Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Oct-Dec 1928)

48 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD October 20, 1928 STAGE SHOWS (Continued from page 46) appeared on the programs with a series of clever dance steps and unique costumes. The first time they were all dressed in hoop skirt costumes of white, carrying huge fans of many colors. The second time each girl appeared to be sitting in a basket while a negro seemed to be carrying them. The negro was a wax dummy and many patrons did not catch on to the clever subterfuge until the girls were almost through dancing. The Slate Brothers again favored with eccentric dance steps and clog numbers. The finale was the feature of the show. The entire cast appeared in riding costumes while John Thomas gave an amusing monologue. The lights went out and an imitation of a group watching the Kentucky Derby was presented under the spotlight. The rear curtain rose to show two real horses running the race on the 6tage. It was a climax which drew an ovation from the patrons. The feature picture was "The Water-Hole." A Vitaphone picture "The Family Picnic" was given. in his own words. They were very well arranged and "Clicked." The genial master of ceremonies next sang Irving Berlin's latest "Roses of Yesterday" in a manner that would put any song over. The final number "Keep on Smiling" played by the orchestra and sung and danced by the entire assembly ended the presentation that was also the ninth anniversary of the Stratford. Chicago Stratford Week Ending October 13 "Here Comes My Ball and Chain" played by the Stratford Syncopators, the chorus yodeled by the popular drummer got itself a fine hand for the opening number. Ted Leary, the versatile master of ceremonies, who is now serving his third successful year at the Stratford and still going strong made his appearance on the stage and received his usual hand. He provided the patrons with a variety of jokes and then introduced McKay and Daw, who have an eccentric dancing act that just gets by. The two. although perfectly drilled did not seem to "click." Their second offering of a drunken act, better than the first, received a generous applause. They were ably assisted by the orchestra. Jakes and Feres, who shared honors with Leary, followed with an act that was both dangerous and exciting. The two boys on roller skates, whirled around till the roof seemed to be moving. They had a hard time trying to avoid an encore. The orchestra, under the direction of Maurie Hilbloom rendered a very beautiful number called "Poet and Peasant." It proved itself a big hit and a bow by the entire orchestra was necessary. Burris and Heff, enlivened the program with an exceedingly funny trick dance. The pair were exceptionally clever and received an enthusiastic applause. O'Dunn and Day, another outstanding feature on this program confined their act to a collection of new and old jokes. The pair were well received and came back for an encore. They sang "I Scream. You Scream" for the final number and used several funny gestures that helped put them over. Then Ted Leary reciprocated his hearty welcome and sang a version of "Way Back When" bringing Detroit Michigan Week Ending October 5 A new type of Publix show was inaugurated at the Michigan this week with the appearance of "Wonderful Girl," the unit staged by Joseph Santley. The show is a complete musical comedy with dramatic plot, special lyrics and special music, presented in four scenes. An innovation in picture theatre entertainment, it was staged by Santley in much the same manner in which he staged 6ome of the outstanding Broadway musical successes. Many noted Broadway producers and ballet masters are now devoting their full time to Publix shows, and Santley's invasion of the musical comedy field and the introduction of a plot in his stage show is one of the most radical of recent developments in picture house presentations. The four scenes take place on the deck of an ocean liner, at the dock landing, on a theatre 6tage and in front of a church. The plot concerns stage people from London and New York, and the opportunity which comes to an immigrant girl to make a hit on Broadway. Dave Stamper wrote the music, which in itself is a guarantee of tunefulness and pep. and Santley has worked out the idea of the piece cleverly and smartly. As for the members of the cast, they are good entertainers and there is a chorus of cute and expert dancing girls. It might be added that the dancing girls were trained by Dave Gould. Helene Heller plays "Rosette," the little immigrant girl, and George Riley is the theatrical manager who gives her her chance to win stardom. Others in the cast include Al Samuels, Ray Samuels, Marie Pauli, Willard Hall. C. J. Bloemker, Frank Ruhf, Edward Richardson, Flo Stetler and Edward Hill. Of course, the Michiganders are in evidence this week, as usual, but part of the time, due to the action of the plot, they were obliged to play in the orchestra pit instead of in their customary places on the stage. Eduard Werner and his symphony orchestra played the overture to "The Merry Wives of Windsor" splendidly. Des Moines Capitol Week Ending October 12 "Swanee Moon," a Publix production by Frank Cambria, with its settings suggesting old southern mansions and the days or hoop skirts, served as the background for a snappy program of songs and dances. The 12 Foster girls, in quaint costumes opened the show with Lorraine Tumler as the soloist offering. "Under the Swanee Moon." These girls presented several snappy group dances. (Continued on next page) PAUL G. DAVIS Featured Organist EMBASSY THEATRE CHICAGO CECIL DAVIDSON Master of Ceremonies Putting Over the NORTH CENTER THEATRE, CHICAGO With His Gang ULDERICO MARCELLI MUSICAL CONDUCTOR BALABAN & KATZ Theatres, Chicago LO SAYS Sorneibind about Everyone Greetings! . . . America welcomes Zeppelin heroes. . . . That and other headlines are stretched across the front pages of every American newspaper since the famous German Zeppelin has reached United States soils. . . . What a great day this is for the people whan they can hear and see the latest developments on the screens of picture theatres, through means of the talking news reel. . . . Indeed we are living in a wonderful age today. . . .Nothing seems impossible anymore. . . . Human minds and human hands are revolutionizing the entire World. . . . That's progress. . . . Speaking of progress it seems that Notre Dame is way ahead of its score lately. . . . They sure gave the Navy boys a tough battle last Saturday in Chicago. . . . Box-office receipts proved that more than 120,000 people attended the football game between these two popular teams. . . . Of course I was there and I have Johnny Devine to thank for the wonderful seat. . . . When not at a football game Devine plays organ at the Patio theatre in Chicago. . . . Talk about being crazy, four couples are paid to dance themselves to near death in the Endurance Contest still going in Chicago, after 15 days. . . . Like most things these contests are about done for especially if promoters like Hal Ross try to run them on a shoe-string. . . . Ross tried one in Cicero and is being sued by the dancers. . . . Fearing the outcome he has flown the coop and is headed towards Louisville, Kentucky. . . . Exhibitors, beware of his stunts for he will get you in hot water. . . . Ramon Berry, featured organist at the Alamo theatre, Chicago, has been elected President of the Chicago Society of Organists. . . . While on the subject of organists let us tell you that B & K are rotating three of their ace players. . . . Milton Charles from the Chicago is at the Tower this week and Henri Keates is at the Norshore, while Edward House is at the new Paradise. . . . Preston Sellers is still at the Oriental. . . . We hear that Henry Murtagh will become the solo organist of Publix new house in Brooklyn, N. Y., when that theatre opens next month. . . . Paul Ash will open the house with a stagehand policy. . . . Harold Daniels played "Angela Mia" as an organ solo for the "Street Angel," and used Joe Rizzo a tenor who sang the theme song in Italian. . . . "Doc" Webb whose cut appears on page 46 of this issue is doing a novel solo this week. . . . It's his own 6tunt of "Rhapsody in Blue." . . . The first pipe organ ever to be installed in a retail store was dedicated to the City of New Orleans last week by S. H. Kress & Co., with Edward Larman at the console. . . . Dorothy Gish of the movies is being starred in "Young Love," a stage comedy now playing in Chicago. . . . Harry Fox is doing an M. C. over the Keith-Orpheum Circuit. . . .Ilomay Bailey and Al and Gussic Blum are heading the stage unit at the Oriental, Chicago, this week. . . . Word reaches us that Dr. Paul DeVille has started a presentation circuit with offices in Hartford. Conn. . . . Manager J. M. Franklin of Keith's in Ottawa, booked the Westminster Glee Singers of London, England, this week as a special attraction. ... A. Popcl, manager of the Granada theatre. Chicago, and J. J. Hess, head of the publicity d. ^rtment have established the "Northwestern Night" i a permanent feature of the theatre's olicy. .' . . B & K will assume operation of the •iin_ ' joi L & T theatre, Chicago, officially next v.f ™ Other L & T houses will follow suit. 1 Fisher, who flopped at the Avalon the ft < >, as stagehand leader, is now directing til ;n .1 ill orchestra in Chicago. . . . Speaking u ir Benson is directing his own orchestra .i | Hotel. . . . And Ray Miller is at the , lx>th of Chicago night life fame. . . . nnri. t issued a complete talking Movie Music v itnlon'it ' the film producers. . . . Sam Fox is publishing Pi radise" as a theme song for "The Wedding fc " film. . . . Bibo, Bloedon & Lang are issuing i theme song for "Captain Swagger" the Pathe pict> fe under the same title. . . . Well, folks, don't form ) to read all about the M. P. T. O. Toronto Convention in this issue. . . . There is information thirein to interest all concerned, including Exhibitor! and Organists.