Exhibitors Herald (1927)

38 EXHIBITORS HERALD October 8, 1927 STAGESHOWS ( Continued from page 36) Chicago Piccadilly Week Ending October 1 Due probably to the well-known fact that in the Piccadilly the manager is not permitted to exercise his own judgment, or is too often interfered with, the stage presentation was exceedingly mediocre this week. Norman Steppe had a thankless job, introducing performers who have barely graduated from the amateur ranks — in fact some are still amateurs. Despite the best efforts of the individual members of Steppe’s jazz orchestra, and his own labors, the show simply did not “get over” at all. Luckily for the owners, the picture was enthusiastically received — Billy Dove in “The Stolen Bride” — and a more than half filled theatre was the result on Friday evening when this reporter was present. Beginning with the overture by the Miniature Symphony Orchestra, playing a hodge-podge called "Memories of Blossom Time,” the performance went its routine way with an organ solo “C’est Vous” by Zita Norpell. The slides accompanying this song must have been made in an awful hurry, for the spelling and punctuation of both English and French words left much to be desired. Errors galore — and the tune itself nothing to rave about. However, the Legion’s visit to France was the cause of it — so that’s that. Norman Steppe’s jazz boys then interjected a bit of life into the proceedings by rendering the song “You Don’t Say Yes, You Don’t Say No,” the refrain being sung by Charley Smiley, saxophonist. He was followed by a very acceptable rendering of the old favorite “The Garden of My Heart” by Allen Raymond (also a member of the jazz boys). Scheineman, the clever pianist of the orchestra, next did his stuff — which was a collection of variations of the “Russian Lullaby,” followed by other hits of the day. The whole band then burst into Tenterhook Blues — a novelty composition of some merit. Dick Hughes, with a ukulele, tried hard to warm up a coldly receptive audience ; he did not succeed. He was followed by a clever and able acrobat-comedian, Dave Wilton Crawley, who was handicapped by somebody’s terrible mistakes in giving him an “act” to do. Left to his own ideas, and acting on the spur of the moment, this comedian might be a big hit — as it was, his abilities went to waste. Somebody ought to write a good act for him and start him out properly ; or better yet, he ought to get a partner who can bring out the good points he possesses. And that finished one of the poorest shows the Piccadilly has had. Boston Metropolitan Week Ending September 30 Paul Whiteman in person, and his orchestra, was the attraction this week, drawing capacity audiences to every performance. Unusually attractive stage settings and light effects and wide versatility of the artists in the orchestra provided a program of considerable variety. 'Especially effective was the stage setting for the fifth number, when special lighting effects revealed what appeared to be large pictures hung at each side of the stage, one revealing a youth sitting upon a bench in Shanghai, while far below him was the Chinese city itself. On the other side was the companion picture, a youth and lass singing “Dreamland.” Following the opening waltz came th.e selection, “I'll Always Remember You” ; a novelty, “A Study in Blues,” and then a comedy number which went over big in which one of the artists played an acrobatic violin, then a saxophone from which clouds of smoke were emitted, and then two horns at once, finally using an auto tire and pump to provide sufficient wind. Two pianos and a vocal quintet supplied the next selection, while the finale brought together the entire orchestra again. Arthur Geissler conducted the Metropolitan Grand Orchestra in the orchestral prelude, while Arthur Martelle, at the organ, rendered a version of “Song Writing a la Carte.” A Tiffany color production, Paramount News and Ben Turpin in “Pride of Pikesville” were the short numbers. “One Woman to Another” is the film. Omaha Riviera Week Ending September 30 It was Omaha’s turn last week to have “Young America,” the group of talented “Opportunity Girls” who were selected in cities all over the United States where there are Publix theatres. The center of attraction in the group of course was “Miss Omaha,” Mildred Skinner. She sang two solos, and was particularly well received in a stuttering song which was ably carried out. She also sang in a trio. Miss Houston, with her harmonica specialty and capers, and the others, all 16 of them, sang and danced to the delectation of the audience. Ensemble dances were particularly effective. The Opportunity Girls were lined up with the orchestra against an attractive background of a semi circle, with a black velvet center, which became a spinning circle of colors later on in the evening. In addition to the Opportunity Girls, Bob La Salle, recently with Paul Ash, and Olive May, “Radio Sunshine Girls,” also appeared on the program. La Salle can tell stories and sing with an incisive enunciation which puts him across far above the ordinary story teller, and Miss May sang a number of songs ably. The picture of the week was “Thel Stolen Bride,” which was extremely well received. St. Louis Loew’s State Week Ending September 30 “The Chinese Nights Revue” was the big stage offering of the week. It included The Honorable Wu and His Chinese Flappers and proved a distinct novelty. It apparently went over big based on the applause accorded the various offerings. The richness and color of the Chinese costumes and the unusual stage setting in which the Orientals offered incense and prayers to the gods of entertainment were something different and pleased generally. The dances offered ranged from the cake walk of the late nineties to the black bottom while Wu gave some excellent impersonations. The overture was in the nature of an accompaniment for Walter Scanlan, tenor, who 6ang some favorite Irish songs after the fashion of Chauncey Olcott in his prime. Chicago Sheridan Week Ending October 2 Verne Buck’s stage presentation this week was called “Night Club Frivolities,” and the spirit of the night club type of entertainment was caught very well. The setting a typical night club setting. The curtain rises with the band playing “Just Once Again,” in a very pleasing arrangement. Cloyd Griswold sings the chorus. Verne Buck is announced hy a member of the audience and enters in faultless evening attire with black cape thrown over his shoulders. Verne leads his band through “A Night In June,” himself playing the violin quite effectively. Katherine Lewis comes on to sing “Russian Lullaby,” to a good hand. This girl has a fine voice for this sort of work. The Joe Keith Girls enter, four of them dressed as male Apache dancers and four as girls, and go through the usual steps of an Apache dance to the tune of “My Man.” As this ends a dancing team comes on to give a good Apache dance, the young lady taking no end of rough treatment. This number was good and won good applause. Danny Graham follows with some unusual dance steps. He takes two curtain calls. His type of dancing helps put pep in any show. This is followed with a band number, “Swanee Shore,” with Miss Etier singing the lyric. She follows with another song and is forced to give an encore and take two curtain calls. A Spanish Trio follows and offers "La Paloma,” all three playing guitare, and one singing the chorus. Then one of the trio does a number on a musical saw that goes over fairly well, but the act as a whole is very good. It deserved a better reception from the audience than it got. For the finale the band opens with “Dancing Tambourine,” with the Joe Keith Girls giving a very pretty tambourine drill. A dancing team comes on dressed in Argentine costume to give a very good tango. The Spanish Trio appears on the raised platform behind the band and accompanies the band. As the tango ends the Keith girls complete their tambourine drill. The finale is fast and very effective. As an additional presentation, the Sheridan offered the life of Nevin, the composer of "Mighty Lak’ a Rose.” and other well known songs, in moving pictures, with orchestra accompaniment. Frank Wilson sings “Mighty Lak’ a Rose,” during part of the presentation. This presentation was exceptionally well handled, and was thoroughly pleasing. The orchestra played these arrangements from the pit. It went over great with the audience. CHARLES KALEY “The Singing Band Leader” An Exclusive COLUMBIA Artist Now conducting MARKS BROS. Presentations, alternating at MARBRO and GRANADA Theatres, Chicago. FLORENCE BRADY— ‘ NOTHING BUT SONGS ” Just closed a successful engagement with A1 Kvale at B & K NORSHORE THEATRE Chicago All B & K and L & T Theatres to Follow Direction — Marvin Welt Now playing two weeks’ engagement with Paul Ash at the ORIENTAL THEATRE Chicago HARM and NEE “Those Two Cadets ” For DeLuxe Picture Houses ASCHER’S and COONEY BROS. Are Satisfied They Played Us