Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1925-Mar 1926)

86 EXHIBITORS HERALD February 27, 1926 THE KEEPER OF THE BEES: Special cast — A picture with drawing power. Book was read by almost everyone. Raised admission and did advance advertising. Broke all records since “Omar.” Can’t go wrong when you buy this one. Can be bought reasonable from F. B. O. Seven reels. — Robert W. Hines, Hines Circuit, Loyalton, S. D. — General patronage. THE KEEPER OF THE BEES: Special cast— Well, sir, if your bank account is overdrawn, book this one and see ’em roll in. Broke all house records for any picture ever played at regular admission prices and a one night stand at that. Not as good a picture as “Drusilla With a Million,” but a regular he shekel magnetizer. — Clyde Allen, Casino theatre, Antwerp, N. Y. — Small town patronage. THE KEEPER OF THE BEES: Special cast — This was a very pleasing picture, and registered at the box office. — T. L. Little, Majestic theatre, Camden, S. C. — General patronage. THE KEEPER OF THE BEES: Special cast— This drew fine and gave satisfaction. Showed to 500 admissions in a town of 1,000. Seven reels. — Mrs. W. C. Bevard, Star theatre, Fowler, Colo. — Small town patronage. TEARING THROUGH: Richard Talmadge— Better than I expected from advance reports received from other exhibitors. It was a good show. He is a favorite with the kids. Five reels. — C. A. Anglemire, Y theatre, Nazareth, Pa. — General patronage. WHITE FANG: Strongheart — Did fine with this one, notwithstanding so much sickness. Much better than “The Lovemaster.” Print in good condition, out of Buffalo. Six reels. — Clyde Allen, Casino theatre, Antwerp, N. Y. — Small town patronage. WHITE FANG: Strongheart — A real good picture and holds my house record for a 10 and 25 cents show. Six reels. — Mrs. W. C. Bevard, Star theatre, Fowler, Colo. — Small town patronage. FOOLS IN THE DARK: Special cast— Oh. what a dandy picture ! Packed with the funniest, thrilliest, most weird stunts imaginable. The walking skeleton is simply a scream. But Oh. double Oh, what dreadfully poor paper issued on such a picture. If I had had a press sheet on this feature in advance I surely would have exploited it and put it over big. As it was, I was a “fool in the dark” and lost money. I personally met Mr. Grassby while in Hollywood and disliked seeing him play so mean a part, though of course did it wonderfully. If you buy this one, and I advise you to do so, fellow-exhibs, for box office sake make your own posters thereon. You will then have an opportunity of making a fair profit. Seven reels. — Dorothy B. Strauss, Doradele theatre, Copperhill, Tenn. — General patronage. THE BANDIT’S BABY: Fred Thomson— As good as Thomson has made and the acting of Silver King is very good. Five reels. — Julius Schmidt, Grand theatre, Breese, III. — General patronage. THE BANDIT’S BABY: Fred Thomson— Too many subtitles about the personal care of babies to suit many pati'ons. Otherwise okay. Silver King is especially good. Five reels. — Dinsmore & Son, Majestic theatre, Weiner, Ark. — General patronage. THE BANDIT’S BABY: Fred Thomson— This one good, as are all of the Thomson and Silver King pictures. Six reels. — Mrs. W. C. Bevard, Star theatre, Fowler, Colo. — Small town patronage. NO MAN’S LAW: Bob Custer— Plenty of action but weak story and poor direction. If you like shoot-’em-up kind, buy this. Five reels. — M. E. Ames, Pastime theatre, Jefferson, O. — Small town patronage. PARISIAN NIGHTS: Elaine Hammerstein— Copyright 1925. Rating 90 per cent. Film good. This is not as neat as it is put up to be. Seven reels. — J. W. Ryder, Jewel theatre, Verndale, Minn.— General patronage. THE DESERT SHEIK: Wanda Hawley— This was a good picture which had good photography and good direction. Wanda Hawley played her part very well, as did Nigel Barrie in support. This picture a little different from the average run and so quite a relief. Give us more as good as this one. Six reels. — W. T. Davis & Son, Rialto theatre, Sharon, Wis. — General patronage. First National THE BEAUTIFUL CITY: Richard Barthelmess — Dandy picture. Everyone delighted. Make some more. — McTodd theatre, Willoughby, O. — General patronage. THE BEAUTIFUL CITY: Richard Barthel Special to Bob Custer A MAN OF NERVE (F. B. 0.), Bob Custer. — This is my last one on a series of eight, and they were all good average Westerns. This star is coming and his popularity is increasing. He’s got an awful wallop, and, though I don’t know where he is from, I’d bet ten to one he’s a Kentuckian. I live just across the line and I know one when I see him. Five reels. — JOHN CLEVA, JR., Enterprise theatre, Glenalum, W. Va. mess — Good picture and seemed to please all who saw it. Business very poor on account of weather and school entertainment. Seven reels.— A. G. Witwer, Grand theatre. Rainier, Ore. — General patronage. WHY WOMEN LOVE: Blanche Sweet— While this may be well produced, there is no use talking, folks will not stand for this sort of overdrawn meller, so that’s that. Eight reels. — W. H. Brenner, Cozy theatre, Winchester, Ind. — General patronage. BLUEBEARD’S SEVEN WIVES: Ben Lyon— Yes, Ben has sex appeal, if that’s what the women want, but half our patrons came out asking what it was all about. Pleased fiftyfifty. Eight reels. — Pace & Bouma, Rialto theatre, Pocahontas, la. — Mixed class patronage. BLUEBEARD’S SEVEN WIVES: Special cast — Good. A very good picture. Will go good in any town. — A. J. Paul, Royal theatre, Galion, O. — General patronage. THE LIVE WIRE: Johnny Hines— Would rate this as a poor program attraction. Lacked a lot of going over with my audience. — T. L. Little, Majestic theatre, Camden, S. C. — General patronage. GRAUSTARK: Norma Talmadge— Played two days to good business. Everyone seemed pleased with picture at advanced prices. Eight reels. — Frank Brock, Grand theatre, Okolona, Miss. — Small town patronage. GRAUSTARK: Norma Talmadge — They liked this one and told me so. It will go big in small towns for two days. Everybody pleased but me, and my trouble is I have yet to run this star in “The Lady,” and was forced to buy “The Lady” to get “Graustark.” No doubt you know that Norma Talmadge in “The Lady” is rotten. That’s the way I have it labeled. — A. Mitchell, Dixie theatre, Russellville, Ky. — General patronage. CLOTHES MAKE THE PIRATE: Special cast — Hard picture to report on. I liked it, but never had so many walkouts on a picture. Two reels too long. Errol good. He is funny, but the picture just didn’t seem to register with my crowd. We had splendid business due to the second of our Star Theatre Presentations (details in my letter). Costume stuff no matter how it is done will not get over for me. Without the prologue we would have had a hard time. Nine reels. — Henry Reeve, Star theatre, Menard, Tex. — Small town patronage. (See Presentation Acts department.) SHORE LEAVE: Richard Barthelmess — Very good. Barthelmess is one of the most popular stars I have here. Quite a bit of talk among my people as to which was the better, "Shore Leave” or “Classmates.” Both did big business. Different from his usual role in this one. Change from the play did not help the picture, but of course the play could not well be put on the screen as was. Seven reels. — Henry Reeve, Star theatre, Menard, Tex. — Small town patronage. THE LADY WHO LIED: Special cast— Quite an interesting story with a very capable cast done in a remarkably able manner. Desert night scenes are far better than anything shown along this line and the picture will serve as good entertainment for anyone. — W. H. Brenner, Cozy theatre, Winchester, Ind. — General patronage. THE PAGE THAT THRILLS: Ben Lyon— Without exaggeration, this is as near nothing as I have run for many months. All the action in it could have been (and was) put in half a reel. The gag man on the lot must have selected that title, for it sure was a joke. Second night a total loss, with no insurance. Seven reels. — Wm. E. Tragsdorf, Trags theatre, Neillsville, Wis. — Small town patronage. THE SCARLET WEST: Special cast— Played to very poor houses both nights. A very good bit of historical entertainment, if your people like to see history on the screen. Ours don’t, hence the flop. Nine reels. — C. W. Veseth, Palace theatre, Malta, Mont. — General patronage. ENTICEMENT: Mary Astor — Just an ordinary sex program picture. Mary Astor very pretty. Some beautiful scenery, otherwise nothing to it. Seven reels. — C. H. Moulton, Bijou theatre. Beach, N. D.— Small town patronage. THE DARK ANGEL: Ronald Coleman — The nearest thing to a perfect picture that we ever ran. — Strand theatre, Irvine, Ky. — General patronage. THE DARK ANGEL: Vilma Banky — A fine picture. We find First National pictures better this year than ever before. You cannot go wrong on First National pictures. — A. J. Paul, Royal theatre, Galion, O. — General patronage. THE DARK ANGEL: Vilma Banky— This is as good as any picture released in 1925. Vilma Banky is great and Ronald Colman is fine. Will appeal especially to ex-service men and adults, but comedy and action satisfy the children. Many good comments and a good second night. Seven reels. — Tom Murphy, Shuler Auditorium, Raton, N. M. — General patronage. CLASSIFIED: Corinne Griffith — Many favor able comments and all said it is the best Corinne Griffith yet. Seven reels. — Tom Murphy, Shuler Auditorium, Raton, N. M. — General patronage. PAINTED PEOPLE: Colleen Moore— Very fine. Colleen great in this. First National pictures are certainly good. Seven reels. — A. B. Bud, Opera House, Arlington, la. — General patronage. PAINTED PEOPLE: Colleen Moore— A splendid program picture. Seven reels. — Mrs. W. C. Bevard, Star theatre, Fowler, Colo. — Small town patronage. A THIEF IN PARADISE: Ronald Colman— Pretty good but way over touted. If you read the reviews on this you will think you have a knockout, but you will have a sorry awakening. Eight reels. — C. H. Moulton, Bijou theatre. Beach, N. D. — Small town patronage. A THIEF IN PARADISE: Aileen Pringle— A real high class feature and one that everyone liked. Personally think it one of the best entertainments of the year. — R. L. Wood, Garden theatre, Portsmouth, O. — General patronage. HUSBANDS AND LOVERS: Lewis StoneKeep off of this one, boys. It’s the bunk. Seven reels. — John Stoll, Linwood Square theatre, Norwalk, O. — General patronage. LILIES OF THE FIELD: Corinne Griffith— This was an old picture but First National always has good prints and it went over big. Nine reels. — W. H. Grimes, Darkfeather theatre, Aehille, Okla. — Small town patronage. FLOWING GOLD: Anna Q. Nilsson— Pleased well until last reel. Seems like it was added after the story was complete. Eight reels. — W. H. Grimes, Darkfeather theatre, Aehille, Okla. — Small town patronage. THE LOST WORLD: Special cast— Here’s a picture that will please any crowd that comes to your theatre and you will get many favorable comments on it. In its way it is really wonderful. It you can’t get them in on this one, you had better start in some other line of business. There is plenty of good advertising available and the picture is sure to satisfy, so you can’t lose money, that is one sure cinch. Get the trailer for sure. Ten reels. — R. E. Mitchell, Plainview theatre, Plainview, Tex.— General patronage. I WANT MY MAN : Special cast. Not what my patrons expected but all were well satisfied. Business good. Eight reels. — Frank Brock, Grand theatre, Okolona, Miss. — Small town patronage. FINE CLOTHES: Special cast. Business very poor on this one, but picture was good. Lost money on the last 14 First National pictures. Nearly all were good pictures but they don’t seem to take with our patrons. Seven reels. — R. Pfeiffer, Princess theatre, Chilton, Wis. — Small town patronage. LILLIES OF THE FIELD: Corinne Griffith— A very good picture. What I would call a special. Seven reels. — Julius Schmidt, Grand theatre, Breese, 111. — General patronage. THE HEART OF A SIREN: Barbara La Marr— A good program picture. — Bert Silver, Silver Family theatre, Greenville, Mich. — General patronage. FRIVOLOUS SAL: Special cast. A corking good high type Western picture. Ben Alexander fine. Two distinct types of paper on this production, one outdoor action, the other love theme stuff. You can use whichever is best for your town. Splendid outdoor scene in this. Really excellent picture. Eight reels. — Henry Reeve. Star theatre. Menard, Tex. — Small town patronage.