Motion Picture Herald (Jul-Aug 1943)

Record Details:

Title:
Motion Picture Herald
Date:
Jul-Aug 1943
Publisher:
[New York, N.Y. : Quigley Pub. Co.]
Volume:
Motion Picture Herald (Jul-Aug 1943)
Leaf #:
00056
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 17, 2022
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48 MOTION PICTURE HERALD July 3 , 1943 (Continued from preceding page) IMMORTAL SERGEANT, THE: Henry Fonda. Maureen O'Hara — It might have been good but business didn't seem to indicate it. With 235 boys gone from a town of 1,200 people, it just isn't smart to try to run any war pictures, and that has been proved to me so darn many times the last few months that I'm convinced that all we should show is light comedy and escapist features. They draw. — A. E. Eliasen, Koronis Theatre, Pavnesville, Minn. Rural and small town patronage. MARGIN FOR ERROR: Joan Bennett, Milton Berle — Never should have played this one. Even on our double bill it was terrible. My audience didn't care for it. Played Friday, Saturday, June 11, 12.— Charles A. Brooks, Ritz Theatre, Marshfield, Mo. Small town and rural patronage. MOON IS DOWN, THE: Cedric Hardwicke, Henry Travers — Well produced and good as war pictures go, but it did only average business, just what an ordinary program picture would have done. That is the answer to pictures that deal with war, at least with us. And count the number that are in the offing from three producers, eight for July alone. How many more they have produced and are holding back I don't know. Evidently they have a backlog and are going to try and get their money out of them, come hell or high water. The old adage may come true — "the goose that laid the golden egg." Only I don't want to sit on it and watch business decline simply to protect their investment on a wrong diagnosis of what the people want in this situation anyway. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. MY FRIEND FLICKA: Roddy McDowell, Preston Foster — The 20th Century-Fox Corporation made some money on this one whether the exhibitors did or not. Pleased those who saw it. Played Friday, Saturday, June 11. 12.— F. P. Crist, Crist Theatre, Loveland, Ohio. Small town and rural patronage. MY FRIEND FLICKA: Roddy McDowell, Preston Foster — Hope all you "tired of these everlasting war pictures" exhibitors can show this to your patrons and start to make a little dough, especially if you are small town exhibitors like myself. This is it and you should be able to go to town on it. No war and no fights but just the thing that will draw people to your place of business. They loved it here and I'd be bragging if I said anything about business. — A. E. Eliasen, Koronis Theatre. Faynesville, Minn. Rural and small town patronage. THUNDERBIRDS: John Sutton, Gene TierneyGood business, good comments. Played Monday, May 17.— C. A. Smith, Regent Theatre, Chapleau, Ontario, Canada. Small town patronage. United Artists BORDER PATROL: William Boyd— Good action Western and very good business. Played a good comedy with this and you could hear the people laugh two blocks distance. — A. E. Eliasen, Koronis Theatre, Paynesville, Minn. Rural and small town patronage. CALABOOSE: Jimmy Rogers, Noah Beery, Jr.— A nice, streamlined comedy that gets by on a double bill. Would prefer a Western. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ontario, Canada. GOLD RUSH, THE: Charlie Chaplin— Did better than average business and pleased about what an average production would. — L. G. Tewksbury, Harbor Theatre, Deer Isle, Me. Small town patronage. IN WHICH WE SERVE: Noel Coward, Bernard Miles — This picture broke all house records — for walkouts. Advance advertisement brought them out the first day, but our goose was cooked the other two. If you haven't played this and can get out of it, hands off, brother. Played Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, May 30, 31, June 1.— Wilson T. Cottrell, Carolina Theatre, Oxford. N. C. LADY OF BURLESQUE: Barbara Stanwyck, Michael ©"Shea — Why this picture pleases anyone is a mystery. The boys here don't like war pictures, but they want something for their money. This had few laughs and a second rate "whodunit" angle. It is a disgrace and a waste of Stanwyck. Good business the first night but 'way off the second. Played Friday, Saturday, May 13, 14.— Theatre F, Fort Bragg, N. C. Soldier patronage. LOST CANYON: William Boyd, Andy Clyde— Paramount didn't lose anything when they turned these over to United Artists. Cassidy began to slip when he lost James Ellison, then down further when they lost Windy Hayes. We generally use these on Friday Saturday, but used it on midweek to start a new serial, and were generally disappointed. Customers complain about no romance. Picture in general very good. Photography and backgrounds always excellent in these. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, Tune 8, 9. — R. S. Pryor, Cactus Theatre, Austin, Tex. Rural and general patronage. McGUERINS FROM BROOKLYN: Max Baer. Wil liam Bendix — Nice little comedy for double bill. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, June 15, 16.— F. R. Crist. Prist Theatre, Loveland, O. Small town and rural patronage. MISTER "V": Leslie Howard, Francis Sullivan— Tin's is one of the best pictures that Mr. Howard has made — a timely story, a plot rich in its scope and well received at both showings. Plaved Saturday, Sunday, Mav 29. 30.— A. W. Bates, Librarian, Prison Audi torium, Florida State Prison, Raiford, Fla. Prison inmate patronage — white and colored. POWERS GIRL, THE: Anne Shirley, George Murphy—If your patrons like good music and pretty girls, they'll go for this. Benny Goodman's band helps it a lot. Played Sunday, Monday, June 13, 14. — M. L. DuBose, Majestic Theatre, Cotulla, Texas. Small town patronage. POWERS GIRL, THE: Anne Shirley, George Murphy— Fair business. Played Monday-Wednesday, May 31-June 2.— C. A. Smith, Regent Theatre, Chapleau, Ontario, Canada. Small town patronage. SILVER QUEEN: George Brent, Priscilla Lane— Although this had a deceiving title, those who saw it enjoyed it. Recommend extra exploitation on this picture. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ontario. YOUNG AND WILLING: William Holden, Susan Hayworth — If they like 'em silly, they'll like this. It's one brand of comedy, but not my kind. Played on Money Night so can't say what kind of a draw it is. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, June 8, 9. — M. L. DuBose, Majestic Theatre, Cotulla, Tex. Universal AMAZING MRS. HOLLIDAY, THE: Deanna Durbin, Edmond O'Brien — Appealed to young and old alike. Flayed to nice business. Good comments. Played Monday-Wednesday, May 10-12.— C. A. Smith, Regent Theatre, Chapleau, Ontario, Canada. Small town patronage. COWBOY IN MANHATTAN: Robert Paige, Frances Langford — Another pleasant little programmer which my patrons enjoyed. Doubled with "Wild Horse Rustlers" to average weekend attendance. Played Friday. Saturday, Tune 18, 19.— R. E. Salisbury, Opera House Theatre, Presque Isle, Me. General patronage. GIVE OUT, SISTERS: Andrews Sisters. Richard Davis — Very poor show — nothing whatsoever to hold your interest except songs by the Andrews sisters. Business is always good on Sunday — that's all that saved us. Played Sunday, June 13. — Wilson T. Cottrell, Carolina Theatre, Oxford, N. C. HELLZAPOPPIN': Martha Raye, Ole Olsen— I ducked this for nearly a year — but couldn't eliminate or sub — so set it in when I knew would be out of town for a few days. I saw it when it first came out and thought it terrible. Did a very nice midweek gross and most everyone seemed to like it. (So I heard on my return.) All of which goes to show how wrong the exhibitor can be. — L. V. Bergtold, Westby Theatre, Westby, Wis. HOLD THAT GHOST: Abbott and Costello— Played this very late but at that consider this one of the team's best. A mystery comedy. Played Friday, June 18. — A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Saskatchewan, Canada. Small town and rural patronage. IT COMES UP LOVE: Gloria Jean, Ian Hunter, Donald O'Connor — Nice program picture which pleased all our patrons. That O'Connor kid really has something. Because the feature was only 67 minutes, we had to run two additional shorts, which added even more to the kids' delight. Played Thursday, June 10. —Wilson T. Cottrell, Carolina Theatre, Oxford, N. C. KEEP 'EM SLUGGING: Dead End Kids— A natural for our weekend double bill. Held interest and pleased. Played Friday, Saturday, June 18, 19.— Charles A. Brooks, Ritz Theatre, Marshfield, Mo. Small town and rural patronage. MOONLIGHT IN HAVANA: Allan Jones, Jane Frazee — Not the worst show this season, but not far from it. Played with an Autry so business was big.— L. V. Bergtold, Westby Theatre, Westby, Wis. MOONLIGHT IN HAVANA: Allan Jones, Jane Frazee — This is just a fair show. No names to draw with. Story is silly. The only good my patrons got from this was the few songs and very little music. Played Tuesday, June 15.— Charles R Gray, Gilmont Theatre, Mt. Gilead, N. C Small town patronage. NIGHTMARE: Brian Donlevy, Diana Barrymore— First day way below average, second day worse than nothing. Picture very good for suspense, but failed to draw as it was played without a serial which we customarily played on Tuesday-Wednesday. Business is shot for some unknown reason on Monday through Thursday. Played June 1, 2.— R. S. Pryor, Cactus Theatre, Austin, Tex. Rural and general patronage. NIGHTMARE: Diana Barrymore, Brian Donlevy— For a picture of this type this is one of the best. People here are afraid of a title like this, but a few came out the first night and we had no walkouts. The second night was better, and no complaints. All seemed very oleased and so were we. Played Friday, Saturday, June 4, 5.— R. H. Duckett, Taloga Theatre, Taloga, Okla. Rural, small town patronage. NIGHT MONSTER: Irene Hervey, Bela Lugosi— Horror pictures in general usually go over here. Customers thought this one too far-fetched. This failed to draw because it seemed to be a blow-up of a Three Stooges comedy. Also, as we mentioned before, Monday-through-Thursday business is 'way off. Our patrons are busy on the farms. Played Thursday. Tune 10.— R. S. Pryor, Cactus Theatre. Austin. Tex. Rural and general patronage. PITTSBURGH: Marlene Dietrich, John Wayne— A very fine picture that brought much favorable adult reaction. — Harland Rankin, Centre Theatre, Chatham, Ontario. RHYTHM OF THE ISLANDS: Allan Jones, Jane Frazee — Musical comedy which pleased. Double billed with Paramount's "Lady Bodyguard." Average business. Played Thursday -Saturday, June 3-5. — C. A. Smith, Regent Theatre, Chapleau, Ontario, Canada. Small town patronage. SHADOW OF A DOUBT: Teresa Wright, Joseph Cotten — Double billed this one with "McGuerins from Brooklyn." It was too long for a double bill. We can't make any mosey on this kind of picture. Played Wednesday, Thursday, June 16, 17.— F. R. Crist, Crist Theatre, Loveland, O. Small town and rural patronage. TENTING TONIGHT ON THE OLD CAMP GROUND: Johnny Mack Brown — A good Western. Title was good and business above average. Flayed Friday, Saturday, June 18, 19. — Charles A. Brooks, Ritz Theatre, Marshfield, Mo. Small town and rural patronage. WHEN JOHNNY COMES MARCHING HOME: Allan Jones, Jane Frazee — Good little musical that pleased. Double billed with "Just Off Broadway." Average business. Played Thursday-Saturday, May 27-29.— C. A. Smith, Regent Theatre, Chapleau, Ontario, Canada. Small town patronage. WHITE SAVAGE: Maria Montez, Jon Hall, Sabu— Played Tuesday only. Good picture, good color, good receipts and good allocation. Played June 15. — F. R. Crist, Crist Theatre, Loveland, Ohio. Small town and Rural patronage. Warner Bros. ANGELS WASH THEIR FACES, THE: Ann Sheridan, Ronald Reagan, Dead End Kids — Picked up this old one to cash in on popularity of Sheridan and Reagan, and the Dead End Kids who always go big here. Gross a little above average. No complaints. Patrons asked for more old ones. This one was used after our opposition. Play it if you haven't. Played Thursday, June 3.— R. S. Pryor. Cactus Theatre, Austin, Tex. Rural and general patronage. BUSSES ROAR: Richard Travis, Julie BishopWarners' best little show for the season. The depot scenes which comprise the first half of the show are very entertaining. — L. V. Bergtold, Westby Theatre, Westby, Wis. EDGE OF DARKNESS: Errol Flynn, Ann Sheridan— This picture held up unusually well — for_ the weather we had. It rained for three straight nights —and still they came. I enjoyed the picture, although I agree with a vast majority of thg public around here — I'm tired of pictures about Norway. Played Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, June 7, 8, 9. — Wilson T. Cottrell, Carolina Theatre, Oxford, N. C. GENTLEMAN JIM: Errol Flynn, Alexis Smith— This picture was well liked and brought many good comments. Played Saturday, Sunday, June 5, 6. — Otto W. Chapek, New Annex Theatre, Anamoose, N. D. Rural and small town patronage. HIDDEN HAND, THE: Craig Stevens, Elizabeth Fraser— Ran this with "The Gorilla Man" and advertised it as double horror and mystery show. This brought in extra business and gave general satisfaction, although "The Gorilla Man" is a little weak. But "The Hidden Hand" kept them on edge. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, June 8, 9. — Otto V. Chapek, New Annex Theatre, Anamoose, N. D. Rural and small town patronage. MISSION TO MOSCOW: Walter Huston, Ann Harding — Not for those who seek entertainment, but the carriage trade came out to see it. Well made with flawless performances. Business below average. Played Sunday-Tuesday, Tune 13-15. — R. E. Salisbury, Opera House Theatre, Presque Isle, Me. General patronage. MISSION TO MOSCOW: Walter Huston, Ann Harding — As was to be expected, we had a few walkouts on this, but the reaction was surprisingly good. All who saw it agreed that they had learned something and some said frankly it was the best show they had seen in some time. Played Mondav, Tuesday, May 24, 25.— Theatre F, Fort Bragg, N. C. Soldier patronage. SECRET ENEMIES: Craig Stevens. Faye Emerson — Had to build this up with good shorts, and then didn't have anything to holler about. It is just a picture. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, June 1, 2. — Otto W. Chapek, New Annex Theatre, Anamoose, N. D. Rural and small town patronage. SERGEANT YORK: Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan. Joan Leslie — A masterpiece in acting, direction and settings. The inmates are very war minded and have waited a long time to see this great epic of a truly great person. Played Saturday, Sunday, June 12, 13. — A. W. Bates, Librarian. Prison Auditorium, Florida State Prison, Raiford, Fla. SPY SHIP: Craig Stevens, Irene Manning— Good picture that everybody liked. Our farmers were so busy setting in their crops that we didn't do the usual business. — Harland Rankin, Centre Theatre, Chatham, Ontario. TRUCK BUSTERS: Richard Travis, Ruth Ford— (Continued on opposite page)