Exhibitors Herald (1927)

38 EXHIBITORS HERALD August 13, 1927 I Up” and “Some of These Days,” sung by request. It wafi several minutes before the audience would let the show continue and not until she sang a second chorus of this song, did they let her sign off. This young lady has been repoiffed in these columns before at this same house and again we wish to commit ourselves in writing that she is just the thing for stagehand shows, and if the management has not already considered on holding her over for several weeks, it would be a wise move both from the standpoint of the box office as well as showmanship. Finale: A band arrangement of “Just the Same” played in real hot style with Buck doing one of his violin solos assisted by the clarinet, fife and cornet for a second run as the curtain prepares to lower. Brooklyn Strand Week Ending August 6 This marks the tenth week of Art Landry and his Victor Recording Orchestra. The change in assisting artists is composed of Joe Termini, a “somnolent melodist,” who plays, violin, guitar and banjo at impossible angles; Snow’s Harmonica Band, and artists who remain are Walter Smith, basso, Sascha Kindler, violinist, and the Mark Strand Ballet Girls. The number this week is called “Do%vn on the Farm,” with the Ensemble costumed in rustic style. The set represented an interior of a huge barn, with hay stacks, straw lofts, tools and other implements usually found down on the farm. “The Second Hungarian Rhapsody” by Liszt was the overture played by the Famed Mark Strand Orchestra. Willy Stahl conducted and served as the opening incident of the program. Massenet’s “Meditation” from “Thais” was played as a violin solo by the concert master on the apron of the orchestra stage, while on the production stage the Mark Strand Ballet Corps, in operatic costume, danced to its strains. Chicago Oriental Week Ending August 7 Paul Ash this week gave ’em a program that topped all of his efforts of recent date. Nor do you have to take the word of this reporter alone. A Paul Ash fan, a man who invariably delays his out^)f-town trips until after he has seen the new show on Monday, concurs in our judgment. “Splashes,” as the show was titled, was engaging for its song, dance and orchestral melodies. One might add that the scenics were colorful and easy on the optics. The show opened with the orchestra playing behind the curtain. As the curtain went up it disclosed Al Kvale, Paul’s assistant, handling the baton. Paul Small, who is gaining in popularity. A Presentation Service Any exhibitor who is contemplating a policy of presentation of stagehand shows, either on a large or small scale, and desires to secure information regarding the booking of specialty acts or anything pertaining to the proper launching of stage entertainment is welcomed to make use of this publication by writing in at any time for any suggestions about the above policy. The Presentation Department of The Herald has made arrangements with some of the best informed people in these lines and has at its command all the data and information that will enable you to install this or any form of stage entertainment in your theatre, either as a permanent policy or for extra added attractions on certain nights and occasions such as national holidays, etc. We will be only too glad to assist you in securing the best material and talent that your appropriation can buy, and we sincerely recommend the best of results if the advice of our experts is followed. if that is possible, came forward from the rear and warbled as the main attraction of a bathing girl number in which the Abbott Dancers, dressed in nobby white and red bathing suits, did some lively steps. These girls, considering their weekly change of dance routine, are a clever lot. Ash entered after this number, coming down a flight of stairs in a spot. He announced as his first number “So Blue,” with interpolations of “Rhapsody in Blue.” The selection was well done and brought a big hand. Even during the playing the audience displayed its approval with spasmodic applause. The strings were especially prominent during this selection. Paul announced as his next an Oriental splash, Bebc Moffic. This girl is a decidedly clever contortion dancer, and was one more link in a good program. She, too, got a real hand, and deserved it. “Dew, Dewey Day” was the next splash, and it was a good piece of orchestral work with the brass and reed instruments coming in for the honors. Al Kvale, who does well by Mr. Sax, did his stuff to the delight of the crowd. lllomay Bailey, blue singer and dancer, did a splash with “Sing Me a Baby Song.” lllomay is refreshing and draws a good hand from the payees. And you can’t blame them for smarting their hands for an encore. The next splash was a special attraction — the presentation of the bathing girls from ten Illinois cities who are competing for the title Miss Illinois. Paul Small opened this act with the lively tune. “There’s a Trick in Pick, Pick, Picking a Chick.” To the amusement of all and sundry he joined the Abbotts in some lively steps, then continued singing as the ten bathing beauties paraded on the runway for individual applause. Clifford and Elmore, a couple of lively steppers, next took the spot and contested with each other for audience acclaim. Both were fine and the audience gave each and both the proper amount of incentive. Outstanding on the bill was Wade Booth, a baritone not heard heretofore in these parts. At least this reporter has not had the pleasure, and pleasure it was. Booth is an unusual performer for a bill of this type, and we must compliment Ash for adding him to his routine of songsters. Booth is a singer generally heard on the concert stage or lyceum platform, and it is this reporter’s opinion that presentation would benefit by the addition of a few more Booths. From the acclaim accorded him we would say that he got under the skin both of confirmed jazzites and those who tolerate jazz but prefer music bordering on the classic. He has a load of personality which he uses to advantage in dramatizing his songs. His first was a musical dramatic interpolation of Kipling s Boots,” This was a wonderful piece of work. Next came an Irish song, and following this the popular number .“Just Like a Butterfly Caught in the Rain.” Ash’s good word was that Booth will be at the Oriental for some weeks to come. The finale brought Personality Paul Small out again singing “Bye-Bye, Pretty Baby.” with the Abbotts doing their steps. There was some clever lighting in this act. 'The stage was darkened and the spots were thrown on the legs of the dancing ^rls. One can imagine the effect of seeing just legs, severed from bodies, dancing about the stage. A clever bit of lighting, and illustrative of the value of lighting in presentation. All in all it was a most entertaining show. Our compliments to all the cast. Washington Rialto Week Ending August 6 Rox Rommcll played a cycle of Summer Songs opening with “Good Old Summer Time” and then into “One Summer Night.” The curtains on stage parted and “Miss Washington” was introduced to the audience. She is a darling little brunette with long curls and an attractive figure in bathing suit. The last number of the overture was given over to Baby Thompson, a wee little miss of eight years who did some attractive dances with the abandon and grace of a veteran. The little dance in period coetume to the musical accompaniment of “Glow Worm” was the best of all. Milla Dominguez sang two numbers in Italian, accompanying herself on the piano for one, and for a third she offered an American song done with a charming accent. Although of pleasing appearance and possessing a cultured soprano voice she was only mildly received. Conway Tearle in “Moulders of Men” was the feature. Chicago Piccadilly Week Ending August 7 The first half of this week’s stage show featured Sam Kaufman and his orchestra with Al and Louise Walker, and several other artists. The feature picture was “Ten Modem Commandments.” The stage show ran as follows: Opening: F\ill stage setting as orchestra played an arrangement of “Me and My Shadow” with a vocal selection by one of the boys. This number, due to its popularity and clever rendition, received a fine reception. Sam Kaufman next announced Martha Martel, the young lady who sang and danced her way into the approval of her audience using “Dew-DewDewey Days” and “Who.” The last number impressed them so much through her clever interpretation that she was compelled to repeat another chorus. She was followed by Al and Louise Walker, a well-known team of dancers whose offering has been reported in many other houses before. They offered the modern style of Frisco dance to the band’s tune of the “Strutter’s Ball,” which scored one of the hits of the evening, in fact, they were unable to exit until Kaufman announced they would return later after a change of costume. The Junior Quartette, comixised of four youngsters ranging of the age of 4% to 9 years old was next introduced by Kaufman as his proteges. One of the youngsters, a little girl about 8, offered a very clever routine of Russian steps while another of about 5 sang “Sunday.” as the other two in Hawaiian attire did a novel black RAY TURNER Featured Organist NORTH CENTER THEATRE CHICAGO Now Under LUB LINER & TRINZ Management L. CARLOS MEIER Featured Organist Ascher’s TERMINAL Theatre CHICAGO MURIEL KAYE **The Distinctive Dancer** For DeLuxe Theatres Now Featured in Presentations Direction WILLIAM MORRIS AGENCY Through Max Turner and Phil Tyrrell