Exhibitors Herald (1927)

34 EXHIBITORS HERALD November 12, 1927 hokum and falls of all sorts. When he discovers the king does not want him he forces the “snake” to bite him. This gives him a chance to do 6ome difficult aerobatic tumbling, the kind one would expect an Arab troupe to do, and surprises the audience very much to see a movie star do this kind of work. The curtains close and for an encore Keaton brings out a tiny projector, sets it in the center of the stage, opens the curtains and the screen is seen, blows out the footlights, and as he starts the machine the title of the feature, “College,’’ is seen and Keaton walks off. The overture is “Fantastique.” The orchestra plays some of Victor Herbert’s popular numbers then going into “Glow Worm.” The curtains open to a scene of a large willow tree with lightning bugs flashing all over the set. Four girls do a toe dance with feminine voice singing hidden. The curtains close and Howell and Harger, from “Merry-Go-Round,” do an adagio dance. Next scene goes to full stage with Virginia Futrelle singing “Roses Remind Me of You” in a garden set of roses. She is on a small elevator rising as curtain opens. After the first chorus six girls in swings come from above and the entire scene lights up with red lights in the roses. Finale with all of stage brought a big hand. Chicago Harding Week Ending November 6 This week’s Vitaphone made its appearance for the first time at this house, in addition to Sammy Kahn who is to lead Mark Fisher’s Music Masters for the next six weeks while Mark Fisher is leading Paul Ash’s band during that time. Harry Rose, in the role of Master of Ceremonies and a cast of players presented a stage show called “Happy Ways.” Opening: In full stage with the Gould girls doing a novelty dance as Harry Rose lead the band through a snappy arrangement, after this number Rose made a short announcement and introduced Sammy Kahn, who later made his entrance to a somewhat forced reception and announced how glad he was to have the opportunity of entertaining this audience and in as much as Mark Fisher was their favorite and he being Mark Fisher’s friend for many years, he would try his best to please. It was a rather long winded affair but the people let it go at that and the show went on, with a band arrangement of "Just Around the Corner.” In which Sammy Kahn sang the number in a talking manner, somewhat like Ted Lewis but not as entertaining nor with the dramatic value that a song of this type sung in manner requires. John Worthy, a colored dancer, followed next with some very clever taps and eccentric steps. He was followed by Ruth Granville, the wizard of the saxophone who has been reported before in these columns and is now making another tour of these houses. She offered “Under the Moon” and a medley of other songs which won her a hearty reception and an encore. A band arrangement of “Highways are Happy Ways” followed the number which gave the show its name and another number which Billy Mills arranged. Sammy Kahn also offered a solo of this number on his violin, proving that he is a good violinist and possesses the knack of being a good musician and a good leader. This number was done also in scrim presentation style with the background scene representing a home on the bill-top as Sammy Kahn also sing-talks the song. There is no doubt that this leader has a very good conception of music but in this day and age of stagehands and band personalities the most necessary element is lacking and that is personality and stage showmanship that creates atmosphere for the show and talent. The Gould girls followed with Spring outfits, each carrying a basket of flowers which later turned out to be musical bells and the song of “Highways” was played by each girl playing a certain note out of the basket. A very clever and novel routine that won an encore in which Sammy Kahn again sings with the ensemble. Owens and Anderson, two boys from college, and dressed like it, came on next with harmony singing on “Grand and Glorious” and “My Blue Heaven.” These fellows seemed rather lost in front of this band, although their voices are pleasing. With better song selections they should do well. They were followed by the Gould dancers again this time dressed as dolls in novelty steps with Parasols which after the stage lights were dimmed g'ave a radium effect in the twisting and turning of the parasols. It was a very unique number. Harry Rose playing his second engagement at this house offered his own specialty intermingled with comedy gags and wise chatter and two songs called “Frankfurter Sandwiches” and “Just Another Day” as usual Rose was a big favorite and stopped the show after many encores. A band arrangement of “There’s a Trick in Picking a Chick” followed with Sammy Kahn again singing while the Gould girls in novelty feather costumes offered some eccentric steps. Kahn, Owen and Anderson formed a trio in which they sang the song in harmony fashion with a scrim setting following of house in background as the cast assembled while the band played “Highways Are Happy Ways” for the Finale, which made a good flash. Johnstown State Week Ending November 5 After the M-G-M News the Educational comedy, “Don’t Shoot,”’ and then the stage presentation, featuring the “Memphis Collegian,” one of the hottest jazz organizations that has ever appeared here. Now at the CAPITOL Theatre, NEW YORK Who? Why MILTON CHARLES P. S. — Hello Chicago 1 I miss you a lot. 4* TED LEARY w “The Versatile Master of Ceremonies ” k , ** Still Packing Them in at the STRATFORD THEATRE, CHICAGO A National Playhouse Paul Ash’s only REAL Imitator LOU KOSLOFF “SULTAN OF SYNCOPATION” Formerly of CHICAGO and DETROIT, Now Conducting Stage Bandshows at the PARAMOUNT, NEW YORK. Opening the act with a symphonic arrangement of Liszt’s “Dream of Love,” in which every instrument played its own solo part, they followed with the “Memphis Stomp.” Then came the cornetist in for a vocal solo, “Me and My Shadow,” which registered well. In the next number, “The Doll Dance,” a cute lady dancer was featured in a toe dance specialty, after which the cornetist and banjoist rendered a vocal duet “Just Once Again.” Then came the “Alabama Stomp” in which a colored dancer brought forth some hot stepping, that almost stopped the show. The presentation came to a close to the tune of “Hallelujah” from “Hit the Deck,” which was interwoven with several dance steps by various members of the band. The act was very well liked by the audiences. The Fox feature, "Publicity Madness,” brought the show to a close. Pittsburgh Grand Week Ending November 5 Pillar and Tapson’s recording Buffalodians, with H. Arluck as leader, composes the sole stage attraction this week, doing about 30 minutes of good entertaining music with two vocal solos from boys in the band. The boys open with “Annabelle Lee,” a vocal chorus by the band heard as curtains open, then some hot specialties and a trio again sings the chorus of the song, winding up with a fast chorus for a finish. “Broken Hearted” followed with Arluck singing. He looks like Lew Brice and sings like George Jessel and gets over nicely, although if he smiled he would go over even better than now. Playing of an old number, “Some of These Days,” in old style “blue” manner closed the act. An overture, “Mignon,” was done by the house orchestra in the pit and news and comedy also entertained. Feature was “Hard Boiled Hagegrty,” with Milton Sills. Chicago Granada Week Ending November 6 Benny Meroff’s “Revue a la Carte” took the house down for some good applause this week, with the orchestra itself carrying away its share of the honors with the rendition of “There’s a Cradle in Caroline” and “Ballet Egyptian.” Benny rested this week and only tantalized his audience with a few steps, which prompted the rejoinder from those in the house, “Give us more, Benny.” Monte and Carrae, two Lilliputians, amused with their clowning and acrobatics. Madeline McKenzie, a vivacious miss, afforded a good eye and ear introduction to the eight Meroff dancers, a well trained octette that can step to the satisfaction of everyone. The house was appreciative, but would have been more satisfied had they appeared more often on the program. Francis and Howard, two male warblers, seemed to lack that elusive “it” which is so necessary to get across. They were the one weak spot on an otherwise enjoyable bill. John and Mary Jennings, two clever ballroom dancers, only barely touched upon their program of versatile steps. Britt Wood, comic, dancer and harmonica player, brought the house down. It is sufficient to say that the boy is there. The show was entirely satisfactory and the crowd was a holdout. Bennie Krueger Feature Attraction Balaban and Katz UPTOWN and TIVOLI Theatres, Chicago