Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1946)

(Continued from preceding page) day and Saturday. Played May 17, 18.— E. M. Freiburger. Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. TOPEKA TERROR, THE: Allan Lane, Linda Stirling— Just a fair Western. Needs strong support on a double feature. Played Thursday -Saturday, May 2-4.— L. Woody, Jr., Palace Theatre, Golden City, Mo. SING. NEIGHBOR, SING: Ruth Terry, Lulubelle and Scotty— I was very surprised at this light musical comedy. I had many good compliments on this Republic release, which are few and far between. The Hoosier Hot Shots, as usual, stole the show. Would recommend this for weekend billing on a double bill. Played Monday, April 29.— A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Sask., Can. SUNSET IN EL DORADO: Roy Rogers, Dale Evans—Please, Republic, quit abusing Roy and put him in some good straight Western pictures. Played Thursday-Saturday, May 9-11.— L. Woody, Jr., Palace Theatre, Golden City, Mo. TELL IT TO A STAR: Robert Livingston, Ruth Terry — Small budget musical show which failed to draw, probably due to lack of star power. It is a fair show. Played Tuesday, May 14.— E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. VAMPIRE'S GHOST, THE: John Abbott, Peggy Steward — A very good mystery but I have too many of these as is. It may be good in your town or city. It did average business in my town. Played Friday, Saturday, April 19, 20.— Nick Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Small town patronage. Twentieth CenturyFox DOLLY SISTERS, THE: Betty Grable, John Payne — ^A swell picture. Good draw. Played Monday night against a small circus. It rasned all day, so I won. The circus lost. So Fox and I cashed in on the rain. It is tops and good for three days. Color and all very good. More, Played Sunday -Tuesday, May S7.— F. W. Hamilton, Shelby Theatre, Shelbyville, Mo. Small town and rural patronage. JUNIOR MISS: Peggy Ann Gamer, Allyn Joslyn — Was pleasantly surprised at the large number of adults who turned out to see this. Allyn Joslyn was especially good as the harassed father. Ai excellent picture which played to brisk business. Played Saturday, May 11. — A. J. Sindt, Rankin Theatre, Rankin, 111. LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN: Gene Tierney, Cornel Wilde — This picture had excellent color and did outstanding business. Play it by all means. I only hope you bought it flat. Played Monday, Tuesday, May 13, 14.— Harland Rankin, Plaza Thaetre, Tilbury, Ont., Can. MOLLY AND ME: Monty WooUey, Gracie Fields — Very good for this type. It was no pull here. Monty needs his whiskers clipped around his mouth. Then he wouldn't strain the dialogue. It was too much on the English side for my customers. But it is well made and may be O.K. in your town. Played Wednesday, Thursday, May 8, 9.— F. W. Hamilton, Shelby Theatre, Shelbyville, Mo. Small town and rural patronage. STATE FAIR: Dana Andrews, Jeanne Grain, Dick Haymes — This was a very good picture, but did not do too well at the box office. It was shown recently in a nearby theatre. Played Sunday, Monday, May 5, 6.— A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. Small lumber town patronage. United Artists HOUSEKEEPER'S DAUGHTER: Joan Bennett, Adolphe Menjou — One of the older pictures which will stand up alongside most of the current product. Those who came were highly pleased. Rain hurt us some, but the picture was bought right and we have no regrets. Played Wednesday, May IS. — A. J. Sindt, Rankin Theatre, Rankin, 111. SPELLBOUND: Gregory Peck, Ingrid Bergman— This picture is too heavy for rural audiences. I had more walkouts on it than with "Rhapsody in Blue." However, it is an excellent picture and has a cast that will draw. It will appeal to the literate and to the people who seek the educational side of motion pictures. Played Thursday, Friday, May 2, 3.— Jim D. Loflin, Ritz Theatre, Prentiss, Miss. Universal FRISCO SAL: Turhan Bey, Susanna Foster— Just fair. Miss Foster is out of place in this one. Better for Friday and Saturday date in smaller places where they need action pictures. Played Wednesday, Thursday, April 24, 25.— F. W. Hamilton, Shelby Theatre, Shelbyville, Mo. Small town and rural patronage. MEN IN HER DIARY: Jon Hall, Louise AUbritton, Peggy Ryan— This has lots of laughs, but no draw. Jon Hall is better whh Maria Montez and Tedinicolor. Business ofif. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, April 16, 17.— Nick Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Small town patronage. SCARLET STREET: Edward G. Robinson, Joan Bennett — This picture was a flop at the box office for us. The acting is good. Not the picture for a small town. It just didn't draw. Why? Played FridaySunday, May 10IZ — Stegelmeier & Fiedler, Grand Theatre, Java, S. D. SEE MY LAWYER: Olsen and Johnson, Grace Mc Donald — This picture was well received. It was better than their last two pictures. The comedy was not too silly. It had a better plot and story, but I don't want any more. See what I mean? There are too many other good pictures. Played Wednesday, Thursday, May 1, 2.— F. W. Hamilton, Shelby Theatre, Shelbyville, Mo. Small town and rural patronage. TANGIER: Maria Montez, Preston Foster— This is a good program picture which did average business. Played Sunday, Monday, May 12, 13.— E. M. Freiburger, Paramoimt Theatre, Dewey, Okla. THIS LOVE OF OURS: Merle Oberon, Claude Rains — Very good picture for the type, but no draw in my town. It is a little dry, but I thought it was good. We had rain every other day and that helps keep them away. It is a midweek picture for smaller situations. Played Sunday, Monday, April 28, 29.— F. W. Hamilton, Shelby Theatre, Shelbyville, Mo. Small town and rural patronage. UNCLE HARRY: George Sanders, Ella Raines— Not much. Sanders had mush in his mouth, or bubble gum. The rest were O.K. Story was thin and the few who saw it did not have much to say on their way out. So I judge it was poor stuff, unless you can double bill it. Played Wednesday, Thursday, May 15, 16.— F. W. Hamilton, Shelby Theatre, Shelbyville, Mo. Small town and rural patronage. Warner Bros. CINDERELLA JONES: Joan Leslie, Robert Alda —This is a percentage picture and I played it my best days, and it is terrible. I failed to take the reviewers seriously on this nonsensical atrocity. The dialogue is poor. The music is fair and the story isn't there. Played Thursday, Friday, May 9, 10.— Jim D. Loflin, Ritz Theatre, Prentiss, Miss. CITY OF CONQUEST: James Cagney, Ann Sheridan— This is a very good reissue with Cagney at his best as a young pugilist who loses his sight. Much better than the shoddy war time pictures we are now getting and better than anything Cagney has made since he left Warners. Business was good and there were no complaints. So, I say, play it. Played Wednesday, Thursday, May IS, 16. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. CONFIDENTIAL AGENT: Charles Boyer, Lauren Bacall — This drama with an excellent cast played Monday and Tuesday. It was rather heavy for a small town and rural community; nevertheless, it has a good story and makes a good evening's entertainment for the older fans. Play it. Played April 22, 23. —A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Sask., Can. RHAPSODY IN BLUE: Robert Alda, Joan Leslie— A box office flop. I did not take in the film rental in the three days played. To me, the exhibitor, it was a flop. To me, the audience, it was one of the outstanding pictures of the year. My rural patrons passed it by, but there were a number of my patrons who praised this picture more than any I have shown outside of "A Song to Remember." "Rhapsody in Blue," in Technicolor, would have been a masterpiece. This picture was long drawn out. This comment has been made before in these columns. Paul Whiteman and his orchestra were worth the price of admission and I had some excellent comments, but this class of business does not help me pay the mortgage on the theatre. Not a good small town money maker. — A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Sask., Can. SAN ANTONIO: Errol Flynn, Alexis Smith— SweU production in gorgeous Technicolor. Just the kind of entertainment my farmer friends want and they didn't hesitate to tell me. In passing, we might add that Warner's product, backed by popular stars, has been uniformly successful in this spot. And they topped 't off with "San Antonio." Played Sunday-Tuesday, May 12-14.— Roy C. Irvine, Ritz Theatre, Ritzville, Wash. TOO YOUNG TO KNOW: Robert Hutton, Joan Leslie — A rather weak production. It brought them in, but we felt after playing to record business with "Leave Her to Heaven" we couldn't expect too much. Played Wednesday, Thursday, May 15, 16. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Can. TOO YOUNG TO KNOW: Robert Hutton, Joan Leslie — A real sleeper. Business good and the audience reaction was favorable. Played Sunday-Tuesday, April 21-23.— Roy C. Irvine, Ritz Theatre, Ritzville, Wash. Short Features Columbia COMMUNITY SINGS: No. 1— If you want a bunch of Western songs, this is the answer. Good, and well received here by the young and old. — F. W. Hamilton, Shelby Theatre, Shelbyville, Mo. UNCIVIL WAR BIRDS: All Star Comedies— Fair comedy, but not up to their standard. However, the Westerners got some laughs out of this. Played Friday and Saturday only.— F. W. Hamilton, Shelby Theatre, Shelbyville. Mo. Metro-Goldwyn-lvlayer MOUSE TROUBLE: Technicolor Cartoon— A good Technicolor cartoon but a very scratched print. — A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Sask., Can. THE LAST INSTALLMENT: Two-Reel SpecialsOne of the "Crime Doesn't Pay" series. Would recommend this one. — A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Sask., Can. STAIRWAY TO LIGHT: Passing Parade— Very interesting. One of these once in a while is O. K. for your prog^ram. It helps the films point the way as well as to entertain.— Charles L. Jones, Elma Theatre, Elma, Iowa. Paramount AS BABIES: Speakiug of Animals — An animal reel which was very popular with the kiddies. It is educational as well as entertaining. Plenty of our children had never seen these animals before — A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Sask., Can. IN THE WILDS: Speaking of Animals— Lots of laughs in this new comedy featuring the Speaking Animals.— E. M. Freiburger, Paramount "Theatre, Dewey, Okla. MAN'S PEST FRIEJ4D: Little Lulu— A good color cartoon starring Little Lulu.— K M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre. Dewey, Okla. NAUGHTY NANETTE: Musical Parade— Good two reel musical in Technicolor. But my customers would rather a two-reel slapstick comedy. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. SERVICE WITH A GUILE: Popeye the SailorEntertaining Popeye cartoon in color. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. RKO Radio CALIFORNY ER BUST: Walt Disney CartoonsGood cartoon. It is on the unusual side and it is entertaining.—F. W. Hamilton, Shelby Theatre, Shelbyville, Mo. EDUCATION FOR DEATH: Disney Special— The kids didn't like this one at all. Didn't hear any comments from the adults. — Stegelmeier & Fiedler, Grand Theatre, Java, S. D. FLICKER FLASHBACKS: No. 1— Have played several and find them very satisfactory. RKO has an ace commentator on these. In fact, he is funnier than some of the pictures. The humor doesn't go over small town audiences' heads. — A. J. Sindt, Rankin Theatre, Rankin, 111. OLD SEQUOIA: Walt Disney Cartoons— An extra good cartoon. A little different in plot and effects. Good on any program. — F. W. Hamilton, Shelby "rheatre, Shelbyville, Mo. THE HOUSE I UVE IN: SpecialsElxceUent. Even those who do not care for Sinatra will like this. Has a good thought behind it. — ^Terry Axley, New Theatre, England, Ark. Universal CHIMP ON THE LOOSE: Variety Views— A few laughs in this monkey comedy. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. DOG TALE: Variety Views— Entertaining one-reel film about a dog. Will interest and please all. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. GRAVE LAUGHTER: Variety Views— Not very good. Too many gravestones. — Nick Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. ROOSEVELT— MAN OF DESTINY: Special Featurettes — The life of Franklin D. Roosevelt in two reels. Interesting to those who enjoy history. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. SYNCO-SMOOTH SWING: Name-Band Musicals — A very good musical. — Nick Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Warner-Vitaphone IN OLD SANTA FE: Sante Fe Trail Westerns— Exceptionally good color Western. It is better than some features. Plenty of action. Don't miss this one. — A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Sask., Can. SPADE COOLEY, KING OF WESTERN SWING: Melody Master Bands — A hillbilly orchestra. It was very popular here. Don't slip up on this one. — ^A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Sask., Can. 38 MOTION PICTURE HERALD. JUNE I. 1946