Exhibitors Herald (1927)

September 24, 1927 EXHIBITORS HERALD 43 Presentation LETTERS In this open forum those interested in presentation may discuss important matters bearing upon this phase of theatre entertainment. Only signed letters will be published. PRESENTATION ACTS— To the Editor: At the suggestion of Mr. Burke, Colorado district manager for Publix Theatres Corporation, we are sending an article which we hope you can use in the "Organ Solos” column. Johnny Winters (Pueblo, Colorado) presented a solo, “Ask Me Another,” that proved a great hit. In this decade, when a person delights in getting one over on his neighbor, the organist found great sport in “kidding” his audience with questions and answers, and they liked it to a “T.” Some of the songs included were “Dawn of Tomorrow,” “Nesting Time” and “Under the Moon.” Thanking you kindly for the favor, and hoping that you will be able to add these notes to your HERALD from time to time, I am, sincerely yours. — C. CLARE WOODS, manager, Colorado theatre, Pueblo, Col. PRESENTATION ACTS— To the Editor: Replying to your letter of August 23, I have as yet not received the copy of your paper which you stated you were sending me. I shall be glad to look over same and send you my subscription upon receipt of the sample copy and maybe I can give you some advertising. I have augmented my band here in the Regent theatre to fourteen men. The Union has admitted me as a local member and we are going to start broadcasting for the commercial radio station. WGHP, on Friday night. October 7, from 7 p. m. to 10 p. m., during which time the Atwater Kent radio hour will be a feature and Mary Lewis, the prima donna, Louis Calabreese, my banjo and trumpet soloist, Johnnie Morris and his vocal trio, Ernie Warren, my saxophone soloist will be with us on the program. My Lido Venice band which played at Palm Beach last year will open at the exclusive Blosson Heath roadhouse in this city on next Sunday and they are following Frank Cornwall and his orchestra who closed there Saturday night. Furthermore, I have made a deal to double into Detroit’s only first class cafe, the Oriole Terrace, beginning there with their reopening October 1 and it is my expectation to broadcast from that cafe about two or three times weekly over radio station, WGHP. It really looks like a tie-up for me here in Detroit this winter as there seems to be a call for a new orchestra impresario in this city just at this psychological moment. With kindest regards. — PAUL L. SPECHT, 1585 Broadway, New York. PRESENTATION ACTS— To the Editor: Notice in your magazine the kind offer of assistance in the staging of presentation programs. We expect to enter into this policy on a small scale at the Hippodrome theatre, Newport, Ky., starting Sunday, September 18. Our intentions are to feature a stage orchestra and to use a presentation act of two or three people, in connection with the band. I should certainly appreciate your giving me any information along this line — the proper launching of same and the assistance necessary to booking good material. — RAYMOND G. FRANKEL, Temple theatre, Newport, Ky. PRESENTATION ACTS— To the Editor: The ad was lovely and we want to thank you for your kind attention to it and the lovely write-ups. In the meantime, will you see that Mr. Max Turner’s name gets into the next edition of our ad? Please. We did not notice the omission and he has been very lovely to us. By the way, the publicity hound here has had a beautiful parasol made for Ginger with Dempsey’6 picture on it. Will send you a print when we get them. Make a good cut for your news section. — Best wishes. — GINGER & LULA ROGERS, Omaha, Neb. Koch on WHO Herbert Koch, organist at the Capitol theatre, Des Moines, has been broadcasting by remote control over WHO for the past week, using the new organ in the new Shrine temple. So popular have his morning concerts become that he will continue during the present week. STAGE SHOWS Champaign Virginia Week Ending September 17 This marks the inaugural fall season opening of the new band policy here under the leadership of Verne Ricketts. Sohpie Tilden and many others were featured. Harry Husbands the house organist featured a college solo. The stage show ran as follows: Opening: With organist flashing lyrics spe cially written to introduce Ricketts, all played to the tunes of “No Wonder I’m Happy,” “Gorgeous” and “Hello Cutie.” After this the stage band made its appearance on a new moving stage here which was a decided novelty for this house. The specialty acts on the bill consisted of Bernice and Emily, who are otherwise known as Peanuts and Popcorn, with their acrobatic routine, the Five Trojans, a collegiate hamony quintet dressed in Blazer coats and white trousers and Sophie Tilden, a cute little girl Blues singer. The outstanding hit of this show was Peanuts and Popcorn. Verne Ricketts made an instant hit with this audience for his versitality as an entertainer and a musician, when he offered several specialties on his saxophone and clarinet and accordian, which were offered during a band arrangement of “Zulu Weil.” Finale: A special band arrangement of “Hallejuha” was well played and the applause for this number continued well into the picture. Observation : It looks like the new policy is here to stay, judging from the stand-out crowd who tried to get in for the opening bill. St. Louis Missouri Week Ending September 16 Jimmie Hodges laughed, talked and clowned as master of ceremonies of the stageshow. The Missouri Ensemble also had a prominent part in the program. Leonid Leonardi directed the orchestra in the overture and popular numbers. Detroit Michigan Week Ending September 10 Lou Kosloff appeared here this week as the presiding genius of an elaborate and eye-filling show, “Ban jomania,” succeeding in an admirable manner. Not only does he indulge in extemporaneous banter, but introduces the performers with apparent ease. Opening: “Hello, Lou,” played by the syncopators and sung while the chief entertainer is preparing to make his entrance with violin. At the rear is a large drop with numerous banjos painted at various angles. When the band pauses, out comes Lou and proceeds to demonstrate his remarkable ability as leader. “So Blue,” running into violin solo by Kosloff, was the big hit of the occasion. White and Manning, two eccentric dancers, also stopped the entertainment and four banjo players came on at intervals. Overture: “Merry Wives of Windsor,” with Eduard Werner and the Michigan Symphony. , Omaha Riviera Week Ending September 16 “Toyland” was the presentation show at the Riviera during the week, the youthful appeal probably having something to do with the opening of school. A1 Evans, in addition to his stageband, offering Ginger Rogers, Caffery and Miller, Frank Hamilton, Milzi Mayfair, Johnny Dove and the Marie Kelly dancers. The week’s picture was “Hard Boiled Haggerty” and the organ specialty was a novelty, “Please Tell Me What To Do.” Amid a toyland setting, tiny Mitzi Mayfair danced and “contorted” and in either role she was good. Dances of another kind were done by Johnny Dove — on roller skates. Caffery and Miller contributed additional dances and the Marie Kelly Girls completed an excellent program of footwork. In the singing line “Ginger” Rogers was at the top of the list. Among her songs were “Following You Around” and “He Don’t Wanna.” Frank Hamilton made almost as much of a hit, particularly with his stammering song. OUT OF TOWN MANAGERS! Get in Touch with SAM HERMAN For Your NOVELTY NIGHTS! SAM HERMAN ROOM 1001 NEW IDEAS WOODS THEATRE BLDG., CHICAGO RUTH MARIE MARCOTTE “Presentation Prima Donna” Coloratura Soprano Singing Classical and Popular Ballads Now at the UPTOWN Theatre, TORONTO, Ontario, CANADA AL and LOUISE WALKER THE TEAM WITH THE EDUCATED FEET FOR DELUXE PRESENTATION THEATRES Featured in “PATCHES of JOY” A Publix Stage Bandshow Direction — William Morris Agency W. REMINGTON WELCH SOLO ORGANIST THIRD YEAR AT THE TIFFIN THEATRE CHICAGO