Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Apr-Jun 1929)

May 12, 1928 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD 121 STAGE SHOWS Chicago Oriental Week Ending May 5 A stupendous show with the real spirit marked the final week's performance of Paul Ash, one good enough to be remembered by the audience, especially Paul Afih fane, until Paul hae tired of Broadway and returned to Chicago. This reporter has no doubt but that this week will be an outstanding one in the impressions of Paul Ash when retrospection' visits Chicago's Jazz King. The piece was appropriately titled, "Goodbye, Paul. " Now let's deal with some of the performers who made this a great show. To begin with, the orchestra men were all dressed as trainmen and the scene was a railway station. Ben Strong, whom Paul introduced! later as a protege of his, opened the presentation' bill by singing the song, "Bye, Bye Blues" with fitting words pertaining to Paul's departure. Abbott Dancers then did some nifty steps and they were dressed in porter fashion. Paul then arrived, porter carrying luggage, and he directs the orchestra in the piece, "Too Busy" wherein Ben Strong had opportunity of putting over his personality, of which he has plenty, and the audience showed their appreciation with plenty of clapping. Kelo Brothers, made up as a couple of hoosiers from Muncie, had a bag of tricks which they knew exactly how to serve to the audience in order to get a great big hand. The Abbott Dancers then put over the most unusual dance this reporter has ever seen a chorus perform. Their costumes were gray on one side and red on the other. As about half of their dancing was done on their heads, much of the red color was in evidence and it made a mighty pretty setting for their very difficult performance. Evans and Mayer, or rather it should be Mayer and Evans, as "Red" Mayer was the boy in this act whom the audience were entertained by. Edith Evans was introduced by her party as a Brunswick record singer and might have given the audience some fine singing if her partner had not been such a good comedian. However, he opened the show with a fascinating little number, "Baby, Won't You Please Come Home" and from then on', he, and his zither box car (as he called his small piano) helped make this week's performance a jolly one. Jazz Lips Richardson, also a stepper in his own class, showed some new and novel dancing to the audience and did a slow motion' splits never before attempted by another performer, at least not on view by this reporter. As a complete surprise, Paul had arranged for Milton Watson to be on the bill, and also played the accompaniment to his songs, "I Can't Do Without You" and "Ramona." Milton then took this opportunity to thank Paul for all he had done for him in making the hard road to success an easier one, as well as for many of their profession, and his own goodbye song to Paul was sung with much feeling. The finale showed Paul's train pulling out for New York and for stage decoration a replica of electrically lighted Michigan Avenue was on the scene. Philadelphia Stanley Week Ending April 28 Stanley audiences this week were greeted by an elaborate and delightful stage feature "In Granada," with the atmosphere of Old Spain in melody and dance, not to mention the comedy introduced by Chaz Chase. Allan Rogers, musical comedy star, acted as master of ceremonies and incidentally conducted the Stanley Stage Band. The curtains parted showing a drop of beautiful, sheer lace behind which the Stanley Stage Band in gay Spanish costumes was seated playing with a large fan in the background. Jean Wallin in lace mantilla sang a Spanish melody and at the close of her song the six Scrova Senoritas in red Spanish costumes and strumming on red banjos sang and danced. A Castilian dance was executed by Antonio and Catherine Cansino with grace and skill as they gave color and realism to their dance with castanets. Carlo Ferretti, baritone, sang some Spanish songs in a rich and sonorous voice. The Serova Senoritas in voluminous skirts and ribbons, with many little bells followed with a delightful Gypsy Dance. Allan Rogers then demonstrated his right to the title "American tenor with voice of gold," in a negro spirituelle, "Chloe" portraying a Louisiana negro searching for his sweetheart after the Mississippi flood. His voice seems particularly adapted to dramatic effects and he received a great round of applause. Chaz Chase supplied the comedy of the evening. Dressed a la Charlie Chaplin, he pranced around the stage and then apparently started to imitate a goat. He lighted both ends of a cigarette, ate it with relish and followed it with countless lighted matches, hi.s shirt front, his boutonniere and finally a mouth organ. A special feature of the program was an operatic arrangement of "Yes, We Have No Bananas" by the Stanley Orche.stra under the direction of Gabriel Bines. Minneapolis Minnesota Week Ending May 4 Acrobats and fine clothes were the features of "Snap Shots," the stage offering at the Minnesota this week, despite advertisements to the contrary. Mills and Shea, who were the gymnasts of the bill, got the biggest hand of the show because they offered some high class entertainment in their line. The chonas was richly dressed as most of the Publix steppers are, and the spectacle of "fine feathers" brought many favorable "ahs" and "ohs" from the feminine galleries. Bert Tucker, son of Sophie, offered a song featuring his mother and did a bit of dancing. He's hardly the entertainer his parent has been these many years. Lillian Bernard's and Flo Henrie's vocal efforts were only casually received by the audience, as were the gags of Tyler Mason, blackface comedian. Eddie Dunstedter offered an organ novelty. "Across to Singapore," featuring Ramon Novarro, Joan Crawford and Ernest Torrence, was the film offering. Los Angeles Metropolitan Week Ending April 27 Frank Cambria's stage r^vue, "Treasure Ships," with Frank Jenks and his Metropolitan band, gave one of the prettiest presentations of the local theatres this week. The stage was made up into a Pirate Ship and the orchestra dressed in red and black harmonizing with decorations and flags made a very pleasing sight. ■Val and Ernie Stanton, two young men with radiant personalities, kept the audience gasping for breath, getting a laugh with most every crack. They are exceptionally clever boys and a big asset to any program. Following this, Carlos and Norma gave their version of the Argentine Tango. Charles Benningrton, world champion peg-leg jumper and dancer with the aid of the Hohner Harmonica Boys, put over some beautiful dance numbers, and the peg-leg dance was more than out of the ordinary as all the ten boys did a tap dance on a peg-leg. This went over with a bang. As a first attempt, Frank Jenks and two members of the orchestra made a very fair showing, singing "My Ohio Home." Al and Gussie Bloom, followed in "The Rag Doll Dance" to the tune of "It Had to Be You." This is one of their own creations and altogether different. Then for closing came a beautiful revue of stage creations by the Felicia Sorel Girls, with all doing a bit in the finale. Seattle Seattle Week Ending May 2 Publix stage presentation "Dancing Feet" was welcomed here this week, and put over in nice shape by Alex Hyde, who came up from the Portland as guest conductor for the week and John Buffano, was transferred to the Portland. Acts included Harry Rose, "The Broadway Jester." who scored with quick wit ; Richard Edw.ards, labeled "Limberlegs" and Margaret Ball, blonde stepper. Margaret Vaughan, songland's "It" girl with host of pretty girls scored from start to finish. Arthur Clausen and the grand orchestra again stepped into the sirotlight with "Orpheus." Ron and Don at the organ featured late Spanish song hits with offering "A Spanish Fantasy." New York Paramount Week Ending May 11 The first R. H. Burnside production, "The K.it Kaberet" with AI Mitchell and the stage orchestra is presented this week. Burnside is one of the producers of New York Hippodrome shows, the biggest in the world. Kat Kaberet is distinctly a state production, with scene taken on the roofs of New York where midnight prowlers gather for their sci-enade. Robert Cloy, tenor, and Eva Sobcl. soprano, sing "Cherry Blossoms," before the revue opens, assisted by the Paramount Orchestra accompaniment. Then the show opens with the nuoting of the two cats. Bert Nagol and Omar are the two cats — giving the inside dope on what cats are wont to sing on the rooftops. The Parade of the Krnzy Kats by the Albertina Rnsch Girls follows, put over in great style. "Felix and .Maria" who oi)en the show give a cat dance and cat antics offering which draws many a hearty laugh. Great animals, these cats. The Hearst Brothers, two juvenile songsters, offer, "If I Were a Millionaii'e" to good returns. "The Cat's Meow" by Al Mitchell and the stage band is a unique novelty orchestra selection — very appropriate. The Patterson Twins — in little red dresses — did a peppy, snappy dance which was in.stantly a hit — stars in their own right. "The Cat and the Canary" — an interpretative dance by Kcrcnoff and Maree, was featured by a closing stunt — the girl jumps off from a high fence, swan dive effect, into the arms of the cat — made the audience gasp. Whistling accompaniments by Roy Walman. "The Black and White Kittens" offered by the Rasch girls, was a very good chorus dance, well arranged and executed. Much applause for their endeavors. The Hearst Brothers — suddenly becoming millionaires in answer to their wish, — sing, "Giggling Gertie"— these small boys are pretty good, their voices are changing, but they've got showmanship stamped all over them — personality and pep, too. Then the Finale, but the entire company — a regular free-for-all gamboling of the cats, which made a good whirlwind finish to a good show. Kansas City Mainstreet Week Ending May 5 "Komikal Kapers" was the title of the musical part of the stage program of Walter Davison and His Louisville Loons at the Mainstreet. In addition to an overture, consisting of popular selections, the Loons were featured in several additional musical numbers. Peter Higgins, who is popular with Mainstreet patrons, was seen in a return engagement with all new songs, his act being a vocal number. Buster Shaver and His Tiny Town Revue were seen in a merry frolic of midgets. Grace and Marie Eline offered a novelty skit, titled, "Everybody Satisfied." Agee and White are two young negro comedians who spank banjoes and guitars unmercifully. Detroit State Week Ending May 4 "OKMNX. We're 20,000,000 strong." Thus did Fred Stritt, master of ceremonies salute fellow members of the ancient and mysterious order of Billygoats who patronized the State throughout the week. The stage show offered by the Kunsky production department was based on Billy de Beck's popular cartoon, and all of the characters were there. That is all but the scooters. As the weeks pile up and Stritt continues on. merrily entertaining the regular patrons who come back week after week to see him, his versatility becomes amazing. This week not only did he conduct a snappy show and sing a ditty in connection with the Billygoats, but he also offered a recitative song, "Laugh, Clown, Laugh," that was a gem. He put it over, and how ! Trovato, introduced as the "world's greatest violinist," gave some comedy violin numbers. Gray and White, two hoofers, stepped off a good dance routine and the State Steppers performed even better than usual, particularly in a radium dance number. The cartoon idea was not forgotten, either, and the State Steppers carried on the theme with a comedy number entitled "Horsefeathcrs." They were OKMNX. The show would not have been complete without Sparkplug, of course, and he pranced in to give an unique little dance. The Five Maxellos. a group of tumblers, closed with some surprisingly clever stunts. Omaha Riviera Week Ending May 3 Humor was the prevailing keynote at the stageshow at the Riviera last week. "Russian Revels" was the title, with stagehand, b.indmnster and sottings appropriate to the land of vodka. There were Russian dancers, with Louis and Frieda Bcrkoff at their head. Boycc Coombs, English comedian, joined the show in Omaha, and seemed to be the star of the week. His sneezing act was a riot. Emerson and Baldwin offered comedy juRgline and talk : Wesley and Vodncy presented Ru.vian humor and songs, and Anton Tccro otToi-cd tenor numbers. Paul Spor. innstor of coromonies. apiieared with Emmolino Ellis, an Omaha girl, in singing "Ramona." The song w,'>s in anticipation of the presentation of the picture of that name the followins week. Robert Cuscadrn directed the pit orchestra In a Music Master production, "Schumann."