Inside facts of stage and screen (November 15, 1930)

NOV. 15, 1930 INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN PAGE THREE ARTISTS’ WAR HURTS FOX GROSSES In Hollywood—Now By BUD MURRAY Bud Murray Rite out in the Wide Open Spaces, to watch a Polo game at the ‘"Uplifters” between the “Red” and the “Blues,” and let us say rite now, this is no game for “Buttercups.” As we entered, Hal Roach, playing on the “Blues” took a “header” rite over his horse ; and immediately we thought of the “Prince of Wales” —and sort of subconsciously lookt at the reaction of WILL ROGERS, best man for the Prince when he was “falling,” who was strewn on the grass drest like an old fashioned “cow-hand.” Will was watching his son “Junior” play on the same team with Hal Roach, and young Rogers was in every melee. Eric Pedley on the “Reds” only made 7 out of 13 points. What a player! They couldn’t keep him out of the goal. “Snowy Baker” swings a wicked mallet too. And between “Chukkers” we ran into a real old timer who can tell you about the good old days—our old friend, Sam Rorke. In a Box, Martin Broones, husband of a real star (Charlotte Greenwood) who is getting by on his own. Martin is writing Music at MGM. And that king of Sports, in a creation of “All- white” denoting purity, none other than Patrick Frances Shanley, “Americas gift to the Hotel world”; Charley Miller, in the Judges’ stand—his side line is head of the Holly- wood branch of the “Equity.” A couple of Brother Masquers, Glenn Tryon and Bobby Venon, Ken- neth Thompson in a box and very swanky too—and we can truthfully say for real honest to goodness pleasure, spend any Sunday afternoon at one of these games, and witness some real HE-MEN ride some of the most wonderful horses, in the most sportsmanlike manner. Who said the “Silent Screen Actor” is slowly vanishing. Just look at this roster of “silent” Film Faces, who are IN HOLLYWOOD Now, and have been long before we came here-, and everyone of them were seen, in the course of an hour while we were lunching at the Brown Derby, one Torrid November noon, last week. Just look whom we see—Hoot Gibson, Jack Holt, Lew Cody and Fatty Arbuckle—Harry Langdon, Bobby Agnew, Charley Chaplin, Bessie Love, Harold Lloyd, and they are still in pictures, and doing very nicely, thank you— A surprise visit from a real Black-face comedian—We mean Rex Van, who workt with the Late George LeMaire a few years ago. Well, Rex just arrived in Hollywood, and will make some Records and in the interim is ready to go to work. , We also had a few words with Cy Kahn, that fine Ballad singer, who was with us in the late Harry Carroll Revue. Cy confides that he is quitting “golf” and wants to go to work. All we can say is, There s a hundred million others like you.” • . On the boulevard we bumped into Sidney Jarvis, whom we were with in the Winter Garden Production of “Monte Christo, Jr.”—and they had Sid dressed in “knickers”—No, you’re wrong—Jarvis has a very deep baritone voice and is IN HOLLYWOOD NOW acting and FOX BOXES TAKE DROP Fox box office grosses took a jolt this week due to midsummer weath- er and unfavorable publicity from United Artists camp, with very few of ’em getting far over the nut and most of ’em taking it on the chin. Warners’ “Life of the Party," with Winnie Lightner, took in close to $35,000 in its second and last week at the Hollywood and Down- town, piling a nice two-week gross of $80,000. (Hollywood house seats 2156, Downtown 2350, 35c-65c). Loew’s State (seats 2418, 25c- 65c), led with $29,189, “Way for a Sailor” and stage show, with Para- mount’s “Derelict” and stage show close behind at $26,500, (seats 3,- 596, 35c-65c). Grauman’s Chinese, (2030, 75c- $1.50, twice daily), $16,271, fifth week of “Big Trail.” Fox Criterion, (2000, 35c-65c) $15,369, six days “Billy the Kid,” second week. Pantages, (3000, 40c- 65c), $13,500, second week of “Du Barry.” Orpheum (2700, 35c-65c) $13,000 third week of “Check and Double Check.” Carthay Circle, (1650, 75c-$1.50 twice daily), $12,554, six days of "Just Imagine,” fifth week. RKO, (2700, 25c-65c) $12,500, six days, “Today” and vaudeville Boulevard, (2300, 35c-65c) $4,135 “Devil with Women.” Egyptian (1800, 35c65c) $4122, “Her Wed- ding Night.” MOSCONI TABLOID WILL OPEN HERE The Radio seems to get all the talent lately. For instance, last week we tuned in on K.H.J. and got a “load” of John P. Medbury (guess the P. stands for personality)—Why does a man have to become an M. C.?— The talent on this program was excellent—and included such well known stage and screen stars, as our friends Harry Green and Skeets Gallagher—Jack Oakie and Marjorie White—and what memories Bren- del and Burt brought back—Good old Century Theatre Days—Then Polly Moran wise-crackt with J. P. and a good time was had by all— Then there was the Lyons and Lyons air show with some excellent singing and we must mention Don Carroll, who played for us at the RKO Theatre last year—Don’s voice was perfect and smooth— We received a letter from Redmond Wells—who gets all the Holly- wood dirt NOW, and says “It’s worse laying off in Noo Yawk than IN HOLLYWOOD anytime”—Redmond met George Rosener and Tom Patricola on the Main stem, and they are aching to come back to HOLLYWOOD.—Redmond and Wells plays Newark next week—while Patricola opens in Washington this week and George Rosener is ad Dropt into the Olympic Fites to get a look at the second edition of the Newsboy Brown-Claude Varner re-match—Newsboy beat Varner every minute of the Fite, and vet this hard-boiled bunch at the Olympic booed the decision—We noticed Myra Lane, a young prima donna who workt for us in 1923 in the “Lady in Ermine,” as understudy for Helen Shipman— , . And we recall the battle we waged to have her work as a real principal in this show—One of the members of that cast who also helped is our boy friend who is sitting in the same Fite arena—We mean Bobby Woolsey, who isn’t doing badly at all—IN HOLLYWOOD NOW (That is, if you forget his Miniature Golf course) which now looks like ‘ No man’s land”— _ . _ , , The world’s greatest “I AM,” refereed the Reister-Burchard Fite— What-a-man-the “Great SHIRES”—How did he “chisel” his way in— when there are so many good referees out of work? The Record sports and Cinnematters departments have made a cou- ple of drastic changes—Ted Le Berthon is now batting for Jimmy Starr and Don Roberts for Stub Nelson—A fine quartette of regulars—All we can say is “The King is Dead, Long Live the King.” A very pleasant conversation with Milton Golden, newly elected assem- blyman from Hollywood, who wants to know if there are any new laws we want—No, Milton, what we want is to get rid of some of the laws that we don’t obey— , , Then we drift into the Friday Nite Fites at the Hollywood Legion and note with pleasure that Joe E. Brown is back in town after his long trip to Europe and other parts—Joe is all smiles as usual and is getting back to business— . We noticed another very dear friend of ours since 1921—when we trouped together in the ’’Last Waltz”—We mean Eddie Nelson, who has been touring the U. S. in vaudeville—Eddie had his Dollie rite with him; and Dollie is all smiles again because Eddie is back IN HOLLYWOOD NOW. Three kids in the first row raising cain—Edgar Allen Woolf—Mer- vyn Le Roy, Director and Ben Lyon—Another old time stage performer who is entrenched in pictures is Ned Sparks—and still another is our boy friend from the “Avenoo” in Noo Yawk—Tommy Dugan—Chuck Reis, ner, Film Director, steps in lively but late— And sitting very quietly watching Doc Kearn’s newest find is that ex-heavyweight champion, Jim Jeffries—Johnny Medbury, who insti- gates the rabbles of Mutter and Mumble sitting with his Impresario, Hal Horne—A few seats away that Ace of Dance Directors, Larry Ceballos, who is now taking a well-earned rest, and while resting is doing some Fanchon & Marco “Ideas”—and they are all IN HOLLY WOOD NOW. We dropt into Henry’s Restaurant after the Fites for the usual “snack,” where “good fellows get together,” and noticed a few brother Masquers, including. Bobby Vernon—Jimmy Finlayson—Hank Mann— and Andy Clyde—We also had the pleasure of seeing and hearing Mrs Jerry Hoffman telling the folks about her trip to “Noo Yawk,”—Elmer Clifton, who directed “Maid to Order”—We did the dances and he was a peach to work with— Vera Gordon, that darling ladv of the screen and stage, entertains a large party—Abe Lyman, that California fvorite now in his first year at the Carthay Circle Theatre—and again we run into that charming and cute Frances McCoy, another clever comedienne—and they are all IN HOLLYWOOD NOW. Million Dollar theatre is to see the premiere on November 20, of a new revue presented by Mosconi Brothers of New York and Holly wood. “Bill Telaak’s Revue” is the title. It will include Telaak, and Mosconi-trained dancers, Mary Dunn, Lucile Day, Maude Taylor, and “Mickey” Green. VALENCIA WILL GO ON ENSENADA RUN S. S. Valencia, recently completed steamer of the Burge Navigation company, will make her first voyage to Ensenada soon. Valencia carries a crew of 22, has 34 staterooms, with bed accommodation for 300 persons dance orchestra and unique din- ing room. She will make the En senada run in 12 hours, flying a San Salvador flag and will probably leave from the P. and O. docks. CLIFF WORK EAST SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 13.— Cliff Work, RKO Coast head, is in New York meeting with circuit ex ecs. DILLON AT FOX SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 13 — Fred Voigt has resigned from his post of Fox exchange manager be- cause of several months’ illness John Dillon of Washington, D. C. has succeeded Voigt. EMIL STURMER MUSICAL DIRECTOR PARAMOUNT THEATRE SAN FRANCISCO ‘Why Change Executives’ By TED PRICE, Showman-Analyst I find the series to be interesting and constructive. Very truly yours, JOSEPH I. SCHN1TZER, President of RKO Studios “Specialists have their relative value, too.” “You and your relative vales,” complained the Boss, “how are my high priced specialists going to look on them?” ‘The same way they do in other corporations, when they overesti- mate their value. They go to school and get an exact knowledge of their value in relation to the whole pro- ss.” “It’s a tough job you’ve tackled; asking executives to go to school,” warned the Boss. “I hope to tell you,” said Lefty, breaking a long silence. “What will Loretta Larson say when she hears that?” Is Loretta helping us to make up that forty per cent loss at the box office?” Backer glowered at Lefty. Well, her value as a Critic has been overestimated a bit,” put in Gate, “but in her place she helps pictures a lot.” Dead silence followed. “Would you mind loaning me that pin?” asked Gate looking up at the Big Boss. “Not at all. You’ll need it. To- morrow I’m going to introduce you to the Sultan of Wham and his scenarist, Jock.” It was a gathering of half seri- ous poker faces that assembled in the Story Conference room of the Cineman Castle the next day. Half serious because the” were showmen and poker because they were con- fronted by the old problem of gett- ng closer to public desire. Introductions were brief. “This is the Sultan of Wham, and his Scenarist, Jock.” They all ex- changed the Gate Crasher’s salute “Backer tells me you took him up in a bubble three times last night and brought him down twice,” said the Sultan. We didn’t have a pin sharp enough to let the air out of the third one. This pin is pretty dull,” and Gate showed his Majesty the one the Big Boss had given him. “That’s easily taken care of,” said the Sultan, “Jock here carries pins just for that purpose. Now just what is your racket, my friend? Who are you?” “Well, since you have asked me in that indirect and delicate fashion I’ll answer you. I usually register as Fundamental and Wife, Value, house detective or not.” “I see.” The Sultan was pro- foundly impressed. “You specialize in box office and entertainment values.” “Relative values,” corrected Gate “The demand for relatives has dropped off since we discovered their value,” the Sultan informed Gate. “Yet the plucking process does ^iot seem to improve the grbss.” “Which puzzles us to say the least. We have spent millions dish ing out value.” “You have that. The nut has been heavy,” agreed Gate. “But what puzzles me most is the attitude of the critics. They seem intent on jossing me, speaking in the Whang Ho of this section, because I take pride in my title.” “Which isn’t fair, to say the worst, or best or least or however you say it in the Whang Ho.” One chap stated that I was a sciolistic exploiter of religious pre- judice or fervor or something.” Which is a mean and cowardly thrust from the Alleys of Etomo- logy, that is if we are still speak- ing in the Whang Ho.” "We are,” advised his Majesty. They say of me what they said in the old days of George S.R.O. Sho- man. They called him a sciolistic exploiter of patriotic fervor.” “Perhaps that’s the reason Georgie stayed out of the galloping articulators. You were a little too fast for him in the Whang Ho.” “I have my thoughts,” mused the Sultan. “But why be annoyed by the critics. They’re all parrots, merely repeating what others say,” consoled Gate. “Yes, of course, but the—what the—” He looked sharp at Gate. You are still the monarch, aren’t STOP and LISTEN to the WESTERNERS MALE QUARTET KFRC San Francisco Behrendt-Levy-Rosen Co., Ltd. General Insurance Insurance Exchange Building VA 1261 you? As far as the critics are con- cerned, it looks to me like a case of sour coronets. Suppose they ignored you. Suppose you went deeper than sciolistic evploitation of religion or patriotism? They’d be just as quick to call you a propagandist. Then what would the Czar say about that? Bide your time, Sultan. Some day the critics will learn that talking pic- tures must be sciolistic to be enter- taining. Thought advances, your Majesty, and eventually the public will find out that the critics are merely entertainers in the Czar’s Court.” The point is well taken. But un- easy lies the laurel eager hands are reaching for my crown,” mourned the Sultan. “Not changing the subject, or digging into the past, but we were speaking of values,” reminded Gate, “Values!” His Majesty smiled grimly. “When I think back to the values we have staged. Every con- ceivable pattern and color of hokum from the splendours of the high heavens to the nethermost niches of limbo.” “Spoken like a true sceond run- ner,” commented Gate. “We have given the public phazes of sin and war so formidable the camera legs trembled,” sorrowed the Sultan. “Love so hot the assist- ant directors started a run on the gland department and Clara Bow walked off the set. Values. We gave them gang wars and prison riot that made A1 Capone wonder why he ever took up the profession. And still the public isn’t satisfied. We opened up the sea and let a legion of humans walk through dry- footed; a glimpse of the Savior and a panoroma of hell that brought Billy Sunday out of retirement. We sent an army of pioneers through the heat and sand of the desert, through the icy blasts of mountain blizzards, and the public asked for more. So we threw four nations at each other’s throats in a bloody, death dealing holocaust, and opened up a vision of what things would be like in the year 1990. Values. What, I ask you, does the public want in the way of values?” “Does the doctor ask the patient what is good for him?” “The playback is foggy.” The Sultan frowned. “I’ll give you a re-take. You’ve (Continued on Page 6) HAVE YOU HEARD BILLY VAN On K. G. E. R? N. Y. * STAGE & DANCE DIRECTOR & PRODUCER * L. A. (FACULTY)—Bud and Gladys Murray, Byron Cramer—1(BALLET)—Mary Frances Taylor * PRACTICAL DRAMATICS AND STAGE DANCING TAP, Off-Rhythm, “Modernized BALLET" & Acrobatics Only AUTHORIZED “Bay District Branch”—JANICE SPRAGUE SCHOOL 127 Marine St., Ocean Park—Tel. Santa Monica 63145 __ a _ a 1'HE ORIGINAL MURRAY SCHOOL” _______ new YORK, CHICAGO AND LOS ANGELES George and Florence Barclay PRODUCERS AND DANCE DIRECTORS now associated DOUGLAS SCHOOL OF DANCING 1417 7th avenue—Seattle On* of the finest theatrical producing dance etudioe on the Pacific Coaet ■‘Regarde to our many friend* in Loe Angeles”