Exhibitors Herald (1925)

April 11, 1925 EXHIBITORS HERALD 45 pleased 100 per cent. Acting of Adolphe Menjou perfect. (Temple, Aberdeen, Miss.) SIREN OF SEVILLE, THE, PDC, Priscilla Dean, 6. — A good action picture, plenty of pep, and does not drag for a minute. In fact, it’s the best thing Dean has done in a long time. Personally I like her work any way, hut she is not a favorite with all, but this one made her strong with our crowd, (Casino, Antwerp, N. Y.) A pretty fair Dean picture, albeit a trifle sophisticated for some of the simple villagers. (Pastime, Williamstown, Mich.) An A-1 up-to-the-minute picture. Did good business and pleased 100 per cent. (Arcadia, Vandergrift, Pa.) The best picture Miss Dean has made in recent seasons. Lots of action, including fist fight between two women, mad ride behind team of horses and bull fight. Played one day only to good business. (Capitol, New Bedford, Mass.) This is a very entertaining picture. A good story with plenty of action and one of the best bull fights I have ever seen on the screen. Will please any audience 95 per cent. (Palace. Abilene, Tex.) SNOB, THE, MG, John Gilbert, Norma Shearer, Comad Nagel, Phyllis Haver, Hedda Hopper, 7. — Thanks to Monta Bell for this 'fine picture. The cast is fine, with Gilbert taking the honors. Pleased 100 per cent at advanced admission. Already, with two or three pictures to his credit. Monta Bell stands second only to Lubitsch. We are beginning to think that stars are made, but that directors must be born to it. There are so few real ones. (Majestic, Las Vegas, Nev.) A darn good picture. If you can’t please them with this there’s no use to try any longer. Norma Shearer is indeed beautiful. (Marvel, Carlinville. 111.) A good society drama that pleased. Acting and directing was fine and a good cast. (Lyric, Hartington, Neb.) What we call an average picture. It has some excellent acting, and Norma Shearer possesses everything but the reputation that better known actresses enjoy. Do not believe the title has any pull. (Majestic, The Dalles, Ore,) A first class picture. This director, Monta Bell, knows pictures and knows how to make them, (Strand, Grinnell, la.) SO BIG, FN, Colleen Moore, John Bowers, Ben Lyon, Wallace Beery, 9. — Big in every way. The kind of a picture my patrons like. In spite of cold weather, did capacity business 2 nights. Why can’t we have more pictures like this? Good, clean wholesome entertainment. Fine for Sunday as well as any other day. (Strand, Milford, la.) Here is where Colleen Moore does her stuff. She shows ’em she can do more than flapper stuff and do it well. In “So Big” she tackles a big, difficult role — but gets over in fine shape. Title from well known novel. Drew well and pleased close to 100 per cent. Any time this little star fails to draw with me it’s because there’s something against us in the way of opposition. (Strand, Robinson, 111.) The advance press agent who said that Colleen Moore would do the best acting of her career in this picture told the truth for once. Her acting in this has never been surpassed by any other actor or actress. As a box office attraction this cannot be beat. In spite of a heavy snowstorm this picture did wonder business. Had many people say that this was one of the best, if not the best, they had ever seen. Please remember it will not please the gallery crowd but will appeal to the people who read and know a wonderful picture when they see it, (K, P., Pittsfield, 111.) “So Big” is just about as big as they make ’em. Big in story, big in acting, big in entertainment. Some may prefer Colleen in her “flapper” types, but no one will deny the fact that her acting in “So Big” has seldom if ever been equalled. The picture failed to draw the business that I e,xpected. but it pleased them all. (Lyric, Greenville, III.) Wonderful acting by Colleen, but not appreciated as much as her flapper stuff. (Palace, Malta, Mont.) Absolutely, one that will not please them at all. Had large crowd, due to her other releases, which were good, and we thought that this would be her best one, but it’s not. Good acting by all players, but one that they will walk out on. (Dixie, Russellville, Ky.) A picture that follows the book perfectly, and the best acting ever done by our wonderful little star, Colleen. I still must admit I like her best in comedy roles. (Marvel, Carlinville, 111.) Went over 100 per cent. Pleased everyone. An excellent picture. I have found that First National has the pictures. (Pana, Pana.Ill.) Very good picture I think it was appreciated by all people of average intelligence, but the trouble is that it did not draw the others. I do not think the settings, etc., were so expensive as to call for such a big exhibition value. Possibly it will be revised downward. It will have to be to give me anything at all for my work. (Arcadia, Vandergrift, Pa.) SOFT SHOES, PDC, Harry Carey, 5.— I am pleased to report this one pleased all who came out to see it. Something a little different from his other pictures. A crook story which held interest all the way through the picture. Carey is holding his own with any Western I am booking. (Electric, Tilden, 111.) Carey drifts from the Western type in this crook picture. Gave good satisfaction. (Peoples, Crosby, Minn.) Another good Carey. All Carey’s we have run have made us money. Run with our serial. (Elite, Golconda, 111.) A comedy-drama which should satisfy a large per cent. (Empress, Beresford. S. D.) Here’s a good picture. Be sure and play it. Let’s have Carey make eight a year instead of four. If it’s a Harry Carey, it is good. (Riviera. Anderson, Ind. ) Starts off with wild and woolly hell-bent-for-election stuff and get ’em off their seats, and then they put him into some of that old ruination comedy stuff which has put the best of the Western stars out of business. Better take a tip Brother Stromberg, and put Carey back into the real honest-to-Pat “Roaring Rails” or “Lightnin’ Rider” roles. (Bridge, Petersburg, W. Va.) A very good Western. Good for Saturday night. Box office value fair. Not a big picture, just a program. But they ask more than program prices for it. (Princess, Neodesha, Kans.) Patrons seemed to like it, but I thought it was not up to Carey’s standard. Business fell off badly on second night’s run. (Star, Alexandria, S. D.) A good comedy Western. Pleased well. Business fair in spite of heavy opposition. (Cozy, Columbia, Mo.) SO THIS IS MARRIAGE, MG, Lew Cody, Eleanor Boardman, Conrad Nagel, 7. — This is a topnotcher. Don’t be afraid to book. It is a 100 per cent picture. Eleanor Boardman is sure some star. Cody is hard to beat. He is an actor. (Elite, lola, Kan.) Two reels in natural color, which is very beautiful, and the whole picture is a top notcher, (Grand, Princeton, Mo.) We didn’t do much with this one, but no fault of the picture or title. This is one of the best features Metro-Goldwyn has released to date and will please anywhere if you will only advertise it. The colored photography and scenes are beautiful. (Temple, Aberdeen, Miss.) I would put this in the class of good pictures. Modern domestic society drama. Good title and worthy of more than one day showing. Has some colored Biblical scenes that are beautiful. (Milford, Chicago, 111.) Splendid. As near 100 per cent as they make ’em. Pleased the majority of our patrons. (Grand, Rainier, Ore.) SPIRIT OF THE U. S. A., THE, FBO, Johnnie Walker, Mary Carr, Carl Stockdale, Gloria Grey, 8. — Emory Johnson’s pictures go good here, and this one pleased welt as his former productions and held up well for two days, (Lincoln, Rochester, N. Y.) I don’t mind telling you, and the small portion remaining of the W’orld, that this production made us a lot of money. While it is no knockout, in my estimation, it had tremendous drawing power and seemed to please the mases. The villains were much too mean and heartless to be true to life. We ran this picture on National Defense Day and the night previous, which perhaps accounts in part for its draft at the box office. That is one good thing the stirring up of the people’s war spirit did. But we are opposed to it nevertheless. I would much prefer a National Peace Day. You will no doubt guess from these remarks that I am a Democrat. If so, you will guess right. (Suburban, Omaha. Neb.) A very good picture, but not a special. F. B. O. wants too much money for this one. However, I played this with the American Legion. The boys boosted this strong and that’s what saved our neck. (Speedway, Springfield, S. D.) Good picture but title not so good. If you get them in you will please them. (Granada, Portland, Ore.) We opened our theatre with this. Will say as usual it’s an F. B. O. and that means .good, also money at the box office. (Arcadia, Cobb. Wis.) The best picture I ever ran. Book it. It will please your patrons. The story and play wonderful. (Victory, Rossiter, Pa.) Boys, we ran this picture op Thanksgiving Day and if we had seen it before showing would have advertised on a larger scale. It can be classed as a special and will stand a slight raise in admission. Will please 90 per cent. Is a little sad, but such actors as Johnnie Walker, Mary Carr, and cast will build up your business. F. B. O. prices are right. (Powers, Red Creek, N. Y.) Played two days to good business. The kids cheered at the flag stuff. This show is full of hokum and won’t appeal to the highbrows. We ran this with the Boy Scouts and made out on the right side of the book. (“Y,” Nazareth. Pa.) Excellent. Pleased large business on Saturday night. It has plenty of comedy and thrills. Played on per cent with American Legion. Made myself and also Legion a little dough. Wasn’t afraid to stand and watch the audience, as they were all pleased. Don’t be afraid to boost this. I also played 2 reels of “Go Getters,” chapter nine, “Go Getters” are the newest and best that have ever hit my houses for comedy. (Sutherland. Newport, Neb.) Tied up with the Fortnightly Club, who sold tickets, so made a little on this good picture. (Orpheum, Ada, Minn.) Emory Johnson’s mighty motion picture. Absolutely moral and up to date. Compliments galore. Average business. (Strand, Samson, Ala.) It entertained the kids, the grownups thought they were back to the old 10-20-30 cent melodrama days, and the way the stars and stripes are displayed is a knockout. Folks thought it was the Fourth of July. The flag was used to draw a hand and the kids applauded all right, but the older ones just looked at each other and smiled. Two days fair business. Just about paid for the picture. (New Geneseo, Geneseo. 111.) Oh, Boy ! You can book this one and play it up well and meet them on the outside and they will tell you it is of the best they have seen in a long time. I had some to come back the second night and pay to see it again. All we want is more like it. (Strand, Dotham, Ala.) Good. Pleased, nice business for two days. It has comedy and thrills and is very true to life. The small towns can appreciate this. (Strand, Florala, Ala.) Pulled good business and gave complete satisfaction. Lots of hokum, but they eat it up. Can’t go wrong on this. (Happy Hour, Ewen, Mich.) Used on Armistice Day in connection with American Legion and got the business. Liked by all. (Lyric. Chappell, Neb.) Used this one on Saturday. Business extra and gave general satisfaction. This is a very good offering. Cast good. Price right and film in best condition, and will make some real money for all you boys in the small towns. Buy it, advertise it good, it will stand a little raise and you will have no kicks on it. (Ideal, Chateaugay, N. Y.) Showed this picture to a crowded house on a Saturday under unfavorable weather conditions. Pleased 100 per cent. Exhibitors, by all means, get this one. It is a winner. It is through the information gathered from this paper's pages that we are able to select, as we have so far, so many good pictures for our movies. (S. of N., Ambrose, N. D. ) This is a good program picture sold at special prices. The picture did not draw for me. so many of my patrons thought it was a war picture. The usual poor business. Print good. (Sterling, Fairmont, Neb.) A hokum melodrama like Johnson’s previous productions. It is only crude in spots, but it got the business and sent ’em home satisfied. Three day engagement. (Capitol, New Bedford, Mass.) Didn’t draw very well. Paid too much for this. It’s very good, and a number told us that it was good. An interesting story. Was surprised at its not drawing, though weather is bad, and, of course, that kept a good many away. But one man said he was tired of war pictures. (Square Town, Brooklyn, Mich.) This, to my notion, is not as good as “We,stbound Limited” and “The Third Alann,” but the people rather enjoyed it. It did not have as much action as the foi-mer two. It will, however, go over where Johnnie Walker is liked. (Rialto, Terril, la.) A dandy patriotic picture. Pleased all who saw it, but failed to draw. Run this one on a national holiday and it will please. (Cozy, Wagoner, Okla.) You will say “hokum” of course, but they certainly like it and will tell you so. More power to Johnson. Business not big but satisfactory. (Robinhood, Grand Haven, Mich.) Good old hokum stoi'y that the fans should have “eaten up,” but they didn’t, for some reason. Has a good cast. Be careful about advertising as a war picture because it isn’t one. but is a rural story. (Quality, Cullom, III.) Pretty good. Regular Walker and Carr type of picture. Better not bet too high on F. B. O.’s press sheet. ( Almo, Moody, Tex.) A real program. Sure pleased them. All walked out satisfied. (Opera House, Clarkson, Neb.) They will all like this because the flag waves in every scene. Mighty good small town picture especially. (Opera House, Montour Falls, N. Y. ) The producers are to be congratulated on this very good offering. We class it an A-1 picture and are glad to recommend it. One of the really good ones. Bought right. (Elite, Humboldt, Kan.) Good picture with some life story and patriotic episodes and scenes. Used with W. R. C. benefit. (S. T., Parker, S. D.) Good in every way. Good print. (Miers, Schoharie, N. Y. STEPPING LIVELY, FBO, Richard Talmadge,