Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1921)

November 5, 1021 2415 EXHIBITORS' REPORTS ON N E IF RELEASES What the Big Houses Say EARLY RETURNS FROM WEEK RUN THEATERS FIRST NATIONAL Bits of Life — Well received. Drew splendidly, real acomplishment. (East.) The cast in this picture attracted a capacity business all week. (Middle West.) One Arabian Night — Business fair. Fine picture presented with elaborate prologue. Star increasingly popular. (Middle West.) Good picture on which we had fine business. (West.) Wedding Bells— .With Chaplin picture good. Good business. (East.) Very good picture. Business about average. (Middle West.) The Cup of Life — High class picture which went over well at this house. (Middle West.) Not much of a picture, but it drew the crowds, and was held over for a second week. (Middle West.) A Midnight Bell — A peach of an attraction with everything in its favor to pack houses. Good audience picture. One that creates mouth-to-mouth advertising. Tremendous crowds, part due to personal appearance of Ben Turpin. (Middle West.) The Ten Dollar Raise — Good picture that didn't do much business because opposition was too strong. (Middle West.) The Invisible Fear — Just fair. Anita Stewart doesn't draw very well for me, any more. (Middle West.) Mother O' Mine — Good box office attraction. Big business, however, must be attributed to opening of house and appearance of dozen film stars in person. (East.) The Sign on the Door — Went fairly well. (East.) The Idle Class — Second week of run did not hold up any too well. (West.) (\ Ch&iles Dickens J L^st Greacb Novel A dra.ma.tic / » *• thunder bolt » tha.t has W ■ electrified all America Starring the NorWtpan Rckford /Idele ^Ciiristo The fame of the author, the title and the star are head lined in this display on " Our Mutual Friend " playing a premiere at Chine's Broadway, Los Angeles. Peaceful Valley — Not such a wonderful picture, and it drew about average business. (West.) The Serenade — Very improbable picture, fairly well acted. About an average box office attraction. (Middle West.) FAMOUS PLAYERS Cappy Ricks — Splendid Meighan feature full of action and humor, which went over big at this house. Played to fine business for week. (Middle West.) Good production and well cast throughout. High class show that did a consistently good business all week. (Middle West.) Good picture, very well liked on the whole. Only unfavorable comment from women, apparently based on roughness of fighting scenes. (Middle West.) Footlights — From box office standpoint, the best thing Elsie Ferguson has done. Great feminine appeal, and business was excellent. (Middle West.) Three Word Brand — Good Hart picture. Very good business. (East.) Good picture with more than usual business. (West.) WealthEthel Clayton has a steady following here. Good business for week's run. (Middle West.) The Golem — Excellent acting and photograph, a good story, and fine background effects, make this one of the greatest films of the year from an artistic standpoit. Also drew big crowds. (Middle West.) METRO The Invisible Power — Good title on which to base advertising. Picture nretty eood. Business only soso. (Middle West.) Four Horsemen of the ApocalypseHeld for third week. (East.) One of the greatest films ever seen here. Drew to capacity houses at $2.50 top price, and has been held for a second week. (Middle West.) The Infamous Miss Revel — Very good. Receipts pleasing. (East.) Camille — Good business on this picture, which is above the average. (West.) UNITED ARTISTS The Three Musketeers — The only thing that prevented this picture from breaking oox office records was its length. Capacity business all week. (East.) Unanimously approved. Best thing Doug has done. Whirlwind box office success for me. (Middle West.) Fair business. Second week of show and this is not a two week town. (Middle West.) On its second week and still going great. (Middle West.) Everybody likes it. It's quite the social thinfr to say you've seen it and it's always discussed at luncheons, dinners and bridge parties. Universallv praised and well attended even during its fourth consecutive week. (Middle West.) Two weeks to good business. Audiences liked pictures. (West.) Way Down East — Broke all house records for a twoweeks' run, at 44 cents top price, playing in opposition to such pictures as " Camille," " The Golem " and " The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse." (Middle West.) REALART The Case of Becky — Went across nicely. (East.) Mediocre picture. Business fair. (East.) Fairly good picture with liverage business. (West.) Her Sturdy Oak — Flapper crowd all strong for this, and business was good for a three-day run. (Middle West.) Good picture, fair business. West.) One Wild WeekJust the kind of picture patrons of this theatre like. Business excellent . (East.) Such a Little Queen — Nothing very deep, but pleasing. The average box office attraction. (Middie West.) SELZNICK Poor Dear Margaret Kirby — Elaine Hammerstein popular but this picture not so well received on account of so much sick room stuff. Fair business. (Middle West.) The Fighter — • Good picture, good attendance considering transportation difficulties. (Middle West.) Handcuffs or Kisses — Name drew, and Elaine Hammerstein's work is gaining her a good following. Nice little production. (Middle West.) Who Am I?— Wonderful picture. Just great. Went over at my house in fine shape. Big box office value. (West.) UNIVERSAL No Woman Knows — The picture did more business than any previous production in several weeks. (Middle West.) Good picture. Business good. (Middle West.) Dangerous Love — A real thriller and fine for' down town transient house. Opened to big Sunday business. (Middle West.) Go Straight A fine picture which brought good business. (West.) ROBERTSON-COLE The Foolish Age — Doris May pleased our patrons in this clever comedy and business was as good as could be expected. (Middle West.) Good picture. Star, however, not strong enough for new house out of down town section. (East.) A good and different comedy. Business good. (Middle West.) / Do— This picture went over great and is a sure-fire box office attraction. Pleased immensely. (Middle West.) Went FOX Queen of Sheba — First week of indefinite run. over big. (West.) The Big Town Roundup — Good picture, fair business. (Middle West.) To a Finish — Picture and business both very good. (East.) VITAGRAPH The. Son of Wallingford — A good production. And had good (Middle business on it. (West.) A fair picture and poor business. (Middle West.) PAT HE Without Benefit of Clergy — Pretty fair. Receipts average. (East.) Rider of the King Log — Good melodrama. Business only fair. (East.) GOLDWYN Ace of Hearts — A fine feature, which seemed to please my patrons. Good box office value. (West.) Poor business. Patrons did not seem to like the theme of this production. (East.) HODKINSON The Face of the World— A good picture which did a good business in a week's run. (Middle West.) WARREN Quo Vadis — Two weeks to good business and pleased audiences. (West.) STATE RIGHTS Man and Woman — From a box office view, this picture surpasses all expectations. Sunday attendance broke all records for past ten months. (East.) Here is a reproduction from one of those big three color Tacoma ads. in which " The Sign on the Door " was cleverly sold to patrons of the Rialti theatre.