Motion Picture Herald (Jul-Aug 1943)

44 MOTION PICTURE HERALD August 2 1, I 943 (.Continued from page 42) HEART OF THE GOLDEN WEST: Roy Rogers— A very poor Rogers picture. Good attendance on Saturday night, poor on Sunday night. Played double with "Shantytow-n." Played Aug. 7, 8. — Mrs. Gertrude V. Proulx, Au Gres Theatre, Au Gres, Mich. Small town patronage. KING OF THE COWBOYS: Roy Rogers— Average Roy Rogers and our fans were disappointed because Frog didn't sing. Played with "Chatterbox" to good attendance. Played Saturday, Sunday, July 31, Aug. 1. — Mrs. H. A. Proulx, Au Gres Theatre, Au Gres, Mich. SHANTYTOWN: Mary Lee, John Archer— I think Mary Lee overdid her acting in this picture. John Archer good as usual. Picture drew fairly well. Played with "Heart of the Golden West." Played Saturday, Sunday, Aug. 7, 8.— Mrs. Gertrude V. Proulx, Au Gres Theatre, Au Gres, Mich. Small town patronage. RKO Radio BIG STREET, THE: Henry Fonda, Lucille Ball— A very nice picture and plenty of good comments from the customers. Slightly above average business. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, Aug. 3, 4. — E. A. Lindenau, Arthur Theatre, Lemont, 111. Small town patronage. FLIGHT FOR FREEDOM: Rosalind Russell, Fred MacMurra.y. This is a very fine picture but the title sounded like a war film (it isn't, of course). Those who came liked it very much. So did I— W. Varick Nevins, III, Alfred Co-op Theatre, Alfred, N. Y. Small college town patronage. HIGHWAYS BY NIGHT: Richard Carlson, Jane Randolph — Played this on second half of double bill and it apparently went over without any complaints. Played Friday, Saturday, July 30, 31.— A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Calif. Small lumber town patronage. HITLER'S CHILDREN: Tim Holt, Bonita Granville — It is a good picture but one like this with the sensational advertising that accompanied it was absolute poison to my box office. I knew it would be and tried to beg off, but the film company had to see for itself. They have the honor of the lowest gross in our 12 years of operation. — W. Varick Nevins, III, Alfred Co-op Theatre, Alfred, N. Y. Small college town patronage. JOURNEY INTO FEAR: Joseph Cotten, Dolores Del Rio — Pretty good exciting melodrama and we have usually done well with the other Welles pictures. However, ran this with "At the Front" to poor business. I think the war angle in "At the Front" kept a good number away. That's the way it works in a small town these days. — W. Varick Nevins, III, Alfred Co-op Theatre, Alfred, N. Y. Small college town patronage. PRIDE OF THE YANKEES: Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright— I finally got around to this splendid picture. It certainly is a dandy. Considering the scarcity of potential customers, it did quite well. The gasoline restrictions do not hurt me too much as most of mv patrons are and always have been within walking distance.— W. Varick Nevins, III, Alfred Co-op Theatre, Alfred, N. Y. Small college town patronage. SEVEN MILES FROM ALCATRAZ: James Craig, Bonita Granville — Story starts from nowhere and gets nowhere fast. Had walkouts on this and can't say that I blame them any too much as this is sure one poor feature. Played Wednesday, July 28. — Claude R. Gray, Gilmont Theatre, Mt. Gilead, N. C. Small town patronage. WINGS AND THE WOMAN: Anna Neagle, Robert Newton — Attendance way off. Many complaints and numerous walkouts. This ts true with practically every feature so far played on our current RKO contract. Played Wednesday, Thursday, July 28, 29.— A. C. Edwards. Winema Theatre, Scotia, Calif. Small lumber town patronage. WINGS AND THE WOMAN: Anna Neagle, Robert Newton — Most unsatisfactory. The mumbling of the British actors proved irksome to my patrons and they complained plenty. Cannot say anything good for it. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, Aug. 3, 4. — E. A. Lindenau, Arthur Theatre, Lemont, 111. Small town patronage. Twentieth CenturyFox CONEY ISLAND: Betty Grable, George Montgomery—A good picture. Not as big as "Rag Time Band" but it's the type of picture that people want in a big way. That is evidenced by the increased business over PROTECTING THE THEATRE ..OUR "FIRST LINE OF MORALE' 250 West 57th Street ■ New York City what war pictures are doing. There is no use reiterating that people are tired of war pictures. It will be self-evident in the grosses on the pictures that do not deal with the war. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. HEAVEN CAN WAIT: Don Ameche, Gene Tierney —Excellent reaction. Starts out with a bang when Ameche appears at gates of Hell. Laird Cregar does a capable job as Satan. Held up well for four days. Played SundayWednesday, July 25-28.— V. G. Mullarkey. Theatre Officer, Santa Ana Army Air Base. Santa Ana, Calif. HE HIRED THE BOSS: Stuart Erwin, Evelyn Venable — Entertaining little comedy which failed to draw average business. Played Tuesday, July 27. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. HELLO, FRISCO, HELLO: Alice Faye, John Payne — Very good show and above average business. Had very nice run and I believe every single one who saw it enjoyed it. — A. E. Eliasen, Koronis Theatre, Paynesville, Minn. Rural and small town patronage. JITTERBUGS: Laurel and Hardy— For a slaphappy comedy, this one was well received. At least it got the boys' minds off the war. It played one day only, Tuesday, July 6.— War Dept. Theatre AAFBFS, Minter Field, Bakersfield, Calif. LIFE BEGINS AT 8:30: Montv Woollev. Ida LuDino — Some good moments, but inclined to be too slow. Passable attendance when doubled with "Margin for Error." Monty Woolley's sarcasm was the best thine in it but he was not doing that all the time. — W. Varick Nevins, III, Alfred Co-op Theatre, Alfred, N. Y. Small college town patronage. MARGIN FOR ERROR: Milton Berle, Joan Bennett — Misses fire somewhat but it is short and has some good laughs in it. Attendance O.K. when doubled with "Life Begins at 8:30.— W. Varick Nevins, III, Alfred Co-op Theatre, Alfred, N. Y. Small college town patronage. MEANEST MAN IN THE WORLD: Jack Benny, Priscilla Lane — Might not be the meanest but sure is one of the poorest actors in the opinion of my patrons. — A. E. Eliasen, Koronis Theatre, Paynesville, Minn. Rural and small town patronage. MEANEST MAN IN THE WORLD: Jack Benny, Priscilla Lane — No one will say that this is an outstanding picture, but in the midst of a lot of war pictures it drew excellent business. It got plenty of laughs. As it is short, I ran an hour of comedy1 and cartoon shorts with it and advertised it as an alllaugh show. Believe me, they welcomed it with tears in their eyes and complimented me on it for a week. "Just what they wanted." was their comment. — W. Varick Nevins, III, Alfred Co-op Theatre. Alfred. N. Y. Small college town patronage. MY FRIEND FLICKA: Roddy McDowall, Preston Foster — A simple little picture of a boy and a horse that reaches right into the heart. It will not get an Oscar, but it will pack them in. Orchids also to Miss Johnson and the little girl friend, Diana Hale.— A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. THUNDER BIRDS: John Sutton, Gene Tierney— Very good. Liked much better than the war pictures that show a lot of brutality. Played Tuesday -Thursday June 22-24.— E. K. Menagh, Star Theatre, Ft. Lupton, Colo. YOUNG MR. PITT: Robert Morley, Robert Donat — Rather like a history book but the dialogue is not hard to understand and a small crowd said they liked it. Well done of its type.— W. Varick Nevins, IDT, Alfred Co-op Theatre, Alfred. N. Y. Small college town patronage. United Artists IN WHICH WE SERVE: Noel Coward, Bernard Miles — Didn't do what I had expected as I gave it a big build up. Will please the ones you can get into the theatre. Played Sunday, Monday, June 27, 28 — J. D. Leger, Royal Theatre, Lecompte, La. Small town patronage. LADY OF BURLESQUE: Barbara Stanwyck, Michael O'Shea — The boys didn't care too much for this picture. Story too weak. Played two days; the second night attendance very poor. Played Thursday, Friday, May 20, 21— War Dept. Theatre AAFBFS, Minter Field, Bakersfield, Calif. LADY OF BURLESQUE: Barbara Stanwyck, Michael O'Shea — Absolutely the worst thing I've run in months. Packed them in the first night but didn't have sense enough to send the thing back after that and stood alone for two more nights. — A. E. Eliasen, Koronis Theatre, Paynesville. Minn. Rural and small town patronage. YOUNG AND WILLING: William Holden, Susan Hayward — This was certainly a flop, both at the box office and by the audience who saw it. The film was wasted. The story was slow and time worn, the acting was poor and the scenes were all in one location. I can't see why any producer would waste good young stars who might have a good future in this type of role and picture. Played Monday, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 3.— K. D. Garner, Center Theatre, Hope Mills, N. C. Small town patronage. Universal AMAZING MRS. HOLLIDAY, THE: Deanna Durbin, Edmond O'Brien — Very good, although they had to bring in the war foolishly. Not much business but people satisfied. Best by Durbin as she begins to show a little ability. — A. E. Eliasen, Koronis Theatre, Paynesville, Minn. Rural and small town patronage. AMAZING MRS. HOLLIDAY, THE: Deanna Durbin, Edmond O'Brien — Deanna Durbin has never meant added business here. It is a nice picture but business was low. — W. Varick Nevins, III, Alfred Co-op Theatre, Alfred, N. Y. Small college town patronage. ARABIAN NIGHTS: Sabu, Maria Montez, Jon Hall — A picture that packed them in to the best Sunday business that I have had in a long time. Didn't do so well on Monday, but was satisfied. The scenes are beautiful. Give this picture all you've got and you should do the business.— J. D. Leger, Royal Theatre, Lecompte, La. Small town patronage. COWBOY IN MANHATTAN: Robert Paige, Frances Langford — As I said before, these little Universal pictures are tops. — State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Small town patronage. HERS TO HOLD: Deanna Durbin, Joseph Cotten— Reaction was excellent. A very capable picture that drew laughs aplenty, which is what our patrons want. Held up well for four-day run. Played WednesdaySaturday, July 21-24.— V. G. Mullarkey, Theatre Officer, Santa Ana Army Air Base, Santa Ana, Calif. HE'S MY GUY: Dick Foran, Irene Hervey— This one kept my crowd roaring as much as an Abbott and Costello picture would, it's a hunk of dessert that will give your customers a bellyache — from laughing. Played Wednesday, Thursday, July 28, 29.— E. A. Lindenau, Arthur Theatre, Lemont, 111. Small town patronage. HI YA, CHUM: Jane Frazee, Ritz Brothers— Played with "Raiders of San Joaquin" to good business. These little Universal pictures are tops. — Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Small town patronage. IT AIN'T HAY: Abbott and Costello— Had this pictuie dated two months ago but it failed to reach me because of floods and gave me a dark house then. Guess it was too old when I finally played it, as business was light. Nothing wrong with the picture, however. Played Wednesday, Thursday, July 14, 15. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. IT AINT HAY: Abbott and Costello— Very good draw. Seemed to please, although many told me it was the poorest by these two stars. People seem to want to laugh and they sun. did at this baby. A most welcome relief from the radio, newspapers and weather. — A. E. Eliasen, Koronis Theatre. Paynesville. Minn. Rural and small town patronage. IT COMES UP LOVE: Gloria Jean, Donald O'Connor— Not up to standard. Lacks Peggy Ryan, but O'Connor is great. Can stand alone. — Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Small town patronage. OLD CHISHOLM TRAIL, THE: Johnny Mack Brown — Best Western I've had in years with Brown that was so well liked by the patrons. Action, hard fighting, good story well acted and music to please even the sour pusses; one really good Western. Played Saturday, July 31. — Claude R. Gray, Gilmont Theatre, Mt. Gilead, N. C. Small town patronage. RAIDERS OF SAN JOAQUIN: Johnny Mack Brown — These Westerns are good in everything; music, action, acting and background. Don't know why Universal quit making them. — Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Small town patronage. WHITE SAVAGE: Maria Montez, Jon Hall, SabuTechnicolor helped, a weak story with a fair cast. Picture did exceptionally well here. We doubled it with "Chetniks" from 20th-Fox, and pleased them all. Weather was torrid. Played Friday, Saturday, July 9, 10. — Thomas di Lorenzo, New Paltz Theatre. New Paltz, N. Y. Small town patronage. Warner Bros. ACROSS THE PACIFIC: Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor — Played this one late and did an outstanding business. Bogart is good for my town in any picture. This one was fair but not as good as what the people expected. Will go over where Bogart is liked. Sorry that I played it only one day; could have held it over and done well. Played Tuesday, Aug. 3. — J. D. Leger, Royal Theatre, Lecompte, La. Small town patronage. BACKGROUND TO DANGER: George Raft, Brenda Marshall — Very good. It kept the audience in suspense all the way through. Played Sunday, Monday, July 11, 12— War Dent. Theatre AAFBFS. Minter Field. Bakersfield, Calif. BACKGROUND TO DANGER: George Raft, Brenda Marshall — Good action picture. Business was only fair. Played Sunday, Monday, July 25, 26.— E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. CONSTANT NYMPH, THE: Charles Boyer. Joan Fontaine — Had a good turnout for this picture from the WACS. The officers and enlisted men did not care for (Continued on folloiving page)