The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1916)

106 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD We do not rely on giant advertisements for Sales — We depend on intrinsic Merit alone. No amount of advertising can increase the value of WINNER RECORDS: ("The World's Super-Disc") They outwear all others. Only up-to-date songs and selections recorded. Winners leave the dealer a generous margin of profit. THEY SELL ON THEIR MERITS Independent LIVE REPRESENTATIVES WANTED — in U. S. and British Colonies Write the manufacturers for Trade Terms THE WINNER RECORD CO., Ltd. Willowbrook Grove, Camberwell, London, England FROM OUR LONDON HEADQUARTERS— (Continued from page 105) we are glad of this opportunity of giving further publicity to the fact. "Bing Boys" Music on Columbia Records One of the most unique combinations of England's leading comedians is to be found in London's latest revue at the' Alhambra Theatre, where Oswald Stoll has provided the war-weary with a tonic of laughter, music and scenic delight. Small wonder, too, when the public has three such favorites as George Robey, Alfred Lester and Violet Loraine to keep their risibles in constant action. These famous laughter-makers are under exclusive contract to the Columbia Co., so it comes about that this firm is once again to the fore with exclusive records by original artists of London's latest thing in revues. And the records reflect in very truth the gaiety that permeates the Alhambra atmosphere nightly and the merry trio in one of those ridiculous nonsense songs! The verses deal with a variety of subjects, but all tail off into the wholly extraneous pronouncement that "Another little drink wouldn't do us any harm." The little asides between the artists, too, give a delightful air of spontaneiety to the record. Then there is a very pretty duet sung by George Robey and Violet Loraine, "If You Were the Only Boy in the World," and as sung by the pair it is one of the choicest gems imaginable, though one strongly suspects that one is being "spoofed" by the manner in which it is sung. Similarly, Alfred Lester and Violet Loraine have a duet, "A Lady of a Thousand Charms," in which the woe-begone Oliver Bing (Alfred Lester) apostrophises Emma (Miss Loraine) with all the exaggeration of mock seriousness of which he is capable. It is a luscious piece of "codding." George Robey as Lucifer Bing has two typical Robey numbers in "I Stopped, I Looked, I Listened," and "In Other Words," the latter a profound and funny study in terminology. The lugubrious one, Alfred Lester, has a socalled ragtime number, but seeks syncopated inspiration, not in Dixie or Tennessee, but in "Dear Old Shepherd's Bush," and much fun is extracted out of the effort — as may well be expected by any one who can imagine Alfred Lester in ragtime. Violet Loraine is fitted with a splendid "Zoo" number, in which the animals are described as doing "The Kipling Walk." In addition to these three fine comedians, Jack Morrison figures in his original "Clock Song" and "The Right Side of Bond Street," while the Alhambra Orchestra, conducted by John Ansell, plays the "Bing Boys" selections and three orchestral numbers. Order Windup of German Firms A London Gazette announcement says that orders have been made by the Board of Trade requiring the following German-owned firms to be wound up: C. Bechstein, pianoforte manufacturers, Wigmore street W., and G. Dittmann, Ltd., 58 City road, E. C, agents for records and gramophones. Bankruptcy Petition Filed A receiving order in bankruptcy is out against August Ernst Gottlieb Thospann who, now in a civilian interment camp, formerly carried on business at 9 Fore street avenue, London, S. C. If memory serves, it was Mr. Thospann who proposed to market a home recording apparatus. Good Report from Gramophone Co. "The shares of the Gramophone Co. have been very active the last day or two, on hopes connected with the financial year, which ends June 30. Since last September the undertaking has been a controlled establishment and on the occasion of the last annual report the directors indicated that the contracts then entered into were likely to mean satisfactory profits for the current year. The opinion of the board has been amply justified, we believe, and the figures in the forthcoming balance sheet may be expected to turn out excellently. It will be recalled that the trading profits to June 30, 1915, were no more than £16,772, as against £138,186 for 1913-14, the directors having been busy adapting the works and resources of the company for munitions rather than music making purposes. The installation and manufacture of special plant and tools meant a temporary loss to the ordinary shareholders, whose dividends for ten years until then had averaged 18^4 per cent, per annum. The last distribution was 10 per cent., and we anticipate that the next return on the ordinary shares will turn out to be well above that rate, so busy has the company been on Government work throughout the year now coming to an end." — Pall Mall Gazette. Ebonitis — A New Record Material In the matter of records, machines and supplies of raw material, the English market was, until the opening of hostilities, more than we like to admit dependent upon foreign manufacturers— mainly German. Although to-day we are not sufficiently organized to meet all our requirements, it is a matter for congratulation that steps are being taken which will we hope once and for all eliminate any future chance of enemy manufacturers ever regaining their old dominance in our Home and Colonial markets. If we have from this war realized one thing, it is not to declare in advance what we» propose to do but to do it, and then talk. It may, therefore, now be said that after a period of close experiment, there has been devised by Ebonitis, Ltd. (Willowbrook Grove, Zeckham, London, S. E.) and recently marketed a new material for records which supercedes and entirely eclipses in quality the German stuff. The ingredient of "Ebonitis" cannot, of course, Mr. DEALER: You Will Be SHORT OF RECORDS This Season! REGISTERED TRADE MARK You lost business last season through the demand exceeding the supply. Don't let it happen again. Get into touch with us right away, and make sure of your stock for the busiest Fall trade you've ever had. Our Records are better, our Prices are better, and our Deliveries are surer than any brand you've ever handled. All enquiries to: — The Manufacturers THE INVICTA RECORD CO., Ltd., 1 New Inn Yard, London, E. C, England Cables