Motion Picture Herald (Apr-Jun 1931)

April 4 , 19 3 1 MOTION PICTURE HERALD 57 qp MUSIC AND TALENT MUSIC WEEK IS NEAR FOR ARTISTS; SPECIAL SHOWS ON CIRCUIT BILLS STAGE SHOWS Ted Mack Chicago Oriental Week ending April 2 "Bits of Broadway," a Will Harris production, is one of the fastest moving and genuinely entertaining Publix stage units to play the Oriental in months. The fast tempo of the presentation is achieved by eliminating secondary principals and their acts which, more often than not, are only time killers at best. Charlie Crafts, orchestra director and master of ceremonies, steps into the interludes thus created and succeeds in definitely contributing to the merit of the production, whereas he probably was expected to do no more than keep the show moving at the best pace possible. The show opens with a Fifth avenue backdrop of crowded traffic lanes, and the chorus emerges from the front row of motors for a brief turn. Crafts comes on stage in a prop taxi, and his song of Broadway introduces a pageant of show girls. The Lambert Ballot follows on stage. Tom Patricola and the Pearl Twins, hard working headliners of this production, appear for fast dance turns and some comedy bits in the second scene. They are sure fire to the Oriental's audience and finish with a friendly house behind "them. Ann Roth, introduced by Crafts as a sister of Lillian Roth, follows with songs and is assisted by Crafts in good staging of several of them. Miss Roth's "Sing You Sinners" solo, given as an encore, proves to be the highlight of her act. The Lambert Ballet and Crafts' orchestra fill in an interlude following Miss Roth's appearance and give way to a second turn by Patricola and the Pearl Twins. Some fast dances, Patricola alone, then the Pearl Twins together, interspersed with comedy, comprise the act's second appearance. In the finale number Miss Roth leads the ballet in a fast and colorful "inferno" dance number, the girls in satanic costumes and the stage in an excellent flame lighting effect. Usual ensemble on stage for the curtain. The merit of the tw-o acts, Patricola's and Miss Roth's, together with the individual capabilities of Crafts, raises the production to a high level of entertainment. Its fast movement, as has been noted, is due to lack of crowding of the program with the elimination of mediocre performers which, on this bill, undoubtedly would have left the audience conscious of a letdown. This personable young chap has been master of ceremonies at the ace Paramount Publix house, the New York Paramount, for the last 17 weeks. He comes, originally, from the West Coast where, for the last four or five years, he was one of the favored sons. Ted didn't get the usual ballyhoo when he first came to New York but after a few weeks his pleasing personality • and good showmanship had won every audience and before he realized it his fan mail had grown to tremendous proportions. Ted is also the originator and inventor of a new kind of megaphone. Ted conceived the idea of a megaphone through which his face could be seen and immediately went to work with a transparent substance and made it. He calls it the "transparaphone" and It really is an innovation over the old type of meg. Ted is also a feature on the "Paramount on Parade" hour over WABC and is becoming well known for his clever stunt, in which he is called the "Radio Newsreel Reporter." He is finishing up at the Paramount for the time being and is to be a feature in another "deluxer" of the circuit starting next week. Organists and Stage Acts Assist Theatres in Increasing Attendance Can By ED DAWSON It devolves upon the artist of the console or the stage to plan exceptionally fine programs for the week May 2 to 9, vv^hich marks the national observance of Music Week. This is the period when the organists and the stage artists can impress the theatre with their indispensibihty as adjuncts to the picture program. Good music brings a new audience to the theatre. This potential patronage can become regular once it is impressed with the entertainment value of the motion picture. The big circuits are now preparing for Music Week through special programs and tieups. They see in these activities increased attendance — not temporary, but permanent. On the shoulders of the artist lies much of the responsibility for making Music \\ eek a success. Vallee Back in Brooklyn Rudy Vallee and His Connecticut Yankees, after an extended tour throughout the United States, are back at the Paramount, Brooklyn, in a specially produced "welcome home" show. Featured with Vallee is Hortense Ragland, a Southern society girl, whom Rudy discovered and is now introducing to Brooklyn as the newest singing star. Played Juvenile, Fined Philadelphia — George Ritch, manager of the State here, was fined $10 and costs for playing Davy Lee, juvenile. The case will be carried to appeal to test the Child Labor act. Adding Stage Shows Denver — Several houses in the southern part of the state are adding stage shows to film attractions, including two Fox theatres. UNIFORMS FOR HOUSE ATTACHES COSTUMES FOR STAGE PRESENTATIONS BROOKS I4S) B'wtLj N. Y. City