Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1945)

"what the picture dih for Columbia CRY OF THE WEREWOLF: Nina Foch, Stephen Crane — A bit different from the usual type of horror pictures and should be O.K. for any theatre where chiller productions are liked. There are no names in the cast that mean a thing. Played Thursday, Friday, Feb. 15, 16. — A. H. Kaufman, Fountain Theatre, Terre Haute, Ind. Family patronage. IMPATIENT YEARS, THE: Jean Arthur, Lee Bowman, Charles Coburn — Very interesting and humorous. Behind it all there is a lesson on the war-time marriage situation that is indeed timely and deserving of being put before the public. The picture is a sermon in disguise and it is very well received by the audience. Business good. Played Friday, Saturday, Feb. 9, 10. — B. Schmitt, Ewing Theatre, Midlothian, 111. Suburban patronage. ONCE UPON A TIME: Cary Grant, Janet Blair— Sold this as an escapist fairy tale. The public accepted it in that light and everyone was well pleased including the exhibitor. Would not advise advertising it as a superduper as the public do not like being fooled. It is a nice picture. Played Wednesday, Feb. 14. — Johnnie Hynes, Community Theatre, Conde, S. D. Small town and rural patronage. Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer BROADWAY RHYTHM: George Murphy, Ginny Simms — Good picture with excellent Technicolor which suited my situation very well. We had many favorable comments. Played Thursday and Saturday. Feb. 1, 3. — H. B. Narfason, Foam Lake Theatre, Foam Lake, Sask., Can. Rural and small town patronage. CANTERVILLE GHOST: Margaret O'Brien, Charles Laughton — No good for this town. The idea of putting Margaret O'Brien, a wonderful little actress, in a ghost yarn with Charles Laughton, was not so good. We thought the whole thing out of place. Not much draw .here. Played Friday, Saturday, Feb. 2, 3 — M. W. Hughes, Colonial Theatre, Astoria, 111. General patronage. SONG OF RUSSIA: Robert Taylor, Susan PetersHere is a swell picture. Susan Peters is certain to go places. Robert Taylor does some very good acting in this. The story is very good and the music is excellent. Played Thursday and Saturday, Feb. 15, 17.— H. B. Narfason, Foam Lake Theatre, Foam Lake, Sask., Can. Rural and small town patronage. WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER: Irene Dunne, Roddy MacDbwall — I played this late but did nice business on it. It is an excellent show. Played Sunday, Monday, Feb. 4, 5. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. Monogram ARE THESE OUR PARENTS: Helen Vinson, Lyle Talbot — One of our patrons remarked, "Now I have seen everything." We rewarded the women with a dish for sitting through this one. Played Tuesday-Thursday, Jan. 16-18.— H. Goldson, Plaza Theatre, Chicago, HI. Neighborhood patronage. LADY, LETS DANCE: Belita, James Ellison— This was a very pleasing picture to the few who saw it. It did not draw because no one around here ever heard of Belita, although patrons who saw the picture said she was better than Sonja Henie. Played Monday, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 26. — Frank Damm, Damm Theatre. Osgood, Ind. Rural patronage. Paramount AND NOW TOMORROW: Loretta Young, Alan Ladd — It is not a very convicing story, with poor casting and unbelievable acting, yet it did big business here. The longer we are in the business, the less we can tell about its appeal. There is no questioning Paramount's effort to cast Ladd in a different type role, but it falls flat in this instance. The fellow is very popular, though, and Paramount showed sense in placing him in a story by Rachel Field. Played Sunday, Monday, Feb. 4, 5. — Thomas di Lorenzo, New Paltz Theatre, New Paltz, N. Y. Small town patronage. AND NOW TOMORROW: Loretta Young, Alan Ladd — Ladd's return to civilian status and his first release on the screen were warmly welcomed. The women seemingly have tossed "The Voice" into the "has been department" and do some plain and fancy sighing for Ladd (and Van Johnson, too'). This picture fared pretty well. It is a nice length and has a good little story (though fantastic). It gave us turnover, which is the answer to a manager's prayer in a house where limited seating is . . . the original exhibitors' reports department, established October 14, 1916. la theatremen serve one another with information about the box-office performance product — providing a service of the exhibitor for the exhibitor. ADDRESS REPOR What the Picture Did for Me. Motion Picture Herald, Rockefeller Center, New York I the problem. The numerous mentions of Pittsburgh in the picture brought about all kinds of "hurrahs" from the kids and the bobby-soxers. In conclusion, "Welcome Back, Ladd." Come again soon. Played Sunday-Tuesday, Feb. 11-13.— Sid J. Dickler, Belmare Theatre, Pittsburgh, Pa. Neighborhood patronage. DOUBLE INDEMNITY: Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray — This picture belongs in the excellent class, but for some reason or other it did not go over very well for us. Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray do a grand job of acting and the plot is very good. We were disappointed in our patrons' response. Played Sunday-Tuesday, Feb. 4-6.— B. Schmitt, Ewing Theatre, Midlothian, 111. Suburban patronage. HAIL THE CONQUERING HERO: Eddie Bracken, Ella Raines— This picture failed to do enough business to pay the film rental. Apparently Bracken was not able to cary the lead. There was too much conversation and noise. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Feb. 7, 8. — A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Calif. Small lumber town patronage. HAIL THE CONQUERING HERO: Eddie Bracken, Ella Raines — This one did not seem to suit the paying customers. We had a substantial number of walkouts. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. OUR HEARTS WERE YOUNG AND GAY: Diana Lynn, Gail Russell — A pleasing comedy which kept them laughing continuously throughout, and which did average business. Diana Lynn is certain to become very popular especially with the young people and we hope to have her again in roles as suitable as this. Played Friday, Saturday, Feb. 2, 3. — Thomas di Lorenzo, New Paltz Theatre, New Paltz, N. Y. Small town patronage. RAINBOW ISLAND: Dorothy Lamour, Eddie Bracken — Not much of a story but a good show for a small town. The Technicolor and Dorothy Lamour brought them in and business was way above average. Flayed Wednesday, Thursday, Feb. 7, 8.— E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. RKO Radio FALCON OUT WEST, THE: Tom Conway, Barbara Hale — A fast moving drama. Good for the second half of a double bill. Flayed Friday, Saturday, Feb. 9, 10. — A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Calif. Small lumber town patronage. Republic ATLANTIC CITY: Constance Moore, Bradford Taylor — Very poor musical with a group of "has-been" stage stars who have long been forgotten. Picture did not draw. Played Sunday, Monday, Feb. 4, 5. — Frank Damm, Damm Theatre, Osgood, Ind. Rural patronage. RED RIVER VALLEY: Gene Autry— Still doing a nice business on these Autry reissues. Played Friday. Saturday, Feb. 9, 10. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. SHERIFF OF LOS VEGAS: Bill Elliott, Bobby Blake A good entertaining Western show which pleased all who came. Little Beaver goes over big with the kids. Played Friday, Saturday, Feb. 16, 17. — E. M. Freiburger. Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. THATS MY BABY: Richard Arlen, Ellen DrewJust a lot of film wasted on a picture we paid too much for. It seems as though the producers are running out of plots when they make pictures like this one. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Jan. 24. 25. — Frank Damm, Damm Theatre, Osgood, Ind. Rural patronage. Twentieth CenturyFox BIG NOISE, THE: Laurel and Hardy— A very funny comedy feature with plenty of material to give these performers an opportunity to do their stuff. Poor business, but all who came liked it. Played Friday. Saturday, Feb. 9, 10. — Thomas di Lorenzo, New Paltz Theatre, New Paltz, N. Y. Small town patronage. IRISH EYES ARE SMILING: Monty Woolley, Dick Haymes — This type of picture is always sure-fire here. The charm of June Haver, the whimsical humor of Monty Woolley, the tuneful melodies, the exquisite Tech Fti jilt nicolor which added realism to the beautiful sets aj pi costumes, made this: one of the most satisfactory Sun< ! shows we have had the pleasure to play. Played Sund; '■ It Tuesday, Jan. 7-9.— N. W. Huston, Liberty Theatre, C t W umbus, Kan. General patronage. u JANE EYRE: Orson Welles, Joan Fontaine— Stric for the intelligentsia. Held it back for special playi time as I thought it was ageless. Wasted on the b< weekend weather of the year. The condition of the pr: 1 was poor. Played Saturday, Sunday, Feb. 11, 12. — J ohm | [Si Hynes, Community Theatre, Conde, S. D. Rural small town patronage. SOMETHING FOR THE BOYS: Carmen Miran< Michael O'Shea — A fairly entertaining and colorful mu cal which did fair business. Flayed Sunday, Mond; \ Jan. 28, 29. — Thomas di Lorenzo, New Paltz Theati New Paltz, N. Y. Small town patronage. fcl I SONG OF BERNADETTE, THE: Jennifer Jon* Charles Bickford — This is a truly beautiful pictui Nothing else can quite come up to it. The advanc price brings in a class of patron who appreciate the fine' This type of person will say, "It was well worth it Business good, considering. Played Wednesday, Thur day, Feb. 7, 8.— B. Schmitt, Ewing Theatre, Midlothia I i. 111. Suburban patronage. 'Hi [is, United Artists HAIRY APE, THE: William Bendix, Susan Hay war — Fairly good picture that did average business. Playc Sunday, Monday. Feb. 11, 12. — E. M. Freiburger, Par; mount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. SINCE YOU WENT AWAY: Claudette Colbert, Shii'i ley Temple, Monty Woolley, Joseph Cotten — Tip to] Played Sunday, Monday, Feb. 11, 12. — Thomas di Lc renzo, New Paltz Theatre, New Paltz, N. Y. Small tow patronage. SINCE YOU WENT AWAY: Claudette Colbert, Shirt ley Temple, Monty Woolley, Joseph Cotten — This is I; picture any theatre can be proud to play. It has every thing the public wants in entertainment. If more picture like this were made instead of a lot of program picture that are just a waste of time, it would be a pleasure tjj manage a theatre. Played Wednesday, Dec. 5, 6. — Fran! Damm, Damm Theatre, Osgood, Ind. Rural patronage. SONG OF THE OPEN ROAD: Edgar Bergen, "Char lie," Bonita Granville — Good enough musical show whic^ did average business. Folks complained that Charlii |j . and Edgar Bergen were not in it enough. Played Wed F nesday, Thursday, Feb. 14, 15. — E. M. Freiburger. . Para t| mount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage., STAGECOACH: John Wayne, Claire Trevor— I did nia business on this reissue. All who came were pleased' Played Tuesday, Feb. 6. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. u niversal CLIMAX, THE: Susanna Foster, Boris Karloff— Colorful production of a weak story and some poor casting add up to poor performance at the box office. Not many complaints from those attending. Is this an attempt to, capture an idea from "The Phantom of the Opera" ?: Played Friday, Saturday, Feb. 9. 10— Thomas di Lo{ renzo, New Paltz Theatre, New Paltz. N. Y. MERRY MONAHANS, THE: Donald O'Connor, Peggy Ryan — Good little musical with these two stars fitting in the groove. Peggy Ryan is certainly coming along; fine in the dancing. Little Ann Blythe has a sweet^ voice, but has not much power as yet. From our experience in the last three months. I firmly believe we have passed the crest. We are noticing a slight recession, even on the top pictures. We will know when good weather comes, if the pendulum is swinging the other way. I think it is.— A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. MY GAL LOVES MUSIC: Bob Crosby, Grace McDonald— Good little musical show, but business was poor. Played Tuesday, Feb. 13.— E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. SAN DIEGO, I LOVE YOU: Louise Allbritton. Jon Hall — This is a comedy that can be enjoyed by everybody. Very popular with the younger crowd. Played Friday. (Continued on folloiving page) 36 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, MARCH 3, 1945