Variety (May 1927)

«9 VARIETY Wednesday, May 25, 1927 VARIETY S LOS ANGELESOFFICE ARTHUR UNGAR in Charge Loew's State Bldg., Suite 1221-22 707 So. Broadway, Trinity 3711-3712 LOS ANGELES Proftssionals hav« th« fr«« mm of Varitty'a Lot AngelM Oflle* Imp informatioiii Mail may be addreeaad care Variety, Leew'e State Blda^ Suite 1221 •tl; Lee Angelee. It will be h«ld subject to call or forwardedf er edver« tised in Variety's Lsttor List. Nothing but l)old face type can express the importance of Eddio Cantor as a bead-line attraction for thtt Orpheum circniit. He appeared here last week, and though showing nothing new outside of a couple of songs, packed them in from first to last show, and did the biggest busi- ness for the house in its liistory. Cantor's n^mie actually brought them in. They have tried with other names, which v,'ere supposed to be bigger from the b. o. angle, but they flopped and then along came Eddie. Orpheum did nothing to help hiin. They put a very mediocre bill around him, and then, too, they tried an experiment. A two reel Hal Roach comedy, "Fluttering Hearts," was used, cutting the show to Kf'ven acts. The bookers apparently felt that with a name like Cantor*8 anything eould be given the buyers. . Opening the show were Luley, Renri and Crooker, '"irhree Rubes" witii tlK^ir grotesque comedy, danc- ing and acrobatics. Though the turn is dragged out, the acrobatics are worth waiting for. In the deuce spot came Herma and Juan Keyes. The man is a master of the ivories, but the woman Is Just a fuMle pla\'er and does not know how to idre.<^s. After them came the Le Grohs, a wow of an act, the last word of its Kind, with the younger man goaling them with his contor- tion. Del Cliain and Lew Archer, who pilayed here only a few weeks ago were back again fourth. The boys had been hooked In at the request ef Eddie Cantor. Their routine switched considerably, got over in good style. Closing the first part was 'Daphne Pollard, with her char- acter intei pretations and songs. Hav- ing doled this same routine out the week before Miss Pollard did not click as she did on the opening week. Though the act is a treat from an entertainment standpoint, this of no similar vehicle can stand a two-week stay in this house, which has a pretty regular weekly patronage, when they do come. Ward and Van (De Michle Broth- ers) followed the two-reeler in the .second part with their off-key mu- sical routine and stopped the show cold. They are well known to this audience and are liked. The gang kept them 6i\ and on and Just would not tiro of them, holding the curtain oi> Cantor with their applause until the two boys begged off. Cantor bad the task of closing the show. IJe opened with a number he and Maurice Abrah.ntne wrote. "It,** telling a story of the movies after which came songs and black- outs. a»-wet1 as gags. Unfortunately for C.'intor the gnurs nnd blackouts have been done here before. He used (^aln atid Archer. Tubby Cnron. song pluggor; Sally Rand and Cicorge Sofranski, former vodvil agent, to help In the blackouts. For a turn quickly assembled to do a few weeks in the two-a-day. Cantor bad a darl» of an act. Eddie could help this Orpheum circuit build up the weekly gross anywhere at all and would be entitled te any- thing he could get. No one else seems to liave been able to perform the fe.it he did here, from the first day the bouse opened Its doors in February. 1926. The I'nIted Artist.«i theatre looks as thotigh it will be ready In a few months, and Harold R. lYanklyn is busy, too. Ung, four names th:iX followed suoces- si\&ly here for awhile sharpened the vaude appetites of the Pan crowd, who, finding no follow-up attrac- tions, apparently is losing interest again and, on the whole, rather dis- appointed. Nevertheless, last week's bill was avera^fe and in all nut bud. Miss Shuron De Vriea Revue held the feature spot above the others and was billed that way on the hoards. On the stage Romaine and Castle, preceding the dancing act in the next-to-shut, copped everything from everybody. Komaine's black- face female impersonation stopped the show cold. With Castle at the ivories, he put over a barrage of songs. Castle woriiied in tan and playod straight for a few lines. The black bottom gag by Romaine was a little too raw, otherwise okay. Janet Childs. character comedienne, clicked in the trey spot. Miss Childs, of the burlesque type, was versatile. Her vampire numhtvp, ;i la Fannie Llrice, created laughter, but not strong. Her other numbers were suitable, encoring with a Charlie Chaplin imitation. Alex Gibbon Trio, combining acro- batic, risley work and muscular feats, were a fast and neat opener. Praley iand Putnam, in the hide- away spot, used two special sets, with the man attempting a Will Rogers. Rope twirling to taps Is their forte, though some .st)ngs and patter were inserted. The monolog by tho man fell short, lacking in pi^nch lines. The girl looka good and is an able tapster. The eM 'adage that the hand Is quicker than the eye held good in the act billed as Amac. A woman that does a vanishing act provided the illusion. It's the old three card monte elaborated. Three cards, blank deuce and trey, are perched atop respective pedestals, with a smooth and glib talker handling the spiel. The girl works fast In chang- ing her positions, though an Inkling of a double being used may be con- sidered when the woman ran down the aisle from the front. Miss De Vries' Revue closed. As a dancing act it is in the feature class, but never takes on headlining proportions. Aside from Shuron Devries' terpsfchore, the rest is Just ment, to manage the Winter CJar- den theatre, Seattle, liert Levy, publicity director, succeeds Felkner as house manager. Jessia Samms Baker, organist, ill for the past few weeks, has re- turned as featured organist at tho Universal'fl Columbia^ Harold Murphy, Orpheum mana- ger, who goes to California when the local house closes for the sea- son, will do relief work for the Orpheum managers ta California in vacation time. above the medio ere Opening In Nice bouse downstairs at tlie Pan- tages last Monday afternoon; above, aliH^t a total loss. The three or Qusrrini A Co TM Lttdlflf m4 ACCORDION FACTOSY III tht UNitad Statoi Tht onli rtrton U>at mtlMt tOf Mt of Hewlt ^ sMldt ta band. tn.tTi OMsakst AVMM ess frM«iMi e«i. 935 SO. BROADWAY Sals or Rental Scenery Drapes Art Flowere Wickerware Papier Machs Prologue Settings Lobby A. Ballreem Decorations full* Miss De Vries vocalizes, sur- rdufld^ed by six ballet girls, before going into her dance. A male drunk on roller skates was below par. Miss De Vries' biggest score was with an Oriental slave number employing some contortion work. The ballet girls were evenly matched and neat- ly garbed, but nothing much aViove the ordinary. Changes in the rou- tines and settings would help ma- terially. Feature picture, "Rich But Henest." Fox. Walt Tibbetts, former owner of the Hollywood and JUighway the- atres, who disposed of his interests to North American-West Coast, now building a new house on the East Side, denies he is turning it over to West Coast. The Hollywood Bowl As.sociation will open its concert season on July 5 with Alfred Hertz, con<luctor of the San Francisco Symphony Or- eheetra; holding the baton. Paul N. Lazarus, southern and western territory division sales man- ager for I'nited Artists, is on the Coast making an inspection tour of the company's exchanges through- out the United States. He is due back in the New Vork oflflce June 15. PORTLAND, ORE. By SAM H. COHEN Broadway—'Rookies." Liberty—' See You In Jail." Pantages—Pan vaude—pictures. Rivoli—"Ritzv." People's--"Flesh and the Devil.' Orpheum—Vaude. Columbia—"The Prince of Tempt- ers." Hany C. Arthur. Jr., general mana«er West Coast Theatres in this st'ftion, came here to inspect the linn's houses and go (tver plans wiih realtors of new houses to be erecti'd in the Suburban districts. West Coast, s;iys Arthur, intends to erect many new houses iil the I'aci- fic Northwest. It is understood Arthur will be in complete (barge of the circuit's interests hero, with head<iuarters at Seattle. Ray Folkner, former house mana- ger, Ci)lutiil»ia, h.is Ikm ii promoted by tho I'niversal theatre dipart- TIMES SQUARE TRUST COMPANY Seventh Avenue and 40th Street, New York With ample capital, sxperienced staff, board of directors comprising successful business and professional men (including Mr. WILLIAM MORRIS and Mr. KARL TAUSIG), Commercial Banking, Trust, Foreign Dspt., Investment, Travel, Custom House Dept. THRIFT—4% INTEBEST SAFE DXPOSIT^MODERATE RATES TIMES SQUARE TRUST COMPANY Seventh Avenue and 40th Street, New York Rodney Pantages Is expected up hero daily to confer With local Pan executives. Eddie Smith has resigned as manager of the local Columbia (Universal). No successor .ao far appointed. SEATTLE By DAVE TREPP Metropolitan^"Tha Judge's Hus- band." Orpheum—Vaude. Pantages—"Play Safe" and Vaude. Fifth Avanue—"Children of Di- vorce." ■ Coliseum—"Broadway Nights." United .Artists—"Long Pants." Blue Mouse—"The Het.ter 'Ole" and Vitaphone (tUlh week). President—"Men of Purpose/* Strand— The Ked Kimono." Columbia—"The Popular Sin." Winter Garden—"The Sky Raider " Embassy—"Husband Hunters." MINNEAPOLIS 8hubert~"Tha Uttife BpltAre" (Edith Taliaferro gue«t atAT WUh Bainbridge Players). Hennepin-Orphsum — Vaudeville (P'lorenco Moore) and pictures. Pantages—Vaudeville (liartee Sis- ters' revue) and pictures. Seventh Street—Vaudeville (Bar- nett and Thomas) and pictures. Gayety — "The Beauty Parade" (burlesque). State—"Don Juan" and vitapbona. Strand—"Convoy." Lyric—"Cabaret." Grand — "Sensation Seekera** and "The Loet Battalion." Finkelstein A Ruben have put over a great newspaper tie-up for their Minneapolis - made movie stunt. The Journal is sponsoring the stunt and devoting columns to it. Prominent local people act as Judges to decide the winning see- narlo. Half-pages even have been taken in competing newspapers to call attention to the stunt, referring the reader.s of the rival sheet tO the .Journal for full inlorniution. Due, undoubtedly, to bad business, the theatrical season liere is wind- ing up earlier than usuaK Three laige loop houses already have closed for t\je summer—the Metro- politan, playing road shows the Palace, home of the McCall-Bridge fMayers (musical comedy tab), and the C.arriek, F. & R. moyie theatre. The Shubert and (layety have only a few wceft.«« more to go. Kitty Doner jumped here from her farm near Ossining to open for arr Orpheum circuit tour. She iiad clpsf^d. her season. William J. Heinecke, of I^wis- town, Mont., formerly connected with Judith theatre, is manager of the Strand, reopened by Jolm lMns. E. R. Cotton, representing Ru- dolf Spreckles interests of Kan Francisco, is here regarding lease of the Spreckles theatre, the President, recently vacated by Duffy. The Ro.senbaum interests of New York, builders of the Seattle the- atre, new Publix house, have an- nounced building of n f 1,500^900 the- atre in Spokeja.e«.'.. Madison, neighboiiiood theatre, has cut from ^9 ,to l&c.;i "summer prices." ♦ DENVER Broadway—"The BueHman" <roau show picture). Denham—"if I Were Rich" (stock). Empress—Vaude. vr ■ / . :. Auditorium Dempaey>Tilnney light pictures. Aladdin—"Brute" and Vita. America—"Love Thrill " Colorado—' Night Uride." Vietory—"Rookies. • Rialto—"Tillie, the Toiler.- State—"Little Adventures." The Ilroadway, after a week of good business witli Al Julsoii's "Big Boy ' (but not the sell-out usual with .Tolson) is playing an African adventure picture made by an ex- pedition financed and carried out by local men. H. 10. Ellison, for- merly owner of the Victory and Rialto. is the local impresario. Show- Is billed as having the film "syn- chronized" with regular old-fash- ioned lecture by Dr. C. Blfaee|'Cadie» leader of expedition. J. Samuel Bcikowitz, president of Berkova Productions. Inc.. of Holly- wood, which is making home-made movies over the entire F. & H. cir- cuit, won a bride during his sojourn in Bt. ilnul. She la Helen Bloom, a rien-prefessional. In opposition the giant Municipal Auditorium is playing the Dempsey- Tunney fight pictures at 75c., just two bits more than tho regular lilm palaces ask for their attractions. Jack Drucker, manager of an in- dependent film exchange here, is the. sponsor, but where the print came from is, of course, nobody's busi- ness. Florence Reed's "Sliani^hai (les- ture" c.uupany got in dutch with scribes on both of the local dailies. Helen black, of the Scrii)ps-H»>w- ard "News." in a regular Variety "Inside Stuff" paragrai)h took a fall out of C. Henry (Inrd.m, third busi- ness m.tn of the (oropany and for- mer local stock nu'mber. for his per- sonally expressed aiitij)a(hy for Pcnvcr ,ift< r liaving overshadowed I the star in the receptions and cur- I tains all week. De Penvn di, .Ir.. of [ho Denver "Vu^i," took cxcep- , tion to a curtain speech by Miss ' I^eed made the following week in S.ilt Like City in which she said that Denver was neither shocked nor bored by the S. CJ. but siii»i>l.v s.it in stony silence. De Ilcrnardi in a most conspicuous two-column box gave the reason that Miss Heed's lines were unintelligible the fore-part of the week but Improved much In later performances. ST. LOUIS By TOM BASHAW Ambassador—"A Million Bid" and Publix "Milady's Perfumes." - American—Dark. Empress—National Players in "(jne of the Family." Garrick — "The «preadin« Evir* (photoplay). Grand Opara Houee—Will Higgle, vaudeville. Grand Central -"The Love Thrill" and Paul Sporhdcr'a Band. Loew's State—"The 1 )emi-Bride," Kmma Trentlni and i:ric Zardo on tlie stage. IMissouri—Lois Moran in "The Whirlwind of Youth", Brooke Johns in person. Orpheum—Dark. ' Shubert • Rialto—Da rk. St. Louis —"The .^•i^h^ Bride" with Marie Prevost: Bob Warwick topping vaudeville. Tilings just so-so at Loew's State I;ist week with Olbria Swanson's The Love of Sunva." Business was just luir, estimate |21,009. ^ '' '' ' i'- Charles Skouras, of the Skouras Brothers chiiin, is in Los Angeles at the first National convention. Merle Alcock. one of the five Mis- , souri prima donnas with the Metro- politan Opera, has been engaged to replace Marion Telva. the St. Louis contralto, in f.uy Qolterman's pro- duction of "Madama Butterfiy" at the Garden theatre, the outdoor opera house out In St. Loufe edunty. 30. Telva, who wa.s to sing the role^of Suzuki, has been forced out ..f the east;by lllne8S,ihe Siin- agenient states. 7 CINCINNATI By JOE KOLLING Grand—"The Patsy." v Cox—"The Little SjMtfire" E*-?uf~"'Mlii*' Climbers"-Vau<le. Keith'e^"The Big Drive* (2nd week). Capitol—Vitaplione—"The Show." Lyric— The Yankee Clipper." Walnut—"Blind Alleys." Strand—"Tracked by the Police." Emprase—Stock burlesque. Vitaphone was introduced locally last week at the Capitol. Busiu' while big. was not up to expecta* tione. Coney Island opened May 21, The round trip boat fare fur the up-river resort is 35c. this season* l&c. lesa than last year. Chester Park, totally rebuilt, opens May 2g, with the Louisville Loone as the dance orchestra the flrst two weeks. The Zoo opened May 21 with the summer grand opera season there commencing June 19, with Isaaa Van Grove conductor. At Castle Farm the Kansas City Night Hawks are in their fourtli and last wei k. SeiFetia'Beer aote alao are offered' \ \ - Rose Gorman's Virginlana folloir the Louisville Loone in at BWM Garden May Zd. Richard Pavey, Cincy tenor, le the new studio director at Station WFBE, operated by the Garfield Hotel, whleit-erew;! hank en .the ait< - H. G. Rosenbaum,' Pellas. hae succeeded Hugh Owene as manager of the local ParamoUlli exchange. The Standard B*iim Servlee office here is now in charge of William Flemion. formeriy of Detroit. N. L. Lefkowita la belnc trahifefre4 te <!leveland. «4ifi» itnAlk Davideen-^'tlftiir (McCoy Play- ers). ■ .'.^ , Miller — "rrene" (McCell-Bridgee I'la\ ers). Pabst—German stock. Empress—Burlesque stock. Gayety—Burlesque ^tock. Alhambrfh^"Mtmte vCtiete.*' Qarrfen^'^the Miraete Man." Majestie-r'^Quarantlne RLvale**^ Va u de Merrill — '«the Understahdin# Heart." Palace—"Wonders of the Wild*- Vaude. Strand—"."Special Delivery." Wisconsin— The Tender Hour Manager Charles Brown an- nounces the McCall-Bridges stock will play the Miller 15 weeks, with Loew vaudeville back in August. Arnold (Bozo) Skinkl is proj)erty man at the Alhambra. and "Zip** Suelflohn electrician of the nevr $1,000,000 Eagles* Club here. Both recently returned from road shows. The Wisconsin News (VVirOK) station has installed its own organ for broadcasting. Tlie .Journal (WHAD) also recently installed afi organ, cutting off the theatres a» a source of organ rtiuelc for local ra* dio stations. William .'^imonsen haS been named business agent. Milwaukee Stags Hands' LQCal IS. to replaee Qliv«r Bra4field, Who resigned recently. Radio salesroom opposite the Empress broadcast baseball ganie.-i play by play from loud spcaltcrs iu front of the store, injuring the Em- press' business, where a scorebo.ird is in operation each matinee. Th» theatre's management and store owners "got togeth<'r. ' The r idi.» is now silenced, supplying the haso- ball news to the theatre, where n two-bit admittance is charg(>ii. In return for silencing the loud speak- ers the radio store gets free adver« tisipg space in the theatre lu)»by. Charlie N»ls*)n*3 "Rathskell-i* underneath the Oavetv has had ili name changed to "The Cave." MOMT OKIUl.NAL COFFEE SHOP Ip the Gelden West Carl—MULLER'S—Lill "TWO OLD TIMERS" Dtr«ct from Train or Theatr* You Are Welcome 724 So. Hill St. Los Angeles I'ran/. K.ifh. orc^.ini.'it \t tli.i Fox isi.s, has kit, goint: to (Jhi Uia. PAUL iVOr£ NEW ADDRESS FOR SAILINGS TAUSIG & SON steamship Aeeemmodstions Arranged on AM Lints at Lowest RaUt Foreign E.vchnnge alio Taken Care Of. n ^ii^ht and .^ol I Oldest Agency in U. 8. Specializing on Theatrical Travel BUROPKAN CONNBCnONS ~ PaiiMce T«k<>B Care of IU>th Wnye TIMES SQUARE TRAVEL BUREAU PAUL TAUSIG & SON Management Seventh Ave. & 40th St. — Timp^ Rqtnr^ Tr,.-» Cn VORK