Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1946)

WHAT THE PICTURE DIH 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. Artkino DAYS AND NIGHTS: Vladimir Soloviev, Dimitri Sagal — This Russian language picture did not please as most films do, but the same customers showed up regardless. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Oct. 22, 23.— Del Fox, Granada Theatre, Grand Forks, B. C., Canada. Columbia LIFE WITH BLONDIE: Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake — On a dual bill this really pulled them in. Blondie is good here any time and the patrons are already asking when the next one will be shown. This one was set back until after the ban because of the infantile paralysis. The people were pleased about this, because the children could get to see it. Played Friday, Saturday, Oct. 25, 26— Harold J. Johnson, Elberta Theatre, Palisade, Colo. MY NAME IS JULIA ROSS: Nina Foch, George Macready — Used this on top half of a double bill. Not very satisfactory. Played Friday, Saturday, Nov. 29, 30.— A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. Small lumber town patronage. OVER 21: Irene Dunne, Alexander Knox — a nice jolly feature that pleased all. Played Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 21-23.— Sid Coffey, Rex Theatre, Winnipegosis, Manitoba, Can. PERILOUS HOLIDAY: Pat O'Brien, Ruth Warrick— With a very few slight alterations this would have been a huge success. It could have been changed with very little effort into a farce comedy and it would have been a vast improvement. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Nov. 27, 28.— A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. Small lumber town patronage. THRILL OF BRAZIL: Evelyn Keyes, Keenan Wynne — Our customers do not like Latin American music so this one played to only fair business. There were a few funny scenes, but everything considered, it was only fair. Played Wednesday, Thursday. — Ritz Amusements, Inc., Fark Theatre, North Vernon, Ind. Film Classics BOHEMIAN GIRL, THE: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy — A reissue which made a nice program and made everybody happy. Played Friday, Saturday, Dec. 6, 7.— Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Out., Can. BOY, A GIRL AND A DOG, A: Jerry Hunter, Sharyn Moffett — A good picture for children but not strong enough in star power for a Sunday show. It pleased all who came. Played Sunday, Monday, Nov. 24, 25— E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ADVENTURE: Clark Gable, Greer Garson— Caught this one very late and really felt it. Gable's ease with the women and the fast dialogue was a little too much for my situation. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Nov. 13, 14.— Stanley M. Kerk, Clarence Theatre, Clarence, Pa. COURAGE OF LASSIE: Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Morgan — Capacity business on this one just as others in this Lassie series have done. However, this one is not as good as the others. Our audience grew very restless during the first 20 minutes when hardly a word was said. Played Sunday-Tuesday. — Ritz Amusements, Inc., Park Theatre, North Vernon, Ind. EASY TO WED: Van Johnson, Esther Williams— This feature is a small town natural and pleased our patrons. The duck hunting sequence was the silliest thing I have seen on the screen and it did Johnson no good. The color was beautiful and we had a good print. Played Friday, Nov. 8. — Fred J. Hutchings, Community Theatre, Leader, Sask., Can. Small town and rural patronage. HARVEY GIRLS, THE: Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien — A story of the waitresses following the railroads westward. It is an enjoyable evening's entertainment. There are some good musical numbers and comedy. Plenty of horseplay in a barroom sequence in which the girls took the fight away from the men. Judy Garland is not a popular star with my audience. Played Saturday, Nov. 16.— A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Sask., Can. NO LEAVE, NO LOVE: Van Johnson, Marie Wilson— Average picture. Van is good box office. There is not enough of Cugat. "Sugarchile" Robinson stole the show. Played two weeks and it held up well in a town of 100,000. Played Nov. 22-Dec. 5.— Glenwood Theatre, Shreveport, La. THREE WISE FOOLS : Margaret O'Brien, Lionel Barrymore — This did very well at the box office and it is well made and of course the acting is perfect. However, our customers did not like it and we had many walkouts. If you believe in fairies or reprechauns, you will like it. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Nov. 27, 28.— Ritz Amusements, Inc., Park Theatre, North Vernon, Ind. WITHOUT LOVE: Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn— This is one I picked up late and the stars sold the show. My patrons enjoyed the entertainment, which was rather deep, but a good bet. Played Tuesday, Nov. 12. — A. L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Sask., Can. Monogram IN OLD NEW MEXICO: Duncan Renaldo, Martin Garraloga — My first of this series and can't say that I thought too much of it. Played on a double bill and it did O.K. for that. — S. T. Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. JOE PALOOKA,' CHAMP: Joe Kirkwood, Elyse Knox— Doubled with "Stranger from Santa Fe." This proved to be a very satisfactory double bill for the entire family and everybody was happy. Monogram is forgiven. — Del Fox, Fox Theatre, Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada. SWING PARADE OF 1946: Gale Storm, Phil Regan — Not very good from any standpoint. My first Monogram picture. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Nov. 27, 28.— Del Fox, Fox Theatre, Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada. Paramount BRIDE WORE BOOTS, THE: Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Cummings — Well, I learned a lesson. Had this in once and pulled it for "Doll Face." Played with "Delightfully Dangerous" which wasn't much help. Played Sunday, Monday, Nov. 24, 25.— Don Whittington, Lincoln Theatre, Rochester, New York. KITTY: Ray Milland, Paulette Goddard— Not a bad picture for this town. Did average Sunday and Monday business. The customers were all pleased. It is not a picture for small towns playing to the rural trade. Played Oct. 20, 21.— Harold J. Johnson, Elberta Theatre, Palisade, Colo. MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE: Bob Hope, Joan Caulfield — Another costume picture that nose-dived at the box office. Even Bob Hope couldn't save this one. Our customers refuse to buy entertainment that isn't modern and isn't our way of living. Played Sunday-Tuesday. — Ritz Amusements, Inc., Park The atre, North Vernon, Ind. PEOPLE ARE FUNNY: Jack Haley, Helen Walker — A nice comedy that kept everybody entertained. It is worth a second consideration, if you have passed it up. Played Friday, Saturday, Oct. 18, 19.— Del Fox, Granada Theatre, Grand Forks, B. C, Canada. PLAINSMAN, THE: Gary Cooper, Jean ArthurThese reissues with real star value really pack them in. This picture made some money and we prefer these reissues to some of the newer picturs with some of the socalled stars. Better than average Tuesday and Wednesday business although most of the male population were out duck hunting. Played Oct. 22, 23. —Harold J. Johnson, Elberta Theatre, Palisade, Colo. STRANGE LOVE OF MARTHA IVERS: Barbara Stanwyck, Van Heflin — Very good show. Perfect cast. — S. T. Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. TO EACH HIS OWN: Olivia De Havilland, John Lund — Outstanding acting with a swell plot make this one of the year's best. Olivia De Havilland's acting in this one pleased all our customers. It did very good Sunday and Monday business for this town. Played Sunday, Monday, Oct. 27-28.— Harold J. Johnson, Elberta Theatre, Palisade, Colo. WELL GROOMED BRIDE, THE: Ray Milland, Olivia De Havilland — Entertaining comedy which did average business. No compliments, no complaints. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Nov. 27, 28.— E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. PRC FRONTIER FUGITIVE: Tex Ritter, Dave O'Brien — Fair Western. Did average business. For some unknown reason my Saturday crowd likes Tex Ritter. I would like to see him in a new series. — S. T. Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. RKO Radio DICK TRACY: Morgan Conway, Anne JeffreysPretty good program picture. Glad to see that Ralph Byrd will be in the next one RKO makes. — S. T. Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. SISTER KENNY: Rosalind Russell, Alexander Knox— A great picture. Rosalind Russell playing Sister Kenny is tops. Full house five nights. An educational picture which the public needs. Played Sunday-Thursday, Nov. 10-14. — W. M. Shaw, Iowa Theatre, Newton, Iowa. TILL THE END OF TIME: Guy Madison. Dorothy McGuire — One of the better pictures of the current season that did average business at the box office. Dorothy McGuire is excellent in this one as usual. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Nov. 20, 21. — Ritz Amusements Inc., Park Theatre, North Vernon, Ind. Republic COLORADO PIONEER: William Elliott— Used on second half of weekend double bill. Very good for the children and Western fans. Played Friday, Saturday, Nov. 29, 30.— A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. Small lumber town patronage. GUY COULD CHANGE, A: Allan Lane, Jane Frazee — Double billed with a "Blondie." This one did all right. It has no star value. If you can figure out how to get them in for this one, you will please them on a single bill. Played Friday, Saturday, Oct. 25, 26.— Harold J. Johnson, Elberta Theatre, Palisade, Colo. LIGHTS OF OLD SANTA FE: Roy Rogers, Dale Evans — A typical Roy Rogers show that pleased his local fans 100 per cent. Played Friday, Saturday, Oct. 25, 26.— Del Fox, Granada Theatre, Grand Forks, B. C, Canada. MAN FROM RAINBOW MOUNTAIN: Monte Hale, Adrian Booth — I thought this was very good and so did my customers. Nice going, Republic. Played Friday, Saturday.— L. Brazil, Jr., New Theatre, Bearden, Ark. MY PAL TRIGGER: Roy Rogers, Dale Evans— This beats all previous Roy Rogers features by a big margin. A better story with chances for some good acting by Dale Evans and Gabby. And Trigger really stars. Played Thursday -Saturday, Nov. 28-30. — Sid Coffey, Rex Theatre, Winninegosis, Manitoba. Can. (Continued on following page) MOTION PICTURE HERALD, DECEMBER 21, 1946 55