Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Feb 1938)

58 MOTION PICTURE HERALD February 26, 1938 (Continued from preceding page} Sothern — Just another picture. Running time, 72 minutes. — K. A. Spears, Roxy Theatre, Winlock, Wash. Small town patronage. STAGE DOOR: Ginger Rogers, Katharine Hepburn — Plenty good, and was enjoyed by a better than average Sunday crowd. No walkouts, no kicks and many compliments. Running time, 90 minutes. Played January 9. — F. L. Clarke, Cozy Theatre, Hazen, Ark. Small town patronage. STAGE DOOR: Katharine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers — This is a darn good show that pleased all. Play it up big and you won't be sorry. Running time, 92 minutes. Played January 16-18. — J. A. Fair, Elite Theatre, Laurens, Iowa. General patronage. STAGE DOOR: Ginger Rogers, Katharine Hepburn, Adolphe Menjou — Good picture which did less than average at box office. Pleased the ladies but the men did not rate it highly. Altogether too much talk.— Walter Hohlfeld, Elite Theatre, Greenleaf, Kansas. Small town patronage. STAGE DOOR: Katharine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, Adophe Menjou — You could write pages about this picture and all you could say would be that it is grand. Many folks thought that Rogers stole the show. Personally I agreed with them. I never have seen so many pleased faces as folks left the theatre. Any exhibitor playing pictures like this does not have to find a good hiding place as we have had to do after playing some of them. Running time, 92 minutes. Played February 5-7. — R. W. Crickmore, Rainbow Theatre, Newport, Wash. General patronage. SWING TIME: Fred Astaire, Ginger RogersPlayed this very late but it did not hurt it a bit. Did good business and personally still consider it the best of Astaire and Rogers series. Played December 8-9— R. D. Fisher, Cozy Theatre, Cabool, Mo. Small town and rural patronage. THERE GOES THE GROOM: Burgess Meredith, Ann Sothern — Not much of a picture. Did average business. Too silly. Should be double featured. Looks like we'll all have to start this double billing much as I hate to do it.— Walter Hohlfeld, Elite Theatre, Greenleaf. Kansas. Small town patronage. WISE GIRL: Ray Milland, Mariam Hopkins— Our prevue crowd seemed to be pretty well satisfied with this one. Running time, 70 minutes. Played February 5-6. — H. Wilson Young, Wahoo Theatre, Dubach, La. Small town patronage. Twentieth Century-Fox ALI BAB A GOES TO TOWN: Eddie Cantor— Personally I thought pretty good, but business very poor. Pleased about 50%. Running time. 80 minutes. Played February 3-4. — Ouida Stephano, Grove Theatre, Groveton, Texas. Small town patronage. ALI BABA GOES TO TOWN: Eddie Cantor— Not so hot. It misses fire and patronage was only 50% of normal. Running time, 81 minutes. Played January 23. — F. L. Clarke, Cozy Theatre, Hazen, Ark. Small town patronage. ALI BABA GOES TO TOWN: Eddie Cantor— We find Ed Cantor at his best in this picture. The colored stars were at their best. This had plenty of box office for us. Good entertainment. Running time, 81 minutes. Flayed February 9-11. — Howard B. Lee and John O. Hopkins, National Theatre, Wilmington, Del. General patronage. ALI BABA GOES TO TOWN: Eddie Cantor, June Lang — Not quite up to Cantor standard but will do. Grand business first night. But due to Cantor comments did not draw on the second night. Played February 7-8. — W. M. Pinckard, Princess Theatre, Carthage. Tenn. Small town patronage. ANGEL'S HOLIDAY: Jane Withers— The first Jane Withers picture which ever flopped at the box office, and there was no reason, as it is a very good oicture. — Walter Hohlfeld, Elite Theatre, Greenleaf, Kansas. Small town patronage. BIG BUSINESS: Jed Prouty, Spring Byington— These do all right on a double bill but I don't even try to run them alone. Some of my patrons like these but most of them would rather be some place else and Fox has the nerve to ask plenty of money for them but I don't know why. — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kansas. Small town patronage. CAFE METROPOLE: Loretta Young, Tyrone Power — I did not hear one single good word from our audiences about this picture. It is a picture which has absolutely no place on the program of any small town theatre. At least that is my opinion, and my patrons seemed to agree with me. Yes, we certainly are forced to take plenty of "duds" just to get the Shirley Temples. Running time, 83 minutes. Played January 21-22. — George W. Pattengill, Jr.. Cameo Theatre, Mattawamkeag, Maine. Rural patronage. CALIFORNIAN, THE: Ricardo Cortez, Marjorie Weaver — This picture will take the place of your western and do a fair job of it. There is a certain amount of draw attached to the title and there is a certain amount of action that will please your thrill hunters and action seekers. — Mayme P. Mussel man, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kansas. Small town patronage. CHARLIE CHAN AT THE OLYMPICS: Warner Oland — Used on a double bill. About the average Chan and they are all well received. — L. V. Bergtold, Westby Theatre, Westby, Wis. General patronage. CHARLIE CHAN ON BROADWAY: Warner Oland, Joan Marsh — These Charlie Chans do have a following but not enough to justify the rental. Not big enough for anything but your bargain night and not worth more than your lowest allocation. — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kansas. Small town patronage. CHECKERS: Jane Withers, Stuart Erwin, Una Merkel — A satisfactory picture to satisfactory business. But with Jane Withers' showing in the recent poll, it would not seem too much to ask of Fox to give this star a break in future releases. Bigger stories, better parts and dialogue that will get away from the sameness that has been the rule in her past pictures. Running time, 78 minutes. Played February 6-7-8. — M. R. Harrington, Avalon Theatre, Clatskanie, Oregon. Small town and rural patronage. DANGER— LOVE AT WORK: Jack Haley. Ann Sothern — This picture was booked two days but patrons walked out on the first day so we cancelled it. This one is not worth double features. Running time, 81 minutes. Played February 7. — Howard B. Lee and John O. Hopkins, National Theatre. Wilmington, Del. General patronage. 45 FATHERS: Jane Withers, Thomas Beck— This little girl is beginning to mean something at my box office but not as much as Fox thinks because she isn't worth the allocation in this town, yet. On a par or better than any of her previous efforts and worth your best playing time. — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kansas. Small town patronage. 45 FATHERS: Jane Withers, Thomas Beck— Everyone seemed to be of the same opinion that this is Jane's best picture. Business fair considering conditions, etc. Running time, 71 minutes. — K. A. Spears, Roxy Theatre, Winlock, Wash. Small town patronage. HAWAIIAN BUCKAROO: Smith Ballew. Evalyn Knapp-|-The unusual locale and the many laughs put this several notches above the average western. I played this brand new and found it refreshingly different. Very well received. — L. V. Bergtold, Westby Theatre, Westby, Wis. Genera! patronage. HEIDI: Shirley Temple — Probably the best Temple to date. How they went for it, but I hit a bad spell of weather, which was the only reason that I did not break Shirley's record in this town. This is as near a picture that will please everybody as you will ever get. If you have it coming get behind it for all you are worth. It will more than justify your efforts. Running time, 88 minutes. Played January 30. — F. L. Clarke, Cozy Theatre, Hazen, Ark. Small town patronage. HEIDI: Shirley Temple, Jean Hersholt— This little girl still does business. A very good picture, next to the best she has made for some time. Running time, 88 minutes. Played January 7-8. — J. A. Fair, Elite Theatre, Laurens, Iowa. General patronage. HOT WATER: Jed Prouty, Spring Byington— They make up the other half of that weekend double bill and get a few laughs but about the only walkouts I get is on these: Phooey! — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kansas. Small town patronage. IT HAPPENED OUT WEST: Paul Kelly, Judith Allen — We join several other exhibitors in wondering if Fox will ever make a good western. We have run several of this series and every one is the same in that stories are weak, photography is poor, and the sound is terrible. Nuf sed. Running time, 56 minutes. Played January 31. — George W. Pettengill, Jr., Cameo Theatre, Mattawamkeag, Maine. Rural patronage. JUDGE PRIEST: Will Rogers— These reissues are falling down with us. Business is not up to average.— W. H. Hardman, Royal Theatre, Frankfort, Kansas. Small town patronage. JUDGE PRIEST: Will Rogers— Will Rogers still brings in the dollars and sends the people out with a smile. This is the kind of entertainment people want. Running time, 79 minutes. Played February 2-3. — J. A. Fair, Elite Theatre, Laurens, Iowa. General patronage. LANCER SPY: Dolores Del Rio, Peter Lorre, George Sanders — We used this on a double bill, even though Fox thought it was good enough for ahigher allocation. Glad we did because it wasn't so hot and by itself would have lost money on it. Pass it, if you can. — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kansas. Small town patronage. LIFE BEGINS IN COLLEGE: Ritz BrothersWhile this show is rather silly, and has an overdose of the comedians, it went over fairly well with me, but if I had it to do over I would not use it on Sunday. Runjaing time, 94 minutes. Played January 16.— F. L. Clarke, Cozy Theatre, Hazen, Ark. Small town patronage. LIFE BEGINS IN COLLEGE: Ritz Brothers— Our patrons seem to enjoy the Ritz Brothers. A very interesting picture and plenty of fun. Running time, 81 minutes. Played January 31-February 1. — Howard B. Lee & John O. Hopkins, National Theatre, Wilmington, Del. General patronage. LOVE AND HISSES: Ben Bernie, Walter Winchell, Simone Simon — A good picture but without the box office appeal of the first WinchellBernie release. Simone Simon has a pleasing voice and puts her numbers over in an entertaining manner, but for some reason the patrons failed to turn out. Pleased fairly well. Running time, 84 minutes. Played January 3031-February 1.— M. R. Harrington, Avalon Theatre, Clatskanie, Oregon. Small town and rural patronage. LOVE IS NEWS: Tyrone Power, Loretta Young, Don Ameche, Slim Summerville — Another Fox hit made to order for our audience. Don Ameche as the editor of a daily paper, Tyrone Power as a star reporter and Loretta Young as a spoiled heiress get together to give as breezy and refreshing a performance as we ever witnessed. The comedy situations are "sure-fire" and the jail scene with Loretta, Tyrone and Slim Summerville is a knockout. Play this and have no regrets. It's a Fox tonic for a run-down box office. Running time, 78 minutes. Played February 12. — J. A. Reynolds, Director of Recreation, State Prison, Trenton, N. J. Prison patronage. ROLL ALONG COWBOY: Smith Ballew, Cecilia Parker — This guy couldn't ride in a street car with both doors shut but he can sing a little. My chewers and spitters, the boys with the big hats, don't care for him and I can't blame them. Put him back on the radio; he can't hurt that much. — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kansas. Small town patronage. ROLL ALONG COWBOY: Smith Ballew— It is rather slow for a western. The singing is good and it did a fair business. — W. H. Hardman, Royal Theatre, Frankfort, Kansas. Small town patronage. SECOND HONEYMOON: Loretta Young, Tyrone Power — Very well liked by our audiences. — C. L. Niles, Niles Theatre, Anamosa, Iowa. General patronage. SECOND HONEYMOON: Tyrone Power, Loretta Young — We didn't break any house records with this picture and while it was in the top allocation we didn't gross expenses, but Fox did reallocate it, so that we showed a belated profit. Not strong enough for your best nights but better than a programmer. — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kansas. Small town patronage. SING AND BE HAPPY: Tony Martin, Leah Ray, Dixie Dunbar — A little class "B" musical from Fox which pleased our crowd. Business was off on account of subzero weather. However, the second night's business was better than the first, and that proves any picture's worth to us. Once again, a Fox picture had a very poor presentation because of the terrible print received from the exchange. Running time, 64 minutes. Played February 11-12. — George W. Pettengill, Jr., Cameo Theatre, Mattawamkeag, Maine. Rural patronage. SING AND BE HAPPY: Tony Martin, Dixie Dunbar— A clever program picture. Not much draw but at least I did not have to hide when the customers came out. Wish we could get more "B" pictures as good as this. — Walter Hohlfeld, Elite Theatre, Greenleaf, Kansas. Small town patronage. TARZAN'S REVENGE: Glenn Morris, Eleanor Holm — Very amusing. Dress vour lobby like a jungle. My patronage ate this up. I think the monkey was the grandest actor of them all. Running time, 75 minutes. Played February 8-9. — Ouida Stephano, Grove Theatre, Groveton, Texas. Small town patronage. TARZAN'S REVENGE: Glenn Morris, Eleanor Holm — A poor carbon copy of the previous Tarzan pictures. Pulled O.K. the first night, but no click the second. As actors, these two are swell athletes and totally unconvincing on the screen. And a highly improbable story did not help matters much either. Running time. 70 minutes. Played January 26-27. — M. R. Harrington, Avalon Theatre, Clatskanie, Oregon. Small town and rural patronage. THANK YOU, MR. MOTO: Peter Lorre, Pauline Frederick — Nothing outstanding, but seemed to please. At best, just another picture to make up a double bill. No pulling power and business just fair. Running time, 67 minutes. Played February 2-3. — M. R. Harrington, Avalon Theatre, Clatskanie, Oregon. Small town and rural patronage. THIS IS MY AFFAIR: Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Taylor — Very good drama. Drew slightly better than average and pleased all. — Walter Hohlfeld, Elite Theatre, Greenleaf, Kansas. Small town patronage. WAKE UP AND LIVE: Walter Winchell, Ben Bernie — A big flop at box office. Not a bad picture but my customers are getting tired of musicals. Bernie and Winchell may be OK on the radio, but not at the box office. -Walter Hohlfeld. Elite Theatre, Greenleaf, Kansas. Small town patronage. WEE WILLIE WINKIE: Shirley Temple— Very good picture. Well produced. Shirley is only doing one-third to one-half of the business she did 18 months ago. — Walter Hohlfeld. Elite Theatre, Greenleaf, Kansas. Small town patronage. WIFE, DOCTOR AND NURSE: Loretta Young,