Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Feb 1935)

80 MOTION PICTURE HERALD February 23, 1935 were tears. Don't know why it was made this way. All the folks settled back in their seats and got ready for some laughs but it didn't work out that way. — Jack Greene, Geneseo Theatre, Geneseo, 111. Small town patronage. PECK'S BAD BOY: Jackie Cooper, Thomas Meighan, Dorothy Peterson, Jackie Searl — It is not the "Peck's Bad Boy" of Schultz's grocery. It is a story of a father's love for an adopted son. While it did not cost much to produce from the standpoint of production values, it is adequate for the story that it tells. It is a real heart touching story that pleased and drew above average. — J. E. Stocker, Myrtle Theatre, Detroit, Mich. Neighborhood patronage. THREE ON A HONEYMOON: Sally Eilers, Johnny Mack Brown — Flayed this picture late and the weather was too cold the first night, but grossed enough second night to make up for first night's loss. A good program picture. Played January 31-February 1.— Mary M. Ross, Strand Theatre, St. George, S. C. Small town and rural patronage. Mascot IN OLD SANTA FE: Ken Maynard— At last they have learned how to make westerns. Pulled and pleased 100 per cent. More like this and let the other fellow have Lib^ty's four star pictures. Running time, 65 minutes. Played February 3. — G. Carey, Strand Theatre, Paris, Ark. Family patronage. LITTLE MEN: Ralph Morgan, Erin CBrien-Moore — This was a nice, sentimental little story, but of course not up to the production standard of "Little Women." Believe the Boy Scouts tieup would be a natural on this. — Charles Lee Hyde, Grand Theatre, Pierre, S. D. General patronage. LITTLE MEN: Ralph Morgan, Erin O'Brien Moore gan — Very entertaining picturization of Louisa M. Alcott's story, well acted and directed. It has comedy and tears, and a happy ending. Nice family picture. Plug it with school teachers and reverends, because of its high moral tone. Kids will eat it up. Played February 10-11.— John A. Milligan, Broadway Theatre, Schuylerville, N. Y. Small town patronage. YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL: William Haines— Fairly interesting program picture that got a number of laughs. Played on Bargain Nights to average business. Running time, 68 minutes. Flayed February 5. — H. M. Johnson, Avon Theatre, Avon Park, Fla. General small town patronage. MGM BABES IN TOYLAND: Laurel and Hardy— Hollywood's version of Victor Herbert's tuneful operetta retains the title of the original and some of the music but that is about all. OK for the kiddies if the bogey man scenes will not keep them awake, but for the adults the appeal is doubtful. Pleased a fair number of our patrons but did not pull due to snowstorm. Running time, 80 minutes. Played January 18-19. — M. R. Harrington, Avalon Theatre, Clatskanie, Ore. Small town and rural patronage. BIOGRAPHY OF A BACHELOR GIRL: Ann Harding, Robert Montgomery — This one pleased the operator's wife and myself but did not click with the patrons. An excellent cast but the story is very poor and just did not please. I liked it so well myself that I was surprised at the adverse comments. Running time, 84 minutes. Played February 2-3. — Gladys E. McArdle, Owl Theatre, Lebanon, Kan. Small town patronage. CHAINED: Dark Gable, Joan Crawford— Most of my patrons had seen this picture before. However, it was well received. Several came to see it the second time. Played February 2. — B. A. McConnell, Emerson Theatre, Hartford, Ark. Small town patronage. DAVID COPPERFIELD: Frank Lawton, Freddie Bartholomew, W. C. Fields, Lionel Barrymore, Edna May Oliver — This picture is a special in every sense of the word. It has an all star cast which leaves nothing to be asked for in acting. It has a real story which oflfers every sort of emotional contrast, and it has been painstakingly produced. However, as a local critic aptly expressed it, "David Copperfield is as British as plum pudding." It is, unfortunately for many a small town exhibitor, class entertainment of the highest quality. It is far too long, as it runs about two hours and five minutes. Freddie Bartholomew as young Copperfield gives the most human and forceful performance I have ever seen a child actor offer. Edna May Oliver can be strongly billed as the cranky but lovable old Aunt who detested donkeys. This picture is the cream in entei\tainment but undoubtedly it will be too rich for many patrons. — J. W. Noah, New Liberty and Ideal Theatres, Fort Worth, Texas. General patronage. EVELYN PRENTICE: William Powell, Myrna Ley, Cora Sue Collins— I certainly do not agree with the exhibitors who said this was not so good as "The Thin Man." In my opinion it is a lot better. I consider this the best picture this team has ever played in. Good story, well acted, and produced. And don't forget to mention little Cora Sue Collins in as good a juvetiile act as I ever saw. Was unfortunate in running this one on two of the coldest nights of the year so attendance was way below average but it pleased those who came. Running time, 80 minutes. Played "MOST INTERESTING, HELPFUL DEPARTMENT" "For the first time will endeavor to contribute to this department, a most interesting and helpful department," -writes Fred E. Pennell of the "Cozy" Theatre, Decatur, Mich. Also joining the reporters to "What the Picture Did for Me" this week is Charles E. Myers, Imperial Theatre, Rich Square, N. C. January 19-20. — Gladys E. McArdle, Owl Theatre, Lebanon, Kan. Small town patronage. EVELYN PRENTICE: William Powell, Myrna Loy — This is a very good picture, but not as good as "The Thin Man." This is a drama and offers good entertainment for all. The story is entirely too slow and long drawn out. Powell performs splendidly in his role as a successful criminal lawyer and the entire cast play their parts well. This is a picture that should please the entire family. Played one day to good business. Running time, 80 minutes. Flayed January 30. — J. J. Medford, Orpheum Theatre, Oxford, N. C. General patronage. FORSAKING ALL OTHERS: Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, Robert Montgomery, Charles Butterworth — ^A picture that is worthy of any theatre's playing time, large or small. Good comedy and drama well mixed. —Fred E. Pennell, The "Cozy" Theatre, Decatur, Mich. General patronage. GAY BRIDE, THE: Chester Morris, Carole Lombard— By stretching a point this could be called a program picture. Very weak and played to punk business. Played February 6. — B. Hollenbeck, Rose Theatre, Sumas, Wash. Small town patronage. GAY BRIDE, THE: Carole Lombard, Chester Morris— A combination gold diggergangster picture, that, so far as I can learn, did not please anyone. A fine song and dance number, "Mississippi Moon," is the only highlight in the picture. Running time, 82 minutes. Played January 30-31. — Gladys E. McArdle, Owl Thetare, Lebanon, Kan. Small town patronage. HAVE A HEART: Jean Parker, James DunnPicture pleased everyone, with business slightly above normal. Running time, 83 minutes. Played January 6-7.— C. J. Hubley, New Winn Theatre, Winnfield, La. Small town and rural patronage. HOLLYWOOD PARTY: Jimmy Durante, Laurel and Hardy — An A No. 1 flop. Nothing to it. Don't book this one if you wish to please patrons. Business terrible. Running time, 72 minutes. Played February 10-11.— C. J. Hubley, New Winn Theatre, Winnfield, La. Small town and rural patronage. MERRY WIDOW, THE: Jeanette MacDonald, Maurice Chevalier — A musical romance that pleased 100 per cent. I was afraid of this one on account of the foreign locale but it went over good. Comedy, romance, good music, some wonderful dance sequences, just about everything it takes for a good evening's entertainment. Edward Everett Horton, as usual, gives an excellent performance while Una Merkel is always good. Don't be afraid to advertise this one. Flayed January 11-13.— Gladys E. McArdle, Owl Theatre, Lebanon, Kan. Small town patronage. NIGHT IS YOUNG, THE: Ramon Novarro, Evelyn Laye, Charles Butterworth — Butterworth was the big draw in this "foreign locale" picture. Nice music but I personally fee! the picture won't do so well in small towns. It is an average picture with more appeal to "class" than to the action fans. Butterworth's humor goes over big here. Played February 7. — John A. Milligan, Broadway Theatre, Schuylerville, N. Y. Small town patronage. OUTCAST LADY: Constance Bennett, Herbert Marshall — Wonderful acting by Miss Bennett, but my audience wasn't especially sold on the picture. Played January 31. — B. A. McConnell, Emerson Theatre, Hartford. Ark. Small town patronage. PAINTED VEIL, THE: Greta Garbo— Did fair business the first night but second night's business was so bad it was hardly worthwhile to even run a show. A very poor picture and my patrons didn't fail to tell me so. Greta is not what she used to be. Played February 4-5. — Mary M. Ross, Strand Theatre, St. George, S. C. Small town and rural patronage. Monogram GIRL O" MY DREAMS: Mary Carlisle, Creighton Chaney — The best Monogram picture since "Girl of the Limberlost." Drew fairly well and pleased about 75 per cent. Good for midweek position. Running time, 65 minutes. Played February 1. — H. M. Johnson, Avon Theatre, Avon Park, Fla. General small town patronage. GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST: Marian Marsh— A small town "natural" if there ever was one and how they turn out for it. Drew people who had apparently not been in a theatre for ages. And they left with nothing but praise. Personally, I thought it a poor production, stilted acting and dialogue, but it was box-ofifice so who am I to write adverse criticism? Business OK and audience reaction OK'er. Running time, 86 minutes. Played January 24-25-26.— M. R. Harrington, Avalon Theatre, Clatskanie, Ore. Small town and rural patronage. GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST: Marian Marsh, Ralph Morgan— A swell picture that would have done business had I got a good print. The picture itself was one of the best. Running time, 87 minutes. Played January 21-22.— Mary M. Ross, Strand Theatre, St. George, S. C. Small town and rural patronage. LOUDSPEAKER, THE: Ray Walker, Jacqueline Wells — Played on a Wednesday. Did not draw business but is a good picture if you could change the title. Pleased all who saw it.— Mary M. Ross, Strand Theatre, St. George, S. C. Small town and rural patronage. REDHEAD: Bruce Cabot, Grace Bradley— Fair enough programmer. Drew as well as the average picture. Running time, eight reels.— E. C. Arehart, Princess Theatre, Odebolt, Iowa. General patronage. REDHEAD: Bruce Cabot, Grace Bradley— Quite a pleasing comedy drama from Monogram. Recording not up to par byt fair. Grace Bradley will no doubt do better with more experience. Where they are not too critical it will please as it pleased here. No special drawing power for me.— J. E. Stocker, Myrtle Theatre, Detroit, Mich. Neighborhood patronage. SHOCK: Ralph Forbes— Did more on this one than I did on "The Painted Veil." Has a bad title but is a nice picture and pleased almost everyone. Has some war in it but has a good story and some comedy. Played February 2.— Mary M. Ross, Strand Theatre, St. George, S. C. Small town and rural patronage. TOMORROW'S YOUTH: Dickie Moore, Martha Sleeper— A good little picture that pleased young and old. Better gross than some of the other distributors' specials.— Mary M. Ross, Strand Theatre, St. George, S. C. Small town and rural patronage. TRAIL BEYOND, THE: John Wayne, Noah Beery, Noah Beery, Jr., Verna Hillie— This is a good western picture that should please all who like this type of entertainment. It is an outdoor picture of the Northwest, fast-moving, with plenty of action and fighting. The excellent scenery adds much to the entertainment and the snow covered mountains make an excellent background. Played one day to good business. Running time, 55 minutes. Played February 9. — J. J. Dedford, Orpheum Theatre, Oxford, N. C. General patronage. Paramount BEHOLD MY WIFE: Sylvia Sidney, Gene Raymond—This is a great show and in that part of the U. S. A. where we have an Indian population, it will go fine. The clever acting of Sidney will put her over in this Indian girl role in any community, but particularly where we have actual contact with this race problem and know that the average moral standard of the average Indian girl is actually higher than that of her sophisticated white sister.— Charles Lee Hyde, Grand Theatre, Pierre, S. D. General patronage. CLEOPATRA: Claudette Colbert— A splendid production produced on a grand scale. Well directed, excellent supporting cast and outstanding scenery and acting by members of the cast. Average business. Running time, 11 reels. Played January 31-February 1-2.— A. F. Aflfelt, Iosco Theatre, Oscoda, Mich. Small town patronage. CLEOPATRA: Qaudette Colbert, Warren William. Henry Wilcoxon, Joseph Schildkraut, Gertrude Michael— Another Cecil B. DeMille si)ectacle and a great picture. It has story, cast and production and is handled with an eye on the school children, so Cleo s reputed immorality does not show in the picture, but her historical importance is emphasized. Will satisfy and do better business than most spectacles.—Charles Lee Hyde, Grand Theatre, Pierre, S. D. General patronage. CLEOPATRA: Claudette Colbert, Warren William. Henry Wilcoxon, Joseph Schildraut— The best picture DeMille has turned out in years. Remarkable performances turned out by Colbert, Wilcoxon, Ian Keith, Warren William and Joseph Schildkraut. Grandly produced. It pleases the masses and will do business in most spots. One of the few costume pictures that will do this. Business about average for Sunday-Monday. Running time, 101 minues. Played February 10-11.— H. M. Johnson, Avon Theatre, Avon Park, Fla. General small town patronage. COLLEGE RHYTHM: Lanny Ross, Jack Oakie, Helen Mack, Joe Penner — A musical show that is a treat to both ypur eyes and ears. Your patrons will go for it in a big way. A college picture with enough punch and gay songs and a story well developed. The story is good, the songs are good, and it is one of the best of the year. Played three days to average business. Running time, nine reels. Played January 13-15.— A. F. Affelt, Iosco Theatre, Oscoda, Mich. Small town patronage. COLLEGE RHYTHM: Joe Penner, Lanny Ross.