Motion Picture Herald (Jul-Aug 1943)

Page scan 000638 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 #:
000638
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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42 MOTION PICTURE HERALD August 2 1, I 943 // WHAT THE PICTURE DID FOR ME Columbia CITY WITHOUT MEN: Linda Darnell, Doris Dudley— One of those pictures that is passable but no one would miss if you did not run it. Some of the acting is below par in the more serious scenes. No one left in town, but half of them came to the show. The title applies to my town perfectly these days. — W. Varick Nevins, III, Alfred Co-op Theatre, Alfred, N. Y. Small college town patronage. ITS A GREAT LIFE: Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake — Very good business and everybody pleased. Adults got a bigger kick out of it than the kids. — A. E. Eliasen, Koronis Theatre, Paynesville, Minn. Rural and small town patronage. LOST HORIZON: Ronald Colman, Jane Wyatt— Struck oil on this old-timer. Showed it on two "off" nights, held it over. Everybody wanted to see it again. — R. Finat, Uptown Theatre, Racine, Wis. MORE THE MERRIER, THE: Jean Arthur, Joel McCrea — This is one of Columbia's best. It's gay, smart and refreshing. It certainly is a retreat from so many war pictures. However, the stars didn't draw the crowd and business was off, but those who came enjoyed it thoroughly and so did I. If your trade liked "It Happened One Night," be sure to give them this one. Played Thursday, Friday, July 29, 30. — K. D. Garner, Center Theatre, Hope Mills, N. C. Small town patronage. NIGHT TO REMEMBER, A: Loretta Young, Brian Aherne — If they like just plain screwball nonsense, they ought to like this. There have not been many like this lately and a fair crowd thoroughly enjoyed it here. I liked it myself. The war is not even mentioned. It is a clever mystery story in its own right but it takes a second look at it to fully appreciate it. — W. Varick Nevins, III, Alfred Co-op Theatre, Alfred, N. Y. Small college town patronage. POWER OF THE PRESS: Guy Kibbee, Lee Tracy — Fair lower half picture that didn't hurt anybody's feelings as there was no one there to see it. Ran with "We Are the Marines." — W. Varick Nevins, III, Alfred Co-op Theatre, Alfred, N. Y. Small college town patronage. REVEILLE WITH BEVERLY: Ann Miller, William Wright— Was liked by all except a few. Good ltitle show that should go over without any trouble at all in the small towns. Has more names than some of the biggest pictures made this year, and with my patrons is much better. Played Monday, Tuesday. July 26. 27.— Claude R. Gray, Gilmont Theatre, Mt. Gilead, N. C. Small town patronage. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer AIR RAID WARDENS, THE: Laurel and Hardy — So what? People who would not give Laurel and Hardy a look in on their former pictures came, in what may have been an escapist mood, to relax and get a laugh. You know the answer to that— business. Just any little old turkey that will get some laughs will get by now. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. ANDY HARDY'S DOUBLE LIFE: Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone — Although the Hardy Family seems to haye lost some of its early poplarity, we did better than average business on this picture. The allaround excellence of the entire cast was unquestionably responsible. Played Sunday, Monday, Aug. 1, 2. — A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Calif. Small lumber town patronage. ANDY HARDY'S DOUBLE LIFE: Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone — A good Hardy Family picture that drew average business. On nice evenings it is hard to draw the town folks away from their victory gardens. As I do not succeed very often in doing so, you can add that to my help in the war effort. I supply the temptation that makes them strong. I am going to try a scheme of running the show free and charging five cents to each person who does not come. That would be a gold mine.— W. Varick Nevins, III, Alfred Coop Theatre, Alfred, N. Y. Small college town patronage. DU BARRY WAS A LADY: Lucille Ball, Red Skelton — This picture was well received. However, it was not the type of picture expected. Red Skelton always goes over well at this post. As a whole, considered suitable for Army personnel. Played Sunday. Monday, July 25, 26.— War Dept. Theatre AAFBFS, Minter Field. Bakcrs6cld, Calif. . . . 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. FOR ME AND MY GAL: Judy Garland, George Murphy — Very good entertainment. Just what our patrons want. Judy is sure tops when it comes to singing.— Victor E. Dahl, Fayette Theatre, Fayette, Iowa. Small town and rural patronage. PILOT NO. 5: Franchot Tone, Marsha Hunt— Just another war picture. The boys are very tired of war pictures and desire more musicals, comedies or mysteries. Anything but war pictures. Played Thursday, Friday, July 29, 30.— War Dept. Theatre AAFBFS, Minter Field, Gakersfield, Calif. REUNION IN FRANCE: Joan Crawford, Philip Dorn, John Wayne — Did very well with this. Just goes to show a fellow knows for sure what the crowds will turn out to see. Everyone but a few very well pleased and so was I. Played Thursdav, Friday, July 29, 30.— Claude R. Gray, Gilmont Theatre, Mt. Gilead, N. C. Small town patronage. STAND BY FOR ACTION: Robert Taylor, Charles Laughton — This is not too much war and the town seemed to know it so they gave me average attendance on it. Lots of humor in it and the baby sequence is very funny. I have to laugh when I say "average attendance" because "average" ain't what it used to bel It seems to be the best way to give estimates that might help you, so I control myself most of the time. — W. Varick Nevins. IH. Alfred Co-op Theatre, Alfred, N. Y. Small college town patronage. TISH: Marjorio Main, Lee Bowman — A small town "natural." Marjorie Main gives them plenty of laughs, and you can buy it right. By all means, play it if you haven't. — Victor E. Dahl, Fayette Theatre, Fayette, Iowa. Small town and rural patronage. WHITE CARGO: Hedy Lamarr, Walter Pidgeon — This picture brought in new faces. It was well liked by the majority of the people. Hedy wasn't what they expected, but they were pleased. If you haven't already played it, do so. Good for small town patronage. Played Sunday, Monday, Aug. 1, 2. — J. D. Leger, Royal Theatre, Leeompte, La. Small town patronage. YOUNGEST PROFESSION, THE: Virginia Weidler, Edward Arnold and Guests — We had a strange reaction on this one: those in the right mood got a big kick out of the "strike an attitude" acting of the teen-agers, which drew a lot of laughs. However, in a 1,100-seat house there were between 75 and 100 walkouts in one night. From the sound of the lauehs. it was good; from the walkouts, very poor. Played Monday, Tuesday, July 26, 27— V. G. Mullarkey, Theatre Officer, Santa Ana Army Air Base, Santa Ana, Calif. Paramount AERIAL GUNNER: Chester Morris, Richard Arlen — Another war picture and the usual results — walkouts and slim business. Picture O.K. of its type, but it still is a war picture and that is what our people are thoroughly fed up on.— A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. FIVE GRAVES TO CAIRO: Franchot Tone, Anne Baxter — Being a war picture, this one went over very well. However, the boys are very tired of war pictures. The second night's attendance dropoed very badly. Played Sunday, Monday, July 4, 5. — War Dept. Theatre AAFGFS, Minter Field, Bakersfield, Calif. FOREST RANGERS: Fred MacMurray, Paulette Goddard — Played to exceptional business. Technicolor is beautiful. Plenty of good comments from the customers on the way out. — Victor E. Dahl, Fayette Theatre, Fayette, Iowa. Small town and rural patronage. FOREST RANGERS: Fred MacMurray, Paulette Goddard — We surely appreciated this picture as it gave us very good weekend business. Many favorable comments and no complaints. Here's hoping for more of a like nature. Played Friday, Saturday, July 30, 31.— A. C Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Calif. Small lumber town patronage. LUCKY JORDAN: Alan Ladd, Helen Walker— A good gangster picture which pleased average business on Friday. Saturday. Played July 20. 21.— E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. SALUTE FOR THREE: Macdonald Carey, Betty Rhodes — A very feeble attempt to build a picture around two minor players. A programmer that was not good enough for four days. Business fell off badly, considerable number of walkouts noted, and some booing and uncomplimentary remarks. Don't bank too strongly on this one. Played SundayWednesday, July 18-21.— V. G. Mullarkey, Theatre Officer. Santa Ana Army Air Base, Santa Ana, Calif. SALUTE FOR THREE: Macdonald Carey, Betty Rhodes — Many complaints on this picture. Many walkouts. Story very weak. Acting very poor. In fact, most of the picture was booed. Other than the music, there's nothing to it. Played Sunday, Monday, Aug. 1, 2.— War Dept. Theatre AAFBFS, Minter Field, Bakersfield, Calif. STAR SPANGLED RHYTHM: Betty Hutton, Eddie Bracken, Victor Moore — This is swell. It had no war. I enjoyed it. The crowd enjoyed it. The crowd consisted of everyone in town who could afford to buy fL ticket and a few who sneaked in. It is just what everybody has been waiting for. I always know it is a good picture if people try to sneak in. I make it so hard on those I catch that it has to be good to be worth the chance. — W. Varick Nevins, III, Alfred Co-op Theatre, Alfred, N. Y. Small college town patronage. STAR SPANGLED RHYTHM: Betty Hutton, Eddie Bracken, Victor Moore — This picture went over swell. The picture itself contained many hearty laughs and was enjoyed by all. Sure fire in my town is any musical with stars, music and comedy. This had it all. If you haven't played it, do so; you will not regret it. Played Saturday, Sunday, July 31, Aug. 1.— K. D. Garner, Center Theatre, Hope Mills. N. C. Small town patronage. WRECKING CREW: Richard Arlen, Chester Morris— Had I known what this picture was I would have dated it two days. Many good comments. Thrills and action in this picture keeps your audience glued to their seats, and what a climax. Leave it to Paramount to always come through with a swell picture. Audience comments were good and business was likewise. Played Wednesday, July 28. — K. D. Garner, Center Theatre, Hope Mills, N. C. Small town patronage. Producers Releasing Corp. CORRECIDOR: Otto Kruger, Elissa Landi— If it wasn't for the same scenes used over and over again, this would have been great. Otherwise, just "B" time. I guess you can say this is their biggest. I still think war pictures are the biggest draw. — Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Small town patronage. Republi ic BOOTS AND SADDLES: Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette — These re-releases are still good, both in acting and drawing power. — Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Small town patronage. CHATTERBOX: Joe E. Brown, Judy Canova— Joe E. Brown and Judy Canova make a good team. There are plenty of laughs in this one. Played with "King of the Cowboys" to good attendance. Flayed Saturday, Sunday, July 31, Aug. 1.— Mrs. H. A. Proulx. Au Gres Theatre, Au Gres, Mich. Small town and rural patronage. FIGHTING DEVIL DOGS: Lee Powell, Herman Grix— These serial features are great. Being serials before and having been reduced makes it full of thrills and action. — Ralph Raspa. State Theatre, Rivesville. W. Va. Small town patronage. (Continued on page 44)