Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Apr-Jun 1930)

54 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD April 26, 1950 all-talking is in large letters and rest is in small print. Just a little thing that we believe hurts everybody1 concerned. We covered it up and told them it was part-talking. It went over nicely at bargain prices. We lost money on it, however. — A. 1''. Botsford, Royal theatre, Ainsworth, Neb. — Small town patronage. LONE STAR RANGER (AT) : Special cast— No matter what Fox has done to you, this ought to atone for it. Everybody praised it and the countryside stormed our doors for a record-breaking twoday business. Give us more like it and give the dancing girls a rest. — A. F. Botsford, Royal theatre, Ainsworth, Neb. — Small town patronage. SEVEN FACES (AT): Paul Muni— What a flop this thing is. Some baby must have been drunk or crazy when they picked this one out for production. Rotten. — A. F. Botstord, Royal theatre, Ainsworth, Neb. — Small town patronage. NIX ON DAMES (AT) : Special cast — Personally do not care for these silly pictures. Too much laughter. I saw this at first run on so-called highpriced equipment and recording was poor, but it was somewhat better on my own machine (disc). Seven reels. — William Bosse, Jr., La Sirena theatre, Providence, R. I. — General patronage. EXALTED FLAPPER: Special cast — A dandy little picture. — Philip Rand, Rex theatre, Salmon, Idaho. — General patronage. STRONG BOY: Special cast — Funny, but no plot and too much McLaglen as leading man. He is good when only seen now and then, but not all evening. — Philip Rand, Rex theatre, Salmon, Idaho. — General patronage. THE SKY HAWK (AT): Special cast— April 5. Would have been a good offering if the recording had been good. As it was, you had to guess at the dialog. Only two reels in the entire reel that could be understood, which left a bad taste with our patrons. Some thrilling shots of a zeppelin raid saves it from a complete frost on account of the rotten recording. Seven reels. — E. F. Ingram, Ingram’s theatre, Ashalnd, Ala. — Small town pat ronage. SONG OF KENTUCKY (AT): Lois Moran— March 31. A very weak picture. The male lead unknown and nothing to rave over. Recording not so good, with one reel worse than terrible. Supposed to be a symphony orchestra, but I’d hate to say how bad it really sounds. Look and listen before you play this one. Seven reels. — E. F. Ingram, Ingram’s theatre, Ashland, Ala. — Small town pat ronage. PROTECTION: Special cast— March 24-25-26. Good program picture. Seven reels. — Benjamin Shnitka, Royal theatre, Innisfail, Alta., Canada.— Small town patronage. BEHIND THAT CURTAIN: Special cast— April 2. Another murder mystery, but without the elements to greatly interest the common herd. Played against a school pow-wow and came out second best. Seven reels. — O. B. Wolfe, Screenland theatre, Nevada, O. — Small town patronage. THE RIVER: Special cast — March 29. Just so-so. Not the sort of stuff they like here. Business light. Eight reels. — O. B. Wolfe, Screenland theatre, Nevada, O. — Small town patronage. THE GOLDEN CALF (AT): Special cast— Here’s a great little picture from Fox. Snappy dialog and music with a good cast headed by Sue Carol, Jack Mulhall, El Brendel and Marjorie White. El Brendel and Marjorie White steal all honors. Eight reels. — Warren L. Weber, Ellinwood theatre, Ellinwood, Kan. — Small town patronage. BIG TIME (AT): Special cast— March 22-23. A nice little program picture. Pleased them all. Recording on disc good. Eight reels. — M. Spector, Elite theatre, Kamsack, Sask., Canada. — General patronage. BIG TIME (AT) : Special cast — A 6well picture. Played it on the weekend and pleased 100 per cent. Disc recording good. — George Khattar, Casino theatre, Sydney, N. S., Canada. — General patronage. HOT FOR PARIS (AT) : Victor McLaglen — This picture is so thin a story and was cut so by censors that we would say it was not so hot. Not generally liked. — H. R. Cromwell, Bedford theatre, Bedford, Pa. — Small town patronage. HOT FOR PARIS (AT) : Special cast — April 5-6-7. Though equally as entertaining as “The Cockeyed World,” this picture failed to do the business. Rather rough in spots it may not be satisfactory in some towns. The women did not like it. — -S. B. Kennedy, Central theatre, Selkirk, Man., Canada. — General patronage. ROMANCE OF RIO GRANDE (AT): Warner Baxter — April 3-4. Only fair. Fox recording does not compare with MGM. The women’s voices are terrible. People are getting fed up on Mexican stuff. After “Rio Rita” all the rest fall so flat that they just seem like cheap imitations of the real thing. — Mrs. D. L. Morrison, Reliance theatre, Clermont, Fla. — Small town patronage. ROMANCE OF RIO GRANDE (AT): Warner Baxter — March 24-25. Why, oh why, will these producers insist upon mixing talking with effects and loud music? Fair picture with disc recording good where it has been mxed properly. Ten reels. — Lee Brewerton, Capitol theatre, Raymond, Alta., Canada. — General patronage. THEY HAD TO SEE PARIS (AT): Will Rogers — April 7-8-10. One of best yet. Good talking, good moral lesson. Fifi and Will great. Fifi has her clothes on all the time, notwithstanding reports to the contrary. Good business getter and bought right. If we did not have Fox to make up what we lose on others it would be just too bad. Ten reels. — Ray Shell, Strand theatre. Ransom, Kan. — Small town patronage. MGM THE SHIP FROM SHANGHAI (AT): Conrad Nagel — April 4-5. Such a pity they didn’t sink the cursed tmng before it left China. Recording worse than terrible.— J. S. Walker, Texas theatre. Grand Prairie, Tex. — General patronage. DEVIL MAY CARE (AT) : Ramon Novarro — April 9-10. An excellent picture, although the costume stuff keeps patrons away. This was a really interesting story, with action, comedy, not too much singing and no dancing, except for one short scene. They just couldn’t bring old Nap back from Elba without dragging in some kind of a chorus. Eleven reels. — J. S. Walker, Texas theatre. Grand Prairie, Tex. — General patronage. MARIANNE (AT) : Marion Davies — April 5. A wow. It has them entertained from the minute it starts. Eke and Benny a scream. If you have not played this one, do so or you are missing something.— G. B. Orne, Richmond theatre, Richmond, Vt. — Small town patronage. CHASING RAINBOWS (AT): Special cast— A good picture. Pleased 100 per cent, but paid too much for it. When MGM has anything like a good picture they want half of your theatre for it. It is worth a shade more than any program. Eleven reels. — M. Spector, Elite theatre, Kamsack, Sask., Canada. — General patronage. THE BISHOP MURDER CASE (AT) : Special cast — March 27-28-29. I do not know what to say about this picture. I watched it for three nights and did not know what it was all about. Very hard to follow. Recording on disc just fair. Nine reels. — M. Spector, Elite theatre, Kamsack, Sask., Canada. — General patronage. MADAME X (AT): Ruth Chatterton — A fine alltalking picture. Disc recording perfect. Ten reels. — William Bosse, Jr., La Sirena theatre, Providence, R. I., General patronage. SHOW PEOPLE: Special cast— Fair only. Did not take especially. — Philip Rand, Rex theatre, Salmon, Idaho. — General patronage. THUNDER: Lon Chaney — A dandy railroad drama, with Lon Chaney acting in a masterful manner. All characters fine, story fine, scenes fine. Play this up big. — Philip Rand, Rex theatre, Salmon, Idaho. — General patronage. BROTHERLY LOVE : Special cast — Dane and Arthur in slapstick war and home comedy. Ran Saturday night. Full of laughs. Pretty good. — Philip Rand, Rex theatre, Salmon, Idaho. — General patronage. THE STUDENT PRINCE: Norma Shearer— People divided in comment. Norma Shearer not just suited for the part. High class play. — Philip Rand, Rex theatre, Salmon, Idaho. — General patronage. ANNA CHRISTIE (AT): Greta Garbo— March 20. This may be okay for a large town but not for the small ones. Advertised well. Good business first day, third day a flop. We sold it as “Garbo’s first talkie.” Eight reels. — G. G. Mitchell, Imperial theatre, Newton, N. C. — Small town patronage. DREAM OF LOVE: Joan Crawford — April 1. Beautiful scenes, fine photography, convincing acting, altogether one of the most satisfactory features we have shown for months. — George Lodge, Green Lantern theatre, Claymont, Del. — General patronage. IT’S A GREAT LIFE: Duncan Sisters— March 29. This is not as big as it seems to be considered. First half very good, but middle and last just an average picture, not a special. — George Lodge, Green Lantern theatre, Claymont, Del. — General patronage. MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (TME) : Special cast— This one was not liked as it was so unreal. AH in technicolor, but it takes more than color to_ pull them in today. Synchronized and a little bit of talk. — H. R. Cromwell, Bedford theatre, Bedford, Pa. — Small town patronage. THE WOMAN RACKET (AT) : Special cast— April 4-5. Nothing new about the story, been used many times in both silent and talking picture. Aside from this, we have no criticisms. It’s an action picture, and, goodness knows, that’s. what the small town patrons want these days. Business fair. Recording very good on disc. Seven reels. — W. J. Powell, Lonet theatre, Wellington, O. — Small town patronage. MONTANA MOON (AT): Joan Crawford— Pleased 100 per cent. A real picture. Star perfectly cast. — Cranfill H. Cox, Crystal theatre, Gilmer, Tex.— General patronage. BROADWAY MELODY (MC) : Special cast— Here is a picture that is worth playing. Wonderful all You May RETURN the Guaranteed $1200 Radiotone TALKIE Equipment No down payment — just pay $100 each month while using. Test your business for 4 months, and if business is satisfactory, you have the privilege to make 8 more payments. Full credit for your first 4 pavments. At the end of a year the equipment is yours. No more payments. Written guarantee against defects. No weekly service charge. Free service instructions to your operator. Immediate installations for all locations and territories. Send for agreements. Home office : RADIOTONE PICTURES CORPORATION 729^k™"kVE through. Technicolor in Reel 8, with singing by King, is marvelous. Metro has the pictures. Disc recording perfect. All Metro recording good eo far. Ten reels. — William Bosse, Jr., La Sirena theatre, Providence, R. 1. — General patronage. BROADWAY MELODY (MC) : Special cast— A sensation and a KnucKout. Had the town raving about it. Disc recoruing good. — George Khattar, Casino theatre, Sydney, N. S., Canada. — General | patronage. BROADWAY MELODY (MC) : Special castplayed this one too late to do a big business with t it. Everybody who saw it seemed to be well pleased. Ten reels. — Parkside theatre, Clinton, la. — General patronage. HOLLYWOOD REVUE (MC) : Special cast— Had more adverse comments of this than any for some time. I consider it good entertainment and good enough to play anywhere, but the public wants stories to the pictures, and this one has no story at all. Print was pretty badly cut up. Recording nice and clear. — Harold Smith, Dreamland theatre, Carson, la. — General patronage. HOLLYWOOD REVUE (MC) : Special castMarch 2-3. Guess our patrons are tired of singing and dancing. . Lacked $1.80 of taking enough to pay for the picture. No fault of the picture, however. Possibly played it a little old. Extra-good recording on disc. Twelve reels. — W. J. Carter, Maxine theatre, Croswell, Mich. — Small town patronage. HOLLYWOOD REVUE (MC) : Special cast— Wonderful picture, well received. Print not in best of shapes. Three bad discs, otherwise perfect recordings. Marie Dressier in comedy skit carries off the honors. Paid too much to make any money on it. — Vick Millward, Harris theatre, Bancroft, Idaho. — Small town patronage. HOLLYWOOD REVUE (AT): Special casU-The greatest entertainment in talking pictures. The box office shows that business was terrible, but that was not the picture’s fault. — George Khattar, Casino theatre, Sydney, N. S., Canada. — General patronage. HOLLYWOOD REVUE (MC) : Special cast— Very good of its kind, but didn’t have much drawing power for us. Disc recording very good. Thirteen reels. — Parkside theatre, Clinton, la. — General patronage. NAVY BLUES (AT): William Haines — Good print. Fine recording. Everyone told us how well he liked it. All Metro recordings have been good. — Vick Millward, Harris theatre, Bancroft, Idaho. — Small town patronage. NAVY BLUES: William Haines — Fair picture with plenty of laughs. Haines always draws for us. Had many comments on this one. Seven reels. — H. G. Williams, Quanah theatre, Fletcher, Okla. — Small town patronage. SPEEDWAY (ME): William Haines— A good Haines picture that doesn’t talk. Some like this star but a lot of the regulars say he is too silly. — A. F. Botsford, Royal theatre, Ainsworth, Neb. — Small town patronage. SPEEDWAY (ME) : William Haines— April 4. Fair silent with a talking price. Was charged twice too much for it. Lost money as usual. When the exchanges get it all and we close, wonder who will pay their bills then ? Eight reels. — Ray Shell, Strand theatre, Ransom, Kan. — Small town patronage. LORD BYRON OF BROADWAY (AT): Special cast — March 23. This i6 good but no star. Trying to put over a picture without a star is like trying to put a new drink on the market. Nine reels. — G. G. Mitchell, Imperial theatre, Newton, N. C.— Small town patronage. LORD BYRON OF BROADWAY (AT): Special cast— April 1-2. This is one of the best pictures we have run since installing sound. Everybody enjoyed it and talked about it for days. Did not draw well on account of star being unknown. Recording is perfect. Eight reels. — Mrs. L. D. Morrison, Reliance theatre, Clermont, Fla. — Small town patronage. HALLELUJAH (AT) : Special cast — March 9-10. Don't know just what to say about this one. Had some walkouts. Guess just too much revival. Could have been shortened to very good advantage. Anyway, we don’t want to show another one like it for a long time. Recording on disc good. Good print. Ten reels. — W. J. Carter, Maxine theatre, Cro6well, Mich. — Small town patronage. HALLELUJAH : Special cast — Fair picture but think they carried the jubilee too far. Otherwise, was a fair picture and was well acted. Seven reels. — H. G. Williams, Quanah theatre, Fletcher, Okla.Small town patronage. UNTAMED (AT) : Joan Crawford — This picture was liked by everyone and Ernest Torrence is great. People still talking about this one. . It has action, suspense, comedy and all the essentials to make it good. Robert Montgomery was good. Good recording. — H. R. Cromwell, Bedford theatre, Bedford, Pa. — Small town patronage. UNTAMED (AT) : Joan Crawford — A story that has been done several times before but proved to be fairly good at the box office. Would rate this as a good program picture. — A. F. Botsford, Royal theatre, Ainsworth, Neb. — Small town patronage. Paramount SAWDUST PARADISE: Esther Ralston— Our patrons did not care for this one. Seven reels.— Parkside theatre, Clinton, la. — General patronage. THE LADY LIES (AT) : Special cast — A very good picture as a whole. Not for small towns, though. Too much society pictures and back stage, also. Running them into the ground. Had four sets of discs, all bad. run them and they go out of tune. Fair recording. Get all the discs they have when you play it, for you will need them. Eight reels. — Arthur W. Howard, New Strand theatre, Monon, Ind.— Small town patronage.