Moving Picture World (Jan-Feb 1927)

524 MOVING PICTURE WORLD February 12, 1927 Production Tips , Kinks and Wrinkles (Continued from preceding page) Two vikings leave stage ; chief steps to right. At seemingly height of the dance temple gong sounds; the dancers crouch, then back slowly off stage right and left, a flash of lightning, thunder. Stage gradually to blue with green glint from sides. Chief sings. Suggested, “Olav Trygveson,” Grieg. Tab flies, revealing, against a background of distant hills and mountains, a viking ship with sail bellying in the breeze. On the deck of the ship are seen vikings in watchful pose, and the dancers in tabloid pose. Amber flood from right overhead on viking ship. Red overhead spot on singer from left. At the finish of song one of the vikings .gives a trumpet blast (on ram’s horn), temple gong sounds, a flash of lightning, thunder. Curtain. THE SETTINGS As the main drapes open the split eye FF hangs in a down position. The tab for the second number, E fig. 2, can be of sateen or other suitable material with decorations painted or appliqued on; or it may be a plain tab with a decorated plaque. The' latter is the more practical way, as the tab, as well as the plaque, the latter redecorated, may be used for future presentations. The plaque should be of rather large proportions, about 4 by 12 feet for the ordinary size stage. No poles, cords or tassels are to be used with this plaque. Suspend on chains or wires. The viking ship, used for the last scene, is cut from wall board and battened as indicated by dotted double lines in fig. 3, H. Three or four wrater rows are also cut to an even wave line from wall board and placed as shown in fig. 2. The land row C, as well as the mountain B, figs. 1 and 2, are constructed from wall board and paper, or muslin, over a wood frame. This construction has been explained in detail in previous presentations. A plain blue sky drop serves as backing. A, figs. 1 and 2. The sail may "be made from Jap silk. This material is light, airy and inexpensive. Make up the sail in alternate red and white stripes. One or two fans placed off stage will furnish enough wind to fill the sail. Suspend the sail from batten as shown in fig. 2. Two large wrought iron fern stands will ■do for braziers. Ribbons to suggest smoke. A red light concealed in bowl, and illuminating the ribbons, will add realism. Make the shield G, fig. 3, from veneer or ply board. If well battened on back, wall board will do. PAINTING The sky drop, A, is in plain blue. This is a stock hanging. The mountain, B, in pink with shading in lavender and medium purple in flat tones. The trees in the land row, C, In medium blues and purple; land foreground in dark and bright greens and brCHvns. Stones in light gray and black. Water in dark blue with wave definitions in turquoise and white. The ship gets light grey defined with black and gun-wale decorations in red, green and white. Dragon D, fig. 3, in gold, high-lighted with metallics and shaded in deep red. Shields on ship in alternate bright red and white. Carrier shield, G, is done in antique bronze decorated in red and gold. The plaque F, fig. 3, gets a white ground with decorative motif in red, blue and yellow colors and in gold outlined in black. COSTUMES Where costumes are obtainable from costume houses it does not pay to make these merely for one presentation. However, viking costumes may be difficult to procure and simple directions for making these are therefore offered. The helmet can be made from light weight tin, or from muslin over a wire or screen frame, painted in bronzes and colors to imitate iron. A dressmaker should not find it difficult to make the cape and fur coat. The latter may be from sateen, preferably in light grey, with decorative motif in red and blue. The cape may be of the same material in a darker shade or in black. A curtain pole, painted dark grey, with a gilded wooden head, will do for a spear. The sword can be fashioned from wood, finished in antique bronze, with a gilded hilt. The footwear is made by drawing long length heavy weight hose over shoes and stockings and attaching shin and foot plates made from light weight black sheet iron or oilcloth pasted to cardboard. The slaves’ costumes should be picturesque, colorful, exotic. We consider this presentation one of the most effective and colorful submitted by this department. It can be made a big flash even by smaller cities, as the dancing schools can be depended upon for dancers. In addition to these only one singer is required, the other participants being atmosphere and parts that can easily be taken by anyone without any special training. This is a distinct novelty and a presentation in the full meaning of the term, being different from the ordinary run of stage offerings. Novelty stunts from Tex Howard’s Novelty Orchestra, Spokane, Wash. TEX is right there with novelty and comedy stunts; and novelties are to the orchestra “the spice of the program.” (Apologies to Educational.) Of course, Tex and his nine side-kickers are all artists; they know their stuff and we don’t mean perhaps, so when Tex pulls a stunt and said stunt goes over, well — it is worth knowing about. HERE IS HOW “HORSES” WAS PUT OVER “Horses” is a bit old, but where it has not been overdone it is as good as new with this added novelty comedy angle. The first time through is done by the en tire band. Three members leave stage as rest of band go to introduction for repeat. Reaching chorus they stop playing, all but pianist, to sing, meanwhile watching with interest something going on off-stage left. At the end of the first chorus they shout : "They’re, off.” Hoof-beat effects from drummer. Band pick up instruments and hit chorus again, this time playing it. The race is on. Here comes the leading horse tearing in from left, closely followed by number two, jockeys in full regalia using the whip. A couple of the band boys pick up field glasses, two pint bottles lashed together, and .peer up the track, left. Pony, number one and two, are almost off right when three breaks in. A splendid steed ridden by a 200-pound, six-foot jockey. The pony balks, swerves and “acts up” ; finally, after great efforts subdued by the jockey and off right. Repeat chorus with jockeys cantering on, playing their respective instruments with some comedy gags pulled by the big boy playing clarinet. The ponies are of the regulation stage comedy variety; in this case cut from wall board, dolled up loud, and tied to jockey by means of shoulder straps. Back for repeat and encore. Did the patrons like it? Do they like comedy and novelties? Do they? Try it. ANIMAL CRACKERS This is another good stunt from Tex. The entire band does “Animal Crackers” once through ; then repeat chorus for song. As they sing one of the boys leave stage. A string of oversize animal crackers are pulled across the stage next to foots. The animals, about a foot high, are made from wall board, attached to a piece of board with wheels and painted in fantastic colors. They are tied, one behind the other, on a string and manipulated from off-stage. One of the boys now enter from left, following the animals, tugging on a heavy rope, apparently attempting to bring in some stubborn animal. He braces himself against the proscenium and strains every muscle ; he is gaining and presently drags on Krazy Kat’s little playmate, Ignatz Mouse. The band repeats until gaes are off, then finish hot. The animals included Felix and most of the Aesop Fable Animal characters. The number clicked. Watch for more stunts from Tex. Close Incense Burners In using incense on the stage do not burn the incense in open burners or bowls. Use a fool-proof, closed burner, with slits or small holes for smoke outlet. Where approved burners are not available inclose the bowl with window screen and the ever-present possibilities of fire from draperies, or other inflammible material, coming in contact with the burning incense is largely averted. Don’t “take a chance.” It costs so little to take the necessary precautions.