Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1947)

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 GALLANT JOURNEY: Glenn Ford, Janet Blair— Very few comrnents and a flop at the box-office. Played Monday. Tuesday. March 10, 11.— Miss Cleo Manry. Buena Vista Theatre, Buena Vista, Georgia. Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer GENTLE ANNIE: James Craig-. Donna Reed— This is an old one which I knew was good because I had seen it overseas. As it had never played this town I played it up big and got good results, especially on the second day after the word got around. Played Thursday -Friday. —J. R. Revell, New Ren Theatre, Yazoo City, Mississippi. LADY IN THE LAKE: Robert Montgomery, Audrey Totter — This is Montgomery's innovation, in that the off-screen voice supposedly lets the audience do the detecting. We advertised it as a new technique, and as such we had a fair audience. But while the picture, as it developed gripped them, the reaction of the audience was such that I don't think as a steady diet of this type they will go for them. Then want to see the actor, .and not just his hands. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. LADY IN THE LAKE: Robert Montgomery, Audrey Totter — This is Montgomery's new innovation whereby he appears only in a few short scenes and supposedly takes the audience along as the detective. That was the supposedly general idea. It does build for suspense, but our patrons were not much impressed and I am of the opinion that more like this will flop. They want to see the actor, not an offscreen voice. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Indiana. NO' LEAVE, NO LOVE: Van Johnson, Keenan Wynn — Drew well but people complained about it being too drawn out. Toward the end it became monotonous instead of amusing. Keenan Wynn is a fine comedian. Pat Kirkwood isn't hard to take. Played SundayMonday. March 9-10.— Marcella Smith. Vinton Theatre. McArthur, Ohio. NO LEAVE, NO LOVE: Van Johnson, Marie Wilson— Very good. Keenan Wynn O.K., but I still like Groucho Marx the best.— S. T. Jackson. Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. SHOW-OFF, THE: "Red" Skelton, Marilyn Maxwell—Rain hurt attendance on this excellent comedy. If your patrons go all out for comedies by all means plav this. Skelton at his peak! Played Wednesday. Thursday. March 26. 27.— James C. Balkcom. Jr.. Gray Theatre. Gray, Georgia. UNDERCURRENT: Katharine Hepburn, Robert Taylor— Hepburn is not boxoffice in this community; however, we had a better house than we expected. No complaints, no walkouts. The children became restless, of course, as it is strictly adult fare. We are glad to see Robert Taylor back, and have a feeling he is going to help our b.o. receipts. Played SundayMonday. March 30-31.— Marcella Smith, Vinton Theatre, McArthur, Ohio. Monogram MR. HEX: Bowery Boys, Leo Gorcey— My crowd ate it up. and one of the best in the series. Played Thursday-Friday-Saturday. March 20-21-22.— Terry Axley, New Theatre, England, Arkansas. MOON OVER MONTANA: Jimmy Wakely— Another Western; not the draw some Westerns are, hut seemed to have enough shooting. Played March 2829.— Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ontario, Canada. TRAIL TO MEXICO: Jimmy Wakely, Lee "Lasses" White — Good, but for some unknown reason these Wakely's (which are all good Westerns) do not do average business. Mexican locale hurt this one here.— S. T. Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton. Ala. Paramount BLUE SKIES: Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire— A very elaborate production that cost plenty of moola, but onlv ordinary business, and that proves when Bing and Astaire can't pack our house the peak is past. — A. E. Hancock, -Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, BLUE SKIES: Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire— When an elaborate production such as this one, that cost plenty of moola, headed by Crosby, does not do average business, you definitely know the peak has passed; that we have known for some time. It drags considerably, and is not the best of the Crosby's. — A. E. Hancock. Columbia Theatre, Columbia City. Indiana. TWO YEARS BEFORE THE MAST: Alan Ladd, Brian Donlevy — Good acting; more of a picture for men than ladies. Played Wednesday, Thursday. March 12, 13. — Miss Cleo Manry, Buena Vista Theatre, Buena Vista, Georgia. PRC THE GREAT MIKE: Stuart Erwin— A good racehorse picture, and I think the customers I had enjoyed it — but there was not many of them. It just didn't have the power to draw them bv itself. Played Thursday-Friday, March 13-14.— J. R. Revell, New Ren Theatre, Yazoo City, Mississippi. SON OF OLD WYOMING: Eddie Dean — This Western in color pleased the Friday -Saturday trade. Played March 28-29. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Oklahoma Twentieth CenturyFox ANNA AND THE KING OF SIAM: Rex Harrison. Irene Dunne — This picture was enjoyed by the few who saw it. The acting was superb. Most of my patrons thought this was another "Caesar and Cleopatra" and sought other entertainment. Played Monday, Tuesday, March 17. 18. — Melvin Lipnick, Inverness Theatre. Inverness, Miss. CENTENNIAL SUMMER: Jeanne Crain, Cornel Wilde — This being the Slow season for us, business was only fair. Was enjoyed by all who saw it. Played Wednesday. Thursday, March 19. 20.— Melvin Lipnick, Inverness Theatre, Inverness, Miss. CLAUDIA AND DAVID: Robert Young, Dorothy McGuire — An excellent picture. Comments favorable. Club meetings and other attractions didn't help business. Played Monday, Tuesday, March 24, 25.— Melvin Lipnick, Inverness Theatre, Inverness. Miss. DANGEROUS MILLIONS: Kent Taylor— These little program pictures will not stand alone and I do not run double features. Business was poor. Played Tuesday, March 25. — E. M. Freiburger. Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Oklahoma. MARGIE: Jeanne Crain-Alan Young — Another picture that pleased 100 per cent, as did Smoky, Son of Flicka. State Fair, all from Fox. The students, the townspeople, the farmers, all came out with a big look of satisfaction on their faces; loved it thoroughly; business excellent. — Ken Gorham. Town Hall Theatre. Middlebury. Vermont. MY DARLING CLEMENTINE: Henry Fonda, Linda Darnell — This is a box-office natural for small town operators, although I did have a few disappointed patrons who expected it to be a musical instead of a high class Western. Played Wednesday. Thursday, March 5. 6.— Miss Cleo Manry. Buena Vista Theatre, Buena Vista, Georgia. RAZOR'S EDGE: Tyrone Power. Gene Tierney— Another great story, superb cast, marvelous acting and a big bit, although many of our patrons hardly understood what it was all about. It is big and remarkable and should fill your theatre with the popularity of the book. Business excellent. — Ken Gorham, Town Hall Theatre, Middlebury, Vermont. Republic ANGEL AND THE BADMAN: John Wayne. Gail Russell — One of the best to come from Republic — it was a pleasure to see Gail Russell in there starring for Republic. My patrons getting little tired of Vera Ralston, who is being played too often in Republic top pictures. Wayne is always a good draw here and gives a grand performance. Picture tops all the way. Played March 30-31. April 1. — Ken Gorham, Town Hall Theatre, Middlebury, Vermont. CALENDAR GIRL: Jane Frazee, William Marshall — One of the biggest disappointments I ever had — paid real money for the picture — was told it was tops but when the few I had here came out they had most uncomplimentary things to say about it. Even 'the college girls heard to say it's not so good and so forth. Business very, very poor indeed. Played March 9-11.— Ken Gorham, Town Hall Theatre, Middlebury, Vermont. HELDORADO: Roy Rogers— Good musical Western which pleased and did over average business on Friday-Saturday. Played March 21-22. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Oklahoma. MAN FROM OKLAHOMA: Roy Rogers, "Gabby" Hayes — We've been closed for a lengthy period, and not too many people knew we were open again, but it drew better than we expected. Played Saturday, March 29.— A. J. Sindt, Rankin Theatre, Rankin, Illinois. MAN FROM RAINBOW VALLEY: Monte Hale, Adrian Booth — This super Magnacolor from Republic about a wild horse was well received by the weekend customers. I'm sure you'll be satisfied if you play this. Played Friday. Saturday. March 28, 29.— James C. Balkcom. Jr., Gray Theatre, Gray, Georgia. NIGHT TRAIN TO MEMPHIS: Roy Acuff, Adele Mara — Played second time, but very little business. It's good, but guess everybody saw it on first playdate. Wish Republic would reissue "Grand Ole Oprv." — S. T. Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. RIO GRANDE RAIDERS: Sunset Carson— Doubled with a Boston Blackie picture, this proved a good combination. Sunset Carson is just about tops with my customers. Played Monday-Tuesday. — J. R. Revell, New Ren Theatre, Yazoo City, Mississippi. RKO Radio BAD MAN'S' TERRITORY: Randolph Scott. "Gabby" Hayes — A small-town natural which fell badly for us. Blizzard first night, and extreme cold second day. Doubled with "Falcon's Alibi" (RKOO. which made a pleasing combination. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, March 25, 26.— A. J. Sindt, Rankin Theatre, Rankin, Illinois. CORNERED: Dick Powell. Micheline Cheirel— Only a fair box-office, very few comments. Played Sunday, March 9. — Miss Cleo Manry, Buena Vista Theatre, Buena Vista, Georgia. CRACK-UP: Pat O'Brien, Claire Trevor— My patrons were very much disappointed in this picture. They thought it was going to be an airplane picture. It was a waste of film and playing time. Played Monday. Tuesday. March 3, 4. — Miss Cleo Manry, Buena Vista Theatre, Buena Vista, Georgia. CRIMINAL COURT: Tom Conway— Entertaining program picture which did below average business. Played Tuesday, March 18.— E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Oklahoma. GENIUS AT WORK: Anne Jeffreys, Wally Brown — Good program mystery thriller with some laughs that should please that type of patron who likes funny mysteries. Plaved Thursdav-Friday-Saturday, March 13-14-15.— Terry Axley, New Theatre, England. Arkansas. KID FROM BROOKLYN: Danny Kaye— This picture looked O.K. ; our first night was big. Then came {Continued on following page) MOTION PICTURE HERALD, APRIL 12, 1947