Motion Picture Herald (Apr-Jun 1933)

June 10, 1933 MOTION PICTURE HERALD 49 NO OTHER WOMAN: Irene Dunne, Charles Bickford — Nice little picture, with action and some suspense. Seemed to please. I think that if there was more suspense in the pictures today that they would go over better. — Jack Greene, Ge'neseo Theatre, Geneseo, 111. Small town patronage. PENGUIN POOL MURDER: Edna May Oliver— A very swell picture. Edna is always welcome here. Personally think she' is about the most entertaining person on the screen today. Picture spoiled with the title. That murder stuff don't go so good. Parents keep the kids home, and stay there themselves. — Jack Greene, Geneseo Theatre, Geneseo, 111. Small town patronage'. SAILOR BE GOOD: Jack Oakie— Just not there, that's all. My patrons don't care for him. Let your competitor have this and you will profit by it. Nufi said. — Guy W. Johnson, Johnson Theatre, Bowman, N. D. General patronage. United Artists CYNARA: Ronald Colman— Just a picture. Rather draggy. English story, and with all respect to the English people', it seems that these stories will not go over. — Jack Greene, Geneseo Theatre, Geneseo, 111. Small town patronage. CYNARA: Ronald Colman— Well produced and well acted — but — what a be-autiful "nose dive" it took in both of my towns. It may be a big bet in some of the larger cities, but on the other hand, I believe this picture will prove what a vast lot of people in the avtTage town do not care for and that the doings of high society in many ways proves of little interest to the average movie fan (that fan we call mass patronage the backbone of the box office receipts). And that in reality much of this high life and superpolish is just another pain in the neck. The fact is that millions and millions of radio fans have found joy and happiness in listening to the plain and simple, the human side of life, as portrayed by "Seth Parker" and his family of friends away up yonder around "Jonesport," also the national interest that can be aroused and sustained in the simple life of "a fresh air taxi driver." There is nothing high tone, high hat or super-fine about Amos and Andy or Seth Parker. It's a thought worth remembering, if you want to reach and please the greatest number of people. The box office will experience new life when producers and directors remember what the American family likes. — B. P. McCormick, Jones Theatre, Canon City, and Rialto Theatre, Florence, Col. Small town patronage. THE KID FROM SPAIN: Eddie Cantor— A box office natural, played to good business in Florence and Canon City. If you can buy it right (which has not always been an easy job in dealing with United Artists) then advertise it, you will do the business. — B. P. McCormick, Jones Theatre, Canon City and Rialto Theatre, Florence, Col. Small town patronage'. Universal BE MINE TONIGHT: Foreign make, with Jan Kiepura, Magda Schneider — This picture is all O.K. but nothing to rave about. We couldn't get them in at all. No stars to advertise. No names on the advertising at all. I can't see why the Universal charges such high prices for pictures like this. If you enjoy good singing, the Polish opera star can certainly entertain you with good Al singing. May 21-22.— A. M. Beare, Gem Theatre, Chester, 111. General patronage. THE COHENS AND KELLYS IN TROUBLE: George Sidney, Charles Murray — Best picture these two ever made. It packed them in for us and should do so for anybody anywhere. Lots of real comedy climaxed by the' boat runaway around the harbor that had 'em standing on their feet. Get this sure, played May .26. — Amuzu Theatre, Inc., Inman, S. C. General patronage. THE COHENS AND KELLYS IN TROUBLE: Charles Murray, George Sidney — A lifesaver for any small town. Just what we' need at this time. Running time, 70 minutes. Played May 28-29.— J. E. Weber, Princess Theatre, Chelsea, Mich. Town and rural patronage. THE KISS BEFORE THE MIRROR: Frank Morgan, Nancy Carroll, Paul Lukas — Everybody came out spoke very nicely of this one. It's a pleasure to stand at the door and have people praise tha picture. Frank Morgan is certainly one man who is making ground very fast, he plays a wonderful part. Nancy Carroll plays her small part very well. Grab it, you won't go wrong. Played May 7-8. — A. M. Beare, Gem Theatre, Chester, 111. Genera! patronage. THE KISS BEFORE THE MIRROR: Frank Morgan, Nancy Carroll, Paul Lukas — Here's a good picture. Lukas kills his unfaithful wife at the beginning, goes to prison, usual courtroom scene. Frank Morgan gives an unusual performance as the attorney for Lukas, and husband of Miss Carroll. Regardless of the fact that we have had many along this line, it's a little different and holds interest throughout. Lukas is a wonderful actor, but is a little hard to understand. Played May 21-22.— D. E. Fitton. Lyric Theatre, Harrison. Ark. Small town patronage. THE MUMMY: Boris Karloff— Karloff is good. But who the heck can see any entertainment in a story like this. Imagine a mummy coming to life after being dead thousands of years. Even the kids couldn't swallow it. — Jack Greene. Geneseo Theatre, Genese-o, 111. Small town patronage. THE OLD DARK HOUSE: Boris Karloff, Gloria Stuart — For the first time in years we have a cast made up exclusively of actors, and each one with an outstanding role. The story is shivery, thrill-packed, and all the rest of the usual adjectives, but it isn't absurdly impossible like the too-long series of horror tales we have already suffered under; these people are really alive. Wish Gloria Stuart didn't comb her hair so tightly, aside from that she is very restful to the eyes. Business fell off a little on this. People would rather be amused than scared to death nowadays. Played May 16-17. — Roy W. Adams, Mason Theatre, Mason, Mich. Small town patronage. Warner 42ND STREET: All Star— No matter where you are your patrons have all heard of this and can hardly wait until opening time to see it. I wish we had more pictures with the drawing power this has. I have heard a few pe'ople say that it did not come up to their expectations, but nobody failed to get his money's worth. Be sure to run this picture. You owe it to your patrons. Also to your box office. Played May 28-29.— Edith M. Fordyce, Princess Theatre, Selma, La. General patronage. HARD TO HANDLE: James Cagney, Mary Brian, Ruth Donnelly — Splendid for this type, which is fast moving comedy. Ruth Donnelly is a great entertainer and she divides the honors with Cagney in this one. Played May 18-19. — Edith M. Fordyce, Princess Theatre, Selma, La. Genera! patronage. HAUNTED GOLD': John Wayne— Another good western picture from Warner. Story concerns an old deserted gold mine'. Plenty of action and also mystery. IJusiness good as Wayne has good drawing power here. Entire audience well pleased, especially the children. We should have more like this one. Running time. 59 minutes. Played May 27. — J. J. Medford, Orpheum Theatre, Oxford, N. C. General patronage. I AM A FUGITIVE FROM A CHAIN GANG: Paul Muni — Too depressing. Several women walked out on this. Drew fairly well, considering Lent and rain. Played April 10-11.— A. B. Jefferis, New Piedmont Theatre, Piedmont, Mo. Small town patronage. MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM: A wonderful picture in color that was a pleasure to run from the bo.x office viewpoint. Rather horrible, and it will not do to play too many pictures of this kind. It created a lot of talk in town, both for and against the picture, but talk about any picture, good or bad, is what we want. Some kids were scared and left before the show was over. Personally I recommend this picture very highly. Played May 22-23. — A. B. Jefferis, New Piedmont Theatre, Piedmont, Mo. Small town patronage. PARACHUTE JUMPER: Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. — A good picture, but did not draw. Think Doug's family affairs hurt him. Right thinking people can't go for that stuff. — Jack Greene, Geneseo Theatre, Geneseo, 111. Small town patronage. RIDE HIM COWBOY: John Wayne— The biggest flop we have had. About $10.(K) for two nights. In addition, the film had loose patches, and was in bad shape. This is unusual, as Warner Brothers films are usually in excellent condition. Western pictures not liked here. Played May 8-9.— A. B. Jefferis, New Piedmont Theatre, Piedmont, Mo. Small town patronage". Short Subjects Columbia COLLEGE GIGOLOS: Sunrise Comedy — Too raw. Fairly funny. — A. B. Jefferis, New Piedmont Theatre, Piedmont, Mo. Small town patronage. CURIOSITIES No. 237— Only fair entertainment. Not as good as the last one of this series. If the rest of this series are as bad as this, Columbia should discontinue them. Running time, 9 minutes. — J. J. Medford. Orpheum Theatre, Oxford, N. C. General patronage. HIS VACATION: Sunrise Comedy— One of the best two-reelers we have played. Really has some funny spots. The story is about heavy rain, and we played it at a time when we had nine feet of water over the main highway here, so the picture drew a lot of comments on that alone. — A. B. Jefferis, New Piedmont Theatre, Piedmont, Mo. Small town patronage. LADIES NOT ALLOWED: Lambs Gambols— Not so hot. These comedies may do for big cities, but not for my town. — A. B. Jefferis, New Piedmont Theatre, Piedmont. Mo. Small town patronage. SHAVE IT WITH MUSIC: Lambs Gambols— The best of these comedies we have played. Fred and Dorothy Stone save what would otherwise be a tragedy as a comedy. — A. B. Jefferis, New Piedmont Theatre. Piedmont, Mo. Small town patronage. MGM ASLEEP IN THE FEET: Zasu Pitts, Thelma Todd — Don't know but what this was a little better than their average. Zasu is a scream. — D. E. Fitton, Lyric Theatre. Harrison, Ark. Small town patronage. FISH HOOKY: Our Gang— Very good. Some of the old gang members are in this, Mary Kornman, Micky Daniels, Farina and Joe Cobb. Two reels. — Edith M. Fordyce. Princess Theatre, Selma, La. General patronage. HOT SPOT: Taxi Boys— Silly. We show to few children and our adults dislike such idiotic guff. — Mrs. Howard Maylor, Oak Harbor, Oak Harbor Theatre, Wash. General patronage. A LAD AND A LAMP: Our Gang— Another "Our Gang" comedy. This is the best comedy that they have made this season. Full of laughs and will please adults as well as children. Running time', 18 minutes. — J. J. Medford, Orpheum Theatre, Oxford, N. C. General patronage. LAUREL AND HARDY: These stars actually have kept trade away and have spent too much footage in senseless and tiresomcly repeated falls and entanglements, but "Their First Mistake," which I sneaked over on my customers May 12 and 13, surprised me speechless by having practically no such sequences. Several patrons told me, "That's the first time I ever enjoyed a comedy by those two." — Mrs. Howard Maylor, Oak Harbor Theatre, Oak Harbor, Wash. General patronage. ODDITIES and SPORT CHAMPIONS: Single reels and all we have used have been splendid. "Swing High" and "Snow Birds" actually brought some folks back a second time. — Mrs. Howard Maylor, Oak Harbor Theatre. Oak Harbor, Wash. General patronage. OVER THE COUNTER and HOLLYWOOD PREMIERE: These all-color musicals bring good comment, and are an entertaining addition to any program. — Mrs. Howard Maylor. Oak Harbor Theatre, Oak Harbor, Wash. General patronage. SWING HIGH: Sport Champions Series— Trapeze performers. Good filler on any program. Mostly in slow motion. — D. E. Fitton. Lyric Theatre, Harrison, Ark. Small town patronage. Paramount ALOHA OE: Screen Song — One of the poorest of this series. Hawaiians not as good as usual, both their playing and singing. — D. E. Fitton, Lyric Theatre, Harrison, Ark. Small town patronage. DINAH: Mills Bros. — Another screen song with the bouncing ball. Very good comedy and music. Tbe Mills Brothers pleased all with their playing and singing. Running time, 8 minutes. — J. J. Medford, Orpheum Theatre, Oxford, N. C. General patronage. RKO BUBBLES AND TROUBLES: Aesop Fable— Not much to this one. Not nearly up to their standard. — D. E. Fitton, Lyric Theatre, Harrison, Ark. Small town patronage. THE MERCHANT OF MENACE: Edgar Kennedy— Here is one Kennedy picture that sure keeps the ha-ha's coming fast. Is good clean fun, and Kennedy sure knows how to bring out the best laughs. It's great. — A. M. Beare, Gem Theatre, Chester, 111. General patronage. Universal BREVITIES: We used, or rather, previewed two of these, "The Runt Page" and "The Good Old Days." Awful, just plain awful. — Mrs. Howard Maylor, Oak Harbor Theatre, Oak Harbor, Wash. General patronage. I KNOW EVERYBODY AND EVERYBODY'S RACKET: Walter Winchell, Radio Star Reels— Just fair. Orchestra music so loud it drowned the dialogue. — D. E. Fitton, Lyric Theatre, Harrison, Ark. Small town patronage. I KNOW EVERYGODY AND EVERYBODY'S RACKET: Walter Winchell— Very good. Two reels. — Edith M. Fordyce, Princess Theatre, Selma, La. General patronage. Warner Vitaphone BROADWAY BREVITIES: The best shorts on the market. Will make a poor show good and a good show better. Will fill in on any feature. They are better than a lot of features. My patrons like them. AH musical and a big majority are in color. — Guy W. Johnson, Johnson Theatre, Bowman, N. D. General patronage. BYGONES: Ruth Etting— Ruth Etting is the whole show. Poor story but musical numbers are very good. Not up to the standard Broadway Brevity. Running time, 18 minutes. — J. J. Medford, Orpheum Theatre, Oxford, N. C. General patronage. A GREAT BIG BUNCH OF YOU: Merry Melody — Very good musical cartoon. When it comes to cartoons and music, Warner Brothers have the best. Running time'. 8 minutes. — J. J. Medford, Orpheum Theatre. Oxford, N. C. General patronage. THE MEAL TICKET: Jack Pearl— About the worst piece of junk ever thrown on the market. Recording so poor it was hardly understandable. Not a good laugh in it. Shame on you, Vitaphone. — ^Jack Greene, Geneseo Theatre. Geneseo. III. Small town patronage. Serials Universal THE JUNGLE MYSTERY: Tom Tyler— For the first time in 14 years I am pulling off a serial before it is half played, and this is it. Too many horrible jungle animals and noises were searing the kids away and tearing my Saturday business down. — Roy W. Adams, Mason Theatre, Mason, Mich. Small town patronage. t