Motion Picture Herald (Apr-Jun 1933)

38 MOTION PICTURE HERALD April 29. 193 3 usual drawing power. — L. V. Bergtold, Opera House, Kasson, Minn. General patronage. THE GOLDEN WEST: George O'Brien— Not nearly up to expectations. O'Brien's hair would sicken a cat. Just a picture and not worthy of Zane Grey. Played Apr. 15.— H. J. Altschwager, Rudalt Theatre, Columbus, Wis. Small town patronage. HANDLE WITH CARE: Jimmy Dunn, Boots Mallory — While Dunn is the featured player in this, the youngster Buster Phelps steals the picture. When patrons comment about it, they will talk about the children in this. The finish is a "wow." Make a big fuss about it. You are sure to please those who come. Business above average on this. — J. E. Stofker, Myrtle Theatre, Detroit, Mich. General patronage. ROBBERS' ROOST: Maureen O'Sullivan, George O'Brien — Better than average out-of-door drama. Made from Zane Grey tale. Clean, action and some marvelous protography. Played Apr. 14-15. — P. G. Estee. S. T. Theatre, Parker, S. D. Small town patronage SMOKE LIGHTNING: George O'Brien— Good western. They are dolling these westerns up in shape nowadays. No more of the chaps and spurs, but more refined, and they do spruce up. Westerns don't draw anymore. Just a few years ago the name of Zane Grey attached to a one-sheet would fill the house, but "them days are gon^ forever." — S. H. Rich, Rich Theatre, Montpelier, Idaho. Small city patronage. STATE FAIR: Will Rogers, Janet Gay nor— No town, regardless of how small, nor city, regardless of how large, will make a mistake in playing this. Students here represent a cross section of the country, from the smallest "burg" to the largest, and not one criticized adversely. Played Apr. 1-2-3. Running time, 110 minutes. — H. A. Griswold, Sewanee Union Theatre, Sewanee, Tenn. University town patronage. STATE FAIR: Will Rogers, Janet Gaynor— One of the best audience pictures that it has been my pleasure to show. Not a kick in a carload of patrons. Played Apr. 9-10-11.— H. J. Altschwager, Rudalt Theatre, Columbus, Wis. Small town patronage. TESS OF THE STORM COUNTRY: Janet Gaynor, Charles Farrell — Our patrons liked this one. Some complained that Gaynor "did not dress up at all." It did fair business as business goes just now. Personally we did not think it up to some of the other pictures of these two. It was better than "First Year," however. Played Mar. 22-23. Running time, 78 minutes.— R. D. Carter, Fairfax Theatre, Kilmarnock, Va. Town and country patronage. TOO BUSY TO WORK: Will Rogers, Marion Nixon— Rogers always pleases my patrons, especially the men. Played family nights. Nixon gives a very pleasing performance. Played Mar. 29-30. Running time, 70 minutes.— Gladys E. McArdle, Owl Theatre, Lebanon, Kan. Small town and country patronage. WOMAN IN ROOM 13: Elissa Landi— Not good. Leave it alone. Played Mar. 11-12. — A. L. Lightner, Orpheum Theatre, Mellen, Wis. Small town patronage. Majestic UNWRITTEN LAW: Greta Nissen, Skeets Gallagher— A very good, entertaining picture. — Bert Silver, Silver Family 'Theatre, Greenville, Mich. Town and country patronage. MGM EMMA: Marie Dressier, Jean Hersholt — This is the kind of picture my folks like to see. It made them laugh and it made them cry, even on the children's matinee. A preat picture. I would like to have more like it. Busmess, yes. No depression. Played Mar. 16-17-18. Running time, 70 minutes.— V. W. Fisk, Blue Water Theatre, Kincardine, Ontario, Canada. Small town patronage. FAST LIFE: William Haines— Very fine picture.— R. V. Fletcher. Lyric Theatre, Hartington, Neb. General patronage. FLESH: Wallace Beery — Good program picture. — R. V. Fletcher, Lyric Theatre, Hartington, Neb. General patronage. GRAND HOTEL: Lionel Barrymore, Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Joan Crawford — This picture drew well the first night owing to the wide circulation of the novel. Many had not read Vici Baum's work. They had difficulty in following the scheme. It reads much better than it plays, which is somewhat surprising, as in the novel it is dramatic in form and subject. Tlie stock-jobbing part of the play was just as tiresome as in reading the novel. The one actor in that play who distinguished himself for real good acting was Lionel Barrymore. Every other star lost in reputation in the role he played. As for Greta Garbo— there are a lot of people in this "Benighted States" to whom "I tank I go home" will be a welcome sound. The general reaction of those who had read the book was one of disappointment — accentuated at the box office, especially the second night. Played Mar. 29-30.— A. J. Gibbons, Illinois Theatre, Metropolis, 111. General patronage. PACK UP YOUR TROUBLES: Laurel and Hardy — ^Tbere is a laugh in this one from start to finish. Business well above the average and pleased all. Played Mar. 23-24-25. Running time, 67 minutes.— V. W. Fisk, Blue Water Theatre, Kincardine, Ontario, Canada. Small town patronage. RED DUST: Jean Harlow, Clark Gable— This picture would have drawn better, possibly, if we had booked it sooner. The fact that our Sunday-Monday was low is probably due more to many of our customers having seen it than lack of drawing power of the picture. Played Apr. 2-3.— Elaine S. Furlong, Star Theatre, Heppner, Ore. Small town patronage. THE SECRET OF MADAME BLANCHE: Irene Dunne, Phillips Holmes— Good picture.— R. V. Fletcher, Lyric Theatre, Hartington, Neb. General patronage. STRANGE INTERLUDE: Norma Shearer, Clark Gable — Very fine picture. Extra drawing power. — R. V. Fletcher, Lyric Theatre, Hartington, Neb. General patronage. STRANGE INTERLUDE: Norma Shearer, Clark Gable — Wonderful acting by Shearer, Gable and May Robson, but did not go over very well. "Too long. Do not consider it a small town show. Only interested the highbrows. Not nearly as good as "Smilin' Through." Played Mar. 26-27. Running time, 112 minutes.— Gladys E. McArdle, Owl Theatre, Lebanon, Kan. Small town and country patronage. WHAT! NO BEER: Jimmy Durante, Buster Keaton— One of the funniest pictures I ever saw. Durante stole the picture. It might have been a little overdrawn, but it made them all laugh, and that is something these times. — Bert Silver, Silver Family Theatre, Greenville, Mich. Town and country patronage. WHAT! NO BEER: Jimmy Durante, Buster Keaton— If they like Keaton and Durante, O. K. Otherwise not so hot. Played Apr. 14-15.— J. E. Tunstall, Nottawa Theatre, Blackstone, Va. General patronage. WHISTLING IN THE DARK: Ernest Truex— A good picture of its kind, but with no pull at the box office. Who knows Truex in the small towns? Played Apr. 12.— H. J. Altschwager, Rudalt Theatre, Columbus, Wis. Small town patronage. Monogram GIRL FROM CALGARY: Fifi Dorsay— This picture had just about the rottenest sound we ever played. Ran it to an audience that went out disgusted. Result — an empty house Tuesday. Dorsay deserves better treatment. Why don't Monogram improve their sound— Amusu Theatre Company, Inman, S. C. General patronage. Paramount THE BIG BROADCAST: Stuart Erwin, Leila Hyams— Great. Pleased 100 per cent Paramount is handing us good pictures this season. Played Mar. 18-19.— A. L. Lightner, Orpheum Theatre, Mellen, Wis. Small town patronage. BLONDE VENUS: Marlene Dietrich— It's good. Don't let anyone tell you it is not. Marlene was better liked in this than "Shanghai Express." Comments all good. No business, however. Played Apr. 1-2.— A. L. Lightner, Orpheum Theatre, Mellen, Wis. Small town patronage. FROM HELL TO HEAVEN: Carole Lombard, Jack Oakie — Just a fair picture. Good average program.— S. H. Rich, Rich Theatre, Montpelier, Idaho. Small city patronage. HELLO, EVERYBODY: Kate Smith— Little extra business and pleased all. Miss Smith's singing splendid and the story clean and entertaining. Played Apr. 9-10.— P. G. Estee, S. T. Theatre, Parker, S. D. Small town patronage. HELLO, EVERYBODY: Kate Smith— I did not see this picture, but those who did said it was good, and to my surprise, I made a profit the second night; so it must be O. K. I would call it satisfactory entertainment, and will draw above average. — S. H. Rich, Rich "Theatre, Montpelier, Idaho. Small city patronage. HERITAGE OF THE DESERT: Randolph Scott— This drew better than average business on bargain night, but can hardly be rated better than an average western. — L. V. Bergtold, Opera House, Kasson, Minn. General patronage. KING OF THE JUNGLE: Frances Dee, Buster Crabbe — Chock full of hokum, but they like it that way. The fight with the bull and the lion, and the tiger and fhe lion are the most thrilling wild animal scenes I ever saw on a film. Tliese two scenes are the real thing and will give your patrons a great thrill. The kid business will treble, and the picture will satisfy. Played Apr. 9-10-11.— S. H. Rich, Rich Theatre, Montpelier, Idaho. Small city patronage. KING OF THE JUNGLE: Buster Crabbe. Frances Dee — This picture, although well produced and enacted, failed to click here. It certainly drew the kids, though. The public is wise to_ these improbable jungle yarns. What they want is something more like everyday life happenings. Played Apr. 11-12-13. Running time, 72 mmutes. — A. Fischer. Jr., Strand Tlieatre, Oconomowoc, Wis. General patronage. A LADY'S PROFESSION: Ronald Young. Alison Skipworth — A very good program picture. Didn't do any extra business, but those who did see it were satisfied. Played Apr. 10-11.— J. E. Tunstall, Nottawa Theatre, Blackstone, Va. General patronage. LUXURY LINER: George Brent, Zita Johann— A fine picture, with a list of stars tliat do justice to the story. Alice White, although not starred, steals the picture. A dilTerent type of story showing the different happenings on a luxurious ocean liner, from the steerage up to first class passage. Played Apr. 9-10. Running time, 68 minutes. — A. Fischer, Strand Theatre, Oconomowoc, Wis. General patronage. MADISON SQUARE GARDEN: James Gleason. Jack Oakie, Marion Nixon — This one pleased the sport fans mostly. Women did not fall for it so strong.. Nevertheless it's a good picture. Failed to draw. Played Mar. 25-26.— A. L. Lightner, Orpheum Theatre, Mellen, Wis. Small town patronage. NIGHT OF JUNE 13: Clive Brook, Lila Lee— Very food. Pleased everyone. Drew fairlv well. Played eb. 25-26.— A. L. Lightner, Orpheum Theatre, Mellen, Wis. Small town patronage. PICK UP: Sylvia Sidney, George Raft — Sidney not so popular with students as she was a year ago. Raft never has been liked by my crowd. A good programmer, nevertheless. Played Mar. 28-29.— H. A. Griswold, Sewanee Union Theatre, Sewanee, Tenn. University town patronage. 70,000 WITNESSES: Phillips Holmes, Charles Ruggles — Here is one 1 had sidetracked several times, but finally obliged with_ a date on account of so much favorable comment in these columns. Pleased more than any picture I have run this year and that covers quite a field of shows. Ruggles almost steals the picture with his great comedy as the newspaperman. I note with alarm the diminishing of the "What the Picture Did for Me" department. Come on, boys! — L. V. Bergtold, Opera House. Kasson, Minn. General patronage. TONIGHT IS OURS: Claudette Colbert, Fredric March — Romantic drama along lines of the old story, "Graustark," and it drew and pleased good weekend business. Played Apr. 7-8.— P. G. Estee, S. T. Theatre, Parker, S. D. Small town patronage. TONIGHT IS OURS: Fredric March, Claudette Colbert — March and Colbert excellent. Good story with happy ending for a change. A little breezy in spots, but handled especially well. Patrons will get their money's worth, and the picture should draw a little above average.— S. H. Rich, Rich Theatre, Montpelier, Idaho. Small city patronage. UNDER THE TONTO RIM: Stuart ErwinA good western with Erwin. "Nufi sed." Played Apr. 12-13. —J. Tunstall, Nottawa Theatre, Blackstone, Va. General patronage. THE WOMAN ACCUSED: Nancy, CarroU, Cary Grant — Liberty Magazine story, on which ten authors collaborated. Made some changes in the picture Ter> sion, which I think improved. Seemed to please our Sunday audience, and drew a shade extra business. Played Apr. 16-17.— P. G. Estee. S. T. Theatre, Parker, S. D. Small town patronage RKO ANIMAL KINGDOM: Ann Harding, Leslie Howard —As far as acting and direction on this picture, it was fine. Story just rotten. Why waste such talent in this type of entertainment. These kind of pictures will bring a board of censors in every small town in the country. (Possibly it is over our heads). Played Apr. 2-3.— Bert Silver, Silver Family Theatre, Greenville, Mich. Town and country patronage. THE BILL OF DIVORCEMENT: John Barrymore, Katharine Hepburn — From some standpoints one of the best pictures of the year, but it is not box office in a small town. This is a great women's show and will win approval from most of the older males. — L. V. Bergtold, Opera House, Kasson, Minn. General patronage. GOLDIE GETS ALONG: Lili Damita, Charles Morton—No good.— R. V. Fletcher. Lyric Theatre. Hartington, Neb. General patronage. KING KONG: Fay Wray, Bruce Cabot, King Kong — Here is something new for all those who have been howling that all pictures are alike, and it's a show. Make no mistake about this one. It should be a box office cleanup of the present season in the spots where there is any money left to spend for shows. All you hear as they leave the theatre is how in the world did they make that picture. The trick photography in this is the nearest thing to a miracle that Hollywood has ever shown on the screen. We ran into rain and the depression at its worst here and did not do anything big with "King Kong."_ But when you play it, get behind it and sell it with all the advertising possible. Here is a tip to other producers— one picture like this is all the public wants —make no more. Played Apr. 17-18-19. Running time, 100 minues. — Steve Farrar, Orpheum Theatre, Harrisburg, 111. Small city patronage. LUCKY DEVILS: Bill Boyd, Bruce Cabot— Fair program picture.— R. V. Fletcher, Lyric Theatre, Hartington, Neb. General patronage. MEN OF AMERICA: Bill Boyd— Good action program picture for Saturday showing. Less shooting would have made a better picture. Too much noise is irritating. Business about average, but average now is about one-fourth of normal business. Played Mar. 17-18. Running time, 57 minutes.— R. D. Carter,