Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1924-Mar 1925)

January 17, 1925 EXHIBITORS HERALD 45 The Contributor’s Column Fry Finds “Herald” Most Valuable Paper We subscribed to the HERALD immediately after opening the theatre here. Since, we have subscribed also for several other trade papers. We have never contributed to any column except “What the Picture Did for Me.” We enjoy all the trade papers, as “there is some little good in the worst of us.” However, with all due respect to all others in the held, we must say we honestly think the HERALD the most valuable, especially to the small or medium sized town theatre. This theatre is operated as a side issue. However, we take pride in it and how could we better select pictures than through “What the Picture Did for Me,” as all contributors report pictures impartially? I gave an unfavorable report on a really big picture, in fact one that most all exhibitors have broken house records with. However, it did not prove successful with us. Later I was criticized by the distributor — district manager — for the report. Let’s make 1925 a banner year for ourselves and give each other the correct dope through the HERALD, even if it may or may not please the distributor. Wishing you all a prosperous 1925. S. G. FRY, Palace theatre, Omaha, Texas. Hoadley to Operate Blissbeld Theatre Am sending you a bunch of reports which will probably be the last that I will send in on this theatre, as I have sold it to E. C. Donaldson. I have bought the Temple theatre, Blissfield, Mich., and you will probably hear from me soon from there. Will you please change the address on the HERALD books, as I don’t want to miss a single copy? And you might send Mr. Donaldson a copy. Then I know he’ll subscribe for it. E. C. HOADLEY, Square Town theatre, Brooklyn, Mich. meant and did not come out to see. Picture is very good and pleased those that came. Lost money for me. Eight reels. — A. D. Brawner, Jewel theatre, Hooker, Okla. — Small town patronage. THE WANTERS, with Marie Prevost. — This is a good picture, but was hard to get them in on it, but pleased those who came. Didn’t make any money. Seven reels. — J. May, Grand theatre, Shawneetown, 111. — General patronage. BOY O’ MINE, with Ben Alexander. — An extra good picture. Ran it Christmas Eve — the poorest night in the year — to fairly good business. The picture merited a full house. Seven reels. — William E. ’Tragsdorf, ’Trags theatre, Neillsville, Wis. — Small town patronage. NOMADS OF THE NORTH, with a special cast. — This is a re-issue but drew extra well, considering the weather, and everyone remarked it was fine. It sure is. A Northern story and beautiful scenery. — E. C. Hoadley, Square Town theatre, Brooklyn, Mich. — Small town patronage. TROUBLE, with Jackie Coogan. — Kid pictures fall down for me. I am off Coogan and Peggy pictures. Seven reels. — A. C. Mahan, Wallins theatre, Wallins Creek, Ky. — Small town patronage. OLIVER TWIST, with Jackie Coogan. — A very good production, although a little too sad in places and not one that really pleases an audience. I ran it as matinee the day before Christmas and it drew a good crowd. Film good. Eight reels. W. A. Doerschlag, Strand theatre. Ransom, Kan. — Small town patronage. THE HUNTRESS, with Colleen Moore.— Very good fighting one. Use this on your Western nights and you’ll have it. Six reels. — M. J. Babin, Fairyland theatre. White Castle, La. — General patronage. THE HUNTRESS, with Colleen Moore. — Pretty good. Peculiar story but will please. Run it. Seven reels. — A. C. Mahan, Wallins theatre, Wallins Creek, Ky. — Small town patronage. THE HOTTENTOT, with Dougles MacLean. — Another Ince directed picture that hits the bull’s eye. This is old, but if you haven’t run it, get it and boost it in your ads. You can’t say too much for it. Your house will be in an uproar from start to finish. Film good. Seven reels. — W. A. Doerschlag, Strand theatre. Ransom, Kan. — Small town patronage. THE AGE OF DESIRE, with a special cast. — For us it was just a picture. Six reels. — J. S. Walker, Alamo theatre. Moody, Texas. — Small town patronage. THE AGE OF DESIRE, with a special cast. — Only a fair program picture. Print good. Six reels.— P. G. Held, Sterling theatre. Fairmont, Neb. — Neighborhood patronage. MIGHTY LAK’ A ROSE, with Dorothy Mackaill. A fine production and one that no exhibitor need be afraid of. It will please 90 per cent even though it is old. Film good. Eight reels. — W. A. Doerschlag, Strand theatre. Ransom, Kan. — Small town patronage. EAST IS WEST, with Constance Talmadge. — They don’t rave over this, but it will do. Eight reels. — J. S. Walker, Alamo theatre. Moody, Tex. — Small town patronage. WHY MEN LEAVE HOME, with a special cast. — Drew like a mustard plaster and many good comments from my patrons. Personally thought this much better than ‘"The Dangerous Age.” Eight reels. — A. D. Brawner, Jewel theatre. Hooker, Okla. — Small town patronage. A MAN OF ACTION, with Douglas MacLean. — So-so. Five reels. — J. S. Walker, Alamo theatre. Moody, Tex. — Small town patronage. Fox THE MAN WHO PLAYED SQUARE, with Buck Jones. — If your patrons like action, they will eat this one up. It’s the best thing Jones has done in a long time. Red hot melodrama with lots of action and thrills. Played three days preceding Christmas to better than average business. Seven reels. — John W. Hawkins, Capitol theatre. New Bedford, Mass. — General patronage. THE PAINTED LADY, with Dorothy Mackaill. Very good South Sea Island story. Dorothy Mackaill good and we are glad to see the screen has a new man in George O’Brien, and we wish him success. The old timers who used to be he men on the screen have all been dressed up in society dramas, and we hope O’Brien won’t have such hard luck but that they will use him in this type of picture. We believe this feature contains as good a fight as was in “The Spoilers.” Fox seems to have melodramas this year and they are what the people seem to want in smaller places. Print good, from Minneapolis. Seven reels. — E. W. Kundert, Ryan & Kundert, Empress theatre. Beresford, S. D. — General patronage. HONOR AMONG MEN, with Edmund Lowe. — Lowe’s first picture in his series for Fox. It did not please here, as costume pictures have hard going here. May go over better in larger theatres. Five reels. — C. O. Peterson. Royal theatre, Saxon, Wis. THE LAST MAN ON EARTH, with a special cast. — This is the greatest novelty picture in our years in business and gave 99 per cent satisfaction. (One person kicked, said he was too much past the Mason and Dixon line to appreciate it. He admitted he was old.) This is the first picture they ever cheered. Five below zero, deep snow, and sixty dollars worth of business when we though $5 would be big. It’s got oodles of comedy, beautiful women, a novel theme. It’s clean, gotta catchy title, pulled ’em in below zero. Use your own judgment. We got it cheap and feel that Bill Fox got cheated. Six reels. — Sam Blair, Majestic theatre. Belleville, Kans. — General patronage. THE TROUBLES OF A BRIDE, with a special cast. — Bad weather. A 1924-1925 Fox hokum melodrama which patrons liked. Containing all the thrills of “The Arizona Express,” “Eleventh Hour” and “Hell’s Hole.” It’s a good bet. Title poor, which hurts its drawing power, but these COMING