Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Oct-Dec 1928)

Record Details:

Title:
Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World
Date:
Oct-Dec 1928
Author:
Quigley Publishing Company
Publisher:
Chicago, Quigley Publishing Company
Volume:
Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Oct-Dec 1928)
Leaf #:
0001024
Language:
English
Collection:
Early Cinema and Hollywood Studio System
Format:
Periodicals
Contributor:
Media History Digital Library
Sponsor:
Media History Digital Library
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:
September 21, 2023
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EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 15, 1928 How All Can Help: A Letter Parkersburg, la., Dec. 7, 1928. To the Editor: As the result of advice given me by an exhibitor friend I subscribed for your magazine several months before I tvas in the picture game, and while that has been only three years, many things by way of experience can be had in that time, especially in the exhibition' end, as I believe many can testify. We have absorbed many good things from the HERALD-WORLD, but the most beneficial, we think, is the "What the Picture Did For Me" department. This is especially good for the small town theatreman and can be a great help if exhibitors' will report honestly, conscientiously and without prejudice on the different pictures they play. Pictures should not be condemned if they don't draw because of bad weather, competition, etc., but should be judged from entertainment value and the satisfaction they give. If every exhibitor will be honest in his judgment of the picture and report accordingly, every other exhibitor is bound to benefit thereby. I am sending in a few reports on pictures played recently. I am not using the percentage as I feel it is not just to the picture, since the best of pictures may not draw well as the result of any of a hundred and one things that all cxliibitors have to contend with in this business. With best wishes for your continued success, I am, Very truly, C. V. HUNERBERG, Princess theatre. LILAC TIME: Colleen Moore — 80%. November 4-5. Paid more than the picture was worth. Hit bad roads and snow. Picture great, but as stated before, I paid too much. Nine reels. — Elmer E. Gailey, Gay theatre, Wayne, Neb. — Small town patronage. FLYING ROMEOS: Murray-Sidney — A good comedy. Pleased all. Six seels. — E. B. Conant, Charkarohen theatre, Lincoln, N. H. — Small town patronage. THE YELLOW LILY: Billie Dove— 25%. November 23. A program picture. Fair satisfaction. Billie Dove's acting fine. Love's work a little 6trong in spots. — Bert Silver, Silver Family theatre, Greenville, Mich. — Small town patronage. THE YELLOW LILY: Billie Dove— Well produced picture. Stories about royalty do not go here. —3. L. Seiter. Selma theatre, Selma, Cal.— General patronage. THE SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS: Special castPlayed old, but did good in spite of bad weather. Eight reels. — C. A. Swiercinsky, Majestic theatre, Washington, Kan. — General patronage. THE LIFE OF RILEY: Special cast— Quite good. — A. C. Betts, Powers theatre. Red Creek, N. Y.— General patronage. CHINATOWN CHARLIE: Johnny Hines— A good picture, combines comedy and thrills. Seven reels. — E. B. Conant, Charkarohen theatre, Lincoln, N. H. — Small town patronage. THE LITTLE SHEPHERD OF KINGDOM COME: Richard Barthclmess— 25%. November 25-26. Fine picture which will stand a good boost and should be pushed. After you get them in, the picture will satisfy and please. Dick is fine and as long as he will make pictures like this he will make a good drawing card. Had nice weather but folks are getting ready for Thanksgiving, therefore business is a little slack. Eight reels. — Rudolf Duba, Royal theatre, Kimball, S. D. — General patronage. CODE OF THE SCARLET: Ken Maynard— November 29-30. A good Maynard picture of the Northwest Mounties. Well, I am all caught up on Ken's pictures so will have to lay off him for a few monthB. I wish he would make at least one a month. Six reels. — William E. Tragsdorf, Trag» theatre, Neillsville, Wis. — Small town patronage. Fox Mo Losses in the Box Office Tw,;h /Q§>[ud Sh&q, icket Registers Automatic Ticket Register Corp. 723 Seventh Ave Ntw York Tctirrs for Every Purpose o/LOwXST Marktt Price* ROMANCE OF THE UNDERWORLD: Special cast — 60%. Very good picture, much better than the title would suggest. Pleased all and went over good. Six reels. — Elmer E. Gailey, Gay theatre, Wayne, Neb. — Small town patronage. FOUR SONS: Special cast— 10%. November 2829-30. Beautiful picture and worthy of any house. Better liked than Fox's "Street Angel," possibly owing to our German nationality that viewed it. However, Fox pictures don't drag in the coin for us. My mamma won't get any Christmas presents from our profits, as I begin to realize every time we play a Fox picture we are working for Fox — not old man Arehart. Nine reels. — E. C. Arehart, Auditorium theatre, Laurel, Neb. — General patronage. FOUR SONS: Special cast— 66%. November 16. Most beautiful picture I ever saw. Will win over any ten best for the season. Children even spoke to me of its beauty, patrons will advertise this for you, and it will please 100%. It ran into the worst weather and roads or percentage would have been 200, I believe. Feel like saying much more about this but words are weak and futile when set to the task of describing an achievement like this, but Fox sure hit upon a subject of beauty that will awaken in your heart memories of the mother to whom you ran with your troubles, problems and fears. Eleven reels. — H. B. Wilson, Palace theatre, Golden City, Mo. — Small town patronage. WIN THAT GIRL: Rollins-Carol— 25%. December 2. The poorest picture we have played. If there is a worse one I never want to 6ee it. And we fed this to our classy Sunday nightersl Another one like this from Fox and they can put me in jail, for I won't accept them. We even drew a poor newsreel (Metro) and a bum comedy (Pathe) with it. Mamma, where is the home-brew bottle? 9ix reels. — E. C. Arehart, Auditorium theatre, Laurel, Neb. — General patronage. NONE BUT THE BRAVE: Charles Morton— A good picture for the small town. About two reels in color and well done. It pleased all who saw it. Six reels. — E. B. Conant, Charkarohen theatre, Lincoln, N. H. — Small town patronage. NONE BUT THE BRAVE: Special castNovember 27-28. This is a neat little program picture if you can get anybody in to see it. I can't get anybody in to sec pictures with an unknown cast and a meaningless title. There is about a reel of technicolor in this that is extra beautiful, and Sally Phipps in the tcrh sequence looks good enough to cat. The picture will please if you can get them in. Six reels. — William E. Tragsdorf, Trags theatre, Neillsville, Wis. — Small town patronage. PLASTERED IN PARIS: Sammy Cohen— Very smutty in places, otherwise very good comedy. Why don't you leave the rotten stuff out? Second night bad, business fell off. Seven reels. — Elmer E. Gailey, Gay theatre, Wayne, Neb. — Small town patronage. PLASTERED IN PARIS: Sammy Cohen— 35%. November 9. Just a fair program, not nearly as good as "Why Snilors Go Wrong" or "The Gay Retreat," his last season's features. Had some knock this. Six reels. — H. B. Wilson, Palace theatre. Golden City, Mo. — Small town patronage. DRY MARTINI: Special cast— 25%. Picture just fair. Too hot for most small towns. Business poor. — Elmer E. Gailey, Gay theatre, Wayne, Neb. — Small town patronage. THE WIZARD: Edmund Lowe— A fairly good mystery picture that got by the fault finders. Seven reels. — Giacoma Bros., Crystal theatre. Tombstone, Ariz. — General patronage. THE HIGH SCHOOL HERO: Special cast— 25%. November 30. A program picture that satisfied the young folks. Some good comedy and some awfully unfunny. — Bert Silver, Silver Family theatre, Greenville, Mich. — General patronage. SOFT LIVING: Special castv-December 1. We played this Saturday night with a two reel comedy, "Sea Food." It went over big. Both the feature and comedy are pleasing and interesting from start to finish. This Johnny Mack Brown happened to be an old acquaintance to our football coach, who is a real man himself, and he told all the boys and girls here to come out and see this star friend of his, and they sure came in droves. And everybody in the theatre said they sure got their money's worth. — Walter Odom and Sons, Dixie theatre, Durant, Miss. — General patronage. MOTHER MACHREE: Belle Bennett— 50%. A darn good picture that pleased all. Good business three days. Eleven reels. — Elmer E. Gailey, Gay theatre, Wayne, Neb. — Small town patronage. SILVER VALLEY: Tom Mix— November 17-18. Another good one from Mix. You can always bank on him to deliver the goods. Six reels. — C. E. Holt, Legion theatre, Elmwood, Wis. — Small town patronage. SINGED: Blanche Sweet— 20%. November 16-17. Pretty good little picture. Fair entertainment. Six reels. — Rudolf Duba, Royal theatre, Kimball, S. D.— General patronage. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer WHITE SHADOWS IN THE SOUTH SEAS: Monte Blue — Best south sea so far for us. Unusual and interesting. Business very good. Nine reels. — C. A. Swiercinsky, Majestic theatre, Washington, Kan. — General patronage. THE WIND: Lillian Gish— 30%. November 25-26. Somewhat depressing picture of a none too interesting sequence of events in a dreary semi-arid section of the West. Below average in drawing power and entertainment value for us. Histrionic ability of Miss Gish and Lars Hanson okay, but picture and story too dreary. First night crowd much below average and second night didn't pay electricity. Very good print and photography and lighting better than usual in Metro features. Eight reels. — Wolfe & Williams, Screenland theatre, Nevada, 0. — Small town patronage. THE WIND: Lillian Gish — Just so much film. Did not go over at all. Showed to a good crowd, but did not satisfy. Seven reels. — Dewey L. Kisor, Sterling theatre, Fairmont, Neb. — Small town patronage. WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS: Lon Chaney— If Lon Chaney makes them all as good as this he'll be a drawing card here. Very satisfactory. Eight reels. — C. A. Swiercinsky, Majestic theatre, Washington, Kan. — General patronage. THE BABY CYCLONE: Cody-Pringle — 40%. Very good comedy that pleased all. Best since "Adam and Evil." It's really good. Six reels.— Elmer E. Gailey, Gay theatre, Wayne, Neb. — Small town patronage. THE BABY CYCLONE: Cody-Pringle— November 16-17. A laughable farce comedy, a good sized Saturday audience simply ate it up. First class entertainment. Six reels.— E. M. Biddle, Strand theatre, Paoli, Ind. — Small town patronage. THE BABY CYCLONE: Cody-Pringle — 40%. November 26. This is good for Cody and Pringle, but their comedies do not go for me. Seven reels.— W. T. Biggs, Adair theatre, Adair, la.— General patronage. CONGRATULATIONS! Robert K. Yancey of the Bonny theatre, Mansfield, Mo., quite casually drops into a report this week the information that he Iws just celebrated the third anniversary of the opening of the Bonny. "We celebrate our anniversary every year," he writes. "The special shows always bring the crowds." May Brother Yancey lutve many more of 'em — both anniversaries and crowds! So wishes the WRALDWORLD — and doubtless all his fellow exhibitors, too.