Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Feb 1945)

'/what the picture did for me^ Me+ro-Goldwyn-Mayer MARRIAGE IS A PRIVATE AFFAIR: Lana Turner, John Hodiak — This is just an average picture somewhat on the escapist side. It could have been molded into a better script. Business was just average with no exceptional traffic at the box office or any need for the SRO sign. John Hodiak seems to be somewhat of a drawing card. Why not give him a better picture? Played Sunday -Tuesday, Jan. 7-9. — Sid J. Dickler, Belmar Theatre, Pittsburgh, Pa. Neighborhood patronage. THREE MEN IN WHITE : Lionel Barrymore. Van Johnson — The patrons responded to this picture wholeheartedly. There are plenty of laughs and Van Johnson makes a hit with everyone. This was half of a double feature program that really pleased. Business was very pood. Played Friday, Saturday, Dec. 29, 30.— B. Schmitt, Ewing Theatre, Midlothian, 111. Suburban patronage. Paramount I LOVE A SOUJIER: Paulette Goddard, Sonny Tufts — It is much better than it sounds. The story is timely and appealing. Paulette Goddard and Sonny Tufts make a team that the patrons like very well. We had very many compliments on this program. Business was good. Played Sunday-Tuesday, Dec. 31-Jan. 2. — B. Schmitt, Ewing Theatre, Midlothian, III. Suburban patronage. OUR HEARTS WERE YOUNG AND GAY: Diana Lynn, Gail Russell — This is a very good comedy. But business was light because it lacks star power. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Jan. 3, 4. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patron. >ge. RKO Radio STEP LIVELY: Frank Sinatra, George Murphy— "Shout Loudly" would have been a better title for this masterpiece of absurdity. Murphy for the first time was guilty of over-acting. The sound was recorded so loudly that it almost drove the projectionist frantic. Sinatra again failed to click. Business was terrible. Played Sunday, Monday, Jan. 7, 8.— A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Calif. Small lumber town patronage. TALL IN THE SADDLE: John Wayne, Ella Raines— This is the first Western that we have played in some time. If they come as good as this we can play a fewmore. If there is a logical story and they don't shoot 12 bullets from a six-shooter. Westerns are O.K. I'll take my hat off to Ella Raines for a swell job in her role.— A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. Republic ATLANTIC CITY: Constance Moore, Bradford Taylor —With the old stars that were tops in their day, Republic tried hard to make a musical. But it missed all the way. Some good specialties were O.K., but that doesn't make a picture. We had many walkouts.— W. J. Haney, Milan Theatre, Milan, Ind. BRAZIL: Virginia Bruce, Tito Guizar— This is a pret• ty good musical show which pleased average Sunday business. Played Sunday, Monday, Dec. 31, Jan. 1.— E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. FIREBRANDS OF ARIZONA: Smiley Burnette, Sunset Carson — Good Western with comedy which pleased on Friday and Saturday. Played Jan. 12, 13.— E. M. Freiburger, -Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. MY BUDDY: Donald Berry, Ruth Terry— Good small budget picture with the crime does not pay theme. It pleased average business. Played Tuesday, Jan 9— E M Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. FACES IN THE FOG: Jane Withers, Paul Kelly— Well made small budget picture dealing with juvenile delinquency. It pleased on Family Night. Played Tuesday, Jan. 2.— E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage, SING, NEIGHBOR, SING: Ruth Terry, Lulubelle and Scotty— Can t say much about "Sing. Neighbor, Sing." It IS corny all the way and the comedy is very unfunny For those who like hillbilly entertainment it might be ali right. If this is called enterrtainment people will stand for anything. There is no actor in this, and not a voice and not a comedian.— W. J. Haney, Milan Theatre, Milan Ind. YELLOW ROSE OF TEXAS: Roy Rogers, Dale Evans —Very good all the way. Republic really spends money <)n the Roy Rogers pictures and they pay oflf. This one . . . the original exhibitor^' reports department, established October 14, 1916. in theatremen serve one another with information about the box-office performance! product — providing a service of the exhibitor for the exhibitor. ADDRESS REPORl What the Picture Did for Me, Motion Picture Herald, Rockefeller Center, New York E. M. FREIBURGER Paramount, Dewey, Okla. Mr. E. M. Freiburger, who operates the Paramount theatre, Dewey, Okla., for many years has been a contributor to the "What the Picture Did for Me" department of Motion Picture Herald. He said recently, "I have been associated with show business all my life," his first theatrical job, at the age of 17, having been that of a piano player. Later he played a clarinet and traveled several seasons with carnivals, stock companies and concert bands. Finally he became a band leader with the Cole Bros. Circus. When he retired from the road, he assumed management of the City Auditorium in Bartlesville, Okla., which played Schubert and Erianger one-night stands. Mr. Freiburger reports: "After the advent of the talking picture, road shows were no longer profitable, so I purchased the only theatre in Dewey, Okla." He has been operating the Paramount there ever since. was the best I have ever played and now the patrons are waiting for the next one. This one had everything. — W. J. Haney, Milan Theatre, Milan, Ind. Twentieth CenturyFox BIG NOISE, THE: Laurel and Hardy— This picture can be played on your best dates. It is full of good old slapstick comedy that hits the funnybone. The upper berth scene is a knockout. It is just what the doctor ordered. — W. J. Haney, Milan Theatre, Milan, Ind. IRISH EYES ARE SMILING: Monty Woolley, Dick Haymes — Bad weather was responsible for poor grosses but those who came liked it very much. Dick Haymes carries the whole picture with his fine voice. This young man is going places. — W. J. Haney, Milan Theatre, Milan, Ind. GREENWICH VILLAGE: Don Ameche, Carmen Miranda— Too much Carmen Miranda. This might go over big in Brazil but it is no good in my situation. — J. N. Wells, Wells Theatre, Kingsland, Ga. Small town patronage. LAURA: Gene Tie'fney, Dana Andrews — The weather was bad but the college students and the boys in Navy V12 turned out beautifully. It is an unusually fine production. Played Sunday-Tuesday, Jan. 14-16. — Kenneth M. Gorham, Town Hall theatre, Middlebury, Vt. General patronage. SONG OF BERNADETTE, THE: Jennifer Jones, Charles Bickford — This is a remarkable picture to say the least. On account of the advanced price it is not a picture to entice the majority. Played Tliursday-Sunday, .Tune 1-4.— Kenneth M. Gorham, Town Hall Theatre, Middlebury, Vt. General patronage. WILSON: Alexander Knox, Charles Coburn— A won derful picture, great Technicolor, great cast and rc educational and entertaining. It should be on everyoi must list. The majority here are waiting for regil prices. Played Sunday-Wednesday, Nov. 12-15. — Kenri M. Gorham, Town Hall Theatre, Middlebury, Vt. Q eral patronage. WILSON: Alexander Knox, Charles Coburn— This i fine production in Technicolor but business was poor cause of the advanced prices. They were just too hi Played Wednesday, Thursday, Jan. 10, 11.— E. M. F( burger. Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small tcj patronage. Uni niversai BABES ON SWING STREET: Peggy Ryan, l Blyth— A teen age musical in which Leon Errol is am, ing, as usual. Peggy Ryan does very well, even thoi she does not have Donald O'Connor as a partner. Pla; Tuesday-Sunday, Dec. 31-Jan. 2. — B. Schmitt, Ew,' Theatre, Midlothian, 111. Suburban patronage. BOWERY TO BROADWAY: Contract Players— G musical show which did average business and pleasi Played Sunday, Monday, Jan. 7, 8.— E. M. Freiburj, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patrona'^ ENTER ARSENE LUPIN: Ella Raines, George vin — This picture is very well put together. The acting good. It was my mistake not to play it on Friday ; Saturday nights. I played it Sunday -Tuesday and bi ness was poor. Played Jan. 7-9. — Kenneth M. Gorh; Town Hall Theatre, Middlebury, Vt. General patrona] GHOST CATCHERS, THE: Olsen and Johnson— U this on the second half of a double bill. The audie was on their way out long before the last reel end Olsen and Johnson are no draw here. The kids did i know whether to laugh or cry when Morton DowS sang. Played Friday, Saturday, Jan. 5, 5. — A. C. ] wards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Calif. Small lum| town patronage. GYPSY WILDCAT: Marie Montez, Jon Hall— This ■ received a split decision from most of the audience. Tl did not seem very enthusiastic about it. — A. E. Hancc Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. MOONLIGHT AND CACTUS: Andrews Sisters, Carillo — Frankly the Andrews Sisters would do better stick to records and radio work. In this picture, wl has little or nothing to offer, the singing sequences the girls could have been condensed into one nice dou with some sort of a title such as "Bronco Rhythms" whatever the Hollywood genii could trump up. Pla; Wednesday, Thursday, Jan. 10, 11.— Sid J. Dickler, E mar Theatre, Pittsburgh, Pa. Neighborhood patronage OLD TEXAS TRAIL, THE; Rod Cameron Fu Knight — Good Western drama which pleased the Fri( and Saturday crowd. Played Jan. 5, 6. — E. M. Freibu er. Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town ronage. SINGING SHERIFF, THE: Bob Crosby, Fay McK zie — Musical cowboys and light comedy made this a g< double feature program. It appeared to be well enjoy Played Friday, Saturday, Dec. 29, 30.— B. Schmidt, Ew^ Theatre, Midlothian, 111. Suburban patronage. Warner Bros. DOUGHGIRLS, THE: Ann Sheridan, Alexis Smitj Lots of laughs in this one, which borrows its theme fij a few other similar stories apropos Washington, D. The gags come too fast, and most of the time it was hj to catch all the witticisms. It is a good comedy there is plenty of pleasing entertainment. The naif in the picture helped at the box office. Dtaubled it w "The Last Ride" and backed with "Football Thrills! '43" plus cartoons and news. This setup was made foi real bargain. The general consensus of opinion s "thumbs up" for "Doughgirls." — Sid T. Dickler. Belt' Theatre, Pittsburgh, Pa. Neighborhood patronage. MAKE YOUR OWN BED: Jack Carson. Jane Wyr — Used on too half of weekend double bill with fairj suits but nothing sensation.nl. Played Friday. Saturd Jan. 5, 6.— A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Small lumber town patronage. MASK OF DIMITRIOS. THE: Sydney Greensti^ {Continued on pane 40) 38 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, JANUARY 27, ti