Exhibitors Herald (1926)

48 EXHIBITORS HERALD January 8, 1927 zero to a very good business. That is the best praise Colleen’s drawing power could get. I don’t believe there is another star in the business that could get more than a corporal’s guard on such a night. The picture was great and deserved the patronage of all exhibitors. — P. W. Quinlin, Ideal theatre, Chateaugay, N. Y. MEN OF STEEL: Milton Sills— Very good. Paid a fair price for this and ran at regular admission with good business and satisfied patrons.— Walter Carroll, Star theatre, Colfax, Iowa. MEN OF STEEL: Milton Sills — A great picture if there ever was one. Title may be considered as a little weak in drawing power. As said before, First National is still leading. Bad weather hurt my business, but it is all that First National says it is. Eight reels. — R. C. Metzger, Cozy theatre, Wagner, S. D. — General patronage. MISS NOBODY: Anna Q. Nilsson— This is a dinger of a comedy and can advise any exhibitor in the whole world to buy it and boost it. Perfect acting and directing and a good story. Seven reels.— R. V. Fletcher, Lyric theatre, Hartington, Neb. — Small town patronage. MISS NOBODY: Anna Q. Nilsson — The crackerjack of all cracker: acks. Made by the King of all companies. Sold by the Prince of all salesmen — “Go-Get-’Em-Johnson,” of First National. You can’t go wrong here. Seven reels. — R. C. Metzger, Cozy theatre, Wagner, South Dakota. — General patronage. THE DARK ANGEL: Ronald Colman — Ran this Armistice Night and found it very appropriate. A beautiful picture of the better sort. Colman and Vilma Banky very good. It is a pleasure to run pictures like this. Six reels. — Wm. E. Tragsdorf, Trags theatre, Neillsville, Wis. THE DARK ANGEL: Ronald Colman — This is the best picture we have ever run from First National, and that’s not barring their specials. In fact, this is a better picture than a lot of their specials. Good story, good moral, good, clean picture. Should please anyone that knows pictures. If all pictures were as good as this one, no exhibitors would have to worry about getting business. Eight reels. — C. E. Longacre, Dixie theatre, Dickson, Tenn. — General patronage. THE SCARLET WEST: Special cast— One of the finest pictures ever made, but did not draw. Ten reels. — A. C. Betts, Powers theatre. Red Creek, N. Y. — Small town patronage. THE SCARLET WEST: Special cast— A real good Western, but the story tried to touch too much historical events — in other words, it was scattered too much. Nine reels. — Chas. R. Smith, Prescott theatre, Prescott, Kansas. — General patronage. WINDS OF CHANCE: Special cast— 64%. A great play. Never in my experience have I witnessed an actor walking right into the hearts of an audience as did Victor McLaglen in this play, in depicting the part of the French Canadian “ ’Poleon.” He captured us all with his broad smile and big heart, and he is the talk of the town. Our friends of the Liberty theatre, Hardin, Mont., and the Rex, of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, gave us the cue to the bigness of this play, and we went right after it with a raise to 40 and 20 cents. Good music is absolutely essential or it will seem draggy, and this holds true for many a drama. We actually had more favorable reports on this than on any play in a year. This has action, comedy, suspense and heart interest. The story is splendid ; scenic shots fine ; acting perfect. The character parts of the two old prospectors who quarrelled and divided their belongings into two parts even to the sawing of their boat into halves, and the one taking the tent and the other the stove — and then the rain, brought down the house and clinched the play as a great one. The riding the rapids (with al furioso music) produced real thrills. There are two pairs of lovers and the ending is a happy one. Now look at the cast — Our Viola Dana, Anna Q. Nilsson, Ben Lyon, Bosworth and other splendid character actors. This one with our people will pass into history as the best Northern drama ever produced. Hats off to Director Frank Lloyd! — Philip Rand, Rex theatre, Salmon, Idaho. — General patronage. THE DANCER OF PARIS: Special cast— This picture was much enjoyed by our crowd. Saw an early review of it in "Variety” classing it as a dirt show. We were pleased, or disappointed, whichever way you look at it, to find nothing off barring a couple of rather broad night life scenes. Nothing to be afraid of. Miss MacKaill never looked so well. Makes you wonder all the more why they made such a mess of her in "Ranson’s Folly.” The girl is good. Seven reels.— Henry Reeve, Star theatre, ’ Menard, Texas. — Small town patronage. THE AMATEUR GENTLEMAN: Richard Barthelmess — Did not please. Wish Barthelmess was given a chance. — Mrs. Edgar Adams, Palace theatre, Memphis, Tex. BLUEBEARD’S SEVEN WIVES: Ben Lyon— Attendance good. Patrons liked picture. Above average program picture. — F. I. Thompson, Strand theatre, Curwensville, Pa. — Small town patronage. THE BROWN DERBY: Johnny Hines— Another fine Hines comedy, but it is a little too long. Played December 10-11. Seven reels. — George Benson, Community theatre, Minneota, Minn. — Small town patronage. OLD LOVES AND NEW: Lewis Stone— Just another picture. — N. M. Emmons, Eagle theatre. Eagle River, Wis. IRENE: Colleen Moore — This is one of Col leen’s best, at least so far as entertaining the Merry Villagers is concerned. The style show in this is one of the most beautiful things ever put in pictures. This alone is worth the price of admission. Those who haven’t run it, be sure and get it. Will please 100%. Played November 14. Eight reels. — Wm. E. Tragsdorf, Trag’s theatre, Neillsville, Wis. INFATUATION: Corinne Griffith— 33%. Our patrons thought this picture did not come up to previous Griffith Productions. They like Corinne in comedy-dramas and told us so. Seven reels. — W. C. Wheeler, Majestic theatre, Willits, Cal. — Small town patronage. MISMATES: Doris Kenyon — An exceptionally good picture and drew very favorable comments from nearly all my patrons. Exhibitors can’t go wrong on this picture. Good for any size house. Five reels. Played December 11. — Charles R. Smith, Prescott theatre, Prescott, Kansas. CLASSIFIED: Corinne Griffith — I do not recall ever having shown one of Miss Griffith’s pictures which pleased more than this one. Story good, oast good, the whole works good. Played November 21. Eight reels. — Wm. E. Tragsdorf, Trag’s theatre, Neillsville, Wis. PUPPETS: Milton Sills — We double-billed this with "Secret Spring” and "Secret Spring” glorified it. In fairness to Paramount we admit they told us “Secret Spring” was not much, but it helped “Puppets,” or "Puppets” satisfied them any way. — T. F. Murphy, Shuler theatre, Raton, N. M. RAINBOW RILEY : Johnny Hines — 29%. Luck for the kids again. Honor Roll Night, 182 kids and their folks whooped ’em up. It were sure a doodle. Step on it. It’s worth an extra effort for business.— Dr. F. M. Childs, Cozy theatre, Villisea, Iowa. I WANT MY MAN : Milton Sills — A very good picture which our patrons thoroughly enjoyed. — Giacoma Brothers, Crystal theatre. Tombstone, Ariz. GRAUSTARK: Norma Talmadge — Fine. Try it. Seven reels. — Howell theatre, Severn, N. C. — Small town patronage. HER SECOND CHANCE: Special cast— Very good picture that pleased 90%. Another one you can’t go wrong on. — R. C. Metzger, Cozy theatre, Wagner, S. D. — General patronage. THE SPLENDID ROAD: Anna Q. Nilsson— A very good picture. One they all like. However, was a little long in drawing out the plot, but it carried a splendid moral. Flood scenes perfect. Boost it. It will hold up and you won’t have to go to the basement as they file out. Eight reels. — C. E. Longacre, Dixie theatre, Dickson, Tenn. — General patronage. MEMORY LANE : Special cast — This picture did a good business, but they did not seem to like it. Out of all the patrons we had two to say it was good. However, we thought it was a fair program picture. Would rate it as about 60 per cent. Eight reels.— C. E. Longacre, Dixie theatre, Dickson, Tenn.— General patronage. SHORE LEAVE: Richard Barthelmess — A fair program picture which seemed to please those who came to see it. Played Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. Seven reels. — William E. Tragsdorf, Trag’s theatre, Neillsville, Wis. — Small town patronage. QUO VADIS: Special east — A mighty interesting picture but did not draw. — A. C. Betts, Powers theatre, Red Creek, N. Y. — Small town patronage. THE TALKER: Lewis Stone — Very good program picture. — F. I. Thompson, Strand theatre, Curwensville, Pa. — Small town patronage. THE BEAUTIFUL CITY: Richard Barthelmess — Patrons considered this picture fair. — F. I. Thompson, Strand theatre, Curwensville, Pa.— Small town patronage. CLOTHES MAKES THE PIRATE: Leon Errol — For small town, O. K. — F. I. Thompson, Strand theatre, Curwensville, Pa. — Small town patronage. JOANNA: Special cast — Patrons’ comments were very good. — F. I. Thompson, Strand theatre, Curwensville, Pa. — Small town patronage. ADVENTURES OF TARZAN: Elmo Lincoln — Played the second time to big business. Rather old, but my patrons liked them. Fifteen episodes. Two reels. — Ben Wire, National theatre, Cleveland, O. — General patronage. Fox THE GREAT K AND A TRAIN ROBBERY: Tom Mix — 80%. Very good. Scenery in this picture is beautiful, and enough action to please the Mix fans. Tom’s pictures are consistently good when he sticks to straight Westerns. Played December 5-6. Six reels. — P. C. Schram, Orpheum theatre, Kalamazoo, Mich. — General patronage. THE GREAT K AND TRAIN ROBBERY: Tom Mix — Play this picture. Friday night very good business. And, believe me, it is some picture — • as good as Tom ever made. Scenery is wonderful. If you can’t run this and satisfy your patrons you might just as well close up. It is splendid from every angle. By all means buy it and you will make some dough. — P. W. Quinlin, Ideal theatre, Chateaugay, N. Y. HAVOC: Special cast — 93%. "Havoc” is a good money maker if exploited heavy. A fine story, gripping, thrilling and liked by all who saw it. George O’Brien played his part great. Walter McGrail proved himself an artist. Used a four piece orchestra, which hel ped it across fine. Played to a big house on December 10-11. Nine reels. — Howard F. Matthews, Haree theatre, Caldwell, Idaho. — General patronage. HAVOC: Special cast— A big picture and very good, but drew poorly. Eight reels. — F. M. Edgett, Lyric theatre, Earlville, 111. — General patronage. THE IRON HORSE: Special cast — 80%. This is one of last year’s pictures, but it’s a wow and good for repeat booking. Comes as near to pleasing 100 per cent as any picture we have run in many a moon. Played November 30-31. Nine reels.— P. C. Schram, Orpheum theatre, Kalamazoo, Mich. — General patronage. THE IRON HORSE: George O’Brien— 48%. Played this for church benefit and lost money on it, although it is a wonderful production from any angle you care to view it. Played December 16. Eleven reels. — Pioneer Pete,, Pioneer theatre, Amasa, Mich. — Small town patronage. THE IRON HORSE: George O’Brien — A great picture in every sense of the word. Did extra business for us, but not what the picture deserves. Apparently this film has not had the proper national publicity to put it across in a big way. It has everything. Personally thought it better than “The Covered Wagon.” Play up the part of Corporal Casey and the Three Musketeers strong. Eleven reels. — Louis A. Van Alstyne, Quality theatre, Cullom, 111. FIG LEAVES: Olive Borden — 60%. A very pretty picture with a very slender story. Delightfully different and seems to draw a lot of sheiks and flappers. Paper is flashy. Cuts good. Print new. Seven reels. — Mrs. Richard A. Preuss, Arvada theatre, Arvada, Colo. — Small town patronage. FIG LEAVES: George O’Brien — Sunday night, good business on a very stormy night. Enjoyed by all our patrons. Many favorable comments. The fashion show was greatly enjoyed by the ladies. If Fox makes them as good as this one he will be up near the top or over. — P. W. Quinlin, Ideal theatre, Chateaugay, N. Y. FIG LEAVES: George O’Brien — Drew well and pleased. Prehistoric scenes a little crude, but style show in Technicolor beautiful. Comedy vein rather sophisticated, but not offensive. Good pictures. Seven reels. — Ray Link, Scope theatre, Wenona, 111. — General patronage. RUSTLIN’ FOR CUPID: George O’Brien— 30%. What a flop we took on this one, all on account of a big snowstorm. Story is a Peter B. Kyne one and it’s pretty good. Played it late, but it couldn’t be helped. Played December 7. Five reels. — Mrs. Richard A. Preuss, Arvada theatre, Arvada, Colo. — Small town patronage. RUSTLIN’ FOR CUPID: Special cast— Very good, satisfying little picture for neighborhood house. Gave satisfaction. — F. M. Edgett, Lyric theatre, Earlville, 111. — General patronage. THE FOOL: Special east — 17%. Poor picture. No drawing power. Lots of walkouts. Played December 8. — M. G. Lee, Lee theatre, Eufaula, Ala. — Small town patronage. THE FOOL: Special cast — A very fine picture. Here is a picture that would be fine to use at Xmas time. It is a picture which shows a type of man like Our Lord — who tries to live as The Master would live today. A truly wonderful picture. Ten reels. — D. H. Dorchester, Community Center, Southbury, Conn.— Small town patronage.