Inside facts of stage and screen (March 28, 1931)

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r Page Two INSIDE FACTS OF STAGE AND SCREEN Saturday, March 28, 1931 KMCS SALE TO STIFFEN COAST COMPETITION L. A. Radio Cut-Ins By Ralph Foland The baffle board in the broadcast- ing studio at UBC is one of those gadgets to which radio performers always object at first, and then, after giving it a trial, they sing its praises like everything. The baffle board leaves the higher frequencies alone and brings up the lower fre- quencies. Raising them thus brings them out, and the result is a much SHIELDS SEES HEW TYPE OF mum Radio programs and the prefer- ences of the listening public are tending more towards some definite form of entertainment other than the strictly musical, in the opinion of Frederic Shields, manager and program director of KTM, the Pick- wick Broadcasting Company’s Los Angeles station. “This tendency extends even to the dramatization of what in the past would have been presented as strictly musical programs,” Shields points' out. "There is, of course, a reason for the popularity of this type of program aside from the purely dramatic—it gives the listen- er an insight into what he is pleased to interpret as the true character of the arlist. "In many cases, in fact, the idea of the presentation is based on the true characters of the entertainers. An example of this type of program is the KTM Ranch Hour.” ^ A national chain of 150-seat two- bit houses using the -traits Lux method of screening is reported to be in an advanced state of forma- fcioii. First of this houses are understood to have been taken over for speedy it’j.j'jall'atioii of the trans-Lux ma- chines and opening, 1 hey will be the size of neigh- borhood drugstores, the first hav- ing ISO scats. Ope rat on will be oil on extreme economy policy. The doorman’s place will'be taken by a turaside, and there will be no ush- ers. Main portion of the staff will l«c a ticket girl, two operator's and a manager. In Daylight The trans-Lux process is one which permits screening of a film in daylight. The project?. hi ma- ^dine .operates from behind a gela- tine base screen and at a distance of eight feet casts a projection of eight feet in width. This permits operation in a low-ceiled room, and makes possible the use of the aver- age already constructed store as a picture theatre. Standard film is used. The daylight feature is being bal- ly hoaed as making theatre-going safer for women and children. f nanis-Lux made fit's appearance two years ago for use in brokers’ offices for casting of quotations. Smith Is Organizer Percy Fur,her is president of the Daylight Picture Screen Corpora- tion, and owns 40 per cent of the stocks iin the Trans-Lux Movie Corporation, of which RKO is un- derstood to own 50 per cent. The rc.iL its .said 'to be owned by -Court- land. Smith, president of Trans-Lux Movies (a different corporation from the Trans-Lux Corporation). Smith is the reported organizer of the pro- posed two-bit -chain. Smith Qiioin d the ne wsreel pol- icy ait ithc Cmbassy, New York, and was reported to have cleared $150,- 000 ton an investment -of $20,000 in this venture. FILMARTE 1228 Vine Street Hollywood GERMAN talking, singing phoio- J play ‘‘Crete! and Liesel Comedy drama filmed at GBERAMMERGAU improved tone. Suspended from the ceiling at a height that varies ac- cording to requirements, the baffle board is of particular value to dra- matic casts in broadcasting. The group of players, instead of crowd- ing and jostling around the mike, can be comfortably spaced under the baffle and the result is a better performance. KMTR has a new morning broadcast sponsored by the Viva- Radon Company, owners of one ounce of radium, for which they paid $1,000,000. Jean Temple, Martha Russell and Allan Grant appear on the program, a darktown continuity. One of the factors contributing to the success of the Hargraves De- tective series, UBC weekly broad- cast, although little known or real- ized by the public in general, is the excellence of the cast, which has been carefully picked from the Pasadena Community Players’ ros- ter. , Roy E. Fisher, who has been broadcasting a 15-minute dramatic reading request program over KMTR every Sunday, will be heard hereafter on Saturday nights over the same station. A new feature on KMTR is Ted Dahl's “Ship of Joy” program nightly except Saturday at 10:30 p.m. The 10-piece orchestra will offer modern arrangements of new and old favs. Bill Ray, KGER manager, whose tonsils were extracted a few weeks ago, has been experiencing a slow recovery. Shortly after the opera- tion he was removed to St. Vin- cent’s hospital in Los Angeles, later returning to his home, where he is convalescing at this time. S. S. Fox. president and general manager q.§; Salt Lake’s EDYL, has. been among the recent visitors sign- ing the guest book in KG ER’s Long Beach studio. James Alverscn, quondam techni- cian of KFI-KECA, has perfected and is about to launch on the mar- ket a radical departure in the sci- ence and art of recording. Alverscn’s device does not use plates, discs or rolls. It uses a thin steel wire, on a small spool of which an entire three-act drama or opera can be recorded and carried about in a vest pocket. Harry Meyers, who in the ab- sence of Chief Technician Les Hew- itt holds all the responsibility for the mechanism of KFWB, is a lieu- tenant in the Naval Reserve. A;t that time it is understood he planned a chain such as that now being organized, but could only find 38 spots sufficiently small and cheap to fit in with the project. He was associated with Will Hays when the; latter was post- master general in Washington, and later was interested in the movicls through Fox. What, Oh What Happened at the Hollywood M.B. Marc Anthony lost his chance to be a Roman Emperor. Ro- meo lost his life, and the Holly- wood Music Box closed. And, so says a story going the rounds, the reasons for the three happenings were not dis- similar, with slight biological variations. It seems that one of the men high in the councils of the the- atre management of the M.B. became amourously inclined, ac- cording to the story. It was that brand of affection which farmers back in the Middle West say: “Taint so — things like that don't happen.” And after the party of the second part refused to be a party of the second part, it is stated, the good people of the Bowl Association heard all about it. Whereupon indignant ladies withdrew their support from the Repertoire, and the doors closed. Believe it or not. S. F. Radio Cut-Ins 011 FORECAST By Harold Bock Stiffened competition in the radio field is seen as an aftermath of the purchase of KMCS (formerly KM 1C) by Frank P. Daugherty, attorney for William Randolph Flearst. The deal was consummated two weeks ago, and word this week was that Daugherty intended to put across smash programs, using the Hearst newspaper methods on the air. It is understood that the purchase was part of the Hearst policy of expanding his power on the Pacific Coast and nationally, a policy which the newspaper field has recognized as being considerably augmented within the last couple of years. For- merly Hearst was considered to be in the newspaper business, as are the rest of them, mainly for mak- ing money, but latterly word around the newspaper fraternity has been that Hearst’s new watchword is power at any price. Grapevine reports now current are that Daugherty, who is gener- ally considered to be acting directly for Hearst, is planning a series of smash programs that will consid- erably elevate the whole scale of radio entertainment through better money for entertainers. Other sta- tions and sponsors, it is said, will have to raise their ante to keep the dials from centering on the KMCS and KMTR broadcasts, where the Hearst publicity power can draw a lot of free class talent. Daugherty already owned KMTR, which is used as the Evening Herald (Hearst) broadcasting outlet. Daugherty bought the controll- ing stock of KMCS from Dalton, the auto man. A studio will be built on the Christie Metropolitan lot, Hollywood, with the transmit- ter maintained in its present locale downtown. It will operate on 500 waks. KMCS has latterly been broad- casting practically nothing but re- cordings. SAN FRANCISCO, March 27.— One of the so-called big radio shots fe rapidly proving more unpopular each day. One of the greatest guys *ou could meet before lie was a “name,” be now gets tangled up in a lot of deals and is losing more friends than he can afford to part from. His latest stunt came to light the other day when he backed out on a deal with a music pub- lisher. He liked a tune that had been written expressly for him, agreed to plug it, and was cut in on whatever intake there might be. But when the publisher wouldn’t put out tunes of the big shot's pal, the big shot backed out- refused to plug the tune and won’t even turn back to the publisher his cut-in on the number. i Shell Oil has signed Walt Roes- : ner and his Fox Concert Orchestra i for Monday morning broadcasts | over KPO and the Coast network of NBC on Dobbsie’s hour. It’s 8 to 9 a. m. The Roesner group was recommended as a radio feature by this column some time ago. Denver Radio By Dusty Rhodes DENVER, March 27. — Janet Bible, who croons with the Night- cappers on Monday nights and with the Troubadours on Saturday afternoons at the NBC Denver sta- tion, is to be married on May 1 to Norris Schroeder, Denver bari- tone. They will spend their honey- moon in California. Schroeder is to sing the baritone lead in a com- munity oratorio given in Los An- geles on May 8. “The, Gypsy Trail” is the title of a new matinee program that begins at KOA, on Monday, April 6> at 3:30 p. ni. A string quartette di- rected by Ruth Skelly Bello will form the nucleus of the program seated as soloists. Mildred Kyffin, sented as soloists. Mildred Kyffin, contralto, will sing on the opening broadcast. Clarence C. Moore, an- nouncer, will make all announce- ments in verse. Hulda Helen Ed- wards, director of matinees at KOA. will have personal supervis- ion of the new program. Pacific Greyhound transportation company has bought KTAB’s Pep- per Box, two-hour variety program done every Wednesday night. John Moss,'basso, has left KFRC for Los Angeles. Kodak hour has returned to NBC with a program that includes Mah- lon Merrick and Orchestra, Gail Taylor, soprano and a mate quar- tet. Frank Galvin and A1 Jacobs have found a way of putting over a re- corded KJBS program. Radio Car- toons, they call it, and in i,t they have worked such gags as “What Did Napoleon Say at Waterloo?” He said “This is a phonograph record." Incidentally. A1 “Song of the Hills” lishied by Feist. Jacobs’ tune is being pub- In addition to her KVA contral- to-ing, Greta Gahler is annuomcing one of her own programs. Robert Olsen of KFRC is another to work the same stunt. A Columbia chain feature “Vital Personalities” is being burlesqued over KFRC with Bill Wright as m. -c. Edna O’Keefe was the first personality. Chuck Mandeb, pianist, has join- ed KJBS. DALTON BRINGS NEW CAST FROM EAST Figuring that the present com- pany will not hold business up un- til the warm weather sets in, T. V. Dalton, owner of The Follies has brought an entrie new stock burlesque cast in from the east. The roster of the new show which opens today (March 28), includes Frank O'Neil and George Rehn, comics; Johnny Cook, straights; Thelma Lawrence, s-oub; Allan Parks, and 36 line girls. Manager Webb l'.as augmented the stock presentation with a 20 people all- Creole revue. BARBARA LEE FRANKLIN At Pantages Theatre With Meglin Kiddies Strasska’s Big y Leaves For Chicago Date Boy Cbas. W. I lamp, whose pic- ture appears oil the front cov- er of this issue, is Dr. Strass- ka’s Big Boy, and that is that. Damon and Pythias, and beer and pretzels, and Hamp and Strasska are itopnotchiers in the famous combinations rac- ket. Eh. Dr.? There is no need to tell any- one what Hamp does these days. Wherever there’s a radio, there alslo is the Big Boy’s voice, pian’o-ing and air per- sclraality coining over the; ether waves in the well known combi of his ‘slinging, playing and s unis hi ne spreading. So when his picture recently appeared in the papers as radio’s best paid child, no one was surprised. Popularity like his is worth money, and lots of it. Hamp is leaving L. A. to- day (March 28), for a 13- weeks radio engagement over WBVM, Chicago. Dick Rickard is announcer and m. c. on a new KFRC program, Sunday Sunshine, an impromptu hour with Walter Kelsey and Or- chestra and others. Believe it or not, the Fred Filers of KYA are planning a summer vacation trip through Texas on a Harley-Davidson puddle jumper. CHEAP POLICY OF FLAYED (Continued from Page 1) cient to hold the dialers for a final ad message when the program is over- and there you have real value. Not To Blame “Also this so-called subtlety in advertising is a fallacy. The pub- lic understands that the sponsors must get across an ad in return for. furnishing the program, and there, is no resentment when the ad is given in good straight language. "Radio rn. c.’s and announcers arc usually given the blame for the over-indulgence in advertising. That’s wrong. What is a poor an- nouncer or m. c. going to do when he knows his salary-payer is listen- ing in for the sole purpose of hear- ing how much boosting his product gets. He forgets the public and talks advertising for the sake of holding his job. That's human nature.” He declared that the sponsor’s economy policy not only injured themselves, but also the broadcast- ing stations by causing general dis- satisfaction with a station. “And multiply this by almost the total number of stations in the United States and you can readily see that the entire radio industry LENT PLUS HEAT and mere WANT THEATRICAL MANAGER For A-l Proposition Production Now in Rehearsal All Rights Intact Call Mr. Brodie, DUnkirk 9616 will face a serious crisis unless sponsors are educated to buy the bfesjt available talent and pay good money for it,” he concluded. More Lent, and Saturday Sunday receipts down fc> a handful of change thanks to super- summer heat, combined to pull down the figure's as much as $5,000 under last week’s intake at some houses. And last week was no ban- ner box-office triumph either. The Paramount, with a 'second run fea- ture, "Morocco,” first time at pop prices, did neat business with tiie exception of the week-end patron- age. which failed to show up. “The Conquering Horde,” at the United Artists, proved a weak draw for the whole seven days. ‘-Ateader Horn,” in its ninth week at it. ■ Chinese, slipped off, but not ■sjelribusly, bringing in $13,500 for the week, Loew’s State with “Parlor. Bedroom and Bath,” featuring Blis- ter Keaton and Charlotte Green- wood, got $18,622, which is plenty low for this house, but a couple of thousand ahead of the previous week. Carth'ay Circle had Norma Shearer in “Strangers May Kiss” in the second week of its run, and Abe Lyman and his band in the pit, drawing a fair $17,241. The Holly- wood Pa retages, “Fliirn and Hattie” on the screen and a Fanchon and Marco unit on the -stage, made a weak ishowiilug with $9361. Joan Crawford in “Dance, Fools, Dance,” at the Criterion, made $3793 in three days. Just fair, but holding up bet- tor (than some of the more bally- hetaed specials. The Egyptian was slightly under average with $4306 in ai (thfe b. o. for ,r Don’t Bet on Women.” The fast five days of “Millie” brought in $10,035 at the Orpheum, $4000 short of last week, and the RKO Hillstreiat dame in for $15,740 with Edward Horton in “Lonely Wives.”