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

Saturday, January 31, 1931 INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN Page Nine M@ws ftttv M©t@s Fr©asa Tin Wan Alley Legitimate Review “LOST SHEEP” BILTMORE THEATRE (Reviewed Jan. 27) If one knows a great actor per- sonally, one takes a greater inter- est in his welfare. If he appears in a stage play that carries some suggestion of ill effect upon his ca- reer, the personal element causes one to be more apprehensive of harm. Many years ago Leon Errol gave this writer some experienced advice. At that time I was a comedian in burlesque, in which branch of the entertainment indus- try Errol grounded his skill in making people laugh. I still feel grateful to him, and I wish that I had been now in the position he was at that time to “talk things over” with him before he appeared in this production of “Lost Sheep.” Have you ever sat in the midst of cultured people—of course you have—and heard it ■whispered around that the group of people sitting over in the corner lived on the profits of the oldest profes- sion? There is a tension whenever anyone makes the slightest refer- ence to them and a shaky feeling of relief when the reference is astutely covered. That feeling of apprehension is present every mo- ment during the performance of “Lost Sheep,” and not even the rollicking carefree Leon Errol, with his expressive grimacing and half- intoxicated merrymaking, can quite dispel it. The locale of this piece is in a house once occupied by ladies of easy virtue, a brothel. As the cur- tain ascends, the house is being rented to a clergyman’s family. A meek and kindly little emisary of the church, his buxom wife and three daughters. You realize that most anything may happen and that nothing will—that is, of an indecent nature. You do know that laughs are in prospect. The question in your mind is whether this is the proper place for that ■kind of humor. “Lost SHee'p” is, broadly speaking, the story of the traveling salesman and the farmer’s daughter in three acts. One tittilatcs to this opus the moment the three daughters enter the scene. Of course the ensuing action is whoopeed and burlesqued to a high degree, but there are moments when it wavers danger- ously close to the edge of a.preach- ment, a sermon. This thing is daring-—too daring, if you ask me. ■And I was once in burlesque. It must be the Hollywood influence. Ted Price. “HI DIDDLE DIDDLE” GREEN STREET. S. F. (Reviewed Jan. 27) Sid Gold.trec got his greatest break on this forthy farce when the Chronicle busted out with a scath- ing denunciation of the Green Street . , . its "play's of plain inanity and dirt” . . . and its decision to keep all Green Street publicity and ad- vertising out of the Chronicle’s 'P a'ste columns. Since Sid sells his tickets to those people who are hunting for a broad-minded play, that’s a lot of swell publicity for (Continued on Page 11) Song Leaders LOS ANGELES End of the month slump is tak- ing its toll at the music counters as usual. "I Surrender, Dear” and “You’re Driving Me Crazy” still going for all they’re worth, which is plenty, according to sales. Ten best sellers for the week are: 1. “I Surrender, Dear” — Powers. 2. “You’re Driving Me Crazy” —Donaldson. 3. “Body and Soul”—Harms. 4. "Tears"—Shapiro. 5. “It Must Be True” — Wagg- ner. 6. “To Whom It May Concern” — De Sylva; Brown and Hender- son. 7. “Little Things In Life”—Ber- lin. 8. “I’m Alone Because I Love Y Ou” — Witmafk. 9. “My Ideal"—Famous. 10. “Peanut Vendor”—Marks. “Sing Song Girls,” Red Star and “Walkin’ My Baby Back Home,” De Sylva, Brown and Henderson should really be up among ’em in the ten best. It’s an even draw toward the end of the list. “Moon- light on the Colorado,” Shapiro, is still going strong with the out-of- twoners. “Lonesome Lover,” Feist, is brand new and very promising. “Hurt” is picking up to good pro- portions. Phil Kornheiser and Harry Hume have just taken it over. SAN FRANCISCO There was considerable shifting of leaders in the best-sellers list, with a bunch of new top-notchers in. First ten were: 1. “To Make a Long Story Short”—Red Star. 2. “Sing Song Girl"—Red Star. 3. “Peanut Vendor”—Marks. 4. “My Ideal"—Famous. 5. “You're Driving Me Crazy" — Donaldson. 6. “It Must Be True”—W'agg- ner. 7. “I’m All Alone” — Witmark. 8. "Little Things In Life”— Berlin. 9. “Crying Myself to Sleep — Berlin. 10. "I Surrender, Dear — Powers SEATTLE Leaders for the week here were: 1. “You’re Driving Me Crazy” — Donaldson. 2. “Little Things in Life”— Berlin. 3. “Cheerful Little Earful”— Remick. 4. “It Must Be True” — Wagg- uer. 5. “Blue Again” — Robbins. 6. “Here Comes the Sun” — Rob- bins. 7. “I’m Alone Because I Love You" — Witmark. 8. “Sweet Jennie Lee” — Donald- son. 9. “I Surrender, Dear” — Powers. ' 10. "I’ll Be Blue”—Feist. Added to the cast of "The Im- postor,” William Haines’ new M-G-M film, arc Marjorie Ram- beau, Hedda Hopper, Martha Slee- per and Joan Marsh. ItC. I BIOS II CHOICE POSITIONS The Music Corporaiton of Amer- ica continues to hit a high pace of activity. They have assumed man- agement of Earl Burtnctt and his Biltmorc Hotel Orchestra, and plan to take that unit back East for a short summer run, or else to the Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Fran- cisco. Burtnctt is playing the Paramount Theatre this week at a record salary figure, and proving a big draw with the public. Perk Carr and his Agiia Caliente Hotel Orchestra arc now filling a successful engagement at the Grant Hotel in San Diego. Owen Fallon and his orchestra opened big at Solomon’s Ballroom on January 30. Ralph Bennet and his Seven Aces opened in Denver January 29 at the Cosmopolitan Hotel for a six weeks’ engagement. They arc suc- ceeding Jimmy Joy, who is moving ou to his next spot, the Lowry Ho- tel at St. Paul. The Bagdad Ball- room in San Francisco is featuring Joe Wright and his orchestra. All these hands are attractions offered by the Music Corporation and arc working under their management. TWO CELEBRATE SEATTLE, Jan. 29.—Two pop- ular band leaders celebrated their first anniversaries in Seattle this week. Owen Sweeten at the Fifth, whose band is becoming an institu- tion in the city, and Tex Howard, who wields the baton at the Tri- anon for dancers. Both men have built up enviable reputation's for better class popular music and have landed solidly with Pacific Northwest listeners. And by the by, Howard’s son, Wyatt, is. be- coming a real entertainer with a fine, wcll-dictioned singing voice that his dad should be proud of. SCHWARTZ OPTIMISTIC SEATTLE, Jan.29.—Art Schwartz of Witmark’s was in town to look over the sheet music biz, and re- ports that things arc on the up- and-up. Adams of the Brunswick-, Warner Bros, merger also was in town doing biz on the new two-bit record, “Melotone.” Situation In Music Bad; Back to Pen SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 29.—The changing music sit- uation made it too tough for Damascus Gallur, former San Quentin prison band director and well known as a musi- cian and composer, and he re- turned to the penitentiary this week as a “protected” con- vict. Gallur was paroled about 18 months ago after serving 14 years for the murder of an Oakland jeweler. MUSIC by WOODY George Waggner and Richard J. Powers have joined forces and merged into one publishing house. They have offices over Morse Prec- man’s music store; regular offices with outside men and a girl ’n’ everything. Just, a word for Sammy Epstein at the , Kress counter. He’s the pluggingest plugger that ever war- bled to hectic shoppers. A great boy, always on the job. Nat Winekoff, Famous represent- ative, another god worker, had a couple of visitors while he was do- ing his stuff. Billy White, Gus Arnheim singer, and his wife dropped in for a hello-fest. BACK FROM N. W. SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 29.— Abe Bloom has returned from a Northwestern tour in the interest of the Berlin music catalogue. REMAINS AS REP SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 29.— Boh Cole will remain here as local representative for the new music publishing firm, Hollywood Syndi- cate. He is headquartered at the Ambassador Hotel. “Imagine” and “Sweet Rockin’ Rhythm” are his tunes. TAKES AIR TRIP Benny Berman, representing De- Sylva, Brown and Henderson, made a flying trip from San Francisco in an airplane because of the illness of his’ daughter. SIGNED FOR “FLOOD” _ Eleanor Boardman has been signed for the leading feminine role in . Columbia’s “The Flood.” Ml HI sum IS STOCK WSE SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 29.— Former Players’ Guild Theatre on Sutter street has been taken over by Bruce Payne and Larry Cook and renamed the Gaiety and will open February 12 as a stockhouse. The 572-seat house will have two shows nightly, at 7 and 9 p, m., and prices will range from 20 cents to half a buck, no more. Bar- gain nights with a 40-cent top are also in prospect. Payne and Cook will also play parts with a cast that includes Richard Ellers, Diana Holliday, Charles Gregg and George Morti- mer.. "The Worm Will Turn” is the opening piece. Payne and Cook w r ere formerly in the cast of several Sid Goldtree shows at the Green Street. STAYS ON COAST SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 29.— Charles Virian will remain on the Coast as representative for Santly Bros., music publishers. He will bicycle between here and Los An- geles. Present tunes are “Blue Pa- cific Moonlight, “You’re the One I Care For” and “Wedding In tha Ark.” CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS Dr. Edith Woods Rm. 4 — 1096 No. Western Ave., Corner Santa Monica H. E. BILLHEiMER CONSTRUCTION CO. SPECIALIZING IN BUILDING SCENIC PRODUCTIONS FOR LEGITIMATE THEATRES HOIIy 0738 6122 Salem PI. Hollywood, Calif, JACKS BACHELORS CRYSTAL ROOF BALLROOM LONG BEACH LONG BEACH JACK YOUNG Gill Scott Bill Schoeder Art Brunelle Jimmy Wood Buddy Crowell Larry Hill, Mgr. KGER KGER and HIS SERENADERS Now Playing Indefinite Engagement at the HOLLYWOOD GARDENS, HOLLYWOOD CAL. FITZROY 1241 KLIEGL BROS. LARGEST PACIFIC COAST STOCK FITZROY 1 24 1 GENE DAVE FITZROY 1241 PINCAIJ&UCWJE Theatrical Stage Lighting Co. ROAD SHOWS COMPLETELY EQUIPPED COMPLETE RENTAL DEPARTMENT WRITE FOR GELATINE SAMPLE BOOK 1451 VENICE BLVD. LOS ANGELES, CALIF. FOOTLITES BORDERLITES SPOTLITES OLIVETTES PORTABLE SWITCHBOARDS DIMMERS GELATINE EFFECTS FITZROY 12 4 1