Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Feb 1938)

Record Details:

Title:
Motion Picture Herald
Date:
Jan-Feb 1938
Publisher:
[New York, N.Y. : Quigley Pub. Co.]
Volume:
Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Feb 1938)
Leaf #:
000919
Language:
English
Subjects:
motion pictures, Motion pictures -- Periodicals
Collection:
Hollywood Studio System
Format:
Periodicals
Contributor:
Library of Congress, MBRS, Moving Image Section
Sponsor:
Library of Congress, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division
Coordinator:
Media History Digital Library
Description:
Founded in 1915 by a Chicago printing company as a regional trade paper for Midwest exhibitors. In 1916, editor Martin Quigley bought out the owners, and over the next 15 years, he grew EXHIBITORS HERALD into one of the most important national, weekly trade papers in the film business. Quigley acquired MOTOGRAPHY in 1917 and MOVING PICTURE WORLD in 1927. In 1930, he acquired MOTION PICTURE NEWS and the new 'consolidated' publication became MOTION PICTURE HERALD. From the pulpit of his editorial page, Quigley preached the need to improve the motion picture industry and improve the quality of the films. He skillfully served as a mediator in disputes -- between distributors and exhibitors, between the film industry and the Catholic Church (Quigley was one of the architects of the Production Code). Quigley claimed that EXHIBITORS HERALD represented the 'independent exhibitor' and sections like 'What the Picture Did for Me?' certainly provided a forum for theater owners. But plenty of exhibitors viewed Quigley as a servant to the studios and large theater chains. In response, publications such as SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN, HARRISON'S REPORTS, and BOX OFFICE were either formed or grew significantly in the years following Quigley's brief moment of consolidation in 1930. -- Eric Hoyt, 2014
Date Added:
November 03, 2022
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February 26, 1938 MOTION PICTURE HERALD 59 Warner Baxter, Virginia Bruce — Just what the customers here want. Enjoyed by all who saw it. Just my luck to have bad weather. Played January 2425.— W. M. P'inckard, Princess Theatre, Carthage, Tenn. Small town patronage. WIFE, DOCTOR AND NURSE: Loretta Young, Warner Baxter, Virginia Bruce — You can go the limit on this fine production and your patrons will thank you for it. Our business 'way above average for this engagement. Running time, 85 minutes. Played January 2.— F. L. Clarke, Cozy Theatre, Hazen, Ark. Small town patronage. WIFE, DOCTOR AND NURSE: Loretta Young, Warner Baxter, Virginia Bruce — Business was off on this one, but to those of us who saw it, it was a real treat to see this fine cast in action. Direction and photography are excellent, too, though one is not likely to be conscious of these while looking at the loveliest girl in Hollywood. Running time, 85 minutes. Played January 31 -February 1. — H. Wilson Young. Wahoo Theatre, Dubach, La. Small town and rural patronage. WILD AND WOOLLY: Jane Withers— We did very nice business, being favored by good weather, and our folks like Jane Withers. Played January 15. — C. W. Mills, Arcade Theatre, Sodus, N. Y. Family patronage. YOU CAN'T HAVE EVERYTHING: Alice Faye, Don Ameche, Louise Hovick, Ritz Brothers — Pleased in a big way on Family Night. Doubtless Alice Faye's very best performance to date. Louise Hovick did well enough, but lately several things would seem to indicate that Fox is afraid its pictures will become too goody-goody. However, I know of several on the lot that I would be glad to trade off to get Janet Gaynor back. Incidentally, I think that Don Ameche tops any other male star. Running time, 99 minutes. Played February 3-4. — H. Wilson Young, Wahoo Theatre, Dubach, La. Small town and rural patronage. United Artists BULLDOG DRUMMOND STRIKES BACK: Ronald Colman, Loretta Young — Don't laugh. I had this paid for a long time before I used it but want to say that it is head and shoulders above 80 per cent of the present day washouts that come out of Hollywood, and on your bargain nights will do plenty of business. The print I had was in very good shape out of Kansas City. — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kansas. Small town patronage. DEAD END: Joel McCrea, Sylvia Sidney, Humphrey Bogart — Another hit from Samuel Goldwyn which with very few exceptions was well accepted here. However, it didn't do as much business as we expected. Played December 5-6. — R. D. Fisher, Cozy Theatre, Cabool, Mo. Small town and rural patronage. 52nd STREET: Leo Carrillo, Pat Faterson, Kenny Baker — Good entertainment. Carrillo outstanding and Baker can really sing. Play it any date. You can't go wrong. The outstanding number being Kenny singing "I'd Like to See Samoa of Samoa", with Pat going Hawaiian. Running time, 81 minutes. Played February 6-7. — Pruitt Simms, Dale Theatre, Ozark, Ala. General patronage. HURRICANE, THE: Dorothy Lamour, Jon Hall— A hurricane in every way, especially at the box office. Gave me the highest gross to date in my 'new theatre. I consider this excellent evidence that stars are not always necessary to. bring in the business. Certainly this picture has no outstanding characters. Business far above expectations. Did not spend 10c for extra advertising. — L. V. Bergtold, Westby Theatre, Westby, Wis. General patronage. HURRICANE, THE: Dorothy Lamour, Jon Hall— The hurricane scene worth the price of admission, with the whole picture building up to it. Dorothy Lamour a natural for the role although many of the patrons disappointed because she didn't sing. The publicity men behind this picture must be tops. For a picture that lacked in cast names as much as this one. it did a terrific business. It's presold, and how! Running time, 104 minutes. Played February 9-13. — Peter Panagos, Sipe Theatre, Kokomo, Ind. General patronage. NOTHING SACRED: Carole Lombard, Fredric March — Clever as they come and played for every hit of comedy and fun by March and Lombard. Business not up to expectations but those who came had a swell time. Running time, 75 minutes. Played January _ 28-29.— M. R. Harrington, Avalon Theatre, Clatskanie, Oregon. Small town and rural patronage. NOTHING SACRED: Carole Lombard, Fredric March — For some unexplainable reason, and in spite of the color, this did not go over especially big. Both the box office and the comments said so. Personally I thought it unusually fine entertainment. I think the title kept the attendance below normal and the word of mouth advertising did nothing to bring them in the second and third nights. — L. V. Bergtold, Westbv Theatre, Westby, Wis. General patronage. PRISONER OF ZEND A: Ronald Colman. Made leine Carroll — This picture did above average busines? We find all of United Artist pictures good and we urge you to book it. Running time, 101 minutes. Played February 4-5.— Howard B. Lee and John O. Hopkins, National Theatre, Wilmington, Del. General patronage. PRIVATE LIFE OF HENRY VIII: Charles Laughton (Re-issue) — Aside from the superb acting of Charles Laughton the picture is poor. However, the array of stars brings them in.— Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ontario, Canada. General patronage. RED SALUTE: Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Young, Cliff Edwards — Played this on Saturday midnight return engagement. Pleased everyone both young and old. Cliff Edwards turns in a standout performance. Played September 18. — R. D. Fisher, Cozy Theatre, Cabool, Mo. Small town and rural patronage. SKY DEVILS: Spencer Tracy, Ann DvorakPlayed a return engagement on this and it certainly did go over with my Saturday audience. Sound recording was a little ragged but it got by. Played July 31.— R. D. Fisher, Cozy Theatre, Cabool, Mo. Small town and rural patronage. STELLA DALLAS: Barbara Stanwyck, John Boles, Anne Shirley — A natural for any spot. Down to earth drama that all will understand and thrill to. Did exceptionally good business here and understand it did the same elsewhere. Running time, six reels. Played November 7-8. — R. D. Fisher, Cozy Theatre, Cabool, Mo. Small town and rural patronage. WOMAN CHASES MAN: Mariam Hopkins, Joel McCrea — A delirious, delightful comedy from Samuel Goldwyn. Although not "Big", the cash customers will have no kicks coming as the picture does not have a dull moment. Played August 8-9. — R. D. Fisher, Cozy Theatre, Cabool, Mo. Small town and rural patronage. Universal BREEZING HOME: Binnie Barnes, Wm. Gargan — Very ordinary racing picture with the long shot managing to bring home the bacon. Poorly received. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ontario, Canada. General patronage. MERRY-GO-ROUND OF 1938: Alice Brady, Bert Lahr — This did not draw. No stars in it was the reason, I guess. The picture is a good comedy and pleases if you can get them in. Running time, 87 minutes. — P. G. Held, New Strand Theatre, Griswold, Iowa. Small town patronage. 100 MEN AND A GIRL: Deanna Durbin— We did very well for this exceptional feature as we placed our personal guarantee back of the offering. Played January 21-22.— C. W. Mills, Arcade Theatre, Sodus, N. Y. Family patronage. 100 MEN AND A GIRL: Deanna Durbin, Adolphe Menjou — I was late running this picture, but it is worth going back for if you have a chance to get it. Gave general satisfaction to average Sunday business. Running time, 84 minutes. Played February 6.— F. L. Clarke, Cozy Theatre, Hazen, Ark. Small town patronage. ROAD BACK, THE: John King, Richard Cromwell, Andy Devine — In spite of the adverse reviews and criticisms, I consider this a wonderful picture and the paying public evidently thought so too, for they certainly turned out in droves. Didn't hear any remarks about this picture that were not favorable. Gave this top playing time and was well repaid for doing so. Played August 20-30.— R. D. Fisher, Cozy Theatre, Cabool, Mo. Small town and rural patronage. ROAD BACK, THE: John King, Richard Cromwell — Was a little afraid of this one, but everything came out O.K. It is a big little picture and has everything for entertainment. Did not overdo the advertising. With the weather down to 10 below what can you expect. Running time, 103 minutes. Played January 30-31-February 1. R. W. Crickmore, Rainbow Theatre, Newport, Wash. General patronage. SINGING OUTLAW, THE: Bob Baker, Joan Barclay— This is Bob Baker's first western and pretty good. If Bob keeps on improving I think he will make a good western star. The fight in this one was poor. It didn't look real. The action a little slow, the story a little weak. I hope the second one will be better. Running time, 57 minutes. — P. G. Held, New Strand Theatre, Griswold, Iowa. Small town patronage. YOU'RE A SWEETHEART: Alice Faye, George Murphy — Swell. Everybody raved about this picture. There is nothing cheap or nothing spectacular about it, but just plain 100% entertainment. Business slightly • above the three previous Sunday changes. Running time, 96 minutes. — K. A. Spears, Ro.vv Theatre, Winlock, Wash. Small town patronage Warner Bros. ANTHONY ADVERSE: Fredric March. Olivia de Havilland — An outstanding picture that proved to be a topnotcher for our theatre in 1937. A wonderful story and two great stars at their best. Pleased 100 per cent. Running time, 136 minutes. — J. P. Johnson, Sons of Norway Theatre. Ambrose, N. D. Small town and rural patronage. CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE: Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland — This picture was one of our best drawing cards and pleased 100 per cent. Story, filming and stars absolutely tops with our patrons. Running time, 113 minutes. — J. P. Johnson, Sons of Norway Theatre, Ambrose, N. D. Small town and rural patronage. FIRST LADY: Kay Francis, Preston Foster— An awful bust with the men. Too much talk. It is a smart picture but no good for us. Kay Francis has been out of luck lately with the kind cf stories she plays in. — W. H. Hardman, Royal Theatre. Frankfort, Kansas. Small town patronage. GREEN PASTURES, THE: Rex Ingram— This picture did not click so good with our patrons. Most (Continued on following page)