Exhibitors Herald (1926)

BOX OFFICE RECORD SECTION OF April 10, 1926 this one. She was very good, just the deft touches of the right kind to her work made it stand out to the detriment of the new girl, who undoubtedly was sulTering stage fright and lack of old campaigners aplomb. Color work was delightful, the gowns and ladies were a complete eyeful and the picture should go over on account of the beauty of the sets, gowns and ladies. They can get further In the display of the ladies with Technicolor that they can without it. I mean, what would be a display in common sepia photography is a work of art in Technicolor. (Columbia, Columbia City, Ind.) Good picture. Seemed to please majority. Style show beautiful. (Lyric. Morrison. III.) Big business for two days. (Vine, Mt. Vernon, O.) The picture is easy to look at for the greater part. Nothing unusual in story or plot. Will get by with a non-crltical audience and probably do a good business. (Majestic, Camden. S. (;.) The picture has everything! Our people ate it up and went wild on the comedy situations. The Technicolor is beautiful beyond description and injected only where it adds a real punch. Mis.s Ralston is a positive sensation in this one. If they are asking for something big and different, "The American Venus” is it. (Palace, Lockport, N. Y.) Story is not very strong but comedy, action, gowns and sets overcome this. It is really a beautiful picture. (Shuler, Raton. N. M.) Wowl Boys, here is one to make you sit up and take notice. The most wonderful Technicolor of ^em all. And the ladies say they are all peaches. No. It is not vulgar, nor does it get risque. It's ^st an honest to goodness entertaining picture. Plenty of nudity, but done in such a way that you don t notice it so much You just say when it’s ail oi^r. 'Gee, wasn’t that great?” (New GeneSM. Geneseo. III.) Was sure glad that I played this picture. It seemeil good to have people stop and tell us they liked it. (Saunders. Harvard, III.) Here is the sort of picture that gives a fellow real pleasure to show. Notice that most exhibitors are billing this as a special with Miss Lanphier. I didn't do that, but sold my patrons on the beauty angle, plus Miss Ralston as the star. Miss Ralston doesn’t have to take a back seat for any ‘Miss America." She looks and acts like a million tn this one, and in the colored sequences she simply dazzles the mind and eye If your folks like dressed up shows, plus a good story, plus fine direction and splendid acting, then Zlt -n charge your highest scale. It will stand it. Miss Ralston. I’d like of your autographed photos, please, for the office. Bight reels. (Regent, Indianola. Miss.) ‘f’is Picture Story a little weak but plenty of action and some wonderful gowns and sets. Technicolor wonderful fndTT®''" P'-oduction. Apollo, Indianapolis! Ind.) A very good show. The scenes are beautiful and the style show gets the ladies Some g^d comedy touches. Seven reels. (American Wautoma, Wis.) This picture lacks in plot, but where it lacks here it more than makes up in gorgeous swings and scenes. Our patrons raved marvelous N^ for a Sunday. Seven reels. (Char-Beil, Rochester, Ind.) A most brilliant feature in r r" -ong tne cast. Run it as a special to make up your losses on something else. It is worth any price you charge. (Eliti-Oozy. Metropolis, III.) SSJ In bathing suits, a fashion show, and ”mS America" pulled them in fairly well considering good. Of ts Kind, a pleasing comedy with appeal for the Ownsb^ro^, the big out-of-doors pictures. (Silver office bet. Curwoods name and action paper drew in the action fans and society fans on a zero night and the^sljn? Z’ “ 7^® Highway” is * Lawrence River and this play is in Quebec and the interior. In the first rwl Jack Holt smashed up the villain in his city office in a lively fist fight. In the last reel or two hero (Holt) rescues the heroine (Billy Dove) in an unusual and exciting log jam break up. Outdoor scenery. Quite a few comedy touches. Not a draggy spot in it. We charged 40-20 on Sunday, Monday. (Rex. Salmon, Idaho.) This is » very thrilling outdoor picture that is j.-im fufi of action from start to finish. The log scene packs quite a kick and in fact would call the production a leader of its type. (Crossett, Cros^ Picture and pleased well. (Princess, Traer. la.) A good picture that pleased all. Plenty of action, beautiful scenery and story that the small towns want. A poor name which hurt business some. (Grand. Anamosa. la.) He always draws them in. Here is a mighty fine production, one that will stand up and you can face them when they come out. Fine for Saturdays in small towns. (Dixie, Russellville. ICy.) Excellent program picture, not a special, but pleased everyone and is worthy of all the credit it obtained. An ideal picture for a small town. Jack Holt is good and so is Billy Dove. (Colonial. Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.) Came close to breaking our Thanksgiving Day record. Great show, made to order for small towns. Curwood is enough but Paramount made it, so it’s well made. (Cresco. Cresco, Iowa.) Ran this Friday and Saturday to a very good business considering the weather. Had lots of favorable comments and would say that it pleased 90 per cent. An extra good outdoor action picture. Billie Dove vei-y good. (Grand and Gem, Cooper. Tex.) Was a very satisfactory picture. Nothing to rave over, but as a program picture good. (Majestic Camden. S. C.) Personally 1 think this is real entertainment, and the majority of my crowd were satisfied, but the name suggests more than it really is. (Palace, Burkburnett, Tex.) Had more good reports on this one than any picture I have run since the holidays, and I have run "The Pony Express," "The Fieshman” and several other specials. Paramount has a lot of good ones. (K. P., La Rue. 0.) Another outdoor picture that^ pleased. (Sunshine, Darlington. Ind.) A good timberland story that pleased well. It’s too bad Jack must stoop to act for a livelihood, judging from his bored and upstage expression throughout his recent pictures. (Rialto, Pocahontas, la.) Some of the fellows are reporting this as a good program picture. If this is only a "good program,” where in Heck do you get your features? This is a regular picture. Scenery is wonderful and the log jam is worth the price of admission alone. As a rule the folks here don't like Holt, but in this picture they did (Moon, Neligh, Neb.) This is a very good picture. If your crowd likes the outdoor Western type of picture this will classify as a special and stand advanced admission. (Grand. Pierre S D ) Excellent picture that pleased my patron’s. (Strand, Alma, Mich.) If they crave biff, bang blooey stuff this will furnish it. Plenty of action. (Texas, Grand Prairie, Tex.) Just an average program picture, but good. You can book it for one day and feel safe. Just a fair business. (Bi^g, Chicago, 111.) Pleased fairly well and I think it would have drawn better if the weather was not bad, as it was it brought mt quite a few. (Reel Joy. King City. Cal.) Curwood’s novel made into pleasing picture. -Drew goc^ business. (S. T. Parker. S. D.) Lots of action m this. Seemed to please all and did a ^_od business on second night. (Star. Montevideo, Minn.) A mighty good action picture. They like It and said so. Good Saturday offering. (Palace Ashland. O.) This James Oliver Curwood story makes a splendid picture. Drew big business. Ihe work of the entire cast was admirable. Seven reels. (Strand. Paoli. Ind.) Very good offering. Scenery great. Will please any audience. Good for Sunday. Will stand increase in admission Seven reels. (Princess, Guttenberg. la. ANCIENT MARINER. THE. F. Leslie Fenton. r\l7 WOMams. Vivian Oakland, Gladys Brocawell, 7 — Another good picture from rox. Urew a big crowd and all were pleased. to a record crowd. (Dixie. Winona. Miss.) This is a fine classic, educational and entertaining program and should appeal to all high schools, as we put it on for the high school basketball team and they were «s to program and receipts. (Opera House. Plattsburg, Mo.) A very good picture, beautifully produced, but a flop as interest your schools, you II probably make your rental. Like all Fox paper almost a total loss. (American, Ada. Okla.) A magnificent pageant. One that should fnvorable comment from those who see it. The picture, besides being wonderful entertainment, serves to revive the old, old verse adapted. I would say it is most creditable and will do well in most any class house. (Cozy, Winchester. Ind.) Not much of a picture, and they ask » lot for it. Better see it before you book it. (Rialto. Dickinson. N D) I would report this picture 100 per cent. Great for holiday. Especially for Christmas. A good story well acted. Scenery wonderful. A great picture for children’s entertainment. (Monticello Opera House, Monticello. la.) Personally enjoyed the picture but only a few of the reading class oanic to see it. (Arcadia. Vandergrift, Pa.) Biggest flop we’ve had yet. Only redeeming feature IB the length. Supposed to be a Christmas picture which it is. but they spoil it by Santa unmasking, which disappoints the kiddies. We’ve had one Fox special that pleased and registered at the box office, which was "Kentucky Pride.” (Plainview, Plainview, Neb.) A very good picture sumptuously mounted but a little too gruesome in place.s to please our people. At the box office it was terrible, which v/e consider largely due to poor advertising put out by the company and showing it just before the holidays, at which time business is always poor, and weather was too cold. However, we do not believe it will prove a drawing card at any time. (Crystal, Flandrea S. D.) Pretty fair picture. Did not draw as good as I expected. Nothing big. (Strand. Lamout, Iowa.) I’il be a mariner too, and not so ancient, if I ever show another one like this (Texas, Grand Prairie. Tex.) Picture fair, but oh. what a nose dive our box office took on this. If it had not been for the schools I shiver to think of it. (State, Tawas City, Mich.) ANY WOMAN, FP, Aiice Terry, Ernest Gtiien, Thelma r?largan Converse, Henry Kolker, Lawson Butt, 7. — Fair. (Lyric, Morrison, lil.) Why waste Alice and the celluloid? Both are worthy of better usage. Nothing to this one. (Morningside & Moville. la.) Where did they get these stars? This was sure as rotten as it was possible to make one. Every patron walked out on this show and here of late Paramount has given me factory made pictures until my patrons are passing up the Paramount trademark that is so well advertised. (Dixie, Russelviile, Xy.) Very ordinary. Did not pull the film rental. (Strand. Paoli, Ind.) Poor for small towns. (Rich, Montpelier, Idaho). ARIZONA SWEEPSTAKES, THE, U. Hoot Gibson. Helen Lynch, Kate Price, 5,418.— As V/’estern pictures go. this is very good. Will please an audience that likes Western pictures. Was a good Saturday attraction for me. (Majestic. Camden. S. C.) This is a good Western with an interesting story starting in the underworld of Frisco and ending with a cross country race in Arizona. It is what the people want, though I do believe they would be just as well satisfied with a little more reasonable action. Why not a Western star who is more human and less hero? (Grand, Pierre, S. D.) Another good Hoot Gibson picture. All good. Big business. (Ogden. Ogden, Utah.) Below the Gibson average. Gibson worth about what he sold for two years ago, and not the 1926 price. (Paramount, Kokomo, Ind.) Old man Carl is keeping Hoot where he belongs and if he will let him stay in this kind, it will be no trouble to get them in on Hoot like I used to. (Dixie, Russellville, Xy.) The usual race climax, but otherwise it is good, because of the undei^ world theme. The three kids and Kate Price supply some excellent comedy. (Rialto, Pocahontas, la.) A good one with good business. Hoot carries the punch to put them over. One day. (Gem, Batesvilie. Ark.) This one is only a fair Western. (Blue Mouse, Davenport. Wash.) Very fine offering and won us many friends. Pleased. (Princess, Elwcod. Ind.) A fair Hoot picture. Not as good as he makes them, but it will^ get the money. The star alone can't make a picture. You got to give them stories also or you will kill the star. (Eagle, Westville, Rk) Good Western. Six reels. (Lily, Buffalo, N. Y.) Below the standard for Gibson. All of his pictures are alike of late, each has a horse race and little else. He's slipping for us. Six reels. (Princess, Cvandon, Wis.) Rather a novel story for Hoot Gibson but it got over very well. (Palace, Waupaca, Wis.) AS NO MAN HAS LOVED, F, Edward Haines. Poulir.e Starke, Lucy Beaumont, Richard Tucker, EarJe Metcalfe, Wilfred Lucas, George BiSSings, 10 — Of its kind it is one of the best. Follows the book, including the ending. From the box office angle it is a complete failure. The picture has a strong appeal to women, as it is sob stuff. Bight reels. (K. P., Pittsfield, 111.) A well made version of "A Man Without a Country.” It is a picture that will please your better dess of patrons. Did not draw and was priced a little high. (Palace, Long Pine. Neb.) Our people do not care for this kind. We will give it credit for being a good one of its kind. Like “Bast Lynne,” it suffered in the transformation. Some pretty good comedy relief. The sea fight is wonderfully realistic. We were never very much enthused with the story in the first place. The firing squad is civilization’s remedy for treason, slow torture a relic of barbarism. (Rex, Gilan City, Mo.) An inspiring version of the story, The Man Without a Country." that reflects honor upon the whole industry. The cast was not, in my opinion, ideal, but the theme and the treatment render it worthy to rank with the great. (Grand. Jonesboro, Ark.) When it comes to a picture you have it here, as it is quite as good as most anything of the little better than average type that has come along this year. However, don’t be misled into believing this to be one of those kind that pack ’em in, for it won’t do it. It is not the popular appeal kind, but it is a fine picture.