Motion Picture Herald (Jul-Aug 1943)

Page scan 000494 from Motion Picture Herald

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 #:
000494
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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44 MOTION PICTURE HERALD // WHAT THE August 7, 1943 DID FOR ME Columbia ATLANTIC CONVOY: John Beal, Virginia FieldWhile the inmates like war films, they don't enjoy this type of picture. Played Saturday, Sunday, July 3, 4.— A. W. Bates, Auditorium State Prison, Raiford, Fla. 49TH PARALLEL (THE INVADERS): Leslie Howard, Raymond Massey — Spot booked this one. The price was O. K. The picture was good; the customers well pleased — so no regrets. Played Thursday Saturday, June 24-26. — H. B. Narfason, Foam Lake Theatre, Foam Lake, Sask., Canada. Rural and small town patronage. ITS A GREAT LIFE: Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake — The latest in the Blondie series that our customers like so well. The usual foolishness with the addition of trick horse. Business excellent and everyone pleased. Played. Wednesday, Thursday, July 21, 22. — Ritz Amusements, Inc., Park Theatre, North Vernon, Ind. Small town patronage. REVEILLE WITH BEVERLY: Ann Miller, William Wright — If you have a one-day play and want to give your patrons a treat, this is it. Will really pack them in. Give us more like this with Ann Miller doing more dancing. Played Sunday, July 11. — Miss Cleo Manry, Buena Vista Theatre, Buena Vista, Ga. Small town and rural patronage. SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT: Don Ameche, Jack Oakie, Janet Blair — I would rate this picture as a little below "Reveille with Beverly." It has some swell dogs in it for a few moments and a little good music, but the rest is a waste of time. A mediocre crowd felt mediocre about the picture. — W. V. Nevins, III, Alfred Co-op Theatre, Alfred, N. Y. Small college town patronage. TWO SENORITAS FROM CHICAGO: Jinx Falkenburg, Joan Davis — Lots of laughs and business above average. Joan Davis a big draw here. Played Friday, July 9. — Ritz Amusements, Inc., Park Theatre, North Vernon, Ind. Small town patronage. Esquire UNCENSORED: Eric Portman, F. Culley— A very fine picture that keeps your interest but fails to do extra business. Played Monday-Wednesday, July 1921— Harlan Rankin, Centre Theatre, Chatham, Ont., Canada. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ANDY HARDY'S DOUBLE LIFE: Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone— Those that attended seemed to enjoy the picture, but not enough attended. Played Sunday. Monday, July 18, 19.— H. Goldson, Plaza Theatre, Chicago, 111. Neighborhood patronage. ANDY HARDY'S DOUBLE LIFE: Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone — This is a real small town picture and will please. We really made a few nickels on this one. Play it. Played Sunday, Monday, July 11, 12. — O. E. Simons, Roxy Theatre, Menno, S. D. Rural and small town patronage. ANDY HARDY'S DOUBLE LIFE: Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone — While these Andy Hardy serials are good, they are not quite strong enough to play as a single feature after the first run. Those who came to see "Double Life" enjoyed it, but we lost money at the box office. The soldiers, particularly, liked Esther Williams, the swimmer. Played Friday, July 9.— James A. Nelson, Hiram College, Hiram, Ohio. Small town, collegiate and soldier patronage. CABIN IN THE SKY: Rochester, Ethel WatersFirst night's business was good, but fell off last two. It's different and it's well made but many of our regular customers refused to come. Played Tuesday Thursday, June 15-17. — Ritz Amusements, Inc., Park Theatre, North Vernon, Ind. Small town patronage. HUMAN COMEDY, THE: Mickey Rooney, Frank Morgan— IVfajority of patrons suggested it left them with a depressed feeling, but they still liked it. Above average business, so a satisfactory picture. Played Sunday, Monday. July 18, 19.— D. A. Russell. Ness Theatre, Ness City, Kan. Small town patronage. KEEPER OF THE FLAME: Spencer Tracy. Katharine Hepburn — Good acting, but not the type to draw nowadays. This wasn't the Spencer Tracy of the old Boy's Town scries. Played Sunday, Monday, June . . . the original exhibitors' reports department, established October 14, 1916. In it theatremen serve one another with information about the box-office performance of product — providing a service of the exhibitor for the exhibitor ADDRESS REPORTS: What the Picture Did for Me, Motion Picture Herald. Rockefeller Center, New York 20. N. Y. 20, 21.— N. W. Huston, Liberty Theatre, Columbus, Kan. General patronage. KEEPER OF THE FLAME: Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn — This was not a picture suited for our trade, but business was better than expected, which was a decided tribute to the popularity of Tracy. Despite the fact that he was co-starred with the most unpopular female screen star of all time. Played Sunday, Monday, July 18, 19.— A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Calif. Small lumbertown patronage. KEEPER OF THE FLAME: Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn — A splendidly done mystery drama that should hold attention well all through. It pleased a small crowd. That's the only kind of a crowd I can get with an empty town. — Alfred W. Nevins, III, Alfred Co-op Theatre, Alfred, N. Y. Small town patronage. MRS. MINIVER: Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon— We agree with every exhibitor. Without a doubt the best picture since "Gone With the Wind." Packed the house for five performances. Played ThursdaySaturday, July 8-10.— H. B. Narfason, Foam Lake Theatre, Foam Lake, Sask., Canada. Rural and small town patronage. MRS. MINIVER: Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon —This picture went over swell both nights. Patrons well pleased. It's worth spending extra money for exploitation. Played Sunday, Monday, July 18, 19. — Cecil R. Atkinson, Star Theatre, Star City, Ark. Small town and rural patronage. OMAHA TRAIL: James Craig, Dean Jagger— Just another Western. Several walkouts, box office way down. Played Thursday-Saturday, June 17-19.— H. B. Narfason, Foam Lake Theatre, Foam Lake, Sask., Canada. Rural and small town patronage. RANDOM HARVEST: Greer Garson, Ronald Colman— James Hilton's story as a film has a slightly different twist from the book since the audience knows that the girl who marries the amnesia victim and the one who marries the wealthy mine owner is the same. But the story doesn't suffer for it; rather, it reveals a new side which is equally as interesting as the surprise ending of the original story. This is a fine film. Played Sunday, July 18.— James A. Nelson, Hiram College, Hiram, Ohio. Small town, collegiate and soldier patronage. SEVEN SWEETHEARTS: Van Heflin, Kathryn Grayson — A fine picture that should be played at all theatres. Reasonable in price. Played Friday, Satupday, July 9, 10.— Tom Poulos, Paonia Theatre, Paonia, Colo. SLIGHTLY DANGEROUS: Lana Turner, Robert Young — Just about as corny as they come but business was good and everyone said they enjoyed it, so why should we kick? Played Saturday-Tuesday, July 10-13.— Ritz Amusements, Inc., Park Theatre, North Vernon, Ind. Small town patronage. WAR AGAINST MRS. HADLEY, THE: Fay Bainter, Edward Arnold — Good picture. Acting excellent, comments very good. Box office above average. Played Thursday-Saturday, June 10-12. — H. B. Narfason, Foam Lake Theatre, Foam Lake, Sask., Canada. Rural and small town patronage. Paramount AERIAL GUNNER: Chester Morris. Richard Arlen — After listening to my customers rave about having too many war pictures, they came out to see this one and liked it. Not so depressing; has a few laughs. Played Tuesday, July 20— F. R. Crist, Crist Theatre, Loveland, Ohio. FIVE GRAVES TO CAIRO: Franchot Tone. Anne Baxter — Very good war picture, but marquee names not strong enough. Played Sunday, Monday. July 18, 19.— F. R. Crist, Crist Theatre, Loveland. Ohio. FLEET'S IN, THE: Dorothy Lamour. William Holden— Tin's is without a doubt the best musical picture that we had had; clean, wholesome and very funny. Was enjoyed by everyone; thanks to Paramount. Played Saturday, Sunday, July 10, 11. — A. W. Bates, Auditorium State Prison, Raiford, Fla. FOREST RANGERS, THE: Fred MacMurray, Paulette Goddard — Beautiful color and quite an interesting story. Enjoyed by all. Played Sunday, Monday, June 13, 14.— Robert J. Neely, Times Theatre, Jonesboro, 111. Small town patronage. HAPPY GO LUCKY: Mary Martin, Dick Powell, Rudy Vallee — Many stars, beautiful in Technicolor, but no hit at the box office. Played Sunday, Monday, July 18, 19.— H. Goldson, Plaza Theatre, Chicago, 111. Neighborhood patronage. HENRY ALDRICH GETS GLAMOUR: Jimmy Lydon, Charlie Smith — Was the best of the Aldrich pictures this year. Pleased the patrons. Played Sunday, July 18. — Miss Cleo Manry, Buena Vista Theatre, Buena Vista, Ga. Small town and rural patronage. HOLIDAY INN: Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire— Just another picture. Very light. My customers will not turn out to see Fred Astaire. Box office receipts below average. Played Thursday-Saturday, July 1517.— H. B. Narfason, Foam Lake Theatre, Foam Lake, Sask., Canada. Rural and small town patronage. LOUISIANA PURCHASE: Bob Hope, Victor Moore, Vera Zorina — Audience very well satisfied. My advice— don't play in small town. Played Thursday, July 15.— Cecil R. Atkinson, Star Theatre, Star City, Ark. Small town and rural patronage. LOUISIANA PURCHASE: Bob Hope, Victor Moore, Vera Zorina — This picture's lavish settings contrast with the recent silly limit of $5,000 costs. We are playing some of the Technicolor musicals back again and this one was just as big a hit this time as it was two years ago. Gorgeous scenes, side-splitting comedy, spectacular dancing, blended with Victor Moore's senatorial investigations, and his intimate discussions with Bob Hope about "gadgets" were convulsing, as usual. Played Tuesday-Thursday, June 22-24.— N. W. Huston, Liberty Theatre, Columbus, Kan. Family patornage. NIGHT PLANE FROM CHUNGKING: Robert Preston, Ellen Drew — I should have run this on a double bill; not strong enough to stand alone. Played Friday, Saturday, July 16, 17.— F. R. Crist, Crist Theatre, Loveland, Ohio. REAP THE WILD WIND: Ray Milland, Paulette Goddard — Played this during a hot spell. Business very satisfactory, considering the weather. Picture seemed to please all. Played Tuesday-Thursday, July 20-22.— H. Goldson, Plaza Theatre, Chicago, 111. Neighborhood patronage. STAR SPANGLED RHYTHM: Betty Hutton, Eddit Bracken, Victor Moore — This was a swell show. Don't miss it. It does you good to have your patorns come out and say, "Give us more like that." Business average. Played Wednesday, Thursday, July 14, 15— Miss Cleo Manry, Buena Vista Theatre, Buena Vista, Ga. Small town and rural patronage. STAR SPANGLED RHYTHM: Betty Hutton, Eddie Bracken, Victor Moore— A swell picture for any kind of a town. Nothing to it, but it was fun for old and young alike. Would advise playing it. Played Sunday, Monday, July 11, 12.— D. A. Russell, Ness Theatre, Ness City, Kan. Small town patronage. STREET OF CHANCE: Burgess Meredith, Claire Trevor— This picture failed to do business. Those who saw it liked it, but not enough saw it. Played Sunday. July 18.— Harlan Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Canada. Producers Releasing Corp. BABY FACE MORGAN: Mary Carlisle, Richard Cromwell— Good show, but people don't seem to like PRC pictures and neither do I. Played Friday, Sat(Continucd on opposite page)