Inside facts of stage and screen (July 26, 1930)

PAGE SIX INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1930 S<SD^(SCm One Year Published Every Saturday $4.00 Foreign $5.00 Advertising Rates on Application As a bi-monthly publication: Entered as Second Class Matter, No- vember 17, 1924, at the Post Office at Los Angeles, California, under the Act of March 3, 1879. As a weekly publication: Entered as Second Class Matter, April 29, 1927, at the Post Office at Los Angeles, California, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Published by Inside Facts Publishing Company, Inc. 800-801 Warner Bros. Downtown Bldg., Los Angeles, Calif. Telephone TUcker 7832 JACK JOSEPHS ARTHUR WM. GREEN WILLIAM C. OWENS - - President and Editor Vice Pres, and Counsel Secretary and General Manager Vol. XII Saturday, July 26, 1930 No. 4 Daylight Saving Issue THE MINORITY group that is attempting to foist Day- light Saving on- the State of California has succeeded in its first move. The issue will be included on the ballot at the November elections. HOWEVER, there is little likelihood that the measure will ever be put into effect in this state, if it is met with in- telligent opposition by the many groups and classes to the interests of whom it is inimical. PARTICULARLY effective is the method being carried out by Fox West Coast Theatres in combating the silly idea. Quiet and dignified opposition to the gag is being slowly rolled up, while the trailers shown in theatres to date have demonstrated a strong opposition without ranting and appar- ent selfishness. IN THIS controversy, the show business is strong in the consciousness that it is absolutely in right in the matter and is supported and joined in opposition to Daylight Saving by many other important and influential forces. EVERYONE who is at all interested in the show busi- ness and the operation of theatres in California should op- pose to the utmost the attempt of a small and selfish minor- ity to force the idea on this state. But the campaign should be carried on in a dignified and sensible manner. Fox West Coast Theatres organization has set an excellent example. Louder and Funnier THAT COMEDY is an essential of prime importance to the picture theatre stage presentation is particularly exem- plified in two current stage shows in Los Angeles picture houses. AT WARNER BROTHERS’ Hollywood Theatre, Olsen and Johnson are proving a positive riot, with their funny antics. At Loew’s State, Joe and Jane McKenna, youthful pair of comics, are clicking heavily with a first-rate presen- tation as master-and-mistress-of-ceremonies. CATCHING several shows at these theatres, the out- standing item to impress the observer is the roaring, house- filling laughs that have been missing from Los Angeles thea- tres for some time. UNCONSCIOUSLY audiences have been improved by the talkies into remaining quiet to catch the next gag, afford- ing a sort of solemnity that does not fit in with the basic principles of relaxation and entertainment. BUT WITH plenty of laughs in the two stage shows men- tioned, audiences let loose with gusto and even hardened theatre-goers wondered why they were enjoying themselves so much. WITH THE NEW stage presentation slipping into a new assignment of proving a balancer for the talkers, producers should concentrate more heavily on smart comedy acts. One first-class laugh-provoker will outbalance a flock of adagio dancers, tap-steppers, dancing beauties and silent acts, as well as making these acts stand out brightly by the very contrast. AUDIENCES are demanding that their stage fare be “Louder and Funnier.” COMPLETE ADAPTATION Tom Reed and Winifred Eaton Reeve are completing the screen adaptation of “East Is West” at Universal. Sam Shipman, author of the stage hit, has also been working on the talkie version. Monta Bell will direct with Lupe Velez and Lewis Ayres featured. TO DIRECT ‘SKIPPY’ Victor Schertziinger will direct the picturization of “S k i p p y,” Percy Crosby’s novel dealing with the cartoon figure of the same name. WEXLEY WITH U John Wexley, author of the stage hit, “The Last Mile,” is now at Universal working on an orig- inal story for which he will pro- vide the dialogue. Coming from Los Angeles where she has sung on several stations, Adele Burian has. been added to Tommy Monroe’s, and Bib Allen’s 1640 Boys’ progenia over KYA, CAST IS CHOSEN The cast of “The Bat Whispers” at U. A. includes Chester Morris, Una Merkel, Gustav Von Seyffer- titz, Grace Hampton, Ben Bard, William Bakewell, Spencer Char- ters, Charles Dow Clark, Maud Eburne and S. E. Jennings. “ANGELS” OPENING SEATTLE, July 24.—Approxi- mately $25,000 is being spent in the presentation of “Hell’s Angels,” which will be housed by the Fox. Sixteen thousand of this sum will remain permanently in the theatre. The sound boxes were enlarged by six extra horns and a new magnoscopic screen installed. MARY DUNCAN SIGNS Mary Duncan, seen in a num- ber of Fox pictures, is the first player to be cast for a featured role in “The Boudoir Diplomat” which Mai St. Clair is to direct for Universal. Gene Swift’s Ruminations (Continued from Page 3) and audience clustered about it, wetting parched throats with fau- cet water. A hopeful terrace can be glimpsed through a side door, outside of which is garden furni- ture and the neighbor’s fence. Suddenly a crashing gong shat- ters the air. The audience sepa- rates itself from the cast and crowds into the front seats, where they will find themselves presently thrusting their noses into the faces of the actors. A plush cur- tain, bordered with crushed bro- cade, fills the proscenium “arch.” _ A hasty glance around reveals single walls, with scant studding, rain-stained papered ceiling, ex- cept. where it is glazed. Drapes, suspiciously like dyed burlap, hang about. There are electric lights. There does not appear to be any “backstage” in the ordinary sense. Except on stage-left there is no room behind the scenes. Left en- trances are made from the kitchen. When right entrances are required the plaj'ers go out the back door, step lightly through the dew-laden grass around to the street side and climb through a hole in the wall. When off-stage noises and screams are required the very welkin rings. New neighbors must be oftimes startled out of innocent slumber. Intermission is a friendly thing. If the night is warm everybody wanders out into the garden and hobnobs with the cast. Young couples find secluded corners among the shrubs and sometimes fail to come back. After the final curtain, tea is served. Individual tickets cost one dol- lar. But for one-fifty one may en- joy membership for a month and attend such plays, entertainments, revues, dances and teas as may be staged during that period. Many of the elite of Hollywood frequent the place. “If you haven’t seen the Play Shop you haven’t seen Hollywood.” STORY NAME CHANGE Universal has changed the title of Eddie Cantor’s original story on the stock market to “Quick Money” instead of “Paper Profits” as previously announced. ADDED TO CAST Johnny Larkin, James Neill and Charles Sellon have been added to the cast of Warner Bros.’ adapta- tion of Ben Ames Williams’ story, “Barber John’s Boy.” RETURN TO VAUDE Joe Smith and Charles Dale of the Avon Comedy Four have re- turned to RKO vaudeville after be- ing starred this season in a New York production success, “Mendel, Inc.” TELA-PHONEY bj) JAMES MADISON Hello, Four Hunter Broth- ers. Hello, James Madison. Is your flight record the world’s greatest endurance test? No, sir; we know a man in our town who’s been married 77 years. Hello, Bernard Granville. Hello, James Madison. Why did President Hoover refuse to divulge to Congress the navy treaty secret pact? Probably because he knew there are women in Congress, and therefore it would not re- main a secret. Hello, Clara Bow. Hello, James Madison. Which do you prefer, lima beans, or kidney beans? I'm true to the “navy.” Hello, Walter Hiers. Hello, James Madison. Could you be tempted to re- duce? Under no circuferences. Hello, Charles Ruggles. Hello, James Madison. I understand an attempt is to be made to revive the Key- stone Comedies. In Indian vernacular, I call that “Custard’s last stand.” Hello, Will Malan. Hello, James Madison. Speaking of miniature golf courses, what’s the putter? The guy that puts up the money. Hello, Constance Bennett. Hello, James Madison. They tell me Fleischman will use his picture, as well as that of his son and grandson, as a trademark. “Three Faces Yeast” Hello, Joseph Cawthorne. Hello, James Madison. What is your definition of “The Red Terror.” Tomato catsup on a white vest. Hello, Leonard Kip Rhine- lander. Hello, James Madison. What’s your outlook on life? Dark’s the hours before the . . . divorce. Hello, Wm. Le Baron. Hello, James Madison. Chicago gangsters have be- gun using airships instead of autos. That means victims will be taken for a “fly” instead of a “ride.” Snacks Of Facts LIBERTY SIGNS LANGDON Harry Langdon has been signed by Liberty Productions for an im- portant part in the forthcoming production of “The Ape,” stage play by Adam Hull Shirk. ADDED TO CAST Joan Marsh, sixteen, has been added to the cast of Universal’s The Leather Pushers.” DORA MAUGHAN BACK Dora Maughan, who has been a success in Europe, returned from abroad this week and opened im- mediately for RKO at the 86th Street, New York. ASKS PHOTO DAMAGE Suit was filed here this week by Attorney R. P. Fontana, repre- senting Harold William Hill, for $75,000 against the Educational Film Exchange, charging that the picture concern made use of a photo of Harold as a baby in the “all-together,” for a picture with his consent, according to the ac- tion filed in Superior Court, BACK FROM TRIP Herman R. Maier, chief of con- struction for Warner Brothers, has returned to New York from an official tour of Texas and Okla- homa. Manny Nathan, m. c. at the Walkathon, Egyptian Ballroom, Ocean Park, putting pep in the contestants and audience—Billy Mack on the owl shift getting ready for work—Jerry Jarrette acting as nurse and teaching the lady bunion-busters an oriental dance—Frank and Joe Kern holding down press seats—Rudy Wintner receiving an offer from RKO in N. Y. and turning it down for a trip to Juarez—Syl Cross, Gene McCormick and Jean Armand getting an earful of Jack Tenney’s latest songs—A1 LeClaire rehearsing with Nietza for a tour of the RKO—Wilbur Cushman lining up musical comedy talent for next season—Hap Moore, of Moore and Shy, holding a fanning bee with old pals at the stage door of Warners Hollywood. Skeets Gallagher celebrating the arrival of a son and heir—baptiz- ing himself in the good old Southern way—the kid looks just like his old man—blonde hair and everything. Mike Newman in conference with a menu—hand in pocket count- ing his change—so the reporter stayed away from his table. Eddy Eckels fixing up crossword puzzles for other people to work out— Gus McCarthy legging it down a corridor—green shirt fluttering in the breeze—Red McCarthy wearing blue suspenders and white pants— three cheers for the red, white and blue. IN APPRECIATION ... to my professional friends who made my campaign banquet such a success this week . . . JUDGE DUDLEY S. VALENTINE . . . candidate for Judge of the Superior Court, Office No. 8, at the Pri- maries August 26 Headquarters: 1204 Lin- coln Bldg., 724 So. Hill Street, TRinity 9891. JUDGE DUDLEY S. VALENTINE