Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Oct-Dec 1928)

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October 27, 1928 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD L5 STAGE SHOWS {Continued from page 43) of a dummy partner, all in progressive cleverness. He was the hit of the week. Mirth Hack, blues singer, also appeared. The Fox movietone was particularly popular as it showed snatches of football games and workouts. Chicago Granada Week Ending October 19 The pit orchestra under the direction of Maurice Thai presented an overture accompanying the Vitaphone of Vivienne Siegel and John Charles Thomas in "Maytime." This offering was well played and conducted, and received quite an ovation. The sta^eshow was called "Revue Moderne" featuring Miss Patricola. The show opened in beautiful garden setting with wall decorated by girls as statuettes posing near huge grapevines. A young lady, unbilled, sang the theme song, "Grapevine" as the girls went into a Grecian dance routine. After this number Benny Meroff, the bandleader, came on to announce "King for a Day" as a band member. Judging from the few handclaps that Meroff received, it is evident that he is losing his popularity as a master of ceremonies. The trumpeter sang a vocal chorus of the band number through a megaphone. We are still wondering why the producers called upon this chap to sing, as his voice has no sinking quality whatsoever. The Diehl Sisters were next in a routine of hokum comedy dancing, garbed in Egyptian costumes. These girls formerly of vaudeville, are a recognized attraction for this type of work, and were well liked here for their efforts. Meroff next announced Roy Dean, the singing usher, who offered "I'd Rather Cry Over You Than Sing Over Somebody Else." This chap has a nice voice and neat personality that should carry him far in this type of work. As usual, Meroff tried to show off while this chap sang an encore, and in spite of the fact Dean went over on his own merit. It has boen quite sometime since this reporter has seen any of the Meroff -hows for the fact that most of his work consists of doing the same things in the same way. Harry Berry and Miss were on next in a versatile offering that consisted of singing, dancing and comedy talking. This act is also from vaudeville, and in spite of the fact that it is different it has very little to offer to make it unusual. However, they seemed to get their share of applause at this house. The n«xt band arrangement was "Ten Little Miles from Town" with a saxophone solo by Meroff and a comedy singing-solo by a quartet composed from the band. Benny next went into one of his favorite dance steps and received quite a reception for his routine. Before becoming a bandleader this fellow was featured in vaudeville as an eccentric dancer and it has been through this origin that he attained the position he now holds. As a matter of suggestion, it would not hurt Meroff to learn a few new steps inasmuch as dancing is his real forte. A musical comedy routine was presented next with the ballet and Marcella Hardy and Meroff doing a duet. The dancing routine was unique but the singing on Meroff's part could have been eliminated as he is far from being a singer. Miss Patricola followed this with "Blue Grass," "That's My Mammy," and a medley of old jazz bal■ads. Mis* Patricola, who headlined over the leading vaudeville circuits for many years, is still the princess of personality and quite an entertainer with her VTTAPHONE and MOVIETONE Will Not Eliminate THE SPOTLIGHT ORGANIST TJT fT". Tn« Average or Mediocre Organist's IJL 1 ! luiure Is >'ol Assured ARE YOU PREPARED? A M aiter Theatre Cour«e Under th» Supervision of LEW WHITE Witt Prepare You for Future Demands THREE MONSTER KIMBALL ORGANS -Students hare enrolled from all iHtloiil of the country AT THE White Institute of Organ 1680 Broadway New York City If They Are Stars, They Can Be Seen in Picture Houses If any exhibitor has any doubt whether or not stage presentations are still as important to deluxe motion picture theatres as films are, just scan the presentation department of this publication each week and notice the number of stars that have succumbed to the lure of picture house bookings. Since the policy went into effect, nearly four years ago. every type of star, of the dramatic musical, vaudeville and silent stages, have been presented to picture housegoers, at popular prices. In Chicago alone this week, such wellknown stars as Francis X. Bushman, Miss Patricola, Lou Tellegen. Raymond Hitchcock, Red Grange, and a number of others, are making personal appearances in deluxe picture houses. It has been proven by box office results that big names have broken all records ever attained by any theatre, bar none. And on the other hand, there have been some box office names that have taken a terrible flop in picture houses. However, the score is about even and proves that if you have something worthwhile to present, even the masses can tell the difference regardless of the name. It comes right back to the old story again that merit will always stand on its own and that past performance alone is not enough to stage a comeback. specialties by the members of the orchestra. King and King, seen before to good advantage in presentation houses along Broadway, offer their famous precision chain dance to good returns. The Three Dennis Sisters, rolled in from the wings in a "solitary confinement" cell, sing in close harmony "Something Tells Me" — and stepping out of their cell, they furnish an encore entitled "Take Me Back." The Gould Dancers, as "jay-walkers" offer a novelty dance under the expert direction of the master of ceremonies. It is explained that as the orchestra plays a bar or two, and stops short, the girls in their dance must also stop, and wait for the orchestra to proceed. A fine of from 10 to 30 days is imposed on the girl who moves. The number is started, stopped, continued, stopped, and so on, and the novelty of this idea puts it over for the hit number of the show. Lamberti, who has appeared at different intervals during this revue as the Warden, is introduced as a xylophone artist, and with a little fixing, comedy talk, pantomime work, et al, he proceeds to play a good rendition of "Stars and Stripes Forever" followed by "Silver Threads Among the Gold" and "Humoresque." King and King, in a contest dance, prove to be exceptional hoofers, who can do some difficult work, and do it in a big way. Eddie Peabody takes the stage for a few moments, in "Musical Dynamite" first playing "Rhapsody in Blue" on the banjo, and it really sounds great, then he plays and sings "Drifting," and for a second encore he puts over "St. Louis Blues" — all on the banjo, and the audience went wild, without exaggeration, making it necessary for him to refuse a third encore. The show stopped and he had to force the show to a close with a chorus dance, and the entire ensemble with orchestra, in "The Prisoner's Song." voice and violin. She stopped the show at this performance and more than pleased the ticket-buyers. The finale ended quite an entertaining bill and closed in the same fashion as the opening, with the ballet and prima donna singing a song about grape vines. New York Paramount Week Ending October 26 Publix Theatre presents Eddie Peabody and the Paramount Stage Orchestra in "Bars and Stripes." devised and staged by C. A. Niggeraeyer. The opening number is Eddie Peabody himself, as introduced by a cute little song from the Janton Sisters. Eddie offers a short speech of acceptance with thanks, whirls around and starts the show off with a bang. This boy is simply full of pep and personality, and can be proclaimed an instant hit at this theatre. The Gould Suppers, the "jailbirds" of this prison scene, with a chorus dance, entering from behind the bars of their cells in the background, and dressed as birds. "Hot Rythm" is played by the stage-band, under the snappy leadership of the agile Peabody, with Salt Lake City Capitol Week Ending October 13 The stage offering this week is a Fanchon & Marco production entitled "Banjoys Idea" and is an exceptionally delightful musical act dedicated to stringed music. Featured on this bill is Hobart Kennedy as the banjoist, who is well received. Oscar Taylor, a popular baritone, who sings ballad songs with great success, entertains very pleasingly with his well chosen selection of songs. Assisting in this act is also Robert Ziegler, concert pianist, who renders highly entertaining selections. Alfred Brower supplys diversion in this musical stage presentation by his dancing of quality, as do the "Sunkist Beauties" in their ensemble numbers. Ralph Pollock and his Capitol theatre orchestra aid greatly with their high-class musical accompaniment and special numbers, as does Alexander Schreiner at the organ. The picture presentation in this connection is Milton Sills in "The Crash" and very good attendance has been had during the entire week. FLORENCE BRADY 'Nothing But Songs' Now Touring KEITH-ALBEE-ORPHEUM Circuit After a Successful Season in Picture Houses Direction — Harry Fitzgerald and Danny Collins MILTON SLOSSER Solo Organist Fifth Year at the MISSOURI THEATRE, ST. LOUIS BROWN and BAILEY "The Deluxe Dancing Team" Still Playing Deluxe Picture Theatres Direction — William Morris Agency