Motion Picture Herald (Jul-Sep 1933)

July 22 , 19 3 3 MOTION PICTURE HERALD Zl roy. — Harry Musgrave, Cozy Theatre, Minneapolis, Kansas. Small town patronage. CRIME OF THE CENTURY: Stuart Erwin— A murder mystery that is just a little different. It gives the audience a chance to find the guilty party and then shows them where they are right or wrong. Ordinary business. — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kansas. Small town patronage. DEVIL IS DRIVING, THE: Edmund Lowe,, Wynne Gibson, James Gleason, Lois Wilson — Poor business first day, better than average second day, and better last day. Title may have caused poor first day. Lots of action and picture seemed to please. Some spots not just right for kids, though we showed it on Sunday. Played June 11-13— Avece T. Waldron, Blue Moon Theatre, Oklahoma City, Okla. Suburban patronage. EAGLE AND THE HAWK, THE: Fredric March —Very good war picture.— J. J. Hoffman, Plainview Theatre, Plainview, Neb. General patronage. FOLLOW THE LEADER: Ed Wynn— not much good. Pretty raw in several places. Unless the people responsible for the making of pictures don't make them so the family can attend without seeing so much rot and filth, there will not be any comeback to the picture business. When people call you over the phone or meet you on the street and say, "Is this going to be a good, clean picture?" it looks like they were doing some shopping. Running time, 60 minutes. Played June 26-27.— Earle Eveland, Opera House, McConnelsville, Ohio. Small town patronage. IF I HAD A MILLION: Inasmuch as Paramount used more directors, stars and writers than my total attendance would amount to, it occurs to me that the limited space allowed in the regular form would hardly be in keeping with such a preponderance of talent so I am devoting a little more space to this particular report. From the elaborate preparations made for this production, one gathers the impression, Paramount's original intention was to make of this opus a road show. In this they were eminently successful, that is, if I may be permitted to point out the "Road": Well, this road should have trailed through some forest dark and deep Where stately whispering pines their lone vigils keep. Where crawling insects sting and slimv reptiles creep. Where only those who produced the picture could view it and weep While hungry swarms of mosquitoes sang them not to sleep. I'll admit the poetry is no classic, but refer you to my inspiration: "Bold is the task, when suhiccts. grown too wise, Instruct a monarch where his error lies." — Homer. And the irony of it is, there was a good foundation for a real story, by one writer, which could have been developed into a good picture by any one of the numerous directors used in producing it. May Robson and Richard Bennett turned in good performances and it only is more to be regretted that they had such a poor vehicle for their talents. I sometimes wonder if, after all, Fifty Million Frenchmen Couldn't be Wrong? Looks as if they might be wronger than a less number. Played June 30. — Peter Bylsma, Victory Theatre, Napoleonville, La. Small town patronage. NIGHT OF JUNE 13: Clive Brook, Lila LeeSatisfactory summer business. Picture pleased everybody. Played July 2-3.— Avece T. Waldron, Blue Moon Theatre, Oklahoma City, Okla. Suburban patronage. NO MAN OF HER OWN: Clark Gable— Not a special, but a good program feature. Comments of patrons were favorable. Good entertainment for the whole family. Played June 25-26. — Peter Bylsma, Victory Theatre, Napoleonville, La. Small town patronage. SHE DONE HIM WRONG: Mae West— More power to you, Mae, you have set a pace in this one that all of 'em will be shooting at. We have wished for pictures that are different and wished for them, and Mae West came right out and gave us a different picture and it proves to be a knockout. Boys, here is a picture with entertainment, one they will enjoy even on a hot night. I predict — are you listening — that the styles Mae brought back from the gay nineties will prevail again this coming fall. Keep looking: you will see. Wrote the above just after seeing tremendous opening first night. It did not hold interest every night. After opening got weaker at box office until last night it passed out. — W. H. Brenner, Cozy Theatre, Winchester, Ind. General patronage. SHE DONE HIM WRONG: Mae West— Good, as are most of them from Paramount. — R. C. Metzger, Ritz Theatre, Winner, S. D. General patronage. UNDER THE TONTO RIM: Stuart Erwin— A good western with plenty of comedy and it pleased. When you can find a picture that they like, you've done something. Drew well on weekend dates. — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kan. Small town patronage. WILD HORSE MESA: Randolph Scott, Sally Blane — Good Zane Grey western. Average western business. I'd hate to try to build up a Saturday kid business without cowboys. We have one four-year-old among our patrons who has to be carried out crying every time he has to leave a show with a horse in it. Played June 16-17.— Avece T. Waldron, Blue Moon Theatre, Oklahoma City, Okla. Suburban patronage. RKO ANIMAL KINGDOM: Ami Harding, Leslie Howard ■ — As a picture this has absolutely no merit. Harding is the only drawing card and even then the public was greatly disappointed. Running time, 79 minutes. Played June 30-July 1. — J. M. Ensor, Crescent Theatre, Little Rock, Ark. General patronage. CHRISTOPHER STRONG: Katharine Hepburn— Not good lor us, and I doubt anywhere. — R. C. Metzger, Ritz Theatre, Winner, S. D. General patronage. DIPLOMANIACS: Wheeler and Woolsey— Pretty good, with music, dancing and singing in spots. This neiped put over the nonsense of the two comedians. A takeoif on the Geneva peace conference. Clean and seemed to please a majority. Box office light. This territory slowly burning up. Running time, 62 minutes. Played June 25-26. — P. G. Estee, S. T. Theatre, larker, S. D. Small town patronage. DIPLOMANIACS: Wheeler and Woolsey— Not as good as their others; seemed to have slipped a cog somewhere, but couldn't figure out just where. We expected a big laugh, but only got a few chuckles. — J. J. Hoffman, Plainview Theatre, Plainview, Neb. General patronage. EMERGENCY CALL: Bill Boyd— A very pleasing program picture, a good story of the life of ambulance drivers and doctors and nurses in a large hospital. Gave good satisfaction and drew average business. Okay for Saturday. Running time, 63 minutes. Played July 4. — Steve Farrar, Orpheum Theatre, Harrisburg, 111. Small city patronage. KING KONG: Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong— The best of its kind. Why the producers let the press in on all their secrets, and then allow all the whys and wherefores to be printed in all the fan magazines and reviews long before the small town gets the picture, is more than I can understand. — Harry Musgrave, Cosy Theatre, Minneapolis, Kan. Small town patronage. KING KONG: Fay Wray, Bruce Cabot, Robert Armstrong — While quite a few ladies refused to attend, this nevertheless grossed more than any picture we have shown since "State Fair." The patrons made no complaint, the producer got no split and the exhibitor had no kick. So a good time was had by all. Incidentally, it's a remarkable production. Played July 4-5. — Peter Bysma, Victory Theatre, Napoleonville, La. Small town patronage. KING KONG: Fay Wray, Bruce Cabot, Robert Armstrong — This picture got quite a lot of extra business, but would have gotten more if it hadn't been so hot and if the producers had kept down the publicity of how it was made. Fan magazines are doing more to wreck the show business than any other thing I know of just by telling the public what to go see. My patrons are nearly always disappointed in pictures the fan magazines recommend they see. Several of my patrons told me they didn't care to see this one as they had been reading how they made it and it would be too mechanical. — Robert K. Yancey, Paradise Theatre, Cotter, Ark. Railroad and general patronage. KING KONG: Fay Wray, Bruce Cabot, Robert Armstrong — As a program picture this would be just fair, but not as the special we paid for. — J. J. Hoffman, Plainview Theatre, Plainview, Neb. General patronage. LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE: Mitzi Green— This suburban location won't support a matinee every day, so we run a children's special matinee on Saturday only the year around, using a club idea. During the summer school vacation we run this child show on Wednesday also, and have to see that summer bookings are suitable for both days. Ran "Orphan Annie" for them and had SRO in the afternoon. This picture ran almost average business for the adults both nights, too. Played June 7-8. — Avece T. Waldron, Blue Moon Theatre, Oklahoma City, Okla. Suburban patronage. MELODY CRUISE: Charles Ruggles— A mighty fine musical show. Plenty comedy by Ruggles and no draggy moments. My advice is book it and step on your advertising as it will please. Above average picture. — Guy W. Johnson, Johnson Theatre, Bowman, N. D. General patronage. MELODY CRUISE: Phil Harris, Charles Ruggles, Greta Nissen — Swell picture that did a wonderful business on the Fourth of July. Ideal for holiday showing or any other showing for that matter. Harris not as good and does not sing as much as he did in the RKO short several months back titled "So This Is Harris." Ruggles practically Jhe whole show and kept the house in an uproar practically every second he was on the screen. Picture not near as hot as the paper and press sheet on it would have you believe. Contains some good music and one good dance number. Step on this one heavily and give it your best days as it can easily stand a lot of pushing. Running time, 75 minutes. — H. B. Schuessler, Lafayette Theatre (Martin Theatres), Lafayette, Ala. Small town patronage. ROADHOUSE MURDER, THE: Eric Linden, Arline Judge — Average night business with kids down 10 per cent for the matinee. Good picture. Played June 9-10.— Avece T. Waldron, Blue Moon Theatre, Oklahoma City, Okla. Suburban patronage. SPORT PARADE, THE: Joel McCrea, Marian Marsh, Skeets Gallagher, Walter Catlett — Very good action picture for week-end. Trials of college athlete hero in commercialized sport after graduation. Plenty of good comedy from Gallagher, Catlett and Robert Benchlcy. Pleased well. Stress sport angle. Running time, 64 minutes. Played June 28-29.— Wm. Sayre, Uelmar Theatre, Morrill, Neb. Small town and rural patronage. STRANGE JUSTICE: Marian Marsh, Reginald Denny, Norman Foster — A good picture for its type, although it was a little too tense and unreal near the end. Just like all the other pictures concerning prisons. — J. M. Ensor, Crescent Theatre, Little Rock, Ark. General patronage. SWEEPINGS: Lionel Barrymore— Fair picture of its kind, but the wrong kind to do any business. Lost money; in fact, didn't gross rental. — Robert K. Yancey, Paradise Theatre, Cotter, Ark. Railroad and general patronage. Tiffany WHISTLIN' DAN: Ken Maynard— Usual cowboy film, poor print. Usual summer gross. Played July 7-8.— Avece T. Waldron, Blue Moon Theatre, Oklahoma City, Okla. Suburban patronage. United Artists KID FROM SPAIN, THE: Eddie Cantor— Whatever you do, don't pass this up as it is a great box office tonic. If you have not played it be sure to use the cow publicity stunt suggested in the press sheet. It is the easiest and most effective stunt I ever heard of. This was one of the biggest draws I have had this year and I am sure it pleased 100 per cent. After playing this I feel that I do not exaggerate when 1 say that when better entertainment is to be had Eddie Cantor will furnish it. Running time, 90 minutes. Played July 9-10. — Edith M. Fordyce, Princess Theatre, Selma, La. General patronage. WHOOPEE: Eddie Cantor — Very, very good, color perfect and drew almost as much as "Kid from Spain." — J. J. Hoffman, Plainview Theatre, Plainview, Neb. General patronage. Universal BIG CAGE, THE: Clyde Beatty, Anita PagePatrons very much enthused over this feature. Animal acts that are really big. Abounding in thrills from the moment it opens to the closing shot. Never have 1 seen patrons sit in such breathless attention before, and at the end of the show they stop and tell you it was good. Running time, 75 minutes. Played June 23-24.— Carl Veseth, Palace Theatre, Malta, Mont. General patronage. BIG CAGE, THE: Clyde Beatty— This is a thriller. Beatty takes 40 lions and tigers and puts them through their paces. It pleased the few that saw it. Running time, 75 minutes. Played June 30-July 1. —J. E. Tunstall, Nottawa Theatre, Blackstone, Va. Small town patronage. FIGHTING PRESIDENT, THE: Roosevelt— This is entirely too long. If cut down about two reels would have been much better as it is not so much. Running time, 60 minutes. Played July 3-4— J. E. Tunstall, Nottawa Theatre, Blackstone, Va. Small town patronage. KING OF JAZZ: Paul Whiteman and Band— This has been cut down quite a bit from original length, which speeds it up to a fast pace. Also a few new scenes added. Beautiful color. We did a very satisfactory business on this. Running time, 60 minutes. Played July 3-4.— J. E. Tunstall, Nottawa Theatre, Blackstone, Va. Small town patronage. KING OF THE ARENA: Ken Maynard— A very good Maynard action picture. The cash customers seemed to like it. Running time, 65 minutes. Played July 5-6.— J. E. Tunstall, Nottawa Theatre, Blackstone, Va. Small town patronage. LUCKY DOG: Charles "Chic" Sale and Dog— See no excuse for this being made. Don't think it will do you any good to play it. Running time, 55 minutes. Played June 28-29.— J. E. Tunstall, Nottawa Theatre, Blackstone, Va. Small town patronage. MUMMY, THE: Boris Karloff— Good child business at matinee. Adult attendance dropped sharply both nights. Played June 28-29.— Avece T. Waldron, Blue Moon Theatre, Oklahoma City, Okla. Suburban patronage. OUT ALL NIGHT: Slim Summerville, Zasu Pitts— This team will have a hard job on their hands to keep going under pressure, they just can't take it. This picture does not register real comedy like the last one they appeared in, and they must not consent to coming out in a comedy unless they are quite sure they have some real laughs. I am convinced that there is not a better comedy team on the screen, but they must have material. — W. H. Brenner, Cozy Theatre, Winchester, Ind. General patronage. OUT ALL NIGHT: Zasu Pitts, Slim Summerville— We think better than "They Just Had to Get Married" and box office proved it. These stars are well liked here. Picture is well done. Plenty of fast ones which an audience can take two ways, but Pitts and Summerville can get away with it where more sophisticated actors would either go over our patron's heads or land in the gutter. Worth every plug you want to give it. Running time, 72 minutes. Played June 25-27.— Wm. Sayre, Delmar Theatre, Morrill, Neb. Small town and rural patronage. RADIO PATROL: Robert Armstrong, June ClydePolice picture which pleased, though sad ending de