Inside facts of stage and screen (February 15, 1930)

PAGE TEN VANCOUVER, B. C. A. K. MacMartin REPRESENTATIVE 901 Bekins Bldg. INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCR EEN ^NORTHWEST JEAN ARMAND DISTRICT MANAGER WASHINGTON OREGON IDAHO MONTANA SATURDAY, FEB. 15, 1930 SEATTLE Joseph D. Roberts REPRESENTATIVE 1118 Northern Life Tower E IS CAUSE OF COURT VANCOUVER By A. K. MacMARTIN PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 13.— Reduction in the admission price at the Music Box Theatre from 50 to 25 cents brought about an- other restraining order last Thurs- day, when Presiding Circuit Judge Stevenson granted an injunction against Tiffany Productions, Inc., delivering any of 25 listed sound pictures to John Hamrick for showing at the Music Box. The restraining order followed the filing of an action by G. T. Woodlaw, doing business as the Woodlaw Amusement Company, against the Tiffany corporation, Woodlaw sets out in his complaint that on January 9 he entered into a contract with the defendant cor- poration whereby he was granted exclusive first-run rights to the latter’s pictures at a 25-cent ad- mission price at his own theatre, the_ Columbia, and the Capitol, for which he was booking. This contract runs until August 15, 1930, and by its terms is to be renewed each year for four successive years. Earlier in the week Circuit Judge Stevenson signed a restrain- ing order directed against Co- lumbia Pictures Corporation where- by they were enjoined from fur- nishing Hamrick with 22 sound pictures. This order was modified Thursday to allow one film, “Song of Love,” to be released to Ham- rick for opening yesterday. The suit against Columbia Pic- tures was brought by C. M. Dunn, Inc., who has the booking rights for the Capitol and Columbia the- atres. SEATTLE, Feb. 13.—Some the- atres literally climb to the roofs of their buildings and shout ve- hemently about their service. Oth- ers say nothing, but go merrily on attracting and silently, but in- delibly. impressing their patronage with the superiority of their serv- ice. It is in this latter category that Lou Golden, genial manager of the New Fox Theatre here might rightfully be placed. Lou says nothing, neither in his ads nor on the screen, about his service. But the moment vou lay your half-a- buck on the line at the b. o. right down to the time you leave the theatre after witnessing the per- formance, you are impressed with a courteous, rapid service. The cashiers and ushers are neat, lady- like and discharge their duties with dispatch. The doormen are virile, alert and patient. All per- sonnel members are neatly attired, uniforms always clean and pressed and are constantly endeavoring to please the patron, effectively, with- out making themselves obnoxious. TO DO A “DAN’S” SEATTLE. Feb. 13.—The lo- cals are going to get a glimpse of “Coffee Dan’s” if the plans of T. A. Pinard, local musician and H. Shea of the Dollar Transfer Companw go through for an open- ing on Wednesday next. The bovs have everything set, even to the hammers and other noise makers in the basement of a choice spot across from the new Fox Theatre here. They plan a $1 cover charge for the opening. A five-piece band lead by Pinard. and floor workers will furnish the entertainment. IS HOSTESS SEATTLE, Feb. 13. — Another service gag of Publix’s in its Seattle Theatre here was instituted bv Charlev Kurtzman. divisional chief, for the current Philco radio exhibit. Vera Mularkv serves as hostess during the show, relieving the house staff of the necessity of answering numerous aueries about the sets, which might prove em- barrassing for the innocent ushers. VANCOUVER, Feb. 13.—The Little Theatre Association drew good business with their version of “John Ferguson,” which ran for three days, February 6 to 8. The Association own their own play- house. * * * Met Lang Fang, matinee idol of China, and a company of 22 Chin- ese actors and musicians arrived in Vancouver from China on board the Empress of Canada. They took the Canadian Pacific Ry. for the east, and will open for an Ameri- can tour in New York city. * * * _ E. H. Benson, special representa- tive for United Artists, arrived on the Empress of Canada from Tokyo, recently. * * * The New Orpheum has changed its _ policy again in an effort to entice the fans to deposit in great- er numbers at the b. o. This time a cut from $1 top to 60c with a three-a-day instead of two in vogue. Two musicians have been cut out of the band and one added. Another cut has been made on the stage, five acts which have played here up to the present time called for seven of a stage crew. The vaude under the new policy is being cut to four acts which also eliminates a stage hand, leaving a crew of six. * * * The Columbia Opera Co., which booked into the Vancouver to- wards the end of February, has joined the great majority and can- celled. This leaves the road-show house dark for the balance of the season, with the exception of a few local rentals. * * * After 29 continuous months as m. c. and band leader at the Strand, where he had worked up a tremendous following, Jackie Sou- ders, closed on February 15 to open at the Fifth Ave., Seattle, February 20. Souder’s popularity here was amply proved by the fact that after Fanchon and Marco Ideas closed in this house three weeks ago,. he continued to draw the fans with an augmented band and original musical presentations. Unlike a number of wisecracking m. c.’s who gained fame over night and passed from the spotlight with the same rapidity, Souders’ brand of m. c.ing backed by his person- ality and effectiveness, built him up steadily each week. * * * The British Guild Players at the Empress are still stacking them in, Elizabeth Sleeps Out,” the three- act farce by Leslie Cameron, doing the trick like its predecessors. M- G-M’s “Dynamite” filled the Capi- tol, while “Rio Rita” second run. repeated big business at the Dom- inion after ten big days at the Capitol. The New Orpheum, with a strong five-act bill of vaude. headed by Scott Sanders and U. A.’s “The Locked Door,” was weak on opening but built during the week. The Pan had “The Vir- ginian,” second run, but there was no riot trving to hold back the mob of cash customers. Across the street from the Pan, the Rex of- fered W. B.’s “Hearts in Exile” to only fair returns. The Strand did a steady business with Fox’s “Romance of the Rio Grande” and Souders and his band, the draw being only slightly under the aver- age takings when F. and M. Ideas were the attraction. Generally busi- ness was off on the week. * * * The Capitol Theatre, Winnipeg, one of the F. P. C. C. houses, where RKO vaude plays, was the scene of a rather serious fire re- cently. After the fans had left on the night of Janu'arv 28 a night watchman discovered one of the three stores which occupy the front of the three-storv theatre building' was on fire. This was badly gutted but the theatre proper suffered from smoke and water only. WORK TRANSFERRED 'HIT TI BECK' TOP THE SEATTLE, Feb. 13. —Don Work, formerly chief of service at the Publix-Granada in San Fran- cisco, has been transferred to the same spot at Publix’s Seattle here. SEATTLE, Feb. 13. — Perfect show weather, marked only by intermittent rains which didn’t bother the natives of this town one bit,_ resulted in satisfactory show biz all around town last week. R-K-O’s big Orpheum, launch- ing another big exploitation cam- paign, gathered top dough with “Hit the Deck,” $25,000, plenty big and . called for a hold-over. Vaude bill of small consequence, with picture given credit for the huge draw. Half of the Orph’s 25 grand garnered over the week- end. $13,500 at Fifth Avenue Eddie Peabody’s third and next to final week at Fox’s Fifth Ave- nue drew $13,500 with “Lilies of the Field” the screen attraction and Fanchon - Marco’s “Carnival Russe Idea” on the stage. Publix’s Seattle was able to snare but. $9000 of the native’s money with “Burning Up,” Para- mount all-talking racetrack narra- tive. The new Fox gathered seven grand with Marion Davies’ second week in “Not So Dumb,” with Owen Sweeten at the helm of the house band credited for much of the biz. Hamrick’s two small spots, the Blue Mouse and Music Box, did nobly with their respective at- tractions; $8400 for the former with Somerset Maugham’s “The Sacred Flame,” starring Pauline Frederick, and $6850 for the third and final week of John Barrymore in “General Crack” at the latter. Long lines of outside standees evident at these two spots almost nightly, now that the snow has receded. i Second Runs Good Second run grind houses con- tinue to hold up well, with Jensen and von Herberg’s Liberty now catagoried as such. Liberty’s first return offering was “Gold Diggers of Broadway,” with “Rio Rita” current. Large two-color adver- tisements still the rule for this re- cently reopened stand. Dance halls and night club spots continue to attract the patrons. Vic Meyers’ new spot, Club Vic- tor, after weeks of mediocrity, has taken a new lease on life, staging special stunt nights, etc., which bring out the addicts. John Sav- age’s Trianon Ballroom, the most pretentious in these parts, con- tinues with its big Monday and Saturday night biz, Saturday espe- cially being heavy. Cole McEl- roy’s emporium of the ankle art, steady throughout the week, with goodly crowds noticeable nightly. Tiny Burnett’s band at the Ven- etian Gardens in the Olympic Hotel, continues a steady attrac- tion at this class spot. Hold Train So Act Can Make Jump PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 13.— Winding up the greatest exploita- tion campaign this town has seen since Eddie Hitchcock’s ballyhoo for Eddie Peabody three years ago, the R-K-O Orpheum’s bally- hoo for Olsen and Johnson, com- ics, closed with arrangements with the Southern Pacific Railroad to hold its crack southbound “Cas- cade Limited” for 20 minutes on the boys’ closing night, in order that Chic and Ole might continue their journey south. The show wasn’t out till 10:15, and missing the train meant a day’s loss to the act. Mayor George Baker, an old showman himself, cooperated with the house by providing a per- sonal escort which included the chief of police to take the boys to the rattler. The holding of the “Cascade” for Olsen and Johnson was the first time since this fast roller was put on the tracks that it didn’t depart on schedule. The big splurge for Olsen and John son resulted in a $14,000 week for the local Orpheum. Kill) TRIES HOLLER: PICTURE R-K-O CHANGES PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 13.— Recent changes announced by James Carrier, northwest division manager for R-K-O, include the following switches in assistant managers: Fred Miller from Se- attle to Portland, Oscar Nyberg from Portland to Spokane, and Bob Newkirk from Spokane to Seattle. The local R-K-O Or- pheum, incidentally, is currently without a resident manager. Joe Cooper, divisional exploitation chief, is currently batting in the spot, doubling his duties. Carrier was in town this week, looking the local situation over. SEATTLE, Feb. 13.—Another radio broadcasting company crash appeared on the local horizon this week with the filing of a petition for receivership for KFQW, pio- neer broadcaster, by Attorney Os- car G. Heaton, said to represent a group of creditors, including employees. Heaton declared, in his petition, that he represented a number of creditors, among them some em- ployees of the station who “have not received any salary for some time.” The .technical claim for receiv- ership was based on the assertion that KFQW, of which Edwin A. Kraft is general manager, has been unable to meet a judgment awarded against it several weeks ago for $62.50 in favor of an equipment manufacturer. KFQW, which operates from the. Continental Hotel, has been believed to be in bad shape for some time. Classified ads for sales- men have been generously splat- tered throughout the dailies for the past week and the town is full of ladies and gents beseeching the merchants to buy time over this station. The power plant of KFQW isn’t any too powerful and its programs are composed, in their practical entirety, of phono- graph records. Kraft, whose brother D., owns KXA, could not be reached for a statement on the financial difficulties. There is no financial or legal connection be- tween the brothers and their rival stations, employees at both sta- tions agree. SEATTLE, Feb. 13.—A self-ap- pointed censorship board of one, who works independently of the regular censorship board of Se- attle, had his first effort prove a boomerang, much to the benefit of the boxoffice involved when the Reverend Young, Lutheran minister, kicked over the heads of the censors here on the 24 sheets of “Party Girl.” There’s no doubt that the board was a pip from the sex angle, plenty of underpinning shown to the point where it might be sug- gestive. Foster and Kleiser posted, as per. Vic Gauntlett’s orders. The latter is press agent for Hamrick’s houses here. The board was originally oked, but the reverend figured to pull another Bob Schuler and holler to cover up certain parts of the young lady’s extremities. It is re- ported that at one high school spot, the kids have torn off 12 separate sheets to see what was underneath. Gauntlett slugged his ads “Not recommended for children,” but evidently both the kids can’t read and the grownups want to find out what was under the one sheet that the reverend ordered put over the girl’s underpinning, as long lines of standees have been evidenced since the change was made. UGH OF WORK II HAVE “MOUSE” CLUB PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 13.— The managers of the Fox-H'olly- wood, local east side house, have formed the youngsters into a “Mickey Mouse” Club, capitaliz- ing on the popularity of the Walt Disney Cartoons. The kids meet every Saturday afternoon and stage an impromptu stage show all their own. It is not unusual for the house to be filled to. over- flowing and for as many as 20 acts to be presented on these spe- cial occasions. ADULT POLICY WINS VANCOUVER, Feb. 13.—Few seasons have seen as many musi- cians and stage hands at liberty as the present one in Vancouver. With the road-show season a flop and the Vancouver dark through cancellations, a band of 12 musicians and a like number of stage hands are out. With vaudeville out of the Pan a crew and a band from that house are idle. The New Orpheum has just made another cut affecting the stage and pit. Now that Souders has been pulled to Seattle by Marco, the Strand management is considering cutting out the band of 20 pieces as they have no leader in sight with the necessary stuff to replace him. A tab show which put across three-a-day along with pictures at the Royal is not work- ing this season, which leaves three more musicians and as many stage boys out in the cold. Vincent > ^ t ^ e Strand posts notice on 1 its band there will remain but three theatres in Vancouver em- ploying stage hands and bands, namely, the Empress with the British Guild Players in stock, the New Orpheum with R-K-O vaude- ville, and the Capitol with pictures and a musical presentation on the stage. SEATTLE, Feb. 13.—Bert Leon- ard, local dance hall impressario, in searching for a novel innovation for his Tent Dance Hall here, two years ago struck upon the idea of admitting adult patronage only. It had never been tried here before and folks began to laugh. In the meanwhile, Leonard went right on. plugging away until now, after two years, he has probably the most profitable, considering facili- ties, establishment in this village. Under no conditions can any juve- nile, or juvenile appearing person, gain admission into the Tent, and this feature has built a large and steady following for Leonard’s Tent. “SEE NAPLES” “See Naples and Die,” a musi- cal comedy version of the stage play by the same name, will be made by Warner Brothers. This special will be filmed in techni- color, with Irene Delroy playing the featured lead. Michael Curtiz will direct and Joseph Jackson has been assigned to adapt the story. IS PUBLIX MGR. SEATTLE, Feb. 13.—William A. “Bill” Hartung, for the past twenty years connected in vari- ous capacities with the Orpheum circuit, was last week named resi- dent manager of Publix’s Seattle Theatre. Hartung, a local man who, after several years with the vaude people here, was sent east for the circuit some time ago, was brought back last summer when Carl Reiter resigned as manager. After six months as manager of the local house, Hartung resigned and last week accepted the position with Publix. EDDIE IN SIXTH WEEK PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 13.— Eddie Magill, Publix crooner, after 20 weeks in the Granada, Frisco, is now in his sixth week at the Publix-Portland here. Ma- gill and his illuminated megaphone are prime favorites with local fans. and his prestige presages to continue on the incline for the balance of his scheduled 15 weeks’ stay here.