The Moving picture world (March 1923-April 1923)

440 MOVING PICTURE WORLD March 24, 1923 OLD HOMESTEAD. (7,606 feet). Theodore Roberts in star cast. Here's a feature with a kick in it. If you don't make money on it you have yourself to blame. Advertise the star, story and title. Attendance was good. Town of 5,000, mixed types, all nationalities. Admission 10-25. L. A. Hoover, Gem Theatre, Durango, Colorado. OLD HOMESTEAD. (7,606 feet). Theodore Roberts in star cast. For medium sized towns, up to 100,000, this is the best bet of the first "41" of Paramounts. Attendance was big. City of 50,000, draw better class. Admission 35-50. Claude E. Cody, Gladwin Theatre, Lansing, Michigan. OLD HOMESTEAD. (7,056 feet). Featured cast. An epic in film. An old favorite that lives again. Memories of past stage glories revived. A picture that lends dignity to the screen and brings in new business. A really great story with every angle of audience appeal. Attendance was good City of 15,()b0, draw general class. Admission, ten to thirty. Ben L. Morris, Temple Theatre, Bellaire, Ohio. O'MALLEY OF THE MOUNTED. (6,000 feet). Although this picture was released some time ago, we received a brand newprint. The picture pleased about seventyfive per cent., mostly the men, as it does not end according to the taste of the women D. W. Strayer, Monarch Theatre, Mt. Joy, Pennsylvania. ONE A MINUTE. (4,510 feet). Star, Douglas MacLean. A very good picture, full of laughs. Paramount prints from WilkesBarre have all been in good shape. Advertised with llxl4s and slides. Town of 1,700, drawing mixed class. H. W. Mathers, Morris Run Theatre, Morris Run, Pennsylvania. ONE GLORIOUS DAY. (5,100 feet). Once upon a time there came to my theatre a fivereel picture ; they call it "One Glorious Day." They said it was a Paramount Picture with instructions If It Is a Paramount It Is the Best Picture In Town. Well, I took their word for it and got busy; put up a big front in advertising and in calling the attention of my friends as they passed by, "Boys, come tonight, we are lined up for a glorious night." Well, they took my word for it and did come. But oh. My! My I when the show started I Right after the first reel I told my projectionist not to turn on the lights, for I did not want them to see me ; I was pale through a chill; slipped over to my ticket taker, gave her the keys, told her "Have the boys lock up when the show is over." I could not face the music, which I knew was coming. And it did come! Boys, I'd stay oflF this one. Listen to a man who knows and paid the penalty. They said advertise it big, I'd do a smashing business. Well, I did come near getting smashed up, I tell you. Walter Odom, Sr., Dixie Theatre, Durant, Mississippi. ON THE HIGH SEAS. (5,050 feet). Star, Jack Holt. Reviewers were not very favorable to this on account of ending. Our people thought it was great, and the ending leaves a good taste. Improbable finishes do not mar a picture in the eyes of the regular movie fan. As a sea story it is top notch. Holt is most pleasing and looks his part. Pleased immensely for three days. Attendance, capacity. City of 15,000, draw general type. Admission, 10 to 30. Ben L. Morris, Temple, Olympic, Elk Grand theatres, Bellarie, Ohio. ON THE HIGH SEAS. (5,650 feet). Stars, Dorothy Dalton, Jack Holt. Very good picture of its kind. Work of stars excellent. If you book it let them know what you have. It has a real good surprise finish. Business only fair. Used special display advertising methods. Town of 6,000, draw all classes. Admission 10-25. F. M. Francis, Lincoln Theatre, Charleston, Illinois. Worst Now Best J. C. Rowton, Orpheum Theatre, Quinton, Oklahoma, has built his bad day into a good day — this is his report on the film that did it: IN DAYS OF BUFFALO BILL. (Univ.-serial-Acord). Have played seven chapters with good features and turned my weakest day into the best of the week. By playing up the educational part it's bringing in lots of people who otherwise would not see a serial. OUR LEADING CITIZEN. (6,634 feet). Star, Thomas Meighan. A good program picture with this star. Too long in seven reels; could have ben cut to advantage. Used posters and slides ; had poor attendance (big snow storm). C. A. Anglemire, "Y" Theatre, Nazareth, Pennsylvania. OUR LEADING CITIZEN. (6,634 feet). Star, Thomas Meighan. A fine picture by a star who always draws for me. Also, the work of Theodore Roberts is especially worthy of mention. Consider this a good picture for a small town. Good advertising possibilities. Advertised with ones, three, slide, post cards. Small town, draw all classes. Attendance, good. Guy C. Sawyer, Town Hall Theatre, Chester, Vermont. OUTCAST. (7,309 feet). Star, Elsie Ferguson. A good picture, but a bad print. Patrons' opinions divided; some liked it, some disliked it. Will pass where star is known. Regular advertising brought fair attendance. Paul I. Grimes, Strand Theatre, Salisbury, North Carolina. OVER THE BORDER. (6,837 feet). Star, Betty Compson, Tom Moore. This feature, starring the pair named, is a real Northern. Wonderful scenery and a great picture from all angles. Deals with hootch activities on the Canadian border and its results. It is one of the most beautiful pictures we have ever seen from the angle of the magnificent snow scenes. Advertise with photos, inserts, 22x28 photos, threes and ones. Attendance, neighborhood, good. Ryan & Kundert, Empress Theatre, Beresford. South Dakota. PRIDE OF PALOMAR. (7,494 feet). Star cast. Cosmopolitan Production. Real good story. Had it not been for the weather we would have had bigger attendance on the second night. Advertised with extra newspaper space. Attendance good. F. M. Francis, Lincoln Theatre, Charleston, Illinois. PRIDE OF PALOMAR. (7,494 feet). Featured cast. Frank Borzage produced. Gave the best of satisfaction. A little of everything in this picture, which pleases all classes. Used six, three, ones, cards, for good attendance. Small town, draw neighborhood class. Admission 10-25. E. E. Holmquist, Broadway Theatre, Centerville, South Dakota. RESTLESS SEX. (5,000 feet). Star, Marion Davies. An old one that we avoided as long as possible. Very mediocre entertainment. Rather richly produced and we had few kicks on it, but it lacks some of being a good picture. Safe to slip it in for one day if it's bought right, but it will not stand much boosting. Play up author, novel, star, richness. Attendance good. City of 14,000, draw clerks, merchants, farmers. Admission 10-25. E. W. Collins, Grand and Liberty theatres, Jonesboro, Arkansas. SINGED WINGS. (7,788 feet). Stars, Bebe Daniels, Conrad Nagel — a Penrhyn Stanlaws production. Did nice business and pleased. Had many compliments on this picture. Used window cvds and newspapers, getting better than average attendance. City of 17,000, draw family trade. Matinee admission, 10-17; evenings, 17-28. J. M. Blanchard. Strand Theatre, Sunbury, Pennsylvania. SIREN CALL. (5,417 feet). Star, Dorothy Dalton. A good production and well played by the cast. Enjoyed by all who saw it, but the attendance was light. Paul I. Grimes, Strand Theatre, Salisbury, North Carolina. SLEEP WALKER. (4,530 feet). Star, Constance Binney. Just an ordinary program picture. Miss Binney is deserving of better parts as she has talent. I draw better class, no rougii stuiY .f;oc'j here. Thos. L. Haynes, Town Hall, Old Lyme, Connecticut. SLEEP WALKER. (4,530 feet). Star, Constance Binney. Fair program picture. Realarts are the only Paramount pictures that make uie any mcncy any more. Like most Paramounts, the star is the chief asset as an advertising slant. Attendance average. Town of 2,500, drawing all classes. Get 5-10 two days, 10-20 three days, 10-30 one day. A. L. Middleton, Grand Theatre, De Queen, .vrkansas. TRAVELING ON. (6,262 feet). Star, W. S. Hart. A picture that drew good business and seemed to please the Hart followers. City of 15,000, draw general type. Admission 20-30. Ben L. Morris, Temple Theatre, Bellaire, Ohio. TRUTHFUL LIAR. (5,243 feet). Star, Wanda Hawley. Good story, good looking star and a good program picture, only I paid too much for it as it is an old Realart picture, about a fourth less would have been okay. Used five ones, photos, slide, three sheet. Attendance average. Town of 2,147, drawing all types of both races. Matinee admission 10, night 15-25. R. X. Williams, Lyric Theatre, Oxford, Mississippi. VALLEY OF SILENT MEN. (6,941 feet). Star, Alma Rubens. A splendidly produced picture; splendid exteriors of beauty. Interesting story, acting is fine. In all it is A number one. Usual advertising brought good attendance. Town of 7,000, draw general class. Admission 10-25-35. Jno. W. Creamer, Strand Theatre, Chillicothe, Missouri. WORLD'S CHAMPION. (5,030 feet). Star, Wallace Reid. Very junky. Where do they get -this gag of calling this a Special? This is about the worst he ever appeared in. Title is about all that's worth anything. Used newspaper, had good attendance. City of 12,000, draw varied types according to appeal made. Admission varies. Louis Pilosi, Pilosi's Theatre, Old Forge, Pennsylvania. Pathe THAT GIRL MONTANA. Print in rotten shape; not run on that account. Town of 350. draw small town and rural. Admission 10-28. W. F. Pease, Centennial Theatre, Lowell, Wisconsin. Preferred Pictures THORNS AND ORANGE BLOSSOMS. (6,971 feet). All star cast. A fairly good picture from a novel thirty years old which has been brought up to date. Some liked it, others didn't. The titles in color save it. Usual advertising in small town gave average attendance. Marsden & Noble, Noble Theatre, Marshficid, Oregon. Selznick JOHN SMITH. (6,000 feet). Star, Eugene O'Brien. As good as any O'Brien ever