Variety (Sep 1928)

1! ATLANTie HALL ALMOST READY I Will Seat 41,000—For Exhibi- tions and Athletics—Erected at Cost of $15,000,000 Atlantic City* Sept. 4. World's largest convention hall .. Ifl being completed here at a cost that will reach $15,000,000, The hall Will seat 41,000 people and the ball- room will accommodate 5,000'more. The enorrnous arched structure' Is spotted several blocks below Million Dollar Pier,, taking in ari entire block that extends all the way back to Pacific Avenue. Depth ia comparable to New York's east to west blocks. There will be sev- eral floors, designed to house all manner of convention exhibits. Ma- chinery for the: car builders will hereafter be Unloaded directly from railroad sidings on either side street. The building will also be devoted to. civic and . atheltic events and the city commission Is seeking a program that will place the build- ing on a paying basis. Flooring is. said to be the same as Madison Square Garden and will afford an ice rink. .Major boxing contests are expected to be staged, Philadelphia" promoters having the Inside track. Some of the city bf- flces may be moved to the hall which will be the future headquar- ters of WPG, Atlantic City's broad- casting plant. The ball Is expected to further a building boom that will clean up a portion of the Boardwalk that has retrograded. It will probably open late in the fall Or early winter. TORONTO FAIR DRAWS 500,000 FIRST 4 DAYS Toronto, Sept..*. Gravy for'the Rubin & Cherry shows. Thirty attractions with the weak sisters dragging them In on ■trong ballyhoo at the Canadian Na- tional Exhibition. A full 14-day stand this year with no 15-cent limit and no ban on such rackets as post- card and "story of my life" sales. Midgets leading at the b. p., with / diving girls close up and a gorilla display getting plenty of play after a raft of space in the dallies. Gruenberg has dressed the mid- way up better than It ever has been and is keeping his iielp in good «rder. Not a pinch the first week, with this, the only Canadian stand, and a reduced price on Scotch just gone Into effect. Colored hoofing show not doing so well, and freiik animal stuff thrown out. Whole exhibition played to 500,- 000 paid admissions first foAir days, ' with probability of 2,000,000 through the turnstiles during the fair. At that it's only a $500,000 gate or less, because the directors stick to a 25- cent top. IOWA GATE 362,000 Des Moines, Iowa, Sept. 4. The Iowa state fair has ■ Just closed with attendance at 362,000. This mark is 68,000 less than the record set In 1927 fair, which record was the Ifirgest paid at- tendance of any eight day fair in America. Three days of - rainy 'weather is one cause for the diminished 1928 attendancie. Also, in 19"27 the at- tendance was stimulated consider- ably by the first visit of Colonel Charles Lindbergh. For Current Week (Sept. 3) When Not Otherwise Indicated B. &; B. Ani. Co. (Fair), Clint- wood, Vn. Barkoot Bros., Winchester, Ind. Barnhart, Macy, Algona, la. Barnctt & Schutz (Fair), Os- borne, Kan. . Bee Am. Co,, Talahina, Okla.; 10, Poteau. Benton Am. Co:, Fowler, Ind. Brodbeck Ami Co., Burlington, Kan. » . Brodbeck Bros,, Coldwater, Kan. Brown & Dyer, Galax, 'Va. ' Bruce Greater (Fair), TImonium, Md. > Bunts, W. J., Bond, Ky. Central States, Oil City, Pii. Cetlin & Wilson Shows,. Wise, Va. Coe Bros. (B'air), Dyersvlllis, la. Coleman Bros., Hartford, Conn. - Craft's Greater, Visalia, Calif. Dixieland, Fairfax, Okla. Dodson's World's Fair, Elkhorn, Wis. ' . Endv Shows, Noi-folk, va. F A F. Am. Co., Blaqkstone, Va. Fairly, Noble C, (Fair), Ottawa, Kan.;.10.,7Vlhita. ■ ^ . . Fleming, Mad Cody, Covington, Ind. ■ ■ Francis, John, Coffeyville, Kan. Galler's Am. Co., Harrison, O. Gibbs, W. A., Cedar Vale, Kan. Gloth Greater, Woodstock, Va.; 10, Kenbridge. ' Gray, Roy, No. 1, Quinlan, Tex. Gray, Roy, No, 2, Taleo, Tex. Greenburg Am. Co., Schuyler, Neb. . ■ Gruber's Famous, Harrisburg, Va Hamcij, Bill H., No. Lone Oak, Tex. •' - ' Happy land (Fair), Big Rapids, Mich. . . • Harry, J., Six, Albion. Ind. ■ Heller's Acme, New Rochelle, N J. HenTce's Attrcvctions (Fair), Mar-, quette, Mich. . Hoffner Am. Co., Peoria, 111. Imperial Greater (Fair),- Smith Center, Kan. _ . , international Art. Co., Roberva,!, .,Isier Greater (Fair), Atlantic, la.. Kelly's Am. Palace, Mullins, S. C. Ketchum's, K. F., Beckley, W. Va. Krause Greater, Cynthiana, Ky. Laughlln, J, W., Mt. Olive, 111. ^ Latlip, Captain, Weston, W. Va Leggette, C. R., ..Carnegie, Okla.; 10, Anadarko, Llppa Am. Co., Petoskey, Mich Little's Expo., Winchester, O. McClellan, J. T. (Fair), Greeley, Neb.- ■ . ■ MacGtregor, Donald, Altus, Okla. Mason's Imperial, Manassas, Va. Miller, Ralph R., (Fair), Ada, Okla.. ^ Monarch Expo.,- Plattsburg, N. T Murphy, D. D., (Fair), Vincennes, Ind. ■ ' Nations Expo., Valley Falls, Kan Nelson Bros., Great Bend, Kan. Oklahoma Ranch (Fair), Taloga, Okla, ■ Page, J. J., Expo., Clinton, Tenn.; 10, Morrlstown. Poole, H. B., Bryan, Tex. Reiss, .Nat (Fair), Rutland, Vt. Rice Bros., Trenton, Tenn. Rock City (Fair), Hodgenville, Ky. Roya American, Oskaloosa, Minn Rubin & Cherry, Toronto, Ont. Rubin & Cherry Model, Detroit, Mich. ^ -r , V Savidge, Walter, Am. Co., Leigh, Neb. . V « * Spencer, Sam. (Fair), Smethport, Pa. Stone^ W. T., Pottsville, Pa. Sutton, Greater, Lockwood, Mo. Tldwell, T. J., (Fair), HoUls, Okla. _ Wade, R. H., Am. Co., Pomeroy Fair.. O.; 10, Shawnee. Wade, 'W. G., Hastings, Mich West's World's Wonder Shows, Staunton, Va. Williams, Ben, Houlton. Me. Work Am. Co., Clymer, Pa., 11, Indiana, Pa. . , Wortham's, Clarence A., Lincoln, Neb Ze'lger, C. F., United (Fair), Filer, Id. • • Syracuse Fair Flop^ Shelve 2-Week Idea Syracuse, N. T„ Sept. 4. A net profit of approximately $50,-" 000, but. from the attendance stand- point, the New York State Fair Is still a fiop. , „ In fact, so much that all plans for the extension of the exposition from one to two weeks next year have been shelved by Director .J. Dan Ackerman. • ■ , „_ The responsibility for the disap. pointing patronage Ackerman places Slrectly at the door of Syracuse, and "its merchants and manufac- turers who refuse co-operation. ^ Syracuse Day, observed on. Mon- day, the exposition's opening day, gave the two weeks fair move a solar plexus blow. Heretofore, when Syracuse Day has proven a bloomer —as it usually has—the fair offi- cials and the city blamed it on the inclement weather. This year, the fair opened with Ideal weather con- ditions, and the fair headquarters early in the niorhing predicted an opening day crowd of 100,000. Despite a strong rosteir of attrac- tions, the first, day attendance ac- tually was only 28,159. With Sena- tor Charles Curtis, Republican vice- presidential nominee, present on Tuesday, there was only 21,103 ad- missions. Gov. Alfred E. Smith, Democratic standard bearer, how- ever, swelled the draw to 49.637 on Thursday. Politicians found food for thought. In the figures. Grange Day on Wednesday at tracted 46,047, Fami Machinery Day on irriday brought 29,349 and the motor racing card on Saturday was responsible for the fair's biggest day, with 50,824 admissions. The State Legislature recently passed a bill enabling the fair to be in session oh Labor Day, and it. had been planned to start the two weeks program next year, featuring the Grand Circuit races the second week. To local theatres, which, on the basis of week-end business, had an- ticipated a golden week, the fair period was mostly a disa:ppointment Fire on the closing day de- stroyed the large tent housing 48 freak animals and threatened the entire line of 20 odd tents of the Besnardl Shows, forming the ex- position's midway. Thomas Evans, of B^iltlmore, owner of the animal exhibit; placed the loss at. $1,000 MRS. HANNAH CHAPLIN Mrs. Hannah Chaplin, 61, mother of Charles and Sidney Chaplin, died at the Physicians and Surgeons' Hqspltal, Glendale, Cal., Aug, 28, after an illness of two months. Charles was at his mother's side when she died. Mrs. Chaplin was born in London, and her stage name was Lily Har- ley. She achieved success in light opera with Gilbert and Sulliyan, Her husband, Charles Chaplin, wis a prominent protean actor on the Continent and England. He died 30 years ago when his son, arid name- sake was but nine years old. The mother of the comedian cantie to the United States in 1921. Owing to the fact tiiat she was suffering from shock, the result of air raids during the war, there was some dif- ficulty over her admission. This was removedvwhen her sons signed bonds, and these have been renewed fegularly. She later recovered her health. Mrs. Chaplin made her home oh the Lankershlm ranch of Syd Chaplin where she was accompanied by a companion and nurse. Syd Chaplin is in France. accident, died In a hospital at Hy-^ aiinis, Mass., Aug. 22. Rose h^d been with a number of legit plays, but much of his career had been spent In stock. His start in stock was at Rochester, N.. Y., where he worked for George Cukor and George Kondolf, Jr., at the Lyceum. At the time of his death he was appearing with a summer company in Hyannis. MAGGIE FERRIS Maggie. Ferris; 63, died Aiig. 28 of cancer in the Coney Island Ho.<3- pita.1. She worked In vaudeville arid later with different repertoii;e companies.. "When Miss Ferris retired she took lip cSmmerclal work. Recently she was employed as a caretaker of bathing suits at Steepleohaise Park (Coney Island). Funeral was held Aug. 31. under a.uspices Actors' Fundi with Interment In Evergreen Cemetery, Brooklyn. - EDITH BARKER Edith • Barker, 53, actress, died in Croton Falls, N. T„ Aug, 29. She was born, in Pittsfield, Mass. Miss Barker had been on the 'ill Memory of Our Dear Brother DAVE FRANKLIN Who'passed awivy Augr. 81, 1928. Always remembered by his lov- ing family. Sidney A. Franklin (MX BOY) Mrs. .Vera Jfranklln I.ipsky aiarle I'ronkUn Moroe . Flor ence Frhnklln IJtcke stage 25 years, making her debut with E. H. Sothern in "Change 1 Alley." In private life Miss Barker was known as Edith Maria Barker Dun- ca;n. A sister, ■ living in Pittsfield, survives.,. EDWARD W. ROSE Edward W. Rose, 24, legitimate actor severely injured in an auto 4 HURT IN DOME COLLAPSE Lo's Angeles, Sept. 4, Three Vromen and a child were injured Labor Day when the dome of one of the buildings at the Pacific Southwest Exposition at Long Beach collapsed. JAMES CHATAM Jim Chatam, male half of Crowley and Burke, was. stricken with heart disease and died in Detroit, Aug. 25. He Is survived by his -wife, mother and father, who reside in Oakland, Cal. . - Chatam was a Spanish War vet- : eran, and burial,, at Roseland Ceme- tery, Detroit, was held with miU- tary honors. MRS. LILLIAN HUGHES Mrs. Lillian Hughes, wife of Fi-ank Hughes (Frank Hughes and Girls), died in Harriman, N. T., from a broken back she suffered in an automobile accident about three months. ago. Mrs. Hughes was 33 years old, and will be burled In Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, N. Y. Inside Staff-Music (Continued from page 56) vanla Mask and Wig productions, was the pioneering modern jazz or- chestra toi record for the telkera. Ballard with his U. of P. collegiate band made three short subjects canned by the Talking Picture Co., New York, in 1920 and exhibited In Town Hall at that time. The others were Sir Harry Lauder and Six Brown Brothers. Ballard had forgotten about the sigrniflcance of the pioneering phase until Fred Waring (Waring's Pennsylvanians) and Louis Bernstein, music publisher, recalled the fact at a luncheon. It came to Waring's attention when he viewed It in a California theatre where it was ex- hibited In contrast toi present day recordings. Nelson Kellar (Waring's band) and Ted Weems, were then in Ballard's undergraduate orchestra. Song Around Grange A special song, '1 Never Believed in Lucky Numbers," has been written arourtd Red Grange's famous gridiron, numerals, 77. The foot- ball star is now in vaudeville. GEORGE W. HOWARD George W. Howard, 55,' Equity representative attached to New In Memory of. My Dear Treasure DAVE FRANKLIN "Who passed away Aug. 31, .1028. Win always be mourned by his devoted slsler-in-law. ... Violet McKee Franklin York headquarters, died Aug. 26 of septic poisoning following amputa- tion of a leg. Infection started in a toe Which was cut in paring a corn.- For 30 years he w,as a well known, legitimate actor playing- leads In Frohman productions. Ambitious Colored Golfer Louis Corbin, 22, colored lad, is the pro at a trick nine hole course in back of the hotel at St.; George's, Bermuda. Louis thinks he is good enough to compete in the British open next spring. Corbin entered . the American open event but his entry was turned down because of his color, it was Bald. Ah American pro, quartered on another. Bermuda course, beat Corbin In match play but Louis is undeterred. Marathoners Wed Watertown, N. Y., Sept. 4 After hoofing It together for 79 hours in a Marathon dande . that was : held at the Revera dancing I pavilion near here. Miss Eunice Killiin, 36 Wise block, formerly of I Utiica, N. Y., and Edward Keerte, of Utica, a professional marathon dancer, found that they could not do without Qne another so they took out a license at the City Clerk's lofllce in this city and were married. Girl dropped out after 79 hours and Eddie got himself another part- ner and started In the grind again. I He finished second in the derby and received $100, CIRCUSES 101 Ranch ^= Septi-5r - Limar--0. ;.^6, J*lflUaLJ?j^ ChlUlcothe; 8, Ironton; 10, Charles- ton, W. Va.; 11, Huntington; 12, MaysvlUe, Ky.; 13, Lexington; 14, Harriman, Tenn.; 16, Chattanooga. John Robinson's Sept. 6, Columbus, Ga.; 6, Albany; 7, Valdosta; 8, Waycross; 10, Charl- ton, S. C. . ». . Sells Floto Sept 5, Petaluma, Calif.; 6, Val- lejo; 7, Son Jose; 8, Monterey. Polychrome Romance =^"^^" New-Brlta1nT^Conn;r Sept.=^^-"^4.-^-- Sadie Anderson, 33, billed with the Coleman Shows as .the "Woman of Many Colors," and Fred Karno, 33, vaudeville performed with the shows, have filed marriage Inten- tions in this city. She is In'the records as "colored." [Her skin is of three colors. He is white. She speaks 27 languages. Eight in on Surprise Number At least five publishers—there are eight altofeether,'it is said—are known to be publishing editions of a no"n-copyrighted doggerel, "Halle- lujah! I'm a Bum," which came to attention via the radio and the singing orchestras. It was originally published In some book collectioh and caught on "maf icaiiy ever lilght;^ become another "Prisoner's Song." Being a non-copyright, the mechanicals are. paying no royalties but the sheet music sales are gotod and each of the five known publishers are cashing in. They are Jack Mills, Bibo-'Bloeden-Lang, N. W. Swisher of Philadelphia, Villa Moret and P. B. Havlland. The Victor record is credited with furthering the sales. Town's High School Trip A single class in West High school, Jackson, MI<5h., claims the honor of tui-nlng out three people, twd boys and ai girl, now quite prominent in pictuVe houses. . The boys. Monk Watson and Del Delbrldge, are now m. c.'s. The girl is Mrs. Ed Werner, chief organist at United Artists, Detroit, and the wife of the Michigan theatre's conductor. All went through school and graduated together. Song For Janette Gilmoro With a view to the foreign music market, particularly Australia, Lawrence Wright, the music publisher, is dedicating "Janette," a new song publication, to Janette Gllmore, the American star of "Rio Rita" in Sydney. _ Home Movies Show Hostess' Error Joe Moss, New York manager for Meyer Davis, proved an East Hamp- ^tonr=L, rI.,..;dawjig.exL;.ln^-_ejtxoii^ the aid of home movies. The social campaigner had Moss at the helm of the musical festivities at her daughter's coming-out party two years agp and for the wedding asked for a repetition of the same five men. Moss stated he had had 12 men at th© time, .After some difference of opinion .he recalled that the young male heir of the household was a hohie movie .fan and that ho recorded any and all such events on celluloid. After a projection of the debutante affair, the society woman called the Meyer Davia office to apologize and authorized the larger per- sonneL J. 0. DUFF J. C. Duff, 73, veteran showman, died, at his home in New York Aug. 131. He was the first to introduce [Gilbert and Sullivan on this side and in recent years has been sponsor here of the reviving of "The Beg- gar's Opera." For a time he was manager for Lillian Russell. PAUL DENNO , Paul Denno, 42, dancer of Scanlon, I Denno Brothers and Scanlon, died Sept. 2 In a Columbus, O., hospital of cerebral hemorrhage. A news story of his death appears elsewhere in this Issue. ; Dr. Marvin Pcchner, 55, for 25 years aittendlng phyisician for the jziegfeld "Follies" girls and the Amsterdam theatre, died Sept. 1 in the New York Hospital of Bright s disease. Besides the widow, a step- daughter survives. The Pechners had been living at Cedarhurist, L. L Deaths Abroad Paris, Aug. 27. Alfred Henschke, 37, German .author under the pseudonym of iKlabouhd,' died at DSIVOS, Swit'/er-' 1 land, where he was under treatment for tuberculosis. Emma Carelli, ItaliSm opera I singer, killed In an auto accident near Lake Bolseno. Dr. Samuel Oppenheim, 71, well [known Austrian writer and n.*?- itronomer, died at Vienna.