Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1930)

December 27, 1930 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD 43 The Ashley Sisters, whose talent, thrown on the air through the mike, tickles the ether so that it dances, and, dancing, it filters in through the loud speaker in the form of lovely melody. But we'll say no more about them, but refer you to the column entitled "Before the Mike." STAGE SHOWS {Continued from preceding page, column 3) In a strange green and black outfit which he proceeded to remove piece by piece. His lightning1 changes from one melody to another aroused great enthusiasm. Twenty of Philadelphia's most talented children in costumes of pink tulle and tinsel danced some surprisingly difficult steps, while Henrietta, a tiny toe dancer, gave as finished a performance as many veterans of the stage. Dorothy, a miniature acrobatic dancer, in red velvet tights and cap of rhinestones, did cartwheels and splits and tied herself up in knots to enthusiastic applause. Max and His Gang of five remarkably well trained terriers was the most popular number on the program with old and young alike. These terriers displayed an almost uncanny ability to read their master's mind and their evident enjoyment of the tricks they did added to the success of the act. Erner and Fisher, eccentric dancers, kept the audience in hysterics with their nonsensical dancing and antics. Herschel Henlere made a second appearance with a varied collection of musical instruments, many of which were mounted on mechanical toys, which he manipulated with hands, feet and head to the great delight of the children. With the house in darkness, a curtain back of the stage band was drawn aside disclosing Santa Claus and his reindeer with snow falling, while on the stage the Fred Evans Girls in phosporescent dresses danced gaily. Following the finale, the semi-finals of the StanleyWarner "Sunshine Girl" Contest was conducted on the Mastbaum stage. The final results in this very popular contest will be announced Monday night. while the girls appear wearing enormous masks which prove to be skirts thrown over their heads. Pierce and Lazellc, dressed to accentuate their slimness, do some interesting variations in tap dance steps, and Charles Brugge, the musiacl tintype, who is always welcome, plays some lively airs, standing on his head part of the time. As a comedy acrobat he is in a class quite by himself. The chorus, in evening attire, with the girls in black, do a lovely dance, at the same time singing about moonlight. The three Melvin Brothers do some remarkable gymnastic stunts, featured by hand to hand work. Their offering easily proves the hit of the show. George Broadhurst and Madeline do a club turn and he plays tunes on the tableware while she sings. He later proves quite a success as a one-man band. The dancers, clad as witches, offer some novelty steps, dancing around with the brooms with which they sweep the sky, and the act comes to a close with the entire ensemble on the stage and the specialists presenting some of their choicest bits. Here is an act without a dull place in it. San Francisco Fox Week Ending December 24 This week's stage act at the Fox will have a short run, as the new bill goes on Christmas Day, instead of on Friday, but this is not preventing the presentation from being an elaborate one. The act, Fanchon and Marco's "Moonlight Revels Idea," was designed probably with Halloween in mind, but works in nicely with the Christmas holidays. Walt Roesner and the Fox Concert Orchestra offer a lively performance of the ever popular "Orpheus in Hades" Overture, by Offenbach, without the usual added effects. The act opens with the orchestra on the stage and Freda Sullivan leading the corus through a gymnastic dance. The boys of the chorus disport themselves on a rail fence in the attire of black cats. New Orleans Saenger Week Ending December 26 One of the outstanding events of the year, not only in this theatre but in the city as well, is the "Kiddie Revue," staged by Helena Strakova. It is a sparkling fantasy of dance, song, music and color, presented to the stirring strains of Cherniavsky. The Saenger Grand Orchestra, augmented to its full strength, herald the parting of the opening curtain and to the soothing strains of the "Skater's Waltz." a lovely little ballet, dressed in white trimmed with spangles, appear before a jet black velvet curtain with only a sparkling silver crescent moon to stand out from the depths of the black. Snow is falling and the ballet gives an interpretation of the snowflakes drifting. With exceptionally well maneuvered solos and ensembles the number comes to a fast close by forming a tableau. The next scene is a futuristic setting in Candyland, with a queer stick candy, toy soldiers and all that sort of thing painted on the scenery. Two huge Dutch kiddies are placed on the sides, while a milky way of gold stars sweeps across the sky. The scene opens with a chorus of about 20 singing "If I Had a Boy (or Girl) Like You." Quickly following this, a flock of tiny Santa Clauses rush on and perform acrobatic features, which culminate in a thunder storm (Continued on next page, column 2) Before the Mike BY BOBBY MELLIN Leon Bloom, WBBM musical director, says music is a wordless sound expression of thought and emotion. Therefore, all musical programs at this station must be built with numbers that best express the dominating thought of the program. Which accounts for the interesting variety in WBBM musical programs. Leon does not say much, but lets his music speak for him in tones of loud praise, for who can deny the fact that from his violin emanates alluring music. The kind of music that changes a well known saying to "The more you hear, the more you want." Leon Bloom * * • The Ashley Sisters, popular National Broadcasting Chain artists over weekly during the Florsheim Shoe Frolics, are rapidly winning nationwide recognition among radio listeners for their dynamic personality and clever harmony arrangements. These beautiful girls sing many types of music, and do them well enough to please the most critical listeners. These girls also cook delicious spaghetti ; at least, that's what they tell me. (I hope that some time I may be tempted by a sample.) • • • Tom, Dick and Harry, a marvelous trio heard from the Chicago studios of the National Broadcasting Company and station WGN, are three likable chaps who can really "sing a song." This statement was made to me by an official of the N. B. C, who also adds that their voices are adaptable to the microphone, which faithfully transmits the harmonious quality of fine voices. This accounts for their popularity and the reason they were chosen for many NBC features. « • * The most excellent saxophone tone heard during many of the broadcasts, emanates from the instrument of Wayne King, who was featured with hie orchestra at the Aragon Ballroom. The radio work of this superb saxophonist has endeared him to thousands of listeners, and although Wayne has left us for a few weeks, his work in Chicago has won him a warm spot in the hearts of all those who have heard him over the air. * * * George Redman, continuity editor of the Chicago NBC studios, has another claim to fame beside the fact that at the age of twenty-five he holds one of the most coveted positions in radio. His second bid for honors comes from the fact that a few years ago, when he was at station WGN, he often served as a substitute announcer for Bill Hay, and among his duties in this connection was that of making the announcements for a pair of character actor? who have since won their way into the hearts of America's millions under the name of Amos 'n' Andy. • * * Jean Paul King, popular NBC announcer whose voice is heard in every corner of the nation daily in feature NBC broadcasts, made a real bid for announcing fame in a recent broadcast. In this program, Jean was called upon to pronounce three tongue twisters — "particularly appropriate," "inimitable," and "kaleidoscopic." If you don't think these words are hard to say rapidly and naturally, try it out on your own vocal cords. And the fact that Jean got through them all without stuttering, he himself says, is one of his outstanding triumphs. * » * Joe Parsons, bass with the Chicagoans male quartet heard in NBC broadcasts, has had an experience of which few singers can boast. While appearing in vaudeville several years ago, Parsons was chased from the theatre by a real live lion. The lion was scheduled to appear in a trained animal act and in being transferred to the cage on the stage for a rehearsal, escaped and went roaring through the theatre. Chorus girls fled to the alley in their flimsy costumes and Parsons went, via the fire escape, to the roof. After the lion was safely back in the cage, the janitor emerged from the garbage can, Joe relates — or let me think — was it Joe that was seen coming out of the garbage can?