Variety (Dec 1926)

3* VARIETY Wednesday, December I 1905 A WESTERN OPINION OF ORPHEUM 'BIG-TIME' VAUDE Kansas City. Nov. 28. Johnny Burke of the "Drafted ' monolog, familiar to every patron of vaudeville, and who haH been heard here many times was one of the headliners last week at the Orpheum. The bill opened Sunday, and Aee, dramatic editor of the "Journal- Post," in the Sunday Issue had the following: Here's a little thought I had. You may or may not have noticed. That this is Johnny Burke Week at the Orpheum. He's hack again with his monolog about the army and the dirty work that seemed to follow him through the war. Well, I thought it would be a neat idea. To rise when he comes in. And recite his act alone with him. Only to b«- careful not to get ahead of him. And in honor of Johnny Burke week. Patrons are roqueted to come in their overseas outfit. If you haven't one any army store will fit you out with one. Also the well dressed patron will wear the Johnny Burke red nose. If you haven't one almost anybody can fill you out with one. The Orpheum management. Had almost decided to offer a prize. Of two free tonsil operations. To the two patrons who can recite the act without hesitation. However, when I pointed out the difficulty in finding somebody who can't. They decided to make the contest for those who can recite it backward. This, too, finally looked too much of a cinch. So they made it more difficult. Contestants will have to recite act backward and forward and up and down and read a newspaper and answer questions about the presidents. Quadruple mind concentration. Koacting the act,at the Orpheum this w«ek. Will be by those on the lower floor and the balconies. Patrons In the boxes, however. Will hum the chorus of "Over Then But really. Here I am. • Casting aspersions. At Johnny's monolog. I'm ashamed of myself. I should have more respect. For a«e. You're welcome.—ACE. % Big League Boys in M-G's Baseball Film Los Angeles, Nov. 28. Al Ituat 20. and poaaibiy more, bi< league ball players will portray roles in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's production of "Slide, Kelly, Slide." now in production. Among tho ball players on the M. O. M. lot are: Bob and "Irish" Meusel, Tony Laz- reri, Wally Hood, Frank Brazil and Hoy Jacobs, of Lios Angeles; R. C. Kldred. Seattle; C. T. Twombloy. Jersey City; Bill Ludolph, Detroit; Perry O'Brien, Philadelphia; Kou- pal, Pittsburgh; Wilkinsor, Chicago White Sox; Krnie Orsati, Cardi- nals; Joo Jenkins, Seattle; Linde- man. Ft. Worth; Golvin, San An- tonio; Bob Murray, Kansas City; Bay Keating. Yankees; "Iled• , Old- | ham, Pittsburgh. Mike DonUn is in charge of train- ing activities of the ball players, who have temporarily turned screen actors. FILM REVIEWS A REGULAR SCOUT Frtxl TbonwKJn production retaaaed by P. B. O. From tho awry by DsekMsg F. Oxford, adapted and dirtied by D»vid Klrkland. Seen In projection room. Kiinnin* time. 58 minutes. Fred Flako Fted Thomson olive Monroe Olive Haabrouek I.uko Baxter "William fourtrucht Sieve B;ixtcr .. T. Roy llarne« Mrs. Monroe Margaret Beddon Hn.My Monroe Ruck IMack Kd. Powell Robert MrKlni Sear Stevens Jlarry Wooda Silver • Sliver King That ho ho A corking Fred Thomson action western that has a corking tie-up made to order. It is a Boy Scout picture that will make every kid in evtry town wunt to Join the Scouts, and In addition the picture will prove real estertainmeni for the Thomson fans. It is a rare com- bination certain to please the grown-ups as well as the young- sters. After all. the name of Fred Thom- son is sufficient gauarantee «* the BROWNELL REMAINING WEST I ^yV" ,Md3E? to gJS Los Angeles, Nov. 23. .stick up the notice that "another John C. Brownell, eastern f Fred Thomson picture" is the at scenario editor for Film Booking Olflees, is here permanently to supervise and confer on the pur- chase of stories at the F. • B. O. BtUdiOS. Browmdl arrived for a conference and BdWln King, In charge of pro- duction, decided to keep him here. Great States' Peoria Buys Chicago, Nov. 28. Great States Theatres, Inc., has purchased 50 per cent of the stock of the Theatre Operating Co., and all of the stock of the Orpheum Co., both of Peoria. Creenburg, at ban & Leisy, through Attorney Benjamin F. Goldstein, arc releasing the stock totdrcat States fo»* a reported sum of J 1 30,000. Great States will have bo< ::ing control of all flvo theatres involved. WANTS EASTERN TERRITORY Los /rngelos, Nov. 23. Herman Fowler, owner of the Fowler Studios, making commercial films, has left for the east, where he will seek to establish exchanges in Washington, Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, Kansas City and Sc n Francisco. I'owler Studios make advertising ftp.] educational films for commer- ce 1 use as well as advertising trailers. FILM ITEMS MICHIGAN CITY'S 'ASH* Michigan City, Ind., Nov. 28. The Tivolt theatre has Instituted a "Paul Ash policy" with a 12-piece orchestra under direction of Don Tranger. Stage shows are played on a split week policy. The new polioy was installed by Harvey Arlington for the Fitzpat- riek-McElroy company. Joseph A. Richmond has signed a long-term contract to direct the Al Joy conn ties for the Rlcordo Films, Inc. Richmond directed the Dr. Edward Kilyenl, former musi- cal director at B. S. Moss' Colony, has been transferred to the Coli- seum OSlst Street), New York. B. B. Reingod* former Des Moines man, has returned to that city as resident manager for Fox. W. L. Parker Resigns Watt L. Parker, in charge of pub- licity and advertising for Warner Bros, the past two years, has re- signed and will spend several months on the Pacific coast. Named to succeed him is 3arren Lewis, who has been in charge of the organization's serialization de- partment. Roland M< Curdy, former Des Moines, Iowa, showman, is now in the exploitation department of the Universal Film Corp. at Hollywood, Cal. Ho also manages the Cali- fornia theatre at Ontario, Cal. Goldwyn's "Night of Love" Los Angeles, Nov. 28. Samuel Goldwyn has decided to co'l his untitled production, the original story and screen adaptation of which was written by Ignore Coffee, "The Night of Love." This p Cure has been in production for elumt six weeks under the direction of George Fitzmnnrice. Vilma Banky and Ronald Coleman ere co-featured. Mayer As Title Editor Los Angeles, Nov. 28. Edwin Justus Mayer has received a 1 ng term contract from Famous Fltycrs-Lasky as supervisor and title editor in charge at the Holly- wood studio. Mayer, author of "The Fire- brand," will also write original stories in his spare time. Will S. Collier, for 20 years man- »ger of Greene's Opera, House, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has become manager of the Waterloo and Pal- ace theatre*, Waterloo, Iowa, for tho J. A. Diebold Co. The Strand and Crystal, other Diebold houses, did •iot figure in the deal. George Cline has returned to Fox as one of iis location managers, -line had been running an experi- ment a) school for picture aspirants. New York Motion Picture Studio Mechanics* Union of New York has elected the following officers: Pres- ident, Arthur Gerson; vice-presi- dent, J. T. Doran; general secretary, S. J. Scappa; treasurer, F. B. Purr; recording secretary, G. C. Jordan. Springfield's Ice Rink Springfield, Mass., Nov. 28. An lee skating arena has been opened in tho Eastern States Ex- position's Coliseum here. It haj a seating capacity of 6,000. George F. Sears is general man- ager. Pro Team Inviting Show Troupes Chicago, Nov. 28. The Cardinals, one of Chicago's two pro football teams, have been inviting legit companies out tb the Sunday games, receiving publicity thereby. The invitations have been accepted In each case. traction Another touch cannot be over- looked Imagine, if you can, any other producer who had Mary Carr in the cast overlooking the fact Just because sho was in the tirst reel, and did not run through the picture. In the majority of cases they would have had her name right after that of tho star, but here it wasn't on the cast sheet. The feature starts with Fred Thomson as the rodeo champion of his territory. While the boy is out adding to his laurels as a rider of bucking horses along comes a hard character who first begs a meal from tho boy's mother and then strangles her so that he can loot her purse. Thomson starts after the mur- derer and finally lands him in the slums of Los Angeles. There is a struggle and the murderer is slain. The hero tlees. but not until he has learned from the effects of the dead man that he had planned to return to his mother Mho had been seek- ing him all over the country. He then decides to pose as the slain man to wreak further vengeance on his relatives. But, instead, he falls in love with his supposed sister, rescues a younger brother, who is a Boy Scout, from what appeared to b© sure death, Is accused of the murder of the scar-hand dead man, only to be saved at the last minute. There are a lot of kicks In the action and the Boy Scouts play no small part. When the heroine of the story is kidnapped the kids go off on the trail. It is there with, a thrill and at the same time car- ries a laugh. Of course Silver King, Thomson's horse, plays an important part in the story, and the way that horse is handled in a couple of shots cer- tainly puts him in the star class. Fred to overcome tho Weakness he makes good is obvious finally comes back to marry th family's adopted daughter (Dorothy Revier) and to once move rate a uniform. Meanwhile there Is the counter story of Joe's brother (George O'Hara) mixed up with orooks and responsible for Bessie Flnnnigan's (Prisciun Bouner) predicament Trapped in an apartment fire. Joo would rescue Bessie and the brother fights him to allow the girl to perish as a means of dodging his responai. bility. A comedy attempt during the run- ning, but it doesn't get anywhere However, the cast do well bv this screen yarn. Mary Carr and Lilian Lelghton convince in mother roles while Ralph Lewis is the stern father and lire Chief, Miss Kcvicr has no dramatic call but Hanon extracts plentifully from tho suIn- stance in the part of the hoy who must com© back. Some of the fire stuff is Colored. Not entire^ necessary but not too 'detrimental either. O'Connor has carried it along with a fair degree of speed and the result is that this edition should be able to play the secondaries to satisfaction. Nu panic, mind, but okay. Other than the de luxe palaces, tho emporiums should like it. BHig, OH, WHAT A NIGHT Sterling production refused by St-rlinc Plcturen. Inc. Directed by I.loyd Inara" ham. Featured player* Raymond McKee, Kdna Murrhy. Ned Sparks and Chorion K. trench. Hunninjr timo, 57,uiiii». Stevenson With C. B. C. George U. Stevenson is a«ain as- FLASHING FANGS 'P. P. O. picture starring do^, "RatiKcr." Adapted for screen from story, "Always Faithful." hy Kwart Adanuon. Diro.^d by Hunry McCarthy. Running time. M minutes. Film dog stam are still leaping into place before the picture cam- era. Some show superior canine in- soclated with pictures which he quit : telllgenco to others, but all in the end are just In time to pounce upon the cruel villain who has the fair- U After Southern House Los Angeles, Nov. 28. Universal seeks to purchase the Grenada, at La J olio, Cal., 100 miles south of here. This is a 1,000-seat house with a straight picture policy now owned by Louts Stutts. Negotiations are being conducted by Manny Feldstein. western divi- sion manager of theatres. The Yarmouth Amusement & Theatre Co. has purchased the People's theatre in Yarmouth, X. S., from F. <;. Spencer Co. of St. John, New Brunswick. The purchasers are now operating tho Strand, formerly the Empress, in Yarmouth. Both People's and Strand are picture houses. In 1H17 for the world war. Rtevenson Is associated with the C, M. c. organization In charge of publicity. 8 Beau Gestes" Famous Players-Lasky has def- initely decided to send emht com- panies of "Beau Gcste" on tour, beginning Dec. L'6. Claude K. Millard, who was for- merly poster artist at the Kialto, EUvoll and Criterion, has b. on Signed to take charge of all the exterior art work for the new Para- mount, New York. 1st N atl itz Los Aligf les, Nov. 29. George K, Seita has been farmed out hy Metropolitan pictures to First National, He will probably direct the next Ken Maynard western as Al Kogcll, v ho has beep ( lir< oi i ng Maynard, is now with Famous Players -Leaky. Joslah Zuro is starting his free Sunday morning concerts again, probably at Hampden's, New Vork. this season. The New Kniriert theatre, Lows City, closed since it was swept by Are nine months ago, has reopened w it h A l—1 la via \i* —lunm** ;>»mh-m The A. li. ltiank enterprises and Mrs. Nate Chapman are lessees of tho house. ~. The st;iK'e has been designed to show road attractions and several have been booked. The house sent 1,:<"'». Edward Godal en This Side Edward Godal, representing his awn picture lirm of England* is on this side, on a business mission.** 1 for P. P. L. at Oklahoma City, an- nounces the transfer of S. T. Mc- Donald from Capitol theatre, Okla- homa City, to the four P. P. houses at Little Hock, Ark. McDonald is succeeded at the Capitol by A. M. Avery. Jacques Koppstein, who has switched from le«it producing to nims, is representing tho Joo Hock productions. bailed heroine in his grasp. Ranger is no exception. Nicely trained ani- mal and does very well in his main J climax of outfighting the bad man of this film, who has chained the girl to the corner of his shack. This is perhaps about the only film now in existence that shows how easy a band of men can raid a hoosegow and take a man out for a little necktie party. Of course the hanging is nipped in the bud, but it is well Staged as far as it went. Cast just cast Cheap in the making; story not 3trong and ancient in construction with rental chances hinging soleK upon the dog. Murk. * THE FALSE ALARM Columbia pi. turn rclcnalng through Quite a smattering of -Seven Keys to Rildpate," "Seven Days' and whiUnot in this one. Hut a young- ster runs away with the picture. It concerns a young playwright who goes to the apartment of a stage director, where he may write a new third act of his play that has r<>ne into rehearsal. The writer soon finds himself in all kinds of trouble, starting when the fat man- ager of the hotel apartment is robbed of his watch and chain and outs the playwright under suspicion. This is followed by a robbery at tho apartment house when a second- ary worker gets hold of a string of pearls that have been dropped into the pocket of the playwright's coat as he Is mistaken for the jeweler's messenger. » Of course there is a girl and *ho is Edna Murphy. Watching the work of this blonde convinces that She is improving. The main male ndes are handled h.V Raymond McKee, as the play- •light, and Ned Sparks, as the burglar. Comedy scenes are nicely Worked up and effectively. From start to finish there is a rough-house, mistaken identities, bases galore, with the kidnaping of tho baby that was supposed to have -wallowed the pearls and its subse- quent recapture on the roof of the apartment house, all intended for laughs. What success the picture obtains s due to the principals and that little kid. The hitter is almowt un- canny in the unusual work per- formed. M, irkm Lester Adler, assistant In the eastern Harold Uoyd oiiKo during .i. c. Hagland's tenancy as eastern manager, is now* looking after the LTo> .1 sab s on tin N» w York and C. E. Sasseen. district munug< i New Jersey exchange floors* Chrfsedge Atuusotiient Corpora* lion has hotight a theatre now*in the course of construction bh the east side of Castle inn avenue* north of Westchester avonue. Beat- iU£ capacity of :,noo. Another ode to the fire depart- ments and probably on the "hunch started by Louis Mayer's "Fire Hri gade." There have been plenty of these around this district lately but this much eah be said for "The Falso Alarm" it's about the best of the Independent attempts to date For one tiling the story has some body to it, an item whieh tho others i i\e lacked, in this instance the this family juvenile follows his father's footstep* Into a lire house, and on his JiiM Slant) fal's prey to an in- herlted fear of lire. Leavinj; his trapped father to bo rescued by »-titers. Joe Casey (John Harron) becomes ostracised and forbidden hid homo. He goes to the steel mills THE DEVIL'S TOLL HUC Horn Ilanch Presentation. .Jlrtrlbulel e a ■*'* ro :<£ oM wyn-Muyer. dirc-t^l by CHf- ford Smith. Starring Fran.la McDonald. Compared to some of the westerns turned out recently this one is a classic. Tom Santsehi, as the heavy, is much more convincing than he ever was as tho lead in other pic- tures of this kind, while in Kathleen Key, beauty-famished fans can take a look at one of the prettiest girhl ever lassoed into appearing in split skirts. Kathleen can roll her eyes too and shows up well in camera shots from *>very an^le. She appears with long, black curls, in a floor-sweeping dress fitting tight at the hips and higher, in the style of L'O years ago. Francis McDonald, as Frank Dar- win, has tlown to an impregnable shack in the hills to forget the Ucorrt of some woman, name unmentioia d. McDonald puts over n, much mere creditable performance than the usual run of western heroes but, owing to lack of a powerful appear- ance, is quite unconvincing in the strength display scenes. Picture shows good direction. SONGS OF CENTRAL. EUB0PE Ono of JanK»» Fitz;utrkk Famous M«lo£* So.ies», now helnp released through 1'atha I Hxchang*. Han 13 mlnut.HI. Timely Christmas music sheit, introducing "Souks of Central KU- rope," mostly of Teutonic, origin and ingeniously interwoven with n. skeleton plot wherein the titles* lyric excerpts from the vawoilS si lerlions^ Tho synehroni/.jiiTTTrT—IS—Ml' handled in view of ihe many " ' courses to the lyric titles, the ? <>(1 V tge managing some difficult Hi 1 ,M very well with n slowing up <>* title fade-outs and fade-Ins, aS casion demanded. This is an above average Fitspatrlck production- Al' h