Motion Picture Herald (1953)

{Continued from preceding page) a good performance, and George Winslow, “tlie kid with the foghorn voice,” brings out a lot of laughs. Business was average in spite of the pre-Christmas lull. Played Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, December 14, 15, 16. — Mel Edelstein, Lybba Theatre, Hibbing, Minn. MY PAL GUS: Richard Widmark, Joanne Dru — Although the Legion of Decency gave this picture a “B” rating, I believe the questionable content is over the heads of yoiuigsters. It is a very entertaining picture and is well liked. For the two days, did a 75% business, which we consider good at this time. Played Sunday, Monday, January 18, 19. — Dick Smith, Albany Theatre, Albany, Ind. O. HENRY’S FULL HOUSE; All Star CastEnough cannot be said about this truly magnificent motion picture. Everyone who came to see it enjoyed every minute. Most patrons who commented on the picture seemed to enjoy the episode entitled “The Gift of the Magi.” Jeanne Crain is very popular in our community and that may be the reason. However, our business was only fair. Played Sunday, Monday, January 4, 5. — Jerry B. Walden, Crest Theatre, Seagoville, Texas. PONY SOLDIER: Tyrone Power, Cameron Mitchell — Although this picture tends to be a little too “talky,” it should prove to be a good attraction. It stars -off with a lot of action and it has all the earmarks of being another “Broken Arrow.” However, it soon develops the narrative and discards the action. In spite of these handicaps, business was very good, so I’ve no complaints. Played Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, December 27, 28, 29, 30. — Mel Edelstein, Lybba Theatre, Hibbing, Minn. PONY SOLDIER: Tyrone Power, Cameron Mitchell — Average good picture with a good, clean story. Beautiful scenery in Technicolor, but didn’t think Power very impressive as a Mountie. Tliis picture would be better for a weekend run. Business about 55% for the three days. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, January 20, 21, 23. — Dick Smith, Albany Theatre, Albany, Ind. WAY OF A GAUCHO': Gene Tierney, Rory Calhoun —This Technicolor outdoor adventure picture was well received by our patrons and the comments were good. Rory Calhoim portrays the gaucho in a convincing manner. The picture was filmed in Argentina and the photography is first rate. For some reason, however, the picture failed at the box office. Maybe it’s the title. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, 'Thursday, Friday, December 23, 24, 25, 26. — Mel Edelstein, Lybba Theatre, Hibbing, Minn. WITH A SONG IN MY HEART: Susan Hayward, David Wayne — This is truly a wonderful picture. I saw it at a city theatre and then at ours. I think it is more of a city picture, as I noticed the audience I'eaction was quite different. In the large theatre you could hear a pin drop, but in ours people were restless, etc. I don’t think they truly appreciated what they were seeing, which is a shame. I do not like to recommend it for small situations; however, I surely hate to see an exhibitor pass it up. It drew well, so I can’t complain in that respect. Played Sunday, Monday, December 28, 29. — Marcella Smith, Vinton Theatre, McArthur, Ohio. Universal AGAINST ALL FLAGS: Errol Flynn, Maureen O’Hara— Excellent sea picture, but to tell the truth, we have had so many of this type that it ruined the Ix)x office on this film. I was sorry, too, because this was extra good. Another reason our business wasn’t very good is that we played the picture before Dallas, as we generally benefit from their advertising. Played Sunday, Monday, January 11, 12. — Jerry B. Walden, Crest Theatre, Seagoville, Texas. DUEL AT SILVER CREEK: Audie Murphy, Faith Domerogue— A very good action western. Don’t pass this one up if you have western patrons. I class this boy Murphy right up with John Wayne and Randolph Scott. His pictures always pull them in for me. I hope Universal doesn’t let him go. Did better than average business. Played Sunday, Monday, January 18, 19. — James Hardy, Shoals Theatre, Shoals, Ind. DUEL AT SILVER CREEK: Audie Murphy, Faith Domergue — An average western for an average box office. Weather good. Played Friday, Saturday, January 2, 3. — Dave Seng, Karlstad 'flieatre, Karlstad, Minn. FRANCIS GOES TO WEST POINT: Donald O’Connor, Piper Laurie — These “Francis” pictures sure do bring them in here. I have played them all and I did better than average business with them. Seems to me these small towns sure go for them. Keep ’em coming, U. I.! Played Sunday, Monday, January 4, 5.— James Hardy, Shoals Tlieatre, Shoals, Ind. IT GROWS ON TREES: Irene Dunne, Dean Jagger — This picture surely surprised me. With the excellent trailer and the good advertising schemes put out by Universal, I had expected this to be the year’s best grosser. But was disappointed with the poor crowds. My Sunday crowd was so poor that we went $15 below expenses. 'Tlie title is wrong for the picture. “Money Grows on Trees” would have been better than “It Grows on Trees,” as there are quite a few things that grow on trees! Played Sunday, Monday, January 25, 26. — Jerry Walden, Crest Theatre, Seagoville, Texas. '"‘ffti-image, three techniques •'now/edge L ' Service " technical , '<t equip. '^‘Jlti-orojector <t'mension, multi-' warehouse of J every Altec REASONS ALTiC GIVES B ETTE R S E RV I C E SERVICE CAN’T BE JUDGED ON COST ALONE. Cheap service can be expensive through unnecessary replacements and failures caused by lack of knowledge. Every Altec Service Man is kept up-to-date on the best method for servicing every piece of booth and sound equipment. His know-how and the technical assistance at his fingertips are your most economical operating insurance. For trouble-free operation have Altec install, service and repair your booth and sound equipment. ML 161 Sixth Ave..New York 13, N.Y SERY C£ CORPORATION The finest technical service for theatres LAWLESS BREED, THE: Rock Hudson, Julia Adams — Business was very, very good, and the reason for this is the excellent acting done by both Rock Hudson and Julia Adams. I think exhibitors should recognize Julia Adams’ wonderful portrayal of Wes Hardin’s wife a magnificent job, and I would consider her for the Academy Award nominations next March. The story content was also good, which made this very good picture an all-out wonderful western. Played Sunday, Monday, December 28, 29.— Jerry B. Walden, Crest Theatre, Seagoville, Texas. SALLY AND ST. ANNE: Ann Blyth, Edmund Gwenn — Played this New Year’s day to a very good house. This is a nice little picture that you cannot go wrong on. Weather good. Played Thursday, January 1— Dave Seng, Karlstad Theatre, Karlstad, Minn. STEEL TO|WN : Ann Sheridan, John Lund — A very good, entertaining picture about the making of steel. It also has a good story to go with it, which makes it still better. You can’t go wrong with this one. 1 played it late but did fair with it both nights. U. 1. sure makes them for small towns, which includes me. Played Thursday, Friday, January 8, 9.— James Hardy, Shoals Theatre, Shoals, Ind. UNTAMED FRONTIER: Joseph Gotten, Shelley Winters— I thought I’d try a western picture on a Sunday for a change, and this one filled the bill very nicely. Tlie picture has a good cast and the story is acceptable. The only fault I could sense from the audience reaction was that it was a little too short on action. Played Sunday, Monday, January 4, 5. — Mel Edelstein, Lybba Theatre, Hibbing, Minn. WILLIE & JOE BACK AT THE FRONT: Tom Ewell, Harvey Lembeck — I would say this is a good comedy for small town exhibition, but they didn’t turn out too well here — 75% first night, dropped to 65% the second night and down to 50% the third night. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, January 13, 14, 15. — Dick Smith, Albany 'Theatre, Albany, Ind. Warner Bros. ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET CAPTAIN KIDD: Bud .'\bbott. Lou Costello — A very poor picture and didn’t draw very well in our community. I can’t ever figure out how studios think that pirates, etc., singing as they did in this film, would go over. Some of the sequences were very poor. 'The best acting was done by Charles Laughton, who played the part of Captain Kidd. Played Wednesday, Tliursday, January 14, 15. — Jerry B. Walden, Crest Theatre, Seagoville, Texas. APRIL IN PARIS: Ray Bolger, Doris Day — This picture has music, laughs and nice Technicolor, not to mention Doris Day. It’s good entertainment, but not quite up to other Doris Day previous musicals. Played the picture on New Year’s and the audience seemed to like it. Played Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, December 31. January 1, 2, 3. — Mel Edelstein, Lybba Theatre, Hibbing, Minn. APRIL IN PARIS: Ray Bolger, Doris Day — This picture didn’t draw at my theatre as well as other Doris Day pictures have done. Warners are going to ruin Doris’ popularity by teaming her with the wrong actors. Ray Bolger may be a good dancer, but as far as looks and singing are concerned, he is awful. Gordon MacRae would have been better in this part than Ray Bolger. He scares the customers away, just like he did in “Where’s Charley?” Played Wednesday, Thursday, January 21, 22. — Jerry B. Walden, Crest 'Theatre, Seagoville, Texas. CARSON CITY: Randolph Scott, Lucille Norman — Here is a very “A” western in the new Warner color, which sets it off. I don’t play many westerns on Sunday, but this one is good enough for Sunday in any town. Randolph Scott always did go over here. I am still bucking TV here. I had average crowds both nights. You can’t go wrong on this one. Played Sunday, Monday, January 11, 12. — James Hardy, Shoals Theatre, Shoals, Ind. STORY OF WILL ROGERS: Jane Wyman, Will Rogers, Jr. — Extra work on this made extra money for us. This is a very good picture and was liked by all who saw it. Weather good. Played Sunday, Monday, January 11, 12. — Dave Seng, Karlstad, Minn. Shorts Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer BARNEY’S HUNGRY COUSIN: Technicolor Cartoon— Some of the situations are a little ridiculous, but who cares, as long as the laughs are many. Another e.xcellent cartoon from M-G-M.— Mel Edelstein, Lybba Theatre, Hibbing, Minn. tee for TWO: Gold Medal Technicolor Reprint Cartoon — An excellent 'Tom & Jerry — best of series. — Jerry B. Walden, Crest Theatre, Seagoville, 'Tex. RKO-Radio ROARING GAME, THE: This short subject has to do with curling which is well participated in, in this community. 'The number one curler, Ken Watson, demonstrates various points of the game. If you have curlers in your community, play this reel and tell them about it as it’s very good. — Mel Edelstein, Lybba 'Theatre, Hibbing, Minn. 40 MOTION PICTURE HERALD. FEBRUARY 14. I9B3