Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1944)

(Continued from page 56) State Theatres, Marengo and Milltown, Ind. Small town patronage. Twentieth CenturyFox DANCING MASTERS: Laurel and Hardy— This was a natural for my weekend double bill. We did good business and all my patrons laughed at this pair. Played Friday, Saturday, April 21, 22.— Charles A. Brooks, Ritz Theatre, Marsh field, Mo. Small town and rural patronage. GANG'S ALL HERE, THE: Alice Faye, Carmen Miranda— Here's an excellent musical with a beautiful Technicolor background. On the whole, my fans liked Alice Faye and accepted the picture nicely. We did good business. Played Sunday-Monday, April 30-May 1. — Charles A. Brooks, Ritz Theatre, Marshfield, Mo. Small town and rural patronage. GRAPES OF WRATH: Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell — The younger folks were not pleased, but the older folks had many good comments concerning this feature. This is an old picture, but you can't keep a good picture down. Its drawing power was slightly below average; although for an old picture it did better than anticipated. Played Tuesday-Sunday, April 25-30. — Andrew Mayeshiba, Technical Dept., Heart Mountain, Wy. JITTERBUGS: Laurel and Hardy— I double billed this feature with "Riders of the Purple Sage" to excellent business. This is the best Laurel and Hardy feature I have shown in this theatre. Played Monday, Tuesday, May 8, 9. — K. John, Legion Theatre, Bienfait, Sask., Canada. Small town patronage. LIFEBOAT: William Bendix, Tallulah Bankhead— This is a well-made production, but the plot is just a repetition of what our patrons are fed up with. We did good business the first day, but we did terrible business the following two days. Played Sunday-Tuesday, April 23-25. — R. Lavari, Liberty Theatre, Verona, Pa. LODGER, THE: Merle Oberon, George Sanders— This is no better than the average well-made mystery picture. We did just normal business. Played Sunday Tuesday, April 16-18. — R. Lavari, Liberty Theatre, Verona, Pa. MY FRIEND FLICKA: Preston Foster, Roddy McDowall — This feature was the biggest grosser this year. Here's a beautiful feature which is tops in every way. Played Friday, Saturday, April 14, 15.— K. John, Legion Theatre, Bienfait, Sask., Canada. Small town patronage. SULLIVANS, THE: Thomas Mitchell, Anne BaxterHere's one of the greatest pictures of all time. This picture played in several theatres in my community and for that reason we didn't do such great business. However, it's a pleasure to play a picture like this.— C. L. Niles, Niles Theatre, Anamosa, la. SWEET ROSIE O* GRADY: Betty Grable— The picture was good entertainment, but the gross was not what we expected. There are too many pictures of this type. — C. L. Niles, Niles Theatre, Anamosa, la. THUNDER BIRDS: Preston Foster, John Sutton, Gene Tierney— Here's an excellent picture. We did good business and I received many favorable comments on this feature. Played Thursday, Friday, May 4, 5. — K. John, Legion Theatre, Bienfait, Sask., Canada. Small town patronage. United Artists I MARRIED A WITCH: Fredric March, Veronica Lake — This feature yields great entertainment based on fantasy. The basic idea of the plot temporarily takes you right out of this world and it is recommended for that reason. The great performances of Fredric March and Veronica Lake are matched by the excellent trick photography so necessary to the story. See this feature and relax. Played Wednesday, April 12. — J. A. Reynolds, N. J. State Prison, Trenton, N. J. Prison patronage. JACARE: Animal Feature— Frank Buck still draws the crowds. Play this feature, if you haven't. — C. L. Niles, Niles Theatre, Anamosa, la. JACK LONDON: Michael O'Shea, Susan Hayward— This feature won't get you a nickel. Played Wednesday Friday, May 3-5.— H. Goldson, Plaza Theatre, Chicago, 111. JOHNNY COME LATELY: James Cagney, Grace George — Cagney has always been a favorite in this community, but, for some unknown reason, this picture failed to draw. However, I still say it's a good picture. Played Sunday-Monday, April 30-M'ay 1. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. KANSAN, THE: Richard Dix, Jane Wyatt— Harry Sherman hasn't made a real good picture since he has been with UA. You can tell that he spent peanuts on the production. — E. L. Ornstein, Rialto and State Theatres, Marengo and Milltown, Ind. Small town patronage. Universal CRAZY HOUSE: Olsen and Johnson— This feature is just what the name implies. We did below average business and I received no favorable comments from my patrons. Personally, I thought this a terrible picture. Played Tuesday-Thursday, April 25-27.— Charles A. Brooks, Ritz Theatre, Marshfield, Mo. Small town and rural patronage. FRONTIER BAD MEN: Diana Barrymore, Robert Paige— This is not the kind of a feature that my patrons want to see on a weekend. I paid more for it than a regular Western and took in a great deal less.— E. L. Ornstein, Rialto and State Theatres, Marengo and Milltown, Ind. Small town patronage. HI YA, SAILOR: Donald Woods, Elyse Knox— Here's a nice little musical for a double bill.— C. L. Niles, Niles Theatre, Anamosa, la. HIT THE ICE: Abbott and Costello— This is the best picture Abbott and Costello have ever made. It was the only picture on 1942-1943 Universal deal that I did better than break even with. — E. L. Ornstein, Rialto and State Theatres, Marengo and Milltown, Ind. Small town patronage. MOONLIGHT IN VERMONT: Gloria Jean, Fay Helm — This is an O.K. musical for a double bill. — C. L. Niles, Niles Theatre, Anamosa, la. RHYTHM OF THE ISLANDS: Allan Jones, Jane Frazee — Here's a picture which pleased my Sunday crowd and we did excellent business. Played April 30. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Canada. SHADOW OF A DOUBT: Teresa Wright, Joseph Cotten — This was not an entertaining picture, by any means. Just show me an Alfred Hitchcock production that ever made a dime in any small town. I double billed this feature with "Captive Wild Women," which wasn't too good.— E. L. Ornstein, Rialto and State Theatres, Marengo and Milltown, Ind. Small town patronage. WEEKEND PASS: Noah Beery, Jr., Martha O'Driscoll — This is a small picture which did average business on Pal Night. Played Tuesday, May 2.— E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. WE'VE NEVER BEEN LICKED: Richard Quine, Anne Gwynne — This is a swell picture and my patrons who came enjoyed it immensely. However, the trailer ruined it. It pictured it as a very horrible story full of Jap atrocities. Instead, it is a swell college picture, with sufficient comedy and action to make it interesting. If you take my advice you'll run a slide and forget the trailer. — E. L. Ornstein, Rialto and State Theatres, Marengo and Milltown, Ind. Small town patronage. WHITE SAVAGE: Maria Montez, Jon Hall— This drew a bit better than most Universal features, but it's the same old stuff that everyone saw in "Arabian Nights." Several of my patrons were insulted at my getting them in to see such a silly feature as this and I had several walkouts. — E. L. Ornstein, Rialto and State Theatres, Marengo and Milltown, Ind. Small town patronage. Warner Brothers CHEROKEE STRIP: Dick Foran— I double billed this feature with "Old Acquaintance" and the children and Western fans found it O.K. Played Friday, Saturday, May 5, 6. — A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. Small lumber town patronage. FRISCO KID: James Cagney, Margaret Lindsay— It is •now necessary to pick up some of these reissues to fill in your bookings. You don't make any mistake in playing these good pictures and they have outgrossed any of the war pictures that I have shown. I'll play these features rather than "The Purple Heart," "Lifeboat," "Cross of Lorraine" or "Cry Havoc." At least they let the public forget the war while they are seeing them and they do excellent business. I may have an obsession against war pictures but the small towns are intimate institutions and the reaction that we get is certain, and that reaction is repeatedly against war pictures. Just let the title be doubtful, then it takes all the cashier's time reassuring them that it is not a war picture. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. GIRLS ON PROBATION: Ronald Reagon, Jane Bryan — I double-billed this feature with "Crime School" and it was a money show at our theatre. My patrons literally ate it up and there were no complaints regarding age. Those who didn't see it were telling me they were sorry they missed this double feature program. Played Friday, Saturday, April 21, 22. — Thomas di Lorenzo, New Paltr Theatre, New Paltz, N. Y. Small town patronage. IN OUR TIME: Ida Lupino, Paul Henreid— Miss Lupino gives an excellent performance in this feature, but it did not mean box office in this small town. This might be due to the fact that the title was ambiguous or that it deals with the conquering of Poland. Anyway, it failed to click at the box office. It is unfortunate, for Miss Lupino was great in her role, but it is just that my patrons don't go for anything connected with the war. At present, the reaction is greater against war pictures than at any time previous. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. NORTHERN PURSUIT: Errol Flynn, Julie Bishop— This is O.K. for action fans. — C. L. Niles, Niles Theatre, Anamosa, la. NORTHERN PURSUIT: Errol Flynn, Julie Bishop— This fast moving action picture did better business than we had anticipated. The action more than compensated for lack of originality in plot. Played Sunday, Monday, May 7, 8.— A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia. Cal. Small lumber town patronage. OLD ACQUAINTANCE: Bette Davis, Miriam Hopkins —Although we used this feature on a weekend double bill, we did better business than we had expected. The women enjoyed this feature very much, but it was very difficult to keep the children still during this perform ance. I think that this feature is too long. Played Friday, Saturdav, May 5, 6.— A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. Small lumber town patronage. PRINCESS OROURKE: Olivia de Havilland, Robert Cummings— This is a dandy show. However, it's the same old story; it cost me too much and I made no profit. — C. L. Niles, Niles Theatre, Anamosa, la. SHINE ON, HARVEST MOON: Ann Sheridan, Dennis Morgan— It is like old times again to see Warners coming through with a smash-hit musical and that is just what this one is. Ann Sheridan is tops in the leading role of the glamorous Nora Bayes. It has a number of the old gay nineties tunes and if you think the audience, both young and old, don't go for these then an error has been made. It is a relief from the boogie-woogie that the orchestras are playing today; at least you can recognize the score.— A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. THANK YOUR LUCKY STARS: Warner Stars Revue —In this picture Warner Brothers takes the wraps off all its stars and gives them a chance at uninhibited romping. Thus we have Bette Davis singing, Ida Lupino and Olivia de Havilland executing a fast jazzed-up dance and many others having and supplying lots of fun outside of their natural orbits. Eddie Cantor, Janet Blair and Dennis Morgan, with able assistance from Dinah Shore, capably handle the skein of plot which ties together this vastly entertaining extravaganza. Played Saturday, April 15. — J. A. Reynolds, N. J. State Prison, Trenton, N. J. Prison patronage. THIS IS THE ARMY: Joan Leslie, George MurphyHere's a swell show and I had good audience reaction. I played this feature at regular prices. Played Sunday, Monday, April 23, 24.— Charles A. Brooks, Ritz Theatre, Marshfield, Mo. Small town and rural patronage. THIS IS THE ARMY: George Murphy, Joan LeslieHere's an excellent musical show in Technicolor. We did way above average business. Played Wednesday, Thursday, May 3, 4.— E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. WATCH ON THE RHINE: Bette Davis, Paul LukasThis feature has too much talking and not enough action in it. I would have been better off not to have played it. Played Tuesday-Thursday, April 18-20. — E. K. Menagh. Star Theatre, Ft. Lupton, Colo. WATCH ON THE RHINE: Bette Davis, Paul Lukac— This is not a small town picture. It's too long, slow and dry. Played Saturday-Monday, April 22-24.— Melville Danner, Kozy Theatre, Granite, Okla. Small town patronage. WATCH ON THE RHINE: Bette Davis, Paul LukasIt's rather a tragedy, but the superb performance and direction made it first class entertainment. We did good business and received excellent comments concerning this feature. Played MondayWednesday, April 3-5.— Llovd Mills, Century Theatre, Kitchener, Ont., Canada. City patronage. Short Features Columbia COMMUNITY SING NO. 9:— This series is always wel received in my community.— Harland Rankin, Plaza Thea tre, Tilbury, Ont., Canada. GEM OF A JAM, A: All Star Comedy— This is an ex cellent cartoon.— Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury! Out., Canada. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer PETE SMITH'S SCRAPBOOK: Pete Smith SpecialtyHere's a fine reel on skillful shooting in various sports.Sgt. William E. Goewey, Overseas Camp Theatre. STORK'S HOLIDAY, THE: Technicolor Cartoon— Thi is another good cartoon. In my estimation, all of MGT cartoons are above average.— Charles A. Brooks, Rit Theatre, Marshfield, Mo. Vitaphone REAR GUNNER: Broadway Brevity— Here's an intei esting short which was well received by my patrons. Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Canada. War Activities Committee WINGS UP: War Short— Here's the best trip throug flying school we've seen yet and Clark Gable's voice sel it. What more could one ask? — Thomas di Lorenzo, Ne Paltz Theatre, New Paltz, N. Y. WITH THE MARINES AT TARAWA: Two-Reel Sp. cial — Here's another two-reeler from the WAC, whit still seems to have the obsession that the country is n;J war conscious. It is the real McCoy, as far as the actu battle scenes are concerned. Dead bodies of Marines < the beach and washing back and forth with the sur; of the sea, is not exactly entertainment. I feel strong I that these reels should be dispensed with, as I don't KJ the stunned reaction that comes from those people w! ' have relatives in the service. It plainly shows how fl those men in Washington who run the bureaus are out I touch with the rest of the country.— A. E. Hancock, Ci j umbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. 58 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, MAY 27, 194