Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1952)

. . . 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 MONTANA TERRITORY: Lon McAllister, Wanda Hendricks — Baskets of orchids to Columbia for producing such a good little western. It has plenty of action on everything that is needed to bring in the customers. It has romance, action, comedy, drama and suspense. This can be played as a double feature, single bill or any way. Even though it was very short, the climax was excellent. Business very goodl Played Friday, Saturday, September 12, 13. — Jerry B. Walden, Crest Theatre, Seagoville, Texas. OKINAWA: Pat O’Brien, Richard Denning— I do not think that there is any doubt that our audiences are fed up with shooting and killing war pictures. They seem to feel there is enough trouble in the world without bringing it up in our shows. Well done! Small town and country patronage. Played Friday, Saturday. September 5, 6. — S. W. Booth, Booth Theatre, Rich Hill, Mo. MY SIX CONVICTS: Had lots of good comments on this show, but think that the advertising was piixed up. We advertised this as “Fun in the Big House,” and after the picture was over, some of our patrons asked what kind of fun we were used to. It’s a good show anyway. Small town and rural patronage. Played Wednesday, Thursday, September 3, 4. — S. E. Booth, Booth Theatre, Rich Hill, Mo. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer MERRY WIDOW, THE: Lana Turner, Fernando Lamas — This one of the finest musicals of our time. No advertising is needed for this picture. The words “Merry Widow” spell a good box office. Everyone has heard of the waltz of that name, and the stars are well known and people know the story fairly well. We didn’t do a bit of extra advertising and our business was very good. Metro should have a pat on the back for this superb picture. Played Sunday, Monday, September 14, 15. — Jerry B. Walden, Crest Theatre, Seagoville, Texas. WILD NORTH, THE: Stewart Granger, Cyd Charisse — Excellent! Should do well anywhere. Business good for three days, and it takes something unusual for a three day stand here. Ansco color for greatest part of the picture is equal to anything I’ve seen. Don’t underestimate this one. Patrons pleased. Flayed Thursday, Friday, Saturday, September 18, 19, 20. — George Bailey, Lux Theatre, Humboldt, Sask., Canada. Paramount ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN: Jose Ferrer, Kim Hunter — Why we wasted any time at all on this one is still a mystery to me — I surely was asleep when I bought and booked it. My advice is to leave it in the can. Worst attendance of summer. Weather cool. Played Sunday, Monday, June 29, 30.— E. J. Bunnell, Neighborhood Theatre, Loveland, Ohio. ATOMIC CITY, THE: Michael Moore, Nancy Gates — ’This has good suspense — recommend for a double feature. Played Tuesday, September 2. — J. C. Balkcom. Gray Theatre, Gray, Ga. JUST FOR YOU: Bing Crosby, Jane Wyman — A good picture! Business good, but not as good box office as “Here Comes the Groom.” However, I don’t think anyone can go far wrong on this one. Customers satisfied. Iffayed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, September 15, 16, 17. — George Bailey, Lux Theatre, Humboldt, Sask., Canada. MY FAVORITE SPY: Bob Hope, Hedy Lamarr — This was silly. However, people accepted it. There was a slight increase in the lx)x office receipts, but this could be attributed to cooler weather and a holiday weekend. Regardless, I’d never pass up a Bob Hope picture. Played Sunday, Monday, August 31, September 1. — Marcella Smith, Vinton Theatre, McArthur, Ohio. RED MOUNTAIN: Alan Ladd, Lizabeth Scott— This did quite well. I’m always holding my breath for fear people will weary of super-westerns, and there for a while I think they did. However, they came back for this one. Good cast, good acting. Played Sunday, Monday, September 7, 8.— Marcella Smith, Vinton Theatre, McArthur, Ohio. RKO-Radio ALICE IN WONDERLAND: Disney Feature — Too many walk -outs. Rather fantastic and I don’t think the children even enjoyed it. Weather pleasant. Rural and small town patronage. Played Sunday, Monday, August 17, 18. — E. J. Bunnell, Neighborhood Theatre, Ix>veland, Ohio. BLUE VEIL, THE: Jane Wyman, Charles Laughton— Excellent picture— a good lesson in it for many, but did not draw here. We played it late due to length of picture and hot summer weather. What few show customers remained in our locality didn’t eat it up. 'Ihey do not want serious pictures anymore. Weather excellent. Rural and small town patronage. Played Sunday, Monday, September 14, 15. — E. J. Bunnell, Neighborhood Theatre, Loveland, Ohio. DRUMS OF THE DEEP SOUTH: James Craig, Barbara Payton— Super Cinecolor couldn’t save this one from being what it was — just another weekend action picture. Business below average. Audience opinions varied from O.K. to poor. Played Friday, Saturday, September 12, 13. — George Bailey, Lux Theatre, Humboldt, Sask., Canada. Twentieth Century-Fox ELOPEMENT: Clifton Webb, Anne Francis — ’There was entirely too much talk — not a good show for the aifton Webb fans. It had some good scenes, but as for most of the film, it was a dud. Played Wednesday. Thursday, September 10, 11. — J. C. Balkcom, Gray Theatre, Gray, Ga. JAPANESE WAR BRIDE: Shirley Yamaguchi, Don Taylor — This did not draw too well. No walkouts, however. After the first quarter of the picture you knew exactly what would happen next. Acting was good. Played Wednesday, August 27.— Marcella Smith, Vinton Theatre, McArthur, Ohio. JESSE JAMES: Tyrone Power, Henry Fonda — Guess this will never grow too old. The name of “Jesse James” is still big box office. Thanks, Fox, for bringing it back again. Played Sunday, Monday, August 31. September 1. — J. C. Balkcom, Gray Theatre, Gray, Ga. WAIT ’TIL THE SUN SHINES, NELLIE: Jean Peters, Hugh Marlowe — Story well told, but too much on the morbid side. My patrons expected a comedy with music, as the name suggested. Had many walkouts, and to start with, not many came in even to find out what it was all about. Weather excellent. Small town and rural patronage. Played Sunday, Monday, August 3, 4.— E. J. Bunnell, Neighborhood Theatre, Loveland, Ohio. Universal IVORY HUNTER: Anthony Steel, Dinah Sheridan — The picture itself is nothing to brag about and is not good for big towns — it’s a small town picture. Some say this is as good as “King Solomon’s Mines,” but I thoroughly disagree. The color was not top grade Technicolor. Our business was fair— most of our patrons were just curious to see what it was like. Played Sunday, Monday, September 7, 8. — Jerry B. Walden, Crest Theatre, Seagoville, Texas. CIMARRON KID, THE: Audie Murphy, Beverly Tyler — Audie Murphy generally draws them here and this was no exception. Funny how they pick out the ones they want to see and lay off the others. Small town and country patronage. Played Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, August 31, September 1, 2.— S. W. Booth, Booth Theatre, Rich Hill, Mo. FRANCIS GOES TO WEST POINT: Donald O'Connor, Lori Nelson — Not up to “Kettle” business, but grosses better than usual and the picture seemed to please most of our customers. Small town and rural patronage. Played Sunday, Monday, September 7, 8. — S. W. Booth, Booth "I^eatre, Rich Hill, Mo. MA AND PA KETTLE AT THE FAIR: Marjorie Main, Percy Kilbride — What a pleasure to run a picture to wartime grosses. Everybody gets a kick out of the “Kettle” family and wants to see more of these pictures. Give us more light, cheerful pictures. Small town and country patronage. Played Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, August 24, 25, 26. — S. W. Booth, Booth 'Theatre, Rich Hill, Mo. UNTAMED FRONTIER: Joseph Gotten, Shelley Winters — Universal is one of the best companies for making super westerns, and I will say now that this picture is one of their hest. Even though there have been so many westerns that were similar, it seemed to appeal to most of the patrons. Our business wasn’t outstanding but it wasn’t the picture’s fault. When the patrons don’t want to come, they just won’t come. Played Wednesday, Thursday. August 13, 14. — Jerry B. Walden, Crest Theatre, Seagoville, Texas. Warner Bros. CARSON CITY : Randolph Scott, Lucile Norman — Randolph Scott has always been good box office and pleases the action fans. Played Sunday, Monday, September 14, 15. — ^J. C. Balkcom, Gray ’ITieatre, Gray, Ga. DISTANT DRUMS: Gary Cooper, Mari Aldon — This drew fairly well and was well received. We are paying too much for Warner pictures, however, and this is the finish of the contract. They are going to have to come down to earth if they want representation here. Played Sunday, Monday, September 14, 15. — Marcella Smith, Vinton Theatre, McArthur, Ohio. JACK AND THE BEANSTALK: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello — I was afraid of this one, but it did O.K. here. Pleased the adults .as well as the children. It is a popular fairly tale with comedy added. I hope Warners make another one like it. Played Sunday, Monday, September 14, 15. — L. Brazil, Jr., New 'Hieatre, Bearden, Ohio. THREE FOR BEDROOM C: Gloria Swanson, James Warren — Surely a better role could be found for Gloria Swanson — if not, she had better retire again. Played Tuesday, September 16. — J. C. Balkcom, Gray Theatre, Gray, Ga. THREE FOR BEDROOM C: Gloria Swanson, James Warren — More trouble with restless children as well as grown-ups. Warner Bros, had better put those kind back in the can and seal them up for good. Gloria Swanson no draw in this small town. Weather hot and dry. Played Wednesday, Thursday, July 30, 31.— E. J. Bunnell, Neighborhood Theatre, Loveland. Ohio. 40 MOTION PICTURE HERALD. OCTOBER 4, 1952