Variety (August 1925)

Wednesday, August 18, 1988 PICTURES VARIETY P' PRESENTATiONS {Extra attracti4MU in pichtrm thmatrma, whm not frietur^f urili 6« carried and described in this depart- inent for the general information of the trade.) "ROSCS" (14) Singing and Dancing 12 Mina.; Full (8p«o<al) v Chicago, Chicago Ctatcago, Aug. 10. A pretentioua Btage apectacle that Involves a team of dancers, two •logera iind a ballet of nine, make this a unique and effective presen- tation. Miriam Klein an^^ Horace Jtuwe, open in front of a scrim drop, dueling pleasantly. The lighting ef- fects show the various groups con cealed in back of the drop, also bringing out a sensational cyke, ' %rhich has a flower effect painted on. The ballet flitters around execut- ing a conventional Routine of toe work. A single toe dancer who Is onbilled displays aiome good work. Saster and Haxelton, dressed In whlte\eostume8, go through a difll- cult routine of «dagio disclosing •cm* new tricks in handling and revolutions In midair by the girl. This couple have been repeated here -«ften and seem to register stronger ^Ith every appearance. The closing brings forth all the principals and ensemble with petals of roses des- cending from the flies^ It was a corking bit of picture 1m>us« entertainment and rounilly applauded with Baater and Haielton famering the largest amount. ANITA QRASSI and SHEIK BAND Muaic and Dancing 7 Mins.j Full (Special) ; ' Chicago, Chicago Chicago, Aug. 10. The Sheik Band formerly sup- ported the De Marcos. The boys play four popular numbers In suc- eession and get away nicely. Miss Orasai comes on at the conclusion of the turn for a single Spanish dance aided by a transparent gown. 'While her terpsichorean ability was ,Bot a profoimd success, she added Atmosphere. The turn was Introduced In a nov- elty Arabian setting with the musl- 'oians in Sheik costumes. As a filler In and In the elaboration of a pic- ture program it wRI suffice, but as an Individual attraction there la not ■offlcient merit In the turn to bold vp. A "THIRTY YEARS AGO" ..^^^ 14 Mins.; Full (Special) Loew's SUte, St. Louis St. Louis. Aug. 7. This act was worked In as part of the opening bill of Greater Movie Season and gave the folks a great flash-back to the toddling infant days of the motion picture. Re- gardless of the title, everybody from 20 years upward got a real kick out of It. The Idea was to present one of the first movies ever made in the original and proper atmosphere of the nickelodeons of the day. The opening stage set was the crude and gaudily-postered exterior of the "theatre," with the box-offlce bark- er's "Hoe" dragging in all sorts of customers. When the house was filled the drop was raised to show the interior of the place, ^ith its wrinkled screen (that was six inches too small all around for the pictures to come), the tinny piano, a row of 25-watt footlighU, the "audi- ence" (a 14 m.-2 f. group) and the candy butcher. The cash customers were impatient for the show to start and entered on a noisy campaign of whistling, stamping and yelling until the first slides were thrown on the screen. The noise continued, re- gardless of the management's^ ad- monition on one of the slides that boisterous conduct wouldn't be tol- erated. The next thing on the pro- gram was the "stage act," a song by Hank Hawkins (Jack Sidney, the ticket barker), called "The Mock Ballad," a number that sounded like a medley; but we arent sure! Some red-hot illustrated slides were cued to the song. The "feature pitcher" was "The Great Train Robbery," the e)>lc-drama of 1900 and a product of the Kdison studios. The audience made the action more vivid—seem- ingly—with some more whtotling. stamping and peeudo - wisecracking, and the piano player helped by mov- ing his fingers over familiar strains! Some more slides concluded the performance, the foots fla.^hed ^ and the audience stretched and l^W The old-time movie was repro- duced faithfully In this presentation and the crowd ate It up. itenftcL "TAKE A CHANCE WEEK" (6) 12 Mine.; One Riaito Washington, D. C. Washington, Aug. S. This presentation does not meas- ure up with the two preceding events. Practically its only value is the diversity of the offertngs. ,The better the several bits are put across the higher value there Is to the idea. Opening ^ith a mediocre soprano a bad start was recorded. Two clog dancers followed and helped to bring things back. A pop singer held up her end only to give way to a woman violinist, the real artist of the line- up. Then comes the surprise finish, a boy running through the orchestra calling "extra." He comments on the "bum show" whereupon be gets his chance—and the local boy, Aus- tin Leroy LAwreneon, possessing a great child soprano, proceeds to put the affair across to a bang finish for Micha Outerson, orchestra director of the house who %l8o stages these presenUtions. The ad lib stuff was handled cleverly by the boy. The presentation couldn't have cost over $300 to 1400 as it was set entirely with local semi-professional talent. As a box office feature it could not be Judged. MeoJIcin. MARYLAND COLLEGIANS (11) Orchestra - vocalists, 17 Mine; Full Hippodrome, Baltimore Baltimore, Aug. 8. ' A snappy Jaxx outfit consisting of a violin-leader, two trumpets, ban- joist, three saxes, drummer and three pianos. They are costumed in linen knickers and blue serge Jack- ets, after the manner of Wailng's Pennsylvanians, and are groyped for an attractive stage picture with the three grand pianos lined across the up-stage and the drume down center. There is an opening number with full orchestra; then "Ukulele Lady" rendered by Miss Jean Goldberg, soprano-pianist, the lone female of the troupe. Ekiward Kramer, pianist, does a vocal novelty to his own ac- companiment in a falsetto voice. The stage then 9»es dark for a flash with Ughts op on the musicians In false beard for a> hick ensemble number. The act Is well staged, the selec- tions varied and interesting and the personnel pleasingly youthful. Drew heavily here and should prove a good bet. "T." f >' it NOW at the La SALLE, CHICAGO, in Its 8th WEEK to Record Breaking Crowds (Opens at the Garrick, Milwaukee, for an Unlimited Engagement Commencing Smiday» August 16th) Ov«r se.MM P««»l« WltoMMd thla Moooy Maker the Wtnt 4 Week* la tkelAop rnTKllWKKDn'HlIHl adorMd Appv«rT«d By Over 4eo Cle isji i f •f Ohleac* FEATURING HELENE CHADWICK, JACK MULHALL, EMMETT KING, PAUUNE CURLEY ^ FOR STATE RIGHTS AND BOOKINO ' * WIRE, WRITE OR PHONE PUBUC WELFARE PICTURES CO. 723 7th Ave., New York, or^ Salle Theatre, Chioayo OVERTURE PROJECTION Motion picture-orchestra 8 MIns. Century, Baltimore Baltimore, Aug. t. A novelty In house overturee was staged here last week when House Manager U. S. Brummel had Con- -ductor George Wild direct Herbert's "^be Only Oirl" selection from the screen Instead of the pit The Whitehurst's newly organised production department filmed Wild conducting the Herbert score. The orchestra toolc their places as usual; the screen flashed the title and then Wild entered via the screen, bowed to the house, and conducted In celluloid, facing the audience throughout. The projec- tion wms Ufeslxe, the synchronisa- tion perfect and the audience ap- peal great "T," Uptown Chicago Pageant Chicago, Aug. 11. Mayor Dover has signed a proc- lamation for uptown Chicago to bold a pageant to be known as Pageant Week. Aug. 17-22. Bveryone la asked to paKielpate in the fete to celebrate the opening of the new Balaban and Kats theatre. •f; MARIE MACQUARRIE BRILLIANT CALIFORNIA HARPIST and her HARP ENSEMBLE (SEVEN AKJERICaN CIRI. HARPISTS) Direct from CAPrTOL and HIPPODROME, New York F«atur«d in All Motion PMuro P.laota In tti. Country CAUFORNIA OPENING Metropolitan, Los Angeles, Week, Aug. 15 WEST COAST STUDIOS Los Angeles, Aug. 11. Universal has placed Norman Dawn under a three-year contract to serve as a director. Dawn was formerly a cameraman. Guaranteed Pictures, Inc., have be- gun production of "A DauK>iter of the Sioux," from the historical story by Gen. Charles King. Bill Patten, Ben Wilson and Neva Gerber head the cast. Hank Mann, former comedy actor, has been added to the "gag" staff at the Christie lot. Sig Hersig h.is also been added to the scencurio staff at this studio. S. K. Lincoln and Wanda HawleV are being starred in "The Perfect Crime." which John Ince is maklnK at the California studio. They are supported by Mary Carl, Carlton Grin, Spottiswoode Aitkin, JaclTClif- ford, Frank Conley and MatlldlT Coment. Hope Lorlng and Liowis Llghton are making a screen adaptation of Rex Beach's story, "The Auction Block," which Al Raboch will direct for Metro-Goldwyn. The cast of "The Lone Eagle," Rudolph Valentino's first production for United Artists, is being aug- mented daily. Besides Valentino those now working under the direc- tion of Clarence Brown are Vllma Banky, Bpotlswoode Aitken, George Nichols, Barbara Tennant Mario Carillo, Gustav von Seyffertlts, Otto Hoffman, Louise Dresser, Albert' ContI, James Marcus and Carrie Clark Ward. Universal has renewed Vlrglnl* Valli's contract for another two years. Miss Valli, now in Germany, 18 expected back early in September. Denison Clift has been added Ui the scenario staff of Cecil De Mllle, He is to write several originals. Sugene O'Brien. Lillian Rich, Bd- mend Burns, Henry Walthall, Mary McAUlBter, William Piatt and Fred Peters are in the cast of "Simon, the Jester," which George Melford ie directing for Prances Marion at the Hollywood studios. FTamous Players-Lasky have de- cided to retitle Raymond Griffith'* next starring vehicle, "On Dress Pa- rade"' and call it "He's a Prince." • •* Wesley Ruggles is working on "The Plastic Age," from the novel by Percy Marks, for B. P. Schulberg at the P. B. O studios. Clara Bow and Donald Keith are the leads. Roland V. Lee Is completing The Sliver Treasure." adapted for the screen from the Joseph Conrad story; "Nostromo." for Fox. Hie final sequences are being made at CaUIina Island. George O'Brien 1« heading the oast which includea Lou Tellegen, Otto Matlesen. Harvey Clark. Stewart Rome, Hugh Crump* lin, Fred Becker and Gilbert Clayteii« Wild ZANE GREY'S rse Mesa' IF you ytant to know why 2Ukne Greyi-< Paramount pictures are the bread and butter of the country's leading sho¥mien, look at ''Wild Horse Mesa" at the Riaito this week! The New York World says all you <ieed to \ know when it calls it ''a good picture of its type." For a Zane Grey-Paramount is the de luxe type of Western that can't be imitated. And it's a clean-up every time! .?' ONE OF THE GREATER FORTY Q^ammount g>iclures ^'ni^ '^'% '■i '\C ..^.