Exhibitors Herald World (Jan-Mar 1929)

January 19, 1929 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD 47 is clever and stopped the show at this performance. He is a snap for this type of work and should do well anywhere. This was followed by a fine band arrangement of "Moonlight Madness' in which Charles Kaley offered a vocal refrain. We must say that Kaley has quite a following at this house and his solos always receive a goodly share of the applause. The blond girl, who probably was Olive Faye, came out again, this time with some acrobatic dancing and did a difficult split on the staircase which won her a good hand. The next routine was offered by the Marbro ballet in musical comedy style with a male singer offering a special song called "Give Me a Beautiful Girl" in which the ballet did a routine with a dummy body attached to theirs, giving the appearance of two bodies on one pair of legs. It was novel but that was all. The treat of the bill came next in the way of Buster West assisted by John West, apparently a kin. We must say that when it comes to trick steps and real entertaining dance routines. Buster has no superior on any stage. His routine was trimmed quite a bit due to the many shows, but it nevertheless, went over with a bang and proved that he can return to this type of theatre any time he so desires. The finale was a beautiful ending with the ballet holding balloons made to resemble figures as the entire cast assembled to give the flash appearance and whirlwind touch for the last curtain. New York Paramount Week Ending January 18 "Beauty Shop Blues," devised and staged by C. A. Niggemeyer. was the title of the Publix stageshow this week. This show opened with a shoe^hining parlor scene in which the Foster Girls, as bootblacks danced and shined the shoes of six customers (also Foster Girls) to the tune of "Beauty Shop Blues" a special song for this show. Curtain then ro=e. disclosing Gene Rodemich leading the Paramount Stage Orchestra in "All By Yourself in the Moonlight." The French dolls (the Gibson Sisters) follow. One did a smart tap routine, the other did an acrobatic routine. They were well received for their efforts. Stanley House (Proprietor), followed in comedy songs and a lot of gags, using Rodemich for the foil. He got many laughs and a good hand. He next sane his German dialect song which was also well received. The Beauty Shop Manicurists then sang "Beauty Shop Blues" and with the assistance of the Gibson Sisters, did a snappy routine, that won a good hand. Gene then announced Paul Small, who sang "Roses of Yesterday." Hie orchestra then played a medley of songs of yesterday. Paul closed with a chorus of "Roses of Yesterday." and won a fine hand. Helen Lynd next offered a song, "I Want To Go On the Stage," which she sang, pleasingly. She followed this with a very fine impersonation of Leonore Ulric, as she was in Lulu Belle — then a good impression of Fanny Brice. She was well received. Karavaiff | Bell Hop) next did his inimitable tap dancing that won him an encore. Stanley House sang "Sweetheart of the Powder Puff" as 12 Foster Girls parade in striking gowns, that resembled powder puffs. The entire ensemble then entered as a huge head of a girl is lowered. (In the earrings of this head, two live girls were seated). This was beautifully costumed and well staged and the audience liked it. Milwaukee Wisconsin Week Ending January 11 A real summery atmosphere pervades this week's offering at the Wisconsin entitled, "Meet Al," introducing AI Belasco, the new stage band leader. ITie presentation opened with a scrim showing several birds singing in a budding tree while Charles Barnes sang "Where the Shy Little Violets Grow." This introductory number was followed by a number by the Torney Dancers after which Al made his appearance and sang. "Katy Did," accompanied by his Joy Boys. Maurine Marseilles, a clever as well as an attractive miss, next offered two songs, "Me and the Man in the Moon" and "You're the Cream in My Coffee." She has a nice voice as well as an attractive personality and makes a hit. Al next offered another vocal number after which he joined the Torney dancers in a clever dance number. He has a fine personality and did not have any trouble in getting the audience to warm up to him. and they will be glad to learn that he will stay at the Wisconsin for several weeks. A diminutive star in the person of Man Ann Starr makes a big hit with the audience. She sings "My Pet" and then does a "bit of snappy stepping which is pretty good for a tot of her age. Market] ami Faun, do a bit of comedy stepping which is well done and draw good applause. The presentation ends with Barnes singing "Tomorrow's Violets," followed by some fancy stepping by the Torney Dancers. The backdrop is raised disclosing a pretty setting of violets augmented by a pose by the dancers in violet costumes while Belasco does some snappy dancing in front of the orchestra. Newark Branford Week Ending January 11 "Jazz Cocktail." Harry Chull's latest production featured Ben Ross and the Merry Mad Gang. This show opened to a novel setting in which the boys played a hot tune. It was followed by the Branford Girls in a cute routine. Francis Key next offered an acrobatic novelty that won a fair hand. Ben Ross next offered his impressions of Harry Langdon, the movie star. He drew a few cartoons that got a good hand. His next impression was of Al Jolson, singing "Sonny Boy." This young fellow, Ross, makes a nice appearance on the stage, and his singing never fails to meet with good response from the audience. At this show he was forced to beg off. His other impressions and his fine playing of the piano, sax and clarinet prove his versatility. Bennett Brothers earn an encore for the tap dancing. Ten girls from the ballet then play a few hot tunes on Harmonicas to a good hand. The Three Doo Dads, little girl and two boys play a medley of songs on brass, to a good hand. Lee and Gould, comedy singers, had some of the customers laughing at them, and the rest, bored. LiT Esther, hit of the show, pleased with singing and dancing and earned an encore. A silhoutte dance that was very effective next pleased. The 12 Orange Blossom Girls, in silver costumes next do a smart routine as entire ensemble enter as Ben Ross sings the closing song. Brooklyn Patio Week Ending January 12 Howard Emerson and His Patio Orchestra first offered a pleasing overture from the raised pit. They played Selections from "Song of the Flame." Emerson's orchestra is composed of sixteen men, who know their instruments and music well, and they have the good fortune to have a responsive audience who appreciate good efforts. The stage show was called, "A Miniature Musical Revue." Emerson, as master of ceremonies, announced the Gray Family (four girls and two boys), who first do a short sketch, following with a routine revue of songs and steps. They closed by singing and dancing that new hit. "Doin' the Raccoon." Emerson and his boys are very well liked at this house and the least thing they do is always received well. San Francisco Granada Week Ending January 11 The scenery painter for "Parisian Nights," this week's stage act at the Granada, was a little over ambitious and had the Eiffel Tower sprouting out of the Folies Bergeres and the Moulin Rouge. Still that detracts from the excellence of the act, which drew from both these sources for its features of entertainment. Following a rendition of selections from "Faust" by the Granada Theatre Orchestra under the direction of Gino Severi, the curtain went up on the Parisian performance and the Foster Girls made their appearance in a lively dance. Henry Busse and his band, garbed as artists, offered a medley of airs, with Henry chiming in with a trumpet solo when "The St. Louis Blues" was played. Ginger Rogers sang a couple of tropical songs, one of which was "Come Into My Arms." with Henry Busse as the fellow appealed to. She hardly lived up to her given name, but received a good hand for trying. Henry Mack came before the curtain and sang the prologue to a rather realistic Moulin Rouge cafe act, featuring Mme. Andree and Jean Duval) in an Apache dance. The act was well staged. 54 w Dendoip St C*< zm 6 o A/C you Getting RUMORS Eddie Ma gill, popular singer, offered "Avalon Town" through his illuminated megaphone, following with another one-time hit of Sherman, Clay & Co. entitled "Whispering." Then the act harkened back to Paris and the Foster Girls offered a real novelty in "Midinettes" a dance number in which they made excellent use of hat boxes, dancing on these and making use of them in various ways. On one occasion they stacked them into the form of a pyramid and posed on the pile. The Xovelle Bros, offered a decidedly novelty, playing the violin as they went through tumbling gymnastics. They followed this with a whistling act, the whistling being done so cleverly that their conversation could be readily understood. This was the feature act of the show. "Memories of France" took the audience back a few years and as Henry Mack, in doughboy uniform, sang a series of scenes in France unfolded in tableau form above the orchestra. The scene ranged from peaceful village scenes to trench and battle scenes. The show came to a close with the girls trouping on the stage with banners of victory as a tableau unfolded depicting a statue to the war dead. Chicago Tower Week Ending January 12 Lou Kosloff, that personality violinist, who has that winning smile and a pleasing way led the orchestra through. "Tiger Rag" for the opening number of the presentation this week. Kosloff's style of directing is a style of his own and well liked by this reporter. Throughout the entire performance Kosloff's smile failed to wear away. The Patterson twins, dancers, followed and they clicked with the patrons. A nice hand was given to the two girls. The Ballet also did one of their routines. Mabelle Gettelson and Alien Raymond, two singers with appealing voices, next offered "Under the Moon." The song was sung in a pleasing manner and was well liked. Jean Boydell, is one of these girls that is just full of pep and raring to go. She did. and boy, the applause she received was something to brag about. Jean is one of these dramatic singers that brings jokes and actions that will keep any audience laughing. A sure blue chaser. "She's Just Too Sweet for Words." played by the orchestra and the chorus played and sung by the drummer, clarinet player and Kosloff. No foolin' the song sounded great and is on the order of the trio in Frankie Masters orchestra. They just missed an encore, or maybe we'll say Kosloff would not take one. Coleman Getz was next and presented a routine that has been reported many times before. Coleman is a man that has a voice, not good, not extraordinary, but appealing and the audience likes him. He has his same jokes, however. "Roses of Yesterday" was the finale number played by the orchestra and a pretty drop in back of . the entire stage with the 12 dancers posing, made a great scene. Warners Buy Interest in Witmark Firm Purchase of a large interest in the firm of M. Witmark and Sons, Music Publishers, by Warner Brothers was announced yesterday. The music firm is one of the oldest and best known in music publishing and has for years specialized in the publication of the scores of musical shows and ballads. VALE & STEWART Direction Lyons & Lyons Just Completed a Second Tour of Publix Will Soon Repeat .All Chicago Balaban & Katz Theatres UNIFORMS Ka'SST COSTUMES BROOKS £?.Sr