Exhibitors Herald (1927)

64 EXHIBITORS HERALD April 23, 1927 J. C. Jenkins — His Colyum {Continued from preceding page) tre at Champaign; Ring Lardner of Niles, and, well, modesty stops me right here and we will leave it to Eagle Eye Joe. Mr. Lawrence of the Orpheum is among the most prominent figures in theatrical circles in the state. He is personally acquainted with most of the producing heads and was at one time a member of the Advisory Board of the National Board of Review. There are, no doubt, hut few people who have long been connected with the business in a large way but what know Mr. Lawrence. The HERALD man is indebted to him for a most delightful hour of instructive conversation and other courtesies shown him. The Orpheum is a beautiful theatre and it is most ably managed by Mr. Lawrence. The Virginia is another of Champaign’s beautiful theatres, which is under the management of Mr. A. N. Gonsior, Mr. Gonsior is a delightful gentleman to meet and he showed us every courtesy, for which we are indebted. Elmer Sanor is a professional projectionist and is in charge of projection at the Virginia and Paul Wills directs the stage, and two finer lads never trod the boards of a projection room nor stage than these two boys. Mr. Wills drove over to Urbana and took the writer out and showed him all about the college campus and other places of interest and seemed to take a keen delight in discussing various departments in the HERALD. Both of these lads are 100 per cent for the HERALD. * * * At WestviUe there are two brothers operating theatres, Walter Gerreb operates the Eagle and Mike Gerreb the Orpheum. While both theatres are operated independently, yet they work in harmony and as a result both are doing a very good business. Walter has recently made some improvements in his house and Mike is soon to commence remodeling his and when completed WestviUe will have two playhouses that she can well be proud of. We had a delightful visit with these boys and we have a warm invitation to come back, which we hope to do some day. R. B. Maxwell, who operates the Illinois at Sullivan, says Bill Weaver did him a mighty good turn once — of course he did, that’s what Bill is there for — he wrote to him to know what he should do to build up his weak night and he says Bill gave him the right dope, and I judge from his talk that from this on he will be a defender of William to the last ditch. That only goes to prove what I have been preaching for months, that Bill is the best friend you boys have, and if you wiU read the HERALD and be guided by what Bill tells you you can let your wife go through your pants pockets and not care to ask her if she left anything for payment of express on films. « * * I wish some Wisconsin exhibitor would ivrite me and let me know how the roads will be up there in a couple of weeks. Direct, care Exhibitors Herald, 407 S. Dearborn St., Chicago. Thanks. * * ♦ That “Beauty Contest’’ is becoming interesting. I am surprised, though, that so many exhibitors cling to the theory that they have nominated winners, in view of the fact that Clara’s strength grows by leaps and bounds. Exhibitors wherever I go compliment me on my excellent judgment in making winning nominations. I knew Fishy Phil would do something, and I really expected that his better judgment would urge him to second the nomination of Clara and thus place him on the front seat close to the e b cornet, where he could view the parade, but he doesn’t seem to be able to overcome his infatuation for Colleen. Seems like when that Colleen bug bites the boys they feel it. * * * Some eminent physician has figured it out that every time you kiss a girl it shortens your life three seconds. If that is true, I know some movie actors who have been dead since tbe flood. My gosh, wouldn’t that be a dandy way to commit suicide? Come on girls, let’s try it. It begins to look now like the producers were waking up to the importance of getting good title writers for their productions. This is proven by the intelligence shown by one title writer when he titled a picture, “Madam Wants No Children.” A production with a title like that ought to smoke ’em out in the small towns and rural communities. It would seem that every mother would urge her daughter to go and see this picture, she shouldn’t miss it, she might learn something, but I would suggest to that title writer that in order to add to its drawing power that he affi.x “But Will Accept a Pedigreed Poodle.” Some time back there was a stage production entitled “Her Unborn Child” and it succeeded in getting time in respectable houses. That production should be picturized and shown as a companion picture to “Madam Wants No Children,” but it should be shown first. With these two pictures properly exploited it should quiet any further agitation for censorship. If you boys want to create a little “prestige” for your houses better get “Madam Wants No Children” and exploit it strong, especially in the homes, and you might even get the “Women’s Christian Temperance Union” to sponsor it and then it ought to go over big. It might be well to play “Love’s Greatest Mistake” with this picture; the two of them should wreck the house. Some title writers ought to be drawing salaries and others ought to be drawing poultry. Mae Tinee says in today’s Tribune that “Madam Wants No Children” is delightful entertainment. Well it may be, I never saw it, but Mae has said a lot of things. Some were and some were not. If the picture itself suggested the title, better hold your nose when you play it. Therefore, all things being equal, we will all have to agree that — THE HERALD FILLS A WANT NONE OTHERS DO. J. C. JENKINS, (The HERALD Man). little star in the movies, Colleen. Don’t let J. C. Jenkins lead you astray. He means well but he just naturally can’t pick a winner. — Philip Rand, Rex theatre, Salmon, Idaho. — General patronage. JUST SUPPOSE: Richard Barthelmess— 10%. March 27. First warm Sunday this spring and the roads were good, but no one came to give us an even break, so the people must have guessed it right, as it did not satisfy much anyhow for the sticks where they like just common folks on the screen. Seven reels. — R. Duba, Royal theatre, Kimball, S. Dak. — General patronage. TRAMP, TRAMP, TRAMP: Harry Langdon— 20%. Only a few came out. Weather fine, roads good, had enough to pay film rent and express. Some said great, some said fair, some said no good. Personally thought it a very passable comedy. It takes a good crowd to enjoy a picture like this. — Dr. F. M. Childs, Cozy theatre, Villisca, la. — General patronage. TRAMP, TRAMP, TRAMP: Harry Langdon-^ 78%. March 29-36. This may be his first but he is already as good as Harold Lloyd, and the film rental is only ten per cent. Didn’t kid my patrons in order to give them a good laugh. Hari-y, old boy, I have given you a good send off at my theatre, so “Tramp, Tramp, Tramp” on to success. I advertised an old pair of shoes would admit anyone free and I admitted about 300 with shoes and that’s a lot of people for a small town like this. After giving away all those passes I still had a big increase at the box office. Pathe News. Six reels. — Perry G. Walker, Amusu theatre, Statesboro, Ga. — General patronage. LOVE’S WILDERNESS: Corinne Griffith— 65%. March 13. Corinne Griffith featured in a mess of trash. — R. B. Maxwell, Illinois theatre, Sullivan, 111. — General patronage. THE ONLY WOMAN : Norma Talmadge — 24%. April 4. Excellent production. Some complained about the tough sailor and fight in latter part of story, which seemed unnecessary and apparently would have made a better, cleaner story. Seven reels. — A. G. Witwer, Grand theatre. Rainier, Ore. — General patronage. ABRAHAM LINCOLN: Special cast— 70%. March 20. Wonderful picture from a historical standi>oint. Lincoln reverently done by George Billings. Well liked by our audience. Ten reels. ■ — American Legion, American Legion theatre, Lena, Wis. — Small town patronage. QUO VADIS: Emil Jannings — 60%. Co-operated with the school on this picture and received satisfactory results. Some massive scenes and picture will please any audience that knows and appreciates Roman history. Jannings as Nero well cast. Nine reels. — Gunther & Metzger, Palace theatre, Syracuse, Nebr. — General patronage. FOREVER AFTER: Lloyd HughesMarch 27. This is a corking good entertainer from every angle, lots of pep and a picture that you can stand at the door when they pass out and sajgood night. The football shots were good and that part very clear. Seven reels. — M. J. Babin. Fairyland theatre. White Castle, La. — General patronage. FOREVER AFTER: Ben Lyons— March 7. A very good picture spoiled with a iKX)r title. One scene is several feet too long, which is a fault with a lot of First National pictures. I'hey nearly always drag out some scene and hurt the effect of the picture. Business fair. — W. H. Hardman, Royal theatre, Frankfort, Kan., and Regent theatre. Blue Rapids, Kan. — Small town patronage. IT MUST BE LOVE: Colleen Moore— April 7-8. A fine, clean, wholesome picture which pleased all of Colleen’s fans. Did not draw as good as “Ella Cinders,” probably due to bad roads and weather. Eight reels. — Wm. E. Tragsdorf, Trags theatre, Neillsville, Wis. — Small town patronage. SWEET DADDIES: Special cast— March 25-26. A very good Jew and Irish picture that gave general satisfaction. It is not nearly as good as “Cohens and Kellys,” though it did better business than that picture, due I think to the fact that these stars have appeared here in several other pictures that were very good. Seven reels. — Walter Hohlfeld, Elite theatre. Greenleaf, Kan. — General patronage. THE SEA TIGER: Milton Sills— It is the best Sills picture made this season, which doesn’t mean much, but it is a good picture ; you can promise your patrons that much. — Russell Armentrout, K. P. theatre. Pittsfield, 111. — General patronage. THE LADY IN ERMINE: Corinne Griffith — March 23. Personally I think this picture was one of the best, but some of my patrons did not like it. Some exhibitors report this O. K. for large town, but I cannot understand why we small town boys should always be smalL Why not give our patrons the same dish as the city and keep them home? Is it suggestive? If you think