Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Feb 1937)

70 MOTION PICTURE HERALD January 16, 1937 chot Tone — A good mystery picture, but too much dialogue for our Chinese patrons. Very good acting by Franchot Tone, but Miss Young rather cold in this one. My foreign patrons liked the picture, but not the Chinese. Had to pull it off after two days. Business below average. Played October 18-19.— C. Goldin, Majestic Theatre, Hong Kong, China. Neighborhood patronage. Paramount AND SUDDEN DEATH: Randolph Scott, Frances Drake— Just a fair program picture. OK for one day, Bank Night or a Saturday. Played December 16— J. R. Long, Bocanito Theatre, Scottsboro, Ala. General patronage. ARIZONA RAIDERS, THE: Buster Crabbe, Marsha Hunt— One of the best Zane Grey Westerns released by Paramount this year. The only objection to these classy westerns is, they are too short and you are obliged to use too many shorts to fill out the bill Played December 4-5.— C. A. Jordan, Opera House, Cogswell, N. D. Small town patronage. GENERAL DIED AT DAWN, THE: Gary Cooper, Madeleine Carroll— A very fine picture that barely grossed film rental. Our patrons seem not to care for this type picture — Shuler and Ingram, Ashland Theatre, Ashland, Ala. Small town and CCC patronage. GO WEST, YOUNG MAN: Mae West, Warren William, Randolph Scott, Alice Brady— Our nomination for the ten worst pictures of the year, and no excuse with the splendid supporting cast. Few turned out and most of them walked out on the picture. Running time, 80 minutes. Played December 23-24.— Elaine S Furlong, Star Theatre, Heppner, Ore. Rural and small town patronage. HIDEAWAY GIRL: Shirley Ross, Martha Raye, Robert Cummings — The producers have done a good job and you can use this picture in any position on the week and it will fit okay. Martha Raye is so near tops, there is no doubt about it, and it looks like from where I stand that the very next picture she is in will be biggest box office of all of them. If the next one she is in is equally as good as this one, everyone will be more than satisfied. — W. H. Brenner, Cozy Theatre, Winchester, Ind. General patronage. HIDEAWAY GIRL: Shirley Ross, Robert Cummings— Average entertainment. Patronage average. — R. L. Sherman, Strand Theatre, North Branch, Mich. Small town patronage. LITTLE AMERICA: Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd — Here is another educational that should be sold to schools, not to the theatres. Very interesting travel picture, good photography, but no entertainment. Business terrible. Fellow-members, beware. Played October 28-29.— C Goldin, Majestic Theatre, Hong Kong, China. Neighborhood patronage. MOON'S OUR HOME, THE: Margaret Sullavan, Henry Fonda — Good love story enjoyed by all and both Margaret Sullavan and Henry Fonda put the show over in great thrill when skiing in the mountains. Just right for December 25. OK. Running time, nine reels Played December 25-26.— Rudolf Duba, Royal Theatre^ Kimball, S. D. Small town patronage. MOON'S OUR HOME, THE: Margaret Sullavan, Henry Fonda — Better than the average program picture. Followed "Rhythm on the Range" and the latter got all the business. Played December 27-28. — C. A. Jordan, Opera House, Cogswell, N. D. Small town patronage. MY AMERICAN WIFE: Francis Lederer, Ann Sothern — This may not be listed among the ten best pictures of the year among the nation's film critics, but it certainly delivers 100 per cent satisfaction as real entertainment. Our patrons seemed delighted with this. Played this New Years. While it was no record breaker, we did satisfactory business.— J. E. Stocker, Myrtle Theatre, Detroit, Mich. Neighborhood patronage. RHYTHM ON THE RANGE: Bing Crosby, Bob Burns, Martha Raye — A real show that pleased 100 per cent. Bob Burns great. Crosby good as always and a newcomer, Martha Raye, brought out plenty of laughs. We recommend this 100 per cent entertainment for all classes. Drew a fine holiday business. Played December 25-26. — C. A. Jordan, Opera House, Cogswell, N. D. Small town patronage. TEXAS RANGERS, THE: Fred MacMurray, Jean Parker — This picture brought us many favorable comments, and proved to be a very satisfactory box office attraction. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ontario, Canada. General patronage. TEXAS RANGERS, THE Fred MacMurray, Jean Parker, Jack Oakie — One of the biggest outdoor productions. Did not do the business we expected, but all who saw it were well pleased. We should have played it on FridaySaturday. Played October 29-30.— Shuler and Ingram, Ashland Theatre, Ashland, Ala. Small town and CCC patronage. THREE CHEERS FOR LOVE: Eleanore Whitney, Robert Cummings — Oh, boy, this is a swell picture. Book it, if you can get it before it's too old. Would like many such pictures if I could get them before they grow a grey beard, but, of course, the independents have to wait until the chains get tired of them. At least, that seems to be the case with Pompano. Everyone well pleased. Running time, 75 minutes. Played December 22.— Fred J. Case, Pompano Theatre, Pompano, Fla. General patronage. THREE CHEERS FOR LOVE: Eleanore Whitney, Robert Cummings — Just a program picture with two clever youngsters, Eleanore Whitney and Robert Cummings, doing some dancing. Not much of a story. Played December 18-19. — C. A. Jordan, Opera House, Cogswell, N. D. Small town patronage. VALIANT IS THE WORD FOR CARRIE: Gladys George — Here is another one of those finest performances this year and it was delivered by Gladys George. But I am asking you what is the benefit of delivering the finest performance of the year to empty seats? This new screen personality, Gladys George, should have a future screen appearance, but she like McLaglen, is a problem for the producers to work out, but here, best wishes to both of them. — W. H. Brenner, Cozy Theatre, Winchester, Ind. General patronage. WEDDING PRESENT: Joan Bennett, Cary Grant— "Wedding Present" is good entertainment. Joan Bennett, in my estimation, is about as clever as any of the stars. I should like to see her given a really big part. — Rubel Hutchings, Allen Theatre, Allen Neb. Small town patronage. WIVES NEVER KNOW: Charles Ruggles, Mary Boland — This picture is rather nutty and not too strong. Some situations are very amusing. — Rubel Hutchings, Allen Theatre, Allen, Neb. Small town patronage Republic GHOST TOWN GOLD: Robert Livingston, Kay Hughes — Congratulations, Republic, on another top notch western. Even better than the first of this series. Give your patrons something different in westerns with this series. You won't regret it — Shuler and Ingram, Ashland Theatre, Ashland, Ala. Small town and CCC patronage. OH, SUSANNA!: Gene Autry, Frances Grant — When a better western is made, we would like to see it. This one has everything it takes to make good entertainment, and Gene didn't put his hand on his gun. Congratulations, Gene. Shuler and Ingram, Ashland Theatre, Ashland, Ala. Small town and CCC patronage. PRESIDENT'S MYSTERY, THE: Henry Wilcoxon, Betty Furness — This picture is a credit to the independent producer. They made a good all-around drama out of this. While it is not gigantic, it is good substantial drama and holds interest all the way. This was doubled with "Charlie Chan at the Race Track", which I consider an extra good Chan picture. Business on this program for a Sunday and Monday was a good average. — J. E. Stocker, Myrtle Theatre, Detroit, Mich. Neighborhood patronage. RIDE, RANGER, RIDE: Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette — Fair action picture. — Rubel Hutchings, Allen Theatre, Allen, Neb. Small town patronage. RIDE, RANGER, RIDE: Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette — Extra good Autry picture that pleased everyone. This series has good stories, good music and action to please the most rabid fan. You can't go wrong with Autry. — Shuler and Ingram, Ashland Theatre, Ashland, Ala. Small town and CCC patronage. RIDE, RANGER, RIDE: Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette — A good western to play on a double bill. This combination of singing and riding seems to please. We have not had any good recording on any of our Republic pictures so far. Played November 28-29. — Arcade Theatre, Middleville, Mich. Small town patronage. SITTING ON THE MOON: Roger Fryor, Grace Bradley — A fair musical that seemed to please. OK for one day. — J. R. Long, Bocanito Theatre, Scottsboro, Ala. General patronage THREE MESQUITEERS: Robert Livingston, Ray Corrigan— We were reluctant to book this series and tried this one as spot booking. When we say it is one of the best westerns we have played we are not kidding, and did we make a rush for the next one. We predict this will be one of the greatest outdoor combinations to grace the screen. Bob Livingston reminds us of the late Ferd Thomson. Played November 14. — Shuler and Ingram, Ashland Theatre, Ashland, Ala. Small town and CCC patronage. TICKET TO PARADISE: Roger Pryor, Wendy Barrie — A fair program picture. OK for one day. — J. R. Long, Bocanito Theatre, Scottsboro, Ala. Genera! patronage. RKO Radio BRIDE WALKS OUT, THE: Barbara Stanwyck, Gene Raymond — Played Sunday. Eiijoyed thoroughly, to above average business. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ontario, Canada. General patronage. BRIDES WALKS OUT, THE: Barbara Stanwyck, Gene Raymond — A nice little comedy drama, punctuated with some snappy gags which are not motheaten nor threadbare. It is not what anyone could call a super production, but it will please your patrons better than many pictures that are so styled We ran into bad weather with it, but it is doing all that could be expected of it. Running time, 80 minutes. Played January 1-2. — G. A. Van Fradenburg, Valley Theatre, Manassa, Col. Farming Community patronage. FANG AND CLAW: Frank Buck— An interesting educational picture, but our public lost interest to this kind of pictures. What they want is entertainment, not education. This picture is not as good as previous Buck's pictures. Even our Chinese patrons, with whom this kind of pictures were always very popular seem to get tired of them and did not come. Business below average. Played October 23-24 — C. Goldin, Majestic Theatre, Hong Kong, China. Neighborhood patronage. PLOT THICKENS, THE: James Gleason, Zasu Pitts — Unusually good murder-robbery picture. However, I am in favor of prohibiting any producer from making more than one murder or gangster picture a season. There's too many of them. Running time, 7 reels. — E. C. Arehart, Princess Theatre, Odebolt, Iowa. General patronage. SMARTEST GIRL IN TOWN: Ann Sothern, Gene Raymond — Nifty little comedy drama. Running time, 6 reels.— E. C. Arehart, Princess Theatre, Odebolt, Iowa. General patronage. SWING TIME: Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers— Unless Astaire and Rogers do something else besides dancing well, you guess the rest. Business not so hot on this one Failed to please. — J. R. Long, Bocanito Theatre, Scottsboro, Ala. General patronage. Twentieth CenturyFox AMBASSADOR BILL (RE-ISSUE): Will Rogers— This reissue drew better than average business, but not what we expected. Our town is too small for reissues, as too many patrons do not care to see any picture the second time. — Shuler and Ingram, Ashland Theatre, Ashland, Ala. Small town and CCC patronage. BANJO ON MY KNEE: Barbara Stanwyck, Joel McCrea — Swell show. More people told me they liked this than any show in months. Patronage better than average. Played December 31-January 1. — R. L. Sherman, Strand Theatre, North Branch, Mich. Small town patronage. BANJO ON MY KNEE: Barbara Stanwyck, Joel McCrea, Walter Brennan — Personally considered this an outstanding picture and our patrons raved over it. It is vastly different from anything we have played. Walter Brennan stole the picture and is he good. Congratulations, Mr. Brennan. Played December 28-29. — Shuler and Ingram, Ashland Theatre, Ashland, Ala. Small town and CCC patronage. CAN THIS BE DIXIE?: Jane Withers, Slim Summerville — Regardless of so many adverse reports, this went over good. Running time, 75 minutes. — E. C. Arehart, Princess Theatre, Odebolt, Iowa. General patronage. CAN THIS BE DIXIE?: Jane Withers, Slim Summerville — We Southerners got a laugh out of this one. We do not agree with exhibitor Ralph Cokain on this one, as our patrons liked it very much. Maybe it's because we are too dumb to know any better. Light entertainment, it's true, but seemed to please most everybody. — Shuler and Ingram, Ashland Theatre, Ashland, Ala. Small town and CCC patronage. CAPTAIN JANUARY: Shirley Temple— Compares favorably with early release by this popular little lady. She is still in the top classification at the box office. Drew 50 per cent over average business. Played November 25-26. — C. A. Jordan, Opera House, Cogswell, N. D. Small town patronage. DIMPLES: Shirley Temple, Frank Morgan— Here's one show that should never have been released. Shirley climbs to the top of the ladder, and now some bozo knocks the ladder out from under her. If Fox soon don't give this little star a break, well, we'll have to take down our "S. R. O." signs. We always bring back Temple pictures, but not this one; if we did, the house would be empty. Entire story weak. — D. E. Kolb, Municipal Theatre, Millheim, Pa. Country patronage. DIMPLES: Shirley Temple, Frank Morgan— Very disappointing Temple picture that our patrons failed to see either, because they had heard how weak it was, or because they are tired of Shirley. Hope "Stowaway" is better than this one. — Shuler and Ingram, Ashland Theatre, Ashland, Ala. Small town and CCC patronage. EVERYBODY'S OLD MAN: Irvin S. Cobb, Rochelle Hudson — A very good program picture that did no business. Lacked star value. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ontario, Canada. General patronage. LADIES IN LOVE: Janet Gaynor, Constance Bennett, Loretta Young, Simone Simon — The few customers we had stopped on the way out to ask us what the picture was about. Leave it off and you won't be sorry. — Shuler and Ingram, Ashland Theatre, Ashland, Ala. Small town and CCC patronage. PEPPER: Jane Withers, Irvin S. Cobb— Lively comedy that kept the audience in an uproar. Nothing big but seemed to please everyone. Played November 2324. — Shuler and Ingram, Ashland Theatre, Ashland, Ala. Small town and CCC patronage. PIGSKIN PARADE: Stuart Erwin, Patsy Kelly. Yacht Club Boys, Judy Garland— Here's a dandy little football picture with just enough catchy tunes to put it across. Not much of a story, but it still will bring them in, and send them away happy. Fox has a NEW star if they only wise up to the fact before it's too late, and some other company beats their time. Little