Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1937)

70 Shearer— Swell picture but too heavy for a small town. Got local study club to sponsor it. Everything came out O. K Running time, 124 minutes. Played November 17-18.— R. W. Crickmore, Rainbow Theatre, Newport, Wash. Small town patronage. SARATOGA: Clark Gable, Jean Harlow— This is not the great production that it is supposed to be. The race track story does not merit the great stars in the cast. The editing of the picture and photography of the substitute star is very good. Played October 2526.— C. O. Shuler, Heflin Theatre, Heflin, Ala. Small town and rural patronage. TOPPER: Constance Bennett, Cary Grant— They don't make them much more crazy than this, but there are plenty of laughs and the picture pleased. Did not draw very well. — W. H Hardman, Royal Theatre, Frankfort, Kan. Small town patronage. Paramount BLONDE TROUBLE: Johnny Downs, Eleanore Whitney — A very good team, Johnny Downs and Eleanore Whitney, are wasted in this cheap production. Miss Whitney, who dances so well, was only seen briefly throughout the picture. Nor did she dance or did Johnny sing except for a song he wasn't supposed to be able to really sing. Very disappointing. Played November 13. — L. A. Irwin, Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. General patronage. BLONDE TROUBLE: Eleanore Whitney, Johnny Downs — Played it on a double bill. It will get by, but is not very good. — W. H Hardman, Royal Theatre, Frankfort, Kan. Small town patronage. BULLDOG DRUMMOND COMES BACK: John Howard, John Barrymore — A good picture to poor results. Played November 16. — L. A. Irwin, Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. General patronage. DOUBLE OR NOTHING: Bing Crosby, Martha Rave — The best so far this year from Paramount. Played to nice business and everyone seemed more than satisfied. — L. V. Bergtold, New Westby Theatre, Westby, Wis. General patronage. HIGH, WIDE AND HANDSOME: Irene Dunne, Randolph Scott — If this picture cost Paramount what they say it did, all that I can say is that they were gypped. It is just a super colossal picture that has too much length and one of those that reaches for heroics. The running of the pipe line had too many shots in it and slowed the picture down at that point. The action that went with the picture saved it. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. General patronage. HIGH, WIDE AND HANDSOME: Irene Dunne, Randolph Scott — We always try to comment on a picture on our own reaction and not box office receipts. We have had several picture that were knockouts, but did not draw to our audiences. This picture's audience reaction was only fair. The box office was no better than a program picture. Personally, we think it is the worst ever put out by a producer for an "A" picture. The story was nothing and the editing was worse. How Miss Dunne could drive from Harrisburg to Titusville in a horse and buggy in twelve hours is beyond all comprehension, and then have the circus arrive on the same day caused a laugh from the audience. It would have made a good western fifteen years ago, but with the public movie-wise, it does not go at this date. Cannot suggest where to play it, but think if your audiences like action pictures, a Friday-Saturday date is best as there is not enough "high-brow" entertainment to hurt it. Running time, 105 minutes. — A J. Inks, Crystal Theatre, Ligonier, Ind. Small town patronage. I MET HIM IN PARIS: Claudette Colbert, Melvyn Douglas, Robert Young — We played this rather late, but it is a most satisfactory production. Everybody pleased. Business fair. Played November 24-25. — C. W. Mills, Arcade Theatre, Sodus, N. Y. Family patronage. LAST TRAIN FROM MADRID: Dorothy Lamour, Lew Ayres — Although the Spanish war is not as popular with the people, we enjoyed very satisfactory business, but would like to see Dorothy Lamour in another "Jungle Princess." — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ontario, Canada. General patronage. NORTH OF THE RIO GRANDE: William Boyd, George Hayes — -A good western but only fair gross. Played November 13.— L. A Irwin, Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. General patronage. SHE ASKED FOR IT: William Gargan, Orien Heyward — It's hard to get excited over this unimportant little picture. At the box office it registered poor. While we got no complaints, we did at the same time feel that maybe we'd gypped a small number of our patrons, for this isn't the sort of thing they are glad to pay money to see. Played November 9. — L. A. Irwin, Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. General patronage. SOPHIE LANG GOES WEST: Gertrude Michael— A very minor effort in what should have been a good series of detective yarns. On its own, it had nothing to attract the cash customers, but our other attractions turned in a fair gross. Played November 10. — L. A Irwin, Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. General patronage. SOPHIE LANG GOES WEST: Gertrude Michael, Larry Crabbe — An out and out "Dog." Poorest picture MOTION PICTURE HERALD I have played in my new theatre to date. If you have to play it, be out of town at the time. — L. V. Bergtold, New Westby Theatre, Westby, Wis. General patronage. SOULS AT SEA: Gary Cooper, George Raft, Frances Dee — Undoubtedly a fine production, but the brutality of several scenes is far from pleasing to most women patrons. Most of the men will, however, thoroughly enjoy this. Did not do quite average Sunday business.— L. V. Bergtold, New Westby Theatre, Westby, Wis. General patronage. THIS WAY PLEASE: Charles Buddy Rogers, Betty Grable, Mary Livingstone — Mary Livingstone will not disappoint your patrons. At least she pleased mine. Her gags went over on the screen just as well as on the radio. She does a good job and the only regrets my patrons had were: Why wasn't Jack in it with her? Of course that is something to look forward to Box office was tops along with Paramount's biggest.— W. H. Brenner, Cozy Theatre, Winchester, Ind. General patronage. THUNDER TRAIL: Gilbert Roland, Marsha HuntBetter than usual western. Strong production. Running time, 53 minutes. — W. E. McPhee, Strand Theatre, Old Town, Maine. General patronage. WILD MONEY: Edward Everett Horton— It did all right as the other half of a double bill, but much too weak for anything but a bargain night. Played November 20. — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kan. Small time patronage. Republic ARIZONA GUNFIGHTER: Bob Steele, Jean Carmen— Bob Steele is a favorite with our patrons He always draws well and this one pleased above average. Bob's pictures seem to pack more action than some western stars and that is what the Saturday fans want. Played October 23.— C. O. Shuler, Heflin Theatre, Heflin, Ala. Small town and rural patronage. GUN RANGER; THE: Bob Steele, Eleanor Stewart — Good western. Steele popular. — Sammie Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. General patronage. GUNS AND GUITARS: Gene Autry, Dorothy Dix, Smiley Burnette — Fine. I wish Republic would put Lew Childre, "The Boy from Alabam'," in one of these Autrys. He'd be fiine for western fans. What about it, Republic? Sammie Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. General patronage. PARADISE EXPRESS: Grant Withers, Dorothy Appleby — Good picture for my town on Bargain Night. — Sammie Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. General patronage. ROARIN' LEAD: Robert Livingston, Ray Corrigan, Max Terhune — Fine series. What happened to Syd Saylor? He was good. — Sammie Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. General patronage. RKO-Radio BREAKFAST FOR TWO: Barbara Stanwyck, Herbert Marshall — Some came on the strength of Stanwyck's "Stella Dallas." A non-consequental and minor farce (often bordering on the slapstick) with Herbert Marshall ruthlessly miscast and the talented Miss Stanwyck wasted and powerless in a lean role. Eric Blore, with the aid of a Great Dane, not only steals the show, but managed to keep potential walkouts in their seats for its fortunately brief duration. Business average. — C. T. Cooney, Jr., Waldo Theatre, Waldoboro, Me. General patronage. FLIGHT FROM GLORY: Chester Morris, Whitney Bourne — Just a programer that gets by nicely. Running time, 60 minutes. — W. E. McPhee, Strand Theatre, Old Town, Maine. General patronage. LIFE OF THE PARTY, THE: Joe Penner, Gene Raymond, Harriet Hilliard, Victor Moore, Helen Broderick — A number of walkouts kept me scurrying for the haven of shadows, but what I saw and heard of the film and the audience reaction made me marvel at what little humor it takes to make the public laugh. Joe Penner and Parkyakarkus fought a losing battle to save an ironically titled story from being_ a decided ly mediocre piece of work. Victor Moore, instead of (as he has been) funny and lovable, being pathetic, was pathetic being funny; and the rest of the cast (definitely including Gene Raymond) were unconvincing and annoying in their flimsy roles. Business below average.— C. T. Cooney, Jr., Waldo Theatre, Waldoboro, Me. General patronage. RIDING ON AIR: Joe E. Brown, Florence Rice— A little above normal business helped materially by good weather. Joe E. Brown's pictures always please the family trade and this was no exception. Played November 27— C. W. Mills, Arcade Theatre, Sodus, N. Y. Family patronage. SHALL WE DANCE: Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edward Everett Horton — Not quite up to previous^ attractions by this pair. However, should rate a little above average screen fare. The big mystery to me is why this holds my low gross, with weather and other conditions ideal for good business. Also checked nine walkouts on the two nights we played this. Played the week following "Sophie Lang Goes West," same days, and this did even less than "Sophie."— L. V. Bergtold, New Westby Theatre, Westby, Wis. General patronage. December II, 1937 Twentieth Century-Fox ALI BAB A GOES TO TOWN: Eddie Cantor, Tony Martin, Roland Young, June Lang — Good show, but didn't pull enough to show a profit. Fox gets plenty of dough for their product, which is head and shoulders above any other producers, but if they cost too much, why run them? If you can get them in, they'll get a lot of laughs, but we didn't get them in and I don't know why. Flayed November 10-12. — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kan. Small town patronge. ANGEL'S HOLIDAY: Jane Withers, Robert KentJane Withers really goes to town in this one. She has a chance to do some real acting, and certainly makes good. Fair story and good cast, especially "Gramp," played by Al Lydell. Pleased. Running time, 71 minutes. Played November 10-11.— Gladys E. McArdle, Owl Theatre, Lebanon, Kan. Small town patronage. HANDY ANDY (Re-Issue): Will Rogers— Will Rogers repeat, and went good.— W. E. McPhee, Strand Theatre, Old Town, Maine. General patronage. HANDY ANDY (Re-Issue): Will Rogers— Did considerably above average mid-week business with this and pleased everyone. A dandy story with the greatest of all characters at the helm. — L. V. Bergtold, New Westby Theatre, Westby, Wis. General patronage. HEIDI: Shirley Temple— The best this little star has made for a long, long time and it satisfied, but the drawing power of other Temple pictures was lacking and in a big way. Fox collects much too much rental for these, and while the picture pleased those that saw it, I would not advise paying a big rental to get it, because the picture won't pay rental and running expenses. Played November 17-19— Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kan. Small town patronage. LIFE BEGINS IN COLLEGE: Ritz Brothers, Joan Davis, Tony Martin, Nat Pendleton— As may be expected with these maniacs, nothing makes sense. A slim story for the antics of the Ritzs'. About fifty per cent thought it a knockout and the others were not so sure. They just have about one line and the songs may be different, but they are typed too strong tolast, in my opinion. In medium doses, in support, it may be a different story, but to carry a feature with them headed, I think not. I may be wrong, but I am judging from the audience reaction of being so divided. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. General patronage. SECOND HONEYMOON: Loretta Young, Tyrone Power — This picture is a gooey love story of divorce and the reunion that did not have a single idea in the press sheet to put over a picture like this that is whipped from the start. The mats had nothing but "Their Love is News Again," and that line of guff for a hard-bitten rural town. That stuff like this gags them, and take it from me, it will take some selling to get any business which was lacking here. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. General patronage. THIN ICE: Sonja Henie, Tyrone Power — Swell picture. Pleased all and did a little extra business. — W. H. Hardman, Royal Theatre, Frankfort, Kan. Small town patronage. THIN ICE: Sonja Henie, Tyrone Power, Joan Davis — Used this mid-week instead of on a Sunday change, as I wanted an early date. Many said better than "One in a Million." Anyway, they just don't come better. In spite of a midweek booking, I broke the house record for this.— L. V. Bergtold, New Westby Theatre, Westby, Wis. General patronage. THINK FAST, MR. MOTO: Peter Lorre, Virginia Field — Good show on the "Charlie Chan" order and will do all right on the other half of your double feature.— Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kan. Small town patronage. YOU CAN'T HAVE EVERYTHING: Alice Faye, Ritz Brothers, Don Ameche, Joan Davis — We thought this one of the best musicals we have played this season. It seemed to please those who saw it. Business not up to par, but not the fault of picture. I believe we have had too many productions of above caliber recently. The public is becoming tired of same. Played October 21-22.— C. O. Shuler, Heflin Theatre, Heflin, Ala. Small town and rural patronage. YOU CAN'T HAVE EVERYTHING: Alice Faye, Don Ameche, Ritz Brothers, Louise Hovick — Good show, but it did not do so well at the box office. — W. H. Hardman, Royal Theatre, Frankfort, Kan. Small town patronage. YOU CAN'T HAVE EVERYTHING: Alice Faye, Don Ameche, Ritz Brothers, Joan Davis — Not quite as good as I thought it was going to be. And certainly no particular draw at the B. O. Just about average. Too many pictures of this type are being produced.— L. V. Bergtold, New Westby Theatre, Westby, Wis. General patronage. WILD AND WOOLLY: Jane Withers, Walter Brennan — Extra good business. The picture is O. K., and the cash customers like Jane Withers. — W. H. Hardmann, Royal Theatre, Frankfort, Kan. Small town patronage. WILD AND WOOLLY: Jane Withers— The answer to this small town exhibitors' prayer, giving us nice