Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1929)

October 5, 1929 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD 53 UP*** DOWN 'ALLEY Q Hello Everybody — Jean Herbert, the well known song writer, with a wide acquaintance in the music business, has been added to the staff of DeSylva, Brown and Henderson, Inc., in the capacity of special material writer, replacing Jack Murray, who resigned. Jean is a very prolific writer and the profession can rest assured that their needs in regards to special choruses, patters, recitations, etc., for DeSylva, Brown and Henderson's songs will be taken care of to the beet of his ability, which is plenty. * * * M. Witmark and Sons have just completed a dance folio consisting solely of picture songs. This folio is the most novel and attractive idea yet issued by these publishers, in that opposite each number is a full page photograph of a leading star in that particular picture, with a short biography of he or she. The list includes 12 songs of the latest releases and is destined to become one of the most tremendous dance folio sellers in the country. * * * Jack Mills, president of Mills Music, Inc., has just returned from a trip to Chicago and points between, where he was very successful in promoting bis firm's two best sellers, "Ain't Misbehavin' " and "Mistakes." * * * Leo Feist, Inc., is concentrating heavily on the two new songs to feature the new screen production, "Rio Rita." The two new ones are "Sweetheart, We Need Each Other" and "You're Always in My Arms," the original score from the stage play include "If You're in Love, You'll Waltz," "Following the Sun Around," "The Rangers Song." "The Kinkajoo" and "Rio Rita." » * * The Fox Movietone production, "Married in Hollywood," has the unusual distinction of being the first operetta to contain a music score of waltzes only. The waltzes are "Dance Away the Night." "Once Upon a Time," "A Man— a Maid," "Deep in Love" and "The Peasant Love Song." The score for this was written by Oscar Strauss, the waltz king, together with Dave Stamper and Harlan Thompson, with DeSylva, Brown and Henderson, the publishers. * * * Sherman, Clay Music Co., who have the musical score in the "Great Gabbo" picture, boast about having two great songs in, "I'm in Love With You" and "Web Of Love." The other songs, in this picture that look very good are "Every Now and Then," "New Step" and a comedy called, "I'm Laughing." ft ft ft Billy Berkes of Remick's may be a darned good fixer for other people, but his charm does not seem to work for himself. At present, and probably for the next week or two, Billy Berkes, the Fixer, is serving time as a juryman for the state of New York. * * * Dropped in to see Cliff Hess at Remick's the other day and had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with Julia Dawn, the Singing Organist of Shea's Buffalo Theatre, Buffalo, N. Y. Miss Dawn is in town, visiting her many friends. * * t Bernie Pollock, General Sales Manager of M. Witmark and Sons, announce a Banjo Folio No. 1 which contains a list of Warner and First National theme songs. This folio has been especially prepared by Mr. Anthony and is the first one Of its kind to contain only songs from musical pictures and productions. There are also publishing a Saxophone folio arranged by Merle Johnson, the w. k. saxophonist. * * * In last week's Herald, you will notice that the Santly Bros, latest number, "Lonely Troubadour," received a mighty fine write-up in a local newspaper. This number has been getting some very fine radio plugs by many of the best artists in the business. ORGAN SOLOS Don Baker (Brooklyn Paramount) In the absence of Bob West, who is on a vacation, Baker offered a pleasing solo which he called "A Miniature Organ Recital." He opened with a popular number, "Baby, Where Can You Be," which he played with many variances. "The Charge of the Light Brigade," played in an impressive style closed this short but good solo. Preston Sellers (Chicago Paradise) Being the first anniversary of the Paradise, Sellers began his 6olo with a novelty number telling about the theatre and its doings in the past year. Then he went into a old time melody "You Made Me What I Am Today," and the response to singing was a surprise due to the age of the song. After this he played "Song Of the Nile." Then another novelty number was played. Following was "When Dreams Come True" and "Am I Blue." Sellers took three bows. The pleasing manner in which he plays his songs makes the patrons rather listen then sing. Good music will always be preferred to singing. Bill Meeder (Richmond Hill, N. Y. R. K. O.) offered another of his pleasing and original organ solos, this week featuring "Smiling Irish Eyes," the theme song of the First National picture by the same name which this theatre has for the main attraction for this week. Meeder opened his solo, with a chorus of this number, then turned to his audience and orally told his audience that he would play many of the old time theme songs, that were played by organists for picture before theme 60ngs were known as they are to-day. The idea, conveyed was for the audience to sing the numbers that they recalled. The numbers Meeder played were, "I Love You Truly," "Mighty Lak' A Rose" "By Heck," a song in German, "Chinese Lullaby," and "Cherie." final chorus of "Smiling Irish Eyes" closed this fine solo. Hy C. Geis (Jersey City Stanley) offered an original and interesting organ solo which he called, "A Trip Through Wurlitzertown." This solo deviated greatly from Geis' usual song-fests but as it was so instructive, the audience enjoyed it as much as his song-fests. With the use of explanatory slides, Geis demonstrated the entire workings of an organ, playing bits to emphasize the instrument or part he was explaining. The only song he played was, "Am I Blue." This was played with orchestral effects that brought out all the marvelous workings of the organ. Leo Weber (Jersey City, Loew's, Jersey City) long a favorite in this city, has been chosen as feature organist at this house. Loew's used very good judgment in picking Leo Weber, inasmuch as he already has a very large following, it can readily be seen that his name will draw many of them, who have never seen him, but who know him from his Radio concerts, which have been broadcast from Jersey City for the past two years. Leo opened his "Hello Everybody" solo, with a talk, over a "mie" attached to his organ. He suggested that he would start a school of broadcasting, first naming tnis school the Jersey City Mixed Chorus, with the idea that the audience would be the mixed chorus. The idea was readily agreed to by the audience, and when Leo played the opening song, "Heigh-Ho, Everybody, Heigh-Ho," everyone sang. Weber, offered an innovation here, by leading the audience in the singing, with his pleasing voice. Weber enacts the triple role of organist, chorus leader and announcer. His easy and genial manner of talking through the mic and his fine playing, will, undoubtedly, gain him a much larger following than he already has. The next number to be played by Weber and sung by the audience was, "The Pagan Love Song.' His final number, was an old time favorite which everyone harmonized to, to the best of their abilities. This was "Sweet Adeline," and I am sure there was no one who failed to sing to this. Stanleigh Mallotte (Portland Publix) conceived an original musical tale titled "Story of Lou." Opened with the Prisoners Song. Lou, it seems, was in jail for shooting her husband. Depicted the court room scene in rhyme, playing "True Blue Lou," where she told the story of her life. Mallotte playing "When We Were Seventeen," another step falling in love, and "O Promise Me," "Precious Little Thing Called Love," again "True Blue Lou." 6ung by jury. Then he vowed "I'll Always Be in Love With You," but then he stepped out with other girls, playing "Louise," "Evangeline," "When the One That You Love Loves You." He comes back temporarily, singing "Are You Sorry," and "What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry." After short deliberation, jury gives verdict and Lou is Allowed Freedom of the Knees, making a strong ending with Lou "Knows Her Jury," and Mallotte received his usual big hand, showing he has a big following. BEST SELLERS Week Ending September 28th No. i "My Song of the Nile" — (M. Witmark & Sons). "Am I Blue"—(M. Witmark & Sons). No. 2 "Pagan Love Song" — (Robbins Music Corp.). No. 3 "When My Dreams Come True" — (Irving Berlin). No. 4 "I'm Just a Vagabond Lover" — (Leo Feist). "Little Pal" — (De Sylva, Brown & Henderson). No. 5 "Miss You" — (Stanly Bros.). "Sleepv Valley" — (Harms, Inc.). No. 6 "True Blue Lou" — (Spier & Coslow). "Singing in the Rain" — (Robbins Music Corp.). "Wedding of the Painted Dolls" — (Sherman Clay). No. 7 "Love Me" — (Leo Feist). "Baby, Where Can You Be" — (Berlin). "Where the Sweet Forget Me Nots" ■ — (Remick Music Corp.). "Breakaway" — (De Sylva, Brown & Henderson). "I'll Always Be in Love With You" — (Shapiro Bernstein). "Smiling Irish Eyes" — (M. Witmark & Sons). "That's You. Baby"—(De Sylva, Brown & Henderson). No. 8 "If You Believed in Me" — (De Sylva, Brown & Henderson). "Old Virginia Moon" — (Milton Weil). * * • "BELIEVE IT OR NOT" — (Irving Berlin, Inc.)— A song adapted from the Ripley cartoon that is quite a rage in the papers. The song is written pretty, which in itself makes it different as usually cartoon songs are written as a comedy song. Is getting quite a radio plug and should sell. Written by Joe McCarthy and Jimmie Monaco. * * * "SONG OF THE SANDS"— (Al Piantadosi)— This love scene is set on the deserts and is an Oriental number that is very pretty. Also has an appropriate melody. By Pat Ballard and Tom Waring. * » * "PICCOLO PETE"— (J. W. Jenkins Sons Music Co.) — A hot tune that should be a big orchestra number. Also should be a cinch for mechanicals. By Phil Baxter. * * v "I'M ONLY MAKING BELIEVE" — (Davis-Coots & Engel, Inc.) — A pretty thought about the love sick lover who is as the saying goes "acting." The writers, well known, have just formed their own publishing company and this is one of their first efforts. By Benny Davis and J. Fred Coots. * * * "WHERE THE BUTTERFLES KISS THE BUTTERCUPS GOODNIGHT"— (M. Witmark & Sons) — I have never been there but this song gives you the directions, so you can't go wrong. It's cute and looks like it has a good chance to make money. Lyrics by Harry Pease and Charles O'Flynn, music by Ed G. Nelson. ft * * CANT YOU UNDERSTAND — (Donaldson, Doaglas & Gumble) — An excellent fox trot ballad having as its melody writer one of the best air plugs in Chicago. Looks like a big number. By Jack Osterman and Victor Young.