Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1928)

42 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD February 11, 1928 Salt Lake Capitol Week Ending February 4 The stage offering at the Capitol theatre of this city during the past week was titled "Oil," a snappy Fanchon and Marco production of a unique and very entertaining character. Many unusual stage arrangements contribute to its effect which was exceptionally amusing and entertaining. One feature of the setting is a large imitation of an oil well, which contributes three platforms upon which various acts are splendidly given. Jean Boydell, a hoydenish comedienne of note, brought down the house at all performances throughout the week with her dancing and amusing imitations. Irma, Dot and Anna Lou and two clever step dancers, Walter and Russell, were also pleasantly featured. Alberti and His Band offered some very good popular musical offerings on the stage. The late dance hit "I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Scream" was featured and it is announced here fhat through this presentation all of the Victor records of this number have been sold out throughout the city. Ned Nicholson, who is handling the output of the Victor records for this musical number was on the stage in person assisted by the orchestra boys in putting this song and dance number over big. Alexander Schreiner scored at the organ with some special numbers. Many beautiful girls graced the 6tage in artistic costumes as well by doing some unusual dancing. The feature picture shown in connection with this presentation was Emil Jannings in "The Last Command" and the bill was commented upon as being unusually pleasing throughout, with big business being enjoyed. Chicago Chicago Week Ending February 5 Jules Buffano opens the stage show at the Chicago this week called "Rainbows," with a band number, "The Baltimore," in which was interpolated "The Varsity Drag" and "The Black Bottom." Buffano sings the chorus, and the number as a whole goes over well, as it deserved to do. Jeanned Geddes comes on to sing "I'm a Broken Hearted Bluebird," for nothing more than a fair applause. The Petroff Dancers follow with a good routine, and dressed in striking costumes of blue, representing bluebirds. Milton and Farnum follow with a clever and comic Apache dance, unusual and unique. They get a fine hand and three calls. They are followed by Russell and Marconi, "two musical troubadours." one of whom plays the violin, the other an accordion. They play and dance and offer "The March of the Wooden Soldiers" as an encore. They were entirely too stingy with their entertainment, for they left with audience wanting much more. The next is a band and dance number featuring Effie Morton and the Petroff Dancers. Miss Morton's contortionist dance was excellent, she almost succeeding in tying herself in knots. The costuming and stage effects were good for this number. Pail-Mall, black face comedian, came next to sing a combination of all the popular songs of the last two years and more. It was a knockout and funny as could be. As an encore he sings "Broken Hearted." He gets a wonderful hand and deserves it. He then sings "I'm Looking for a Rainbow," during which the lightning flashes across a drop and the organ gives good imitation of a thunder storm. The singer then goes into April showers and the whole cast come out for a good finale. Note: From indications observed by this reporter, Jules Buffano is becoming more popular every week at the Chicago. His work is clean cut, pleasing, efficient and effective. Spitalny's orchestra number was up to its usual standard of excellence this week, it being "Pagliacci." A group of 13 singers sang from the pit, several of them being featured, and their singing was a pleasure to hear. The number received an applause that sounded like that usually heard at grand opera. Milton Charles (Chicago Chicago) called his organ presentation this week "A Musical Contrast," and played "An Old Guitar and an Old Refrain," "Varsity Drag," "The Song Is Ended," and the finale to the "Second Hungarian Rhapsody." The contrast in the types of music played and the manner in which Charles played them won him a good hand. Slides of the lyrics accompanied each song. St. Louis Missouri Week Ending February 3 Brooke Johns said good-by to Arthur Nealy in the stage show of the week. The title was "Good-by, Arthur." Nealy has left the Missouri to become master of ceremonies of the new stage show that will be featured at the Shenandoah theatre. Grand boulevard at Shenandoah avenue commencing on February 4. The Shenandoah is one of the Skouras Circuit houses, being the property of the St. Louis Amusement Company, a Skouras subsidiary. "Attention Exhibitors" Harold J. Lyon, Premier Organist Soloist for Manas Enterprises of Pennsylvania, is now closing a successful engagement and is pleased to announce that he is AVAILABLE for a theatre that demands an organist of proven ability and attraction. Address Strand Theatre, Greensburgh, Pa. Leo Terry BACK AT THE RIALTO THEATRE ■ JOLIET COSTUMES FOR RENT PAUL ASH uses a set of PARAMOUNT Costumes each week at the ORIENTAL Theatre, Chicago. We will Rent same outfits to OUT-OF-TOWN THEATRES PARAMOUNT COSTUMERS MRS. ALICE PIERCE, 177 N. State St. Manager Room 600, Loop End Bldg. DR. G. W. RONFORT Featured Organist Oak Park Theatre, Chicago Arthur in his final appearance sang several of the Irish airs for which he is more or less famous. Johns himself sang "The Little White House with the Little Green Blinds," The Missouri Ensemble furnishing the trimmings. Deszo Retter, so-called Prince of Wails, or the man-who-wrestles-with-himself , provided the necessary comedy to 6pice up the bill. Leonid Leonardi and the Missouri Orchestra presented as their overture a medley of "Butterfly" melodies. They were assisted by Milton Slosser at the organ. St. Louis Ambassador Week Ending February 3 Mae Murray, herself, none other, dancing her famous Merry Widow waltz was the big noise of the stage show during the week. It was entitled "A Merry Widow Revue" and Mae did not appear until almost the very close of the show. There were a number of Lehar airs, some coup dancing, also some ballet work and clowning, b everyone came to see Mae, so the balance of t" show was just so many teasing minutes so far the vast majority of the cash customers were con cerned. Dave Silverman directed the orchestra in the play ing of the entrancing Merry Widow airs. Mae, clad in black, relieved only by a couple of rhinestones, danced the famous waltz. In a later appearance she wore a ruffled dress of white tulle, red slippers and a baby blue neck scarf. Dave Silverman and his orchestra akso play "Waiting for the Sunrise." Stuart Barrie at the organ offered a novelty or" solo. St. Louis State Week Ending February 3 Teddy Joyce offered a Hula Hula stage show e titled "Ukulele Land" as the chief attraction for week. It featured Rome and Dunn, plump h~ monists who have been heard at Loew's State number of times since it was opened some thr years ago, and Jeanne Houston, a dancer of above the average in ability. The Criss Cross Girls and Teddy Greene were also prominent in the entertaining. Teddy Joyce himself danced in an alfalfa skirt an outwiggled the girls themselves. Joyce also did number of his famous eccentric dance specialties. A very important part of the program was missing, however, the overture by the orchestra and Kir Frederick. Talbot Is Promoted (Special to Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World) NEW YORK, Feb. 7.— Irvin Talbot, mu sical director of the Paramount theatr since its opening, has been promoted to a important executive position in the musi department of Publix Theatres Corporatio and has been succeeded by Adolph Dumont, formerly conductor at the Rivol Tremain at Criterion Paul Tremain and his 12-piece stagehand have bee engaged for a week's engagement at the Criteritheatre, Okla. JOE KAYSER That Personality Director and Master °f Ceremonies Diversey Theatre Chicago