The Melancholy Critics

The exhibitors who run the nation's movie theaters judge a picture strictly by the money it makes. Weighing one against another, they form sharp opinions, make them known to other "exhibs" --and to respectful cinemoguls--through brief critiques in the trade weekly Boxoffice. Examples of the cinema's most practical criticism:

The Pajama Game (Warner). "Too much singing and music, [with which] the public is saturated by radio and 'tiny-vision.' "--L.J.L., Randolph, Neb. (pop. 1,029).

The Sun Also Rises (20th Century-Fox). "Out here in the short-grass country we only read the books that have been banned in Boston, so our folks can either take Hemingway or leave him alone. In this case, they left him alone, and we got gored worse than the bullfighter. Personally, we prefer a picture to carry just one main story--something to match our third-grade mentality."--P.R., Ness City, Kans. (pop. 1,612).

Tip on a Dead Jockey (M-G-M). "I don't know about the dead jockey, but if you want a tip on how to have an empty theater . . ."--V.W., Kensett, Ark. (pop. 1,000).

The Tin Star (Paramount). "Why was it not in color? We're getting took with these TV black-and-whites."--F.E.S., Eureka, Mont. (pop. 929).

Apache Warrior (20th Century-Fox). "Too many Indians . . ."--D.W.T., Runge, Texas (pop. 1,055).

From Hell It Came (Allied Artists). "It just won't scare the teen-agers."--H.H., Marietta, Minn. (pop. 380).

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