Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1944)

''what the picture did for Columbia LOUISIANA HAYRIDE: Judy Canova, Richard Lane —Here is one that did not have much on the ball but did a good average business. It is the same trite old story of Judy Canova, a country girl who makes good in the big lights. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Oct. 18, 19.— Leonard J. Leise, Rand Theatre, Randolph, Nebr. Rural and small town patronage. MR. WINKLE GOES TO WAR: Edward G. Robinson, Ruth Warrick — Big majors should watch out for Columbia. They sell right and deliver solid entertainment. Here is a picture that is worth preferred time. Good photography, direction and acting covering a wide variety of emotions. Played Saturday, Sunday, Oct. 21, 22.— T. B. Hynes, Community Theatre, Conde, S. Dak. Small town and rural patronage. MR. WINKLE GOES TO WAR: Edward G. Robinson, Ruth Warrick — Just fair. No walkouts but very few comments either way. Cannot give it more than a doubtful "B" rating. — B. R. Johnson, Roxy Theatre, Nipawin, Sask., Can. Rural patronage. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer BROADWAY RHYTHM: George Murphy, Ginny Simms — This picture is chock-full of good entertainment. Each star, including some new ones, did well for themselves. Played Sunday, Monday, July 30, 31. — Willard Moore, Lido Theatre, Providence, Ky. Small town patronage. GUY NAMED JOE, A: Spencer Tracy, Irene Dunne —Very good, although Tracy is not the draw he was several seasons back. Played Saturday, Sunday, Sept. 23, 24. — Otto W. Chapek, Annex Theatre, Anamoose, N. Dak. Rural and small town patronage. HEAVENLY BODY, THE: Wilham Powell, Hedy Lamarr — It was a very good picture, but William did a little bit of star gazing. Played Sunday, Monday, Aug. 20, 21.— Willard Moore. Lido Tlieatre, Providence, Ky. Small town patronage. MEET THE PEOPLE: Dick Powell, Lucille Ball— Not much of a draw at the box office. Fairly good enter^ainment. Played Sunday. Monday, Oct. 22, 23.— H. Goldvjn. Plaza Theatre, Chicago, 111. Neighborhood patronage. SEE HERE, PRIVATE HARGROVE: Robert Walker, Donna Reed — The most humorous picture we have played or a long time. Above average business. Played Monday, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 19.— Willard Moore, Lido Theatre, Providence, Ky. Small town patronage. SEE HERE, PRIVATE HARGROVE: Robert Walker, Donna Reed — Good picture that was liked by all. Played Saturday, Sunday, Oct. 7, 8.— Otto W. Qiapek, Annex Theatre, Anamoose, N. Dak. Rural and small town patronage. SONG OF RUSSIA THE: Robert Taylor, Susan Peters— It makes me shudder when I remember that I once considered asking Metro to cancel this picture because of the title. It is one of the grandest pictures I have ever run with a title that kept some away, but it is a picture that makes those who came want to come back a second time. I have never heard music, especially piano, so beautifully reproduced. Played Simday, Monday, Oct. 15, 16.— M. L. DuBose, Majestic Theatre, Cotulla, Texas. Small town and country patronage. THOUSANDS CHEER: Kathryn Grayson, Gene Kelly — A good picture but entirely too long. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, June 27, 28.— Willard Moore, Lidc Theatre, Providence, Ky. Small town patronage. THREE MEN IN WHITE: Lionel Barrymore, Van Johnson — This series is gradually playing out with me. Played Sunday, Monday. Oct. 1, 2.— M. L. DuBose, Majestic Theatre, Cotulla, Texas. Small town and country patronage. TWO GIRLS AND A SAILOR: Jimmy Durante, Van .Johnson — A very nice little picture that did right well at the box office. This is the only picture I have ever liked Jimmy Durante in. Played Sunday, Monday, Oct. 8, 9.— M. L. DuBose, Majestic Theatre, Cotulla, Texas. Small town and country patronage. Paramount HOUR BEFORE THE DAWN, THE: Veronica Lake, Franchot Tone — Can't say much for this one. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, Sept. 26. 27.— Otto W. Chapek, Anaew Theatre, Anamoose, N. Dak. Rural and smaN town patronage. MIRACLE OF MORGAN'S CREEK, THE: Eddie Bracken, Betty Hutton — This picture is one that should never have been made. Patrons upon leaving the theatre said, "When you play a good picture let me know; I want to see it, but not another one like this one." . . . the original exiiibitors' reports department, established October 14, 1916. in if theatremen serve one another with information about the box-oflice 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. Played Sunday, Monday, Aug. 6, 7. — Willard Moore, Lido Tlieatre, Providence, Ky. Small town patronage. NAVY WAY, THE: Robert Lowery, Jean ParkerGood picture of life at the Great Lakes Naval Training station. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 20.— Otto W. Chapek, Annex Theatre, Anamoose, N. Dak. Rural and small town patronage. YOU CAN'T RATION LOVE: Betty Jane Rhodes, Johnnie Johnston — Fair little musical that was liked by the younger set. — Otto W. Chapek, Annex Theatre, Anamoose, N. Dak. Rural and small town patronage. RKO Radio MUSIC IN MANHATTAN: Anne Shirley, Dennis Day — Light little musical which pleased the patrons. It was good entertainment. — B. R. Johnson, Roxy Theatre, Nipawin, Sask., Can. Rural patronage. SEVEN DAYS ASHORE: Wally Brown, Gordon Oliver— The comments on this were highly satisfactory. More than one person remarked, "What a relaxing picture this is." — B. R. Johnson, Roxy Theatre, Nipawin, Sask., Can. Rural patronage. SHOW BUSINESS: Eddie Cantor, George Murphy— This gave universal satisfaction and did good business.— B. R. Johnson, Roxy Theatre, Nipawin, Sask., Can. Rural patronage. YOUTH RUNS WILD': Bonita Granville, Kent Smith — Tliis was a waste of film and that says it. With production reduced you wonder why they waste it on pictures such as this. It does not make sense. Neither do the padded pictures of the extreme footage that we are getting on so many of the pictures. Even one who knows nothing about producing pictures sees where some deletions would have helped speed the story and make a better picture. "Twain" was one and so was "Curie." — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. Republi< ICE-CAP ADES REVUE: Ellen Drew, Richard . Denning— Plenty of good skating scenes, good comedy by Colonna and Vera Vague. There was not much story but a good box office. It is a natural here even though old. Played Wednesday, Oct. 18.— J. B. Hynes, Community Theatre, Conde, S. Dak. Small town and rural patronage. JAMBOREE: Ruth Terry. George Byron— This is a picture that especially appeals to small town patrons. Played to two days of extra good business. Played Tuesday. Wednesday, July 4, 5. — Willard Moore, Lido Theatre, Providence, Ky. Small town patronage. MAN FROM 'FRISCO': Michael O'Shea, Anne Shiriey — A fair picture that held up for Sundaj' and Monday to my surprise. Average business. Played Sunday, Monday, Oct. 15, 16. — Leonard J. Leise, Rand Theatre, Randolph, Nebr. Rural and small town patronage. Twentieth CenturyFox A-HUNTING WE WILL GO: Laurel and Hardy— A repeat that our patrons seemed to enjoy. Laurel and Hardy seem to be popular with our patrons. Played Friday. Saturday, Oct. 20, 21.— H. Goldson, Plaza Theatre. Chicago, 111. Neighborhood patronage. BROADWAY RHYTHM: George Murphy, Ginny Simms — This is a very good musical in Technicolor with a good story. What more can you ask for? Played Sunday, Monday, October 1 and 2. — Otto W. Chapek, Annex Theatre, Anamoose, N. Dak. Rural and small town patronage. FOUR JILLS IN A JEEP: Kay Francis, Carole Landis — A fairly good picture but not strong enough to bring them in as a first picture. Business only fair on this one. Played Sunday, Monday, Oct. 15, 16.— H. Goldson, Plaza Theatre, Chicago, 111. Neighborhood patronage. HAPPY LAND: Don Ameche, Frances Dee— Played this one late but have no regrets. We had many good comments and did better than average business. Played Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 14-16. — H. B. Narfason, Foam Lake Theatre, Foam Lake, Sask., Can. Rural and small town patronage. HEAVEN CAN WAIT: Don Ameche, Gene Tierney— Good little picture, nothing big. We got away with it nicely and the customers did not complain. The box office held its own. Played Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 1214. — H. B. Narfason, Foam Lake, Foam Lake, Sask., Can. Rural and small town patronage. PIN-UP GIRL: Betty Grable, Joe E. Brown— There was not much enthusiasm on this one and there was some adverse criticism from the feminine ranks. But business was good and we thought both Miss Grable and the cast were well worth looking at. Played Sunday, Monday, Oct. 15, 16.— A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Calif. Small lumber town patronage. RATIONING: Wallace Beery, Marjorie Main— This is a good show and we had good business and not a single kick. This rationing business is portrayed exactly as small towners and farmers know it. Everyone will like it because it is part of his everyday life. Played Simday-Tuesday, Oct. 15-17.— W. J. Fleischer, New Franklin Theatre, New Franklin, Minn. Small town patronage. SWEET ROSIE O'GRADY: Betty Grable, Robert Young— A top ranking picture. Grable was loveHer than ever before. Played Sunday, Monday, Aug. 27, 28.— Willard Moore, Lido Theatre, Providence. Ky. Small town patronage. TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT: Phil Baker, Phil Silvers —The fact that this is a takeoff on the Baker radio show helped somewhat. We played "Stagecoach" (reissue) to back up the Baker picture. "Take It or Leave It" was not too bad and far from good, yet it was generally liked by the cash customers. All the scenes from old Fox pictures, i.e., Shirley Temple, the Ritz Brothers, Ink Spots and the Nicholas Brothers helped to give this one a bit of life. Bank Night had a lot to do with our box office figures. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Oct. 18, 19.— Sid J. Dickler, Belmar Theatre, Pittsburgh, Pa. Neighborhood patronage. United Artists IT HAPPENED TOMORROW: Dick Powell, Linda Darnell— It would be superfluous to extol the virtues or criticize the shortcomings of a film that flopped so miserably as this one did for us. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Oct. II, 12.— A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cahf. Small lumber town patronage. RIDERS OF THE DEADLINE,: William Boyd— Better than average Cassidy. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 11.— Otto W. Chapek, Annex Theatre, Anamoose, N. Dak. Rural and small town patronage. SONG OF THE OPEN ROAD: Edgar Bergen. "Charlie," Bonita Granville— United Artists from the billing are launching a new star, Jane Powell. It is not a very auspicious start. The picture is only fair, and that is leaning over backwards to give it that. Miss Powell has a good voice for a youngster. But she will need something stronger than this epic to get of? her mark and get in the running. They set it up on percentage and preferred playing time. This picture does not warrant either percentage or extended time.— A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. Universal CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY: Deanna Durbin, Gene Kelly —Undoubtedly, this is not a film for the juvenile patrons and our box office figures verify this remark. This commentator IS whole heartedly in accord with one of the city s top-notch drama critics when he said, "Kelly and Durbin are miscast and are not for this type of picture." Svmday business was just fair, not even average Business during the last two days fell ofiF like the autumn leaves. As for the picture itself. Gene Kelly, a native of this section, was the weak magnet in the box office draw; although Miss Durbin is usually well liked but this picture did not add any feathers to her fall chapeau. Played Sunday-Tuesday, Oct 15-17. -Sid J. Dickler, Belmar ITieatre, Pittsburgh, Pa. Neighborhood patronage. GUNG-HO: Randolph Scott, Grace McDonald— One of the best war pictures ever played. It would have been cheaper to have seen it at someone else's theatre because the public will not look at war pictures if played free. Played Oct. 14, 15 J B. Hynes, Community Theat^, Conde, bo. Dak. Small town and rural patronage. TRIGGER TRAIL: Rod Cameron, Fuzzy Knight— Used '?\.ZTv °Q ''A" ^''^ satisfactory results. Played Friday, Saturday, Oct. 13. 14 —A C Edwardi Winema Theatre, Scotia^ Calif. Small lumbeV town ^t-' ronage. (Continued on page 66) 64 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, NOVEMBER A, 1944