Motion Picture Herald (Jun-Sep 1934)

50 MOTION PICTURE HERALD September 22, 1934 iiKe O'Brien better in westerns. But nevertheless this was a very good comedy drama and I beUeve that every one enjoyed it. — M. F. Bodwell, Paramount Theatre, Wyoming, 111. Small town patronage. GEORGE WHITE'S SCANDALS: Rudy Vallee. Alice Faye — This is one of the best musicals of the season, if it were not for some scenes and dialogue that was so dirty. It did as much business as "David Harum." — Robert K. Yancey, Paradise Theatre, Cotter, Ark. Railroad and general patronage. GRAND CANARY: Warner Baxter, Madge Evans ■ — Terrible press sheet mats confined to clutches devoid of originality and without sense enough to embody striking or dramatic scenes that could have been gotten from stills. The clutch is the hall mark of the incompetent press agent. Why don't producers discover America. Who in blazes knows what Grand Canary means except the intelligentsia and other flowers. Shoved it by. — Herman J. Brown, Majestic and Adelaide Theatres, Nampa, Idaho. General patronage. HANDY ANDY: Will Rogers— Another good_ one from Rogers, that pleased all. Some patrons said it was his best. Played September 6-7. — J. Glenn Caldwell, Princess Theatre, Aurora, Mo. Small town patronage. HEART SONG: Lilian Harvey— Another foreign picture. Need more be said? You may get them in with the name of "Lilian Harvey," but if they don't fall asleep, they'll surely walk out before the last reel. There's one born every minute, but don't be the next one to be caught with this feature. Running time, 82 minutes. Played Sept. 5. — W. Horace Reese, Spruce Theatre, Philadelphia, Pa. Neighborhood patronage. MURDER IN TRINIDAD: Heather Angel, Victor Jory, Nigel Bruce — A very good murder mystery story with the mystery saved until the end. There is nothing new in the story, but is a bit better than the usual run. Running time, 74 minutes. — J. C. Darst, Dante Theatre, Dante, Va. General patronage. NOW I'LL TELL: Spencer Tracy, Alice Faye— Fair picture. Story of a gambler in the Nineties who tried to change to modern racketeering and was bumped off. My audiences don't care for this type and let me know it at the box-ofiice. Running time, 85 minutes. Played Aug. 19-20.— R. W. Corbin, New Grand Theatre, Desloge, Mo. Small town patronage. ROBBERS' ROOST: George O'Srien— Excellent. Nothing more to be said.— M. F. Bodwell, Paramount Theatre, Wyoming, 111. Small town patronage. SHE LEARNED ABOUT SAILORS: Alice Faye, Lew Ayres — Good light entertainment that pleased. Mitchell and Durant also added some laughs. You don't have to be a musician to fall for this Alice Faye. Played September 2-3.— J. Glenn Caldwell, Princess Theatre, Aurora, Mo. Small town patronage. SHE LEARNED ABOUT SAILORS: Lew Ayres, Alice Faye — Very good comedy that drew some extra on our family night show. Played Aug. 21-22. — A. J. Simmons, Plaza Theatre, Lamar, Mo. SHE WAS A LADY: Helen Twelvetrees— A very igood program, not a special, but just a good program picture that will please. Played August 19-20. — Alice Simmons, Lyric Theatre, Jefferson, Texas. General patronage. STAND UP AND CHEER: All star— Far from being the special that the producers would lead you to beUeve.M. F. Bodwell, Paramount Theatre Wyoming, 111. Small town patronage. WILD GOLD: John Boles, Claire Trevor— A good little program picture. John Boles good and Claire Trevor very pleasing to the eye. I think she is very pretty and a good little actress. Played August 18.— Alice Simmons, Lyric Theatre, Jefferson, Texas. General patronage. MGM BOMBSHELL: Lee Tracy, Jean Harlow— Fine picture. Pleased my patrons. — Sammie Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. Small town patronage. HIDEOUT: Robert Montgomery— Here is one that I advise all exhibitors to play, one of the best I have ever seen. It is a pleasure to run pictures like this. Every one enjoyed this picture and told me so. Played September 6-7.— Alice Simmbns, Lyric Theatre, Jefferson, Texas. General patronage. HOLLYWOOD PARTY: All star musical— This is a very good picture that failed to do business in our town. It is a comedy with music and plenty of beautiful girls. Laurel & Hardy and Mickey Mouse attracted more attention than the rest of the entire cast, but they all were great and this one day to only fair business. Running time, 70 minutes. Played September 6.— J. J. Medford, Orpheum Theatre, Oxford, N. C. General patronage. HOLLYWOOD PARTY: Jimmy Durante— Not much of a story, but some very good music, the number by Eddie Quillan and June Clyde very good. Jimmy Durante is not liked here and nowhere else, I should think. Played August 12-13.— Alice Simmons, Lyric Theatre, Jefferson, Texas. General patronage. HOLLYWOOD PARTY: Laurel and Hardy, Jimmy Durante, Charles Butterworth, Polly Moran, Lupe Velez, Frances Williams, Jack Pearl, Eddie Quillan, June Clyde, Ted Healy and His Stooges, Mickey Mouse — A big cast of players, but don't let that fool you. It is only a fair show with Jimmy Durante screeching and yelling through the whole show. Drew fair. Running time, 70 minutes. — Robert K. Yancey, Paradise Theatre, Cotter, Ark. Railroad and general patronage. MANHATTAN MELODRAMA: Clark Gable. Myrna Loy, William Powell — Fortunate enough not to run this until after Dillinger made it famous by not having sense enough to stay home. It is a good picture, too, on its own. Dillinger, like Jesse James, is such a national figure that discreet reference to the fact that he died to see this is not inadmissible for exhibitors who ordinarily scruple to refer to the dead, but be decent and discreet. Dillinger showed by his attendance on this that publicity powerfully motivates headline criminals and that exhibitionism is not recessive as in a showman who wishes to collect from his friends for the entertainment if they laugh at his jokes, but positive or, as the biologists say, dominant to stop Dillingers they should be described for what they are, villainous vermin. — Herman J. Brown, Majestic and Adelaide Theatres, Nampa, Idaho. General patronage. MANHATTAN MELODRAMA: Clark Gable, Myrna Loy — Holds the interest from the General Slocum disaster to the end. Not a single complaint about this one. Gable, Powell and Myrna Loy all give an excellent performance. One of the best. Congratulations, Leo. Running time, 95 minutes. Played Sept. 1-2. — Gladys E. McArdle, Owl Theatre, Lebanon, Kan. Small town patronage. MANHATTAN MELODRAMA: Clark Gable, William Powell — A fine story very well acted makes this one a wonderful show. You won't have to be afraid of this one if you plug up the Dillinger angle which is responsible for its drawing power. If you take this tip. have your S. R. O. signs ready. Business very good. Running time, 93 minutes. Played Aug. 21-22. — W. Horace Reese, Spruce Theatre, Philadelphia, Pa. Neighborhood patronage. MEN IN WHITE: Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, Jean Hersholt, Elizabeth Allan, Otto Krugei-— A far better than average show that got a fair crowd. Running time, 75 minutes. — Robert K. Yancey, Paradise Theatre, Cotter, Ark. Railroad and general patronage. MURDER IN THE PRIVATE CAR: Charles Ruggles. Una Merkel — Here is a knockout in any language, that has failed to get a break. I take my hat off to the studio for turning out such a honey of an action picture, and I put it back on my head with great speed and decision when I come to the fellow that named it. This is a wow and should get extra time and heavy billing, but cover up the name. Bill it as a picture of ten thousands laughs and five thousand thrills, that will give the title a new slant and make it collect. It did for me. — Herman J. Brown, Majestic and Adelaide Theatres, Nampa, Idaho. General patronage. MURDER IN THE PRIVATE CAR: Charles Ruggles. Una Merkel — Very TOod picture. Ruggles takes the show. A good small town picture. Running time, 65 minutes. Played Saturday, September 1. — A. Gasaway, Strand Theatre, Tuscola, 111. Small town patronage. MURDER IN THE PRIVATE CAR: Charles Ruggles. Una Merkel — Here's one of those things they make and deliver to you to fulfill your commitment under contract, and is very poor program picture. Just a lot of hooey that you would have been better off without. Running time, 64 minutes. Played August 19-20.— C. A. Pratt, Texas Theatre, Smithville, Texas. Small town patronage. MURDER IN THE PRIVATE CAR: Charles Ruggles—If your patrons Uke thrills and plenty of excitement, do not fail to play this one. We ran it for a midnight show, and it had every one breathless. A swell show. Play it. Lots of comedy furnished by Ruggles and Una Merkel. Played September 1.— AHce Simmons, Lyric Theatre, Jefferson, Texas. General patronage. OPERATOR THIRTEEN: Marion Davies— Excellent picture that pleased 100 per cent. Some nice song numbers and a good performance by Davies. Gary Cooper's performance not so hot. A cigar store Indian would have been just as good. Business better than average. Running time. 84 minutes. Played Aug. 25.— B. Hollenbeck, Rose Theatre, Sumas, Wash. Small town patronage. OPERATOR THIRTEEN: Marion Davies, Gary Cooper — In my opinion this is one of the best pictures I ever exhibited and helped me to forgive Leo for such lemons as "Queen Christina" and "Laughing Boy." Excellent acting, good music, beautiful photography and good recording. Clean, entertaining and pleased every one. Running time, 86 minutes. Played Aug. 29.— Gladys E. McArdle, Owl Theatre, Lebanon, Kan. Small town patronage. OPERATOR THIRTEEN: Marion Davies, Gary Cooper — A dandy picture and one that is good any date and is a picture for the masses. Large and small town alike. Step on this one; you can't go wrong. Running time, 82 minutes. Played August 9-10. — C. A. Pratt, Texas Theatre, Smithville, Texas. Small town patronage. OPERATOR THIRTEEN: Marion Davies— A wonderful picture, Marion Davies very good, the Mills Brothers singing "Sleepy Head" was grand. They sing several numbers that are very pretty. Played August 14-15. — Alice Simmons, Lyric Tlieatre, Jefferson, Texas. General patronage. OPERATOR 13: Marion Davies, Gary Cooper, Jean Parker, Ted Healy — I don't know whether or not this picture drew turn away business for two days, or the Clyde Barrow-Bonnie Parker two-reeler, but I got more money these two days than I have in any two days in months and months. TThis is an extra good show and pleased, although some said it did not follow the story. Running time, 86 minutes. — Robert K. Yancey, Paradise Theatre, Cotter, Ark. Railroad and general patronage. RIPTIDE: Norma Shearer, Robert Montgomery— My personal and patrons' opinion is as follows: This is positively the silliest picture ever flashed on a screen; 10 long reels of ridiculous antics by Shearer and Montgomery that MGM charged me a heavy tax for and mailed me a designation of special with a percentage and all the usual "fix-ons." People walked out about as fast as they walked in. I've been in Cotter a little over three years and have only had two pictures they walked out on in any quantities, but they flocked out on this one. Yes, MGM has made some good pictures this year, but they have made four or five clucks for all the good ones and many a so-called special caused me to lose the tail of my shirt.— Robert K. Yancey, Paradise Theatre, Cotter, Ark. Railroad and general patronage. SADIE McKEE: Joan Crawford— One of the finest pictures I have seen for quite some time. Edward Arnold stole the entire picture with his marvelous actmg as a drunkard. There are many humorous parts throughout this feature and Gene Austin certainly does his part to help put it over. Sure to satisfy all. Business good. Running time, 93 minutes. Played Aug. 31-Sept. 1.— W. Horace Reese, Spruce Theatre, Philadelphia, Pa. Neighborhood patronage. STAMBOUL QUEST: Myrna Loy— Not one person in 50 knows what Stamboul means or gives a darn if you tell them. Not one person in two (beUeve it or not) knows what Quest means. The press book on this is a big elaborate and very expensive screen or mask to the fact that the press department is unable to offer a single mat worth printing. The producers should rediscover this United States with its one hundred thirty millions who are not reading decadent novelists. Shoved it by. — Herman J. Brown, Majestic and Adelaide Theatres, Nampa, Idaho. General patronage. STAMBOUL QUEST: Myrna Loy, George Brent— This is just a program picture. Myrna Loy was miscast in it; however, came through with her part and made it a fair picture. Don't understand why a star with her personality should be cast in a story like this, when any one could have done it. Running time, 88 minutes. Played August 12-13.— C. A. Pratt, Texas Theatre, Smithville, Texas. Small town patronage. STRAIGHT IS THE WAY: Franchot Tone, Karen Morley — Another good one from Metro. I find that most Metro pictures are good. No extra business with this one, owing to my playing it so new, no one had heard very much about it. All pleased who saw it. Played September 4-5.— Alice Simmons, Lyric Theatre, Jefferson, Texas. General patronage. TARZAN AND HIS MATE: Johnny Weissmuller, Maureen O'SuUivan, iMeil Hamilton— Only Metro could make a picture like this. Action galore, and it drew over an average business to satisfied customers. This should have done a very big business, but the reason it did not is because Metro slipped up and let another producer use the title "Tarzan the Fearless," which turned out to be terrible, and that killed a lot of "Tarzan" business for me. Running time, 116 minutes. Played August 17-18.— Bob Ouellette, Dixie Tlieatre, Brooksville, Fla. Small town patronage. TARZAN AND HIS MATE: Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'SulIivan — About as thrilling a picture as has ever been unreeled on a screen. You will wonder how they put some of the thrills into the picture. Maybe they are tired of Tarzan pictures, but at this theatre Tarzan drew some extra kids and just about a bare average of adults. You can go the limit in your promises. If you get them in, it will please and they ought to talk about it. — J. E. Stocker, Myrtle Theatre, Detroit, Mich. Neighborhood patronage. THIN MAN, THE: William Powell, Myrna Loy, Maureen O'SulIivan, Nat Pendleton — Another dandy. One of the cleverest we have had in some time. This Loy is sure coming fast and will be right up there with another one of this caliber. Nice work, Metro. Running time, 91 minutes. — George Biehler, Palace Theatre, Hamburgh, N. Y. General patronage. THIN MAN, THE: William Powell, Myrna LoyMetro hands you dough with this one and if you don't get plenty it's your fault, not Metro's, as the dough is there and the goods, too. They will talk of it two weeks after you show it. Don't make an error on this as you will get no better box office stuff this year. Go out and get your share. — Herman J. Brown, Majestic and Adelaide Theatres, Nampa, Idaho. General patronage. THIN MAN, THE: William Powell, Myrna Loy— A wonderful picture with plenty of comedy and mystery. William Powell very clever and Myrna Loy very good and attractive. Every one enjoyed this show. Played August 23-24. — Alice Simmons, Lyric Theatre, Jefferson, Texas. General patronage. TREASURE ISLAND: Wallace Beery, Jackie Cooper — This is not as good a box office as Beery usually draws. A good picture of its kind. Played