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 oi 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 GILDA: Rita Hayworth, Glenn Ford— Here is one all the men liked, and most of the women liked it, too. The business we did on this picture was nothing to brag about, but those who came enjoyed it very much. Don't be afraid of the picture, boys. Played Monday, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 5.— V. H. Freeman, Scenic Theatre, Newland Theatre, N. C. Small town and rural patronage. MYSTERIOUS INTRUDER: Richard Dix, Barton MacLane— Richard Dix is slipping, but got by on Sunday midnight. Business normal. Played Sunday midnight, Nov. 17.— Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Can. THE RETURN OF RUSTY: Ted Donaldson, Barbara Wooddell— Our audience loves this type of picture. It was good. However, a letdown from the first "Rusty" picture. Played Tuesday, Oct. 29.— Marcella Smith, Vinton Theatre. McArthur, Ohio. THRILL OF BRAZIL: Evelyn Keyes, Keenan Wynn— Just why Columbia puts a gal like Ann Miller in such a picture is beyond me. She can sing and act, and oh how she can hoof. Tito Guizar is poison in my town. The picture itself is terrible for a small town. Latin American stuff just doesn't draw their breath. The worst gross in two years. Walkouts by the dozens. Boys, lay off this. Played Sunday, Monday, Nov. 17, 18.— W. J. Haney, Milan Theatre, Milan, Indiana. Film Classics MEET JOHN DOE: Gary Cooper— Here is a show that was up to date although it was made in '41. It has to do with a new political party and an election. Gary Cooper gave a good performance and was well liked, but due to bad conditions it did not draw. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 23.— Nick Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Small town patronage. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ADVENTURE: Clark Gable, Greer Garson— We had some adverse comment on this. It was over advertised—Gable's back and Garson has got him. Very poorpicture for Miss Garson. My patrons pronounced it poor entertainment. Played Saturday, Nov. 2.— A L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Sask., Can. BOYS' RANCH: Jackie Jenkins— That one fooled us. We had it booked midweek, then in desperation for a Sunday picture moved it up. Didn't expect much from it, so was pleasantly surprised at how well it drew. Human interest pictures draw when nothing else will. Played Sunday, Monday.— Marcella Smith, Vinton Theatre, McArthur, Ohio. THE LAST CHANCE: E. G. Morrison, John Hoy— This almost proved to be our "last chance" in show business. We had no remarks on the picture as a whole, as nobody stayed to see it all through. Don't play it. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Nov. 13, 14.— Marcella Smith, Vinton Theatre. McArthur, Ohio. ZIEGFELD FOLLIES: MGM Star Players— This picture was a flop. We have never had so many people walk out of a show before. It put us in the red and everyone made fun of the picture. I would rather have had a Western picture than this one. Played Sunday -Tuesday, Sept. 15-17— Ella Lindsay, Page Theatre, Page, N.»D. Paramount BLUE DAHLIA THE: Alan Ladd, Veronica Lake —An extremely good murder mystery. Ladd did a good job and so did Miss Lake. But the job they did at the box office isn't worth mentioning. Played Thursday, Friday, Nov. 7, 8.— V. H. Freeman, Scenic Theatre, Newland, N. C. Small town and rural patronage. BLUE DAHLIA, THE: Alan Ladd, Veronica Lake —All the men in town turned out to see this picture. Tt was well liked by all who came to see it. The trailer stopped most of the women from coming. Played Monday, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 5. — Charles A. Thompson, Grove Theatre, Blooming Grove, Texas. O. S. S.: Alan Ladd, Geraldine Fitzgerald— Drew fairly well. Some liked it and some didn't. I think the title frightened some people away, as they had no idfea of what it meant. Ladd does draw around here regardless of what picture he is in. Played Sunday, Monday, Oct. 20, 21.— Marcella Smith, Vinton Theatre, McArthur, Ohio. RAINBOW ISLAND: Dorothy Lamour, Eddie Bracken — This picture brought them all in and some of them came back to see it a second time. The few people who don't enjoy a good laugh didn't like this one. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Nov. 6, 7. — Charles A. Thompson, Grove Theatre, Blooming Grove, Texas. STORK CLUB, THE: Betty Hutton, Barry Fitzgerald— Played this late, but good musical entertainment for the adult class. Played Tuesday, Oct. 22. — A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Sask., Can. PRC Pictures THE CARAVAN TRAIL: Eddie Dean, Al LaRue— Here is a young man who can really sing. He has the rest of the cowboys beaten a country mile when it comes to handling a song. He's no slouch of an actor, either. These color Westerns are very good, but a little too short. PRC should cash in on Eddie Dean and make these pictures about 10 minutes longer. For my money they are the best of the lot. Played Friday, Saturday, Nov. 15, 16.— W. J. Haney, Milan Theatre, Milan, Ind. CARAVAN TRAIL, THE: Eddie Dean, Al LaRue— This was a honey. We played it on the weekend to our delight. Keep up the good work, PRC. Played Friday, Saturday, Nov. 15, 16. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Can. ENCHANTED FOREST: Edmund Lowe, Brenda Joyce — This picture went over bijr. Everyone enjoyed every minute of this. Good weather and full house. Played Friday, Saturday, Oct. 18, 19.— Ella Lindsay, Page Theatre, Page, N. D. Republic DARK COMMAND: Walter Pidgeon, John Wayne— This picture was a good Western as far as Westerns go, but why waste Walter Pidgeon in a role of that type? Played Friday, Saturday, Nov. 8, 9. — Ted Hoenmans, Lake Lenore Theatre, Lake Lenore, Sask., Canada. SUNSET IN ELDORADO: Roy Rogers, Dale Evans— A few more like this one and Rogers will be out of the cowboy class. Dale Evans is certainly improving as an actress. Bob Nolan and the Sons of the Pioneers are still the outstanding stars in the Roy Rogers production. They had very little work in this release but, as usual, Rogers is still a good drawing star. Played Saturday, Nov. 9. — A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Sask., Can. UNDER NEVADA SKIES: Roy Rogers, Dale Evans— Roy Rogers packed them in as usual. Pleased all. Played Friday, Saturday, Nov. 8, 9.— E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre. Dewey, Okla. RKO Radio DEADLINE AT DAWN: Bill Williams, Susan Hayward — Here is a slow moving murder mystery that failed to draw. The cast was great, but I think RKO could have found a better part for these great stars, especially Paul Lukas. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 30.— Nick Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Small town patronage. DICK TRACY: Morgan Conway, Anne JeffreysNo star value, but played with "Caravan Trail" to average business. Played Friday, Saturday, Nov. 15, 16.— Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Can. PARTNERS IN TIME: Pamela Blake, John James — I believe that this is the best Lum and Abner I have played. For one thing this is different. This has a good old fashioned love story which put tears in my patrons' eyes, and laughter that tore the house down. Business was average to good. Played Sunday, Monday, Oct. 27, 28.— Nick Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Small town patronage. SAGEBRUSH LAW: Tim Holt— Here is another old Tim Holt that went over big, although most of my patrons had already seen it. I am glad to hear RKO is going to make new Tim Holt films. That's O.K. Played Friday, Saturday, Oct. 25, 26.— Nick Raspa. State Theatre, Rivesville. W. Va. Small town patronage. TARZAN AND THE LEOPARD WOMAN: Johnny Weissmuller, Brenda Joyce — This didn't do as much business as Tarzans usually do, but it seemed to please. — S. T. Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. Twentieth CenturyFox ANNA AND THE KING OF SIAM: Irene Dunne, Rex Harrison — Those who read the book will enjoy this show. Others may find it a little too long and slow moving. Personally, I thought it was a great picture. Business was average. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Nov. 13, 14.— E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. CENTENNIAL SUMMER: Jeanne Craine, Cornel Wilde — This picture was well played and the story carried out nicely, but it failed to gross above average on Monday and Tuesday. Those who saw the picture were well pleased. Flayed Oct. 28, 29.— V. H. Freeman, Scenic Theatre, Newland. N. C. Small town and rural patronage. CLAUDIA AND DAVID: Robert Young, Dorothy McGuire — We were surprised at the business we did on this picture. Our patrons go for Dorothy McGuire and Robert Young anyway. It is a mighty good picture and that probably accounted for the box office rush. Played Thursday, Friday, Oct. 30, Nov. 1.— V. H. Freeman, Scenic Theatre, Newland, N. C. Small town and rural patronage. CLUNY BROWN: Charles Boyer, Jennifer Jones— If your town is a small one like mine, my advice is : Don't play this. More walkouts than on any picture I've played this year. — S. T. Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. DEADLINE FOR MURDER: Paul Kelly, Kent Taylor — A little program picture which got by on PAL (Two for One) night. This kind of stuff is built for the lower half of a dual and I don't run double features. Played Tuesday, Nov. 12. — E. M. Freiburger. Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. DIAMOND HORSESHOE: Betty Grable, Dick Haymes — One of Betty Grable's best musicals. The chef's presentation of the spices and desserts served at the Horseshoe is outstanding in its costumes and color. Everyone present enjoyed it. Played Friday, Saturday. Ted Hoenmans, Lake Lenore Theatre, Lake Lenore, Sask., Canada. JESSE JAMES: Tyrone Power, Nancy KellyPlayed this as a double feature. The crowd came again to enjoy the life story of this famous bandit whom many had heard of before coming to Canada. Excellent drawing attraction.— Ted Hoenmans, Lake Lenore Theatre, Lake Lenore, Sask., Canada. JESSE JAMES: Tyrone Power, Nancy Kelly— This (Continued on following page) MOTION PICTURE HERALD, NOVEMBER 30, 1946