Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Apr-Jun 1930)

48 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD May 3, 1930 STAGE SHOWS San Francisco Fox Week Ending April 24 This week’s show at the Fox is a humdinger and crowds have had an opportunity of carefully inspecting the magnificent foyer while waiting for seats. The concert orchestra under the direction cf Walt Roesner offers “Easter Tidings,” an arrangement which includes Gounod’s “Ave Maria” and Haydn’s “Hallelujah.” The former is sung by a white-garbed artist in an altar setting of Easter lilies, and as the latter is played a scene from the “Resurrection” is enacted in the background by a group of the Hirsh-Arnold Girls. The Fanchon and Marco offering is the "Changes Idea” and is filled with surprises. Muriel Gardner appears before the curtain and introduces the principals of the act and the curtain then goes up on a studio scene and Doc Baker sings about changes, while Muriel dances. Art Hadley, a chain-lightning cartoonist, enlists the aid of eight girls, who hold drawing boards while he deftly distributes blotches of color which quickly become pictures of principals of the comic strips. Twelve girls come on in gorgeous attire and as they pass behind a screen a transformation takes place and they appear in entirely different garb. Three times they do this, following dance numbers, and each time the costume is different, the last one being largely of beads. Walt Roesner introduces George K. Arthur, the diminutive screen companion of Karl Dane, who tells why so many screen stars are making 6tage appearances. He sings “Have a Little Faith in Me” and advises the spendthrifts that this is to be had on a Brunswick record. With a companion he gives an imitation of two Scotchmen celebrating New Year’s eve, which is done by dancing around until both are dizzy. Eva Mandell, who calls herself a “truck on the highway of love,” makes fun of her embonpoint in song and story and gets many a laugh. She even dances, but that is nothing to brag about and is not intended to be. All the while Doc Baker keeps coming on and going off the stage, each time appearing in a different outfit. The quick change artist comes on in an elaborate costume suggestive of India, accompanied by the girls in bespangled gowns and elaborate headdress. Muriel Gardner does a marvelous dance, mostly on her hands, and this is no sooner concluded than Eva comes on with her accomplices and offers a travesty. Doc Baker brings the act to a close with a marvelous exhibition of costume changing. He passes behind the screen clad as a Hindu and in a moment appears as a polo player and after disappearing again for a moment strolls on in full evening dress. Kansas City Midland Week Ending April 25 The Midland’s stage show took the form of a revue called “Eton Days.” The house orchestra, on the stage this week, served to link the various specialties together into one extended revue. The chorus, which made a number of appearances, had clever costumes, especially in one number where the girls appeared in black patent leather. Specialties included a trio of girls who sang “Cryin’ for the Carolines,” a couple of comedians and a dancing ( Continued on next page, column 2) “THE HALF PINT OF PERSONALITY” Publix “Smart Smarties” Unit Just Finished at Stanley, Jersey City This week, Mastbaum, Philadelphia Thanks to Harry Phil and Rubye Before the Mike Smith Ballew, director of a dance orchestra heard regularly through a well known chain system, gives credit for his musical knowledge to an aged negro banjo player in a Texas “jug” band. I Harry Kogen, violinist and conductor of four chain programs originating from Chicago, is to be given two more chain programs this week, one a sustaining program. Harry is one of the sweetest boys in the business and is never too busy to see any of the boys who make their Cake and Jam landing plugs. * * * Did you know that Ruth Etting, star of many Ziegfield successes, climbed to fame via the “mike” broadcasting over the Columbia Broadcasting Chain — Lew White, organist heard in weekly recitals over the “ether” on Wednesday nights, has probably trained more players for theatre pipe organs than any other man. * * • Art Kassel and his Kassels in the Air orchestra, is still the main feature at the Metropole Cafe, and his marvelous music can be heard nightly over station KYW — It seems that the Interwoven pair, Billy Jones and Ernie Hare, are two of the most popular songsters we have on the air, judging from the amount of fan mail these boys receive daily. * * * Don Bernard, National Broadcasting Chain program manager of the Western territory, once sang for Publix — Buryi Retting, of Retting and Platt, piano duo, has been totally blind from birth ; composes and holds a master’s degree in music — In an emergency, Tom Breen, popular announcer, was called upon to take the place of an actor during a dramatic presentation, without rehearsal ; result : much success. * * * Harry Sosnik, pianist, song writer and co-director of Dusty Road’s orchestra, formerly located at the Terrace Garden, replaced Coon-Sanders Nighthawks at the Blackhawk Cafe last week while the latter’s orchestra were barnstorming — Henri Gendron and his orchestra opened at the Rialto Gardens last week, broadcasting over station WBBM. Henri has a lot of that thing called "it” and ought to be a huge success. * * • Leo Braverman is now conducting the WIBO studio orchestra — Marcella Lally, soprano extraordinary, is now alternating between stations WMAQ and WIBO — Those of you who knew Hal Lansing, back in the early days of radio, will be glad to know that Hal is now announcing at station WLS, and would welcome hearing from all his good friends. Lots of luck to you, Hal, and here’s hoping that you will be with us to stay — Avis MacDonald, popular orchestra leader conducting over station WJJD, is considered to be one of the best vibra-harp musicians in this locality. * * » Amos ’n’ Andy are going into the talkies. “Check and Double Check” will probably be the name of the vehicle which will be produced in Los Angeles by Radio Pictures. The contract which will result in Amos ’n’ Andy’s being seen as well as heard by millions was signed in Chicago April 11th. The exact amount to be paid to these great radio artists for this picture cannot be determined because the contract provides them with a share of the profits. If the picture approaches the success of Amos ’n’ Andy on the air their share of the profits will be close to a million dollars, it was estimated. Nine months ago their income was approximately $100 a week. Bob Mellin.