Exhibitors Herald (1927)

April 2, 1927 EXHIBITORS HERALD 41 Omaha, Riviera — Opening Bill Bock Offers Organists a Solo Number Richmond, Ind,, Soloist Submits Special for Use of Organists RICHMOND, IND., March 26.— I will give you a brief outline of the organ solo which I used this week. It will go over in almost any town or city. They go wild over it. The title of it is “Late.” “From Now On,” “Moonlight on the Ganges” and “Rags” are the song numbers used. It runs as follows: Operator puts spot on organ but organist is absent. After a few seconds of delay, the bell rings back stage and somebody with a rough voice is heard saying: “Hey, get up on that organ, your solo is on.” Organist comes rushing in the pit with great excitement, slamming the pit door behind him. In the rush towards the organ he knocks over a few chairs. After he is seated at the organ he starts looking for his music, he can’t find it. He questions the orchestra leader with motions, but he doesn’t know what became of the music. The organist now turns around on the bench and motions the operator to take the spot light off. After a second of darkness, organist throws his own spot on. Then goes into the following two slides: 1 — Excuse me Folks, I’m late, I guess, and the Boss is mad Down stairs I played a game of chess and got beaten bad. 2 — I can’t find my Music now But to make things right, I will play a few songs anyhow Of what I’ve got in sight. (Played to the tune of Coming Thru the Rye.) Then go into one verse and a chorus of “From Now On,” and segue into “Monlight on the Ganges.” Play one verse and a chorus and then segue into the introduction of “Rags” with a dark screen, because here the organist is being interrupted by a little boy poorly dressed in ragged street clothes, like a newspaper boy, he (the boy) is running down the aisle hollering, EXTRA? EXTRA? READ ALL ABOUT “RAGS.” The boy gets down to the organ. The organist takes one of his papers, giving him five cents, looks at the head lines. 'Then puts the paper one side goes back into the introduction of “Rags,” with the slides, while the boy sings with him in the spot. He sings one verse and one chorus. This is a very good solo, and it gives the public something that is a little different from the song slides. TED BOCK, Organist, Tivoli Theatre, Richmond, Ind. 122 on Rivera Staff staff of the Omaha Riviera will number 122. Orchestra of 18 pieces under Frederick Schmidt, seven stagehands and four projectioniste are included in this number. Know the Vaughns? L. F. Heitzig, Star theatre, Madelion Minn., writes of “The Musical Vaughns” — “A very good act that pleased 100% and drew out a crowd to put over the current picture. Don’t fail to book the Musical Vaughns if ever opportunity permits. Attagirl, Dot! Dorothy Morrison, reported as **not a dancer” in a recent issue, came up to the Herald office and borrowed floorspace to prove the contrary. Davey White, whoso stepping ability is do-re-mi to picture house audiences, came along to whistle the necessary accompaniment and was persuaded by the staff cameraman to step into the picture. The jury sustained the plaintiff. Schader with Franklin Fred Schader, Variety ace. has accepted the post of advertising and publicity director for Harold B. Franklin in the latter’s new connection as general manager of West Coast Theatres. Broadway will not be the same hereafter, but Los Angeles will be different, say Freddie’s playmates on the calciumed avenue. Another Organist Quits Mildred Fitzpatrick, organist, who took the Chicago Piccadilly console when Leo Terry resigned, resigned March 26 after two weeks at the same. Probably somebody else took it over, or maybe solos are out since A1 Short took his band on the stage. Ruth Etting Featured Ruth Etting, whose way with a song kept her working until tired in Chicago bandshows, was runner-up to a Publix unit in Detroit last week and is holding that spot of prominence on the Chicago theatre bill this week. Why Organists Go Flat Dick Hartigan, organist at the Troy (N. Y.) Troy, went to bed and lost a day’s work when a doctor’s thermometer showed a temperature of 104. Next day the physician showed up with apologies for a faulty instrument that gave that reading for everybodv who lipped it, pronounced Hartigan well, but couldn’t think of a thing to do 'about the time out. Cambria Does Two Specials for Premiere Finston Handles Music — Big Cast in Opener — Town Welcomes Publix Idea OMAHA, March 29. — Omaha this week was treated to a stage presentation excelling anything ever seen here. Frank Cambria, ace Publix producer, put it on for the opening of the new Riviera, the latest A. H. Blank-Publix theatre. Mr. Cambria had a beautiful setting in the new John Eberson interior, and able assistance with Nathaniel Finston directing the orchestra and George A. Johnson at the organ, and he made the most of it. Uses Local History Mr. Cambria took a page from the history of Omaha for one of his acts. With the collaboration of William K. Holland he offered “An Indian Legend.” The setting was a vista of the Missouri river, with rocks and bluffs in the foreground. Logan Fontenelle, Indian chief who was the friend of the white man, was played by Edward Molitore, baritone, and the part of an Idian maiden by Carmela Tendera, soprano. They were dressed in Indian robes of white, with Indian decorations. Among their songs was “The Sky Blue Waters.” A ballet of girls in white Indian costumes, with long bows and arrows, danced. The finale was a very effective song from an overhanging rock. Banquet Second Idea “The Riviera Inaugural Banquet” was a long step from the Indian presentation but just as effectively put on. The whole stage center was a huge white cake, decorated in proper birthday style. Mr. Cambria was master of ceremonies, and introduced act after act. Helen Cahoon, soprano, and Arch Cannon, tenor, sang solos. Miss Cahoon sang “Spring Voices,” and Mr. Cannon sang from the “Bohemian Girl.” Charley Calver, “banjokster” with his little hat and funny ways, entertained in a very satisfactory manner, as the others had done before him. White and Manning, former Greenwich Village Follies stars, put on comedy acrobatics and songs. They were well received. “The Riviera dancing beauties” were attractively garbed in red hoop skirts and red headgear as they entered and were graceful throughout their act. “When the Pie Was Opened” As a finale, the “Inauguration Banquet”