Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1923)

684 Motion Picture News EXHIBITORS' REPORTS ON NEW RELEASES What the Big Houses Say EARLY RETURNS FROM WEEK RUN THEATRES FAMOUS PLAYERS My American Wife — Gloria Swanson wears some stunning clothes which pleased the ladies and picture was up to her usual standard as to production and photography. Story interesting, business good. (Middle West.) Top-notch business, satisfactory picture. (West.) The Pride of Palomar— Interesting feature, well acted. Good box office attraction. (Middle West.) Played to good crowds all week. (Middle West.) Kick In — The attendance for the week held up good with this one. (Middle West.) Fair picture, business a little above the average. (East.) An excellent adaptation of the stage play which held up in satisfactory manner for a four days' run. (East.) Dark Secrets — Dorothy Dalton is popular with patrons here and the picture drew good for a week's run. (Middle West.) Ebb Tide— Went across in grand style. Pleased patrons generally. (Middle West.) Good picture; held up for two days. (West.) Making a Man — Good picture. (Middle West.) Missing Millions — Just a mediocre picture; its value ruined by cutting of the censors. Business only fair. (East) Burning Sands — This picture broke all records for showing. Crowds came early. More people were put into the theatre on Sunday than had ever been before. And business continued good during the week in spite of the fact that the critics called it "bunk." (Middle West.) To Have and to Hold — Going strong on fourth week. (West.) When Knighthood Was in Flotver — Everybody delighted with improvement in Marion Davies. Most patrons conceded this to be the best picture we have ever played. (West.) FIRST NATIONAL The Dangerous Age — One of the best pictures of the year. Had some interest for all ages, both sexes, and played to splendid week. (Middle West.) Attracted more business as week progressed. Pictures attracted enthusaistic comment from some, but didn't seem to attract the young folk. (Middle West.) Omar, the Tent Maker — A real big picture. Guy Bates Post won new friends by his perfect work in this film. Excellent patronage. (Middle West.) The Hottentot — Above the average comedy, well. (Middle West.) Drew Tess o' the Storm Country — Great picture; had fine run of four weeks at 50c. (Middle West.) A good nicture for a run. Doing well with it. (West.) UNITED ARTISTS Douglas Fairbanks in Robin Hood Best picture in Doug's career. My patrons naid twice and three times to see it again. (West.) This wonderful picture got away to only fair start, but bv end of first week did great business. (Middle West.) It went over big here. We thought it a very fine piece of work all the way through. Excellent business. (East.) Picture previously reported. Business good on second run. (East.) One Exciting Night — Picture previously reported. Business excellent on third week of engagement. (East.) Held up fairly well for the third week. Went strong for the first two weeks. Splendid audience attraction. (Middle West.) METRO Trifling Women — Business just fair. Better than this time last year, but not so good as expected. (Middle West.) Previously reported. Business held up better than expected on second run at house not usually used for second run pictures. (East.) Youth to Youth — The manager said that the business was wonderful. He is of an optimistic turn. Fair would probably be nearer the box office value. (Middle West.) The Toll of the Sea — Interesting because of its color photography, but did not meet with popular favor. Story not original enough. (East.) A most exquisite production, and exquisitely acted. Too artistic to make a big hit with the masses, but a tremendous hit with discerning patrons. This picture attracted only those who are looking for the unusual. (Middle West.) Quincy Adams Saivyer — Not as good as advance notices led one to expect. Everyone disappointed. Business only fair. Peg o' My Heart — Laurette Taylor's first feature places her as a high class star and the picture carries fine amusement value. Business good. (Middle West.) All the Brothers Were Valiant — ' One of the best sea dramas we have had. A great audience film. Excellent business. (East.) June Madness — Viola Dana is no particular favorite here. Picture only average. Business a little off. (West.) UNIVERSAL The Ghost Patrol — An average picture that drew the average attendance. (Middle West.) Competition too strong at neighboring houses for this one to make any showing. Business off. (East.) The Scarlet Car — Better than the average thriller. Well done, both as to acting and direction. Did good business. (Middle West.) The Power of a Lie — Powerful drama. Proved good drawing card during week's run. (Middle West.) I ntler Two Flags — Great picture, played to capacity audiences. A Dangerous Game — Did well on a double ieature bill. The other was " Kindled Courage." (West.) Kindled Courage — A good many came to see this, attracted by the title. Played "A Dangerous Game " along with it. Did good business. (West.) SELZNICK Pawned — An excellent picture in every way. Good cast. Drew good crowds. (Middle West.) Fair picture. Didn't do especially well for us. (Middle West.) One Week of Love — Business pretty good for entire week. Received favorable comment from audiences in general. Satisfactory. (Middle West.) F. B. O. OF AMERICA The Third Alarm — Kept theatre open another week before closing for repairs, to run this. Did big business and everybody pleased. (West.) Broke all house records. Has thrills, humor and drama. Should prove winner anywhere. (Middle West.) FOX It ithout Compromise — William Farnum starts the year well in this one. Patrons liked it very much. Good receipts. (Middle West.) Three Who Paid — Of its kind it is very good. Plain western thrills and gun play, but it took strong. Good business. (East.) My Friend, the Devil — Lost on it. Little too gloomy. Too many people die in it. Good picture of its kind, however. (Middle West.) The Bells of San Juan — Good program picture. No more, no less. Did good business.but believe rest of program was more responsible than the feature. (West.) Who Are My Parents? This picture did not do as well as expected. People did come in but not so many of them as we hoped the title would attract. (Middle West) Monte Cristo — This is a really big feature and has been well advertised. Name is big help. Stood them out every day during its first week. (Middle West.) The Village Blacksmith— A tremendous success. Couldn't take care of the' crowds. Although picture varies from poem, patrons were delighted with it. (Middle West.) PATHE Dr. Jack — Now in its second week and drawing as well as it did the first week. (Middle West.) Lloyd gets better and better. Film enthusiastically received. Excellent. (East.) Best picture for a run we have had in months. (West.) VITAGRAPH \h 1/ ild Irish RoseHas everything a picture should have. Proved one of the most popular offerings of current year. (Middle West.) A Front Page StoryGood average picture which pleased our patrons. (Middle West.) A Rogue's Romance — It was surprising the way this production drew them to the box office. It looked like old times at this theatre. (East.) A Girl's Desire — No complaint to make on picture or on the business. (West.) GOLDWYN The Sin Flood — Business was fairly good and maintained a satisfactory average in spite of series of rival attractions on the same week. Not a record breaker, but an unusual story and theme. (Middle West.) Gimme — Very nice little picture of a light nature. Nothing new, but well done and makes pleasant entertainment. Average business. (Middle West.) The Christian — Consider it a masterpiece. My patrons delighted and admitted it came up to expectations. (West.) Broken Chains — Pleasing picture. Colleen Moore well liked here and her name drew well. (West.) WARNER BROTHERS Heroes of the Street — Melodrama, but that is well worked out with humor and pathos. A very good picture anywhere. (East.) ASSOCIATED EXHIBITORS The Woman Who Fooled Herself — It was not well received. (Middle West.) ALLIED P. & D. Garrison s Finish — Only a fair picture. Business also fair. (East.) AMERICAN RELEASING The Marriage Chance — Due to personal appearance of actress. Alta Allen, and otherwise good bill, did a good week's business. (West.) AL LICHTMAN Thorns and Orange Blossoms— A splendid audience picture. Has all the elements that appeal to the general public. Did very well all week, both matinees and evenings. (Middle West.) Shadow's — Chaney scores another hit in " Shadows." Our audiences liked it and business was excellent. (Middle West.) STATE RIGHTS Sure Fire Flint — Sure fire laugh getter with added thrills which our patrons enjoyed. Business fair. (Middle West.) Till We Meet AgainPrevious])/ reported. Went well on second run. (East.) Notoriety — The S.R.O. sign was used each evening and came close to being tacked up on several afternoons. What's Wrong with the Women — Not so good, not so bad. Some liked it and some complained. Good idea in back of it, but that doesn't get the business. (East.)