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

PAGE TEN INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN SEPT. 20, 1930 FALL BRINGS TRADE BOOST TO THEATRES VANCOUVER, Sept. 18.— A decided improvement is noticeable in the number of fans depositing at the local b.os. Beaches and amusement parks have lost their appeal, with the coming of cooler weather, and show shops are again coming into their own. During the summer, two con- sistent winners have been the RKO Orpheum, offering the only stage show in town, and the Dominion, one of the down- town houses operated by the Publix-Famous Players Cana- dian Corporation. Dominion, with a small seating capacity and a straight policy of first run talkies, in comparison, did as well as the big RKO. Current stanza sees the Capitol well in the lead, doing the best busi- ness experiences since the height of ast season’s show business, feature being Fox’s “Song O’ My Heart,” with John McCormack. Strand is second on the list with MGM’s “Unholy Three,” Lon Chaney featured. His recent death and the fact of it being his first talkie is responsible for the pull. RKO Orpheum is in third place with “Fox Follies of 1930,” as screen fare, and a four act vaude bill with Blossom Seeley and Benny Fields headlining. At the Empress, British Guild Players in the second week of their new season are playing to good business with “Wedding Bells,” an English comedy. Beacon (old Pan), with its sum- mer price of two bits still in vogue, is pulling them with “The Way of All Men.’ Dominion is doing its customary nice business with Fox’s “The Arizona Kid,” featuring War- ner Baxter. “Atlantic,” an English talkie, based on the stage-play, “The Berg,” is in second week at the Colonial and holding up. Suburban houses and second runs all report a pick-up. “MARIGOLD” WILL PLAY VANCOUVER VANCOUVER, Sept. 18—P. R. Allen, manager of the Vancouver, legit house here, is preparing for a busy season and already has a few road-show bookings. First one will be “Marigold,” an English production. Walter Hamp- den will follow in a repertoire of Shakespearean plays. “The Dumb- bells,” Canadian revue, and “Middle Watch,” another old country pro- duction, are on the list. Order Your Next Act from an author who thoroughly “knows his vaudeville” and is recognized as one of the most prolific writers of sure-fire ho- kum: That means James Madison 465 S. Detroit St., Los Angeles (Phone ORegon 9407 I ALSO PUBLISH monthly a four-page comedy ser- vice for top-notch vaudeville art- ists, radio entertainers and pro- fessional humorists in general. It is called THE COMEDIAN and offers new laughs and new laughs only. Each issue c<?n- tains one of my latest mono- logues, double routines, gags, etc. It costs $1 a copy; $10 per year. No. 4 is now ready. For $3, will send Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4. Or, for $ ! 2, the first 4 issues and a full year beginning with No. 5. Guaranteed satisfactory or money refunded. Send orders to JAMES MADISON 465 South Detroit St. Los Angeles Vancouver By A. K. MacMARTIN VANCOUVER, Sept. 18—Toby Leitch and his Royal Canadian Players have opened at the Theatre Royal for a season of dramatic stock. For the past three or four seasons this company has been play- ing in Northwest cities, coming here from the Auditorium, Spokane. Other successful engagements in- cluded two seasons at the Coliseum, Victoria, the Rivoli, Portland, and teh Third Avenue, Seattle. * * * The opening bill here was “Toby on the Spot,” which ran about one hour and 15 minutes, the screen at- traction, “It’s a Great Life,” fea- turing the Duncan Sisters. Stage shows are the regular stock plays with “Toby” worked as the comedy lead. Policy is two-a-day at a 35 cent top, which, judging by busi- ness opening week, should prove popular with the fans. * * * Royal, two blocks from the Em- press, occupied by British Guild Players, the only other house in town housing stock, has been leased to W. P. Nichols for the past six years and has had a varied policy under his regime with Tab shows and pictures. The present lessee, H. Hamgartner, has had the house redecorated and put in first class shape. * * * Personnel of Toby Leitch’s Royal Canadian Players is Raymond “Toby” Leitch, Paul Bardslay, Jack Cassidy. Esther Todd, Lorus Bagly. Leon Cluff, Yvetta Rogers, and Murl McCarthy. * * * B. F. Lyons, general manager in Canada for Warner Brothers, has reached this city on a trans-Canada inspection of exchanges. Lyons states business is good. The head office is at Toronto. * * * Now that novelty of the minia- ture golf courses has worn off, golf business has drooped about fifty per cent. Nevertheless there are dozens of them still building under cover and in the open. The coming of slightly cooler weather is partly responsible for the falling off along with stronger bills at the theatres. MYERS GOES UP SEATTLE, Sept. 18.—Changes in personnel of the New Farwest Theatres corporation are announced by General Manager L. O. Lukan. Jerry Myers has been promoted from the management of the Por- tolai in West Seattle to a similar position at the Cheerio on Queen Anne Hill. A1 Marriott, who was assistant manager at the Granada has been made manager of the Portola. VAUDE GOES INTO FOLLIES SEATTLE, Sept. 18.—Returning vaudeville to the house which, in the old days, pioneered the grind policy of this type of entertainment, The Follies Theatre on September 25, closes A1 Franks and his mus- ical comedy company and inaugur- ates a policy of vaude and pictures. The Follies in the old Pantages„ stand, having been recently re- named by its operators, a corpora- tion headed by C. M. Dunn, Port- land showman. Franks and his players have been holding forth at the Follies for the oast 19 weeks, but it is presumed biz hasn’t been any too forte. Franks had a nice troupe, but the fans obviously wanted a change. Acts for the vaude policy are routed over Pacific Interstate time, with Joe Daniels of Portland the representative in these parts. Dan- iels declares that 33 days ’are already on the route with more to come, ultimately giving the acts about ten weeks playing time. First bill will feature Don Smith, former musical comedy player, and his miniature revue; Cleo Lambert & Co., gymnasts; Harry Cody, comedian; Lewis arid Lavarr in Tack Clifford’s old Orpheu mact, “At the Station,” and The Wrang- lers, male harmony four. First run feature films and a complete change of fare -weekly will augment the vaude policy at the Follies. ELSIE TAYLOR TO NORTHERN STATION SEATTLE, Sept. 18—Elsie Tay- lor and Los Angeles radio star has joined the KJR and Northwest Broadcasting System artist’s staff. Miss Taylor became known to California listeners by her appear- ances over KFSD, San Diego, and KHJ, Los Angeles. MAY PLAY VAUDE SEATTLE, Sept. 18.—Bob Blair Starkey in the capacity of lessee, and C. J. Morrison, representing the ownesrhip of the Majestic Theatre of Spokane, have decided on putting in vaudeville and pic- tures, contingent upon the o.k. of the city council. BOOST MONEY SEATTLE, Sept. 18.—Bob Blair of Phblix, Earl Crabb of Fox, and Homer Gil! of RKO crashed the front cover of a daily last week, when they all predicted prosperity was returning. They claim rainy season will tend to stimulate lost trade. Notes Along Fifth Avenue Karl Horn complaining about his good “teck-ni-q” going to waste . . . Ivan Ditmars and Jock Samp- son waving farewell to a friend . . . and being assured that every- thing was allright . . . Sammy Siegel explaining how art should be done . . . for instance, interior decorating . . . George Appleby out to lunch ... be back in an hour . . . Madge Baldwin playing the piano so hot the keys dripped per- spiration . . . Harry Mills not found yet . . . but corresponding thru the newspapers . . . Owen Sweeten looking for more pub . . . and get- ting it . . . without advertising . . Frank Allen out with his golf balls . . . playing hide and seek ... La Marr Gaw and Stewie Marlatt to L. A. ... on a round trip excur- sion . . . Betty Shilton window shopping . . . saving her money for the winter . . Bob McGuire warb- ling over the wires . . . while his wife listens . . . Gus Renstrom serving coffee . . and going into the catering business . . . Alma Roscoe and A1 Keighly taking time out to give their dog the air . . . Alice Darstien singing as an usher- ette . . . and getting away with it . . . Jose Borromeo buying the boys a cigar . . . who wouldn’t after inheriting a sum of pesos? . . . Jimmy Phelan eating at Putt’s . . . wonder if he practices what he preaches? . . . Elmore Vincent also eating . . . and not on a diet. FAMILIAR FRASES: Daddy, buy me one of those. WHITE STUNTING SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 18 — A1 White is staging gifht nights, ad shows and beauty contests for a number of local suburban houses, meeting with pleasing results. Houses on his list include the Gol- den State chain, the Riviera, Verdi and Daly City. BRYANT ON JOB SEATTLE, Sept.. 18 — Appoint- ment of B. M. Bryant as promo- tion manager for KJR and the N. W. Broadcasting System is being announced by Tom Smart, general manager. Bryant comes to Seattle with 17 years of experience in newspaper advertising in many of the large cit- ies of the U. S. MANAGER INTIMATE SEATTLE, Sept. 18.—LeRoy Johnson of the Liberty theatre has been putting over clever advertis- ing and exploitation ideas since the opening of the theatre, January 4. His latest wrinkle is the installa- tion of a radio apparatus with which the manager talks to the patrons at each show. RAINY DAYS LAND DOUGH FOR SEATTLE SEATTLE, Sept. 18.—Due to rainy, wintry atmosphere, show shops fared quite well. To some of the managers there was a rem- iniscence of the old days when the folks lined up four abreast. Prac- tically every theatre in the village did genuine biz. Paramount held the lead it had over the Fifth Avenue last week. It landed $21,000. One grand under last week’s intake, but very good for this house. Credit the total to a local boy, who made good in a big city—George Dewey Washing- ton. The flicker was Ruth Chat- terton in “Anybody’s Woman”. Fifth Avenue did fair biz on an average picture, “Man Trouble”. 1 F. & M.’s “Cadet Idea” on the stage helped gross a figure of $19,000. What this house needs is a master of ceremonies to buck the competish. Orpheum did well with “Leather- necking,” which was not over-ex- ploited, but put over in grand style, with the city executives taking part in festivities. There was also a good vaude bill that helped total a good share of $15,000. Fox took in $6,000 on the last week of “Song of My Heart,” which is just about average for this movie hostelry. Owen Sweeten aided. Music Box, with the last week of the surprise picture “The Office Wife”, brought $6,000. Good for this spot. Blue Mouse took “Big Boy” for a ride when it only received $4,000. A1 Jolson has worn out the wel- come mat in Seattle, unfortunately, as the picture was good. Last week of the Met saw a mealy $3,000 in the till, so maybe it was just as well that Publix closes the house. Picture was Arlen’s “Sea God.” Club Victor holding up fine. Many nice improvements in this place. Vic gets out and meets the boys. SQUAD SEES FILM SEATTLE, Sept. 18.—Les Theu- erkauf of Pathe put on a preview of the Knute Rockne Football series. The occasion was notable as the special guests were James Phelan, Washington football coach, all of his assistants and the squad intact. WESSLING QUITS SEATTLE, Sept. 18.—Walter S. Wessling has severed his connec- tions with Talking Picture Epics, Inc. and leaves Monday for Holly- wood to accept a position as a pro- ducer’s representative. DPE55 YOUR THEATRE OP YOUR ACT WITH THE FINEST AND MOST ARTISTIC ENERY*™ DRAPERIES DESIGNED MADE UP AND PAINTED BY THE LARGEST AND MOST EFFICIENT STAFF OF SCENIC ARTISTS, DESIGNERS AND DRAPERY EXPERTS IN AMERICAS LARGEST AND MOST BEAVTIFVL STUDIOS Los Angeles Scenic Stvdios Inc ^affiliated with Ciias.F Thompson Scenic Co. 1215 BATES AtfEL AT FOUNTAIN AVE. NEAR SUNSET BLVD, nOLLYWO GD DROP CURTAINS PICTURE SCREENS PROLOGUES CINEMA5 STAGE 1 CYCLORAMAS ASBESTOS CURTAINS P&one OIympia.2914 Vnic^ue Effects^ settings »»the modern stage UNUSUAL FABRIC5 IDRAPERIE5 TAPE5TRIE5 -WALL HANGINGS MURAL DEC ORATIONS A ¥ t NOISELESS CURTAIN TRAVELERS OPERATED BY REMOTE CONTROL