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

PAGE TEN INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN SATURDAY, APRIL S, 1930 VANCOUVER, B. C. A. K. MacMartin REPRESENTATIVE 901 Bekiiu Bldg. ^NORTHWEST'* Division Offices PORTLAND, ORE. F. K. Haskell REPRESENTATIVE Postoffice Box No. 16 Phone: Capitol 1932 GHRD GAi IS BILLED FOR BUTLER SEATTLE, April 3. —After much uncertainty as to whether or not he would have a name band with which to open the Butler Hotel Rose Room on May 8, John Savage, 'proprietor of the spot, is in receipt of word from the Music Corporation ' of America that Jack Crawford and his band will arrive to fill the bill. Ray Miller and his band were originally scheduled to show here, but reports have Miller skipping out, leaving his band stranded in New Orleans. Crawford is currently playing in the Roseland Ballroom, New York City . He arrives here in time to play a ten-day engagement, start- ing April 28, at Savage’s Trianon Ballroom, before going into the hotel spot. Crawford will be the first band Ito play the Rose Room in a year, the night club having been padlocked under order of the federal government. A new angle hit the Rose Room on Monday of this week, when Savage’s applica- tion for a license was scheduled to come before the City Council. Roy Lyle, divisional federal prohibition officer, went before the council with a lengthy brief in opposition to Savage’s application. Lyle as- serted that the spot was a public nuisance, due to its many difficul- ties with the federals. The council postponed action on Savage’s ap- plication for one week. VANCOUVER, April 3.—Da- vid Clyde and Norman Cannon, owners of the British Guild Play- ers, stock company which has met with the popular approval of local fans, have purchased the Empress Theatre, where they have been playing, from the Sun Life As- surance Co, The house, an old- fas'hioned one with two balconies, will be remodeled by the new own- ers at a later date. The Empress has passed through some strenuous times the past few years and owing to the fact that more failures than clicks have been the record, the house has practi- cally been considered out of the running until the British Guild Players went in and hit on all eight from the gun. They paid $60,000 for the house. DAISY D’ARVA ILL VANCOUVER.—Daisy D’Avra, who is well known in theatrical circles both East and AVest, lies dangerously ill at the Vancouver General Hospital here. Physicians are in close attendance. Alf Layne, her husband, is with her, as are Fred Eggert and his wife from San Francisco. Miss D’Avra has been ill since Jan. 1 with sep- tic heart. IS COLUMBIA MGR. SEATTLE, April 3.—Andy Gun- nard, for the past eight months af- filiated with Publix here, has joined John Danz’s Sterling Chain The- atres as manager of the Columbia, EDDIE KAY Extemporaneous Master of Ceremonies The Tavern Salt Lake Gty, Utah Hello, Everybody! Starting my engagement in Salt Lake after fourteen week* at Coffee Dan’*. Don’t forget to *ee me at The Tavern, Salt Lake City, Utah. VANCOUVER By A. K. MacMARTIN VANCOUVER, April 3. —The current stanza showed a better batting average at the leading b. o.’s, and a pick-up _ right down the line to and including the suburb- anities. Fine weather and strong attractions pulled the fans out in force. Instead of taking a drop at the Empress after the long run of seven weeks for “Elizabeth Sleeps Out,” “The Play’s the Thing” went to bat with all the original house regulars depositing, being so forte that “The Play” went into its second week mer- rily. Lee Jaxon and his Tab Show at the Theatre Rolal did capacity at nights. and fair matinees. Three- a-day along with a silent picture program making up a two-hour show, caught on with the fans. W. B.’s “The Sacred Flame stood them out at the Dominion both matinee and nights. In all advertising a line was carried stat- ing that on account of the delicate theme of the picture it was not advisable for children under 16 to be admitted. This seemed to wow the fans and they fought to be first in the line. The R-K-O Orpheum got its quota with Natacha Nattova head- lining the four-ast bill of vaude and “Pointed Heels” the screen fare. At the Capitol U. A.’s “Con- demned” with Ronald Colman, and the last week of Alfredo Meunier and his New Capitolians and Sid- ney Kelland, organist, jammed in the night business. No announce- ment was made that it was fare- well week for the band; they sim- ply fold up on Friday night, and the Saturday customers are to walk in on a cold house. The Colonial with Warner Bros.’ “She Couldnt’ Say No.” Winnie Lightner and Chester Morris, had nothing to complain of, night busi- ness being better than normal. U. A.’s “New York Nights” at the Strand also was among those doing well. The Beacon (former Pan) was not so forte with “The Great Gabbo.” This house is not pull- ing them, while across the street the Rex with “One Stolen Night” or any old thing, has a steady fol- lowing of fans. * * * Conklin & Garrett’s Carnival Shows, with headquarters in this city, open their season May 1 with the annual Elks’ Circus on the Cambie street grounds. Their winter quarters on C. P. R. track- age property has become a scene of much animation, their equip- ment is being overhauled and the fifteen cars which comprise the housing and road quarters of the aggregation, are being dolled up with new paint. * * * The Dominion Theatre, one of the F. P. C. Corporation chain, a small house with a capacity of only 900, is one of the winners among the down-town houses they operate in this city. Playing first and second run talkies this house turns over $3500 to $4000 weekly. Every Saturday night from 12 mid- night onward the “Dominion Whoopee Party” is broadcast over CJOR, and this stunt alone is help- ing a great deal on the draw. The house manager, Ivan Ackery, gets close to his patrons in more ways than one. During the course of the radio routine he invites his fans to send in criticisms of the cur- rent feature and offer suggestions for programs and future attrac- tions. SPENCER’S PLANS SEATTLE, April 3. — Frank Spencer, local musician, has sev- ered connections with Vic Mey- er’s Orchestra to devote his time to radio work and teaching. Spen- cer will _ have banjo studios with the Pacific Musk Company and work before a mike at KOMO. BREAKS FINGER SPOKANE. Wash., April 3.— Natacha Nattova, dancer, broke a finger while playing the RKO Or- pheum here, but didn’t leave the NOSEDIVE AT FOX SEATLE, April 3.—Publix and West Coast ran a dead heat in the race for boxoffice honors during the week. Publix’s Paramount, with Ruth Chatterton in “Sarah and Son,” was the scene of lots of activity for this spot, gather- ing, if at all, a few more dollars than the Fox-Fifth Avenue. The West Coast house had Joan Craw- ford in M-G-M’s “Montana Moon,” backed up with Fanchon and Mar- co’s “Peasant I d e a,” drawing plenty word-of-mouth advertising; $18,000 reported for each of these two spots plenty good and profit- able for both. R-K-O’s Orpheum was up a bit, getting $11,000 with William Boyd on the screen in Pathe’s “Officer O’Brien” and a nice vaude bill headed by Ken Murray and Foster, Fagan and Cox. Show well liked, with plenty of laughs. “Happy Days” Poor The New Fox had the second session of Fox’s revue, “Happy Days,” getting a meager $4500 for the final seven days. Biz on this one tapered off after the initial stanza. John Hamrick’s two houses fared fairly. “Tr<k>pers Three” (Tiffany) got $5500 at his Music Box. which, while under average, still was profitable. The Blue Mouse, across the street, had Columbia’s “Mexicali Rose,” which garnered $5250, not to be sneezed at here. The Metropolitan, Erlanger house under the Publix regime, had Gary Cooper in “Only the Brave” (Paramount) to nice biz, showing a profit on the six-day run of this one. Night Clubs Up Night clubs were better during the past week. Tiny Burnett and his Band at the Olympic Hotel’s Venetian Gardens still drawing hefty crowds, while Vic Meyer’s Club Victor, featuring Carolynne Snowden and Billy Ulman as en- tertainers, enjoyed a prosperous week. Dance halls having a great pa- per battle. John Savage flooding his Trianon Ballroom Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with free ducats, filling the joint. The move helps some, as he gets the dough from checking and eats, whereas the spot_ was formerly empty on three nights. Monday, Friday and Saturday here still the town’s biggest. Cole McElroy’s Spanish Ballroom continues to stand in good with the fox-trot fanciers. Not much paper here, but profitable houses nightly, with Monday, Wednesday and Saturday playing to paid capacity. Current Week Good Coffee Dan’s new basement joint, still showing a profit according to the management. Why some changes, obviously necessary be- fore the spot can become a per- sistent clicker, are not made still remains a mystery. Big play still gotten by the newness and novelty. Current attractions getting the dough, with “Vagabond King” at the Publix-Paramount head and shoulders over the field. ON AIR OVER KXL PORTLAND, Ore.. April 3.— “Cowboy” Jack Willis and his wife were here recently on the air over station KXL, guests of the an- nouncer, Maurie Harris. “Cow- boy” is now_ under the manage- ment of Tim McGrath. Mrs. Willis is a dancer. KENIN IN BROADWAY PORTLAND, Ore., April 3.— Another change in stage bands looms for the Fox-Broadway. Sam Jack Kauffman and his Merry Mu- sical Specialties will be succeed- ed at the end of March by Her- man Kenin and his Band for an indefinite engagement. SEATTLE, April 3.—^The latest newspaper man to turn press agent in this town is Ross Cunningham, on the Star for several years. Ross left the Scripps sheet to become counsel of public relations for the Alaska-Washing;ton Air Lines, op- erating from here into Canada and Alaska. Notes Along Fifth Avenue SEATTLE, April 3. — Many cases of spring fever . . . Jim Clemmer keeping abreast of the times with colorful drapes in his back-stage dressing room . . . Betty Shilton losing her wrist watch . . . Myrtle Strong enter- taining visitors . . . Ken Murray playing cards, and losing money (20c) . . . Herbie Hemlow talking insurance . . . Johnny Northen and Hazel Atkinson listening to the band . . . Ken Schoenfeld tele- graphing from Ellensburg . . . Shelby Cole and Lou Golden hur- rying downstairs . . . Owen Sweet- en getting his trumpet back in a flower box handed across the foot- lights . . . Buddy Jenkins now a full-fledged member of the band . . . Bill Ross singing at the Trianon . . . Tex Howard writing checks . . . Harry McAllister and Kate in an argument over finances . . . Mace Chamberlain before the mike . . . Sydney Dixon entering a theatre . . . and paying for the ticket . . . Tom Curtis getting band boys on the cuff . . . Tommy Rich washing Johnny Sylvester’s car . . . Syl Halperin’s in the hos- pital . . . Lou Oudeen buying lunch for the b. f. . . . Bill Woodbury and Earl Kelly busy over fishing poles . . . Ernie Baley and Morris Cady watching the steel erection . . . Bob Armstrong comfortably settled in the new job . . . Art Kennedy the same . . . Fred More- lock, Bob Dickinson, Bus Greene and Don Anderson cutting music and pasting it back together again . . . Sammy Gore and Jean Singer dancing together . . . Tommy Smith preparing for a voice test . . . Gladys Brannon working double shift . . . Bun Mulligan eating in a hurry . . . Vic Gaunt- lett hurrying up the street . . . Jim Meriam working late and on Sunday . . . Genevieve Murray torn between emotions . . . Spec Thomas missing . . . Bill Hartung looking at a picture . . . Freddie walking up and down the aisles . . . George Hayes moving scenery . . . Harry Peletier downtown late at night . . . Pearl Harris on Pike street . . . Dave Himelhoch buy- ing dinner for two on 35c . . . Nick Schmitz trying to stage a pay-off . . . J. W. Houck looking for a photographer . . . George Pink- man meditating . . . George Ka- lushe reading . . . Ted Harris in- terviewing Eddie Fitzgerald . . . A. McRae, Roy Cooper, A. M. Dunlap, A1 Bloom, Neal East, Wally Rucker, Harold Harden, Mickey Carney, Art Goliphant, Paul Mclllhaney and Harry Blatt parading on film row . . . Johnny Falk looking for parties . . . Harry Mills anticipating ’em . . . dinner time . . . see you next week. DUFFWIN CLOSING HALTED BY DEMAND PORTLAND, Ore.. April 3.— In spite of repeated reports of closing of the Duffwin Theatre two months earlier than usual, an- nouncement is now officially made that the house will continue. Im- mediately the closing date was set many and varied were the com- plaints _ sent in and constructive suggestions for a continuance of the company and their offerings, backed up with real finances and therefore a number of new and popular shows are salted which will keep the house open and busi- ness good for several months to come. Following the Frank Craven’s comedy “Salt Water” will be “Jonesy,” “Smilin’ Thru,” “Bird of Paradise” and “The Ghost Train.” Leona Powers is the new lead- ing lady with the Duffy Players. SAN FRANCISCO, April 3.— Ted Brown has been promoted to the chief usher’s job at R-K-O’s Golden Gate. FIRM’S EHCE ON 1 MYSTERY SEATTLE, April 3. —Big splurges in the dailies here her- alding the entrance of Jensen and Von Herberg, pioneer theatrical men, into the radio field resulted in a fast moving series of rumors. One sheet even went so far as to run a banner line on the yarn, the body of the story admitting that the deal was a mere rumor and highly problematical. A check-up of all stations in town failed to reveal what con- cern was figuring on a sale to Jensen and Von Herberg. who re- cently reopened the Liberty The- atre after repossessing it from West Coast, to whom they sold three years ago. One station, for which there is admittedly a deal pending, offered conclusive proof that the transaction was not with J. and V. Affirms Rumor LeRoy V. Johnson, managing director for the Jensen-Von Her- berg theatrical interests, affirmed the rumor that his concern was negotiating for some one local sta- tion. He intimated that the sta- tion desired must have free chan- nel privileges and a fair amount of prestige with local fans. When questioned as to why his firm was interested in radio, Johnson re- plied: “The theatre business has got to the point where we are forced to go into radio to adver- tise our attractions and to develop features for our programs.” Expects Suit One paper’s assertion that the auditing of the Amos ’n Andy program nightly by Jensen and Von Herberg at their three sub- urban houses prompted them to consider in order to secure addi- tional such features for these stands was laughed off by John- son. Johnson further stated that he momentarily expected the Na- tional Broadcasting Company to institute suit against his firm in an effort to prohibit them from receiving the Amos ’n Andy pro- gram in the theatre for the bene- fit of the audience. The NBC has already brought such suits against theatres in the East, but the most Johnson has heard, officially, is a letter from the chain notifying him that action will be taken. In the meantime, Johnson continues to give his audiences the radio fea- ture nightly. LEE JAXON COMEDY CO. IN ROYAL MUSICAL TAB VANCOUVER, April 3.—The Lee Jaxon Comedy Company with a cast of five principals including Lee_ Jaxon, comic, 'H. C. Willis, straight, Billie Reams, prima don- na, Peewee Nair, soubrette, and a line of ten girls, have opened at the Theatre Royal in musical tab. This- house is only a block from the Empress where the Brit- ish Guild Players are stacking them in to see “The Play’s the Thing,” now going into its second week. The Lee Jaxon Co., which is putting across a snappy show, is also pulling big business and looks set for a long stay. The Royal is operated by W. P. Nichols, who has a chain of small houses includ- ing the Coliseum at Victoria. IS BALLROOM MANAGER SEATTLE, April 3.—Tom Cur- tis, affiliated with Cole J. “Pops” McElroy, dancehall impressario, for many years in orchestral and managerial positions, has been named by McElroy as manager of the local Spanish Ballroom. Cur- tis, whom “Pops” considers a pro- tege, Tom having been in his em- ploy for the past ten years, will handle the business end of the lo- cal spot in addition to playing bass with the band. THE CROONIKG WALTZ HIT! “ROCK-A-BYE TO SLEEP IN DIXIE” Send for Orchestrations—VOCALS—QUARTETTES S. L. CROSS MUSIC CORP. Seattle, U.S.A.