Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1944)

(Continued from preceding page) MIRACLE OF MORGAN'S CREEK, THE: Eddie Bracken, Betty Hutton— One thing I know is that our audiences do not agree with the critics. The -majority that I contacted gave their opinion that this was a terrible picture.— A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. RIDING HIGH: Dick Powell, Dorothy Lamour— The salesman that sold me this feature bet me a 50-cent cigar that it would outgross "Road to Morocco." It looks like I will have to pay off as it surely did that very thing. Here's a fine picture which pleased all my patrons. Played Sunday-Tuesday, Feb. 20-22.— W. C. Pullin, Linden Theatre, Columbus, O. Family patronage. RIDING HIGH: Cass Daley, Victor Moore, Dorothy Lamour, Dick Powell— This is a Cass Daley picture. Miss Daley is taking hold of and holding a good sized following. The folks want more and more of her. I wonder what a Cass Daley -Joan Davis team would do for the box office. Played Friday, Saturday, March 10, 11.— E. A. Lindenau, Arthur Theatre, Lemont, 111. Small town patronage. SO PROUDLY WE HAIL: Paulette Goddard, Claudette Colbert— Here's a picture to be remembered. Its human emotions makes it one for your must see list. Played Sunday, Monday, Feb. 20, 21.— Willard Moore, Lido Theatre, Providence, Ky. Small town patronage. SO PROUDLY WE HAIL: Claudette Colbert, Paulette Goddard, Veronica Lake— This epic of heroism of the nurses on Bataan is great. The three female stars are excellent in their portrayals of different types of American womanhood under fire. Sonny Tufts is very engaging as a big, good-natured, fighting Marine. The <~M-l\e picture is an inspiration to us stay-at-homes ^°aTt miss it! Played Saturday, April 1.— J. A. Reynolds, N. J. State Prison, Trenton, N. J. Prison patronage. STANDING ROOM ONLY: Paulette Goddard, Fred M'acMurray— We played this feature as our Easter attraction and it not only pleased everyone, but it was a pleasant surprise at the box office. It drew as good as the best of the season and it topped last Easter s attraction, "Pride of the Yankees," by 12 per cent. 1 ReDUD IC enjoyed it so much, I went to see it twice myself. Played ixcpuwnv, Sunday, Monday, April 9, 10.— Thomas di Lorenzo, New. Paltz Theatre, New Paltz, N. Y. Small town patronage. HIGHER AND HIGHER: Michele Morgan, Frank Sinatra — I can't say much for this feature and if Sinatra has so many fans as they say, they aren't in this town. However, it is a pretty good picture and will do average business, but I didn't receive many comments on it one way or the other. Played Sunday, Monday, April 9, 10.— J. D. Leger, Royal Theatre, Lecompte, La. Small town and rural patronage. HIGHER AND HIGHER: Frank Sinatra, Michele Morgan— If you haven't bought this feature then don't do it. The few people that did come to see it went out so mad I had to hide to keep away from them. Played SundayTuesday, Feb. 27-29.— W. C. Pullin, Linden Theatre, Columbus, O. Family patronage. HIGHER AND HIGHER: Michele Morgan, Frank Sinatra — It should have been "lower and lower," in regard to the box office receipts, as they went lower and lower each day. Sinatra is all right to hear, but not to see.— R. A. Pickett, Florida Theatre, Daytona Beach, Fla. Tourist patronage. LADY TAKES A CHANCE, A: Jean Arthur, John Wayne — This picture was made to order for small towns, because it is definitely escapist entertainment with the right amount of comedy and action. We received above average Sunday-Monday receipts. Played April 16, 17. — E. A. Lindenau, Arthur Theatre, Lamont, 111. Small town patronage. MEXICAN SPITFIRE'S BLESSED EVENT: Lupe Velez, Leon Errol — This is the best picture of this series yet. It's always the same old story yet they always come to laugh their heads off. — Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. NORTH STAR, THE: Walter Huston, Anne BaxterHere is truly a fine picture and I can only give it the highest praise. It was enjoyed by everyone. Owing to a church revival, I didn't do the usual business. However, I say play it any time. Played Sunday, Monday, April 16, 17.— J. D. Leger, Royal Theatre, Lecompte, La. Small town and rural patronage. TRUE TO LIFE: Mary Martin, Franchot Tone— This is just another picture. Not good, not bad, sometimes amusing, sometimes boring. Nothing attempted, nothing done It's time to go home and look forward to another show. Played Wednesday. Thursday, April 5, 6.— Leo Guthrie, Rogue Theatre, Wheeler, Tex. Small town and rural patronage. PRC Pictures CAREER GIRL: Frances Langford, Craig Woods— Here is a nice little picture that was thoroughly enjoyed by my patrons. I played this on a weekday and we did nice business. Let's have more musicals. Played Tuesday, April 11.— J. D. Leger, Royal Theatre, Lecompte, La. Small town and rural patronage. HARVEST MELODY: Rosemary Lane, Johnny Downs — This did not register with my patrons. I had more walkouts on it than I care to repeat. Fortunately J had a strong feature on the other end of the double bill. It's just a bit too "corny" for these parts. Played Friday, Saturday, March 24, 25.— Harriet Pilliod, La France Theatre, Swanton, O. Small town and rural patronage. TIGER FANGS: Frank Buck, June Duprez— Here's by far the best Frank Buck picture that has been made yet. It will please the adventure-loving fans anywhere. We did nice weekday business on this feature and everyone went home satisfied. Played Thursday, April 13.— J. D. Leger, Royal Theatre, Lecompte. La. Small town and Tural patronage. TORNADO IN THE SADDLE: Russell Hay den— I double-billed this feature with "Pistol Packin' Mama" to excellent weekend business. Played Friday, Saturday, April 14, 15.— Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Canada. RKO Radio ADVENTURES OF A ROOKIE: Wally Brown, Alan Carney — This team may be imitating Abbott and_ Costello, but their brand of nonsense went over big in my community. I believe they will build up a good following. We did good business the first night, and better the second night. Played Thursday-Friday, April 13-14.— E. A. Lindenau, Arthur Theatre, Lemont, 111. Small town patronage. AROUND THE WORLD: Kay Kyser. Joan Davis— This is a fine musical with the usual Kay Kyser performance in it. We did only average business on it, but it was' enjoyed by all my patrons who came to see it. I would recommend this feature for any location. Played Wednesday, April 12.— J. D. Leger, Royal Theatre, Lecompte, La. Rural and small town patronage. GANGWAY FOR TOMORROW: Margo, John Carradine. Robert Ryan — We did a fair business on this program picture by playing it on Pal Night. — Played Tuesday, April 11. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. GOVERNMENT GIRL: Olivia de Havilland, Sonny Tufts — This story about Washington was well liked by my patrons. As we did about average business, I will not complain. Played Wednesday -Friday, March 15-17.— W. C. Pullin, Linden Theatre, Columbus, O. Family patronage. BIG SHOW, THE: Gene Autry— I'm still doing nice business on these Autry reissues. — Played Friday, Saturday, April 14, 15. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. HERE COMES ELMER: Al Pearce, Dale Evans— This is a plenty good feature for either a one-day showing or as the second half of a double bill. We did average business. Played Saturday, March 18. — W. C. Pullin, Linden Theatre, Columbus, O. Family patronage. IN OLD OKLAHOMA: John Wayne, Martha ScottJohn Wayne never disappoints me. When I have a halfway good feature I always do good business. This feature is better than that. Played Wednesday-Friday, March 22-24.— W. C. Pullin, Linden Theatre, Columbus, O. Family patronage. IN OLD OKLAHOMA: John Wayne, Martha ScottHere's a small town natural. While' some got this mixed up with the stage play of about the same title, they seemed to like the picture. I would say it is one of the best Republic has ever made. Played Friday, Saturday, March 31-April 1.— Melville Danner, Kozy Theatre, Granite, Okla. MOJAVE FIREBRAND: Bill Elliott, Gabby HaynesThis feature has a queer title, but it's a fine Western which pleased my Friday-Saturday patrons. Played April 7, 8. — Melville Danner, Kozy Theatre, Granite, Okla. PISTOL PACKIN' MAMA: Ruth Terry, Bob Livingston— Here's a most timely picture with a corny title. It brought in our farm lads. Played Friday, Saturday, April 14, 15.— Harland T. Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Canada. SLEEPY LAGOON: Judy Canova, Dennis Day— My patrons like Judy Canova and I can always expect a full house when I have one of her features. Played Saturday, March 4.— W. C. Pullin, Linden Theatre, Columbus, O. Family patronage. Twentieth CenturyFox BANJO ON MY KNEE: Barbara Stanwyck, Joel McCrae — I took a long chance by playing this feature on a Sunday -Monday date and it paid out at the box office. Very few of my patrons remembered the picture and all enjoyed it, and many told their friends to see it again. Played April 9, 10.— E. A. Lindenau, Arthur Theatre, Lemont, 111. Small town patronage. BOMBERS MOON: George Montgomery, Annabella— This picture was sold about right, and while it did not do outstanding business it pleased the majority of my patrons. Played Saturday-Monday, April 1-3.— Melville Danner, Kozy Theatre, Granite, Okla. GUADALCANAL DIARY: Preston Foster, Lloyd Nolan —Here's a war picture that is rough, tough and realistic. You could hear many gasps from the women folks when the bayonets were used. I played this feature on SundayMonday to excellent business. The cost of victory was brought home to us folks. Played Feb. 27, 28— E. A. Lindenau, Arthur Theatre, Lemont, 111. Small town patronage. GUADALCANAL DIARY: Preston Foster, Lloyd Nolan —I bought this feature late, but it did a very nice business for me. It's a wonderful feature that probably would have done better for me if I had played it earlier. Played Sunday-Tuesday, March 19-21.— W. C. Pullin, Linden Theatre, Columbus, O. Family patronage. GUADALCANAL DIARY: Preston Foster, Lloyd Nolan — Here is an. excellent, well-produced war picture that did nice business. This was one war picture that brought them out; many don't. Played Wednesday, Thursday, April 12, 13.— Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Canada. HAPPY LAND: Don Ameche, Frances Dee— Here is a picture that should have been called "America." It is not big from the standpoint of production, sets or story. However, it is a picture that has a common denominator for everyone who lives in America. It strikes right at the heart, the hand, the health and the home of every one of us. Yes, this picture is made up of the little things that are common in the average American's life, and it is the little things that make a picture big. Right here a number of producers should stop and do a lot of thinking; save the big scenery stuff, and pull the heart strings more. Played Saturday -Monday, April 1-3. — Lee Guthrie, Rogue Theatre, Wheeler, Tex. Small town and rural patronage. HAPPY LAND: Don Ameche, Frances Dee— I heard more nice things mentioned about this picture than about any other show I have had in months. We did above average business. Played Friday, Saturday, April 14, 15. — H. Goldson, Plaza Theatre, Chicago*, 111. HEAVEN CAN WAIT: Don Ameche, Gene TierneyHere's a dandy sophisticated comedy that failed to register at the box office,. and it didn't even take in enough for the rental. However, it received good comments from my patrons who came to see it and we did not have one walkout. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, Feb. 29-March 1. — E. A. Lindenau, Arthur Theatre, Lemont, 111. HOLY MATRIMONY: Monty Woolley, Gracie FieldsThis is the third Woolley picture I have played here, and while Monty is a good actor, his pictures simply do not take in my community. We did terrible business and 1 cannot recommend this feature for small town exhibitors. Played Tuesday-Thursday, April 11-13. — Melville Danner, Kozy Theatre, Granite, Okla. LIFEBOAT: William Bendix, Tallulah Bankhead— Here is an unusual story with exceptional direction and a fine cast which pleased all my patrons who came to see it. We did a little below our recent averages for SundayMonday, but I would consider it satisfactory. Played April 2, 3. — Thomas di Lorenzo, New Paltz Theatre, New Paltz, N. Y. Small town patronage. PARIS AFTER DARK: George Sanders, Brenda Marshall— Here's another well-made underground drama, but it lost money for me. I think it is about time that the bulk of this type of picture be put underground; six feet to be exact. Played Thursday-Friday, April 6-7.— E. A. Lindenau, Arthur Theatre, Lemont, 111. Small town patronage. THIS ABOVE ALL: Tyrone Power, Joan Fontaine— This picture was well received by all my patrons, but I believe it pleased the women more than the men. On the last playdate the house was filled with women, but there were hardly any men present at all. I heard some complaints from the patrons who had read the story — they were disappointed because Tyrone Power didn't die the way he was supposed to. Played Tuesday-Sunday. April 11-16. — Andrew Mayeshiba, Technical Dept., Heart Mountain, Wyo. WINTERTIME: Sonja Henie, Jack Oakie— Sonja Henie has lost her box office appeal. Her stories are similar and would have worn off if it was not for her skating scenes. We did only normal business. Played Monday, Tuesday, April 10. 11.— Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Canada. United Artists COLT COMRADES: William Boyd— Hopalong Cassidy films always draw a good crowd in my community. This feature was played with "Whistling in Brooklyn" to above average business, and it pleased all my patrons. Played Friday, Saturday, April 7, 8. — Thomas di Lorenzo, New Paltz Theatre, New Paltz, N. Y. Small town patronage. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT: Joel McCrea, Laraine Day — This is an excellent picture, but it's a bit deeper than the ones we have been playing lately. My patrons can't seem to understand pictures when the characters speak with an English accent. I received some complaints from my patrons who don't care for this type of deep picture, but we can't please everybody. Played TuesdaySunday, April 4-9. — Andrew Mayeshiba, Technical Dept., Heart Mountain, Wyo. HI DIDDLE DIDDLE: Adolphe Menjou, Martha Scott —Use this as second feature material where you need laughs. The cast is superior to the story. It gets very silly at times and will try the patience of an average audience. It played second fiddle to "Gung Ho" to average Friday-Saturday business. Played April 14, 15. — Thomas di Lorenzo, New Paltz Theatre, New Paltz, N. Y. Small town patronage. JOHNNY COME LATELY: James Cagney, Grace George — Jimmy must learn the hard way that he still cannot produce pictures himself. This feature was a disappointment at my box office. Played Sunday, Monday, April 16, 17.— H. Goldson, Plaza Theatre, Chicago, 111. Universal ALI BAB A AND THE 40 THIEVES: Jon Hall, Maria Montez — Excellent! And that for a costume picture is high praise for the cast and the director. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. BAD LANDS OF DAKOTA: Anne Rutherford, Robert (Continued on following page) 48 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, MAY 6, 1944