Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Mar 1956)

^lAJkat iLe f^icture did ic 9f or me . . . 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. Allied Artists SEVEN ANGRY MEN: Raymond Massey, Debra Paget — Tliis is the story of John Brown and his sons. Some good acting in this. However, it seems anything historical doesn't do well here. Played Tuesday, January 17. — Michael Cliiaventone, Valley Tlieatre, Spring Valley, III. SPY CHASERS: Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall — This gave us our best single day so far this year. (It was the first one.) The Bowery Boys seem to be slipping a little in this one. However, the kids and BoweryBoys’ addicts eat these up. Played Tuesday, January 3. — Michael Ciaventone, Valley Theatre, Spring Valley, 111. Columbia THREE STRIPES IN THE SUN: Aldo Ray. Phil Carey — This one took up three days midweek only to throw us for a loss ands didn’t earn its right to play over the entire circuit. How Columbia has the nerve to charge percentage for this one is beyond my conception as a showman. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, January 17, 18. — Hugh G. Martin, Palace Theatre, Leesburg, Fla. Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer INTERRUPTED MELODY: Glenn Ford, Eleanor Parker — Good picture, but too classical for small towns. After all the “opera” is over and the story begins, most people have already left. If they sit through the first hour or so, they’ll like the rest. Played Wednesday, Thursday, January 11, 12.— Michael Chiaventone, Valley Theatre. Spring Valley, III. LONG, LONG TRAILER. THE; Lucille Hall. Desi Arnaz — (lood famdy bill recognized by T\*-ra<lio fans as the stars of "I I^ove Lucy,” but all my family fans must have been watching “I Love Lucy” instead. Played Tuesday, Wednesday. February 7, 8.Lew Bray, Jr., Queen Theatre, ^icAllen. Texas. TRIAL; Glenn Ford, Dorothy McGuire — Not on preferred time, but the box office didn’t know that. Nice business for a swell picture. Wish I could force this on those who didn’t buy — because they need its lesson more than the average. 'Plie south should receive this with open arms because segregation as we are accustomed to our way of life is tamed and the honesty of the judge helps southerners to accept the recent court ruling as human and possible to live with. Played Thursday, Friday, January 19, 20. Hugh G. .Martin, Lyric Theatre, Dunncllon, Fla. Paramount ARTISTS AND MODELS: Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis — This is a regular Martin & Lewis picture. Some patrons commented that they are getting to be carbon copies of Abbott & Costello. Tliey were referring to the scene about the bean. This gives “Rear Window” a plug. Played Sunday, Monday, January 15, 16. — Michael Chiaventone, Valley Theatre, Spring Valley, 111. WE’RE NO ANGELS: Humphrey Bogart, Joan Bennett-— This is a very clever comedy that didn’t do the business it deserved. “Adolphe” (sight unseen) predomniates the cast too! Don’t be afraid of this one. Played Friday, Saturday', January 6. 7. — Michael Chiaventone, Valley Theatre, Spring Valley, HI. Republic MAN ALONE, A: Ray Milland, Mary Murphy — Did the best business of the week with this on Sunday, Monday. January 8, 9.— Hugh G. Martin, Lyric Tlieatre, Dunnellon, Fla. ^®AD TO DENVER; John Payne, Mona Freeman — When I hit a slump, I usually slip in a couple of westerns for support. It’s been my luck to play some MOTION PICTURE HERALD, MARCH 24, 1956 e.xcellent small town stuff — this is one of them — to some of the smallest crowds in years. Played Friday, Saturday, December 30, 31. Ralph Raspa, State Tlreatre, Rivesville, W. \'a. Twentieth Century-Fox GIRL IN THE RED VELVET SWING: Ray Milland, Joan Collins— Tliis is an excellent picture and we regret that Pay Milland is money for us only in westerns. We need more of Joan with younger stars. — Hugh G. Martin, Jlovie Garden Drive-In Theatre, Eustis, Fla. HOW TO BE VERY, VERY POPULAR: Betty Grable, Sheree North— Our New Year’s Day attraction proved to he good to us at the box office. Patrons’ general comment on the picture was “silly.” The "Shake, rattle and roll” number didn’t contribute much to it. It seems like Charles Coburn “stole the show.” Played Sunday, Monday, January 1, 2.— Michael Chiaventone, V’alley Theatre, Spring Valley, 111. HOW TO BE VERY, VERY POPULAR: Betty Grable. Sheree North — Not a bad picture, but a flop here— well in the rerl. We don't see much black ink these days. Played Tliursday, Friday, Saturday, January 12, I.I, 14. — Bill Brooks, Liberty Tlieatre, Hailey, Idaho. VIEW FROM POMPEIf’S HEAD: Richard Egan, Dana Wynter — Tliis one hit the bottom for the week and I cannot understand why. That Wynter girl will mai e Miss Russell and Miss Monroe not so attractive, if given careful tutoring in casting and story assignments and of course with a director with the touch of magic or “horse sense” to you old timers. Played Tuesday, Wednesday, January 10, 11. — Hugh G. Martin, Arcade ^^leatre, Williston, Fla. United Artists HEIDI & PETER: Henrich Getler, Elspeth Sigmund — Only one scene in this one was well liked! However, in our opinion, this scene was in poor taste. Tliis is Swiss made with beautiful scenery, but the “dubbing” job was poor and noticeable. Played Friday, Saturday, January 13, 14. — Michael Chiaventone, Valley Theatre, Spring Valley, 111. MAN WITH THE GUN: Roliert Mitchum, Jan Sterling — “Down our alley” in this action-loving town. We played it before it was worn threadbare DF in nearby Jacksonville, to the best business of the week on Sunday. Monday. January 15, 16. — Hugh G. Martin, Clay Theatre, Green Cove Springs, Fla. MARTY: Ernest Borgnine — Here’s one that’s down to earth. It was well received here. If you have Italian patronage, don’t he afraid of “Marty.” Only comment was that it ended too soon. This one, “souped up” with hank night, did a fair to average business. Played Wednesday, Thursday, January 4, 5. — Michael Cliiaventone, Valley Theatre, Spring Valley, 111. Universal FEMALE ON THE BEACH: Joan Crawford, Jeff Giandler — This is a so-called “suspense” picture that is too slow moving for small towns. The acting is good, hut our ticket buyers didn’t care too much for it. Played Sunday, Monday, January 8, 9. — Michael Chiaventone. \'allcy Theatre, Spring Valley, 111. TO HELL AND BACK: Andie Murphy, Marshall Thompson — Played this to an excellent gross. In fact, gathered 40% of the week’s sales at the B. O. on the Friday-Saturday it played (January 20, 21). Held up Iietten than e-xpected and this is one of the few percentage first run pictures that will possibly earn its price tag. — Hugh G. Martin, Crest Drive-In Theatre, Leesburg, IHa. Warner Bros. REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE: James Dean, Natalie Wood — Fine appeal to all audiences. Adults curious about Dean — teen-ag’ers very quiet. Business g’(jo<l. Would recommend buying flat. Not as good as ‘‘East of Eden”— lacked Elia Kazan’s direction. Played Sunday. Monday, Tuesday, January 29, 30, 31. — Rodda Harvey, Jr., Grove Theatre, Lindsay, Calif. TALL MAN RIDING: Randolph Scott, Dorothy Malone — Randy had to take a back seat to “Man Alone” (Rep.) in this town that favors the raw and wild. Played Tlnirsday, Friday. January 12, 13. — Hugh G. Martin, Lyric Tdieatre, r>unnellon. Kla. TALL MAN RIDING: Randolpli Scott, Dorothy Malone — You didn’t have to be a tall man to see this in my theatre. The crowd was so small there was no one in front of you. The best Scott western in a long time. Played Sunday, Monday, January 1, 2. — Ralph Rapsa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Shorts Buena Vista SWITZERLAND: Disney People and Places — Qn« of the best, if not the best, of its kind I’ve ever seen. Played with “Lady and the Tramp.” — S. T. Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. Columbia FLING IN THE RING: Stooge Comedy — Tliese boys bring down the house every time. Tliis one was even a little better than usual. — Ralph Raspa, State Tlieatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer FALL GUY, THE: Pete Smith Specialty — Audiences like to see people get hurt. The haider Dave O'Brien fell, the bigger the laughs — and he really took some big falls in this one. — Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. HISTORICAL ODDITIES: Peter Smith SpecialtyThis Pete Smith Specialty will hold your patrons. History is debunked in this one. Very good. — Michael Chiaventone, Valley Tlieatre, Spring Valley, III. KING-SIZE CANARY: Technicolor Cartoon — Metre is the only company that reissues a cartoon that is worth a second play-off. — Ralph Raspa, State Tlieatre, Rivesville, W. Va. WHAT PRICE FLEADOM?: Gold Medal ReprintAmusing cartoon about a dog and his pet flea.— Michael Chiaventone, Valley Tlieatre, Spring Valley. III. Paramount SWIM and SURVIVE: G rantland Rice Sportlight — Interesting short about water safety. Tells everyone they should learn to swim. — Michael Cliiaventone, Valley Tnieatre, Spring Valley, 111. 47