Variety (May 1928)

VARIETY VARIETY'S CHICAGO OFFICE Hal HALPERIN in charge Woods Bldg., Suite 604 Phones: Central 0644-4401 CHICAGO Professionals have the free use of Variety's Chicago Office for intqrmation. Mail may be addressed care Variety, Woods Bldg., Chicago. It will be held subject to call, forwarded or advertised in Variety's Letter List.,' Majestic This -'wdek's vaua.e at th6 oVIajestlc seemed poorly epptted, rather helter-skelter, throwini-together affair..:Riajestic pa- trons; out for.. popular prices and reasonably good' pictures, are not connoisseurs, ahd so the apparent HolilQ Quy is '' Why bo ther?" "The.'Corner DfugTStoref' SCDviHe- Glllis and Co.'s attraction, cno of the better Known standard acts around here, carried the principal comedy foundation of the show. This act has been playing to consistent busi- ness on standarji time for several years and is a dependable laugh , magnet. Telling the story, of antl-Volstead fluids In a small-towh pharmacy, the attendant situations and laugh lines are well introduce:d. ^ Major laugh portions are handled by little Miss Scoville, lead comedienne, who la "built", for laughs. . Dorothea, Kane, featured dancer, does some of the fastest buck and cleverest ec- centric terpsichore that has been seen In some time. Why some pro- ducer has not copped her off for a revile .is one of the world's, myste- fles.. In. eccentric work her eyes tlilk and her dancing Is interpretar tlve to the 'rith degree.; It won't be . long ilntil some one grabs her for the picture houses, and that is what she. needs to establish a reputation. Business, was pitifully slim, with only 10 rows of the orchestra, three of mezzanine and a speckled bal- cony. Weath er no alibi.. Opening .~lo a di scourligingTib urs e wa s Wei b y Cooke's Circus, . using "Sidney," .beautiful equine, Shetland nony, sev- eral dogs and a monkey. AH ani- mals well, trained and nicely han- dledi .plus; the good-looking equip- ment, this turn can stand plugging for; the kids. dopk and Wade, two boys of color, opened with some average tap steps In: English walking suits, white spats and fedoras. The boys make a nice appearance and finish with a couple of novelty routines that are quite creditable. Nelson and Parish fol- . lowed, with one of those .ga.y-6ld- dog vs. sweet-young-thlne, layouts, and convinced that they were very fair material for deuce spots In the small and Intermediate clocking. An old chap as a Western Union mes senger does the prescribed number of "by crackles" to the girl's' kid- ding. He plays a: steel guitar well, but not enough. . Girl sings well. Scoville-GIllls and Co. trot In here with special scenery of their "Cor- ner Drug . Store." Shean, Phillip and A.hger. . next to closing, with dalices and pongs. Nice enbugh lit tliB trlo--rtwo boys and a girl. The latter . Is a shapely lass who sings blues and songs a la Prancais. Boys , , are good steppers, good singers and nice appearing. Van DeVelde and Co., with special flash scenery well executed, are good acrobats for closing; Miss Elly is a fair equilibrist. . Sotting is of the gypsy type, as are the costume?. Head balancing, dancing bells arid tw_o male violins inject sufncient variety. . Right good entertainment, this week's Majestic vaudevillei..iind- "The Enemy" (M-G-M) as good feature picture draw, with Gish's name on the marquee. Loop. Palace ' PaiacG bill thi^ ■ week lea'ds up to James Barton, who has just been displayed by. local pictui:e houses. Real draw Sunday afternoon wias Benny Davis, who carries an or- chestra and several night club acts.. Earlier part was out of• schedule. W; Cromwell Knox, billed second, was on a delayed train and didn't show. He was replaced by Clin Lahdlck, female Impersonator, who cannot hope to graduate from small time, with their songa, ukuleles, and attempts at terpsichore, Russell and Marconi, with ac- cordion and violin, werie In the deuce spot. The violliiiat has aicted upon previous advice and cropped his locks; li6 looks a lot better. The accordionist, with a bald spot; Is real comedy mateiflal. They , go In for cpmedy, intermixed with their music and dances. Have been seen in some of the better picture houses, and always register, —Elida-Danoers closed the hill. Just another small time all femmO dance revue that is perhaps a bit better than the average. The featured songster and lead Is fierce. One girl does a nice mechanical soldier bit while another does well in wooden shoe stepping. A featured dancer, attractive enough, gets by. The Theatre Corp. The house is to haye 1,450 seat^ and will play vaudo and pictures. CORRESPONDENCE All matter in CORRESPONDENCE refers to current week otherwise indicated. The cities under Correspondence in tbis issue of Varl<ety follows and on uaaesi When in Chicago Vint These Hit* C <i R T MATINEES. WEDNESDAT V Y ■ ^ * AND SATURDAY . ."A. play of youth, clean mischief^ gopd V, fun and healthy romance." ■ ■' —Amy- Leslie, Ncwa Companionate Marriage^^ BLACKSTpNE ^^.^^H^'^l^t A* Ij- Erlanper £ Harry J. Powers, Mera, GiiO. H. COHAN Offers IN t'iTE. LAUGH SENSATION The Baby Cyclone I • • e • )•«•••• « • • »• • ••«•• • • •«'•'• • • • e'^ • >••• ■•••••'••«•••«•• ' * • • •'• • • • 9 k • m • * ••«.*■•• • • ••••••••• « ••• a •« vet* « • • •«•'« • • * I « • • 60 59 63 5d 58 61 58 58 62 63 61 60 58 A LaB A N NT «• • • • • * • • AT LA NTA ; - *... ATLANTIC CITY BRONX ... BROOKLYN BUFFALO . CHICAGO 1 ClisiCINNATI * DETROIT .. INDIANAPOLIS LOS ANGELES MILWAUKEE . MINNEAPOjUIS doesn't do so well with his moiiolpg jiit manages to surprise with the wig take-off, Nonette, singing fiddler, had to work in street clpthes because her costumes didn't show up, but the fact was announced and it helped her in applause^ She plays .very well, but her singing is handicapped somewhat by overexaggerated emo- tional muggirtg!' Barto and Mann, fourth, work terrifically hard in comic and acro- batic dance routines—so hard one was completely knocked out just at the, close. They're a combo of tall iand short, good for laughs on that angle alone, and the sincerity of their" work looks like a future. George Burns and Grace Allen opened the second half with a good Al Boasberg dialog. In which they both 'share comedy. Miss Allien plays a rather sappy part effectively, and the act Is reliable for big houses. Sandy Lang and Co., opening:, be- gan their roller skating turn with a trailer asking that more recognition be given to skaters. Lang makes about five short appearances, each time going through fast whirl rou- tines with girl partner. Additional are a sister skating team who work mildly but manage to please. Clo.s- ing were the Florenis, pedestal bal- ancers and posers, not seen. Not half a house. Loop. ' MONTREAL NE^A/A••«•■•«••••••••• NEW ORLEANS ........ OAKLAND .. OKLAHOMA CITY OMAHA ....... PORTLAND, ME. ...... PORTLAND, ORE. ...... ROCHESTER ... SAN DIEGO SAN FRANCISCO SEATTLE SYRACUSE T O F} O N T Q, ,^ ,-o>,Aj>>i!f ^;» a^/v.*. WASHINGTOI^ I • • • « > • • •*•-•*• • • •* unless tkV »• . 63 .*. t *. 58 ..... 59 60 .....60 ..••62 ,,..>-61 •.... 60 ..... 62 •... • 62 • ....'..* 59 •..^. 62 ...... 60 Marigold Gardens .outdoor ball vo6m, has been reopened as the Dime Dance 'JPalace by a group of promoters said to be headed bV Ed- gar A. Benson, orchestra, agent. . .Policy Is 10c,- admission and 10c. per dance, with ho hoistesses. Al Turk and hl^i Serenaders opened.. CINGINNATl By JOE KOLLING Grand—"The Jest." P a l a c e —"Chinese' Parrot" and vaudc. Albee—"50-60 Girl" and presenta- tion. Capitol—."Sadie Thompson," Vita- phone. - Lyric—"iRose-Marie" (film). Keith's-r-;'Sharpshooters." . Strand—"Sunset Legion." - The Palace (Keith), four a day since its opening eight years ago, changes to thricerdaily week days and four Saturdays, Suhdays and holidays. Six acts instead of ^eveh, with each turn working ev-;ry show. Falling off in attendalnce since, the. recent opening Of the new Albee, with a presentation policy,' caused the change.: . ; ■ The Walnut Theatre IBuilding has been sold for.$630,000 by Ike LibSon and Ben Heidirigsfeld. New o-vv'ners will convert the structure Into a garage. The theatre i^i One of the oldest in Cincy, operated as movie in liate years and closed three weeks ago. usual attempts . at flash are made with varying degrees of success. Business just fair, with weather very warm and sultry. The Keith, Harris, Libson" ahd •H6idirtgaffeld^>lntepfest^''^ttre>'^3fTitti«g^ dowir-on musicians,'.:On June 16: six men will be dropped from both the Lyric and Capitol orchestras and three from the Strand. The cut will mean a reduction in expenses of. close_to $10,000. . No reduction announced In admission prices. . Cloyif Griswold and his Campus Revelers-open at the College Inn June 4, following the Maurle Sber man band. ' Frank Dare, head of Equity here, will be in St. Louis four weeks or ganizing the Municipal Opera. Maftin Klein and C. L. Turpih have pvchaged the Wlllard, at Calumet and 61rst streets, from Abe Cohen. They have adopted a pic- ture and T. B. O. A. (colored) vaude policy. . SELWYN Mats, Thura., and Sat. ' SCHWAB and MANIJEL Bring Ton THE NEW COLLEGIATE MCSICAL COMEDV "GOOD NEWS" with uh •XIr-AMERICAN TEAM OF PLAYERS FOBTT ixArrEB FRESH lEi9 ABE LXSIAN (Himself) * HIS ORCO. ERLANGER ~~ A. I,. ERJjATJOER rrcHentB ' . THE DOMESTIC COMEDY SUCCESS "THE 19TH HOLE" By ahd With WObp's'ADELPHIy^ed^and Sat. PATKICK KEARNEY'S COMEDY A MAN'S MAN with DWIGHT FRYE and CHARLOTTE WYNTERS Englewood • For years there has been .a same ness to the reception of Englewood bills by customers. First act does fairly, . the second flops, the third does fairly, the fourth is most ap predated and the last does second best. . Canipbell and Brady opened the last .haif bin, with club juggling and WeTilaltifs bY^he mar^^^ this Is a definite Association act StOne and man and girl, eventually break into soft shoe dancing that spots them for the nelghbs. Arthur Deyoy Company consumijpates a mild sketch showing how a new step-father may win over his suddenly acquired kids. It'.s done by having the step-pa let the kids have what they want, against the mother's faked pro - te.sts. Sketch is hot strong on tal ent, but this won't be noticed In intermediate hou.ses. Jack Strouse, blackface monol- ogist, was successful here with mis cellaneous talk done in toreador costume before an arena, drop. Later h© sang, clicking with both ballad and cbm.edy. Easily sufficient for they, tiririif. Closing act. Paradise Island, Is a four-piece string or chestra and dance team. Orchestra Is good, but dancers need polish. "A Blonde for a Night" (Pathc). the film. Almost capacity downstairs Thursday night. .'• American Due to a ten-reel picture, M-G- M'-s "Student Prince," the American this week clipped oft two of Its five vaudovllle acts, using'only three Opening the bill were the Four Dion Sisters. These girls, of varying de- grees of plumpnesfl and sHmno.«!3 are dusky dnm.scls from some for elgn land. Just whl^h land is the question. Two of tho girls are rather attractive. As an act they Cadets from TUden and Lane Technical high schools are being used this week by Will J. Harris in special memorial productions for the ■ Tivoll and Uptown theatres. Harris is using 24 cadets In each theatre, billing the productions "Young America." Mark Fisher has returned, to the Oriental following an Illness of sev eral days during which Al Kvale, of the Norshore, acted as guest conductor. Gregory and Bemasik. will Install a stock and picture policy In the Palace at Cicero. M. J. Murpiiy Is to take oyer the management of the VarsUy, Evans- ton, Lubliner and Trinz house. Bob Knudson, formerly of the L, & T Windsor, Is' to assist. ' Barry Luplno, comedian with the "Love C»ll" at the Olymi^ic, la de sighing seenfery and costumes for a hew Luplno Lane comedy to be pro du.ced In Hollywood shortly. Sammy Stewart and his Planta tlon band are to open at the Light- house here. Previously a road house, the place has been converted into a ballroom. Joe t^arher, announcer at radio station WCBTj. Is doubling Into pic ture houses; Formerly of Warner and Sullivan,, vaudeville. Don Dixon's stock players at the Warrington, Oak Park, Illinois, are presenting • "Back Home" aa the opening effort. Great States theatres are to con duct an Illinois beauty contest. All Great States theatres will partlcl pate. Theatres owned by others in towns where there are no Great States will be Invited to Join. Final In Chicago. Bruce Gfodshaw is ar ranplng an all-American beauty 'conte,sf ^fOr the TrIaribft Ahd Ar.ifftfi ballrooms. He plans to make it na tional In scope, organized along the lines of the National Eccentric dancing contest held recently. A 600-scat picture house will be built at 103d and Throop streets by Arthur R. Nicmz. Construction has boon .<!tarted on the Mont Claire theatre, 7200 Grand avenue, financed by the Mont Claire A 26-people revue, produced by Ernie Young, opened an indef. en- gagement at Swiss Garden Maiy 26. Principals are Alfredo and Maxlne, Rutjiiv.-.IiUEteli; Macon, and Mayo, Moore Sisters, Boris Boskokoff, and Vic Allen, International Collegians. Chester Park opened. May 26. Flying . Fishers, Sensational Stones and Lieut. Carbone's Rainbow Di- vision Band free attractions. Earl Fuller's orchestra is In for summer at Hill's Lookout House, Covington, Ky. MINNEAPOLIS Metropolitan—"Simba.** Shubert—"The Garden of Eden" (Edith Taliaferro, guest star,* with Bainbridge Players). Hennepin - Orpheum — Vaudeville ("Our Gang" kids in person) and pictures ("Skinner's Big Idea"). Pantages^—Vaudeville (Raymond Fagan and Orchestra) and pictures ("Hello Cheyenne"). Seventh - Street—Vaudeville (Joe Freed) and pictures ("Tea for Three")' Minne8ota~"The Street of Sin^" State—"Laugh, Clown, Laugh." Lyric—"Diamond Handcuffs." Grand—"ilamona." Second loop run. Changing the bills on Friday In stead of Saturday at Pantages has resulted so far in a bigger Friday business than! usual .and. has not hurt the Saturday and Sunday trade, according to E.; C. Bostick, house manager here. ^ H. fi. Pence, multi-millionaire lo cal automobile dealer, has admitted through the newspapers that a "the atrlcal syndicate" has been nego tlating for "property owned by him on Hennepin avenue and Eighth street with the idea of erecting a theatre on it.. He announced that the "syndicate" is conducting the negotiations through a Chicago broker. Local theatrical -men be- lieve It Is For who wants to come in and erect a huge theatre to buclc the F. & R.-Publix combination Fox Is known to be dissatisfied with conditions with respect to distribu tlon for his product in this terrl tory. Most of his pictures now go into Panfages. Alei Hyde will b6 the new master of cieremonles at the Minnesota starting next week. He succeeds Allen Kane, who. has been with the house since its opening. NEWARK .Proctor's—■Vaudeville-"Dragnet," Loew's - State—VaudcvilIe-"i5road- way Daddies."' Newark—yaudevillo-'.'We Ameri- cans." . - Shubert—"Simba." V " Branford—'Mad Hour," Mosquer—"Red Hair"-Vitaphone. Rialt£»r-"Ramona" :(3d.wtcR). Fo)f Te r m 1 n a I—"H el lo, C hey cnn e". "The Escape''-Movietone. Capitol—"Road to Ruin"-Mc- Larhin-Mandejl fight. Goodwin—"Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come." Orpheum—"New Spring Jubilee"- films. Sahford, Irvington—"The Patsy." The Broad is closed this week, according, to an announcement, but unexpectedly reopens next week with "Her Unborn Child." "Road to Ruin" at the Capitol is running: In' an utterly • innocuous version with yards cut out to please the censors. "The Mandell-McLai'nin fight Is also playing, the house with no hint of Federal interference so far. ' ' Newark, with only about 12,000 seats too many. Is being threat- ened with a new 5,000-SGat house. The site is at Lafayette and Broad, where a theatre has been consid- ered for several years. It is on the wrong side of Broad street nearly Oijposite the Rialto.- The house will bo built immediately, according to plans, together with a 20-sto.ry office building and garage by a syn- dicate headed by Albei't M.. Greeu- fliejd, Philadelphia. No statement as to the operation of the theatre is^ f ort^ippmjtig,,T.)lie, .BQw,, .hp.vtsfi ...is., only part of a big deal: by. Grcen- fleia involving property held at $7,500,000. ; '-. Buddy Page, rOcently m. c, at thd Sanford, : Irvington, has been en- gaged in a similar capacity at the Stanley, Philadelphia. BROOKLYN, N^ X By JO A6RAMS0N Werba's Brooklyn — "Over th« Wire." Strahd^"Hangman's Hbuse" and stage show. Cort, Jamaica—"Rain" (stock). . Brighton—Vaude. E. F. Albee—"Fifty Fifty Girl"! and vaude. \.. Momart-^"Torable David" .and "Their Hour:" De Kalb—"Lulu Belle" (stock). Fulton — "Saturday's Children'.' (stock). Loew's Met — "Red . Hair" and vaude. <: St. George Playhouse—'.'Double Feature." Empire — "Shanghai Gesture" i§tock). Werba's Brooklyn is the only legitimate house open, downtown this week. "Over the Wire," deal- ing with night club activities, new show there. But no sooner do. the big houses close when up spring several stocks. At Fultoui open over a year, "Sat- urday's Children"' Cort, Jamaica, which Louis Werba has taken over, Wright Players in "Rain"; "LtSlu Belle," by Travers Carleton Playefs at De Kalb. Shea's stock company in "Shanghai Gesture." ; Hjtrold Stern and" his orchestra will play evenings at. Half Moon hotel,. Coney Island. ., Rockaway Playlarid, amusement park, opened May 30. Rebuilt on old Thompson park slto at Rocka- way Beach. Entire place, under di- rection of Lou- iMa&holia, flght ref- eree. A flght arena seating 4,000 is in the park. Bossert Hotel Marine Roof open. Namih's departhient store, down- town, used Miss Brooklyn ("Graphic" contest) to try on sum- mer frocks. Gave her good sp ace in the advertising copy. " PI Pia.sentahon Costumas tl fsJ —.. ^ DrXCLU5WJe CUEAiiONS V\ ' P r? I N C I DA S ' fi^ Xbe Claridae . 1244 N. DEARBORN,^CHICAGO. SUPERIOR 4980 Swimming Pool—Gymnasium—Rehearsal Hall ftal-Ae WaaLIw ^single— $9.00 to $15.00 llaW^ YVeeKiy l Double—$10.50 to $21.00 We pay foxu tmoHportatlon by taxi from any station In the city