Inside facts of stage and screen (January 31, 1931)

Page Two Saturday, January 31, 1931 INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN Orpheum Stage Show Policy To Be Permanent Injuries* 421,850 SACRAMENTO, Jan. 29.-—State Industrial Accident Commission paid'-out $421,850 during the last five years for deaths and injuries., in the motion picture industry, ? a report filed at; the. state capitol revealed. Fifty-five lives were lost, 68 workers suffered per- manent injuries and several hundred were temporarily injured, according- to the report. Queeerst of the freak compensation awards was recorded in the case of Fred Metz, who was pinched on the right eye lid by a lob- ster as he stooped to pick up another. IS FIELD BflS (Continued from Page 1) to- wit: men with a bit of money which they use to ankle in upon a good proposition, or to jump into the breach of'Some money-making field not- seen by less shrewd minds. .Naturally ..New York; and the. stock market was the most verdant; field for their . operations— up until , the crash. But when the panic came and money got tight around the stock exchanges, they found the going dead. And many of them turned—and more arc now turning—to the picture game as about the best gamble in the U. S. today. Another big ace for the growing ranks of hides is the low salaries at which they can obtain tried and boxoffice talent. Writers, actors, directors; all have been hit by the Hooveristic era so hard that the Holly wod salary scale, in a general sense, has- done a serious decline. This gives the hides a chance to grab off good b. o. names for a ■fraction of them true worth. Break For Talent Return of the indes is a big break for the film talent, and eventually will operate to send the salary scale upward in the big studio field. The big producers had things all their own way when they monopolized production, but tiow the old reliable stabilizer is coming back. The Plays group threats and even blacklisting loses some, of its terrors when there are class indes around to give the hounded one another chance. The center of the newly-arrived inde activity is the Tec-Art lot. ' where at the present time six pic- tures are in actual production and two more are preparing. Nat Levine is shooting a serial, "King of the Wild,” Norah Lane as starring in a Mascot picture which Richard Thorpe is directing; Louis Lewyii is shooting a feature. "The Voice of Hollywood”; the Disney Brothers have their popular star, Mickey Mouse, going, stead- ily; Tom Terriss is starring in a "Vagabond Adventure Series which . Elmer Clifton is directing; the Fashion Features continue produc- tion; and the G. C. Reed Produc- tions is doing a series of: detective shorts; In preparation are a Nick Stuart feature to be rhade by the Holly- wood Syndicate, under direction of Bruce Mitchell; and a Charles Hutchison picture featuring Ran- dolph Scott. Can Sell These pictures, and those of other inde producers are not all intended for the state rights mar- ket or its equivalent. General be- lief among the indes is that the big studio market is riper than it has been for a long time, and that any picture which is good can be sold to one of the big companies. One of the standby inde producers of Hollywood, Joe Rock, recently completed two films and apparently liad no trouble whatsoever in dis- posing of them. Radio Pictures bought one and Paramount the other, and it is understood that Lock is practically set to dispose of five more to Par. FLAG FOR LYMAN The big flag is out for Abe Ly- man, draping over the Boul outside the Roosevelt Hotel. It’s the first time this class hostelry has hung out the rag for the music-makers within. Abe and his band opened last week at the Roosevelt, doubl- ing the new spot and the Carthay. He succeeded Pee Wee Byers. It is understood Abe’s aggregation was also wanted for ‘‘Once In a Lifetime,” but the Roosevelt offer prevented. Metrd-Goldwyn-Mayer’s Portland office came in fourth on their sales drive, pulling down a $2500 cash award. Manager Louis Amakcr was ably assisted by Mac Rubenfeld and Joe Warren, salesmen. Office managers, bookers, cashiers — every- body comes in on the prize. * * * Bill Callahan, L. A. salesman for M-G-M, is recovering from an at- tack of flu and will be back on the job in a few days. fc * * M-G-M Club saw a preview of Joan Crawford’s new one, “Dance, Fools, Dance.” These are pleas- ant evenings for M-G-M employes. Pre-release showings of shorts filled out the program. * * 1 * Branch Manager George Naylor of Universal is at Murietta Hot Springs for the week. He has' had a long siege of illness and deserves a good rest now and then. * * * Those two nice Universal book- ers, Harold Whitman and Arthur Kalle-n, stopped working long enough to say that Los Angeles branch .jumped from third to sec- ond place this week in the Laem- mie Silver Jubilee played and paid business contest. * * % Jack Sinfcr, United Artists dis- trict- manager, has been confined in Seattle because of illness. He’s just about ready to get back to business again. * * * Rita Weir is in the office of U. A., replacing Miss Perkins, who lias gone back to Fox West Coast. * * * There is much buzzing up and down the Row as a preliminary to getting things going for the big ex- hibitors and exchangemen’s mid- night show which will be. held Feb- ruary 21. It’s a worthy benefit af- fair and committees are planning- some great stuff. * * * The new Los Angeles Theatre has contracted for both issues of Pathe Sound News'. Not a bad break all around; * * * Salesman Tom Kitching is mak- ing a good showing with All Star. He’s' -got regular weekly bookings in over 20 cities in Arizona for his organization. Fallon In Opening at Solomon’s Owen Fallon, whose picture appears on page 1 of this is- sue, opened big at Solomon’s. Ballroom this week for a mati- nee and night run. He has had his aggregation of instrument- alists and dance tune special- ists together for six years, and no changes. That kind of speaks way up there for Maes- tro Fallon and his way of handling an orchestra. There are eight pieces in the band and they double with the effectiveness of a 12-piece out- fit, four violins, four saxes, Jour brass, and he has a repu- tation for putting over novel- ties and specialties that lias won a little reputation for it- self, also. Owen and his band have just closed a solid four years at the Cinderella Roof, where they drew tremendous busi- ness. mmm Prologues will be a regular feature of the Orpheum Theatres, both in Los Angeles and. San Francisco, starting with the atmospheric prologues which will open in both houses February 6 with the RKO feature film, “Cim- arron,” When announcement was- first made by Inside Facts two weeks ago that the spots would go back to stage-and- scraen policy it was not definitely known whether there would be a re- version to all-screen policy after the one picture. However, it is understood that it is now planned to keep stage shows as a regular part of the offerings for the future. Bud Murray, prominent L. A. stage director and head, of the Bud Murray School of the Dance, has been signed bj r Cliff Work as general stage and dance director for both the S. F. and L. A. Orpheums. Carlton Kelsey will be the orchestra leader at the local spot. Staffs for the two houses are being engaged, on a permanent basis. Th(T opening prologues will be at- mospheric; featuring a male chorus of 40, with a total cast of 60. A num- ber of full-blooded Osage Indians have been signed by Murray. Featured Caucasian talent includes Picric White and Otar Sbi'let. Scenery will be by Harry Billheim- er and William McConnell of the Scenic Construction Company, and the Western Costume Company has landed the contract for costuming. | Set Seen and Heard Auto Show drawing the big crowds out Wilshirc Boulevard way . . . Olsen of Olsen and Johnson in Bank of Hollywood elevator with a nice new script tucked under arm . . . Dull evening at Henry’s. Not a single holdup or attempted mur- der all night . . . Adele Windsor sitting with a tall, attractive blonde . , . Harry Green after the night show dropping over to Adele with information that the “Ambulance Chaser,” wliich he and Joe Schenck own, will be made into a flicker. Also that Doit Gallaher, Miss Windsor’s ex-husband, will direct the dialogue and play his same stage role . . . Henry in Tux back from Sid’s opening at the Mayan, pulling a rave . . . Charlie Chaplin with charming Georgia# Hale—I wonder if she will also' be on the “Round the World Jaunt” after the opening of “City .Lights” ..... . Dave Allen, of..Central Casting . . . Wallace Beery telling- of his latest thrill while working “Hell Divers,” .Navy air story, in which he dives 10,000 feet—rat a target— and re- leases a bomb before leveling off — each time the “gunner” or rear seat gets the ride and turns black from the sudden loss of blood from his head . . . Back-stage to see Harry Green. He knows what a dressing room' these days should be like . . . It will be the most popular spot “In Hollywood Now”- — Excuse it, please, Mr. Bud Murray ... In the same place, Georgie Stone . . . Peter the Hermit gesticulating in the sunshine, “I didn’t over-act, -and I didn’t under-act — I didn’t even need to act!” THOSE SCHULERS There must be something about this name of Schuler. Two young- sters of that name, “Smiling Bob” and “Dynamite Jack” have won quite a rep for themselves as kid pugilists under the moniker “Fight- ing Schulers.” They appeared Wed- nesday night on a K. of C. pro- gram in Hollywood. KELLEY ON TRIP John J. Kelley, secretary and treasurer of the Theatre Managers Association, left for San Francisco on a business trip Tuesday. CULLEN TAKES LEASE Ray’s $68 Tie-Up The cast of the floppo show, “Between the Covers,’’ don’t think Raymond Hatton is as funny as he’s re- puted, to be, ( The, reason is. that the screen comic is currently tieing up the Equity bond filed on the show, and the others can’t get their money. The show, which was produced by Sam Rourke and directed by Oliver Morosco at the Biltmore, went into rehearsal December 6. It did an extremely brief run, and then closed. The Equity bond was oke and so would everything else have been had Hatton not claimed an extra night’s wages of $68 on his $600 a week salary. He attached the bond, and now everything is temporarily held up. Portland By ART ROGERS _ William P. Cullen has a lease on the Hollywood Playhouse. Harry Green’s “The Ambulance Chaser,” is going to be- held over an extra week due to the business it is doing. John Egan, manager of K.WJJ, makes his own cigs—his own friends — well John made KWJJ— first station in L T . S. to. present F. and M. acts over the air—(says John) — Mildred Allen—Helen Rit- chey — the smiling girls of KWJJ think fast—-work fast — go home alone — street car trailer in all the- atres — 2 /< cents a ride — cheap? — Chicago it’s by-by— * * * Dufwin Theatre getting great crowds here—town going .for stock company in a big way—why not— look at the names—(Guest Stars) — Pauline Frederick— May Robson — Leo Carrillo—others on the wa}' to the Duf-winer—Money—Money— Money. * * - * F. and M. Gondoliers Idea' lost. Salem, Ore. — was jumped from Portland to Milwaukee, Wis. — to -open January 29. * * * Advisory board of L A. T. S. E. ’Dist. No. 1 met January 24 -and approved plans for a convention March 16 — Big time for Portland — Hey— Hey. * 4= * TAiramount Theatre changes open- ing day — now it’s Friday —anything can happen under the heading of amusement. -i- * -r- Paramount running a Whoopee Midnite show every Saturday— Ol- lie Wallace as m, c. Assisting Ol- lie is that capable mUsicial, Lea- pold—the head man of the band (some band)—theatre giving $15 cash to local talent—might get to be a (biz getter— who can tell —I know— B. O. * * * Received word that Eddie Hill took the last curtain in Chicago, 111 . * 4 ^ Fox Broadway doorman helping aged lady leaving theatre—to eat- ing emporium —is that service * * * Del Milne and his band opened at the Hotel Multnomah with a bang. Mel! Blanc—comedy was a riot— this boy will be in lights some day —Miss Giilhouse was there all in white and believe me a class enter- tainer—looks like Del will will be .at the hotel a long time — K. G. W. is the broadcaster from hotel. * * w Visiting the Highland Tavern you will find most anyone from the theatrical world putting on the feed bag — even me-—I go for at least a cup of coffee. * * * KOIN gets the crowds—anytime of the day or night one will find Eddie Busy Boy In Two Ace Spots NEW YORK.—Eddie Pea- bodj-, the Banjoy Boy, who came here recently from the . Pacific Coast, is one of the busiest entertainers in town. Eddie opened big at Rudy Vallee’s Villa Vallee, scoring a riot with the customers of this ace spot. Peabody has complete charge of the Villa while Rudy is on the road for Paramount. In addition to this, Eddie is also doubling in the Fox houses and getting over for a million there. ME BV OHtSIHE SPOT Hiding away on the county si rip west of Hollywood, the La Bo- heme Cafe is not within the pro- hibitions of the local municipal ordinance which forces Los An- geles cafes to stop all dancing and music at one o’clock week nights and at midnight on Saturdays. This is a break for this cafe and can be credited for. most of. such business as the spot does, as other- wise the greater attractions at com- peting cafes doubtlessly would take a serious cut-in on the La Boheme, which has Marie Dcvoll as the only floor attraction and a small orchestra under direction of Clar- ence Kuchenbeckcr. people, watching the artist broadr casting— if is a bright spot — Heathman Hotel. 4 4 * J. J. Parker not only knows his- theatre—but also tne boxing game, and -how. * * >K P,odney Pantages was in town— giving it the once over:—something in the wind — hope it will mean work for the people that are laying. off. 4 * * RKO all this week S. R. O.— reason, York and King. * * * Elks’ Lodge No. 142 gave a party for the Harris Twins while they were playing the Paramount The- atre— the entire F. and M. show was entertained at the Elks’ tem- ple— a good time was had by all— (even me). * =i= * Here goes for a review; GUEST OF ENGLISHES ' Mr. and Mrs. Harry English, popu- lar guiding spirits of N. V. A.’s Hol- lywood office, are entertaining a house guest, Mrs. John A. Herne of New York. She is the widow of J. A. Herne, manager and producer of note years ago, who was brother to James A. Herne, author and featured player of ‘'Shore- Acres” and “Sag Harbor.” Mrs. Herne is responding to Califor- nia's well known sunshine in getting rid of . a case of arthritis. ON YEAR’S CONTRACT The Allisons, who are a feature in the first Fanchon and Marco vaude- ville unit, have been signed until 1932. JOINS INSIDE FACTS Hardy C. Love is new repre- sentative for “Inside Facts” in the Southwest territory.- He will cover beach cities including Long Beach and continue through San Diego to the important spots in Mexico. SINGING TRILBY Mildred Lewis has just finished her two year contract with Warner Brothers. She hasn’t had much op- portunity to rest yet. Her latest job is voice doubling for the part of Trilby, in the new talkie % T ersion of “Svengdli.” - j MOTHER ILL Mrs. Kuhn, whose daughters, the Kuhn Sisters are a well known vaude team, is seriously ill with plural pneumonia. Her recovery is expected soon. U. SIGNS DOOLEY Bill Dooley, screen comic, has been signed to a contract by Universal.