Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1930)

58 EXHIBITORS HERALD -WORLD November 15, 1930 w MUSIC AND TALENT Twin Organs Hold Stage at Marbro Dual Consoles Add Variety to Sing Program Edna and Preston Sellers Featured In Attraction Formerly Used At Chicago Theatre With the removal of stage shows from the Marbro theatre, a Balaban & Katz house, a few weeks ago, the old Chicago theatre policy of two organs was put into effect after searching for a musical attraction. Billing them as Chicago's Foremost Organists, Edna and Preston Sellers took command of the two consoles with less than a day's rehearsal and opened comparatively cold. The installation of the second console was completed only one hour before the time scheduled for opening. Since then, the "trial" period is over, and they are regularly featured each week in this attraction which is proving very popular. The usual program of twin organs, as they are presented in New York, is in the manner of a popular song concert. However, in the instance of the Marbro, where the twin organ idea substitutes for the discontinued stage presentation, continuity and novelty is incorporated by means of the microphone and attractive slide announcements. The reaction of the audience to this type of entertainment is decidedly favorable, as is attested by the manner in which it responds vocally to the various numbers played. To further the illusion of "twice as much music as before," a double concert is sometimes given, such as Edna playing popular tunes while Preston may ramble around in the classics. Occasionally a vocal soloist is included in the program, which gives the audience something different and goes over very well. Joseph Griffin has appeared in this capacity, as well as Charles Crafts, and others of note are scheduled to appear in this manner. The program for last week was built around the celebration of Armistice day, and the combination of the two instruments made most effective the songs played in commemoration of this event. Manager Geissman is wholly enthusiastic about the new policy, and the Balaban & Katz executives are well pleased with the drawing power of the new unit, it might be said "the new sound policy." The Santly Boys are shown here enjoying the success of the outstanding song hit of the day, "When the Organ Played at Twilight," and are tickled pink about it. Not only that but "You're the One I Care For" shows all indications of being in the best sellers with Organ in a short time. According to Jimmy Cairns, who has just returned from a trip through the Middle West, things arc going great along the line and their present catalog is their greatest, "When the Organ Played at Twilight," "Your the One I Care For," "The Wedding in the Ark," and "I'm Tickled Pink Over a Blue Eyed Baby." \/A BACK IN THE LIMELIGHT AGAIN and GIVING AUDIENCES WHAT THEY CRAVE SINGING TALKING and PLAYING JOHN HAMMOND "Master of Melody" St. George Theatre— Staten Island, N. Y. STAGE SHOWS * — Baltimore Loews Century Week Ending November 8 Loew's Century, Baltimore, resumed its policy of stage attractions November 3, with the Loew-Capitol theatre. New York, state unit, "Pastels," stage band directed by Arthur Knorr, under the supervision of Louis K. Sidney. This unit opened with a full stage showing a huge bon-bon box closed and band music coming from within, with yellow flimsy drapes and the Chester Hale girls in full pink and green gowns lined up in front and up sides in tableau pose. As the box opened Century stage band was revealed and as they played the girls went into routine steps and formations, on apron of the stage. The band was lead by Herbert Bangs. Allen Rogers, master of ceremonies came on then and after the girls left introduced June Worth, who came on dressed in close fitting black velvet costume without tights and went into her acrobatic dance steps. Following that Rogers sang, "I Love You, I Do," and "The Song of a Fool," accompanied by the band. After that the Chester Hale girls were introduced by him by a joke about Hoover putting all hands to work so the girls would now do a hand drill. Girls on in green tights and green and yellow blouses with black silk gloves and after some routine steps sat on benches they carried and did knee, shoulder, leg hand tapping dance with hands and arms. Then followed Jans and Whalen formerly with Ziegfeld and Vanities, in straight comic chatter, uke playing and dance steps, all comedy with third man entering for some of the work, winding up with the "Goog-a-la-goog-a-la-goog-a-la-goo" song and dance. After this the Chester Hale girls came on again in full yellow gowns parted to show bare legs with high feather head pieces, did routine and then posed on each side of stage so the Eanu Japs, acrobatic troupe, 6 in company, couldi have the stage for their acrobatic work. They were dressed in white knickers with white jerseys trimmed with blue collars. Tableau with band and organ finished the act, with center drop being lowered holding artistically draped show girl. Chicago Oriental Week Ending November 14 Welcome back, Benny! That's what every audience that attended the opening week of this versatile master of ceremonies at this theatre has said by their continued and uproarious applause. We hardly need mention that the last name of the gentleman in question is Meroff , but there is no question whatsoever as to his ability, and it was with a great deal of pleasure that we again witnessed his gyrations upon the stage in one of the best stage shows, so it seemed to us, put on at the Oriental in some time. The opening number (the production was entitled "Rare Bits") showed the Lambert Ballet, attired in old clothes, standing in a sort of tumble down street, and after doing a brief eccentric dance, they gather together in a circle, and presto! we have Benny smiling out at us. He calls some of the members of his orchestra down, and after "striking up the band" with "brass" they get together and do a clever little tap dance that was taught them, no doubt, by Benny. This drew plenty of applause. {Continued on page 60, column 2) UNIFORMS FOR HOUSE ATTACHES COSTUMES FOR STAGE PRESENTATIONS BROOKS 1437 B'way N. Y. City