The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

Our Mr. Mentlik Takes a Trip ... and is enlightened on the current cinema SPECIAL FEATURES LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Even the Patrons Know Glenside, Pennsylvania Dear Sir: The following letter, received from a patron, indicates that the public also knows what is going on. Apparently, this patron has a trade insight. Publication of this letter may prove of interest. Theodore Kirmse, Glenside Theatre. "Once I heard you tell some one, 'you couldn’t understand why the patronage to your fine house, with most modern equipment, comfortable furnishings, first run pictures and all else that makes for fine entertainment, didn’t seem to draw as it should.’ "Your problem seems to be a queer sort of competition, coming from the people who sell you, your stock in trade, and who it is my thought should protect you more carefully. Your producers appear to be so near-sighted as to permit the broadcasting over national hook ups the finest movie stories, I myself heard last night, 'The Arkansas Traveler’; with Bob Burns and an all-star cast, at no cost and in my own home, without batting an eyelash, produced by Cecil B. De Mille. "My good friend, your investment has a couple strikes on it, and you are peeping behind the eight ball, while such a condition exists. I have often wondered, if it ever occurred to you how many paid admissions, these grand entertainments over the radio take from your house.” ADVANCE SHOTS Tip-Off to New Pictures Reviews of the following pictures have been received during the past week. The advance shots are given for the benefit of out-of-the-can exhibitors, pending complete Six-Point Reviews in the next issue of the Blue Section. BIG FELLA (British Lion) — Paul Robson, Elisabeth Welch. 70m. Paul Robson, in particular fine voice, takes a liking to a boy who runs away from home. When the boy is kidnapped, returned to his parents, it looks bad, but it all works out. CAFE SOCIETY (Paramount) — Madeleine Carroll, Fred MacMurray, Shirley Ross. 8 3m. Good light comedy program, with an exploitable title, this satire on night-club life is geared for popular response, should get it. CHILDREN OF THE WILD (Pennant) — Helen Hughes, James Bush, Leroy Mason. 73m. An opportunity for exploiters, this brings eagles, dogs into the action, in encounters with men. EXILE EXPRESS (Grand National) — Anna Sten, Alan Marshall, Jerome Cowan, Jed Prouty. 60m. A timely, exploitable topic, with further bally through the return of Anna Sten ,this deals with deportation of undesirables, accentuating Americanism. ( Continued on page 11) The King’s Highway bus in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn is second only to the Broadway street car as a movie shopping conveyance. You hop on the bus at Ocean Avenue, travel down the Highway as far as West 5th Street, a distance of approximately a mile. Five theatres (three of ’em are Century’s) have prominent marquees jutting out practically into the path of the vehicle. ’Twas early one Saturday evening when we got on said bus to commute from Flatbush to Bensonhurst. The only available seat was behind two women whose combined largeness made us wonder how they both managed to get into the seat .We couldn’t help but hear their conversation — it was that loud. It seemed as if they were shopping the Highway for a double feature with pictures both hadn’t seen. Apparently they wouldn’t have minded some bingo tossed into the program. For the sake of clarity (also because we don’t know their names), we’ll refer to the two ladies as Mrs. A, Mrs. B. As the bus approached Century Circuit’s Avalon where "The Cowboy and the Lady” was featured, the conversation went something like this: "Have you seen this yet?” asked Mrs. A. "Oh, yes,” came the answer ,"I saw it at the Music Hall.” (She seemed to be bragging at this point.) "It was a nice picture; crazy.” Mrs. A didn’t seem to be in a listening mood. She interrupted with: "The other picture is 'Thanks for the Memory,’ with Bob Hope. I heard it was funny. That Bob Hope is a sketch on the radio.” By this time the bus was approaching Century’s Triangle where "Out West with the Hardys” was playing. Both women had seen this. By the time they were finished telling each other how they never miss a Hardy picture, "how adorable Mickey Rooney is,” the bus was coming to Century’s Kingsway. "Going Places,” "Law of the Underworld,” March of Time’s "Refugee” made up the program at that house. A long traffic light gave the women plenty o^ time to talk. Said Mrs. A: "Dick Powell is cute, but he sings too much. Anyway I saw this at the Strand.” (It was her time to brag.) "I heard so much about that new March of Time, I’d go in to see it if I hadn’t seen the peecture.” "My Sadie likes Dick Powell,” said Mrs. B, "but I like fine actors like Paul Muni.” When the bus pulled up to Cinema Circuit’s Jewel, Mrs. A. interrupted her friend: "Look, Bessie. Look what’s playing here. Look, Jannie Goldstein in 'Two Sisters.’ Ah, she’s a fine Yiddish actress. I remember the way she made me cry when I saw her shows downtown.” "Yes,” replied her friend, "Goldstein’s a fine actress, but for me it’s Molly Picon anytime. Ah, she’s wonderful — she sings, dances, acts, makes funny.” "But Jennie Goldstein’s really a talented artist. Ah,” reiterated Mrs. A, "she’s a fine actress.” Mrs. B suddenly half asked, half d ctated: ' You MUST see 'The Great Waltz.’ Such music, such dancing, such acting, such a story! What’s-hisname is so handsome. Maybe my Sadie like him, too. That foreign singer — with the funny name — ah, can she sing. Such a beautiful story it is. All about Luise Rainer, how she hangs around his dressing room. Ah, she’s so n:ce, that Rainer. Mrs. A, you simply must see the picture.” To which Mrs. A answered: "I saw it.” There were no more theatres along the line, so the ladies descended from the bus to make a return trip up the Highway where they most likely continued their movie talk. They had decided to see "Jannie Goldstein picture” at the Jewel. — L. S. Mentlik. Our New York Correspondent. Number 13 of a Series: COLUMBUS STAMPER Director, GREAT NORTHERN THEATRE, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. "It makes me more than proud to be a life subscriber to THE PHILADELPHIA EXHIBITOR. With growing pride I have watched how it has steadily improved until it has become an indispensable publication to exhibitors. "All my boys tell me that they prefer to use THE PHILADELPHIA EXHIBITOR reviews to write a program rather than refer to a press sheet. It is a far cry from the old days of VINE STREET to THE PHILADELPHIA EXHIBITOR.” Nearly every Exhibitor reads THE EXHIBITOR! AN INVITATION Throughout 1 93 9, expressions of praise, comment, criticism or suggestion from our many Exhibitor Friends will be carried in similar form in every issue. W,e welcome the expression of every reader and will use them in the order in which they are received. February 1 5, 1939 TRI