Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1947)

WHAT THE PICTURE DID FOB 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 RENEGADES: Evelyn" Keyes, Willard Parker— These glorified Westerns in color draw around here. Whoever played the part of Mr. Dembrow almost stole the picture. Played Sunday, Monday, Jan. 24 , 25. — Marcella Smith, Vinton Theatre, McArthur, Ohio. SINGING ON THE TRAIL: Ken Curtis, Jeff Donnell — Here is a good picture for the small town. It will he iiked 100 per cent. It has good music, just the type that the farmers and hillbillies go for. You can't go wrong on this picture. Columbia is a good company for a small town theatre. Played Friday, Saturday. Feb. 14, 15. — Albert Hefferan, Century Theatre, Coopersville, Mich. SINGIN' IN THE CORN: Judy Canova, Allen Jenkins— When Judy was not too big to allow other names in the picture they were O.K. Played Friday, Saturday, Feb. 14, 15. — A. J. Simmons, Plaza Theatre, Lamar, Mo. SINGIN' IN THE CORN: Judy Canova, Allen Jenkins— An excellent draw and it pleased, even if it was •corn. Hurry back, Judy. Played Sunday, Feb. 16. — James C. Balkcom. Jr., Gray Theatre, Gray, Ga. THRILL, OF BRAZIL: Evelyn Keyes, Keenan Wynn — A well produced picture with a capable cast. However, the South American locale doesn't appeal to our patronage. The gross reached only 86 per cent of our Sunday and Monday average. Flayed Feb. 2, 3. — J. B. Stine, Garfield Theatre, Terre Haute, Ind. Metro-Go Id wyn-M a ye r ABBOTT AND COSTELLO IN HOLLYWOOD: Abbott & Costello — Abbott and Costello certainly draw the crowds here. Business was above average for Friday and Saturday. A good comedy. Played Friday, Saturday, Feb. 7, 8. — Keith Buell, Community Theatre. Murray Harbor, P. E. I., Can. COURAGE OF LASSIE: Elizabeth Taylor. Frank Morgan — Good draw. The customers were very happy and so was I. Played Sunday, Monday, Feb. 16, 17.— C. W. Ritenour, Milford Theatre, Milford, III. COURAGE OF LASSIE: Elizabeth Taylor. Frank Morgan — This was a honey. All the kids in the town turned out for it as well as a good percentage of the adults. Everyone was pleased. This is a must feature for any small town. The color and the scenery were superb. Played Friday, Feb. 21.— Fred J. Hut■chings. Community Theatre. Leader, Sask., Can. EASY TO WED: Esther Williams, Van JohnsonBusiness was below average on this fine picture. It was probably due to the cold weather. Played Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 13-15. — E. C. Armold, Chapman Theatre, Chapman, Kans. FAITHFUL IN MY FASHION: Tom Drake, Donna Reed — Nice little picture that hit three days of extremely cold weather. So it was played to about half of our average gross. Plaved Tuesday-Thursdav,' Feb. 4-6.— J. B. Stine, Garfield Theatre. Terre Haute. Ind. GALLANT BESS: Marshall Thompson, George Tobias— Should have lifted the mortgage with this: however, it is just another Cinecolor that didn't equal an ordinary Western. We in the sticks still need names, and these socalled hicks know Cinecolor from Technicolor. Played Friday, Saturday, Jan. 31, Feb. 1. — Bernie Stevens, Hampton Theatre, Hampton. N. H. GREEN YEARS, THE: Charles Coburn, Tom Drake — Business not up to average on this fine production. Played Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 30-Feb. 1. — E. C. Armold, Chapman Theatre, Chapman, Kan. HOLIDAY IN MEXICO: Walter Pidgeon, Bona Massey — An excellent musical. Color gorgeous. Music tops and acting tops. The patrons enjoyed it extremely well. They had nothing but nice things to say about it in the lobby. What a singer is that little girl who stars! Played Tuesday, Wednesday, Feb. 18. 19.— Ken Gorham, Town Hall Theatre, Mid •dlebury, Vt. HOLIDAY IN MEXICO: Walter Pidgeon. Fiona Massey — This was a grand picture as far as the -manager was concerned. But the high class singing kept the colored and the rural patronage away. It has a grand_ story and good acting, but it does not have box office/ in a small town. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Feb. 12, 13.— Cleo Manry, Buena Vista Theatre, Buena Vista, Ga. Small town and rural patronage. SHOW-OFF, THE: Red Skelton, Marilyn Maxwell — Just one or two good laughs. Skelton must have something on the radio that the pictures miss. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. THREE WISE FOOLS: Margaret O'Brien, Lionel Barrymore — Business was average on this picture. It was well received. Played Sunday, Monday, Feb. 16, 17. — E. C. Armold, Chapman Theatre, Chapman, Kan. THREE WISE FOOLS: Margaret O'Brien, Lionel Barrymore — We have shown pretty awful pictures in the year, but none compared to the latest Margaret O'Brien feature. Our patrons, with the exception of the children, were fed up. If you haven't played this feature, skip it by all means. If you play it don't be around when it is over. Played Friday. Feb. 14. — Fred J. Hutchings. Community Theatre, Leader, Sask., Can. TWO SISTERS FROM BOSTON: Jimmy Durante, June Allyson — Business was about average on this offering. Played Sunday, Monday, Feb. 2, 3.— E, C. Armold, Chapman Theatre, Chapman, Kan. TWO SMART PEOPLE : John Hodiak, Lucille Ball — An excellent picture that didn't do very well. Could be the lack of names, and perhaps Lent and Ash Wednesday had something to do with it. It didn't get them in. Those who came loved it. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Feb. 19. 20. — Bernie Stevens, Hampton Theatre, Hampton, N. H. Monogram HAUNTED MINE, THE: Johnny Mack Brown, Linda Johnson — A little better than the average Johnny Mack Brown Western. Played Friday, Saturday, Feb. 14, 15. — James C. Balkcom, Jr., Gray Theatre, Gray, Ga. HIGH SCHOOL HERO: Freddie Stewart, June Preisser — Used on a double bill and it was a big hit. I would recommend this to any exhibitor as excellent double feature program. Played Friday, Saturday, Feb. 14, 15.— James C. Balkcom, Jr., Gray Theatre, Gray, Ga. Paramount SEARCHING WIND, THE: Robert Young. Sylvia Sidney — Talk, talk, talk. It is pretty boring entertainment. It is slow and jumpy. There is a mixture of love and international diplomacy with a poor show of both. Business was off. Just took in film rental. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Feb. 19, 20.— Charles L. Jones, Elma Theatre, Elma, Iowa. SEARCHING WIND, THE: Robert Young, Sylvia Sidney — A peculiar picture. Those who are concerned about the complacency of our diplomats will appreciate it. Well acted and well produced, but not box office. Played Tuesday-Thursday. Feb. 18-20.— C. W. Ritenour. Milford Theatre. Milford, 111. STRANGE LOVE OF MARTHA IVERS, THE: Barbara Stanwyck, Van Heflin — They continue to drag American womanhood through the gutters and mire. Why do they make stories of such out of the ordinary type people. Most Americans are pretty decent people, but Hollywood leads one to think our nation is a, hodge-podge of murderers, psychopathies, drunks or crooks. A story about a kind-hearted, lovable, loving, faithful woman might take the taste of these out of our mouths. The story is tense. Kids don't come. No pleased comments. Business below average and not due to the snow. Did better in worse weather on "Blondie." Played Sunday. Monday, Feb. 9. 10. — Charles L. Jones, Elma Theatre, Elma, Iowa. PRC DON RICARDO RETURNS: Fred Colby, Isabella— I did not see this picture. Stayed as far away from the theatre as possible. Now I wish I had left town. Don't play this, if they give it to you. Played Friday, Saturday, Feb. 14, 15. — Marcella Smith. Vinton Theatre, McArthur Ohio. GHOST OF HIDDEN VALLEY: Buster Crabbe, Al "Fuzzy" St. John — A good Western drama which pleased the weekend trade. Played Friday, Saturday, Feb. 14, 15. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. WILD WEST: Eddie Dean. Al La Rue— This is Eddie Dean's best picture to date. I advertised it as a special and had no complaints. Had a cold wave for competition. Believe that this picture will do better than average business in good weather. I am going to play it again later. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Feb. 12, 13.— L. Brazil, Jr., New Theatre, Bearden, Ark. RKO Radio BADMAN'S TERRITORY: Randolph Scott. Ann Richards — Grand picture for small towns where the patrons like action. Some patrons say, "Glorified Westerns." Good box office and many good comments. Played Monday, Tuesday, Feb. 10. 11.— Cloe Manry, Buena Vista Theatre, Buena Vista, Ga. Small town and rural patronage. BADMAN'S TERRITORY: Randolph Scott. Ann Richards — This picture brought us the best midweek business we have enjoyed for some time. Any criticism of the film would be similar to looking a gift horse in the mouth. The cultured English accent of Miss Richards seems a trifle, to say the least, in congruous. Played Wednesday. Thursday, Feb. 12, 13. — A. E. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. Small lumber town patronage. KID FROM BROOKLYN, THE: Danny Kaye, Virginia Mayo — Kaye is versatile and he is the perfect clown. It is well and lavishly produced, with nice work by Miss Mayo and Miss Ellen. Kaye's routines are much the same as in all his shows. He could wear out with too many pictures. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. MAKE MINE MUSIC: Disney Musical FeatureVery, very good. Did nice business. It is too good, or something, for small towns. They insist that it is a kid show. Disney is going to have to wait until the people catch up. Second night was off badly so I guess they didn't exactly eat it up. Good opening day in cold weather and bad roads. Played Sunday, Monday, Feb. 16, 17. — Charles L. Jones, Elma Thaetre, Elma, Iowa. SISTER KENNY: Rosalind Russell, Alexander Knox — Better than average business. It brought in new people. It was too heavy for the children, but it pleased the adults. Played Sunday-Tuesday, Feb. 16-18. — Orr, Rodman & Bailey, Rex Theatre. Henning, Minn. STRANGER, THE: Edward G. Robinson, Orson Welles, Loretta Young — Too heavy a picture for a small town. So few people came out that I felt like a stranger in my own town. Played Sunday -Tuesday, Feb. 9-11.— Orr, Rodman & Bailey, Rex Theatre, Henning, Minn. WITHOUT RESERVATIONS: Claudette Colbert, John Wayne — The first night was killed by freezing weather. The second night was good, but n'o colored patrons. Good comments. Good comedy and good acting. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Feb. 5, 6. — Cleo Manry Buena Vista Theatre, Buena Vista, Ga. Small town and rural patronage. Republic FLAME OF THE BARBARY COAST: John Wayne, Ann Dvorak — We played this very late. Republic pictures have not played here before, so I am picking up a few of the old ones. This satisfied our (Continued on page 58) 56 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, MARCH 15, 1947