Motion Picture Herald (Sep-Oct 1937)

70 MOTION PICTURE HERALD October 2 1937 ing. It's a marvelous picture, but, like all Metro pictures, it has played first and second-run all about us, and the bulk of our limited clientele who like this type of picture nad already seen it elsewhere and are now driving to a neighboring city to see "Firefly." Played September 12-13.— Ted Stump, Elted Theatre, Absarokee, Mont. Rural patronage. NIGHT MUST FALL: Robert Montgomery, Rosalind Russell — Good acting but not very well received by our patrons. Would class it as just fair. Played September 4.— D. E. Fitton, Lyric Theatre, Harrison, Ark. Small town patronage. OLD SOAK, THE: Wallace Beery— Very good at the box office, and that's what counts. Played August 14. — B. Hollenbeck, Rose Theatre, Sumas, Wash. Small town patronage. PARNELL: Myrna lay, Clark Gable— Gable and Loy seemed to be acting. It is very slow — and did not draw as well as these stars generally do. Would class it as fair. Played September 12-13. — D. E. Fitton. Lyric Theatre, Harrison, Ark. Small town patronage. PARNELL: Clark Gable, Myrna Loy— Splendid production. Well made. Subject matter not cared for by the younger generation. Running time, 126 minutes. Played September 14-15. — M. W. Mattecheck, Lark Theatre, McMinnville, Ore. Local patronage. PARNELL: Clark Gable, Myrna Loy— This picture has plenty of merit and will be sure to perfectly satisfy the more intelligent patrons. The names Gable and Loy will bring out many who would not go to see an educational picture as such. This is one of the kind we run for prestige and not for profit. The rental charged is too large for the box office result. But, if such pictures are to be made, someone must pay for them. If the public won't pay for them, it may be up to the exhibitors. Running time, 116 minutes. Played September 10-11— G. A. Van Fradenburg, Valley Theatre, Manassa, Col. Farming community patronage. THEY GAVE HIM A GUN: Spencer Tracy, Gladys George, Franchot Tone — Three stars gave a wonderful performance, but our audience was lacking in women. Probably the title kept them away. Played September 8-9. — D. E. Fitton, Lyric Theatre, Harrison, Ark. Small town patronage. THEY GAVE HIM A GUN: Francot Tone, Gladys George. Spencer Tracy — Swell! It was one grand picture. They don't come any better than these boys, Tracy and Tone. Gladys George did a nice job, too. Running time, 94 minutes. Played September 3-4. — Horn & Morgan, Star Theatre, Hot Springs, Neb. Small town patronage. THIRTEENTH CHAIR. THE: Madge Evans. Henry Daniell— Interesting but weak. Held up about normally on a Pal Night program. Running time, 66 minutes. Played September 1-2. — Horn & Morgan, Star Theatre, Hay Springs, Neb. Small town patronage. TOPPER: Constance Bennett, Cary Grant — In comparison to the roars and guffaws that accompanied Metro's "Way Out West," "Topper" was received in silence. The picture drew well but was generally disappointing. Too much adveitising as to how funny it was. Comedy is better when you least expect it. Played September 1.— C. T. Cooney, Jr., The Waldo Theatre Corporation, Waldoboro, Maine. General patronage. TOPPER: Constance Bennett, Ronald Young — I gave this picture my personal guarantee for something new and amusing and I was not a bit sorry. It is the first novelty we have had since Audioscopiks. This picture must be advertised as being good because if you do not make up the people's minds before they see it, they are apt to make up their own minds and call it a flop, if you just present it as a regular program picture. Played August 19-20.— J. E. Palmer, State Theatre, Presque Isle, Maine. General patronage. WAY OUT WEST: Laurel and Hardy— Personally I thought this the most tiresome and inane picture I ever saw, but judging from the comments and the roars of laughter, I was alone in that opinion. Double featured it and it brought out a lot who seldom come to a show and they all seemed to enjoy it, so here's hoping Leo gives us another Laurel and Hardy feature soon. Running time, 64 minutes. Played September 11-12.— Gladys E. McArdle, Owl Theatre, Lebanon, Kan. Small town patronage. Monogram RIDERS OF THE DAWN: Jack Randall, Peggy Keys — Randall seems to possess possibilities, and with good stories should prove a worthy addition to the ranks of the western stars. New talent is needed and this first picture will establish him in the race. Excellent photography and new backgrounds. Songs not so hot, as they did not seem to have the proper "range" swing. Running time, 60 minutes. Played September 3.— Harry M. Palmer, Temple Court Theatre, Washington, Ind. General patronage. Paramount ARTISTS AND MODELS: Jack Benny, Gail Patrick— Subtract Judy Canova and Ben Blue, add more story and omit the Public Melody Number one episode, and it would have been an excellent show. Our patrons were not at all enthused, but evidently we are all wrong here, for all reviews give it a top rating. It's a good show, and, of course, should be played, but don't expect a wow, nor to see many models. Played August 29-30.— Ted Stump, Elted Theatre, Absarokee, Mont. Rural patronage. BLONDE TROUBLE: Johnny Downs, Eleanor Whitney — Passable programer, nothing else. McPhee says so. Running time, 66 minutes. — W. E. McPhee, Strand Theatre, Old Town, Maine. General patronage. EASY LIVING: Jean Arthur, Edward Arnold— We thought this to be one of the best comedies for many moons. So did our customers and attended it in fine style. It was a little noisy and screwy, but so was "My Man Godfrey," and if you can throw yourself into the spirit of it, you'll have a swell evening. Played September 5-6.— Ted Stump, Elted Theatre, Absarokee, Mont. Rural patronage. FORLORN RIVER: Larry Crabbe, June Martel— Certainly not up to Zane Grey standard. They used to make these Zane Grey westerns stand out, better than the ordinary star westerns, but this certainly was not. Seemed to please, however. Running time, 56 minutes. Played September 10-11.— Horn & Morgan, Star Theatre, Hay Springs, Neb. Small town patronage. I MET HIM IN PARIS: Claudette Colbert, Robert Young. Melvyn Douglas— A swell picture even at the box office. We have had a host of these comedies, but the public still likes them; let them come. Running time, 84 minutes.— Maxwell L. Bothman, Alvin Theatre, Guttenberg, N. J. I MET HIM IN PARIS: Claudette Colbert, Melvyn Douglas, Robert Young— The biggest laugh -getter in a long time. Positively the nuts. Even the hard-toplease patrons liked this one, and, believe it or not, every one had a big broad smile as they left the theatre, satisfied. What more is there to say? Business average against county fair opposition last two days. Running time, S6 minutes. Played September 12-13-14. — W. D. White, Palace Theatre, Exira, Iowa. Town and rural patronage. MAKE WAY FOR TOMORROW: Victor Moore, Beulah Bondi — For those who like to use a handkerchief, good in a spot where some other attraction brings them in. Once in, they will mostly like it. Played September 8.— L. A. Irwin, Palace Theatre. Penacook, N. H. General patronage. MOUNTAIN MUSIC: Martha Raye, Bob BurnsJust an ordinary program picture, but, oh boy, how it drew. Seemed like the patrons ate it up. After it was all over, couldn't find any one who liked it. One of the best drawing cards of the year. Running time, 75 minutes. Played September 5-6.— Horn & Morgan, Star Theatre, Hay Springs, Neb. Small town patronage. MOUNTAIN MUSIC: Bob Burns, Martha Raye— Rather silly. Did above average business. No kicks. — W. H. Hardman, Royal Theatre, Frankfort, Kansas. Small town patronage. ON SUCH A NIGHT: Karen Morley, Grant Richards—Did not please any one and will not. McPhee says so. Running time, 70 minutes.— W. E. McPhee, Strand Theatre, Old Town, Maine. General patronage. SOULS AT SEA: Gary Cooper, George Raft— Excellent production in any spot. Big enough for extended time. McPhee says so. Running time. 90 minutes.—W. E. McPhee, Strand Theatre, Old Town, Maine. General patronage. TURN OFF THE MOON: Eleanore Whitney, Johnny Downs— A good musical, nicely done. Running time, 78 minutes.— Maxwell L. Rothman, Alvin Theatre, Guttenberg, N. J. Republic BOLD CABALLERO, THE: Bob Livingston, Heather Angel— This may be a good feature. At least we were charged for it on the theory that it is something better than a program picture. We have had color pictures flop before, but not as completely as this one. Running time, 71 minutes. Played September 14-15.— G. A. Van Fradenburg, Valley Theatre, Manassa, Col. Farming community patronage. SHEIK STEPS OUT, THE: Ramon Novarro, Lola Lane — Novarro will have to have better story and cast if he expects to get back. This one did not help him. Below average business after first day. Played September 12-14.— C. M. Hartman, Liberty Theatre, Carnegie, Okla. Small town patronage. RKO Radio BORDER CAFE: John Beal, Armida— Gets by, but hardly an attraction to boast of. Not exactly a western despite Mexican border location. Played Sept. 7. — L. A. Irwin, Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. General patronage. MAN WHO FOUND HIMSELF, THE: John Beal, Joan Fontaine — Good feature. Elements of excitement and suspense combined with a little mystery. Boost it for the thrills. Train-wreck sequence most exciting thing in the picture. Worthy of all exploitation efforts you give it and it will need some. Poor titles, and the press sheets get entirely away from the possibilities the picture really has. Suggest you screen it before planning your campaign. Running time, 67 minutes. Played September 14-16.— Lewellen, Federal Theatre, Denver, Colo. Neighborhood patronage. NEW FACES OF 1937: Joe Penner, Harriet Hilliard — Claptrap, cheap, shoddy and vulgar. In my estimation, a Z picture. Nothing behind it except wind. Running time, 100 minutes. Played September 12-14.— M. W. Mattecheck, Lark Theatre, McMinnville, Ore. Local patronage. RIDING ON AIR: Joe E. Brown, Florence Rice— An excellent Joe Brown comedy. Plenty of laughs in this one. Played September 4. — L. A. Irwin, Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. General patronage. TOAST OF NEW YORK, THE: Edward ArnoldGood picture to way below average business. Played September 15-17.— C. M. Hartman, Liberty Theatre, Carnegie, Okla. Small town patronage. TOAST OF NEW YORK: Edward Arnold, Frances Farmer — A picture which attracts a class of people seldom seen in a theatre. Nothing but praise from those who saw it, and despite the fact that it might be classified as biographical, it is entertainment of the sort we too rarely get. Productions of this kind are an asset to any theatre. Played September 12. — Harry M. Palmer, Temple Court Theatre, Washington, Ind. General patronage. TOAST OF NEW YORK, THE: Edward Arnold, Frances Farmer— A very well done picture with plenty of careful direction, plot, comedy and good acting. It is, however, a costume picture and we cannot sell costume pictures usually. Played September 5-7.— J. E. Palmer, State Theatre, Presque Isle, Maine. Town and country patronage. YOU CAN'T BEAT LOVE: Preston Foster, Joan Fontaine — A fair comedy-drama. Pretty Joan Fontaine chalks up another mark along the road to producer recognition. Played September 1. — L. A. Irwin, Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. General patronage. Twentieth Century -Fox CAFE METROPOLE: Loretta Young, Tyrone Power— Some good names give this a fair drawing power, but the picture lacks the necessary action to please our customers. Played August 28.— B. Hollenback, Rose Theatre, Sumas, Wash. Small town patronage. DR. BULL (Reissue): Will Rogers— Will Rogers always pleases and the Rogers admirers came, but these reissues do not draw as well as they did. Good story and good cast. Running time, 79 minutes. Played September 8-9.— Gladys McArdle, Owl Theatre, Lebanon, Kan. 50 ROADS TO TOWN: Ann Sothern, Dan Ameche —A grand comedy. Play this one and please them all. Running time, 81 minutes.— Maxwell L. Rothman, Alvin Theatre, Guttenberg, N. J. HOLY TERROR, THE: Jane Withers, Tony Martin—The usual screamingly funny performance from Jane with a very good supporting cast and plenty of action. Running time, 67 minutes. Played September 1-2. — Gladys McArdle, Owl Theatre, Lebanon, Kan. IT HAPPENED OUT WEST: Paul Kelly, Judith Allen— Did not please any one and will not. McPhee says so. Running time, 56 minutes.— W. E. McPhee, Strand Theatre, Old Town, Maine. General patronage. SECRET VALLEY: Richard Arlen, Virginia Grey —Good western picture that drew fairly well. The sound recording on this was poor. Played August 3. — B. Hollenbeck, Rose Theatre, Sumas, Wash. Small town patronage. SEVENTH HEAVEN: Simone Simon, James Stewart—Here's an oldtimer that has been remade. The story is good, although a little too slow moving in spots. James Stewart is excellent in his role. Simone Simon is not so good. Did just a fair business here. Played September 14.— B. Hollenbeck, Rose Theatre, Sumas, Wash. Small town patronage. THIS IS MY AFFAIR: Barbara Stanwyck. Robert Taylor— Good entertainment. Played September 5-6.— D. E. Fitton, Lyric Theatre, Harrison, Ark. Small town patronage. WEE WILLIE WINKIE: Shirley Temple, Victor McLaglen— Well produced and McLaglen very good in his role. Typical Temple picture, a little gooey in spots. A little impossible that Shirley could melt the heart of the tough hombre that took the part of the Khan.— A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. General patronage. WEE WILLIE WINKIE: Shirley Temple-Grand production in any spot. Give this one all you have got, extended time and extended advertising. McPhee says so. Running time, 99 minutes.— W. E. McPhee, Strand Theatre, Old Town, Maine. General patronage. WESTERN GOLD: Smith Ballew, Heather Angel— Did not please and will not. McPhee says so.— W. E. McPhee, Strand Theatre, Old Town, Maine. General patronage. YOU CAN'T HAVE EVERYTHING: Alice Faye, Ritz Bros.— This is another musical like "Sing, Baby. Sing" and "On the Avenue." Alice Faye is the best ever, but the picture does not hold up to the pictures just mentioned. The Ritz Bros, are funny, but their stuff is getting old, and they were not up to their previous pictures. The story and music is good and