The Moving picture world (November 1926-December 1926)

December 11, 1926 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 453 Novelty Plan For Orchestra Offered For Theatre O. K. (Continued from page 452) though attention is riveted to the action on the screen. It is appeal to the subconscious mind. On the stage it is the orchestra that is the attraction. It is the orchestra that is listened to, watched, yet the same subconscious mind wanders to the setting, and if the setting and lighting effects are appropriate the mind is found in a more receptive mood. A College Feature The setting ofifered this week is planned for use with a college feature number, such as "Collegiate" as the novelty number. THE ROUTINE. As the drapes part the orchestra is discovered in its place playing opening number. (The tab F, Fig. 1, is down covering the groiind row B). Suggested number; "Medley of Southern Melodies " with "Carry me back to ol' Virginny" as a Violin Solo. "Old Black Joe" for Sa.xophones, with variations in six eighth time as Banjo Solo. Song may also be introduced. Amber stage with white spot picking out soloists. White spot on leader for bows. (2) Ballad or Waltz number. Suggested : "Valencia." White stage on this number. (3) Popular Fox Trot or Song number. Suggested : "As long as I have you." Red stage with amber glint from right and left on center set AA, Fig. 1). (4) Novelty number. Suggested: "Collegiate." Amber stage. Full orchestra on opening. As number progresses three or four singers exit quietly right and left and take up positions on parallel, H. Fig. 2. The orchestra goes into accompaniment to song. Song number may be chorus to "Collegiate"; it may introduce an old favorite college song, such as "Fair Harvard" ; or it may be a comedy number like "Funiculi, Funicula," or "Solomon Levi." The tab, F, Figs. 1 and 2, is taken up, revealing, on parallel H, an interior depicting a boy's room at college. Pennants on the wall, chairs, a table, book shelves, tennis racket, uke, banjo and other appropriate props scattered about. The singers, attired in sweaters and skullcaps, are discovered lounging — reading— about the room. One throws his book away. Comedy bits as they get together to sing. White spot on singers. After song numbers are finished tab F comes down ; the singers doff sweaters and rejoin orchestra for finale. Building the Set Although this set is very flashy it is not a difficult set to construct. The pieces are indicated with corresponding letters in Figs. 1 and 2, and the general description refers to these two figures. The flats AA extend from the floor to the special border E. The flippers CC are lashed to the flats as indicated by dotted vertical lines. The decorations on flippers extend across bottom part of flats. Decorations are in blues, starting with dark blue at floor line and graduating to a light blue for the fourth layer. The decorations on upper part of flats are in bright colors starting at the lower part with purples, dark and medium blues and greens, magenta ; graduating into lavender, rose, light magenta, light greens and blues, to orange and yellows next to border. Hope Hampton of Educational appears in sequin blue with a flare skirt. The border gets, from bottom up, light, medium, dark yellow and orange. The ground row, B, is done in orange with trim in blue, yellow and red. The vases DD are graduated from dark to light blue. The stripes, as indicated by dotted lines, are silver metallics. All outlines on balance of set in silver bronze. The cyclorama, GG, is in dark material, preferably plush in purple or blue. The tab, F, is in light colors and may be metaline, sateen, burlap, in pale green or tan. DETAILS. Figure 3 shows in detail the construction of the vases. These, as will be noted, are in profile with a slight curve to aid in attaining the round appearance. Round, practical vases may, of course, be used, provided that vases from three to four feet in height are available. The two curved segments, A and B, are attached to the upright batten C. The facing, which may be heavy cardboard, chip board or wall board, is curved and nailed segments. To attain a good curve on facing paste in a piece of medium weight manila paper; permit it to soak until quite wet and then apply it to one side of chip board or cardboard. When dry, it draws or shrinks the side of card to which it was applied, making it curve. It is then an easy matter to fasten, convex side out, to the frame. The Floral Decorations In the floral decoration, Fig. 4, the flowers are cut from bright colored cardboard, decorated in vari-colored metallics and attached to the heavy wire stem by means of gummed manila paper stickers as shown at A, Fig. 4. The wire stems may be covered with dark green tissue paper or merely painted dark green. The leaves are black oilcloth, with a silver bronze stripe to in dicate vein, and stitched to stem; with the finish, black, side to front. The flowers should be 4-5 inches in diameter and the leaves in several sizes, ranging from 4 to 6 inches in length. Fig. 5 shows detail construction of the flipper, the dotted lines indicating framework. The scalloped upper edge is wall board and the balance of frame is covered with muslin or heavy paper. Odds and ends of salvaged scenery may be used to good advantage in. covering small frames like these. Regarding Music Stands. Few muisicians are able to memorize five or six numbers each change of program, especially if two changes per week are made. To overcome this trouble, music sheets must necessarily be used on the stage, making it possible for the musician who depends on written parts for most of his numbers to use the parts and reduce memorizing to solos or outstanding bits. Regular music stands do not answer for stage use. They are too high and conspicuous. Suggestion for a stand that is easily made is offered herewith. This stand can be made to harmonize with nearly any stage set, does not hide the performer and has not the appearance of a music stand. To build it. Cut the front facing, H, Fig. 6, from wall board. This facing is for ornamental purposes only and may be cut to any shape desired. It should, however, be about 18 inches high and from 2 to 22 inches wide. Now cut the two end-pieces G from same material and attach to frame work indicated by dotted lines. A piece of wood veneer or compo board will serve for the actual stand or music rest, I. The hood J shades the two lights KK, preventing the 'ight shining on the performer's fare Monte Banks is going to play Santa for the whole Pathe outfit at Hollywood