Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1921)

1200 M 0 t ion Picture News EXHIBITORS' Rf. P -r^^ Q A{ N B IV R l^L EASES ^hat the Big Houses Say E A R LY RET U RNS FROM W EEK RUN THEATERS FAMOUS PLAYERS Crazy to Marry — Roscoe Arbuckle scored once more in this feature which appealed to our patrons and did excellent business. (Middle West.) This picture should never have escaped beyond the limits of two reels. Business not good. (East.) The Conquest of Canaan — Just fair, where Meighan ought to be big. (West.) Very good feature, with excellent receipts. (East.) The WhistleGood story, but they want "blood and powder" with Bill Hart. (West.) This Bill Hart picture well liked by patrons and excellent business recorded at box office. (East.) The Bronze Bell— The old double role turns up once more, and is not handled any better than usual. Picture has some good settings, and a fair plot. An average picture and box office attraction. (South.) "Why did they 'star' Doris May in this? She was merely a supporting lead, and not much of that. Courtenay Foote did some good work. Business, fair." (South.) Proxies — A good live production which went over well, aided by Harold Lloyd in "Move On." (Middle West.) The Hell DiggersWent over big to better than usual crowds. (West.) WealthMiss Oayton always draws good houses for me. This no exception. The Women liked it. (South.) The Wild GooseOnly a fair picture — and did onlv fair business. (East.) The Affairs of Anatol — A combination of splendid array of stars, happy story, fine settings and splendid photograph> make this a great box office attraction. Played to record business during the first week of run at this house. (Middle West.) One a Minute — Mediocre picture — only fair business. (East.) FIRST NATIONAL Scrap Iron — Average picture both' as to drawing powers and entertainment. (West.) This Ray picture entirely satisfactory and drew well. (West.) Wedding^tlls— 1^' Clever and amusing. B.1 excellent! (South.) * .•■ The DeviVs Garden — ( ^ , Morbid, sensual and u0^ea';fl Business poor and comrriftu favorable. (South.) ' • A light, inconsequential farce, well done, and good for summer ntertainment. Bebe' D^iels does 'in the leading role, andfjj s draws crowds here. (Soi D PRODUCE^ The Midnight Bell— • j. Very well liked. From corrtments of patrons it appeared that it was generally considered as Charles Ray's very best picture*?' (Middle West.) M wrt e — ■;y. A. icture with splendid heart infc'^st which went over very well attthis theatre. (Middle West.) f Ami Guilty — ■'"'^air. picture jftid drew fairly Veil. " Not a sensation though. (South.) The Golden Snare — Scored nicely. Receipts pleasing. (East.) Nobody — An ordinary production, as far as dramatic plot is concerned, but the settings, gowns worn by the principals, and the oddness of the title, aided the picture in doing a good week's business. (Middle West.) Jim, the Penman — Lionel Barrymore in a picture which is above the average. It will be enjoyed by the discriminating. (South.) Stranger Than Fiction — "Started a little slow, but picked up on Tuesday and finished a splendid week of excellent business. Good picture. (South.) REALART Little Italy — Alice Brady has a steady following which always makes business good. She won many new friends in this picture, which did a good week's business. (Middle West.) Played on a bill with "Message from Mars," making combination that did very good business. (East.) Her Sturdy Oak — Good little picture that got by all right. (West.) Disappointing. Not up to standard. Business poor. (South.) A Heart to Let — Went across poorly. (East.) The Snob — A refreshing, humorous picture, which, along with the personal appearance of Douglas MacLean, did a good business for a week's run. (Middle West.) One Wild Week-^ "Bebe sure delivers the goods. Great business on this one, though it wasn't as good as 'Ducks and Drakes'." (South.) HODKINSON The Journey's End — Very well balanced picture. Absence of si^)captions well received, concensus being audiences appreciated trend not'being broken. Receipts dandy. (East.) . Aj'^novelty, and a great picture. No ^sub-titles are used, and they arf not missed. Plot rather trite, but artistically developed. Drew well. (South.) Keeping Up With Lizzie — Clean, amusing little picture. Business fair. (South.) Lavender and Old Lace — "This one surprised me. Afraid it lacked punch and action, booked it for three days, had a 'hold-out' audience at two o'clock Monday afternoon, so held it over for a week. Fine business." (South.) The Truant Husband — "This played to an excellent week, and is a fine, clean little picture, with an unexpected punch. My patrons liked it." (South.) GOLDWYN Wet GoldGood melodrama. Exploitation comes easy for this picture and in our case the exploitation paid, did fine business. (East.) Made, in Heaven — My patrons liked this and it drew good business. (West.) Don't Neglect Your Wife — This picture in a tie-up with Harold Lloyd's comedy "I Do," made last week a very good business week for our house. (East.) METRO The Man Who— Good picture that played to satisfactory audiences. (West.) Message From Mars — In conjunction . with "Little Italy," very satisfacton-. (East.) The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse — Although the top price was $1.50 -this production. -attracted capac:t> audiences each afternoon and evening. Engagement extended two weeks. (East.) Home Stuff — Only fair picture with business the same. (West.) Life's Dam Funny — An A. 1. title and the picture justifies the curiosity it creates. A good week's run despite rather warm weather. (Middle West.) The Conquering Power — Pleased our audiences and drew good patronage. ( West. ) FOX The Big Town Roundup — Mark-Strand — The usual Mix stunt picture. Business fair. (East.) The Mother Heart — An exceptionally good picture. One of the sweetest, finest films we ever saw. (Middle West.) The White Moll— A bit better than the Pearl White serials, and the serial fans will be pleased with it. Lot of thrills. Fair picture and fair box office attraction. (South.) UNIVERSAL Reputation — A good picture which drew good patronage. (Middle West.) Short Skirts — Just fair in our house, both as to business and pleasing patrons. (West.) STATE RIGHTS Miracles of the Jungle, Book 3— Went good here and business was fine. (West.) Standing 'Em Up — Standing 'em up. Surprise to us and competitors. (West.) Opened to tremendous business. Running six reels on each program. (West.) Straight From Paris — Excellent Qara Kimball Young picture which pleased our audiences and proved a good box office attraction. (Middle West.) Headin' Home — Appeared to be a good man's picture, but even the fame of Babe Ruth failed to put it over and business was very poor. (Middle West.) The Birth of a Nation — Didn't go over any too well here. (West.)