Boxoffice-March.10.1951

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EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY Just as the Barometer page ahowa first run reports on current pictures, ABOUT PICTURES department is devoted for the inost part to reports on subseguent runs, made by exhibitors themselves. A one-star contributor is new, two stars means the exhibitor has been writing in for six months or longer, and a three-star contributor is a regular of one year or more. All exhibitors welcome. Blue Ribbon pictures are marked thus O. COLUMBIA FuUer Brush Girl, The (Col)—Lucille Ball, Eddie Albert, Carl Benton Reid. This is a good comedy which did a nice business for me on Sun., Mon. It is slapstick stuff but they like it. Red Skelton appears in two scenes, but just for a moment. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Good. — E. M. Preiburger, Dewey Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. * * * Good Humor Man, The (Col)—Jack Carson, Lola Albright, Jean Wallace. This is not so good and after I checked receipts, my humor wasn't good. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Cold.—Rankin Enterprises, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont. General patronage. * * * He's a Cockeyed Wonder (Col) — Mickey Rooney, Terry Moore, William Demarest. Although my patrons don't particularly go for Rooney, this one was fairly well received. It should serve nicely as a strong supporting feature in any situation. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Cold.—Don Donohue, Novate Theatre, Novato, Calif. Small town and rural patronage. Holiday in Havana (Col)—Desi Arnaz, Mary Hatcher, Ann Doran. Nope, this didn't go over. It's a cute feature but it flopped here. There is plenty of music a la South American in it. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Cold.— Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Rural patronage. • * * Mutineers, The (Col)—Jon Hall, Adele Jergens, George Reeves. I doubled this with "The Good Humor Man" but did no good with it. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Cold. —Rankin Enterprises, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont. General patronage. * * * Nevadan, The (Col) — Randolph Scott, Dorothy Malone, Forrest Tucker. Randy Scott slipped when he made this one. My folks didn't enthuse a bit. Played Tues., Wed. Weather: Below zero.—Frank Sabin, Majestic Theatre, Eureka, Mont. Small town and rural patronage. * * * Raiders of Tomahawk Creek (Col)—Charles Starrett, Smiley Burnette, Edgar Dearing. I don't know if this, the first of this series to play my house, had anything to do with It but I had tiptop business for Fri., Sat. Many said this was the best Durango yet. Weather: Cool.—Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Rural patronage. * * ' EAGLE UON CLASSICS Destination Moon (ELO—Warner Anderson, John Archer, Tom Powers. Business wasn't what we thought it would be on this, but we had many favorable comments. The stars turn in swell performances, the color is tops, the story unusual, and to me it was very entertaining. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Bad.—Lloyd Hutchins, Pangburn Theatre, Pangburn, Ark. Rural patronage. • • • Great Rupert, The (ELC)—Jimmy Durante, Terry Moore, Tom Drake. We used this on our Christmas show and it is perfect. Rupert Is a squirrel, the center of the plot, which this includes a good Christmas scene. We had good attendance at the evening shows, following the free showing for children. This is a good midweek family picture.—C. E. Bennewitz. Royal Theatre, Royalton, Minn. Rural patronage. • » • Timber Fury (ELO—David Bruce, Laura Lee, Nicla DiBruno. This is a good action outdoor picture for Fri., Sat. played with a comedy and a serial. The comedy, "Scrappy's Birthday" (UA) will appeal to your customers that are hunters. They will get a kick out of seeing it. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Warm.—L. Brazil jr.. New Theatre, Bearden, Ark. Small town and rural patronage. * * * METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER (MGM)—Van Johnson, John Battleground Hodiak, Ricardo Montalban. We played this one rather late and it didn't draw too well, but our weather is still bad—icy. Now that we are fighting again, I wonder if war pictures will be popular? They were just beginning to be again before Korea, so I think I will sit back and wait and see what the public wants. Played Sun., Mon.—Marcella Smith, Vinton Theatre, McArthur, Ohio. Small town patronage. * * • Crisis (MGM)—Cary Grant, Jose Ferrer, Paula Raymond. This is another good reason why people stay home and look at television. I would have, too, if I had had a choice—but I had to suffer through "Crisis" for too many nights. Avoid it and save money. Played Tues., Wed. Weather: Cold. —C. W. Ritenour, Milford Theatre, Milford, 111. Rural patronage. • * * Crisis (MGM)—Cary Grant, Jose Ferrer, Paula Raymond. We did poor business on this one and the comments were poor. There was too much Spanish—our patrons want a language used that they can understand. He Likes the New Stars In This Picture CUN SETS AT DAWN (ELC) — SaUy Parr, Philip Shawn, Walter Reed. For people and exhibitors that are looking for something off the beaten path, here it is. Brother, this one held them all the way through. You start seeing this with a lump in your throat and it gets blg^r as the picture goes along—ibut they loved it. The two new stars, Philip Shawn and Sally Parr, are tops. It seems like when Hollywood needs someone to play a really emotional and very dramatic part, it has to call on teenage newcomers and this time they certainly called on the right ones. I don't know of a veteran star that could even touch the performance turned in by these kids. Keep them together, give them another picture or two, and watch them climb to the top^fast! Business was normal and everyone was more than satisfied. Played Sun., Mon. in Kensett. Weather: Okay.—Lloyd Hutchins, Pangburn, Ark. Rural patronage. * * * He Has Another Title He Thinks Is Better TWO WEEKS WITH LOVE (MGM)— Jane Powell, Ricardo Montalban, Louis Calhern. Wonderful! I believe this is as good as "Cheaper by the Dozen," and a grand family picture—but what a title! MGM must have a bunch of old maids that select its titles. Love, kiss, song— think this picture would do three times this business with "Papa Bought the Corset" for a title. Yes, even in the Music Hall. Business was below normal. Played Tues., Wed., Thurs. Weather: Fine.—Ben Spainhour, Twilight Theatre, Greensburg, Kas. Small town and rural patronage. * Played Tues., Wed. Weather: Fair.—Louise Bowen, Roxy Theatre, Winlock, Wash. Small • town patronage. Framed Cat, The (MGM)—Short. Tom & Jerry cartoon. Here is one of the best I've ever seen. The gags kept the audience howling all the way through. I play all of these from Metro. In my estimation, they are the best cartoons made. However, I haven't bought a feature from them in seven months. Their prices put me in the position of being out of the league. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Cold.—Don Donohue, Novato Theatre, Novato, Calif. Small town and rural patronage. * Miniver Story, The (MGM)—Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, John Hodiak. This is an entertaining drama which played to poor business, due to the cold weather. Too much English accent in this show. Played Tues., Wed., Thurs. Weather: Cold.—E. M. Preiburger, Dewey Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. * * * Outriders, The (MGM) — Joel McCrea, Arlene Dahl, Barry Sullivan. McCrea is always tops in any role, and this gal is the loveliest thing in pictures. Whitmore does another fine job, as does Sullivan. The scenery, color and story are all above reproach so it made a most satisfactory bill. Business was average for the change so I'm more than happy. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Beautiful. — Bob Walker, Uintah Theatre, Fruita, Colo. Small town and rural patronage. Please Believe Me (MGM)—Deborah Kerr, Robert Walker, Mark Stevens. The title is misleading on this very fine picture, as it is actually a very funny comedy with a fine cast. Business was average, in spite of the heavy snow. I doubled this with "The Texan Meets Calamity Jane," a color western that gave us more walkouts than we have ever had. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Snow.— Jack Hammond, Shastona Theatre, Mount Shasta, Calif. Small lumber town patronage. Reformer and the Redhead, The (MGM) June Allyson, Dick Powell, David Wayne. This is an excellent picture, with plenty of fun in it for everyone. It pleased our customers 100 per cent. We had more good comments on it than on any picture we have ever played. Played Sun., Mon.—R. D. Gibbons, Mars Theatre, Falkville, Ala. Rural * and small town patronage. Reformer and the Redhead, The (MGM)— Dick Powell, June Allyson, David Wayne. ThLs is the type of picture that pleased nearly everyone. Dick Powell and June Allyson are tops in this wholesome comedy. We had good BOXOFFICE BoolcinGuide :: March 10, 1951
attendance. Played Sat., Sun.—C. E. Bennewitz, Royal Theatre, Royalton, Minn. Rural patronage. • • • Stars in My Crown (MGM)—Joel McCrea, Ellen Drew, Dean Stockwell. Nothing can be added to the flood of comments already given it. It is tops for all classes. Played Sun., Mon., Tues. Weather: Fair and cold.—J. N. Allison, Vivian Theatre, Carlisle, Ind. Small town and rural patronage. * * * Tension (MGM)—Richard Basehart, Audrey Totter, Syd Charisse. Here is a picture that I was afraid of but it did about 75 per cent of average in very cold weather. One thing for sure—you can buy it right from Metro. — Curt Bigley, Princess Theatre, Humeston, Iowa. Small town and rural patronage. * Three Little Words (MGM)—Fred Astaire, Red Skelton, Vera-Ellen. This is a very lovely musical that you can make no mistake to run. Played Mon., Tues. Weather: Snow and cold.—Rankin Enterprises, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont. General patronage. » * MONOGRAM Lost Volcano, Tlie (Mono)—Johnny Sheffield, Donald Woods, Marjorie Lord. Doubled with "Side Show" and played for Monogram's drive week. "The Lost Volcano" pleased all the Bomba fans, "Side Show" was a very interesting mystery. Both of them pleased and drew good business against heavy odds. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Cool.—D. W. Trisko, Ritz Theatre, Jerome, Ariz. Mining town patronage. * • • Triple Trouble (Mono)—^Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Gabriel Dell. I have been booking these on my best playing time lately and am not sorry, either, about the switch. The comments and draw are good. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Cold.—L. Brazil jr., New Theatre, Bearden, Ark. Small town and rural patronage. * * * PARAMOUNT Dark City (Para)—Charlton Heston, Lizabeth Scott, Viveca Lindfors. This is a very interesting crime drama that will hold your patron's interest, but in our case, no patrons. This is not for the small town or any theatre where crime pictures are a problem. We took a loss at the boxoffice and the playdate and time were wasted. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Fair and cold.—Ken Christianson, Roxy Theatre, Washburn, N. D. Small town patronage. * * * Eagle and the Hawk, The (Para)—John Payne, Rhonda Fleming, Dennis O'Keefe. Overpriced, overrated, and it did not draw well. Business was sub-normal. Played Wed., Thurs.—Josef F. Nehring, Floodwood Theatre, Floodwood, Minn. Small town and rural patronage. Great Missouri Raid, The (Para)—Wendell Corey, Macdonald Carey, Ward Bond. This is not up to other Jesse James films in finesse and detail, but I should worry about that when it pleases the man who pays the bills—Mr. Cash Customer. It is hotter than a depot stove for the small town. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Fair.—Joe and Mildred Faith, Linn Theatre, Linn, Mo. Small town and rural patronage. • * • RKO RADIO Edge of Doom (RKO) — Dana Andrews, Farley Granger, Joan Evans. Small towns —beware! It is slow-moving and morbid, plus the same t3T)e of trailer. It gave me my poorest Wed., Thurs. in many months. I'd say skip it if you can. My bunch prefers either laughs or action and this has neither. I had eight or ten walkouts. Weather: Clear. —Don Donohue, Novato Theatre, Novato, Calif. Small town and rural patronage. * Boseanna McCoy (RKO)—Farley Granger, Joan Evans, Charles Bickford. This is something different, with a better than usual plot. This boy. Granger, is. tops and his leading lady couldn't have been better. Business was good, with no walkouts. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Cold. — James Lansden, Lansden Theatre, Clairfield, Tenn. Small mining camp patronage. • * y Treasure Island (RKO)—Bobby DriscoU, Robert Newton, Basil Sydney. With two special school shows, we did okay on this. It needs special pushing and will appeal mostly to school children. Played Mon., Tues.— James Balkcom, Gray Theatre, Gray, Ga. Small town patronage. * * * y Treasure Island (RKO)—Bobby DriscoU, Robert Newton, Basil Sydney. I can't figure what happened to this one, unless it was milked dry—and it probably was. Although looking back, I see where we never did do much on a Walt Disney product, and after Business Was Solid With Circumstances Tough HALLS OF MONTEZUMA (20th-Fox)— Richard Widmark, Walter Palance, Reginald Gardiner, This one came through under the toughest of circumstances. It opened Ash Wednesday in a community heavily Catholic. Business was solid both days. We sailed over the split halfway through the second night. It was played as a single with MOT "Strategy for Victory" and a cartoon as support. Excellent comments from my patrons. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Clear.—Don Donohue, Novato Theatre, Novato, Calif. Small town and rural patronage. * * showing this one, it ends all Disney features on my screen. It played to the poorest Sun., Mon. business in years.—Howard C. Bayer, Iowa Theatre, Schleswig, Iowa. Farm patronage. • * * Wagonmaster (RKO) — Ben Johnson, Joanne Dru, Harry Carey jr. I coupled this with a local flicker flashback I have started. This is the first RKO picture that has clicked here but it did very well. Played Sat., Sun. Weather: Cold.—Josef Nehring, Floodwood Small town and Theatre, Floodwood, Minn. • rural patronage. • Where Danger Lives (RKO) — Robert Mitchum, Faith Domergue, Claude Rains. This is a very good Mitchum picture. The new girl, Faith Domergue, is a very pleasing personality to look at and should be tops in pictures before long.—D. W. Trisko, Ritz Theatre, Jerome, Ariz. Mining patronage. • * * Where Danger Lives (RKO) — Robert Mitchum, Faith Domergue, Claude Rains. About the only thing I can say good about this one is that the price was right. If you play it, give it plenty of support. This did the poorest Sun., Mon. business in six months. Many walked out before the picture was half through. Weather: Clear.— Everybody Disappointed Because of Preview so YOUNG, SO BAD (UA)—Paul Henreid, Catherine McLeod, Grace Coppin. I'm a newcomer, but now I know what is meant by poor previews. The trailer suggested a sexy deal. Ma and pa kept the kids home and all my churchgoers stayed home, too. Then the only ones who came were disappointed because they thought it would be a hot show! Played Wed., Thurs. — Josef F. Nehring, Floodwood Theatre, Floodwood, Minn. Small town and rural patronage. * Don Donohue, Novato Theatre, Novato, Calif. Small town and rural patronage. • REPUBUC Bells of Coronado (Rep)—Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Pat Brady. We had nice draw with this for the weekend. Rogers means extra business for us. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Bad and cold. — Harland Rankin, Rankin Enterprises, Chatham, Ont. General patronage. * * • Code of the Silver Sage (Rep)—Allan Lane, Eddy Waller, Roy Barcroft. My first Rocky Lane western, and it was very good. Within a year I predict that Rocky will be as popular here as Roy Rogers, which is certainly saying something! Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Snow, as usual. — Carl F. Neitzel, Juno Theatre, Juneau, Wis. Surrounding and local patronage. * * * Hit Parade of 1951 (Rep)—John Carroll, Marie McDonald, Estelita Rodriguez. This is okay as a strong second feature. My only critical comment is that it is 15 minutes too long. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Cold. —Don Donohue, Novato Theatre, Novato, Calif. Small town and rural patronage. * Kid From Cleveland (Rep)—George Brent, Lynn Bari, Rusty Tamblyn. As previously reported, it will go over with your easyto-please fans and the kids. Played Tues., Wed. — Frank Sabin, Majestic Theatre, Eureka, Mont. Small town and rural patronage. » * * Lonely Heart Bandits (Rep)—Dorothy Patrick, John Eldridge, Barbra Fuller. Here is my idea of an excellent film. With business good both days, comments good, I believe everyone was well pleased with this one. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Fair.—James Lansden, Lansden Theatre, Clairfield, Tenn. Small mining camp patronage. * * 20th CENTURY-FOX All About Eve (20th-Fox)—Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders. It would be difficult to find words to tell truthfully what a grand picture this is. It is a natural for any town, anywhere, anytime. It is 4-star all the way. Played Sun., Mon., Tues. Weather: Reasonably good.—^Ken Gorham, Town Hall Theatre, Middlebury, Vt. College patronage. * * * American Guerrilla in the Philippines (20th-Fox)—Tyrone Power, Micheline Prelle, Tom Ewell. This might have been a great attraction with more action. It is a beautiful production that missed. Doubled with "Saddle Tramp" (U-I), a fair western which also lacks action. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Cloudy.—AI Hatoff, Interboro's (Continued on page 4) BOXOrnCE BookinGuide :: March 10, 1951
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Errol Flynn and Dean Stockwcll in a
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UP! "THE GREAT CARUSO" One BIG M-G-
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l(bur Next Demonstration of the Pow
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I I THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY Publis
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No Shortage of Carbons Seen by Manu
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I I I I I Independents Confident Of
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Independents Confident Of UA Succes
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...Easter , * . The PARAMOUNTS VERY
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ITS 34.928.741 READERS THE w im EXC
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Hughes, Government File Stock Brief
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IRES PRODUCED BY REPUBLIC! THAT [7O
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National Theatres Executives Discus
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He Tells of His Success Paramount E
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^re's theJk^^at SjEZIS/ 2" X 3" DIE
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British Economic Crisis Expected to
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aucer-Director Clarence Brown's age
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MGM Promotes Four In Realignment NE
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CHESTER FRIEDMAN EDITOR HUGH E. FRA
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I Tadi( adio Contests Spark New Hav
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It The army brought up its heavy ar
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' beside Doyleslown, Pa., Key Seeks
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Left, the Eastman 16mm. Projector,
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I6th MMPTA Is Opposing Booth Standa
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Eastman Kodak Net For 1950 Increase
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. . . . Herb Jersey Showman Given C
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. . Melvin . . The PHILADELPHIA par
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(Hollywood Office— Suite 219 at 6
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Page 57 and 58: 'Hornblower' Debut In London April
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Page 63 and 64: . . Edward PHOENIX nctress Virginia
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Page 67 and 68: Enjoy GREATER PROFITS because it's
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Page 73 and 74: $310,000 Theatre Honors E.R. Rogers
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Page 95 and 96: CINCINNATI . . f^eorge Fetick, oper
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Boxoffice-March.10.1951

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