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

Saturday, February 21 , 1931 INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN Page Three ENSEMBLES OF SOLOISTS RULE NOW GARBO DRAWS TAP FIGURE OF $41,021 III PICTURE WEEK Garbo in “Inspiration” eases into top position this week with a gross of $41,021. “Inspiration” is one of the best vehicles that has fallen to the great Garbo and a big take was expected. This gives MGM two winners for the week. “Trader Horn” is holding strong with a gross of $32,022 for its fifth week. This also was figured one of the best pieces of box office merchan- dise that Metro has ever turned out. The Orpheum was next w'fi “Cimarron” taking $20,000 in five days, considered high. The run continues on this masterpiece. RKO Hill Street with big time vaudeville and a hot marquee bill- ing for its picture came under the wire fourth for $14,000. This is con- sidered good. The picture was “Many a Slip,” risque slapstick- farce. Pantages collected $11,895 with a Fanchon & Marco Idea on the stage and “Scandal Sheet” on the screen. Carthay Circle is holding up smartly with “East Lynne” as like- wise the Criterion. Egyptian gath- ered $3982 with “The Right to Love” and Buffano on the stage. United Artists was fair with Col- man’s second week of “The Devil to Pay” and Paramount up to par with “Stolen Heaven.” Warners’ Holly- wood grossed $15,000 with “Kis- met,” while Warners’ Downtown rang $9000 into the. cash register with “Other Men’s Wives.” Cuba Night Life Trade On Boom As Canal Zone and S. A. Fall Off 'Round the Lots By BETTY GALE EARLE WALLACE HAS NEW STYLE BALLET Earle Wallace is producing an ultra-modern, original ballet as an “Overture Logue" for Publix The- atres to open February 26 at the local Paramount. Wallace’s new style of ballet is built on rhythmic movements along the lines of grotesque dancing. He is using 18 dancers. Special mu- sical arrangements, to be played un- der the direction of Oscar Baum, new lighting effects and unique cos- tuming are planned to set off the Wallace ballet in an interesting arty atmosphere. UNIQUE FEATURE The Fox Arlington will be com- pleted and opened at Santa Bar- bara within two months. The the- atre is a modern expression of the California of the Spanish dons. A private glass-enclosed ioge club room, where a theatre dinner party may be presented during the pic- ture showing, will be a unique fea- ture. A. Leslie Pearce has been en- gaged by Christie to direct, “Meet the Wife,” from the stage play. F. McGrew Willis is doing the adaptation. New Dance Is Scoring Heavily At Local Orpli Weird enough to hold the lowbrows goggle -eyed, and uniquely artistic to a degree that keeps the long-haired -boys in the same state, Otar : Shillet is drawing much fa- vorable comment on his work in Bud Murray’s “Cimarron” prologue at the Los Angeles Orpheum. His intense sincerity re- garding the new pantomimic form, Gargoyle Dancing, is justified by his success. Shil- let has adopted some of the technical principles of the Mary Wigman method that had the dance world on its ever-defensive ear a few years ago, and developed them fur- ther along his own individual lines. Drama, subtle or mello, low comedy and burlesque, the ominous rhythms of trag- edy, the lighter moods and phases of emotionalism, all find vivid expression in his satisfying pantomime. Shillet’s notable muscular control cou- pled with strong mental and physical co-ordination, permits him to interpret without the use of words any situation, idea or circumstance in the dramatic rostrum. Charles Hutchinson is up and around his home again, though still confined to the house with five broken ribs suffered when he fell off his garage shortly before Christmas. Game through and through is this producer, for de- spite the pain (and also the doc- tor’s orders) he stayed active on the lot until his current picture was finished, then went home and to an invalid’s bed. Hutchinson is all excited over what he declares a real find. The boy’s, name is Randolph Scott. Scott started out in extra work, studied wtih the Pasadena Com- munity Players, graduated into leading roles in the Workshop and then stepped into leading parts in the Community Play- house itself. Pie has a leading assignment in Hutchinson’s “Women Men Mary,” which is now in the proc- ess of cutting. Everybody arotind the Hutchinson organization is en- thusiastic over the work he did and they’re all looknig for a big break for the boy. From several lengths of rushes I saw, I think they’re right. Others in the. cast of “Women Men Marry” are Sally Blane, Crauford Kent, Natalie Moore- head, Kenneth Harlan and Jean Deval. Hutchinson has Scott under con- tract for three more pictuers, and, the producer declares, the boy will be sure to step right along into the top ranks. Hutchinson should know.i as among others, he gave their first parts to Charlie P'arrcll and Joan Crawford. El Brendel is in the Cedars of Lebanon hospital, the result of be- ing kicked in the right eye by a dancing girl on the set the other day. That the injurv is not so serious as it might have been, is a stroke of luck for El. Moral: Keep away from dancing girls, at least out of kicking distance. Thomas Meighan is back in Hol- lywood, having arrived from New York Wednesday. Meighan has been signed by Fox to do three pic- tures, the first of which goes into production this week. IB MS SI PLAY 10 ISM The coming of hard times to the United States has meant a vast in-, crease in the prosperity of night life proprietors of Cuba. Whereas this gentry looked for a big cut in their revenues as the economic depression in the U. S. increased, ‘the reverse has proved the case, and anyone with an at- tractive spot, proper entry into of- ficial good graces and adequate cap- ital to sustain over the initial period of establishment, may do a neat business in Havana. Pay Is Same This report of affairs on the is- land has been received by Los An- geles bookers who specialize in cabaret entertainment for extra-ter- ritorial spots. The demand for tal- ent in Cuba has increased mate- rially. However, rates of pay re- main the same as formerly, due to the fact that Cuba also has felt the current American policy of holding that a non-cut in salary is equiva- lent to a raise. Jolt Felt The jolt of the nation’s economic depression has been felt, however, in the Canal Zone and Central and South American places. The d.e- mand for entertainers in those areas has fallen off terrifically, and, even when talent is wanted, the former guarantees of transportation and a minimum number of weeks’ work is not forthcoming. The answer to the whole matter lies in the amount of steamboat fare. The tourist trade which sup- ports the night spots is heading for the cheapest wide-open destination, to-wit: Cuba, and spending on see- ing the sights what is saved in transportation. No queen or official hostess of the Olympic games due to the in- ternational character of the event. The City of Los Angeles and the State of California will act in that capacity. The contest beauts are glaring dirty at William Garland, chairman of the Olympiad. So far only 11 people have lost their social rating due to their in- ability to pronounce Berkely Square. Jamaica ginger’s toll reached 55 in Los Angeles February 10 with several new cases of jake paralysis being treated by the city health de- partment. It used to be wood alco- hol and now its jake. Big western star is being sued for breach of promise. The gal ve.- fused to cease embracing defendant and big salt sea wave was the only thing that broke the clutch. She stole his dog, climbed through his transom and offered to stay there. No further information forthcom- ing. It was necessary to omit smoking scenes from “Kismet.” They’re dis- criminating against me, said Otis Skinner, these are genuine Turkish cigarettes. Put the scene righ back. The scene is still out. It looks like Una Merkel, op- posite Will Rogers in “Cure'for the. Blues.” Fifi Dorsay was slated but came a cropper on a pub stunt and took the bench. Hap Hazzard at the RKO this week does not like sugared crullers, known in the better circles as do- nuts. Fie says the sugar looks like talcum and on the necktie makes wives think things. Frank Albertson is to be mar- ried some time in March. The for- tunate young lady is Virginia Shel- ly. Whether or not this is the out- come of a high school romance, is somewhat of a mystery. But the fact remains that Frank and Vir- ginia attended Hollywood High school at the same time. Paramount has been the center of a lot of the good old contract signing during the past week. Lloyd Sheldon, Carole Lombard, Regis Toomey, Sam Jaffe and Travis Benton signed new contracts, while Lilyan Tashman, Plelen Johnson, Edward Goodman, Paul Harvey Fox, and Albert Hackett have been added to the personnel o.f the studio. Gloria Swanson has set a new record for the big stars of the U. A. lot. She finished her latest picture in 28 days, and that’s history around the U. A. To finish on schedule, she worked like a Trojan, ’tis said—no early morning arrivals but lots of high pressure when she got there. Many familiar faces are currently missing from the Fox lot. Charles Farrell is on his way to Italy and France. Will Rogers is touring the mid- dle west in the interest of the Red Cross drought relief fund drive. Thomas Meighan is motoring from Florida to Hollywood. George O’Brien and John Ford, the director, are sailing toward the Phillipines. Janet Gaynor and Jeanette Mc- Donald are resting at Palm Springs, on the edge of the Mojave Desert. Maureen O’Sullivan is vacation- ing with her parents in Dublin. Don Jose Mojica is on a concert tour in France and Spain. William K. Howard, director, is in Honolulu. John Stone, Fox-Movietone for- eign production executive, is on his way to Plollywood from Europe. The Sam E. Morris Month, which is commemorated yearly by Warner Bros, sales forces, will take place during May, SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 19.— The season is opening! The Coast will get more than its share of shows this season, a lot more of the boys preparing to start out now that general conditions are -on the upward trend. Craft Greater Shows have al- ready opened at Calexico for a one week stand, with Brawley to fol- low. The, Robert M. Clark Shows and Zeigler Carnival Co. are pre- paring for an early start and the A1 Barnes Circus is slated to open here about April 20. Foley and Burke, pioneers in the carnival game, are getting all trimmed up for an April start. Blanchard, show printer, is spending two weeks in Cheyenne at the annual rodeo. Sultan, giant orang-outang, suc- cumbed to pneumonia at Fleish- hacker Zoo last week. Pete Kortes and Mike Golden’s elaborate indoor side show at 1143 Market street, is now in its sixth okay week. The pair have taken a long lease on this site and the box office receipts are justifying their action. The present show is com- posed of the following: Barney Nelson, armless wonder; Athalia, monkey girl; Bluey Bluey, comedy tricks; Mona Prevear, sword box; C. C. Rice, human heart; Nine Ala- bama Serenaders; Zulu, cannibal dancer; Hoppie, the Frog Boy; Elsia Baker, dual sex; Nabor Felis, sculptor; The Clemmens, Will Z. Smith and Art and Eugene De- vine, glass blowers; Prof. Ruhl’s trained fleas; Eugene Hemingway, sword swallower; Moe Eberstein’s “Before Birth” show with Dr. Scherer lecturer; Lawrence John- ston, ventriloquist; Dee Aldrich, lecturing director; G, D. Miles, one man band; Leroy Orchid and Bill Tank, ticket sellers and Ben Pardo at the door. OPENS WALKATHON SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 19.— Sam Berkovitch has opened a white and colored walkathon at the old Ripperdau Dance Hall on Market street, the first time such an affair has ever landed on the main rialto. La Guinan takes journalistic course at Columbia, object being to prepare for evangelism. We ex- pect any moment now to hear of Winchell taking up horseshoe pitch- ing as a science that will equip him for saving the halibut industry. LEAVES PROLOGUE Gertrude Sweetwood, one of the soloists in the “Cimarron” prologue at the RKO Orpheum here, has been forced to leave the show due to illness of her parents. She was given a big farewell party by the company. FIGHTER PLANS ACT Earl Mastro of Chicago, runner- up for the featherweight champion- ship, is planning a double act with his wife. Mastro and wife . are studying at Bud Murray’s School of the Dance, with Bud contracted to do a whole act for them. CASTING POSTPONED Casting for “E 1 i z a b e t h, the Queen” has been postponed until after the first of next month, ac- cording to report from the Belasco office. DOING SATIRE Mack Sennett is doing a take- off on “Once in a Lifetime,” Andy Clyde and Harry Gribbon are in the leading roles as motion picture producers. CAST COMPLETED The cast of RKOis “Madame Julie” has been practically com- pleted with Lily Damita, O. P. Heggie, Lester Vail, Ruth Weston, Miriam Seegar, Halfiwell Hobbes, Lincoln Stedmau and Blanche Friderici. The class of talent which is now being used in ensembles on the coast is the highest tj - pe in western show history. The practice of putting solo voices and solo performers into groups has been growing as the< economic pressure became greater,- forcing down salaries and making; any kind of a job look good. Insofar as salaries are concerned,, stage shows on the coast in many instances are now being produced! •at one-half to two-thirds of their former cost. The prologue to “Cimarron” at the Orpheum, produced by Bud Murray and composed of about forty people, is a good example o£ the class of talent now in coast en- sembles. Most all of the voices are* solo voices, and when they’re work- ing in chorus the effect is excel- lent, to say the least. So excellent, in fact that this group is being sought after constantly for special entertainments. Among, other out- side dates, ‘they recently sang at the Biltmore at noon, and at the Breakfast -Club. The same is true of dancing groups. Numerous people who rate individual spots are now glad to be working as one of a line. How far this state of affairs is going to progress is hard to tell, but up to date there’s been no break in the down-grade slide—with the only profits therefrom going to audiences who are getting more for their money than ever before. But it’s tough on show business. EDITH JANE SCHOOL INSTRUCTOR SIGNED Adolph Balm has signed with! First National as ballet master, technical director and first dancer in a new picture which will use a large number of ballet dancers. Bolt:i is at present guest instruc- tor at the Edith Jane School for Dancing in Hollywood. He plans- to use about sixty dancers, some to be chosen from among pupils in the school, and others to be selected from try-outs. Men and women dancers are now being interviewed at the Edith Jane School. ARE BACKSTAGE R. George is now backstage at the local Orpheum, as is also Carey Chandler, formerly owner of the Riverside Theatre, a neighborhood house. RKO SIGNS McWADE Robert McWade has been signed for a part in RKO’s “Too Many Cooks.” The Harry Weber offices handles McWade. AXES’ VEHICLES Harold Schwartz, writer-director, formerly with Janies Cruze and Pathe, has been signed by RKO to, write a series of starring films for Roscoe Ates. Schwartz will also direct. TWO GOALERS Two Als that goal them every time. A1 Singer, former lightweight champion, and A1 Boasberg, Radio pictures’ scribe. They met for the first time on the Radio lot, Singer telling Boasberg how he goals ’em to put ’em to sleep while Boasberg tells Singer how he goals ’em to keep ’em awake. Morgan Will Put On Eight Shows Here Dickson Morgan,, theatrical producer whose picture ap- pears on -page one of this is- sue, opens a series of mati- nees of “Waterloo Bridge” by Robert E. Sherwood to be given at the Music Box The- atre, February 24, 26 and 27. He plans to put on eight -plays of professional and artistic merit. Some of these are dis- tinctly non-commercial mate- rial, others i n c 1 u d e “The Faithful,” by John Masefield, and, perhaps, “The Shanghai Gesture,” with Mrs. Leslie Carter. There is a definite place in Hollywood -and Los Angeles for Morgan type of produc- tion, which is characterized -by excellence of direction, acting and presentation. The cast of “Waterloo Bridge” is headed by Doris Llovd, King Ken- nedy and Isabel Dawn. Morgan was identified with ‘the Vine Street Theatre at the time of its opening and was an important member of the former firm of Tom and A1 Wilkes. He has recently been directing in Newport, ‘R. I., and Kansas City, working, also along guest-star stock lines.