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

SEPT. 20, 1930 INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN PAGE NINE SAN FRANCISCO RADIO NOTES SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 18—There are a number of changes on at NBC, some of them good for this division and some not so good. In the first place junking of daylight saving time in the East, means earlier arrival in the West of network programs, so there will be a number of new Atlantic hours coming over these Pacific lines—a fact which probably will eliminate some of the San Francisco studio stuff. John and Ned, who have been with NBC as far back as our radio memory will take us, are leaving. They plan going to Chicago, where it is probable they will again broadcast for NBC. * * * One of the high spots of this Monday’s Jamboree over KFRC came when that station’s nimble fingered pianist, Edna Fischer, made her mike debut as a songstress. And very nice, Edna, very nice. * * * Speaking of KFRC, we might suggest that whoever thought of adding a drummer to the piano-accordion combination on the Schwarz program was not quite on the right track. There’s too much nice piano and accordion, and the drums only make it sound small-time. * * * While offering constructive criticism, might we suggest again, that Earl Burtnett buy a flock of cough drops for his orchestra. They have a bad habit of coughing directly into the mike, just before doing a specialty. * * * KGGC, aerial trumpeter for a local church, has moved into new headquarters, and tagged itself “Voice of the Mission,” which is a dis- trict, not a religious group. They opened Wednesday night with an in- augural program. Robert Craig is general manager of KGGC, owned by Golden Gate Broadcasting Co. * * * KYA has two new and effective programs. First of these is a word- picture concoction, and has Sydney Dixon singing, Virginia Spencer at the ivories and Jean Plumelet announcing. Words are by W. H. Clif- ford. The other hour is the Mahlon Dolman program, handled by Kevin Ahearn, Helen Stone, Frank Dubois and Jimmy Moseley. * * * Who says radio people aren't literary? Harry Anderson, sales man- ager of NBC, has inaugurated a custom which proves the contrary. He is the book critic of the San Francisco Sales Managers’ association, and at each meeting he reviews the most recent publications on finance, business management and other topics. * * * They had Charlie Carter, KFRC’s vocal duplicate of M. Chevalier, pretty worried the other day. A limb of the law, dropping into the studio to sing a song for the Happy Go Lucky hour, pinned Charlie's hands together with his handcuffs—then discovered he had forgotten his keys. Only the fact that Mac is a deputy sheriff, and had a bunch of keys on him permitted Charlie to be released. * * * Lee Roberts, composer of “Smiles” and other tunes, has signed with NBC and made his initial radio appearance Tuesday night with a short program of songs. ^ * Bob Olson with his missus waiting for his cue on the Jamboree . . . Walt Bunker prowling about the studio . . . Monroe Upton with a silk topper . . . and a red necktie . . . Milt Hayes is a Walkathon devotee . . . George Taylor chinning with John of John and New . . . Micro- phone Club looks like a cinch for San Francisco . . . what has become of Florence Grebe? . . . Harrison Holliway poring over a page of notes. KHJJSMS Vaude and Presentations PARAMOUNT SAN FRANCISCO (Reviewed Sept. 5) This started out to be a collegi- ate unit and was even tagged “Kampus Kuties” but at the last moment the Sisters G were rushed in. Sisters G may be clever but they aren’t collegiate. But the collegiate unit went on just the same. So anyway the show started in proper atmospherically educational with the 16 gals hoofing it and Joan Gaylord stepping out of the line to chant the lyrics. To full stage when Ken Whitmer made his bow as m.c. and then brought on the Sisters G for a waltz number that met with okay response. Somebody in the show had to be collegiate so Whitmer donned a sweater and a second year history student’s flat hat; then put the band through a number that had a lot of lyrics handled by Jack Dolan, Jack Petty, Bob Lee and Elmer Hanks. Three Blue Blazes, rhythmic hoofing trio, next on for a pair of nubers, doing very well with them. The three neat looking, fast moving boys got over with the crowd. Eddie Magill, still holding over, on to megaphone “Song Without a Name.” Got a pip of a hand and had to encore. Whitmer and the girls in Helen Kane’s schoolroom scene from “Paramount on Parade” got laughs from the boop-pa-doop fans, the girls concluding the offer- ing with a new routine, staged by Val Nicolai. Sisters G returned for a tango number with a decided Contintental flavoring, and was much superior to their previous waltz. Whitmer then brought on Joe and Willie Hale who pulled a lot of laughs through a bit of juggling and Willie’s balancing on a big ball. To one where, imagine it if you can, the Sisters G came on to sing “Happy Feet” in their German dia- lect, followed by the Three Blues Blazes in some snappy hoofing, and finally the line, in patent leather outfits. To full where the Sisters G held the spot for the closing. At the console Louis Flint did a medley embracing “I Owe You,” “Texas In My Eyes” and the Quar- tette from “Rigoletto” concluding with “Ten Cents a Dance” while Bea McNamee before a ballroom setting on the right hand side of the house, did the taxi dancer’s lyrics. Paramount’s “Sea God,” an Allen and Canfield Par. short and Emil Stunner’s Paremounters concluded the show. Bock. Christian Sprotte, has resigned as KHJ concert master, and Stelly Crassas, former concert master of the Minneapolis Symphony, has replaced him. Crassas is an Athe- nian, trained in Paris and Brussels. * * * Racketeers Trio, three harmoniz- ing boys, who have been a feature of KHJ’s early morning Hallelu- jah Hour, has broken up. Eddie Furch remains with KHJ, and is working with Hale and Derry on a new trio combination. * * * June Parker, KHJ’s premier and veteran blues singer, has decided to withdraw her popular croonings from KHJ microphone, and put them on the shelf for a fern months rest. FOX EL CAPITAN SAN FRANCISCO (Reviewed Sept. 8) One good thing about the show at this ace house is that they’re not tagged with some such silly title as “Ruffles” or “Pantalettes” or “Fall of Rome.” They’re the Merrymaker’s Revue, week in and week out, with no monicker forcing anyone to wear costumes in keep- ing, or the band to play eight bars of some time-worn tune to estab- lish the proper atmosphere. And another good thing about the show is Jay Brower, m.c. Brower and the band had two numbers this week, one a straight medley of hot tunes and the other a hoke offering. Near the opening of the show band did “12th St. Rag,” “St. Louis Blues” and “Tiger Rag” with George Munson doing a clarinet solo in the opener. Mis- siomtes went for this torrid stuff and the boys had to encore. Later, Brower put ’em through a group of baby songs, coming to a close when all donned baby hoods and played the final chorus on bottles. There was no getting around this and the gang had to encore again. Curry and Brown put over a pair of dances, the first a straight hoof- ing number, and the secod an ec- centric offering that also called for an encore. Pee Wee Le Beau got over with a flock of roping tricks and patter and had to take several bows. Frank Hamilton offered “Bridget O’Flynn” and closed with a stutter song, cleverly done, and took a healthy hand, several bows and a speech. Mary and Mary Jane, out of the line, vocalized “So Beats My Heart.” Finale had Frank O’Leary sing- ing “Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder” Jay fiddling a few bars from “Music Box Tune” and all on stage. Hal Behind The ‘Mike’ With The Microphone Club By JACK PARKER McCOWEN MOVES SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 18 — J. S. McCowen has moved his danc- ing school from Oakland to San Francisco. SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 18.—Arrived to find the boys and girls of radio land waiting to form their San Francisco branch of the Microphone Club of America, and I was very pleased to find that William “Billy” Foy, well known pro- ducer and radio man behind the great plans that have been made for the local club. Mr. Foy with Ted Maxwell of NBC are the leaders in the movement here and I am sure they will guide the club to success. * * * SANDY MEEK, A RARE RADIO TENOR AND FOR- MERLY A CO-WORKER OF MINE IN CHICAGO RADIO CIRCLES IS IN TOWN AND TELLING THE WORLD THAT HE WANTS TO STAY ON THE COAST. SANDY IS DIRECEOR OF WHFC IN CHICAGO, BUT TELLS US HE WILL BE GLAD TO RESIGN IF WE WANT HIM TO STAY WITH US. * * * Had the pleasure of meeting Conrad De Jonge, the well known concert orchestra director of Paris, France, here the other day and when I saw Conrad last he told me he was going back to Paris—but when he stopped in Frrisco he met the only girl in the world, and—WELL YOU KNOW THE REST. * * * The Microphone Club of America, San Francisco Di- vision, will hold a radio ball here in November at the Civic Auditorium. This will in a way take the place of the annual radio show which will not be held this year. * * * BILLY CANTOR, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE NA- TIONAL RADIO ARTISTS’ ASS’N., WITH HEADQUAR- TERS IN CHICAGO IS IN TOWN LOOKING OVER THE RADIO FIELD AND IT LOOKS LIKE HE WOULD OPEN A CLUB HERE IF THE MCA HAD NOT AR- RIVED FIRST. HOW ABOUT IT BILLY? * * * Carmen Romain, Spanish singer of New York radio stations, was a visitor in the office and tells me that the west is the only place to live and work. * * * Violet Trevor, has been appointeed social secretary for the MCA here, and will be the girl who will meet all visitors at the new club rooms in the very near future. * * * SAN FRANCISCO RADIO ARTISTS, WHO AVISH INFORMATION REGARDING THE MICROPHONE CLUB, WIDE PEEASE CAEE WM. FOY AT DOUG1AS 2213. * * * Emly Hardy, of KPO is now a recording star, and I am sure her friends will be glad to hear on records this golden voiced young lady. * * * Lewis Lacey, manager of KYA, that very popular local station, is another booster for the new Mike Club here. Lacey was formerly with KSL in Salt Lake City, and has built his present station to a place of honor in radio circles here. * * * Ralph Brunton, owner of KJ'BS of this city also wants to be known as a Mike Club booster. Mr. Brunton has built up a staff that has become one of the favorite gang of artists in local radio. Dell Ray- mond is one of the popular staff stars of KJBS. * * * The Mike Club here will hold a contest for the most popular radio star in local radio staions. The interest is great and we know the local stations are going to have a great time boosting their favorite stars. * * * E. E. Edwards has been appointed acting treasurer of the S. F. Mike Club, and will open offices at 544 Market Street, Room 307. * * * JAY REGEL, DANCING STAR OF BROADWAY SHOWS AND RADIO SINGER AS A SIDE LINE, IS IN SAN FRANCISCO, AND TELLS ME HE WILL OPEN A REAL N. Y. NITE CLUB IN THIS CITY. I THINK HE HAD BETTER CALL IT A SAN FRANCISCO NITE CLUB, JAY, FOR SAN FRANCISCO PEOPLE DON’T GIVE A HOOT FOR NEW YORK. =1= * * I will depart from this great city next week for Eos Angeles and home, but will come back here for the Radio Ball in November, so to my friends in E. A., will seen you soon. This Week Pantages, San Francisco “HOCKEY GOF” Combination of Golf-Croquet Hockey for your basement, garage, areaway or what have you. SOMETHING NEW. SEE IT AT 5404-6 Hollywood Blvd. LEE S. “MITY” MYTINGER ■n WE. 6171 GENE DAVE WE. 6171 WESTMORE 6 17 1 WRITE FOR GELATINE SAMPLE BOOK 1347-49 W. WASHINGTON ST. LOS ANGELES, CALIF. WESTMORE 6 17 1