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

48 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD October 27, 1928 While taking a 6low walk the other night up Broadway, I made these casual observances: Thirty-fourth Street and Broadway which is at all times during the day jammed to capacity with shoppers is almost deserted every night after seven P. M.. with the exception of a few slouching figures here and there lurking in various hallways, — A few beggars and window shoppers tarrying as they "mooch" along. . . . Further up Broadway beginning at Thirty-ninth street, the theatre district starts to come into its own, also "Chop Suey Lane" (known to a great many people as the "Great White Way") . . . it is only a few paces from here that you find yourself in Times Square, illuminated as bright as day, with countless thousands upon thousands of pedestrians, tickets in hand rushing to the various legitimate and motion picture theatres. . . . Taxicabs piled one on top of another, all laden with fares also bound for the theatres. . . . (One wonders how the theatres can accommodate so many and where so many people come from?) . . . the latter part of this question is easily answered . . . they come from all over the world, and a rough guess on my part estimates the number of legitimate theatres in and around Times Square as being one hundred and twenty-five . . . the picture theatres along the "alley" number sixteen, making a total of about one hundred and forty-one theatres along the Times Square District. Right in the heart of the "alley" the movietone plays an important part in the present political campaign with thousands clustered about listening md applauding the various speeches from Democratic speakers. Somehow or other a small town feeling of homelikeness overcomes you if you mingle with this crowd. They all seem to be of the same accord — for Alfred E. Smith I • * • You can't help come to the conclusion that New Yorkers most certainly like to eat, for almost every block has about three or four restaurants and at all times they are crowded. Shoe stores, nut 6hops, haberdasheries, novelty stores, orangeade-pineapple stands and ladies apparel shops of the cheaper class form the conglomeration of stores that line Broadway on both sides. • • • In the natural order of events comes 50th street with the Roxy. Capitol and Rivoli theatres, the subway kiosks pouring out hundreds from every train, and the rampage of thousands still continues in that awful hurry, all bent on reaching some theatre. • • • A few blocks up from here, the Great White Way really comes to an end, but it is predicted that within a few years this section will really be the very heart of the theatre world, and from early indications the trend seems to have already taken on that aspect. • • • It seems very funny, but for some reason or other while traversing Broadway, you don't seem to pay any attention to the side streets, and it is really here that most of the legitimate theatres are situated. I presume that the many fantastic sights, electric signs and throngs of people occupy all of your attention on the "avenue," and you really haven't much chance to look to the left or right. • • • Broadway is without a doubt a marvelous sight at night, and mighty hard for me to describe to you — all I can say is that If you have never been to New York and seen Broadway, do so next summer on your vacation. . . Make sure at any rate that you get here before you die — you'll get a helluva kick out of it. 1 1 1 • • • P. S. Don't misconstrue my meaning In the above column. I'm not "blowing New York's horn," and I can name a half dozen cities I would much rather live in than here, but still and all I can never erase the fact from my mind that there Is but one Broadway I Chicago Organists Hold Open Meeting On October 23rd, at midnight, an open meeting was held at the Chicago Theatre, Chicago, by members of the Chicago Society of Organists. The organization is headed by Anita DcMars, president, and Ramon Berry," vice president. More than 500 organists representing the various theatres in and around Chicago, attended the event. Milton Charles, soloist at the Chicago Theatre, closed the proceedings with an organ recital. The speakers of the evening were Louis Lipstone, A. Raymond Gallo, Margarite Felch and Alfred G. Rackett. Among the many things that were discussed was the present talking picture situation that seems to be the main cause for displacing a number of organists. On account of the lateness of the meeting and the nearness of press-time, a complete report will be published in the next issue of EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD. ORGAN SOLOS Don and Iris Wilkins (Portland, Portland, Ore.) (yes, Don and wife) are putting over community singing, or their 6inging school as they call it in nice shape — Iris at the Wurlitzer and Don accompanying on his banjo. Both are good and continue to make many friends. They are original and have ability to pick out popular numbers, in the old school day songs to the latest running the gamut, "Ramona," "Little Dream House" down to "The Animal Fair." Preston Sellers (Chicago Oriental) collection of songs more than satisfied the patrons at the Oriental. His solo was called "You Can Do It Better with Gas," and some of the songs he played were "Just a Night for Meditation," "King for a Day," "Angela Mia," "Old Man Sunshine," and "Get Out and Get Under the Moon." Sellers received a generous applause and proved a hit with the Oriental people. Sammy Williams (Chicago Regal) and his "organ club" chalked up another successful meeting for the Regal this week. One feature that received quite a following was Sammy's announcing (on screen) the names of members that birthday took place this week. Then a birthday song was sung in honor of the "birthday members." W. Remington Welch (Chicago Tiffin) offered "Just a Melody" as a community 6inging stunt with the following songs: "Ten Little Miles From Town," "Just a Night for Meditation," "Without You Sweetheart," "King for a Day," "Sonny Boy," "Angela Mia," and "You're a Real Sweetheart." Due to the popularity of Welch, who has been here more than three seasons, it was necessary to repeat the last number. Even after the comedy film was flashed on the screen, and the pit orchestra picked up the tune, the crowd insisted on going on with the song in spite of the fact that Welch had long finished his solo. It proves that community singing is well liked here, especially in the manner that this organist presents them. Eddie Dunstcdler (Minneapolis Minnesota) played "In a Clock Store" as his part of the entertainment last week. It displayed possibilities that an organ holds for imitating sounds, and Dunstedter proved himself very versatile with his program. The clock imitations were played in every conceivable style and for every type of a clock. He concluded his organ solo with a medley of popular tunes played as church bells would be manipulated intermingled with chime effects. BEST SELLERS "Sonny Boy" — (De Sylva-Brown & Henderson). "Jeannine I Dream of Lilac Time" — (Leo Feist). "King For a Day" — (Retnick Music Corp.). "Girl of My Dreams"— (Jack Mills). "Angela Mia" — (DeSylva-Broivn & Henderson). "Old Man Sunshine"— (Retnick Music Corp.). "Get Out and Get Under the Moon" — (Irving Berlin). "You're a Real Sweetheart" — (Leo Feist). "I Can't Give You Anything but Love"— (Jack Mills). "There's A Rainbow 'Round My Shoulders" — (Irving Berlin). "That's My Weakness Nov/" — (Shapiro-Bernstein). "Just a Night for. Meditation"— ( Sluipiro-Bernstein). "Ten Little Miles From Town" — (Irving Berlin). "Chiquita" — (Leo Feist). "Down Where the Sun Goes Down" — (Leo Feist). "Roses of Yesterday" — (Irving Berlin). DOLORES— (Harms. Inc.)— Though this song is dedicated to the famous moving picture star, Dolores Del Rio, it is not a theme song. This alone puts it in the novelty class. Written as a waltz and with an excellent lyric. By Edward Grossman and Ted Ward. • • • THE STOLEN MELODY*— (Empire Music Co.)— The writer of Dardanella is responsible for both the words and music to this novelty song, Fred Fisher. Will be great for orchestras and might develop into a seller. • • • THERE'S A RAINBOW 'ROUND MY SHOULDER — (Irving Berlin. Inc.)— This song is sung in the new Jolson picture The Singing Fool. Is a very good song and with this picture clicking all over the country, should sell. By Al Jolson, Billy Rose and Dave Dreyer. • « • SALLY OF MY DREAMS— (De Sylra, Brown & Henderson) — The theme song of the new Fox picture entitled Mother Knows Best. Is a very pretty song and there is something about the name of Sally that sells copies so this sure looks commercial. By William Kernel!. • • • WITHERED ROSES — (Harold Rosslter)— Three local boys wrote this fox trot ballad and the famous Guy Lombardo orchestra is featuring the same. Is very pretty. Words and music by Charlie Garland, Larry Shay and Haven Gillespie. • • • DON'T BE LIKE THAT — (Shapiro, Bernstein & Co.) — A fox trot comedy song that has plenty of merit. These well known writers should make money with this song. By Archie Cottier, Charles Tobias and Maceo Pinkard. • • • HIGH UP ON A HILL-TOP— (Leo FeUt, Inc.)— One of the writers is responsible for the lyrics of "Blue Heaven" and this song Is on that type. It's really a beautiful thought and looks like a hit song. Words and music by Abel Baor, Ian Campbell and George Whiting. • • • LOVE LETTERS— (Donaldson. Douglas & Gumble) — When theBe two leading writers get together they always turn out n song that is perfect. This Is one that looks like it will add to their laurels. Is a Fox Trot with an excellent lyric. By Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn.