Boxoffice
Date:
Apr-Jun 1939
Publisher:
Kansas City, Associated Publications
Volume:
Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)
Leaf #:
000157
Language:
English
Collection:
Hollywood Studio System
Format:
Periodicals
Contributor:
Media History Digital Library
Sponsor:
Media History Digital Library
Coordinator:
Media History Digital Library
Description:
BOXOFFICE was the leading American exhibitor trade paper of the post-World War II era. But the publication had modest beginnings. In 1920, Ben Shlyen founded the paper, orginally titled THE REEL JOURNAL, in an office located in Kansas City's Film Row district. Like other regional exhibitor publications, THE REEL JOURNAL focused its attention on the local -- in this case, KC and the nearby territories that the city's distribution exchanges served. By the end of the 1920s, however, Shlyen had acquired or founded several more small exhibitor papers serving other US markets. In 1932, their titles all changed to BOXOFFICE, though they continued to be published in regional editions for decades to follow. -- Eric Hoyt, 2015
Date Added:
June 06, 2024
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K O T KING KONG (RKO), reissue If you haven't already clayed this reissue date it now! Played February 16-18. Weather: Cold. Admission: 25-10. Suburban rural patronage. Population: 2,000. Capacity: 400. — A. N. Beezley, New Grand Theatre, Littleton, Colo. KING OF THE UNDERWORLD (WB) A program gangster picture with a different plot than usual. OK for double bill. Played February 17-18. Weather: Good. Small town patronage. Population: 2,400. — Loyd Pearson, Salem Theatre, Petersburg, 111. L LAST WARNING, THE (Univ) A little better than the average murder mystery. Some situations good, though story is slightly weak. Frank Jenks' dry humor saves the day. OK for bargain night. Played February 8-9. Weather: Cold. Admission: 25-10. Rural and small town patronage. Population: 8,000. Capacity: 500. — Miss Jean Nott, Sutherland Theatre, Sutherland, la. LISTEN, DARLING (M-G-M) An unusual story, good acting and fine singing by Judy Garland make this very entertaining for any type audience. Business poor. Weather: Snow. Admission: 25-10. Small town patronage. Population: 1,500. Capacity: 425. — B. Palmer, Onargo Theatre, Onargo, 111. M MAN TO REMEMBER, A (RKO) Splendid picture for any class audience. No star value but will please everyone once you get them in. No apologies needed for this. Played February 15-16. Weather: Cold. Admission: 25. Family patronage. Population: 6,200. Capacity: 800. — W. R. Paara, DuPage Theatre, Lombard, 111. MEN WITH WINGS (Para) A pretty good show with no star value, consequently business way off. Percentage rate too high for this type show. Played February 12-13. Weather: Good. Admission: 35-25-10. Rural patronage. Population: 700. Capacity: 200. — E. L. Danielson, Castle Theatre, Mabel, Minn. MYSTERIOUS RIDER, THE (Para) Dumbrille can go places in action films, if they let him. One of the best I've ever played. Almost everyone liked it. Played February 17-18. Weather: Rainy. Admission: 25'-10. General patronage. Population: 1,400. Capacity: 500.— R. L. Hall, Aztec Theatre, Van Alstyne, Tex. N NANCY DREW— DETECTIVE (WB) This series should gain a nice following after it really gets started. Pleased 100 per cent. Played February 20. Weather: Cold. Neighborhood patronage. Population: 2,000,000. Capacity: 480. — Philip L. Hirsh, Spruce Theatre, Philadelphia, Pa. NEWSBOYS' HOME (Univ) Just fair. Have seen a lot more convincing pictures than this one. Edmund Lowe's acting helps, to save this picture. Audience reaction like the weather, cold. Admission: 20-15. General patronage. Population: 3,400,000. Capacity: 680. — Frank Blocher, Kimbark Theatre, Chicago, 111. OFF THE RECORD (WB) This is, a fair picture but not good enough for Sunday draw. Worst Sunday business in six months. Played February 19-20. Weather: Good. Admission: 25-10. Small town patronage. Population: 3,100. Capacity: 500. — Ritz Amusements, Park Theatre, North Vernon, Ind. OUT WEST WITH THE HARDYS (M-G-M) In spite of playing this when it was almost ancient history, we did a good business and everyone was satisfied. These Judge Hardy pictures always are a hit in our town — every one has been played on Friday and Saturday. Played February 24-25. Small town patronage. Population: 1,400. — Victor Mantz, New Ogden Theatre, Ogden, la. R RENFREW OF THE GREAT WHITE TRAIL (GN) Did better with this than a lot of so-called specials. No big stars in this one but stories of the north always, draw good here. Admission: 25-10. Rural and small town patronage.— Harold C. Allison, White Cloud Theatre, White Cloud, Mich. ROOM SERVICE (RKO) The poorest show that we have played lor some time, and it seems that you can't fool the people all the time, because they sure did not show up for this poor feature. Played February 26-28. Weather: Fair. Admission: 25-10. Small town patronage. Population: 700. Capacity: 350. — Warren J. Gavin, Rio Theatre, Stevensville, Mont. ROOM SERVICE (RKO) I never did like the Marx Bros, and this is the worst one I ever saw them in. Business fair. Played February 14-15. Weather: Fair. Admission: 25-10. Small town patronage. Population: 360. Capacity: 150. — E. D. Chessman, Baker Theatre, Macclenny, Fla. s STABLEMATES (M-G-M) This is another hit from Metro. They have an art of producing hits though. Rooney and Beery never better. Very good reaction. Played February 11-12. Weather: Good. Admission: 25-10. General patronage. Population: 1,400. Capacity: 500. — R. L. Hall, Aztec Theatre, Van Alstyne, Tex. SHOPWORN ANGEL (Para) Good picture. Played February 11-12. Weather: Bad. Admission: 25-10. Rural patronage.— Floyd Wolfe, Lynch Theatre, Lynch, Neb. SING, YOU SINNERS (Para) Not bad, but not up to par for Crosby. Get by on a dual. Played February 17-18. Weather: Fair. Admission: 25. Family patronage. Population: 6,200. Capacity: 800 — W. R. Paara, DuPage Theatre, Lombard, 111. STORM OVER BENGAL (Rep) Fair picture but nothing to me at the boxoffice. No names. Foreign stuff no good here. Played February 12-13. Weather: Fair. Admission: 20-10. Population: 500. Capacity: 250. — H. L. Hyde, Cozy Theatre, Geneseo, Kas. STRAIGHT, PLACE AND SHOW (20th-Fox) Too silly. My patrons like comedv but not this kind. Played February 16-17. Weather: Fair and cold. Admission: 25-10. Small town patronage. Population: 700. — Charles F. Dearman, Fox Theatre, Smithville, Tenn. THANKS FOR THE MEMORY (Para) A weak sister. No drawing power. Plenty of walk outs for me. Played February 12-13. Weather: Fair. Admission: 20-10. Population: 500. Capacity: 250. — H. L. Hyde, Cozy Theatre, Geneseo, Kas. THERE GOES MY HEART (UA) Very good, many favorable comments. A couple scenes outstanding. Get behind this one. Played February 8-9. Weather: Bad. Admission: 35-25-10. Rural patronage. Population: 700. Capacity: 200. — E. L. Danielson, Castle Theatre, Mabel, Minn. THREE LOVES HAS NANCY (M-G-M) Very good picture, they liked it fine. Played February 18-19. Weather: Bad. Admission: 25-10. Rural patronage. — Floyd Wolfe, Lynch Theatre, Lynch, Neb. TRADE WINDS (UA) Did good business in rainy weather. Played February 6-7. Weather: Rain. Admission: 50-30-10. Colored, farm and city patronage. Population: 6,000. — H. B. Ram, Patricia Theatre, Aiken, S. C. TROPIC HOLIDAY (Para) Why waste a feature length film when Burns and Raye parts could have been put in a one reel comedy. Why not give Burns a chance. Played February 24-25. Weather: Fair. Admission: 15-10. Rural patronage. Population: 600. Capacity: 200. — Nate Bragg, Opera House, Guide Rock, Neb. TROPIC HOLIDAY (Para) Those that came, seemed to like it — business poor. Rental altogether too high. Played February 21-22. Weather: Good. Rural patronage.— T. Tomter, Grand Theatre, Highmore, S. Dak. V VALLEY OF THE GIANTS (WB) One of the best outdoor Technicolors put out. Will please all your fans. Alan Hale is extra good in this film. Played January 22-23. Weather: Good. Admission: 25-10. General patronage. Population: 1,100. Capacity: 250. — L. A. Howsley, Texan Theatre, Throckmorton, Tex. w WHILE NEW YORK SLEEPS (20th-Fox) Average program picture which failed to draw. Played January 31. Weather: Good. Admission: 20-10. Rural patronage. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. WINGS OF THE NAVY (WB) Tops at the boxoffice. Weather: Bad. Admission: 21-11. Small town patronage. Population: 1,700. Capacity: 300. — Glen Dalton, Rex Theatre, Yale, Okla. z ZAZA (Para) This is absolutely the poorest picture from any company the past ten years. Your boxoffice will tell, so lay off this clucker. Played February 23-24. Weather: Fair. Rural patronage. Population: 1,900. Capacity: 300. — Hiney and Burris Smith, Imperial Theatre, Pocahontas, Ark. ZAZA (Para) Terrible. Pulled after first day. Patrons held their nose as they went out. Played March 3. Weather: Good. Admission: 25-10. Rural and small town patronaae. Population: 1,600. Capacity: 300. — L. Z. Henry, Stuart Theatre, Stuart, la. BOXOFFICE :: April 1, 1939 83