Box Office Record - 4

Mademoiselle From Armentieres

• November 30-December 1. If we had not had so many war pictures, this would rank as a pretty good one. The cast, direction and production are English. (Pastime theatre, Mason, Mich.-General patronage.)

• A good light war comedy. We expected a lemon and it wasn't bad at all. (Selma theatre, Selma, Cal.-General patronage.)

Manhattan Cocktail

• December 4. An old theme but it went over big in its new dress. There are many scenes in this silent version that are mere excess baggage but which no doubt enhance the sound version a great deal. I would class this as A-No.-l, up-to-date entertainment. (Star theatre, Willow Springs, Mo.-Small town patronage.)

• Good picture, but did not draw. (Plainview theatre, Plainview, Neb.-General patronage.)

• Just fair. Not bad. Not good. Can't understand why producers make such pictures unless they want to throw away their money. Give us more consistently good pictures. (Postville theatre, Postville, Ia.-General patronage.)

Man Made Woman

• Can't give this one very much, really not the kind of a picture you want children to see. (Strand theatre, Valparaiso, Neb.-General patronage.)

• Pathe wasted a lot of time when they made this. Doesn't compare with some of the star's (Leatrice Joy) other pictures. (Theatorium theatre, Columbia Falls, Mont.-General patronage.)

The Man Who Laughs

• December 25-26. This is not a small town picture and certainly did a big flop at my show house. I spent a lot of time advertising this picture and thought that it would go over, but after the first night I knew that the boat was sinking. I ran it two nights and took it off the third night. The direction was very good, and the settings and the work of the stars were exceptional, but it was too slow for the regulars and too gruesome for the ladies. I would say that the small town boys had better lay off, for this ain't your kind. (Princess theatre, Lincoln, Kan.-Small town patronage.)

Man Woman and Wife

• December 26. Gave excellent satisfaction. Played to good business. We depend on Universal here for good consistent box office pictures. (New Virginia theatre, Harrisonburg, Va.-General patronage.)

• Rather well produced, but sad ending. Some spectacular work with prison machine gun. Did not please. (Glades Amusement Company, Moore Haven. Fla.-General patronage.)

Marriage By Contract

• January 9-10. Great title. Satisfying picture with Miss Miller proving she's an actress. (Egyptian theatre, Bala-Cynwyd, Pa.-General patronage.)

Masks of the Devil

• December 17-19. Heavy sophisticated drama that is not suitable for small towns. There are some novelty shots showing what the principal is really thinking about while his actions are the reverse. Business poor. (Central theatre, Selkirk, Man., Can.-General patronage.)

• November 19-20. Not so good. People don't want this type of picture. Business fair. (Mazda Theatre Comvany, Aurora, Neb.-Small town patronage.)

The Mating Call

• October 18-19. Thomas Meighan in a Rex Beach story under the direction of James Cruze puts over a very fine drama. Should please any audience. (Midway theatre, Martinsville, Va.-Small town patronage.)

• January 10. Just a good picture. Had several good comments. (LaCrosse theatre, LaCrosse, Kan.-General patronage.)

• December 12-13. Picture follows original story unusually well and handles the Ku Klux angle wonderfully; both Kluck and Anti-Kluck can see this good picture. (Texas theatre, Grand Prairie, Tex.-Small town patronage.)

• December 23. Another small house due to the flu, but a good picture that received many favorable comments. (Legion theatre, Holyrood, Kan.-Small town patronage.)

• December 5-6. Very good feature, with interesting story and good photography. (Zorn theatre, Binkelman. Neb.-General patronage.)

• December 1. Good picture. Everyone liked it. You can count on Rex Beach stories. (Liberty theatre, Kalispell, Mont.-General patronage.)

Me, Gangster

• January 11. Good story spoiled by a weak cast, with the exception of Anders Randolph, who handles the part of a ward politician in fine shape. Will get by as a program picture. (LaCrosse theatre, LaCrosse, Kan.-General patronage.)

• November 5. Very good picture of the crook variety. Will give satisfaction and you do not have to be sick or away from the theatre when you show it. (H. & S. theatre, Chandler, Okla.-Small town patronage.)

• December 28. This picture seemed to satisfy, but people are getting tired of underworld plays. (Charkarohen Hall, Lincoln, N. H.-Small town patronage.)

• Just a fair offering. (Dixie theatre, Russellville, Ky.-General patronage.)

The Michigan Kid

• Dandy little picture, but paid too much. It was sold to me as a special. (Sun theatre, Plainwell, Mich.-General patronage.)

• January 11-12. A good program picture, about 100 per cent oversold to us. We have had several $7.50 program pictures that were better and did much bigger business. Aside from the spectacular forest fire sequence, could see nothing in this to justify its sale as a special. Neither direction nor acting much above ordinary, to our way of thinking. Universal is our heaviest load this year, as we are paying them exorbitant rentals for pictures that do not get results for us. General business conditions here are only about 50 per cent of normal, and it takes darned good pictures to cause people to part with a few nickels. (Screenland theatre, Nevada, O.-Small town patronage.)

• An extra good picture that made the B.O. take on new life. (Aristo theatre, Lemmon, S.D.-General patronage.)

• December 19-20. A very good program picture. Sold as a special, but did not click at the box office. (Orpheum theatre, Rock Valley, Ia.-General patronage.)

• November 23-24. Drew fair. Was favorably received but was oversold as special. Would rank it as an extra-good Jewel. (Wilson Opera House, Wilson, Kan. Small town patronage.)

The Midnight Taxi

• December 15. Another program that was just fair. (Royal theatre, Republic, Kan.-General patronage.)

• Good program picture. Drew well. (Russell theatre, Somerset, O.-General patronage.)

Moran of the Marines

• October 17-18. Paramount's worst thus far this season. Ruth Elder doesn't pretend to be an actress, so why exploit her? (Princess theatre. West Union, Ia.-General patronage.)

• Made a tieup with the high school football squad on this one and they sold enough tickets to put it over fine, making us both a little of the "long green." Dix is popular here, or has been previously. Never can tell, though, might be in today and out tomorrow, popular preference being largely a matter of uncertainty. (Isis theatre, Ashland, Neb.-General patronage.)

• December 24-25. Very weak for Dix. Drew on account of being played on holidays. Ruth Elder does not photograph so well. (Midway theatre, Martinsville, Va.-General patronage.)

Mother Knows Best

• December 2-3. A very good picture, the best we have had from Fox. Patrons said the best for some time. Must have the theme song, "Sally of My Dreams," to put it over properly. We used the record on the victrola. Very human story and clean. (Royal theatre, Hopkins, Mo.-General patronage.)

• December 25-26-27. I call it extra good, as all the rest of Fox's specials have been. I did not do a good business on it because of the flu and the time of year, but that has nothing to do with the kind of picture, and I sure have no kick coming. I will buy all this kind I can get. Madge is a real actress, and Barry Norton has as yet to show me a bad performance. There's a boy that is a "natural." (Palace theatre, Golden City, Mo. -Small town patronage.)

Mother Machree

• December 24-26. Just a nice, sweet, clean picture with some comedy and many glycerine tears. There is a note of sincerity lacking in this that just makes it fail to get over. My patrons laughed at some scenes when they were supposed to cry. Not a special by any means, Mr. Fox. Only fair business on Christmas day. (Central theatre, Selkirk, Man., Can. General patronage.)

• December 27-28-29. Another good Fox picture that went hay-wire. Paid entirely too much for it and lost money. Fox pictures don't bring them in for me. (Auditorium theatre. Laurel, Neb.General patronage.)

• January 17. Very good. The type of picture that brings your once-in-a-while customers. (Walker theatre, Mayfield, Pa.-Small town patronage.)

• A darn good picture that pleased all. Good business three days. (Gay theatre, Wayne, Neb.-Small town patronage.)

The Mysterious Lady

• A very well produced and well acted picture that was apparently liked by those who came, but did a nose-dive for me on Sunday and Monday. (Sun theatre, Kansas City, Me.-General patronage.)

• January 9. Didn't see this myself, but comment was favorable. Some said it was pretty hot stuff. (Playhouse theatre, Fairhope, Ala.-Small town patronage.)

• Well produced picture. Our patrons do not care for this star. (Selma theatre, Selma, Cal.-General patronage.)

• December 2-3. Mighty fine picture. I have paid two and three times as much for pictures that were not half so good. Everybody did fine acting. All comments were good. (Cozy theatre. Duchesne, Utah.-General patronage.)

• October 8-9. My people do not like Garbo but this picture is first class. I sat through it four times myself. (Texas theatre, Grand Prairie, Texas.-Small town patronage.)

Napoleon

• Brother exhibitors, for heaven's sake stay away from this one, it's terrible. The worst bunch of junk I have run in four years. It's a British film, released by MGM. No stars, no actors, no directing. Amateur cameramen, and some kid must have done the cutting. Four and five blocks of some scenes. I screened it in two towns and the children couldn't even stand it. Take my advice and don't even use this. (Murphy's theatres, Newark, O.-Small town patronage.)

• December 27. No good. My patrons do not care much for costume plays. (Theaterium theatre, Emlenton, Pa.-General patronage.)

• December 16. A Gaumont production to stay away from. A life history of Napoleon with a lot of battle scenes, riots, insurrections, and whatnot, done in the usual "old-country" style. Doubtless a great subject and is probably considered a great production somewhere, but we can't see it. Much of it rather confusing, and little of it to sustain the interest of a general audience. (Screenland theatre, Nevada, O.-Small town patronage.)

• December 14. Eight reels of the nearest to nothing we have ever had on our screen. Plenty of walk-outs and who could blame them. We didn't even sit through it. Plenty of scenic stuff in it, but no entertainment in it at all. If you show this one, don't stand near the door when your cash customers come out. (Grand theatre, Princeton, Mo.-Small town patronage.)

Naughty Baby

• December 24-25. Not as good as her previous picture. (Vine theatre, Mt. Vernon, O.-General patronage.)

The Night Bird

• September 26. Very good, but patrons ask, "Where's the racing car?" (Kerr theatre, Little Sioux, Ia.-Small town patronage.)

• October 26. Went over very good. Denny is a prize fighter in this and has quite a time in the ring. I find there are a lot of people who like to see this prize fight stuff. (Cozy theatre, Duchesne, Utah.-General patronage.)

• A fairly good Denny that pleased but was not at all startling. Denny's wife is acceptable as an actress and beautiful as far as I can tell. (Kenwood theatre, Chicago, Ill.-General Patpatronage.)

• January 5. A comedy which pleased everyone. Sam Hardy gives Denny valuable support. (Lake theatre, Upper Lake, Cal.-General patronage.)

• Just a dandy little picture, one that will please the whole family. Action galore. (Plainview theatre, Plainview, Neb.-General patronage.)

• December 25. A picture that pleased them all. Fine story. Star and cast are extra good. (Silver family theatre, Greenville, Mich.-General patronage.)

• January 6. Just a fair Denny. Have had several Dennys before this one that were a lot better. (Sun theatre, Farwell, Neb.-General patronage.)

• January 6. Good program number, which pleased a very light attendance, although the picture is not well adapted to Sunday showing. Not very much "he-man" stuff until the last reel or so. Denny's vehicles should be accelerated if he is to hold his following. Fair print and most of the photography was better than Universal's usual standard. Business here is at a very low ebb, and we don't mean perhaps. Soon must call the Red Cross. (Screenland theatre, Nevada, O.-Small town patronage.)

The Night Watch

• November 12-13. Same old story, Billie just don't make 'em poor. This drama of a woman on board a battleship during an engagement is full of tense situations. Well dressed and well acted, this is worth anybody's money and then some. Billie is the best draw First National has, not barring Miss Moore either. (Central theatre, Selkirk, Man., Can.-General patronage.)

• January 1-2. A captain's beautiful wife has been secreted on shipboard without the knowledge of the husband. A murder has been committed. The captain and his beautiful wife had become estranged. The husband is accused of the murder. There are about six reels of trial. The wife finally frees the suspected husband by pointing out the real criminal. Billie is always good to look upon. However, this one doesn't compare with come previous pictures made by the same star. (Princess theatre, Parkersburg, Ia.-General patronage.)

• Good picture to good business. Another one that satisfied. (New theatre, DeWitt, Ark.-General patronage.)

• Good. Of course, you have to hand it to Billie. Her pictures are dependable entertainment. (Majestic theatre, Washington, Kan.-General patronage.)

• Not so good. not so bad. Very light show and light story. Billie Dove saves it from being mediocre. (Postville theatre, Postville, Ia.-General patronage.)

None But the Brave

• October 5. Fine program picture with about one and one-half reels in technicolor that sure pleased my patrons as well as myself. (Palace theatre, Golden City, Mo.-Small town patronage.)

• November 27-28. This is a neat little program picture if you can get anybody in to see it. I can't get anybody in to see pictures with an unknown cast and a meaningless title. There is about a reel of technicolor in this that is extra beautiful, and Sally Phipps in the tech sequence looks good enough to eat. The picture will please if you can get them in. (Trags theatre, Neillsville, Wis.Small town patronage.)

• The name of this picture is not much for a drawing card and has no meaning as far as I could see. But don't fail to play this one on account of the name, for it is a sure enough pleasing picture. It has got some of the most beautiful colored beauty contest costumes in it ever staged for eyes to look at. (Dixie theatre, Durant, Miss.-General patronage.)

Nothing to Wear

• November 15. This is an extra-fine picture and pleased a big crowd. Very, very true of the ladies of today. Be sure to play it. (Parkview theatre, Collierville, Tenn.-Small town patronage.)

• Nice little comedy. Title drew. (Russell theatre, Somerset, O.-General patronage.)

• Very pleasing program. Married life comedy. Will please light entertainment crowd. (Empress theatre, Arms, Kan.-General patronage.)

• A fine program feature- one that everyone will enjoy. (Lydia theatre, Grand Island, Neb.-General patronage.)

Our Dancing Daughters

• September 30-October 1. A good picture for the the younger set. Drew them in swarms, although most of our old fashioned regulars stayed home or went to church for a change. For the hundredth time we say that Metro features are too dark for us, even though we have just installed the latest Mazda equipment; and much of the effectiveness of their pictures is lost on that account. We do not have that trouble with other product. Naturally, we would draw a slovenly inspected print for a night when we had a houseful of particular and critical people. Outside of these little things we were very well satisfied with the picture, which did over twice the business for us that we had with Beau Broadway a week ago. Cast were all guilty of good acting. Good directing by Harry Beaumont. For our use we rate this picture about 50 per cent. (Screenland theatre, Nevada, O.-Small town patronage.)

• Broke all house records. Everyone well pleased. Comment, "perfect." (Harvard theatre, Harvard, Neb.-General patronage.)

• September 23-24. Very good. This is certainly a drawing card. Best business this summer and fall. (Strand theatre, Tooele, Utah.-General patronage.)

• December 2. This picture was very well produced and splendidly acted. It is one to be remembered and will give good satisfaction to any house. (Ideal theatre, Stanwood, Wash.-Small town patronage.)

The Outcast

• Now, then, Norma Talmadge will have to take a back seat, for Corinne Griffith has staged a comeback that looks as though she is right out in front, and it is as it should be, for Corinne does show in this picture that she is better than she ever was in every way. Edmund Lowe is very, very good, and the picture is one of the most interesting and best produced for months and months. This picture should register with the better class of movie patronage. (Cozy theatre, Winchester, Ind.-General patronage.)

• This is a good one. Pleased my patrons. (Majestic theatre, Washington, Kan.-General patronage.)

• A real picture, but oh, how it flopped! (Pastime theatre, Medicine Lodge, Kan.-Small town patronage.)

Out of the Ruins

• October 19-20. Another good one. A war story, but a pleasing show, with fine acting. (Adair theatre, Adair, Ia.-General patronage.)

• November 29. Why give Barthelmess such a poor story; do they want to ruin him? It's just five reels of nonsense and two reels of fun. Many more like this one, Richard, and you will be ruined as well as the pictures. Imagine a man with rifles failing to kill when only a few feet away. A good joke. (Rialto theatre, Bushnell, Ill.-General patronage.)

• December 2-3. Another good one from Barthelmess. Every picture of his on this year's contract has been plenty good. This one is not quite as good as The Noose, but is good enough for anybody's house. (Grand theatre, Princeton, Mo.-Small town patronage.)

• Not as good as his other previous pictures. Public thought it The Road to Ruin, and I did a wonderful business and the picture pleased, so what more can you want? (Postville theatre, Postville, Ia.-General patronage.)

• Drags- too slow. Women may like it. (Richelieu theatre, Bellefonte and Clearfield, Pa.-General patronage.)

Painted Post

• October 13. A regular Mix picture. Pleased the old and made the young howl. (Silver Family theatre, Greenville, Mich.-General patronage.)

• Just a good average Western. Have had lots better pictures with this star than this one. Pleased the usual amount of Mix fans. (Paramount theatre, Wyoming, Ill.-General patronage.)

The Patriot

• November 19-20-21. Played this three days to an empty house, but it was no fault of the picture. A great picture and should make the big boys in the big towns dust off the S.R.O. sign. Print good and best photography ever seen on our screen. (Midway theatre. Martinsville, Va.-Small town patronage.)

• A wonderfully made picture, but it did not draw. I believe this picture the most suggestive picture we ever ran. Just another reason why we need censorship. The small town exhibitors need clean pictures. (Lyric theatre, Wooster, O.-General patronage.)

• December 26. Wonderful picture, but too long. No doubt Jannings is a wonderful actor and we expect great things from him here as this is our first picture of his. Lewis Stone almost steals the picture from Jannings. (LaCrosse theatre, LaCrosse, Kan.-General patronage.)

• January 1-2-3. Wonderful picture as far as acting is concerned. but a big flop at the box office. It has no drawing power. The title kills the drawing power of the picture. (Strand theatre, Griswold, Ia.-General patronage.)

• January 1-3. An excellent picture that was a complete flop for us. We lost money, and although the flu and bad weather had something to do with it, can't lay all of it to that alone. (Legion theatre, Holyrood, Kan.-Small town patronage.)

The Perfect Crime

• October 3-4. Good mystery detective story with a sudden ending. Would consider this an extra good program picture but for my part was glad I did not raise admission. Hope the other RKO pictures are as good. The acting was fine, film good and good directing. Good ending, not a tragedy. (Sun theatre, Sargent, Neb.-General patronage.)

• Good picture. Acting wonderful, and this man Brook can act. (Lyric theatre, Atkinson, Neb.-General patronage.)

• January 8. Just another mystery story. Star and cast are fine. When they saw it was a dream and Brook woke up, the crowd woke up and gave me a sleepy look and went home. (Silver Family theatre, Greenville, Mich.-General patronage.)

• December 14-15. Touted and bought as a special. Only a mediocre program picture. Film dark. Glad I didn't raise admission. As a whole it didn't satisfy. Queer ending that didn't quite let my patrons know what it was all about. (Auditorium theatre, Laurel, Neb.-General patronage.)

• Fair picture. Good work by Brook, but why do they keep putting Irene Rich in pictures? She drives half of the people away from the show and gives the other half a pain. (Walnut theatre, Lawrenceburg, Ind.-General patronage.)

• This was sold as a special, but was nothing out of the ordinary. All patrons kicked on the finish of this one. (Sun theatre, Farwell, Neb.-General patronage.)

• November 24. This is one of RKO's super specials. It did not draw very well here. Too mysterious. Seventy-five per cent of our patrons did not know what the story was about and several walked out on us. (S. of N. theatre, Ambrose, N.D.-General patronage.)

• Good mystery story, but the ending fooled 'em. Nearly everyone wondered what it was all about. (Theatorium, Columbia Falls, Mont.-Small town patronage.)

Phyllis of the Follies

• January 1-2. Very bad weather cut down the receipts. The picture was better than expected. There isn't a great deal to it, but it got by. Backgrounds and settings very classy. Cast doesn't amount to much, but all in all, this one will fill a date. (Screenland theatre, Nevada, O.-Small town patronage.)

• January 18. One of the best program pictures we have played. Story entertaining, clean and funny. Cast extra good. (Silver family theatre, Greenville, Mich.-General patronage.)

Plastered in Paris

• December 7-8. Just fair. It doesn't compare with Gay Retreat. Some of the scenes could have been left out and the picture would not have been impaired. If your clientele isn't too particular it will go over fair. (Princess theatre, Parkersburg, Ia.-General patronage.)

• Very smutty in places, otherwise very good comedy. Why don't you leave the rotten stuff out? Second night bad, business fell off. (Gay theatre, Wayne, Neb. Small town patronage.)

• November 9. Just a fair program, not nearly as good as Why Sailors Go Wrong or The Gay Retreat, his last season's features. Had some knock this. (Palace theatre, Golden City, Mo.-Small town patronage.)

• November 23-24. Good comedy. None too refined in spots, but that is what most of the "Whoops" seem to want, so why worry? (Perkins theatre, Holton, Kan.-Small town patronage.)

• November 20. A farce comedy they enjoyed. Played to fair business. (Wilson Opera House, Wilson, Kan.-Small town patronage.)

Power

• December 21. Had several good comments on this. Boyd and Alan Hale make a good drawing combination for us. Good comedy. (LaCrosse theatre, LaCrosse, Kan.-General patronage.)

• Sorry. I can't give this much. I consider it very mediocre entertainment. Many adverse comments. (Postville theatre, Postville, Ia.-General patronage.)

• Good picture, with plenty of comedy-relief. It pleased those who came on a nasty day just before Christmas. Business not very good. (Crystal theatre, Wayne, Neb.-General patronage.)

• October 22-23. Another Pathe special that was only a program comedy. A good feature comedy, but not worth what we paid for it. Business poor. (Midway theatre, Martinsville, Va.-Small town patronage.)

Prep and Pep

• Showed to a fair crowd on Thanksgiving night. True to title, it is a school story with lots of pep. Scenes laid in the military academy at Culver City, Ind. (Royal theatre, Hopkins, Mo.-General patronage.)

• December 28-29. A good program picture. Nothing big, but pleasing to all classes. (Rialto theatre, Hamilton, O.-General patronage.)

"Box Office Record," The Motion Picture Almanac, (Chicago: Quigley Publishing Company), 1929, pages 196-209.

© 1997, David Pierce, on editing and revisions (if any)

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