Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1932)

64 MOTION PICTURE HERALD November 19, 1932 STAGE ATT 12 ACT IONS PCC PICTURE THEATRES INSTRUMENTAL The Red Dominoes (19) New York Academy of Music This new band act, composed of 16 girl musicians, is capably directed by the beauteous Miriam Hoffman, and comprises every conceivable method of entertaining an audience. The band is arranged in a special full-stage setting which tends to set off each member of the organization to best advantage. The opening number, a scrim setting in which each face is lighted by an invisible flashlight as the girls sing, is most outstanding and starts the turn off to a fast pace. At the finish of this, Miss Hoffman, conductress and mistress of ceremonies, announces that all will introduce themselves individually in song. A young lady next offers a good rendition of "Couldn't Say Goodby," with the band playing a special arrangement with interpolations. Solo numbers by members, intepretative and acrobatic dancing and comedy by Leon and Dawn, together with some well played instrumental numbers by the band, comprise the remainder of this entertaining act. Running time is 60 minutes. — E. D. Abe Lyman and Orchestra New York Capitol Rebooked here after a sensational recordbreaking stay several weeks ago, Abe Lyman opens the music with a hot introduction, followed by "Dinah," to which one of the band offers an eccentric dance. The orchestra then shows its versatility by playing a medley of operatic airs including "Miserere," "Tales of Hoffman," the 'Quartette' from "Rigoletto," "Celeste Aida" and "Faust," the audience sounding marked enthusiasm. A vocalist with a pleasing baritone sings "That's Why Darkies Were Born," and Lyman finales with "Tiger Rag" to a fine response. — H. P. Mme. Ernestine Schumann-Heink New York Roxy Celebrating her Golden Anniversary, Mme. Schumann-Heink sings a special program to an enthusiastic audience. She is assisted in a special "Armistice" number by the Roxy Male Chorus and closes with the inevitable but beloved "Heilige Nacht."— E. D. Tito Coral Buffalo Buffalo Coral received generous applause from this traditionally cold audience. Perhaps his judicious admixture of semi-classics and popular numbers, a welcome relief from the high-hat attitude often affected by opera stars, had something to do with it. Rudy Kaye Philadelphia Fox This tenor sang the beautiful "sob solo" from "Pagliacci," with orchestra accompaniment. In the fortissimo passages he forced his tones, sacrificing some of the dramatic tone quality to gain volume, but his number was well received. N. Y. Hippodrome Reopens Nov. 19 The Hippodrome, New York house dark since last summer, is being renovated and will open November 19, under the management of C. & C. Amusement Corporation, formed by A. J. Cooper and William A. Carroll, operators of a circuit of theatres in the Middlewest, with headquarters at Youngstown, Ohio. Plans call for a stage band, probably the pit orchestra now at the RKO Palace, and a vaudeville-film combination policy. Admission will range from 10 to 25 cents. NOVELTY Miss Diana and Her Haunted Violin Brooklyn Prospect This is one of the most mystifying of novelty acts. Miss Diana, an accomplished violinist, opens with a good rendition of a classical number, at the close of which she announces that the violin will play of its own accord any number asked for by the audience. The patrons were not reluctant to call out numbers, and, surprisingly, bits of each of these numbers seemed to come from the violin without the aid of Diana, who held it. Those who were skeptical had even more to think about when Miss Diana walked through the audience and the instrument apparently played their requests as different persons held it in their hands. This is an act that is sure to draw crowds and entertain them. It was great here. — E. D. Stuart and Lash (3) Neu> York Palace Harry Lash is a laugh-getting M. C, and when joined by his partner, the pair offer a round of hokum which ties up the show. Lash scores with a novelty song embodying titles of popular songs and the pair continue the hearty laughs with their Scotch bit. A clever imitation of the Mills Brothers is followed by a fast finish with Lash offering guitar accompaniment to Stuart's acrobatics. It's an acehigh noveltv. — H. P. Georgia Crackers Buffalo Buffalo Annie, Judy and Zeke, two girls and a boy, offer hillbilly songs, arousing interest at once by their back country costumes. Zeke does animal and bird imitations, while Annie (or is it Judy) proves surprisingly adept on piano and xylophone. Decidedly a novelty. Three Cossacks Buffalo Hippodrome This sensational roller skating act builds to an exciting finish with the understander swinging his two partners. DANCERS The DeRues and Howe (3) Detroit Fox To start this act, the DeRues and Howe have the assistance of the chorus who, dressed as big-lipped Ubangi women, add the necessary "jungle atmosphere." To the accompaniment of weird voodoo music, the DeRues and Howe, dressed as savage medicine men, cavort upon the stage and go through a series of double-jointed, contortionistic feats that would shame the most sinuous serpent. Vivian Fay New York Roxy Miss Fay, who is here for her third return engagement in two months, appears in two separate dances, one in the first scene and one in the finale. Her first dance gives her little opportunity to prove her versatility, but her last, an interpretative oriental number, did, though that too was short. An appreciative audience applauded her efforts. — E. D. Patricia Bowman Ballet |24) Philadelphia Mastbaum Patricia Bowman and her ballet of 24 give a beautifully-staged gold and silver ballet. At the conclusion of this dance the curtains at the rear of the stage are lifted and Patricia Bowman, in white tulle and rhinestones, dances a solo of such fairylike grace and delicacy of motion that she seems to float among the girls like thistledtown. Harold and Lola New York Roxy A newly imported dancing act that will meet with the instant approval of most audiences, as they did here. The act is entitled "The Cobra and the Snake Charmer," and for a distinctive novelty it cannot be beaten. — E. D. CCAiEDy Ken Murray (4) New York Capitol Ken opens with several timely gags on politics and then clicks strongly with his "Advice to the Lovelorn" bit. Milton Charleston lends a hand in keeping the audience in laugter, proving an able comedian in his own right. All Ricker, lanky dead-pan, then offers an amusing eccentric dance. Throughout the act, Murray is a constant factor, timing the routine for a succession of laughs. — H. P. Al Trahan and Miss Cameron Omaha Orpheum Al Trahan goes over in a large way with his piano fooleries, ably assisted by a blonde associate. Interspersed with a lot of nonsense, he manages to cause his house to feel that he really can play and that Miss Cameron can sing. Her songs are "Kiss Me Again," "If I Were the Only Girl in the World" and the "Livery Stable Blues." ATTENTION EXHIBITORS BOOKING TALENT! This department aims to serve you in boolcmg acts. We have on file the information on how to get in touch with any act reviewed. Write to Stage Attractions Department, Motion Picture Herald, 1790 Broadway, New York City.