Inside facts of stage and screen (October 18, 1930)

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OCT. 18, 1930 INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN PAGE FIVE In Hollywood—Now By BUD MURRAY Bud Murray Pictures - REVIEWS - ‘Legit’ At last, a Talking Picture Premiere at United Artists, where Eddie Cantor in “Whoopee,” produced by Sam Goldwyn and Florenz Ziegfeld, showed the “cock-eyed” world, how a Musical Talking Picture comedy should be done, after the other producers, threw a lot of Musicals on, one rite after the other, and finally the “Verdict” that Girly pictures were through, and all the choruses at different studios were let out. BUT—after seeing this one, they must admit they were wrong. Busby Berkely did a superb job of the dance routines formations, which were the hit of the picture, excepting Eddie Cantor’s inimitable comedy. The girls’ numbers always seem to fit in the picture, literally speaking. If we are not too fresh we can truthfully add, “Musical Comedies for Talking pictures are not through, if they do them like ‘Whoopee’.” (Revue elsewhere in this issue). And so, we will take you through the corridors, and see who’s who. Leo Morrison, diminutive book- ing agent— Mr. and Mrs. Charley Mosconi—Busby Berkely (himself)— Johnny Hines—A1 Newman, Mu- sical Director (formerly of Scandals) — Harry Rapf of MGM—Ethel Shutta (Mrs. Geo. Olsen) walking out with our boy friend, Eddie Cantor —signing auto- graph books— A1 Cohn looking the lobby over—wee George K. Arthur —Mr. and Mrs. John Medbury — Max Steiner, Musical Director at RKO and whom we worked with on Le Maires Affaires. Wm Le Baron head man of RKO— Jerry Hoffman of the Examin- er and Harrison Carrol of the Herald, talking into the Mike—Our friend Gus Shy—Frank Donegan looking “swell”— Constance Bennett getting a big reception from the “fans’—and lo and behold, the old-timer, One' eyed Connolly, with his trick cap cocked over his ear—and every one of them IN HOLLYWOOD NOW. Proceedings started at 9 :20 p. m.—Why can t they start at a regular hour? George Olsen furnished the music and HOW—What a band and what a reception he received. Eddie Cantor followed the picture, and kept the audience laughing, and finished with a remark About the actors panning Hollywood on their return to Noo Yawk”—Adding only those who don’t make good are the culprits who make these remarks. Which is the truth—and brings to our mind a flock of dear friends whom we worked with in stage playes in Noo Yawk and who came out here for pictures and have done exceptionally well. And here are a few who are going back to the legit or vaudeville but don’t knock Hollywood—Because, they have made the grade—to wit: Harry Gribbon, for a short vaudeville tour— Ben. Bard with a new partner, left for Noo Yawk last week— Joe Brown touring U. S. and Europe in personal appearances—same for Jack Oakie—Georgie Stone to vaudeville for a short jaunt— J. Harold Murray—Zelma O’Neal m a new stage play— Lillian Roth playing the Publix houses— Lena Bas- quette to the Harry Richman Club in Noo Yawk and should do great— And we always feel that there must be a sort of subconscious _ some- thing that stage people have, even when they are doing great in pic- tures and no matter how long they are in pictures, that yearning for the stage always lurks “just around the corner” IN HOLLYWOOD NOW and ALWAYS. A kick we get out of “Whoopee” was Bill Philbrick and Chief Ca- ^ paulicon —We worked with Bill IS years ago in Winter Garden produc- tions, and 18 years ago with the Chief, in the original “Mutt & Jeff” company—The Chief was playing a bombastic South American trick general, and Mack Sennett cops— Warren Jackson, of the team of Jackson and Bobby Connolly con- fess he has ironed out his difficulties with Fanchon & Marco and has rejoined the “New Yorker Idea”—On the Boulevard ran into Bernard McConville who wrote the book “Oh, Susanna.” Mac has another script under his belt which sounds real good—and then smack into a real old timer who looks young and can tell you about the good old days when he was with Henry W. Savage; Bill Cullen, who was the Manager with “Oh, Susanna” when it went to San Francisco, and we can truthfully say we never worked with a better “front man.” We ran into the “Dummy” newsboy who keeps shop in front of Henry’s—The Dummy burst forth with the news that Jack Oakie is playing opposite him in his new picture, “On the Spot,” for Paramount —Wonder whether it was true that the “Boys had Jack “on the Spot, in Chicago, or whether that was another high pressure publicity “gag” —The same goes for Clara Bow with her new galmbing picture and her “gambling escapade in Nevada— And then for the Main Event at the Olympic Fites Tuesday, with Abe Roth our pet referee and (pupil)— Jack Doyle, the old promoter back on the job and it looked good to see his smiling face at the ring- side—Our boy friend, Stub Nelson, Record sports writer, giving Mark Kelly, the Examiner sports writer, the “burn” when the news flashed that “Balcony” Jimmy Maloney beat “Carniverous” Camera in two heats—You know Mark thinks a heap of the Human Alp. Next to us the old Judge himself, Walter C. Kelly— Next to Walter, dear Charley Murray (still wishing he was a blood relation)— Lew Brown getting fatter and healthier—the two Boy Friends, Hobert Wool- sey and Bert Wheeler, who are mostly seen together on the screen— Bobby said “That he could get more out of a Bowl of Soup than a miniature golf course—(Ans., We had one for two weeks and sunk $10,- 000 . Dave Bennett enjoying the fight in his usual quiet manner—Dave still has some t ; me at the Paramount Studios—What a life—IN HOL- LYWOOD, NOW. For a little lunch at the Brown Derby and Rufus LeMaire, our old boss in Le Maires Affairs, confides he is getting hot to do a revue here, —if he can’t put one over here, then no one can—who will step forward with about $60,000. A few minutes with Si Barlett, our pal from Chicago, who totes along that new heavyweight find of Doc Kearns’— A1 Fay, who beat Les Kennedy and the wise ’uns didn’t except him too—A1 claims he will do better next time; hasn’t been here long and must get acclimated— we claim he didn’t do bad as he is. Joseph Santley is still IN HOLLYWOOD—and we see that Dick Powers is back in town; seems he only left last week for Noo Yawk- Jack Holt munching on a morsel of food—Brother Masquer Henry Clive doing the same—Our little girl friend Sally Starr, who was with us in Scandals and Le Maires Affaires and now playing in “Parlor, Bedroom and Bath”—and not doing bad in picures. In a booth, Mary Mulhern (Mrs. Jack Pickford) who was with us in “Scandals.” Mary is looking delicious, married life must be agree- ing with her IN HOLLYWOOD NOW—Our pet understudy in Good News. Kitty Flynn, another “peach” who made the grade in pictures— IN HOLLYWOOD. Then to the Fights at the Hollywood Legion to see “Boby La Salle” (this is not a typographical error)—Herd’s a “mug” who when hit and goes on his back comes up “somersaulting”—Everyone wants to see him licked, but he keeps slugging away—“goofy or not goof, that is the question—” But he draws the “suckers” in. Our dear friend. Bob McGowan, who has directed “Our Gang” comedies for ages, right next to us remarks that “One of the bloodiest fighters had too much “Rouge” on for Technicolor— John T. Murray : with Bob, cracks that “La Salle” has a great sense of humor—brought on by the awful pasting La Mar gave “Booby” and the Goof always keeps smiling with a B.B.B. pan. A few brother Masquers scattered here and there— Arnie Hood — Ernie Hilliard—Lee Horan—Walter Weems—Harry Joe Brown—Raol (Continued from Page 4) mg day’s matinee had a near c; pacity house. Downstairs was full* except for a few side seats and the upstairs was equally good. Only four bits top for the matinees. A dollar at night. Some capital performances were turned in at this initial show, under the directing hand of Ferdinand Munier. Particularly interesting was that of John Ivan. For several years Ivan has been near total blindness. However his eyesight has improved considerably, although he is still un- able to read. All this time his 14 year old daughter, Helen, has read his lines to him, and from this read- ing he has memorized his sides. Ivan is mighty popular in Oakland, and in this show romped away with plenty of applause, including the healthiest entrance hand of the show. His was probably the best performance of “The Fool.” Ivan’s daughter, Helen, who has helped her father so much in his work, made her bow as a profes- sional, handling the role of Mary Margaret, the little crippled girl. Youngster put over her stuff well particularly in the scene where she cast away her crutches and walked. Kirkwood was ideally cast in the role of Daniel Gilchrist. His char acterization of the radical Gilchrist was excellently done. Dufwinites have a find in Anita Deardorf, who, according to Emil Bondeson, is a University of California girl. Charlotte Treadway handled the part of Clare Jewett to perfection, while Helen Kleeb in a duo of characterizations did very fine work. Ralph Kline also clicked. Remain- der of cast included Dorothy Bay, Vivienne Isaacs, Beth Reynolds, J. Frank Glendon, Thomas L. Brower, William Abram, John Rohan, Leon- ard Strong, Francis Bolger, Charles Elder and Gabriella Vigh. Bock. KERR TO WRITE ‘FACTS’ REVIEWS Hadley Kerr, well known newspaper man, formerly of Chicago, is now a member of the “Inside Facts” reviewing staff. Mr. Kerr has been do- ing general work for motion picture studios for the last two years. His extensive study of production technique and story values contributes to the high critical standards of “Inside Facts.” about poor casting in some of these locals. Earl McCarthy cannot pro- ject his voice, and over-acts. As a juvenile lead, this boy is too much the amateur. Plenty of laughs in this show, but empty laughter. Kerr. Film Row Cuttings By HELENE STARICE Manager Goldberg, of Columbia exchange, is on the road, but Assist- ant Manager Tillman is on the job, back from a big selling trip up the coast. * * * Film Board of Trade announces following swaps in theatres. Strand, in Pasadena, sold by Fox West Coast to George L. Hanes. La Mesa, at town of that name, disposed of by Lewinson and Glea- son to Leonard Maxwell. Yeagre, Watts, which has been closed for a few weeks, now lighted by T. J. Atchley. Baldwin Park, at Baldwin Park, leased by Frank Ullmann. * * * Robert E. Power is in Calexico to watch work of decorating Fox Theatre there. * * * Fox, in Stockton, scheduled to open October 14. Fox, in Berkeley, after redecorations, opened October 10 . “LITTLE ORCHID ANNIE” HOLLYWOOD PLAYHOUSE (Reviewed Oct. 13) Farce comedy does not need much plot, but it should have some, and “Little Orchid Annie” hasn’t even that much. A mannequin’s three daddies decide to call on her and all pick the same night. Cops pack all off to jail. The rest of the play gets them free, and nothing happens. It would have been more interesting if the fight for the gal had continued. Main apneal of the play is some snappy dialogue and some funny costuming. First act is best. It presents the situation and everything looks promising, but the second act is merely a sketch of a slightly wild party. Third act is zero. Main merit lies in Mabel For- rest’s performance. She got five laughs to any other character’s one. This competent comedienne carried the whole play. After her exit in act one, action flopped with audi- ble thud; and thereafter the play’s merit rose and fell with her en- trances and exits. The play should have been written around her. Frederick Sullivan’s stuff was well timed and meant something. Sul- livan plays a butter-and-egg man very humorously. Julia Blanc, as Madame Elaine, was effective. Betty Bronson was well cast as Orchid Annie, dumb gold-digger. Her mannerisms show she is not perfectly at home on the stage, being amateurish at times. However, her lapses in technique rather fitted the character. Arnold Walsh plaved well, but his part is not the kind that appeals to an audience. Isabel Keith, Georgie Harris, Camille Rovelle, Ray Largay, Alber- tine Pickens, John Manning, Byron Alden, and Virginia Thornton are competent in their parts. It is time somebody complains ALCAZAR SAN FRANCISCO (Reviewed Oct. 12) Henry Duffy was smart when he and his wife, Dale Winter, went into the initial play of their come- back, “Michael and Mary” at the Alcazar. Hundreds of Duffy fol- lowers wanted to see those two. Thursday night’s opening was abso- lute capacity and this Sunday night show was plenty healthy. Dale Winter gave one of the greatest performances of her career in the role of Mary, handling the part with an ease and ability of note. Duffy was thoroughly ac- ceptable as the eternally young Michael. William Lloyd, in a brief scene, took a lot of the show’s honors in the role of Mary’s disappeared hus- band. As P. C. Cuff, Llpyd Neal was another, who turned in a good piece of work. Remainder of the cast, all uni- formly good, included Henry Caubi- sens, Zeta Harrison, Lillian Dean, Frank Dawson, William Macauley, Ross Chetwynd, David Scott, Eliza- beth Wilbur and Sheila MacGregor. “Michael and Mary” wasn’t espe- cially zippy at this show, the sec- ond act dragging considerably as a result of constant repetition. How- ever, customers seemed to like it. In a curtain speech Duffy reiter- ated his policy of sticking to clean plays for the whole family and thanked his friends for their con- stant support. Harry James and pit orchestra provided- entre’act entertainment with pop and semi-classical tunes. Bock. EATON, WEBB LEAVE Hollywood is minus two popular personalities. Mary Eaton, and her equally famous director-husband, Millard Webb, left last week for New York, enroute to London, England, where Miss Eaton will star in the forthcoming Paul Mur- ray revue, and Webb will direct pic- tures for a noted British studio. Warner Brothers house in Hunt- ington Park, will be opened some- time around Thanksgiving day. I This will be one of the fastest con- struction jobs on record. O’BRIEN FLIES BACK George O’Brien has just returned from a flying trip across the United States with a group of army flyers. RASCH TO RETURN Albertina,Rasch is expected home to lend her personal instruction and technique to her studio at Fairfax and Sunset Boulevard, in about two weeks. EARLE WALLACE Always Busy Developing Dancing Stars but Never Too Busy to Create and Produce Original DANCE ROUTINES and REVUES That Sell Belmont Theatre Bldg., First and Vermont Phone Exposition 1196 Los Angeles, Calif. Pagel —Ex Harlequin Sam Hardy. We noticed back at the fights, Dolly Nelson, looking younger every day—What a sweet girl— Mr. and Mrs. Macklin Magley, reg- ular fight fans—The Gold Dust twins— Paul Girard Smith and Har- ry Delf„ a couple of “pip” writers— Joe, head man of Henry’s trying to quiet B. B. B. Might as well try to stop Mt. Vesuvius— Then for a change of air (no cracks) to B. B. B’s Tunnel for a “snack” and after seeing that sold out house—We cannot say there are bad times—We had to sit in Leon- ard G. Stevens’ lap and listen to his bass notes— In walkt a flock of Managers and promoters in the Fite Racket, head- ed by Tom Gallery, Matchmaker of the Hollywood Legion Stadium— Carley McDonald—Lee Moore, who imports French Fiters— Pete Fla- herty — Doctor Martin — Ben Gal- lery, who gives the flappers a treat where he shows what the well dresst man will wear— Scattered here and there—-noticed Jean Hersholt — Claudia Dell, who was with us in the Harry Carroll Revue, now in pictures at Warners —Harry Santley—Armand Emanuel —Rubinoff, famous violinist — Lo- cust Susters—Fatty Arbuckle—Mar- garet Lawrence — Little Billy and quite a few more, but space won’t permit and JUST IMAGINE—-they are all in HOLLYWOOD NOW. N. Y. * STAGE & DANCE DIRECTOR & PRODUCER * L. A. PRACTICAL DRAMATICS AND STAGE DANCING TAP, Off-Rhythm, “Modernized BALLET” & Acrobatics “MODERNIZED BALLET” by Mary France* Taylor (Premier Danseuse) "Oh Susanna,” “Gone Hollywood,” “Student Prince," "Broadway Melody" “THE ORIGINAL MURRAY SCHOOL” ,OF NEW YORK, CHICAGO AND LOS ANGELES, GEORGE and FLORENCE BALLET MASTER AND MISTRESS Formerly 68 Successful Weeks Producing Weekly Changes in Australia’s Largest Theatres THE STATE, SYDNEY Producers Desiring Originality WRITE or WIRE -Permanent Address: INSIDE FACTS, Los Angeles—-