Inside facts of stage and screen (February 22, 1930)

SATURDAY, FEB. 22, 1930 INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN PAGE SEVEN ““Hi Bock SAN FRANCISCO phone douglas 2213 ^ ^ KRESS BLDG. 935 Market St, Office Suite 504 BUSINESS ON RISE WITH FOX THEATRE LEADING THE MOVE SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 10.—4Ramon Novarro Between heavy competition from the auto show the week before last and the current spell of busi- ness-killing hot weather, local pic- ture shops found seven days of pretty good business with the new Fox feeling the uprise most. That 5000-seat house with SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 20.— Erlanger has shifted plans for the opening vehicle of his new Columbia when it opens on the site of the old Orpheum on March 10. Instead of Cohan’s “Gambling” as previously announced Madge Kennedy in “The Perfect Alibi” will be the opening show. Charles L. Wagner is bringing Miss Ken- nedy here. House’s second bill will be a group of Shakespearean plays done by the Sir Philip Ben Greet players who will present the First Quarto “Hamlet,” “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Twelfth Night” and in addition the play “Everyman.” Ralph Pincus will manage the house for Erlanger. Metro-Gold- GUS OLIVA MAY BE IN MAYORALTY RACE SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 20.— Current political whisperings are designating Gus Oliva, local cafe owner, well known to the profes- sion, as a candidate for mayor of San Francisco. The present mayor, James Rolph, Jr., is expected to cast his hat in the gubernatorial race and Oliva will then announce his candidacy for mayor. Oliva, politically prominent here, owns the Roof Garden Cafe. wyn-Mayer’s “Devil May Care,” Fanchon and Marco’s “Ivories Idea” and Walt Roesner, cleared the tape with a $48,000 intake. Fox’s “Sky Hawk” and “Havana Bound Idea” are now on the boards. First week of Charlotte Green wood in “So Long Letty” at Wagnon’s Embassy came through with flying colors to the tune of $13,500. Second week now on and then comes • “The Sacred Flame.” Loew’s Warfield took a heavy drop on second stanza of Metro’s “Hallelujah” which drew in $16, 000. Greta Garbo in “Anna Chris tie” currently is packing the house, aided by C. Sharp Minor at the organ and Peter Paul Lyons’ or chestra. In the Publix houses Granada led with “Burning Up” on screen, the Paramount flicker drawing in $19,000 and “Street of Chance” now in. St. Francis with ninth and final week of Chevalier in “Love Parade” took a spurt and closed at $10,000. United Artists’ “Lummox” current. Second week of Ronald Colman in “Condemned’ did $18,000. with Richard Barthel mess in “Sons of the Gods” (F N.) there now. Radios’ “Hit the Deck” drew $12,000 for its second week at the Orpheum—which is not so forte. Seven days more and then Richard Dix in “Seven Keys to Baldpate.” Ackerman and Harris’ “Casino” drew $10,000 on “Cameo Kirby” (Fox) and a stage show with “Nix on Dames” this week’s show. Davies with second week of “Phantom of the Opera” in sound and some color did $7500 and “Party Girl” current. Fox Oakland in Oakland with “Their Own Desire” okay at $18,- 000, aided by Hermie King, m. c., and Fanchon and Marco’s “Over- ture Idea.” GETS CONTINUANCE SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 20.— Mrs. Ward Morris was this week granted continuance until March 4 of her trial on manslaughter charges in an auto accident. She is the bride of less than a month of Ward Morris., Rialto Theatre manager. ADOLPH DORING RETURNS SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 20.— Adolph Doring, past president of the Theatrical Mutual Association, has returned from a five-month trip through Europe. On The Air Happenings $4000 BENEFIT SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 20.— Approximately $4000 was realized for charity from the Maurice Chevalier benefit appearance at Publix’s St. Francis Theatre Fri- day night when the Paramount star gave a 55-minute show. He was aided by Rudy Seiger, Fair- mont Hotel maestro. DON WAITE AT DAVIES SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 20.— Don Waite, a recent arrival from New York, has been named man- ager of Wagnon’s Davies Theatre, succeeding Neil Crowley. SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 20- Finding the duties of program di- rector and musical director too de- manding Walter Rudolph has re- signed from the former position at KTAB and will confine his ac- tivities to the musical needs of that station’s programs. Helen O’Neil occupies the posi- tion vacated by Rudolph. * =t- * * Don E. Gilman, vice-president of NBC in charge of the Pacific division, and Lloyd E. Yoder, publicity director, have returned to San Francisco after a fortnight in the Northwest section where they visited the NBC affiliated sta- tions, KHQ, Spokane; KOMO, Seattle, and KGW, Portland. * * * A1 Kelli, accordionist and or- chestra leader at the Fox d’ Italia Cafe, and Ernie Lohrman, pianist, have begun a new series of pro- grams over KJBS. * * * “Sorry” is the newest tune written by Edna Fischer, KFRC’s pianist, who also did “Some Day Soon,” published recently by Sherman, Clay. Jean Paul King, formerly assis- tant production manager of the Pacific division of NBC and more recently of KHQ, Spokane, has been named production head of WLW and WSAI, Cincinnati. * * * KFRC’s two troubadours, A1 and Cal Pearce, doubled from the Don Lee station last Iveek to the Sac- ramento Auto Show. * * * To Virginia Spencer and Helen Stone, KYA has given the time between 5:15 and 5:45 p. m. for the Reduceoid Twins program. * * * Through the Columbia Broad- casting System with which it is affiliated KFRC will get the New York Philharmonic Orchestra con- certs. * * * “My Last Kiss,” written by three of the NBC staff—Tom Hutchinson, Mynard Jones and Myron Niesley—will be sung by Jack Dean, “Dean of Harmony,” on the Pacific Vagabond program this week. * * * It was the Sunday night re- quest hour. Emelie Eilerts was on the switchboard at KYA. In came a request for “Love Me” from Two Lonely Wives. And immediately the number was an- nounced Emelie was besieged with phone calls from various males seeking the phone number of the Two Lonely Wives. S’truth. * * * _ The Los Angeles radio sta- tions don’t need to think they have the only artists who can imitate LEGIT BOXOFFICES FAIR, WITH ‘OH SUSANNA’ AT $16,5000 SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 20.— A minimum number of attractions brought legit boxoffices to a fairly high peak though none of them were worthy of a big rave. “Oh Susanna” at the Curran continued to build and conclusion of the mu- sical comedy’s second week found $16,500 in the safe. Continues for at least two more stanzas. Duffy’s Alcazar with Taylor Homes in “Your Uncle Dudley” grossed $5000 for the fourth week, a good figure. On the other hand the President, with Hale Hamilton and Alice Joyce in “Her Friend the King” still a big frost with only $2000 intake for that show’s second and final week. Percy Pollock in “Broken Dishes” opened Sunday. Third week of the broad-minded farce ,“The Peephole” at Gold- tree’s Green Street did $2100 which is good. Sid Goldtree has FRANK NEWMAN BACK OAKLAND, Feb. 20.—Frank R. Newman, manager of Fox’s Oak- land returned this week from Se- attle, where he was called by the death of his mother. During his absence the Oakland was managed by D. P. Isabella, house assistant. closed the show until his entan- glements with the ubiquitous Capt. Layne and his theatre vice squad are straightened out. Monday the Geary gets Lenore Ulric in “East of Suez.” Currently the Geary, Capitol and Columbia have no legit attractions. DUFWIN MANAGER OAKLAND, Feb. 20.—Emil O. Bondeson returns to the managerial desk of Duffy’s Dufwin, succeeding Ira La Motte who goes to Los Angeles. animals. Irving Kennedy at NBC is no slouch. Among his various contributions in the past have been imitations of sheep, a donkey, dogs of miscellaneous breeds, a seal and a cat. And he has others in the bag. * * * Dobbsie’s Tin Pan Alley hour over KPO this week featured the Leo Feist catalogue of songs, handled locally by A1 Sather. And some good tunes, too. * * * The Big Three—Harry Morton, Heine Klotz and Ron Jonson— working at the Lido Cafe, are now also with Dobbsie over KPO. SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 20.— Sale of the Curran and Geary Theatres to a hotel company which will erect a modern hos- telry on the site, was reported this week. Homer Curran, operator of the two legit houses, was in Los Angeles when the report was cur- rent, and could not be reached to verify the statement. Only a few days ago in an in- terview with one of the San Fran- cisco dailies Curran was quoted as saying that he doubted if the deal would go through and didn’t care a lot inasmuch as legit busi- ness seemed on the upgrade. Provided the Curran and Geary were razed, San Francisco would be limited to Erlanger’s new Columbia which opens March 10; the Capitol, currently dark, but a house which Curran always has liked despite past flops there; the two Duffy houses, the President and Alcazar; Sid Goldtree’s little upstairs Green Street; and the Columbia, which, it is reported, will have a season of contic opera this summer. HOLZMUELLER WEDS SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 20.— The ranks of the Benedicts were last week augmented by C. J. Holzmueller, theatre appliance dealer, who was married to Mrs. Martha Helen Krohn. BACK FROM TRIP SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 20.— Edward M. Lawrence, head of the Personal Recording Co. in the Kress Building returned this week from a short trip to Los Angeles. HOTEL GOVERNOR TURK AT JONES SAN FRANCISCO THE HOME OF ALL THEATRICAL PEOPLE PLAYING SAN FRANCISCO SPECIAL RATES TO PROFESSIONALS JACK WOLFENDEN, Prop. FRANK RATCHFORD, Mgr. Of “The Southern Song Ace** JIMMIE BIRR “Jimmie Barr was outstanding in this show, his punchy and showmanlike rendi- tions of ‘Caroline’ and ‘St. Louis Blues’ forcing him to make a speech to quiet the mob. A great favorite already.” Inside Facts. THE CRITICS SAID: “This fellow Jimmie Barr easily im- presses his audience with his very fine song offerings of merit.” News. “In addition to Jay Brower this week’s stage revue had another big feature, Jim- mie Barr, a newcomer to El Capitanites but one who was very popular. His songs were great.” Call-Bulletin. ON A LONG RUN ENGAGEMENT AT THE FOX EL CAPITA)* SAN FRANCISCO SCENERY BY MARTIN STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA