Indianapolis Times, Volume 41, Number 75, Indianapolis, Marion County, 7 August 1929 — Page 13

'AUG. 7, 1929.

KALBERER HAS OWN IDEA OF VARIETY Manager of the Lyric Joins in the Discussion Which C. Roltare Eggleston Caused When He Wrote Article. BY A. J. KALBERER, Manager of The Lyric IFOR one have read w:th a great deal of interest the splendid article written by Roltare Eggleston and published in The Times, Saturday, July 27. I applauded Mr. Erelcston for his fine article on the SDoken drama and vaudeville relative to their place in the local amusement sun. But I can not understand why Mr. Eggleston, when asked about Keith vaudeville, overlooked the fact that the Lyric is presenting RKO vaudeville, and carrying-on through the summer months with this popular standard of entertainment, something which has seldom If every been accom-

plished in this city before. I for one believe that Indianapolis is getting the same shows that are seen in other cities. And local thea-ter-goers appreciate this fact by their patronage of the Lyric even during the hot months of the summer. Is not the Fourth Avenue Amusement Company of Louisville, Ky., which now operates the Lyric, entitled to some credit for having taken this run-down house when every one else refused it; spending thousands of dollars completely renovating, redecorating and refurnishing it until it now ranks with the most modern vaudeville theaters in the middle west? Did not they install a complete Western Electric sound system in order to correctly present the new "talkies.” And notwithstanding all this they selected the Radio-Keith-Orpheum vaudeville acts to supply stage entertainment for Indianapolis theatergoers? I say that this company had a lot of courage and real confidence in the theatergoing public of our city to do this and do it when they did, right in the beginning of a summer season when most other vaudeville houses think of closing. Mr. Eggleston further advised readers to “look at the vaudeville programs of other cities where you will see many well known names.” But why look to other towns; why not encourage local institutions who bring these strangers to the city and which means business for hotels and merchants; offering employment to many citizens who are musicians and mechanics. I offer as proof of my statements a few of the acts which have played the Lyric since the new management took over this house. On our last bill we gave Indianapolis theatergoers a “name.” Carl Freed and his orchestra, who are concluding fortyseven weeks on the Keith circuit. Freed has played in Louisville, Cincinnati, Dayton, Detroit and other cities mentioned by Mr. Eggleston. And he also played Indianapolis at Keith's many years ago. If you will look over the bookings in Keith houses you will find acts which either have played the Lyric this season or are coming soon. Frank Melino comes from the New York theaters to the Lyric this week. Our Gang Kids, who are slated for this month, are in the east now and playing only Keith houses. The Sherwoods have been a standard Keith act for years, so has Leavitt and Lockwood, in fact they came right from the Palace theater in Chicago, where pasteboards sell as high-as $2.20. Frank De Voe, Charles (Slim) Timblin, Emily Darrell, Swor and Goode and all of the rest of the acts which have been seen at the Lyric are Keith acts. Many of the highest priced stars of the stage are in vaudeville today. But let us look at the box office reports to find out how many of

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them really draw. And after all, that is the barometer that really speaks the truth for all concerned. We are in the business to make money and If the so-called "names" do not bring extra dollars In at the ticket window, then most certainly they have failed to entertain and are worthless to vaudeville. This. I believe, is the case with many of the so-called “names.” However, there are plenty of names that do draw many times their salaries into the box office tills. And if Indianapolis theatergoers really want them we are in a position to supply the demand. However, there is, in my humble opinion, just one way to bring vaudeville back Into its own and that is by presenting consistently good show's, not one week but every week. To build up these shows with in-

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Block Gets Fleet of Speedwagons

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The picture shows nine of the new Reo Speedwagons added to the delivery fleet of the William H. Block Company. The Speedwagons were sold to the Block company by Reo Indiana Sales, Inc., 923 North Meridian street, Indianapolis, distributor of Reo passenger cars and Speedwagons.

telligent selection of acts, which has been so sadly neglected in the past by Keith bookers and managers. Vaudeville means variety, and without variety there can be no vaudeville. In the earlier days of Keith’s I have seen as high as three piano acts on one bill; yes two or more singing acts; and one week after week of sameness in bills, such as acrobats opening and closing the shows, sketches week in and week out until the audiences have protested in no small voice. Getting back to the “names;” sea-

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THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

son after season brought back the same names, same faces, samo entertainment, some changed their act, but mighty few. Patrons began to know the acts as well as the performers themselves. That is one reason, and one vital reason, for the waning of vaudeville. Os course, this is just my own humble opinion, take it or leave it. Talking pictures, yes, you can bet they are here to stay and vaudeville audiences demand them just as much as they demand vaudeville.

The success of nearly every vaudeville theater today, that is really in the “money” at the end of mast every week, is using this combination: “Talkies and Vaudeville.” They are encouraging new faces in vaudeville, booking new acts and rebooking the best of the old acts. And that is what we are doing at the Lyric and will continue to do so as long as Indianapolis theatergoers continue to give us the loyal and much appreciated support that they have since May 12 of this year.

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U. S. JURY TO CONVENE Few Important Cases for Federal Investigation. Preparations for convening of the federal grand jury Sept. 10 are being made by George R. Jeffrey, United States district attorney. Jeffrey said there are few important cases to be presented to the jury. Among the more important cases are those of Herman A. Stewart, former cashier of the Citizens National Bank of Hope, charged with embezzlement, and Urban Pope, charged with heading a liquor conspiracy. U. S. Judge Aids Czech Poor Rv f nitcrt Vrrtn PRAGUE, Szechoslovakia, Aug. 7. —Judge Joseph Sabath of Chicago, who is vacationing at Karlsbad, today founded a home for the poor at Seabury, near Pilsen, from which he emigrated as a boy to America. The home will be opened soon.

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Now On View LOEWS PALACE—RonaId Colman in "Bulldog Drummond.” INDIANA—Warner Oland in "The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu.” APOLLO—Dorothy Burgess in "Pleasure Crazed.” CIRCLE—Four Marx Brothers in “The Cocoanuts.” OHlO—Richard Barthelmess in “Drag.” LYRlC—Pepito, other acts and movies. GRANADA—Richard Dix in "The Wheel of Life.” COLONIAL Movies and stock burlesque.

Wife Seeking Husband Police aid in a search for her husband, Clayton Ridge, and their 3'i-year-old son, Clayton Jr., who left home June 4 to go to Chicago, was asked today by Mrs. Mildred Ridge, employe of the Lincoln hotel.

PAGE 13

SUSPEND TRAFFIC COP Board Confirms Order on Pollcema* John Ambler. Confirmation of an order suspending Traffic Policeman John Ambler. 419 East North street, pending hearing before the board of safety on drunkenness charges, was made Tuesday by Police Chief Claude Worley. Ambler was suspended when M&j. Lewis Johnson and Sergeant Oral Chitwood said they found him drunk on the east side Monday night. He was appointed to the force in December, 1925. British Envoy Wins Promotion Hu J’nittd Press MEXICO CITY, Aug. 7.—Sir Esmond Ovey. British minister to Mexico, has been transferred as ambassador to Brazil at Rio De Janeiro, it officially was announced here today.