Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1928)

60 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD March 10, 1928 J. C. Jenkins — His Colyum DALLAS, TEX., February 25, 1928. DEAR HERALD-WORLD: We find considerable excitement here along film row over the results of an action brought by Charninsky and Stinnett, theatre operators here, against Paramount, wherein a judgment was rendered in favor of the plaintiff > and against the defendant corporation and the measure of damages fixed at §337,500. As we understand it, this action was based on a Texas statute having to do with public service corporations and the claim being made that the defendant had consummated a tieup with other concerns which prevented the plaintiffs from obtaining first run pictures, thereby forcing them to sell their theatres at a loss. The amount sued for was $450,000, hut the jury fixed the measure of damages at $337,500. The case will most likely go to the higher court for hearing, and it is thought by many that ^iould the judgment of the lower court be affirmed it will open the gates to a flood of similar actions against various producing concerns. We are informed that this case is not subject to appeal to the federal courts and therefore the ruling of the state supreme court would be final, since the action was brought under a state statute. It is said that a number of witnesses were called who testified that they were unable to obtain first class service by reasons of the methods alleged to have been employed by the defendant corporation. Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World Fills a Want None Others Do Dallas looks like some considerable city. She claims to have 280,000 live ones, and we judge from the traffic racket under our fifteenth story room in the Hilton that her claims are exceedingly modest. One would think he was in the "Loop" back in Pork Center, but we miss the fragrance from the Stock Yards, and this makes us lonesome for dear old Chicago. If Ft. Worth doesn't watch out, Dallas may try to incorporate her under the big top, where one admission will admit you to the whole show. She's built that way. Her slogan is, "Watch Dallas Grow," and we judge Ft. Worth is obeying the edict. Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World Fills a Want None Others Do At Paris we had the pleasure of meeting an old time friend in the person of Milton Overman, who manages the Dent theatres at that place. Mr. Overman used to sell us Select service out of Omaha some years back, and it was a pleasure to meet him again and talk over old times back in the Bug Eater state. He says he likes Texas, and we don't blame him; we like her too. Our opinion is that Mr. Dent made a very wise selection when he placed Mr. Overman in charge of his interests at Paris. Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World Fills a Want None Others Do Had he not told us differently and had not resented the insinuation, we would have thought that Douglas Mitchell, who operates the Strand at Honey Grove, came from Nebraska, but he denied it most emphatically and we didn't argue the matter with him. He claims to he a Texan and he showed us what he based it on. He was right; it was 100 per cent proof, and so is Doug. Exhibitors Herald and Movins; Picture World Fills a Want None Others Do We are certainly getting a kick out of these Texas folks. Not the kind Uncle 'Leazer used to give us when he caught us in his melon patch, but the kind that makes us want to see more of them and that makes us feel right at home and among friends. It's fun to drive along the street Or stand upon the walk. And see the darkies drag their feel And hear these Long Horns talk. Down here in Texas, rain or shine, No matter where you roam. You'll find these people mighty fine And you'll feel you're right at home. There is so much to think about In this state so broad and grand That you II want to swing your hat and shout HURRAH FOR DIXIE LAND. ■ Exhibitors Herald and MovinK Picture World Fills a Want None Others Do ■ We wonder sometimes what would happen if Pennsylvania should go democratic and Texas republican (a thing clear beyond any range of hope) if possibly it might not wake up the two old parlies lo a realization of the fact that the public purse is not open to private plunder. We are not talking politics; we are just wondering. Anyhow, we hope to elect Art Weaver governor of Nebraska this fall and give the state a sound, sane and (Continued on next page) FLESH AND THE DEVIL: Special cast— 32%. January 6. Wonderful picture but fails to draw in small town, I suppose too sexy. Acting splendid. — T. W. Cannon. Majestic theatre. Greenfield, Tenn. — Small town patronage. TWELVE MILES OUT: John Gilbert— 65%. February 4. Rather a rough picture but seemed to please. Full of action. Some good scenes. Seven reels.— C. B. Burkhardt, Pastime theatre, Homer, 111. — General patronage. TEA FOR THREE: Cody-Pi ingle— February 12-13. This one isn't so hot. The ultimate consumer thought it was silly and weak entertainment. Our business was terrible. Seven reels. — John L. Damm, Strand theatre, Wadsworth, O. — General patronage. VALLEY OF HELL: Special cast— January 17. Would have been a very good Western but copy all short. A shame to be compelled to run such junk. Supposed to be five reels but about three and one-half left.— H. W. Batchelder, Gait theatre, Gait, Cal.— Small town patronage. FOREIGN DEVILS: Tim McCoy— February 18. A fair program picture. Very good Saturday night picture for small towns. Five reels. — Mrs. C. Knox. Star theatre. Villa Grove, 111.— Small town patronage. MOCKERY: Lon Chaney— February 13-14. Not as good as some and business not as good. But Chaney is an actor and should portray good character parts once in awhile like "Tell It to the Marines." Story on "Mockery" rather heavy. Seven reels.— Elmer E. Gailey, Crystal theatre, Wayne. Neb. — General patronage. THE FAIR CO-ED: Marion Davies— This is a fine picture. Kept them laughing during entire show. Many favorable comments. Should draw and please anywhere. Play this.— E. C. Bays. Globe theatre, Buena Vista, Va. — General patronage. THE LOVELORN: Special cast— February 14. Seemed to please most of the customers and the business was pretty good. Just a fair offering. Hit the women with this "Advice to the Lovelorn" stuff and they ought to respond. Seven reels.— John L. Damm, Strand theatre, Wadsworth, O.— General patronage. ANNIE LAURIE : Lillian Gi.sh— This is a good picture, notwithstanding unfavorable comments of other exhibitors. It pulled fairly well and gave satisfaction to a high class audience.— Geo. E. Fuller. Playhouse theatre. Fairhope, Ala.— General patronage. IN OLD KENTUCKY: Special cast— Very good. Consider this much better than the one produced some years ago. The Negro team couple in this were great. Play it.— A. L. Lighter. Orpheum theatre, Mellen. Wis. — General patronage. FRISCO SALLY LEVY: Special cast— Pleasing picture. We were stormed out and took a flop but was no fault of the picture. All who came were satisfied. — G. C. Silverthorn, Liberty theatre, Harrisville, Mich. — Small town patronage. THE FLAMING FOREST: Special cast— Good audience picture. Ran it as a special to raised prices. Good crowd. Everyone pleased. Book it. — Philip Rand, Rex theatre, Salmon, Idaho. — General patronage. Paramount BEAU GESTE, BEAU SABREUR: Special casts— 72%-52%. January 9-10-11 and February 13-14-15. These two pictures are so much alike, one being the answer to the other, they may be taken together. As box office values it is needless to add to the comments which have been made by others in these columns in regard to those pictures. They are too high priced for small places. But as productions they have high spectacular value. The acting in "Beau Geste" is splendid and the cast is well balanced. This is more than can be said for "Beau Sabreur" in which the leading stars are awkward and out of place. It almost appears that Paramount is intending to manufacture stars as well as productions. The difference between the cast and the acting in "Beau Geste" and "Beau Sabreur" is the difference between a rehearsal and a performance. — A. J. Gibbons, Illinois theatre, Metropolis, 111. — General patronage. BEAU SABREUR: Gary Cooper— February 3-4. Not as good as "Beau Geste" although a good picture. Just fair at the box office. Six reels. — Elmer E. Gailey, Crystal theatre, Wayne, Neb. — General patronage. THE LAST WALTZ: Special cast— 30%. Febuary 11. Small towns lay off of this one. Some very bad scenes, not fit for the family to see. Bad for children. — C. B. Burkhardt, Pastime theatre. Homer, 111. — General patronage. THE LAST WALTZ: Special cast— Well produced and acted. Business only fair. Seven reels. — J. L. Seiter, Selma theatre, Selma, Cal. — General patronage. GET YOUR MAN: Clara Bow— 55%. February 17. A good clever title that drew them in. Not quite as good as her last two but she seems to please the young people immensely. Seven reels. — H. J. Eagan, American theatre, Wautoma, Wis. — Small town patronage. GET YOUR MAN: Clara Bow— February 17-18. Story not for this kid. but Clara does good just the same. Some good comedy and did just fair at the box office. Six reels. — Elmer E. Gailey. Crystal theatre, Wayne, Neb. — General patronage. DRUMS OF THE DESERT: Special cast— 72%. February 15-16. Played two days during 6now and cold and it pulled better than we expected. It is not a big special but will be a real good program offering. Six reels. — Paul B. Hoffman, Legion theatre, Holyrood, Kan. — Small town patronage. DRUMS OF THE DESERT: Warner Baxter— 60%. February 14. Another good Zane Grey and another good crowd. A Zane Grey will always bring them out and please. Six reels. — Robert K. Yancey, Bonny theatre, Mansfield, Mo. — General patronage. A KISS IN A TAXI: Bebe Daniels— 22%. February 7. Rain and cold weather again. People just won't come in bad weather. Picture pretty good. Fast moving and plenty of comedy. Lost money. Seven reels. — Robert K. Yancey, Bonny theatre, Mansfield, Mo. — General patronage. RITZY: Betty Bronson— 36%. November 19. A good story made into a good comedy-drama. A good cast. Elinor Glyn's name helps put this over. Six reels. — E. J. Williams, Tivoli theatre, Knoxville, 111. — General patronage. TELL IT TO SWEENEY: Special cast— 35%. November 17-18. A great comedy, just what the public wants. Should please anywhere at regular