Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1945)

(Continued from preceding page) ifans — One of Roy's best. Played Friday, Saturday, i^rch 2, 3. — Melville Danner, Kozy Theatre, Granite, cla. Small town patronage. i|5ING, NEIGHBOR, SING: Ruth Terry, Lulubelle and flotty — Double billed this. We had record business for fcday and Saturday in spite of the weather. — Harland Knkin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Can. THREE LITTLE SISTERS : Mary Lee, Ruth Terry, »eryl Walker — Played Friday and Saturday to average jtsiness. Played March 9, 10. — Melville Danner, Kozy 'peatre, Granite, Okla. Small town patronage. TOPEKA TERROR: Allan Lane, Lina Stirling— Averse Western which pleased on Friday, Saturday. Played |riday, Saturday, March 30. 31.— E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. wentieth CenturyFox . BIG NOISE, THE: Laurel and Hardy— These boys did .K. on a midweek playdate. Played Tuesday-Thursday, larch 6-8. — Melville Danner, Kozy Theatre, Granite, •kla. Small town patronage. DANCING MASTERS, THE: Laurel and Hardy— The ox office showed that these two can still bring 'em in. •oubled with "Man from Rio Grande." Played Thurs£>-, Friday, March 5, 6. — A. G. Painter, New West End 'heatre, High Point, N. C. Rural patronage. FIGHTING LADY, THE: Naval documentary— This jould have been better luted it it had not been so long r.d drawn out. The men seemed to enjoy it more than be ladies. Played Wednesday. Thursday, April 4, 5. — 3eo Manry, Buena Vista Theatre, Buena Vista, Ga. >mall town and rural patronage. FOUR JILLS IN A JEEP: Kay Francis, Carol Landis -Not a small town picture. Doubt if it would suit any i'uation. Many walkouts and many complaints. This ype of picture might suit an Army camp because it is juilt around Army entertainment in camps. The aver ige civilian does not go for it. Played Thursday -Saturlay, March 29, 31. — H. B. Narfason. Foam Lake Theatre, Foam Lake, Sask., Can. Small town patronage. GREENWICH VILLAGE: Don Ameche, Carmen Miranda— I thought that this was a lovely story in Techni:olor with some good musical acts, but we had rain_ and :old weather so we only had average business. — Harland Rankin. Plaza Theatre,' Tilbury, Ont., Can. HOME IN INDIANA: Walter Brennan, Lon McAllister— This was my sweetest day. People came back twice lo see it. Wonderful picture. Played Sunday, Monday. April 1, 2.— A. G. Painter. New West End Theatre, High Point, X. C. Rural patronage. IN OLD CHICAGO: Tyrone Power, Alice Faye— This picture played here some years ago. Quite a few came back to see it. Business above average. This proves that a good old picture will do more business than a poor new one. Played Thursday -Saturday, March 15-17. — H. B. Narfason, Foam Lake Theatre, Foam Lake, Sask., Can. Small town and rural patronage. IRISH EYES ARE SMILING: Monty Woolley, Dick Haymes — This picture was well liked and the songs were swell. Dick Haymes has a nice singing voice. Played Sunday, Monday, March 25, 26. — Melville Danner, Kozy Theatre, Granite, Okla. Small town patronage. SUNDAY DINNER FOR A SOLDIER: Anne Baxter, John Hodiak — This was a well liked picture by young and old. Many good comments. Double billed it with "The Fighting Lady," which made the program too long. Played Wednesday. Thursday. April 4, 5. — Cleo Manry, Buena Vista Theatre, Buena Vista, Ga. Small town and rural patronage. TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT: Phil Baker, Phil Silvers— I thought this would have packed them in due to the popularity of the radio. Business only normal, but I guess we had too much snow. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Can. WING AND A PRAYER: Don Ameche. Dana Andrews— Lovely first of the week business. We did exceptionally well in spite of snow storms. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Can. Universal CAN'T HELP SINGING: Deanna Durbin, Robert Paige — Miss Durbin's singing is good. There is no reason to the story. No enthusiasm shown by grown-up trade, not appealing to children. Fair picture and business. Played Sunday-Tuesday, March 24-27.— Margaret Day-Max Brock, Lawton Theatre Company, Lawton, Okla. General patronage. CAN'T HELP SINGING: Deanna Durbin, Robert Paige — Opinions were" divided on the merits of this one. The coloring was beautiful but there was something lacking to make it a top bracket picture. Played Friday. Saturday, March 30, 31.— H. Goldson, Plaza Theatre, Chicago, 111. Neighborhood patronage. CLIMAX, THE: Susanna Foster, Boris Karloff— Fair business. A color picture, but it just didn't take with my patrons. In the larger situations this film might click but small places like mine they don't go. Played Wednes day, Thursday, Feb. 14, 15.— W. J. Fleischer, New Franklin Theatre, Franklin, Minn. Small town patronage. GHOST CATCHERS: Olsen and Johnson— Played this with "Swing in the Saddle." This was a nice double bill that did excellent weekend business. Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Can. GYPSY WILDCAT: Maria Montez, Jon Hall — We played this in the place of a Western. It did as well as a Western.— Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Can. HER PRIMITIVE MAN: Louise Allbritton, Robert Paige — Did nice business. Good combination first weekend without Western. We did better than average. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Canada. HERE COME THE CO-EDS: Abbott and Costello— It is light entertainment that not only satisfies but brings in the business. Especially recommended for the children. There are a lot of clever lines. This is the type of picture any manager should welcome. Business good. Played Sunday-Tuesday, February 24-27. — Margaret Day-Max Brock, Lawton Theatre Company, Lawton, Okla. General patronage. HI, BEAUTIFUL: Martha O'Driscoll, Noah Beery, Jr. — A mild quickie that may prove satisfactory in most spots as a second feature. Played Tuesday -Thursday, April 3-5. — H. Goldson, Plaza Theatre, Chicago, 111. Neighborhood patronage. IN SOCIETY: Abbott and Costello— Here are those money makers in another of their nutty pictures. I am glad to hear that their new show, "Here Come the CoEds," has some new stunts for obtaining laughs for the public. They are getting tired of their usual stunts, but they had been gone for so long that they passed it up. Marion Huttor.'s singing rates with that of her sister, Betty. She made a hit out of "My Dreams Are Getting Better." Played Sunday, Monday. — Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. JUNGLE WOMAN: Acquanetta, J. Carrol Naish— A very good "horrer show." Has plenty of leg art. which attracts more attention than the other exploitation possibilities of the feature. Played Tuesday, Wednesday. — Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. MERRY MONAHANS, THE: Donald O'Connor, Peggy Ryan — A real good musical that did O. K. Grosses above average for weekend. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Canada. MUMMY'S CURSE: Lon Chancy, Peter Coe— Here is a wonderful "horror show" that did fair business. This type of show always does better than mysteries. Universal is always tops when it comes to making horror shows and the public never seems to tire of the characters which they have created. Played Friday, Saturday. Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. RIDERS OF SANTA FE: Rod Cameron, Fuzzy Knight — Very good Western. Used on double bill with "The Climax," and all the children and a few adults remained to see it. Played Friday, Saturday, March 23, 24. — A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. Small lumber town patronage. SAN DIEGO, I LOVE YOU: Louise Allbritton, Jon Hall — Did just average business; however, just an average picture. Another film I should have double billed instead of playing single. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Feb. 28-March 1.— W. J. Fleischer, New Franklin Theatre, Franklin, Minn. SHE GETS HER MAN: Joan Davis, Leon Errol— Ho, hum, just another one of those things. Davis is not yet star power and she should stay in support. There she should remain. She was pressing for laughs all through the picture that failed to develop. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. SING A JINGLE: Allan Jones, June Vincent— Nice program musical that we played on a double bill. It did very well. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Can. SUSPECT, THE: Charles Laughton, Ella Raines— This was a good drama but business was poor. Charles Laughton has never been a draw here. Played Sunday, Monday, March 25, 26. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. SUSPECT: Charles Laughton, Ella Raines— In the Pacific when we capture an island the British flag goes up. Pretty soon I'll expect it to fly over Hollywood. This is another British locale, and they speak of weighing in stones. And if Americans understand what "ta ta" is, I'll eat someone's Stetson. Don't have your exits blocked; you will need them clear if they walk out on you as fast as they did here. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. THIS IS THE LIFE: Donald O'Connor, Susanna Foster — Donald O'Connor is the lad that is going to fill Mickey Rooney's shoes. Always gets "A" time at my theatre, and after seeing this show you will know why. Everyone loves him and wants to see more of him. Played Sunday, Monday. — Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. United Artists ABROAD WITH TWO YANKS: William Bendix, Dennis OKeefe — This picture did exceptionally well the first of the week. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Can. ABROAD WITH TWO YANKS: William Bendix, Dennis O'Keefe — Good clean comedy and fun. Did O.K. here. Played Wednesday, Thursday, March 14, 15.— Raymond Krutsinger, Rialto Theatre, Lyndon, Kan. Rural and small town patronage. JOHNNY COME LATELY: James Cagney, Grace George — Cagney has always meant good business for us. They liked this and we gave it an extra day. It did O.K.— Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont. LUMBER JACK: William Boyd, Andy Clyde— William Boyd still packs a real punch for the extra business on the weekend. He has a definite popular following and always means extra business. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Can. SINCE YOU WENT AWAY: Claudette Colbert, Joseph Cotten — We had good business and held up fine for a week. Very good box office picture. Generally enjoyed by all patrons. We strongly recommend it. Played Wednesday -Tuesday, Jan. 10-16. — Margaret Day-Max Brock, Lawton Theatre Company, Lawton, Okla. SON OF THE OPEN ROAD: Jane Powell, Edgar Bergen— I did good midweek business with this film. It's a good story based on American youth and the war effort. I 'played up Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy's appearance and it worked. It's good entertainment. Lots of laughs and music. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Feb. 21, 22.— W. J. Fleischer, New Franklin Theatre, Franklin, Minn. STAGE DOOR CANTEEN: Stage and Screen Stars— We waited a year for this picture, but cannot boast any outstanding business. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Can. Warner Bros. ADVENTURES OF MARK TWAIN: Fredric March, Alexis Smith — Very fine picture. Not much draw. Played Saturday-Monday, March 3-5. — Melville Danner, Kozy Theatre, Granite, Okla. Small town patronage. ARSENIC AND OLD LACE: Cary Grant, Raymond Massey — It is certainly different. It is a sort of study in insanity. Cary Grant put plenty of pep into his acting and he was very good. Some thought the picture excellent and others thought that it was the w.orst that they had ever seen. Opinions went from one extreme to the other. Nevertheless, business was very good. Played Sunday Tuesday, March 25-27. — M. Ewing, Ewing Theatre, Midlothian, 111. Suburban patronage. ARSENIC AND OLD LACE: Cary Grant, Raymond Massey — This picture fooled me. My foiks liked it and thought it was crazy like all the characters. It did good business in the face of bad weather. Played Monday Wednesday. Feb. 26-28.— Raymond Krutsinger, Rialto Theatre, Lyndon, Kan. Small town and rural patronage. DESTINATION TOKYO: Cary Grant, John Garfield — The war angle kept the crowd away but those that came went home well satisfied. Personally, I thought it was a swell show. Played Thursday -Saturday, March 8-10.— H. B. Narfason, Foam Lake Theatre, Foam Lake, Sask., Can. Rural and small town patronage. DOUGH GIRLS, THE: Ann Sheridan, Jack Carson— A good snappy comedy that pleased the majority of customers. It is the sort of light entertainment that satisfies. Played Saturday -Wednesday, Jan. 27-31. — Margaret Day-Max Brock, Lawton Theatre Company, Lawton, Okla. General patronage. MR. SKEFFINGTON: Bette Davis, Claude RainsMiss Davis always means bad business to me no matter how good • her pictures are. Played Sunday, Monday. — Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU: Dennis Morgan, Faye Emerson — One of the sweetest pictures ever filmed. Dennis Morgan is very popular here since he came to Macon, only 14 miles away, to the world premiere of "God Is My Co-Pilot." Good attendance. Played Sunday.— J. C Balkcom, Jr., Gray Theatre, Gray, Ga. THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL: John Garfield, Ann Sheridan — A very good show, although this is a reissue. I gave it "A" time but business was only half what it should have been. Played Sunday, Monday. — Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT: Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall — Drew a little extra business, I imagine because of the new find, Bacall. She is O. K, too, and a good match for Bogart. Played Sunday-Tuesday, March 25-27.— M. W. Hughes, Colonial Theatre, Astoria, 111. Small town patronage. VERY THOUGHT OF YOU, THE: Dennis Morgan, Faye Emerson — A sleeper — we did more with this than we ido with most of the super dupers. Played Sunday, Monday, March 25. 26.— H. Goldson, Plaza Theatre, Chicago, 111. Neighborhood patronage. Short Features Columbia COMMUNITY SING: I like these and feel that they put a real community spirit in the theatre. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Can. RKO Radio CLOCK WATCHER: Walt Disney Cartoons— Good car(Continued on page 46) MOTION PICTURE HERALD, APRIL 21. 1945 43