Exhibitors Herald World (Jan-Mar 1929)

January 26, 1929 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD 41 audience knows it is just make believe, the most deadly implement of war being the saxophone of Johnny Detroit. Eight chorus men, in full war trappings, looking for all the world like the genuine article, with excellent voices, render several selections, reinforced by a bevy of fifteen well formed (and they ere not ashamed of their limbs either) girls, who give an act of toe dancing which would do credit to many of the high salaried feature acts which occasionally come to this city — but not often. Joseph Griffin is the feature, and he sings well and received much applause. Steve and Mack, members of the stage band and singers, come in for their share of appreciation with "I Can't Give You Anything but Love." followed by Tony Parenti and Johnny Detroit in solo bits on the deadly saxophone. One other act on the bill, an eccentric dancer, was not fortunate enough to get his name in the paid advertisements or the local criticisms, and even Ben Black in his introduction said his name so low after the second and third performances that nobody heard it. It was probably just as well, as he would never pack the house on his name on a second billing. New York Capitol Week Ending January 18 A Mort Harris production, "Reflections," graced the stage this week and it opened to a neat setting in which Dave Schooler led the "Capitolians" as Sonny sang pleasingly. "Love Tales of Alsace-Lorraine." The fine arrangement was made by Tony Gales, pianist in the orchestra. The Chester-Hale Girls, in pretty costumes, then offered a snappy routine to the tune of "You're the Cream in My Coffee." Rosemary, loaned by Ziegfeld for this week only, sang a pleasing number to a fine hand. Maurice Golleano next did a tap-acrobatic dance that earned him an encore. Schooler then sang "All by Yourself in the Moonlight." the boys following with comedy choruses. Dave's last chorus was sung as a moon, stars, and then the sun appeared in background. He won a fine hand. The Chester-Hale girls, in black and white costumes, then did a smart toe routine. Shaw and Lee. featured comedians in a Broadway show that just closed after a year's run. had every one laughing and applauding their funny antics, 6ongs and stories. They earned an encore in which they offered an exceedingly funny dance. Sonny sang as 32 girls, in beautiful costumes, did a routine for the finale. St. Louis Ambassador Week Ending January 11 Ed Lowry was the master of ceremonies in "Step on It," which offered Burnoff and Josephine, dance team : Paul Mall, black face comic : Bud and Jack Pearson, Helen Wright, singer, and the Felicia Sorrel Girls. Dave Silverman directed the overture. Philadelphia Stanley Week Ending January 12 Louise Groody, star of "No, No, Nanette" and "Hit the Deck." appeared in person with Earl Oxford and Wally Chrisham in a musical satire "Three in Love." and was the outstanding feature at the Stanley this week. The play in itself was rather inoccuous, depending solely upon Miss Groody's personality to put it across. It opened with a dialogue between Oxford and Chrisham as Miss Groody stepped from an air EDDIE FORD Organist COLONY THEATRE Broadway New York City Radio-Keith-Orpheum Featuring "Wings," With Prologue One of the most magnificent spectacles ever produced as a prologue is "Verdun," a stupendous dramatic presentation staged by Arthur Voegtlin. "Verdun" is now appearing in conjunction with the photoplay "Wings" that is playing the Radio-Keith-Orpheum theatres around the east. It depicts the great war and those unforgettable days in France are unrolled before the very eyes of the spectators. This epic was first presented at the New York Hippodrome and it so impressed the circuit officials that they decided to let the prologue accompany the him. Voegtlin first won his fame as a producer of these spectacles when he staged the "Wars of the World," "Under Many Flags." "The Yankee Circus on Mars." and "Around the World." The present prologue displays a whole section of "No Man's Land" and in addition to offering the horrors of the World War. portrays a vivid and dramatic love story. plane, supposedly returning to the United States from Paris. She w-as clad in a fetching blue tailored suit trimmed with astrachan with a tiny muff to match. After a short dialogue and^ome dancing by Miss Groody. and Chrisham took the center of the stage and gave a clever eccentric dance characterized by a loose, rolling motion of all his joints that brought a round of applause. Miss Groody sang "I Want to Be Happy" in her characteristic manner then gave her impression of "Tea for Two." as 6he had heard it sung in Paris, followed by the same song as a hard boiled little night club entertainer had sung it in Chicago. For some reason one was inclined to like the latter version best, perhaps because it was given with more vivacity. Miss Groody's voice, though light, is very pleasing and her charm and naturalness of manner are most appealing. She gives the impression that in spite of her success she has remained unspoiled and unaffected. There was a Movietone Revue which added nothing to the program. Boston Metropolitan Week Ending January 18 Ted Claire, new master of ceremonies, taking the place of Gene Rodemich as leader of the Publix Playboys, was the feature of the show. Hie clever eccentric dancing, pleasant singing and peppy leadership went a long way toward putting the show over. He made an excellent impression in the dialogues which took place. The revue. "Barcelona." comprised such stars as Joe and Jane McKenna, Lewis McClane and Jackie Norton. The curtain went up on the Publix Playboys band, playing a Spanish taneo number with a new chorus of girls taking the place of the Gamby-Hale Girls. Ted Claire was then introduced and received an ovation. He led the band through a hot number, concluding the act with a few clever dance steps. He then sanpr "That'e My Mammy," revealing an excellently trained voice. The chorus staged a parasol dance in which singing played a prominent part. Another number followed by the band. The Doty Brothers then staged an act of eccentric dancing and clog steps, carrying on a play on words during the dance. This received a good hand from the patroae. The act closed with Jackie Norton and his banjo. His imitations were clever and his well trained voice added to the bill. Brooklyn Fox Week Ending January 11 "Hello 1929"— billed as "A Happy New Year Frolic," was staged by Max H. Manne. The first scene was of a Zeppelin with captain and the ballet as passengers making a landing as the captain sang the introductory song, as the orchestra played from the pit. As the passengers disembarked and the "Zep" rose, it disclosed a cabaret scene with many revellers singing and dancing. Amerique and Neville then offered a smart Argentine tango, which was received well. A prima donna next sang, in a good soprano voice, some operatic number, then "she" turned around and it was a man singing in a good bass voice. This phenomenal person was John Maxwell, the man with a double voice. He was very well received. The Stroud Twins followed with gags and some very good tap dancing that earned them an encore. The sixteen Leonidoff Girls did a cute routine as the Fox Choral Ensemble sang amid the falling of many balloons. Kansas City Mainstreet Week Ending January 19 Because of the exceptionally long length of the feature picture at the Mainstreet. Davison's Lousville Loons, playing an extended engagement as the theatre's stage orchestral attraction, and Harlan Christie, master of ceremonies, had a real opportunity to show their versatility. Only one act. Paul Pevelle and Partner, was included on the stage program besides the Loons and Christie. Paul Pevelle and Partner are a couple of wise-cracking comedians attired in rube costumes, but they know their banjo music and refrain from using anything other than brand new jokes, which is an oddity in itself. They occupy the stage about fifteen minutes. The remainder of the time the Loons rendered several musical numbers, which varied from semi-classical to the jazziest of jazz. Christie sang several songs and proved that he is more than capable of stepping out of his usual role as master of ceremonies when required to do so. The title of the stage program was "In a Melody Shop." Indianapolis Indiana Week Ending January 12 The state show "Blue Revue" is rife with animation of the sort encountered in most revues. The band plays "Sweethearts on Parade" and "Four or Five Times" with so much infectiousness that the audience insists on further syncopations. The quartet sang amusingly. The case of Publix players disports itself in a lively manner. There is a "blues" singer who has novel ideas about "The St. Louis Blues" and other popular madrigals of the day. There are two dancers who hoof it vigorously and well and a pair of acrobats are excellent. The Gamby-Hale girls perform the accepted unison dances. Jim Thomas Featured Organist Now at Proctor's 86th St. Theatre, New York City JACK MARTIN Featured Organist MID-WES-CO'S UPTOWN THEATRE, MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN Solo Presentations — — Photoplay Synchronizing UNIFORMS ISiSS? COSTUMES J£££i«. BROOKS iTCSr