Inside facts of stage and screen (February 8, 1930)

SATURDAY, FEB. 8, 1930 INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN PAGE FIVE NEW CONTRACT FOR PICTURES IS (Continued from Page 3) recurrence of the Equity bid for a place in the films. The membership drive, it was explained, was to be ushered in by a cuit in rates. Initiation fee, it was declared, was to be cut from $100 to $15, and monthly dues from $5 to $1. These rates would give the new members all privileges except those of serving as officers or on the board of di- rectors. Then the matter of hours was brought up, with the two pro- posals: Two Proposals 1. That the work week for free lance players (which would automatically govern the con- tract players’ hours) should be set at 54 hours. 2. That the contract provide that a 12-hour rest period should be insured after any period of work. Under provisions of the cameramen’s union for not working more than 16 hours a day, this, it was stated, would make a work week not exceed- ing 72 hours. For all practical purposes this is so, though strictly on technical reasoning the provision might allow a work week of 80 hours or more under the provision, figuring demonstrates. But such a con- tingency as going over the 72 hours seems highly improbable in the nature of studio shooting. See “Joker” A resolution embodying these two alternative propositions was already drawn up and presented. Its purpose was to empower a committee to take up the two propositions with representatives of the producers, it was stated. First the speakers argued down the 54-hour week provision, stat- ing it not feasible in pictures. It was stated that the producers’ representatives at prior meetings between the actors’ committee and producers, had agreed that if one work week limit proved poor after a six months’ trial, the other would be tried. The meeting seemed more or (Continued on Page 13) EDDIE KAY THE EXTEMPORANEOUS IMPRESARIO AT Coffee Dan’s Los Angeles Visitors Last Week— CURLY BURNS, FRITZ and JEAN HUBERT, HARRY VERNON and other notables. I Thank You—Eddie Kay By CHARLES CHAUVEL AUSTRALIA. — The “talkies” sounded the death knell for the bulk of vaudevillians coming to this country from U. S. A. and those that were here upon my re- turn seemed very dissatisfied with their lot and losing too much money to think of anything but keeping every penny together for their return to America. The great back stage talkies such as “Broadway Melody,” “Fox Fol- lies” and others are putting the lid on local vaudeville and only very strong dramatic fare is hav- ing a chance to exist. “Journey’s End” is breaking all past legiti- mate records according to reports. The long expected “coming to- gether” of Union Theatre and Hoyt’s is now an accomplished fact. They call it a working agreement but the trade regards it as the absolute end of individual control. Our theatrical position is now similar to that of South Africa which is dominated body and soul by the South African Theatre Trust which even controls cafes, hotels, etc. Houses Merge J. C. Williamson, Hoyt’s Union Theatres, E. J. and Dan Carroll picture interests, Frank Neil’s En- terprises and Fuller’s Theatres are all tied by working agreements and Union Theatres and Fuller’s Theatres also have the monopoly upon our air, by recently securing the tender for the Commonwealth Government’s national broadcast- ing control. The New Year will undoubtedly bring great changes to our thea- trical movie world. Those American Distributors that have not been able to tie up satisfactorily with the Hoyt’s-Wil- liamson-Union Theatre group are likely to be left begging for the crumbs that are left in Australia. British Films will gain their place in the sun here owing to arrange- ment with the group which seems to have fallen into political dis- repute by the recent crude blun- dering in the political issues of the last federal elections. By the dis- tribution of British films midst a blare of trumpets and flag waving the group evidently hopes to re- gain a lot of its lost prestige. Widies Awaited The American product for the enlarged screen and natural vision oictures are being keenly awaited for. Their effect upon the legiti-' mate stage is likely to temporarily cause further great losses and out of the chaos, it is very likely that a new organization will appear upon the _ ruins of the old legiti- mates, with the capital to build palatial legitimate houses and the acumen to keep up to the times. Perhaps an Australian Henry Duffy will take the lead or per- haps the great lone player, E. J. Carroll, and will pop the surprise of the year. British films are sure to win great favor here during this year and it seems as though British Dominion Films will take its place as a great distributing house be- side its American cousins, and Sound Proof Studio Dynamic Speakers Condenser Microphones Free Voice Tests Recordings Made All Electric Equipment Hollywood Microphone Studio 6404 SUNSET BOULEVARD GRanite 3325 VAUDEVILLE ACTS COACHED in MICROPHONE TECHNIQUE for RADIO-TALKING PICTURES RECORDINGS EVENINGS BY APPOINTMENT LA, F The Music Corporation of America opened their offices in the Oviatt Building with a big recep- tion held this week. In honor of the occasion, J. C. Stein, presi- dent of the organization, was present. Wires of congratulation were received from representatives of the music trade throughout the country. _ With business conditions con- sidered not particularly conducive to. big results at the present time, this organization has not only opened here with flattering offers for their attractions on hand but the reports from their other offices indicate that the circuit of hotels and ball-rooms has been effected so that they are enabled to offer reputable orchestras 52 weeks con- secutive bookings. While their past efforts have been concerned principally with dance spots, they have recently entered the radio field and have succeeded in placing such out- standing orchestras on the air as Coon-Sanders on the Florsheim Shoe Co. hour in the Middle West; Anson Weeks for the same concern on the West Coast; Ted Fiorito for the Skelly Oil Co., Wayne King for the Armour hour and Guy Lombardo for tlfe Robert Burns hour. The interest which the large bands as well as the hotels and radios have taken in the establish- ment of the local office bids fair to promise that the M. C. A. will enjoy as much popularity in the West as it has in the Middle West and eastern territory. ON PROBATION Frank Jennings, stage manager for the play “Bad Babies,” who was found guilty with the rest of the cast, was granted probation this week. CHESTER IN ‘HOUSE’ Chester Morris has been chosen for a role in “The Big House” at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. studios are to be equipped by Hoyt’s Union Theatres and Brit- ish .Dominion Films for the pro- duction of Australian sound and talking pictures. Ernest Turnbull and Charles Herscheil will be men to reckon with during this year as the driv- ing. forces behind the British in- vasion. VANCOUVER By A. K. MacMARTIN The RKO Orpheum bill was reduced, to four acts this week through the death of Snoozer, Jr., intellectual bull dog. This clever canine caught cold while playing Spokane and died on reaching Vancouver. The act was billed as Meredith and Snoozer. Mere- dith, the dog’s owner, jumped to California after the loss of his faithful partner. * * * James Mills, leading man of the Bristol Repertory Theatre in Eng- land, has arrived in Vancouver and joined the ranks of the British Guild Players at the Empress. This gives these players three leading men, David Clyde, one of the lessees; Basil Radford, and Mills. He made his debut here in “The Rotters’’ the week of' January 27. * * * The Junior Service Club’s an- nual revue, “Let’s Go,” opened at the Vancouver Theatre for three days on January 30 to capacity business at a three dollar top. There are 80 in the cast, which was directed by Donald MacDon- ald of New York. The club mem- bers are made up from the younger element in Vancouver so- ciety and the proceeds are used for the club’s various charities. * * * With another new leading man in the cast of “The Rotters” the British Guild Players at the Em- press are putting over another success this week to big business. “Let’s Go,” a big cast amateur revue with a professional director, has sold out for the last three days of the week at the Van- couver. The New Orpheum is doing a consistent 'business with four acts of vaude headlined by Jack Pepper, and “The Isle of Lost Ships” as flicker fare. Busi- ness at the Pan house is building slowly with talking pictures only. Fox’s “Lone Star Ranger” is the ljet for the current week. The Dominion has Harold Lloyd in “Welcome Danger,” second run, and is doing capacity. The Capitol with Fox’s “Sunny Side Up” and Meunier and his band in musical presentation, is in the big money, with . capacity night shows. At the Strand with F. and M. Ideas out and a bigger and better band on the stage with Jackie Souders doing his stuff as M. ' C. and leader, and the F. N. “Paris” on the screen, business is holding up. PUKE STUDIO ID TIT OF 101111 With the getting under way of the short . subject department of Pathe, which recently was moved from New York to the coast, the feature picture program schedule also swung into active produc- tion, . marking the first burst of activities under the new regime of E. B. Deer, executive vice- president recently appointed. The first feature production is a musical comedy, “Swing High,” written by Joseph Santley and James. Seymore and which Santley will direct. It is a story of circus life featuring Helen Twelvetrees and Fred Scott with John Sheehan, Bryant Washburn, Stepin Fetchit. Daphne Pollard, Ben Turpiin, Rob- ert Edeson, Chester Conklin and Little Billy in the cast. The music will be written and composed by Ted Snyder, Henry Sullivan, Abner Silver, Ray Eagan, Mort Harris and Mack Gordon. Josiah Zuro will be in charge of music. William Woolfenden, in charge of the shorts, announces four di- rectors signed. They are Robert De Lacy, Fred Giuol, Wallace Fox and M-onte Carter. Carter is to direct 'two-reel musical com- edies. Woolfenden has been placed in charge of all comedy material and talent and Arch Heath has been signed as production manager of all two-reel comedies. Josiah Zuro, director-general of music for Pathe, will also act in a supervisory ca- pacity for music in comedies. The list of writers include George O’Neil, Hugh Cummings, Guy Voyer, Walter De Leon, J. Kiern Brennan, Betty Scott and Frank T. Davis. DOLLY WITH FOX Edward Dolly, brother of the Dolly Sisters and a dance director for the stage, has been signed .by Fox and will shortly reach Holly- wood from France. At the Casino de Paris in that city he staged the Moulin Rouge show. STEPIN TO SIGN It is. understood that Stepin Fetchit is to sign a new five-year contract with Hal Roach. IN DAVIES FILM Claud Allister has been signed for a part in Marion Davies’ new M-G-M picture, temporarily titled. “The Gay ’90’s.” DANIEL C. BLUM PRESENTS “BAM A MERRY VENETIAN OPERETTA By MYRTA BEL GALLAHER With NANCY WELFORD and AL ST. JOHN STAGED BY EDWARD ROYCE WHO DIRECTED “SALLY,” “IRENE,” “KID BOOTS” AND “RIO RITA” ALL STAR CAST WITH A SINGING AND DANCING COMPANY OF 60 PRESS CRITICS AND AUDIENCES UNANIMOUS A SMASHING HIT! S. F. Examiner: Sumptu- ously produced. Keyed to a pitch of vivacious gayety. Bambina deserves to be a distinct success. Inside Facts S. F. Review: . . . Bambina taking its ini- tial bow at the Curran is a colorful operetta with a com- petent cast — a combination that presages a profitable lifetime for the vehicle. L. A. Herald: ... Bam- bina is a rich treat to the eye and well worth the visit of the playgoer in search of vivid entertainment. S. F. Call-Bulletin: Bam- bina contained a panderian wealth of pretties so many and so gay that the world premiere audience pinned on it a tag lettered “Hit.” L. A. Examiner: . . . Bam- bina proved delightful . . continuous plaudits . . beautiful presentation. NOW AT MAYAN THEATRE LOS ANGELES GENERAL MANAGER, HEATH COBB 6636 Hollywood Blvd. : : Hollywood, Cal.