Inside facts of stage and screen (February 7, 1931)

Page Fourteen INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN Saturday, February 7 , 1931 Twirling The Dial (Continued from Page 10) cralshing ibang-up chords, may not ■be good musicianship, but it’s showmanship, and that’s what they need in the type • of tunes used. They are too competent artists not to take advantage of their ability in every possible way. Bill Hatch's band filled the rest of the time ishowing- plenty of pep in two of their numbers.. Announ- cer .said it wals “Mrs. Bishop’s boy, Joe,” who vocaled the choruses. KMTR 10-11 p. m. Jan. 31 Doubling from Carthay Circle Theatre to Roosevelt Hotel, Abe Lyman and his boys hold front rank position as one of the peppiest gangs in town. Low down h<M tunes of “Jenny Lee” and “Moanin’ Low” type had strongest ear ap- peal. . Lyman can put the Blossom Room and its patrons on their feet with his brand of syncopating terp- Bichoreau temptation. Skinner Young, vocaling soloist, w'ajs only specialty to reach loud speaker Currently customary trio of rhythm singers seems to have been omitted in the Lyman line-up. KMTR ' §; ' : | GEO. ROBLES BAG AND TRAVEL SHOP 8-8:30 p. m. Feb. 1 Rhythmettes offered femme har- mony singing that should, land them among top-notchers in their line. Nifty blending of voices took them through neat specialties. Melody- carrying soprano wals outstanding as sweet singer. Don Abbott, solo tenor, got effect of class vaude act, warbling in a blue spot with all the flaps out front going goggle eyed through his romantic influence. Ted Dahl’s band is a live outfit, equally capable in support or orch specialties. Instrumentation was notably clean cut. KHJ “ GENERAL PAINT CORP. 8:30-9 p. m. First broadcast of new weekly class feature coming from San ' Francisco was a great opener for what promises to be a treat for re- ceiving set circles. Program had form, composition and balance. (Anyone willing to take a hint please note.) Charles Bulotti, whose diction wals noteworthy, sang in a pure, clear tenor. Anne Ollander chose “Song of Songs” for fine soprano solo. Flute quartette and “L’Amour, Toujours I’Amour,” by string sec- tion of orchestra, were set off the beaten path of monotony so often evident in this class of program. .Meredith Wilson guided orchestra in skillful manner. Special ar- rangement of selections from “Car- men” sounded a bit choppy, but at least it was new and different. Legitimate Review KFI 7-8 p. m. Feb. 3 Pryor Moore, directing the Pack- ard Concert Orchestra, and Georgia Stark, can easily be numbered among station’s best bets. Semi- classical program included Arthur Lake’s refreshing “Rustic Suite” and the usual run of “Springtimes” waltzels, etc., by modern classicists. Georgia Stark's light and charming soprano was notable for quality of naturalness and simplicity of use of trills and other extravaganza so dear to sopranos. “Shadow Song” was especially well done. HERAS\WALUCE Tlie Backyard Entertainers FANCHON & MARCO’S “ICY HOT IDEA” PARAMOUNT HOTEL In tie Heart of Hollywood E. E. KENT, Managing Owner Every Room With Combination Tub and Shower Bath ALE OUTSIDE ROOMS Telephone Hollywood 6181 Half Block from Paramount, KNX and RKO Studios Melrose at Van Ness Ave. KNX 7:15-7:30 p. m. Feb. 3 Sam Ooslow and Ralph Ranger presented voice and piano turn. Their own melodies, “Moanin' Low” and “The Beginning of the End,” were well worth the twist of the dial. Ranger's active keyboard agilities were a highlight deserving of honorable mention, to say the least. KFWB 9:30-10 p. m. Feb. 2 Solid musical merit of this U.B. C. concert showed Liborius Haupt- man to be a notably, capable con- ductor. With an uncompromisingly classical program his direction of the orchestra challenged interest that changed from casual curiosity to honest appreciation, for hi|s in- terpretations. Overture to “Mignon,” Chopin’s “Polonaise Militaire” and selections from “Aida” with the first act aria sung by Ralph Reilly, were a few of Hauptman’s offerings. KFI 8-8:15 p. m. Feb. 3 If Elizabeth Jensen hadn’t held fast to ballads, she could easily have been mistaken for a flaming torch singer. Voice i|s a heavy con tralt'o. Miss Jensen slipped up— and down—in a few vocal attacks, not always getting true tones, but the voice was there. A big, rich quality that could show up better than it did in such songs as “The Thrush At Eve.” Fern Williams Waring accompanied at piano. Jean Harlow has been cast for the leading feminine role in “Iron Man” at Universal. She is being loaned by Howard Hughes, to whom she is under contract. (Continued from Page 12) play that has enjoyed the run this one did in New York. There is much to praise in “Torch Song”; too much for the limited space allowed this review- er. The handling. evidences ma- ture showmanship from all angles. Casting ■' is appreciative; more so here than it-was in the original pro- duction. if the lobby photos are true pictures. I believe that for character the chap Duffy selected to play Fred Geer more closely typifies the personality the author had in mind than the New York- party. High light in performance was the acting of M’ayo Methot, A. S. Byron, Ginger Pearson, Robert. Keith, but the lesser rolels were so Splendidly handled iby Donald Campbell, Jean Reno, Arthur Reed, Byron Hawkins, Edward Seabrook. J. Frank Glendon, Frank Dawson, Jane Morgan, Charlotte Green- street and Lottie Williams that all deserve special mention. The work of every member of the cast was so splendidly unobtrusive that the play as a whole wals artistically complete, satisfying. I predict a run for this opus, as the audience interest wals so well sustained throughout that word-of- mouth value should be high. When word of this play gets around the El Capitan is going to enjoy good businesis. Mayo Methot is going to be known as a performer who can handle most any assignment entrusted to- her. A. S. Byron is here recommended to the atten- tion of picture producers as a char- acter who , will add value to his roster of artists. Ted Price In Hollywood - Now By BUD MURRAY The MITZI GIRLS Six Beautiful and Exquisitely Costumed Girls, who dance as a unit or in teams. Doing the latest dance creations. AGENTS: Include this group in your next entertainment. PRODUCED BY' Amur ^ TEACHCaS or S UCCCSSru L^ iWttSPlPlBIR BEACH calif. 1 “JUSTICE” CIVIC REPERTORY (Reviewed Feb. 4) The popularity of the Civic Rep- ertory productions is a thing at times to marvel at. Galsworthy’s “Justice,” reviewed on a rainy night and well into its run, was found drawing like a popular pic- ture house. The house was well filled and for a tragedy at that. Perhaps our humans like their tragedy on gloomy nights. This must be looked into. However, the logical conclusion after reviewing the splendid rendition of this clas- sic may not make it necessary, for the Civic Repertory has again as- sembled a cast of splendid and tal- ented artists for this offering. Noel Madison’s tragic portrayal of a man caught in the cruel meshes of a justice that is not even lightly tempered with mercy was an inspiration. His supporting cast throughout deserves the highest praise. Everyone handled their as- signments with a degree of skill that does not permit this review to portion honors. An organization that fosters and gathers to its roS tors such really fine talent needs the enthusiastic support of every one in any way interested in the advancement of the theatre. Openings to the right of us, openings to the left of us, and still they corne what a hectic week, with four major premieres, and a real Broad- way "legit,” “Once in a Lifetime,” produced under the eagle eye of Sid G ran man, who enters the legitimate field for the first time, and cracks” a bull's-eye — Then there was “Trader Horn” with a fine Fanchon & Marco prologue^ staged by Le Roy Prinz, at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre—Along comes the much heralded Edward G. Robinson as “Little Caesar” at War- ner s Hollywood Theatre—Then the opening of the beautiful new Los Angeles Theatre, with Charley Chaplin’s ‘ City Lights,” and our contention of many months ago, that a real pantomimist is just as wel- come on the screen as he is on the stage comes Cue—Charley always did pantomime work during his stage career, so why not on the screen — At any rate they laughed just as heartily last week, as they did at his “silents” of years ago—-and he lookt the same—acted the same — use the same slap-stick "wows,” only brushed up — he has more drama in this one, and can safely stick to his “silents” for- CRACK SAFE The Salt Lake City Orpheum stood a loss of $4800 when yeggs held up the watchman at 3 o’clock Monday morning and broke the safe Open. BIG FOX SCHEDULE SEE THE NEW CHEVROLET CONVERTIBLE CABRIOLET ON DISPLAY AT GORDON WARREN FRIENDLY SERVICE Phone GR. 2181 5950 Hollywood Blvd. Production of 72 feature length productions in Hollywood during the next 12 months has been an- nounced by Fox. Fifty-two will be talking pictures in English and 20 will be in foreign languages. Completion this month of nine pic- tures will wind up the 1930-31 pro- gram and work will start immedi- ately on next year’s product. Carey Wilson has been signed to write the dialogue for “Waiting at the Church,” Radio's next Mary Astor-Robert Ames vehicle. Tom Healy, cafe man -who is said to have introduced night clubs to New York, died leaving an es- tate of over $2,000,000. He started in a small way with a downtown bar thirty years ago. OBBY-A-MAY Coming to HILLSTREET Week of Feb. 14 Bud Murray ever and ever, Amen — The police facilities at this opening, for handling crowds were terrible—The police facilities for the “Once in a Lifetime” were marvelous — just why? — and so, we will mention some of the cel- ebrities of the stage and screen world, who were at one or the other openings, some at all of them—Our shrimp boy friend,Bobby Woolsey, is back in town again, after a personal appearance jaunt—Tom Dugan, a former headline vaudeville act now set in pictures?—Marion Nixon, who although recently married, does not intend to give up her picture career, and why should she,—she was just creating her own personal “Fan-fare” —Bebe Daniels and rite with her “hubby,” Ben Lyon—Ralph Ince grow- iug all. the time — An old-timer in the music writing field, who takes us back to our operetta days, do you remember Otto Harbach? Jack Warner, Jr., always likes to tell the one-about bis big job under Mervyn Le Roy as 5th asst, director, until they found out what was wrong with this particular picture—Mervyn Le Roy, who directed this "Caesar” picture with a lot of skill and true to life character, had his charming wife, Edna Murphy, and his darling mother at this premiere, and how they boosted their “boy”—and why not, wouldn’t yours?—Dear old George Sidney—one of our dearest friends, now a figure in the mo- tion picture world, George Stone—Another old silent actress, Gertrude Olmstead—Leo Forbstein, a really great musician and director—Louise Fazenda in all her peppy glory—Arthur Lake (our pupil) boastingly in- troduces his “Maw,” and who has a better right?—Jack Oakie laughing his way thru as usual—Raquel Torres saying a few words to her “sbarm- ing pooblic,” over the air—Joan Crawford lookt so sweet—and naturally there was that dashing young film player, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.— Marjorie White, that soubrette cute comic from the Fox studios—and we could go on and on and on — but that gives you an idea of what these premieres are all about—Swell clothes, some “shabby genteel”-—some elite, highbrows, lowbrows, sightseers, roughnecks, nice people, ■ big searchlitees, plenty of policemen, some good, others good-for-nothing— Autograph fiends—actors who like to say “just a few words over the mike,” and wind up telling their life’s history—The hired chauffeurs for this one nite—some rented limousines—some all paid for, others NOT paid for — -Ermine wraps; vermin sacks—sow’s ears and silken purses— and then to the Roosevelt Blossom Room or the Ambassador Cocoa- nut Grove, or -Henry’s or the Brown Derby, and that’s that IN HOLLY- WOOD, NOW. ' Dropping into the Brown. Derby almost any day. and you are always greeted by Nick, head man, with that “salve smile”—you see Henry Akst, a song writer, who has turned actor in pictures—Mrs. Jack War- ner in a booth— Mr. and Mrs. Charley Mosconi—Dick Powers back in HOLLYWOOD and Bert Wheeler has come back, too, after a tour in the presentation houses making some personal appearances—Noah and Wallace Beery, those two he-men of' the pictures—We must tell you about the waiter who wanted to show some of the sighseers the big stars, who pointed out Con Conrad as A1 Jolson—Mr. and Mrs. James Gleason partaking of a life lunch—A flock of agents, including Lew Schreiber of the Wm. Morris offices — and Walter Herzbrun of the same Offices—A1 Lloyd, whom we workt with in 1914, in “The World of Pleasure” at' the N. Y. Winter Garden, back in town after a long spell at his ranch—A1 looks great and is crazy about ranch life—Not like good old Tom Healy’s, says he—John Medbury, the man who makes Mutter and Mumble do their stuff—John’s best bet, Hal Horne, is rite with him—rite IN HOLLYWOOD, NOW. A most unexpected visit from a dear old gentleman who brought back memories of many years ago when we played in a road company of "The Time, the Place and the Girl.” Yes, it’s Mr. Singer, who owned and produced this “smash” of yesteryear, and we are not so sure that it wouldn’t be a smash today, if staged correctly, with the rite people—- Mr. Singer dropped in to view our rehearsal of “The Cimarron” pro- logues for Frisco and Los Angeles Orpheum Theatres, opening Feb. 6th—and a compliment from a man like this means an awful lot to a fellow like the writer—IN HOLLY'WOOD NOW. To take our minds off the steady grind, while “prologueing,” we dropt into the Olympic, for a peak at the main event, and we see our old Irish boy friend, and naturally a fite fan, Francis Patrick Shanley, America’s gift to the hotel -world—Ray Henderson, of DeSyla Brown, and Henderson, without his dark glasses—Herb Sanborn, genial pro- prietor -of the Brown Derby—and once again we see our dear friends, Mr. and Mrs. Joe E. Brown—Joe finished a most successful engagement in “Elmer the Great,” and will now do a flock of pictures for YVarner Brothers, under his new contract—Walter Catlett, of musical comedy fame; another Fox picture player—Sheets Gallagher, of the stage world, and now a confirmed picture actor—and they are all IN HOLLY- WOOD NOW. What an honor it was to have such well-known executives of the picture industry drop into our studios to take a look-see at the Los Angeles production of the stage prologue, for “Cimarron,” we are stag- ing;—We mean Mr. Joseph Snitzer and Mr. Wm. LeBaron, of Radio Pictures Corp., who came with our boss, Mr. Cliff Work, head of the Western Division of the .RKO vaudeville circuit—These three gentlemen passed a tentative approval on the prologue, but, after all, the dear old public will decide for us on Feb. 6th, when the San Francisco and Los Angeles Orpheum Theatres open simultaneously, and we can’t be at both places at the same time, so we have been lucky to acquire the serv- ices of Don Summers, who will have charge of the Frisco Orpheum, and who workt with us on the Harry Carroll Revue last year in. HOLLYWOOD. To the Friday nite fites at the Hollywood Legion we see our old friends, Mr. and Mrs. Megley—Noah Beery at ringside—Lee Moran— Ernie Hilliard — Allan Hale — Ed Sturgis — Pat McDonald — Walter Weems, and flock of other brother Masquers—Gary Cooper and Lupe Velez, a couple of regulars at the fites—That clever song writing team of Kalmar and Ruby—Max Steiner, RKO music head—Harry Bannister, formerly with us in Passing Show of 1921—A1 Green, that suave ace director of high-class talking pictures—and B.B.B. is still with us—as is the Dummy Newsboy—IN HOLLY'WOOD NOW. After the fites into Henry’s restaurant for a “snack,” and we see Charley Chaplin, probably his first time for some time—Norman Spurr— Roscoe Ates—Fidel La Barba—IN HOLLYWOOD NOW. JIMMY LUCAS and GERALDINE HERBERT THE ALL-AMERICAN SINGING COMIC R.K.O.-“ING ,, This Week—Hilbtreet Theatre, Los Angeles—This Week