Variety (Aug 1930)

48 VARIETY FILM HOaSE REVIEWS Wednesday, August 6, 1930 ROXY (PraMntation) New York, Auff. 1. ' Roxy has taken Irving Caesar's "lA Tickera," a smart musical frolic, and turned' It Into a masnltl- cent spectacle so that It puzzles. You wonder how anything so plc- torlally beautiful can be meant to be funny, and the thing Is nearly over before you get Into the spirit of it. That's too bad because "La Tickera" Is a- cheerful bit of non- sense, and with "Common Clay" (fox) on the screen with its often mournful moments, the supporting bill needed something enlivening. The Caesar escapade in art patron kidding Is a little too intricate. The situation needed something a little simpler In its fun. Another thing that hurts is that In the huge Roxy Irvlng's lyrics go mostly for the end book. Roxy's big choir wasn't designed to get across subtle com- edy lyrics to 5,600 customers, or is it 7.500? But on the scenic and spectacle side the production is a beauty. The whole Roxy regiment gets Into a georgeous stage picture with the backgroun,d of the Sphinx. Idea is a rich patron of the opera (suspect it's Otto Kahn if you like) getting into a metropolitan stage set from "Thais" you'd suppose in which all the songbirds and supers were get- ting hooked In the stock market, and pleading with him to let the art business go hang; to be a banker for a moment and not an art patron and help them get their money back. For a lAmbs' gambol, a roar; for a Roxy harlequinade, a bust "A Summer Idyll" is more in the Cathedral's manner, starting with an ensemble of peasants in the hay field; going to a pretty dance bit with Patricia Bowman, dressed as a flong bird and doing a toe dance routine while Beatrice Belkln, the bird-mate, sings swinging in a nest against a black drop embroidered in Intricate conventional pattern like a Are screen. Scene changes to a garden plc- ture, with the RoSyettes grouped as daisies, buttercups, cornflowers and roses and posed amid hanging sil- ver strips that look like a grove of ,blrch trees, not only a pretty gar- 'den but one of those stunning things that only the Roxy seems up to doing. ' Dorothy Miller and William Robyn, boy and girl in summer dress, stroll in the garden for a sim- ple song; the birches disappear and the Roxyettes go into their precision number without which Roxy would have trouble keeping the communl ty contented. Precision number got the only really eloquent applause of the evening. Diance production ran 26 minutes; Tickera" took up another 16 and the feature' ran 88 more, which left room for only the newsreel and the overture, the latter another ar rangement of always welcome Vic tor Herbert numbers, this time from the score of "The Fortune Teller." Rush. to have passed out. Where It used to be good for at least a couple of encores. It la now accepted merely as a flller. A neat routine by the male step- ping chorus towards the finale brought up the rear In nice style, with Sylvia Shore and Helen Moore working with the boys In a casting number. Finish brought out the models in a final display of wedding gowns for every season, with the kids, dressed as pages, spotted In both boxes in the house. Good flaish. With the feature "Way Out West" (M-G) running 69 minutes and the stage show 50 minutes, schedule ousted all sliorts other than the newsreel. Despite the heat Thurs- day, first show held a better than average house, mostly adults. Span, LOEWS STATE ("Mede8"-Unit) I Los Angeles, July 31. For hot weather entertainment the F&M "Modes" idea is good stuff with a box office twist. In a tleup with local merchants Fanchon and Marco collected 12 nifty looking models who strut In new wrappings. That's the femme angle. For the juvenile draw there are the 50 or more Meglln kids, usually sure fire; but with the kids being kept away from theatres during the infantile paralysis epidemic still waging, it may be another story. Anyway, Fanchon and Marco are advertising this show as a (50,000 production, probably figuring the house overhead and a dozen other Items, maybe Including the four walls of the theatre. That's hitting It up pretty strong, but chances are nobody will undertake to compute the 50 grand. Georgie Stoll heads the band on the stage all the way, starting with an overture to which an ensemble bunch of 12 male steppers knock off some fast and classy ankllng. Novelty here is the opening with boys instead of the usual girl line- up. This same group of boys was used by F&M in "Uniforms" idea last year. They're still good and provide a punch spot in the show. Of course the main item is the cavorting of the Meglln kids, a semi- annual event at the State coming at Xmas and during the summer vacation. These kids are as clever an aggregation as can be found any where. Mrs. Meglln is noted for this sort of work and Fanchon '%nows a trick or two herself. Net result is a good and legitimate ex hlbitlon of. Juvenile talent. After the State the kids will play a week at the Pantages, Hollywood, but that's as far as they go, with the labor office on a sharp lookou.. Nothing unusual about the fash Ion parade, unless It's the m. c'lng by Haline Francis, a versatile young lady with a figure and face. Miss Francis works throughout the frolic and gets In a couple of spe- cialties, besides a twosome with Harry Smirl and a pup. Danny Joy is another spot-grrab- ber with an eccentrio hoofing rou- tine made known by such exponents of the type as Hal Sherman, Cy Landry, et al. The shuftin' hop skipping variety of dancing seems CAPITOL ("Invitation to the Dance" Unit) New York, Aug. 1. Completely snubbing comedy and dedicating its entire production or- ganization to art for art's sake, the Capitol this week has returned to type of presentation identified with the Roxy and not seen In the Loew house since the Rothafel re- gime. While the applause response was quite flattering, it seems unlikely the Capitol either intends or can afford to omit laughs. This would be particularly peculiar at present with the Roxy recently displaying a tendency to do a little giggle snip- ing. Invitation to the Dance" can be visualized by anyone acquainted with picture house, stage history from a contemplation of the title Altered through niemory. It Is en- tirely In pantomime wltlftTO soli- tary exception of a sample of tenor- Ing submitted by Carlo Ferrettl. There Is the usual symbolic em- ployment of a white-faced clown with no one, except possibly the producers, being quite aware of the precise significance of the clown's social ostraclzatlon at a Colonial ball where the stately Minuet Is be- ing performed. The clown (Ivan Trlesault) loves the premiere dan- seuse (Joyce Coles) sind she seems to fancy him but everything goes wrong, very artistically but unin- telligibly. Overture, "Leoncavallo's Melodies" proved exceptionally popular. Length of feature, "Our Blushing Brides" (Metro) kept rest of show down with no shorts except news- reel. Big business Friday night. Land, HOLLYWOOD (Presentation) Hollywood, Aug. 1. With 60 people on the stage, the Larry Ceballos show this week holds up favorably. Work of the principals was listless at the open- ing, but the weather had a lot to do with it. When It gets hot here it's hot. Then, again, closing notice was posted before the first show. Stage work hereabouts has Ijeen rather scarce, and with. Warners probably discontinuing presentations at both their local houses, it's no time for backstage rejoicing. Warners' reasoning Is that the heavy nut of stage shows doesn't help the net income, and that fu- ture Warner picture releases should be able to hold up a program with- out stage fare. Ceballos has built his show around the California Collegians, late of "60 Million Frenchmen." Boys are on the stage 30 of the 40 minutes running time. Using the same material as they did in vaude, their burlesque circus bit was the high spot. Almost a show-stopper. Chorus routine is typically Cebal- los, with tapping minimized. Two flash number at the opening, with Beverly Hill leading the chorus In a dance. Second number has the chorus girls in hula costumes with the boys doing Zulus. Florence Robinson on for a dance which starts as a tap, but ends In a hot wiggle. Sally and Ted followed In the same setting with a mixture of Apache and adagio. Man is plenty big with the girl the opposite. He handles her like a bean bag. Strong period of entertainment. California Collegians, next, opened In one and went into two for their band numbers. Florence Robinson worked with them for one dance, a tap. Pearl Twins spotted next In one warble with a high kick dance finish getting over good. Finale has the entire gang danc Ing on steps with the Collegians coming in for the curtain as a clown band. Presentation well re- ceived by a good house for the first show. "Matrimonial Bed" (WB), the feature, with Vltaphone short and Par. news clip to fill the bill. Stage bill shows a letdown in pro- duction as compared to first two. Inclines more towards a variety show than production display, with cost apparently cut down. Though t icre are 48 ensemble choristers and two sets, doubtless from the studio, <ind five principal acts, production falls to reveal any outstanding nov city or flash. PARAMOUNT ("High SpMd"—Unit) New York,, Aug. 1. A good show. Tempo, color, va- riety and quality. Starts oft auspiciously with- the showy Rublnoir baton-lng an or- chestral pot-pourri of "Italian Airs," blending Into an tinusually fetching Paramount Sound News wherein Is dovetailed a "Vogue"-Saks style forecast which in Itself lent a meas- ure oC distinction to the reel. The straight news stuff Is also led oft with a timely and topical shot of the R-100'8 arrival In Montreal the day before (Thursday). " Jesse Crawford's offering was tlUed "Six Best Sellers," playing a pleasing pop medley which Included two, anyway, of Paramount's Fa- mous Music publications. Nothing like giving a thought to the entire Par fai^lly, although both, were meritorious enough. Jack Partington's "High Speed" unit was a departure for Publix. It was less formula and more ba-cha- cha than the usual run of Publlx- atlons. It started oft fast with the Harlem and botsy "St. Louts Blues" dance routines In the Dave Gould Fast-Stepping Sweeties' coast-to- coast dance marathon. In the tag- end nite club stuff the girls also let eo a little steam that was away from usual restrictions. In between was a mess of danc- ing and funology, not the least of which was accounted for by Wilbur Hall, the ex-Whltema,n trombohe- comic. Hall compared Publlx's $400 a week to Paul's 175 berries and went Publlz. From his perform- ance he's worth more and Is bound to get more and further In the biz by next season. After his Publlx schooling Hall will probably wind up featuring -the "dead pah" stuff and making the Instrumental non- sense secondary. Bddle Stanley Is m. c. and a good pacer. Deno and Rochelle, expert fast steppers notable tor their "American Apache" terps, were show-stoppers. Three Blue Steppers supplied a brand of ground and mid- air tumbling that was well nigh sensational. Virginia Ray soubreted' okay. The 12 Dave Gould girls are all how've-you-heen and hotsy. "Grumpy" (Par) feature. Abel. EMBASSY (Newsreel) Landing of the R-lOO fliers in Canada, and exclusive shots of Italy's earthquake are double-bar- reled topUne features of current week clips here, with prominent personalities, sports events and other Interesting news subjects comprising the remaining 23 clips, Quake pictures, 'comprising a combo of Hearst Metrotone News and Fox Movietone News clips, showed the devastated area bit by the earth tremor and grief-stricken inhabitants who had lost loved ones and all earthly possessions, walling and weeping while troddlng In the big pOfade to seek new refuge and homes. The landing of the fliers, HeS-USt shot, had the landing of the fin-torn dirigible in Canada, with addresses by the crew. Opening of the racing season at Saratoga, with plenty of action for those following the ponies; bronV riding contest In Wyoming, with none of the bronk busters aoie tu stay on mount Police Commissioner Mulrooney addressing rookie cops, with fitness, courage and courtesy gist of his talk; Wm. G. McAdoo in a talk on aeronautics; R. B. Bennett, Premier elect of Canada, for brief chat on policies of victorious party; Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt In a plea for more leeway for the younger gener atlon, and Pauline Parker, former American chorister and divorced mate of Jean Assolant, French transatlantic flier, advising Ameri- can girls against mesalliances. Little of theatrical nature in the clips save Parisian kiddles at circus, with clowns planting the archaic dentist bit tot laughs. A bathing beauty parade in Sweden as proof that the Dane flappers are Just as much abreast of beach requirements as "Miss Americas." Unique clip was the mass cele- bration of a group of Parisian brides and grooms celebrating their respective marriages en masse at a Parisian cabaret, probably more economical than holding the bag for a house mob celebration.. Of the 25 shots projected 13 were Hearst Metrotone and 12 . Fox Movietone. Good biz Monday night. F,dha New Acts JAME8 C. MORTON and Co. (4) "NonsenM of \93/0r Comedy, SinginOf Danping 19 Mins.; Full (Special) 58th 8t (V-P) Surefire comedy act with- some singing and dancing but with the hoke on so thick little outside of that means anything. While boke, with a couple bits «f burles(|ue flavor, some of which could be stood In vajde today, it's hoke that gets the laughs. T'aat's what counts, and with Jim Morton s new turn is all that should cjunt. Because of tno large assortqiem of bits, clowning and incidental numbers, with the act actually hav- ing considerable of that much- needed commiodlty,. variety. It Im- presses as built especially to fit one of the Intacts. Tailor-made for third spot on those four-acters, pro- viding the headllner closes and in one." The Morton act should please the family trade more than most of Its kind. It's nothing If not down to this tastes of the ordinary neighborhood fans. Morton is an old-timer, with the name meaning something to vaude patrons of many years. He has Vera Walton, Jack Ford and Doris Ekert with him. AH play up to him per- fectly, even when the hoke and clowning seenis more than plenty for the two women.. Morton is all over the Eftage, inter- rupting song and dance numbers for laughs wherever the chance permits. His tricks are legion but he has at- tempted to give most of them a new touch. Barl Carroll's name Is used for that old' one about the disap- pointed singer wanting to commit suicide, while the stunt of arms and gestures for another person who Is singing is also different. Everything short snappy and fast. That's part of the virtue. A brief shuffle by J. C, a fast buck by Jack Ford i..id a couple other brief numbers are In the straight manner to offset the com- edy material. Morton's satire curtain speech seems a little long and, as a result, overdone. Also the extending of a folding hook gadget used on the stage for a laugh at a patron In the audience, throwing a smaJl scare. Impresses as a little unsafe as well as unwise. Might accidentally mis- gauge distance. Played third on a six-act layout and over unusually well. Char. IMERRICK and ALLEN (2) Comedy, IMuaie 12 Mins.; One 58th St. (V-P) A team of musicians, playing ac- cordion and violin, who reserve about one-third of their 12 minutes for seriousness. Balance is for comedy with results. ' While No. 4 here on a six-act bill, can stand next to closing In most houses. B'or No. 2 a positive bet. One Is a low comedian, the other in tux. Latter opens with what seems a serious violin solo, finally breaking his bow and trying to borrow one from the pit men with no luck until he starts to sing, that bringing a virtual rain of bows. The sudden tipoff it's a comedy turn. Entrance of other who pantos all the way, with a crunimy-looking miniature accordion for a few laughs and plenty of Bronx cheers. From there on a standard ac- cordion <s used, other of team stick- ing to violin. Clowning on doubles is alternated with some serious playing just to prove. To the very last It's clowning, of course their strongest,' with that taking them o C after a solo straight. Followed a comedy hoke act at this house but feazed none by that circumstance, going over, .with a click at the Friday night show. Okay for No. 2 on an Intact show or third depending on act picked as headllner. Char, Jean BE0INI and Jules HOWARD Comedy,' Singina, Dancing 21 Mini.; One and Full (Special) (State (V-P) Jean Bedlnl, producer-performer for years, now with Jules Howard as heads of a new 8lx->people full ■ stage comedy act with blackouts and specialties. It deserves a place In the vaude sun and all.the space- that can be spared. Good, aU«. around entertainment, well staged and sold. Opening novel, with a row of i>order lights at third facing aud>« ence and Bedinl's crowd on stage as though In rehearsal. The boss (Bedlnl) walks In and starts to complain, wanting that 'Chicago scene" done right In "one." It Is, wlih Howard as a comic o'.irlesque tyro of cop, overlooking a holdup in true Windy City fashloii. It's a blackout with the cop eventually shootlnii the gal victim. Following blackout, one about the wife shaming hubby Into coughing up dough by threatening to go out on street in pajamas, and same sit'* nation with cop asking wife to mail a letter instead of digging Into jeans. Best blackout, but not new, la where hubby suddenly returns home and threatens to shoot down door If man suspected as being there doesn't come out, with army emerg- ing. Offsetting the blackouts a couple biirlesky gags In "one" and several specialties,-.. Bedlnl dqes lIfuci.C0Utslde of huB> band rolci 4lu liedrbi^ :i>lackout, He probably. pro4ucie<at 'aitd. staged. VIo Laurie,' featured, leads the specialty array In song numbers, with a letter-reading Interlude sandwiched for gags that aren't so hot' but get a few mild laughs. I auric Is a smooth performer and clicks itlcely in two numbers with comical lyrics set to tunes of well known pops. Others are Jack Kellar, mostly straight but offering a fairly enter- taining solo, and Helen Howard and Guy Nolle. A hard-shoe dance and fast toward the wlndup gets' Miss Howard a good hand or by all rights should. Third here and over strong. Char. ORIENTAL (Presentation) Chicago, Aug. 1. This house has been - having a streak of excellent biz these past few weeks, starting with two great weeks with "Blushing Brides," one week of "Let Us Be Gay," and opened this morning to standout trade with "Love Among the Mil- lionaires" (Par). Current stage show is light and fast-paced, and went tremendously well with the crowd in for the early show. Three acts, each click- ing and taking encores. ^ First were the three Samuels 'bros., hoofers. Have two numbers, straight precision hoofing and a (Continued on page 66) HELENA JUSTA and CHARLIE (2) Singing, Dancing. 12 IVIins., One. Palace. (St. V). When last caught by "Variety," Helena Justa, colored singer-dancer, was doing an act . with two men. The present "Charlie" -may be re- tained from that trio. Act played No. 2 here and over nicely. One of the troubles with the Justa and Charlie offering is that It is made up of imitations of others, with two biggest numbers, the Bill Robinson tap routine by Miss Justa, and the "Parade of the Ragtime Soldiers" number done by the late Florence Mills in "Dixie to Broad- way," both of the team closing with this. Miss Justa does a solo open- ing, singing a Harlem hot in a style that is none too surefire, and Charlie dees a hock dance. Latter fairly guod largely through si>me novel bits worked i- to the routine. Miss Justa's taps in that Bill Rob- inson number are well done, but where did those odd-shaped dancing shoes come from? She Is in male dress, wearing a derby, and includes Bill's Stair dnnce. This imitation saves the act. Char. O'CONNOR SISTERS (2) Song's 10 Mins>; One 58|h St. (V-P) This Is the third pair of O'Connor Sisters to be given a New Act no- tice by "Variety." Last notice of an act of the same name was in Id 24, also warblers. This turn ap> pears to have a different style of working, besides billing themselves as "Radio's Favorite Harmonists," which brings them up to date. Any« way, their material la new. ■ Girls are cUIed Lilyan and Ann Marie. Both are lookers, one a blonde and the other a brunet, but will find it tough getting by with that "sister" biUing. They stick to straight harmony, the blonde at the ivories. Voices are pleasant with the blonde pos- sessing the stronger tonsils. Latter does the only solo. Harmony can be Improved upon. It's a bit weak as Is and Just makes the grade for a fair vocal deucer. All songs are pops. BLACK and GOLD Acrobatic 8 Min.; One and Three (Special) State (V-P) Worthwhile acrobatic endurance act presented differently through use of complicated props with paper- covered hoops through which Jumps are made to hand-to-hand contact. Suits for opening or closing spots in general run of vaudfilms, small or big. Billing apparently from black and gold motif carried out In setting and costumes. Team opens in "one" for hand-to- hand endurance bits, offset by use of some complicated props and closes in "three," with the long catches through the hoops giving the "sensational" angle a lot of vaudfllm fans go for. Char. "ARABIAN FROLICS" Acrobatic 6 Mins., Four. Palace. (St. V). Different from similar Arab acro- batic troupes, presented by Ben Hamid and others, only with respect to the endurance bit In which one of the acrobats stands on his feet with nine of his colleagues draping him. Colorless, drab costumes against act, as with most of this type, but will do for opening or closing spots here and there. The troupe Includes eight men and two women, latter taking ^ Much part in pyramiding and tum- bling as the males. Char.