Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

January 21, 1922 617 EXHIBITORS' REPORTS ON N E IV RELEASES What the Big Houses Say EARLY RETURNS FROM WEEK R UN THEATERS FAMOUS PLAYERS The Little Minister — A really worth-while production. One of Betty Compson’s best. Did big business for entire week. (Middle West.) Above the average feature which played to excellent business. (Middle West.) Betty Compson is popular here. Hence, a lively attendance for the week. (Middle West.) Good picture but business only fair. (East.) Exit the Lamp — My patrons said this was the first Ethel Clayton picture they had seen in more than a year that disappointed them. Business bad, despite star's popularity. (East.) Only fair picture. Business good (East.) A Prince There Was — A very light picture. Not suitable for Thomas Meighan. Very good business. (East.) Great business with this picture, which I consider good. (Middle West.) Rent Free — Good picture. Very good business. (Middle West.) Fine picture which brought good business. (West.) Miss Lulu Bett — An average picture with business about as usual (West.) Very fine picture. Fully as good as the play. Business splendid. (Middle West.) Peter Ihbetson — Exceptionally fine picture. Business excellent. (East.) White Oak — Cheap melodrama. Business good (East.) ; The Hell Diggers — This was a right fair picture, though nothing extra. Business was ■ tolerable. (South.) Beyond — Nothing extra. Business fairly good, however, and we are satisfied. (South.) Don’t Tell Everything — Well received. Receipts pleasing. (East.) Just Around the Corner — Exploitation, consisting of advance newspaper advertising, along with a capacity attendance the first night, gave the picture a good start and it drew a large attendance for the week (Middle West) FIRST NATIONAL Molly O — A sure firebox office attraction. Fine picture. Pleased immensely. (Middle West.) Very, very we)l liked with very big business (Middle West.) We did some splendid exploitation on this picture and with this aid, it went over splendidly with large attendances and good window receipts. The picture itself is right good, one of the best down this way for some time and really deserves praise. (South.) A picture which drew like a house afire. Not much of a picture, but it pleased them and got the business. (East.) Love Never Dies — Good picture which drew well. Booked for last three days of week, or would have held it for a week’s run instead of three days. (East.) Fairly good feature. Average business. (West.) R. S. V. P.— This one was popular with former service men and did a good week’s business. (Middle West.) Not much of a picture, but it drew the crowds here. (Middle West.) Love’s Redemption — Only a fairly good picture and box office value. (Middle West.) Star well liked in this. Receipts average. (East.) The Midnight Bell — Picture mediocre, but business good on account of the star. (East.) The Wonderful Thing — A great picture. Capacity houses each performance. (Middle West.) Business very good in spite of picture that was only fair. (East.) My Boy — Good production which drew more than usual business. (West.) The Lotus-Eater — The name of Barrymore drew them in, but nine out of ten were disappointed bitterly in the pic ture. Business good all week but complaints from patrons were numerous. (East.) Her Mad Bargain — Anita Stewart’s name helped a little, but it was a bad week, according to box office receipts. The picture was unconvincing and overdrawn. (East.) Star Dust — A very fine production. Good business. (West.) The Silent Call — The picture did an excellent week’s business, due partly, perhaps, to advance publicity and favorable press comment. (Middle West.) The Child Thou Gavest Me — Picture and business only fair. (East.) FOX A Connecticut Yankee — Excellent business, on a picture which delighted lovers of the book. (East.) Ran strong clear up to last minute of two weeks’ run. (East.) The Lost Trail — Good business on this one. A fine picture. (West.) Good picture. Business above average. (West.) The Queen of Sheba — One of the best pictures of the year. Wonderful scenery and acting. A record-breaker. (West.) Over the Hill — Enters third week of run with business continuing capacity. Lines at box office for last show of second week. (East.) Trailin — Ordinary play. Ordinary business for week. (Middle West.) Picture enjoyed by Mix fans. Business fair. (East.) GOLDWYN T heodora — One of the greatest spectacular pictures in the history of the film drama, combined with powerful and thrilling plot makes this a big box office attraction. Holding it for a second week and playing to large audiences. (Middle West.) Two weeks’ run to good business and pleased patrons. (West.) Equals anything ever seen here in a spectacular way. Drawing better than ever the second week. (Middle West.) Capacity business for week at advanced admissions. Held for second week. (East.) The Night Rose — One of the best underworld pictures made. Surpassed “ Outside the Law” in business. (Middle West.) UNITED ARTISTS Little Lord Fuuntleroy — This was a fairly entertaining picture. It seemed especially to delight the children and the misses. Mary plays the part of the boy very well, but many grown-ups are not especially fond of a picture of that class. (South.) Did only fairly well during the second week of its engaement. Christmas week it went over fine. Last week it fell down lamentably. (Middle West.) The finest thing Mary Pickford has done. Held up splendidly the second week. (Middle West.) Held up fairly well for a second week. One week would have been plenty. (East.) Way Down East — Opened strong, flopped in middle of week and came back Friday and Saturday. Shown at popular prices day and night at three houses operated by the same company. ( East.) Second run showing went only fair. (West.) WID GUNNING What Do Men Want ? — The best week’s business in several weeks with this one, which pleased patrons and won much favorable comment. (Middle West.) VITAGRAPH The Son of Wallingford — A good box office attraction which audiences enjoyed immensely. (East.) STATE RIGHTS W hy Girls Leave Home — A very good picture. Did nicely the second week. (Middle West.) The Parish Priest — Second week and doing better all the time. Business increased 33 1-3 per cent during second week. (Middle West.) ( Continued on page 621) %