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

SATURDAY, APRIL S, 1930 INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN PAGE FIFTEEN HARRY WEBB ENTERTAINERS REGARDS FROM WHITE-FACED HARRY AND HIS GANG Legitimate (Continued from Page 11) all details of business, lighting, sound effects and scenic settings; Fanchon and Marco Route List of “Ideas” casting excellent and individual portrayals interesting. Exceedingly clever was the curtain of the first act with its modern groupings, cross-fire conversations but with essential lines standing out clearly. Especially creditable was the work of Martha Dean, wife and chimney impressario. Her work dominated. The part of the hus- band and owner of “Spindrift” was taken capably by Joseph Sauers, and the son by Robert Young, the goodness of whose work, however, faded somewhat as the play progressed. Stuart Buch- anan proved sufficiently capable as the playwright, as did Gypsy O’Brien as the mistress of the sculptor and wife of the son. Gilmor Brown, director, ap- peared imposingly as the bearded sculptor, and the other parts were taken competently by Lisa Thomp- son, Eugene J. Sharkey, Tirzah Daines, Charles Levison, Esther Saenger, James Hawks and Blanche Phillips Coolidge. The settings were produced under the supervision of F. Carl Huxley. The production is scheduled to close April 9. Y eat es. ^Presentations (Continued from Page 14) cores, “Springtime In the Rock- ies” and another pop number. Had to give ’em a talk before he could get away. It was tough to follow this, but here Brower had another of his nut band numbers that are always a cinch in this house. _ It was a story told in music with George Munson and Pic Smith playing the leads and it clicked for an en- core. Finale had all on stage warbling "Lady Luck.” “Lone Star Ranger” (Fox) was the picture. Mel Hertz at the or- gan. Hal. FOX OAKLAND OAKLAND (Reviewed March 26) This was Hermie King’s 74th week as m. c. here, an endurance record that is equalled only by King’s rise to popularity and his holding it. He’s more popular now than he was in his tenth or twentieth week and, as at this show, the customers ate out of his hand when one of his specialties came around. Sandwiched in this Fanchon and Marco “Sunshine Idea” King had a piano offering that was a knock- out. Bill Christenson, house prop man, fixed up the Knabe for Her- mie in a peach of a color job that looked like a million bucks from the front, and on it Hermie played “Sextette from Lucia” with one hand, following that with a medley of pop tunes. Easily en- cored. Line girls in “Sunshine Idea” were its outstanding figure. In ad- dition to good hoofing the girls juggled a mean set of balls and later, in a military routine, swung a nasty set of batons to far out- shine any of the stars of the show with the possible exception of Richard Wally who was respon- sible for the girls’ juggling techni- que and who juggled billiard balls and cues for his share of the opera. Arline Langan and Norman Sel- by in dance numbers and Barnum and Bailey in their familiar song and banjo offering, Vince Silk with a rather weak monologue embrac- ing a lot of old material, and Mary Lou, working blackface and then straight in two hoofing offer- ings, completed the show. Picture was William Haines in “The Girl Said No.” Billy Knox was at the organ. Hal. Following is the Fanchon ana Marco Ideas route schedule, with the openm/\^ dates, all of the current month, in pa- renthesis besides the name of the town: liOS AKOEliES (3) Loew*s State “Smiles’* Idea Castleton & Mack Eddie Hill & Eva Thornton SAN DIEGO <3) Pox Theatre The Famous Singers Midgets LONG BEACH (3) West Coast Tneatre ' ‘Gyp Gyp Gypsy’ ’ Idea Chaz Chase George Prise Frank Evers and Greta Jose Gonzales Jeanne Alexandria Jose Gonzalez HOLLYWOOD (3) Egyptian Theatre ‘ ‘Changes’ ’ Idea Doc Baker and Eva Mandell With Muriel Gardner Art Hadley Dave Le Winter 12 Broadway Beauties PEESNO (3-6) Wilson Theatre “Coral” Idea Maurice & Vincent Frank Due The Royal Samoans La Petite Marie SAN JOSE (6-9) California Theatre “Coral” Idea Maurice & Vincent Frank Due The Royal Samoans La Petite Marie SAN PRANOISOO (4) Pox Tneatre “Broadway Venuses” Idea Mel Klee and 16 New York Beauty Winners Aerial Bartletts Wells & Winthrop Freda Sullivan OAKLAND (4) Pox Theatre “Skirts’’ Idea Neal Castagnoli Ruth Silver Julia Curtiss Up In the Air Girls SALEM. ORE. (5-6) Elsinore Theatre “Marble” Idea The Harris Trio Roy Smoot FIoBelle & Charlie A1 and Jack Rand Georgene and Henry Francia Hector and Hig GanS PORTLAND (3) Broadway Theatre “Sunshine** Idea Bailey & Barnum Richard Wally Vince Silk Mary Lou Arline Langan and Norman Selby SEATTLE, WASH. (3) Fifth Avenue Theatre “Eyes” Idea Don Carrol Six Candrevas Paul Olsen Bob and Ula Buroff Keo, Yoki and Toki SPOKANE, WASH. (3) Post Street Theatre “Trees” Idea Naynons Birds Mavis and Ted Terrell & Hanley Esther Campbell Christal Levine and Ted Reicard GREAT FALLS, MONT. (5-6) Grand Theatre “Peasant” Idea Diehl Sisters General Ed Lavine Johnson & Duker June Worth Belcher Dancers BUTTE, MONT. (3) Fox Theatre “Manila Bound'* Idea Harry & Frank Seamon Stella Royal Samuel Lopez Romero Family DENVER, OOLO. (3) Tabor Grand ‘‘Overtures’* Idea Edison and Gregory Louise Manning Toots Novella Huff and Huff Helen Hille ST. LOUIS. MO. (4) Pox Theatre “Desert** Idea Ed and Morton Beck Muriel Stryker Cropley and Violet Manuel Lopes Oarla Torney Girls FOX T. & D. OAKLAND (Reviewed March 26) This first-run Fox house fea- tures Peter Brescia and his concert orchestra in regular spotlight of- ferings of merit, the current show having the group in selections from "Maytime.” Brescia, conducting the orches- tra of 10 men, is a good-looking young chap with a nice appear- ance and creating a favorable im- pression on his audience. It’s ap- parent that he knows how to con- duct and he gets the most out of bis gang. At the organ was Baron Hart- sough, whose console interpolations considerably aided the overture. Feature picture was Paramount’s “Roadhouse Nights.” Hal. ALLES PRINT MA 1681 -224 E. 4th St., Los Angeles- MA 1682 MILWAUKEE, WIS. (4) Wisconzin Theatre “Ivory” Idea Pour High Hatters Hy Meyer Betty Lou Webb Peggy Carse Goetz and Duffy DETROIT, MICH. (4) Fox Theatre “Uniforms” Idea Armand & Perez Ruth Hamilton Sylvia Shore and Helen Moore Joy Brothers BUFFALO, N. Y. (6) Lafayette Theatre “Carnival Russe” Idea Countess Sonia Alex Sherer Bekefi Russian Sunrise Trio Sam Linfield Co. WORCESTER, MASS. (5) Palace Theatre “Let’s Pretend” Idea Till you & Rogers Florence Forman 12^ Cheney ' Jimmy Hadreas George Green Rita Lane SPRINGFIELD, MASS. (6) Palace Theatre ' ‘Black and Gold’’ Idea Four Kemmys Arnold Grazer Maxine Hamilton Lee Wilmot HARTFORD. CONN. (6) Oapltol Theatre “Jazz Temple” Idea Wally Jackson Sylvia Doree Van De Velde Troupe Gus Elnore Nora Schiller NEW HAVEN. CONN. (6) Palace Theatre “In Green” Idea Born and Lawrence Moran and Weston Franklyn Record Doris Nierly Way Watts and Arminda BRIDGEPORT, CONN. (6) Palace Theatre “Far East” Idea Frank Stever Helen Pachaud M. Sanami & Co. Ruth Kadamatsu Joan Hardcastle WATERBURY, CONN. (6-8) Palace Theatre “Arts in Taps” Idea Myrtle Gordon Johnny Plank Rodney & Gould Eddie Lewis A1 & Hal Brown & Willa Jeanne MacDonald BROOKLYN, N. Y. (4) Fox Theatre “Accordion” Idea Burt & Lehman Theo. Ss Katya Nat Spector Mary Price Arnold Hartman PHILADELPHIA, PA. (4) Fox Theatre “Types’* Idea Trado Twins Harold Stanton Carlena Diamond WASHINGTON, D. 0. (6) Fox Theatre “Kisses** Idea Joe & Jane McKenna Will Oowan Mabel & Marcia E Flat Four Mitzi Mayfair Helen Aubrey Dave Hacker Wallen & Barnes ATLANTA, GA. (7) Fox Theatre “Baby Songs” Idea Penny Pennington Rose Valyda Pearl Hoff Alene & Evans MIAMI. OKLA. (2-3) Majestic Theatre “Hollywood Studio Girls” Three Gobs Chas. Rozelle Lorris & Fermine Miles & Perlee John Vale TULSA, OKLA. (4-6) Orpheum Theatre “Hollywood Studio Girls” Idea Three Gobs Miles & Perlee Chas. Rozelle John Vale Lorria & Fermine OKLAHOMA CITY (7-10) “Hollywood Studio Girls” Three Gobs Chas. Rozelle Lorris & Fermine Miles & Perlee John Vale FOX THEATRE SEATTLE (Reviewed March 28) Owen Sweeten and the band boys had a series of numbers on tap for this week which got over nicely, and which gave all sections of the group adequate chance to display their wares to good advan- tage. To strike the motif of the music, the pit was made up as an oriental temple, very effectively adding to the general classiness of the offer- ings. The pit arose with the band playing an oriental number. When this was over, to good applause. Sweeten had a novelty in making his announcements to the strains of a low obligato from the violin section. Next number was “The Rogue Song,’’ used to plug the coming of that picture. It was put across in showmanlike manner. “Crying For the Carolines” was a short and snappy third offering, with a trio from the reed section landing with a vocal chorus. Dale Claggett and his trombone were the stars of the next, “Blue Is the Night,” and a forte finish brought a big hand. Sweeten soloed “Kashmiri Song” on his trumpet, muted, with the boys humming accompaniment ef- fectively. Ray Watkins had some pretty bell work interpolated. Sweeten always is a payoff with his offerings, and this one clicked as strong as usual. Sid. CASINO THEATRE SAN FRANCISCO (Reviewed March 30) As usual, Ackerman & Harris offered a pleasing stage show. The Nell Harding girls opened with a tambourine dance to “Poet and Peasant” overture. Jacqueline Brunea, big fav at this house, vo- calized a Spanish number hitting plenty of high C’s and scoring heavily. Girls did a jockey num- ber and Sylvia & Clemence ren- dered a song double bringing in strong returns denoting their pop- ularity in this house. Bert LaMarr in a comedy con- tortion turn got across nicely. Duke Tehaney sang “With You.” Had nice voice but was too con- fidential with orchestra. Girls joined in chorus. Nearing Sisters in a medley of old-time numbers took an encore and did another harmony number in which one of the girls sang an old-time ditty while the other cleverly harmon- ized in modern style. Clemence warbled “Ain’t Misbehavin’ ” and nearly stopped the show. Girls followed with military tap number on stools. Joe Williams, colored hoofer do- ing a loose jointed tap number, displayed a lot of dancing and was forced to encore. Big finale with Tehaney singing “Dancing Butterflies” and girls in a butter- fly routine with two of them being suspended in mid-air. Better than average show at this house. Nifty scenic effects were the creation of Buck Theall. Picture was Fox’s “Seven Faces.” Joe Livingstone and his Orchestra were in the pit. Oakley. FIFTH AVENUE SEATTLE (Reviewed March 31) Jackie Souders and the house Band, in the pit, opened the “Trees” Idea with a hot rendition of “Chant , of the Jungle.” Heavy brass opened the tune, followed by pretty string work. Bill Wood- bury unfurled some hot licks on the trumpet, after which a trom- bone trio, Jackie, Earl Kelly and Cy Woodward, played a chorus with unmuted horns. This feature was well done and pretty. Ted Reicard, with the show, warbled a chorus pleasingly as he came up the lift with the organ. Betty Shilton was seated at the con- sole, providing the background for the accompaniment. Another hot chorus, with Betty featured at the organ, preceded _ a forte finish. A big hand for this one. 'The rise of the curtain for the stage show revealed a tree drop set in three. _ Esther Campbell whistled as Reicard and Christal Lavine sang the themie, “Trees.” The drop was divided into four curtained sections from which came the teams exemplifying vari- ous trees. These were “Under the Shade of the Old Apple Tree,” for which a gal toe danced; “Un- der the Bamboo Tree,” revealing a pair of femme South Sea Island wigglers; “Under _ the Sheltering Palms,” with Mavis and Ted per- forming some classy adagio tricks, and “The Trail of the Lonesome Pine,” with a pair of femmes doing a routine of flip-flops. Reicard and Miss Lavine sang each of the tunes. The remaining seven line girls were on in big plumage for a parade routine, after which they formed a pretty picture, the cen- tral figures of which were Mavis and Ted in a lifting pose, to close the opening ensemble. Jimmy Fawcett followed with some clever eccentric acrobatic work that was neatly executed and clicked. Terrell and Hanley followed with a lot of comedy acrobatics that got the laughs. They tapered off their turn with a legitimate lift from the floor. For the following scene, two line girls came on for a tap routine as the curtain arose to present a puppet illusion. Reicard and his partner sang while the girls went through a nice dancing routine. Next followed Nayon’s Birds, employing much the same layout as when in vaudeville. Nayonand his wife have an interesting act. The pay-off is Anyd, cockatoo, who displays almost human intel- ligence with his work at arithme- tic. This is clever, and gets the laughs and applause. The finale had Mavis and Ted, whose routine had obviously been clipped. They were on for some fast and graceful adagio tricks as Reicard and Miss Lavine sang “Underneath the Weeping Wil- low Tree.” Five ropes were low- ered against the back drop, on which five girls worked first and then the entire line. The adagio pair continued their good work until the end, with Reicard again singing the theme song. “Trees.” Screen feature was “The Golden Calf.” Frog. WILBUR GUEST STAR SAN FRANCISCO, April 13.— Guy Bates Post opens April 7 for a three weeks’ engagement as guest star with the Richard Wil- bur Players at the Liberty The- atre. Honolulu. Post goes to the islands direct from St. Louis, where he has just completed a run. In Honolulu Post will do “The Masquerader,” “The Play’s the Thing” and “Her Friend, the King.” Lillian Kimbal Cooper, Post’s leading lady, will be with him. ON LONG CONTRACT Wynne Gibson, Broadway com- edienne, has been placed under long-term contract by Radio Pic- tures. Her first assignment will be a leading role opposite Jack Mulhall in “The Fall Guy.” She has been in Hollywood for eight months. SIMPSON WITH ARLISS Ivan Simpson has been signed for a role in George Arliss’ next Warner Brothers’ picture, “Old Fnglish.” Simpson has appeared in all Arliss’ plays for years. MURIEL STRYKER Fanchon and Harco’a DESERT IDEA TOOTS NOVELLO Fanchon and Marco’s “Overturet” Idea Direction Wm. Morris SOON AVAILABLE GEORGE and FLORENCE BALLET MASTER AND MISTRESS / Now Vacationing After 68 Successful Weeks Producing Weekly Change in AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST THEATRE THE STATE, SYDNEY Producers Desiring Originality WRITE OR WIRE Permanent Address 5126 Director, Seattle