Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Feb 1939)

Page scan 000171 from Motion Picture Herald

Record Details:

Title:
Motion Picture Herald
Date:
Jan-Feb 1939
Publisher:
[New York, N.Y. : Quigley Pub. Co.]
Volume:
Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Feb 1939)
Leaf #:
000171
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:
May 30, 2024
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January 14, 1939 MOTION PICTURE HERALD 55 WHAT THE PICTURE DID FOR ME Columbia "BLONDIE": Penny Singleton, Larry Simms, Arthur Lake, Gene Lockhart— Here is one picture that I wasn't ashamed to stand at the door and greet my patrons as they came out. It is a perfect cast and a howl from start to finish. There were no boats sinking, train wrecks, fires and no shooting, which goes to show such is not needed to make a good picture. Everybody okayed it as one of the best family pictures that I have ever played. Capacity business Sunday and above the average Monday. That's something for holidays for me to rave about. Running time, 72 minutes. Played January 1-2.— Jim Haney, Milan Theatre, Milan, Ind. General patronage. CITY STREETS: Edith Fellows, Leo Carrillo— Rather poor midweek business on Christmas week. — Roy W. Adams, Mason Theatre, Mason, Mich. Small town patronage. CRIME TAKES A HOLIDAY: Jack Holt, Marcia Ralston, Douglas Dumbrille— I'm sorry I can't pat you on the back for this one, Columbia. But, then, every producer makes his mistakes and this is only one mistake I have chalked up against you. Running time, 59 minutes. — Pearce Parkhurst, State Theatre. Torrington, Conn. General patronage. FLIGHT INTO NOWHERE: Jack Holt, Jacqueline Wells— Good Saturday business.— Roy W. Adams, Mason Theatre, Mason, Mich. Small town patronage. I AM THE LAW: Edward G. Robinson, Wendy Barrie, Barbara O'Neil, John Beal— They seem to put out consistently good "A" pictures and their "B" pictures are exceptionally entertaining also. I always try to give my honest opinion and to Columbia I say: "Keep up the good work." Running time, 83 minutes. Played December 20-21— Pearce Parkhurst, State Theatre, Torrington, Conn. General patronage. IN EARLY ARIZONA: Bill Elliott, Dorothy Gulliver— A good action western that had enough gun play and killing in it to suit even my most active cowboys and cowgirls. Running time, 53 minutes. — A. E. Eliasen, Rialto Theatre, Paynesville, Minn. Rural and small town patronage, OVERLAND EXPRESS: Buck Jones, Marjorie Reynolds— Same old stuff. Didn't do much on Saturday. —Roy W. Adams, Mason Theatre, Mason, Mich. Small town patronage. RANGER COURAGE: Bob Allen, Martha Tibbetts — A good cowboy picture, put out by a good company. Orchids to you, Columbia, not necessarily for this picture but for your consistently good product year in and year out. We hope that there are real big things in store for you later on. Running time, 58 minutes. Played December 24.— Pearce Parkhurst, State Theatre, Torrington, Conn. General patronage. WHEN G-MEN STEP IN: Don Terry, Jacqueline Wells — Good action business. Did average midweek business. — Roy W. Adams, Mason Theatre, Mason. Mich. Small town patronage. First National ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, THE: Errol Flynn, Oliva de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, Claude Rains, Ian Hunter — This did a fair business on Christmas.— Roy W. Adams, Mason Theatre, Mason, Mich. Small town patronage. AMAZING DR. CLITTERHOUSE, THE: Edward G. Robinson, Claire Trevor, Humphrey Bogart, Allen Jenkins — A nice little show that we played rather late but print was in nice shape so it went over OK. Pleased on a weekend date. Running time, 87 minutes.— A. E. Eliasen, Rialto Theatre, Paynesville, Minn. Rural and small town patronage. BELOVED BRAT: Bonita Granville, Dolores Costello, Donald Crisp, Natalie Moorhead — My people criticized this as being too sad in spots. — Roy W. Adams, Mason Theatre, Mason, Mich. Small town patronage. BROTHER RAT: Wayne Morris, Priscilla LaneGood comedy which pleased all. Business above average. Running time, 90 minutes. Played December 25. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. SHE LOVED A FIREMAN: Dick Foran, Ann Sheridan. Robert Armstrong — This ran into the pre-Christmas slump and didn't do much. — Roy W. Adams, Mason Theatre, Mason, Mich. Small town patronage. N this, the exhibitors' own department, the theatremen of the nation serve one another with information on the box-office performance of product for their mutual benefit. It is a service of the exhibitor for the exhibitor. Address all communications to — What the Picture Did for Me MOTION PICTURE HERALD Rockefeller Center, New York SUBMARINE D-l: Pat O'Brien, Wayne Morris, George Brent, Doris Weston — Good picture. Fair midweek business. — Roy W. Adams, Mason Theatre, Mason, Mich. Small town patronage. Grand National ARIZONA DAYS: Tex Ritter— Only fair. Not nearly as good as "Sing, Cowboy, Sing." Am a little disappointed in Ritter. — Sammie Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. Small town and rural patronage. SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT: James Cagney, Evelyn Daw — Have read some bad reports in this department on this picture but I didn't find it that way at all. My patrons really enjoyed it. Evelyn Daw is very good in this. I see she is in Smith Ballew's latest western. She deserves better than this.— Sammie Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. Small town and rural patronage. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer BLOCKHEADS: Laurel and Hardy, Patricia Ellis, Billy Gilbert — Had a full house on this picture. If that is what the people want, make more of them. Some people like spinach. Played December 29. — A. H. Records, Majestic Theatre, Hebron, Neb. Rural patronage. BOYS TOWN: Spencer Tracy, Mickey Rooney, Henry Hull, Bobs Watson — Remember, I said in my report on "Love Finds Andy Hardy" that Mickey Rooney was headed for big things? Well, he is in the big time now. Every exhibitor knows his value now. I cashed in by playing "Slave Ship," a revival, simply because Rooney was in it and business was great. No sense in telling the exhibitors that this picture is one in a million and doing record breaking business all over the country because they must all know it by this time. If you haven't played it by all means do now. Your churches will go to town with you on this one. Spencer Tracy deserves special mention, as does little "Pee Wee," who in more ways than one stole the show, although he couldn't exactly steal it from Mickey Rooney. However, Rooney put it all over veteran Tracy. All I can say. is play it, advertise it and watch the money roll in. Running time, 93 minutes. Played December 18-19.— Pearce Parkhurst, State Theatre, Torrington, Conn. General patronage. CHASER, THE: Dennie O'Keefe, Ann Morriss, Lewis Stone — Was good and pleased, but no draw. Played December 27.— A. H. Record, Majestic Theatre, Hebron, Neb. Rural patronage. CHASER, THE: Dennie O'Keefe, Ann Morriss, Lewis Stone — A good "B" class picture that was enjoyed by all. We played it with "Boys Town" to a very satisfied audience. This picture divulges the old automobile accident insurance racket. Might hold its own for one day and should last three or four on a double feature. Running time, 75 minutes. Played December 18-19.— Pearce Parkhurst, State Theatre, Torrington, Conn. General patronage. FIRST HUNDRED YEARS, THE: Robert Montgomery, Virginia Bruce, Warren William, Binnie Barnes — A very well made picture which failed to pay expenses on Sunday. — Roy W. Adams, Mason Theatre, Mason, Mich. Small town patronage. GREAT WALTZ, THE: Luise Rainer, Fernand Gravet, Milizia Korjus — A gorgeous production that is absolutely a flop with us. Music lovers will rave when they see it but the masses do not go for such entertainment. Miss Korjus' voice is the finest we have heard on the screen. Rainer outdoes anything that she has ever attempted, and Gravet was excellent. Still they would not come in to see it. A wonderful picture but no draw. Running time, 104 minutes. — A. J. Inks, Crystal Theatre, Ligonier, Ind. Small town patronage. LORD JEFF: Freddie Bartholomew, Mickey Rooney, Charles Coburn, Gale Sondergaard, Herbert Mundin— Plenty good; everyone pleased. — A. H. Records, Majestic Theatre, Hebron, Neb. Rural patronage. LOVE FINDS ANDY HARDY: Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone, Cecilia Parker, Judy Garland, Fay Holden, Ann Rutherford, Lana Turner — A real picture packed with perfect entertainment, which opened to nice business but due to a cold wave fell off badly the second night. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ontario, Canada. General patronage. MERRILY WE LIVE: Constance Bennett, Brian Aherne, Billie Burke, Patsy Kelly — A well made and entertaining picture which, like most Metro pictures, took a nosedive here on Sunday. — Roy W. Adams, Mason Theatre, Mason, Mich. Small town patronage. SHINING HOUR, THE: Joan Crawford, Margaret Sullavan, Melvyn Douglas, Robert Young, Fay Bainter — Good. Pleased all. Extended runs in any spot. Running time, 75 minutes. — W. E. McPhee, Strand Theatre, Old Town, Maine. General patronage. TOO HOT TO HANDLE: Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, Walter Pidgeon, Leo Carrillo, Walter Connolly — Small blizzard and cold weather hurt box office on this one. But the picture pleased everyone. It is filled with action from start to finish. Running time, 106 minutes. Played December 25-26. — Horn and Morgan, Inc., Star Theatre, Hay Springs, Neb. Small town patronage. TOO HOT TO HANDLE: Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, Walter Pidgeon, Leo Carrillo, Walter Connolly — The title and the stars made a perfect combination. Played this on a Saturday when I usually have a double feature with western, but was so fast moving that the yokels didn't miss their hoss-opera. Gable does a bit of capable mugging and Loy even forgets to look so damn beautiful in one spot. You'll be happy if you play it. Running time, 101 minutes. Played November 11-12.— Bob Cox, Park Theatre, Dexter. Maine. Small town and rural patronage. Monogram BAREFOOT BOY: Jackie Moran, Claire Windsor, Marcia Mae Jones, Ralph Morgan — This homey, down to earth offering was well liked by everybody. Top honors should be given to Marcia Mae Jones, for it is she who unravels the story, produces the spine tingling thrills as well as the hearty laughs. Use it on a double bill and you will not be disappointed. Running time, 64 minutes. Played December 25-26. — R. V. Rule, Gym and Community Theatres, Beaverton and Houghton Lake. Mich. Small town and country patronage. LAND OF FIGHTING MEN: Jack Randall— Randall is fast becoming one of my best cowboy stars. Glad to hear he'll sing no more. — Sammie Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton. Ala. Small town and rural patronage. WHERE THE WEST BEGINS: Jack Randall— A fair picture, nothing to brag about, and a lot better ones are available. Running itme, 54 minutes. Played December 25. — Pearce Parkhurst, State Theatre, Torrington, Conn. General patronage. Paramount BARRIER, THE: Leo Carrillo, Jean Parker, James Ellison — Just what a small town audience loves, a very fine outdoor story, and was enjoyed by all my patrons. Running time, 8 reels. Played December 24. — A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Saskatchewan, Can. Small town and rural patronage. COCOANUT GROVE: Fred MacMurray, Harriet Hilliard, Ben Blue, Rufe Davis — Good picture. Fair Sunday business. — Roy W. Adams, Mason Theatre, Mason, Mich. Small town patronage. COLLEGE SWING: Martha Raye, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Bob Hope, Edward Everett Horton, (Continued on following page)