Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1934)

64 MOTION PICTURE HERALD November 3, 1934 time. 83 minutes. Played September 16-18.— Russell Alien. Allen's Theatre, Farmington, N. M. Small town patronage. COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO, THE: Robert Donat, Elissa Landi — Powerful drama. The story follows very closely the book as I read it many years ago. Great care is apparent in choosing the cast and the greatest of them all is Robert Donat as the Count of Monte Cristo. Fine looking and great actor. There is no doubt that he will be heard from in the future. I have never seen a cast that so thoroughly lived their parts. Every one perfect. Good direction. Now they can make "The Three Musketeers" after this one as a trial balloon has been sent up. That picture would do business if as much care was taken of the story as this one shows they did. Landi has a good part and when she has something that gives her a chance, can put a role over, but Fox almost killed her ofT. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. General patronage. HOUSE OF ROTHSCHILD, THE: George Arliss, Loretta -Young, Boris Karloff, Robert Young, C. Aubrey Smith, Helen Westley — The first Arliss picture to play this town, and I am glad we were able to introduce him in this really fine production. Pleased a good 90 per cent of our patrons, which was a surprise as I was afraid it was just a little too high class. But it drew well on a four-day run and brought people into the theatre who had not been here for ages. While it is a truly great picture, still it is doubtful for general small town success, that it really should enjoy. One of those things you are glad to ofifer your patrons. — M. R. Harrington, Avalon Theatre, Clatskanie, Ore. Small town patronage. OUR DAILY BREAD: Karen Morley, Tom Keene— This picture is the answer to the small town exhibitors' prayer. Consider it a fine production in every way and we received many favorable comments on it. The players are not well known and it needs extra advertising to draw them in. That's where I made my mistake: it didn't get the patronage it deserved. Running time, 74 minutes. Played October 14-15-16. — Russell Allen, Allen's Theatre, Farmington, N. M. Small town patronage. SECRETS: Mary Pickford — Very good picture, beautiful scenes, but did not have the drawing power. Lost money. If one could get a good campaign on, it might go over. All liked it who saw it. Running time, 90 minutes. Played October 19-20.— Albert Hefferan, Owl Theatre, Grand Rapids, Mich. Children patronage. SORRELL AND SON: H. B. ■Warner— The best English film we have had. Nice piece of acting by Warner. No good at the box office. Running time, 88 minutes. Played October 14-15. — R. W. Corbin, New Grand Theatre, Desloge, Mo. Small town patronage. Universal AFFAIRS OF A GENTLEMAN: Paul Lukas— When "Papa Laemmle" makes a picture it stays made, that is, he puts it on the market regardless. The films Universal has given us this year are outstandingly outlandish. And this Lukas vehicle is no exception. Lukas is killed and, oh lord, revived in the first reel. The balance of the picture is devoted to Lukas' love making, to no less than half a dozen women. Business out of sight. — Antonio C. Balducci, Avon Theatre, Canastota, N. Y. General patronage. EMBARRASSING MOMENTS: Chester Morris, Marian Nixon — One dandy little comedy picture. Nothing big, but it certainly got plenty of laughs from our patrons. They even stopped to say how much they enjoyed it, so there you are. — M. R. Harrington, Avalon 'Theatre, Clatskanie, Ore. Small town patronage. GLAMOUR: Paul Lukas, Constance Cummings, Another of Universal's family successes for the 1933-34 saeson, sarcastically speaking. It's too bad that checkers are not lent on these pictures. The poor checker player would have to borrow money from the local welfare organization to pay his way back home. Here's hoping Universal will wake up in time to get into action for the 34-35 season. Running time. 74 minutes. — Antonio C. Balducci, Avon Theatre, Canastota, N. Y. General patronage. I GIVE MY LOVE: Wynne Gibson, Paul Lukas— An average drama with less than average drawing power. The situations have been done time and again before, so there is nothing outstanding about the film in any respect. Business below average. Running time, 67 minutes. Played October 17-18.— A. West Johnson, Heilig Theatre, Eugene, Ore. University and general patronage. I GIVE MY LOVE: Wynne Gibson, Paul Lukas— A splendid program picture. We have had none better here for a long time. The acting was extra good by both of the stars, and all the cast. It did not draw business, but it did give great satisfaction to them that was to see it. Played October 18-19. — Bert Silver, Silver Family Theatre, Greenville, Mich. City and country patronage. LITTLE MAN, WHAT NOW?: Margaret SuUavan, Douglass Montgomery — Universal sold this to us a special. It's a special, all right. It is the most special kind of whining, sobbing and belly-aching type of picture that we were ever forced to play. I have never been able to find out why pictures like this should be sold as entertainment. It might go over very well in a big town, but up here in the sticks it's just one more to add to Universal's growing list as a dud. — Harold C. Allison, Baldwin Theatre, Baldwin, Mich. General patronage. LITTLE MAN, WHAT NOW?: Margaret SuUavan, Douglass Montgomery — Another over-exploited picture that failed to come up to advance notice. Moped along for 88 minutes and our patrons were bored stiff. Margaret SuUavan gave a very fine performance and there were moments when you about decided that something might happen and save the picture from being a flop, but you soon gave up the idea. Business very poor and the men walked out for a smoke and failed to return, but the ladies stuck it out. — M. R. Harrington, Avalon Theatre, Clatskanie, Ore. Small town patronage. MILLION DOLLAR RANSOM: Mary Carhsle, Edward Arnold, Phillips Holmes — Just a so-so entertainment. O. K. for action days or bargain days. Played October 13. — J. Glenn Caldwell, Princess Theatre, Aurora, Mo. Small town patronage. ONE MORE RIVER: Diana Wynyard, Frank Lawton — This sort of picture may mean something some places, but not in small towns. We had several walkouts on this and had to awaken one customer to let him know the show was over. Needless to say, the picture didn't draw very well, although business was average for midweek. Running time, 88 minutes. Played September 26-27.— Russell Allen, Allen's Theatre, Farmington, N. M. Small town patronage. ROMANCE IN THE RAIN: Heather Angel, Roger Pryor — Our audience liked this attraction, but for some unaccountable reason the attendance was small. Played October 10-11.— C. W. Mills, Arcade Theatre, Sodus, N. Y. Family patronage. WHEIELS OF DESTINY: Ken Maynard— Not so good as some westerns, but it got by on a double bill. Running time, 64 minutes. Played October 5-6. A. B. Jefferis, New Piedmont Theatre, Piedmont, Mo. Small town patronage. Warner BIG-HEARTED HERBERT: Ahne MacMahon, Guy Kibbee — Swell little comedy that will please your customers. Good for any dates. Played October 14-15. — • .T. Glenn Caldwell. Princess Theatre, Aurora, Mo. Small town patronage. CASE OF THE HOWLING DOG: Warren William, Mary Astor — Splendid. Well done, well liked and a fine mystery drama. Running time, 75 minutes. Played October 10-11.— M. W. Mattecheck, Lark Theatre, McMinnville, Ore. Local patronage. DAMES: Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell, Joan Blondell— Played to a good house. This is a good musical with catch tunes. Several told us the musical scenes were too long. Running time, 90 minutes. Played October 17-18.— A. B. Jefiferis, New Piedmont Theatre, Piedmont, Mo. Small town patronage. DAMES: Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler, Joan Blondell— I thought this was a plenty good musical picture, and while they seem to be on the down grade, this picture did more business than many of the socalled specials, and while the patrons claim that they are tired of them, they come to see and hear. Play it and boost it; you can't go wrong. — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kan. Small town patronage. FRIENDS OF MR. SWEENEY: Charles Ruggles, Ann Dvorak — Good little comedy on the slapstick order. Played October 7-8. — J. Glenn Caldwell, Princess Theatre, Aurora, Mo. Small town patronage. FRIENDS OF MR. SWEENEY: Charles Ruggles, Ann Dvorak — A number of laughs and good entertainment that is different from the general run. Played on a double bill, so had no comment either way. We just don't allow it and kid 'em out of it on account of their bargain. — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kan. Small town patronage. HERE COMES THE NAVY: James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, Gloria Stuart — Very excellent. Pleased all. Running time, 80 minutes. Played September 24.— Boom and Du Rand, Lyric Theatre, EUendale, N. D. Small town patronage. HERE COMES THE NAVY: James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, Gloria Stuart — A very good picture that drew very good business for three days. We put out plenty of advertising on the Navy and didn't regret it. We have a number of recruits who have written home about being in the picture and that didn't hurt business. — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kan. Small town patronage. HERE COMES THE NAVY: James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, Gloria Stuart — One of the best all-around entertainments we have had in some time. Gave 100 per cent satisfaction. Not a dull moment. Good comedy, funny and clean and all said a great show. Certainly wonderful background, the Navy. More of this kind needed to wake the people up. TTiey want to laugh. Played October 21-22. — Bert Silver, Silver Family Theatre, Greenville, Mich. City and country patronage. HE WAS HER MAN: James Cagney, Joan Blondell— A poor CagneyBlondell and our patrons told us so. Running time, 70 minutes. Played September 30October 2.— A. B. Jefferis, New Piedmont Theatre, Piedmont, Mo. Small town patronage. HOUSEWIFE: George Brent, Bette Davis— This is a very good picture that pleased all of my patrons. It is a comedy drama with the old triangle twist. It is the story of a housewife who turns out to be the brains of the family. This is good entertainment and will please the average theatre-goer. The excellent supporting cast adds much to the entertainment and the trailer will sell the picture. Played one day to good business. Running time, 69 minutes. Played October 19.— J. J. Medford, Orpheum Theatre, Oxford, N. C. General patronage. I'VE GOT YOUR NUMBER: Joan Blondell, Pat O'Brien — Pleased my patrons. It seemed to have the right mixture that patrons crave. — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kan. Small town patronage. JIMMY, THE GENT: James Cagney— Pleased the Cagney fans. An action comedy of the typical Cagney type. Played October 16-17.— J. Glenn Caldwell, Princess Theatre, Aurora, Mo. Small town patronage. MERRY WIVES OF RENO: Glenda Farrell, Margaret Lindsay, Donald Woods— Lots of fun. Not too hot or too sexy because of the comedy and we did average business, so can't kick. Comments were favorable, so didn't regret running this picture. — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kan. Small town patronage. SMARTY: Joan Blondell, Warren William — A very good comedy with a good cast doing some good acting.—J. C. Darst, Dante Theatre, Dante, Va. General patronage. SMARTY: j;oan Blondell, Warren William— Ran it on a double bill, so there were no squawks.— Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kan. Small town patronage. UPPERWORLD: Warren William, Ginger Rogers, Mary Astor — A very good picture which is very true to hfe. Warren William, Ginger Rogers and Mary Astor do splendid work.— J. C. Darst, Dante Theatre, Dante, Va. General patronage. Short Features Columbia BACK TO THE SOIL: Sidney and Murray— Fair comedy, quite a few laughs in this one. Running time, 20 minutes. — R. W. Corbin, New Grand Theatre, Desloge, Mo. Small town patronage. MICKEY'S COVERED WAGON: Mickey McGuire — Good kid comedy that the adults will laugh at. — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kan. Small town patronage. MICKEY'S MEDICINE MAN: Mickey McGuire— The kids went crazy over this one and the grownups got a lot of laughs. Running time, two reels — Russell Allen, Allen's Theatre, Farmington, N. M. Small town patronage. Educational AN OLD GYPSY CUSTOM: Andy Qyde1 never did think this guy was funny and this two-reeler will substantiate my claims. — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kan. Small town patronage. CANYON OF ROMANCE: Romantic JourneysBeautiful, colored short with poor recording. Running time, 10 minutes. — A. B. Jefferis, New Piedmont Theatre, Piedmont, Mo. Small town patronage. DIVORCE SWEETS: Tom Howard ComediesGuess it must have had a laugh or two because some came out smiling. — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kan. Small town patronage. EXPECTANT FATHER, THE: Star Comedy Specials.— If Grandpa Jenkins thinks these pictures where they're "Going to have a baby" should be junked he ought to see this one. They had more kids in this than an orphan home inherits every Christmas. — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kan. Small town patronage. FANNIE IN THE LION'S DEN: Very fine, liked by all, both children and adults. Recording good. Running time, six minutes. — Albert Hefferan, Owl Theatre, Grand Rapids, Mich. Children patronage. GIMME MY QUARTERBACK: Baby Burlesks— These cute kids please my audience. Running time, nine minutes. — A. B. Jefferis, New Piedmont Theatre, Piedmont, Mo. Small town patronage. HELLO, SAILORS: Coronet Comedies— A really good comedy which we need so badly. Buster West brought plenty of laughs with his dame in the contest. Running time, 19 minutes. — R. W. Corbin, New Grand Theatre, Desloge, Mo. Small town patronage. HELLO, SAILORS: Coronet Comedies— A good comedy. Running time, 20 minutes. M. W. Mattecheck, Lark Theatre, McMinnville, Ore. Local patronage. I SURRENDER, DEAR: Bing Crosby— Old and it shows its age. — J. Glenn Caldwell, Princess Theatre, Aurora, Mo. Small town patronage. KING'S DAUGHTER, THE: Terry-Toon— Good musical cartoon. — J. Glenn Caldwell, Princess Theatre, Aurora, Mo. Small town patronage. LAST STRAW, THE: Terry-Toons— Just an average cartoon. In fact, barely an average. Running