Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1946)

'/what the picture did for . . . the original exiiibitors reports department, established October 14, 1916. tn It theatremen 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. Nev/ York 20. Columbia ADVENTURES OF RUSTY: Ted Donaldson, Conrad Nagel — I doubled this on Friday and Saturday, much to my sotrow. I could have played this on Sunday and Monday with the proper pubUcity and could have made myself some money. It is real entertainment that has family trouble, dog trouble and spy trouble and a bunch of talented kids. I say it is one of the best dog' and boy pictures ever made. I sure missed out on this one. Played Friday, Saturday, Jan. 11, 12. — Jim Haney, Milan Theatre, Milan, Ind. BOTH BARIIELS BLAZING: Charles Starrett-^A very poor Western. Hope the new Starrett series coming up are better than the ones we have been having. These Westerns are always so complicated even the adults can't tell what is going on most of the time. Played Friday, Saturday, Feb. 8, 9.— Marcella Smith, Vinton Theatre, McArthur, Ohio. CRIME DOCTOR'S WARNING: Warner Baxter, Dusty Anderson — If we must have crime pictures this is a good series to retain. Warner Baxter would make any picture acceptable. Played Tuesday, Feb. S.— Helen L. Irwin, Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST: Ruth Nelson, Loren Tindall — Quite a number turned out to see this show on account of having read the book, but it is just a mediocre release which would have been a flop if it hadn't been for the name. No comment from my patrons. Played with "Sing Me a Song of Texas" with the Hoosier Hot Shots who are always popular in rural communities. These are both double bill pictures. Flayed Thursday, Jan. 31. — A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Sask., Can. GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST: Ruth Nelson, Loren Tindall — Played to more people than any other picture played in this theatre. Of course the title sold the picture. The title was from the book of the same name. This picture held up well with everyone pleased. You can make money on this picture and have a well satisfied patronage. Played Saturday, Sunday, Feb. 2, 3. — Harry E. Tilgner, State Theatre, Lewellen, Nebr. HIT THE HAY: Judy Canova, Ross Hunter— When Judy is on the program we are sure to have a house full. A good picture that gives good entertainment but our patrons believe she has made better pictures. Opera is no place for Judy. Played Saturday, Sunday, Jan. 26, 27.— Harry E. Tilgner, State Theatre, Lewellen, Nebr. IXAVE IT TO BLONDIE: Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake — Played this late but the weekend folks ate it up. They are good here midweek also. Not as good as some in the past, but it is good. They will get a lot of good laughs and that is what they are looking for here most of the time. Played Friday, Saturday, Feb. 8. 9.— F. W. Hamilton, Shelby Theatre, Shelby ville. Mo. Small town and rural patronage. MY NAME IS JULIA ROSS: Nina Foch, George Macready — If you need a mystery to complete your program, _ this will give satisfactory results and the people will like it. This type of picture never does well for us. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Feb. 6, 7.— Harry E. Tilgner, State Theatre, Lewellen, Nebr. OVER 21: Irene Dunne Alexander Knox — A swell comedy with good acting. If played,^ business will be good. This is another of Columbia's beter pictures that they have put out of late. Played Saturday, Sunday, Dec. 22, 23.— Harry E. Tilgner, State Theatre, Lewellen, Nebr. Bowman — A nice comedy drama. Rosalind Russell and Lee Bowman are tops. Flayed Wednesday, Thursday, Feb. 13, 14. — Helen L. Irwin, Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. SING ME A SONG OF TEXAS: Rosemary Lane, Tom Tyler — Another musical Western that the action fans ate up. When better musical Westerns are made, Columbia will make them and at a reasonable figure too. Don't miss any of these top Westerns. All well pleased. Played Friday, Saturday, Jan. 25, 26.— F. W. Hamilton, Shelby Theatre, Shelbyville, Mo. Small town and rural patronage. SONG OF THE PRAIRIE: Ken Curtis, Jeff Donnell— Another musical Western by Columbia that packed the house for all nights. Just the thing for small town and rural communities. No disappointments and everyone pleased. Played Saturday, Sunday. Jan. 12, 13.— Harry, E. Tilgner, State Theatre, Lewellen. Nebr. SNAFU: Nanette Parks, Robert Benchley— Not too entertaining. For the lower half. — E. A. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. General patronage. TARS AND SPARS: Alfred Drake, Janet Blair, Marc Piatt — Not as good as it was advertised. Marc Piatt should go places after his fine performance in this film. — E. A. Bolduc, Majestice Theatre, Conway, N. H. General patronage. THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS, A: Cornel Wilde, Evelyn Keyes — A good picture that did good business. Pleasing to all ages in color and humor. To play it will do any house good. Played Saturday, Sunday, Dec. 15, 16.— Harry E. Tilgner, State Theatre, Lewellen, Nebr. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer CLOCK, THE: Judy Garland, Robert Walker— This was not the type of story for Judy and without her we would have had nothing but film. I cannot recommend this picture for any theatre. While it may be true to life, watching it makes you sick and my customers walked out before it was half through. While no women walked out, they were not bashful about their comments, none of which were good. Played Saturday, Sunday, Feb. 9, 10.— H. M. Gerber, Roxy, Theatre, Hazelton, N. D. HARVEY GIRLS, THE: Judy Garland, John Hodiak — Very good. — E. A. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. General patronage. OUR VINES HAVE TENDER GRAPES: Margaret O'Brien, Edward G. Robinson — Many patrons considered it the best picture they had ever seen. Due to the age of the picture, we used it midweek. It is still plenty heavy for a Sunday opening. Business far above average. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Feb. 6, 7. — Clair Stukey. New Warren Theatre, Warren, Ind. SHE WENT TO THE RACES: James Craig. Frances Giflford — Only fair. For the lower half.— E. A. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. General patronage. THEY WERE EXPENDABLE: Robert Montgom ery, John Wayne — Good, but people just don't come to see these war picture anvmore. — E. A. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. General patronage. the type of picture the general public will accept. This English accent is not an asset to any picture.— E. A. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. General patronage. WHAT NEXT, CORPORAL HARGROVE?: Robert Walker, Keenan Wynn — Don't get excited over this one. — E. A. Bolduc, Majestic "Theatre, Conway, N. H. General patronage. WITHOUT LOVE: Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy — Without love, without story and without business. That is the history of this unwarranted waste of talent. I can't understand how they ever persuaded Tracy to appear in a story of this type. As for Hepburn, she has always been a box office headache. She has absolutely nothing of hox office value. Played Saturday, Sunday, Jan. 12, 13.— H. M. Gerber, Roxy Theatre, Hazelton, N. D. YOLANDA AND THE THIEF: Fred Astaire, Lucille Bremer — Not good. Not bad. Just average. Technicolor helps a bit. — E. A. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. General patronage. YOLANDA AND THE THIEF: Fred Astaire, Lucille Bremer — An elaborate production, but all I can say is that the silly season must have been on when it was produced in Hollywood. Can you imagine Astaire as an angel? "The scenario was inane and silly. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. YOLANDA AND THE THIEF: Fred Astaire, Lucille Bremer — Sometimes I think these big producers, writers and directors get together and decide that it is about time we lose a little money and prestige for our company. Then they proceed to make a "Yolanda and the Thief." In a case like this the lion should roar at the end instead of the beginning — a roar of complete disapproval. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Jan. 23, 24.— Phil Schwartz, Parkway Theatre, Bridgeport, Conn. Monogram DILLINGER: Elisha C9ok, Jr., Lawrence Tierney — If only this weren't crime stufif we'd say it is the best Monogram picture this season. And we can say it from the standpoint of production. It rings authentic and it isn't amateurish. We are glad to see Monogram's improvement and this is one that shows. Played Tuesday, Feb. 12. — Helen L. Irwin, Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. DIVORCE: Kay Francis, Bruce Cabot— Come on, Kay. You are so lovely, so talented, you just can't go on with such trifles. And you produced it yourself. That is what makes it hard to understand. Surely you can find better stuff than this story to film. The kids are cute and it gets by and that is all. Played Friday, Saturday. Feb. 8, 9. — Helen L, Irwin. Palace Theatre, Penacook, N. H. Paramount AND NOW TOMORROW: Alan Ladd, Loretta Young — A good evening's entertainment from Paramount which was enjoyed by all with a good cast. Would recommend this one. Played Saturday, Feb. 9. — A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Sask., Can. DUFFY'S TAVERN: Ed Gardner, Bing Crosby and Guests — A natural for us. Good business and a pleased crowd. Played Sunday, Monday, Feb. 3, 4.— H. Goldson, Plaza Theatre, Chicago, 111. DUFFY'S TAVERN: Ed Gardner, Bing Crosby and Guests— Needless to say. Crosby with a great cast of guest stars definitely has box office appeal. Receipts well exceeded our expectations. Played Sunday-Tuesday, Feb. 10-12.— Clair Stukey, New Warren Theatre, Warren, Ind. HOLD THAT BLONDE: Eddie Bracken, Veronica Lake — Just didn't click. Perfect comedy. Eddie is O.K. but my box office was way off. It was not the weather, but the picture. Played Sunday, Monday, Feb. 3. 4.— Phil Schwartz, Parkway Theatre, Bridgeport, Conn. (Continued on page 44) PARDON MY PAST: Fred MacMurray, Marguerite Chapman — Very good show. Glad to see MacMurray given a better part. He can handle it. — E. A. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. General patronage. SHE WOULDN'T SAY YES: Rosalind Russell, Lee Bowman — This is one grand show. Miss Russell is always good.— E. A. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. General patronage. SHE WOULDN'T SAY YES: Rosalind Russell, Lee Bowman — A good comedy which was well received. It is another better picture for Columbia. If you need a comedy on your program this one will do well. Played Saturday, Sunday, Jan. 19, 20. — Harry E. Tilgner. State Theatre, Lewellen, Nebr. SHE WOULDN'T SAY YES; Rosalind Russell, L THRILL OF A ROMANCE: Esther Williams, Van Johnson — This was tops at the box office. It has a usual plot but everyone was well pleased. There are lots of color shots that were out of the ordinary. Laughs were spaced just right to keep it moving along. Many good comments. Played Sunday. Monday, Jan. 20, 21.— F. W. Hamilton, Shelby Theatre. Shelbyville, Mo. Rural and small town patronage. TWICE BLESSED': Lee and Lynn Wilde, Preston Foster — A bobby socks natural, and farmers, too. This was much to my surprise. It takes a Rogers to equal the Saturday results of this little picture. Played Friday, Saturday, Feb. 8, 9.— Ted Keelen. Royal Theatre. Sheffield, 111. Small town and rural patronage. VACATION FROM MARRIAGE: Robert Donat, Deborah Kerr — Rather slow. Too talky-talky. Not MOTION PICTURE HERALD, MARCH 2, 1946 41