Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1940)

82 MOTION PICTURE HERALD March 3 0, 1940 (.Continued from preceding page) Brown, Peggy Moran — This just proves what can be done with a little money and good direction. D'on't believe a more entertaining picture has been made during the past year. Looks like Universal might push one of the other leading companies out of second place. Doubled with "Saga of Death Valley" CRepublic).: Business was more than we could handle both nights. Running time, 63 minutes. Played March 8-9.— J. F. Bobbitt, Stearns Theatre, Stearns, Ky. Mining and small town patronage. SERVICE DE LUXE: Constance Bennett, Vincent Price, Charlie Ruggles — Sophisticated comedy with Constance Bennett means no business here. Not a small town picture. Running time, 86 minutes. Played, March 11 and 12.— Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ontario, Canada. Small town and rural patronage. THEY ASKED FOR IT: Michael Whalen, William Lundigan, Joy Hodges— Just an average program feature. Running time, 61 minutes. Flayed March 7-9.— A. C. Stock, Iroquois Theatre, Petrolia, Ontario, Canada. Small town patronage. Warner Brothers BRITISH INTELLIGENCE: Karloff, Margaret Lindsay — This is one of the most out and out propaganda films I have yet seen. However, it is fair entertainment for double billing or bargain night. No squawks on the propaganda but considerable comment. Good programmer. Running time, 60 minutes. —J. H. Abbott, Grant Theatre, Georgetown, Ohio. Small town and rural patronage. BROTHER RAT AND A BABY: Wayne Morris, Priscilla Lane, Jane Bryan, Eddie Albert, Ronald Reagan, Jane Wyman — Plenty of laughs. Should please anywhere. — Leon C. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. General patronage. BROTHER RAT AND A BABY: Peter B. Good, Wayne Morris, Priscilla Lane, Jane Bryan, Ronald Reagan, Jane Wyman, Eddie Albert — Another false alarm. Much ado about nothing. 87 minutes and nothing happens. Running time, 87 minutes. Played March 10-12.— F. X. Faust, Roxy Theatre, Forsyth, Mont. General patronage. DEAD END KIDS ON DRESS PARADE: "Dead End Kids," John Litel — This picture was somewhat of a disappointment to my public. My patrons come to see the "Dead End Kids" as a bunch of tough guys, not to see them turn sissy. _ The "Dead End Kids" won't be popular very long if they make any more like this. Business good. Running time, 62 minutes. Played March 9-10.— E. W. Malone, Cozy Theatre, Colfax, Wis. Rural patronage. FOUR DAUGHTERS: Lane Sisters, Gale Page, John Garfield, Jeffrey Lynn, Claude Rains, May Robson, Dick Foran, Frank McHugh — Play this one for sure. Just a lovely show for a small town and very much enjoyed by my audience. _ If we can get productions like this for what Vitagraph sells _ them, we can hope to live. Extra business on this one, even with 30 below and plenty of snow, all roads blocked. Thanks, Warners. Running time, 98 minutes. Played March 7. — A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Saskatchewan, Canada. Rural and small town patronage. INDIANAPOLIS SPEEDWAY: Pat O'Brien, Ann Sheridan, John Payne, Gale Page — Pretty good race picture which flopped at the box office. Cast did a good job except that our audience thought O'Brien overplayed his part. However, it was a good enough picture and deserved better patronage than it drew. Running time, 82 minutes. Played March 8-9.— H. Williams, Stockton Theatre, Stockton, 111. Small town and rural patronage. INVISIBLE STRIPES: George Raft, Jane Bryan, William Holden, Humphrey Bogart — Good picture of its kind. All in cast do a very good job.— Leon C. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. General patronage. ROARING TWENTIES, THE: James Cagney, Priscilla Lane, Humphrey Bogart, Jeffrey Lynn, Gladys George — Good picture but Cagney hard to understand in spots due to fast talk. Business about normal. Played February 5-6. — Charles F. Dearman, Fox Theatre, Smithville, Tenn. Rural and small town patronage. WINGS OF THE NAVY: George Brent, Olivia de Havilland. John Payne. Frank McHugh — Very good aviation picture which did better than average business for us. Considering the age of the picture and the fact that it plaved all around us almost a year ago, I thought it did well enough. This is a picture that makes you glad you are an American, and it should instill confidence in the minds of those who doubt the ability of our nation to hold her own on land, sea or in the air. Running time, 89 minutes. Played March 15-16. — H. Williams, Stockton Theatre, Stockton, 111. Small town and rural patronage. Miscellaneous CITY, THE: (World-) I ran this film as one of my six educational films of the year. It is so short that I bolstered it up with nine reels of shorts and managed to get together a fine educational program. The picture interested my small group of patrons who come regularly to this type of show. It is a well done documentary film with some very humorous moments. If you have the right kind of patronage for this type of show, it is good. Running time, . 40 minutes. Played March 12. — W. Varick, Alfred Co-op Theatre, Alfred, N. Y. Small college town and rural patronage. Short Features Columbia BIG FISH: Sport Thrills— Okay. This type fishing sports reel growing stale. Some folks asked us why we never had a sports reel on fishing such as New Hampshire folk know it, brook trout, lake fishing, etc. Sporting reel producers can have the tip gratis. And we bet the New Hampshire fish and game commission would cooperate. — L. A. Irwin, Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. General patronage. BOWS AND ARROWS: Special Sport Thrills.— Real good picture on archery. Play it. — Harland Rankin, Plaza, Theatre, Tilbury, Ontario, Canada. BOY, A GUN AND BIRDS, A: Color RhapsodiesOkay. Spot where kiddies will see it since it carries a direct message for them on careless bird shooting. — L. A. Irwin, Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. General patronage. CALLING ALL CURS: Three Stooges— Usual for this trio and the public still laughs, so okay. — L. A. Irwin, Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. General patronage. COMMUNITY SING SERIES: All Community Sing subjects please — Leon C. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. General Patronage. COMMUNITY SING: No. 4— This is one of the best, and the tunes are Stephen Foster's, so everyone knew them. I got some singers on this one at every performance. It would be a splendid idea to run this just before your trailer on "Swanee River." It might do some good and certainly wouldn't do any harm. Running time, 10 minutes. — W. Varick Nevins, III, Alfred Co-Op Theatre, Alfred N. Y. Small college town and rural patronage. LIFE IN PARIS: Columbia Tours— A black and white travel reel that contains more human interest than usual. Very good of its kind. I would suggest very humbly that it would be a natural to use as the last short before "Hunchback of Notre Dame." Try it and see why. Does anyone ever use these suggestions? Running time, 10 minutes. — W. Varick Nevins, III, Alfred Co-Op Theatre, Alfred, N. Y. Small college town and rural patronage. MAN OF TIN: Phantasies Cartoons — Just another waste of film by a company that does not do so well on their cartoons. Running time, seven minutes. — A. J. Inks, Crystal Theatre, Ligonier, Ind. Small town patronage. MIDNIGHT FROLICS: Color Rhapsodies— Comical. The organ sequence is fine. Whole musical background is good. — L. A. Irwin, Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. General patronage. NELLS YELLS: Color Rhapsodies— Just fair. This cartoon market is very overcrowded. — Harland Rankin, Flaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ontario, Canada. SCREEN SNAPSHOTS: No. 12— Noah Beery tells a group of famous _ Hollywood stars still in their teens about the oldtime players. Many old favorites are shown in scenes from their hit pictures. — L. A. Irwin, Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. General patronage. SCREEN SNAPSHOTS: Always interesting and well received. — Leon C. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. General patronage. TROUBLE FINDS ANDY CLYDE: Broadway Comedies — A very funny comedy. Running time, 18 minutes. — A. C. Stock, Iroquois Theatre, Petrolia, Ontario, Canada. Small town patronage. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer FAILURE AT 50, A: MGM Miniatures— Very good subject. — Leon C. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. General patronage. FISHING BEAR, THE: MGM Cartoons— Good cartoon in color. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. FORGOTTEN VICTORY: Passing Parade, No. 11— This is excellent anywhere but should be stressed where they raise wheat. This can safely be ballyhooed to the skies to wheat farmers. It shows how a hardy wheat has gradually replaced the original weak wheat in this country. It could easily be made into a feature film. Running time, 10 minutes. — W. Varick Nevins, III, Alfred Co-Op Theatre, Alfred, N. Y. Small college town and rural patronage. KNOW YOUR MONEY: Crime Doesn't Pay Series — When a thing is perfection, little can be said about it. This series is perfection. Enough said. Running time, 20 minutes. — A. J. Inks, Crystal Theatre, Ligonier, Ind. Small town patronage. KNOW YOUR MONEY: Crime Doesn't Pay Series — This is probably the most useful short ever attempted. It gives the audience a few tips on how to look for _ counterfeit money _ and at the same time tells an interesting and exciting story. Put it in a good spot. Running time, 20 minutes. — W. Varick Nevins, III, Alfred Co-Op Theatre, Alfred, N. Y. Small college town and rural patronage. LET'S TALK TURKEY: Fete Smith Specialties— A reel on carving. Our patrons like Pete Smith.— Leon C. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. General patronage. MAINTAIN THE RIGHT: Pete Smith SpecialtiesGood one-reeler telling of Northwest Mounted Police. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. NATURAL WONDERS OF WASHINGTON STATE: FitzPatrick Traveltalk — Very beautiful color. A pretty country and interestingly presented. — L. A. Irwin, Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. General patronage. OLD NATCHEZ: FitzPatrick Traveltalks— Tops, absolutely tops. Use it only on a weak feature to build up a program. Running time, nine minutes. — A. J. Inks, Crystal Theatre, Ligonier, Ind. Small town patronage. POUND FOOLISH: Crime Doesn't Pay SeriesVery good subject on evasion of import duty by socalled American citizens. All of these subjects that we have used have been very good and our patrons really like them. MGM should get an Oscar for this series. Running time, 20 minutes. — H. Williams, Stockton Theatre, Stockton, 111. Small town and rural patronage. SET 'EM UP: Fete Smith Specialties— A dandy subject on bowling. — Leon C. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. General patronage. WHERE TURF MEETS SURF: MGM Miniatures — Good one-reel comedy. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. Paramount BLUE DANUBE: Symphonic Series — This is something new for us and we want more. Filmed in blue stock this rendition of the full score of one of the most beautiful of waltzes created a round of spontaneous applause when it ended. The first time I have ever witnessed my customarily reticent patrons demonstrate over a short subject in this manner. Running time, nine minutes. — J. H. Abbott, Grant Theatre, Georgetown, Ohio. Small town and rural patronage. BOWLING SKILL: Grantland Rice Sportlights— Very interesting. — L. A. Irwin, Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. General patronage. FRANKIE MASTERS AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Excellent orchestra number. Masters is a good vocalizer. The duet finale is good stuff. Old time quartet okay also. — L. A. Irwin, Penacook, N. H. General patronage. FRANKIE MASTERS AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Headliners — A good musical single reel. Running time, 10 minutes. — A. C. Stock, Iroquois Theatre, Petrolia, Ontario, Canada. Small town patronage. HUMAN FISH: Grantland Rice Sportlights— Entertaining.— E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. JIMMY DORSEY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Headliners — The music is good but the orchestra and performers seemed to have camera fright. They didn't work up much enthusiasm in this one. Just fair. — L. A. Irwin, Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. General patronage. LITTLE LAMKIN: Color Classics— Fairly good.— L. A. Irwin, Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. General patronage. NOT SO DUMB: Paragraphics— The dumb thing about this showing was the fact the exchange sent us this in substitution for a cartoon. Why will they upset a whole program's balance by_ their thoughtless substitutions? We never complain if they send us one on the same idea, that is, a cartoon for a cartoon, a sports reel for a sports reel, a musical reel for a | musical reel, etc. But you can't plan a well proportioned show when you get such substitutions as this. Then again when you go and advertise a particularly outstanding short only to get another reel instead, how do they expect a manager to make short subjects important as business getters? P. S.: "Not So Dumb" is a very good animal reel. — L. A. Irwin, . I Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. Genera! patronage. PARAMOUNT NEWS: Reels that I have been receiving lately not up to the old standard. Seems they are slipping compared with other News pro i ductions. Running time, one reel. — A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Saskatchewan, Canada. Rural and small town patronage. PARAMOUNT PICTORIAL: No. V9-6— Interesting. Airplanes and men's felt hats in the making are the subjects pictured. The latter is in color. — L. A. Irwin, Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. General patronage. TED FIO RITO AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Headliners — Good orchestra reel. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. TED FIO RITO AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Headliners — This is nice playing. A good orchestra short. A swell orchestra.— L. A. Irwin, Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. General patronage. UNUSUAL OCCUPATIONS: No. 2— This is good.