Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Jun 1934)

68 MOTION PICTURE HERALD June 9 , 1934 Played May 14-15.— J. E. Tunstall, Nottawa Theatre, Blackstone, Va. Small town patronage. DAVID HARUM: Will Rogers— This one is a natural; step on it and you won't regret it. The best picture that Rogers ever made, it brought people to our theatre fhat had never been here before. ^ What this country needs is more pictures like "David Harum." Running time, 80 minutes. Played May 17-18.— Fred M. Elkin, Carolina Theatre, Lexmgton, N. C. General patronage. DAVID HARUM: Will Rogers— Another one from Fox that hits the buUseye for perfect entertainment. Possibly not as good as "Mr. Skitch" but pleased everyone. Rogers well liked here. Played May 5-67.8-9-10.— L. J. Bennett, Rialto Theatre, Pekin, 111. General patronage. DEVIL 7IG.ER: Kane Richmond— Another weak one from Fox. What few animal shots there were were very good, but the plot was terrible, the sound was absolutely bad all the way through. It will get you the business but don't plug it too heavy, just play it and say nothing and you can get by with it. Played, May 25-26.— Bob Ouellette, Dixie Theatre Brooksville, Fla. Small town patronage. DOCTOR BULL: Will Rogers— An ideal picture for a small town inasmuch as it is the story of a small town and true to Hfe and Rogers playing in the Ix-st of form as he is properly cast and just has to act natural. A good picture. Played Apr. 26.— B. J. Vanderby, Palace Theatre, Doland, S. D. Small town patronage. GEORGE WHITE'S SCANDALS: Rudy Vallee, Alice Faye, Jimmy Durante, George White— Don't know what kept them away from this but it may have been the weather. Musical numbers are novel and lavishly produced and there are many laughs. Of course, there is a lot of smut running through the whole picture. Played May 20-21-22-23.— L. J. Bennett, Rialto Theatre, Pekin, 111. General patronage. HOLD THAT GIRL: James Dunn, Claire Trevor —This a good fast moving comedy drama with Jimmy Dunn in his usual style getting the laughs and being laughed at. Tliey will like this one. Running tune, 65 minutes. Played May 9-10.— William A. Crute. Victoria Theatre, Vancouver, B. C. Neighborhood patronage. MR. SKITCH: Will Rogers— This picture is really not up to the Will Rogers standard, although it is very good entertainment. Without Will Rogers the picture, with some unknown person in it, would have been a total flop. We did very good business on it, as this is the kind of town where all you do is put Will Rogers' name in the front of the theatre and then dust ofT the S. R. O. sign. Played Apr. 1-2-3.Bob Ouellette, Dixie Theatre, Brooksville, Fla. Small town patronage. SMOKY: Victor Jory— A natural for small town Friday and Saturday, crammed full of good clean entertainment that will please them from 6 to 60. You won't go wrong on this one and I fully agree with Mr. Herman J. Brown of Nampa, Idaho, that Fox should use this horse to play the leading roles in some of their drama? to improve them. Played Apr. 13-14.— Bob OuUette, Dixie Theatre, Brooksville, Fla. Small town patronage. STAND UP AND CHEER: Warner Baxter, Madge Evans— Excellent musical that failed to draw. It is very original and different from some of the previoiis musicals. This picture should please anywhere, as it is good clean entertainment. Shirley Temple, James Dunn and "Skins" Miller were the hits of the show here, although the entire cast is great. Running time, 81 minutes. Played May 17-18.— Don Kelsey, Lyric Theatre. Blacksburg, Va. College and small town patronage. Invincible Pictures DANCE. GIRL, DANCE: Alan Dinehart, Eyalyn Knapp — They say the showmen should support independent companies and then they deliver stuff like this. It's terrible, one you'll be ashamed of regardless of the size of your theatre. Played Apr. 19-20. — C. A. Pratt, Texas Theatre, Smithville, Texas. Small town patronage. Majestic CURTAIN AT EIGHT: Dorothy Mackaill— Fair, but nothing to brag about. Don't think any of the patrons will exactly dislike it. Running time, 68 minutes.— L. D. Brown, Queen Theatre, Brownwood, Tex. Small town patronage. YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU: Thelma Todd— This is an English picture. Recording and dialogue are a little indistinct, but the story and action are very funny. It is a modern version of "The Taming of the Shrew." Played May 25-26. — Roy W. Adams, Mason Theatre, Mason, Mich. Small town patronage. . MGM BEAUTY FOR SALE: Otto Kruger, Madge E.vans — Fair program picture. Running time, 87 minutes. Played Apr. 11-12.— S. J. Backer, Roxy Theatre, Browns Valley. Minn. General patronage. BOMBSHELL: Jean Harlow, Lee Tracy— Some ex hibitors gave this picture a bad report. I think that there is about as much entertainment value in it as any that I have seen in a long while. My customers were well pleased, although there were some very suggestive scenes and dialogue. Business far above normal. Running time, 98 minutes. Played May 24-25. — Edward L. Ornstein, Vernon Theatre, Mt. Vernon, Ky. Small town patronage. CAT AND THE FIDDLE. THE: Jeanette MacDonald, Ramon Novarro — Too long and too slow, but it was well made and might go over in the large cities but is no good for small towns. I asked one of my best customers how he liked it, and he said that he had seen worse but couldn't remember where. It did not make expenses for me. Running time, 78 minutes. Played May 21-22. — Fred M. Elkin. Carolina Theatre, Lexington, N. C. General patronage. CAT AND THE FIDDLE. THE: Jeanette MacDonald, Ramon Novarro — This is a class picture only, and despite the intriguing title and MacDonald with her wonderful voice, it is my opinion after running it that it lacks general audience appeal. There is no comedy to speak of, there are no dance scenes, only romance and that is not enough. Business nothing the second night, so it is self evident that it is not a small town picture. They clamor for clean shows; well, here it is and they give it the runaround. My reaction is that it is not and will not be a success in the smaller towns. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. General patronage. DANCING LADY: Joan Crawford, Clark Gable— This is no superspecial as some may think, but just the same is a very good picture and will please about 90 per cent. We did very good business with it. Gable and Crawford are both good drawing cards. We played it on our best days. Played Apr. 15-16-17. — Bob Ouellette, Brooksville, Fla. Small town patronage. DINNER AT EIGHT: All Star Cast— Too highbrow for the average small town. Some of the patrons are trying to figure out what it was all about. Many disappointed. However, you are forced to run it as it is so highly advertised. Running time, 113 minutes. Played Apr. 22-23-24.— S. J. Backer, Roxy Theatre, Browns Valley, Minn. General patronage. ESKIMO: Native Cast — Received more comments on this special than "Dinner at Eight." It's a good show but Metro is asking too much rental. Running time, 117 minutes. Played May 10-11-12.— S. J. Backer, Roxy Theatre, Browns Valley, Minn. General patronage. ESKIMO: Native Cast— A delightful change from the every-day run of smut pictures. The picture throughout shows that nothing in time or money was spared to put this wonderful picture together, and believe me, most everyone that you can get in to see it, will thank you for a dandy evening's entertainment. A few did not like it but every theatre has that certain few on every picture. Played May 13-1415. — Bob Ouellette, Di.xie Theatre, Brooksville. Fla. Small town patronage. FUGITIVE LOVERS: Robert Montgomery, Madge Evans — Pulled fair for midweek. Robert Montgomery is well liked here. Only objection we had was that the storm scene was too long. Played May 17-18. — Harold C. Allison, Baldwin Theatre, Baldwin, Mich. Small town patronage. FUGITIVE LOVERS: Robert Montgomery, Madge Evans — A fairly good picture. The title does not draw very much but if you can get them in they will come out satisfied. Plenty of action but somewhat silly in spots, as the hero seems to pop up from nowhere to the scene of action every few minutes. We played this with a double bill and everyone seemed pleased. Played May 16-17. — Bob Ouellette, Dixie Theatre. Brooksville, Fla. Small town patronage. GOING HOLLYWOOD: Marion Da vies, Bing Crosby— Good story, good dancing, good music, good songs, good sound, good photography and good for Leo, another very good one from him. Personally. I thought this as good as any of the super musicals on the market. We advertised and plugged this one heavily and reaped a reward, as they came from miles around to see it and when they came out everybody was happy. This picture should and will click in any town, regardless of size. Played Apr. 29-30. — Bob Ouellette, Dixie Theatre, Brooksville, Fla. Small town patronage. HER SWEETHEART (CHRISTOPHER BEAN): Marie Dressier, Lionel Barrymore — This is the first time that Marie has ever disappointed me, but she did the best she could with what she had to work with. Well, better luck next time, Marie. It was too long and drawn out; would have been much better if it had been in six reels. Running time, 87 minutes. Played May 7-8.— Fred M. Elkin, Carolina Theatre, Le-xington, N. C. General patronage. LAZY RIVER: Jean Parker. Robert Young— This picture seemed to draw better than expected and a very good program picture, especially down in this part of the country close to where scenes were taken. Enough different to be a welcome change from the average film fare. Running time, 72 minutes. Played Apr. 24-25.— C. A. Pratt, Texas Theatre, Smithville, Texas. Small town patronage. MANHATTAN MELODRAMA: Clark Gable, William Powell, Myrna Loy — When you play this production make every effort to get your patrons in to see it. They will not be disappointed. It is full of entertainment, the kind that everyone enjoys. Clark Gable and William Powell are certainly liked here and in this picture their work is outstanding. Tlie picture is inarvelously produced and directed. Metro has a picture here that should draw well in any town or city and if it doesn't please, you just cannot get a picture that will. Tliank you, Metro, for a great production. Running time, 93 minutes. Played May 2425. — Don Kelsey, Lyric Theatre, Blacksburg, Va. College and small town patronage. MEN IN WHITE: Clark Gable, Myrna Loy— During the present epidemic of medical pictures I would say that this is the best of the lot. Not good, not bad and most of the people enjoyed it. Running time, 73 minutes. Played May 3-4.— Fred M. Elkin, Carolina Theatre, Lexington, N. C. General patronage. MYSTERY OF MR. X: Robert Montgomery, Elizabeth Allan — Very good of its type. It had skilled direction and there was not the usual routine of the dumb detective that is nearly always put in to get some laughs on a mystery picture. This went direct to the solution in a logical manner without the usual by-play of reaching for comedy. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. General patronage. PRIZEFIGHTER AND THE LADY, THE: Max Baer, Myrna Loy — Here's a pippin. Step on it hard and get 'era in the first night. Then you have a cinch. Played May 19. — Frank Sabin, Majestic Theatre, Eureka, Mont. Small town patronage. QUEEN CHRISTINA: Greta Garbo, John Gilbert — Costume pictures never draw well here. The name Garbo didn't mean anything at the box-office. Played Apr. 3-4. — Edith M. Fordyce, Princess Theatre, Selma, La. General patronage. QUEEN CHRISTINA: Greta Garbo— A beautiful piece of work, magnificently produced and directed. Garbo at her very best. Gilbert is a little weak but Garbo's work carried him through without being noticed much. We have all heard that Garbo is back. Garbo has returned, yes, she is back, but it must be for art's sake, for it most surely is not for our boxoffice sake. Poorest business we have had in six months. Be careful of this one boys, don't play it on any of your preferred dates. Played May 27-28-29. — Bob Ouellette, Dixie Theatre, Brooksville, Fla. Small town patronage. RIPTIDE: Norma Shearer, Robert Montgomery— Not as big as the salesman told you it would be. Too long and too much English accent. However, it was a fairly good program picture. Montgomery was good. Running time, 90 minutes. Played May 14-15. —Fred M. Elkin, CaroUna Theatre, Lexington, N. C. General patronage. RIPTIDE: Norma Shearer — Not the type picture for my town. Too slow moving to suit the majority. All the cast does great work and it is a fine picture, but that does not make box-office. — Warren L. Weber, Deluxe Theatre, St. John, Kan. General patronage. RIPTIDE: Norma Shearer, Robert MontgomeryVery good. Did average business. Pleased about 70 per cent. Little too high class for our people. Running time, 90 minutes. Played May 11-12.— J. E. Tunstall, Nottawa Theatre, Blackstone, Va. Small town patronage. RIPTIDE: Norma Shearer— Not the roarin' big special they would have you believe; not up to the old Shearer standard. It will draw plenty criticism from the church people. It's a shame to ruin Shearer in this kind of a story regardless of how elaborate they produce it. Running time, 92 minutes. Played Apr. 26-27.— C. A. Piatt, Texas Theatre, Smithville, Texas. Small town patronage. RIPTIDE: Norma Shearer — Wonderful picture but it did not get the volume of business that such a fine production justifies. I believe it is the title. Many favorable comments. Played May 6-7. — Edith M. Fordyce, Princess Theatre, Selma, La. General patronage. SADIE McKElE: Joan Crawford — A very entertaining picture that was completely dominated by the marvelous characterization given by Edward Arnold. If a picture has ever been taken completely away from the advertised stars, this is the one. Crawford was the drawing card but Arnold does the best work. It drew fairly well. Running time, 93 minutes. Played May 22-23. — Don Kelsey, Lyric Theatre, Blacksburg, Va. College and small town patronage. SHOULD LADIES BEHAVE?: Alice Brady, Lionel Barrymore — This picture is just a little too chic for the small towns. Alice Brady's jabbering throughout the picture just about ran them all out. Barrymore, as usual, played his part very well, aside from that we got by. Played this with a double bill and ran this one first so that they wold have time to forget it by the time they saw the other picture. Played May 9-10.— Bob Ouellette. Dixie Theatre, Brooksville, Fla. Small town patronage. SHOW-OFF. THE: Spencer Tracy, Madge Evans— A very weak picture with Tracy in another smartaleck part that became silly after the first two reels. Tracy is capable of doing better things than this. Tracy's name on the marquee used to mean something at the box-ofifice, but this one was a total flop. Running time. 76 minutes. Played May 10-11. — Fred M. Elkin, Carolina Theatre, Lexington, N. C. General patronage. SHOW-OFF. THE: Spencer Tracy, Madge Evans — Tracy talks and talks and talks, in fact, a number of my patrons told me after seeing this and "Dinner at Eight" they didn't care if there never was another