Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1944)

Record Details:

Title:
Motion Picture Herald
Date:
Nov-Dec 1944
Publisher:
[New York, N.Y. : Quigley Pub. Co.]
Volume:
Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1944)
Leaf #:
000647
Language:
English
Subjects:
motion pictures, Motion pictures -- Periodicals
Collection:
Hollywood Studio System
Format:
Periodicals
Contributor:
Library of Congress, MBRS, Moving Image Section
Sponsor:
Library of Congress, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division
Coordinator:
Media History Digital Library
Description:
Founded in 1915 by a Chicago printing company as a regional trade paper for Midwest exhibitors. In 1916, editor Martin Quigley bought out the owners, and over the next 15 years, he grew EXHIBITORS HERALD into one of the most important national, weekly trade papers in the film business. Quigley acquired MOTOGRAPHY in 1917 and MOVING PICTURE WORLD in 1927. In 1930, he acquired MOTION PICTURE NEWS and the new 'consolidated' publication became MOTION PICTURE HERALD. From the pulpit of his editorial page, Quigley preached the need to improve the motion picture industry and improve the quality of the films. He skillfully served as a mediator in disputes -- between distributors and exhibitors, between the film industry and the Catholic Church (Quigley was one of the architects of the Production Code). Quigley claimed that EXHIBITORS HERALD represented the 'independent exhibitor' and sections like 'What the Picture Did for Me?' certainly provided a forum for theater owners. But plenty of exhibitors viewed Quigley as a servant to the studios and large theater chains. In response, publications such as SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN, HARRISON'S REPORTS, and BOX OFFICE were either formed or grew significantly in the years following Quigley's brief moment of consolidation in 1930. -- Eric Hoyt, 2014
Date Added:
July 11, 2024
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f'WHAT THE " PICXrRE DID FOR ME^ Columbia " ONCE UPON A TIME: Gary Grant, Janet Blair— ary Grant as usual is very good but the story, on the tole, while completely different, is not very well liked. ; verage attendance. Played Friday, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2. -B. Sdimitt, Ewing Theatre, Midlothian, 111. Suburban atronage. MR. WINKLE GOES TO WAR: Edward G. Robin33, Ruth Warrick — No good for us. It did not go over, i.obinscm is no draw here. Played Monday, Tuesday, fov. 27, 28. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, •nt., Ca. s^etro-Goldwyn-Mayer : ANDY HARDY'S BLONDE TROUBLE: Mickey Roon■' y. Lewis Stone — The patrons still like the Hardy series ^nd Mickey Rooney's humor. Attendance good. — B. jichmitt, Ewing Theatre, Midlothian, 111. Subiurban pat jicnage. BROADWAY RHYTHM: George Murphy, Ginny iimms — This film has grand color, music and acting. But »e had small grosses for some reason. Played Thurs"lay, Friday. Nov. 30, Dec. 1. — Rubel Hutchings, Allen -Taeatre, Allen, Neb. Small town patronage. GASLIGHT: Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman— A good show for the aristocrats and we don't have many of hem here. 'The film w^as very drawn out and we did not lave much business. Played Sunday, Monday, Nov. 26, r.— G. R. May, Varsity Theatre, Ellisville, Miss. Small :cwn and rural patronage. GUY NAMED JOEL, A: Spencer Tracy. Irene Dunne —I do not care for a picture which uses characters who are dead. Played Thursday-Saturday. Nov. 23-25.— Rubel Hutchings. Allen Theatre, Allen, Neb. Small town patronage. GUY NAMED JOE, A: Spencer Tracy, Irene Dunne —I played this picture on percentage and what a letdown the checker had. My Sunday business was good but Monday and Tuesday fell o£F considerably. The (first 50 minutes are excellent Tracy film fare, but after that it is out of this world and did not take here. Played Sunday -Tuesday, Nov. 19-21. — W. J. Fleischer, New Tranklin Theatre, Franklin, Minn. Small town patronage. LOST ANGEL: Margaret O'Brien, James Craig— I did rot like this picture so well. Played Thursday, Saturday, Nov. 9-11.— Rubel Hutchings, Allen Theatre, .\llen, Neb. Small town patronage. MAISIE GOES TO RENO: Ann Sothern. John Hodiak —The Maisie series seems to click with my patrons, espe'cially the latest of the series. Tliis seems to be among the better Maisie pictures. Miss Sothera's pulchritude, entertainment ability and saucy acting are favored. This picture is O. K. I doubled it with "Sweet and Lowdown" (which got raves from the hep-cats). The combination gave us a nice two days' business considering the holiday buying rush which has affected the box ofifice. Played Friday. Saturday. Dec. 8. 9.— Sid J. Dickler. Belmar Theatre. Pittsburgh, Pa. Neighborhood patronage. . MEET THE PEX)PLE: Dick Powell. Lucille Ball— This was very poor and we had walkouts during every performance. Played Tuesday. Wednesday. Dec. 3. 6. — G. R. May. Varsity Theatre. Ellisville. Miss. Small town and rural patronage. SEE HERE, PRIVATE HARGROVE: Robert Walker. Donna Reed — One of the best films this year although we did only fair business. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 29.— G. R. May, Varsity Theatre, Ellisville, Miss. Small town and rural patronage. TWO GIRLS AND A SAILOR: Jimmy Durante. Van Johnson — This picture was well liked here and should do good business anywhere. Played Thursday-Saturday. Nov. 23-25.M. Bailey. .Strand Theatre, Dryden, Ont.. Can. Small town patronage. WATERLOO BRIDGE: Robert Taylor, Vivian LeighThis is what the small town exhibitor needs. I hope the film companies will bring out more of the old ones. They were made when they had material to build with. Did above average business. Played Sunday. Monday. Dec. ;0, 11.— G. R. May, Varsity Theatre, Ellisville. Miss. Small town and rural patronage. Monogram HOT RHYTHM: Dona Dake. Robert LoweryA very good musical which did good business. We sold $1,OCO worth of Bonds with a Free Movie Day. Played Thursday, Dec. 7.— G. R. May, Varsity Theatre, EUisville, Miss. Small town and rural patronage. UNKNOWN GUEST: Victor Jory, Pamela Blake— This picture did mediocre business on Sunday. Played Nov. -2.— Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Can. . . . the original exhibitors' reports department, established October 14, 1916. In It theatremen serve one another with information about the box-office 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. A. L. DOVE, Bengough, Saskatchetvan, Canada Mr. A. L. Dove of the Bengough theatre, Bengough, Sask., Canada, has long been a regular contributor to the "What the Picture Did For Me" section of Motion Picture Herald. He has been in the motion picture business since the summer of 1912 in Bengough and holds the respect of the town's 260 citizens. "I still don't know anything about this business, yet many changes have taken place since I installed my first hand driven Powers machine and ran through two-reelers," he commented recently. Mr. Dove, expressing his appreciation of the value of the "What the Picture Did For Me" department, said, "I consider this section very useful and Interesting to any exhibitor, especially for those in small situations." Paramount GAMBLER'S CHOICE: Chester Morris. Nancy KeUy— There is plenty of action and excitement built around a threadbare plot. This is good for the weak end of a double biU. — A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Calif. Small lumber town patronage. GOING MY WAY: Bing Crosby. Rise Stevens— I had the largest gross in two years. People like simple stories. Played Thursday-Saturday. Nov. 16-18. — Rubel Hutchings, .^Uen Theatre, Allen, Neb. Small town patronage. AND THE ANGELS SING: Fred MacMurray, Dorothy Lamour — This is a fine picture that satisfied my patrons. We had good business but nothing big or outstanding. It is a good story that is sprinkled with humor . This film has just the kind of entertainment we need. Played Sunday-Tuesday, Nov. 26-28. — W. J. Fleischer, New Franklin Theatre, Franklin. Minn. Small town patronage. HENRY ALDRICH PLAYS CUPID: Jimmy Lydon. Charlie Smith — This is a fair picture for a double bill. Played Friday, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre. Tilbury, Ont., Can. HITLER GANG, THE: Robert Watson, Victor Varconi —This feature was a total loss as far as we were concerned. Business was nil. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Nov. 29, 30.— A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Calif. Small lumber town patronage. I LOVE A SOLDIER: Paulette Goddard, Sonny TuftsGood comedy which did good business and pleased all who came. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Nov. 29, 30.— E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. PRC his brand of comedy. Played Saturday, Nov. 25. — A. H. Kaufman, Fountain Theatre, Terre Haute, Ind. RKO Radio ACTION IN ARABIA: George Sanders, Virginia Bruce Nice little show for a double bill. Did good business with a Western. Played Thursday, Nov. 30.— G. R. May, Varsity Theatre, Ellisville, Miss. Small town and rural patronage. FALCON IN MEXICO. THE: Tom Conway, Mona Maris — Generally speaking the Falcon series has had more box office appeal than this one. The "voice of the lobbyists" didn't hand this one any gardenias. I'd say just so-so and quite disappointing. Doubled with "Jimmy Steps Out." I think Jimmy Stewart takes credit on the draw for the business we had. Even Bank Night didn't help. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Dec. 6, 7. — Sid J. Dickler, Belmar Theatre, Pittsburgh, Pa. Neighborhood patronage. MARINE RAIDERS: Pat O'Brien, Ruth Hussey— Good action picture which did average business in spite of the fact that ray patrons are tired of war pictures. Played Sunday, Monday, Nov. 26, 27. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. PIRATES OF THE PRAIRIE: Tim Holt— This is another Western for extra weekend business. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Nov. 1, 2. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Can. THIS LAND IS MINE: Charles Laughton, Maureen O'Hara — I played this picture late so I placed it midweek and I did good business.' It is a forceful and timely story. I am not an admirer of Charles Laughton but this is one of the best pictures I have ever seen him in. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Nov. 22, 23.— W. J. Fleischer, New Franklin Theatre, Franklin, Minn. Small town patronage. YELLOW CANARY: Anna Neagle, Richard Greene— .\ good one to cancel. Didn't pull even on a double biU. Played Friday, Saturday, Nov. 24. 25.— G. R. May, Varsity Theatre, Ellisville, Miss. Small town and rural patronage. Twentieth Century-Fox BUFFALO BILL: Maureen O'Hara, Joel McCrea— This is a swell small town picture. It has wonderful scenery, plenty of action and a good story. Played Thursday Saturday, Nov. 30Dec. 2.— M. Bailey, Strand Theatre, Dryden, Ont., Can. Small town patronage. HOMjE IN INDIANA: Walter Brennan, Lon McAUister — This is a swell picture that any exhibitor can be proud to play. So there's nothing more to be said. Played Monday -Wednesday, Nov. 27-29. — M. Bailey, Strand Theatre, Dryden, Ont., Can. Small town patronage. LADIES OF WASHINGTON: Ronald Graham, Trudy Marshall — Just another feature that should not have been produced. Played Friday, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2. — A C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Calif. Small lumber town patronage. United Artists BRIDGE OF SAN LUIS REY, THE: Lynn Ban, Akim Tamiroff — This is rather slow moving in a few parts so the interest lags. Lynn Bari is particularly good and the picture on the whole is quite popular. Average attendance. Played Friday, Saturday, Dec. 8, 9.— B. Schmitt, Ewing Theatre, Midlothian, III. Suburban patronage. Universal DRIFTER, THE: Buster Crabbe, Al St. John— These PRC Westerns are all good. They have plenty of action, fast riding and O. K. stories. Buster Crabbe is good and Al St. John is very popular with our patrons, who like HIS BUTLEIR'S SISTER: Deanna Durbin. Franchot Tone — Good entertainment. Business was fair. Pat O'Brien was miscast. Played Sunday. Monday, Dec. 3, 4. — G. R. May. Varsity Theatre, Ellisville, Miss. Small town and rural patronage. MOONLIGHT AND CACTUS: Andrews Sisters, Leo Carillo — Nice little musical show which pleased. Business was average. Played Tuesday. Nov. 28. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, D'ewey. Okla. Small town patronage. MYSTERY MAN: William Boyd, Andy Hyde— This is an unusual and very good Western. All the Hopalong Cassidys are good. Due to the pre-Christmas slump busi(Covtinued on foUonnng page) MOTION PICTURE HERALD, DECEMBER 23, 1944 31