Motion Picture Herald (Jun-Sep 1934)

68 MOTION PICTURE HERALD July 7 . 1934 WITCHING HOUR. THE: Judith Allen, Tom Brown — Good program picture to fair business. — S. H. Rich, Rich Theatre, Montpelier, Idaho. Small town and rural patronage. YOU'RE TELLING ME: W. C. Fields— In the winter this would have been a knockout. The heat hit us when this one came along, but still it did average business. — Robert Wile, Granada Theatre, Pearl River, N. Y. Small town and suburban patronage. YOU'RE TELLING ME: W. C. Fields— All W. C. Fields, but very good. Flayed on Family Nights and everyone got a big kick out of it. Did an excellent business. Played June 13-14. — Earl J. McQurg, Grand Theatre, Preston, Idaho. Small town and rural patronage. YOU'RE TELLING ME: W. C. Fields— This is a side-splitting comedy if there ever was one. There is only one Fields, his type being unique and I have noticed an increased interest in his pictures by our patrons. Better than average receipts. Played June 9.-M. R. Williams, Texon Theatre. Texon, Texas. Small town patronage. RKO BEFORE DAWN: Stuart Erwin, Dorothy Wilson — Played this on a double feature and after the first show took it off. The poorest independents are better this this. — Robert Wile, Granada Theatre, Pearl River, N. Y. Small town and suburban patronage. CRIME DOCTOR: Otto Kruger, Karen Morley— Fine picture, only it had to be a murder story that not only runs the people away but you just cannot get business here with this type picture. This is a very good one that pleased the few who came to see it. Running time, 62 minutes. Played June 19. — A. J. Simmons, Plaza Theatre, Lamar, Mo. General patronage. DELUGE. THE: Peggy Shannon, Lois Wilson— Too much of the earthquake stuff and then cheap melodrama afterwards. What an opportunity wasted. No names either. — Robert Wile, Granada Theatre. Pearl River, N. Y. Small town and suburban patronage. FINISHING SCHOOL: Frances Dee, Bruce Cabot — Here is a picture that is sure to please. Our patrons just eat it up and are calling for mere like it. Running time. 72 minutes. Played June 18-19. — Mrs. N. Monte Gill," Strand Theatre, Montpelier, Vt. General patronage. FLYING DOWN TO RIO: Dolores De Rio, Ginger Rogers, Gene Raymond, Raul Roulien — A splendid picture, absolutely original in conception, far away from the usual backstage plot. Scenes elaborate, beautifully directed. Nothing but praise for the whole picture, especially the ballet in the clouds which looked convincing. Gene Raymond suddenly seems to have come into his own and where has Fred Astaire been during all these musical pictures? He is a sensation. He is a great comedian and dancer combined. What a help. People are still talking about this musical comedy. The company put out some good paper on the picture, especially the miniature window cards. Running time, 80 mmutes. Played May 27-28-29.— Mrs. G. C. Moore, American Theatre, Harlowton, Mont. Small town patronage. HEADLINE SHOOTER: William Gargan, Frances Dee. — Terrible. No sense, rhyme or reason and they all told me so. Why, oh, why must they take on Mr. Schnizter to make stuff like that. — Robert Wile, Granada Theatre, Pearl River, N. Y. Small town and suburban patronage. HIPS. HIPS. HOORAY: Wheeler and Woolsey, Ruth Etting — This is a real good comedy that is sure to please all of the Wheeler and Woolsey fans. It is full of pep and spicy dialogue. One laugh after another, some beautiful girls and two musical numbers make this an excellent musical comedy. One of their best. Good entertainment and should do a good business. We played this one day to good business and pleased all. Running time, 68 minutes. Played June 23.— J. J. Medford, Orpheum Theatre, Oxford, N. C. General patronage. KEEP 'EM ROLLING: Walter Huston— Very good picture of the United States cavalry. Somewhat slow and draggy and devoid of comedy. Pleased what few came to see it. Running time, 72 minutes. Played June 21. — A. J. Simmons, Plaza Theatre, Lamar, Mo. General patronage. LONG LOST FATHER: John Barry more, Helen Chandler — Well, this one did not knock them ofif their seats. The nearest thing to nothing this company has given us and disappointed quite a lot of people. When this star is advertised people look for entertainment. John did his best, but there was nothing to work on. We played it as a double feature bill and they let us live, as the other picture was good. — Bert Silver, Silver Family Theatre, Greenville, Mich. Town and country patronage. LOST PATROL. THE: Victor Mcl.aglen, Boris Karloff — If you like to run over an hour of desert scenes and many killings, this is what you need. No comedy, no music; so book your shorts to make it a Program. Played June 21-22.— Harold C. Allison, Baldwin Theatre, Baldwin, Mich. Small town patronage. MAN OF TWO WORLDS: Francis Lederer, Elissa Landi — Very good if it had not been that it in some ways resembled "Eskimo," to which the audience evidently compared it. Lederer does a marvelous piece of acting, as does Landi. Interesting and more comedy than in "Eskimo," but they are of the same type, which is not so good at the box-office. One such as this is enough in one season just as it is with animal pictures. The resemblance of this type of picture is too close to be run in the same house. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. General patronage. MEANEST GAL IN TOWN. THE: Zasu Pitts, El Brendel, Pert Kelton, James Gleason, "Skeets" Gallagher — Well there was a lot of this picture. Everyone worked to make it good. Some very good comedy and some not so good. Take it all around, our patrons said it was pretty good entertainment and with good shorts added we got out alive. The second night was sad, they did not come. — Bert Silver, Silver Family Theatre, Greenville, Mich. Town and country patronage. MEANEST GAL IN TOWN. THE: Zasu Pitts, Pert Kelton, El Brendel — It pleased here. Flayed June 14-15.— Harold C. Allison, Baldwin Theatre, Baldwin. Mich. Small town patronage. MEANEST GAL IN TOWN. THE: Zasu Pitts, El Brendel — Entertaining comedy that pleased my patrons. Good acting and a lot of laughs and that is what they want these times. Running time, 67 minutes. Played June 6-7. — Gladys E. McArdle, Owl Theatre, Lebanon, Kan. Small town patronage. MIDSHIPMAN JACK: Bruce Cabot, Betty Furness — Here is one you can't go wrong on. A good story of Annapolis. Good at the box-ofhce. It's a pleasure to run pictures like this. — Harold C. Allison, Baldwin Theatre, Baldwin, Mich. Small town patronage. RAFTER ROMANCE: Ginger Rogers— Consider this a very pleasing little picture. Nothing big, but will satisfy all who are looking for light comedy. Played June 17-18.— Henry Sparks, Grand Theatre, Cooper, Texas. Small town and rural patronage. RIGHT TO ROMANCE: Ann Harding— By all means get the women out when you play this, and if they bring the men along they won't be disappointed. Ann Harding is truly a wonderful actress and her work in this picture is very clever. Played June 24-25. — Henry Sparks, Grand Theatre, Cooper, Texas. Small town and rural patronage. SING AND LIKE IT: Zasu Pitts, Pert Kelton. Edward Everett Horton — Very good comedy that did not draw. Too many Pitts' pictures. TTiis gal must work night and day, she is in everyone's pictures. Running time, 70 minutes. Flayed June 13-14. — A, J. Simmons, Plaza Theatre. Lamar, Mo. General patronage. SPITFIRE: Katharine Hepburn— This is a hard one to report on. Katie Hepburn good but Ralph Bellamy easily stole the show. My patrons didn't like this one much. Running time. 88 minutes. Played June 3-4.— Barton R. McLendon, State Theatre, Idabel, Okla. General patronage. STINGAREE: Irene Dunne, Richard Dix— A story of rural Australia with Dix as the bad man. Dunne gets the _ opportunity to sing quite a few times and in all it is a very good and a clean picture. Running time, 77 minutes. Played Tune 7-8. — Frank A. Finger, Gem Theatre, Marissa, III. Small town patronage. THIS MAN IS MINE: Ralph Bellamy, Irene Dunne — This_ is a very good picture. Pleased my people. Play it. — Sammie Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton. Ala. Small town patronage. WILD CARGO: Frank Buck— This is an outstanding production of its kind. Our patrons thought it just fair. Does not hold interest as well as a feature that has a storv. Did not do the business I expected it would. Running time, nine reels. Played June 1516-17.— Bob Schwall. State Theatre. Ipswich, S. D. Small town patronage. United Artists ADVICE TO THE LOVELORN: Lee Tracy— This is a very funny picture. The story is weak, but Lee Tracy is excellent. Running time, 62 minutes. Played June 8-9.— Barton R. McLendon, State Theatre, Idabel, Okla. General patronage. GALLANT LADY: Ann Harding— An excellently acted picture with Ann Harding and Clive Brooks showing up well. Brook in fact did a difficult part in his usual splendid style. Otto Kruger deserves honorable mention and we must not forget Dickie Moore. The ladies went for the latter in a big way. Running time, 81 minutes. Played June 4-5. — William A. Crute, Victoria Theatre, Vancouver, B. C. Neighborhood patronage. HOUSE OF ROTHECHILD, THE: George Arliss — Very good picture. Well acted and good story of the banking house of Rothschild in Europe. Dialogue with the days of Napoleon and many of the wars and quarrels of Europe and the unjust persecution of the Jews. I am sorry to report that after paying high film rental, overhead, etc., had no money left. I met with exceptionally strong roadshow opposition which may account for my losses, but even at a loss a picture of this kind is worth while and I take pleasure in recommending it to my exhibitor friends. Played June 10-11-12.— S. H. Rich, Rich Theatre, Montpelier, Idaho. Small town and rural patronage. LOOKING FOR TROUBLE: Jack Oakie, Spencer Tracy — Excellent, perfect and other superlatives. Give us more of this kind. My patrons, of which I had plenty, ate it up. Oakie superbly funny and Tracy perfect. Thrill shots are frequent and interesting. Why can't we have more of this kind from this team? Twentieth Century a great company. Running time, 77 minutes. Played June 17-18. — Barton R. McLendon, State Theatre, Idabel, Okla. General patronage. NANA: Anna Sten — Too sad. My patrons were so fascinated by Anna Sten they forgot to complain. Running time, 88 minutes. Played May 27-28.— Barton R. McLendon, State Theatre, Idabel, Okla. General patronage. PALOOKA: Jimmy Durante, Stuart Erwin, I.upe Valez — Here is a picture. The only complaint was that Erwin could have retained his title by having his Pop teach him how to box. I believe also that it could have ended that way. Jimmy Durante swell and Erwin excellent. Running time, 86 miinutes. Played June 10-11.— Barton R. McLendon, State Theatre, Idabel, Okla. General patronage. Universal ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT: Lew Ayres — Made a mistake in playing this one. It was good several years ago, but means nothing today, although the picture was never played in this town. Practically no business first night and less the second. Running time, 80 minutes. Played May 2425. — Walter Beymer, Lido Theatre, Providence, Ky. Small town patronage. BEXOVED: John Boles— A very good picture for the better class people, too slow for the fellows who like action. A picture like this is very hard to sell even though it is a good picture. It is just too slow. See where Uncle Carl has announced "Zest" again. I am wondering if he will announce the "Left Bank." Believe he outsmarted Metro when he let them make "Laughing Boy," though. Running time, 74 minutes. Played June 20. — A. J. Simmons, Plaza Tehatre, Lamar, Mo. General patronage. BELOVED: John Boles, Gloria Stuart— The first half of this feature was good entertainment. Later and particularly near the end it became very slow and dragging. Only a fair picture. Played June 2. — George Ix>dge, Green Lantern Theatre, Claymont, Del. Small town patronage. BELOVED: John Boles — This musical drama of three generations has much to recommend it and also something to criticize. In showing Boles as an old man they made him entirely too old. I know folks past 80 years of age that do not look nearly as old and feeble as Boles did in this and why could they not leave him live for a while to enjoy his triumph? Wliy make patrons take death with them on leaving the theatre? Drawing power below average.— J. K. Stocker, Myrtle Theatre, Detroit, Mich. General patronage. BELOVED: John Boles, Gloria Stuart— Good, clean high class drama with a beautiful story of a musician who composes a symphony with a life time of work, aided by the love and encouragement of a faithful wife. The churches can't object to this. It's the kind of picture you would like to give your women's club or school or church. Appeals more to women. It is almost epic in style and slow in developing. Boles smgs again. He is very popular and everyone asks for his pictures. He should sing in all of them. Incidentally he does very fine work in this role. If the strenuous objectors to poor pictures would come out to good ones like "Beloved," they might learn something. The good ones do not seem to interest them. Running time, 82 minutes. — Mrs. G C. Moore, American Theatre, Harlowton, Mont. Small town patronage. COUNTESS OF MONTE CRISTO: Fay Wray, Paul Lukas — A rather good story and it held their interest. The names weren't very good though, as Paul Lukas and Fay Wray make about 20 pictures a year. — Robert Wile, Granda Theatre, Pearl River, N. Y. Small town and suburban patronage. COUNTESS OF MONTE CRISTO: Fay Wray, Paul Lukas — Good entertainment. Gave good satisfaction. A good clean picture. Played June 14-15. — Bert Silver, Silver Family Theatre, Greenville, Mich. Town and country patronage. CROSBY CASE. THE: Wynne Gibson— Not so hot. Story weak and nothing happens. Patronage good, but I'll credit that entirely to the Clyde Barrow-Bonnie Parker special also showing. Running time, 60 minutes. Played June 14-15-16. — Barton R. McLendon, State Theatre, Idabel, Okla. General patronage. HALF A SINNER: Joel McCrea, Sally Blane— You can leave the above named stars out of the picture and put in Berton Churchill as the deacon and you have the picture. It's a complete washout with the exception of his work. And lae had a big load to carry to put the picture over. He is probably stoop shouldered by now with his efforts. A complete failure as far as the audience was concerned. No brains in the direction was apparent. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. General patronage. HONOR OF THE RANGE: Ken May nard— Some action, but just an ordinary western. The scenes were mostly at night and this detracted greatly from the efifectiveness of the picture. Played June 23. — George Lodge, Green Lantern Theatre, Claymont, Del. Small town patronage. HONOR OF THE RANGE: Ken Maynard— Here is a good western picture that is full of action, thrills