Exhibitors Herald (1925)

62 EXHIBITORS HERALD April 11, 1925 (Continued from page 59) ly good picture but lacks action and the story doesn’t mean very much. Fair drawing card. — T. J. Kempkes, Majestic theatre. Fairbury, Neb. — General patronage. FORBIDDEN PARADISE: Pola Negri— I guess it is about time that Pola is going back to Poland to remarry her first love. She sure is no drawing card in this section. The nature of the story is poor. Another one of those foreign plots. Give us American themes. Seven reels. — ■ K. H. Sink. Grand theatre. Union City, Ind. — ■ Better class patronage. WAGES OF VIRTUE: Gloria Swanson— Poor is too good a word for this. Some of my people walked out. Gloria is a drawing card here, but not with this picture. A fair plot. — Peter Bifarella. Family theatre, Attica, N. Y. — General patronage. THE WANDERER OF THE WASTELAND: Special cast — This is a fair picture, nothing extra. My patrons do not seem to care for the color. Did not draw very well. — H. A. Davitts, Dixie theatre. Winona. Miss. — General patronage. LILY OF THE DUST: Pola Negri— Nothing to it. Had several patrons tell me it was rotten. Pola doesn't go here at all. It’s too bad you are forced to play such pictures. Wouldn’t recommend this one to anybody. Business fair first day, dropped to zero second. Six reels. — R. L. Nowell, Idlehour theatre, Monroe, Ga. — Small town patronage. A SOCIETY SCANDAL: Gloria Swanson— This one is very good and pleased my Sunday patronage. Seven reels. — W. T. Biggs, Unique theatre. Anita. la. — General patronage. PETER PAN : Betty Bronson — It was bitter cold and the radio must have been good, as no one came to see this one. Very good picture. The few that saw it raved about it. Some stayed for the second show to see it over. — Peter Bifarella. Family theatre, Attica, N. Y. — General patronage. PETER PAN : Betty Bronson — This is a real picture, out of the ordinary line, and will bring the children and many who are not regular goers, but is not exactly what the small town picture fan wants. It’s too long, but it’s worth while to play it for a change. The star. Betty Bronson, is a great little actress and we expect that she will be heard from in the future. Ten reels. — C. E. Johnson, Paramount theatre. Gibbon. Neb. — Small town patronage. HER LOVE STORY : Gloria Swanson — Have had better pictures of Gloria, also worse. I would call this an average Swanson picture. Business good first night, nothing second night. Partly due to all churches having church services on Friday nig'nt. Seven reels. — Henry Imming. Star theatre, Newton, 111. — Mixed patronage. CHANGING HUSBANDS: Leatrice Joy— A knockout comedy that pleased 100 per cent. I think the advertising department of Paramount must be asleep. One-sheets and photos don’t tell anything about the pictures. No action, no comedy. Scenes just plain junk paper. Good print. Seven reels. — C. E. Terry, Capitol theatre. Oak Grove. Mo. — General patronage. CHANGING HUSBANDS: Leatrice Joy — Very clever. Heavy rain kept the people home. A splendid comedy drama. Miss Joy took her two parts dandy. — Peter Bifarella, Family theatre. Attica, N. Y. — General patronage. CHANGING HUSBANDS: Leatrice Joy— I want to say everything good for this fine comedy drama. It is just about 100 per cent entertainment. Just a little spicy in a few places but nothing anyone can take offense at. You will not go wrong on this one, as it pleased the masses and that is what counts at the box office in the town of our size (2,000). Business double the second night. Seven reels. — Henry Imming. Star theatre. Newton. 111. — Mixed patronage. CHANGING HUSBANDS: Leatrice Joy— Here is a wow of a picture for almost any audience. Full of comical situations that are bound to please. Played with Our Gang in “Tire Trouble” and all were more than pleased. Seven reels. — E. E. Gailey, Crystal theatre, Wayne. Neb. — General patronage. OPEN ALL NIGHT: Viola Dana— "If it’s a Paramount it’s the best show in town.” Oh, Boy ! How they missed it on this one. and to give pretty Viola Dana such rot to work on. I cannot really tell you how bad this is. Five reels of nothing, doubly, less than nothing. Pay for it but don’t play it. It was the night of the terrible cyclone that I showed this and consequently had a $7.10 house. Just $7.10 more than I was entitled to. The few patrons that had nerve enough to come out, as it was pouring down rain, just gave me a pitying smile and went home and I suppose tried to forget about it. Five reels. — Henry Imming, Star theatre, Newton. 111. — Mixed patronage. TIGER LOVE: Special cast — Another good picture but the title kept them away. A different title and I would have packed them in. as those who saw it enjoyed it immensely. Even though “True Story Magazine” is a big seller, people don’t want to see that on the screen, at lea.st mine don’t. Six reels. — J. M. Thoma, Postville theatre, Postville, la. — General patronage. MANHATTAN : Richard Dix — Good picture for any kind of people. You can’t go wrong on one like this. Dix is going to be at tbe top of the list before long. Very popular here. Why can’t all pictures be this good? Boost it. Seven reels. — R. L. Nowell, Idlehour theatre, Monroe. Ga. — Small town patronage. MANHATTAN : Richard Dix— Very good picture and pleased everyone. Good comedy stuff and story to go with it. Eight reels. — T. J. Kempkes, Majestic theatre, Fairbury, Neb. — General patronage. FEET OF CLAY: Cecil Be DeMille— This is an extra good picture. Will go big anywhere. Vera Reynolds does some fine acting in this one. — H. A. Davitts, Dixie theatre, Winona, Miss. — General patronage. MEN : Pola Negri — A rotten picture and a star that never was. See she has gone to Europe. Hope she never gets back. Seven reels. — ^W. H. Mart, Strand theatre, Grinnell, la. — College patronage. A SAINTED DEVIL: Rudolph Valentino— Here opinions were very much divided, classing it from excellent to poor. However, the majority, I believe, would call it fair to good. But what has become of Valentino’s following? The attendance was poor throughout and the picture proved a bad loser for me. Nine reels. — A1 C. Werner, Royal theatre, Reading, Pa. — General patronage. THE CALL OF THE CANYON: Richard Dix— Zane Grey’s .stories always draw well, and this was no exception. It is good, but we consider it the poorest work of that popular author. It’s about half and half Western and city stuff. People liked it but we have played more satisfactory Western features. Seven reels. — C. E. Johnson, Paramount theatre. Gibbon. Neb. — Small town patronage. THE LIGHT THAT FAILED: Percy Marmont — Marmont and Logan do wonderful work in this one. I pleased only a fair crowd but I want to say that it’s a great little picture. Run it on Sunday and it will do the business for you. Seven reels. — J. M. Thoma, Postville theatre, Postville, la. — General patronage. THE GUILTY ONE: Agnes Ayres— This is not exactly a bad picture, yet I would class it as one of the weak sisters. Six reels. — N. E. Frank, Regent theatre, Wayland, Mich. — Small town patronage. THE FIGHTING COWARD: Cullen Landis— A corking fine story. Picture cast and all pleased 100 per cent. Not a kick. Seven reels. — Giacoma Bros., Crystal theatre. Tombstone, Ariz.— General patronage. LAWFUL LARCENY: Hope Hampton— Rather improbable but good ending and will satisfy any ordinary audience, we believe. Six reels. — H. B. Wilcox, Unique theatre. Bricelyn, Minn. — General patronage. THE HERITAGE OF THE DESERT: Bebe Daniels — A very high class Western, beautiful scenery, very good acting and the name of Zane Grey helped at the box office. Would recommend to all small towns. Six reels. — R. G. Leuzinger, Carthage theatre, Carthage. S. D. — Small town patronage. PIED PIPER MALONE: Thomas Meighan— Another near 100 per cent picture by this good star. He is one of our best bets and this hits the bull’s eye. Seven reels. — H. B. Wilcox, Unique theatre. Bricklyn, Minn. — General patronage. STEPHEN STEPS OUT: Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. — The sorriest I ever ran. Six reels of nothing. Features like this will surely kill your business. Six reels. — Bill Leonard. Mystic theatre. Cedar Vale. Kan. — General patronage. SINGER JIM McKEE: William S. Hart— Seven reels of punishment for the operator. The rest of us went to sleep. Bill Hart in a “Mother Hubbard.” Ye gods! How do they get that way? Seven reels. — A. D. Brawner, Jewel theatre. Hooker, Okla. — Small town patronage. TO THE LADIES: Theodore Roberts — A fair picture. However, it will pass. Had a very poor crowd. Six reels. — Andrew Rapp, Theatorium theatre, Emlenton, Pa. — General patronage. SALOMY JANE: Jacqueline Logan — Hot weather ruined business for this one. I played it in July. Not a very good picture but the title did the business in bringing a fair crowd in spite of the sizzling heat. Had a few complaints but not many. Seven reels. — J. M. Thoma, Postville theatre, Postville, la. — General patronage. MANHANDLED: Gloria Swanson — Would recommend this one as just an ordinary program picture, although Gloria acted her part. Don’t see why they put her in a picture like this. A very weak story and the word "action” was forgotten in this picture. Subway scene very good, but when we advertise this star our audience expects to see something worth while. No favorable comments on this one. Seven reels. — Edgar Delahunty, Family theatre. Forest City, Pa. — Mixed class patronage. MANHANDLED : Gloria Swanson — Everybody liked this good picture of Gloria’s, even the Western fans. Buy it and boost it. Seven reels. — American Legion theatre, Broadlands, 111. — Small town patronage. DANGEROUS MONEY: Bebe Daniels— This is above the program type. Nothing wonderful but will please. Would advise playing it. — Geo. C. Starkey, Oopera House, Montour Falls, N. Y. — General patronage. RUGGLES OF RED GAP: Ernest TorrenceGood comedy-drama and pleased my Saturday night crowd. Six reels. — R. V. Fletcher, Lyric theatre, Hartington, Neb. — General patronage. THE FEMALE: Betty Compson — An extra good program picture which seemed to please the majority. Seven reels. — Wm. E. Tragsdorf, Trags theatre, Neillsville, Wis. — Small town patronage. SINGER JIM McKEE: William S. Hart — A very poor crowd saw this one and I am glad of it. How could any company or star make such a terrible piece of cheese? Don’t play it under any circumstances. Seven reels. — J. M. Thoma, Postville theatre, Postville, la. — General patronage. FAIR WEEK: Walter Hiers — This is a good little program picture that will please. — Geo. C. Starkey. Opera House, Montour Falls, N. Y. — General patronage. THE BREAKING POINT: Nita Naldi— Good program picture. — Geo. C. Starkey, Opera House, Montour Falls, N. Y. — General patronage. FAIR WEEK : Walter Hiers — Personally we were a little disappointed with this, but many of our patrons thought it good and no one kicked, so why worry? Don’t consider Hiers much of a drawing card, however. Five reels. — C. E. Johnson, Paramount theatre. Gibbon, Neb. — Small town patronage. DAWN OF A TOMMORROW: Jacqueline Logan — Very good program picture. Bert Silver, Silver Family theatre, Greenville, Mich. — General patronage. HIS CHILDREN’S CHILDREN: Bebe Daniels — Tied up with the Legion or I would have lost money and lots of it. My patrons didn’t like it and told me so. Eight reels.— J. M. Thoma, Postville theatre, Postville. la. — General patronage. THE SIDE SHOW OF LIFE: Ernest Torrence— Nothing to brag about. Did fairly well. Eight reels. — J. G. Varnell, Princess theatre. Piedmont, Ala. — Small town patronage. BLUFF: Agnes Ayres — A good program pic ture that pleased the best week-day turnout in months. Reels in good condition. — Paul B. Hoffman, Legion theatre, Holyrood, Kan. — Small town patronage. BLUFF: Agnes Ayres — Fair show and will please the ladies, but not so good for the men. Six reels. — W. T. Biggs. Unique theatre, Anita, la. — General patronage. ZAZA: Gloria Swanson — Maybe this is a good picture, but I can’t see it that way. The producers are making too many foreign pictures. My people are interested in their own country and like pictures made from stories of redblooded Americans. N. G. at box office. Seven reels. — J. M. Thoma. Postville theatre, Postville, la.— General patronage. Pathe KING OF WILD HORSES: Rex— "The greatest animal picture ever made,” was the way we billed this one and, believe me. it got them in. It will make money for any theatre, any place. Book it and boost it to the limit. Five reels. — J. M. Thoma, Postville theatre, Postville, la. — General patronage. BATTLING ORIOLES; Glenn Tryon— Gee, they are laughing yet. — C. E. McClain, Liberty theatre, Tryon. Okla. — General patronage. WHY WORRY? Harold Lloyd— As I stated in (Continued on page 68)