Motion Picture Herald (Dec 1932 - Mar 1933)

44 MOTION PICTURE HERALD February 18, 1933 ran it on uiir cheap admission nicUt and it pleased, but drew very poorly. 25% below the average for this night. Played Jan. 27. Running time, 70 mmutes.— i). M. Farrar, Orpheiim Theatre, Harnsburg, 111. Small city patronage. TOO BUSY TO WORK: Will Rogers— One of the most pleasing pictures Rogers ever made, but it seems that Rogers tans are becoming fed up on his style. There has been a steady drop in business on each of his last three pictures, with this the best of the three, doing 35% below the average business he did on the first of the three. But when you play this one you have a real show and a clean one that the whole family can come to see and all sit together Played Jan. 22-23. Running time, 77 minutes.— S. M. Farrar, Orpheum Theatre, Harnsburg, 111. Small city patronage. TOO BUSY TO WORK: Will Rogers— Good. Did more than average business but not too much. Role suits Rogers and he can handle it. Quite a number of laughs and the Rogers fans will like it. Played Jan. 18-19.— Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kan. Small town patronage. TOO BUSY TO WORK: Will Rogers— Drew well and pleased. I wish that we could get more like this instead of so many gruesome pictures. Played Jan. 24-25.— Edith Fordyce, Princess Tlieatre, Selma, La. General patroiia.ge. Mascot PRIDE OF THE LEGION: Sally Blaine, Barbara Kent— The title hurt the business. Most people thought it was a war picture. It is full of action and is O K. The poorest business on Saturday for months.— W. "H. Hardman, Royal Theatre, Frankfort, Kansas. Small town patronage. MGM FAITHLESS: Tallulah Bankhead, Robert Montgomery—Just a fair picture. Very poor stuff for the small town. The acting, is good. It did not draw film rental.— W. H. Hardman, Royal Theatre, Frankfort, Kansas. Small town patronage. IFAITHLESS: Tallulah Bankhead, Robert Montgomery— Very good picture that failed to draw. Bankhead has a better role than she has had heretofore. Montgomerj; good. This picture pleased the few that came in spite of adverse criticisms. Running time, 75 minutes.— Howard B. Schuessler, La Fayette Theatre, La Fayette, Ala. Small town patronage. FLESH: Wallace Beery— Boys, book Beery in "Flesh." Tlie public knows he is good. But in this picture he wins them all. Also give Ricardo Cortez plenty room in this picture. And next comes Karen Morley. She sure should get the glittering stars marked up to her credit for her wonderful part she played in this picture. I cannot help but think when she is known better she will be in the big star class. —Walter Odom, Sr., Dixie Theatre, Durant, Miss. General patronage. THE MASK OF FU MANCHU: Boris Karloff— Probably a good picture of its kind. Did not take in film rental. People in my town do not want horror pictures. — W. H. Hardman, Royal Tlieatre, Frankfort. Kansas. Small town p^atronage. PROSPERITY: Marie Dressier, Polly Mpran— Did a good business with more than usual advertising, and the picture satisfied everybody. I was under the impression that this wasn't so good as the others but most of my people were enjoying every bit of it. Paid enough more for this to offset any extra business, but glad I ran it. Played Jan. 23-24-25.— Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kan. Small town patronage. PROSPERITY: Marie Dressier, Polly Moran— Extra good picture to above average business. Business first night not so hot but the second night v/e stood 'em in the aisles. Story dealing with banks and bank failings. Suppose these bank stories will be the next epidemic. Played Dec. 23-24. — Robert K. Yancey, Paradise Theatre, Cotter, Ark. Railroad and general patronage. PROSPERITY: Marie Dressier. Polly Moran— This one pleased the older folks best. It is a good comedy. Drew only fair for me. — W. H. Hardman, Royal Theatre, Frankfort, Kansas. Small town patronage. PROSPERITY: Marie Dressier— G.ood entertainment. Not a special. — Fletcher, Lyric Theatre, Hartington, Neb. General patronage. RED DUST: Jean Harlow— A good picture. Extra drawing power. — Fletcher, Lyric Theatre, Hartington, Neb. General patronage. RED DUST: Jean Harlow, Clark Gable— Well, it seems you have this picture sold to the public as they tell you how good it is before you play it. The one thing Metro believes in is advertising. It helps us bill its pictures. — Walter O'dom, Sr., Dixie Theatre, Durant, Miss. General patronage. SMILIN' THRU: Norma Shearer. Fredric March— A very fine picture. Well produced. It drew just a fair business. It pleased the older folks better than the young ones. — W. H. Hardman, Royal Tlieatre. Frankfort, Kansas. Small town patronage. SMILIN* THRU: Norma Shearer, Fredric March— A wonderful nicture, one you can be proud to present to your patrons. Pleased 100 per cent in our case and several came the second time. Business a little above average. Played Jan. 29-30-31. Running time, 99 minutes.— M. R. Harrington, State Theatre, Portland, Oregon. General patronage. SMILIN' THRU: Norma Shearer— Very fine picture. Extra drawing power. — Fletcher, Lyric Theatre, Hartington, Neb. General patronage. STRANGE INTERLUDE,: Norma Shearer, Clark Gable — A remarkable production, and will create quite a bit of discussion. Some of our customers have not yet decided whether they liked it or not. Not a small town picture, and tell the kiddies to come some other time. I thought Shearer aged too fast. Played Jan. 20-27.— J. G. Caldwell, Princess Theatre, Aurora, Mo. Small town patronage. STRANGE INTERLUDE: Norma Shearer, Clark Gable — A real good picture. Very deep acting which pleases the higher class. Working class of people don't seem to care for this much, although we had a few. Business good first night. The second night dropped very low. Played Jan. 23-24. — Cecil Ward, Roxy Theatre, Martinsville, Va. Mixed patronage. WHISTLING IN THE DARK: Ernest Truex, Una Merkel — A nice picture. Truex fine. Others in support stood out. Una Merkel not so hot. Nothing to her in this but her cute little Southern dialect. Nothing in name drai^f, and title gave impression of another freak thriller instead of a laffthrill, which it was. Business below average. Played Jan. 29-30. — Joe Hewitt^ Lincoln Theatre. Robinson, 111. General patronage. Monogram GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY: Betty Compson, Tom Douglas — Poor work in this production. Direction not so good. This picture was not worth showing to audience. Played Jan. 30. Running time, 72 minutes.— William Dabb, Lyric Theatre, Shenandoah, Pa. General patronage. THE THIRTEENTH GUEST: Ginger Rogers, Lyle Talbot — Good mystery picture. Should do good any place. A lot of chills will run iip and down your back. Good work for Rogers and Talbot. Recording not so good. Played Feb. 1-2. Running time, 67 minutes. — William Dabb, Lyric Theatre, Shenandoah, Pa. General patronage. Paramount THE BIG BROADCAST: Bing Crosby, Stuart Erwin — A good picture but no business due to bad weather. Played Dec. 12-13-14.— J. O. Smith, Dixie Theatre, Lineville, Ala. Small town patronage. THE BIG BROADCAST: All star— Excellent entertainment and almost doubled average business for the run. Radio names the big draw for this picture. Played Jan. 7. Running time, 85 minutes. — ^V. C. Wenkler, Colonel Theatre, Erie, Pa. General patronage. THE BIG BROADCAST: Stuart Erwin, Bing Crosby— Here is one swell picture that will please almost 100 per cent. Radio fans eat it up, and does that boy Crosby pull in the fair sex? Shows many of the radio favorites in action and they mean box office. Story may be weak, as many critics have claimed," But who cares, for it is real entertainment. Business great. Played Jan. 22-23-24. Running time, 86 minutes. — M. R. Harrington, State Theatre, Portland, Oregon. General patronage. BLONDE VENUS: Marlene Dietrich— My idea of nice, clean, peppy entertainment. Not heavy, but holds your audience, and pleases. Here is a girl that has Garbo backed off the map. Don't have to pay ten times what a picture is worth to run her offerings. Increased business on this. Played Jan 15. Running, time, 93 minutes. — S. J. Smith, Unique Theatre, Sisseton, S. D. Small town patronage. BLONDE, VENUS: Marlene Dietrich— Consider this the best picture we have played this season. Only fair draw due to bad weather, but pleased all who saw it. Music score adds much to picture. Sound, direction and photography perfect. Played Oct. 31Nov. 1-2. Running time, 85 minutes. — J. O. Smith, Dixie Theatre, Lineville, Ala. Small town patronage. THE DEVIL IS DRIVING: Edmund Lowe— I saw this one out of town but considered it a very good piece of entertainment. Some good wisecracks and some good action. Different racketeering line exposed. Dickie Moore does_ his bit. — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kan. Small town patronage, THE DEVIL IS DRIVING: Edmund Lowe, Wynne Gibson— Better than average program action picture. Holds interest. Players well cast. Good Saturday show. Played Jan. 24-25.— D. E. Fitton, Lyric Theatre, Harrison, Ark. Small town patronage. THE DEVIL IS DRIVING: Edmund Low^ Nothing to write home about, but will please the customers that want some fast thrills. — J. G. Caldwell, Princess Theatre, Aurora, Mo. Small town patronage. A FAREWELL TO ARMS: Helen Hayes. Gary Cooper — The customers did not care about seeing it, but nevertheless it's a fine show. Would say too many tears for this depression. Our customers want their entertainment light and fluffy. Played Feb. 2-3. — J. G. Caldwell, Princess Theatre, Aurora, Mo. Small town patronage. FAREWELL TO ARMS: Gary Cooper, Helen Haves —A great show that pleased all. Great advertising possibilities. Get behind it.— Charles Niles, Niles Theatre, Anamosa, Iowa. General patronage. GUILTY AS HELL: Edmund Lowe, Victor McLaglen — Good interesting picture. The title kept women away. The picture pleased. Played Feb. 3-4. — W. H. Hardman, Royal Theatre, Frankfort, Kansas. Small town patronage. HERITAGE OF THE DESERT: Randolph ScottHere is another Zane Grey story well done and will please the average audience 100 per cent. Played Feb. 2. Running time, 60 minutes. — S. J. Smith, Unique Theatre, Sisseton, S. D. Small town patronage. HERITAGE OF THE DESERT: Sally Blane, Randolph Scott — Zane Grey's name pulled them in on this one. Saturday business slightly above average. Seemed to please. Hardly any better than usual westerns. Running time, 57 minutes. — Howard B. Schuessler, La Fayette Theatre, La Fayette, Ala. Small town patronage. HORSE FEATHERS: Four Marx Brothers— Funny, and when you say that it's enough. People want to laugh. This is silly, but th^y like something just like this once in a while. Do think they could be better than they were in this particular offering. However, it 'was plenty funny. Played Jan. 8. Running time, 73' minutes. — S. J. Smith, Unique Theatre, Sisseton, S. D. Small town patronage. HOT SATURDAY: Nancy Carroll, Gary GrantVery entertaining picture, but N. G. at box office. Played Dec. 5-6-7.— J. O. Smith, Dixie Theatre, Louisville, Ala. Small town patronage. IF I HAD A MILLION: AH star— This picture was well liked here. A new idea. So many complete stories all blended together seems like one could indeed be hard to please if some part of this picture failed to register. Not half bad, you tell 'em so. Played Jan. 22-23. — ^Ned Pedigo, Deluxe Theatre, Garber, Okla. General patronage. LOVE ME TONIGHT: Maurice Chevalier— Not bad. Had several comments on this. However, I'm of the opinion that this boy had his day. Nothing objectionable as far as the story is concerned, although it had been severely criticized by a few cranks. Pay no attention to this. Played Jan. 22. Running time, 104 minutes. — S. J. Smith, Unique Theatre, Sisseton, S. D. Small town patronage. MADISON SQUARE GARDEN: Jack O'akie, Marian Nixon — Pleasing picture with plenty of action and comedy. A much more pleasing, picture than was expected. A show for the whole family. Played Jan. 31. — J. G. Caldwell, Princess Theatre, Aurora, Mo. Small town patronage. MADISON SQUARE QARDEN: Jack Oakie, Marian Nixon — Good sports picture with plenty of action. Especially pleased the men. Played Dec. 1-2-3. — J. O. Smith, Dixie Theatre, Lineville, Ala. Small town patronage. MADISON SQUARE GARDEN: Jack Oakie, Marian Nixon — Good, fast moving, clean entertainment that pleased most of our patrons. Even those who do not care for fight pictures thought this one good. Many famous names in the sport world add interest. Fine for the kids. Business above average. Played Jan. 20-21. Running time, 74 minutes. — M. R. Harrington, State Theatre, Portland, Oregon. General patronage. MOVIE CRAZY: Harold Lloyd— Not bad for entertainment. However, Lloyd is wiped up as far I'm concerned. Just an ordinary pleasing picture. No drawing power at box office. Not as good as some of his past pictures. Goodbye Lloyd. Played Jan, 29. Running time, 95 minutes. — S. J. Smith, Unique Theatre, Sisseton, S. D. Small town patronage. MOVIE CRAZY: Harold Lloyd, Constance Cummings — Good draw first day. No business second day. Harold Lloyd will have to make more pictures if he don't want the public to forget him. Constance Cummings good in this. Played Jan. 16-17. Running time, 96 minutes. — J. 01 Smith. Dixie Theatre, Lineville, Ala. Small town patronage. NIGHT AFTER NIGHT: George Raft, Constance Cummings — Good picture but stars are not known here, so did not gross film rental. Played Oct. ^29-30.— J. O. Smith. Dixie Theatre, Lineville, Ala. Small town patronage. NIGHT AFTER NIGHT: George Raft, Constance Cummings — Action set in a big city speakeasy. The tale of a few nights in the lives of the people who frequented the place, once a residence in a high class neighborhood. Kept free of sex and proved interesting. A strain of humor relieving the drama. Played Tan. 29-30. Running time, 70 minutes.— P. G. Estee, S'. T. Theatre, Parker, S. D. Small town patronage. NIGHT AFTER NIGHT: George Raft, Constance Cummings, Wynne Gibson — A fine picture, above the program class. Splendid cast. Mae West caused the most favorable comment from patrons. Not a "gangster" picture such as we have had in the past, though it runs along, these lines. Business a little above average, and patrons well pleased. Played Jan. 27-28. Running time, 70 minutes. — M. R. Harrington, State Theatre, Portland, Oregon. General patronage. THE NIGHT OF JUNE 13: Clive Brook. Frances Dee. Gene Raymond— Here is a murder and courtroom drama that is superior and different. Holds your interest every second. Charles Grapewin almost steals