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

SATURDAY, APRIL S, 1930 inside facts of stage and screen PAGE THREE TWO B. O. LOW RECORDS BROKEN STAGE SHOW MAHER READY TO ‘CRACK’ IF STARTED I B. HOmOB BOES TBP mi LEGIT HOUSES GENERALLY DO MEDIOCRE WEEK OF INTAKE An inside source this week de-" scribed the all-screen vs. sta^ show as one of “watchful wait- ing." “It’s all ready to crack wide open if one of the companies makes a move to precipitate a contes>t in revival of in-person en- tertainment,” he declared. “Warner Brothers is the one they’re all watching. With the W. MLAWHIISCBME TB FILM CftPim Every frontier has its day of reckoning, and, to borrow from its own old familiar sub-titles, the law has come to Hollywood. Orders apparently are out that screen radiance is to be no bar to the utmost enforcement of the law, and big names in pictures can no longer do as they once did —“fix” a tag with a smile and a fan picture. This time it looks like the great picture colony is to find itself no longer in special favor. The “Oh, let him alone; he’s a picture actor,” days are gone, and the hero who can defeat a regiment on the screen must do his yessir to the corner cop. The changed atmosphere started about a month ago when some six or eight extra men were detailed to the Hollywood area by Central Station. Now, it is un- derstood, four additional cars have been asked for patrol work in the film capital. Three Hollywood gambling joints have been knocked over in the last month or so, and petty gambling devices, such as dice racks and punch-boards, have been eliminated. One operator, in one of the city’s most prominent ho- tels, was taken along with her paraphernalia to the station house. A pool on the Agua Caliente handicap brought agents for it into trouble in some instances. And to cap it all, bootlegging is not the open and above-board pastime it used to be. Now the rum-runners move with caution, and the identity demanded of a new purchaser must be more than adequate to float an apartment house loan from the most cautious of banks. The wild and woolly is no more. THREE SPECIALS ON W. B. APRIL RELEASE Warner Bros, has three specials for release during April. They are “Under a Texas Moon,” “Those Who Dance” and “The Second Floor Mystery.” “Under a Texas Moon” became available to exhibitors April 1. This is an all-Technicolor outdoor picture di- rected by Michael Curtiz with a star cast including Frank Fay, Armida, Raquel Torres, Myrna Loy, Noah Beery, Tully Marshall and Mona Maris. It is based on Steward Edward White’s story, “The Two-Gun Man.” “Those Who Dance,” scheduled for April 19, was directed by Wil- liam Beaudine from George Kibbe Turner’s story. Its players are Monte Blue, Lila Lee, William Boyd, Betty Compson, William /anney, Wilfred Lucas, Cornelius Keefe and DeWitt Jennings. “The Second Floor Mystery,” released on April 26, is from a story by Earl Derr Biggers. Roy Del Ruth directed, its cast com- prising Grant Withers, Loretta Young, H. B. Warner, John Lo- der, Claire McDowell, Judith Vo- IS VIDOR LEAD Lucille Powers will be opposite John Mack Brown in King Vidor’s M-G-M picture, “Billy the Ki^” made from the book concerning the young outlaw. Miss Powers is from the stage, with experience in the following pictures: “Mar- quis Preferred,” “King of Jazz,” “Right of Way” and “All Quiet on the Western Front.” She’s 19 years old. Wanda Tuchock did the adaptation of “The Saga of Billy the Kid,” and Lawrence Stallings the dialogue. ‘B. plan of building a big chain of theatres, covering the nation like a tent and competing with any and all other chains in any and all territories, the general feeling is that the Warners soon will be setting the pace in ex- hibition. “So far as we can learn, they aren’t saying a word for awhile, neither indicating yea or nay on the stage show proposition, and when they have their chain built up, will be the time they first show their hand. If it’s for the flesh-and-blood presentation, then undoubtedly all the other circuits will have to follow.” It is stated that Publix are buy- ing up stage acts in the East in a quantity that indicates they are preparing to meet the emergency. Rumors have floated out that the acts are being obtained for work in picture shorts, but with the de- cline of this type of shorts, and with the number of acts Publix is grabbing, this seems hardly likely. Also the numbers are far and away too much for their pres- ent stage show houses, and it is deemed virtually certain that either Publix intends to revive stage shows throughout the nation, or else to be adequately prepared, at no matter what expense, if some- one else does so. The Fox-West Coast attitude is paradoxical on the question ot stage shows. They maintain a policy of “being against them,” whereas, as a matter of fact, they are extending the Fanchon and Marco Ideas all the time, and seem to find them highly profitable, judging by the way they are ex- ploited. Which has led to the re- mark that “West Coast is unalter- ably opposed to stage shows—for the other fellow.” mlAcm TB STIIIIT M EPIC Raoul Walsh arrived back in Los Angeles Tuesday' prepared to start into active preparations to whip things into final shape for his new Fox picture, a “covered wagon” odyssy of the early Oregon coun- try. The picture will be mainly shot on location up in Oregon. So far cast for the picture are Tyrone Power, David Rollins, Nat Pendleton, El Brendel, Tommy Clifford, the Irish boy who was brought to the U. S. by Fox for the John CcCormack picture, and Ian Keith. IN “ROPE’S END” Two new castings preceded the removal of “Rope’s End” to San Francisco, the two former members of the cast who were supplanted finding it impossible to make the northern trip. Edgar Barrier and Gale Gordon are the new members of the company, succeeding Dwight Frye and Hugh Huntley. Five pictures will start within the next few weeks at Warner Brothers. Wins Praise For Work in Wright Show Ora Carew, whose picture ap- pears on page one of this issue of Inside Facts, plays one of the two featured feminine roles in Andy Wright’s production of “Philadelphia,” a tale of under- world thrills now showing at the Vine Street Theatre, Hollywood. Critical response to Miss Carew’s work has been unanimously cum laude, her work being vivid, her voice extremely pleasing and clear, and her personality one that gets across the footlights upon her first entrance, and stays there. Miss Carew is a picture actress of nOite, graduating from the sil- ents to the talkies with the ease with which other stage people made the change, and her career for both footlights and camera- and-mike is all set for a continued up and up. The doldrums hit into picture houses’ grosses on the last week, and two of the theatres wrote new low figures for the current year. However, one house had its best week of 1930, and the remainder of the class one-week stands most- ly managed to stay within a few thousands of average. The new low records for 1930 were chalked up at the Criterion and the Boulevard, both Fox houses. Warner Brothers’ down- town house was only $500 above the low for the year. Warner Brothers’ Hollywood Theatre was the one that went over" the top figure for 1930. The first week of "Hold Everything” (W. B.) with the fun-making team of Winnie Lightner and Joe E. Brown featured, grossed $34,700. Previous figures for the year were. High, “Sally,” $31,000; low, “Wedding Rings,” $14,300; aver- age, $20,543. Criterion $4903 The new low was written at the Criterion to the tune of $4903 for the third and last week of “Men Without Women” (figures for six days). Previous figures were: High, “Anna Christie,” first week, $28,565; low, “Hot for Paris,” fourth week, $5910; aver- age $13,148. “Cameo Kirby” and F. and M. Varieties brought the new low fig- ure of $4475 to the Fox-Boule- vard. Previous figures were: High, “They Had to See Paris,” $13,060; low, “Behind That Make- up,” $5959; average, $8127. The First National mystery thriller, “Murder Will Out,” with Jack Mulhall, Lila Lee and Wal- lace Beery, took $15,5(X) at War- ner Brothers’ Downtown Theatre, which is only $500 better than the 1930 low. Previous figures were: High. “Show of Shows,” first week, $36,000; low, “Paris,” $15,- 000; average, $23,217. “Honey” Weak The “Sweetie” follow-up, “Honey” (Paramount), didnt’ do anything hot at the Paramount, the Ngncy Carroll vehicle taking only a weak $24,000. Previous figures: High, “Vagabond King,” first week, $42,000; low, “Roadhouse Nights,” $20,000; average, $28,788. M-G-M’s “Chasing Rainbows,” with Bessie Love, Charles King and Marie Dressier, also failed to startle, falling under average to the gross of $30,281. F. and M.’s “Gyp, Gyp, Gypsy Idea” was the support. Previous figures: High, “Romance of the Rio Grande, $43,904; low, “Hollywood Revue” (second run), $20,048; average, $32,952. The Inspiration picture, “Hell Harbor,” with Lupe Velez and Jean Hersholt, was another which couldn’t keep up to average in this Lenten season. Its opening week, with Gaylord Carter’s organ solo- ing in support, took $16,500. Previ- ous figures: High, “Taming of the Shrew,” first week, $34,000; low, “Taming of the Shrew,” third week, $12,- 000; average $18,229. Egyptian at Average Fox’s "The Lone Star Ranger” and the F. and M. “Broadway Venuses Idea” brought the aver- age figure of $11,046 to the Egyp- tian. Previous figures: High, “Welcome Danger,” $12,- 961; low, “Seven Faces,” $7026; average, $11,701. M-G-M’s “The Rogue Song” was rapidly wearing out its wel- come at the Chinese, but still do- ing an excellent figure for the length of the run. On the past week it grossed $15,413. Previous figures were: High, “Rogue Song,” first week, $37,243 (a house record); low, “Condemned,” las't week, $8013; average, $23,035. Fox’s “Happy Days” was slight- ly under average in its fourth week at the Carthay Circle, gross- ing $12,795. Previous figures: High, “Happy Days,” first week, $23,593; low, “Rio Rita,” ninth week, $8438; average, $13,042. The last four days of “Rio Rita” (RKO) were lukewarm at $7000 at the Orpheum Theatre. Previ- ous figures (for a full week): High, “Hit the Deck,” first week, $28,750; low, “Hit the Deck,” sixth week, $9500; aver- age, $16,122. Legit houses were 'generally in'* a decline during the past week, practically all being down from the previous week with the excep- tion of the Majestic, where the closing of the “New Moon” en- gagement brought a last minute flurry. Seventeen thousand dollars was the take for the tenth and last week of this highly successful Macloon-Albertson venture. A re- vival of “The Desert Song” now holds the boards there with the same company as was used in the “New Moon,” and at the end of two weeks they will move to San Francisco for possibly six weeks there with the lunar production. It is possible the show may hit the road after that and cover all major Pacific Coast cities. Mean- while a revival of “The Student Prince” is being contemplated for the Majestic. The closing week of “Rope’s End” at the Vine Street rolled up another gross of $80CK), when it had to close to make way for Andy Wright’s “Philadelphia,” which opened a three weeks’ stand Sunday night to a packed house at $2.50 top. “Among the Married” follows “Philadelphia.” “The Romantic Young Lady” slightly overstayed its welcome at the Music Box, grossing $3700, $800 off from the week previous. Henceforth, these Civic Repertory productions are scheduled for two weeks only. “The Hero” opened Monday to a great reception and promises a new high figure. Madge Kennedy’s “Perfect Alibi” grossed $12,000 at the Biltmore for its one week engagement and is considered very satisfactory. A travel picture now holds this house. Waring’s Pennsylvanians in “Rah Rah Daze” at the Mason collected $8000, which is close to average, although a better figure was hoped for. Among the Henry Duffy houses, Taylor Holmes in “Your Uncle Dudley” drew $5300, about aver- age for the house, and will carry on a couple more weeks yet. The May Robson attraction, “Helena’s Boys,” at the Hollywood Play House grossed $4300, and will carry on until the end of next week, being followed April 13 by Dale Winter (Mrs. Duffy) in “Holiday.” The closing week of “Let Us Be Gay” at the El Capitan rang up the figure of $5100. Percy Pollock opened up NEXT AT CARTHAY Universal’s big war picture, “All Quiet on the Western Front,” is scheduled to open at the Fox Carthay Circle Theatre April 21, following Fox’s “Happy Days.” MAY SHOW PAGEANT It is reported that the Palm Springs Pageant “Fire” may be presented at the Belmont The- atre, First and Vermont. MORE NEW YORKERS The New York influx continues unabated at the Fox lot. They have 22 people either newly ar- rived or coming soon from the eastern metrop to headquarters at Western and Sunset. P. A. Stumped As Boss Lands New Contract SEATTLE, April 3. — Shelby Cole, press agent connected with the Western Agency, advertising organization, is up a tree. Among the recent accounts landed by Shelby’s boss is a fer- tilizer manufacturing organization and Cole was assigned the job of handling the complete campaign. This includes display ads and gen- eral exploitation. Just who, of the many theatrical luminaries around town, Shelby is going to tie in with the gag is the enigma confronting the popu- lar p. a. It’s a great laugh and the outcome is anxiously awaited by the local slingers of superla- tives. there last Sunday in “Broken Dishes.” The Mayan is dark. The Egan is prepared to open Sunday with “Slapstick,” and the Figureo is dark, as is also the Actors’. The Belasco is about to go into its last week of Leonore UJric in “East of Suez” with Fay Marbe slated to follow. limE SHBW’ IS mm Bf HILL Rehearsals on Jack Hill’s pro- duction of the “Little Show,” which were being held in the K. of C. Hall, Hollywood, were sud- denly halted early this week with announcement that the opening had been postponed at least ten days. Opening had originally been set for April 28, and now it is tentatively set for “around the middle of May.” Plans of production are not, however, otherwise changed, it was stated, and the cast which will be used will be practically the same as that heretofore ten- tatively selected with one or two exceptions. Opening will be at either the Mason or the Biltmore. The cast which was rehearsing included Ernest 'Wood, Charles Irwin, Earle Hampton, Mary Hutchinson, John Valentine, Wal- ter Craig, Dorothy _ Humphreys, Hal Price and Virginia Marvin. ikeRbpTbbses ARE IN PRB8PECT (Continued from Page 1) lation in downtown areas who can- not conveniently or economically own radio sets; many whose only entertainment must come from loudspeakers operating in restau- rants and pool halls. When big games and sporting events are be- ing broadcast every radio store gathers knots of listeners around its doors. The originator of this idea believes that a comfortable seat _ would attract a steady flow of nickels all day long that would soon amount to 'Woolworthian proportions. He admits that he developed the idea from the stories that have been appearing in many trade pa- pers concerning theatre managers who stopped their shows long enough to broadcast Amos ’n Andy, so that fans would not feel they had to stay home to follow the doings of their favorite radio comedians. But he is not deterred by the reputed action of the Na- tional Broadcasting Company, which is threatening suit against these exhibitors. His charge will be a service charge for seat and shelter, rather than a charge for amusement, and he believes that his idea will meet with such suc- cess in Los Angeles that he will be able to spread rapidly all over the country and put his plan into operation in every major city. He is now concerning himself with steps to protect his idea from exploitation by others. IN TIFFANY PICTURE Mary Carr, screen mother, has been signed by Tiffany for “Hot Curves.” Natalie Moorhead also has just been signed for a part in this picture. ANN AT R. P. Ann Brody has been signed for a role in Radio Pictures’ “The Fall Guy.” Cast to date includes Jack Mulhall, Mae Clark, Pat O’Malley, Ned Sparks and Tom Jackson. Leslie Pearce is direct- ing. SCHAEFFER FLIES EAST Frank Schaeffer, representative in Los Angeles for “Zit’s,” has been recalled to the home office in New York and leaves this week by airplane. No successor has been named as yet.