Fox West Coast Theaters Now (April 16, 1930)

NOW factors, as you choose, ‘Song O’ My Heart" is a remarkable piece of work. "The common sense apparent in this one as it unreels should do some- thing to throttle that superior skep- tical faction which only refers to or speaks of the screen sarcastically if at all. And that's the smallest of the worries for the studio, in that it ex- pects not less-than a $2,000,000 gross rental from this effort. But it will top that figure, and it looks a certainty that McCormack will make another feature for Fox. “To take care of McCormack in story form the script trifles neither with his age nor figure in drawing him as a prominent singer in his native land colored by inference, with an un- successful love affair, the subject of which, Mary, has wed elsewhere by command. Her death leaves him to look after her two children. The building up to the ‘I Hear You Calling Me’ climax comes when Mary dies and a cable so informs McCormack’s accom- panist as the tenor is in the midst of an American concert. Story’s only continuity gap appears to be no des- ignation of the singer’s occupation until somewhere in the last three reels when it is hinted that he will sing in public ’’again.’’ Up to that time the audience must accept him as a man of apparently moderate means, devoted to his voice. "Meanwhile, there are the two vil- lage cronies—Kerrigan and Farrell Macdonald. Almost as good as Ker- rigan’s comedy is Macdonald’s "straight.” Between them it’s superb, a matter of two legitimate actors giv- ing strictly legitimate performances. Not simply a matter of being just two clowns mugging for hoke laughs. The picture has none of that. Everything they do and say fits, and Kerrigan's work is a study for performers either on the stage or screen. He’ll prob- ably never see footlights again if the studio has its way and a report is that Fox has a long string of options to his contract. Kerrigan is a former legit actor of note, who also was director of the Ab- bey Players, Dublin, for a number of years. His personal effort here is bound to rank among the greatest in talking pictures to date. Actually a superlative contribution. ” ‘Song O’ My Heart’ is a credit to everyone concerned in its making. The recording on McCormack is excellent, as is the judgment evidenced in the handling of all the component parts. Its unsophistication, simplicity, and warmth are what they’ll like.” c DEDICATE MONTH TO H. B. FRANKLIN los angeles managers set aside month during which they will pay tribute to f. w. c. chief’s inspiring leadership • In THE Los Angeles Divi- sion, the month of May has been set aside as Harold B. Franklin Month. This was de- cided upon a recent meeting of the managers of the division. To acquaint Mr. Franklin of this decision the following wire was addressed to him: ’’At a meeting of the Los Angeles Theatre Managers to- day it was unanimously decided to set aside the Month of May as Harold B. Franklin Month and as a Tribute to Your In- spiration and Loyalty to us to Concentrate Every effort to making the month of May one of the Biggest months in the History of our Circuit. We also offer you Combined Congratu- lations and Best Wishes for a Very Happy Birthday.” Signed H. B. Wright, Ray Deusern, Fred Cruise, Marvin Park and Milton Arthur, Committee. In answer to this tribute Mr. Franklin conveyed the follow- ing appreciation to these men: “I was more than happy to receive the information that as a body you have decided to set aside the month of May as Harold B. Franklin Month. “This is a tribute which I appreciate deeply as I also do the reasons expressed in your wire for the designation you have made. “We have gone a long way widens scope of activities • Widening the scope of his activities, H. E. Jameyson will henceforth supervise the publicity and advertising of the Kansas City Division. The splendid record he has estab- lished in the Midwest Divi- sion was sufficient recommenda- tion that he add Kansas City to his present field. Jameyson’s experience covers every angle of theatre manage- ment and development. together in building up that gi- gantic entity of Service and Success which is Fox WEST Coast Theatres. You and the other men who form this organization have been tested and tried—-and it has been a source of infinite pleasure to note the consistency with which you have so regularly come through. ‘‘I know your activities for the month of May are going to be enormously successful, not because of the name you have placed on it, but because of the kind of men you are.” The committee is now devis- ing plans for a unified and con- centrated effort that each man- ager in the Los Angeles Divi- sion will follow out. Several meetings have been held by the committee and sub committees are being appointed to carry out the various phases of the big campaign. All managers of L. A. are en- thusiastically co-operating. tucson opens a new theatre • Fox West Coast Thea- tres forged another link in their growing chain with the opening of a new FOX THEA- TRE in Tucson, Arizona, April 11th. Harold B. Franklin attended the opening personally, leaving on the Southern Pacific for Tuc- son and the new FOX THEA- TRE Thursday, April 10th. Ex- ecutives of Fox West Coast THEATRES who accompanied H. B. Franklin were Harry Ar- thur, J. J. Franklin, and Bruce Fowler. Charles Farrell, now starring in High Society Blues, led a merry company of Hollywood performers, including inimitable Polly Moran, lovely Gwen Lee, charming Lois Moran, and the suave Don Alvarado, all to share in the christening of Tuc- son’s new Fox West Coast Theatre. City fathers and business men of Tuscon arranged a mammoth celebration welcoming the offi- cials and visiting picture stars. PRESENTS CHARTS FOR FADER CUES following sample of scheme which home office is offering for correct sound picture breaks to improve timing • TALKING fader cues proper- ly arranged which have much to do with the effective showing of pictures have always been a tough nut for managers. J. J. Franklin has been giving this subject much study and has ar- ranged the following cues on Street of Chance. Division man- agers are advised that Mr. Franklin’s office'can supply these sheets on request. Reel 1, Open-—Music on Titles 9 Down 1— Scene of Pow- ell and man standing on sidewalk talking 8 Down 1—On Scene . . Blonde woman enters William Powell’s office . . When She Talks to Powell After He Reads Summons 7 Reel 2, Up 1—On Scene of men in crap game in room. .8 Reel 3, Open—Scene of man standing by windows counting money 8 Reel 4, Down 1—On close-up of court summons . . Scene of Powell and woman sitting on a settee 7 Up 1—Scene again of boy calling papers . . After Fadeout of wo- man in apartment 8 Reel 5 . 8 Reel 6, Open—Scene of Powell • JOHN McCORMACK, whose golden voice has enthralled millions, brings his glorious tal- ent to the talking screen in “Song O’ My Heart.” No other figure of the operatic or concert stage has such a popular fol- lowing as this foremost son of old Erin. His initial screen effort al- ready is acclaimed a masterpiece. For news stories alone, long be- fore you have the pic- ture scheduled, you will find use for this mat. McCormack will find a warm welcome in every section of the country. Unlike other artists who have come from the stage and con- cert platform, he has al- ready acquired a tre- mendous public follow- ing. Through the me- dium of phonograph records his voice has been heard in practically every home in America. Artificial stimulation in his case is entirely un- necessary. The public has already ,been sold on McCormack. Order by Mat Number 109. and girl in hotel room 8 Down 1—Immediately after scene of man talk- ing to newsboy . . On scene of poker game ... 7 Reel 7 7 Reel 8, Open—In middle of scene of poker game . . Powell is playing 7 Up 1—On Sound of Train Whistle . . Scene of train 8 Reel 9, Down 1—Scene of a newsboy wearing white sweater entering Apart- ment lobby . . He talks to woman 7 Up 2—for music on end titles 9 Sound quality is such an im- portant factor in pictures that anything that will assist in eliminating guess work in the mechanical operation of sound control should find a welcome among all theatres. Fader cues have proved a big help. inclusion of new pontages is an additiona l HOLLYW’D ACE SPOT • THE theatrical circles of Hollywood and Los Ange- les are still buzzing with the news of the New Pantages Theatre becoming a Fox West Coast House. This is considered a scoop of the first magnitude on the part of F.W.C. Much con- jecture had been afloat during the construction of this the- atre as to just which circuit the Pantages boys would de- cide upon. It is to the credit of John J. Franklin, Los Angeles Di- vision manager, that this deal was initiated and ultimately consummated. The Pantages, possibly the finest house in the entire country and situated as it is in the center of things thea- trical in Hollywood, where the world gathers in their visiting and sightseeing jour- neys in Southern California, will be the mecca of many millions. Mr. Franklin has strengthened the Hollywood holdings of F. W. C. by this addition, giving the Los An- geles Division four major houses in that city: Carthay Circle, Grauman’s Chinese, Grauman’s Egyptian and now the New Pantages. APRIL 16TH 19 3 0