Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1943)

52 MOTION PICTURE HERALD May 15. 1943 (Continued from page 50) berries. Played Friday, April 30.— A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Sask. GREAT GILDERSLEEVE, THE: Harold Peary, Freddy Mercer — Pleased average business on family night. Good comedy for family trade, but low budget product and it shows it. Played Tuesday, April 27.— E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. PRIDE OF THE YANKEES: Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright — One of the most human, heart stirring pictures I've played. When people stop you on the street next day and tell you what a good show you had last night, it's bound to be good. Both stars very good and everyone well pleased. Played Sunday, Monday. — Bert Axley, New Theatre, England, Ark. Small town patronage. Republic BELLS OF CAPISTRANO: Gene Autry— Picture was very good. Played it very late. No draw on account of the late date. The people today want pictures brand new. They have the money and want the best. I have a depression house. Played Sunday, May 2.— M. L. London, Gem Theatre, E. Boston, Mass. General patronage. BLOCKED TRAIL: Three Mesquiteers — Average western subject which pleased on Friday and Saturday, April 30, May 1.— E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. CALL OF THE CANYON : Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette — Gene Autry has a nice following, not the draw of previous pictures, but still plenty of appeal. Played Thursday -Saturday, April 29May 1.— Harland Rankin, Centre Theatre, Chatham, Ont. CHATTERBOX: Judy Canova, Joe E, Brown— An entertaining programmer which was especially enjoyed by the Canova-Brown fans. Business fair. Played Sunday-Tuesday, April 18-20.— R. E. Salisbury, Opera House Theatre, Presque Isle, Me. General patronage. FLYING TIGERS: John Wayne, Anna Lee— This picture had a box-office title and did good business. Played TuesdayWednesday, March 23, 24.— Melville Danner, Kozy Theatre, Granite, Okla. HEART OF THE GOLDEN WEST: Roy Rogers, Gabby Hayes — Roy Rogers is coming to the front fast. Nice weekend picture. Rogers has a nice voice. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont. ICE-CAP ADES REVUE: Ellen Drew, Jerry Colonna — Only fair ice picture. Opinions were divided. Did only fair business. Played Monday-Wednesday, April 26-28.— Harland Rankin, Centre Theatre, Chatham, Ont. ICE-CAPADES REVUE: Ellen Drew— This feature held up well on Friday, Saturday. Played March 19, 20.— Melville Danner, Kozy Theatre, Granite, Okla. IDAHO: Roy Rogers— Doubled with "Taxi, Mister," making a show which the weekend patrons enjoyed. Business good. Played Friday, Saturday, April 23, 24. — R. K. Salisbury, Opera House Theatre, Presque Isle, Me. General patronage. YOKEL BOY: Albert Dekker, Joan Davis— Nice picture. Joan Davis popular— plenty of laughs. Crowd good and everybody enjoyed it a lot. Played Friday, Saturday, April 30, May 1.— Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont. YOKEL BOY: Judy Canova— Very good picture. Music, comedy, action, enjoyed by those few who came. Will recommend it as a good "B" picture or double it with a western. Played Sunday, Monday, April 4, 5.— M. L. London, Gem Theatre, E. Boston, Mass. General patronage. Twentieth CenturyFox CHETNIKS, THE FIGHTING GUERILLAS: Philip Dorn, Virginia Gilmore — In "Chetniks" Twentieth Century-Fox has a natural which, if exploited properly, will do justice to both box office and the exhibitor's heart. By all means a picture every exhibitor should run and every patron should see. — O. G. Wren, Crossett Theatre, Crossett, Ark. JUST OFF BROADWAY: Lloyd Nolan — Michael Shayne again proves to be a big help. This amusing antidote for a heavy program quite good. Comedy throughout excellent. Patrons enjoy this series extremely.— W. C. Crankshaw, Middleboro Theatre, Middleboro. Mass. Small town patronage. IMMORTAL SERGEANT: Henry Fonda, Maureen O'Hara — Exceptionally well produced, and it has suspense and good story. It was received with better grace than some of the other war pictures, due, I think, to the flash backs of Fonda's life, with Miss O'Hara, that relieved the grim story. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre. Columbia City, Ind. IMMORTAL SERGEANT: Henry Fonda, Maureen O'Hara — Grand picture. Did extra business and our patrons gave favorable comments on it, although war pictures are not tops for drawing crowds. This picture displays authentic adventures of the situation of the war and should be given a big build-up to the public. No complaints. Played Sunday, Monday, April 18, 19. — D. R. Hoagg, Lincoln Theatre, Sebewaing, Mich. Rural and small town patronage. MARK OF ZORRO: Tyrone Power— Good action picture, enjoyed by all that came. But not too many came. These .old pictures are not drawing like they did, before the war, the reason being, there are too many new ones. Played Sunday, Monday, April 18, 19. — M. L. London, Gem Theatre, E. Boston, Mass. General patronage. MEANEST MAN IN THE WORLD, THE: Jack Benny, Priscilla Lane — Light comedy — and what Benny would do without Rochester, I don't know. Not much to the story, but at least they got some laughs and take it from me again— that is what the people are looking for. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. MY GAL SAL: Rita Hayworth, Victor Mature— Another winner from Fox. First night not so hot as they didn't care for title. But those who saw it talked so second night was away up. Played Monday-Tuesday, April 12, 13.— W. R. Pyle, Dreamland Theatre, Rockglen, Sask. SONG OF THE ISLANDS: Betty Grable, Jack Oakie — A small town natural, lots of comedy from Oakie. A bit of western touch. Lots of Hawaiian music and Grable in lovely technicolor. Played Friday, Saturday, April 9, 10.— W. R. Pyle, Dreamland Theatre, Rockglen, Sask. TALES OF MANHATTAN: Ginger Rogers, Henry Fonda, Charles Boyer, Rita Hayworth, Edward G. Robinson, Charles Laughton — Fair opening but word of mouth killed it. People complained no story, so stars aren't everything. Leaving out the business end, I thought it a real picture. Played MondayWednesday, April 12-14.— C. A. Smith, Regent Theatre, Chapleau, Ont. Small town patronage. TALES OF MANHATTAN: Ginger Rogers, Henry Fonda, Charles Laughton, Rita Hayworth, Charles Boyer, Edward G. Robinson — Didn't click. — Melville Danner, Kozy Theatre, Granite, Okla. THUNDER BIRDS: Gene Tierney, John Sutton— Very good. Technicolor made it about 25% better.— Sammie Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. UNITED WE STAND: Lowell Thomas-This picture failed to interest any except those who are interested in history. Played Friday, Saturday, April 23, 24. — A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. Small lumber town patronage. WE ARE THE MARINES: Marine Feature— Played with "Idaho." This picture should be on the public's "must see list." Is an excellent example of what the Marines are doing and going through. Being authentic it was interesting and did extra business. Well worth running. Played Friday, Saturday, April 23, 24. — D. R. Hoagg, Lincoln Theatre, Sebewaing, Mich. Rural and small town patronage. United Artists DEVIL WITH HITLER, THE: Alan Mowbray, M'arjorie Woodworth — Played this on double feature and it even drew double. This picture may not be a top one but it is one of the cleverest pictures I've shown. Of course, we all like to see Hitler, etc., being made a fool of and this picture really did it. Very short running time but every minute entertainment. Played Thursday-Saturday. — Bert Axley, New Theatre, England, Ark. I MARRIED A WITCH: Fredric March, Veronica Lake — Did pretty fair business. The name drew mostly men as most men feel they all married witches. Patrons well pleased. Played Sunday, Monday. — Bert Axley, New Theatre, England, Ark. Small town patronage. JACARE: Animal feature — Appealed to men and kids. The women stayed home. Billed with "How's About It," Universal musical starring Andrews Sisters, which would be fine where the Andrews Sisters are a draw. Comments showed they're poison here. Played Thursday -Saturday, April 8-10.— C. A. Smith, Regent Theatre, Chapleau, Ont. Small town patronage. LITTLE ANNIE ROONEY: Shirley Temple— Not so hot. A few came to see how Shirley looks grown up. But it's not the picture for small towns. Played Monday, Tuesday, April 26, 27.— W. R. Pyle, Dreamland Theatre, Rockglen, Sask. MOON AND SIXPENCE, THE: George Sanders, Herbert Marshall — Pass this one up and do yourself some good. Wish we could have paid for this and shelved it. Free lovers are no good here. Played Wednesday, Thursday, April 28, 29. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont. ONE OF OUR AIRCRAFT IS MISSING: (British) Godfrey Tearle, Eric Portman— One of their aircraft may have been missing but my crowd was missing too. A little too "deep" for a small town. Played Tuesday, Wednesday. — Bert Axley, New Theatre. England, Ark. Small town patronage. POWERS GIRLS, THE: George Murphy, Ann Shirley, Carol Landis — We gave this extra time, and it did not rate it. It is a blown up program picture and all the ballyhoo it got could not change it from that status. There was no enthusiasm apparent in the audience for it at all, and it did not hold up on the extra day. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. TO BE OR NOT TO BE: Jack Benny, Carole Lombard— Poor picture for small towns. It isn't the Jack Benny type of comedy they expect and the story is a bit heavy. They'll come out, however, to see Carole Lombard's last picture, but they go away, dissatisfied. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, April 16, 17. — W. R. Pyle, Dreamland Theatre, Rockglen, Sask. Universal FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN: Lon Chaney, Bela Lugosi — This flopped and we did less business than "Frankenstein" and "Wolf Man" did previously by themselves. If Universal has any plans to continue this series, I hope they do not intend to sell Middleboro. Played Sunday -Tuesday, April 1820.— W. C. Crankshaw, Middleboro Theatre, Middleboro, Mass. Small town patronage. IT COMES UP LOVE: Gloria Jean, Ian HunterGloria Jean popular here. Many good comments for her partner, Donald O'Connor. Double billed with Twentieth Century -Fox's "Manila Calling." Many walkouts. Too much war. Our patrons are made up of mothers, wives, fathers. No youth left. Played Thursday-Saturday, April 29-May 1.— C. A. Smith. Regent Theatre. Chapleau, Ont. Small town patronage. SHERLOCK HOLMES IN WASHINGTON: Basil Rathbone — Best of the series to date. Business just average. Played Wednesday, Thursday, April 21, 22.— R. E. Salisbury, Opera House Theatre, Presque Isle, Me. General patronage. WHO DONE IT? Abbott & Costello— Might be the same old stuff, but the cashier keeps busy so who cares. The house rocked with laughter — everyone was happy. Played Thursday-Saturday, April 15-17.— C. A. Smith, Regent Theatre, Chapleau, Ont. Small town patronage. Warner Bros. ACROSS THE PACIFIC: Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor — Good picture but didn't do the business I expected it would. However, the patrons who saw it were pleased. Bogart is a fine actor and usually draws a nice crowd here but for some unknown reason he didn't succeed. Wasn't quite the type of picture he should play in. Played Tuesday -Thursday, April 13-15.— D. R. Hoagg, Lincoln Theatre, Sebewaing, Mich. AIR FORCE: John Garfield, Gig Young, Harry Carey — Yes, it is one of the best of the air pictures, but oh how I wish there were less of them. Watching men die and airplanes crash is not what the public want. They don't want to sit tensed up thinking that perhaps one of their boys is out there, as many are from every community. We note that these pictures drew more from the young people, and the elders are missing, which is not good for business. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. CASABLANCA: Ingrid Bergman, Humphrey Bogart — Good business, satisfied patrons. Played MondayWednesday, April 5-7.— C. A. Smith, Regent Theatre, Chapleau, Ont. Small town patronage. EDGE OF DARKNESS: Errol Flynn, Ann Sheridan —Another big one from Warners. Everyone liked it. Opened big and held strong for five days. Give it your best playtime and plenty of it. Played Sunday Thursday, April 25-29. — R. E. Salisbury, Opera House Theatre, Presque Isle, Me. General patronage. GENTLEMAN JIM: Errol Flynn— A natural— everyone seemed to leave feeling they had really been entertained. Business good for three days. Played Thursday-Saturday, April 22-24.— C. A. Smith, Recent Theatre, Chapleau, Ont. Small town patronage. GENTLEMAN JIM: Errol Flynn— Played this three days to about as much business as I would do on a matinee. Personally I liked the picture but it was like hanging out a scarlet fever sign. Brother, what a beating I took on this one. — Warren L. Weber, Ritz Theatre, Stafford, Kan. General patronage. HARD WAY, THE: Ida Lupino, Joan Leslie, Dennis Morgan — Entertaining drama with plenty of musical interludes and plenty of running time. It pleased those who came, but business was light. Played Sunday, Monday, April 25, 26.— E Ml Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. NOW, VOYAGER: Bette Davis, Paul Henreid— Very good. — Played Saturday-Monday, March 6-8.— Melville Danner, Kozy Theatre, Granite, Okla. Short Feature Paramount SHOOTING MERMAIDS: Sportlights— Interesting. — C. A. Smith, Regent Theatre, Chapleau, Ont. RKO DONALD'S DOG LAUNDRY: Walt Disney Cartoons— Seemed to get laughs. — C. A. Smith, Regent Theatre, Chapleau, Ont. ORPHANS' BENEFIT: Walt Disney CartoonsGood Disney cartoon. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Twentieth CenturyFox SHIPYARD SYMPHONY: Terry toons (Techni (Continued on page 54)