Inside facts of stage and screen (October 4, 1930)

OCT. 4, 1930 INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN PAGE NINE TANAR SOUND SCORES HUGE CAMERA HIT By LOU JACOBS Showing an advanced develop- ment in sound recording, the Tanar Corporation Ltd., in Hollywood has created interest with a new portable system of sound film. This system, similar in principle to Movietone, records from within an ordinary Bell and Howell or Mitchell camera, with only the change of silencing the action and adapting the threading so as to properly include the recording unit, which is inserted at the rear of the camera, the whole operating on a single motor. The amplification table, batteries and microphone are contained in three small suitcases, and one man can operate both the camera and sound with little difficulty. Alto- gether, it weighs but 90 pounds, less camera, and can be transported in an ordinary automobile with little incnvenience. This portable device is extremely simple, and seems almost fool proof. It uses dry cell, 90 volt batteries to operate, and it is claimed that the drag on the juice is so light as to make no appreci- able effect on battery strength after a year of operation. This set is especially adapted for news, travel, advertising, educa- tional and such other service, where a light and highly portable machine is desirable. The firm also is showing a double set equipped in a Ford truck. This set is designed for studio or location work of exacting nature. It is compact and com- pletely contained with generator and motor equipment in the walls of the truck, which contain mixing board and switches, camera and amplification panel, designed and installed with neatness and finish. The principal of the Tanar Sys- | “INSIDE FACTS” IS BIG NEWS STAND POPULAR SELLER American News Trade Jour- nal, which carries the trade news of magazines nationally distributed by the American News Co. carries on its front cover this month a collection of magazines and periodicals devoted to the Amusement world. Prominently in the fore- ground is a cut of “Inside Facts,” the only nationally cir- culated theatrical trade news- paper published on the Pacific Coast. The American News Company reports that the sales demand for “Inside Facts,” throughout the country is leap- ing in great bounds and scarce- ly a week goes by when orders are not increased by many. WHEELAN WRITING Tim Whelan has started writing a special original story for RKO Radio Pictures. tern, which gives it an advantage, is the Tanar lamp, made exclusive- ly by Len Roos, president of the corporation and designer of the system. This lamp is not for sale, for use in any other than the Tanar equip- ment, and has many. features that are new and unique in . controling photographic values on either nega- tive or positive stock. The principle of both the portable and double system are similar in effect, registering a variable area, with fine definition, indicative of excellent tonal quality. The portable set sells for $3850, less camera, which includes the silencing of the camera, fitting new gate aperture, recording slit, rollers, light adapter, motor drive, bat- teries, microphone cables, fittings and two Tanar lights. The system has been highly ap- proved by Dr. Lee De Forest, who, it is said is personally inter- ested in the Tanar project. The device is sold outright, and includes all licenses and no royalty charge. Vaudeville Facts RKO is giving lengthy routes to established RKO favorites. Two interesting bookings of the week were the Four Marx Brothers and Moran and Mack. * * * Morton Downey, Irish tenor, is returning to RKO vaudeville this week, opening in New York. He is just back from a trip to Europe. * * * Marion Sunshine made her bow at Keith’s Palace, New York, last week in the role of impressionist. * * * Ruth Etting is to begin a twelve weeks’ tour in RKO Vaudeville, starting at Cincinnati next week. * * * Famous vaudeville family of Mortons is again to be seen on the major circuit. Sam, the father, who has given vaudeville two edi- tions of the Four Mortons, is back on the job, appearing with Paul and Martha. Opened this week at Paterson, N. J., in an offering called “Skylarking.” * * * Edna Covey, lately associated with Ziegfeld’s “Follies,” is another new arrival on RKO. Act called “We’re Ready.” Miss Covey is as- sisted by Benny and Western, Ber- nie Stevens and Boys and the O’Connor Twins. * * * Larry Rich is offering a new act, “Rich Moments,” asissted by six singing steppers. Rich, who bears a remarkable resemblance to Paul Whiteman, was last seen in major vaudeville with a revue. * * * Kelso Brothers, also returning to RKO Vaudeville. This time they have a company of 14. * * * “Jazz Lips” Richardson, colored dancing comedian, is now an RKO feature, with three dusky feminine assistants. GENE DAVE PINEAU & HOWSE THEATRICAL STAGE LIGHTING CO. WE ARE MOVING TO 1451 VENICE BLVD. COR. OF ARAPAHOE ST. fI BLK WEST OF HOOVER) _IN MUCH BIGGER,NEWER"5 BETTER QUARTERS AND OUR PHONE NUMBER WILL BE FItzroy 1241 WE'LL BE (EEIN'YOU ABOUT OCT. 20? mi , I nr r ■ ■ ..I WRITE FOR GELATINE SAMPLE BOOK 1347-49 W. WASHINGTON ST. LOS ANGELES, CALIF. MARCONI GREETS DOUG FAIRBANKS; CAUSES SURPRISE Here’s one on Douglas Fairbanks. Recently while walking the streets of Mad- rid, a stranger slapped him on the back with “Hello Doug, hw are you. I haven’t seen you in some time. Douglas looked him over coldly. “I beg pardon, I don’t think I know you,” and he started to walk on. “Just a moment Doug, have you forgotten me?” asked the stranger. ..“Yes,” says Doug. “I beg your pardon, my name is Marconi.” JEANETTE WANTED In one week, Universal received two offers to give Jeanette Loff a leave of absence from talking pic- tures that she might appear in Broadway musical productions. Roy Cooper, first in the title role of “The Student Prince” is engaged for a limited tour in RKO Vaude- ville. He opens in Buffalo, Octo- ber 11. * * * Rae Samuels, still the “Blue Streak of Vaudeville,” has re-en- tered the RKO ranks after quite an absence. * * * Vanessi, who has not toured in RKO for more than a year, is re- turning next week at Trenton, of- fering a new and sumptour presen- tation. * * * Gus Edwards introduces his “Song Birds,” a new offering in which he will put on display his latest juvenile “finds.” * * * Other newcomers to RKO Vaudeville, or old favorites with new acts, are: Sharp, Flat and Minor, attractive girls, called “The Singing Sinners;” Clifton and Brent, offering “The Unexpected;” Sam Linfield and his comedians, in “Boot Villa;” Helene Beth and Lester New, in a skit entitled “The Boy and Girl”; Walter Nilsson, the Swedish-American comic; Wells, Mordecai and Taylor, “Three Kings of Rhythm”; Edyth Karen and Her Boy Friends, in “Songs and Dances of the Moment”; Paul Sal- varus and partner, equilibrists; Charles Martin, the cowboy bari- tone; Jean Hamilton and her Six Co-Steppers, in Riadiant Rhythms, and Irving Rose, in “Crazy Steps,” featuring Dorothy Norton and the Rhythm Octette. PARIS HANDS A HEARST TO KEMP’S BAND Not being satisfied with throwing William Randolph Hearst out of France, the authorities of Paris have moved to limit activities of foreign orchestras, aiming the ob- jection particularly at American musicians playing in Paris. First orchestra, whose appear- ance was forbidden, was that of Hal Kemp, engaged to open at the new movie theatre, Les Ambassa- deurs. Pretence is that talking pictures have reduced employment of musi- cians, playing in Parisian theatres to about ten per cent of the usual. Kemp orchestra had a month’s contract, and management ordered them to continue, but police threat- ened a fine of 100,000 frans, about $4000 if they continued. This has stirred up a considerable row in American musical circles, where every consideration has been given foreign musicians here, not- withstanding the inroads into their jobs that the talkies have occasioned in this country. It is believed that, in retaliation, passports of foreigners will be closely looked into here, and a si- lent boycott may be instituted against French musicians playing in this country. BEAUTY LINE-UP Fashion Features Studio, delinea- tors of coming fashions in Techni- color, will show Mona Marie, Belle Bennett, Pauline Garon, Lucille Williams, Sally O’Neill, Vivien Oakland and Martha Sleeper in this month’s release. TIOMKIN REGRETS Europe wishes to hear Dimitri Tiomkin in concert again. For the second time this month, the Russian composer has cabled his regrets in response to an offer for a concert tour of the European capitals. He is at LTniversal. MARY NOLAN BACK Having gained ten pounds in weight during her seven weeks of complete rest, Mary Nolan is back at Universal, and will soon be given her next starring assignment. Three stories, two of them originals, are now being considered. JANET MALDON STUDIO OF ALLIED ARTS Art Programs, Routing for Variety Artists Miniature Grand Piano for Rent Representing Jolly Jones of F and M Club Dept. Affiliated with Screenland Select, Inc., ior Pictures 6720 SUNSET BLVD.—HOLLYWOOD, CAL. PHONE GLadstone 8264 NELSON and • THACHER • JUST COMPLETED FOUR WEEKS WITH PARAMOUNT Offering Sincere Thanks Harry Gourfain, Harry Santley 3-BLUE BLAZES—3 “MASTERS OF RHYTHM” PARAMOUNT LOS ANGELES SALES RENTALS COMPLETE STAGE EQUIPMENT SCENERY STAGE PRODUCTIONS PRESENTATION SETTINGS FABRICS—RIGGING—SCREENS J. D. MARTIN STUDIOS 4110-18 Sunset Boulevard HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA OL. 1101