Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1944)

(Continued from preceding page) the few who did see the picture said, "it was grand." We did fair business. Played Wednesday, Thursday, March 22, 23.— Miss Cleo Manry, Buena Vista Theatre, Buena Vista, Ga. Rural and small town patronage. HOLY MATRIMONY: Monty Woolley, Gracie Fields — The picture was well liked and business was very good. I believe it should be good for English speaking towns. The print we received was terrible. Flayed Thursday-Saturday, March 30-April 1. — M. Bailey, Strand Theatre, Dryden, Ont., Canada. Small town patronage. HOLY MATRIMONY: Monty Woolley, Gracie Fields — Here's a good little picture, but it didn't get the customers. Played Tuesday -Thursday, March 21-23. — May H. Turner, Royal Theatre, Iowa Park, Tex. Small town and rural patronage. IN OLD CHICAGO: Tyrone Power, Don Ameche, Alice Faye — Here's a reissue to fill a booking and it's still a box office picture. You will get a few criticisms for replaying it, but I'll take some others of the top rank reissues, if it will get me away from war pictures. Take it from me, if you explain this to the public just as I did, they will go along with you and you will gain goodwill in the bargain. The public is tired of the agony that is_ war as it has been depicted in some of tie recent pictures that have come through. There are very few families that do not have some relative in the service and why add to the distress and strain that is apparent in the country today. People are more edgy today than at any time that I can remember. — A. E. Hancock Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. LIFEBOAT: Tallulah Bankhead, William Bendix— We didn't do any business worth mentioning. The picture is good, but I have yet to make money on a Hitchcock production. Played Sunday-Tuesday, April 2-4. — Leroy Strandberg, Roxy Theatre, Hinchley, Minn. Rural and small town patronage. LIFEBOAT: Tallulah Bankhead, William Bendix— Here is an excellent production, which pleased my patrons 100 per cent. Played Wednesday, March 22. — W. R. Pyle, Airport Recreation Hall, Assiniboia, Sask., Canada. Airport patronage. OX-BOW INCIDENT, THE: Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews— We had a good crowd and most everyone liked this picture. Played Saturday, Monday, March 25-27. — May H. Turner, Royal Theatre, Iowa Park, Tex. Rural and small town patronage. RAINS CAME, THE: Myma Loy, Tyrone Power— This is still a good picture which pleased my patrons 100 per cent. Played Thursday, March 23.— W. R. Pyle, Airport Recreation Hall, Assiniboia, Sask., Canada. Airport patronage. RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE: George Montgomery, Mary Howard — I double billed this feature with "Meanest -Man in the World" to outstanding business. This is one of the best Westerns. Played Friday, Saturday, March 31-April 1.— W. R. Pyle, Dreamland Theatre, Rockglen, Sask., Canada. Rural and small town patronage. , United Artists HI DIDDLE DIDDLE: Adolph Menjou, Martha Scott — This was just a joke for our crowd; not worth the price asked. Played Wednesday, Thursday, March 29, 30. — M. W. Hughes, Colonial Theatre, Astoria, 111. IN WHICH WE SERVE: Noel Coward, Bernard Miles — Here's a fine picture, but we did poor business. No draw. Played Friday, Saturday, March 17, 18.— W. R. Pyle. Dreamland Theatre, Rockglen, Sask., Canada. Rural and small town patronage. JOHNNY COME LATELY: James Cagney, Grace George — I can't stop to rave about this picture, although it deserves it. Let's talk about Grace George. She was marvelous, supreme! You can have Hedy Lamarr, I'll take Miss George any time. Played Sunday, Monday, April 2, 3.— Marcella Smith, Vinton Theatre, McArthur, O. Small town patronage. JOHNNY COME LATELY: James Cagney, Grace George — My patrons did not take to this picture at all and it did not even click the first night. . We did terrible business. Played Monday, Tuesday, March 13, 14. — Miss Cleo Manry, Buena Vista Theatre, Buena Vista, Ga. Rural and small town patronage. Universal CORVETTE K-225: Randolph Scott, Andy Devine— Here is a fine picture which I played to a full house and all my patrons seemed satisfied. I would recommend this picture for your best playing time. Played Sunday-Tuesday, Jan. 23-25.— Leroy Strandberg, Roxy Theatre, Hinchley, Minn. Rural and small town patronage. CORVETTE K-225: Randolph Scott. Andy Devine— Here's another excellent picture from Universal. It received good comments from everyone who saw it. Played Sunday, Monday, Feb. 27, 28. — Benton Roy, Roy Theatre, Mansura, La. Small town patronage. FLESH AND FANTASY: Charles Boyer, Barbara Stanwyck — Here's probably the worst Sunday picture I have run. F'assing remarks not good; had a few walkouts. Fantastic is the right word. Played Sunday, Monday. April 2, 3.— Leonard J. Leise, Rand Theatre, Randolph, Neb. Rural and small town patronage. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE: Dennis O'Keefe, Louise Allbritton — Here is strictly a class "B" picture. My patrons didn't care much for it. I had some complaints, but still they came to see it. Knockout drops seemed to have been the main laugh getter. It could have been better, but it's O.K. for a double bill. Played TuesdaySunday, March 14-19. — Andrew Mayeshiba, Technical Dept., Heart Mountain, Wy. HI, BUDDY: Dick Foran, Harriet Hilliard— There was average reaction to average business. The story is goo» but somehow it didn't seem to be presented right. Put somebody else in Harriet Hilliard's place and the picture would have been the same. My patrons don't go for Miss Hilliard. The service men's act was enjoyed by everyone; the rest of the picture was mediocre. Flayed Tuesday-Sunday, March 28-ApriI 2. — Andrew Mayeshiba, Technical Dept., Heart Mountain, Wy. HIS BUTLER'S SISTER: Deanna Durbin, Franchot Tone, Pat O'Brien — I will rate this picture as one of Miss Durbin's best. Here is a clever, smart comedy which is just what the public is hungry for today. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. HIT THE ICE: Abbott and Costello— I surely made the opposition hit the ice with this one. It is their best and I played it to a packed house all day. Played Sunday, Monday, Jan. 30, 31. — Benton Roy, Roy Theatre, Mansura, La. Small town patronage. HIT THE ICE: Abbott and Costello — Nobody can bring them in like this pair. This picture was by far one of their best. It had the audience in stitches all the way through. The laugh begins when Costello comes out of the sidewalk in an ash can and continues through the last scene when he swears never to fall in love again. Let's have more of Abbott and Costello. Played Tuesday-Sunday, March 21-26. — Andrew Mayeshiba, Technical Dept., Heart Mountain, Wy. MUMMY'S TOMB, THE: Lon Chaney, Dick Foran, Elyse Knox — I played this picture to the worst crowd on Friday-Saturday in the history of this theatre, and -I do mean terrible. My patrons complained about it for a month later. Played January 21, 22. — Leroy Strandberg, Roxy Theatre, Hinchley, Minn. Rural and small town patronage. PHANTOM OF THE OPERA: Nelson Eddy, Susanna Foster — Here is a fine picture, which seemed to please all my customers. Universal pictures are tops. Played Sunday, Monday, March 19, 20.— Benton Roy, Roy Theatre, Mansura, La. Small town patronage. PHANTOM OF THE OPERA: Nelson Eddy, Claude Rains, Susanna Foster — Many exhibitors reported this picture as poor; I thought it was good and so did all my patrons. The opera music and settings are excellent. Miss Foster has a lovely voice. Played Sunday, Monday, March 26, 27. — O. E. Simon, Roxy Theatre, Menno, S. D. Rural and small town patronage. Warner Brothers ADVENTURE IN IRAQ: John Loder, Ruth Ford— This feature is absolutely preposterous. I used it on the weak end of a double bill and we did terrible business. Played .Friday, Saturday, March 31-April 1.— A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. Small lumber town patronage. DESERT SONG, THE: Dennis Morgan, Irene Manning — We did good business the first night, but flopped the second and third. I believe it's a drag for small towns. Flayed MondayWednesday, March 27-29.— M. Bailey, Strand Theatre, Dryden, Ont., Canada. Small town patronage. DESERT SONG, THE: Irene Manning, Dennis Morgan —Here's a fine picture, but it is not so well liked by the country people as it is a little over their heads. Played MondayWednesday, March 13-15. — Harold Ingraham, Ingraham Theatre, Mooreland, Okla. Rural and small town patronage. DESTINATION TOKYO: John Garfield, Cary Grant— This picture is good in any man's language. Here's one to write home about. Played Saturday -Tuesday, March 26-28. — Harold Ingraham, Ingraham Theatre, Mooreland, Okla. Rural patronage. FRISCO KID: James Cagney, Margaret Lindsay— Although this is a reissue, it is still a fine picture. Be sure to play it. It will get you more business and better comments than most of the new products from Warners. — Played Wednesday, Thursday, March 29, 30.— E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. OKLAHOMA KID: James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart— Don't pass this picture up, as it is just what a small town exhibitor needs. It drew a large crowd for two days and business was nearly twice as good as average. If I only had one of these each week, I could retire. Played Friday, Saturday, March 31-April 1. — Leroy Strandberg, Roxy Theatre, Hinchley, Minn. Rural and small town patronage. OLD ACQUAINTANCE: Bette Davis, Miriam Hopkins — Miss Davis and the entire cast gave an excellent performance in this picture. I thought that this would be heavy for my country audience, but it received nothing but good comments all along the line. Played Saturday, April 1. — A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Sask., Canada. Rural and small town patronage. ?LD ACQUAINTANCE: Bette Davis, Miriam Hopkins like Miss Davis but she is poison at our box office. She is a wonderful actress, but she is not the type for small towns. — M. W. Hughes, Colonial Theatre, Astoria, 111. OLD ACQUAINTANCE: Bette Davis, Miriam Hopkins — This is a pretty good picture, but it just didn't draw. It is probably the best of Miss Davis' pictures. Played Sunday, Monday, March 26, 27. — Leonard J. Leise, Rand Theatre, Randolph, Neb. Rural and small town patron age. j PRINCESS O'ROURKE: Olivia de Havilland, Robert I Cummings — Here is really one fine comedy. Our town I goes for pictures of this kind, and who wouldn't? Played:: Sunday, Monday, March 12, 13. — Marcella Smith, Vinton I Theatre, McArthur, O. Small town patronage. Short Features Columbia CHINA PLATE: Silly Symphonies — Here is something different in the way of Silly Symphonies. The story is not much to talk about, but the presentation is excellent. It's highly entertaining for everyone. — Andrew Mayeshiba, Technical Dept., Heart Mountain, Wyo. RKO Radio HOW TO BE A SAILOR: Walt Disney Cartoon— Here is an excellent Technicolor cartoon. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. PRETTY DOLLY: Leon Errol— This is a fine two-reel comedy. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. United Artists HITLER'S PLAN: World in Action— This is a very informative short which should open the eyes of those people who are so sure we can't lose. I believe it should be shown in every theatre in America. — Robert E. Floeter, Burton Theatre, Flint, Mich. WAR FOR MEN'S MINDS, THE: World in Action— I received plenty of complaints concerning this short. In these trying times our patrons have enough of sorrow and worries concerning their kin in the service without being fed such gruesome and depressing propaganda as this film subject. — Robert E. Floeter, Burton Theatre, Flint, Mich. Universal GREATEST MAN IN SIAM: Swing Symphony— Here is a good Technicolor cartoon. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. MAGIC BEANS, THE: Lantz Cartoon— Here's a modernized version of Jack and the Beanstalk with an unexpected ending. The short was enjoyed by all my patjrons; good for young and old. — Andrew Mayeshiba, Technical Dept., Heart Mountain, Wyo. THRILLS OF THE DEEP: Variety View — Whether you are interested in fishing or not, this short will be interesting because it goes through the process from preparing the pole to actually landing a sailfish. — Andrew Mayeshiba, Technical Dept., Heart Mountain, Wyo. TUNE TIME: Musical — The music was good but the presentation was poor. I wouldn't recommend it for city patrons; it is not even just another musical. — Andrew Mayeshiba, Technical Dept., Heart Mountain, Wyo. WINGS IN RECORD TIME: Variety View— Here is an entertaining reel about how an airplane was made in 24 hours. Filmed in England. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Vitaphone CAVALCADE OF THE DANCE: Melody Master Band — In this short, Veloz and Yolanda lend their artistry to the interpretation of ballroom dancing in all its shapes and forms. It is very entertaining. — J. A. Reynolds, N. J. State Prison, Trenton, N. J. DAUGHTER OF ROSIE O'GRADY: Broadway Brevity— Here is a fine musical with your favorite Irish tunes sung by children. I recommend this short. — A. L Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Sask., Canada. DOGIE ROUNDUP: Sports Parade— This is just down the alley for a small town) audience. It is a Technicolor short, of life among the cattle, of which there are plenty in my section. — A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Sask., Canada. I GOT PLENTY OF MUTTON: Merrie Melody Cartoon— Here is an entertaining cartoon in Technicolor. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. IN THE DRINK: British War Short— Here is an .exceptionally interesting 10-minute reel on the makeup and packing of the safety boats and supplies which go with the flying crews leaving Britain. Well received here. — Thomas di Lorenzo, New Paltz Theatre, New Paltz, N. Y. TOM TURK AND DAFFY: Merrie Melody Cartoon— This is an excellent color cartoon. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. War Activities Committee BLACK MARKETING: War Short— Using a court room trial of several Black Market offenders as a base, this picture weaves the story of how the Black Market operates and why it is undesirable. Educational as well as interesting. — Andrew Mayeshiba, Technical Dept., Heart Mountain, Wyo. 44 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, APRIL 22, 1944