Exhibitors Herald World (Jan-Mar 1929)

January 19. 1929 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD 45 STAGE SHOWS Chicago Nor shore Week Ending January 11 "Crinoline Days." a syncopated romance from the Southland, was this week'6 stage presentation, featuring Al Kvale and his Jazz Collegians. The headliners of this attraction were Maxine Hamilton and alohnny Payne. This show, when originally produced at the Oriental theatre. Chicago, the band was placed in the pit and the story unfolded in the form of a musical comedy. The same continuity was kept at this house, with the exception that the band was on the stage. It opened with Etha Ransdell as the grandmother, telling Maxine Hamilton, her granddaughter, and her boy friend, the story of her life. This was a prologue and the balance of the stage show was the story. Ned Miller followed with a special song, after which the curtain rose to a full stage setting of a reception hall in ye good old Colonial days. Six young men and the house ballet then offered a Virginia reel routine. Johnny Payne was the colored butler and introduced Al Kvale as the host of the evening who. in turn, introduced the various other members of the evening's entertainment. The first offering on the bill was Wally and Zella, brother and sister, in a si>eicalty of acrobatic taps with some eccentric steps following a novel routine of the Irish black bottom. Ned Miller came on again, this time singing "Jeannine" a6 the ballet did another routine. Maxine Hamilton, as the maid, did some cute flirtations with Al Kvale and was carried off the stage by the butler. The butler, Johnny Payne, then convinced the host of the evening that he also could so something to entertain and rattled the piano for his share. In spite of the fact that Payne played the same selections that he offered here on a previous engagement, he nevertheless was the hit of the show, and again stopped the performance. He was followed by Maxine Hamilton again, this time singing to Al a cute number called "Do You Love Me a Little Bit?" in which she also interpreted a few good comedy steps and some exceptional high kicking. Here is a personality girl with, cute mannerisms and talent that should fit nioely into musical comedy. Someone should give her a chance at it. Ned Miller came on again for the third time and sang with the ballet "Swanee River Blues" as the orchestra played a hot arrangement of same, while the boys strummed the banjoes. Sid Lewis was next in a routine of smart chatter and gags. He used Kvale as a foil and we don't mind saying that Al played his part very good, putting into use his clever gift of comedy pantomime. A plant, who was blessed with a hearty laugh, helped to put this routine over, and for a while the audience nearly believed that it was on the level, and had a great deal of fun laughing at the remarks of both. However, if the talking were shortened a few minutes we believe the audience would not tire of them so soon, as the offering has possibilities for picture houses. The plant offered a song and then was taken upon the stage which, to the estimation of this reporter, robbed the offering of any real value that it might have had if Lewis had not let the crowd into the secret. The finale was a patriotic affair with posing figures representing Lincoln, Lee, Grant and Betty Ross waving her colors, while the band played favorite tunes of the Mason and Dixon line as the cast decorated the stage. It was unfortunate that the producers did not give LOUIS ADRIAN Affiliated with PUBLIX Conducting Orchestral Features at the Balaban & Katz NORSHORE Theatre CHICAGO More Proof That Pit Orchestras Are Coming Back In compliance with the public demand, it is evident that the deluxe cinema theatres are augmenting their pit orchestras as well as featuring orchestral productions. To Supplement this statement we wish to call attention to the fact that Balaban & Katz are increasing the number of musicians in their Chicago theatre symphony orchestra from the present number to about twice as many, starting January 18. The same thing may be done with the Uptown theatre on the north side, as well as the Norshore theatre farther north, also the Paradise, their newest west side theatre. A recent overture conducted at the Norshore theatre by Louis Adrian, called "The Soloist," proves this fact. This overture enabled each member of his orchestra to do a solo and the novelty met with instant approval of the audience. For instance, the introduction number was "Orpheus" with a clarinet and flute cadenza played by N. DeRosa and F. Francia. A violin rendition of "Caprice Vienvois" played by the violin quartet, S. Kruty, J. Rotas, O. Englehart and S. Lang. This was followed by a hot fiddle number played by J. Chicco. A cello solo of "Berceuse" was played by P. Kruse. This was followed by a tuba solo of variations on "Old Black Joe" played by V. Fiorino. The saxophone quartet composed of H. Wells. F. Kendle, S. Binder and N. DeRosa. played "Mighty Like a Rose." B. Sands gave a piano solo of "Dizzy Fingers." A comedy number with the horn section was played by C. Jackson, E. Clark and conducted by \V. Hebs. The two trombone players, A. Gott and M. Pascoe, played "I Love You Truly," while A. Goes did a banjo specialty. Three trumpeteers, R. Maufrin, W. Hebs and R. Pietsch. offered popular tunes before Fritz Basten joined in with his crash and drum solo. Popular tunes and popular classical selections were used throughout this overture, which lasted more than ten minutes. This may not be an original idea, but it is nevertheless worth while using. Adrian is responsible for the above arrangement. original chatter and song act. This was topped off with a very dramatic take-off on a choice rendition of "King for a Day." The Sorel girls presented an Indian dance and a Totem pole number. Paul Spor sang "High on the Hill Top" and then, with the help of the band, did a comedy novelty. "The Dempsey-Tunney Fight." The grand finale was a spectacularly 6taged forest fire, vividly produced and successfully put over. Kvale something to do besides being an ornament, for this chap is quite capable of making himself useful with his natural gift of comedy. Des Moines Capitol Week Ending January 11 An all-around satisfactory bill made the Capitol a popular house in spite of a blizzard and sub-zero weather for the week. Paul Spor and his gang in the Publix stage show, "Pow Wow," put over some sparkling entertainment, aided by the scenic effects and the music. Paul Spor in chaps, arrived via scooter to start the Indian atmosphere for Paul Kliest, who sings two numbers in the garb of an Indian chief. He sang "The Legend of the Evening Star" and "White Eagle." He was assisted by the Felicia Sorel dancers and by Helen Packard, danseuse. Horton Spurr. eccentric rubber heel dancer, made a decided hit with his cleverly planned number. Ed and Morton Beck aroused no end of fun with their Detroit Fox Week Ending January 11 As usual, the 6tage show at the Fox this week was a double barreled one and was full of color and melody. The opening number was "Impressions of Aida," presenting selections from the Verdi opera, including the return of Rhadames, commander-inchief of the Egyptian armies, from battle, and the bestowal, by the king, of his daughter's hand on the great hero. The cast included Nadine Ray, Ethel Manning, Joseph Turin, Clay Inman, Margaret Donaldson, the corps de ballet and the choral ensemble, accompanied by the symphony orchestra under the direction of Adolphe S. Kornspan. A group of musical comedy and revue stars took part in "Syncopation Jubilee." Milo, the famous imitationist — there's a word, but that's the way they introduced him — was billed as the headliner. Jules and Josie Walton, billed as New York's smartest dancing team, lived up to that reputation in a lively dance number. West, Lake and Hane, eminent comedians of the revues, had a nice comedy and hoofing number, outside of a burlesque of grand opera singing by West which was not so good and should be cut out of the routine. Bert Nagel and Omar gave some clever impersonations of cats ; and there were Welford and Newton, comedy dancers : Lolita Amiet, blues singer ; Ruth Glanville, saxophonist and "Toots" Novello, novelty dancer. Oh yes, and there was a dance divertissement entitled "Bowery Silhouette," which gave the 32 Fox Tillerettes a chance to go through their paces. The Kentucky Jubilee Singers made their appearance via Fox Movietone. Detroit Michigan Week Ending January 5 Publix brought a rollicking revue direct from New York this week to usher in the New Year at the Michigan theatre. It was titled "Crinoline vs. Jazz," an extravaganza showing how those dear girls have changed since 1829. The settings were in the modernistic manner by Boris Petroff. To start there was an "Old Fashioned Wedding," with Chapman & Snyder, singers, as the principals. Then time swung forward a hundred years and the Felicia Sorel Girls presented a dance number entitled "Girls of Today." John Quinlan, a mighty good singer, was next with a collection of "Songs of Yesteryear." Carl Dobbs & Co. presented the modern section of this number with a lot of "hot" dances a la 1929. Nell Jewell, singer of old fashioned songs, was billed in a quaint little number "Bustles of Long Ago." Remember when they wore them? And to close, getting back to the 1929 idea, there were a couple of extraordinarily funny boys, Bays and Speck, in "Howdy, New Year." For the orchestral overture. Eduard Werner, conductor of the Michigan Symphony Orchestra, had a medley of song hits of the last year. Charles Jolley, popular soloist, was heard to advantage in this number. ARLO HULTS SOLO ORGANIST KEITH'S KENMORE THEATRE, BROOKLYN, N. Y. FORMERLY — AT LOEWS LEXINGTON — NEW YORK CITY CARME ROMANO (Realtor to the Theatrical Profession) These Well Known Chicago Theatrical Men Bought from Me HARRY GOURFAIN— BILLY STONEHAM— SID LORRAINE And Many Others HOW ABOUT YOU? 10 So. La Salle Street, CHICAGO Tel. Randolph 0407