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

42 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD February 25, 1928 UP Wd RQH7V Roger Wolfe Kahn, whom everyone thought had cast aside his aspirations as an orchestra leader, has once more returned to the fold. Young Kahn has taken hold of what was once Cass Hagen's Orchestra and after some severe drilling has launched on a vaudeville tour. He opened last week at Keith's Audubon theatre in New York and is booked solid for many more months to come. Knowing Kahn's weakness for aeroplanes, it is a pretty fair guess that he will jump from city to city by this means of travel. » * • A young and rapidly becoming favorite in the music world is Bemie Miller of the law firm of Miller and Miller. Knowing all the technicalities and angles pertaining to the music business and being more like a pal than a cold-blooded lawyer and also having proved his ability time and time again, he is gaining a clientele among the song writers, orchestra leaders and music publishers which is really astounding, in view of the short time that he has cast his efforts along these lines. Among his many clients will be found the names of Paul Whiteman, DeSylva, Brown & Henderson, Jack Bobbins, Inc., Nathaniel Shilkret, et cetera, along the line. * * * Of unusual interest is B. A. Bolfe, genial maestro of the Palais D'Or Restaurant, here in New York. Aside from his well versed accomplishments as a musician, he is, without a doubt, the idealistic perfection in every respect of the word "gentleman." It is indeed a pleasure for the boys in the music business concerned in whatever dealings they have with B. A. Rolfe. * * * Lester Santley, known to thousands of organists throughout the country, has written another song, entitled : "Sunrise," which is very promising of becoming a big eong. With the big Fox moving picture of the same title being released throughout the country in due time, it would be a pretty good idea for organists to connect the picture with the wonderful set of slides that Santley has, which was written expressly for this purpose. * » « Waring's Pennsylvanians clicked at the Palace theatre here in New York so tremendously, that after having been booked there for one week, have been held over four weeks to date with no signs of a let up. One of the biggest factors in their marked success is the vocalizing of Tom Waring, who also is at the piano. « * * Campbell and Connelly, those youthful publishers from London, England, have just returned from a flying trip to Chicago, where they were very enthusiastically received by Paul Ash, Guy Lombardi and various other big leaders and music publishers. They were pleased to announce that they had made negotiations with Austin, Bloom & Kohler for the publication, in England, of "The Voice of the Southland." This should prove an asset to A. B. & K. for there is no doubt that once Campbell and Connelly get behind their song in the old country it will be very big over there. * * « Feeling the impulse to invade the American 6tage as a jazz leader, Joseph Cherniavsky has taken hold of the band at the Colony theatre in New York. He la rapidly becoming a very big favorite and is building up a very big following. It is very interesting to not only the average layman, but the boy6 in the business to see Cherniavsky at work, for he is decidedly different. * * * Mr. D. Davino, having just returned from Europe where he was sojourning for pleasure, is back once more in harness devoting his time to the Jack Robbins, Inc., catalogue of standard music. By way of mention, Davino is the mainstay of the entire Robbins output, both musically and editorially. « • • A certain Scotchman attempting a non-stop flight across Europe realizing an opportunity to get something for nothing, stopped at the Black Sea to fill his fountain pen. ORGAN SOLOS Milton Charles (Chicago Chicago) selected for this week the new Irving Berlin piece, "Sunshine," with interpolations, which were pleasantly received ; "Diane," a popular number which he did exceptionally well, and "Beautiful," another selection which was appreciated. His program brought real response. The Chicago is not a community sing house, therefore the organ solo must rely purely upon the merit of playing to bring a hand. It does. During his solo this week Charles used a baby spot that resembled a blue. Between each number and during the announcement of the next a light between a white and an amber played on the organ. It was very effective. Clark Fiers (Scranton West Side) presented for his solo a stunt called "Vim, Vigor and Valentine." It was in the form of a community solo cleverly arranged with the following songs, "Beautiful," "Everywhere You Go," "After I've Called You Sweetheart." "Gee. But I'm Lonesome Tonight." It was quite an effective novelty for Valentine week. Eddie Fitch (Chicago Sheridan) calls his organ presentation "Our Anniversary Year to You." The Sheridan has evolved a new thing in organ presentations, for they are now using a master of ceremonies for the organist. Bob Allan stands on the console and leads the audience in community singing, first singing the songs himself. The organist first plays "Baby Your Mother," then Allan comes on to sing "Shady Trees." The audience sings it. This is followed with "Kiss and Make Up," "My Ohio Home," and "What'll You Do." The new idea in organ presentations seems to be popular at the Sheridan for the applause is fine. Cornelius Maffie (Houston Metropolitan) is the new organist here and called this week's solo "Listen to This." It's a community 6tunt using "Just Once Again." "Kiss and Make Up," "A Shady Tree," and "My Blue Heaven." This crowd certainly sings for him, in fact he is receiving the biggest reception ever accorded to any organist here before. Eddie Hanson (Chicago Tivoli). His solo this week was well presented and went over in a pleasing manner. The solo started out with Eddie telling the people that they could not decide for a presidential election so they should elect the most popular song. His first number was "My Ohio Home" and could not help being liked the way Hanson played it. He followed with "Kis6 and Make Up" and "Baby Your Mother." The people were really singing even though they were waiting for Mae Murray to appear on the stage. He next offered "What'll You Do." He concluded with "A Shady Tree" but announced that the election was a "deadlock" and would play another number. The finale number was "Blue Heaven" which was unanimously elected as the most popular song. Henri A. Keates (Chicago Oriental) presented his solo under the title of "Laugh and The World Laughs With You," with many comedy slides that served to secure good laughs and vocal exercise from the boys and girls. "Cobwebs," "Did You Mean It?", "I Told Them All About You" and "An Old Guitar" wei'e some of the songs featured. The lyrics and slides were unusually clever and brought a great hand for this organist. Keates is a favorite here. Don Pedro Espanosa (Chicago Ambassador) gave for this week's solo a novelty called "Vim, Vigor and Valentine." The numbers "Beautiful," "Everywhere You Go," "After I've Called You Sweetheart," "Gee But I'm Lonesome Tonight," were all used with gag slides for community singing. This soulful Spanish organist is getting to be quite a favorite here with his weekly offering. Mc Ncal Smith (Chicago Marquette) offered "Leap Year Proposals" as his solo in the form of community singing. These numbers were used with cleverly arranged gag 6lides. "What Do You Say," "Varsity Drag," "The Desert Song," "Is She My Girl Friend" and "Dream Kisses." Doc Webb (Chicago Marshall Square) presented "Leap Year Proposals" as a commuriity solo with the following songs in his stunt. "Among My Souvenirs," "Everywhere You Go," "Did You Mean It" and many other popular numbers in which the audience sang whole-heartedly. This solo went over very big and Webb was compelled to play an encore number. SIP SA afcou-fc songs FIVE BEST SELLERS! "Among My Souvenirs" — (De Sylva, Brown & Henderson.) "Diane" — (Sherman Clay.) "My Blue Heaven" — (Leo Feist.) "Dream Kisses" — (Ager, Yellen & Bornstein.) "My Ohio Home" — (Leo Feist.) BLUEBIRD (Why Don't You Call on Me)— (J. W. Jenkins Sons Co.) — -A cheer up song. The writers are well known as a vaudeville act and with this plug on the Orpheum Circuit, it should give the 6ong a good start. Lyrics by Charles Le Mair and Charles Derickson, music by Burton Brown. * * * MAMA'S LITTLE BABY (Say Goo Goo, Da Da. Mommy, Poppy for Me) — (M. Witmark & Son.) — You are wrong. The baby has grown up. In fact it's a story of Newlyweds. The boy across the way Is eaves-dropping and the lyric tells their conversation. A suitable melody by Joe Schuster and Johnny Tucker. . • « COQUETTE— (Leo Feist, Inc.)— The Guy Lombardo orchestra which is the biggest thing on radio today is creating big demand for this 60ng. It's a beautiful fox trot and how those boys play it. Lyrics by Gus Kahn, music by Carmen Lombardo and John W. Green. ... MOONLIGHT ON THE DANUBE— (Villa Moret, Inc.) — This writer will be remembered as having written the "Vamp." This is the theme song of the picture, "The Blue Danube." Very pretty waltz. Words and music by Byron Gay. « * * YALE BLUES — (Leo Feist, Inc.) — A foreign publication featuring a new dance of the same name. Makes an excellent orchestra tune. Written by Collie Knox, composed by Vivian Ellis. ... WHISPER SWEET AND WHISPER LOW— (Irving Berlin, Inc.) — Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Crawford the famous organists have given this song a great send off in the East. It's a pretty fox trot that should bring money to this organization. Words by Alfred Bryan, music by Joe Burke. « . * ROSE ROOM— (Sherman Clay & Company)— Being revived for a popular hit. This Western firm looks like they have another big song. Words by Harry Williams, music by Art Hickmann. ... GIVE ME ONE HOUR— (Henry Waterson ) — The writer will be remembered for his "Indian Love Call" and "Only a Rose." This beautiful song from "White Eagle" will add to his fame. The Shubert's have taken over this show and are making some changes. Music by Rudolf Friml. Book and lyrics by Brian Hooker and W. H. Post. ... ON THE DREAMY MOANA SHORE — (Spier & Coslow, Inc.) — A waltz of the tropics. Brings back memories of fig leaves and ukuleles. We are about due for a song of this type. Words and music by Hal Dyson. • » « ADD A LITTLE WIGGLE— (Ager, Yellen & Bornstein)— From "Rain or Shine." This 6how has opened in New York and clicked for a very big hit. This song is one of the reasons for the show being so well liked. The book by James Gleason. The lyrics by Jack Yellen. The music by Milton Ager and Owen Murphy. * * • INDIAN CRADLE SONG — (Leo Feist, Inc.)— An Indian lullaby that reminds one of "By the Waters of Minnetonka." It's a beautiful tune with an appropriate lyric. Already proving commercial. Lyric by Gus Kahn, music by Mabel Wayne. ... ANYTHING TO MAKE YOU HAPPY — (Biboe, Bloedon & Lang — This is the story of the boy who is promising the world to his sweetheart. Promises cost nothing especially in song. Well written and has a chance. By Buddy Valentine. P. S. News." Caught the opening performance of "Good What a show ! i