Inside facts of stage and screen (October 25, 1930)

OCT. 25, 1930 INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN PAGE NINE ‘RADIO EXPANSION MANACLED/ LEE COMMISSION RULINGS AT FAULT, SAYS Radio broadcasting situation in Washington is apparently in a hope- less muddle according to Don Lee, head of the Don Lee California Broadcasting System, who has re- turned from the East. Don Lee, went to Washington to confer with the Federal Radio Com- mission relative to applications for an increase in power for Radio Sta- tions KHJ ' in Los Angeles and KFRC in San Francisco. The California broadcaster spent considerable time in the national capitol in conference with the radio engineers, commissioners, and White House executives. “The normal expansion of radio broadcasting in the public interest is hopelessly manacled at the present time by abitrary rulings and policies set up by the Federal Radio Commis- sion,” said Mr. Lee. “The principal upon which the Federal radio act is predicated is that public interest, convenience and necessity shall at all times be the primary objective of all broadcast- ing. Just how far the Federal Radio Commission had digressed from this principle is evidenced by the anomalous position that we found ourselves in at our recent meetings with the Commissioners. “The entire Commission was unanimous in expressions of ap- preciation for the character of pro- firams and high standard of broad- casting maintained by KHJ and KFRC, and yet was frank to admit that the last allocations of cleared channels made by the commission precluded their ability to encourage those broadcasters, who were most ably and conscientiously serving public interest, convenience and necessity. “Here is a situation,” continued Air. Lee, “where actual merit and service to the public can not be recognized or given any opportunity to expand. This situation so de- finitely defies the fundamental prin- ciples of American law and equity that an accounting to the public of their stewardship will very soon have to be faced by the powers re- sponsible for this condition at Washington. HAVE YOU HEARD BILLY VAN On K. G. E. R? STOP and LISTEN to the WESTERNERS MALE QUARTET KFRC San Francisco CHERIE and TOMASITA Who are featured in Jack Laughlin’s La Fiesta Creations at the Million Dollar in L. A., are making 1 their first coast appearance in seven years. This team, featuring a sister adagio, have three world tours to their credit despite, still being in their early teens. Their success at the Follies Bergere in Paris, and their triumphs in the Orient have made them the talk of the continent. They were fea- tured in the Loew houses in New York, when they were brought over by Oscar Hammerstein 10 months ago. PERSONAL MANAGEMENT JOE CORNBLETH. Lyons and Lyons, Hollywood, Calif. “There are members of the com- mission, who recognize the injustice of the present rules and policies, and these men are endeavoring to remedy this deplorable condition, but unfortunately there are obsta- cles being continually placed in the way of this accomplishment. “The only relief suggested at Washington was for us to attack the broadcasting stations in Los An-, geles and San Francisco now oc- cupying cleared channels. This idea is so repugnant to my concept of good business practice and is such an evident evasion of the Com- mission’s responsibility that I re- fuse to entertain this advice. A sufficient percentage of the popula- tion of California has. two stations that we should not be required to accomplish this expansion at the expense of other broadcasters. “All the people of California are entitled to enjoy the programs now being furnished by the Don Lee California Broadcasting System and we propose to obtain this enjoy- ment for them regardless of the technical obstacles set up at Wash- ington.” RKO vaudeville again, this past week, claimed another star of in- ternational repute, when Mary Lewis, famous American soprano, was signed to open an engagement in Cleveland on October 25. * * * Four Marx Brothers, who topped the bill at the RKO Keither Palace, New York, last week, were, as was expected, such a riotous success that they are held over for another week. * * * Roy D’Arcy, ex-sleek, sly “vill- yun” of the screen, is preparing a new vaudeville act that will be given its New York showing soon. * * * Vaudeville favorites appearing in New York theatres this week, in- cluding Marion Sunshine, Gus Van, Morton Downey, Venita Gould, York and King, Vanessi, and many others. All soon to take to the road and headline bills in RKO theatres. * * * Olsen and Johnson are playing this week in Toledo. They have another long route to play for RKO. * * * Joe Donahue, brother of the late Jack Donahue, has formed a stage partnership with Nellie Breen, pop- ular comedienne of musical comedv and vaudeville. Joe last played a route as a featured member of one of the Harry Carroll revues, and Miss Breen has, for the most part, been associated with Lester Allen, both in vaudeville and musicals. * * * “Youth will have its fling,” would be a fitting title for the “Big Sur- prise,” which is being presented in RKO vaudeville by Eddie Dowling. Its personnel comprises stars and headliners of bygone days, all young at heart. There are six of them, Josephine Sabel, Lizzie Wil- son, Annie Hart, Tommy Harris, Danny Simmons and Dave Genaro. * * * Betty Wheeler, former wife and stage partner of Bert Wheeler, has formed a partnership with Lionel Kaye, in a lively skit, entitled “No Bout A Doubt It.” SCREEN VOTE LEAGUE WILL INCORPORATE SACRAMENTO, Oct. 23. — Articles of incorporation have been filed with the secretary of state by the Stage and Screen Voter’s league, a Hollywood organization whose directors include Sam Hardy, Ro- bert Emmett O’Connor, Charles Miller, Equity secretary, Kenneth Thompson and Alitchell Lewis. League is to “advocate, promul- gate and sponsor adaption of such measures as will benefit amusement on stage or screen and promote their interests socially, politically and economically.” LEAGUE OF VOTERS AGAINST FISH BILL TESTING VAUDE Three and four-unit acts of vau- deville are being featured at War- ner Bros. Earle Theatre, Washing- ton, D. C., with regular Vitaphone specials. Should the public favor- ably react to the vaudeville supple- ment, a new policy for Warner the- atres may be inaugurated. O’NEIL AT CAPITOL SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 23. — Frank O’Neil is in as comic at the Capitol, replacing George Murray. O’Neil is from the Eastern wheel. Stage and Screen Voters’ league, political voice of 35,000 persons en- gaged in the amusement industry, has gone on record as opposing Constitutional Amendment No. 11 on the November ballot, a move to bestow “plenary powers” on the state fish and game commission. Charles Miller, executive secre- tary, stated the league’s executive board, disapproved the proposal on grounds it would attack fundament- al principles of government by granting legislative, executive and judicial authority to one small sential weakness in conception. COMMISSION . CUTS KGEF SIXTY DAYS WASHINGTON, Oct. 23.—The federal radio commission granted today a 30-day license to station KGEF, Los Angeles, operated by the Rev. R. P. “Bob” Shuler, pend- ing an investigation of charges against the station. The license dates from Nov. 21. 6720 SUNSET HOLLYWOOD, CAL. PHONE GLadstone 8364 JANET MALBON STUDIO OF ALLIED ARTS VOICE—PIANO—DRAMATICS Art Programs Routine for Variety Artists To accommodate the profession Miniature Grands and Bungalow Uprights are for sale or rent. Students Prepared for Stage and Screen Placed When Qualified FITZROY 1241 GENE DAVE FITZROY 1241 KL1EGL BROS. LARGEST PACIFIC COAST STOCK FITZROY 124 1 PINEAU &■ HOWSE THEATRICAL STAGE LIGHTING CO. ROAD SHOWS COMPLETELY EQUIPPED COMPLETE RENTAL DEPARTMENT WRITE FOR GELATINE SAMPLE BOOK 1451 VENICE BLVD. LOS ANGELES, CALIF. FOOTLITES BORDERLITES SPOT LITES OLIVETTES PORTABLE SWITCHBOARDS DIMMERS GELATINE EFFECTS FITZROY 124 1 SALES RENTALS COMPLETE STAGE EQUIPMENT SCENERY FABRICS- J. D. MARTIN STUDIOS STAGE PRODUCTIONS PRESENTATION SETTINGS -RIGGING—SCREENS 4110-18 Sunset Boulevard HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA OL. 1101