Inside facts of stage and screen (April 5, 1930)

PAGE TWO INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 1930 “JOURNEY’S END” FOR MAYAN LEAD DISAPPEARS, SHDlAf PDSTPDNED Phillip Pizza's prcxluction of “Slapstick,” originally slated for opening at the Egan Theatre April 4, has been delayed by the dis- appearance of the leading man of the company, George Hackathorne. The cause of his disappearance and present whereabouts are unknown to the management, who have made arrangements to put a new' leading man in the cast and pro- ceed with the production with as little further delay as possible. Wallace Arthur has been given the part and is expected to have his 90 sides under control by Sun- day, April 6, the new opening date. Following is the complete cast: Wallace Arthur, Louise Bowden, Nina Cunningham, Frank Yaca- nelli, Robert Foster and Carl Fredericks. Mrs. Jim Tully is di- rector. Scale is SOc and $1. Pat- rick Carlisle and Phil Pizza are responsible for the authorship of the piece. WIDIETJSnPF FDRCDRRENTM Exhibs can feel virtually assured now that they’re not to be taxed the extra equipment costs for wide screen during the year 1930. The movie industry, which had been caught so badly by the War- ner Brothers’ talkie “experiment,” was rather hesitant about putting itself on record concerning wide film until the ice had been cracked. As stated in Inside Facts in the issue following opening of Fox’s “Happy Days” (on Grandeur film) at the Carthay Circle, first reaction in local film circles to the opening was that there would be no revolu- tion, nor even a revolt, in the film business as a result of the wide film. A checkup this week showed that this opinion has been solidified during the ensuing period, and that the industry is completely “cold” toward any wide film rush at present. Pathe and Radio Pictures had been two studios which had been expected to follow the Fox trail first, with Warner Brothers, Para- mount and the other of the big ones holding complete ’ silence about their plans and evidently willing to trail farther back if the widies should catch on. Pathe has the Spoor process, but there is nothing being done toward making any widie at the present time. RKO already had planned to produce “Dixiana” in wide film, but that plan has been changed, with the picture to be released on standard w'idth only. It was stat- ed that one might be made later in the year “as an experiment.” 25 DAYS IN CHI F. & M. Ideas now play 25 days’ full time in Chicago, divided between five theatres. AT BEGINNING, END Elliott Nugent will play in the prologue and epilogue scenes of “Romance,” Greta Garbo’s new picture. Heavy Plugs Aiding Draw For Richman SAN FRANCISCO, April 3.— By a fanfare of publicity and a series of novel exploitation stunts Nat Holt has made United Art- ists’ “Puttin’ on the Ritz” at Pub- lix’s California one of the best attended pictures in town. Holt tied up with all the clothiers in the city for nobby window displays, labeling them all “puttin’ on the ritz.” In addition to tieups with a cigarette com- pany and other purveyors of lux- uries he even had part of Market street decked out in pennants and banners announcing this as “Put- tin’ on the Ritz” week. News Notes of Dance Studios James Cody, Earl Carroll’s stage director at the Carroll Theatre in New York for five years, will join forces with Lon Murray, Los An- geles and New York dance direc- tor, who heads his own school for stage dancing here and who pro- duced at the RKO Theatre here for 16 weeks. Cody, who will ar- rive from New York in two weeks, will assume charge of the produc- tion and contract end of Lon Murray’s interests. * ^ * The Bud Murray School for Stage has engaged Professor Leo Darcy internationally known acro- bat and physical culture expert, to teach professional acrobatics and conduct physical culture classes. It is Bud Murray’s intention to combine the acrobatics with tap dancing, thereby recreating the “Acrobatic Tap Dance” which was in vogue 20 years ago. Classes will commence May 1. * * ♦ The opening last week for chil- drens’ classes in both tap and bal- let dancing in the Wills-Cunning- ham Hollywood Dancing Studios was well patronized, according to Walter S. Wills. Two new classes are being held weekly in each form of dancing. Beginners’ classes will be under process of organization two weeks. ♦ ♦ ♦ The Wallace Sisters, protegies of Earle Wallace, are the featured dancers in the new musical com- edy, “Jonica,” which will open on April 7 at the Creig Theatre in New York. “Jonica” opened in Washington, D. C., last week and the Wallace Sisters are said to have scored a decided hit. Earlene and Wilma Wallace are well known in Los Angeles, hav- ing appeared in many local pro- ductions before going to New York. They received all of their dance training from Earle Wal- lace. AUDITIONS FOR MUSICAL COMEDY AT BILTMORE Acting for Alexander Leftwich, Show Manager Siegel is holding auditions at the Biltmore Theatre Monday, April 7, at 10 a. m., for all kinds of musical comedy people for a show which Leftwich plans to open in San Francisco. All preliminary arrangements for the show’s opening have been made. It is entitled “Hi There.” FRENCH CO. FOR EGAN Andre Ferrier is planning to bring his French company to Los Angeles from San Francisco to play their repertory of French lan- guage plays. The Egan is the house under consideration and the proposition looks fairly definite for an opening within the next few weeks. WHITSON GOING EAST R. D. Whitson, president of the Southern California M. P. T. O., is on his way to New York to at- tend a directors’ meeting of the Allied States Association. The lo- cal body have only been members of the Allied since December, and this is their first representation on the deliberations of the national body. NOISELESS CAMERA A new noiseless camera is being perfected for sound photography by T. O. Tally, the man who or- ganized First National Pictures, and was the first exhibitor of mo- tion pictures in Los Angeles. He owned the old Broadway Theatre on the site where the May Co. de- partment store now stands. ROBBING W. C. An epidemic of boxoffice rob- beries has struck West Coast theatres in Southern California during the past week or two. In every case, it is stated, the same two bandits have been responsible, although they have not always been successful. ROSCOE ATES CAST Roscoe Ates has been cast for a part in King Vidor’s M-G-M pic- iture, “Billy the Kid.” SIARIG SERIES OF SIX WESTERNS A1 Neitz is starting production and direction on a series of six westerns April 14 for National Players, Ltd., production concern for the Big Four Film Corpora- tion of New York City. Six westerns for the same con- cern are now being shot at Uni- versal by Harry Webb, who is now doing the second with Jack Perrin in the lead. Both series are being made un- der supervision of Harry Taylor, vice-president in charge of pro- duction for the Big Four. All are six or seven reelers. For his first picture Neitz will take his company to Kernville, Calif., and to Death Valley. For the second, location will be in the Cave-dweller country of New Mexico. Cast is Lane Chandler, the lead, Aileen Goodwin, Sheldon Lewis, Marguerite Ainslee, a new find among the picture ingenues; Mary Carr, Buffalo Bill, jr.; Pete Morrison and Bill Patton. anti-IiTolk IN EVANSIDN BUSY Back in Evanston, 111., there’s a fight on as to whether or not there shall be theatre amusement on Sundays. And in the heat of it one faction is passing around the following handbill: “BE NOT ALARMED ABOUT VAUDEVILLE TALK; IT IS PURELY SUBTERFUGE. “Vaudeville is out of date. Evanston’s theatre operators are modern and know that vaudeville is dead. They also know that Evanston never did like vaudeville and certainly will not attempt to revive it here in Evanston. “The talking pictures are far superior to vaudeville and any of the old forms of entertainment. It is the motion picture entertainment that we are asking for on Sun- days. “When permission is granted for Sunday theatre entertainment we are assured of fine motion picture entertainment without vaudeville. At the same time, excellent dra- mas and musicales that may be available on Sunday in the future will not be barred. “VOTE YES “Evanston Committee for Theatre Entertainment.” OPENS SCHOOL Dana Warrene, the dancing xylophone girl of vaudeville, has opened a studio at 720 Garfield avenue. South Pasadena, where she is now ready to accept pupils for music and dancing. FOLLIES FINISHED Ben Stoloff finished up his shoot- ing of the Fox “Movietone Follies of 1930” last Tuesday night, and Fox execs seem highly elated at the job. Owing to the fact that song-and-dance films seem on the wane, it is understood final work will be rushed for as early a re- lease as possible. NACIO PAYS Nacio Herb Brown, song writer, must pay his wife. Ruby, $750 a month under a court order issued this week. She wanted $2400 a month, and set forth that Brown earned about $54,000 a year and had $450,000 royalty rights. Stock Healthy With 150 Now In Operation According to Henry Duffy there are more stock companies in suc- cessful operation in the United States now than even before the advent of talkies. In 1920, he says, there were 75 stock companies throughout the country while now there are 150, which proves, he claims, that the legitimate theatre is in an ex- ceedingly healthy condition. Readers* Views Editor, Inside Facts, Los Angeles, Calif. We of the stage doff our hats to your publication for its consist- ent stand in the matter of bring- ing stage shows back to their former popularity. While other publications were sounding the death-knell of flesh-and-blood en- tertainment Inside Facts held true to the performers and never threw up the sponge. And don’t think we don’t appreciate it. Now that it begins to look like “Happy Days Are Here Again” every performer who is fortunate enough to secure a booking should see to it that his act is timely and up-to-date. Let’s not just begin again where we left off by dig- ging into the trunk and dragging out the old act. Each and every- one should strive to get the best material possible and build our acts so that stage shows will come back to stay. If we don’t then it will be just too bad. The theatre-going public have good memories. They remember all the old gags and songs just as well as the performers who try to use them. Let’s be new and original in our come-back endeavors and if anyone brings forth a relic of the past here’s hoping Inside Facts tells them about it in their reviews. Yours for newer and better acts, (Signed) TONY FARRELL. Oakland, Calif. Editor, Inside Facts, Warner Bros. Downtown Bldg., Los Angeles, Calif. I am regular reader of Inside Facts even though I am not a member of the theatrical profes- sion. I enjoy your criticisms and editorials on pictures and on act- ors and actresses. I believe there are many people like myself that read your paper and yet are not connected with the profession that the paper is printed about. I get a satisfaction out of the reviews and stage pre- sentation articVc* our war, as it seems to be, on “smut” and cheap wit is very encouraging. The so-called censoring of acts on the “big time” seems to be lagging behind. There have been numerous acts I’ve seen lately, not only on the vaudeville stage but also in the presentations, that have been very smutty. There has been some criticism on Belle Baker’s picture, “Song of Love.” It was too sobbyl That sob stuff is outl” so these some- bodys say. Well, for myself I think Miss Baker should be con- gratulated. Her part was convinc- ing and I do not see why such a picture should not be a big box- office hit. It would be if the peo- ple were educated through pic- tures to be themselves. It was true to life. “These “real” pic- tures should rate, and I think they do. Why did the “Best People” run 13-16 weeks here in Oakland at the Fulton? Because it was true to life. It was real. It was dramatic. I say, let’s be real in our attempts to sell ourselves, our acting and our personality. I have known a number of act- ors and actresses in my time al- ready, and they seem “real” to me off the stage—why not “real” on the stage. Why does Scott Sanders make such a hit? Because he’s himself; he’s “real.” I’m not advertising any certain acts but hoping to show that if one acts himself, he’ll be better appreciated. In other words: Don’t try to be someone else— you’ve got a big job being your- self. Keep up your good work—and let us also here in Oakland see our theatres get an edge on their programs and be more real. This goes for any place. Galen M. Harvey. CIVIC BOOST MOVE An official move to make per- manent the Civic Repertory The- atre now producing successfully a succession of plays at the Holly- wood Music Box was undertaken during the past week when a tem- porary committee was formed to appoint a Civic Committee, whose function it will be to devise a plan to provide the financial support necessary to endow the move- ment. A definite program is ex- pected to be developed within the next couple of weeks. CHANCE IGENCr TD OPEN IN S. F. The Mayan, which had a none too successful experience with M- G-M’s Marion Davies picture, “Marianne,” is to take another fling at the talkies with Tiffany’s “Journey’s End.” The present en- terprise is under the guidance of the Franklyn Production, which- has a lease on the house, and which recently presented “Oh, Susanna!” there and has another play in prospect to follow the film. Opening of “Journey’s End” is set for April 10, with an indefinite run to follow. Top will be $1.50. According to Sid Algiers, gen- eral manager for the Franklyn Productions, of which Franklyn Warner is head, every de luxe house in the region has been bid- ding for this filmization of the phenomenally successful stage war play. Algiers was formerly a high production executive on the Tif- fany lot, and his contracts are thought to have had influence in winning the picture for the Mayan. “Decency” is the next legit show to go into the house under the Franklyn banner. This play by Arthur Gregor will be opened in San Francisco May 12, and the Los Angeles run will follow. According to present plans the complete cast is to be brought out from New York, though a con- flicting rumor has it that Mary Duncan may do the lead. F. anIMgn NEW IDEAS ACTS Fanchon and Marco have signed a new batch of acts for their cir- cuit, including Vernon Stiles of the Metropolitan Opera who goes out in the “Milky Way” Idea; Jones and Hull for the “Candyland” package; Slate Brothers for the “Srniles” bill and the Stroud Twins, heading six teams of twins for the “Twins” idea. The Has- san Troupe of Arabian athletes has been booked for an idea not yet named. Bob Mathews, originally in the “Marble” idea, has been retained at headquarters to instruct girls in ball walking, tight wire walking, iron jaw stunting, trapezing, giant swinging, unicycling and other cir- cus stunts. MARATHON STILL ON A skating, dancing and walking marathon which started at the Hawthorne stadium on March 5 with 48 couples is going on with ten couples still in the ring. Ca- pacity crowds gather nigMly at 50 cents a head and four vaude- ville acts are provided for their entertainment. Threp orchestras keep the music going night and day. The enterprise is handled by the Parks Theatrical Agency. BECK TO PRODUCE Edward Beck, musical show pro- ducer of New York, has been signed by George Olsen to stage the floor show at Olsen’s night club in the Plantation, Culver City. Beck arrived here early this week and is currently selecting ensemble girls. He Buys Own Coat Back for 5-Cent Piece; During a lull in shooting at one of the studios an extra on the pic- ture went among his fellow extras offering an overcoat for raffle at five cents a chance. After the drawing had taken place the winner was declared and the raffler carried the coat over to him. “Why, you 1” ex- claimed the winner. “That coat was stolen from me over at the studios last week.” It took a 50-50 split of the pro- ceeds of the raffle to prevent hos- tilities.