Inside facts of stage and screen (September 20, 1930)

SEPT. 20, 1930 INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN PAGE SEVEN OPERA TAKES HEAVY SWAT AT PICTURES SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 18 — Beginning of the local opera sea- son took a cut into picture house business in the week just passed, most of the houses feeling the heavy competition to a considerable ex- tent. Outstanding success of Warners’ “Moby Dick” at the Embassy and the more or less quiet run of Bus- ter Keaton in “Dough Boys” at the Fox were outstanding. Following the rather surprising flop of A1 Jolson in “Big Boy” at Wagnon’s Embassy, the opening of Barrymore in “Moby Dick” was a neat recoup. The figure of $14,300 was a pleasing one for that house, which holds over the opus for another week. Buster Keaton was funny of the screen but not so funny at the box office in “Dough Boys” at the Fox. House did a fair $36,000 on this M-G-M flick, which was aided by an excellent Walt Roesner concert and Fanchon and Marco’s “Busy Bee” Idea. Fox’s “Sea Wolf” is next on the screen. After an okay opening week, “Birth of a Nation” at the Geary skidded downward, and end of sec- ond week found a mere $5000 in the box office. After Saturday night, the stage prologue was out and the picture continues alone until Sept. 27 when it goes into the Fox Presi- dent, Los Angeles. Geary then re- verts to its usual legit policy. Paramount’s “Follow Thru” was a good business getter for the Para- mount. Together with a stage show m.c.’d by Ken Whitmer, house drew a nifty $23,000. Swanson in “What a Widow” follows. Pub- lix’s California held up to an aver- age $18,000 with “The Bad Man,” with “Monte Carlo” set as success- or. St. Francis did a poor $7000 on “Eyes of the World,” and “The Spoilers” is next. John McCormack held up sur- prisingly well in the deuce stanza of “Song o’ My Heart” at Loew’s Warfield, $18,000' being the figure. Seven days more, and then comes “Good News.” _ Orpheum, with second week of “Africa Speaks,” grossed a pretty good $9000. Scandal on “Ingagi,” which previously played here, didn’t help the picture a bit, but it’s do- ing okay business. MANNING IN MOVE TO SOUTHERN CITY SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 18.— With Publix’s unit production de- partment switched to Los Angeles, Charlie C. Manning, coast musical supervisor, this week transferred to the southern city where he will con- tinue his activities at the Para- mount Theatre. _ With him, Manning took a good sized library, which he acquired during his stay here. His depar- ture also leaves the Paramount without a social director. FOREVER FREE FROM UNSIGHTLY HAIR A few pleasant RAY-O treat- ments removes superfluous hair permanently. No sensation whatever in the treat- ment and the hair will never return. Write for booklet or come in for free and confidential consultation. Ray-O System 802 Anglo-Bank Bldg. 830 Market Phone SUtter 4714 SAN FRANCISCO But 45 days remain before Cali- fornians go to the polls to vote for or against daylight savings. For the theatres, much depends upon the defeat of this bill —yet a big campaign that is supposed to be under way has not been heard of in this territory—and meanwhile en- dorsers of daylight savings are grabbing off all possible publicity by means of radio talks, direct mail and newspaper space. About a month ago very poor specimens of trailers were flashed on screens of downtown houses ad- vocating defeat of the bill. Even they, poor as they were, have been abandoned, and San Francisco vot- ers are hearing nothing about the daylight savings plan except the plea of its backers: “Vote for it.” The theatre is supposed to hold many good showmen and politi- cians, but this is one time, unfor- tunately, when they seem to be lay- ing down on the job. * * * SPOTLIGHTS Microbe golf in on the wane.... three outdoor courses already have folded... .Bob Lee, twanger of the banjo, and Joane Gaylord, terpsi- chorine at the Paramount... .have announced their forthcoming mer- ger.... and from Seattle comes ad- visement of a similar plan by Har- vey Karels and Kay Elliott in the Green Devil’s Idea....Lee Wilmot writing from Hollywood... .such stationery, Mr. Wilmot .... please, my nerves.. . .Belasco and Curran’s exec staff at the Curran is com- posed of Ken McGaffey, manager ....Fred Calvin, business mgr... Les Thomas, stage chief... .Hugh Leighton, assistant... .Carl Cooper, carpenter. ... Douglas Burke, elec- trician. .. .James Dunn, props.... it’s doubtful if the publicity in the Call-Bulletin on Gloria Swanson— all part of a national campaign—was worth the dough expended. Herman Kersken and this big period and paragraph man lunching at the Palace.... .K e n Whitmer punching the bag at the Y Gus Oliva hurries into the lobby of the William Taylor... .Jennings Pierce phoning from NBC studios.... Craig Smith ringing from the Ho- tel St. Francis... .down Market street comes George Nickson... with a Barrymore shirt and no necktie... .Jack Plumelet just ahead of him.... and George Tay- lor 20 steps ahead of him....all KYA must have been out for a walk. John Nolan and the boss of the Nolan family hosts at an informal little gathering... .Harry Bush has plugged so many cowboy songs re- cently he’s going to buy a som- brero and a pair of chaps....Joe Sinai, the most ambitious of all the Fox employes .... Walt Roesner’s dressing room has been wired for squawkies.. . . 108 victims aiready.. ..Jack Parker and Gene Clark climbing into a big Lincoln. * * * Famous Lies of Show Business: “They offered us 52 weeks but we didn’t like the time.” FINIS FOX ILL Finis Fox is confined to his home with a severe cold. “A LITTLE SMILE” Words and Music by GEO. B. L. BRAUN (A Fox Trot Sensation) CONCORD PUBLISHING CO. 1179 Market St. San Francisco Geo. T. Hood THEATRICAL MANAGER Address: Inside Facts, Suite 504, 935 Market St., San Francisco Increase Your Receipts with BEAUTY CONTESTS—AD SHOWS GIFT NIGHTS which include presents of ELECTRIC REFRIGERATORS, CHESTERFIELD SETS, etc. For Details See ALBERT WHITE CAPITOL THEATRE SAN FRANCISCO SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 18 — Walt Roesner has signed a two- year contract with Fanchon and Marco and Fox West Coast, and will continue to produce and direct his concert overtures at the local Fox. It is possible Marco will take Roesener to the Roxy in New York, when the former begins his production activities there soon. However, nothing definite has been done on this. Since his return to the Fox Roesener has gradually drawn away from the m. c. job until he is de- voting most of his time to the over ture productions that are consid- ered one of the Fox’s entertain- ment aces. Showmen acclaim Roesener’s “symphonic poems” the only musical offering of its kind in the country, utilizing as they do ex^ ceptional tableau and lighting ef- fects. BILL ETHERINGTON IN SOUTHERN JOB SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 18- Bill Etherington has been trans- ferred as stage manager of the local Paramount to Los Angeles, where he is acting as technical di- rector for the Publix coast produc- tion department headed by Harry Gourfain. He is in charge of all lighting and stage effects in the Publix units now being produced there. Etherington’s departure leaves the Paramount stage crew com- posed of Jerry Horack, High Smith, Frank Erdely, Frank Steffen, George Place and O. B. Schaffer. NEW S. F. CAFE SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 18 — Flashing spats and a gray hat, and minus 20 pounds, Tom Gerun sud- denly flew into town Tuesday to confer with Frank Martinelli on the new cafe the pair will open about the first of the year. Gerun re- turned by train to Chicago, where he opens with his orchestra at the Congress Hotel for a 14 week run. MODEART Permanent Wave Best in the West - COMPLETE Medicated Shampoo © and Finger Wave tD Included 5 Yon cannot boy a better wave. Indi- vidual, distinctive, beautiful and last- ing. With or without ringlet ends. A WAVE YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Your choice of Modeart, Duart, Rlng- lette or other eelebrated methods. • „ Haircutting by Mr. Yon Medicated Shampoo, Including finger wave ....$1 Dried In 15 to 20 minutes by the Duart Chief French paper curl $1 Marcels 75c Manicure 50c MODEART Permanent Wave Studio 1007 Market St., at Sixth, Entire 2ml Floor Telephone HEmlock 6873 Open 9 to 9 with or without appt. SAN FRANCISCO GAMBA Since 1905 Theatrical Footwear and Accessories 150 Powell St. San Francisco Phone DOuglas 8268 OAKLAND, Sept. 18 — Once more vaude comes back into the Hipp. Ackerman and Harris are booking four acts, split week, into the downtown house, operating at a 25 cent top with second run pic- tures. House, managed by Herb Harris, jerked vaude a few months ago when the union demanded more men on the stage crew. * * * _ Fox Grand Lake has been get- ting a big play from the previewers on the Fox lot in Hollywood. “The Big Trail” and “Just Imagine” were given their initial double o here last week. They have boosted business at this house. * * * Ed Hogarty, associated with George Ebey in running the Ful- ton, will leave for New York next week, where he will look over the crop of plays and players in pre- paration for the Fulton’s ensuing season. * * * Neil Buckly has been brought into the Fulton as leading man, opening with May Robson in ‘Mother’s Millions,” starting off to fair _ business. House will put on “Rejuvenation of Aunt Marv” next week. CLIFF WORK DUE FOR LOS ANGELES SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 18 — Frank Vincent retired from RKO as western divisional chief, Cliff Work succeeds him, and left San Francisco this week for Los An- geles where he will make his head- quarters. Jack Gross, South Bend, Ind. manager, follows Work in as pilot of the San Francisco and Oakland RKO houses. Succeeding George Landy as coast publicity head is William Ad- ler. Other executive staff changes are expected. STAR LANDS ON PAGE ONE AFTER SCRAP SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 18 — Natives got a glimpse at operatic temperament when they flocked to the Ferry building one morning this week to greet incoming stars of the current opera season. Photographers, ever with an eye for beauty sought out the comely Claire Clairbert as a subject for their lens. The fleshy Jeritza, though better known, didn’t appeal to the cameramen, with the result that she was pushed into back- ground. Later, a reception committee, seeking Jeritza, found her below deck, where she was blowing off steam. Next day, the dailies carried Page One stories and pix on Jeritza and local murders and suicides. CAUTHORN CHOSEN PRESS CLUB HEAD SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 18.— At its annual dinner and installa- tion of officers, the San Francisco Press Club this week turned the presidency over to Joseph L. Cau- thorn. Other officers include Mort Dono- ghue, vice-preident; Bill Kilcline, secretary, and M. E. Cooley, treas- urer. Incidentally, Cauthorn is the father-in-law of Charlie Kurtzman, former coast Publiv exec., now with Fox in the Fast. FERNANDEZ SAILS WITH 25 PERSONS DUFFY WILL FORM PLANS THIS WEEK SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 18 — Although Henry Duffy is making plans to re-enter the Coast legit production field no definite arrange- ments have been made by him to re- open the Alcazar here, according to his representative. Varying reports state that Duffy will stage “Brothers” here with Bert Lytell and Grace Mencken, opening about October 1. Another rumor says musical comedy may be produced, but this is believed doubtful. Definite plans are expected to be made this next week. FULLERTON QUITS SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 18- Major E. Fullerton has left the local M-G-M exchange where he was press agent. His duties prob- ably will be handled by the Los Angeles office. san Francisco, Sept, is — E. K. Fernandez will sail from here this week for Honolulu, taking a company of 25, including a few or- chestra and a Mexican circus. Company will make a three week tour through the islands and then will be taken over an extended Ori- ental route. Fernandez arrived here early this week after an Eastern trip, during which he picked up talent and sev- eral new rides for his carnival com- pany. AT DANCE MEET SAN _ FRANCISCO, Sept. 18- Entertainment program of the re- cently concluded Dancing Teachers’ convention included offerings by the following: Roselyn Frantz, Erma Rose, Tootsie Raphael and Corrine Fitelberg of the Ellen Rose studio; Don and Rit from the Cafe Marquard; Helen Tutty, Ginger and Eileen Colman and Meredith and Bernice of McLane studios; Coral Davis from the Lido; Mickey Green and Iris Alexander from the El Capitan; Gloria Cahill from the LeBard school; Velda Robinson, Elsie Robbins of the McFarland- Joy academy; Erma Gage’s girls and Dorothy McGuiness from the O’Rourke studio. 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