Exhibitors Herald World (Jan-Mar 1929)

38 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD January 26, 1929 It is natural to assume that too much of cne style is bound to tire the theatregoers, and when you feel your audience slipping it is time for you to act. All band leaders cannot be huge favorites and cannot be expected to carry the entire show each week for an indefinite period, merely on their personality. They must have some cooperation and support of the production department. Costumes and scenery add to the success of any stageshow but the elaborateness of these features alone will not always send your audience away, feeling that they have been entertained. The recent inauguration of a new stage policy at the Chicago theatre, Chicago, proves that too many theatres in one city offering the same policy cannot exist unless each theatre puts a new wrinkle into the stage offerings. Balaban & Katz have brought back to Chicago the former class productions that had made their loop theatre the talk of the amusement world. Now that Frank Cambria, the father of their lavish prologues is back at his former post, there is no doubt that the Chicago theatre will soon climb up to its former place. In the short space of five years motion picture theatres have practically revolutionized the amusement business to a point where almost any type of entertainment can be seen at popular prices. In order to keep this position they must find a logical system to continue, instead of going along in a haphazard way of presenting talent and box office names. When this has been accomplished, and we are quite sure that the industry has capable men guiding its destinies, then the public will know that no other form of entertainment can furnish them with the same amount of amusement and satisfaction as the motion picture theatres can at popular prices. Presentation LETTERS In this open forum those interested in presentation may discuss important matters bearing upon this phase of theatre entertainment. Only signed letters will be published. PRESENTATION ACTS— To the Editor: As a point of information, would appreciate it if you would put a little article in your paper mentioning the fact that we have just put out, in Elide form, our song entitled "Avalon Town." Thanking you, and with beet wishes. Sincerely yours, Bernard Pollack, Sherman Clay & Co., Eastern Representation. Northwest Resumes Publix Units Again Balaban & Katz will produce two stagehand units out of Chicago for the weeke of January 31 and February 7, that will open in Denver. Louis McDermott will stage these units. The purpose of this stunt is to fill the open weeks made necessary by resuming the Publix unit6 at Portland and Seattle. Until the present shows now on the road rotate so that the chain will be regulated just these two units will be sent out of Chicago to play the balance of the Publix southern tour. Healy Bats for Mark In keeping with the policy of Balaban & Katz they have secured the exclusive services of Ted Healy for one week's engagement at the Paradise theatre this week. Healy will officiate as master of ceremonies in place of Mark Fisher, who is on a vacation. On the same program with him, in a featured capacity, are Sally Tilden and Arthur Nealy. Kosloff Has Accident Lou Kosloff, popular Chicago band leader for Balaaban & Katz, met with a serious automobile accident last week which will keep him out of work for at least three weeks. While he is recuperating at the American hospital, Al Morey, formerly at the Harding theatre, will take his place at the Tower. Eddie Perry, formerly of the Chicago theatre, will replace Morey at the Harding. LO SAYS Semeihind about Everyone GREETINGS! . . . Well, boys, it looks like Chicago means business this time by the looks of the Police Department. . . . Bill Russell, not our Bill, but the smart Police Commissioner, is filling every cell in the jail houses. . . . Last night's papers had more than 3,500 arrested. . . . Someone ought to write a new song now and call it "I'm in the Jail House Now." ... At last Mae West has arrived in our beautiful city and with her is "Diamond Lil," look out, boys ; if the cops get mad they might even raid the Apollo. . . . Frank Fay was held over for another week at the Chicago Palace. . . . Billy House, that ever popular fat comedian of the combination stage is back in Chicago as the star of "Luckee Girl," a new musicale. . . . Ted Healy of "A Night in Spain," fame and other naughty things, is pinch-hitting for Mark Fisher this week at the Paradise while Mark is fishing in Cuba. . . . Ted Leary the young Irish masler of ceremonies with a6 long a record (good one) as any other famous artist is now doing a double over the R K O time with his new wife. Oriole Craven. . . . Victor Young and Will Harris are at it again, this time they have written a pretty song called "It's Just Because It's You." . . . Eddie Perry is taking Al Morey's place at the Harding while Al is replacing Lou Kosloff at the Tower until Lou gets out of the Hospital. . . . Mrs. Preston Sellers is now doing organ solos at the Senate. . . . Eddie House opened the new stage policy at the Chicago theatre last week. . . . Jack Peacock Kelly will lead Mark Fisher's band next week. . . . Henri Keates is planning on buying himself an aeroplane to make the weekly jumps at the B & K theatres. . . . Pete Brown is directing the six piece orchestra at the Maryland when the "talkies" don't talk. . . . Joe Weisenfreund is doing the same thing at the Central Park theatre, another B & K house in Chicago. ... A. J. Balaban, is taking a six weeks vacation to California and states he will be back. . . . Rumors that he would not are not true, so the gentleman say6. . . . Speaking of vacations Leo Stahr, 6cenic artist for Balaban & Katz, is just back from a nice rest. . . . Word is received from St. Louis, that Skouras Bros, are putting in the same stage policy at their Missouri theatre as B & K have at their Loop house. . . . Charles Previn will direct the pit orchestra and Milton Slosser will feature organ solos. . . . Dave Gould well known for his Gould dancers on Publix circuit has been made a 6tage producer by Publix. . . . Jack Taylor featured organist of the Tivoli in Newark, is one of Frank White'6 pupils. . . . Alta Rowena Strickler, is to become the wife of Harold Johnson, featured organist at the Orpheum in South Bend. . . . Joe Plunkett, formerly in charge of the Stanley chain is now general manager of the R K O theatre circuit. . . . Mose Gumble, 6ays that no other pereon or persons, besides Donaldson, Douglas & Gumble, own any part of that firm but those mentioned. . . . We reckon you must be right, Mose. . . . Organists can now secure "Avalon Town," in slide form from Sherman Clay its publishers. . . . Whenever you feel like hearing some good organ music tune in on station WRNY on Tuesdays and listen to Eddie Ford, he can sure make you feel like a kid again. . . . Paul Specht has replaced Jimmy Carr at the Colony, New York as masler of ceremonies. . . . Deszo Retter is back from another long tour of Publix and will 60on play Balaban & Katz theatres again. . . . Mildred Fleming is playing organ solos at the Keystone theatre in New York. . . . Buddy Webber is the big organist in Worcester, and doing solos too. . . . Bobby Demming at Shea's Kensington in Buffalo is putting over some clever organ novelties these days. . . . When in Philadelphia be 6ure to drop in' and hear Jesse Stoudt play organ at the Keystone theatre. . . . And while there don't pass up Larry Baraldi at the Aldine. . . . Speaking of more organists we hear that Edward May at the Riviera in Rochester likes the idea of an Organ Exchange Column in the HERALD-WORLD. . . . How many of you are ready to start the thing off ? . . . Good, let's get going then. . . . Harold Daniels did his bit by suggesting the department and Francis Franey seconded the motion. . . . Now its up to you, you and you. . . . Loew u going strong for organ 60los lately and it seems that New England ha6 more featured organists than any other part of the picture theatre field. . . . Joseph Stoves is pushing pedals for Loew in Providence. ORGAN PRESENTATIONS OF GREAT SONGS SMALL SLIDE SETS THE SONG I LOVE I'LL NEVER ASK FOR MORE MY INSPIRATION IS YOU WHEN THE WORLD IS AT REST YOU'LL NEVER KNOW SALLY OF MY DREAMS (Theme of "Mother Knows Best") MY TONIA (Theme of "In Old Arirona") MARION (Theme of "4 Devils") JUDY (Theme of "Romance of the Underworld") ^^^^^^^ We Also Have Small Sets of Slides for AH Songs Listed Under Specials SPECIALS "ROMANCE AND MELODY" Introducing THE SONG I LOVE (A Presentation That Is a Classic) "OPEN SECRETS" Introducing THAT'S HOW I FEEL ABOUT YOU (Perfect for Community) "LOVE— AND A PET NAME" Introducing ANGELA MIA (A Beautiful Presentation) "A MEDLEY OF GREAT PICTURE THEME SONGS" Containing SONNY BOY (Theme of "The Singing Fool") SOME DAY SOMEWHERE (Theme of "The Red Dance") ANGELA MIA (Theme of "Street Angel") NOTE: The Theme Song Medley Can Be Presented with Marvelous Results in Conjunction with the Al Jolson Brunswick Record. Ask for Particulars. Write for All Slides and Information to SAM LERNER, Mgr. of Publicity DE SYLVA, BROWN & HENDERSON, INC. 745 7th Ave., New York City