Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1934)

November 24, I 934 MOTION PICTURE HERALD 61 snow the second night, which killed the attendance. Picture very good, but hardly a family offering. Running time, yO'A minutes. Played October 31-November 1.— C. W. Mills, Arcade Theatre, Sodus, New York. Family patronage. LIFE OF VERGIE WINTERS, THE: Ann Harding, John Boles — This story is sad. The story of a woman waiting patiently for the man she loved and when she was about to get her happiness, the man was killed. Running time, 82 minutes. Played October 1314.— Wm. Day, Jr., Grand Theatre, Dunkirk, Ohio. General patronage. OF HUMAN BONDAGE: Leslie Howard, Bette Davis, Frances Dee, Kay Johnson, Reginald Denny — This is a fine intelligent picture that was never intended for the masses. Personally, I consider it one of the best films of the year as it has a story that is different, superb acting, and excellent production. Although Leslie Howard receives top billing, it is really Bette Davis who is the star, for her acting, in view of her past efforts, is nothing less than amazing; she is so thoroughly convincing as the heartless little waitress, that you cannot help but dislike her after she has been on the screen only 10 minutes. — New Liberty Theatre, Ft. Worth, Texas. General patronage. THEIR BIG MOMENT: Zasu Pitts, Slim Summerville — Just a fair program production to poor business. Played October 31. — B. HoUenberg, Rose Theatre, Sumas, Wash. Small town patronage. THEIR BIG MOMENT: Zasu Pitts, Slim Summerville — This is absolutely the worst attempt at comedy that any company has ever made. With a vaudeville act, we barely grossed film rental. Universal made some good pictures with these stars which drew fine, but leave it to RKO to kill them. RKO's have sure been poor this season, which makes me glad that my competitor has them next season. They won't do any one any good. Played October 10. J. O. Smith, Paramount and Dixie Theatres, Ashland and Lineville, Ala. Small town patronage. WE'RE RICH AGAIN: Marian Nixon, Billie Burke, Reginald Denny, "Buster" Crabbe, Edna May Oliver — Very good comedy that seemed to please my family night patrons. Edna May Ohver is very good. Marian Nixon and Billie Burke put on a talking marathon for speed and endurance. Nothing to write home about, but got a lot of laughs. Running time, 71 minutes. Played November 7-8.— Gladys E. McArdle, Owl Theatre, Lebanon, Kan. Small town patronage. WILD CARGO: Frank Buck— This is a very good picture that is very interesting and entertaining. It is a typical jungle expedition, presenting the many dangers encountered only in the jungle. This is really a circus by itself and will prove good entertainment for every one. The photography is excellent as well as the narrative by Frank Buck himself. Played one day to very good business. Running time, 96 minutes. Played November 9. — J. J. Medford, Orpheum Theatre, Oxford, N. C. General patronage. United Artists AFFAIRS OF CELLINI, THE: Fredric March, Constance Bennett, Frank Morgan, Fay Wray — What a pleasant surprise this one proved for us. Expected a flop and enjoyed two better than average days in mid-week, in spite of a bad storm. Ordinarily, this would not be a small town picture, but here was an exception. And it pleased, for our patrons stopped to say they had enjoyed it. Not for the kiddies. — M. R. Harrington, Avalon Theatre, Clatskanie, Ore. Small town patronage. BULLDOG DRUMMOND STRIKES BACK: Ronald Colman, Loretta Young — Our patrons enjoyed this more than anything we have had for some time. It's real entertainment from start to finish and the laughs are plentiful. Did only average business on a threeday run, but the weather kept many away. O. K. for the family, with the exception of a couple of spots in the dialogue. — M. R. Harrington, Avalon Theatre, Clatskanie, Ore. Small town patronage. Universal GIFT OF GAB: Edmund Lowe, Gloria Stuait, Alice White — This is a big picture, A lot of the biggest stars on the stage and radio. It did not draw business here, but no fault of the picture. All that saw it liked it. But could not advertise it properly. All I can say is I think too many stars and not enough story. They all worked hard to make it interesting. — ■ Bert Silver, Silver Family Theatre, Greenville, Mich. Town and country patronage. HUMAN SIDE, THE: Adolphe Menjou— Entertaining little show that had no drawing power for us. Played October 28-29,— T. G, Caldwell, Princess Theatre, Aurora, Mo, Small town patronage. MILLION DOLLAR RANSOM: Mary Carlisle, Edward Arnold, Phillips Holmes — A fine entertainment. Great acting. Interesting story. Gave good satisfaction.— Bert Silver, Silver Family Theatre, Greenville, Mich. Town and country patronage. ONE MORE RIVER: Diana Wynyard, Colin Clive, Frank Lawton, Jane Wyatt, Reginald Denny — A mighty good picture. Fine story. Good picture. No drawing power in this town, but no fault of the picture, — Bert Silver, Silver Family Theatre, Greenville, Mich, Town and country patronage. ROMANCE IN THE RAIN: Roger Pryor, Heather Angel, Esther Ralston, Victor Moore— Good entertainment that pleased generally. Not a special, but it is slightly above the program class and is good for all the family. We used it on a Friday -Saturday change to an average business.— M. R. Harrington, Avalon Theatre, Clatskanie, Ore. Small town patronage. Warner AS THE EARTH TURNS: Jean iVIuir, Donald Woods — Very good show of rural life in Vermont. Played October 27.— J. G. Caldwell, Princess Theatre, yVurora, Mo. Small town patronage. AS THE EARTH TURNS: Jean Muir, Donald Woods — This is a very good picture, based on the book of the same name, but will not appeal to the masses. It is a story of the people who earn their living from the earth — a typical farm picture. This is good entertainment with plenty of romance, drama, comedy, human interest and should please the whole family. The trailer sold the show and we played one day to good business. Running time, 73 minutes. Played November 1,— J, J, Medford, Orpheum Theatre, Oxford, N. C. General patronage, BIG-HEARTED HERBERT: Guy Kibbee, Aline MacMahon, Patricia Ellis, Phillip Reed— A clever comedy that pleased. The last 20 minutes is positively a panic. As it is very short, would advise building it up with select short subjects. Did fair business. Running time, 60 minutes. Played October 27-29, — Harold Haubien, Cozy Theatre, Lockwood, Mo. General patronage. CASE OF THE HOWLING DOG, THE: Warren William, Mary Astor — Clever detective mystery drama, that pleased generally. If there is any fault to find, it is in the slow action and the fact that it is a very talking talkie. Entertained and business O. K. — M. R. Harrington, Avalon Theatre, Clatskanie, Ore. Small town patronage. CASE OF THE HOWLING DOG, THE: Warren William, Mary Astor — Drew above average business and many favorable comments were given this one. Personally I thought it was a mystery of the highest type. It's grand entertainment and should please any audience. Running time, 73 minutes. Played November 7-8. — Harold Haubien, Cozy Theatre, Lockwood, Mo. General patronage. COLLEGE COACH: Dick Powell, Ann Dvorak, Pat O'Brien, Lyle Talbot — This is a pleasant little picture that is a little different from most pictures of college life in that it deals principally with the coach and his affairs. Dick Powell has an unimportant part, but he manages to sing most of one song, "Lonely Lane." — New Liberty Theatre, Ft. Worth, Texas. General patronage. DAMES: Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell, Joan Blondell— Another very good musical from Warner Bros. Guy Kibbee almost steals the show and furnishes most of the comedy. Several good song hits and some beautiful dance sequences. Not so good at the bo-x office on account of being shown in an adjoining town and thoroughly advertised here. Running time, 90 minutes. Played November 10-11.— Gladys E. McArdle, Owl Theatre, Lebanon, Kan. Small town patronage. DAMES: Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell, Joan Blondell— This is the last thing in the musical productions to date. I ain't got room to tell you how big it is. See it and you will see the best yet. The story in this is the best entertainment of any of these big musicals we have played. Lots of comedy that was funny and not tiresome. Gave lOO per cent satisfaction, — Bert Silver, Silver Family Theatre, Greenville, Mich. Town and country patronage. DESIRABLE: Jean Muir, George Brent.— Sweet little show. Jean Muir is a honey and should get places with the proper stories. Played October 21-22. — J. G. Caldwell, Princess Theatre, Aurora, Mo. Small town patronage. HEAT LIGHTNING: Aline MacMahon— An old one we picked up that should have been left. Played October 23-24. — J. G. Caldwell, Princess Theatre, Aurora, Mo. Small town patronage. HERE COMES THE NAVY: James Cagney, PatO'Brien, Gloria Stuart — Here was a picture ballyhooed to the skies and, believe it or not, lived up to the advance raves. You can promise your patrons entertainment and spell it with capital letters. Pleased in our case just about 100 per cent, and while business was off, that was due to a terrific storm and not the picture. Family picture, too.— M. R, Harrington, Avalon Theatre, Datskanie, Ore. Small town patronage. KANSAS CITY PRINCESS: Joan Blondell-It has what it takes for the masses. Plenty of wisecracking fun. Played November 1-2.— J. G. Caldwell. Princess Theatre, Aurora, Mo. Small town patronage. KANSAS CITY PRINCESS: Joan Blondell, Glenda Farrell. Robert Armstrong— Typical of the light farces that this company has been putting out for so long that the patrons know the plot as soon as they have read the cast of characters. Just another picture, with a few laughs, but it missed fire for us. Plaved on a Friday-Saturday change to slightly better than average business.— M. R, Harrington, Avalon Theatre, Clatskanie, Ore. Small town patronage. ^KANSAS CITY PRINCESS: Joan Blondell, Glenda Farrell— This is only fair entertainment and not as good as "Havana Widows." It is straight comedy with spicy dialogue and fast moving. It is the story of two girls who are interested only in money. There are no objectionable scenes and this will prove good entertainment for the entire family. The trailer will do the selling. Played one day to good business. Running time, 64 minutes. Played November 8. — J. J, Medford, Orpheum Theatre, Oxford, N. C. General patronage. MADAME DU BARRY: Dolores Del Rio, Victor Jory — Extremely lavish production that pleased the few that saw it. It is not a small town picture. Warners spared no expense in producing this picture. Running time, 76 minutes. Played November 5-6. — Don Kelsey, Lyric Theatre, Blacksburg, Va. College and small town patronage. MADAME DU BARRY: Dolores Del Edo, Victor Jory— If Warner Bros, are out for an all-time record for poor pictures, they certainly scored here. Pleased about three per cent. Seven per cent v/alked out and five per cent stayed, evidently to tell me what they thought of the picture. The other 85 per cent showed their good judgment by staying away. I would like to sentence Warner Bros, to thirty days continuous performance of this masterpiece (?j. If you have to run this one, double feature it and then tell the operator to forget to run it. One show like this does more harm to the small town theatre than the good shows can overcome in two months. If the cities want this kind of bunk, why don't they sell' it to them exclusively and give the small town theatres down-to-earth every-day shows that are liked and patronized? The only big thing about this is the press book and the price. All I got out of showing this one was a fifteendollar overdraft and a bad headache. Running time, 77 minutes, but it seemed longer. Played November 3-4. — Gladys E. McArdle, Owl Theatre, Lebanon, Kan. Small town patronage. MADAME DU BARRY: Dolores Del Rio, Victor Jory — This is a very good picture of its type, but did not please our patrons. This is not a historical drama, as many will think, but is more of a farce comedy. It presents the intimate life of Louis XV, King of France, and is another costume picture. This would be great for the larger cities, but in the small towns it will not go over. Played two days to only fair business. Running time, 78 minutes. Played November 5-6,— J, J. Medford, Oxford Theatre, Oxford. N. C. General patronage. ST. LOUIS KID: James Cagney, Allen Jenkins— If your patrons like plenty of action, this picture will make a hit. It is packed with wallops. Is clean and story is just strong enough to hold interest. Good picture for Cagney and Jenkins admirers. They are good. Running time, 67 minutes. Played November 13-14. — Don Kelsey, Lyric Theatre, Blacksburg, Va. College and small town patronage. UPPER WORLD: Warren William— Okay entertainment with comedy and action. Played October 30-31. — J. G. Caldwell, Princess Theatre, Aurora, Mo. Small town patronage. Short Features Columbia MICKEY'S MEDICINE MAN: Mickey McGuire Comedies Series — Mickey McGuire comedies are the big things on Saturday, for the kids, with a western feature. Running time, 20 minutes. — M. P, Foster, Granada Theatre, Monte Vista, Colo. General patronage. MICKEY'S TENT SHOW: Mickey McGuire Comedies— This is a fairly good two-reel comedy featuring Mickey McGuire and his gang putting on a tent show. Good entertainment for the kids, but the adults did not care for it. Running time, 19 minutes. — J. J. Medford, Orpheum Theatre, Oxford, N. C. General patronage. MICKEY'S TENT SHOW: Mickey McGuire and his gang — I nominate this two-reeler as the best short comedy of the past six months. Our audience was kept laughing from beginning to end at the clever antics of these youngsters who make you forget they are small. — New Liberty Theatre, Ft. Worth, "Texas. General patronage, TRAPEZE ARTIST, THE: Krazy Kat Kartoons— This is a fairly good cartoon that pleased most of my patrons, especially the kids. It presents the popular song, "The Man on the Flying Trapeze," with good music and drawings. Running time, seven minutes. — J. J. Medford, Orpheum Tlieatre, Oxford, N. C. General patronage. TRIPPING THROUGH THE TROPICS: Musical— A good comedy with lots of laughs and some good singing. Running time, 20 minutes.— H. J. Stallings, Moon Theatre, Henderson, N. C. General patronage. Educational DOG-GONE BABIES: Star Comedy Specials— Absolutely the worst attempt at comedy that we have had. Leave it in the can. — J. O. Smith. Paramount & Dixie Theatres, Ashland & Lineville. Ala. Small town patronage. DOMESTIC BLISS-TERS: Marriage Wows Series— Not the poorest attempt at comedy, but it sure is second to the worst. — J. G. Caldwell. Princess Theatre, Aurora, Mo. Small town patronage.