Exhibitors Herald (1927)

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December 24, 1927 EXHIBITORS HERALD 63 Des Moines Capitol Week Ending December 9 Interest at the Capitol this week centered around the new master of ceremonies, Paul Spor, who came from Houston, Texas, to demonstrate his title, “Prince of Pep.” Des Moines was not quite prepared for the quick moving young musician with his bag of tricks who was now here, now there, as he literally raced from one strategic point fo another in the extremely individual direction of the band. He was greeted warmly, however, by devotees of the band style type of entertainment as soon as they could accustom their eyes to following the elusive gentleman. “Flyin’ High,” the stage show, was attractively embellished with all sorts of airplane accessories even to an imaginary plane which floated down quite dangerously near the players. Mabel Barrett and ten spicy steppers put over a nice bit of hoofing in an aviation drill. This got a big hand. Jerry, the dancing accordionist, was welcomed generously. Bernard and Henry the female Van and Schenk, sang several groups of popular songs and were recalled constantly until they had, at least, partly satisfied the hearers. Joe Herbert sang popular songs and Erate and Fisher made a big hit in a comic dance duo. There was much spontaneous laughter as the clever dancers did their stuff. Herbert Lee Koch, played old favorites on the organ. The audiences waxed enthusiastic even over, “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean.” “Romany Love,” a charming color film was shown accompanied by an unusually well cued musical setting. Jacques Blumberg, orchestra leader, made the most of Victor Herbert’s Gypsy Love Song. Paramount News reel with Des Moines’s recent big fire as part of the offering, finished the bill. Chicago Oriental Week Ending December 18 “The Land of Cotton” was the title given to this week’s stage presentation, featuring Mark Fisher and Paul Ash’s Gang. This is the sixth week of Mark’s stay here and next week is his farewell. Milton Charles, who replaced Henri Keates, presides at the organ. The stage show, which featured a cast headed by Heller & Riley, | JJlerrp Christmas | ! CHARLES GREGORY I “Hardware Harmony” Musical Novelty That Is a REAL NOVELTY Full of Comedy Situations -Direction EZ KEOUGH f Presentation ^ ^ Direction WM. MORRIS AGENCY | Reason's: (greetings # $ # Billy Randall the “Singing-Dancing# Violinist” STILL PLAYING DeLuxe Picture Houses Now Touring MARCUS LOEW CIRCUIT. Direction — Wm. Morris Agency was not one of the best produced at this house. In fact, it was one of the weakest shows ever produced at the Oriental. In spite of the “Dixie” idea the band numbers were almost all alike and the usual punch in the talent was lacking. Here’s what took place: Opening: With a band arrangement of “Dixieland,” while Paul Small held the spot singing “Swanee Shore,” with a medley of Southern tunes to introduce the Abbott Girls, who gave a very neat routine of soft-6hoe dancing. After this Mark Fisher made his entrance and announced a band arrangement of “I’m Coming, Virginia,” which was intermingled by many brass specialties by the boys, including soft harmony singing by all. The first artist on the bill after the opening number was Sophie Tilden, a cute young lady whom this reporter has remembered for some time, especially the night of her debut in picture houses, and must say that since then she has improved immensely. She sang “What’ll You Do” and “He’s My Boy Friend,” using Mark as a foil. At this show the audience seemed to go big for her and she was called for an encore. We believe with a little more polishing she’s another Peggy Bernier in her individual way. Hutchins & Holloway, two men harmonica players, followed next with a series of popular tunes in which they intermingled “Highways,” “My Blue Heaven,” and "Kiss Me Again.” This act has also been reported before. Mark Fisher next led the band through an arrangement of “Way Down South in Heaven," and after a verse and chorus, stepped up front to sing the chorus. This number received a big hand, as all numbers sung by Mark usually get and he was compelled to give an encore. Paul Small came on again, this time singing “Dixie Stomp Shake the Blues Away,” which introduced the Abbotts in a new dance, later followed by Paul and one of the girls doing a ballroom exhibition of same. Then the real treat of the bill followed in the personage of Helene Heller, whose marvelous voice and charming personality has won her into the hearts of Chicago theatre-goers. Helene sang “Cest Vous,” interpolating a medley of ballads that displayed the richness and volume of her voice. Of course, Helene won an encore and many of them, and after her specialty a bancl arrangement was interrupted by George Riley, her partner, who presented his comedy-wise chatter in the unique manner that Riley always presents his comedy. His gags may not be original, but the snappy way they are said, coupled with his neat dressing, makes him a very fine light comedian for this type of theatre. As usual this team stopped the show, which is not a very rare thing for Heller and Riley to do on any bill. This is one of their many return engagements at this theatre, and it seems the more they return, the more popular they get. Only one type of entertainment could follow this riot of comedy and song, and that was Billy Rolls, a young chap with some eccentric steps, who went into a sensational acrobatic routine, which held the audience spell-bound. His handbalancing transformation to foot-balancing on the backs of two chairs was very clever, as was his splits on the chairs. This chap is a great bet for picture houses, and especially so for 6tage production. Mark Fisher next announced the Christmas show for the following week, after which he sang Ruth Ettings’ new song, “When You’re With Somebody Else,” doing it in fine style. A band arrangement of “The Showboat” followed with specialties. g DAVE 6 MILLER & S “Beau Brummel of § Syncopation” to and Musical Director I W FOR g SAXE’S TOWER g THEATRE, MILWAUKEE ft ft CxteniJg Reason’s g (greetings to gUl Reason’s (greetings RAMON BERRY Solo Organist Second Successful Season ALAMO THEATRE CHICAGO |