Inside facts of stage and screen (March 14, 1931)

Page Two INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN 1 Saturday, March 14, 1931 Repertory Reported In Red To $40,000 Tune Face Union War'FME 1110 (Continued from Page 1) on the -opening day. lie fired our men and hired non-union men to take their places. So it's not in anywise a strike by us against his house; it is plainly a lockout. National Issue “Our overtures were all of an ex- tremely amicable nature. We pointed out the fact that what he was de- manding would make a national, not merely a local issue. Also, that he could not get good operators for the low scale lie was demanding, even should we permit our men to work that cheaply. Which, we believe, lie discovered on his opening day, as we understand several things hap- Outdoor News By Rube Cohen SAN FRANCISCO, March 12.— Foley and Burke are all set for an April 11 opening in Oakland of their 20-car carnival show. They will make two stands of one week each, one at Fruitvale and the other at 86th and East 14th Streets. This outfit started in 1910 as a one-car show and is a California •organization, operated by Califor- nians. Carries 12 riding devices and seven shows and will be on the road for seven months. Schell Bros.’ circus and animal show, at present wintering at Man- teca, is getting ready to start with 30 trucks. George Engrosser is manager. Gentry's show will use 72 trucks and travel North. It is stated they are coming up San Joaquin Valley, returning south by the Coast route, thence to Las Vegas and into Utah. Mrs. Bud Earle has brought the four Earle midgets into Wonder- land, where they are a featured at- traction. Red Bluff rodeo has been ad- vanced from April 25 and 76 to April 18 and 19 in order not to con- flict with a similar Los Angeles show. Concord, near here, is planning big celebrations on July 2, 3 and 4. Concord July Fourth Association, John L. Garaventa, secretary, is handling the affair. Ben Austin, general agent for Barnes Circus, was here recently looking for a lot and finding it •difficult to get since the former spot at 16th and Bryant has been converted into a bail park. Show’s first date is at Baldwin Park, it's winter quarters, on March 22. G. A-rthur Blanchard, theatrical printer, lias returned from the an- nual rodeo convention at Cheyenne. Reported some 200 in attendance and a good season in prospect. The annual Boat Show is slated to get under way March 20 for a one jveck run at the Civic Audi- torium. A! Crooke and Doc Wed- tlleton are- working on the affair. According to Eastern advices the 101 Ranch Wild West Show is due to open soon at Ponca City, Okla., and wants acts whose, salaries “must be in accordance with the times.” pened to his equipment due . to the inexperience of the non-union oper- ators he got. “Above all, I want to emphasize that our offers were fair in every way. We made him exactly the same propositions as those under which our men work in similar West Coast and other houses. It is our policy ••ways to aid managers in every way to keep their houses going, as is. evidenced by the fact that in several instances recently we have permitted" cut-downs in personnel when we were shown that such relief was needed. Won’t Budge “But Franklin made it impossible to: negotiate even on these consum- mately fair terms, and now we won’t move an inch. We feel cer- tain, if it comes to a ‘dog fight’ we will emerge victors, as a national circuit cannot conduct itself in the manner in which Franklin apparent- ly proposes to conduct the H-F chain. i “In fact at the present time, the proposed circuit is understood to be negotiating for several houses-which have union men on, and which would immediately be affected by the policy at The Mirror should they come under the H-F banner. “And not only would this issue effect houses of the Hughes-Frank- h.n chain, but it would also operate concerning tile conditions under which pictures run in the houses were produced. Nothing to Say "For that reason we feel sure that other men of the H-F organization, who have money involved in it, will see the ridiculousness of following the policy of union labor hostility under which the Vine street house was opened.’’ When inquiry was made at The Mirror concerning the row, it was stated that negotiations to unionize the house were now in progress, and thr t there was, therefore, nothing definite to announce at the present time. MacQUARRIE BROS. OPEN ONE-NIGHTER The MacQuarrie Brothers, util- izing the name of Gotham Produc- tions, opened a dramatic show “Red Helen O’Brien,” in San Ja- cinto, Friday (March 6). Played that stand one night, with bookings for one night in Oxnard, and in Glendale, the latter for the follow- ing Tuesday. Plans are to take the show into,San Francisco and Los Angeles. The show carries nine people, among them being Herbert Hayes, Isabelle Dawn and Lee Prather. Luther Justin is stage director. No bond was filed on the show, which is an original by Herbert Ashton. OPENING FOR F-M The Great Raymond, magician, opens for Fanchon and Marco April 2. MARCO BACK Marco arrived hack from New York Thursday of this week. On account of snow storms in the middle west, he made use of the train instead of his airplane. Big Ballyhoo BOASBERG RE-SIGNED A! Boasherg has signed a new contract with Radio Pictures. His last two were originals for Radio, “Should Wives Work?” a Mary As- ter vehicle, and “Going, Going, Gone,” a starring story for Robert AVoolsey. M. C. AT MULLER’S Earle Waterman, billed as “The Canadian Singing Fool,” is now m. c.’ing at Muller’s on Hill street. He recently was at the Paris Inn and the Oaks Tavern. “JUNE MOON” NEXT “June Moon,” comedy by Ring J ardner and George S. Kaufman, is the next production scheduled for the Pasadena Community Play- house. to be presented from March 19 to 28. OPENS UNION SQUARE The Union Square Theatre, Los Angeles, was opened March 13 hv its new owner, H. M. Peterson. Big Ballyhoo For Charlie is— Or Is It Not? It is said (to use Holly- wood’s best known expression) that Charlie. Chaplin wasn’t taking any chances on not being riotously received on his current European trip. The story says that it was planned for two publicity ex- perts to hop out two weeks ahead of him, well supplied with cash, with which to stir up enthusiasm for the recep- tions of the comedy king. With a nucleus insured by choice expenditure of the do- re-mi, it is stated, it was felt sure that rabble sediment would gather, as it will any- where, a group appears. While the two-man proposi- tion didn’t go through, the one who went, if the report is true, seems to be doing well, judging by wire stories reach- ing back here. I ill FISK II PIE The Civic Repertory, which is understood to he due to close this week at the Hollywood Music Box, pi-tnrl r-<\ tn ha vr- 1a pi for $40,000 during its run at that house. And this despite the fact that the Repertory sold 2200 subscrip- tions at $15 prior to opening, and also received other contributions during the run. The $40,000 red ink figure is ascribed by those who pretend to know as • being due to too many managers, pseudo managers, and others who arrived at differing conclusions . and jumbled up the •conduct of the finances according- ly. Or, as one party said, “Too much organization.” Announcement is made at the house that it will reopen after Lent, but other quarters doubt (his, due to the heavy loss sus- tained. The Repertory got off to a hot start with George Bernard Shaw’s “The Apple Cart,” but then came the grief. It is understood that no other show did anything to he joyous about, and the management finally decided to turn from their policy of play draw to the old standby name- draw. So they put Patsy Ruth Miller in in “French Leave," but either Patsy is not the draw she is reputed, or else it's all just too had, and that one also is understood to have done no bet- ter than weak box office. 0I00LB IS HERE 10 SOU STRONG (Continued from Page 1) musicians. There are 10 pieces in the aggregation, including three from Gus Arnheim’s orchestra. Fair enough, as Molina and his hoys intersperse Argentine melodies in Arnheim’s nightly program from the Cocoanut Grove. Those Music Boys The three are William Ellfeldt, one of the few pianists in America who can catch the real tempo of the Argentine; Tony Travers, who gets that stuff out of the accordion, and Samuel Pedroza, who lilts forth with solos that melt the air, such Latinized amour are they. Add these three to the Molino group, and remembering that when Carlos lays his cheek to violin the fern sighs are like a rising tornado— and no wonder the French room is filled to its 250 capacity every Thursday with a standout waiting for every vacated spot. The boys get a break on the mu- sical end, too, for there is Chiquita, beautiful and tempting soloist, who has that It for every number she gives. Peeking in last Thursday, the glance disclosed a miniature slice of Hollywood’s Who’s • Who, with such names present as Dolores Del Rio, Gloria Swanson, Mae Murray, Greta Nissen and Fifi Diorsay. Just a Gigolo—um hum, hut what a break for the L. A. Cadillac deal- ers, -or else. NEXT HOOT M. H. Hoffman, Jr., producer for Allied Picture Productions, is plan- ning on starting the next Hoot Gibson picture within the next three weeks. It is an original by Peter B. Kyne, with release title not yet set. Otto Brower is to direct, with Sally Eiiers opposite Hoot. The first Allied Gibson picture, “Clearing the Range,” is shooting currently. SID WITH ALLIED Sid Algiers, formerly business manager for Tiffany and recently with Liberty Productions, has taken charge of affairs for Allied Pic- tures Corporation. BEGINS MELOS Duke Worne has begun produc- tion on “The Last Ride,” the first of a series of eight melodramas, at Tec-Art studios. Heading the cast are Dorothy Revier and Charles Morton. New .Paramount contracts have been signed by Dorothy Arzuer, di- rector; Edward Montagne, associ- ate editor, and Samson Raphaelson, staff writer. D. Ross Lederman, who directed six Rin-Tin-Tin’s, and Buck Jones' ‘ The Fighting Patrol,” has been signed by Columbia to direct the r.cxt Buck Jones. Lederman and George Morgan are working on the story. B. P. Schulberg has returned to Los Angeles from the annual ex- ecutive -conference on production plans in K,ansas City. William Jackie was signed bv At Ncitz for comedy relief in “The Phantom.” Virginia Sale has been signed for a part in "We Three” which John Adolfi is to direct for First Na- tional. “Nancy’s Private Affair,” stage play purchased recently by Radio Pictures,: has been selected as Mary Astor’s next. Gregory La Cava will direct. Gunis Davis has been signed for a part in Radio Pictures’ “Madame Julie.” George Kelly, New York play- wright, iias signed as writer and director for Metro-,Goldwyn-Mayer, and will shortly leave- New .York for the coast. Barbara Stanwyck has signed a long term -contract with Warner Bros. Anthony Bushell has been given a long-term contract by Warner Bros. Robert Milton has signed a long term contract with First National Pictures as a director. Robert Lord, connected with Warner Bros, and First National Pictures for some time, has been elevated to the post of story super- visor of First National Pictures at the Burbank studios. Edward Goodman has been as- signed to direct Ruth Chatterton’s new Paramount starring picture, “Women Love Once,” from Zoc Akins’ stage success, “Daddy's Gone A-Hunting.” Paul Lukas has been assigned the lead opposite Chat- terton. MARION LORD HERE Marion Lord, who recently be- came Mrs. Arthur M:cLag!en while both were members of the Duffy stock company in San Francisco, is in Los Angeles to do picture and stock work here, STARTING COMEDIAN The'- Johnny Auer Productions are expecting to start within a day or two on their Spanish picture, “The Comedian,” made from the well known Spanish stage play of that name. Ernesto Vilches is the star. Jack Warner’s Party Has Lot of Par Guests Jack Warner gave a party, and unlike the w. k. party of Mother Goose fame, plenty of people came —some of whom were invited. It seems Jack wanted to en- tertain Bobby Jones, who is not unknown in golfing cir- cles. So he hired a table, spe- cial of course, in the Blossom Room of the Roosevelt, and word was bruited around the Warner Bros, lot that the party was to be held. So the Warner Bros, people turned out for the event no- blesse oblige, hut the Para- mount people went them bet- ter, much better by actual count of noses present. The reason: well, since Warners’ recent million dol- lar raid on the Paramount ranks with Ruth Chattcrton and Bill Powell as the raidees, the Par, folks have had their minds to windward. Charles Saxon and Scott Darling have been signed to write two-reel original comedies for Radio Pic- tures. : Frances Marion has been signed under a new long term contract by M-G-M. Ralph Graves has been signed to a. new long term contract by M- G-M. Monroe Owsley has been signed by M-G-M for the leading male role in "Five and Ten.” Frank Albertson, Gwen Lee and Constance Cummings, have been signed by R-K-O for roles in “Traveling Husbands, ’ which Paul Sloane will direct. Out Among’ Em By Matson My last week-end spent in San Francisco proved many things . Sixteen candy shops on Powell Street from Market to Post . , . The Mark Hopkins on the Hill to- gether with the St Francis . . . Fairmont and Palace are all break- ing even in business . . . that it is easier to drive on Wilshire even on Sunday than on the seven Hills . . . Sid Goldtree, the Earl Carroll of North Beach, preparing for his new show at the Green Street Theatre . . . Carter the Great showing the writer and our editor through his new palace now building overlook- ing the Golden Gate, “Carter Man- or,” in Seacliff . .. . Tait's of old closed and dark echoes of Fanchon and Marco dancing, Natalie King- stone in gingham, Rube Wolf, Francis Williams, and many others . . . -Peacock Alley” in the St. Francis Flotei hut only ghosts of the past .strutting their stuff . . . Drug store Bourbon lots better and cheaper than same packages in Hollywood ... Adele Windsor up from Hollywood entering the Mark Hopkins with another familiar face. . . . Kolb and Dill opened and they had a chorus and they let the chorus go and one was invited out to eat . . . Eighty joints were dosed and the other three hun- dred and seventy-nine barely mak- ing the payments on the- Rolls' Royce . . . Walker Whiteside suite-ing it at the Sir Francis Drake,, a hotel catering heavily to theatri- cal folks . . . Pat Frayne, sporting editor of the Call-Bulletin, who writes football as well as he quar- terbacked it with me hack in the dark ages of 1916 .. . Phi! Sinnott, coast manager for the NEA serv- ice out of S. F. and in L. A., this week visiting Danny Thomas, L. A, NEA rep . . Phil, who looks like the Prince of Wales . . But when it comes to that Danny is some sheik, too . . . Jan Rubini walking in the sun on Market Street . . . The Lee Kids on their way to the Golden Gate, where they’re head- lining as Jane and Katherine Lee . . . John B arrymore and his pro- file, also his wife, buying tickets for the Pantages Theatre to see how Frederic March does His matinee- idol stuff . . . A1 Boasherg in Clif- ford and Marion’s dressing room flashing a check for $1500, which was advance payment on $7500 for the story “Call Me Flash” which he has peddled to Flarokl Lloyd . . . Bill Wrigley’s $10,000 horse (all paid for) taking a trip to his new home on ; Catalina . . . Artie Mehlinger, of Harms, and Artie Swartz, of Witmark, who Siamese Twin it extensively, seen hopping out of a car at the" F. and M. of- fices . . . The way the boys were post-hasting up the stairs they must have had a flock of hot numbers under their arms . . . Arthur Mc- Comas also noted paying his re- spects around the F. and M. head- quarters ... as was Willard Hall ,. • ■ and the old key still works on. Bush Street. WOOLFOLK IN L. A. Boyle Woolfoik, accompanied by his wife, has arrived from the East,, visiting Los Angeles for a few months. He is connected in a man- agerial capacity with Col. W. S. Butterfield, who has a chain of over 70 theatres in the East. Col. Butter- field, who has already been here for some time, and Woolfoik are combining vacation and business activities during their stay here. Charles “Chic” Sale has signed with Radio Pictures to write and, star in a series of six two-reelers.