Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

March 17, 1923 1275 WHAT SHOWMEN THINK OF CURRENT RELEASES Exhibitors' Box-Office Reports EARLY RETURNS FROM WEEK RUN THEATRES FAMOUS PLAYERS Adam and Eva — Holding its own on third week. (West.) A very good production. Patrons liked it very much. Good receipts. (Middle West.) Not so good as it might have been after " When Knighthood Was in Flower." Played to excellent business, however. (East.) The World's Applause — Bebe Daniels and Lewis Stone make strong combinations in this interesting feature. Business was good and our patrons liked it. (Middle West.) Java Head — An exceptional picture which did satisfactory business, but which received some adverse criticism from patrons who thought the subject rather dull. (East.) Business held up good all week with this one. (Middle West.) Very fine picture, but business under par. (East.) Nobody s Money — Jack Holt and strong cast put somewhat weak story over and pleased our patrons. Business excellent. (Middle West.) Fair picture and business normal. (East.) Fair picture, but did good business. (Middle West.) My American Wife — Stars popular here; did good business on two weeks' run. (Middle West.) Weather bad; did better than expected. (West.) Drums of Fate — A very well liked film with good story and plenty of thrills. Excellent business. (East.) FIRST NATIONAL The Voice from the Minaret — People who like Norma Talmadge liked this; and nearly all my patrons like Norma. Therefore, good business and good picture. (West.) The Crossroads of New York — Picture not very good, but got fair business. (East.) The Hottentot — All attendance records went by the board on this one. Anniversary week and big supplementary program helped. (East.) The Dangerous Age — Good for the older folk and drew fairly (East.) Bell Boy 13— One of Douglas MacLcan's best. Did excellently. (Middle West.) GOLDWYN The Strangers' Banquet — Attendance for this one was good all week. (Middle West.) Strong and interesting feature. Only adverse criticism, too many people in the cast. Pleased our patrons and played to big business. ( Middle West.) Broken Chains — An average picture, but it pleased the fans ; good box office attraction. (Middle West.) The Christian — Fine picture; better than average business. Held for second week. (Middle West.) Taken off after a week. Surprisingly small business and slow death. (East.) Very well liked by all, including critics. Business considerably better than average. (Middle West.) A Blind Bargain — Did very well with it. Received good criticism in press and heard favorable comments from patrons. (Middle West.) Lon Chaney's masterpiece. A very fine picture. Best feature of it is that it is in five reels. Patrons gave it wide advertising. Sold out most of the week for wonderful business. (Middle West.) METRO Crinoline and Romance — Pleasant, but not particularlyprofitable. Fair business for the week. (Middle West.) A light picture that drew well and was liked. (East.) Jazzmania — They liked it. Mae Murray does a few different things, but as long as they keep coming, I call it a good picture. (West.) Just the type of picture for patrons of this house. Stood them up every night. Matinees also strong. Mae Murray a prime favorite here. (East.) All the Brothers Were Valiant — Lon Chaney has a good following here and the box office returns for a week's run with this one were highly satisfactory. (Middle West.) Quincy Adams Sawyer — Feature with good amusement value. Business held up well. (Middle West.) The Famous Mrs. Fair — More pictures like this would increase business, generally. Patrons keep coming when pictures are good and this is the kind to build up patronage. (West.) Forget-Me-Not — Forget it. People want to be entertained, not made weary with troubles like their own. (West.) UNITED ARTISTS Douglas Fairbanks in Robin Hood — And still they come. For a picture run, there was never one better. (West.) One Exciting Night — The title draws and when they have seen the picture, it causes a lot of argument, hence, mouth to mouth advertising. Did well with it. (West.) The Girl I Loved — Charles Ray is always a good card here. A good week's attendance with this one. (Middle West.) WARNER BROTHERS Brass — A good picture ; business increased as week lengthened. (West.) AMERICAN RELEASING The Prince and the Pauper — Well liked and had not a few laughs with a throb now and then. Good business. (East.) The Grub Stake — Personal appearance of star, Nell Shipman, seemed to draw them in. Might not do so well, otherwise, although it is interesting. (West.) FOX The Face on the Bar Room Floor— Wonderful box office attraction. People waiting in line all day to get in. Never had such a crowded week. (Middle West.) Romance Land — Tom Mix always pulls them in for me. The Mix fans liked this one. Very good attendance. (Middle West.) AL LICHTMAN Poor Men's Wives — Fair picture and medium business. (East.) Thorns and Orange Blossoms — An average production. Receipts up to expectations. (Middle Wesc.) The Hero — Good picture ; good business. (West.) UNIVERSAL The Bolted Door — Average picture of its kind, with enough good action to hold interest throughout. Pretty good week from a box office angle. (Middle West. ) The Flirt — Pleasing picture, well acted ; held for a second week. (Middle West.) HODKINSON The Headless Horseman — Business was good on this picture that had much to commend it to the jaded appetite of patrons. (East.) Free Air — Very satisfactory. Many have read the story and naturally like to see the film version. (Middle West.) The Kingdom Within Seemed rather weak in makeup and cast, 'but went very well to good business. (East.) F. B. O. The Third Alarm — Put on for a week with good exploitation campaign, this one held up fairly well sliding off as the week progressed. (East.) Drew like a house on fire, all week. (East.) ASSO. -EXHIBITOR Conquering the WomanIt can't be done — at least not with this picture. The women kicked and the men laughed. (West.) STATE RIGHTS The Darling of the Rich — Went over strong here. Has all the elements of a box office winner. (East.) Women Men Marry — Picture and business both fair only. (East.) Good entertainment value. Business good. (Middle West.) The Innocent Cheat — In our judgment a good feature, but it seemed to be an off week and business was poor. (Middle West.)