Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1948)

(Continued from preceding page) feature, and the picture, although old, was far above the average comedy. Seems the Ritz Brothers, after long absence from the screen, are to be teamed with Abbott and Costello for a future film entitled "Hatfields & McCoys," based on a Kentucky feud. Should be a natural. Played Thursday, Friday, Nov. 25, 26. — Robert H. Perkins, Lynn Theatre, Woodbine, Ky. Small town patronage. STONE OF SILVER CREEK: Buck Jones— Played first half of Thanksgiving twin bill. The trailer on this made me fear the results. But, much to my amazement, it was well received. Realart has new prints on these Buck Jones features. You, too, will be surprised at the light and sound. _ This Buck Jones film presented a refreshing angle, in comparison to our present day Westerns. I intend to try more of these. Played Thursday, Friday, Nov. 25, 26.— Robert H. Perkins, Lynn Theatre, Woodbine, Ky. Small town patronage. Republic DRIFTWOOD: Ruth Warrick, Walter Brennan— My nomination for the best small picture award of 1947-48. This little Miss Natalie Wood gives forth a characterization that has never before been equalled on my screen. She is superb. Business was average, but those who attended were emotionally aroused. Comments very good. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 3.— Robert H. Perkins, Lynn Theatre, Woodbine, Ky. Small town patronage. IN OLD SACRAMENTO: William Elliott, Constance Moore — We always do a good business with William Elliott in a big Western, and this was no exception. Played Thursday, Friday, Sept. 23, 24.— Frank Patterson, Joy Theatre, Dubach, La. I'VE ALWAYS LOVED YOU: Maria Ouspenskaya, Philip Dorn — Very good color, beautiful scenery. Little too much piano music. Do not recommend for a small town. If you have a lot of opera lovers, then book this picture. Played Friday, Saturday, Nov. 5, 6.— N. C. Philip, Glentworth Community Hall Cooperative Ass'n, Ltd., Glentworth, Sask., Canada. Screen Guild HOLLYWOOD BARN DANCE: Ernest Tubb, Lori Talbot— Although I personally do not care for this type of program, it is specifically what the doctor ordered for small town and rural patronage. Outgrossed any previous Sunday and Monday business. Am anxiously awaiting with open arms the _ lucky company who signs Eddy Arnold. I believe it will be his first picture. Played Sunday, Monday, Oct. 31, Nov. 1.— Robert H. Perkins, Lynn Theatre, Woodbine, Ky. Small town patronage. Twentieth Century Fox BLACK BEAUTY: Mona Freeman, Richard Denning— A very nice horse show. Many came to see this the second time. Played MondayWednesday, Oct. 18-20.— J. A. Herner, Dodsland Theatre, Dodsland, Sask., Canada. DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK: Claudette Colbert, Henry Fonda — A reissue that really pulled them in. Plenty of action. Good story and good acting all helped to make this one of the best. 20th-Fox reissues are all good bets and this maintained their high batting average. Have yet to play one that didn't draw. This is excellent. Played Saturday, Nov. 20.— Fred J. Hutchings, Community Theatre, Leader, Sask., Canada. FRONTIER MARSHAL: Randolph Scott, Nancy Kelly— Another reissue that did above average business here and pleased 100 per cent. If you need action on a weekend play it. Played Friday, Saturday, Nov. 5, 6.— W. R. Pyle, Dreamland Theatre, Rockglen, Sask., Canada. GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROADWAY: Dan Dailey, Nancy Guild— A fine picture that will do business. Good color and good story. It pleased everyone. Good box office. Played Sunday, Monday, Nov. 14, 15.— Albert Hefferan, Crown Theatre, Marne, Mich. GREEN GRASS OF WYOMING: Peggy Cummins, Charles Coburn— I played this one on a Saturday double bill, as I was late playing it, and we had a hard time finding enough seats to put everybody in. The best Saturday we have had in almost a year. Really a good picture. Played Saturday, Nov. 20.— P. B. Williams, Gretna Theatre, Gretna, Va. MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET: John Payne, Maureen O'Hara— A really wonderful picture that only did average business here. Maybe it was my fault for not giving it the big push it deserved. Played Friday, Saturday, Nov. 12, 13.— W. R. Pyle, Dreamland Theatre, Rockglen, Sask., Canada. MY DARLING CLEMENTINE: Henry Fonda, Linda Darnell— Not a bad Western. Received quite a few good compliments on this picture. Played Friday, Saturday, Nov. 12, 13.— J. A. Herner, Dodsland Theatre, Dodsland, Sask., Canada. SCUDDA HOO, SCUDDA HAY: June Haver, Lon McCallister— A good picture in spite of a bad name. It did very well and everybody liked it. Played Friday, Saturday, Nov. 19, 20.— D. A. Boyle, Empress Theatre, Macleod, Alberta, Canada. STREET WITH NO NAME, THE: Mark Stevens, Barbara Lawrence — This is a semi-documentary picture. Well produced and a tense story. But it did not do business for some unknown reason. It may be too close to Christmas. — A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. United Artists BODY AND SOUL: John Garfield, Lilli Palmer— A good picture but we failed to do the business on it. However, it was well liked by all who saw it. Played Saturday and Monday, Sept. 25 , 27.— Frank Patterson, Joy Theatre, Dubach, La. COMEDY CARNIVAL: Hal Roach Comedies— A swell comedy that pleased everyone. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Nov. 10, 11.— B. B. Nielsen, Scenic Theatre, Tyler, Minn. Universal HELLZAPOPPIN: Olsen & Johnson, Martha Raye— Don't miss this picture. This will do business. We sure were surprised with this as we did a wonderful business and the picture was so funny we had patrons come back the second night saying that they never laughed so hard in their lives before. A picture that really pleased both young and old. It was sure a pleasure to hear the people laugh and it was lots of fun and a good time was had by all. Just don't miss playing it as it will go over well. Played Friday, Saturday, Nov. 19, 20. — Albert Hefferan, Crown Theatre, Marne, Mich. LARCENY: John Payne. Joan Caulfield — Crisp, clever dialogue. Doubled with "Mickey" to fair business. Played Sunday-Tuesday, Nov. 28-30.— Elliot R. Fine, Deluxe Theatre, Detroit, Mich. MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION: Robert Taylor, Irene Dunne — Very slow business. Serial, "Lost City of the Jungle" helped a little. Received many remarks about this film being old. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 24.— John Blevins, Rialto Theatre, Mullens, W. Va. MR. PEABODY AND THE MERMAID: William Powell, Ann Blyth — Not a big picture but a different one. Although we had a big turnout of children it is not their type of picture. Adults enjoyed it. Students and teenagers enjoyed the water scenes. Business average. Played SaturdayWednesday, Nov. 20-24. — Frank Aydelotte, Trail Theatre, Fort Colline, Colo. RIVER LADY: Rod Cameron, Yvonne De Cark^ Tliis drew a good crowd the first night but rain knocked it for a loop the second. The people here like pictures with pretty color and fist fights so I guess they thoroughly enjoyed this one. Played Monday, Tuesday. Nov. 22, 23.— P. B. Williams, Gretna Theatre, Gretna, Va. TAP ROOTS: Susan Hay ward, Van Heflin— We were kind of shaky about playing this picture three days but when the engagement ended we were glad we did. People came to see this who had never been in the theatre before. Some even said that they thought it better than "Gone with the Wind." Played Wednesday -Friday, Nov. 24-26. — P. B. Williams, Gretna Theatre, Gretna, Va. . TAP "ROOTS: Van Heflin, Susan Hayward, Boris Karloff — Karloff's British accent as the Indian Tishamingo and the lack of any southern accent from the entire cast kept this one from being up in the class with better productions. Had it not been for this it would have come close to "GWTW." The story was followed closely, beautifully photographed in Technicolor. It is above average film fare. Comments very good. Business above average. Played Tuesday Wednesday, Nov. 30-Dec. 1.— Frank Aydelotte, Trail Theatre, Fort Collins, Colo. Warner Bros. ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, THE: Errol Flynn, Olivia DeHavilland — This far exceeded expectations. We played this picture before and didn't do the business we enjoyed this week. I would say book it. Played Thursday. Friday, Nov. 25 , 26.— Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Canada. ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, THE: Errol Flynn, Olivia DeHavilland — This didn't go over like it did the second time in Tilbury, as they opened a new community hall here. That cramped our style. Played Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 25-27. — Harland Rankin, Eire Theatre, Wheatley, Ont., Canada. DARK PASSAGE: Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Becall —This drew the biggest crowd of any Bogart picture yet played. It isn't his best by any means but our patrons seemed to be well satisfied. The management definitely was and that is what counts. This was good standard entertainment and worth playing. Played Friday, Nov. 19. — Fred J. Hutchings, Community Theatre, Leader, Sask., Canada. JOHNNY BELINDA: Jane Wyman, Lew Ayres— Don't, be afraid to buy it. It is a fine picture and pleased everyone who saw it, including the men. Played Sunday-Thursday, Nov. 14-18. — Joe Turner, Lawton Theatre Co., Lawton, Okla, JUNE BRIDE: Bette Davis, Robert MontgomeryThis lady has been failing at the box office for us for a long time and this change of pace for her was welcome. She did all right in this role. But one swallow does not make a summer, neither does one good picture make up for those that failed so miserably. However, I think that she will be more favorably received after this one for it is right clever comedy. And for once the audience gave her a hand on coming out. They have not done that on her former pictures.—A. E. Hancock, Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. NORA PRENTISS : Ann Sheridan, Kent Smith— Not a bad picture. The ending seemed very complicated. Rated average. Played Friday, Saturday, Nov. 19, 20. — J. A. Herner, Dodsland Theatre, Dodsland, Sask. PURSUED: Teresa Wright, Robert Mitchum — A fairly good story. Rated average. A lot of killings but the story held the proper interest. Played Friday, Saturday, Nov. 5, 6.— J. A. Herner, Dodsland Theatre, Dodsland, Sask., Canada. ROPE, THE: Jimmy Stewart, John Dall, Joan Chandler — This one grossed well but didn't please. If you play it warn the kids to stay away. Played Sunday-Tuesday, Nov. 7-9.— Joe Turner, Lawton Theatre Co., Lawton, Okla. STALLION ROAD: Zachary Scott, Alexis SmithFine small town picture that did a splendid business. They came from far and wide to see this one. Played Friday, Saturday, Nov. 5, 6.— H. M. Swam, Maynard Theatre, Maynard, Minn. TWO GUYS FROM TEXAS: Dennis Morgan, Jack Carson — They laughed and left the theatre singing the many hit tunes. Held up well for four days including a holiday matinee. Played Wednesday-Saturday, Nov. 24-27— Elliot R. Fine, DeLuxe Theatre, Detroit, Mich. UNSUSPECTED, THE: Joan Caulfield, Claude Raines — Nothing but murder. Our lowest gross. I don't see why anyone should write a story like that. Played MondayWednesday, Oct. 25-27.— J. A. Horner, Dodsland Theatre, Dodsland, Sask., Canada. Short Features Columbia ANIMAL CRACKER CIRCUS: Color FavoritesThis went over very big. — Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Canada. HOT SCOTS: All Star Comedies — As usual the Stooges are" always . well received here. They are my number one short subject. In some instances their presence means as much as the program feature.— Robert H. Perkins, Lynn Theatre, Woodbine, Ky. OUT OF THIS WORLD SERIES: Screen Snap shots— They seemed to enjoy this immensely.— Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont., Canada. ROLLING DOWN TO RENO: All Star Comedies: —To my surprise this was very entertaining. Was well received by my Sunday and Monday patrons. — Robert H. Perkins, Lynn Theatre, Woodbine, Ky. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer DRUNK DRIVING: Two-Reel Specials— One of the most timely shorts we have ever played. Every man, woman and child should see it and take heed to the message it carries. — P. B. Williams, Gretna Theatre, Gretna, Va. LITTLE TINKER: MGM Technicolor CartoonsVery good Technicolor cartoon which was enjoyed by all.— P. B. Williams, Gretna Theatre, Gretna, Va. RKO Radio I'LL BUILD IT MYSELF: Edgar Kennedy— This is worth the money asked for. Play this if possible.— N. C. Philip, Glentworth Community Hall Co-operative Assn., Ltd., Glentworth, Sask., Canada. IN ROOM 303: Leon Errol— This short was not up to par. The Errol shorts all have the same time-worn angle — husband steps out on wife, etc. Some are good, but not this one. — Robert H. Perkins, Lynn Theatre, Woodbine, Ky. Universal FIGHT OF THE WILD STALLIONS: Musical Western — Got fooled on this one. We bought it and thought it was in color. — N. C. Philip, Glentworth Community Hall Co-operative Assn., Ltd., Glentworth, Sask., Canada. WELL OILED: Lantz Color Cartunes— Play this one. Nice color. Lots of laughs. — N. C. Philip, Glentworth Community Hall Co-operative Assn., Ltd., Glentworth, Sask., Canada. Open Virginia House The Price theatre, a new 672-seat house in Dunbar, W. Va., opened December 3. E. R. Custer and Associates own it. 38 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, DECEMBER 18, 1948