Motion Picture Herald (Apr-Jun 1933)

April I , 19 3 3 MOTION PICTURE HERALD 35 With a different ending this picture would do 50% more business in the small towns. We have had a lot of pictures lately in which a sad death occurs at the end of the picture, and completely spoils an evening's entertainment. People want to relax. They want to see their hero or heroine live, not die some horrible death. Just think what fine pictures the following would have been with pleasant endings: "I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang," "Madam Butterfly," "Life Begins," "The Sign of the Cross" and "One Way Passage," just to mention a few. Why not make two endings and give an exhibitor his choice. Played Feb. 26-28.— S. H. Rich, Rich Theatre, Montpelier, Idaho. Small city patronage. HELLO EVERYBODY: Kate Smith, Sally Blane, Randolph Scott— Made for the small town. Kate Smith is the whole show. Our patrons liked it, but did not rave about it. Miss Smith sings several songs that fit in with the story. Clean and wholesome. Played Mar. 12-13.— D. E. Fitton, Lyric Theatre, Harrison, Ark. Small town patronage, MADAME BUTTERFLY: Sylvia Sidney, Gary Grant — Splendid presentation of the old stage opera, with Sylvia Sidney doing the best work of her career. Cary Grant O. K. and Ruggles added his clever comedy bits. Played Mar. 19-20. Running time, 88 minutes.— P. G. Estee, S. T. Theatre, Parker, S. D. Small town patronage. THE MYSTERIOUS RIDER: Kent Taylor— A good Zane Grey western. But where, oh where are the old western fans? No business on good western pictures any more. The farmers are all broke and they were the backbone of this class of picture. — S. H. Rich, Rich Theatre, Montpelier, Idaho. Small town patronage. NIGHT AFTER NfCHT: George Raft— This picture compares favorably with tfie season's best. Plenty of action for the action fans and enough high class society element for the romantically inclined. Paramount gave Raft his chance and it is too bad that he should walk out at this stage of his career before he has had a chance to become really box oflfice. Drawing power of this above average. — J. E. Stocker, Myrtle Theatre, Detroit, Mich. General patronage. NO MAN OF HER OWN: Clark Gable, Carole Lombard — Here is good entertainment. Gable's best. Miss Lombard is a peach and Grant Mitchell adds the chuckles. It's program class. Not special. Played Mar. 9-10. D. E. Fitton, Lyric Theatre, Harrison, Ark. Small town patronage. SHE DONE HIM WRONG: Mae West— I am oyer 40 and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this picture. I think all adults got a great kick out of it and it did a very good business both nights. It has everything for an evening's entertainment. Kids may not like it. Played March 8-9.— S. H. Rich, Rich Theatre, Montpelier, Idaho. Small city patronage. SHE DONE HIM WRONG: Mae West— Rather spicy but a darn fine show that pleased 100%. Had no kicks and did a nice business for midweek. Kept the kids out, thereby using an old gag that will produce extra business if not used too often. Played Mar. 1-2.— H. R. Hisey, State Theatre, Nashville, 111. General patronage. SIGN OF THE CROSS: Fredric March, Elissa Landi, Claudette Colbert— Just what you would expect from DeMille. It's the biggest (not the greatest) picture produced in 1932. You can see the master hand in directing this spectacle. The cast is excellent, and a mint of money was spent in producing it. I would say that every adult in every community should see it, but unfortunately Pararnount or DeMille had to put on another sad ending which completely kills the picture in the small town. I'll say it's a great picture, a great story, a great cast, and a great flop at the box office. I am no producer, and never made a dollar in the show business yet, but I'll bet every dime I can borrow, that if Paramount will change the ending on this picture it will do 50% more business in every situation, large or small. — S. H. Rich, Rich Theatre, Montpelier, Idaho. Smal city patronage. TROUBLE IN PARADISE: Miriam Hopkins, Herbert Marshall, Kay Francis— Pleasing, suitable modern sophisticated entertainment. A story of clever crooks who get away with it. Not very uplifting, from a moral viewpoint, but done in a foreign locale in such a humorous vein that few will take exception to the nature of the story. Cleverly done and very amusing, especially to the more intelligent classes. Drawing power average. — J. E. Stocker, Myrtle Theatre, Detroit, Mich. General patronage. RKO THE CONQUERORS: Richard Dix— The only show RKO has made in a long time that is really entertaining. This is real good and had many good comments, although it drew no extra business. Played Mar. 8. — H. J Eagan, American Theatre, Wautoma, Wis. Rural patronage. LUCKY DEVILS: Bill Boyd, Dorothy Wilson— If you run western or action pictures on Saturday, it will make you a fairly good show. Just a few good stunts with a light story. Played Mar. 11.— D. E. Fitton, Lyric Theatre, Harrison, Ark. Small town patronage. THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME: Joel McCrea, Fay Wray — Very well made picture of its kind. Average business. Played Mar. 11-12. — Roy W. Adams, Mason Theatre, Mason, Mich. Small town patronage. ROCKABYE: Constance Bennett— Not so hot in spite of a high priced star. It pleased about 50% and drew about 85% average business. Just a picture. Played March 10-11.— S. H. Rich, Rich Theatre, Montpelier, Idaho. Small city patronage. SECRETS OF THE FRENCH POLICE: Gwili Andre, Frank Morgan — Oever detective story that pleased Friday and Saturday crowds. Played Mar. 10-11. Running time, 58 minutes. — P. G. Estee, S. T. Theatre, Parker, S. D. Small town patronage. SPORT PARADE: Joel McCrea— No stars and the title did not help so it didn't draw film rental. It is a fair program picture. Played Feb. 28. — H. J. Eagan, American Theatre, Wautoma, Wis. Rural patronage. THIRTEEN WOMEN: All star cast— A very good program picture. Played Mar. 7-8. — Bert Silver, Silver l-"amily Theatre, Greenville, Mich. Town and country patronage. Tower E^XPOSURE: Lila Lee and all star cast— A splendid entertaining picture. This star always good. Rest of cast fine. Story better than average program pictures.— Bert Silver, Silver Family Theatre, Greenville, Mich. Town and country patronage. Universal PRIVATE JONES: Lee Tracy— Not so good as some of Tracy's previous pictures. However, will please and get additional business. Played Feb. 2223'.H. R. Hisey, State Theatre, Nashville, 111. General patronage. PRIVATE JONES: Lee Tracy— Another good pictue for Lee Tracy. He takes full advantage of the part ot a drafted soldier who did not want any part of the war, and who peeled potatoes most of the time he was in it. It is a good story, has plenty of comedy, and will please all who come to see it. Give it extra advertising. It deserves it. Played Mar. 1213. Running time, 85 minutes. — Steve Farrar, Orpheum Theatre, Harrisburg, IlL Small city patronage. PRIVATE JONES: Lee Tracy, Gloria Stuart This is great entertainment for any theatre. The star as good as any of these. He has a style all his own and has a following. Balance of cast fine. Story good. Played Mar. 12-13'. — Bert Silver, Silver Family Theatre, Greenville, Mich. Town and country patronage. STRANGERS OF THE EVENING: Zasu Pitts, Lucien Littlefield — Good Saturday night mysterycomedy. Did not draw any extra business, but pleased the ones who came. Played Mar. 17-18.— Edith M. Fordyce, Princess Theatre, Selma, La. General patronage. Warner THE BIG STAMPEDE: John Wayne— One of the best westerns that we have ever fun. John \Vayne is a real he-man as a cowboy and he keeps the interest up all the way through. Should be good in any spot. Played Mar. 9. Running time, 55 minutes. — B. .\. McConnell, Emerson Theatre, Hartford, Ark. Small town patronage. BLESSED EVENT: Lee Tracy— What a picture! Every man, woman and child will be pleased with this one. Quite a number came back the second night to see it ^ver again. This boy Tracy fits the part to a T. Step on it and date it an extra day or two and it will hold up. No business here, because there is no business, but boy, what a picture. — S. H. Rich, Rich Theatre, Montpelier, Idaho. Small city patronage. FORTY-SECOND STREET: Ruby Keeler, Warner Baxter, Bebe Daniels— Well we are back in the show business. At last we have a picture to offer the public that gives them real entertainment, and how they go for it. No musical made so far compares with this one. What a performance Baxter gives. Daniels also makes good, and Keeler wins the hearts of everyone. Here is a picture that proves that it does not take money to make a box office picture. This one did not cost Warner Brothers a great deal to make, but it is going to make up at the box office for a lot of the pictures that have failed to make good for us on the Warner program this year. Give this all the playing time it will stand in your town. Get behind it with all you have. It's the best show we have had in many, many months. Here is hoping that we don't have fifty of the same pattern in the next six months. Played Mar. 17-18-19. Running time, SO minutes.—Steve Farrar, Orpheum Theatre, Harrisburg, 111. Small city patronage. I AM A FUGITIVE FROM A CHAIN GANG: Paul Muni — Certainly a great picture. Wonderful acting and gave 100% satisfaction to those that like this type of pictures. Played Mar. 19-20.— Bert Silver, Silver FOR LEASE ON PERCENTAGE Gayety Theatre, St. Loub, Mo. SEATS 1.600 SOUND EQUIPMENT $40,000 IMPROVEMENTS L. M. CRAWFORD, Owner 321 E. William St. Wichita, Kansas Family Theatre, Greenville, Mich. Town and country patronage. MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM: Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray — If you have a community that goes for thrill pictures this is a daisy. Color fine and several scenes that will make your hair curl. Personally, this type of subject is poison to me. Well directed and acted. Played Mar. 8-9.— H. R. Hisey, State Theatre, Nashville, 111. General patronage. ONE WAY PASSAGE: William Powell, Kay Francis, Aline MacMahon — A fine little picture with a "Grand Hotel" idea. All the action taking place on a boat. I enjoyed it more than I did the socalled special "Grand Hotel." The patrons also seemed to enjoy this one. Plenty of fine comments, but business was pretty bad owing to conditions. Give this one a little extra advertising. It has Aline MacMahon in it and as usual she gives a real performance. What a fine actress this girl is. Played Mar. 15-16. Running time, 67 minutes. — Steve Farrar, Orpheum Theatre, Harrisburg, 111. Small city patronage. A SUCCESSFUL CALAMITY: George Arliss— An excellent picture with a good story and cast. Just the right kind of a picture for times like these. Nothing could we more appreciate. I call it the best (not the greatest) picture Arliss ever made. Play it on family night or Sunday. It's clean, and that's saying a great deal nowadays. Played Mar. 1-2.— S. H. Rich. Rich Theatre, Montpelier, Idaho. Small city patronage. World Wide BETWEEN FIGHTING MEN: Ken Maynard— A good western with many laughs. Not enough action to suit the fans. Maynard does not get a chance to show his riding ability as he did in previous releases but will please all who go for this type of show. Played Mar. 17-18. Running time, 55 minutes.— William Dabb, Lyric Theatre, Shenandoah, Pa. Small town patronage. THE CROOKED CIRCLE: Zasu Pitts, Ben Lyon— A very funny comedy picture. The cast all good, but Pitts and Jimmy Gleason made the picture. Played Mar. 16-17.— Bert Silver, Silver Family Theatre, Greenville, Mich. Town and country patronage. DYNAMITE RANCH: Ken Maynard— A very good westerti picture.— Bert Silver, Silver Family Theatre, Greenville, Mich. Town and country patronage. FALSE FACES: Lowell Sherman, Lila Lee — As nice a little program picture as anyone would want to run. The big producers do not make them better than this one. The story is clever and the acting good. Pleased and drew average business. Played Mar. 17. Running time, 80 minutes. — Steve Farrar, Orpheum Theatre, Harrisburg, 111. Small town patronage. FALSE FACES: Lowell Sherman— Another of World Wide's big hits. A dig into our jeans although they attempted to expose the beauty racket, with Sherman as the fake plastic surgeon. It seemed to me as though he was in need of a major operation more than some of his patients. Nevertheless a few wisecracks here and there saved the picture. Average business. Played Mar. 11-12.— L. F. Bonaventure, Brown's Grand Theatre, Nashwauk, Minn. Small town patronage. HYPNOTIZED: Moran and Mack, Charlie Murray — We bought the Two Black Crows, and we certainly got them. Although Mack in the first reel went out to give the elephant a drink of water and never returned, we were satisfied that we got the Two Black Crows— namely, Mr. Moran and "Hypnotized." It was sold to us as a super and did we ever get "soup." Murray saved the picture to the utmost, as there was plenty of slapstick. Played Feb. 19-20.— L. F. Bonaventura. Brown's Grand Theatre, Nashwauk, Minn. Small town patronage. UPTO>yN NEW YORK: Jack Oakie— A take-ofl on one of Vina Delmar's stories. The story of a young fellow who lets his ego get the best of him, and of course the girl comes to the rescue. A fair program picture which pleased the few that came out. Business average. Played Feb. 4. — L. F. Bonaventura, Brown's Grand Theatre, Nashwauk, Minn. Small town patronage. Short Features Fox HERE COMES THE CIRCUS: Magic Carpet— The best one of those we have run. — D. E. Fitton, Lyric Theatre, Harrison, Ark. Small town patronage. ZANZIBAR: Magic Carpet— Our patrons do not care for this series.— D. E. Fitton, Lyric Theatre, Harrison, Ark. Small town patronage. MGM COLORFUL JAIPUR: Traveltalk— The best traveltalk we have ever run. These are excellent. Two reels. — Edith M. Fordjyce, Princess Theatre, Selma, La. General patronage. DESERT REGATTA: Sport Champion— Very good short showing boat racing. — Robert K. Yancey, Paradise Theatre, Cotter, Ark. Railroad and general patronage. FISH HOOKY: Our Gang — very funny comedy.