Inside facts of stage and screen (March 29, 1930)

SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1930 INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN PAGE SEVEN Harold J. Bock Manager PHONE DOUGLAS 2213 SAN FRANCISCO KRESS BLDG. 935 Market St., Office Suite 504 MILLIONAIRE’S SOU TO TRY BIG REVUE SAN FRANCISCO, March 27.— There’s a Ziegfeld type of show on the fire for San Francisco. A production similar to the Ziegfeld and John Murray Anderson shows currently on Broadway is being put together for Erlanger’s Co- lumbia and will open here May IS after a month’s rehearsal. The show is being produced by Paul Bissinger, son of a million- aire, who has received permission from his father for on.e try at the producing end of the game. Young Bissinger was recently in New York where he became interested in the theatre and was connected with several enterprises, including the Erlanger interests. From the late A. L. Erlanger, shortly be- fore the latter’s recent death, Bis- singer received support for his projected show, and, if the attempt is a success here and in Los An- geles, it is due for a Broadway showing at an Erlanger house about August IS. Alexander Leftwich, who di- rected “The Little Show” in New York, will direct. He is expected here in a few days from Los An- geles where he recently arrived from the East. It is reported that Jean Murray has been signed for the ‘ leading role. Sketches and blackout are now being prepared at the hands of Samuel Dixon, local radio writer. GEORGE HEID WEDS SAN FRANCISCO, March 27.— George Heid, musical tab man, and Irma Ammerman, non-pro, were married several weeks ago, it was revealed this week. J. C. COHEN BACK SAN FRANCISCO, March 27.— J. C. Cohen, head of the Consoli- dated Amusement Interests, has returned from a six weeks’ stay in Honolulu. CROWLEY AT VERDI SAN FRANCISCO, March 27.— Neil Crowley, former manager of the Davies Theatre, is now in charge of the Verdi, North Beach house. My deepest appreciation to the many friends who aided during the recent death of our Uncle William O’Rourke Thais O’Rourke AND FAMILY Market St. Gleanings - SAN FRANCISCO, March 27.— In a recent conversation with a music publisher it was pointed out that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer pic- tures have been consistently the settings for some of the country’s leading songs. Almost any week’s list of ten best sellers has one or two of the Metro picture tunes in it, among previous ones being “Pagan Love Song,” “Chant of the Jun- gle,” “Lucky Me, Lovable You,” “Pm Following You” and numer- ous others. A checkup on the last 52 issues of Inside Facts reveals that this paper’s check list of song sellers has only once or twice been with- out a Metro picture themie. The tunes have been published by Rob- bins, Ager, Yellen and Bornstein, De Sylva, Brown and Henderson, and Berlin. * * * * UNSOLICITED INTERVIEWS "Come in,” said a cheery voice as we knocked at the door labeled “Fox Theatre Manager—Herman Kersken.” “We’re interviewing all the fa- mous San Francisco theatrical per- sonalities,” we said. “All right, how many passes this time?” was the quick response from Kersken as he knelt to tie his shoe lace, for it had become untied. Doggedly we continued, “Where were you born?” And came the answer, “San JoSe,” as the impres- sario fondled a dog-eared copy of “Theatre Management” his mother had given him when he was three. “What future plans have you for the Fox?” we queried. But there was no answer, as the famous per- sonage was engaged in trimming the famous mustache which has slayed no less than eight people in as many days. * * * While at RKO’s Golden Gate last week Walter “Dar*e” Wahl and Hughie Diamond spent most of their parrying on the links and ended the week in a draw. Wahl, who was once a middleweight wrestling champ, was handicapped by an insatiable desire to get a half-Nelson on his niblick, but even at that managed to keep even with the originator of forward Risley work. * * * Many San Franciscans will re- member Stella Hymanson, who un- til a short time ago was singing in local theatres. Recently she mar- ried John A. McCandless, Hono- lulu millionaire, who died January 30 at the age of 74, leaving an es- tate valued at $8,000,000, the bulk of which goes to the widow. * * * SPOTLIGHTS Ethel Seavers, Patricia Hazlett and Naomi Brady of Fox West Coast offices celebrating birthdays . . . George Nickson abandoning a praiseworthy attempt at raising a mustache . . . Virginia Spencer be- ing awarded the star’s dressing room at KYA . . . Freddie Heward | doubling from fiddle practice to the flying field, where he has his Greetings DOROTHY WILLIAMS HONOLULU FOE TO BOXOFFICE SAN FRANCISCO, March 27.— A siege of warm weather drew showgoers from the theatres to the parks and beaches where they spent most of their money this week. Picture houses felt the hot wave, especially at matinees, al- though nights held up quite well. Lent, too, was another detraction. There was no outstanding busi- ness along the entire Rialto, the Fox faring perhaps better than the rest. With Joan Crawford in Metro’s “Montana Moon” and Fanchon and Marco’s “Marble Idea” that house did around $50,- 000. The exceptional concert mu- sic being offered by Walt Roes- ner and orchestra and the Satur- day midnight show are added draws for the big 5000-seat house. “High Society Blues” (Fox) with “Skirts Idea” is current. The initial stanza of United Artists’ “Puttin’ on the Ritz” at Publix’s California was visibly af- fected by the weather. Any lack of draw in Harry Richman’s name was overcome by excellent ex- ploitation and publicity Nat Holt put out, but even then it was a couple of grand below normal, the tills registering only $17,700. Publix changed the name of its Granada to the Paramount and, with a huge fanfare of publicity, brought in Paramount’s “Honey” with Nancy Carroll. Don George and orchestra and Harold Ram- say at the organ heading added stage attractions completed the show. Intake was $18,500; above average. Third week of “Vaga- bond King” at Publix’s St. Francis was still okay at $14,000, several grand over the usual house gross. Picture should be good for at least two more weeks. Fox’s celluloid revue. “Happy Days,” still a disappointment at Loew’s Warfield. Second seven days of this flicker drew only $17,- 000 which is not too hot. “The Bishop Murder Case” (Metro- Goldwyn-Mayer) currently holds the screen with C. Sharpe-Minor at the organ and Peter Paul Lyons’ concert orchestra. Winnie Lightner in Warners’ “She Couldn’t Say No” didn’t do any too right by Wagnon’s Em- bassy, which did $9500 on that film. George Arliss in “Green Goddess” is now in. Wagnon’s Davies with Tiffany’s “Troopers Three” aided by heavy publicity and Rex Lease in person did $8750. John Boles in “Song of the West” now holds the screen. “Framed” did a weak $10,000 at the RKO Orpheum, but Co- lumbia’s “Ladies of Leisure,” cur- rent, looks much more hopeful. Ackerman and Harris’ Casino with “Woman Racket” and a stage show got over the top with $11,500. House is consistently building. own plane . . . Hal Horne still on a leave of absence . . . the Louvre Cafe making a play for and get- ting most of the theatrical trade . . . John Smith and Harold Ram- say announcing from backstage for the Paramount’s film revival . . . and both displaying good mike voices . . . seven hundred former actors wondering where this col- umnist got all his info about their present occupations . . . Harry Bechtel doing a Pat Mulligan on St. Pat’s Day and fooling every- body . . . almost . . . Robert C. Gilmour creating enviable exploita- tion stunts . . . each of the fifteen song pluggers wondering why at least three of his numbers aren’t in the ten best list. San Francisco Radio Notes BOY CLAIR CLOSES PLAZA TUB SHOW SAN FRANCISCO, March 27 , The merits of opera often have been discussed pro and con but the most decisive argument of the pro side comes from the North Beach district where several thou- sand Italians are quartered. Whenever a local station is to broadcast any opera program, North Beachites gather around the public radio sets until there are often a hundred or more in one group. After each number loud shouts of “bravo” and “hurray” rend the air. There is no more enthusiastic audience. * * * The Piedmont Theatre in Oak- land believes in fighting fire with fire. So popular are Amos ’n’ Andy in that city that they keep people away from shows, in the belief of Lloyd Townsend, house manager. Accordingly when the blackface pair are on the air Townsend stops the picture at 8:30, turns on the radio, and en- tertains his customers with the team’s dialogue. * * * On its program KFWM, Oak- land, invites listeners-in to phone in requests. Then, when radio owners have complied with the invitation, the station informs them that no requests will be granted unless they are in written form. Don’t know just what the gag is unless it’s a tieup with the phone company. * * * In Don Jeffries and Chuck Thode KTAB has a pair of song writers who are valuable additions to the station’s staff. They’re on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights at 7 o’clock and they have some clever programs. * * * James Thornton, former vaudist,, made his radio debut over KGO this week singing old-time songs. * * * A radio service for business men, conducted by Merle Thorpe, is now being released over NBC net- work. * * * On April 5 the first commercial program from the West to be broadcast over a transcontinental network of NBC will be released from the San Francisco studios. Bebe Daniels will sing leading songs from “Rio Rita” in the ini- tial program. Emil Polak directs. * * * Peggy Chapman, NBC’s versa- tile songstress, is a pleasing addi- SACRAMENTO, March 27.— After two weeks of musical tab, Roy Clair closed that policy at his Plaza Theatre last Friday night, leaving the business of the town to the Frank Russell company which opened Sunday at the Sutter. A combination of hot weather and generally poor business were too much for the Clair show, which had Jack Russell, brother of Frank, connected with it. At the present time Clair is reported seeking financial aid for another type of show. The Frank Russell company, opening Sunday night at the Sut- ter, ran into a flock of hot weather to start off their engage- ment. PERSONAL APPEARANCES SAN FRANCISCO, March 27.— RKO Orpheum had Ralph Graves, Barbara Stanwyck and Marie Pre- vost up from Hollywood for per- sonal appearances during the open- ing day of “Ladies of Leisure” at that house. tion to the Firestone hour coming over that network. * * * Harrison H o 11 i w a y, KFRC’s manager, and A1 Cormack, techni- cal director for the station, have taken to early morning golf, much to Al’s chagrin. “A LITTLE SMILE” Words and Music by GEO. B. L. BRAUN (A Fox Trot Sensation) CONCORD PUBLISHING CO. 1179 Market St. San Francisco Artistic Scenic Advertising Curtains By Far tha Best in America CURTAIN PRIVILEGES BOUGHT FOR CASH OR SCENERY Chas. F. Thompson Scenic Co. 1215 Bates Avenue Phone OLympia 2914 Hollywood, Calif. HOTEL GOVERNOR TURK AT JONES SAN FRANCISCO THE HOME OF ALL THEATRICAL PEOPLE PLAYING SAN FRANCISCO SPECIAL RATES TO PROFESSIONALS JACK WOLFENDEN, Prop. BERT HENDREN, Asst. Mgr. ANNOUNCEMENT THE WM. 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