Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1945)

Record Details:

Title:
Motion Picture Herald
Date:
Mar-Apr 1945
Publisher:
[New York, N.Y. : Quigley Pub. Co.]
Volume:
Motion Picture Herald (Mar–Apr 1945)
Leaf #:
000411
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:
May 30, 2024
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WHAT THE u PIf TI RF HIH FOR ME" lumbia PATIENT YEARS, THE: Jean Arthur, Lee BowCharles Coburn — Amusing tale on married life that ed to please our audiences. A bit draggy in spots there was a definite lack of action. Played TuesFeb. 6.— Sgt. William E. Goewey, U. S. Army TheaA.P.O. 887. Military patronage. stro-Goldwyn-Mayer 1ER1CAN ROMANCE, AN: Brian Donlevy, Ann irds — We recommended this picture to our patrons >we did the best Friday and Saturday business since November. We caught the picture at the trade ning and we were sold on the idea. The picture will all the push you want to give it and deliver satis7B. It is a real family picture and it is ideal for 1 towns. Played Friday, Saturday, March 2. 3.— nas di Lorenzo, New Paltz Theatre, New Paltz, N. Y. i town patronage. 4ERICAN ROMANCE, AN: Brian Donlevy, Ann ards— This is another one of those humorous, well . pictures. It is true to life and very interesting, ortrays the life of an immigrant, played convincingly Brian Donlevy. There are some very interesting es from the iron mines and the steel mills, which added to greatly by the Technicolor. A very enterng picture which seemed to satisfy almost 100 per . Business good. Played Sunday-Tuesday, March 4-6. . Ewing, Ewing Theatre, Midlothian, 111. Suburban onage. VTHING BEAUTY: Red Skelton, Esther Williams— ther box office natural for the small town exhibitor, re are many laughs and many scenes pleasing to the The final reel was breath-taking. Played Sunday, iday, March 11, 12.— A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, :ia, Cal. Small lumber town patronage. ANTERVILLE GHOST, THE: Charles Laughton, -garet O'Brien — On the whole this seemed to be a ler odd story, but Margaret O'Brien is the whole w. There are several funny scenes with Robert Young a group of soldiers. We had slightly over average ;ndance for this program. Played Friday, Saturday, rch 9, 10.— M. Ewing, Ewing Theatre, Midlothian, 111. mrban patronage. ANTERVILLE GHOST, THE: Charles Laughton, rgaret O'Brien— The work of little Miss O'Brien in i picture was worth coming to see without mentioning thing else. Business only fair but audience reaction y fair. Played Wednesday, Thursday, March 7, 8. — C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. Small lumtown patronage. OST IN A HAREM: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello— This tly opus received an unfavorable reaction from the lience. There was not a clever gag in the whole w. Slapstick is all right if they have something to with it, such as clever lines. But in this one count m out as minus. — A E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, umbia City, Ind. fUSIC FOR MILLIONS: Margaret O'Brien, Jose rbi — A fine musical picture which played to very good liness. Jose Iturbi scores very well here. Little Maret O/Brien is certain stepping forward as a popular sonality. Jimmy Durante brought the house down, le Allyson is her own sweet self. We hope she doesn't spoiled by Hollywood. We hope we won't see too ny pictures made from stories where a baby is expectall through, as we think this will tire the patience of iiences who wish to draw a line beyond which authors luld not go. Played Sunday. Monday, March 11, 12. — omas di Lorenzo, New Paltz Theatre, New Paltz, N. Y. all town patronage. EVENTH CROSS, THE: Spencer Tracy, Signe Hasso he of the poorest from this star. There is too much rbid dialogue and dark film. I would not recommend 8 one for an audience such as mine. Give them someng to make them laugh and go away happy. Played burday, March 10. — A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, ngough, Sask., Can. Rural and small town patronage. "WO GIRLS AND A SAILOR: Jimmy Durante, Van rason — We can't praise this too highly. It was the »t picture that was ever released, in my humble opinion." e fellows ate it up and came back a second time. A il picture.— Sgt. William E. Goewey, TJ. S. Army Thea, A.P.O. 887. Military patronage. aramount 50UBLE INDEMNITY: Barbara Stanwyck, Fred icMurray — Business below average. Not the picture ' either star. I did not receive any favorable com:nts from my patrons on this picture because interest ... the original exhibitors' reports department, established October 14, 1914. In it fheatremen 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. HARLAND RANKIN Plaza Theatre Tilbury, Ontario bad sound; but, he Mr. Harland Rankin, proprietor of the Plaza theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Canada, is one of the most regular contributors to the "What the Picture Did for Me" department of Motion Picture Herald. Ten years ago Mr. Rankin opened the first theatre in Tilbury. His patrons had to put up with wooden seats, poor ventilation and observes, "They were pleased to have a theatre in their town." This exhibitor says a large percentage of the profits were put back into the theatre in the form of improvements and today his theatre is one of the most modern small town theatres in western Ontario. The Plaza is equipped with air conditioning, new modern sound and projection, and earphones for those hard of hearing. Mr. Rankin adds, "I try to get the best pictures possible, and it is my policy to improve with the times." lagged. Played Sunday-Tuesday, Jan. 7-9. — W. J. Fleischer, New Franklin Theatre, Franklin, Minn. Small town patronage. HAIL THE CONQUERING HERO: Eddie Bracken, Ella Raines — Very good picture that had us fooled as we expected a less serious role from Eddie Bracken. Many favorable comments. — Sgt. William E. Goewey, U. S. Armv Theatre, AP.O. 887. Military patronage. HAIL THE CONQUERING HERO: Eddie Bracken, Ella Raines — Very poor business and some walked out. Not as good as we expected. Played Monday-Wednesday, March 5-7.— M. Bailey, Strand Theatre, Dryden, Ont., NATIONAL BARN DANCE: Jean Heather, James Brown — Oh boy. what a show for the country folks! And for that matter it is a swell show for the city slickers, too, because they are all originally from the country. Congratulations to Paramount for down-to-earth entertainment. The common people love it. Play this without fail. A lot more could be written on this release and a great deal of improvement could be made, but it Is very good. Played Saturday, March 17.— A. L. Dove, Benbough Theatre, Bengough, Sask., Can. Rural and small town patronage. NATIONAL BARN DANCE: Jean Heather, James Brown — Small town box office dynamite. It brought out people that never attend a show. Play this one, it is one of the best for a small town theatre. Played Wednesday Saturday, March 1-3.— M. Bailey, Strand Theatre, Dryden, Ont., Can. Small town patronage. SIGN OF THE CROSS, THE: Fredric March, Claud ette Colbert — This picture didn't seem to please. After the first day business fell way off. Don't buy it. Played Monday-Wednesday, Feb. 26-28.— M. Bailey, Strand Thea tre, Dryden, Ont., Can. Small town patronage. TAKE IT BIG: Jack Haley, Harriet Hilliard — A fair midweek program. Business just average. Doubled with a strong Western. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Jan. 10, 11. — W. J. Fleischer, New Franklin Theatre, Franklin, Minn. Small town patronage. TAKE IT BIG: Jack Haley, Harriet Hilliard— Just a useless waste of film. Used on top half of double bill. Very few laughs and the audience showed very little interest. Played Friday, Saturday, March 9, 10.— A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. Small lumber town patronage. RKO Radio SEVEN DAYS ASHORE: Wally Brown, Gordon Oliver This picture seems to work out very well in a double feature. For while it doesn't have much else, it is full of fun and nonsense. The children, of course, enjoyed it most. Played Friday, Saturday, March 16, 17. — M. Ewing, Ewing Theatre, Midlothian, 111. Suburban patronage. UP IN ARMS: Danny Kaye, Dinah Shore— F^ven though this picture is. rather old now, we did exceptionally well with it. The Technicolor added a lot to it and since it was full of foolishness and had a popular Army theme, everybody liked it. Played Wednesday, Thursday, March 14, 15. — M. Ewing, Ewing Theatre, Midlothian, 111. Suburban patronage. Twentieth CenturyFox DANGEROUS JOURNEY: Burma Travelogues— A well done film trip through little known places. There are plenty of animal scenes and there is a very exciting finish with a "snake-kiss." We played this with "Bowery to Broadway" to average business. Played Friday, Saturday, March 16, 17.— Thomas di Lorenzo, New Paltz Theatre, New Paltz, N. Y. Small town patronage. HOME IN INDIANA: Walter Brennan. Lon McAllister— Here is a fine picture that you would want to play. The Technicolor is terrific and performances by the entire cast are excellent. Special attention is called to the up and coming Jeanne Crain who, for my money, is going places. Flayed Friday, Feb. 9.— Sgt. William E. Goewey, U. S. Army Theatre, A.P.O. 887. Military patronage. KEYS OF THE KINGDOM: Gregory Peck, Thomas Mitchell — A magnificent picture. There is shown a fine insight into the Chinese people. People will even brave 20 below weather to see a fine picture. Played SundayTuesday, March 4-6.— A. J. Howland, Elted Theatre, Absarokee, Mont. Small town and rural patronage. LAURA: Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews — This is a picture that is definitely one of the better pictures and 100 per cent entertaining. It is an interesting mystery with a murder angle and was very popular with the adults. We enjoy showing a picture of this kind and would like to have more of them. Business good. Played Friday, Saturday, Mferch 16, 17. — M. Ewing, Ewing Theatre, Midlothian, 111. Suburban patronage. SUNDAY DINNER FOR A SOLDIER: Anne Baxter, John Hodiak — A heart-warming little picture. There is not a lot to the story but the juveniles are really something for the book, especially little Mary and Mike and also Jeep. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. SWEET AND LOWDOWN: Lyn Bar!, Benny Goodman— Good story to this musical. Oakie O.K. There are two swell hit tunes and all in all it is O.K. Story better than usual. Played Sunday, Monday, Feb. 25, 26. — A. J. Howland, Elted Theatre, Absarokee, Mont. Small town and rural patronage. SWEET AND LOWOWN: Lynn Bari, Benny Goodman— There isn't anything outstanding in this picture, but there are some very good musical numbers, including one of the very popular song hits at present. The name, "Benny Goodman and his orchestra" seems to interest a number of our patrons. Attendance good. Played Wednesday, _ Thursday. March 7, o. — M. Ewing, Ewing Theatre, Midlothian, 111. Suburban patronage. WINGED VICTORY: Edmond O'Brien, Jeanne Crain — This type of film is good as long as we are at war. It is the most outstanding picture of them all. After our other two houses played it I got it and had the big (Continned on page 60) OTION PICTURE HERALD, MARCH 31, 1945 S?