Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Dec 1932)

HOLLYWOOD FILMOCRAPH Pictures—Reviewed and Previewed "CALIENTE" The name of this picture tells the story, as it is of the race track, and those whose life is wrapped up in the "sport of kings." It's another Universal wow. But in this instance it is the crooked side that is shown, and is of a jockey and a gang of confederates who turn to fleecing others. However, a girl and a small boy eventually show him the true way of living, and he abandons his former life and, of course, wins the girl. We must mention first, perhaps the finest performance by a small boy, Mickey Rooney, formerly known as Mickey McGuire, in the character of "a waif. This child's work is uncanny, and received generous applause from the preview audience repeatedly. Tom Brown, as the jockey, is a pleasing actor with a fine idea of naturalness on the screen. Next, Andy Devine, who has amused us so much in recent pictures that we expect a great deal from him, but he delivers once more, as a dumbbell, who always wins by his mistakes, one of those back slapping nuisances. Of course, James Gleason adds a great deal by his clever ability, and as the brains of the gang receive many laughs. His brand of comedy will always be received with favor. Maurine O'Sullivan fitted nicely into the role of the boarding house keeper, to which the hangers-on of the track gather, and Berton Churchill and Morgan Wallace were others in the excellent cast. The best race track atmosphere seen for some time on the screen, and a fast moving story, coupled with excellent direction by Kurt Newman and splendid photography by Arthur Edeson, made this one a winner. From the remarks we gathered from the preview audience in the lobby at the finish of the picture, Universal rings the bell once more with "Caliente." TOO HOO" Universal has another fine producing unit in the Warren Doane productions that are making their latest two reel series, previewed at the Manchester Theatre Wednesday evening, for in their first fun film, "Yoo Hoo," starring James Gleason and Bobby Hutchins, who used to be known as "Wheezer," the Hal Roach kid star. Anita Garvin came in for no little attention as Jimmie's sweetheart. Wheezer was a howl as an orphan kid, and James Gleason played the telephone company workers, who allows his heart to go out to the urchin that has run away from an orphanage to get away from a hard boiled pair of attendants. There is enough story to hold attention and plenty of natural laughs, which keeps the audience at times roaring their heads off. James Home and J. A. Howe wrote the story, and Mr. Home likewise directed, with Warren Doane, formerly of the Hal Roach executive and directorial departments, supervising what promises to be one of the best Universal short reel series that they have made in some time. NIGHT HAWK ROSCOE (FATTY) ARBUCKLE PAVES WAY FOR MANY MORE STARS MAKING THEIR BOW AT STARK'S BOHEMIAN CAFE Who was it that said "Like draw like"? Well, Roscoe (Fatty) Arbuckle is closing his third and biggest week at Stark's Bohemian Cafe, where he has been drawing stars from stage and screen along with his fans who have been hungry to get a peek at him on the stage once more and to enjoy his funmaking antics. Roscoe didn't disappoint visitors at the cafe nightly, where he never did the same act twice. He always found a way to poke fun at some one or something, and he was well aided by Jack Shutta. Ralf Arnold handled the spots like a master electrician, and looked after every one's welfare, running Eugene Stark a close race. The other evening he spotted the charming and adorable Doris Jann and made her step up on the stage and sing a couple of numbers. She put them over in fine shape, won plenty of applause and retired to her table elated with the opportunity. Roscoe has a way with him that makes people feel right at home. Monte Blue stepped up and shook hands with him and wished him success on his trip East. Lonnie D'Orsa and a party of friends dined and danced. Buck Jones and W. S. Van Dyke shared one of the tables and danced to their heart's content with some charming ladies. Sam Coslow dropped in to pay his respects to Jackie Taylor and the Bohemian Orchestra, and did he dance with a cute blonde! We say he did! Ben Danker was much in evidence, and our optics just lit on Moe Morton, that ace dance impresario of the Frolics Cafe. With him was Billy Taft. And oh, yes, we see with us this evening none other than Bert Wheeler, alone, and enjoying himself. We look for Robert Woolsey to hop in on us any moment. There is Garrett Fort, who is famous for writing spooky stories for Universal, "Frankenstein," "Murders in the Rue Morgue," and now "The Invisible Man." Some record, eh, what? Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lewis greeted us as of yore. Hundreds of others nightly have been making one feel that they are sitting, dining or dancing in one of the brightest spots in Hollywood, New York or London. The show is better than ever, finer dance numbers, plenty of funmakers. Charita does a hula hula that smacks of the real article. Eddie Jaye, a crooner, makes you feel like these gals who claim high honors around these parts for this sort of stuff had better watch their step, with Miss Jaye in our midst. Plenty of others numbers, but Jackie Taylor and his Bohemian Orchestra steal the thunder from the majority of artists, and if you ask us, producers and radio stations better place his name on their list of headliners that they will want one of these days. TED LEWIS SHARES HONORS WITH JIMMIE GREER AT COCOANUT GROVE TUESDAY EVENING— OH, BOY— WHAT A SHOW! Tuesday evening was once more the red letter evening at the Cocoanut Grove, at the Ambassador Hotel, for Ted Lewis, the King of Happiness, with his band, was the central attraction, and it seemed like old times in more ways than one. Ted was the guest of honor with his orchestra, who took the center of the stage, while Jimmie Greer and his all-star band, and Molina's Rumba Band, stood by and watched the fun for one solid hour, and then once more took their respective place on the platform and continued to entertain one of the largest turnouts the Grove has been able to house since Ted Lewis went East and to Europe to spread happiness wherever he went, for Ted is built that way and has won thousands over to his side and actually made them follow him from one engagement to another, wherever this was possible. Now that he has finished at Loew's he follows this with an engagement at Pantages Theatre. In fact, we can expect Ted Lewis and his marvelous organization to stay here until way into the summer months, and why not? If we tried to give a list of those who were at the Ted Lewis affair deluxe Tuesday evening, we would have to just take the complete list of who's who in cinema and theatrical circles and reprint the names as among those present. It was indeed a great night, and Jimmie Greer and his band seemed to be spurred on to greater work, for they played better than at any time since beginning their engagement at the Grove. JACK DUNN MAY BE CHOSEN FOR THE LUCKY STRIKE HOUR Proving the old saying, "Murder will out." the ever-increasing popularity of Jack Dunn and his orchestra has been commanding more and more attention from the "big shots" of the entertainment world. What with his regular daily programs of dance music over KTM and his nightly work at the beautiful Rainbow Gardens, Jack has had just about all he could do and now offers galore are coming his way, from all sides. One of the major studios recently made a bid for Jack Dunn's services for a series of electrical transcriptions, a theatre syndicate desires his services for a road show, and now there is a rumor making the rounds that Jack's orchestra will be chosen for the famous Lucky Strike Hour. Well, we will say that they can't go wrong with Jack Dunn. His orchestra is not only one of the most popular in Southern California ; it is one of the best, and he deserves everything that comes his way. JOSEPH'S CAFE There is an atmosphere about Joseph's Cafe the minute that you step into the place, that makes you fee! at home. No matter who is the closest to you, be it a waitress. Joe Berliner, or his brother Morrie, you always sort of commence to think that you are among friends of long standing, and when you sit down and start to enjoy the fine eats that they serve you, why you sort of remember some place or other in some part of the good old world that once before you enjoyed just that very same sort of food. Joe Berliner for six years was with Henry's of Hollywood. During that time he learned what everybody that is anybody likes to eat, and having catered to their wants, he knows 'em like a book and sees to their wants. Joseph's Cafe will soon become one of the best patronized cafes along Wilshire Boulevard, or we will miss our guess. THE FROLICS Fuzzy Knight has been kept over at this cafe by popular request. He, like Jimmy Durante, has a personality and ability that is all his own. Fuzzy works hard to entertain the guests, and the management was none too slow to recognize this, and singled him out to remain on with Ted Fio-Rita and his wonderful band. Billy Taft, that dancing fool, too, is hoofing it once more, and there are also the Bernhart and Romier Society Dancers, the classiest of their kind that have set foot on the west coast. Tut Mace was a welcome addition to the stellar attractions. Tut seems to be improving with age, and how she uncovers so many new steps is beyond us. Moe Morton, who stages the Frolics show, knows what it takes to make everybody happy, so he has the twelve beauties, the prettiest that we have set our optics on in some time, showing off their charms, and everything in pretty costumes and dances to top off the well balanced program. Every night is a banner night at the Frolics Cafe, and we sure love to step to Ted Fio-Rita's Jazz and Harmony Band, with their crooning entertainers. BLOSSOM ROOM Joe Mann greeted us at the door and said, "Come right in and make yourself at home," and before we realized it, he had us seated at one of the ringside tables, and at his right hand stood a bus boy with some water and all the trimmings, and within quicker time than it takes to tell it, we had ordered something to eat, and while we were enjoying Henry Halstead's music, coupled with Clarence Rand's singing, the waiter was apologizing for disturbing us, placing our food gently on the table before our eyes. We call that service, and we must admit that Joe knows his business. We looked to our right, and there was John Mand, who is to Al Levy what your right hand is to you. Stars of stage and screen were rubbing shoulders with some of our town's best people. We heard some rumbling about the Roof Garden opening soon at the Roosevelt, and about some big attractions coming to the Roof to help put it over the top. At any rate, we enjoyed every minute of our stay at the Blossom Room, and then we moved along to home sweet home, where Mrs. Night Hawk was still awaiting a chat with us about whom we saw and how everybody from Jimmy Mannos and Albert, at the Grove. Joe Mann, at the Blossom Room, Ralf Arnold, at Stark's Bohemian, Jack Lewis, at The Frolics, are these days, showing every one how to enjoy themselves at their respective cafes where they meet and greet you nightly, and who Mrs. Night Hawk always feels are very willing to help make her comfortable whenever she makes the rounds with us every now and then.