Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1945)

(Continued from preceding page) most business on this feature since "Gone With the Wind." It is indeed a prestige picture for your house, but it is also one which gives most people a feeling that they have seen a masterpiece in acting art. There are laughter and tears for all. The children were not restless as is the case with so many long features. — Edward H. Belz, Community Theatre, Athens, Wis. Rural and small town patronage. SONG OF THE OPEN ROAD: Edgar Bergen, "Charlie," Bonita Granville — Nice picture, but would have been more enjoyed by our patrons if Bergen and McCarthy and W. C. Fields had bigger parts in the production. Our customers do not care for the highbrow singing of Miss Powell. Played Sunday, Monday, March 4, 5.— A. H. Kaufman, Fountain Theatre, Terre Haute, Ind. Family patronage. SONG OF THE OPEN ROAD: Edgar Bergen, "Charlie," Bonita Granville — This will get by, but it is nothing to brag about. Played Friday, Saturday, March 2, 3.— M. W. Hughes, Colonial Theatre, Astoria, 111. General patronage. SONG OF THE OPEN ROAD: Edgar Bergen, "Charlie," Bonita Granville — This is an insipid offering that drew the first night on account of the good title and because of Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy. (They are in the show a total of less than eight minutes). More walkouts than we have had in months. This lacks just about everything. — L. V. Bergtold, Westby Theatre, Westby, Wis. SUNDOWN: Gene Tierney, Bruce Cabot— This one is an old one but we brought it back again for a day with very satisfactory results. Good cast which includes Bruce Cabot, Gene Tierney, George Sanders and Harry Carey. Played Wednesday, March 7. — A. H. Kaufman, Founts'" Theatre, Terre Haute, Ind. Family patronage. Universal BOWERY TO BROADWAY: Contract Players— Fair only despite the good cast. It starts like a house afire, then bogs down in the center with what seemed to be a slight confusion in the story. That is, it was not lucid. As long as they stayed on the Bowery and Broadway the picture did right well. The old songs helped to some extent. Miss Allbritton's number was the best in the show. In singing "Under the Bamboo Tree" she really puts out with a very fine voice. It has nice range and good power. — A. E. Hancock. Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. CAN'T HELP SINGING: Deanna Durbin, Robert Paige — Beautifully staged with Miss Durbin at her singing best and very much at home with all the Technicolor splendor. The music is very catchy but the story seems to go on and on and the ending just happens without any rhyme or reason. However, we do say that Deanna Durbin is best fitted for musicals and Technicolor pictures and should never be cast in a picture such as "Christmas Holiday." That type» does not suit her. "Can't Help Singing" is not especially appealing for kid audiences and there was no great enthusiasm shown by the grownup trade. Fair picture, and business was so-so. I might stick out my schnozzola and say it is a welcome relief from the war stuff which Hollywood can't seem to get out of its blood. Played Sunday-Tuesday, March 46.— Sid J. Dickler, Belmar Theatre, Pittsburgh, Pa. Neighborhood patronage. CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY: Deanna Durbin, Gene Kelly —Fine picture that lived up to all expectations at the box office, which was ruined by a Sunday blizzard. Played Saturday, Sunday. March 3, 4. — Johnnie Hynes, Community Theatre, Conde, S. D. Rural and small town patronage. GYPSY WILDCAT: Maria Montez, Jon Hall— In situations where costume pictures are popular this may do well as this production is very pleasing to the eye. Business very light here. Played Friday, Saturday. March 2, 3. — A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. Small lumber town patronage. HI, BEAUTIFUL: Martha Driscoll, Noah Beery, Jr. — Not bad. I have played worse and I have played better. A few walkouts. But some will walk out on anything; just not in the mood, I guess. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City. Ind. Warner Bros. ARSENIC AND OLD LACE: Cary Grant, Raymond Massey — Well, brother, if you are a small town exhibitor and have a date for this, I can surely advise you you will be well hooked. This is one of Warner Bros, top rankers with a good' star, but it has no entertainment value for a small town audience and I consider it one of the poorest that I have had in my theatre for a long time. Lay off this one. Played Saturday, Feb. 17. — A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre. Bengough, Sask., Can. Rural and small town patronage. BETWEEN TWO' WORLDS: John Garfield, Paul Kenreid — Played one day only and got by due to the fact that our patrons like Garfield, George Tobias, and Sydney Greenstreet, and doubtless thought that there might be some action from this trio. This one must be seen from the beginning, otherwise the customers would be quite muddled because of the nature of the story. Played Thursday, March 6. — A. H. Kaufman, Fountain Theatre, Terre Haute, Ind. Family patronage. CONSPIRATORS, THE: Hedy Lamarr, Paul Henreid —This type of picture has two and a half strikes on it before it is ever played. The public is sick of them. This one was the lowest grosser we ever played here. Not Short Product in First Run Houses NEW YORK— Week of March 19 ASTOR: The Enemy Strikes WAC-Universal Feature: The Princess and the Pirate RKO CRITERION: The Enemy Strikes . .WAC-Universal Cap'n Cud Film Classics Feature: Keep Your Powder Dry MGM GLOBE: Saddle Starlets RKO Sonny Dunham and Orchestra Vitaphone The Enemy Strikes . WAC-Universal Feature: The Three Caballeros ! RKO HOLLYWOOD: Stage Door Cartoon. . .Vitaphone The Enemy Strikes W/tC-Universa/ Jammin' the Blues Vitaphone Feature: Roughly Speaking Warner Bros. MUSIC HALL: Donald's Off Day RKO The Enemy Strikes VMC-Universai Feature: Tonight and Every Night Columbia RIALTO: Commando Duck RKO Feature: House of Fear Universal ROXT: The Enemy Strikes VIMC-Universai Feature: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn .... 20th Cent. -Fox STRAND: Navy Nurse Vitaphone Drafty Draftee ..... Vite The Enemy Strikes. WAC-Uni\ Feature: Hotel Berlin Warn' CHICAGO— Week of March 19 APOLLO: Report On Italy Feature: Ministry of Fear Pari GRAND: The Enemy Strikes WAC-Uni Features: Fog Island Docks of New York Mon ORIENTAL: Trap Happy Porky. . Vita The Enemy Strikes WAC-Uni Woo. Woo Coi Feature: Grissly's Millions Re PALACE: Power Unlimited. Features: The Three Caballeros Night Club Girl Un STATE LAKE: Jammin' the Blues Vita| Feature: To Have and Have Not Warne WOODS: Kicfcapoo Juice Cofi Screen Snapshots, No. 7 Cofi Feature: Belle of the Yukon one favorable comment heard from those who saw it. Played Wednesday. Thursday, March 7, 8.— Leonard J. Leise, Rand Theatre, Randolph, Neb. Rural and small town patronage. CONSPIRATORS, THE: Hedy Lamarr, Paul Henreid —Wish they would get rid of Paul Henreid as he has never earned us a dime. Picture flopped here. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Feb. 28, March 1.— Burris and Henley Smith. Imperial Theatre, Pocahontas, Ark. Rural patronage. CRIME BY NIGHT: Jane Wyman, Jerome CowanUsed this on second half of double bill with negative results. Played Friday, Saturday, March 2, 3— A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. Small lumber town patronage. DOUGHGIRLS, THE: Ann Sheridan, Alexis SmithSnappy sophisticated comedy that pleased the majority and justified its "A" grouping.— B. R. Johnson, Roxy Theatre, Nipawin, Sask., Can. DOUGHGIRLS, THE: Ann Sheridan, Alexis SmithIt is O.K. It is the sort of light entertainment that not only satisfies but also brings in the business. There are a lot of clever lines. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN: Warner Star Revue— It is very good. Played Sunday-Tuesday, March 4-6. — M. W. Hughes, Colonial Theatre, Astoria, 111. General patronage. JANIE: Joyce Reynolds. Robert Hutton — This is the type of picture any manager should welcome. It is clean, wholesome fun that can be recommended to anyone. Business good and audience reaction also good. Played Sunday, Monday, March 4, 5. — A. C. Edwards. Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. Small lumber town patronage. MAKE YOUR OWN BED: Jack Carson, Jane Wyman — Nice little comedy that pleased a Bank Night audience. — C. L. Niles, Niles Theatre, Anamosa, Iowa. UNCERTAIN GLORY: Errol Flynn, Paul Lukas— A good midweek feature with Errol Flynn as the draw.— C. L. Niles, Niles Theatre, Anamosa, Iowa. Short Features Columbia HEATHER AND YOU: All Star Comedies— As usual you can always depend on the Andy Clyde comedies for lots of laughs. — A. H. Kaufman, Fountain Theatre, Terre Haute. Ind. PORKULIAR PIGGY: Li'l Abner— A very satisfactory cartoon that is worth while to play. — Leonard J. Leise Rand Theatre, Randolph, Neb. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer SCREWBALL SQUIRREL: Technicolor Cartoons-This one was so good that after playing it about four or five months ago I brought it back for a one-day showing on Saturday. It got as manv laughs as the first time —A. H. Kaufman, Fountain Theatre, Terre Haute, Ind Paramount I'M JUST CURIOUS: Little Lulu— Cute cartooi Paramount certainly has plenty of room to impro cartoons to get up in the class of Warner Bros., and MGM.— A. H. Kaufman, Fountain Theatre, Haute, Ind. OUT FISHIN': Sportlights — Entertaining sport E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Ok I UNUSUAL OCCUPATIONS: No. 3— Entertainin, in Technicolor. — E. M. Freiburger. Paramount Tb Dewey, Okla. Twentieth Century-Fox MIGHTY MOUSE AND THE PIRATE: Terrytc Very good Technicolor cartoon which pleased th( trade. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, D Okla. Universal BEAR MOUNTAIN GAME: Variety Views— The of this type played for a long time but it was and satisfied. — Leonard J. Leise, Rand Theatre, Rant. Neb. CHEW CHEW BABY: Lantz Color CartunesTechnicolor cartoon. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount ' tre, Dewey. Okla. PIED PIPER OF BASIN STREET: Swing Symph — These musical cartoons can now stand up alongsu any made. Great improvement in 1944.— C. L. I Niles Theatre, Anamosa, Iowa. Vitaphone CONGO": Featurettes— A two-reel travel film.— E. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. DEVIL BOATS: Technicolor Specials— Tops in one's book. I was unlucky and got a fuzzy print. B tiful Technicolor. — Johnnie Hynes, Community The Conde, S. D. I WON'T PLAY: Featurettes— A two-reel feature could very nicely be used as a part of a double feal Everything in this short is really done well and sh I: be appreciated by all your patrons.— Edward H. I Community Theatre. Athens, Wis. I WON'T PLAY: Featurettes— Excellent two! drama that will double feature with any long second ture. It is absolutely a knockout.— C. L. Niles, ft Theatre, Anamosa, Iowa. TRAP HAPPY PORKY: Merrie Melodies Cartoo ' Good Technicolor cartoon.— E. M. Freiburger, Paramt Theatre Dewev Okla. BOMBALERA: Musical Parade— These Paramount two-reelers in Technicolor deserve preferred playing time — C. L. Niles, Niles Theatre, Anamosa, Iowa. Philadelphia Changes The following changes at the film exchan; in Philadelphia have been announced. Moe Sh man, former Monogram salesman, has j oil United Artists as salesman for the Scranton, I territory. Eva Yaffe, who resigned as assist; booker at United Artists, has been replaced Ida Ostroff. At Paramount, Ralph Garman tal over the booking duties of Pete Holman, i latter leaving to enter the Navy. 58