Inside facts of stage and screen (February 21, 1931)

Page Two INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN Saturday, February 21, 1931 CIVIC GROUPS RESCUE FAILING B. O. CIRCUIT OF Movie Producers May Buy Legit Theatres As Testing-Out Spots (Continued from Page 1.) A poor show comes to town and exploits itself as the greatest show ever to hit the road. It draws ’em, perhaps, and the reaction is that if that is the greatest show ever to hit the road, the balance is certainty not worth seeing. Also, it is stated, the publicity overlaps to an extent which is extremely deliterious. A play without sex angles will none- theless give the impression that it is the real warm material. The audience goes for it, and then when a real sex play comes to towm, their previous disappointment keeps them at home. And the same ap- plies to mystery thrillers, poignant drama, etc. Central Office So, the legit chiefs and bankers are planning, all publicity for shows which" go over the 35-weeks circuit will be handled from a cen- tral office, and every line of ex- ploitation will be founded upon— or at least based upon—fact. The over-exploitation of pictures as it is currently conducted will be a card in the hands of the legit peo- ple. They feel that their sincerity ■will win friends of those who are "“taken” by the pictures through wrong steers from the p. a.’s. And the best part of it is, it is con- tended, this will be one step the pic- tures can’t follow. For when a pic- ture is completed there is so much money tied up that only the abso- lutely rank ones can be shelved. But when a show proves an audi- ence flop, the cost of scrapping it is, comparatively speaking, negligi- ' hie. The negotiations for the legit chain are still in a formative state, hut the advices say the time is con- sidered so propitious for it that ac- tion will be rushed to effect it if a proper liaison among the various producers can be brought about. Who ik the mysterious young gi- golo always in the enclosed prop dressing room on the stage set of a big foreign star, and who—much to the dismay of her many directors— always seems to have the last word? * * * What leading star once a west- ern hero and a pash for feather roles is not kidding when he calls for his double to wade a six-inch stream of water, but needs no one to double for him in a speakeasy? * * * Who was the actor who tossed a sandwich at the femme gin wrestler and who got one whiff of the lady and told her if her friends Wouldn’t tell her he would? What was in the sandwich? * * * Who is the Hollywood egg who rings doorbells after midnight and figures that one black eye out of ten calls still makes it -worth while? What director now operates the biggest speakeasy in Los Angeles? He even brags about it. iTZI, Mil 00 CLASS 8,0. DRAW What comedian in Hollywood was sued by a pick-up heart be- cause he promised her a Chrysler roadster and he settled out of court for an Austin? * * * Who is the technician strictly dis- honorable and boasting about his conquests that took a Dempsey right on the button from a press agent and is now openly parading the agent’s gal? Elizabeth Forrester has been cast for a part in Pathe’s new Con- stance Bennett starring picture. On the heels of reports received here that legit producers of New York are planning a road show route of 35 weeks under centralized direction, it was learned that a group of big movie producers also have designs on the nation’s major legit houses. An idea born when the talkies Who is the little Caesar of cam- era and mike working both ends from the middle and cleaning up the giggle-water way? * * * Who is the movie star likes snakes and doesn’t understand why they cannot be trained to recognize her but is surrounded by “rats” who show cognizance of her penchant for reptiles? * * * “Once in a Lifetime’’ continues to prove Sid Grauman’s good judg- ment in bringing this satire in from New’ York. Nineteen thousand dol- lars was the count for this week at the Mayan. This is important money for the legit field, particu- larly at a time when the speaking •stage needs encouragement. The surprise gross came with the check-up at the Biltmore. It holds -a strong second place with Mitzi Hajos in “Gypsy Adair," collecting $7000 for the six days. Seven grand is nice money for this spot and a sweet testimonial to Mitzi’s popu- larity. It has been many seasons since she played Los Angeles. Her drawing power hasn’t waned the slightest. Out Hollywood way the Music Box collected $3000 with Gals- worthy’s “Justice.” This was not up to expectations but, all in all, considered fair. The El ’Capitan did $6000 with <fhe last week of “The Torch Song” which is average. “The Butter and Egg Man” moves in. The Playhouse is readying for “Paris in Spring” with Perry Askarn and Eddie Lambert. Who is the politician's son with a high pressure selling potential who offers the wet goods, “right off the boat” now making a nuisance of himself in executive circles and all hands tied? * * * Who had the empty gallon size cans found in chatter writer’s ward- robe giving off odor of alcohol and she has all of her rubbing done at one of the chic massage parlors? - first came in whereby the movie magnates would test out their ma- terial in legit theatres owned by them has been revived, due, it is understood, to reports regarding the proposed amalgamation of legit outlet points. May Combine It is feared, it is stated, that the legit people, once . they establish close contact through formation of a 35 weeks’ road route, may fur- ther combine to hold up the prices of legit product for movie produc- tion. . As a consequence, certain of the film's big producers are contem- plating eliminating this possibility by jumping in and buying up class houses in key cities, these houses to be used as testing points for prospective screen plays. The shows Would be written f> 3 ’ studio writers and produced with studio money. If they win favorable auidencc reac- tion, they would then be made into films. WANT THEIR VAUDE Hughes Moves Into Pickford Spot at U. A* ■There was considerable speculation around the United Artists’ lot as to where How- ard Hughes would move into when he moved in. The aristocratic formalities must be preserved in the hier- archies of Hollywood, you know, and just where the young millionaire producer and oil mail intended to establish himself was a matter for con- siderable debate. Which Hughes settled once and for all, or so it seems, by moving bag and baggage into 'the Pickford bungalow, which is the choicest spot on the en- tire lot. After a lapse of some months, Arizona and Texas are ready to go for vaude in a big way, accord- ing to word received here. A five- act road show now playing the Publix Theatres in the southwest territory is proving a big success and getting vaude reinstated. On the bill are Ferol and Gray, Blaney and Wood, Jack Cook and Co., Spencer and Williams,- and Four Ballthazers. Robert Meiklejohn is advance man. HUGHES’ CHIEFS E. B. Derr and Charles E. Sul- livan. former production managers of Pathe, have been signed by Howard Hughe's and all future pro- duction of the Caddo Company will be in charge of Derr and Sullivan. Their contract is for three years, and they will assume their new executive posts immediately. Question Reopened When the talkies first came in such a move was contemplated by the movie banking interests, due to the fact that. New York stage pro- ducers, finding the movies frantic for dialogue material, skyrocketed the price of plays to an almost pro- hibitive figure. But, in view of the threats that the screen would do its own plays if the prices- were held up to the highest level, the rates were cut and everything went on as before until recently when word of the road show route plans reached here. That apparently opened the whole question up again. William Janney has been selected for a leading role in “Parents Wanted,” a Pathe farce directed by Harry Sweet. Besides Janney, the cast includes Edward M c Wade, Marion Shockley, Harold Goodwin, Ethel Wales and A1 Austin. Peggy Howard has been signed by Roach for the femme lead in the next Charlie Chase comedy. William Seiler has signed with Radio Pictures to direct “loo Many Cooks,” starring Bert Wheel- er, with Dorothy Lee opposite. Jack Mulhall and Noel Francis, Radio feature players, were as- signed the leading roles iii “Wait- ing at the Church.” Mary Astor and Ricardo Cortez will plaj’ the leads in Radio Pic- tures’ “White Shoulders. HUE OF B HI 1 COMES SAN DIEGO, Feb. 19. — An eleventh hour rescue of their only legit entertainment was staged . re- cently iby San Diego women’s clubs and civic organizations when the Savoy Players announced that they intended to leave the .southern city. The Savoy Players carved out a goodly career and a nice following in San Diego, and seemed perma- nently set. But the hard times came along, and the Savoy The- atre, together with other amuse- ment spots, felt its effect at the box office. Indeed business. fell off so tremendously that the b. m. started dusting off the red ink battle. , The troupe got as far as sending out a representative on the road to scout a more favorable spot and perhaps to arrange for a stock tour. The farewell weeks were an- nounced. But that aroused the club women and civic organizations, and they Purnell Pratt and Rita La Roy have been added to the cast of “Traveling Husbands,” which Paul Sloane Will direct for Radio Pic- tures. Under the terms of a new agree- ment, Ann Harding will appear ex- clusively in RKO-Pathe pictures for the next three years. “Rivets,” a play by John Mc- Dermott, has been purchased by Howard Hughes. McDermott will write the screen adaptation. Joe Bonoino has been signed by Paramount for a part in “Dude Ranch.” Jean Harlow of Gaddo will be lent to First National to play the feminine lead in “The Public Enemy.” rushed to the rescue of the com pany by promising to get in back of ticket sales and take such other interest in their only legit organi- zation as would assure profits. E CIST OP ‘ Joseph Moncurc March, Caddo staff writer, has ’been lent to Uni- versal to write the film treatment of Bret Harte’s “The Outcast of Poker Flats.” Denver By Dusty Rhodes DENVER. Feb. 19.—With warm weather and the auto show, Denver theatres found the pickings kind of tough, practically all ace houses re- porting only a fair gate for the Week. Fanchon Milton, popular little soubrette at Frank Milton’s "Ri- voli,” -was married to Buster Graves, producer and featured comic at this spot. Miss Milton is well known on the coast, having played vaude and pictures during the past few years. Arthur Aberfeldcr’s Broadway opened yesterday with Walker Whiteside in “The Chinese Bunga- low.” This house, after trying a guest star policy, closed early in December. Road shows should make this a pop spot, advance sales haying been very safisfactor}’. CASES RULED OUT Jack Russell, who closed recently in El Paso, was taken to the labor commissioner’s office by some members of the cast of his show. But the commissioner ruled none had cases, as the company was shown to have been a community undertaking. THE EYES HAVE IT There is an epidemic of eye ac- cidents at the local Orpheum. Three members of the “Cimarron” prologue cast “took it in the eye” recently. Mildred Bowman slipped on the sidewalk during the wet weather; Otar Shillet was a victim of the opening night explosion, and Conrad Goyeneche struck his head —all accidents registering their ef- fects on the optic of the injured person. Shillet was the most badly hurt, losing a pint of blood. All are back now. Frank Milton’s Rivoli is offering a mild burlesque, abandoning the former policy of musical comedy. Business is good in this spot, it be- ing the only stock company in town. The Civic Symphony Orchestra^ Horace E. Trueman, conducting, offer for its fourth pair of concerts in the City Auditorium on Febru- ary 19 and 22, Phyllis Kraeater, featured soloist. These concerts are usually well patronized. Edward Sedgwick, M-G-M di- rector, ha‘s been borrowed by How- ard Hughes to direct an original aviation comedy as yet untitled. Charles Rogers has joined the cast of Paramount’s “The Lawyer’s Secret.” Irving Pichcl has been selected by Paramount for the part of the district attorney in “An American Tragedy.” Lilyan Tashman has been con- tracted by Paramount as a featured player. Ten contracts have been signed recently at Paramount studios by executives, players, directors and writers. Those signing contracts were Sam Jaffe, E. Lloyd Sheldon, Carole Lombard, Regis Toomey, Lilyan Tashman, Helen Johnson, Paul Harvey Fox, Edward Good- man, Albert Iiackett and Travis Banton. AT MAGI GLAND Moc Davis is at Magicland, Mur- ray Rock’s novelty trick store on the boulevard. SINGING BLUES George Baker, head man at the Publix Paramount, pulled a new one about, here for the opening of “Cimarron,” an all-night show be- ing offered to take care of the crowds, a lobby show featuring acts from the Denver and also local tal- ent being the big draw. A packed house was registered for each of these extra performances. Jimmy Morrison, big shot at the local Fox Exchange, took top hon- ors for the largest gain in sales for Fox products throughout the coun- try. This is the sixth time the Den- ver office has captured this prize. Nita Mitchell, blues singer of Station KFRC in San Francisco, who was recently brought to Los Angeles to produce the new floor show at the Pom Pom, is war bling in blue from KNX with Ger- tie Jacobs as her teammate. Gertie Jacobs is an ace novelty pianist and delineator of diversified songs rang- ing from 16wn down torch melodies to sweet or snappy tunes, and she and Nita are a pair to draw ’em— and do. The new KNX broadcast comes on the air at 6:45 p. m. Isabel Dawn has replaced Miriam Seegar as the feminine lead in “Waterloo Bridge,” which Dickson Morgan is producing for three mat- inees at the Hollywood Music Box Tuesday, Thursday and Friday of next week, (Feb. 24, 26, 27), Miss Dawn, who is well known on the New York stage and in pic- tures, is , the only change made in the cast sifice initial announcement. Au Others include King Kennedy, who is playing the male lead, which was done by Glen Hunter in the orig- inal N. Y. show, Doris Lloyd, sec- : ond woman, Ethel Griffies, charac- ; ter, and Ross Chetwynd, character. ) Dickson Morgan is directing. A highlight of the play is an air raid over Waterloo Bridge during the world war. To get the maxi- mum out of this thriller, Morgan has associated with him Ralph V. Kutsch, sound expert who staged the raid for the original N. Y. show. Kutsch is at present a sound man at Paramount. While not yet definitely set for his next production, Morgan is plan- ning to produce “The Shanghai Gesture,” starring Mrs. Leslie Car-, ter. He will not, however, take definite steps regarding this until after the fhree-matinee run of “Wa- terloo Bridge.” TAKES BOW, DIES Eileen Stewart took her bows after her act and suddenly dropped dead as she walked to her dressing room at a local theatre last Mon- day, where she was filling a tryout engagement for West . Coast. The body was held until the arrival of her husband from New York. The N. V. A. and the Troopers handled the funeral which took place Thurs- day. TO PRODUCE SHOWS Bill Meiklejohn has been signed to produce the floor shows at the j Pom Pom. which will be renamed ! the Club Roj’ale under new man- j aeement. ON RELIEF TRIP Beverly Griffith, Fox Exchange representative, is en route to the Orient, where he will relieve the various exchange managers while they take their vacations. Most of the managers will visit the Fox ex- ecutive offices in the states during the period. Griffith’s assignment will continue for -almost two years. a Limberlegs” Knows Traffic But is Stumped “Limberlegs” Edwards, whose rubber-limb dance wows ’em wherever he exhibits it, ar- rived in L. A. this week to open for Fanchon and Marco March 12. “Limberlegs” started for the Inside Facts office to say hello, planning to rent a car to drive thereto. Knowing the traffic laws in some thirty plus states he thought the formalities would be easy. But he flunked the exam and had to take the trolley.