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

62 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 15, 1928 J. C. Jenkins — His Colyum {Continued from preceding page) Mississippi river? Joe is better known than all three of 'em. Joe is a good, honest, conscientious hardworking Democrat, and Harry Strickland told us to tell Joe that he had found that man, and when he asked us what man, to say, "Why, the man who voted for Al Smith." We told him, and Joe blew up and said, "You just wait until that Tennessee Hoover Democrat comes back here again and he will find that he has found another man." We hardly think it fair for Harry to rub it in on Joe that way, for someday the Democrats might accidentally win, and then where would Harry be? Joe and the Mrs. had us to dinner today at Robinson's leading cafe, and Joe got sore because we ordered a bowl of half and half with whole wheat bread instead of roast turkey. When we can't get roast turkey on Thanksgiving and Christmas they can keep their durned old turkey. Every year on the anniversary of his birthday, Joe gives a free show for the kids, and he says that the way the kids storm his theatre would indicate that the fathers and mothers of the community had subscribed to the Roosevelt theory. Joe being a good, conscientious Democrat himself never did take much stock in Teddy anyway. Last night he played Buddy Rogers and Mary Brian in "SOMEONE TO LOVE," a picture right hot out of the can, and since there are several fellows who have their carving knives out for our scalp the first time we review a picture wrongfully we are going to leave this matter to those who pride themselves on their ability to tell you just what the picture is and what it will do at the box office. Joe's audience seemed to like it, but maybe Robinson folks are easily pleased. We think they must be. Today Joe took us in his limousine (Swedish word meaning a high class Buick automobile) and drove us around the country to call on some of the exhibitors. Leon H. Cox of the Pythian at Marshall, said to us when we asked him why he was not enrolled in the great HERALDWORLD family, "Well, it's your own fault, you was over and called on Joe Hewitt a couple of years ago and never came near me and I said that the HERALDWORLD could go to and I took another magazine, but since you are here now you can write me for a couple of years." That sounds just like Leon, he gets so touchy about these small matters. But he got in the car and made the rounds with us and we parted good friends. Callie Pittman of the American at Martinsville, said if we would forgive his negligence he would draw his check for three bucks. We told him we would if he would promise never to let it happen again. He promised. We made the acquaintance of Leon Jarodska and his mother, who operate the New Paris theatre at Paris. Leon knows the picture business from A to Z, and his mother is a delightful lady whom it is a pleasure to meet. The film boys say that Leon does not easily fall for their line of argument but we found him very courteous and docile and he and his mother were inducted into the HERALD-WORLD fold with appropriate ceremonies, Joe Hewitt officiating. Joe is quite some officiater. * * * We note by press despatches from Hollywood that another noted film celebrity has started action for divorce and makes one of the film stars co-respondent. If Pennsylvania had as many Democrats as Hollywood has co-respondents, Al would have carried that state hands down and no contest. We would like to know why Bill Rogers don't look after things a little better out there. * * * Russell Armentrout drove over from Pittsfield to Jacksonville, a distance of 40 miles, just to see what we looked like. He found us a very much handsomer man than he expected. He says that our picture, which Jay has the audacity to run at the head of our colyum, fails to do us justice and says we would be entitled to recover in an action for damages. We had a most delightful evening with Russell, and as a regular fellow, we have him listed on the front page of our album of celebrities. He's a HERALD-WORLD fan, and that makes him 100 per cent plus with us. * * * Please stop asking us about "talking pictures" and "sound." We have heard that subject discussed until we have either got the headache or cholera morbus, or both, and we can't tell which. The trade papers are full of it, we hear it discussed in the theatres, the hotels and on the streets, and there are only two things that we know positively, one is that the theatres having sound are doing remarkable business, and the other is that 95 per cent of the people we talk to about it in the theatres, hotels and on the streets, say they don't like it. If you ask us our individual opinion about it, we will say that it is the bunk, but our individual opinion isn't worth a skinned onion. Vox Pop is the fellow you are interested in, and if Vox Pop likes it that's all there is to it, so proceed at your own risk. If you take a shot at the rabbit and hit Bill Smith's mule that's your hard lurk. We don't know a damthing about it nor don't want to know. If they want sowbelly and corn pone, don't give 'em custard pie. If they want gafilter-fish, don't give 'em liver smothered in onions on Friday. Do anytbing to keep peace in the family and the sheriff off the premises. That's the way we feel about it, after spending the evening with Joe Hewitt and his "esteemable" wife, and since it is now 12 o'clock midnight, we don't want any "sound" until 8 in the morning, and then just as little as possible. J. C. JENKINS, The llERALDWORLD man. Paramount VARSITY: Buddy Rogers — 40%. Very Rood entertainment. Conklin stole the picture and did not know it. Six reels. — Elmer E. Gailey, Gny theatre, Wnyne, Neb. — Small town patronage. THE WATER HOLE: Jnck Holt^DifTcrent from the usuaI Zane Grey story, but it sure pleased, although It did not draw as good an expected. Seven reels. — Dewey L. KJsor. Sterling theatre, Fairmont, Neb. — Small town patronage. WARMING UP: Klchard Dix— 17%. A very good picture that drew a little better than average on a weak night. Eight reels. — Mrs. Huldn J. Green, Gem theatre, Greenriver, Utah. — Genernl patronage. THE WEDDING MARCH: Special east— 18%. November 28-29. The poorest Paramount picture I have played this year, not much of a story and has the poorent photography imaginable. There is about 200 feet of technicolor that is very foggy, makes you think your projectors are out of focus. I advertised this very highly and raised the price of admission. Only a few came and I was glad of It. Any program picture that I have run this year 1b better entertainment than thin one. Fourteen reels. — O. A. Hal stead. Coxy theatre, Duchosne, Utah. — General patronage. THE DRAG NET: George Bancroft— 65%. December 1. A real underworld picture. Swell acting but some Bcenes not for the kids. Paramount pictures are consistent money-makers for us as they have a certain twist or snap to them that puts them over. All hail the first film company that rents us records that will correctly cue their pictures on our home-made "Vitaphone and Movietone." Eight reels. — E. C. Arehart, Auditorium theatre. Laurel, Neb. — General patronage. EASY COME. EASY GO: Richard Dix— November 27. Good picture and pleased our crowd, like al! of Richard's. We ran it on our third anniversary, had a newsreel and an orchestra and had a good crowd. We celebrate our anniversary every year. The special shows always bring the crowds. Six reels. — Robert K. Yancey, Bonny theatre, Mansfield, Mo. — General patronage. SHANGHAI BOUND: Richard Dbc— 4»%. November 23-24. An old picture, you could tell it by the print — but drew well for us against a basketball game the first night and a lodge "rinkus" the second night. Dix always goes good hero and Mary Brian is popular. Terrible print. Photography fair. Six reels. — Wolfe & Williams, Screenland theatre, Nevada, Ohio. — Small town patronage. THE WEDDING MARCH: Special cast— 16%. Terrible from the entertainment viewpoint, great from that of production. Fourteen reels. — Elmer E. Gailey, Gay theatre, Wayne, Neb. — Small town patronage. HOT NEWS: Bebe Daniels— 20%. November 21 22. Hot dogl Here is a snappy entertainment with Bebe working overtime. Another news reel story, but the best yet. Pleased everyone and howl Seven reels. — S. B. Kennedy, Central theatre, Selkirk, Man. — General patronage. HOT NEWS: Bebe Daniels— 27%. November 15. A very small crowd out to the best Bebe Daniels we've eeen. Cold and rainy weather had a lot todo with it. Six reels. — Mrs. Hulda J. Green, Gem theatre, Greenriver, Utah. — General patronage. HOT NEWS: Bebe Daniels— A very good story of the news reel, with plenty of comedy and thrills. Seven reels. — Dewey L. Kisor, Sterling theatre, Fairmont, Neb. — Small town patronage. HOT NEWS: Bebe Daniels— 38%. November 24. A nice program picture with plenty of fast action. However, it failed to draw for us on a Saturday night, and we can't figure it out. The picture wao not at fault, as it was real good. Seven reels.— Paul B. Hoffman, Legion theatre, Holyrcod, Kan. — Small town patronage. DOCKS OF NEW YORK: George Bancroft— 40%. November 21-22. A high class picture of the underworld sort. Believe most people will like it. Eight reels. — O. A. Halstead, Cozy theatre, Duchesne, Utah. — General patronage. THE PATRIOT: Emil Jannings— 18%. Paid • big price and took a flop here. People didn't like it. Neither did I. Eleven reels. — Elmer E. Gailey, Gay theatre, Wayne, Neb. — Small town patronage. HALF A BRIDE: Special cast — 50%. November 10. A very good picture. Deals with companionate marriage. Don't be afraid to play this one. Six reels. — Mrs. C. I, White, Princess theatre, Sanderson, Texa6. — General patronage. LADIES OF THE MOB: Clara Bow— 38%. November 22. A good picture of the underworld type, but not of Clara Bow's type. Six reels. — Mrs. Hulda J. Green, Gem theatre, Greenriver, Utah. — General patronage. THE SHOWDOWN: George Bancroft— November 13. Four or five men fighting over one woman way down South of the equator makes a beautiful picture for children and young people to see. Thank goodness we only had a few to see it. Didn't draw at all, guess it smelled too bad. Dark photography. Seven reels. — Robert K. Yancey, Bonny theatre, Mansfield, Mo. — General patronage. KIT CARSON: Fred Thomson— 78%. November 24. A very good Western. They're still talking about it. Drew well in rainy weather. Seven reels. — Mrs. Hulda J. Green, Gem theatre, Greenriver, Utah. — General patronage. THE FIRST KISS: Wray-Cooper— Not much to it. Impossible story. Seven reels. — Dewey L. Kisor, Sterling theatre, Fairmont, Neb. — Small town patronage. THREE SINNERS: Pola Negri— November 21-22. A strong story perfectly acted by the entire cast Much above the average picture. Eight reels.— E. M. Biddle, Strand theatre, Pnoli, Ind.— Small town patronage OLD IRONSIDES: Special cast— 20%. November 28-29. Ow, did this hurt I There'll be no more holiday movies in this town I The few who attended wero loud in praine, and commiserated with Ul. saying that everyone should have seen the picture, but that didn't swell the old bank balance any.