Exhibitors Herald World (Jan-Mar 1929)

February 2, 1929 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD 49 derful motion picture productions turned out this year by the various producers you can easily realize the great possibilities offered for stage prologues, and smart showmen should avail themselves of this opportunity. Those who have a stageband can easily utilize each and every member of the group for some vital part of the offering. Those who still continue a policy of orchestral accompaniment will find stage prologues an extra drawing feature with good entertainment value. Smaller theatres, with only a featured organist, should not feel that they cannot take part in this important event because an organ solo, staged as a prologue, is more attractive than merely an ordinary community stunt. Exhibitors are in the motion picture business and should try to reinforce themselves by making their patrons motion picture fans. Additional attractions are worth while but do not let them crowd out the motion picture. It would pay you to take a visit to Chicago sometime and see for yourself how some of the larger theatres do things. Two Sound Theatres Resume Stageshows (Continued from preceding page) pictures, but they make it quite clear that they want those pictures and something else. In the final analysis it seems that they want the life and color and variety provided — pictures of the highest entertainment value combined with stage bandshows of genuine excellence. So the stage bandshows are coming back and, not only will the empty orchestra pits be occupied again, but the organs that have been silent for many weeks will come to life — and all in answer to the demands of a public whose mind changes so often that theatre managers must stay awake nights trying to anticipate the direction of the next demand. MUSIC SCORES Tha new Paramount-Technicolor production "Red Skin," starring Richard Dix, has just been scored by tie Sam Fox Music Company. J. S. Zamecnik compiled the music under the direction of S. M. Berg. In keeping with the Indian background of the picture melodies have been woven into the score that will produce authentic native music. The new Paramount film called the "Wolf Song," starring Lupe Velez, is being synchronized with an original music score and 6ome original songs composed by Richard Whiting. Miss Velez and Gary Cooper, the hero, will sing throughout the picture several sentimental ballade of the type popular in 1840, the period of the film etory. THEME SONGS Leo Feist, Inc., is publishing "My Mother's Eyes," the theme song to George Jessel's first talking picture, entitled "Lucky Boy." This photoplay is a Tiffany-Stahl production. The composition was written by Abel Bare and L. Wolf — Gilbert. The new Radio-Keith-Orpheum film production called "Syncopation," starring Waring's Pennsylvanians, has a new theme song called "I'll Always Be in Love With You." Sammy Stept and Bud Green have written the number and will also publish it. Another composition written by the same writers is "Do, Do Something," which is being sung in the photoplay by Dorothy Lee and Morton Downey. The Paramount-Christie comedy adapted from Octavua Roy Cohen's story of dark town life, entitled "The Melancholy Dame" will have a theme song called "Melancholy Mama," written by Sterling Sherwin and published by Sherman Clay & Co. The same publishers have also supplied the theme song for the ParamountChristie comedies starring Billy Dooley rod called "Dooley, Dooley Do." 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: Mr. Lester Santly, my good friend, forwarded your letter to him to me, and believe me what you wrote to him did your paper no good in so far as getting me to do any advertising in it. I am eorry he asked the favor of you. Where do you get the idea of telling him I neglected to answer all your letters to me? When did you ever write to me? I only spoke to you once and that was when I asked you to write up a novelty night I was doing at the Windsor theatre in Chicago and you roughly told me that if I would advertise in your paper I would get the write-up. What in hell did the small Windsor mean? I told you then that when I got a de luxe consignment I would be glad to advertise, but I want to tell you here and now that hell will freeze over a thousand times before you'll ever get a red cent from me on anything, and don't think you're doing me any favors by writing up any shows where I may be working, for to me, your write-ups don't mean a thing. — Jack Stanley, The Emerson, Baltimore. Don't Be Fooled The latest Shubert musical comedy to arrive in Chicago is "Luckee Girl," starring Billy House, popular vaudeville comedian who has won his right to musical honors. The Shuberts are inclined to misrepresent a great deal in the newspaper advertising on this show by using the word "Whoopee" in larger type than the title. People who have read about the Ziegfeld show called "Whoopee," starring Eddie Cantor, may get the wrong impression of the advertisement. It is not the Cantor show but it is undoubtedly a good evening's entertainment. St. Louis Adopts B & K Chicago Theatre Policy Prompted by the instant success of the new stage policy inaugurated by Balaban & Katz, at the Chicago theatre last week, Skouras Brothers of St, Louis announce a new form of weekly entertainment, called "Grand Orchestral Productions," which will offer a group of musical selections accompanied by vocal and ballet routine. This will be more on the nature of light opera overture presentations. Charles Previn is the musical director, assisted by Leonid Leonardi. A chorus of thirty voices will be added to the special acts and the Missouri Rockets. Robbins Publishing Theme Songs for M G M Films Exhibitors who have booked "Alias Jimmy Valentine," the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer special feature starring William Haines will also receive a theme song from the Robbins Music Corporation. Robbins is the music subsidiary of M G M and will publish all theme 6ongs for the film company. The theme for the Haines feature is called, "Love Dreams." The following songs are also ready for the exhibitors: "Cross Roads" for "Show People;" "Live and Love" for "Masks of the Devil ;" and themes for the following pictures will soon be ready : "Tide of Empire," "Lady of Chance" and "Flying Feet." Danforth Enlarges Agency Harry Danforth, well known artist representative and one of the oldest authorized Keith and Orpheum agent, has moved his headquarters from the Loop End Bldg. to State-Lake Bldg., Chicago. The agency has been reorganized with Mr. Danforth as the president and Mrs. Catherine C. Danforth as secretary and treasurer. Jack Kalcheim and Phil Gordon are his associates. Film and Tab Another Chicago picture house is trying out a policy of tab musical comedy with pictures. The latest acquisition is the West Englewood, a National playhouse located at 63rd and Ashland. According to newspaper advertising a new show will be offered each week with a cast of thirty specialty artists and large beauty chorus in conjunction with the photoplay, at popular prices. No.2 NOW READY! i«*S FEIST Clide-0 Phone \ I*EO. FEIST ix. NEW YORK I For All Theatres that can use any kind of sound synchronizing device with turntable FEIST SLIDE-O-PHONE PRESENTATIONS AND ORGAN Make An Ideal Combination With vocal and instrumental soundPerfect synchronization — Our own recording — Dialogue — Ultra modern slides — Explanatory cue sheets. Presentation No. 2 "My Blackbirds Are Bluebirds Now'1 "My Mother's Eyes," will be ready shortly Book and Order NOW Rental Fee $6.00 for I week or less Leo, Feist, Inc. 231 W, 40th. St. New York, N.Y.