Exhibitors Herald (1925)

EXHIBITORS HERALD 43 April 11, 1925 ing by this dog wonder. (Marvel, Carlinville, Hi.) SILENT WATCHER, THE, FN, Glenn Hunter, Bessie Love, 8. — Here is a fine picture. Some color dance scenes in this that make Mae Murray look like a rag doll in comparison. Films, scenei’y, story 100 per cent. Must be advertised to get them in. Business less than average 4 days. (Victory, Union City, Ind.) A wonderful story of fidelity and love with Glenn Hunter and Bessie Love in the finest roles of their career. A really 100 per cent picture but could not get them in, evidently on account of the title. (Liberty, Long Beach, Calif.) Seems to be a good picture. Good story and acting seemed clever, but it flopped hard. Even though he does clever acting, I cannot admire Glenn Hunter, and I do not think he ever will he a drawing card. I hope I never have him in another picture. (Arcadia, Vandergrift, Pa.) First half of this picture is good, balance not so much, as the story becomes somewhat maudlin. Would have been much better in six reels, and dragging in the unknown soldier is mighty far fetched and rather poor taste. (Lincoln, Pittsbugh, Pa.) The biggest flop in the history of the house, and that is covering some pretty bad ones. Very slow and draggy. Glenn Hunter will never make a movie star for a small town. His acting is wonderful, hut he will never take. For this house, Mr. Lloyd made a fizzle. (K. P., Pittsfield. 111.) Another First National triumph. It’s a very good picture but the business was terrible. (Regent, St. Marys, O.) Mr. John McCormack of New York bought himself a new radio and on New Year’s night he decided to try out his voice on it. For ten years. New Year’s night has always been one of the best nights of the whole year with me. Always counted on capacity business, and, with no local opposition to speak of, I expected to do the same this year. Here is where John got in his dirty work. Actual count: I had thirty-two adults, two kids and one dog to see the above picture. When a guy in New York can get eight million people to squat around a radio to hear him sing, I’m saying it’s pretty stiff competition. This bird isn’t satisfied to get all the way from six to fifteen dollars per ticket to hear him on the stage, but he wants to spoil the best holiday of the year for every small town picture show. And the end is not yet. I am told that it’s only a question of a short while when the farmer can go out and sit down on his wood-pile and watch a perfectly good picture being projected on the side of his barn. I quit when it reaches that stage. ‘‘The Silent Watcher” is a fine picture and will please any kind of audience. Acting of Glenn Hunter and Bessie Love is unusually good. (Lyric, Greenville, 111.) SILK STOCKING SAL, FBO, Evelyn Brent, Robert Ellis, 6. — 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. (Star, Tuckerman, Ark.) A very good program picture with Miss Brent doing some clever work. A crook picture which is very clean and suitable for Sunday. Print new, from Sioux Falls. (Empress, Beresford, S. D. ) We can class this as only a fair picture. It is a crook picture where an innocent man is about to be electrocuted but a blown fuse saves him in time to get a confession from the real murderer. (De Luxe, Spearville, Kan.) Much better than “The Dangerous Flirt.” In fact, would say that this one is a splendid little picture. Crook mystery story of the underworld, good plot, and had many favorable comments. In fact, some came back to see it a second time. (Princess, Crandon, Wis.) SINGLE WIVES, FN, Corinne Griffith, Milton Sills, 7. — This picture will not create any sensation, as there is nothing in it that has not already been done in the movies. However, you can say this about it, the production is carefully made with no expense spared to make it look like something big, but appearances do not make a picture altogether and I would say this picture will measure up as a box office picture in anybody’s theatre. It lost money for me. (Cozy, Winchester, Ind.) Here is a picture with seven or eight high-class actors, some of them rated as the best in, the business. Beautiful sets, elegant clothes, but a weak story. Corinne Griffith easily carries off the honors ; the rest of them had very little to do. If this picture had been cut from eight to six reels, it might go over, but it’s entirely too long. I managed to go through with it without losing any of them, but most of them looked like they were worn out after it was finished. (Lyric, Greenville, 111.) Good support ing cast, which includes Milton Sills, Lou Tellegen, Kathlyn Williams, Henry Walthall and Phyllis Haver. A neglected wife story. Not as good as “Lilies of the Field.” Star, as usual, wears some smart clothes. Herbert Brenon’s direction O. K. Average business. (Milford, Chicago, 111.) If you like Corinne Griffith you will like this. She sure shines. Some of the best acting. Films good. Average business four days with carnival in town. (Victory, Union City.) People did not care for the trashy theme of the story. It has been done a million times before. The thinking class resented the theme. The moral was lacking. The younger element raved about Corinne and Milton. A beautiful production that looms up big, but why waste two stars like these on such a slig'ht and uninteresting story ? Business way off. Conditions here very lamentable. Business fully 30 per cent under same period last year, due to short crops and low prices. (Regent, Cleveland, Miss.) I believe this is the five hundredth picture with exactly this same plot. The busy man who marries the girl who wants romance then neglects her while he is making money and wifie plays around with another man. Same situations and same finish. Sills is good and Griffith good to look at. Settings elaborate, but the story punk. (Temple, Bellaire, O.) A drama of modern matrimonial difficulties well produced. Brought out good audience in spite of bad weather. (Lyric, Chappell, Neb.) Good cast, hut why do they keep on doing it over and over? Not a small town picture. Sure flopped here. (Grand, Rainier, Ore.) Only a fair picture and only drew fair. Drew fair first . nigt, but fell badly second night, which shows they must be good or they’ll stay away. (Strand, Robinson, III.) A disappointment, one expects more from these stars. Sills does a soh-act in the closing scenes which may be a triumph of its kind hut proved only disgusting here. (Grand, Eldora, la.) Nothing to rave over. Thought William S. Hart was the king bee screen weeper, but Milton Sills runs him ragged in the closing scenes of this film. Why, Oh why. Oh why ? Anyhow, the kids got a big laugh out of it. (Lincoln. Pittsburg, Pa.) Business was nothing extra. The picture was good but not as good as “Lilies of the Field.” (Regent. St. Marys, O.) A fair picture of society. Story of a neglected wife. Fair attendance. (Char-Bell, Rochester, Ind.) SINNERS IN HEAVEN, FP, Richard Dix, Bebe Daniels, 7. — The biggest surprise package of the year. Outdrew “Feet of Clay,” “Alaskan” and “Her Love Story” under about same conditions. Believe the name is the big magnate in getting the crowd interested, and after they are in the picture takes care of itself. It is the best thing to date these stars have done. Runs a little along the melodramatic, and though the formula may have been used before, it does not detract from the story. Got advanced price for it and as it was sold reasonable it proved a most satisfactory booking. (Temple, Bellaire, O.) Dix and Daniels a very happy combination of stars and I hope Paramount will continue to co-star them. Story a bit spicy, but patrons enjoyed picture as a change from regular routine. Business good. (Rohinhood, Grand Haven, Mich.) Very good. Not a special, by any means, but a high grade program picture that pleased. (Palace, Ashland, O.) Good. A real good picture and one that my patrons liked very much. A pie. ture that will stand big advertising and then give satisfaction. (English, English, Ind.) This may go over with the younger .generation, but the old heads didn’t think much of it. They are airplane-wrecked in the the second reel, and do a Robinson Crusoe for the balance of the act. They marry themselves with a key ring in the light of a waning moon and with nobody for a witness hut the All Seeing Eye. Such stuff happens only in Hollywood and the movies. (Trags, Neillsville, Wis.) Capably produced South Sea Island story — cannibals, idols and everything. Should please most audiences. (Lincoln, Pittsburg, Pa.) Very good. Pleased everyone. Paramount has some poor pictures, but this is one of the good ones. Boost it. (Crystal, Ligonier, Ind.) A fine South Sea picture with a fine cast. This picture drew exceptionally well for me, due to the fact that our local newspaper had just finished the story in serial form in their paper. I was surprised to see how many had read the story, for they sure flocked in, even though the weather was cold. Try this with your local paper, as the story will sure get them. (Rialto, Cozad, Neb.) Welcome stranger. A breezy (quite breezy) story of the South Sea Isles that’s been done at least once before — hut the dear old public lakes this stuff and so do I. Grandma may think it naughty — ^but she’s at home these winter nights. Heard several sighs when Bebe and Dick clinched. Yes, it’s spicy — but a darn good program. Lots of compliments on it. (Cresco, Cresco, la.) We agree with the other fellows who have already reported this one. It is good and worth running. Some of the women dreamed of the girl’s dream scene after, and the men eating in the restaurants discussed the bathing scene and voted the whole picture good. (Idylhour, Edson, Alberta, Can.) Very good and seems to draw. Unusual title undoubtedly makes patrons bite. (Empress, Beresford, S. D. ) This made a good Saturday night program. Very good picture. (Southern, Akron. O.) Excellent in every way. Extremely so to male patrons. Photography and direction accurately timed. Star’s work A-1. Island bathing pool very much like “The Garden of Eden” swimming pool. (Howard, Alexandria, Minn.) This one did a fine business for me. It’s a good evening’s entertainment. Acting, photography and directing first class. Dix and Daniels both good drawing cards for me. (Centennial, Warsaw, Ind.) This is what I call a very fine picture. Has plenty of action, suspense and fine scenery. Title somewhat misleading. Drew extra business and my patrons were not slow to tell me how well they liked it. A few said they liked it better than “The Covered Wagon.” This is a good bet for most any theatre. (Rialto, Middletown, Ind.) Here is a picture that is probably better than the whole bunch of “Gold Bond Supers,” and sold as a program picture. Put this on your best day and put some steam behind it and you will do good business and please practically everyone. (Odeon, Chandler, Okla. ) Good picture — lots of good comments on same. I paid too much, as usual with Paramount. (Cozy, Wagoner, Okla.) Drew well on Xmas eve and also Xmas night. Most of the young people came to see it twice. Was wellliked by everybody. (New Geneseo, Geneseo, III.) Good entertainment, a little far-fetched. Business off week before Christmas. (Regent, Bogota, N. J.) A good picture, although title and photos are poor for small town. Print good. (Empress, Grundy Center, la.) A very good picture that pleased everyone. Jungle scenes very good. Business good. (Grove, Fox River, 111.) Good picture, well liked. Poor business, account of patrons sore at Paramount. Goes over their heads. I can figure on a box offic slump when I have to put out Paramount billing. (Lane. Cle Elum, Wash.) This is not as good as ‘'Empty Hands,” but it is good, at that. Had some kicks, as it is rather risque, but I got by with it. Some of my patrons raved over it, while some looked like they were afraid to express themselves. Due to very cold weather, business was light. (Regent, Marianna, Ark.) A very fine picture. Seemed to please everyone. Don’t be afraid to boost it, as it will go over in any house. (Royal, Gallon, O.) Very good picture and better than some specials. Pleased one hundred per cent and some of my patrons came back the second night to see it again. Title seemed to be a very good drawing card and had very good attendance both evenings, although business has dropped off considable during the past few weeks. Advertise this one big and you can’t go wrong. (Paramount, Wyoming, 111.) You can bank on this one, it’s one of the best. We sure packed them in. Title has great drawing power and, above all. Miss Daniels and Mr. Dix are well suited to roles. (Reg'ent, St. Marys, O.) This story may he a little risque in certain spots, so watch out. We don’t need this kind of pictures. (Monroe. Monroe, Ga.) Title seemed to draw them in and many pleasing comments. Bad roads and bad weather cutting business greatly. (Lyric, Chappell, Neb.) A good regular program picture. (Crystal, Tombstone, Ariz.) Good picture and moral tone all right. (Grand, Pierre. S. Dak.) A good audience picture. Plenty of action and a few snappy scenes that are well handled. Business good. (Strand, Pittsfield, Mass.) A very poor program offering. Don’t advertise it too big and have them expecting too much. It’s not there. (Dixie, Russellville, Ky. ) SINNERS IN SILK, MG, Adolphe Menjou, Eleanor Boardman, Conrad Nagel, John Patrick. 6. — Is a very good flapper picture. Good acting and good direction. Will do well where they are not too particular, but not here. (Globe, Globe, Ariz.) Very fine production from every angle. Poor business first night. Fair second. Comments favorable. (Grand, Rainier, Ore.) A well produced society drama dealing with an old man who undergoes a regenerative operation and becomes rival of his own son for the hand of a young girl. Played Sunday only with two acts of vaudeville, to S. R. O. (Capitol, New Bedford, Mass.) This was very good so the few who came said. Sure flopped at Box office. (Community, David City, Neb.) A splendid picture that drew mostly women and