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

Saturday, January 31, 1931 INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN Page Eleven (Continued from Page 9) him. As a matter of fact “Hi Did- dle Diddle’’ could stand a few more laughs and broad lines for business reasons; Play is staged by Hugh Metcalfe who also played the lead. Belle Foster and Betty Blossom carried the leading fem roles and other members, of . the cast were Ray Ed- munds, Rollon Parker. Gerald H.c.itln r. , ( indy Swanson, Jessie .King, Ed., E.awrcnce . and. Larry Cook. (Story concerned a man .who. lost His. wedding gift, a check for 10,000 franc's, the night before his marriage and then joined a traveling Shakespearian troupe as prompter in order to give his wife a honeymoon. There were three scenes. As entre act entertainment Van Van Syckle was at the piano doing his one man band stuff, unique en- tertainment to say the least. Hal. FOX San Francisco Reviewed Jan. 23 After much casting about and ex- perimenting in the various branches of flesh entertainment it appears that the Fox has struck upon an ideal type by opening the fertile field of opera with its many sub- sidiaries. While most theatres and their, orchestras are content to grind out. the usual run of pop tunes with an occasional classic, Walt Roesner and orchestra jumped into grand opera before any other house in the country. And while this week’s presentation of “Faust’’ in a condensed form was wholly experi- mental, if audience applause and comment are any barometers, then this policy is a cinch. Roesner, Her- man Kersken and all others asso- ciated in the assembling and pro- duction of this offering can step right, up and take a brace of bows for the results of their efforts. Even the Roxy, with all its im- pressive production and great facili- ties, hasn’t done anything quite like this—presenting opera pure and un- adulterated, but in a condensed form, to motion picture house pat- rons. It’s a forward step, and for a class house such as the Fox is bound to build up its swank patron- age," its draw among lovers of good music and its interest to students. Running for 27 minutes, this French version of “Faust” had much to rec- ommend it in the way of great set- tings, splendid musical set-up, im- pressive vocal and ballet work and good lighting. The four tableaux were beautifully produced, the Apotheosis., dosing the opera, being a masterpiece in group handling, color and lighting. There was a vocal ensemble of thirty, a ballet of 20, and 41 musicians under Roes- ner’s baton. Apotheosis and W.al- purgis Nights scenes have seldom been done around here and were the better received for that. Offering opened with the ensem- ble or. stage, -while a cleverly, con- ceived trailer briefly outlined story of “Faust” and was a valuable aid to those unacquainted with it. Ini- tial scene was that of Walpurgis Nights, with Mcphistoles driving his bargain with Faust. A brief drop to one and then back to full stage and the Inferno scene, color- fully done. Vocal ensemble and ballet of twenty Estella Reed danc- ers lent color and life to the se- quence, the dancers offering a classi- cal type of work seldom seen—-simi- lar to Ito and Mary Wigman—be- ing more a study in lines and pos- ture than present dancing. Shift to the jail scene where Marguerite. Faust and Mephisto held, stage and then the opera closed with the Apotheosis where the angels.de- THE CUPBOARD Broadway at Salmon PORTLAND, OREGON Fanchon and Marco Route List of “Ideas Following is the Fanchon and Marco Ideas route schedule, with the opening dates, all of the current month, in parentheses beside the name of. the town: PASADENA (5) Colorado Theatre “MortKffln 1 Idea LOS ANGELES (5) Locw’s State Theatre “Golden West” Idea Will Aubrey Russell & Johnson Albertina RasCh Tr. SAN DIEGO (5) Fox Theatre “Love Letters” Idea HOLLYWOOD (5-11) Pantages Hollywood Theatre “Headliners” Idea GLENDALE (12-14) Alexander Theatre "Headliners” Idea FRESNO (5-7) Wilson Theatre “Top of World”' Idea. Jack Pepper Fawn and Jardon Kay Menard Sunkist Beauties SAN JOSE (8-11) California Theatre “Top of World” Idea SAN FRANCISCO (5-11) Warfield Theatre “Prosperity” Idea OAKLAND (5-11) Oakland Theatre “Vaudeville Echoes” Idea Nine Allison^ Aerial Rooneys Bobby “Uke” Henshaw SPRINGFIELD (6-12) Palace Theatre “Doll Follies” Idea Les Klicks La Safld and Mack Ramon and Virginia* Bebe ■ Siterman ; Roy Loomis Co. . WORCESTER (6-12) Palace Theatre “Way Back When” Idea Three Bennett Bros. Charles Irwin Jellybean Johnson Max Hart Madeline Du Val Carla Torncy Co. HARTFORD (6-12) Capitol Theatre U. S. Indian Reservation Band Chief Shannatona Bella Donna NEW HAVEN (6-12) Palace Theatre “Fountain of Youth” Idea Lottie Mayer Eddie Hanley- Frank Stever B. and J. Crosby Ed C.henev Sunkist Diving Co. BRIDGEPORT (5-12) Palace Theatre “New Yorker” Idea Callahan and Jackson Whitey Roberts Marjorie Burke Leah Sanborn Dorothy Bartosch Sunkist Beauties BROOKLYN (6-12) Fox Theatre “Southern” Idea NEW YORK (6-9) Academy Theatre “Gobs of Joy” Idea Arthur “Pat” West Three Jolly Tars Scotty Weston Dolly Kramer Treen Wanda Allen Moore and Moore Curtis Coley Johnny Jones Doyle Four Rena, and Ratliburn Ken Gatewood CHERIE and TOMASITA FEATURED IN Fanchon and. Marco’s AFRICANA IDEA PORTLAND (6-12) Paramount Theatre “Icy-Hot” Idea Three Le Grohs- Betty Lou Webb Harris and Wallace Sunkist Ensemble TACOMA (6-12) Broadway Theatre “Topical Tones” Idea Caligary Brothers Bob and Eula Burroff Alexander Sisters Dorothy Thomas Sunkist Beauties SEATTLE (6-12) Paramount Theatre “The Dance” Idea Everett Sanderson Arnold Grazer Lee Murray Patsy Boland Dave Robcl BUTTE (7-S) Fox Theatre “Society Circus” Idea Harris Twins Tabor and Greene Betty Martin Woodings Half Pints MILWAUKEE (5-11) Wisconsin Theatre “Espanola” Idea J. & H.. Griffith May Packer Abbey Green Harry Vernon Mayo and Caruso DETROIT (6-12) Fox Theatre “Gondoliers” Idea The Romeros Jazziis Richardson Moro and Yaconeplli Sunkist Beauties NIAGARA FALLS (6-12) Strand Theatre * “Seasons” Idea Frank Melion Co. Lottie Loder - Ada Broadhurst Ted Ledford UTICA (6-12) Avon Theatre “Enchantment” Idea NEW YORK (3-5) Audubon Theatre “Wild and Wooly” Idea Kirk and Lawrence Bud Carell Hart's Krazy Kats Aussie and Czech Ray Arigwin Bud Murray Girls ' PHILADELPHIA (6-12) Fox Theatre “Wild and Wooly” Idea WASHINGTON (6-12) Fox Theatre “Modes of Hollywood’’ Idea Shore and Moore ilaline Francis Danny Toy Harry Smirl 12 Unison Dancers Holly. Studio Models ATLANTA (7-13) Fox Theatre “Gems and Jams” Idea J. and J. McKenna Will Cowan Nee Wong Jean MacDonald Jim Penman Franklin and Astell Sunkist Beauties LOUISVILLE (1-7) National Theatre “Green .Devil” Idea Peg Leg Bates Bobby Gilbert Miles and Kover Harvey Karels Rita Lane Mel El wood Hollywood Studio Girls ST. LOUIS (5-11) F.ffx Theatre “Idea in Blue” Renoir and Renova Mitzi Mayfair Harry Savoy Webster and Marino Paul Russell Sunkist Ballet . JOPLIN (1-3) Fox Theatre “Hollywood Collegians” Idea Dorothy Crook er Guy Buck OKLAHOMA CITY (7-13) “Cadets” Idea n ( II Pand ) nePDTwelvez scended and carried Marguerite to Heaven. Guino Ciciarelli and Si- mu.s Goronrica handled the Faust ,and Mephisto parts respectively, while Mirni Gressier was Marguer- ite. Question of whether or not straight opera in a picture house is good theatre can easily be dismissed by recording that applause was tre- mendous, Roesner and orchestra,: with the stage group,: being forced to a flock of bends when customers signified their hearty approval. The thing went over, beyond a doubt. There are two things Fox man- agement will have to contend with in future operatic offerings of this sort. First and most important is a means of getting over the opera story to patrons, many of whom are wholly or partially ignorant of tire background and without which they cannot enjoy such music. Current trailer can hardly be used weekly; perhaps a printed program would turn the trick. Second puzzler is the seating of customers during the music. It’s annoying to the custom mers when payees arrive in the mid- dle of proceedings, amidst all the resultant confusion. One thing, though, and that is that this type of music puts an aw- ful crimp in 1931 tunes. The weekly pop number that followed, with Joa- quin Garay singing, was not as well, received, though Garay and the tulip—“You’re Driving Me Crazy’" —were up to the usual standard. But both types are necessary for balance. Overture was in direct contrast to the picture, Metro’s “Reducing,” with Dressier and Moran. Business capacity. Bock. “LADY MARY, LTD.” Pasadena Community Theatre Reviewed Jan. 26 No one has often found it neces- sary f to question the quality or wise choice of vehicles upon which the Pasadena Community Play.housu. has ridden to its present enviable repu- tation. But somebody is going to start to before long if they slap on another weak sister like “Her- Shop” or. “Lady "Mary, Ltd’.”, by Aisnee and Philip Stuart. It’s billed as a trifle in three acts. That’s right — it is a trifle, and also it is in the customary three acts, but it has ail the sparkle of a half empty glass of ginger ale left on the piano' over night. It ambles along at a snail’s pace, and the mechanism creaks under the strain. Arty crowd was conspicuously absent, the house. be- ing. politely' filled with polite citi- zens politely palming in ail the right places. “Her Shop” is eminently suitable for the class play of any Junior High School outside the more sophisticated areas. Margaret R. Clark carried major acting responsibilities with highly satisfactory charm and ability'. Ralph Freud's fine sense of charac- terization gave Vhatever interest there was to husband role. Balance of cast performed with sincerity, for which this organization is noted. Gilmore Brown directed. n. Portland’s Theatrical Drug Store HEATHMAN HOTEL PHARMACY Max Factor’s Headquarters FAT FOLKS Our Reducing Treatments Are the Talk of L. A. 26 Treatments, $10 MME. NELL E. ANDERSON Suite 305-7-9-11 315 S. Broadway MAdison 3793 SHOW FOLKS’ HOME THE HIGHLAND TAVERN Best Eats 187 Broadway F’ortland, Ore. NELSON & KNIGHT “Broadway’s, King and Queen of Comedy” Featured Comedians in F, & M. Love Leiters Idea Now LOEW’S STATE, L. A. Week 22 WILL PRIOR MUSICAL DIRECTOR 1187 South Rodeo Drive, Los Angeles OXford 6571 JESSE STAFFORD And His San Francisco PALACE HOTEL ORCHESTRA Featuring His and Gene Rose’s Song Hit, “Tonight” HARVEY KARELS SCHOOL OF DANCING 7377 Beverly Boulevard V ALL IE OKegon 2688 CINEMA TYPEWRITER COMPANY Phone: Gladstone 9748 MACHINES RENTED 1 Month, $3,00; 2 Months, $5.00; 3 Months, $7.50 Dealer in. Portable Underwood. Corona, Royal, Remington Typewriters New Corona Adding Machines—All Makes Sold., Rented, Repaired —Supplies J. W. McCOY, Manager Every Machine. 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