Motion Picture Herald (Apr-Jun 1933)

April 2 9 , 19 3 3 MOTION PICTURE HERALD 37 WHAT THE PICTLCC DID rec ME Columbia AIR HOSTESS: Evalyn Knapp— Just the type of picture for the average small town audience. Liked very much here.— L. G. Tewksbury, Opera House, Stonington, Me. Small town patronage. AIR HOSTESS: Evalyn Knapp, James MurrayGood program picture.— R. V. Fletcher, Lyric Theatre, Hartington, Neb. General patronage. AMERICAN MADNESS: Walter Huston, Pat O'Brien— A lovely picture and played at the appropriate time. Bank holiday story. A bank run follows a holdup. Business fell off badly on the third night. Huston not as good as in the "Criminal Code." Played Mar. 13-14-15. Running time, 75 minutes.— V. W. Fisk, Blue Water Theatre, Kincardine, Ontario, Canada. Small town patronage. AS THE DEVIL COMMANDS: Alan Dinehart, Neil Hamilton— A very good program picture. They will not rave about it, but there will be no kicks. Does not have much drawing power at box office, and the story of the perfect crime has been done many times before. It's a clean picture suitable for any day in the week. Played Apr. 7. Running time, 70 minutes. Steve Farrar, Orpheum Theatre, Harrisburg, 111. Small city patronage. BITTER TEA OF GENERAL YEN: Barbara Stanwyck, Nils Asther— No good.— R. V. Fletcher, Lyric Theatre. Hartington, Neb. General patronage. DECEPTION: Leo Carrillo— A good program picture, but an extra good one for the men and boys, and the women who like sporting events. This is a grand expose of the present day wrestling garne, and it has plenty of good wrestling matches in it that look like the real thing. If you sell this for what it is, a picture for wrestling fans and all others who like sporting events, it will do better than average business for you. The title means nothing, so you have to tell them what you have for sale. Played Apr. 11. Running time, 67 minutes.— Steve Farrar, Orpheum Theatre, Harrisburg, 111. Small city patronage. THE NIGHT MAYOR: Lee Tracy— Picture good and so is this boy Tracy. However, it failed to draw. Played Mar. 4-5.— A. L. Lightner, Orpheum Theatre, Mellen, Wis. Small town patronage. NO MORE ORCHIDS: Carole Lombard, Lyle Talbot—This is a splendid, entertaining picture. The star fine and cast extra good. Splendid story. We did not do business on this picture. We should, but no fault of the show. All we did get in were satisfied. Played Apr. 9-10.— Bert Silver, Silver Family Theatre, Greenville, Mich. Town and country patronage. PAROLE GIRL: Ralph Bellamy, Mae Clark— Entire audience seemed satisfied. — L. G. Tewksbury, Opera House, Stonington, Me. Small town patronage. SO THIS IS AFRICA: Wheeler and Woolsey— When college boys think a film vulgar, nothing more can be said about it. Played Mar. 21-22.— H. A. Griswold. Sewanee Union Theatre, Sewanee, Tenn. University town patronage. THAT'S MY BOY: Richard Cromwell, Marion Marsh— This is an extra good football picture. Pleased them all and that I call a 100 per cent show.— Bert Silver, Silver Family Theatre, Greenville, Mich. Town and country patronage. VIRTUE: Carole Lombard— This will make a very good program. Good sound and good acting. We were rained out on this, but picture is fine. Played Apr. 13-14. Running time, 68 minutes.— James Augustine. Spa Theatre, Hot Springs, Ark. General patronage. WAR CORRESPONDENT: Jack Holt, Ralph Graves— Holt, a Chinese general of the air forces, and Graves, as the war correspondent in the Chinese war at Shanghai, together put up a fine program at any time, and especially this one. Sound and photography excellent. Interest is well maintained throughout. Business low first day. but almost tripled on second night, and third was as good as second. Played Mar. 2-3-4. Running time, 75 minutes.— V. W. Fisk, Blue Water Theatre. Kincardine, Ontario, Canada. Small town patronage. First National CABIN IN THE COTTON: Richard Barthelmess— One of the finest pictures First National ever made. Plenty of compliments from patrons. They will never forget a picture like this. Now, Mr. Litsey, those shorts must be played, but we don't need shorts with pictures like this. Must admit they are good. Played Apr 16-17. Running time, 75 minutes.— James Augus N this, the exhibitor's own department, the theatrennen of the nation serve one another with information on the box office performance of product for their mutual benefit. It is a service of the exhibitor for the exhibitor. Address all communications to — • 'What the Picture Did for Me MOTION PICTURE HERALD 1790 Broadway, New York tine. Spa Theatre, Hot Springs, Ark. General oatr;-nage CENTRAL PARK: Joan Blondell— Good little picture. My patrons liked it fine. Played Apr. 6-7-8. Running time, 76 minutes. — G. A. Hart, Roxy Theatre, Stratford, Tex. Small town patronage. THE CRASH: Ruth Chatterton, George Brent— This is a mighty good entertaining picture. Gave satisfaction. Played Mar^ 4-5. — Bert Silver, Silver Family Theatre, Greenville, Mich. Town and country patronage. EMPLOYEES' ENTRANCE; Warren William, Loretta Young — A lovely picture. It certainly gives William a chance to do his stufif. Young also was equal to the occasion. This was well like by everyone. Business above average. Played Mar. 9-10-11. Running time, 72 minutes. — V. W. Fisk, Blue Water Theatre, Kincardine, Ontario, Canada. Small town patronage. FRISCO JENNY: Ruth Chatterton— Great entertainment. Chatterton at her best. Donald Cook as Dan Reynolds very good This picture has everything the small town wants. Not a happy ending. Played Apr. 1-2. Running time, 75 minutes. — Gladys E. McArdle, Owl Theatre, Lebanon, Kan. Small town and country patronage. FRISCO JENNY: Ruth Chatterton— Hurray for First National and Warner Brothers for giving us a good Chatterton picture. TTiis star was almost dead here, but "Frisco Jenny" will put her back where she left oflf with "Madam X." Here is an exceptionally fine picture, simply because it's a good story and well acted and directed. The song, "My Gal Sal," helps a great deal to put it over. Don't give all the credit to Ruth Chatterton. The fellow who wrote the story should be given as much credit as the stars. I paid for the last Chatterton picture without claying it, because it was worthless, on account of no story, but give this girl something to work on, and you will get a good picture. That's just what you have in "Frisco Jenny." Another sad ending, but 0. K. at that. Play it up big. It's worth it.— S. II. Rich, Rich Thektre, Montpelier, Idaho. Small city patronage. ILLEGAL: Margot Grahame, Isobel Elfon— I was rather afraid of this foreign-made picture. There is nothing big about it, but you won't have to hide when your patrons leave the theatre. If you use double features, would suggest you use this in that manner. But you can't except any extra business on this.— J. E. Stocker, Myrtle Theatre, Detroit, Mich. General patronage. SILVER DOLLAR: Edward G. Robinson— Good picture, but did not click here. Played Mar. 30-31-Apr. 1. Running time, 78 minutes. — G. A. Hart, Roxy Theatre, Stratford, Tex. Small town patronage. SILVER DOLLAR: Edward G. Robinson— I class this as the greatest piece of work done this year. Robinson is a real actor, and this is his ace picture. The best from First National on the new lineup and that's saying a great deal. We struck a bad break on this picture, but under normal conditions it will be a money maker. It's excellent. Played Mar. 26-2728.— S. H. Rich, Rich Theatre, Montpelier, Idaho. Small city patronage. SILVER DOLLAR: Edward G. Robinson— Another First National hit. This picture has everything a small town theatre wants — history, comedy, pathos and drama. Robinson fine. Aline McMahon fast becoming a favorite here. Running time, 78 minutes. -^Gladys E. McArdle, Owl Theatre, Lebanon, Kan. Small town and country patronage. THEY CALL IT SIN: Loretta Young— A better than average program picture of a small town girl who goes to the big city. Una Merkel adds considerable' to the B,icture. There is nothing very sinful in it. You can even play this on Sunday. Drawing power average.— J. E. Stocker, Myrtle Theatre, Detroit, Mich. General patronage. THREE ON A MATCH: Joan Blondell, Warren William — This picture should have been rated as four stars. Pictures like this will bring them in any time. Pleased all. First National sure is hitting the mark this year. Played Apr. 2-3. Running time, 75 minutes.— James Augustine, Spa Theatre, Hot Springs, Ark. General patronage. TIGER SHARK: Edward G. Robinson— Here is one you can't miss. One of Robinson's best. For the benefit of those who have not played it yet, go get it; it will do you a good business. Played Mar. 1920. Running time, 80 minutes. — James Augustine, Spa Theatre, Hot Springs, Ark. General patronage. 20,000 YEARS IN SING SING: Bette Davis, Spencer Tracy— Here is a real picture. Life in Sing Sing well depicted. Tracy does some excellent acting with a free and easy style. His sweetheart, Davis, certainly did fine work, too. First National has reason to be proud of this one. Played Mar. 27-28-29. Running time, 77 minutes. — V. W. Fisk, Blue Water Theatre, Kincardine, Ontario, Canada. Small town patronage.. YOU SAID A MOUTHFUL: Joe E. Brown— Chock full of hokum, but how they eat it up. One of the few pictures that left me a profit and pleased everyone. When Brown comes to town the people know they are going to get an evening's entertainment instead of one evening of agony. Keep 'em clean, Joe, and you will have Lloyd, Chaplin and all the rest backed off the map.— S. H. Rich, Rich Theatre, Montpelier, Idaho. Small city patronage. Fox BETWEEN FIGHTING MEN: Ken Maynard— A good little western picture. Lots of good action. — Bert Silver, Silver Family Theatre, Greenville, Mich. Town and country patronage. CALL HER SAVAGE: Clara Bow— Clara from start to finish dominates the picture from beginning to end. Fair at the box ofifice.— H. J. Altschwager, Rudalt Theatre, Columbus, Wis. Small town patronage. DANGEROUSLY YOURS: Warner Baxter, Miriam Jordan — Drew unexpectedly well and an unusual number of people stopped to tell us how much they enjoyed it. Played Apr. 9-10.— Elaine S. Furlong, Star Theatre, Heppner, Ore. Small town patronage. DOWN TO EARTH: Will Rogers— A good Rogers picture. Better than his two last ones. Did better than average business for these hard times. Should please any audience. Played Mar. 15-16. Running time, 80 minutej. — R. D. Carter, Fairfax Theatre. Kilmarnock, Va. Town and country patronage. DOWN TO EARTH: Will Rogers— Best gross on this for ten weeks, even though I played it nearly six months after release. Picture pleased very much and is most timely. — L. V. Bertgold, Opera House, Kasson. Minn. General patronage. FACE IN THE SKY: Spencer Tracy, Marion Nixon, Stuart Erwin— A little better than average program picture, that drew less than average business for two days. This trio of players can turn out a good picture if given the proper story and direction, but it seems that Fox does not have anything to offer their players or the exhibitor this year. This one will please most of your patrons if you don't oversell it. Played Apr. 9-10. Running time, 70 minutes. — Steve Farrar, Orpheum Theatre, Harrisburg, 111. Small city patronage. FACE IN THE SKY: Marion Nixon— This may not be the greatest nicture Fox has produced this year, but it pleased my patrons better than anything I have received from this exchange. This girl Nixon is the swellest little star Fox has under contract. The story is good; the whole cast is good. I call it a great picture because it is human, because it is clean, and above all it is entertainment, and leaves you with a profit at the box office. Distributors won't have to worry about dividends if they will make pictures like this one. It has a pleasant ending, which is quite a change from a lot of p'ctures produced this year. When you play "Face in the Sky" tell the whole family to come out and spend an evening of high class entertainment. — S. H. Rich, Rich Theatre, Montpelier, Idaho. Small city patronage. THE FIRST YEAR: Janet Gaynor, Charles Farrell — A very pleasing little romance that will go over" almost anywhere. Partly due to road and weather conditions business was poor on this. This once famous combination, however, no longer have any un