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

38 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD February 25, 1928 Chicago Senate Week Ending February 19 Mark Fisher and his Merry Music Makers were featured this week in "Leap Year Proposals." In addition to Lewis and Moore, Louise Ploner, and Earl La Vere, the Gould dancers also played a gTeat part in this show. It ran as follows: Opening: With the Gould Girls on steps proposing to the boy6 in the band, each doing a little comedy bit that brought much humor. At this point Mark Fisher entered as the boys went into an arrangement of "So Tired," each doing a bit of comedy, such as yawning and stretching, in addition to this Mark Fisher sang the chorus with the boys. The Tumbling Clowns were next in a fast routine of athletic stunts in tumbling feats. Right after this Sammy Lewis and Patty Moore came on with their eccentric dancing, after which Patty remained to do some smart talking with Mark Fisher. In the 6econd part of this act, Sammy did some very loose limbed dancing. It seemed that these two could not get off the stage due to their instant hit with the audience. Louise Ploner, who in the opening proposed to Mark Fisher, came back to do a specialty of "Together We Two," in which she also was compelled to repeat a chorus. This young lady works cute and makes a fine appearance, and seems to just fit in this type of role. Her encore consisted of another chorus of the song with Mark Fisher foiling for her in a comedy bit with a baby carriage which secured a great deal of laughter and merriment. The Gould Girls were next each dressed in a different colored spring outfit in which they offered a dainty routine. Earl La Vere, with an accordion and a bunch of 6mart gags, was next. This chap has some good material but like a great many others fails to stop when he has given enough. Although they seemed to go big for him here and he stopped the show, it appeared that he was milking the audience for more applause at each exit. A little more accordion music and a little less 6mart remarks would put this fellow over great for he has the goods in him. Mark Fisher next offered his solo of "Sunshine," Irving Berlin's new song, which although is brandnew to this part of the town, was immediately liked and approved through the manner that Mark sang it in. For an encore he gave "Let A Smile Be Your Umbrella," which set him more 6olid than ever with his audience. Lewis and Moore were out again, this time in a novelty dance, all practically executed on the flight of steps. This is about the first time that this type of dancing has been done in picture houses and it is needless to say that they were the hit of the bill, let alone stopping the show. Finale: Took place with the background changing atmosphere to resemble a huge wreath in halo form as Louise Ploner marched up the flight of stairs in bridal veil while the entire cast assembled and decorated the scene. During this 6cene Miss Ploner sang "Today Is Today" as the band also played strains of the same song. Boston Metropolitan Week Ending February 16 "Tak-A-Chance week," with a mystery show on stage and screen, was the bill, with stage production by Frank Cambria. The program was full of surprises, and judging from the crowded condition of the audience, the whole thing was a great success. The fir6t "surprise" we saw the minute the curtain rose upon another orchestra director, not our old friend, Gene Rodemich. We found out that the new leader was non other than Al Mitchell, direct from the Paramount theatre in New York, who had changed places for the time being with Gene. "Twelve Exclamation Points," followed by a "Couple of Dashes" were first, which, translated, were 12 dancing girls in attractive red and gold costumes who did 60me tricky tap steps, many of them without musical accompaniment, and two fellows in other tap dances. Next came saxophones, trumpets, violins, drums, clarinets, flutes, and enthusiasm, which of course was a lively jazz selection by the band boys under the direction of their new friend. "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Nobody Gets Wet!" was the mystifying title of the next number. We found it to be a unique dance done behind a gauze curtain by girls dressed as mermaids. The under-water effect was most realistic. Next was a tenor and soprano duet, followed by 32 flying feet and two chance-takers. The "flying feet" were the dancing dozen again, and the other two were a couple of attractive girls who acted as sort of announcers of the program, and in addition gave us here a vocal selection. The "Magis Mandolin" played by the Mesmerist of Melody was a great hit. The fellow was dressed as a clown, and he 6ure knew how to tickle the mandolin strings. His rendering of "You Don't Like It — Not Much" brought down the house. Lastly came three reasons for the week's success in the person of three men in a comedy stunt full of funny songs, snappy jokes, pantomime, and anything else you can think of. Four encores rewarded their efforts. Finale introduced a futuristic conception of "a certain hazardous event usually accompanied by tall hats, white gloves, rice and old shoes," in other words, a jazz idea of a wedding. A clever ending to an interesting program. The mystery play on the 6creen turned out to be Richard Dix in "Sporting Goods." Philadelphia Stanley Week Ending February 18 The surrounding acts at the Stanley this week were Spanish in tone, in keeping with the setting of the feature film, "The Dove." There was an elaborate and colorful 6tage presentation entitled "My Little Dove," featuring Edward Albano, baritone, and Catherine Littlefield, danseuse, assisted by the Stanley Ballet and the Stanley Chorus Ensemble, 35 persons in all. The act consisted of four parte. The overture, Chabrier's "Espana," was played by the Stanley Orchestra with Gabriel Hines conducting. "The Talk of Broadway" LOU KOSLOFF After a long and successful engagement at the PARAMOUNT Theatre, NEW YORK, is now back home conducting Publix Bandshows at the B & K CHICAGO Theatre, CHICAGO EDGAR (Amstein) STONE Featured Organist Now at Publix' Metropolitan Theatre, Houston, Texas Formerly with Balaban & Katz, Chicago Leo Terry BACK AT THE RIALTO THEATRE JOUET The curtain rose showing the interior of an inn with the whole company in Spanish costume dancing and 6inging. The Ballet Corps came to the front of the stage and danced a lively Spanish measure, after which the girls grouped themselves in the rear as the members of the Stanley Chorus 6ang a delightful selection. Miss Littlefield, completely transformed by a black wig, in a striking costume of black velvet with a brilliant floral spray of rhinestones extending diagonally from the hem of her skirt to her shoulder, gave a remarkably beautiful dance, the effect of which was enhanced by the billowing of her wide skirt lined with rainbow bands of color. Then the Stanley Ballet in yellow and orange ruffled dresses, all carrying tambourines, danced a vivacious Spanish dance that received a good hand. The last number showed Miss Littlefield dressed as a Spanish girl with Albano in the center of the stage. Albano sang a beautiful 6olo "My Little Dove," as Miss Littlefield accompanied him on a guitar. He has a splendid baritone voice of great richness which was heard to excellent advantage in this selection. The act was beautifully staged and both Miss Littlefield and Albano were enthusiastically applauded. Salt Lake City Capitol Week Ending February 18 On the stage this week at the Capitol theatre a very novel idea is presented by Fanchon and Marco, billed as "Hi Hatters" and featuring the "Hi Hat Beauties." This is a collection of dancing girls who are one of the most beautiful lineups which has yet appeared at the Capitol. Coscia and Verdi, a pair of comedians who build their comedy material around their ability to play a cello, are an outstanding feature of the bill, and are perhaps the biggest hit of the presentation. Frank DeVoe offered some novelty song hits which proved to be very popular and interesting. The 6ettingB were novel and artistic for this presentation. Alberti and his band appeared on the stage in connection with this act and were well received after their offering of several popular numbers. Alexander Schreiner presented a solo at the Wurlitzer. The feature picture shown in connection with this act was "The Noose" and very good attendance was enjoyed throughout the week. Detroit Capitol Week Ending February 17 Being Valentine week, the production department of the John H. Kunsky Theatrical Enterprises, Inc., used a lavish hand in producing "Valentines," the stageshow of the week. Both sentimental and comic valentines were incorporated in the show. Against a setting of valentines of every hue and design, clever specialties were presented in the way of music, dance and comedy. Milton Watson's fine tenor voice rolled out in some good songs and the Valentine girls in pretty costumes did some trick stepping. Mehan and Newman presented a graceful and charming dance act, and Tommy Wonder, popular young dancer, did several numbers to the high glee of the spectators. Mills and Shea and Fenton and Fields proved to be entertainers of unusual merit. Don Mill, the organist, presented a novelty "Pipe Dreams," in which he was assisted by Stanley Perry, Detroit tenor, as soloist and the Capital ensemble. The stage orchestra is under the direction of Walter Bastian. The comic team, Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton, disported themselves on the screen in "Wife Savers," adapted from the musical show "Looie the Fourteenth." CHARLES GREGORY "Hardware Harmony" A Musical Novelty That is a REAL NOVELTY Full of Comedy Situations Now Playing DELUXE PICTURE HOUSES Vaudeville — Direction EZ KEOUGH Presentation — Direction WM. MORRIS AGENCY