Variety (Mar 1927)

March 30. 1927 FILM HOUSE REVIEWS VARIETY ROXY (NEW YORK) New York. March 21. second program presented at w Rozy theatre beginning Sat- r shows a decided improvement over the inaugural presentation. It Is, however, nothing more or leas than a revival of what 8. L. Roth- afel did during his days at the Cap- itol, except in this instance It la produced more elaborately with a greater number ot people and with the assistance of the more modem facilities of the new house. That means it looms up with the "bigger and better" ideas that held forth in the field of motion picture produc- tion several years ago. The beat that they did was to make 'em lug- ger but not better. A general slant on the whole bill can be arrived at when It la noted that Brno Rapee, musical director, ■elected for his opening overture the <*13th Hungarian Rhapsody," which has not been done on the street since he did It at the Capitol. The ballet had Mile. Uambarelii executing "The Swan" with the assistance of the Boxy Chorus. It was done beauti- fully, but the spot light operator al- most gummed up the works at the finish and practically ruined? the late afternoon performance on Sunday. The big flash was a tab version of Victor Herbert's "The Fortune Teller." It was colorful in its set- ting and costuming, in fact the pro- duction was better than some of the musical comedies of the regular Broadway theatres, but still there was nothing new about it. The one feature that suggested ■omething different waa the presen- tation of "Barrack Room Ballads," with a male chorus of about 36 voices in a setting representing an officers mess and the men clad as English "Tommies." This feature was heartily applauded and t bright red coats of the men stood ut. Two numbers were offered This waa hoisted for the finale. Big hit. A short reel, "Speed." prepared by Castle Films from library stuff, was nondescript but lively hodge- podge combining fast horses, traffic (speeded up in the old Lyman Howe comedy fashion), automobiles, trains, etc.. and allowing for some good work from the orchestra. This short acted as a bracer to a show which began going a mile-a-mlnute when the next turn, Sousa's Band, held the stage for 27 minutes. Big hit, of course, and followed by the feature. "Fashions for Women." About 70 minutes, completing one of the best—probably the best—all around program Paramount has had since opening. here. In addition to the above there was the organ at the opening and Vitaphone, which closed, presenting the quartet from "Rigoletto," one of the weakest of the Vltaphone's oper- ate- subjects. In the screen division there was a rather fair mystery comedy, "Wolf's Clothing," starring Monte Blue and released by Warners. The picture is far and away one of the best that Monte Blue has had but H Is not the type of production, ex- pected at the Roxy. The Pictorial Bevlew held eight subjects, four of which came from Pathe, three from Internationa' and one from Fox. A. Qrantland Rice Sportlight, entitled "Water Sprites," waa a single reel of rare beauty, and the trick swim ming brought many hands. The performance ran about two hours and fifteen minutes, consider ably over the usual allotted time •ven though several numbers were cut from the 13 originally scheduled to be done as part of "The Fortune Teller." On Saturday and Sunday of this week there waa a new policy, that of giving five de luxe performances. In which respect the house Is fol lowing the Paramount. It waa dis- covered that the Roxy could not be cleared until Ave full shows were given, as the supper show attend- ance would hang over for the first full night show. This policy la to be held to on Saturdays and Sun days In the future. PARAMOUNT (NEW YORK) New York, March *T. Big show and a good one this week, with Sousa's Band as the big noise and a corking picture, "Fash- Ions for Women," as the follow-up. Opening, a very short orchestra prelude (two minutes) led Into the news reel, remarkable because it held no Fox and Pathe clip, depend- ing entirely on International and Kinograms subjects, and because the Magnascope device used In the showings of "Old Ironsides" waa utilized to set off several of the more novel subjects. This tremen rous screen and its equally large projected picture went well every- where except In the mezzanine, where even in the front row a third of the picture was cut off by the balcony line. In the back row of the mezzanine, where the house screen Is always cut by the balcony line, a half of the Magnascope screen was obscured. The irony of this Is that the mezz seats are the most expen aive. Five Kinograms and four In ternational clips. Dennis Sisters, three girls doing harmony songs, followed with i elaborate setting of brown drapes, glass window flat at the back cen- ter and the huge white and gold house piano on the stage. They did slow ballads. "Love Sends a Little Gift of Roses" and "Dear Old Pal of Mine." getting off to so-so applause. Following Jesse Crawford took the organ for 12 minutes, opening "Blue" concert, first with "Rhap- sody in Blue" and then with a waltz "So Blue." written by Mrs. Jesse Crawford and played, after the first time, by the pair, Mr. Crawford working the pit orchestra and Mrs. Crawford handling the twin console on the stage, the twin being first revealed through the scrim drop upon which organ pipes are painted. RIVIERA (OMAHA) Omaha, March 26. The newest link, and a big, bright, shining one in the Publlx Theatres chain, was added today when the beautiful Riviera at 20th and Far- niim opened. Its premiere waa held last eve- ning, an invitation affair, and the most important event in mid-west amusement circles of the year. Those present Included the elite of Omaha and Nebraska society, state and county officials and a large party of prominent officials of both Publlx and Paramount, together with many exhibitors from neigh- boring citiea. The new amusement palace was promoted and Is under the direc- tion of A. H. Blank. It seats 3.000. and represents an Investment of two and a half millions. Designed by John Elberson, It la the very latest thing In atmospheric thought and of Italian architecture, with the most Improved appliances. The opening was made a great event In this western prairie city. For a week preceding it the streets were decorated day and night The morning of the opening there was a Grand Pageant of Progress, with bands and soldiers from the neigh- boring fort, regiments of high school cadets, with numerous civic and Industrial units In the parade. Eugene Zukor, of Publlx, stated before the local Chamber of Com- merce that ideas from the Riviera would be used in the construction of nine new theatres In New York. The premiere last night was quite formal, with congratulatory speeches by the Mayor, theatre offi- cials and others. Hundreds of tele- grams were received from "names" of the screen. Adolphe MenJou*s "Evening Clothes" waa the feature, but the first picture to hit the sheet was a news shot (Kinograms). The atage show, special for open- ing week, consisted of "An Indian Legend" by William Hollander, staged by Frank Cambria. It was a tribute to the Indian chieftain. Logan Fontenelle, prominent In the early history of Omaha. Special scenery with the solo parts sung by Edward Molltore and Camllle Tendora, with a ballet of 10. Other stage turn was the' 'In- augural Banquet," with White and Manning. Charlie Calver. Helen Cahoon, Arch Cannon and the dancing ballet. House orchestra of 20 conducted by Nathaniel W. Flnston, general director of music for Publlx, but regularly will be under the direc- tion of Frederick Schmidt At the consul of the organ George A. Johnson scored the Individual hit of the evening with "Organs I Have Played." It was the Jesse Crawford novelty and stopped things for a few moments. An- other Innovation was the perfect Publlx service rendered by the corps of snappy appearing ushers and attendants, strictly a la Para- mount, New York. The Riviera will be under the personal direction of A. O. Stolte. and will play the Publlx stage show. The first regular unit will be "Opera vs. Jazz," starting next Saturday. Among those present for the oc- casion were: A. T. Botsford. J. Chatkln. Samuel Benbow. William K. Hollander. Harry Marks. J. D. Spring. Stuart Doyle. Harry White, B. Seery. Eugene Zukor. Barney Balaban, Herman Lleher. Ace Berry. Sam Morris. Morris Sufler. Skouras Brothers, Herbert T>. Stem, Floyd BrockeTI, Nathaniel Flnston. Frank Cambria. Morris Petrof, Nate Frudenfeld, David Flam. John KTherson and A. H. Blank, the man who put It over. TTvohei. (Variety's Kansas City Corre- spondent) ORIENTAL (CHICAGO) Chicago. March 21. Paul Ash Is back. From Florida, for the benefit ef those not in the know. He went there to slice off a rest for himself. Like Joe Frisco, he gets tired now and then. The Oriental dropped over 15,000 In gross a week while Ash was In the hurricane city. Spilt this Into half-bucks and it represents 10.000 members of the Paul ARh Every Week Club who were playing hookey while their president's back was turned. No wonder they use alpha- bet block type in the ada to tell the members he's back. But there's another gent at the Oriental who's Immortalizing him- self with the younger generation. He Is Henri Keats, the organist. There is no one known with his par- ticular method of utilising 10 min- utes In a solo spot Keats' doodad this week Is called "Let's Have Some Harmony." He doean't get it but he geta enough extra noise to take care ot the next time Harvard plays Princeton. Starting off by testing the various voices Individually In order to get basses and tenors wise to their sta- tus. Keata brings 'em together on "Sweet Adeline." It's murder but vigorous. Other attempts prove similarly Inharmonious, but the pep lncreaaes. And when he finished off by having them go through a famil- iar topical number the customers are shouting so hard Mr. Keats lets them go through a chorus without accompaniment His trick of making community singing famous has been atudied by several allegedly, learned minds with little results other than make Keats come to the conclusion that he's worth more dough. Discounting for the favorableness of his hookup with Ash, Keata la still worth money to any picture house. Ash's presentation this week, pro- duced by Lou McDermott is "Mr. Jazs Himself (Presentations). There have been better and worse, this one ranking about in the mid- dle. Lack of class in Its specialties is the weakness. The showing of "Bind Alleys" In this house, where pictures aren't counted on, speaks for the quality of the picture. Additional films were "Aesop's Fables'- and Kino- gram newsreel. Capacity business early Monday- afternoon. With seats available In the balcony around noon, people were standing In the lobby prefer- ring to wait an hour and 45 min- utes for a seat nearer the " MARK STRAND (BROOKLYN, N. Y.) Brooklyn. N. Y.. March 27. The current show here Is a w.ow for value, size and entertainment. E. L. Hyman, managing director, could cut 26 percent and still not cheat, but the extra value standard haa been responsible for cinching this house. Besides, it's good stuff to offset Impending competition. Already they are laying foundations In the vicinity for houses under Publlx and Fox management. Sunday night with the last show starting at around 11 p. m. and let- ting out long after midnight they were standing out In the lobby for this fifth performance. Tom Brown and his Merry Min- strel Orchestra, Including the Six Brown Brothers, came on close to midnight, but the response did not smack of a late Sunday night at- tendance. Allan Prior, the Aus- tralian tenor, on Just a few minutes before, did two numbers and al- most forced the Vltaphone-George Jessel reel to stop. The applause continued for a solid minute, drown- ing out Jessel's opening chatter. The house orchestra "was given prominence In a Hyman-created "Spring" ballet with the 12 Sonia Serova dancers and Saacha Kindler, the concert master, featured In the presentation. A novel variation on the straight ballet stuff was a cir- cular screen background against which waa projected appropriate scenic screen shorts of babbling hn.oks. swaying trees, etc all in keeping with the awakening of spring theme. Lilly Kovacs, staff solo planlste, was welcomed back after several months' retirement following her marriage. Miss Kovacs' "Hungarian Fantasy" flatteringly reintroduced her to the patrons. Harry Breuer completed the trench unit's contri- butions with a "Rio Rita" medley on xylo and vibraphone. The screen had Prior scheduled for another bal- lad which may have also prompted the audience's expectation of an ad- ditional recall, but his Impression merited every part of the unusual enthuaiaam. Prior can stay In the picture houses aa long aa he likes. Jessel and Elsie Janla were the Vitaphone presentations. Some- thing lacks in the Strand's ver- sions of the Vitaphone. It's the acoustics or ths mechanics. The rasping of the needle on the record can be heard for one thing. The mechanical impression from start to finish Is never lost Somehow the Warners, with their specially de- signed presentations at their Broad- way houses, have in a measure been successful in Imparting a more flat- tering Illusion, but at this house, the phonograph sense Is the strong- est impression. Jessel's voice seemed particularly muffled. Following the news reel, Tom Brown, the originator of the Six Brown Brothers, with an augmented orchestra of 16, walloped across a sizeable hit Cortnne Griffith In "Three Hours" was the feature. Sousa and Band are being gen- erously ballyhooed for next week. Hyman haa special Navy nights. Chamber of Commerce nights, etc., scheduled, the Brooklyn Navy Yard being natural exploitation material for the Sousa tleup. Aoet STATE (MINNEAPOLIS) Minneapolis. March 26. In conjunction with a leading loop department store, the State, ace Finkelstein A Ruben house here, staged its semi-annual style revue with a flash production that had many of the earmarks of a lav- ish Broadway musical ahow and af- forded a wealth of entertainment even for those male customers who might not be Interested in the 20 beautiful models wearing the lateat spring modes—if there are any such masculine Individuals. Aa a result business hit on all eight The setting looked Uke a million dollars and reflected considerable credit on the taste ot the concern's producing department It some- what resembled the familiar posters of Coral Gables and might be said to have represented the outdoor gardens of an exclusive Florida hostelry. A promenade balcony with a railing extended lengthwise across the rear of the stage, and on one aide into the upper floor en- trance of the building. On the op- posite side a wide, winding stair- case led from the balcony down to the atage. The models, stepping out from the hotel, paraded across the balcony, down the staircase to the footlights and over to the hotel. The girl "blues" singers, seated at one of the tables on the balcony, remained there for their number. Another young woman soprano, not bard to look at also occupied a seat at a balcony table. Below the balcony, ranged against a stone wall drop, were 13 members of the regular State orchestra, com- prising a jazz orchestra and In tux- edos. Eddie Dundstedter, house organist, was at a grand piano, con- ducting. They played the newest popular numbers, while the models paraded, and alao furnished the ac- companiments for the vaude which filled the periods while the models were off-stage making changes. After the models' Initial parade a pair of colored tap and clog danc- ers, nlftlly attired In white bell hop uniforms to carry out the hotel Idea, did a corking number. More exhibi- tions of styles were followed by the girl "blues" singers warbling "Sam. the Accordion Man," and "Raggedy Ann." This led Into a dandy "Rag- gedy Ann" dance by the regular State chorus of eight girls made up to represent "Raggedy Ann" dolls. Climaxing this was an exceptionally good eccentric knockabout dance by a girl and boy team. The girl was thrown about In Apache dance fashion. Following another fashion display came a song number by a girl so- prano who boasted good looks along with a pleasing voice. This song paved the way for a ballet number by the State's dancers In filmy, sllk-lfke creation* of various hues and wearing . varl-eolored wigs. More fashion exhibition, and then the grand finale with all the models on the stage Joining In the chorus of a song number. The show opened with the "Rl- enxl" number, well played by Nel- son and his orchestra. The atyle revue waa preceded by International news reel and a Krazy Kat cartoon, followed by the feature, "Blonde or Brunette," well liked. The entire show, run off In snapnv style, lasted about two hours and 10 minutes and gave the beat of sat- isfaction. medley ot popular numbers clicked. With "The Show" aa a feature a two-hour entertainment waa put across that pleased one continuous lock-out If they can be pleased after standing the way that audi- ence did today, never lees than am hour, then the house to selling what they want Maakin. STRAND (NEW YORK) New York. March 27. Joseph Plunkett elects aa tt presentation features to support ' new Harry Langdon comedy ture, "Long Pants," this week, aa almost straight vaudeville specialty bill. Billy Jonea and Ernest Hare, who have a boat ot radio fan fol- lowers as The Happiness Boys" are emphasized In the billing. Another number Is the always popular violin soloist. Fredrlc Fradkln, In a series of straight numbers. A production bit opens the pres- entation program. Toward the end of the overture. Oriental selection, the curtain rises to discloss a broad dlas accupying the whole atage, with the Strand ballet corps grouped about its steps and with Edward Albano, baritone, posed at the top an Eastern ruler. His solo Is asmln." foUowtng which the 2* grto and the principal dancers go into one of those Oriental ensem- bles. AH sightly choreography, bat nothing of striking novelty la ths arrangement. Fradkln. with three semi-popular numbers and an old ballad tor aa encore, had no scenic backing, but a striking stage picture waa framed for the Happiness Boys. Piano was raised on a low platform against 12- foot screen of vivid. Illuminated grass green, the whole being set against a back drop of audacious brick red. It sounds wild, but the effect Is really rich and arresting. A brief Introductory prologue by Pauline Miller and Robert Sticks*? led to the feature. The news reel had as It feature a series of views ot the Chinese uprisings from ths In- ternational service, " clips from Fox and P vlewa of the new British i. In action In Florida, a new sport of balloon floating In England, shots of boys boxing with barrels hung t > cento clips of ths cherry Washington. A short Paths scenic magazine subject ended the bill with a variety of brief bits including color scenes In Korea and a series In black and white of marvelous sunset effects m the mountains and lake dtotrtotssC PALACE (WASHINGTON, D. C.) Washington, March 27. Carnival Week Is not so forte. Suffering In comparison with the preceding week, but will Improve considerably with playing. Colby Harrlman, who has been, and ia, doing a line job of the staging, haa not the material to work with In the present line-up. Four amateur girls dancing cannot measure up, and when they are utilized for both the opening and closing these two all Important spots naturally suffer. Jack Sidney starta first with a pop number and then a sob affair, the latter only made acceptable by the clever use of a scrim with a courtroom scene behind It The customers ate this up. Sidney has a more than pleasing way about him. After things were Interrupted by reverting to the screen for a "Fables." he proceeded to keep everybody on their toes with his introductions. The carjrlval idea to portrayed by the stags orchestra, as well as Sid- ney, attired In costumes of such events—setting, too, In the spirit and well done. Drena Beach, peach of aa acro- batic dancer, was held over. This time shs does a leopard routine entering a cage. Highlight of the presentation. Tommy Christian, though using music stands, through personal showmanship very successfully sells a straight dance bsnd as a stage attraction. Dance rhythm la main- tained throughout with many op- portunities lost aa a result The drummer's double voice comedy specialty to deserving of more than passing note. In addition to "Fables* the screen ■borta conflated only of the Inter- national News. Tom Gannon's orchestra with, a FORUM (LOS ANGELES) Los Angeles, March 33. Selling a program picture at »1 6S top made It essential for ths man- agement to go beyond Itself In pro- viding the presentation and mis- cellaneous program for ths premiers of "Ths Yankee Clipper." It got the first run ot ths Will Rogers travelog, "Dublin," and R attracted aa much attention and possibly gavs ths audience as much satisfaction as the main screen feature. The figured ths Rogers would be an out and out comedy and were surprised and pleased when they saw the type picture It was. Presentation was a version of Gilbert ai operetta, "H. M. 8. Pinafore." ran IS minutes with a cast ot 26 men and women. It' was staged by William G. Stewart He mas- have been handicapped when K came to proper voices to supply volume In the chorus, especially la the male division. Another handi- cap was lack of pieces In houss or- chestra. Though It Impressed, this prolog did not do justice to the ability of Stewart and the memory of Gilbert and 8ulllvan on account of ths economy. House orchestra under Lou Gottschalk. new leader hern, besides providing music for presen- tation, rendered an overture com- posed of original themes that the director provided for "Broken Blos- soms," "Orphans of the Storm,* "Four Horsemen" and "Thrsa Musketeers." The musical medley seemed a bit too heavy and droll, besides not getting the rendition a score of this sort Is expected to, due to the shortage of orchestra timber. Gottschalk also provided a musi- cal scors for picture, possibly hur- riedly assembled from a large li- brary without efforts to show any Individual strain or thema. r/sa, TIVOLI (CHICAGO) Chicago, March 21. Plenty of show In two and a hast hours here. Good show, too, for ths admission. And a great show aa compared to that offered In a nearby vaude house nt the same scale. There are sides for the neighbors and sides for the neighbor's chil- dren, the younger generation get- ting the edge. This hhow Is a shin- ing example of whnt today's audi- ences want. It had everything. (Continued on page 27)