Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1946)

r (Continued from preceding page) day-Monday, May 11-13. — Ritz Amusements, Inc., Ritz Theatre, North Vernon, Ind. LADY CONFESSES, THE: Mary Beth Hughes, Hugh Beaumont— A very good murder-mystery that is well made. Gene Autry brought in the business, but I think this picture will draw. Played Friday, Saturday, May 17, 18.— Nick Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Small town patronage. SONG OF OLD WYOMING: Eddie Dean— The color improved the quality of the picture, but PRC must use better stories to make a permanent series. Played Thursday-Saturday, May 16-18.— L. Woody, Jr., Palace Theatre, Golden City, Mo. RKO Radio ALONG CAME JONES: Gary Cooper, Loretta Young— A little old, but don't pass it up. Here is a good box oiTice picture. Pleases, too. Played Sunday, Monday, May 19, 20.— Dow B. Summers, Royal Tlieatre, Unionville, Mo. BANDIT RANGER: Tim Holt— These old Tim Holt Westerns are always good, and worth bringing back. Played Friday, Saturday, April 26, 27.— Nick Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Small town patronage. BELLS OF ST. MARY'S, THE: Ingrid Bergman, Bing Crosby— Did a nice gross. Checked by local checker. No more local checkers and no more long runs. Played Sunday-Thursday, May 12-17.— A. J. Simmons, Plaza Theatre, Lamar, Mo. BELLS OF ST. MARY'S, THE: Ingrid Bergman, Bing Crosby — We played this behind all our competition and took a beating on it. The opening night and the Saturday following it were below average. Business picked up on Sunday and we did a fair business for the last three nights. Played Friday-Tuesday, May 10-14.— Carl M. Hulbert, Gem Theatre, Cornell, Wis. BELLS OF ST. MARY'S, THE: Ingrid Bergman, Bing Crosby — Played this in "B" house due to terms and to record-breaking business. Played five days to capacity business. Played SaturdayWednesday, May 25-29. — Ritz Amusements, Inc., Ritz Theatre, North Vernon, Ind. BELLS OF ST. MARY'S, THE: Ingrid Bergman, Bing Crosby — Very good picture and one that patrons remarked they had seen as many as four times. Crosby and Miss Bergman turned in good performances and the audience as a whole enjoyed it. Used as a single feature bill with selected shorts. Business exceptionally good for four days. Recommend this one especially where religious pictures have drawing power. Played Wednesday-Saturday, May 29-June 1. — George O. Wiggin, Maplewood Theatre, Maiden, Mass. BELLS OF ST. MARY'S, THE: Ingrid Bergman, Bing Crosby— Not as good as "Going My Way," but still a great drawing card. Broke house record by SO per cent. Played Friday-Tuesday, May 24-28.— Noel D. Lighton, Star Theatre, Limestone, Me. Small town patronage. CORNERED: Dick Powell, Micheline Cheryl— This picture is not half as good as "Murder, My Sweet." Maybe it is because it has no cast or maybe because it hasn't the "Giant" in it. Business below average. Played Sunday, Monday, May 5, 6.— Nick Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Small town patronage. CORNERED: Dick Powell, Micheline Cheryl — It's rough and it's tough but a better than average crowd seemed to like it. Played Thursday, Friday, May 30, 31.— Ritz Amusements, Inc., Ritz Theatre, North Vernon, Ind. GEORGE WHITE'S SCANDALS: Joan Davis, Jack Haley — Here is a very good musical-comedy show that has a cast and songs. The thing that put the show over was Joan Davis' daughter. Boy, she was great. We would like to see more of her. She is as good as her mother. Played Sunday, Monday, May 12, 13. — Nick Raspa, State Theatre. Rivesville, W. Va. Small town patronage. HAVING WONDERFUL CRIME: Pat O'Brien, George Murphy — Doubled this with "Midnight Manhunt," which was awful. "Having a Wonderful Crime" wasn't too bad; in fact, I kind of liked it. My enthusiasm was shared by very few of the paying customers, and there weren't many paying customers. Played Tuesday, Wednesday. May 21, 22. — Stanley Leay, New Stanley Theatre, Galena, 111. MAN ALIVE: Pat O'Brien, Ellen Drew— Nothing to this. It has a few laughs, but that is all. I don't know what got into RKO after they put out such good pictures. I don't see why they made this. Business oflf. Played Sunday, Monday, April 28, 29.— Nick Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Small town patronage. PINOCCHIO: Disney Feature Cartoon— We did well above average on this reissue. Everyone likes these cartoon features if they are well made. This one is among the best. Played Tuesday-Thursday, May 2830.— Carl M. Hulbert, Gem Theatre, Cornell, Wis. RADIO STARS ON PARADE: Wally Brown, Alan Carney — A very good comedy -musical, but it hasn't got drawing power. Business only fair. The jokes and songs are good. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, April 30, May 1.— Nick Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Small town patronage. SING YOUR WAY HOME: Jack Haley, Anne Jeffreys— Not a bad little musical, but not quite strong enough to stand alone. Business below average. Would be a nice picture for a double feature. It is not too long. It is 72 minutes. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, May 28, 29.— Stanley Leay, New Stanley Theatre, Galena, III. TOM BROWN'S SCHOOLDAYS: Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Freddie Bartholomew — A very good picture for an old one. The sound and film are perfect. Play this one, if you need a fill-in. Could have played this two days. Played Tuesday.— E. J. Bunnell, Crist Theatre. Loveland, Ohio. TOMORROW IS FOREVEIR: Claudette Colbert, Orson Welles. George Brent — Excellent picture. One that can be recommended to all exhibitors for extra playing time. Held it an extra day and business held up fine. Miss Colbert and Welles especially did fine jobs of acting. Used "Under Oklahoma Skies" as second feature. Played Sunday -Tuesday, May 26-28. — George O. Wiggin, Maplewood Theatre, Maiden, Mass. WEST OF THE PECOS: Bob Mitchum, Barbara Hale— Here is a real Western picture. Played Saturday night. — Dow B. Summers, Royal Theatre, Unionville, Mo. WEST OF THE PECOS: Bob Mitchum. Barbara Hale — Another swell Zane Gray Western. Doubled it with Leon Errol, also very popular here, in "Mamma Loves Papa." A very pleasing combination, both from the customer's and the box ofTice standpoint. Played Thursday-Saturday, May 23-25. — Stanley Leay, New Stanley Theatre, Galena, 111. Republic BLUE MONTANA SKIES: Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette — Well, as I always said time after time, it takes Autry to bring them in. This is not as old looking as some others and it has some nice songs. Play this by all means. Played Friday, Saturday, May 17, 18.— Nick Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. DAKOTA: John Wayne, Vera Hruba Ralston— Supposed to be a special, but it was not. Fair box-office receipts. Picture mediocre. Played Friday, May 3. — Jerry L. Thayer, Raymond Theatre, Raymond, N. H. Small town patronage. GOLD MINE IN THE SKY: Gene Autry. Carol Hughes — Still the tops in cowboys for us. Even if we play them three or four times, they click. — A. J. Simmons, Plaza Theatre, Lamar, Mo. DON'T FENCE ME IN: Roy Rogers, Dale Evans —Roy Rogers' pictures continue to pack them in for us. This one was similar to all the others. Just simple, good entertainment. It seems that is what the nudience wants. Played Friday, May 24. — Terry L. Thayer, Raymond Theatre, Raymond, N. H. Small town patronage. DON'T FENCE ME IN: Rov Rogers. Dale Evans— Yippee! Republic did it again. Music of the title alone is worth admission price. A swell story. Good songs and Dale Evans, too. Box office tops even with rain. Who could ask for anything more in a small town? Played Friday, Saturday, May 31, June 1. — Curtis Willard, State Line Theatre, State Line, Miss. GRISSLY'S MILLIONS: Virginia Gray. Paul Kelly —A fair program picture that satisfifd. Played Friday, Saturday, May 30, June 1. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Can. MEXICANA: Tito Guizar, Virginia Bruce— What on earth happened, Mr. Yates. You used to make the best for small towns: now it is vice versa. Please look into your productions, Mr. Yates, please. Played Tuesday, May 7.— A. J. Simmons, Plaza Theatre, Lamar, Mo. ROUGH RIDERS OF CHEYENNE: Sunset Carson, Peggy Stewart — Used on second half of weekend double bill Carson should be featured in a superman comedy. Played Friday, Saturday, May 24. 25.— A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. Small lumber town patronage. TIGER WOMAN, THE: Adele Mara, Kane Richmond— A very good mystery that did fair business. Played Friday. Saturday, April 26. 27. — Nick Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Small town patronage. Twentieth CenturyFox AND THEN THERE WERE NONE: Barry Fitzgerald, Walter Huston — Ouite a few walkouts. No draw. Played Thursday-Saturday. May 30-June 1. — L. Woody, Jr., Palace Theatre, Golden City, Mo. COL. EFFINGHAM'S RAID: Charles Coburn, Joan Bennett — Walkouts, walkouts and more walkouts. It is supposed to be a comedy, but it was near being my funeral. Definitely no business. Plaved Friday, Saturday, May 17, 18.— Roger O. Gackle, Roxy Theatre, Northwood, N. D. DOLL FACE; Carmen Miranda, Perry Como— Music fine in this one and Como did a swell job supported by Vivian Blaine and O'Keefe. Patrons liked this picture. Screened with it "Madonna's Secret," which is just another program thriller. Business very good Sunday and fair Monday. Recommend it to all exhibitors. Played Sunday, Monday, May 19, 20.— George O. Wiggin, Maplewood Theatre, Maiden, Mass. DOLL FACE: Carmen Miranda, Perry Como— I didn't like it nor did the patrons. 20th -Fox usually can be counted on for good musicals, but they missed on this. Business was below average. Played Sunday, Monday, May 11, 12.— Roger O. Gackle, Roxy Theatre, Northwood, N. D. FALLEN ANGEL: Dana Andrews, Alice Faye, Linda Darnell— Tough luck with this picture. We had only one show for Sunday matinee due to railroad strike. Pretty good Sunday night. Good picture and generally well liked. Played Sunday, Monday, May 26, 27.— Stanley Leay, New Stanley Theatre, Galena, 111. FALLEN ANGEL: Dana Andrews, Alice Faye, Linda Darnell — Very light draw. The picture was interesting and extremely well acted, but failed to click at the box office. Inclined to be too sordid for strict family trade. Played Sunday, Monday, May 9, 10.— A. C. Edwards. Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. Small lumber town patronage. JUNIOR MISS: Peggy Ann Garner, Allyn Joslyn — Average business. Played Sunday-Tuesday, May 1921.— L. Woody, Jr., Palace Theatre, Golden City, Mo. RAWHIDE: Smith Ballew, Evalyn Knapp— This may be an old Western, but it has the power of a new one. This has a singing cowboy and a great baseball player. Played Friday, Saturday, May 10, n.— Nick Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Small town patronage. SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY: John Payne, Maureen O'Hara — The projectionist complained he couldn't make changeovers for the tears in his eyes. A tearjerker that will bring them in. Connie Marshall can't be beat. Played Wednesday. Thursday, May 22, 23.— Roger O. Gackle, Roxy Theatre, Northwood, N. D. SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY: John Payne, Maureen O'Hara — This picture set a three-day record in this house. It is a swell picture for the women and children and the tears it evokes are swell advertising qualities. Played Sunday-Tuesday. .A.pril 28-30.— Ritz Amusements, Inc., Park Theatre, I,"orth Vernon, Ind. United Artists ABILENE TOWN: Randolph Scott, Ann DvorakJust a fair picture. Usual Western yam but well acted by Miss Dvorak and Scott. Music fair and audience reaction favorable. Used "Fear" as second hit. Business good both days. Children enjoyed this one. Played Friday, Saturday. May 17, 18.— George O. Wiggin, Maplewood Theatre, Maiden, Mass. ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER: Tom KellyMay Robson— Here is a picture for any small town. Play it again. Played Tuesday. April 16.— Dow B. Summers, Royal Theatre, Unionville, Mo. SPELLBOUND: Ingrid Bergman, Gregory PeckVery good picture. Enjoyed by all. Played with "Club Havana" as co-feature. Miss Bergman's and Peck's acting were superb. Good ladies' picture but not a drawing card for men. Business all right, but the third day dropped oS considerably. Played Tuesday-Thursday, May 7-9.— George O. Wiggin, Maplewood Theatre, Maiden, Mass. SPELLBOUND: Ingrid Bergman. Gregory Peck— The acting is great. The direction was good, but the picture was not popular in my small town. This would be O.K. for a class in psychology, but T don't consider it entertainment. Played Sunday, Monday.— Hobart H. Gates, Garlock Theatre, Custer, S. D. Universal ARABIAN NIGHTS: Maria Montez, Sabu. Jon Hall —Brought this back to fair business. This kind of picture never dies But in this town. Play this if possible; you won't regret it. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, April 23, 24.— Nick Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. BECAUSE OF HIM: Deanna Durbin, Franchot Tone —Lay off this one. Our audience walked out because of him or her. I don't know which. Deanna's singing was excellent but why have her play opposite such old men? The checker sent here felt Hke walking home after such poor attendance. Played Friday, Saturday.—E. J. Bunnell, Crist Theatre, Loveland, Ohio. CAN'T HELP SINGING: Deanna Durbin, Robert Paige — Played this late, but it did very well for me. Miss Durbin never did top business for me before, but this one came through nicely thanks to the Technicolor and a cool, cloudy Sunday. Played Sunday, Monday, June 2, 3.— Arthur E. Phifield, Park Theatre, South Berwick, Me. FRONTIER GAL: Rod Cameron, Yvonne De Carlo— Too good for Saturday dates. Play midweek and don't worry. Swell color. Good for small towns. Played Tuesday. Wednesday, April 23, 34. — Dow B. Summers, Royal Theatre, Unionville, Mo. (Continued on page 56) MOTION PICTURE HERALD. JUNE 15, 1946 53