Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1925-Mar 1926)

EXHIBITORS HERALD 89 January 2, 1926 Mix. It takes all the cream away after you get it. Mix is the best bet for me in the business. Seven reels. — Leslie Hables, Reel Joy theatre. King City, Cal. — Small town patronage. THE RAINBOW TRAIL: Tom Mix— This follows “The Riders of the Purple Sage” and they came through mud and rain to see this one. You can’t hold them back. — J. W. Baird, Strand theatre, Pattonsburg, Mo. — General patronage. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer BRIGHT LIGTHS: Charles Ray— Charles Ray back again in the role of a country boob. Pleased them all and played to good business. We are now praying that Metro will not make the mistake of miscasting this star but keep him in country boy roles. Seven reels. — M. J. Alvey, Regent theatre, Eureka, Kan. — General patronage. THE ONLY THING: Eleanor Boardman — A very poor picture indeed. Poor photography and very poor miniature work. The actors really tried to make something out of it, but impossible. Too mushy. Our patrons really laughed at it. It’s all right for some women who care for this sort of mush stuff, but as an audience picture it’s terrible. Lay off of it. Six reels. — Clarence Wagner, Bugg theatre, Chicago, 111. — Neighborhood patronage. LIGHTS OF OLD BROADWAY: Marion Davies— If you can get them in it is one of those pictures that will more than please. It will send them away saying that was a swell show — only watch your posters and leave out the ancient stuff. — Louis J. Frisch, Harbor theatre, Ashtabula, O. — General patronage. LIGHTS OF OLD BROADWAY: Marion Davies— Played this one Thanksgiving and it sure did please. Step on it. It’s a good one. Many favorable comments from patrons. My people like a picture with good comedy and this one has plenty of it. — Albert Metzger, Fairy theatre, Knox, Ind. — General patronage. THE CIRCLE: Eleanor Boardman — A fair program offering but a very weak attraction, six reels. — A. G. Witwer, Grand theatre. Rainier, Ore. — General patronage. A SLAVE OF FASHION: Norma Shearer One hundred per cent entertainment, if you can get them in. Title and photos seemed to kill it for us. Six reels. — A. G. Witwer, Grand theatre, Rainier, Ore. — General patronage. THE MYSTIC: Special cast— "The Mystic.” I found, drew better than I had anticipated. Anything mysterious naturally appeals to the human mind. Exploit this show in this manner and they will come to see it and be pleased. Monday, Tuesday, 15 and 35 cents. — Bertin E. Leveque, Acadia theatre, Crowley, La. — General patronage. NEVER THE TWAIN SHALL MEET: Anita Stewart — A splendid production that did well at the box office. Eight reels. — A. G. Witwer, Grand theatre, Ranier, Ore. — General patronage. PRETTY LADIES: Special cast — Very pretty, and good entertainment. Technicolor of Ziegfeld Follies very good and a real eye full. Six reels. — W. M. Roob, Grand theatre. Port Washington, Wis. — General patronage. SUN UP: Special cast — M. G. should have shelved this ancient history. Costumes, etc. One of those pictures you’re glad when it says “the end.” Five reels. — W. M. Roob, Grand theatre, Port Washington, Wis. — General patronage. THE MIDSHIPMAN : Ramon Novarro — Very good, entertaining. All the pranks of college life confined right to West Point. Eight reels. — W. M. Roob, Grand theatre, Port Washington, Wis. — General patronage. THE DIXIE HANDICAP: Claire WindsorVery good picture. Will please all. Has a mighty fine race scene. — George C. Starkey, Opera House, Montour Falls, N. Y. — General patronage. THE NAVIGATOR: Buster Keaton — A good comedy-drama program picture. — J. W. Baird, Strand theatre, Pattonsburg, Mo. — General patronage. THE SILENT ACCUSER: Peter the Great— This is without question the best dog picture 1 ever saw. It will draw big. Buy it. — George C. Starkey, Opera House, Montour Falls, N. Y. — General patronage. THE RAG MAN: Jackie Coogan— Very good. Buy it. — George C. Starkey, Opera House, Montour Falls, N. Y. — General patronage. THE UNHOLY THREE: Lon Chaney— One of the finest and most pleasing pictures that I have ever had on my screen. Everyone seemed more than satisfied. In fact, a great many stopped to say it was very good. Mae Busch I think deserves as much credit for the fine quality of her work as any in the cast. Seven reels. — Louis J. Frisch, Harbor theatre, Ashtabula, O. — General patronage. THE WAY OF A GIRL: Eleanor Boardman — Something a little bit different that pleased exceptionally well. Six reels. — S G. Ihde, Photoplay theatre, Ashland, Kan. — Small town patronage. PROUD FLESH: Special cast — This will get by on an off night. Six reels.— W. M. Roob, Grand theatre. Port Washington, Wis. — General patronage. SHERLOCK, JR. : Buster Keaton : — This star always draws a full house. He is at his best in this feature. Six reels.— J. H. Wardwell, Wardwell theatre, Stockton Springs, Mo. — Small town patronage. WILD ORANGES: Virginia Valli — A very good regular program picture. Seven reels. — Giacoma Bros., Crystal theatre. Tombstone, Ariz. — General patronage. ZANDER THE GREAT : Marion Davies — Print very dim and the picture was spoiled. Just a fair picture. George C. Starkey, Opera House, Montour Falls, N. Y. — General patronage. Paramount IRISH LUCK: Thomas Meighan — Had a lot of nice compliments from people as they went out. First Meighan that made me any money. It’s a good bet. — Leslie Hables, Reel Joy theatre. King City, Cal. — Small town patronage. THAT ROYLE GIRL: D. W. Griffith— One patron^ said, “9 reels of legs and one reel of thrills. Yes sir this is a regular leg show which should pull them in, in the bigger places. Not much for a family theatre. A lot of the scenes could have been trimmed a little more. A few kicked at some of the bare spots, but at that it was a good show. Ten reels. — J. R. Ullman, Orpheum theatre, Ada, Minn.— General patronage. THE COAST OF FOLLY : Gloria Swanson — This is one picture where my audience and I do not -agree. Heard so much criticism of the antispirit, that I thought it was going to flop beforehand. But said audience was tickled over it. Gloria as an old lady opened up as much sympathy in my heart as Cleopatra’s mummy would. Thursday, Friday, 25 and 50 cents. — Bertin E. Leveque, Acadia theatre, Crowley, La.— General patronage. FLOWER OF NIGHT: Pola Negri — Well, well! Pola, where did you get the leading man? Wonders never cease! The next time, why not try Ben Turpin and we’ll know whether to laugh or cry? But, I must say this much, the story is more to the taste of the smaller towns. The first day’s run was only fair (giving it a wide margin) but public opinion made the second day much better, but how they .razzed the male lead. Don’t let them tell you at the exchange it’s a special. — Bertin E. Leveque, Acadia theatre, Crowley, La. — General patronage. A REGULAR FELLOW : Raymond Griffith — Raymond Griffith was a regular fellow in this. My patrons enjoyed this one very much. Although he is a prince, he goes over good. Get this and boost it. Seven reels. — Holt and Dick, Palace theatre, Clifton Heights, Pa. — General patronage. STAGE STRUCK: Gloria Swanson — Really the best Gloria Swanson picture we ever had. She does some of her finest work in this picture. Very well produced. Pleased all of our patrons. Business only fair. Seven reels. — Clarence Wagner, Bugg theatre, Chicago, III. — Neighborhood patronage. THE GOLDEN PRINCESS: Betty BronsonPlayed Thanksgiving day and I congratulated myself in being so fortunate as to pick such a picture as this for this day. It is a fine picture for any audience. Wish we could get more like it. Seven reels. — Holt & Dick, Palace theatre, Clifton Heights, Pa. — General patronage. THE ANCIENT HIGHWAY: Jack Holt^Just an average program picture, but good. You can book it for one day and feel safe. Just a fair business. Seven reels. — Clarence Wagner, Bugg theatre, Chicago, III. — Neighborhood patronage. LORD JIM: Percy Marmont — Very good with a South Sea setting. Marmont stands out. Seven reels. — Clark & Edwards, Palace theatre, Ashland, O. — General patronage. LORD JIM: Percy Marmont — Fine picture for small town. Did not hear any kicks and quite a few compliments. Paramount seems to be making pictures suitable for small towns as well as large. — Leslie Hables, Reel Joy theatre. King City, Cal. — Small town patronage. THE PONY EXPRESS: James CruzesWhile I did not break any house records with this one, I pleased the fans that did come out. This picture will stand an increase in admission. I consider the story as good as "The Wagon.” However, it’s not as big a production. Charged 20-35 cents with no kicks. Some said “It’s better than “The Wagon.” A few came back to see it the second night. Plenty of good comedy to put it over, Western fans will sure enjoy it. Ten reels. — Albert Metzger, Fairy theatre, Knox, Ind. — -General patronage. THE PONY EXPRESS: James Cruze — A very fair picture. Cast great. In same class as “The Covered Wagon,” “The Iron Horse,” “North of 36,” I can’t see where one has it over the other, only “The Covered Wagon” had biggest draft at box office. — Bert Silver, Silver Family theatre, Greenville, Mich. — General patronage. THE PONY EXPRESS: James Cruze— Here is one of the best pictures of the year. To me it was better than “The Covered Wagon.” Story much better to follow than “The Covered Wagon." A real treat to anyone, and educates too. Ten reels. — Holt & Dick, Palace theatre, Clifton Heights, Pa. — General patronage. THE SPANIARD: Ricardo Cortez — Played two days. Terrible business. It snowed one night and also had an American Legion play in competition with it. The picture did not entertain those that came either. He is no Valentino. The leading woman was mighty poor also. Seven reels. — C. A. Anglemire, “Y” theatre, Nazareth, Pa. — Better class patronage. FORTY WINKS: Raymond Griffith— Good show. Lots of action. Suitable for any house. — E. J. Reynolds, Liberty theatre, Pasco, Wash. — General patronage. FORTY WINKS: Raymond Griffith — A very good program picture with Griffith carrying off the honors. Viola Dana had too small a part to get her anywhere in this. But, we like her here fine. This type of picture is very popular here and believe Griffith will build up strong. Seven reels. — Horn & Morgan, Star theatre. Hay Springs, Neb. — Small town patronage. COBRA: Rudolph Valentino — -“Thank God for five yard McCarthy.” Amen, to you, “Chicago Tribune." Boy, “The Chicago Tribune” editorial hit the nail right on the head in that editorial. It’s goodbye Rudolph as far as I am concerned. “Cobra” has nothing to warrant the price I paid for it. Nothing more than any fifteen dollar picture that I can buy with more solid entertainment and just as much drag at the box office. This chap is living only on his sheik reputation and that is not carrying him far in these country towns. As decided a flop as has ever crossed our screen and I don’t mean maybe. There is not a flash of anything in it that would keep anyone but a few female morons awake. A dead draggy production that I bet Famous Players-Lasky were ashamed to put out at the price, their only justification being the price they paid him. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia theatre, Columbia City, Ind. — General patronage. COBRA: Rudolph Valentino — Simply a rotten picture. Photography very poor. Picture too slow. Business terrible. Valentino sure lost his drawing power as far as this picture is concerned. If you don’t want to play to an empty house, lay off of this one. No doubt this picture was oversold to everyone as it was in this house. How about a credit? Seven reels. — Clarence Wagner, Bugg theatre, Chicago, 111. — Neighborhood patronage. THE BEST PEOPLE: Special cast — Splendid. Wonderfully cast with one exception and splendidly acted. No one actor stands out alone.