Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1947)

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Title:: Motion Picture Herald
Date:: May-Jun 1947
Publisher:: [New York, N.Y. : Quigley Pub. Co.]
Volume:: Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1947)
Leaf #:: 000210
Language:: English
Subjects:: motion pictures, Motion pictures -- Periodicals
Collection:: Hollywood Studio System
Format:: Periodicals
Contributor:: Library of Congress, MBRS, Moving Image Section
Sponsor:: Library of Congress, Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division
Coordinator:: Media History Digital Library
Description:: Founded in 1915 by a Chicago printing company as a regional trade paper for Midwest exhibitors. In 1916, editor Martin Quigley bought out the owners, and over the next 15 years, he grew EXHIBITORS HERALD into one of the most important national, weekly trade papers in the film business. Quigley acquired MOTOGRAPHY in 1917 and MOVING PICTURE WORLD in 1927. In 1930, he acquired MOTION PICTURE NEWS and the new 'consolidated' publication became MOTION PICTURE HERALD. From the pulpit of his editorial page, Quigley preached the need to improve the motion picture industry and improve the quality of the films. He skillfully served as a mediator in disputes -- between distributors and exhibitors, between the film industry and the Catholic Church (Quigley was one of the architects of the Production Code). Quigley claimed that EXHIBITORS HERALD represented the 'independent exhibitor' and sections like 'What the Picture Did for Me?' certainly provided a forum for theater owners. But plenty of exhibitors viewed Quigley as a servant to the studios and large theater chains. In response, publications such as SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, INDEPENDENT EXHIBITORS FILM BULLETIN, HARRISON'S REPORTS, and BOX OFFICE were either formed or grew significantly in the years following Quigley's brief moment of consolidation in 1930. -- Eric Hoyt, 2014
Date Added:: August 29, 2022

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(Continued from preceding page) and the supporting cast. My patrons had very fine things to say about it and the proof was in the big turnout. Business excellent. Played Sunday-Tuesday, April 20-22.— Ken Gorham, Town Hall Theatre, Middlebury, Vt. GUNMAN'S CODE: Kirby Grant, Fuzzy KnightUsed on second half of double bill. Very good for Western fans and kids. Played Friday, Saturday, April 18, 19. — A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Calif. KILLERS, THE: Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner— This is a good show, but a little heavy for some towns. Played Friday, Saturday, April 25, 26. — Orr, Rodman and Bailey, Rex Theatre, Henning, Minn. MAGNIFICENT DOLL: Ginger Rogers, Burgess Meredith — Acting was excellent and picture appealed very much to those who came. It is possibly a little high class for the multitudes but it was appreciated by the college students especially. Crowds were not too large; perhaps because it was played so late. Played Sunday-Tuesday, April 13-15. — Ken Gorham. Town Hall Theatre, Middlebury, Vt. SONG OF SCHEHERAZADE : Brian Donlevy, Yvonne de Carlo — Very colorful and very fine music. Brought full house both days played. Don't fail to book this one. Played Thursday, Friday, April 17, 18. —Don L. Smith, U. S. Naval Air Station, Welfare Theatre, Ottumwa, Iowa. Warner Bros. KINGS ROW: Ann Sheridan, Robert Cummings— Liked by all except the children. Plenty of stars in this show to get you the money. Played Tuesday, Wednesday. April 8, 9.— Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. OF HUMAN BONDAGE: Paul Henreid, Eleanor Parker — Drew well and seemed to please. Played Wednesday, Thursday, March 19, 20.— W. J. Whitmore, Star Theatre, Stanley, N. D. MAN I LOVE THE: Ida Lupino, Robert Alda— Just average with very little drawing power. Played Sunday, Monday, March 30, 31.— Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. NEVER SAY GOODBYE: Errol Flynn, Eleanor Parker — Very pleasing comedy. Played to an above average midweek attendance. Good wholesome comedy like this seems to have a special appeal in this town right now. Played Wednesday, Thursday, April 2, 3. — Rowell Bros. Idle Hour Theatre, Hardwick, Vt. Small town patronage. NEVER SAY GOODBYE: Errol Flynn, Eleanor Parker — This picture pleased everyone, but it failed to do business. Flynn is a good draw as long as he is in an action picture. S. Z. Sakall is a swell comedy star. Played Sunday, Monday, April 6, 7. — Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. NOBODY LIVES FOREVER: John Garfield, Geraldine Fitzgerald — The year which produced probably the best picture ever to come out of Hollywood, also turned out some of the worst films ever to be foisted on the exhibitor in the name of top productions sold at top prices. "Nobody Lives Forever" is my private Academy Award nominee for the worst picture of the year. Although when I get around to awarding the Oscars there will be about 25 others well up in the running. There is nothing good about it. The fact is that I waited expectantly for Garfield to say "Nobody Lives Forever." He did. Qur attendance record only confirmed a growing conviction that you can't fool any of the people any of the time any more. Played Thursday, Friday, April 17, 18.— John R. Cooney, Waldo Theatre, Waldoboro, Maine. Small town patronage. NOBODY LIVES FOREVER: John Garfield, Geraldine Fitzgerald — First alight did fair, but that was all. They spread the news, and we suffered. Played Monday, Tuesday, April 21, 22.— Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ontario. NOBODY LIVES FOREVER: John Garfield, Geraldine Fitzgerald — Good show. Audience reaction was very favorable. Played Wednesday, Thursday, April 16, 17.— Rowell Bros., Idle Hour Theatre, Hardwick, Vt. Small town patronage. NORA PRENTISS: Ann Sheridan, Kent Smith— This is a good show. Seemed to please all who saw it. Has rather a strange plot, and is different from the usual run of mysteries. Has both star power and length. Business good. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, April 15, 16. — Wallace M. Smith, Palace Theatre, Cisco, Texas. ONE MORE TOMORROW: Ann Sheridan, Dennis Morgan — From the high-powered cast in this feature something is a little better than expected. Some of the comedy was good. For those situations which like lightweight films this is it.: Played Monday, April 7. — Ferd J. Hutchings, Community Theatre, Leader, Sask., Can. STOLEN LIFE, A: Bette Davis, Glenn Ford — A very sad fizzle. Flayed on our best time. My customers just won't shell out to hear Bette Davis moan in these sad stories. Just two days stolen out of our life. Played Sunday, Monday, Feb. 9, 10.— N. W. Huston, Maywood Theatre, Galena. Kan. STOLEN LIFE, A: Bette Davis, Glenn Ford— Davis double role had appeal. In all, show was well done. Played Sunday -Tuesday, March 30April 1. — W. J. Whitmore, Star Theatre, Stanley, N. D. THE VERDICT: Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre— This took the count of ten from the audience, and so did the box office. We have always been counted out here as the "hot bed" of Isolationists by the East, and maybe we are, but one thing I know and that is that we cannot sell, with any success, a British locale picture of any sort. It is so, and has been so over the years. Now I expect to have some gripes from our British cousins. But our people are individualists, first, last and all the time. They know that by their efforts (these seven midwest states) they have fed the world, and are proud of it, and you can't force anything they don't want down their throats. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. VERDICT, THE: Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre— Rather tiresome and slow moving. Not the type for a Saturday program and the kids wiggled and squirmed until the Western came on. Skip "The Verdict," if they will let you. Played Friday, Saturday, April 11, 12.— N. W. Huston, Maywood Theatre, Galena, Kan. WILD BILL HICKOK RIDES AGAIN: Bruce Cabot, Constance Bennett — This is a reissue, but it is a swell Western and will please above average business. Play it as it is better than most of the shoddy product we have been forced to play during war times. It has everything. Length, star power, good direction and good story with plenty of action. Played Friday, Saturday, April 18, 19. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Short Features Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer PLAYING BY EAR: Fete Smith Specialties— Good sports reel. Enjoyed by all. — Wallace M. Smith, Palace Theatre, Cisco, Texas. SURE CURES: Pete Smith Specialties— Very amusing. Our patrons seemed to get lots of fun out of it.— Rowell Bros., Idle Hour Theatre, Hardwick, Vt. Paramount THE FISTIC MYSTIC: Popeye the Sailor— This is a good color cartoon with Popeye in the usual jam from which he extricates himself by turning to the trusty can of spinach. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. GOLDEN SLIPPERS: Musical Parades— Something different and our audience liked it very much. How about more of this type? — Wallace M. Smith, Falace Theatre, Cisco, Texas. RKO Radio DOUBLE DRIBBLE: Walt Disney Cartoon— A very fine Disney comedy; both young and old will go for it. Don L. Smith, U. S. Naval Air Station. Welfare Theatre, Ottumwa, Iowa. FLICKER FLASHBACK: — My patrons are tiring of these "oldies." — Terry Axley, New Theatre, England, Arkansas. FLICKER FLASHBACK: — I think RKO should put more time and money on Disney shorts. — Don L. Smith, U. S. Naval Air Station, Welfare Theatre, Ottumwa, Iowa. IN DUTCH: Walt Disney Cartoons— Good cartoon.— S. T. Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomatoh, Ala. MELODY TIME: Musical Featurettes— Music of the old Glenn Miller orchestra. Will go with any feature. —Don L. Smith, U. S. Naval Air Station, Welfare Theatre, Ottumwa, Iowa. WALL ST. BLUES: Edgar Kennedy Comedy— This is the usual good Ed Kennedy comedy. — Abe H. Kaufman, Fountain Theatre, Terre Haute, Ind. Twentieth CenturyFox MIGHTY MOUSE AND THE HEP CAT: Terrytoons — A good color cartoon which will please. — E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. WarnerVitaphone AMERICAN SPORTS ALBUM: Sports ParadeJust a rehash of what has been shown many times before and it is perhaps more interesting. Just a filler. Nothing to rave about. — Fred J. Hutchings, Community Theatre, Leader, Sask., Can. GOOFY GOOFERS: Merrie Melodies Cartoon— Pleasing color cartoon introducing new characters. Liked by all.— Wallace M. Smith, Palace Theatre, Cisco, Texas. RANCH IN WHITE: Sports Parade— This short had real appeal in this locality. Wouldn't be surprised if some of our patrons came especially to see it. We have had some fine shorts from Warners and this is one of their best.— Rowell Bros., Idle Hour Theatre, Hardwick, Vt. KING OF THE EVERGLADES: Sports ParadeGood. Worth playing.— Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Can. RHAPSODY RABBIT: "Bugs Bunny" Specials— This is the best Warner cartoon we have had in a long time and it is excellent by any standards. — John R. Cooney, Waldo Theatre, Waldoboro, Maine. RHAPSODY RABBIT: "Bugs Bunny" SpecialsBugs is a concert pianist in this one and brother, he plays the classics like they have never been played before. There are a few bars of boogie-woogie to keep things jumping. — Bob Fulkerson, Village Theatre, Sunflower, Kan. ROUGHLY SQUEAKING: Merrie Melodies— Car toons — A good cartoon. It has its quota of laughs and is well worth playing. — Fred J. Hutchings, Community j Theatre, Leader, Sask., Can. REMEMBER WHEN : Featurettes — This two-reel j film deals with the gay nineties and is worthwhile entertainment.— E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. SOUTH OF MONTEREY: Featurettes— An informative feature that proved fairly entertaining. A lot of territory was covered and no point was allowed to drag. Not as good as some, but it is still worth play [ ing time. — Fred J. Hutchings, Community Theatre, Leader, Sask., Can. UNDER-SEA SPEAR FISHING: Sports Parade I Another outstanding short subject. Very interesting as well as beautiful. — Rowell Bros., Idle Hour Theatre, j Hardwick, Vt. Serial Republic KING OF THE FOREST RANGERS: 12 EpisodesFair serial. Most chapters of this serial should be sold as one-reel shorts. They are so short. — S. T. Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. PRC Reissues Six Western Films Under New Titles Producers Releasing Corporation is reissuing "streamlined" versions of six old Western features under new titles with the running time of each cut to about 40 minutes. The pictures and their new titles are : "Bad Men of Thundergap" which has been changed to "Thundergap Outlaws"; "Western Cyclone" now "Frontier Fighters"; "Mysterious Rider" now "Panhandle Trail" ; "West of Texas" now "Shootin' Irons"; "Fugitive of the Plains" now "Raiders of Red Rock," and "The Renegade" which has been changed to "Code of the Plains." The pictures were reissued April 26. Seven Managing Warner Drive in Albany Zone Seven "generals" have been appointed to supervise the 13-week C. J. Latta Show Business Drive in the Warner Brothers The j atres Albany zone which started March 30 and continues through June 28. They include Joe Weinstein, western upstate booker ; Ralph E. Crabill, western district manager ; James P. Faughnan, contact manager ; Woodrow Campbell, assistant booker ; Jerry Atkin, assistant advertising manager; Max Friedman, booker and buyer, and Charles A. Smakwitz, assistant zone manager. B'nai B'rith Elects Two Maurice A. Bergman, eastern advertising and publicity director of Universal Pictures, and Robert K. Shapiro, manager of the New York Paramount theatre, have been elected vice-presidents of New York's Cinema i Lodge of B'nai B'rith. [' 50 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, MAY 10, 1947 l!