Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Feb 1945)

(.Continued from page 30) CASANOVA IN BURLESQUE: Joe E. Brown, June Havoc — it would have to rain on the two days that 1 had this swell musical comedy booked. It helped my patrons to forget the war for 70 minutes. Some of the people came back a second time. There is a lot of leg art in it, which helps. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 18.— Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesyille, W. Va. MAN FROM 'FRISCO: Michael O'Shea, Anne Shirley — A good picture that fell at the box office, but it was better than people expected. This did better the second day than the first. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 24.— B. Bennett, Star Theatre, Ft. Branch, Ind. Small town and rural patronage. MELODY TRAIL: Gene Autry— This was too old and business was below average. How about some of Autry's more recent pictures. Played Thursday, Friday, Nov. 2, 3.— Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. ROOTIN', TOOTIN' RHYTHM: Gene Autry— To my observation this is one of the worst of Autry's reissues. Business is always good, however, when we have one of Gene's pictures. — Edward H. Belz, Community Theatre, Athens, Wis. Rural and small town patronage. SILENT PARTNER: Beverly Loyd, William HenryThis is a slow moving mystery show. Doubled it with "Melody Trail." Played Thursday, Friday, Nov. 2, 3.— Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Twentieth CenturyFox GREENWICH VILLAGE: Don Ameche, Carmen Miranda— Business average. Too much Carmen Miranda and not enough Ameche. Played Saturday, Sunday, Jan. 7, 8.— Byrce Paulsen, Remus Theatre, Remus, Mich. Rural patronage. GREENWICH VILLAGE: Carmen Miranda, Don Ameche — Business was not much above average on this feature. Carmen Miranda was the whole show. Ameche is no draw here. Color was beautiful and there was plenty to meet the eye. Played Sunday, Monday, Jan. 28, 29.— A. C. -Edwards," Wineraa Theatre, Scotia, Calif. Small lumber town patronage. IRISH EYES ARE SMILING: Monty Woolley, Dick Haymes — With this feature we had the best Saturday and Sunday business that we have had in the last two months. They really .go for Dick Haymes. Many good comments. Played Saturday, Sunday, Jan. 20, 21. — Bryce Paulsen, Remus Theatre, Remus, Mich. Rural patronage. TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT: Phil Baker, Phil SilversWe need more of this kind. It is a wonderful picture for entertainment. This is what the people want. Why not give it to them? Did O.K. We even did better the second day than we did the first, which is something very unusual for us. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 11.— B. Bennett, Star Theatre, Ft. Branch, Ind. Small town and rural patronage. WILSON: Alexander Knox, Charles Coburn— The best picture that I ever saw that lost me more money than anything I have played. Advanced prices plus politics killed it. If you haven't played it yet, wait until the admissions are reduced. No more advanced admission pictures for me. Played Sunday-Wednesday, Oct. 22-25. — B. Bennett, Star Theatre, Ft. Branch, Ind. Small town and rural patronage. United Artists ABROAD WITH TWO YANKS: William Bendix, Dennis ©"Keefe — Our customers seemed to enjoy this comedy throughout. Business was above par. — H. Goldson, Plaza Theatre, Chicago, 111. Neighborhood patronage. SENSATIONS OF 194S: Dennis O'Keefe, Eleanor Powell— This was not very well liked. The people did not come in. Played Sunday, Monday, Jan. 28, 29. — H. Goldson, Plaza Theatre, Chicago, 111. Neighborhood patronage. SINCE YOU WENT AWAY: Claudette Colbert, Shirley "Temple, Monty Woolley, Joseph Gotten — This is a great picture but prices and terms are too radical. I guess we played it too early as it built up as we went along on a four-day engagement. Played Sunday -Wednesday, Dec. 17-20.— B. Bennett, Star Theatre, Ft. Branch, Ind. Small town and rural patronage. Universal JUNGLE WOMAN: Evelyn Ankers, J. Carrol Naish —This is a frightening picture and I would advise you to keep it clear of dates when children attend, as it will send them to the homes of their parents scared to death. Played with "National Barn D^nce" to very good Friday and Saturday business. Played Jan. 19-20. — ^Thomai di Lorenzo, New Paltz Theatre, New Paltz, N. Y. Small town patronage. MERRY MONAHANSi THE: Donald O'Connor, Peggy Ryan — This corner was most disappointed in the latest Ryan-O'Connor musical. A great number of the customers agree with me. I have seen Ryan-O'Connor, and Oakie, too, in a lot better picture. Some of the stuff was so far fetched and "ungood" that it wasn't even funny. Even the songs, generally speaking, were "from dixie." Business was poor. Played Friday, Saturday, Jan. 26, 27.— Sid J. Dickler, Belmar Theatre, Pittsburgh, Pa. Neighborhood patronage. PHANTOM LADY: Ella Raines, Franchot Tone— An excellent mystery-drama. I did not advertise or run previews so I had normal business. Patrons were satisfied but they would have stayed away if I told them what was coming. Titles of this type are poison in this location. Musicians will appreciate the jam session. Play this up if you are in a musical spot. Played Sunday, Jan. 28. — Johnnie Hynes, Community Theatre, Conde, S. D. Small town and rural patronage. SOUTH OF DIXIE: Anne Gwynne, David Bruce— A good comedy with music that failed to do business. Played Friday, Saturday, Oct. 27, 28.— Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. guessing all the time. The theatre, was more than quie during this short. — Edward H. Belz, Community TIieatr({ Athens, Wis. CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY: Deanna Durbin, Gene Kelly — This picture was O.K. and did O.K. at the box office. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Jan. 24-25.— B. Bennett, Star Theatre, Ft. Branch, Ind. Small town and rural patronage. IN SOCIETY: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello— Our patrons really go for these stars. 'They really entertain. The only trouble with playing these Abbott and Costello pictures is that we are compelled to tighten all the seats the next day. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Dec. 27, 28. — B. Bennett, Victory Theatre, Calhoun, Ky. Small town and rural patronage. INVISIBLE MAN'S REVENGE, THE: Jon Hall, Evelyn Ankers — This is the best "Invisible Man" show to come out of Hollywood. It has an above average cast. Under normal conditions it should be a safe bet. I might add that there is an invisible dog that plays a big part in the picture. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, Oct. 24, 25. —Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Warner Bros. Universal ADVENTURES OF MARK TWAIN: Fredric March, Alexis Smith — We had many good comments on this. Business was above average for Simdayl . Played Dec. 21. — Bryce Paulsen, Remus Theatre, Remus, Mich. Rural patronage. JANIE: Joyce Reynolds, Robert Hutton — Give it your best dates. It is great. Business good. Played Sunday, Jan. 14 — Bryce Paulsen, Remus Theatre, Remus, Mich. Rural patronage. JANIE: Joyce Reynolds, Robert Hutton— This is a swell comedy with a touch of music that pleases the whole family. I played this late and it had been so exploited in the city near us that many of my patrons had gone there to see it. This is very different from the majority of Warner Bros, releases. They have been putting out so many dramas lately that I have laid eggs at the box office. I hope that they snap out of it soon. Played Saturday, Sunday, Nov. 4, 5. — R^lph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. MAKE, YOUR OWN BED: Jack Carson, Jane Wyman —I thought the picture quite silly. It is not the fare that clicks with fans in small towns. Business way below average. — Edward H. Belz, Commimity Theatre, Athens, Wis. Rural and small town patronage. MASK OF DIMITRIOS: Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre — In this there is no story and no action; just 95 VltdDnOnO minutes of talking. Double billed with "Comin' Round " the Mountain." Played Wednesday, Thursday, Dec. 27, 28. — Bryce Paulsen, Remus Theatre, Remus, Mich. Rural patronage. THE BODYGUARD: Technicolor Cartoons— Tom an| Jerry again O. K.— Edward H. Belz, Community Theatrt Athens, Wis. Paramount I • I SAY AH, JASPER: Madcap Models— The clever treat ment which this series of cartoons possesses, places thet in front rank of enjoyable screen cartoons. This one i about a little fellow who' wants' his tooth pulled. VeTj fine. — Thomas di Lorenzo, New Paltz Theatre, New Palti N. Y. I WE'RE ON OUR WAY TO RIO: Popeye the Sailors Good cartoon in Technicolor with Popeye doing some fane dancing.— Thomas di Lorenzo, New Paltz 'Dieatre, Nei Paltz, N. Y. j RKO Radio I FIGARO AND CLEO: Walt Disney Cartoons— One i Disney's best.— Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesvilll W. Va. ' HOW TO FISH: Walt Disney CartoonsGive us moj of these "How to . . ." cartoons. We might not leai anything but it's fun watching.— Ralph Raspa, State Thei tre, Rivesville, W. Va; ] PRIVATE PLUTO: Walt Disney Cartoons— One selda finds a Disney cartoon that does not please. — Ralph Rasn State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. j WEDTIME STORIES: Leon Errol— A good two-reeli with Leon Errol bring^ing out the laughs.— Ralph RaapHK State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. 1 Twentieth Century -Fox ^ MIGHTY MOUSE AT THE CIRCUS: Terrytoon* This is an average laugh -getter which filled its spot herj —Thomas di Lorenzo, New Paltz Theatre, New Paltz, N. 1 FISH FRY: Color Cartunes— Good cartoon in Tedin color.— Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Victory Films BATTLE OF THE MARIANNAS: Here is real stu; They should compel every war worker out on strike ' see it. — ^Johnnie Hynes, Community Theatre, Conde, S. 1 MASK OF DIMITRIOS, THE: Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre — Small town exhibitors just can't sell this kind of stuff to their patrons. — Edward H. Belz, Community Theatre, Atbr,ns, Wis. Rural and small town patronage. NORTHERN PURSUIT: Errol Flynn, Julie BishopGood outdoor picture with plenty of action and thrills. Business was above average. I can recommend this one for any rural audience. Played Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 11-13.— H. B. Narfason, Foam Lake Theatre, Foam Lake, Sask., Can. Rural and small town patronage. THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL: John Garfield, Ann Sheridan — I am very glad that I bought these Warner reissues. Business above average. Played Saturday, Dec. 30. — Bryce Paulsen, Remus Theatre, Remus, Mich. Rural patronage. THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL: John Garfield, Ann Sheridan — More customers were satisfied and we did more business on this old repeat than we have been doing with the present crop of top priced "super-dupers." Played Friday, Saturday, Jan. 19, 20.— H. Goldson, Plaza Theatre, Chicago, 111. Neighborhood patronage. TIGER SHARK: Edward G. Robinson — I wish they would reissue more of these good old pictures. Played Friday, Saturday, Jan. 19, 20.— H. Goldson, Plaza Theatre, Chicago, 111. Neighborhood patronage. Short Features Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer MACKINAC ISLAND: Fitzpatrick Traveltalks— A nice Traveltalk that is of interest to Midwestemers. — Edward H. Belz, Community Theatre, Athens, Wis. MY TOMATO: Miniatures— An entertaining short reel which should prove very appropriate during the planting season. Mr. Benchley is in good form in this one and audiences who appreciate his style should thoroughly enjoy it.— Thomas di Lorenzo, New Paltz Theatre, New Paltz, N. Y. RETURN FROM NOWHERE: Passing Parade— John Nesbitt's shorts have something that keeps the audience BUCKAROO BUGS: "Bugs Bunny" Specials— Here \ Bugs at his best. The combination of Bugs and Red Hi Ryder is very good.— Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivei ville, W. Va. ] BUGS BUNNY NIPS THE NIPS: "Bugs Bunny" Spl cials— This is a good comedy that will rank among tl good ones that comes from Vitaphone.— Edward H. Bej Commimity Theatre, Athens, Wis. | LET'S GO FISHING: Technicolor Specials— This is oi of the best fishing reels ever put on the screen. In tU country we have lots of fishermen and we notice some] the audience silently promising themselves a trip to tj places mentioned herein. It went over very well, althou; it is a double reel. It isn't dull or too long. — 'Thomas Lorenzo, New Paltz "Theatre, New Paltz, N. Y. PLANE DAFFY: Merrie Melodies Cartoons— DaflFy right for this cartoon.— Ralph Raspa, State "Theatre, Rive ville, W. Va. ^ SKI WHIZZ: Vitaphone Varieties— Here is a Vitapha version of a Pete Smith. It is very entertaining. — Edwa H. Belz, Commtmity "Theatre, Athens, Wis. STAGE DOOR CARTOON: Merrie Melodies Cartod; —An average cartoon with a very novel finish which su' prised the audience here. — "Thomas di Lorenzo, New Pall Theatre, New Paltz, N. Y. Paramount Prepares 28-Page Campaign Manual on "Bell' For the benefit of those theatres which wi play Paramount's "For Whom the Bell ToUi in advance of availability of the press book, whi<! is in work, Paramount's exploitation departmei has prepared a 28-page manual on the film, contains new material and many of the pronw tional features of the advanced-priced roadshoi campaign which will be adapted to popular-price release. The film will be given some SO pre-r lease engagements during Washington's Birthdz week. 32 MOTION PICTURE HERALD. FEBRUARY 17. 19^