Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1924-Mar 1925)

66 EXHIBITORS HERALD February 21, 1925 The Contributor’s Column More About Those “Plain Fools” I would just as lea\e try to run a picture show without pictures as to run one without the Hekalu, for it is just as necessary to us small town exhibitors. I certainly find “What the Picture Did for Me" of great benefit in booking programs and as close to being correct as can he. The man that said the exhibitors who contrilnite to it were fools was either a producer or just a plain fool himself. I am for “V\'hat the Picture Did for Ale" first, last 'and always and will kick through with a bunch of reports again in a few days. Here’s wishing you the best of luck, and keep it going. — F. C. Rodgers, Grand theatre, Creston, B. C., Canada. Tells Secret of Show Business 1 feel it my duty to myself and my Brother Exhibitors and the Herald to lake time to write this letter. Wish to state that on account of having to attend to all my business, which consists of a picture show, a plumbing and electrical shop and a transfer company, I don’t have much spare time. But I will have to acknowledge that I have been watching the columns of “What the Picture Did for Ale’’ as I consider these columns in the Her.m.d one of the greatest money making ideas. It enables me to get pictures that suit the public and that is the secret of the picture game. Wish to slate for the benefit of -some small town exhibitors that if an3’of them want to make some real monej’ and are not afraid to put on a picture m\' advice is to book “The Covered W'a.gon.” I played this picture three days in August and broke all house records with it, brought it back December 2S, 26 and 27 and packed the house every show and believe I could play it again three days. I think that’s going some for a town of 2,300. The Herald is the only motion picture paper I subscribe for as I can get what I want and all I want out of its columns. — ^C. H. Simpson, Princess theatre, Alillen, Ga. Fox THE LAST MAN ON EARTH: Special cast— I have been in business seven years and do not in that time recall a novelty picture that gets over as well as this does. It is highly pleasing and did right up to expectations. It is a distinctive novelty and makes fine entertainment. Business good in face of stiff competition. Seven reels. — W. H. Brenner, Cozy Theatre, Winchester, Ind. — General patronage. THE MAN WHO CAME BACK: George O’Brien — A real good melodrama. The kind of a picture your audience tells you “has something to it.” Story covers a wide range of territory. Offers opportunity for musical features with orchestra or organ, carries the sympathy and has lots of comedy. O’Brien is a problem as a star, as he has little peculiarities that will be hard to overcome. "Ben L. Morris, Temple theatre. Bellaire, O. — General patronage. THE MAN WHO CAME BACK: George O’Brien — A very good picture and I believe if George O'Brien gets the right support he will make good. —Mrs. Frank* Paul, Marvel theatre, Carlinville, III. — General patronage. GOLD HEELS: Special ca.st — Story done many times before. This one is poorly directed. It has fine race in la.st reel. Six reels. — A. J. Inks, Crystal theatre, Ligonier, Ind. — Small town patronage. THE PAINTED LADY: George O’Brien—A rather morbid and very well done dramatic tale of revenge and legeneration. No kicks from jiatrons, but snow storm hurt business. Picture would probably have drawn well if weather had been favorable. — John W. Hawkins, Capitol theatre, New Bedford. Mass. — General patronage. WINNER TAKE ALL: Buck Jones— -Best Western we have had in a long time. Drew good business on Saturday and satisfied the fans.™ J. M. Culwell, Strand theatre, Davis, Okla.— Small town patronage, TROUBLES OF A BRIDE: Special cast — If you want an action picture for Saturday book this one. It’s chuck full of action and thrills. It seems to satisfy most every one, — A. J. Paul, Royal theatre. Gallon, O. — General patronage. DAUGHTERS OF THE NIGHT: Special cast — For an action melodrama this is very good. Fox is making a mistake in not putting known stars in his stories. Business not good on this account. Advertising matter not of a nature to cause patrons to want to see the picture. Six reels. — A1 Powell, Highland theatre, Guthrie, Okla. — General patronage. DAUGHTERS OF THE NIGHT: Special cast — A good program picture. Seven reels. — Giacoma Bros., Crystal theatre. Tombstone, Ariz. — General patronage. DAUGHTERS OF THE NIGHT: Special cast— (»ood picture. Good print. Five reels. —L. Deyo, Miers theatre, Schoharie, N. Y. — General patronage. IN LOVE WITH LOVE: Special cast-Absolutely no good for a Western house. A very light comedy drama. Few laughs, not much story. Cast very weak and business worse. Why does Mr. Fox make these kind of pictures when the majority of his accounts are Western houses ? It might have been a fair stage play, but it’s a mighty poor photoplay. Five reels. — A1 Powell. Highland theatre, Guthrie, Okla. — General patronage. AN ARIZONA ROMEO: Buck Jones— Only a fair Western. Not up to the standard of “The man Who Played Square.” Business average for three days. — John W. Hawkins, Capitol theatre. New Bedford, Mass. — General patronage. THE WARRENS OF VIRGINIA: Special cast— Liked well enough, but no enthusiasm. Don’t seem to want patriotic stuff. — C. B. Roney, Star theatre, Milford, Mich. — Small town patronage. THE DESERT OUTLAW: Buck Jones— Good Saturday picture. The kind that Jones shines in. Give us more of these. Six reels. — A. J. Inks. Crystal theatre, Ligonier, Ind. — Small town patronage. FLAMES OF DESIRE: Special cast — I consider the advertising material on this picture very poor. No stars, poor paper, and will get the drop-ins. However, it is an extra good high class drama, very well staged and an unusual theme. Not a picture for hou.ses catering to the Western atmosphere. Six reels. — A1 Powell, Highland theatre, Guthrie, Okla. — General patronage. THE CYCLONE RIDER: Special cast — Ran it on Thursday to small crowd. That’s all we get this Winter. The picture is well named. It’s a cyclone of a picture. Can’t beat it for stunts and thrills. It is on the Fox list of specials and could lay more calm to special than many others on the list. Seven reels.^ — P. W. Quinlan, Ideal theatre, Chateaugay, N. Y. — Small town patronage. THE CYCLONE RIDER: Special cast— A fair Western that got plenty of business on Saturday night. Plenty of action. Nice scenery. Six reels. — J. F. Hileman, Broadway theatre, Mt. Pleasant, Mich. — Mixed patronage. THE CIRCUS COWBOY: Buck Jones— Good, peppy program. Story somewhat of a novelty. Have you ever noticed the stories of nearly all Fox program pictures arc good? That’s h^ause most of them are written directly for the screen. Five reels. — Fred Hinds. Cresco theatre, Cresco, la. — General patronage. THE HEART BUSTER: Tom Mix— This seemed to please Mix fans, which I supose is all that is necessary. Personally thought this the poorest Mix for a long time. It seems as though producers are trying to make comedians out of all Western stars. Nothing to this one but some comedy, no story. Would have made a good two-reel comedy. Give our Western stars some real stories like you used to do. Five reels. — J. W. Andresen, Rialto theatre, Cozad, Neb.^ — General patronage. HEARTS OF OAK: Hobart Bosworth— Bad weather and a small crowd, but a real special. Fox has fooled us a great many times, but this time he fooled himself and made a picture worthy of the name. The print in good condition, the price right and the picture splendid. I would advise all my little exhibitor friends to grab it. Seven reels. — P. W. Quinlin, Ideal theatre. Chateaugay, N. Y. — Small town patronage. HEARTS OF OAK: Hobart Bosworth — A good program picture. Sold at special prices. Fox is fooling us again. Business the poorest in years. Six reels. — A. J. Inks, Crystal theatre, Ligonier, Ind.— Small town i)atronage. HEARTS OF OAK: Hobart Bosworth — Old melodramatic success w'ell done. Gets over and seems to please. Draws the people who remember the old time shows, but not the women or young people. — Ben L. Morris, Temple theatre. Bellaire, O. — General patronage. A MAN’S MATE: John Gilbert— Thought this a very good program, (jilbert has never meant anything at the box office here. Very few do this Winter. Five reels. — Fred Hinds, Cresco theatre, Cresco. Iowa. — General patronage. EYES OF THE FOREST: Tom Mix— Picture good. Attendance good. On account of Ski tournament in town, ran “The Chase” and Alps Ski picture. Five reels. — C. M. Dunn, Lane theati'e, CleElum, Wash. — Small town patronage. THE NET; Special cast — This picture might get by if your patrons are not too quick to kick. Slightly above the average. Fox special, but that is not saying much. Boy, what junk they i>ut out under that over-worked name special. Nine reels. — F. A. Ferguson, Royal theatre, Fairmount, Ind. — Mixed patronage. LOVE LETTERS: Shirley Mason — This is a very good picture, and a person will have to give Shirley credit for what she does. Five reels. — Burt Parsons, Grand theatre. Springfield, Minn. — General patronage. NOW BOOKING