Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1946)

WHAT THE PICTURE DID FOR ME . . . the original exhibitors' reports department, established October 14, 1916. In 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, New York 20. Columbia BLONDIE'S LUCKY DAY: Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake — Another of those swell "Blondie" pictures that spells luck at the box office. Well done, Columbia. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 9. — Harry T. Wachter, New Gentry Theatre, Gentry, Ark. GALLANT JOURNEY: Glenn Ford, Janet BlairThis is one that's worth a weekend billing. Sunday, preferably. We're only sorry that we didn't have it longer. Had a lot of very favorable comments. Played Saturday, Oct. 11.— Robert E. Nicholson, Alsec Theatre, Kodiak, Alaska. GALLANT JOURNEY: Glenn Ford, Janet BlairGood show in every respect. Our patrons knew nothing about this picture from its title and were surprised. — E. A. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. GALLOPING THUNDER: Charles Starrett, Smiley Burnette — The Durango Kid seems to have a good start here. Everyone likes his action and shooting, and Smiley's singing and comics are a great asset to any Western picture. Played Friday, Saturday, Oct. 4, 5.— Joe Drury, Wells Theatre, St. Mary's, Ga. Small town and rural patronage. HIT THE HAY: Judy Canova, Ross Hunter— This was a refreshing change from my usual Westerns and mysteries played in midweek. The laughs were the proof of the pudding. Weather fair. Played Wednesday, Oct. 2. — Harold J. Pederson, Gonvick Theatre, Gonvick, Minn. Small town and rural patronage. NIGHT EDITOR: William Gargan, Janis CarterJust fair. Business normal — no regrets. Played Sunday, Oct. 20— Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ontario. PARDON MY PAST: Fred MacMurray, Marguerite Chapman — This was a good feature that pleased most of them. Played Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 26-28. — Sid Coffey, Rex Theatre, Winnipegosis, Manitoba, Canada. SWING IN THE SADDLE: Hoosier Hotshots— Played this very late. Just the average Western with the Hoosier Hotshots and the ranch boys. Struck bad weather so didn't make any killing on this one. Lower half of a double bill, if you play them. Played Saturday, Oct. 12.— A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Sask., Canada. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer BOYS' RANCH: James Craig, Butch Jinkins— It is very apparent from the lack of support that the public gaves this picture that Butch is not yet ready for starring roles. He is good in support, but not as a top star. True, there was a good supporting cast of youngsters that carried more of the picture than Butch. Very light the second day, and that usually tells the story. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. EASY TO WED: Van Johnson, Lucille Ball— Lucille Ball stole the show. Johnson very stupid in duck scene. Colors were nice. — E. A. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. HOODLUM SAINT: Dick Powell, Esther Williams — There were big names in the cast and Powell was his usual pleasing self, while Miss Williams was delightful to the eyes. Every thing was lovely except the boxoffice receipts, which were sadly deficient. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Oct. 9, 10.— A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Calif. POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE, THE: Lana Turner, John Garfield — Not a super-super as Metro says. Just a name draw. Story not too good. — E. A. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. THREE WISE FOOLS: Margaret O'Brien, Lionel Barrymore— Some liked it; some did not. Margaret's acting is excellent. — E. A. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. Monogram SWING PARADE OF 1946: Gale Storm, Phil Regan—One of the best Monogram put out lately. Plenty of good singing and good music. Everyone enjoyed this picture, and some came twice. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Oct. 2, 3.— Joe Drury, Wells Theatre, St. Mary's, Ga. Small town and rural patronage. Paramount BRIDE WORE BOOTS, THE: Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Cummings — This is a very excellent comedy, with a good cast. If you have not already played it, do so; your patrons will go out smiling. Good entertainment. Played Tuesday, Oct. 15.— A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Sask., Can. THE BRIDE WORE BOOTS: Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Cummings — Too "horsey." This picture got to be very silly. No laughs.— E. A. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. JUNGLE PRINCESS: Dorothy Lamour, Ray Milland — Everyone liked this picture. We have more people attend this show the second ,day than the first. By all means play this. Played Monday, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 8.— Charles A. Thompson, Grove Theatre, Blooming Grove, Texas. KITTY: Paulette Goddard, Ray Milland— Small town people do not like costume pictures. It was too late when I played it because the exchange had withheld it. Business was poor. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Oct. 16, 17. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. O.S.S.: Alan Ladd, Geraldine Fitzgerald — Very good. Acting excellent. Lots of action. — E. A. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. OUR HEARTS WERE GROWING UP: Diana Lynn, Gail Russell — Not as good as "Our Hearts Were Young and Gay," but it was amusing. — E. A. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE: Bob Hope, Joan Caulfield — As one patron said, "Hope tries awfully hard to get a laugh." Too many of his jokes are old stuff and not funny any more. — E. A. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. THE PLAINSMAN: Gary Cooper, Jean ArthurGood re-release. Audience very interested throughout. — E. A. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. SEARCHING WIND: Robert Young, Ann Richards — I believe I was one of the first in this locality to play this release, and this turned out to be an excellent production with an excellent cast. I was surprised, as I thought it would be deep for a small town audience. I played this at the beginning of the week and in a heavy snowstorm, but I was agreeably surprised to find that my audience turned out well and seemed to be deeply interested in the story. I am sure this picture will do good in all spots. It shows the rise of Hitlerism throughout Europe and the lacking of the diplomatic service in the USA, which is so apparent according to the news these days. All took their parts well in the cast. It rounds out to be a very good evening's entertainment. Played Tuesday, Oct. 8.— A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Sask., Can. THE SEARCHING WIND: Robert Young, Ann Richards — Good movie for a nap. Too much conversation— no action. Not up to par. — E. A. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. SWAMP FIRE: Johnny Weissmuller, J. SheffieldAbove average Sunday business, but it didn't please. Played Sunday, Oct. 6.— James C. Balkcom, Gray Theatre, Gray, Ga. TO EACH HIS OWN: Olivia de Havilland, John Lund — In my opinion this is a production that cannot fail to please in any situation. True, it is a bit of a tear-jerker, but women like that type and as we all realize women make up two-thirds of all movie-goers. Business above average due partly to popularity of the song of the same name, I feel sure. Played Monday, Tuesday. Oct. 7, 8.— W. M. Broadwell, Jr., Glorida Theatre, Ninety Six, S. C. PRC Pictures AMBUSH TRAIL: Bob Steele, Syd Saylor — Bob Steele didn't please with ' his mustache. Played Sunday, Monday, Oct. 20, 21.— James C. Balkcom, Gray Theatre, Gray, Ga. EAGLE'S BROOD: Hopalong Cassidy — Good, although a little old. a reissue, still gives them a lift. Played Friday, Saturday, Oct. 18, 19.— Harland Rankin, Plaza theatre, Tilbury. Ontario. GENTLEMAN WITH GUNS: Buster Crabbe, Al "Fuzzy" St. John — Good action Western. Played Friday, Saturday, Oct. 4, 5. — James C. Balkcom, Gray Theatre, Ga. RAFFLES: David Niven, Olivia De Havilland— Played with a Western — to satisfy action fans. Played Friday, Saturday, Oct. 18. 19.— Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ontario. Republic EARL CARROLL SKETCHBOOK: Constance Moore, William Marshall. Audience bored to death. — E. A. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. IN OLD SACRAMENTO: William Elliott, Constance Moore. — Did O. K. with the picture. Westerns help out our creditors. Did nice first-ofweek business. Played Monday, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 15. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ontario. I'VE ALWAYS LOVED YOU: Maria Ouspenskaya, Philip Dorn — Had plenty of walkouts on this one. Nice music, but story is too long for such a thin plot. We're just sorry that we got hooked up with this one. Played Friday, Oct. 18.— Robert E. Nicholson, Alsec Theatre, Kodiak, Alaska. MAN FROM RAINBOW VALLEY: Monte Hale, Adrian Booth — This was in Magnacolor, which is nothing extra. Many scenes are blurry. There is not much to this story. Not much action. — E. A. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. MELODY RANCH: Gene Autry— One of the best yet. But about one reel too long. Hey, Hollywood, when you make Westerns how about keeping 'em about V/z reels? Give us small towners a break. Keep 'em rollin'. Gene. Played Friday, Saturday, Oct. 11, 12 — Harry T. Wachter, New Gentry Theatre, Gentry, Ark. RENDEZVOUS WITH ANNIE: Eddie Albert, Faye Marlowe — Fair programmer. Different story, which kept audience fairly entertained. — E. A. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. RKO Radio BAMBOO BLONDE: Frances Langford, Russel Wade— Used this on my double-bill program and it was a big hit. It would stand up one day anywhere alone with no help from a Western. Played Friday, Saturday, Oct. 4, 5— James C. Balkcom, Gray Theatre, Gray, Ga. BEDLAM: Boris Karloff, Anna Lee — This is a fair picture, but not as good as I expected. Business was average. Played Tuesday, Oct. 15. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. FROM THIS DAY FORWARD: Joan Fontaine, Mark Stevens — This is one of Joan Fontaine's worse pictures. Something seemed to be missing in it. Definitely a box-office flop. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Oct. 9, 10. — Charles A. Thompson, Grove Theatre, Blooming Grove, Texas. HEARTBEAT: Ginger Rogers, Pierr* Aumont— Comments were divided. Fair show. Miss Rogeri should go back into musicals. She has lost her following.— E. A. Bolduc, Majestic Theatre, Conway, N. H. (Continued on following page) 50 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, NOVEMBER 2, 1946