Motion Picture Herald (Aug-Oct 1947)

"what the picture did for . . . 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 DEAD RECKONING: Humphrey Bogart, Lizabeth Scott — Bogart is still holding out here. This is the only kind of picture for him. Business average. Played Sunday, Monday, Sept. 21, 22. — Frank Thomasson, Pike Theatre, Murfreesboro, Ark. JOLSON STORY, THE: Larry Parks, Evelyn Keyes — This was milked dry before we got it. Average business. I believe that Parks plays Jolson better than Jolson could. Technicolor and sound was the best. Played Sunday, Monday, Sept. 14, 15. — Frank Thomasson, Pike Theatre, Murfreesboro, Ark. JOLSON STORY, THE: Larry Parks, William Demarest — Fine production. You have to give it to Larry Parks. He did a nice job of imitating Al Jolson. Columbia is stepping out these days. Played SundayWednesday, Sept. 7-10. — Moe Barney, Barney's Theatre, Petersburg, Va. LAST OF THE REDMEN, THE: Jon Hall, Evelyn Ankers — The box office receipts showed that they really liked this one. It's the perfect formula to hypo your weekend business. Also, the Cinecolor seems to be improving in quality, and there were no dual, red and blue images in this one. Flayed Friday, Saturday, Sept. 12, 13. — George E. Janes, Ojai Theatre, Ojai, Cal. LAST OF THE REDMEN, THE: Jon Hall, Evelyn Ankers — Very excellent color and acting. This kind of picture really pays off in this rural community. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Sept. 10, 11. — Frank Thomasson, Pike Theatre, Murfreesboro. Ark. LOVE OF RUSTY: Ted Donaldson, Tom Powers— Although not a strong picture, this seemed to please the weekend patrons, and there were several favorable comments by parents. Double billed with "Strange Journey," and business was average. By the way, it would be better for Columbia if they didn't bother to inspect their prints before they are sent here. Their splices all break in the operator's hands during inspection. Someone should tell them about that wonderful invention called film cement. Played Friday, Saturday, Aug. 29, 30.— George E. Janes, Ojai Theatre, Ojai, Cal. Eagle Lion BEDELIA: Magaret Lockwood, Ian Hunter— Why must we be bothered with these English films. We apologize to our patrons after each show. Played Monday, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 16.— Melvin Lipnick, Inverness Theatre, Inverness, Miss. Film Classics JUNGLE BOOK, THE: Sabu— Business was good but, goodness gracious, what a print! It took four and a half hours to inspect the first reel and I had a big. fat sample of cut-outs to send back to FC. The projectionists did a wonderful job, because we had but one stop. You might make some money on this if you can get your print a week in advance. We were told this was the best print they had and no other was obtainable. Played Friday, Saturday, Sept. 19, 20.— George E. Janes, Ojai Theatre, Ojai, Cal. WRANGLERS ROOST: Ray Corrigan, John KingGood Western. Bad print. Played Friday, Saturday, Au?. 29, 30.— Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer COCKEYED MIRACLE, THE: Frank Morgan, Keenan Wynn — Played to small town patronage. Metro could have saved a lot of celluloid on this one. Far below average business (54 per cent). Played Sunday, Monday, Aug. 6, 7.— H. G. Moore, Fox Theatre, Brighton, Ala. CYNTHIA: Elizabeth Taylor, Mary Astor— I, too, fell in love with Cynthia after the take was counted Sunday night. Business dropped off on Monday, but we still came out ahead. This is a very satisfying and enjoyable picture, and Miss Taylor is on her way up. It's good to see Mary Astor back again, too. Flayed Sunday, Monday, Sept. 21, 22— George E. Janes, Ojai Theatre, Ojai, Cal. DARK DELUSION: Lionel Barrymore, Lucille Bremer — Business was a little below average on this one, but most of them liked it. Many were fascinated by Miss Bremer's resemblance to Bette Davis. I imagine these Dr. Gillespie series have quite a following, as they are very informative. Played Sunday, Monday, Sept. 14, 15.— George E. Janes, Ojai Theatre, Ojai, Cal. FIESTA: Esther Williams, Ricardo Montalban— Technicolor draws here. Good business. Good comments. Picture fair (exhibitor's opinion). Wonderful music. Played Friday, Saturday, Sept. 19, 20. — Joseph Stevens, Hudson Theatre, Cold Spring, N. Y. GREAT WALTZ, THE: Luise Rainer, Fernand Gravet — This is an exceptionally fine musical drama and it did good business. This was its first showing in this territory and many people came who had never been to our show before. You have to keep one hand on the fader while running it. The volume goes up and down like a pogo stick. Played Tuesday-Thursday, Sept. 9-11. — George E. Janes, Ojai Theatre, Ojai, Cal. HUCKSTERS, THE: Clark Gable, Deborah Kerr— Some liked it and some didn't. This still is not Gable's type of role. Our patrons like Gable, but only in a tailor-made part. Our business, which was just fair for this one, probably would have been tripled had we been playing "San Francisco," "Test Pilot," "Too Hot to Handle," or one of the other good ones he made in the old days. Played Sunday-Tuesday, Aug. 31-Sept. 2. — George E. Janes, Ojai Theatre, Ojai, Cal. HUCKSTERS, THE: Clark Gable, Deborah Kerr — Average business. Audience reaction: too long and boring— can't compare with the book. Gable's name draws them in. Played Sunday, Monday, Sept. 21, 22. —Joseph Stevens, Hudson Theatre, Cold Spring, N. Y. MIGHTY McGURK, THE: Wallace Beery, Edward Arnold— Used on weekend double bill to good business. Just right for our trade. Good old Wally, may he carry on his splendid career, for his pictures mean good, wholesome entertainment. Played Friday, Saturday, Sept. 19, 20.— A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. Small lumber town patronage. MY BROTHER TALKS TO HORSES: Peter Lawford, Jackie "Butch" Jenkins — A swell little picture. Metro should try making more like it and forget some of their sophisticated ones. You can use this one as a tiein with your lower grade school. Don't sell it short. Business 97 per cent. Flayed Tuesday, Aug. 26.— H. G. Moore, Fox Theatre, Brighton, Ala. TILL THE CLOUDS ROLL BY: Robert Walker, Judy Garland — Truly a wonderful picture. Filled with everything pleasing and played to satisfied customers. Business good. Played Monday, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2. — Melvin Lipnick, Inverness Theatre, Inverness, Miss. Monogram NEWS HOUNDS: Leo Gorcey, Christine Mclntyre —Played this with "Michigan Kid" to swell box office receipts. Played Friday, Saturday, Sept. 19, 20. — C. V. Martina, Rialto Theatre, Albion, N. Y. Paramount BLUE SKIES: Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire— This is a really good feature that did good business for us and should go over anywhere. Played Sunday, Monday, Sept. 14, 15. — A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. Small lumber town patronage. CALIFORNIA: Ray Milland, Barbara StanwyckOne of the best. The musical score at the beginning of the picture was excellent. Technicolor was good, and business was better. Played Sunday, Monday, Aug. 31, Sept. 1. — Frank Thomasson, Pike Theatre, Murfreesboro, Ark. CALIFORNIA: Ray Milland, Barbara Stanwyck— You fellows (general or small town patronage) are missing a mighty fine picture and a good repeat performance if you don't go back and pick this one up. Had 127 per cent business. Played Sunday, Monday, Aug. 13, 14.— H. G. Moore, Fox Theatre, Brighton, Ala. CALCUTTA: Alan Ladd, William Bendix— Remember Buster Keaton always the dead pan. Above is Buster all over. Story trite. The same herring with a new dressing. Should have been allocated as a "B." Played Thursday, Friday. — Phil Schwartz, Parkway Theatre, Bridgeport, Conn. ' DANGER STREET: Jane Withers, Robert Lowery — Used on second half of double bill. Not so hot. Some walkouts. Played Friday, Saturday, Sept. 19, 20.— A. C. Edwards, Winema Theatre, Scotia, Cal. Small lumber town patronage. IMPERFECT LADY, THE: Ray Milland, Teresa Wright — Business dropped. English dialogue too much for audience. No action. Pass up, even for a double bill. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Sept. 24, 25 — Joseph Stevens, Hudson Theatre, Cold Spring, N. Y. NORTHWEST MOUNTED POLICE: Gary Cooper, Madeline Carroll — A mighty good bring-back for large or small theatre, downtown or suburban. It's anybody's picture and everyone will enjoy seeing it again. Played to 131 per cent business. Played Sunday, Monday, Sept. 3, 4.— H. G. Moore, Fox Theatre, .Brighton, Ala. SEARCHING WIND, THE: Robert Montgomery, Ann Richards — I guess if you have not bought this, you do not intend to, as it is pretty old. In case you haven't bought it don't, especially if your theatre is located in a small town. The few who came left early. Played Thursday, Friday.— Mrs. M. D. Williams, Oliver Theatre, Oliver Spring, Tenn. TROUBLE WITH WOMEN, THE: Ray Milland, Teresa Wright — The picture was good, but Paramount oversold this poor box office attraction. Played Wednesday, Sept. 10.— C. V. Martina, Rialto Theatre, Albion, N. Y. VARIETY GIRL: Mary Hatcher, DeForest Kelley —This is not what it was cracked up to be. We played it an extra day, which was a mistake, and it fell flat on the third day. Played Sunday -Tuesday, Sept. 7-9.— C. V. Martina, Rialto Theatre, Albion, N. Y. PRC UNTAMED FURY: Gaylord Pendleton, Mikel Conrad— A good picture, but a little overrated, especially the actor Gaylord Pendleton, who played "Gator" in the picture. It is based on the people who live in the Florida swamps. Played Thursday, Friday, Sept. 18, 19.— Mrs. M. D. Williams, Oliver Theatre, Oliver Springs, Tenn. RKO Radio A LIKELY STORY: Bill Williams, Barbara Hale— This is a nice and unusual little comedy which was thoroughly enjoyed. Business, however, was stinko. The title was a great help in killing this one. Most of the patrons were those who had seen the trailer. A small town such as Ojai needs something stronger than this single bill, at least during the first seven units of the week. Played Sunday, Monday, Sept. 7, 8. — George E. Janes, Ojai Theatre, Ojai, Cal. BACHELOR AND THE BOBBY-SOXER, THE: Cary Grant, Shirley Temple, Myrna Loy — A well made comedy-drama that has box office appeal. Played Sunday, Monday, Sept. 21, 22.— C. V. Martina, Rialto Theatre, Albion, N. Y. BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES, THE: Myrna Loy .Fredric March — It's entitled to every Oscar awarded. One of the best I have seen for some time. The only thing wrong is that I had to show it at $1.20 top in a suburban situation, and lost money. Here's hoping RKO and the producers wake up to the fact and let small theatres cut admissions. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Sept. 10, 11.— H. G. Moore, Fox Theatre, Brighton, Ala. DICK TRACY VERSUS CUEBALL: Morgan Conway, Anne Jefferys — Swell show but my grownups probably thought it was a kids' show and stayed (Continued on following page) MOTION PICTURE HERALD, OCTOBER II, 1947 49