Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1924-Mar 1925)

February 28, 1925 EXHIBITORS HERALD 87 “What the Picture Did For Me” VERDICTS ON FILMS IN LANGUAGE OF EXHIBITOR Copyright, 1924 This is the original exhibitors’ reports department, established October 14, 1916. Beware of cheap, misleading imitations. “JFhat the Picture Did for Me” is the one genuine source of exhibitor-written box office information. Address: “What the Picture Did for M§,” EXHIBITORS HERALD, 407 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, III. Associated Exhibitors GOING UP: Douglas MacLean — A real picture. They laughed so hard they busted two seats. As good as “The Hottentot.” Seven reels. — W. T. Waugh, Empress theatre, Grundy Center, la. — Small town patronage. THE YANKEE CONSUL: Douglas MacLean — Not as funny as “Going Up.” Would consider it a good comedy drama, but not as funny as they would like for you to believe it is. Seven reels. — A. D. Brawner, Jewel theatre. Hooker, Okla. — Small town patronage. THE LONE WOLF: Jack Holt— No good. Poorest picture in a long time — my patrons said it. Many walk outs. — W. E. Green, Queen theatre, Aspermont, Tex. — Neighborhood patronage. ALICE ADAMS: Florence Vidor — Just seven reels of nothing. None of my patrons liked it and I am sure I didn’t. Star very, very good, but the story is rotten. Seven reels. — Chas. E. Lawrence, Star theatre, Tuckerman, Ark. — General patronage. DISCONTENTED WIVES: J. P. McGowan— A poor picture that was substituted for another. Lay off of it. Print poor. Six reels. — W. T. Waugh, Empress theatre, Grundy Center, la. — Small town patronage. F. B. 0. BROKEN LAWS: Mrs. Wallace Reid — Selected to commemorate our Fifth Anniversary. “Broken Laws” was exploited in every conceivable manner. All efforts and expense were more than justified as “Broken Laws” broke not only the one day record (this despite an extremely bad day Sunday) but also hung up a new gross on a 4-day run. Admission, 25c matinee ; 40c night. Everybody still talking about this wonderful attraction. You’ll have to step on the gas, if you want to put this over right, but if you let “Broken Laws” get away from you, you’re hopeless. We paid about twice as much for it as we might have gotten it for a little later ; that’s how bad we wanted it for our Anniversary. This is my first report in a good many months, submitted in the interests of Fellow Exhibitors, with the urgent suggestion that they grab “Broken Laws.” — Fred S. Meyer, Palace theatre, Hamilton, Ohio. — Family patronage. SILK STOCKING SAL: Evelyn Brent — This is the second one of Evelyn Brent and it is better than “The Dangerous Flirt.” A picture everyone enjoyed and it teaches a good lesson. The title sounded suggestive but there is not a suggestive scene in it. A picture for both old and young. Business was fairly good for this season of the year. Six reels. — Chas. E. Lawrence, Star theatre, Tuckerman, Ark. — General patronage. YOUTH AND ADVENTURE: Richard Talmadge — A good snappy picture full of action, and pleases, as he does a lot of stunts. He sure gets them in for me. Story light, but that does not matter as long as it has the entertainment. Five reels. — C. V. .'Vnderson, Oak theatre, Oakdale, Neb. — General patronage. LIFE’S GREATEST GAME: Johnnie Walker — ■ Fifty-fifty. Seven reels. — J. S. Walker, Alamo theatre. Moody, Tex. — Small town patronage. THE WOMAN WHO SINNED: Special cast— We ran this on New Year’s Eve and night and did a very good business the first night. Not so good the second night, but no fault of the picture, as everyone who saw it was well pleased and quite a few stopped to tell us. — Frank Ober, Boynton theatre, Boynton, Okla. — General patronage. THE NO GUN MAN: Lefty Flynn — Flynn and Gloria Grey both good in this. Too much of the impossible but our audience seemed to like it that way. Print good and clear and good scenery. Only fault, too much fi.st fighting in the face of guns. Five reels. — Oscar Reinert, Elite theatre, Humholdt, Kan. — Small town patronage. THE NO GUN MAN: Lefty Flynn— This one made a hit with our patrons. Pronounced by all as the best Flynn picture to date. If Flynn will keep to this kind of picture and leave society and dress suits alone, he will be a good drawing card for us small towners. — W. H. Durham, Grand theatre, Camas, Wash. — Small town patronage. THE NO GUN MAN: Lefty Flynn— Just a picture. Five reels. — Ryan and Kundert, Empress theatre, Beresford, S. D. — General patronage. THUNDERING HOOFS: Fred Thomson— One of Fred’s best and wish he would hurry up and get in shape to make some more like it. Pleased 100 per cent. Five reels. — W. A. Clark, Jr., Castle theatre, Havana, III. — General patronage. THUNDERING HOOFS: Fred Thomson— Fred and Silver King are very good in this one. One of my patrons said they would walk five miles to see Silver King. Fred may not be a star but we cannot kick, as he is better than a lot of stars. The bull fight in this just about had the kids standing on their heads. Six reels. — Joseph Gra.v, Gray theatre, Spangler, Pa. — General patronage. THUNDERING HOOFS: Fred Thomson— A very good Western. Thomson is creating a following and his horse is exceptionally fine. Six reels. — A. R. Bender, Olympic theatre. Cleveland, Okla. — Small town patronage. THUNDERING HOOFS: Fred ’ThomsonA splendid action picture that delighted a very good Saturday night crowd regardless of very bad roads. Five reels. — R. C. Geeting, Lyric theatre, Chappell, Neb. — Small town patronage. THUNDERING HOOFS: Fred Thomson— A real picture ; all of the Thomsons are good. Buy them all and clean up. Five reels. — W. J. McBrayer, Auditorium theatre, Hamilton, Mo. — General patronage. THUNDERING HOOFS: Fred Thomson— Nice little Western that pleased the majority. Business good considering very bad weather. — Sam H. Blair, Majestic theatre, Belleville, Kan. — General patronage. AMERICAN MANNERS: Richard Talmadge— We ran this tiicture on Tuesday night and had more favorable comments on it than any we have run for a long time. Especially were ti e ladies pleased with Dick and wish to know it he i.s married.— Frank Ober, Boynton theatre, Boynton, Okla. — General patronage. A GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST: Gloria Grey — Very good. Runs close to Mrs. Porter’s story. Went over good. Used lots of extra advertising, but it was unnecessary. Ran it with first round of “Fighting Blood,” which is also good. Six reels. — J. D. Roth, Orpheum theatre. Converse, Ind. — Small town patronage. A GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST: Gloria Grey — They say that wonders will never cease. The longer I stay in this game the less I know and likewise the less I have. Last week I stepped out and played Colleen Moore in “So Big” immediately after its St. Louis showing. “So Big” has a cast of seven or eight high class stars. “The Girl of the Limberlost” is about two years old without a single star and it drew more business in one night than “So Big” did in two at the same admission, and it was played just three days later. Evidently every one had read Gene Stratton Porter’s story and wanted to see the pic ture. I think it pleased everyone in the house. Six reels. — R. W. Hickman, Lyric theatre, Greenville, 111. — General patronage. JUDGMENT OF THE STORM: Special cast— This one ought to go over well in any house. A good cast, a strong plot, and contains one of the most realistic snowstorms ever seen on the screen. Gave very general satisfaction. Seven reels. — C. E. Johnson. Paramount theatre. Gibbon, Neb. — Small town patronage. JUDGMENT OF THE STORM: Lloyd Hughes— I am a little late in reporting on this, as we ran it Christmas night, hut it is so good I want to tell you small town exhibitors to run it. I booked this on the strength of “Herald” reports, and it pleased 100 per cetnt here. Seven reels. — American Legion theatre, Broadlands, 111. — Small town patronage. GALLOPING GALLAGHER: Fred ThomsonVery good, lots of good comedy and action. We are only paying one-half as much as we are for Mix and our people like him better. New print. F. B. O. are good to deal with. Five reels. — John Profughi, City theatre, Dixonville, Pa. — General patronage. ON TIME: Richard Talmadge— If it wasn’t for the last reel, would rate this a mighty good entertainment, but the last reel shows Talmadge in a fight with a dozen or so and emerges victor without as much as having his hair mussed. Six reels. — Paul B. Hoffman, Legion theatre. Holyrood, Kan. — Small town patronage. THE DANGEROUS COWARD: Fred Thompson — I am pleased to report that this one pleased just as all Thomsons do. I showed this one to nine more admissions than I have had since last September, and during that time I have used some of the so-called big specials. Thomson’s pictures are sure a life saver for the small town exhibitor. Don’t be afraid to book and then boost them. — Charles E. Barber. Electric theatre, Tilden, III. — Small town patronage. LET’S GO : Richard Talmadge — Not much connection to story, but O Boy ! plenty of action and thrills. Not much drama and very slow on romance. This star goes good here. Played with “Fighting Blood.” Made plenty of snap to program. Six reels. — J. D. Roth, Orpheum theatre. Converse, Ind. — Small town patronage. LET’S GO: Richard Talmadge — Absolutely this is one of the best action pictures I have ever seen. I’ll tell you men if you are not playing these pictures you are making a big mistake. I do not care what size town or city you are in. These pictures will please all classes. If I were asked to name my favorite star, believe me, Richard Talmadge would be the one. This picture is better than all of the others I have played and I believe that old boy gets handsomer every day. Business fine. Six reels. — Chas. E. Lawrence, Star theatre, Tuckerman, Ark. — General patronage. WESTBOUND LIMITED: Ralph Lewis— A good Saturday picture. Was late in playing it but received a good print. Six reels. — W. T. Waugh, Empress theatre, Grundy Center, la. — Small town pati'onage. NATIONAL SCREEN SERVICE Inc. NEW YORK CMICAOO LOS ANGELES