Motion Picture Herald (Apr-Jun 1933)

April 8, 1933 MOTION PICTURE HERALD 39 press. Those who came liked it. — Gladys K McArdle, Owl Theatre, Lebanon, Kan. Small town patronage. GRAND HOTEL: Greta Garbo, John Barrymore— Wonderful actinpr but did not pro over. Very few liked it and the second night not many came. It is not a small town picture. Played Feb. 4-5. — Gladys E. McArdle, Owl Theatre, Lebanon, Kan. Small town patronage. PAYMENT DEFERRED: Charles Laughton, Maureen O'SuUivan — Gross receipts were $5.75 in one night. That was too much for that picture. Patrons did not all stay to see the finish. — W. H. Hardman, Royal Theatre, Frankfort, Kan. Small town patronage. RED DUST: Clark Gable, Jean Harlow— Just a fair picture. Photography very poor, too much fog and dark scenes. This boy Gable talks entirely too fast. Needs someone to slow him down. I never would have guessed it to be a special. And they will try to make you feel you are not even in picture show business unless you play it. So go on and play it and have it over with. — Ned Pedigo, DeLuxe Theatre, Garber, Okla. General patronage. THE SECRET OF MADAME BLANCHE: Irene Dunne — Ejccellent if you like sob stuff. Miss Dunne is a wonderful actress and lives up to her reputation in this. The picture has class and Miss Dunne sings several songs. She has a splendid voice. Played Mar. 23-24.— D. E. Fitton, Lyric Theatre, Harrison, Ark. Small town patronage. THE SECRET OF MADAME BLANCHE: Irene Dunne — A mother-love type story and very good. Irene Dunne gives a wonderful performance. Good for Sunday. Played Mar. 5-6. — J J. Hoffman, Plainview Theatre. Plainview, Neb. General patronage. SMILIN' THROUGH: Norma Shearer, Fredric March, Leslie Howard — Here is a wonderful picture, superbly acted by a brilliant cast. Everyone was enthusiastic in his praise. Played Feb. 12, 1933. Running time, 100 minutes. — T. Johnson, Van der Vaart Theatre, Sheboygan, Wis. General patronage. SMILIN'_ THROUGH: Norma Shearer, Leslie Howard, Fredric March — The ninth wonder of the world. A picture that no one took the trouble to hunt me up and tell me they did not like it. Think it one of the best features I ever exhibited. A number came twice. Norma Shearer in her best performance. March and Howard good. Flayed Jan. 28-29.— Gladys E. McArdle, Owl Theatre, Lebanon, Kan. Small town patronage. Monogram THE DLA.MOND TRAIL: Rex Bell— Terrible. The acting was so artificial it was a pity even to show to children. No drawing power. Running time, 62 minutes.— Alyce Cornell, Galewood Theatre, Grand Rapids, Mich. Neighborhood patronage. FROM BROADWAY TO CHEYENNE: Rex BellThe best Rex Bell to date. He has many fans in our town. — George W. Luce, Riviera Theatre, Gering, Neb. General patronage. KLOiNDIKE: Thelma Todd— This picture went over very well on Friday and Saturday. — W. H. Hardman, Royal Theatre, Frankfort, Kan. Small town patronage. LUCKY LARRIGAN: Rex Bell— Very good westem. Seemed to please. Not very much action. Put a good comedy and news with it and you will have a good show. Played Mar. 11-12. Running time. 60 minutes. — William Thatcher, Royal Theatre, Salina, Kan. General patronage. OLIVER TWIST: Dickie Moore, Irving Pichel, William Boyd — This is a very excellent picture in every way. It follows the story very closely, and it is verv well acted bv Dickie Moore. Irving Pichel and William Boyd. You simply can't go wrong on this immortal Dickens classic. Played Mar. 19. Running time, 80 minutes. — George W. Luce, Riviera Theatre, Gering, Neb. General patronage. Paramount THE BIG BROADCAST: All star— The best picture for a long time. It pleased all and they still talk about it. Any radio fan will certainly enjoy this picture. Only objection was the song by Kate Smith should have been the Moon song. Stuart Erwin plays his part_ fine and his attempt to take Bing Crosby's place in the last song made a good ending, which sent them out laughing. A 100 per cent picture. I would say. Played Mar. 11-12. Running time, 90 minutes. — W. T. Bigges, Adair Theatre, Adair, Iowa. General patronage. BILLION DOLLAR SCANDAL: Carole Lombard, Robert Armstrong — An excellent Saturday show. Plenty of action and well done. — Charles Niles, Niles Theatre, Anamosa, la. General patronage. BLONDE VENUS: Marlene Dietrich— Much better picture than we exnected. Peoole liked it. Business iust fair. — W. H. Hardman, Royal Theatre, Frankfort, Kan. Small town patronage. CRIME OF THE CENTURY: Stuart Erwin— Made a big mistake by only playing this picture one night. Best mystery picture for a long time, and held inter est all the way. Played Mar. 8.— R. W. Hickman, Lyric Theatre, Greenville, 111. General patronage. THE DEVIL IS DRIVING: Edmund Lowe— An unusual picture based on hot cars. Pleased Saturday night crowd. — Charles Niles, Niles Theatre, Anamosa, Iowa. General patronage. THE DEVIL IS DRIVING: Edmund Lowe, Wynne Gibson — This picture has plenty of action and is based on a new racket of hot cars." A good Friday-Saturray picture if your fans like action, and most of them do. — ^A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. General patronage. FROM HELL TO HEAVEN: Carole Lombard, David Manners, Jack Oakie — A very good program picture. Entertaining. Some comedy. Miss Lombard has very little to do. Title means nothing. Played Mar. 18.— D. E. Fitton. Lyric Theatre, Harrison, Ark. Small town patronage. HELLO EVERYBODY: Kate Smith— A nice picture that did not get any money. We do not know why. Just did not click. Those that saw it enjoyed it. — Charles Niles, iNiles Theatre, Anamosa, Iowa. General patronage. HELLO EVERYBODY: Kate Smith— Here's one that was made to order for the reformers, only they went to a neighboring town see "She Done Him Wrong" when we were showing this, and as a result it was the biggest box office flop we've had, but the picture is good, and the recording and photography excellent.— J. J. Hoffman, Plainview Theatre, Plainview, Neb. General patronage. HOT SATURDAY: Nancy Carroll— Have read many adverse comments on this, but don't be fooled; it's plenty good, and Nancy Carroll had lost all her prestige here, but they liked her in this. — J. J. Hoffman, Plainview Theatre, Plainview. Neb. General patronage. HOT SATURDAY: Nancy Carroll, Gary GrantShould " pay them for their time. A mighty weak sister. Oh, why do they do it? Seven thousand feet of good film wasted. If you don't have to play it, don't do it. It would only encourage more worthless things like it. I'll bet they won't pass another "Hot Saturday" soon. This is the kind that makes the patrons want their coin back and they should get it. — Jiied Pedigo, DeLuxe Theatre, Garber, Okla. General patronage. HUCKLEBERRY FINN: Mitzi Green, Junior Durkin — A very good picture for children worth repeating on. Did good business on it. Played Feb. 2122. Running time, 80 minutes. — Alyce Cornell, Galewood Theatre, Grand Rapids, Mich. Neighborhood patronage. NIGHT AFTER NIGHT: George Raft, Mae West, AUsou Skipworth — Mae West, with her small bit, saved this from being a very mediocre picture, "rhe title did not mean a thing, and it is a hard picture to advertise and get it to the public. No business at all on it. Make no mistake, this Mae West is going places in the cinema. She has a definite "It" that is not seen on the screen with any other actress. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. General patronage. NIGHT OF JUNE 13: Qive Brook, Frances DeeGood picture. Was liked by most everyone. Played Feb. 10-11.— W. H. Hardman, Royal Theatre, Frankfort, Kan. Small town patronage. THE PHANTOM PRESIDENT: George M. Cohan, Claudette Colbert, Jimmy Durante — To those exhibitors who are late in showing this one, desire to say you need not be afraid of the entertainment value because the election is over, as this is by far one of the best pictures made for the screen, and to Mr. Geo. M. Cohan, for goodness sake make more. What about "45 Minutes From Broadway," old — not modernized. Just make it as the original. What about Fay Templeton? Hope she is amongst the living. George, you sure put it over. — 'W. H. Brenner, Cozy Theatre, Winchester, Ind. General patronage. THE PHANTOM PRESIDENT: Jimmy Durante, George M. Cohan, Claudette Colbert — A different type comedy which is good, but should have shown it last fall. Played Mar. 26-27. Running time, 75 minutes. — W. T. Bigges, Adair Theatre, Adair, Iowa. General patronage. 70,000 WITNESSES: Phillips Holmes— A good entertainment. It did extra business. — W. H. Hardman, Royal Theatre, Frankfort, Kan. Small town patronage. SIGN OF THE CROSS: Fredric March, Elissa Landi, Claudette Colbert — An excellent production that every one should see. Your church people should patronize this. We could not get them.— Charles Niles, Niles Theatre, Anamosa, Iowa. General patronage. SIGN OF THE CROSS: Fredric March, Elissa Landi — A very remarkable picture from the standpoint of direction, acting, and spectacular scenes, but patrons, especially the church going, said it was too gruesome, and none of the ministers came to see it. Expected it would draw extra business but only the regulars came. Played _Mar. 12-13-14. — J. J. Hoffman. Plainview Theatre, Plainview, Neb. General patronage. SIGN OF THE CROSS: Fredric March, Elissa Landi, Claudette Colbert — From a production viewpoint this is the biggest picture released for several years. My opinion is, it will not do the business, nor please as well as former DeMille productions. However, I would advise all exhibitors to run it simply because it will show that some producers are still spending some extra money on production. Played Mar. 17-18. Runningi time, 135 minutes. — R. W. Hickman, Lyric Theatre, Greenville, 111. General patronage. THE WOMAN ACCUSED): Nancy Carroll, Gary Grant — Paramount is coming along with one good picture after another. Would class this one as exceptionally good. Good acting. Good story, but very little business. Since the banks all died, nothing will pull them in. Mar. 20-21. Running time, 72 minutes.— R. W. Hickman, Lyric Theatre, Greenville, 111. General patronage. RKO ANIMAL KINGDOM: Ann Harding, Leslie Howard— Excellent high class picture. Pleased. — Charles Niles, Niles Theatre, Anamosa, Iowa. General patronage. ANIMAL KINGDOM: Ann Harding, Leslie Howard— A sophisticated picture that is all dialogue and one that is cleverly put together, but one that has been done in the same theme in eight or ten pictures that we have run this year. Just a change in cast, and that is all. The same old cycle. Ann Harding does nice work in it, but it is the type that does not hit, outside of just a number of people in the small towns. The promised big improvement in pictures has not materialized with us so far this year. There have been very few that were outstanding pictuies in the contracts that we have. Played Mar. 19-20.— A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. General patronage. ANIMAL KINGDOM: Leslie Howard, Ann Harding— The fellow that gave this a star of merit must have been dreaming. I haven't seen a one who saw the picture that can figure it out yet. Just a lot of conversation about a fellow who lived with one girl and married another and then went back to the one he first lived with. If you call this entertainment, then I am nuts. Lay off this lemon. — Guy W. Johnson, Johnson Theatre, Marmarth, N. D. General patronage. THE CONQUERORS: Richard Dix, Ann Harding— A wonderful production. Only one drawback: there was no call for showing them have a baby. The producer could have gotten around this nicely without going into detail. They want to remember they are making pictures for children as well as adults. — Guy W. Johnson, Johnson Theatre, Marmarth, N. D. General patronage. HELL'S HIGHWAY: Richard Dix— It didn't get over. Dix should watch his step and refuse to monkey his time away in little two-by-twice vehicles like this. Not in a class with "I Am a Fugitive." Nay, nay, Pauline, it hasn't the kick to it.— Ned Pedigo, De Luxe Theatre. Garber, Okla. General patronage. HOLD 'EM JAIL: Wheeler and Woolsey— A mighty fine comedy: I believe the best these two boys ever appeared in, but for some unknown reason t failed to take in film rental.— Ned Pedigo, DeLuxe Theatre, Garber, Okla. General patronage. LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE: Mitzi Green, Buster Phelps — People liked it here. Brought out a gob of kids. Didn't know there were so many. Did better than average business. Mitzi Green has plenty of talent. Some day watch out.— Ned Pedigo, DeLuxe Theatre, Garber, Okla. General patronage. LUCKY DEVILS: Bill Boyd— Very thrilling of Hollywood's stunt men, but why must they repeatedly talk about having babies? We still have a few parents who do not like to have their small children hear this.— J. J. Hoffman, Plainview Theatre, Plainview, Neb. General patronage. OUR BETTERS: Constance Bennett— Our glamorous Connie in a swell cigarette advertising picture although they forget to mention the brand. Nebraska now has a bill preventing pictures to be shown where women smoke, and if we have to look at many like this, only hope it passes. What's the matter with some of our best actresses, don't they know what to do with their hands? Why not knit, and be different. And such a story! Anyway, Connie is_ through here and she probably will be wherever this is shown. — J. J. Hoffman, Plainview Theatre, Plainview, Neb. General patronage. PENGUIN POOL MURDER: Edna May OUver— A comedy murder picture with Edna May Oliver and James Gleason a riot.— Charles Niles, Niles Theatre, Anamosa, Iowa. General patronage. PENGUIN POOL MURDER: Edna May Oliver, James Gleason — Just fair, some comedy. It will get by but they won't rave about it. The regular run of the mill and it takes more than that to get them out these days. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia "Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. General patronage. ROCKABYE: Constance Bennett — A very pleasing show for midweek. — Charles Niles, Niles Theatre, Anamosa, Iowa. General patronage. ROCKABYE: Constance Bennett — Another lemon from RKO. When they quit making pictures for Hollywood and cater to the general public and give us entertainment, then we will all prosper. They may like this smut in Hollywood, but not here and I have been in business 19 years. Not fit for children or clear-minded adults. Boys, lay off this one. This is what leaves a bad taste and they stay home in future and listen to the radio. We need good comedy, musical shows and action pictures. Leave out the smut and sex stuff.— Guy W. Johnson, Johnson Theatre, Marmarth, N. D. General patronage.