Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Apr-Jun 1929)

Page scan 000949 from Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World

Record Details:

Title:
Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World
Date:
Apr-Jun 1929
Publisher:
[Chicago, Quigley publishing company]
Volume:
Exhibitors herald world
Leaf #:
000949
Language:
English
Subjects:
motion pictures, Motion pictures -- Periodicals
Collection:
Early Cinema and Hollywood Studio System
Format:
Periodicals
Contributor:
Library of Congress, MBRS, Moving Image Section
Sponsor:
Library of Congress, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division
Coordinator:
Media History Digital Library
Description:
Founded in 1915 by a Chicago printing company as a regional trade paper for Midwest exhibitors. In 1916, editor Martin Quigley bought out the owners, and over the next 15 years, he grew EXHIBITORS HERALD into one of the most important national, weekly trade papers in the film business. Quigley acquired MOTOGRAPHY in 1917 and MOVING PICTURE WORLD in 1927. In 1930, he acquired MOTION PICTURE NEWS and the new 'consolidated' publication became MOTION PICTURE HERALD. From the pulpit of his editorial page, Quigley preached the need to improve the motion picture industry and improve the quality of the films. He skillfully served as a mediator in disputes -- between distributors and exhibitors, between the film industry and the Catholic Church (Quigley was one of the architects of the Production Code). Quigley claimed that EXHIBITORS HERALD represented the 'independent exhibitor' and sections like 'What the Picture Did for Me?' certainly provided a forum for theater owners. But plenty of exhibitors viewed Quigley as a servant to the studios and large theater chains. In response, publications such as SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN, HARRISON'S REPORTS, and BOX OFFICE were either formed or grew significantly in the years following Quigley's brief moment of consolidation in 1930. -- Eric Hoyt, 2014
Date Added:
July 25, 2024
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May 19, 1928 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD 123 nobody kicked. Six reels. — O. A. Fosse, Community theatre, RidgTvay, la. — Small town patronjage. WHY SAILORS GO WRONG: Special cast— With good direction perhaps could be made into a good two reeler. Not a redeeming thing in it. In other words, totally unsuited to our audience. Could make a fair filler for a vaudeville bill. Six reels. — A. R. Anderson, Orpheum theatre. Twin Falls, Idaho, — ^General patronage. SEVENTH HEAVEN: Gaynor-Farrell— You bet thie is a dandy. Step on it. One of the best ever made.— S. H. Rich, Rich theatre, Montpelier, Idaho. — General patronage. THE SHARPSHOOTER: George O'Brien— Good picture. George is usually good. Free anti-saloon picture killed the business for me. — S. H. Rich, Rich theatre, Montpelier, Idaho. — General patronage. BLACK JACK: Buck Jones— First Jones I've played in many moons and while It was the same old formula, hiding among the rocks and shooting each other's hats off, etc., they seemed to like it, so we should worry. Buck himself and his horse are good. Five reels. — P. G. Vaughn, Sim theatre, Kansas City, Mo. — General patronage. TUMBLING RIVER: Tom Mix— AprU 14. Good Western for Saturdays. — J. L. Seiter, Selma theatre, Selma, Cal.— ^Small town patronage. TUMBLING RIVER: Tom Mix— Pleased the Mix fans. However, a lot of impossible stunts without rhyme or reason. Don't go good any more with the critical theatregoer. Six reels. — A. R. Anderson, Orpheum theatre. Twin Falls, Idaho. — General patronage. TONY RUNS WILD: Tom Mix— April 7-8. Good Western, Mix pulls better for me than most Western stars. Six reels. — ^H. W. Batchelder, Gait theatre. Gait, Cal. — Small town patronage. FIG LEAVES: Olive Borden— May 3-4. A classy picture with about two reels in technicolor. However, the paper on this is terrible and has a tendency to keep i>eopIe away in a small town. There is nothing in the picture to offend any one, but the paper would lead them to believe otherwise. Seven reels. — Wm. E. Tragsdorf, Trags theatre, NelUsville, Wis. — ^Small town patronage. THE BRONCHO TWISTER: Special cast— Okay for a Western. — J. W. Schmidt, Grand theatre, Breese, 111.— ^General patronage. WHAT PRICE GLORY: Special oast— April 1. A box office natural but — there's a lot of dirty profanity (and I'm not a good lip reader either) also, many red hot mamma clashes. Not good for school children. Nevertheless, it's intensely interesting and Captain Flagg is perfect. To sum it up, it's awfully dirty and it's awfully good. So there I ( SRO ? You bet!) Twelve reels. — Frank Sabin, Majestic theatre. Eureka, Mont. — Small town patronage. WHISPERING SAGE: Buck Jones— A good Western for Buck Jones. — J. W. Schmidt, The Grand theatre, Breese, 111.— General patronage. SILVER VALLEY: Tom Mix— Good average Mix picture that did better than average business.— S. H. Rich, Rich theatre, Montpelier, Idaho. — General patronage. ANKLES PREFERRED: Madge BellamyApril 22-23. A snappy program picture. All Madge's pictures seem to be along about the same lines, that is she exposes most of her personal charms and generally a flock of unmentionables. Great stuff for the cities, but a little too snappy for a mixed audience in the thickets. Six reels. — Wm. E. Tragsdorf, Trags theatre, Neillsville, Wis. — -Small town patronage. A MAN FOUR SQUARE: Buck Jones— Good Western, plenty of action and what the Western fans and kids want. Five reels. — H. W. Batchelder, Gait theatre. Gait, Cal. — ^Small town patronage. OUTLAWS OF RED RIVER: Special cast— Very good. — J. W. Schmidt, The Grand theatre, Breese, 111. — General patronage. MONTE CRISTO: John Gilbert— Re-issue. April 14-15. Very good picture but very poor business, with very poor house second night. Eight reels. — H. W. Batchelder, Gait theatre. Gait, Cal.— Small town patronage. OVER THE HILL: Mary Carr— Re-issue. April 28-29. There is nothing to say about this except that it is a great picture and worth running even if it is old. Eleven reels. — H. W. Batchelder, Gait theatre. Gait, Cal. — Small town patronage. Goth am THE OVERLAND LIMITED: Special cast— 71%. April 23-24. This picture drew well and would have pleased had I received a good print. The print was rotten, Just all over the screen. Six reels. — L. W. Bagwell, Crystal theaitre, Oakman, Ala. — General patronage. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer THE ROAD TO ROMANCE: Special cast— 50%. April 30-31. When I received the press sheet on this picture, I congratulated myself that I had a real one. However, when I screened the actual picture I found out it was one of Metro's secret pictures — ^they tried to keep it from you on the screen. They kept it dark most of the time — night scenes without any moon. Now the press sheet is so darn good on this picture, I advise you boys that haven't run this to cut the press sheet in film size strips, paste 'em together and run through the machine (excuse me, Richardson, I mean projector) for the first reel. Then, without rewinding run it through again for the second reel. For the third reel, just run the machine empty with the lights out, for the fourth reel run the machine empty, lights on but with an old sock hung over the lens. For the rest of the picture reverse the process. You'll have the general effect of the picture and it'll save you lots of rewinding, etc. All kidding aside, this is a little too "artistic" a picture for small towns. I'll admit I had a few that thought it was fine, but these same people are so "artistic" they would want green tombstones with yellow letters on their graves — so that's that. This is the only picture I have ever received from Metro that just wasn't extra good. This pleased my crowd about 10 per cent. — John W. Crabtree, Joyland theatre. Corning, Ark. — General patronage. MAN, WOMAN AND SIN: John Gilbert— eflo/,. April 29. We say read C. W. Doctor's report on this in the April 28th issue. Them is our sentiments exactly and it's the truth, the whole truth, etc. We make our own slides with comments on the coming pictures besides running the regular slides, etc. So we told our folks that it was no picture for children and to take it or leave it. We had no children to speak of for which we were grateful. Our regular patrons in great numbers stayed away but we got a fair crowd of sensation seekers and were they stung? We claim it's not any more hot than a lot of pictures. We are not hollering about the out and out badness but because there's no story and it doesn't make sense. What a shame to waste John Gilbert on such trash. And don't let anybody kid you into believing you'll see scenes of Washington or the Embassy Ball — sure you see people dancing — it is to laugh. And are these trashy "sex-appeal" names necessary to make a picture a success ? No ! Witness the box office on "Ben Hur," "The Big Parade," "Keeper of the Bees," "Laddie," and scores of others we could name. They did fine without a scarlet name! Seven reels. — L. L. Netzer, American Legion theatre, Lena, Wis. — Small town patronage. THE STUDENT PRINCE: Ramon Novarro — 50%. April 29-30. This is a fine picture. Star and oast splendid. Too classy to be a money maker in towns of this size (5,000). Them that knew "what it was all about" very satisfactory, the balance just didn't know. Satisfaction about 60 per cent. Bert Silver, Silver Family theatre, Greenville, Mich. — General patronage. TWELVE MILES OUT: John Gilbert— 75%. April 23-24. A he-man's picture that the ladies like. Plenty of action, thrills, etc. Had a larger crowd second night than had first, so it was well received. Play it even if it is a little old. It clicks. — John W. Crabtree, Joyland theatre. Corning, Ark. — General patronage. ROSE MARIE: Special cast— 22%. Very good North woods picture. Pleased the few who came. Eight reels. — T. A. Shea, Palace theatre, McGehee, Ark. — General patronage. THERE YOU ARE: Conrad Nagel— 20%. April 11. Cannot understand where the people are. Since Lent business has fallen way off. This picture is pretty fair, but I ran a two reel comedy from Universal that was and had all the same things as in the first two reels of this. People told me about it and claimed I was repeating the picture. Six reels. — E. S. Wright, Redwood theatre. Redwood, N. Y. — ■ Small town patronage. LOVE'S BLINDNESS: Special cast— 50%. March 28. Not for small town folks. Will not draw. Seven reels. — E. S. Wright, Redwood theatre. Redwood, N. Y. — Small town patronage. BUTTONS: Jackie Coogan24%. Very good for all the family. Seven reels. — T. A. Shea, Palace theatre, McGehee, Ark. — General patronage. TEA FOR THREE: Cody-Pringle— 65%. April 22. This would have made a good two reeler, but to stretch it out to seven is too much. The laughs are too few and far between. First ^valkouts we had in a long time. "Adam and Evil" went over big here but this was an absolute flop. The story is the thing. Anyway this lacked the spark. Seven reels. — L. L. Netzer, American Legion theatre, Lena, Wis. — Small town patronage. THE PATSY: Marion Davies— April 18-19. Very good comedy. Pleased all who saw it including yours truly. Business not so good, but held up sxKxi second day which is the real test. Eight reels. — S. J. Hackney, Star theatre, Rossland, B. C, Canada. — Small town patronage. BABY MINE: Dane-Arthur— April 30-May 1. This is certainly the rottenest vulgar picture I have ever put on my screen. I simply sat and sweated all through the picture and was really ashamed to look at the people when they came out. It's a shame we have to put up with such junk as this. Ju.st a few more like this one and Metro-Goldwyn and I will be through. Six reels. — Guy Loudermilk, Fairy theatre, Nappanee, Ind. — General patronage. BEN HUR: Ramon Novarro — April 25-26. Gave this 100 per cent on merit as for drawing power with me. It grossed in two nights less than my house record of Rin Tin Tin. If anyone can figure out this town for me I v/ould like to hear from them. They do not appreciate a picture here. The picture pulled people out that I never saw before but lots would not come. Metro gave me a fine break. Thanks, Metro, very much. Twelve reels. — E. S. Wright, Redwood theatre. Redwood, N. Y.— Small town patronage. LAW OF THE RANGE: Tim McCoy— AprU 27-28. Just a little better than "Wyoming" but nothing extra. Metro should rather put this McCoy in some good pictures or, let someone have him that will, for I consider him a fair Western star if he had a chance. Six reels. — Guy Loudermilk, Fairy theatre, Nappanee, Ind. — General patronage. UNDER THE BLACK EAGLE: FlashActing of this dog very good. — J. L. Seiter, Selma theatre, Selma, Cal. — Small town patronage. THE DIVINE WOMAN: Greta Garbo— Many patrons disappointed. They seem to want Garbo as a vamp.— a. L. Seiter, Selma theatre, Selma, Cal. — Small town patronage. WYOMING: Tim McCoy— McCoy will always be poison to our box-office. — R. J. Speck, Kenwood theatre, Chicago, III. — General patronage. QUALITY STREET: Marion Davies— This is Marion Davies" poorest picture. — R. J. Speck, Kenwood theatre, Chicago, III. — General patronage. BECKY: Sally O'NeilAprU 25-26. Just one word expresses it, rotten. Lost money on this. Many walk-outs. Took in S6.00 second night and those hardy ones did not all see it through. Typical comment "What the h — did they make that picture for?" Mack Swain's "Fallin' Woman gag" is about the most painful near joke we have seen for many moons. Seven reels. — S. J. Hackney, Star theatre, -Rossland, B. C, Canada. — Small town patronage. FRISCO SALLY LEVY: Sally O'Neil— March 21. Sally can throw my watch in the river — she (and the excellent ca.st) made a dandy piece of entertainment.— Frank Sabin, Majestic theatre. Eureka, Mont, — Small town patronage. CALIFORNaA: Tim McCoy— March 14. Historical, good, lots of action. — PVank Sabin, Majestic theatre. Eureka, Mont. — Small town patronage. WICKEDNESS PREFERRED: Pringle-Cody— Very good light entertainment. Something new in slang phrases that will get a laugh. Six reels. — ^T. A. Shea, Palace theatre, McGehee, Ark. — (general patronage. THE FIRE BRIGADE: Special cast— Probably the best fire pictuie made. Technicolor gives it class. Take it, but don't expect it to draw like a special should. — G. Carey, Strand theatre, Paris, Ark. — General patronage. Paramount THE SECRET HOUR: Pola Negri— 30%. AprU 25. Not a bad picture. Well liked by the few who turned out for it. However, we think the castinsr EVERYTHING FOR THE STAGE cenic TIFFIK. BSTABXiaHEX» 190t Send for Catalogue