Inside facts of stage and screen (August 23, 1930)

ESTABLISHED 1924 EDITED BY JACK JOSEPHS Vol. XII Entered as Second Class Matter, April 29, 1927, at Post- office, Los Angeles, Calif., under Act of March 3, 1879. Saturday, August 23, 1930 Published Every Saturday at 800-801 Warner Bros. Down- town Building, 401 West Seventh St., Lo& Angeles, Calif. No. 8 RUBE WOLF MASTER OF CEREMONIES LOEW’S STATE, LOS ANGELES HELPS END WAR 35,000 IDLING DUE TO SLUMP IN SHOW ‘BIZ’ An estimate of the unem- ployment situation in Holly- wood and Los Angeles indi- cates that there are more than 35,000 theatrical workers of both stage and screen out of work. While the conditions are way below the average, even considering the last year’s Equity strike, there is no agi- tation nor feeling of unrest among them. They are taking the hardship philosophically, but meetings are being planned to consider immediate relief. Musicians’ union with a mem- bership of 4200, reports that about one-third of members are work- ing, or 2500 idle at this time. There is some slight relief in- dicated with the opening of stage shows at the Paramount next week, and some of the suburban theatres have signified an intention to install small orchestras of five or six men. Also Business Agent E. L. Smith reports several golf courses plan- ning to use small combinations, but the indicated business is not enough to be particularly hearten- ing, considering that closing of the Bowl next week will release 100 members for the idle list. However, bad as the condition is,. Smith states that their situ- ation here is far better than that of any other city in the country. A meeting is to be held late this week for a consideration of the entire situation, but no, difficulty nor agitation on the part of the membership is anticipated. The stage hands’ union, while not able to give exact figures, es- timated from the number of thea- tres that are dark, that conditions closely follow those of the musi- cians. The most interesting situation exists at the Central Casting Of- fice. Their placements during the past three months have been nor- mal; that is June, 23,038; July, 28,543, and August, about 20,000. These are formidable figures, but they represent that many people, who may have received a day’s employment each. The Casting Office has 17,000 enrollments. During the silent days, an extra who was a distinct Latin type might be available for 20 different roles. Today, he can only be used in proportion to the number of languages he speaks. If a French or Russian mob is required, the colonies are prevailed upon to supply them. Of the 200 (Continued on Page 15) NEW YORK, Aug. 20.—M. E. Comerford, president of the Camer- ford Theatre Enterprise and a na- tional director of Motion Picture Theatre Owner’s of America agency, was largely responsible for readjustment of differences be- tween anthracite coal mine opera- tors and miners, it was made known this week. KEN RIDES IN RODEO Ken Maynard will participate in the forthcoming rodeo and round- up at Pendleton, Ore., he an- nounced at a luncheon at the Santa Monica Breakers Club. LEVY TO OPEN ANOTHER CAFE A1 Levy, famous L. A. restaura- teur, is returning to Hollywood. Construction on a new building started this week to house the film colony branch of this oldest of local food purveyors. The site is adjoining the Holly- wood Plaza Hotel on Vine street, near Hollywood boulevard, across the street from the Brown Derby and a stone’s throw from Henry’s. Harry Tierney, RKO composer, anticipates an early New York vacation. VENTURA HAS MEET VENTURA, Aug. 20. — More than 25,000 visitors are expected at a meeting of the Moose Conclave and Carnival here on August 30- 31, and September 1. More than $8000 will be spent in decorating the city, Mayor Randall an- nounced. REMODEL CAMPBELL The Campbell Apartments, old theatrical domicile in Los Ange- les, has passed into the hands of the Heilman banking interests and is being completely remodeled. STAGE VOTERS’ LEAGUE NOW ORGANIZE At a meeting of the Na- tional Stage and Screen Vot- ers’ League held last Wednes- day, James Rolph, Jr., was unanimously endorsed for gov- ernor at the coming primaries. The National Stage and Screen Voters’ League, sug- gested a year ago in the col- umns of this paper, has sprung into existence in Hollywood. Realizing the necessity of solidi- fying the 150,000 or more votes controlled by the amusement trades in . this city, . and in view of the agitation which certain politicians are nurturing by using the the- atrical interests as their objective, the . advisability of forming an or- ganization, which is non-partisan in its character and interested pri- marily in protecting the best in- terests of the stage and screen folks was apparent. The League announces that the basis of activities will be to support. Personal Liberty and legislation beneficial to the amusement profession, and to vigorously oppose legislation or other action inimical to the stage and screen and the peo- ple thereof. Sam Hardy has been elected president, Robert Emmett O’Con- nor, first vice - president, and Charles Miller, executive secretary. The League is composed of membership from all the branches of show business, and already sev- eral thousand of the clan have en- rolled. There is no initiation charged, although small dues will be exacted to meet expenses. It is stated that the necessity for an. organized vote of amuse- ment interests exists in most of the large cities of the country, and offices and organizers will be sent to these cities so that by next national election time, the League will be nation-wide in its scope. One of the principal matters which it is pledged to oppose is the censorship efforts, which is being made in many communities against the stage and screen prod- uct and the arresting of the casts of shows alleged to be objection- able and the persecution of actors and actresses for various reasons by publicity seeking officials. In the present primary election the first action of the League was to endorse the candidacy of Mil- ton M. Golden for Republican Hollywood Assemblyman in the 55th District and Senator Chas. W. Lyon. (Continued on Page 2) SCREEN