Exhibitors Herald (1927)

August 13, 1927 EXHIBITORS HERALD 39 bottom dance. The audience was very liberal with its appreciation of this number. Flavio Plasience, a Mexican tenor of radio fame, sang a native song called “Hasta Manyana.*' using “All for You” and “In a Little Spanish Town” for his encores. This fellow was reported befoi’e in these columns. Al and Louise Walker returned again, this time costumed as coilegiates, and offered a goofy eccentric comedy dance which was as equally liked as their first offering. They were followed by Bamboo and Pendel, who were held over from last week. These boys practically repeated the same routine they offered the last half of last week and again proved the favorites. The closing number was Sam Kaufman’s own version of “Rhapsody in Blue,” which he interpreted on the piano in great style. In the last eight or ten weeks that this leader has conducted presentation for this house, he has created considerable following and intei*ei?t through his clever piano arrangements which from the standpoint of transposition are worthy of mention and although Sam is not a thorough musician he seems to possess the knack and ability of injecting comedy and medleys at the right time, an asset very few trained musicians can boast of. Finale : The band picking up the last strains of this number while the entire cast assembles on the stage as Joe Alexander, the organist, comes in with his Kilgen. Observation : Lobby display advertising an nounced Gene Greene, Brooks and Powers and sevei'al others for the coming attraction. Since Roy Mack has been producing shows at this theatre they have been able to secure better talent. Sam Kaufman, who is now in his twelfth week, is reported to leave this house next week for reasons as of other leaders had for leaving this theatre. To date no one has been decided to replace him, but it is evident that the stagehand show policy will continue. Kansas City Newman Week Ending August 6 “Gems of Joy” was the title of the stage attraction of Ralph Pollock and his Newman Merry Makers at the Newman theatre this week. Edith Griffith. Kansas City actress, did vocal and dance numbers. Kendall Capps also had a novelty dance act, while Ross and Gilbert had a comic song number. Stanley and Lee had a singing and dancing act that proved a decided hit, while Davy Jones had a novelty dancing act. The program was built around the Newman orchestra on the stage, as usual, and the Six Scintillating Steppers were frequent in their appearances. The overture consisted of popular selections. The audiences also were permitted to name selections. Julia Dawn, at the organ, rendered a novelty number illustrated by slides. Boston Metropolitan Week Ending July 22 Novelties seem to bubble out of the brain of Gene Rodemich anti this week’s musical presentation is so well woven in with the general program that there appears not to be a break between the opening and closing numbers of the entire bill. Rodemich leads a jazz orchestra which gives many of the newest and most popular numbers. As the orchestra plays, the back curtain slowly rises upon a tableau of the Tyrol, with picturesquely garbed natives who, one by one, enter into the spirit of the music either by difficult dances or the typical songs of that region with the novelty of jazz accompaniment. Rodemich’s Band, however, tires of their part and as the back again drops, shutting out the mountainous scene, they decide to quit. Rodemich is left alone on the stage and accepts tho offer of Director Klein to lead the grand orchestra and the strains of music soon turn to jazz, the curtain again rises and there is Rodemich’s Orchestra, again playing full blast. The spotlight shifts, the jazz dies out and the spot finds Arthur Martell at the console, playing the “Lost Chord,” which gradually shifts into the favorite strains of melodies of stage and screen celebrities and others in the public eye. As the final strains die out, the curtain rises upon another Cambria Production, “Mural Painting.” Following suitable introductory musical numbers, the figures in the painting become alive and take part in the program, alternating with beautiful tableaux. As is usual in these Publix presentations, all of the electrician’s aii: is used to advantage in remarkable lighting and color effects. Boston State Week Ending July 23 Phil Spitalny and His Boys continue as the presentation number, with Llora Hoffman, soprano, assisting this week. Little in the line of jazz and classical has escaped their attention during their long stay at the State and their programs are apparently increasing each week in popularity. “The Callahans and the Murphys” is the film. Worcester Palace Week Ending July 23 Vaudeville as seen from the opposite side of the stage and from the wings, is presented the audience as the feature number this week, those taking part, with McLaughlin and Evans as the stars, supposedly playing to an audience “out front” of the stage rear. The skit is so well enacted as to be a real headliner. “The Polite Favorites” is the title. The work of the “stage hands” is exceptionally good. Small and May, two black boys, in harmony; the Woodland Revue, the Delvey Sisters and Lio Hoy Chang in juggling and acrobatics round out the bill. “Drums of the Desert” is the feature film. Washington Palace Week Ending July 24 The Palace is still the coolest spot in town. Feature picture, “Callahans and the Murphys.” The stage bill opens with a Colby Harriman presentation with Tom Gannon’s orchestra entitled “Roses and Jewels.” Tom leads his band in famous Rose songs. MacDowell’s “Wild Rose,’* “Roses of Picardy,” “For You a Rose” and “Wild Irish Rose” and “The Last Rose of Summer” was used for a finale with Dick Leibert at the grand organ. Colby used a magnificent jeweled curtain in one and numerous spots brought into play some exquisite color effects. From the booth shadow roses were thrown on the curtain. Different groups being used for each number. Harriman presentations are the talk of the Capitol City. The stage was dressed with a large vase on each side, huge bouquets of American beauty roses and colored spots. Gannon’s orchestra featured “When the Day Is Done,” with the Topics of the Day. The major stage attraction was Isham Jones and his Brunswick Recording Orchestra, and their offering was entirely too short to suit the enthusiastic audience although they responded to several encores. “Sundown,” with a special brass section arrangement, was a masterpiece, and when Jones played some of his song hits the audience hummed along with him. The latest novelty entitled “The Cat,” brought down the house when two of the boys did a cat duet. A tenor stepped out of the brass section for the number “Just Like a Butterfly” and was forced to respond with a yodel encore. Individualisms gave each one of these talented boys an opportunity to strut their stuff. Needless to say they were a cleanup. Jones did an artistic bit of piano playing during his song hits and the rest of the time directed in a quiet and soothing manner. Pantages Will Run Vaudeville in Forum (Special to the Herald) HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 9. — The Forum theatre, long a motion picture house, has passed into the hands of Alexander Pantages, under a short term lease. Pantages plans to expend $100,000 in alterations and improvements to equip the house for vaudeville. The operating policy has not been announced. The Forum was completed in May, 1922, at a cost of $1,226,000, and is located at 4050 West Pico boulevard. Three Theatres Open ( Special to the Herald) BOSTON, Aug. 9. — Three new theatres are to open soon in Massachusetts. The Capitol at Revere with a seating capacity of 1,500 will open Aug. 29 under Universal management. The Norwood at Norwood will open Sept. 1 with a seating capacity of 1,000 under management of Hayden and Breen, and the Dedham Community theatre at Dedham will open Sept. 15 to be operated by Community Theatres. Twin Sisters in Lead Twin sisters split the leading feminine role opposite Lupino Lane in the new comedy he is making for Educational. They are Charlene and Minnielia Aber, both of whom have appeared in child roles, and on the Orpheum Circuit. Week to Week Stunts — ATTENTION! — Vocal Variety ORGANISTS ! “JIMMY offers for RENTAL SAVAGE” ORGAN SOLOS The Last Word in Community Singing itOS W'oods Theatre Buildings Chicago^ III. Community Comics — Exclusive Rights — Original Organlogues Originator of the New Organ SCRIMAPHONE PRESENTATIONS Albert F. Brown FEATURE ORGANIST Alternating at the MARBRO and GRANADA Theatres, Chieago All Solos Conceived by Albert F. Brown and Staged by RAYMOND Q. DALTON KBPKE.SENTS A NEW EKA OF DE LLrXE THEATKE ENTEKTAINMENT BUDDY Tremendous Hit at All Picture Houses JIMMY WILLIAMS and ROSS Funniest Comedy Dancing Team Playing Presentations OTHERS IMITATE— WE ORIGINATE! This Week at ST. PAUL — Next Week at MINNEAPOLIS for FINKLESTEIN and RUBEN. PUBLIX Route to Follow NOTE: Have Yon Seen — VALE & STEWART?