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

Saturday, March 21, 1931 INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN Page Nine Band Reviews LAUGHNER-HARRIS HOTEL ST. FRANCIS San Francisco (Reviewed March 9) Three years ago a small hand drew the dance desirous couples to a Balboa Beach dancing pavilion. The band was popular for its smooth soft rhythm and its exclu- sive style of playing the tunes of the day. The boys gained their popularity through their attractive appearances and personalities. The same band is now one of the most popular musical organizations in San Francisco and the Pacific Coast, and is being built up by NBC as an ace aerial feature. Credit goes mainly to Carol Laughner, and Phil Harris who, through expert man- agement, have kept the personnel of the.band almost intact. They are entering their second year at the St. Francis and have done great things in building up the clientele. Eddie Bush’s trio is with them for an indefinite engagement and he handles the vocal work with Muzzy Marcelino, soloist. At the Tea Dansant on Monday, the boys took their place on the canopied stand in the Embassy Room at 4 o’clock—all in smart uni- form brown suits and wearing the contagious Laughner-Harris smile that makes the San Francisco debu- tantes’ hearts skip a beat! They have a unique style of slipping into a number and keeping perfect rhythm and softness throughout. “Wind in the Willow” was first, with Muzzy doing the vocal work. Next was “Fool Me Some More” and. Miuzzy singing again through the lately installed public address system. His voice is young, hut sweet in quality and he has a style all his own. It’s a pleasure, to hear someone not attempting the Arm- strong or Crosby system. His ap- pearance and personality help his more, than pleasing voice. Phil Har- ris, who, handles the traps in a dis- tinctive style, was featured in “One More Time,” doing two choruses in his deep bass voice and inimitable planner. He has a way ail his own. Ralph Dadisman, trumpet, did some hot muted phrases. How this boy goes to town. In the second group, “Reaching For the Moon” was. first, played in extra slow waltz tempo with the brass section featured, Dadisman, Irving “Itch” Shilkret and George Plumstead, trombone. The Eddie Bush trio and Hal Sehaer sing the chorus. “I Surrender. Dear,” fol- lowed with Buster Dees doing a STEWART 10 IE 1 .1 LIGHT OPERA Cecil Stewart, whose orchestra is playing with the co-op production of “Paris in Spring” at the Majes- tic, is finishing a light opera which is to have its premiere in New York City this season. Two big producers arc bidding for it, and a contract with one or the other will be closed shortly. It has been heard in part by several prominent local show people, in- cluding Jesse Lasky, and they have been unanimous in praising it. Stewart’s . brother, Joseph Stew- art, is designing the sets. Stewart has long been promi- nent for his aggregation of musi- cians, both orchestra members and soloist, and his symphonic ar- rangements have scored heavily. Soloists-are Emil Franland, Vincent Snolidoro and David Julber. chorus and the trio coming in for a second chorus. Next was “Just a Gigolo” with the reeds, Bo'b H.anon, Hal Sehaer and Del Billings, featured, and the brass, muted, on (he second chorus. The trio sang a chorus,. The very popular “Peanut Ven- dor” opened the group of numbers done by the trio with Muzzy Mar- c.ilino working with them. Eddie Bush of the famous high voice, Bus,- ter Dees and Earl Randell comprise the trio and their work is beautiful. Their harmony is beyond reproach and they have a soft soothing style. They have the most unique ar- rangement on the "Vendor” yet heard. Followed with “Song of the Islands,” which called for an en- core. George Plumstead did some neat work on the vibraphone, iit this number. Johnny Walters, bass; Frank Fcmeiy, banjo and guitar; Milton Martin and Carl Ackley, fiddles, .comprise the balance of the per- sonnel. Carl Laughner at the piano. V may. ABE LYMAN ORCHESTRA CARTHAY CIRCLE THEATRE Los Angeles (Reviewed March 16) Abe Lyman and his music spell class from the first crash of cymbals to the last toot of the trumpet. Showman, musician, artist, and per- sonality of the first water, he rings the 'bell every time he steps up on the conductor’s stand. That’s not saying that lie isn’t missed at his Hollywood Custom Tailors 5622 HOLLYWOOD BLVD. HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. Phone HEmpstead 6 2 2 4 “We perform tchal ice promise ” SOL STEPT VAL VALENTE'S MUSIC Broadcasting Over KFRC—Don Lee Chain ROOF GARDEN CAFE SAN FRANCISCO mmm (r aluli Y ) 1 —dud and Gladys Murray, Byron Cramer—(BALLET)—Mary Frances Taylor PRACTICAL DRAMATICS AND STAGE DANCING TAP, Off-Rhythm, “Modernized” BALLET & Acrobatics Bud Murray's ‘‘California Sunbeams” Always in Demand - 3 Units Now Playing “THE ORIGINAL MURRAY SCHOOL” “3RD YEAR—SAMK PLACE” THE TOAST OF THE STARS Mountain Spring Water Serving Hollywood Studios and Stars with PURE NATURAL SPRING WATER MOUNTAIN SPRING WATER CO. 226 So. Avenue 54—Phone GA, 4381 PASADENA LOS ANGELES GLENDALE LOS ANGELES ...Song leaders fof-Jhe week in the Los Angeles territory were: 1. “I Surrender, Dear”—Powers. 2.. “Blue Again”-— Robbins. 3 “Just a Gigolo”-: De Sviva. 4. “I’m Alone Because I Love You”—Wit mark. 5. . "Reaching for the Moon”—- Berlin. 6. “You’re the One 1 Care For” —Santly Bros. 7. "You Didn’t Have to Tell Me’—Donaldson, 8. “Tears”—Shapiro . - . 9. "Would You Like to Take a Walk” - Remick. 10.. “Consolation”—Famous. .. SAN FRANCISCO Following . are . currently heading the list of local best .sellers: J. “I Surrender, Dear,”.—Powers. 2. “Reaching for the Moon,”— Berlin. 3. “Just a Gigolo,”—De Sylva. 4. “Walkin’ My Baby."—De Syl- va. i . ■ 5. “You’re; the One I Care For,” —Santly. : : . A - 6. “Blue Again,”—Robbins. . 7.. “Tears,”—Shapiro. 8. “Don’t Forget Me,”—Robbinsi 9. "I’m Alone,”—Witmark. 10. “Wabash Moon." -Berlin. NORTHWEST Best sellers Jn this territory were : 1. “Blue Again”—Robbins. 2. “When Your Hair Has Turned to Silver’’—Morris. 3. “Walking My , Baby Back Home”—De Sylva. , .4. "I‘m Alone Because I Love You” Witmark. 5. "Ninety-nine Out .of a Hun- dred”- Rohbii;>. 6. “Just a Gigolo’’—De Sylva:. 7. "Moonlight on the Colorado” —Shapiro; • - 8. “I Surrender, Dear”—Powers, 9. “King’s Horses”—Feist. 10*. “To . Make a . Long Story Short”—Red Star. Other good sellers -were.; “Sing, Song Girl.” ‘Overnight. “River St. Marie,” “Reaching for- the . Moon,” ‘‘Contes Sun rise,” '‘Hello Beautiful.’’ “You’re the One I ( are For.” old post behind the drums. Inci- dentally the present maestro of the traps is someone' to keep an eye on. Lyman opened with “The River and Me,” using the tune’s negro spiritual influence for all it was worth. Slim Young and Phil Neeley shared vocal honors, the latter do- ing an “Old Man River" interlude- under lights that gave the effect of blackface. The same pair got a se- ries of chortles and a healthy flock of bends out of a gag lad-and-lassie bit in “Lady, Play Your Mandolin.” A medley from the “Student Prince” came as nice contrast to preceding and follow ing numbers. Half the band voealed file “Drink- ing Song” and gave it plenty of punch while the brasses carried on at their instruments. An unbilled tenor left sweet musical echoes chorusing “Deep In My Heart.” The closing number was “Milcn- berg Joys,” as hot and hectic a se- quence of notes as can be offered any where. Credit Abe Lyman and Herb Taylor for novel and snappy arrangements. The aggregation was hanked effectively in the rising pit, And received support from Edward 'Swan at the organ. Vi. The musical taste of the Ameri- can public is changing, and the .monev men of music are willing to invest their dough on this bet. The old type of crazy, intoxicato jazg is fading, and now the demand is more and more verging to the in- sinuating, lingering type of melody, as for instance, the languorous Latin music. A recent example of this is seen in the action of the Victor people, who are now planning a $100,000 campaign to smash Gus Arnheim’s latest recordings into tfie east with the same rapidity as they catch on in western states, Ray Shields made the recordings here, the numbers being 'One More Time” (with Bing Crosby soloing); "I Surrender, Dear,” and "It Must P.c I>ue.” The recordings were perfect, and when the higher Victor execs heard them, they pro- moted the idea of the $100,000 cam- paign for a snappy eastern invasion. Arnheim fits into the new order of things 100 per cent, as. the trend of music is now strongly toward the European, and Gus spent nine months there recently, accompanied by his arranger, Jimmy Grier. DAMROSCH, HARDY OPEN BOWL SEASON Walter Damrosch will open the Hollywood Bowl’s annual season July 7, and will be followed one week- later by Sir Hamilton Harty, conductor of the Halle orchestra of Manchester, England, who is to make his American debut in the Boyl. Damrosch, who conducted, the New York Symphony orchestra for 20 years and directed in the Metropolitan Opera, is making his first Southern California appear- ance. The Bowl season is to continue for eight weeks through July and August. With the exception of the first week, two soloists’ nights are to be given each week iustead of one, as in the past. The Bowl pro- grams are given each Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Music Notes _ By ARCH WOODY _ Leigh Jason, producer of “fiu- manettes” for Radio Pictures, has signed the Gus Arnheim Orchestra and the Rhythm Boys for his tenth “Humanette” to start soon. Al, Boasberg and Charlie Saxon are doing the screen story. BUY OLD STORY Universal has purchased the novel “Frankenstein,” written by Mary Wollencraft Shelley, wife of the poet, in 1817. U. is hoping it will nrove another “Dracula.” JOINS GUS ARNHEIM Ramond Weiss has been im- ported from Mexico City by Gus Arnheim to join the latter’s orches- tra at the Ambassador Hotel. Weiss is famous in Paris and other European night life centers for his playing of the Bandoneon Argen- tine. ABE BLOOM ILL SAN FRANCISCO, March 20.— Abe Bloom, local representative for Irving Berlin was confined to his hotel this week after a sudden op- eration that forced him to drop out of the Fox stage presentation. Af-. ter his complete recovery, Bloom will move his music portfolio to the Ambassador Hotel, closing the Kress building office. OPEN FOR NASSERS’ _ SAN FRANCISCO, March 20.— Frank Xavier Galvin opens Sunday night at Nassers’ Castro, neighbor- hood house, with a six-piece orches- tra for two days of the week. The group is in for 10 weeks, and, if sat- isfactory to the N T assers, its union contract will be renewed. IS CHORAL DIRECTOR ’ SAN FRANCISCO, March 20— Leo Flanders has been named chor- al director at the Fox Theatre, handling all voices used in tiiat. house’s weekly Fox Follies. Fland- ers left Kolb and Dill’s “Apron- Strings” last week where he was or- chestra leader. CARLE WALLACE Has Trained and Exploited Many of the Biggest Dance Names in the Business BELMONT THEATRE BLDG. VERMONT AT FIRST EX. 11 96 George and Florence Barclay PRODUCERS AND DANCE DIRECTORS now associated DOUGLAS SCHOOL OF DANCING 1416 7th Avenue—Seattle One of the finest theatrical producing dance studios on the Pacific Coast “Regards to our many friends in Los Angeles” SINGING AT NEWBERRY’S Earle Waterman, the Canadian Singing Fool, who recently sang his. way from Toronto, to Hollywood;, is currently plugging songs at New- berry’s Hollywood Store. Water- man's ultimate goal is the picture game, his interests in this field be- ing handled by Kathryn Kelly. ON ROOF SAN FRANCISCO, March 20.— The dance teams, Don and Rita and Ann and Elinor, currently consti- tute the Roof Garden's entertain- ment lineup, along with Val Va- lente’s music. SAN. FRANCISCO, March 20.—Scene: Sidewalk in front of Municipal Auditorium. Characters: Hebraic Seller of Balloons; Officious Com- mittee Woman of St. Patrick's Day Celebration. Properties: Green p i g - shaped balloons on canes. Dialogue O. C. W.: “What arc those things vou are selling?” H. S. B.: “Pigs.” O. C. W.: “Pigs nothing.. Around here they're ele- phants.” THREE ST* JOHNS GYMNASTIC CAPERS RliH I Bef ell i t Tos Angeles DA YET JAMIESON Ratting IOO% far RiiO RITA A RUBINS For a Thrill See This Team PARAMOUNT LOS ANGELES ^ TEACHERS OF S UCCESSFU L lYKIPIPlEn r 112 YY 6 im. S*. LONG BEACH CALIF. '