The talking machine world (Jan-June 1928)

116 (World of Music) The Talking Machine World, New York, January, 1928 Bernie Grossman Is Chicago Sam Fox Popular Numbers Manager for E. B. Marks Go. Accorded Hearty Welcome Well-Known Middle Western Music Man New Department of the Sam Fox Publishing Placed in Charge of Chicago Office— Formerly Co. Starts the New Year With a Sheaf of Connected With Marks Co. as Writer Hits— Trade Responds Enthusiastically. The Edward B. Marks Music Co. has announced the appointment of Bernie Grossman as manager of its Chicago office. Mr. Grossman, who is one of the best known music men in the Middle West, was formerly connected with the Marks organization as a staff writer. He wrote such successes as "When a Feller Needs a Friend," "You Didn't Want Me When You Had Me" and "Let's Help the Irish Now." Of recent date Mr. Grossman, in addition to his exploitation work, has found time to write a number of hits, a few of which are "After I Call You Sweetheart," "I Wonder if She's Lonely," "Tell Her at Twilight" and "Wherever You Go, Whatever You Do." The new Chicago manager made a trip to New York the latter part of last month to confer with E. B. Marks and the various heads of departments. The policy of the firm — "more standard popular songs and more popular standard songs" — was impressed upon him and he started his duties on January 1 full of confidence. The Marks concern is about to start work upon the best of the new Grossman compositions, "To-morrow Is To-morrow," "Playing Hide and Go Seek" and "I'm Getting Used to It Now," written in collaboration with Arthur Sizemore and Sam Kaufman. Max Darewski to Write for the Sam Fox Catalog Famous English Composer and Pianist Will Write Series of Compositions — First Suite, "An Eastern Garden," Now in Preparation The Sam Fox Publishing Co. of New York and Cleveland, O., has closed arrangements with Max Darewski, the English composer and pianist, for a series of compositions. The first of these now in final preparation is an East Indian suite called "An Eastern Garden." The Fox Co. also has first call on further services of this eminent English composer, exclusive of popular or production compositions. Max Darewski is not so well known in this country, although for years he was billed in the British Isles as "the famous boy composer and pianist." His English compositions are published by Francis Day & Hunter, Chappell & Co., Ltd., and Ascherberg, Hopwood & Crew. Sam Fox, head of the Sam Fox Publishing Co., has discovered in the modern compositions of Mr. Darewski a type and treatment of material that offers unusual promise. Irving Berlin Week Winning Nation-wide Co-operation Irving Berlin, Inc., announce that their Special Irving Berlin Week, January 14th to 21st, is shaping up better than any campaign they have ever attempted. During this special week a tie-up has been effected with every leading theatre, dance orchestra, singer and vaudeville act from coast to coast, featuring Mr. Berlin's two latest songs, "The Song Is Ended (But the Melody Lingers On") and "Together We Two." Phonograph companies are taking advantage of this unusual tie-up and have arranged window displays with all record dealers. Live-wire sheet music dealers will profit by taking advantage of this unusual Berlin Week and, display these two songs in their windows during this special campaign. The firm reports that "The Song Is Ended" is proving one of the greatest songs Mr. Berlin has ever written. The new year opened auspiciously for the Sam Fox Publishing Co., for the introduction of the several numbers of the new Sam Fox popular department met with an immediate enthusiastic welcome from the profession and trade. The initial selections, "Humoreskimo," "Starlight and Tulips," "Blueberry Lane," "Fascinatin' Vamp," "Wings," "Chopinata" and "Polly," the majority of which were issued in sheet music form but a short week, have won from dealers most gratifying expressions of praise. "Fascinatin' Vamp," a novelty fox-trot by Joseph Nussbaum, seems to be especially favored by orchestra leaders and others of the profession, and the well-named novelty, "Humoreskimo," by Alfred Bryan, Pete Wendling and Henri Berchman, seems certain of widespread popularity. "Polly," the successor to "Nola," a real piano and dance novelty, has already been recorded by the leading companies and is well established. "Wings," as the theme song of the film of the same name, is known to hundreds of thousands, and with the film being shown in new cities practically every day the song which is played many times during the showing of the film is certain to win more followers. In brief, it might be truthfully said that the popular department of the Sam Fox organization shows every indication of equaling the great success which this house has attained in all its ventures. "That Melody of Love" Is Theme Song of Film Success New Feist Number Played Constantly During Presentation of "Love," the Film Playing to Capacity at Embassy — Music by Donaldson The musical scores of feature moving pictures are playing an increasing major part in the success of these films. For the past year or more several of the outstanding song successes had their first hearing as theme songs of such scores. "That Melody of Love," published by Leo Feist, Inc., is the latest example of this type of song. The selection, worthy in itself of exploitation by a publisher, is by virtue of its "hook-up" with the film success "Love," featuring John Gilbert and Greta Garbo, playing at the Embassy Theatre, New York, certain of widespread popularity. The lyrics of the song were written by Howard Dietz and the music by Walter Donaldson, who has written so many of the presentday successes, including "My Blue Heaven," "At Sundown," "A Shady Tree," "Changes" and a host of others. Leo Feist, Inc., is placing unstinted efforts behind "That Melody of Love" and is supplying dealers with display material of a wide and varied nature. Harry Von Tilzer reports that he has just finished writing two songs in collaboration with Dolf Singer. They are "Out of a Clear Blue Sky" and "If Mother Could Only See Me Now." Those who have heard the numbers are enthusiastic in their praise. Mr. Von Tilzer has issued a special dance arrangement of his leader, "Whether It Rains," by W. C. Polla. The musical comedy, "Lovely Lady," which cpened at the Harris Theatre, New York, seems destined for a lengthy stay. Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. are publishing the music which contains two numbers which seem sure-fire hits, "Lovely Lady" and "Make Believe You're Happy." The production is presented by the Shuberts. 11 ■ LEO. FEIST inc 231-5 w. 40thst. mew ironi£9 *t.yt