Exhibitors Herald (1926)

18 BOX OFFICE RECORD SECTION OF April 10, 1926 8 scream. Everyone in the house roared from stnrt to finish. This picture is certainly no remedy for an aching side. If you cannot stand to laugh, don't see this picture. The picture is too high priced to make any money, as Pathe wants it all. Business not as good ns expected. Lacked S1.60 of having enough to split with Pathe. (Star, Tuckerman. Ark.) The best Lloyd to date, but where do they get the big rental? They get all the money and you get the prestige, as they call it. No more Lloyds until they are sold on a different basis. (Ideal, Bloomer, Wis.) Nothing better ever made for laughing purposes. Satisfaction, yes. great (Silver Family. Greenville, Mich.) It certainly Is funny. Just about the richest thing I ever saw in the comedy line. But I have nothing to show for having put in three or four weeks advertising it and running three nights. At this rate if Lloyd's pictures continue to cost so much his name, like Pickford’s and Fairbanks’, will soon be only a memory in the small town. (Eminence, Eminence, Ky.) It almo.st cleaned our bank account to pay the C. 0. D. on this subject, but Boy Oh Boy I how the jack did come in at the box office, and they did not kick at 40 cents a throw and it pleased. Not a dull moment in 6000 feet. (Princess, Guttenberg. In.) One of Lloyd’s best. Good crowd. All well pleased. (Maroa. Maroa, 111.) No question but what this went over as Lloyd’s greatest comedy. However, did notf make a penny, because Pathe demands it all. Lloyd fans are not so thick here. (Regent. Bangor, Mich.) While this star has never made any money for me, his pictures have always pleased those who did come. I will say that on this picture he showed them he could make it, and at the same time, like a lot of other reports, they found out how to take it away from us and let us have the pleasure of working for the Lloyd corporation, gratis. Well, it’s never too late to learn, and those that want the next one can have it, as I don’t. I’m from Missouri. (Town Hall, Westboro. Mass.) Pathe got the money and I have the glory. 1 played “The Freshman." Goodbye Pathe. (Liberty. Lynden, Wash.) Perhaps not Lloyd’s best, but good enough. The football stuff put it over for a house record here, but after paying Pathe and the printer there wasn’t much left for me. ( Pastime, Mason, Mich.) This is a very good Lloyd picture and gets the people in, but Pathe gets all the money. (Opera House, Fennimore, Wis.) This one pleased, but the exchange got all the money. (Dixie, Russellville. Ky.) Splendid comedy. I believe the best Lloyd I have played, but Pathe got the money and I got the experience, which I did not need. I couldn’t cash it : but there will be a hereafter and I don’t moan maybe. (Community. David City, Neb.) This is the only subject I was ever razzed on for overadverti^ing. In face of all the glowing reports, I don’t want to make an adverse report, because this subject in n college town or where football is popular no doubt is a wow. but I got more laughs in one reel of ’’Charley^s Aunt’’ than I did with seven reels with "The Freshman.” I had dozens ot patrons tell me that it was not to be compared with "Charley’s Aunt” and it certainly did not get the laughs that I expected. I did a good business and made some money, but I did not please over BO per cent of my patrons. (American, Wautoma, Wis.) FRIENDLY ENEMIES. PDC, Lew Fields, Joe Weber. Virginia Brown Faire, Jack Mulhall, Lucilc Lee Stewart, Stuart Holmes, 7. — This is a most enjoyable production, staged like a regular show, nnd our old friends the ’’Friendly Enemies” do their stuff in a fashion that shows that they are still in the ring and can put themselves back on the map. This picture and story are well done but deal with a subject that is dead as far as natives of the U. S. A. are concerne<l nnd you just can’t interest movie patrons in this show. Three days to a big box office flop. (Cozy, Winchester, Ind.) Played it too early to get benefits of Chicago advertising. We ran it on Sunday anti Mae Tinoe’s review came out Monday, the day after. We little fellows ought to wake up to the fact that it is just as bad to play pictures too early as too late. The picture is a good one. A fine plot and. of course, some fine acting. Not good for a raise in admission. (Quality, Cullom, III.) Did very good on this. Buy it right and boost it. There are lots of better pictures, but the stars or something makes them want to see it. This kind of picture generally takes. (Regent, Bogota, N. J.) Excellent comedy. One of the best in many a moon. (Princess, Crandon, Wis.) The picture is good but we couldn't bring them out to see it. Good for any house. (Halfway, Halfway, Mich.) One of those very good pictures that no one came out to see. No reason for it to flop at box office, but it did here. (Princess, Mapleton, la.) Just a fair program. Will make good entertainment If used with a dandy good two reel comedy. (Kenesaw Opera House, Kcne saw. Neb.) A very clever picture. It was too good for the general public. Only the discriminating appreciated what they were offered. Go slow on the price, as they are asking more than the small town theatre can afford to pay. It is not a "Charley’s Aunt” in drawing power. (Arcadia, Vandergrift, Pa.) Fine comedy-drama. Very pleasing and had good drawing power. (Hines, Loyalton-Bowdle, S. D.) One of the best we have had for some time. Weber and Fields as the two old men furnished both comedy and pathos. The remainder of the cast is excellent. (Community. Minneota, Minn.) This gave very good satisfaction here. Personally thought it very .good. (Strand. Warren, Minn.) * G GILDED BUTTERFLY, THE, F. Alma Rubens, Bert Lytcll, Huntley Gordon. Frank Keenan, Herbert Rawlinson, Arthur Hoyt, 6. — Only fair. (Texas, Grand Prairie, Tex.) Would not call this one a good program. Play it on one of your off nights. (Dixie, Russellville. Ky.) Made the mistake of running this "special” on Sunday and oh. what a flop! Have not made a penny on any of Fox’s specials with the exception of "The Iron Horse.” (Stale, Tawas City. Mich.) GIRL FROM MONTMARTRE. THE, FN. Barbara LaMarr, Lewis Stone, 6. — Taking everything into consideration, this picture is as near 100 per cent as I will care to get. I made it my business to get the opinion from all classes of my audience. (Saunders, Harvard, 111.) Good picture. Good business. Pleased all classes. (Lyric, Morrison, 111.) GIRLS MEN FORGET. PL. Patsy Ruth Miller, 6. — Much to our surprise, patrons all liked this one and business held up exceptionally well. Six reels. (Garden. Portsmouth, O.) Just fair. Not good for a small town. Good acting done by the cast. Six reels. (Helena, Rockdale, 111.) GOLDEN PRINCESS, THE. FP, Betty Bronson, Neil Hamilton, Rockliffc Fellowcs, PhyllLs Haver, Joseph Dowling, 9. — This story of Bret Harte makes a good motion picture and all the cast does due justice to their particular parts. Betty is always winning in her ways and is generally admired by the average picture fan. The locale is good and the picture all around better than the average. (Acadia, Crowley, La.) Good picture of the days of '49. (Opera House, Fennimore, Wis.) Played this feature on Thanksgiving Day and was glad we did. for it was a mighty fine picture. Ought to please any audience. Good business. (Palace, Clifton Heights, Pa.) Played 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. (Palace, Clifton Heights, Pa.) Poor on account of sub-zero weather. Good, clean satisfactory production to smallest Sunday business in years. 16 below and roads blocked. Keeps everybody tucked around their radios. (Grand, Port Washington, Wis.) Was a good picture that pleased but did not draw as well as it should. Folks did not get the title. Had they known it was an out-of-door drama with comedy and action, business would have been better. (S. T., Parker, S. D.) A very good Western picture. Should have had a good Western title and would have drawn the men in more. (Grove, Fox River Grove, 111.) Here is one of the best of the Greater Forty. In fact one of the best small town bets of the year. This will please 100 per cent if you can get them in. Paramount spoiled the advertising from the 24 sheet down. The title will draw them away, as will the advertising, but the picture will please if you can get them in. Step on this one and you will please them all. (Rich, Montpelier, Idaho.) I know, now, the idiot who has been naming our sleeping cars. It is the same fellow who picked this Western and gave it a fairy story title. This name kept all the men away, to a big loss which we were not looking for. Play was mighty good. There is getting to be too much so-called "art” and too little brains in the Paramount organization of late, which is bound to be taken seriously by the e.xhibitors unless shortly remedied. (Rex, Salmon, Idaho.) A rotten title to a peach of a picture. Everyone thought it would be another "Peter Pan." (Sunshine, Darlington, Ind.) A corking good picture that all liked, but it failed to draw. For the following reasons I believe. First, Betty has been identified with fairy tales and the title “Golden Princess” sounded like a fairy tale and our folks will not tolerate a story that borders on the fairy tale stuff. Get Betty away from fairy tales or she won't draw worth a nickel. If you have it bought, be sure to tell them that it’s a Western and a good one. (New Geneseo, Gcncseo, 111,) Very high class Western. Wonderfully cast, and comedy all through. Heard many favorable comments. (Palace, Ashland, O.) Not a Western of the action type, but one that will get over. Betty Bronson scores again with her unusual acting. She is fast taking the place once held by Maiy Pickford in the heart of the public. (Crossett, Crossett, Ark.) An excellent picture. CTexas. Grand Prairie, Tex.) Bret Harte story well produced and well liked by a fair crowd. The star docs not fit this part as well as she would a more polished part. She just doesn’t look like a rough mountain girl. (Grand, Pierre, S. D.) A very good Western drama. A story of California in 1849. A good mining story and Betty is good in this one. (Palace, Burkburnett, Tex.) An outdoor story that satisfied. Some rough stuff that gets over good. (Star, Montevideo. Minn.) A program picture only. (Silver Family, Greenville, Mich.) Splendid picture, but badly handicapped with fairy tale title. (Strand, Alma, Mich.) Fine outdoor picture with good scenery. Pleased my crowd. (Capitol, Hartley, la.) This was a darn good little picture. (The Star, Humble, Tex.) Good Western comedy drama that will get you by very nicely. Seven reels. (Princess, Guttenberg, la.) GOLDEN STRAIN. THE. F, Madge Bellamy, Kenneth Harlan, Hobart BoRworth, Ann Pennington, 5,950. — This is a good Western action ‘picture. A fine cast. Kenneth Harlan, Madge Bellamy and all do splendid work. Any picture that Madge plays in has to be good and she never has been easier to look at than in "The Golden Strain.” It is a picture that will appeal to the Western fans and yet is above the average Western and therefore will appeal to most all classes. Some very beautiful scenic shots. Excellent photography. (Electric, Browning, Mo.) Peter B. Kyne’s first for Fox and I hope the next three are better. The picture had a kick to it but people are tired of army stories. This one on the order of "Warrens of Virginia” but a little better. Good for Saturday or one off day. (Liberty, Leonard, Tex.) One of the best. It has every element that goes to make a good picture, laughs, thrills, and real heart interest. (Princess, Obion, Tenn.) This is one of the best of its class in the Fox specials. Some consider it in the class of "The Covered Wagon.” Action to keep one interested from start to finish. (Opera House, Plattsburg, Mo.) Excellent picture that deserved much better houses than we were able to give. Good cast, well connected story. Should do for any house. (Grand, Kokomo, Ind.) A Peter B. Kyne story that’s just a program picture. (Rex, Bonner? Ferry, Idaho.) Wonderful picture. Work of Hobart Bosworth outstanding. 100 per cent attraction and went over with a bang. (Patrick’s, Crescent, Okla.) Another Fox special that was just an ordinary picture. (State, Tawas City. Mich.) This picture did not please. Our patron^ are tired of war pictures. Six reels. (Princess, Traer, la.) Good* picture. Drew about average program business. (Rosewin, Dallas, Tex.) GOLD RUSH, THE, UA, Charlie Chaplin, Georgia Hale, Mack Swain, Tom Murray, Malcolm Waite. Henry Bergman, 8,535. — A good comedy drama exceptionally well put together. The situations are indeed well handled. The business was only fair. I really don't know why people did not turn out to see Chaplin. He is indeed a real artist. I would suggest putting out more picture.with him so the people won't forget him. Book it. (Bugg, Chicago, HI.) This is a good Chaplin picture and drew well. (Palace, Aurora, Ind.) Far be it from me to try and tell Mr. Chaplin how to make a comedy. All I can soy is that "The Gold Rush” did not please the people of this particular community, and they are the ones who keep the Crossett theatre going. Good business first night, absolutely nothing second night. Hate to see old stand-bys go, but Charlie is through here. (Crossett, Crossett, Ark.) Best since "Shoulder Arms” for Chaplin. Some pathos: some laughs. Good enough for any house. Big first day, fair second, poor third day. Buy it reasonably. Please your people nnd make a little on it. I made a small profit. (Rosewin, Dallas. Tex.) This is a very good production, although did not make much as rental was high but it pleased. (Plainview, Plainview, Neb.) Don't kid yourself on Chaplin's drawing power, you sro.'ill town e.xhibitor, especially if you have to play it at advanced prices, and if they ask as much from you as they did from me, you’ll advance the price all right. We played them percentage because the asked price was exorbitant and all out of step with the amount of business any picture will attract. There is one silver ray to the cloud and that is the United Artists will know to the last penny how good Chaplin is in one small town and that is not very good. Th®