Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1947)

(.Continued from preceding page) UNDER NEVADA SKIES: Roy Rogers, Dale Evans— Good old Roy. He is our No. 1 box office attraction. It was single billed on a weekend and it did O.K. Played Friday. Saturday, Feb. 28, March 1.— Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Can. Screen Guild MY DOG SHEP: Tom Neal, Helen Chapman— This is a fine picture for children. Be sure to play it on a Friday and Saturday. It will do business for you. The entire family will enjoy this picture. Screen Guild really makes the picture for the small towns. It pleased 100 per cent and did all right at the box office. Played Feb. 21, 22.— Albert Hefferan, Coopersville, Mich. Small town patronage. SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON: Thomas Mitchell, Edna Best— Double billed with a short Laurel and Hardy film to fair business. Opinion was divided on this feature. It is pretty old, but most will like it. It is worth playing. Played Friday, Saturday. Feb. 21, 22.— C. M. Hulbert, Gem Theatre, Cornell, Wis. Twentieth CenturyFox ANNA AND THE KING OF SIAM: Irene Dunne, Rex Harrison — This is a picture that any exhibitor would be proud to play in his house. Business was only fair, as it did not appeal to all of our patrons, but all who attended were very enthusiastic about the splendid acting. Played Sunday, Monday, Feb. 23, 24. — A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. Small lumber town patronage. ANNA AND THE KING OF SIAM : Irene Dunne, Rex Harrison — I tried to hide from the walkouts, but they found me and told me how bad they thought the picture was. Then many told me what a wonderful picture it was. I am confused. The fact remains that it did not do business. Played Sunday. Monday, March 2. 3.— C. M. Hulbert, Gem Theatre. Cornell, Wis. BLACK BEAUTY: Mona Freeman. _ Richard Denning— This was right down my patrons' alley as they truly love their horses. Business O'.K. Played Friday, Feb. 28.— Toe R. Hayworth, Playhouse Theatre, Pink Hill. N. C. Small town patronage. CENTENNIAL SUMMER: Cornel Wilde. Jeanne Craine — Business much better than expected considering this is a period film. The story was light and not too sophisticated for a small town. Songs and music very appealing. Played Sunday, Monday. Feb. 16. 17. — A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. Small lumber town patronage. CLAUDIA AND DAVID: Robert Young, Dorothy McGuire — This excellent and heart-warming picture seems to prove that antics of schizophrenics and psychiatrists are not as interesting to the average theatregoer as the homey, unmelodramatic doings of ordinary people like himself. Played Wednesday. Thursday, Jan. 28. 29.— John R. Cooney, Waldo Theatre. Waldoboro, Maine. Small town patronage. CLUNY BROWN: Charles Boyer, Jennifer Jones— We played "Smoky" just before this. We barely got the film cost out of it. Even if this had not played closely after a "draw" picture, it would not have done business in a small town. Boyer is poison to rural folks Played Wednesday, Thursday. Feb. 26. 27.— C. M. Hulbert. Gem Theatre, Cornell, Wis. DEADLINE FOR MURDER: Paul Kelly, Kent Taylor— Used on too half of doub'e bill with negative results. No draw. Plaved Fridav. Saturday, Feb. 21; 22.— A. C. Edwards, 'Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. Small lumber town patronage. DRAGONWYCK: Gene Tierney, Vincent PriceActing, direction and story excellent. Lacked drawing power in our situation. Played Sundav-Tuesday. Feb. 9-11. — D. W. Trisko, Star Theatre, Stanley, N. D. HOME SWEET HOMICIDE: Lynn Ban. Randolph Scott — A good little mystery picture. The children in it put it over, especially the little boy. Our business was down. We had too much snow and sleet for our farmers and the people from the nearby towns. Played Sunday, Monday, Feb. 16. 17.— Mrs. D. H. Gray. Gray Theatre, Brodhead. Ky. IF I'M LUCKY: Vivian Blaine. Harry James— A good picture for the Como fans. We didn't seem to have enough. We were lucky to break even on this one. Played Sunday. Feb. 9.— Melvin Lipnick. Inverness Theatre, Inverness, Miss. JOHNNY COMES FLYING HOME: Martha Stewart, Richard Crane — Airplane shows draw well here. This one was good due to the jet test. Played Wednesday, Thursday. Feb. 12, 13.— D. W. Trisko. Star Theatre, Stanley, N. D. MY DARLING CLEMENTINE: Henry Fonda, Linda Darnell — Below average crowd on this picture, but that was due to the bad weather, as this picture should go over well in a small town. The title was misleading as some thought it won'd be a musical. Glad to see Henry Fonda and Victor Mature back. Played Sunday, Monday, March 2, 3. — Mrs. D. H. Gray, Gray Theatre, Brodhead, Ky. MY DARLING CLEMENTINE: Henry Fonda, Linda Darnell — Thi= m-> ornificent production, standing head and shoulders above anything we have exhibited in too long a time, is definite evidence that artistry in Hollywood is not yet completely defunct. This is Americana at its best, photographed and performed according to the highest traditions of the cinema. The loving care and masterly touch of director John Ford are in evidence everywhere and what he has done with Victor Mature and Linda Darnell is a pleasure to behold. Henry Fonda is, needless to say, excellent, as is the rest of a uniformly skilled cast. Although this picture had small appeal for our regular Western fans, it was generally well liked and business was considerably above average both nights. Played Thursday, Friday, Jan. 16, 17.— John R. Cooney, Waldo Theatre, Waldoboro, Maine. Small town patronage. SMOKY: Fred MacMurray, Anne Baxter— Yes, we did the usual good business that this sort of thing does. There is no getting around it, patrons do not have the extra money to go to more than a certain number of shows per week and when you pay anything extra for a single feature, you get beat in the long run. Played Sunday-Tuesday, Feb. 23-25.— C. M. Hulbert, Gem Theatre, Cornell, Wis. THREE LITTLE GIRLS IN BLUE: June Haver, Vivian Blaine — A colorful and pleasant musical which was enjoyed by the large crowd who turned out for it. Celeste Holm walks away with the picture as soon as she makes her belated appearance. Plaved Thursday, Friday, Feb. 6, 7.— John R. Cooney, Waldo Theatre, Waldoboro, Maine. Small town patronage. United Artists ABILENE TOWN: Randolph Scott, Ann Dvorak— Used on midweek. Business only fair. It would have been more suited for a weekend double bill. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Feb. 19, 20.— A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. BACHELOR'S DAUGHTERS, THE: Gail Russell, Claire Trevor— Fair picture. Best for adult audiences. There was reaction for and against it. Business was below average. Played Monday. Tuesday, Feb. 24, 25. — Joe R. Hayworth, Playhouse Theatre, Pink Hill, N. C. Small town patronage. JOHNNY N THE CLOUDS: Michael Redgrave, John Mills — As our local audiences are markedly allergic to British pictures, we kicked this one around considerably before venturing to date it. The results were surprising. The happily conceived device of combining Americans and British in an approximately 50 per cent mixture, coupled with a warmth of understanding and maturity of viewpoint, which is practically never approached in Hollywood productions, has produced a picture of universal appeal. Although our small town audience was very small the first night, the word got around and the response the second night was well above what we should have expected from any "top" American picture. For my money this and "Clementine," discussed elsewhere, were the high spots of the season. Played Thursday, Friday, Jan. 30. 31.— John R. Cooney, Waldo Theatre, Waldoboro, Maine. Small town patronage. NIGHT IN CASABLANCA, A: Marx Brothers, Lois Collier — Despite putting out several thousand heralds on this feature, it did no business. It is a very good comedy and worthy of being played in any theatre and on any day. Your only problem is, will they come to see it? Played Sunday, Monday, Feb. 23, 24.— Abe H. Kaufman, Fountain Theatre, Terre Haute, Ind. NIGHT IN CASABLANCA, A: Marx Brothers, Lois Collier — More piano playing by Chico and more selections on the harp by Harpo would have helped. Silly, but not very funny. Played Monday, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 11. — Melvin Lipnick, Inverness Theatre, Inverness, Miss. NIGHT IN CASABLANCA, A: Marx Brothers, Lois Collier — Very good comedy. My folks like them. Why don't they make more pictures? — S. T. Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. PRISONER OF ZENDA: Ronald Colman, Madeleine Carroll — Reissue. Adverse weather. Business didn't come up to par. Although I understand there are situations where this reissue did business. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Feb. 26, 27. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Can. REBECCA: Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine — A wonderful picture that will never get old. Business was off, but that was due to other attractions. Those who saw this picture commented favorably. Played Monday, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 18. — Melvin Lipnick, Inverness Theatre, Inverness, Miss. SCANDAL IN PARIS, A: George Sanders, Signe Hasso — Took care of film rental and nothing more. No one seemed happy after seeing it. Played Tuesday, Feb. 11. — Elaine George, Star, Heppner, Ore. YOUNG WIDOW: Jane Russell, Louis Hayward— To my surprise, this did better than we expected. Jone Russell did a nice job of acting. Played Monday, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 25.— Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Can. Universal BLACK ANGEL, THE: Dan Duryea. June Vincent — Used on top half of double bill to fair business. It is not strong enough to head double bill. It is more suited for the second spot. Played Friday, Saturday, Feb. 28, March 1— A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. Small lumber town patronage. EAST SIDE OF HEAVEN: Bing Crosby, Joan Blondell — This is a good reissue and both Bing and Joan Blondell look swell. It is worth playing again; however, no business even for a one-day playdate. Played Tuesday, Feb. 26.— Abe H. Kaufman, Fountain Theatre, Terre Haute, Ind. KILLERS, THE: Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner— The name kept them away. However, it is an interesting picture. Played Saturday, Sunday, Feb. 15, 16. — Herman Fiedler, Grand Theatre, Java, S. D. KILLERS, THE: Burt Lancaster, Ava GardnerExcellent. — S. T. Jackson, Jackson, Flomaton. Ala. LADY ON A TRAIN: Deanna Durbin, Ralph Bellamy— Miss Durbin is a drug on the market since she grew up. Story is a little dead. Played SundayTuesday, Feb. 16-18.— D. W. Trisko. Star Theatre. Stanley, N. D. MAGNIFICENT DOLL: Ginger Rogers, Burgess Meredith — This picture of the early history of our country is well produced, but unfortunately it was not good at the box office. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. TIME OF THEIR LIVES: Abbott and Costello— Good Abbott and Costello. However, they don't do the business they used to do. But what does? — S. T. Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. WHITE TIE AND TAILS: Dan Duryea, Ella Raines — For once Universal released a picture that is good. It was well done. Played Sunday, Monday, Feb. 23, 24.— Albert Hefferan, Century Theatre, Coopersville, Mich. Warner Bros. DECEPTION: Bette Davis, Paul Henreid— One patron wrote and asked that I look in the dictionary and find the meaning of deception as we advertised this attraction. Even the Bette Davis fans kicked on this one as no one really figured out the ending. As good an actress as Bette Davis is, I wonder why she is cast in such tripe. Why don't they give her a good supporting cast. If you are in a small town and have to play this, you had better hide as soon as the feature starts. Walkouts start from the beginning. Played Monday, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 11. — James C. Balkcom, Jr., Gray Theatre, Gray, Ga. NEVER SAY GOODBYE: Errol Flynn, Eleanor Parker — After approximately a half hour of unadulterated tedium, an uninteresting child is pushed into the background where she belongs, the adults take over, and the proceedings become quite funny. The motion pictures can stand more old-fashioned slapstick of this kind. Business about average. Played Thursday, Friday, Feb. 13, 14. — John R. Cooney, Waldo Theatre, Waldoboro, Maine. Small town patronage. NEVER SAY GOODBYE: Errol Flynn, Eleanor Parker— A very pleasing comedy. Played Monday, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 18.— James C. Balkcom, Jr., Gray Theatre, Gray, Ga. NIGHT AND DAY: Cary Grant, Alexis Smith— One of the most outstanding pictures we have played. All my patrons were well pleased. Don't miss this one. Played Monday, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 4. — Melvin Lipnick, Inverness Theatre, Inverness. Miss. VERDICT, THE: Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre — One of the best murder mysteries of the season, although the fact that it is a period picture lessened the appeal. Business poor. Played Tuesday, Wednesday. Feb. 25. 26.— John R. Cooney, Waldo Theatre, Waldoboro, Maine. Small town patronage. Short Features Columbia PUCK CHASERS: Sport Reels— Good sport reek— D. W. Trisko, Star Theatre, Stanley, N. D. UNCIVIL WAR BRIDES: All Star Comedies— My patrons resented this slap at southern accents. It even made the Yankee soldiers look stupid.— James C Balkcom, Jr., Gray Theatre, Gray, Ga. Paramount COPY CAT: Animated Antics — A reissue cartoon in black and white. Fair. — E. M. Freiburger. Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. SPREE FOR ALL: Noveltoons— This Cinecolor cartoon, featuring Snuffy Smith, was tops. Let's have more of these, Paramount. — S. T. Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. Universal MR CHIMP TO1 THE RESCUE: Variety Views— These shorts with the chimpanzee are well liked here. This one was fine. — S. T. Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. RECKLESS DRIVER: Lantz Color Cartunes— Excellent cartoon. — S. T. Jackson, Jacksoni Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. E4 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, MARCH 22, 1947