Motion Picture Herald (Sep-Oct 1939)

76 MOTION PICTURE HERALD September 16, 1939 (Continued from preceding page) stars on the screen and Robert Taylor is always good. Very good supporting cast. Running time, 81 minutes. Played August 8-12.— Gladys E. McArdle, Owl Theatre, Lebanon, Kansas. Small town patronage. LUCKY NIGHT: Myrna Loy, Robert Taylor— A fine show that was well liked. It has a few dead spots but there is enough else to please most everyone. Lots of good laughs and comedy situations. Running time, 83 minutes. Played August 13-14.— G. R. Borden, Jr., AM-BC Theatre, Blaine, Wash. General patronage. LUCKY NIGHT: Robert Taylor, Myrna Loy— Weak story which was well played but did not draw worth a darn. In fact, was the weakest Sunday-Monday program in weeks. Running time, 81 minutes. Played August 27-28.— Horn and Morgan, Inc., Star Theatre, Hay Springs, Neb. Small town patronage. MAISIE: Ann Sothern, Robert Young— Tops in comedy with Ann Sothern coming into the niche she so richly deserves. Very, very good for a short run. Running time, 74 minutes.— A. J. Inks, Crystal Theatre, Ligonier, Ind. Small town patronage. MAISIE: Ann Sothern, Robert Young— Excellent. Have had requests from people who missed it to have it back again and it only played five days ago. The picture just has everything. Running time, 75 minutes. Played August 20-21.— G. R. Borden, Jr., AMBC Theatre, Blaine, Wash. General patronage. TARZAN FINDS A SON!: Johnny Weissmuller Maureen O'Sullivan— There is no need to go in length on the box oflfice merits of this picture. If you haven t run it, grab it, give it your best playing time, go heavy on the advertising and your customers will do _ ■ ., the rest! It's a box office natural for any town, large KePUDlIC or siriall. Running time, 82 minutes. Played J"ly 23 ' 24— Mrs. W. A. Wight, Rex Theatre, Konawa, Ukla. Small town patronage. MAN ABOUT TOWN: Rochester, Jack Benny, Dorothy Lamour, Edward Arnold, Binnie Barnes — Note the heading of the cast. Well, that tells the tale. His stooge took the ball away from Benny and made a touchdown. Yes, sir, that's what he did, and hence it was a good picture with Rochester committing plain larceny. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. General patronage. MAN ABOUT TOWN: Jack Benny, Dorothy Lamour, Edward Arnold, Binnie Barnes, Rochester — Good picture; good business. Rochester steals the show. Played August 27-28.— E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. SOME LIKE IT HOT: Bob Hope, Shirley Ross, Una Merkel, Gene Krupa and His Orchestra — Played with "Charlie Chan in Reno." Made a fairly entertaining program. They won't walk out. — W. E. McPhee, Strand Theatre, Old Towne, Maine. General patronage. SOME LIKE IT HOT: Bob Hope, Shirley Ross, Gene Krupa and His Orchestra, Una Merkel — Produced for the younger generation. Sadly disappointed in Bob Hope in this picture as he usually does well here. However, Gene Krupa helps a lot. Business way below average. Running time, 64 minutes. Played August 30-31.— R. A. Moore, State Theatre, Qarence, Iowa, Rural patronage. UNMARRIED: Buck Jones, Helen Twelvetrees— Buck Jones fans were surprised and pained to find him cast as a prize fighter instead of a western star. Just a program picture. Played September 1-2. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. TELL NO TALES: Melvyn Douglas, Louise Piatt —This one surprised me. It turned out to be a swell little mystery story with action and suspense. Very fine mid-week or Friday -Saturday picture. Running time, 68 minutes. Played August 15-17.— G. K. Borden, Jr., AM-BC Theatre, Blaine, Wash. General patronage. TELL NO TALES: Melvyn Douglas, Louise Piatt —Here is a dandy little program picture. Lots better than most of the big specials. Melvyn Douglas at the head of a large newspaper does a very nice job as an amateur detective. The story is interesting and will hold attention of the theatregoers from start to finish. Running time, 69 minutes. Played August 25-26.— Guy G. Black, Plaza Theatre, Inc., Lyons, Neb. Small town patronage. WOMEN, THE: Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell, Paulette Goddard, Mary Boland, Joan Fontaine— This picture is slow starting and the action is slow but there are some of the best lines m it that any picture can boast of in the past few years. Rosalind Russell practically steals the show and it you can sell the title, the picture will satisfy. It s plenty long, so cut out the shorts. Played September 3-5.— Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kansas. Small town patronage. BLUE MONTANA SKIES: Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, June Storey — They seem to keep coming to these Autrys, proving that he is popular. — B. C. Brown, Vernon and Temple Theatres, Viroqua, Wis. General patronage. THREE TEXAS STEERS: Three Mesquiteers (John Wayne, Ray Corrigan, Max Terhune), Carole Landis — Everyone seemed to like this. No raves. Played during war tension, which reacted on box office. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ontario, Canada. General patronage. RKO Radio Monogram MYSTERY OF MR. WONG, THE: Boris Karloff, Dorothy Tree— Not as entertaining as the first Mr. Wong picture. This series seems to go pretty well here. They aren't big but they certainly hold your interest as well as having unusual plots. Running time, 66 minutes. Played July 28-29.— G. R. Borden, Jr., AM-BC Theatre, Blaine, Wash. General patronage. Paramount HERITAGE OF THE DESERT: Donald Woods, Evelvn Venabl^Above average western that did a fair 'business. Most people remember the original story of this but it wasn't the show it could have been. Played it double bill and got by nicely. Running time, 73 minutes. Played July 21-22.— G. R. Borden. Jr., AM-BC Theatre, Blaine, Wash. General patronage. INVITATION TO HAPPINESS: Irene Dunne, Fred MacMurray— An entertaining B picture that got by nicely. No extended runs. Running time, 95 minutes. — W. E. McPhee, Strand Theatre, Old Town, Maine. General patronage. MAN ABOUT TOWN: Jack Benny, Dorothy Lamour, Edward Arnold, Binnie Barnes, Rochester— I may be a little late reporting on this picture as we ran it in July. Top billing should have gone_ to that colored boy, Rochester, who packs a wallop in every scene and steals the show from Jack Benny, although I must sav after his bad break in "Artists and Models Abroad," Jack Benny proves himself a much better actor with more amusing situations. In my opinion, Dorothy Lamour does not sing as well as she did and a lot of my patrons back me up on this. We did a good business on this picture and I repeat, watch this Rochester boy because he knows his stufif! Running time. 85 minutes. Played July 27-28.— Mrs. W. A. Wight, Rex Theatre, Konawa, Okla. Small town patronage. FISHERMAN'S WHARF: Bobby Breen, Leo Carrillo, Henry Armetta — Bobby Breen is no good in this town at all. The fishing fleet was in and a few of them turned out and walked out. Didn't do any business; played it straight percentage and they got the lowest rental I have paid this year. Running time, 71 minutes. Played August 18-19.— G. R. Borden, Jr., AM-BC Theatre, Blaine, Wash. General patronage. STORY OF VERNON AND IRENE CASTLED. THE: Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire, Edna May Oliver, Walter Brennan — While not as lavish or spectacular as other Rogers and Astaire productions, it's good entertainment. If you can get 'em inside, they will talk it up 100 per cent. The oldtime songs everyone enjoys. Running time, 93 minutes. Played September 3-4. — R. A. Moore, State Theatre, Clarence, Iowa. Rural patronage. TWELVE CROWDED HOURS: Richard Dix, Lucille Ball — Poorest business in years. Did not make film rental. Just poor B product. Running time, 70 minutes. Played August 24.— A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Saskatchewan, Canada. Rural and small town patronage. Twentieth CenturyFox BOY FRIEND: Jane Withers, Richard Bond, Arleen Whelan — Not up to the last couple of Withers pictures. It got a lot of laughs and still beat any Shirley Temple show I have seen. This little gal has what it takes and is well liked and we can use more of her. Running time, 72 minutes. Played August 45.— G. R. Borden, Jr., AM-BC Theatre, Blaine, Wash. General patronage. BOY FRIEND: Jane Withers, Richard Bond, Arleen Whelan— Hardly up to Withers standards but did some extra business at the box office. Running time, 72 minutes. Played August 25-26.— Horn and Morgan, Inc., Star Theatre, Hay Springs, Neb. Small town patronage. CHARLIE CHAN IN RENO: Sidney Toler, Phyllis Brooks, Ricardo Cortez — Played with "Some Like It Hot." Made a fairly entertaining program. They won't walk out.— W. E. McFhee, Strand Theatre, Old ■Town. Maine. General patronage. CHARLIE CHAN IN RENO: Sidney Toler, Phyllis Brooks, Ricardo Cortez — A good picture that pleased a bargain night crowd and worth a date on your off nights. Patrons seem to like Toler about as well as Oland, but the series never was a record breaker for us. — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kansas. Small town patronage. FRONTIER MARSHAL: Randolph Scott, Nancy Kelly, Cesar Romero, Binnie Barnes — This is a good picture that pleased but we couldn't get many in to see it. The price made us use it on a single bill and on Friday and Saturday biit this class of patronage is noticeable by its absence. Takes more than a "Frontier Marshal" to get them in. — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kansas. Small town patronage. FRONTIER MARSHAL, THE: Randolph Scott, Nancy Kelly, Cesar Romero, Binnie Barnes — A better than average outdoor picture. Played too soon after the other big outdoor pictures and against "Each Dawn I Die." Both did well, however. — B. C. Brown, Vernon and Temple Theatres, Viroqua, Wis. General patronage. HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES, THE: Richard Greene, Basil Rathbone, Wendy Barrie, Nigel Bruce — Didn't know so many people read books till we played this. They liked it and they came out to see it fairly well, considering the weather. Running time, 80 minutes. Played August 9-10.— M. L. DuBose, Majestic Theatre, Cotulla, Texas. Small town and country patronage. IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU: Gloria Stuart. Stuart Erwin — Willie, get the hammer; there's a fly on baby's head. Running time, 68 minutes. — W. E. McPbee, Strand Theatre, Old Town, Maine. General patronage. NEWS IS MADE AT NIGHT: Preston Foster, Lynn Bari— A mighty good programmer that is just full of action and comedy. We used it on a double with "Waterfront" and had plenty of stuff to please a small Friday and Saturday crowd. Played September 1-2. — Mayme P. Musselman, Princess Theatre, Lincoln, Kansas. Small town patronage. NEWS IS MADE AT NIGHT: Preston Foster. Lynn Bari — Just another picture; not strong enough to stand alone. Played August 29. — E. M. Freiburger. Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. RETURN OF THE CISCO KID, THE: Warner Baxter, Cesar Romero, Lynn Bari, Henry Hull — A good Friday-Saturday or bargain night picture but definitely not a Sunday picture. That was our mistake. Fox didn't sell it to us for a Sunday picture but it has entertainment value and you'll need about three shorts to fill out a program. Running time, 70 minutes. Played August 27-28.— M. L. DuBose, Majestic Theatre, Cotulla. Texas. Small town and country patronage. RETURN OF THE CISCO KID, THE: Warner Baxter, Lynn Bari, Cesar Romero, Henry Hull — Picture is pretty fair but wish I had played a good Gene Autry instead. Would have done twice the business and realized more profit. Running time, 70 minutes. Played August 22-24.— G. R. Borden. Jr., AM-BC Theatre, Blaine, Wash. General patronage. RETURN OF THE CISCO KID, THE: Warner Baxter, Lynn Bari, Cesar Romero, Henry HullNot a bad little picture. Enjoyed by all who saw it. Did not do so well because of Burt County Fair at Oakland. Running time, 71 minutes. Played August 23-24.— Guy G. Black, Plaza Theatre, Inc., Lyons, Neb. Small town patronage. ROSE OF WASHINGTON SQUARE: Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, Al Jolson— I would not say better than "Alexander's Ragtime Band" but will say just as dog-gone good. Enjoyed by the young as well as the older folks. We sure would like to see a lot more of Al Jolson in the future. Running time, 71 minutes. Played August 27-29.— Guy G. Black, Plaza Theatre, Inc., Lyons, Neb. Small town patronage. United Artists I MET MY LOVE AGAIN: Henry Fonda, Joan Bennett — Although on old picture, it really isn't bad. Have seen much worse films. Henry and Joan make a nice little team. Running time, 78 minutes. Played August 30-31.— Guy G. Black, Plaza Theatre, Inc., Lyons, Neb. Small town patronage. STORM IN A TEACUP: Vivien Leigh, Rex Harrison— Brother exhibitor, if I ever gave you an honest tip, "don't play this one." They don't come much worse. So bad I was ashamed to meet our customers. Made customers one week and lost them the next week. Such film waste is a detriment for the film industry. Don't ask us what we did because we didn't do. The trailer was enough. If it were a free show, I doubt if they would come in, even to get away from their mother-in-law. — Harland Rankin, Plaza "Theatre, Tilbury, Ontario, Canada. General patronage. STAGECOACH: Claire Trevor, John Wayne, Andy Devine, George Bancroft, Thomas Mitchell, Louise Piatt— Very good show that would have been just as good if it would have been twenty minutes shorter. Not enough action for the length. Running time, 96 minutes. Played September 1-3. — O. W. Chapek, Annex Theatre, Anamoose, N. D. Rural and small town patronage. TRADE WINDS: Fredric March, Joan Bennett, Ralph Bellamy, Ann Sothern — An entertaining picture that did not deserve the beating it took at the box office. Took a nose dive that left my poor dog, Michael, wondering where the next bone was coming from. Fredric March is a forgotten man so far as my patrons are concerned. Joan Bennett is very good but the real star is Ann Sothern. That girl is headed for stardom. She is even better in this than she was in "Maisie." Pleased the very few who came. Running time, 95 minutes. Flayed September 1-3. — Gladys E. McArdle, Owl Theatre, Lebanon, Kansas. Small town patronage.