Motion Picture Herald (Dec 1932 - Mar 1933)

60 MOTION PICTURE HERALD March 4, 1933 pictures, and there will be plenty of seconds to that motion. No business and no wonder. Lay off and save on apoloRies. Played Feb. 12. RunninK time, 84 minutes.— M. R. Harrington, State Theatre, Portland. Ore. General patronase. FAST LIFE: William Haines, Madfte Evans— •Good picture with lots of action and wisecracks. A boat race in the last reel that brings them onto the edge of the seats. Pleased our patrons. Played Feb. 19-20.— Gerald Stettmund, H. & S. Theatre, ■Chandler, Okla. Small town patronage. GRAND HOTEL: Greta Garbo, John Barrymore— Pleased the majority of our patrons and after all they are the ones to be satisfied. Drew a fairly good business considering the prior runs, but not enough extra to justify calling it a "Special," in any sense of the word. Great cast but Garbo came in for plenty panning while Lionel Barrymore seemed the favorite of our patrons. He's great, as is the rest of the cast, and they are all big names. Played Feb. S-6-7. Running time, 114 minutes. — M. R. Harrington, State Theatre, Portland, Ore. General patronage. GRAND HOTEL: All star— Not a small town picture, will please 50-50, but play it as it will get the ■white collars talking about your theatre. This picture almost put me out of business. I ofifered the salesman the receipts for the entire engagement and I would have been money ahead if he had accepted. But at that I am not sorry that I played it. — John Depaoli, Holtville Theatre, Holtville, Cal. Small town patronage. PROSPERITY: Marie Dressier, Polly Moran— We thought it Dressler's best to date. Entertainment from start to finish and what a finish. Good for your best days. Played Feb. 12-13.— D. E. Fitton, Lyric Theatre, Harrison, Ark. Small town patronage. PROSPERITY: Marie Dressier— Very good Dressier picture and will please. Zero weather caught us with this one and killed what business we might liave had. Feb. 9-10.— J. G. Caldwell, Princess Theatre, Aurora, Mo. Small town patronage. RED DUST: Clark Gable, Jean Harlow— Although we advertised this as not a picture for children, there was nothing offensive and what there might 'have been would certainly have gone over their heads. A very good picture. Another show that lives up to the reputation of good old Leo. They'll like this one, just get them in. Played Jan. 30-Feb. 1. Running time, 73 minutes. — G. A. Troyer, New Lyric Theatre, Rugby, N. D. Small town patronage. RED DUST: Jean Harlow, Clark Gable— These stars will pull in a few extra admissions. Gable takes the part of a cad. The same old story from the perverted master minds of production. The type of picture you will not buy after the Brookhart bill is passed. — Gerald Stettmund, H. & S. Theatre, Chandler, Okla. Small town patronage. Monogram THE THIRTEENTH GUEST: Ginger RogersOne of Monogram's mighty 32, poor sound, and very poorly acted. This company had better time their pictures to the 1933 times, as this picture reminded me of a fair 1929 talkie. The sound is terrible. Your patrons will walk out asking you what's the matter with your operator. As I am the operator, this makes me sore. — John Depaoli, Holtville Theatre, Holtville, Cal. Small town patronage. Paramount A FAREWELL TO ARMS: Gary Cooper. Helen Hayes — This may go over in the cities but out iere in the small towns it draws more criticism than comments. The acting is fine in it but the story is disgusting. At least it proved that way for me and I would advise you to see it before you l)ook it. The first one from Paramount that did not click for me. Running time, 78 minutes. — Harold Smith. Dreamland Theatre, Carson, Iowa. Rural patronage. THE BIG BROADCAST: Stuart Erwin, Bing CrosT>y — ^As they all say, this draws and pleases quite generally. The story connected with it is very poor but then you cannot expect a plot with a show of this kind. The stars are good and they please. Played Jan. 18. — H. J. Eagan, American Theatre, Wautoma, Wis. Rural patronage. THE BIG BROADCAST: Stuart Erwin, Bing Crosby— All that is praise could be mentioned about this picture as it certainly pleased 100 per cent. Although we had a very bad break in weather. Paramount can certainly be complimented for this production. Played Jan. 26-28. Running time, 86 minutes. — G. A. Troyer, New Lyric Theatre, Rugby, N. D. Small town patronage. THE BIG BROADCAST: Radio stars, Stuart Erwin, Lelia Hyams— A wow! Had to stick out the SRO sign for the first time in months. Business 200 per cent and the picture pleased everyone. Played Jan. 22-23. Running time, 80 minutes.— W. R. Stratton, Challis Theatre, Challis, Idaho. Small town patronage. BLONDE VENUS: Marlene Dietrich— Take Dietrich at her best, give her two lovers like Cary Grant and Herbert Marshall, a youngster like Dickie Moore, given plenty of footage, all expertly blended and a happy ending, you are sure to please the fans. The coldest spell in 15 years prevented any business to speak of. — J. E. Stocker, Myrtle Theatre, Detroit, Mich. General patronage. BROKEN WING: Lupe Velez— Although this picture was rather old I played it at the request of several patrons. I am glad I did as it drew a rather good crowd. The picture is of the program class and nothing extra. Played Feb. 3-4. Running time, 85 minutes.— W. R. Stratton, Challis Theatre, Challis, Idaho. Small town patronage. DANCERS IN THE DARK: Miriam Hopkins, Jack Oakie, George Raft — Booked this a couple of days before showing, account pulled a booking. If you have not played it, spot it in. Hopkins sings "St. Louis Blues" and does a good job of it. Played Feb. 9-10.— D. E. Fitton, Lyric Theatre, Harrison, Ark. Small town patronage. THE DEVIL IS DRIVING: Edmund Lowe, Wynne Gibson — This is a good snappy feature. Well acted with a convincing plot that held interest all the way. Played Feb. 10-11. Running time, 63 minutes. — E. D. Hilsinger, Liberty Opera House, Marathon, N. Y. Small town and country patronage. EVENINGS FOR SALE: Herbert Marshall, Sari Maritza — Entertaining picture that will please. Maritza looks like a comer. Sari, we would appreciate a picture for our lobby. Played Feb. 12-13.— J. G. Caldwell, Princess Theatre, Aurora, Mo. Small town patronage. HOT SATURDAY: Cary Grant, Nancy CarrollDid not seem to satisfy. Looked as if hastily thrown together. Just anything to make eight reels and give Grant a chance to show up with his mistress, whom he dismissed with a ten thousand dollar check when he sighted Carroll. Then he turns noble after Nancy has had a lot of trouble with small town gossip and over amorous or jealous boy friends. In a fast fifty-foot finish he decided to marry Nancy when she would have gone with him regardless. Stars did the best they could with Paramount's idea of a story. Played Feb. 19-20.— P. G. Estee. S. T. Theatre, Parker, S. D. Small town patronage.' HOT SATURDAY: Nancy Carroll— Nice picture. Did fair business for me. Running time. 73 minutes. — Harold Smith, Dreamland Theatre, Carson, Iowa. Rural patronage. IF I HAD A MILLION: All star— The box office champ for my theatre. Drew better than "The Big Broadcast," which is saying something. Pleased all, young and old.— John Depaoli, Holtville Theatre, Holtville, Cal. Small town patronage. LADY AND GENT: George Bancroft, Wynne Gibson— Here is one swell picture. One that will please the majority. I did not do over average on it as I had basketball competition, but I did not have to hid from the patrons who did see it as they passed out. Played Jan. 27-28. Running time, 80 minutes.— W. R. Stratton, Challis Theatre, Challis, Idaho. Small town patronage. MADAME RACKETEER: Alison Skipworth. George Raft— I was a little afraid of this one but am glad that I ran it. Pleased above average and is a corker for the small town. Played Jan. 21. Running time, 72 minutes.— W. R. Stratton, Challis Theatre, Challis, Idaho. Small town patronage. NIGHT OF JUNE 13: Clive Brook. Frances DeeJust as other exhibitors have said this is a crackerjack, in fact, the best Paramount for months and they have had some good ones. There is mystery, romance, action and the best all round comedy in any feature for years. This is what I call entertainment plus and better than a dozen socalled specials. Played Dec. 28.— H. J. Eagan, American Theatre, Wautoma, Wis. Rural patronage. NIGHT OF JUNE 13: Clive Brook, Frances Dee, Gene Raymond— Another fine picture from Paramount. If you can get them in they'll like this one. Those we had praised this one highly. Played Feb. 2-4. Running time, 78 minutes.— G. A. Troyer, New Lyric Theatre, Rugby, N. D. Small town patronage. SHE DONE HIM WRONG: Mae West, Gary Grant— West is excellent in the part she portrays but in these times the picture has no place. Am surprised that such a picture would be released by any producing company. It is a picture of the Bowery. No more like this for me if I know it. Played Feb. 14-15.— D. E. Fitton, Lyric Theatre, Harrison, Ark. Small town patronage. SHE DONE HIM WRONG: Mae West— It will please the adults, especially those that have lived in the time the picture depicts. Tell the kids to come some other time. Played Feb. 11.— J. G. Caldwell, Princess Theatre, Aurora, Mo. Small town patronage. THUNDER BELOW: Tallulah Bankhead, Charles Bickford — This picture was a fine flop so far as the story goes. Photography and sound excellent. Was very poor drawing card and business poor. Played Jan. 15-16. Running time, 69 minutes.— W. R. Stratton, Challis Theatre, Challis, Idaho. Small town patronage. TONIGHT IS OURS: Fredric March. Claudette Colbert — Excellent little picture. It was a pleasant surprise as I did not expect much as to entertainment but it was chockfuU of it. Do extra advertising and get the money. Bad weather, no business. Played Feb. 7-8.— D. E. Fitton, Lyric Theatre, Harrison, Ark. Small town patronage. TONIGHT IS OURS: Claudette Colbert, Fredric March — Very good entertainment. One situation rather suggestive and could have been left out without afifecting the story. I may be wrong, but I rather doubt if the average patron cared to be told that March spent the night with Colbert. Played Feb. 4. — J. G. Caldwell, Princess Theatre, Aurora, Mo. Small town patronage. TROUBLE IN PARADISE: Herbert Marshall, Miriam Hopkins, Kay Francis — A slow draggy plot so thickly interspersed with "Messieurs and Madames" as to be practically unintelligible to the average audience. Marshall gives a marvelous imitation of a dead man. Is that posture he assumes the masculine version of the debutante slouch? Maurice Chevalier might get away with this sort of rot, but not this Marshall lad with the shoe button eyes and the turned up nose. Played Feb. 17-18. Running time, 81 minutes. — E. D. Hilsinger, Liberty Opera House, Marathon, N. Y. Small town and country patronage. UNDER COVER MAN: George Raft, Nancy Carroll— Patrons seemed to like this tale of the police department under cover man, who was searching for his father's murderer. Both Raft and Carroll did clever work. — P. G. Estee, S. T. Theatre, Parker, S. D. Small town patronage. WILD HORSE MESA: Randolph Scott— Played this one on bargain night and it drew a large crowd. Pleased everyone. Played this with the opening chapter of "Last Frontier" which seems to be a very good serial, and the combination brought me the biggest crowd I've had on midweek in many a moon. — Harold Smith, Dreamland Theatre, Carson, Iowa. Rural patronage. RKO BILL OF DIVORCEMENT: John Barrymore— Advertised a four-star Liberty picture and the three that read Liberty magazine — my cashier, my doorman and myself — believe that Liberty should hire someone else to write up their reviews. This is a fair picture. No box office. Will please about SO per cent. — ^John Depaoli, Holtville Theatre, Holtville, Cal. Small town patronage. BIRD OF PARADISE: Dolores Del Rio, Joel McCrea — A picture that will go over in any small town and has good drawing power. Did 10 per cent better than average Sunday and Monday business. The scenery in this picture is very good and musical background tends to make this picture outstanding. Played Jan. 29-30. Running time, 80 minutes.— W. R. Stratton, Challis Theatre, Challis, Idaho. Small town patronage. BRING 'EM BACK ALIVE: (Frank Buck)— Boys, here is a box office natural. I advertised this one extensively and was well paid as it broke all house records for over a year. Most of my patrons thought that the picture was faked but all said they enjoyed it anyway so I guess that is all that counts. Played Feb. 5-6. Running time, 70 minutes.— W. R. Stratton, Challis Theatre, Challis, Idaho Small town patronage. THE CONQUERORS: Richard Dix, Ann Harding— For some reason this picture did not pull for us. It is a splendid production, that has received far too much adverse criticism in the fan magazines, which may be the answer. Certainly, it deserves far better notices, for it is almost an epic in story and production, and it will please, if you can get them in. Do not make comparisons with "Cimarron," for this one can be put over on its own merits. Played Feb. 1-2. Running time, 82 minutes. — M. R. Harrington, State Theatre, Portland, Ore. General patronage. THE HALF-NAKED TRUTH: Lee Tracy, Lupe Velez — A ribald, tawdry comedy too noisy to be enjoyable. Highly improbable plot but its speed and action undeniable. Velez is a cute little monkey and Tracy is acceptable. But when it comes to slapping his women around he's no James Cagney. There is a certain element in every community that will enjoy this one. Played Feb. 15-16. Running time, 75 minutes. — E. D. Hilsinger, Liberty Opera House, Marathon, N. Y. Small town and country patronage. HELL'S HIGHWAY: Richard Dix— Dix is good in this story of the prison road camps, but picture is rather strong and too brutal to be entertainment. Not the type our patrons care for, and a cold night did not help, so the box office suffered. Played Feb. 8-9. Running time, 63 minutes. — M. R. Harrington, State Theatre, Portland, Oregon. General patronage. HOLD 'EM JAIL: Wheeler & Woolsey— For the fans that are not tired of this pair, it will go over good. It is a real good comedy with lots of laughs. Played Jan. 12. — H. J. Eagan, American Theatre, Wautoma, Wis. Rural patronage. HOLD 'EM JAIL: Bert Wheeler. Robert Woolsey— We played this picture Sunday and Monday against zero weather and the picture done remarkable business in spite of the zero weather. It is the funniest picture we have run for a long time. House in uproar from start to finish. Positively one of their best. Don't be afraid to step on this one as it will do plenty of business at the box office and that's what counts. The "Millionaire Cat," a knockout two-reel comedy, played with the above feature attraction. — L. J. Bennett, Rialto Theatre, Pekin, 111. General patronage. LUCKY DEVILS: Bill Boyd, Dorothy WilsonAbout the "movie man stunt" but do not let your patrons know this as they will expect something thrilling and be disappointed. Two or three slight