Premiere, Thursday, December 5, 1929
Regular Engagement: Friday, December 6, 1929 - Wednesday, January 15, 1930 (5 Weeks)
Condemned
Starring Ronald Colman and Ann Harding
Directed by Wesley Ruggles
A Samuel Goldwyn Production / A United Artists Release
86 Minutes

Unit No. 1:
The Eyes and Voices of the World
Fox Movietone News
Hearst Metrotone News
They Speak for Themselves!

Unit No. 2:
"Night Owls" Starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy / Directed by James Parrott / A Hal Roach Production / A Metero-Goldwyn-Mayer Release

Unit No. 3:
Overture: Victor Herberts "Sweethearts" arranged by Carli Eliner
Grauman's Chinese Symphony Orchestra, Gino Severi, conductor
--
NOTE: As a writer of Operatic and Musical Comedy scores, Victor Herbert's genius stands predominant as America's representative composer. His compositions are exceedingly effective and technically skillful. The melodies in this Overture are of unusual figuration, embellished with a wealth of harmonic accompaniment. "Sweethearts Waltz," "Angelus,""Mother Goose," "Jeanette's Wooden Shoes," "Every Lover Must Meet His Fate," "On Parade," and "Sweethearts Waltz" for a grandioso finale, are the delightful creations that are burnished into life by Mr. Elinor's artistic arrangement.

Unit No. 4:
"Condemmed"

Orange Blossom Perfume by De Kama, formerly perfumer to the courts of Europe
California's best souvenir
Only at De Kama's Perfume Salon
1635 Vine Street
HEmpstead 6203

When in San Francisco, visit the new Fox Theatre
Grauman's Chinese Theatre Physician
Edw. Skaletar, M.D.
Phone HO. 6729

White Rose Spring Water served exclusively in forecourt
Cigarettes by Lickter
Flowers furnished by Steven's Chinese Flower Shop
Opposite the Chinese Theatre

Twice Daily at 2:30 and 8:30
Premiere Seats: $5.00

Reported Gross "Condemned" @ 75¢ - $1.50
Week
Week Ending
Perfs.
Gross
1
Thursday, December 12, 1929
15
$21,461
2
Thursday, December 19, 1929
15
$16,500
3
Thursday, December 26, 1929
15
$12,000
4
Thursday, January 2, 1930
15
$18,300
5
Thursday, January 9, 1930
14
$12,100
6
Wednesday, January 15, 1930 (6 days)
12
$9,190
Totals
41 Days
Daily Average: $2,184
--
--
6 Weeks
Average Performance: $1,041
86
$89,551
Source: Motion Picture News





 
World Premiere, Friday, January 17, 1930
Regular Engagement: Saturday, January 18, 1930 - Sunday, April 13, 1930 (12 Weeks)
Rogue Song
Starring Lawrence Tibbett and Catherine Dane Owen
Directed by Lionel Barrymore
A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Picture in Technicolor
104 Minutes

Program

Grauman's Chinese Theatre
Direction
Fox West Coast Theatres
Harold B. Franklin, President
--
The Eyes and Voices of the World
Fox Movietone NewsHearst Metrotone
"They Speak for Themselves"
--
Direct from a tremendously successful Continental Tour
Abe Lyman
And his Band of Internationally Popular Rhythmic Dynamos in
"The Kit Kat Club"
Fathfully reproducing in its entirety London's Famous Rendezvous

Stars attending the Premiere:
Norma Shearer / Louis B. Mayer / Irving G. Thalberg / Harry Rapf / E. J. Mannix / Paul Bern / Lionel Barrymore / Clarence Brown / Cecil B. DeMille / William DeMille / Robert Z. Leonard / Marshall Neiland / Fred Niblo / King Vidor / Greta Garbo / Buster Keaton / Ramon Navarro / Marion Davies / Lon Chaney / Joan Crawford / Jesse Lasky / Cary Cooper / George Bancroft / Nancy Carroll / Ruth Chatterton / William Powell / Charles Rogers / Mary Brian / Kay Francis / Jack Oakie / Bess Meredyth / Francis Marion / Bebe Daniels / Richard Dix / Bert Wheeler / Jack L. Warner / John Barrymore / Lila Lee / Vivienne Segal / Winnie Lightner / Edward Everett Horton / Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. / Billie Dove / Carl Laemmle / Carl Laemmle, Jr. / John Boles / Charles Chaplin / Gloria Swanson / Norma Talmadge / Ina Clare / Janet Gaynor / Charles Farrell / Victor McLaglen / Edmund Lowe / John McCormack / Colleen Moore / Bessie Love / Raoul Walsh

TONIGHT before the most glittering assemblage of stars and famous personalities ever gathered under one roof amidst unrivaled glamour and dazzling splendor this glorious masterpiece of romance, passion, drama and music will be unveiled to the amazement of an awe inspired world!

Listen to-day for the voice of LAWRENCE TIBBETT from the sky!

. . . WATCH FOR THE GOODYEAR BLIMP!

When in San Francisco, Visit the New Fox Theatre
Oragne Blossom Perfume by De Kama, former perfumer to the Courts of Europe
California's Best Souvenir
Only at De Kama's Perfume Salon
1635 Vine Street
HEmpstead 6203

Abe Lyman and his Band are Exclusive Brunswick Recording Artists
Grauman's Chinese Theatre Physician
Edw. Skaletar, M.D.
Phone HO.672

White Rose Spring water Served Exclusively in Forecourt
Cigarettes byLickter
Flowers furnished by Steven's Chinese Flower Shop Opposite Chinese Theatre
Daily at 2:30 and 8:30PM
Saturday, January 25, 1930 at 11:00 PM:

"Dancing Under the Stars" Public dancing in the forecourt to Abe Lyman and His Band.

At 11:30 PM:

"Hollywood Midnite Frolic": "Rogue Song" and regular program with extras including: Guest stars on stage: Charles King, and Anita Page. With Abe Lyman and His Band. Girls! Beauties! Novelties!

Saturday, February 1, 1930 at 11:00 PM:

"Dancing Under the Stars" Public dancing in the forecourt to Abe Lyman and His Band.

At 11:45 PM:

"Hollywood Midnite Frolic": "Rogue Song" and regular program with extras including: Lew Cody, Jack Oakie, Cliff Edwards, Frank Richardson, Abe Lyman and His Band.


Saturday, February 8, 1930 at 11:00 PM:

"Dancing Under the Stars" Public dancing in the forecourt to Abe Lyman and His Band.

At 11:45 PM:

"Hollywood Midnite Frolic": "Rogue Song" and regular program with extras including: On stage: Bessie Love, W.S. Van Dyke, Judith Vosselli, Frank Richardson, and Dave Franklin. With Abe Lyman and His Band. In Person: First Time Anywhere! "Savage Cannibals of Darkest Africa" in native costumes. See their weird dances. Hear their wild rhythms!


Saturday, February 15, 1930 at 11:00 PM:

"Dancing Under the Stars" Public dancing in the forecourt to Abe Lyman and His Band.

At 11:45 PM:

"Hollywood Midnite Frolic": "Rogue Song" and regular program with extras including: 20 N.Y. Prize-Winning Beauties, presented by Fanchon and Marco. Dorothy McNulty, Lottie Howell, Lionel Belmore, and Bobby Vernon. With Abe Lyman and His Band.


Saturday, February 22, 1930 at 11:45 PM:

"First and Still the Best - Hollywood Midnite Frolic": "Rogue Song" and regular program with extras including: Catherine Dale Owens, The Dodge Sisters, and Olive Borden. With Abe Lyman and His Band of Rhythmic Dynamos. Stars! Girls! Music!


Saturday, March 1, 1930 @ 11:45 PM:

"Hollywood Midnite Frolic": "Rogue Song" and regular program with extras including: Dorothy McNulty, Betty Healy, and Jack White. With Abe Lyman and His Band of Rhythmic Dynamos. Stars! Girls! Comedians!


Saturday, March 8, 1930 at 11:45 PM:

"Midnite Frolic": "Rogue Song" and regular program with extras including: Catherine Dale Owens, The Dodge Sisters, and Olive Borden. With Abe Lyman and His Band. Stars! Girls! Music!


Saturday, March 15, 1930 at 11:45 PM:

"Midnite Frolic": "Rogue Song" and regular program with extras including: Mary Lawlor, and Milton Helpern. Eddie Lambert as Master of Cerimonies. With Abe Lyman and His Band.


Saturday, March 22, 1930 at 11:45 PM:

"Midnite Frolic": "Rogue Song" and regular program with extras including: Lottice Howell, and Dorothy McNulty. With Abe Lyman and His Band.


Saturday, March 29, 1930 at 1:30 and 7:30 PM:

Leo the M-G-M Trademark Lion in two free performances in the forecourt.
--
At 2:30 PM:

"Rogue Song" and regular program, plus: Leo the Lion Kiddie's Matinee today with free souvenirs to all youngsters.
--
At 11:45 PM:

"Midnite Frolic": "Rogue Song" and regular program with extras including: Gala All-Star Surprise Programme. Girls! Stars! Music! Dancers! With Abe Lyman and His Band.
Reported Gross "Rogue Song" @ 50¢ - $1.50
Week
Week Ending
Perfs.
Gross
1
Friday, January 24, 1930
14
$30,000
2
Friday, January 31, 1930
15
$32,512
3
Friday, February 7, 1930
15
$33,700
4
Friday, February 14, 1930
15
$35,500
5
Friday, February 21, 1930
15
$29,950
6
Friday, February 28, 1930
15
$30,200
7
Friday, March 7, 1930
15
$28,188
8
Friday, March 14, 1930
15
$22,000
9
Friday, March 21, 1930
15
$16,200
10
Friday, March 28, 1930
15
$17,100
11
Friday, April 4, 1930
14
$14,500
12
Sunday, April 13, 1930 (9 Days)
18
$12,000
Totals
86 Days
Daily Average: $3,489
--
--
12 Weeks
Average Performance: $1,657
181
$300,031
Source: Motion Picture News

 
West Coast Premiere, Saturday, April 19, 1930
Regular Engagement: Sunday, April 20, 1930 - Sunday, May 25, 1930 (5 Weeks)
Song O' My Heart
Starring John McCormack and Alice Joyce
Directed by Frank Borzage
A Fox Picture
85 Minutes

Program

Grauman's Chinese Theatre
Direction
Fox West Coast Theatres
Harold B. Franklin, President
--
A: News of the world in sight and sound, complied from Fox Movietone and Hearst Metrotone News.

B: Mack Sennett Comedy

C: Intermission Six Minutes

Stars attending the premiere:
Beatrice Lillie / Charles Farrell / Marshall Neilan / Frank Borzage / George O'Brien / Sharon Lynn / Sol M. Wurtzel / Louise Dresser / William Collier, Jr. / Jack Pickford / Charles Chaplin / Cecil B. DeMille / Harold B. Franklin / Hal Roach / Al Christie / Sid Grauman / Norma Shearer / Louis B. Mayer / Irving G. Thalberg / Lionel Barrymore / Greta Garbo / Buster Keaton / Joan Crawford / Charles Rogers / Bebe Daniels / Richard Dix

Edmund Lowe - Master of Ceremonies

Tune in on station KMTR at 8:30 for report of most brilliant premiere of the year.

Premiere Seats: $5.00, $3.00, $2.00
Daily at 2:30 and 8:30 PM
"Only showing in California until next September."
Saturday, May 3, 1930 at 11:45 PM:

"Midnite Frolic": "Song O' My Heart" and regular program with extras including: Maureen O'Sullivan, Tommy Clifford, Dixie Lee, John Garrick, Francis McCoy, Leslie Mae, Noel Francis, Irene Day, and George Corcoran. With Abe Lyman and His Band
Sunday, May 18, 1930:

Grauman's Chinese Theatre 3rd Birthday Today

Reported Gross "Song O' My Heart" @ 50¢ - $1.50
Week
Week Ending
Perfs.
Gross
1
Saturday, April 26, 1930 (8 Days)
16
$21,000
2
Saturday, May 3, 1930
14
$17,000
3
Saturday, May 10, 1930
15
$18,000
4
Saturday, May 17, 1930
14
$17,500
5
Sunday, May 25, 1930 (8 Days)
16
$12,200
Totals
37 Days
Daily Average: $2,310
--
--
5 Weeks
Average Performance: $1,140
75
$85,500
Source: Motion Picture News


 
World Premiere, Tuesday, May 27, 1930
Regular Engagement: Wednesday, May 28, 1930 - Sunday, September 28, 1930 (18 Weeks)
Hell's Angels
Starring Jean Harlow and Ben Lyon
Directed by Howard Hughes
A Howard Hughes Production / A United Artists Release
127 Minutes

SID GRAUMAN PROLOGUE
--
Program as Listed in "Official Program" from Thursday, June 26, 1930 Performance
--
PART A
Overture, Grauman's Chinese Symphony Orchestra, Lucien Dennil, Conducting
--
PART B
Prologue, Staged and Conceived by Sid Grauman

1. The Abbott Dancers
2. A Garden Wall
a. Brengk's Golden Horse and Bella Donna
b. Liana Galen and Mario Fiorella; Song: "Love on a Garden Wall"
c. Albertina Rasch Dancers
d. Mosconi Brothers
3. Fortunello and Cirillino
4. The Jungle
a. Jacques Cartier
b. Adler and Bradford
c. Albertina Rasch Dancers
d. August Warner: Song
5. Grand Opera Quintette: Aimee Way, Liana Galen, August Warner, Mario Fiorella, Angela Bruno
6. The Abbott Dancers; in front of the ermine curtain beautiful
7. Mitchel and Durant
8. Finale: Albertina Rasch Dancers
--
Continuity of prologue subject to change
--
Albertina Rasch Dances and Ensembles ar staged by Albertina Rasch
--
Music for the Rasch Dancers by Dmitri Tiomkin and Henry Myers
--
Musical Arrangement for Grand Opera Quintette by Aurthur Johnston


Wednesday, June 4, 1930

Film House Reviews - Grauman's Chinese, (Presentation) - Los Angeles, May 28.

Sid Grauman marks his resumption of stage activity by figuratively renting his own house for $2,000 a week to screen 'Hell's Angels' and put on a 57-minute prolog to the feature. Literally, Howard Hughes is paying that two grand for the four walls and splitting 70-30 with Fox West Coast over $23,000 for the first eight weeks. The lessees, of course, get the 70%. Opening night was a 9:43 overture and the picture broke at 1:03 a.m.

The windup to the $100,000 advance campaign had crowds breaking through police lines to almost completely obstruct Hollywood boulevard and some people spent well over an hour reaching the theatre. Many claim their cars stayed in one spot for at least a half hour. Hence, that late start.

The hectic preliminaries were strictly on the level. So much talk going around about Hughes not letting anyone see the picture that a lot of people became suspicious that it was a publicity gag. But Hughes's concern over his film, for which he repeatedly changed screens, kept Grauman and his entertainers out of the theatre so that the final rehearsal was held in the Roosevelt hotel. At six p.m. they were still screening the film.

And if it hadn't been for Georgie Stoll, band leader at Loew's State, borrowed for the occasion, there might have been no stage show opening night. Stoll is given credit for whipping the orchestartions and 25 men in the pit into shape.

At one point things were so chaotic that scouts were out to recruit Eddie Cantor as a pitch hitter, in case there was no stage show. This emergency angle finally wound up with Frank Fay back stage to step out to kiddingly fill in any stage waits. Cantor couldn't make it because he was working at the studio that night. At that, Fay only had to hop on once to kill time after starting the evening by introducing Lieut. Colonel Turner who had left New York that morning and broken the air record to L.A. The flyer had his lion cub with him which made this interlude surefire outside of the timely interest.

Stage end ran minus the staircase finale planned. In fact this closing hurrah isn't on yet. Idea was to have the Rasch and Abbott girls (48) prancing on two inclines. No connection between the prolog and the picture, Grauman having selected 'A Garden Wall' and 'The Jungle' as the main scenic items.

Meanwhile, the wallop was supplied in 'one' by Mitchell and Durant next to closing. Previous specialities were Brengk's Golden Horse, Mosconi Brothers, Jacques Cartier, mixed sextette doing a satire of 'Lucia' to 'Piccolo Pete,' Fortunello and Cirillino, and Adler and Bradford's adagio interlude.

Glancing over that lineup indicates a danger of similarity due to the acrobatic tendencies in four of the acts. And Mitchell and Durant had to follow three of 'em. This pair, doing about 10 minutes, are making their Coast debut with the present routine and were 'in' after the first two minutes. Which should count for something as those who think a Hollywood first night audience is a cinch should play Syracuse to get in shape for the main event.

The Abbott Girls (14) are practically doing the same schedules they unfolded in the last 'Scandals' back east, a toe-tap salvo by 13 of them being top in the series. Rasch group (32) worked well, uncorking one effective exit formation besides some picturesque movements in the jungle scene during which one miss stepped out of line for about 20 seconds to send the initiated in the audience into raptures. This girl is going somewhere.

Jacques Cartier, doing his drum dance, suffered from ineffective lighting. This same number as done at the New York Roxy was one of that theatre's stage highlights for the year. But calling for a mammoth shadow effect Cartier was restricted by a limited back cyc and few present know yet what it was all about. Presumption is that it was to be an atmospheric advance for the jungle thing. Members of the aforementioned sextet doubled to warble the interpolated songs, of which there were two.

Fortunello and Cirillino, an excellent act, worked normally but could speed up in a spot which calls for pace. The Mosconis, Louie and Charlie, remain lightning, while Adler and Bradford may be a bit slower but are always doing something. Brengk's Golden Horse caught applause although with 57 minutes minus the unused finale is in a tough spot.

Adler and Bradford are now a foursome, two extra boys sharing in the handling of the girl for the adagio pyrotechnics. Act is thereby improved and ranks with the best in its class. The girl is taking a terrific pounding in completing one and a half and double twists as she's tossed from man to man.

Actually unfair to judge the show as a whole at the premiere in view of the obstacles which had to be overcome. There's a lot of talent floating on and off displaying action and laughs. When the wrinkles are out it will undoubtedly mean more than it does right now, and the regular customers aren't squawking as it stands. Opening night the picture immediately followed the prolog with the first intermission following an hour later. The second night a newsreel was added to precede the stage end.

Acts under contract for this presentation are engaged for 10 weeks with it figured the salary list for the performers is near $8,300. Counting in everything, including rental, about $14,500 seems to be the 'nut' after which the house can start paying off on that $100,000 advance splurge.

Hughes has placed six extra horns behind the screen to emphasize the picture's aerial effects and is twice using a wide angle projection lens. The normal sheet is given as 18 x 26 and with the spread 26 x 40.

The engagement has started out by going 'clean' nights with a healthy advance sale for the evenings. Matinees show an inclination to be less than 'Rogue Song.' Advertising on the picture to date has only emphasized its spectacular side, its cost and time spent in the making. This is said to be because none of the boys were permitted to see the film. Whether bearing down in 'copy' on the romanceand sex tangents (the picture has plenty of the latter ingredient) is going to help is problematical, but certainly won't do any harm.

Grauman retains his strong local popularity and his name is a byword and an endorsement out here. Where a certain faction of the local public resents paying $1.50 for a picture minus a stage show they can have no such complaint in this case. It's a good show that's going to be better, and between the stage and the screen there's no reason to doubt that the present occupants of the theatre will linger around 14 weeks. Any variation favors a longer sojourn, despite that the Hughes-Grauman combination is opening up in a period when business is generally off.

Sid. (Sime Silverman, Variety Founder / Editor / Publisher.)

Program as Listed in Monday, July 21, 1930 Issue of "The Playgoer"

--
1. Overture, Grauman's Chinese Symphony Orchestra
2. Opening Ensemble - Introducing the Abott Dancers
3. The Garden Wall
a. Liana Galen and Mario Fiorella; Song "Sitting on a Garden Wall" - Music by Dimitri Tiomkin—Lyrics by Henry Myers
b. The Albertina Rasch Dancers
4. Brengk's Golden Horse and Bella Donna
5. Fortunello and Cirillino
6. The Jungle
a. Albertina Rasch Dancers
b. Adler and Bradford
7. The Abbott Dancers; in front of the ermine curtain beautiful
8. Mitchell and Durant
9. Finale-March in the Clouds, Albertina Rasch Dancers, The Abbott Dancers
--
Dances and Ensembles Staged by Albertina Rasch
--
Executive Staff for Mr. Grauman:
General Press Representative - Harry Hammond Beall
Art Director - George E. Holl
Technical Director - George Ormson
Program as Listed in Monday, July 28, 1930 Issue of "The Playgoer"
--
1. Overture, Grauman's Chinese Symphony Orchestra
2. The Garden Wall, featuring the Albertina Rasch Dancers
3. The Abbott Dancers
4. Brengk's Golden Horse and Bella Donna
5. The Abbott Dancers; in front of the ermine curtain beautiful
6. The Jungle
a. Albertina Rasch Dancers
b. Adler and Bradford
7. The Four Hunter Brother., "Heroes of the Air", and their sister, Irene Hunter
8. Mitchell and Durant
9. Finale-March in the Clouds, Albertina Rasch Dancers, The Abbott Dancers
--
Dances and Ensembles Staged by Albertina Rasch
--
Executive Staff for Mr. Grauman:
General Press Representative - Harry Hammond Beall
Art Director - George E. Holl
Technical Director - George Ormson

Program as Listed in Monday, September 1, 1930 Issue of "The Playgoer"
--
1. Overture, Grauman's Chinese Symphony Orchestra
2. The Garden Wall, featuring the Albertina Rasch Dancers—with music by Dimitri Tiomkin
3. Ester Pressman - in a dance divertisement
4. Albertina Rasch Terpsichorean Sextette
5. Brengk's Golden Horse and Bella Donna
6. Frank Melino and Company - Acrobatic Comedians Supreme
7. The Jungle - Albertina Rasch Dancers
8. Adler and Bradford - the world's greatest adagio troupe
--
Dances and Ensembles Staged by Albertina Rasch
--
Executive Staff for Mr. Grauman:
General Press Representative - Harry Hammond Beall
Art Director - George E. Holl
Technical Director - George Ormson


Daily at 2:15 and 8:15 PM
Premiere Seats: $11.00 "Direct your chauffeur to enter Hollywood Blvd. at Vine Street and drive west to the theatre"
Saturday, May 31, 1930 at 11:45 PM:

"Ultra-Modern Midnite Matinee": "Hell's Angels " and regular program with extras.
Saturday, June 7, 1930 at 11:30 PM:

"Midnite Matinee": "Hell's Angels" and regular program wih extras including: Captain John A. MaCready, guest of honor, with Special Surprises.
Saturday, June 14, 1930 @ 11:30 PM:

"Midnite Matinee": "Hell's Angels" and regular program wih extras.
Saturday, June 21, 1930 at 11:30 PM:

"Midnite Matinee": "Hell's Angels" and regular program wih extras.
Saturday, June 28, 1930 at 11:30 PM:

"Midnite Matinee": "Hell's Angels" and regular program wih extras including: William S. Hart "let's make him talk!"
Saturday, July 5, 1930 at 11:30 PM:

"Midnite Matinee": "Hell's Angels" and regular program wih extras.
Saturday, June 12, 1930 at 11:30 PM:

"Midnite Matinee": "Hell's Angels" and regular program wih extras including: Ann Pennington, guest of honor, Lew Cody, Master of Cerimonies and judge of the "Midnite Dance Tourney" $100 First Prize; $50 Second Prize; $25 Third Prize.
Saturday, July 19, 1930 at 11:30 PM:

"Midnite Matinee": "Hell's Angels" and regular program wih extras including: "Midnite Matinee Dance Contest. $175 in Gold!
Saturday, July 26, 1930 at 11:30 PM:

"Midnite Matinee": "Hell's Angels" and regular program wih extras including:"Midnite Matinee Dance Contest and The Four Hunter Brothers.
Saturday, August 2, 1930 at 11:30 PM:

"Midnite Matinee": "Hell's Angels" and regular program wih extras including: "Midnite Matinee Dance Contest and The Four Hunter Brothers - Final Week!
Saturday, August 9, 1930 at 11:30 PM:

"Midnite Matinee DeLuxe ": 150th Jubilee Performance "Hell's Angels" and regular program wih extras including: Jean Harlow appearing at all performances.
Saturday, August 15, 1930 at 11:30 PM:

"Midnite Matinee": "Hell's Angels" and regular program wih extras.
Saturday, August 23, 1930 at 8:30 and 11:30 PM:

"Just Like Another Premiere": "Hell's Angels" and regular program wih extras including: A Farewell Tribute to Roscoe Turner, Lee Schoenhair, Art Goebel, Wiley Post, William Brock and other non-stop flyers. James Hall as Master of Ceremonies. Guest stars: Merna Kennedy, Glenn Tryon, James Murray, Louis Wolheim, Bobby Agnew, Grant Withers, Loretta Young, Sally Blane, Polly Ann Young, Terry Carroll and other celbrities.



An issue of The Playgoer, dated Monday, July 21, 1930 (7th Week), exisits for this engagement.

An issue of The Playgoer, dated Monday, July 28, 1930 (8th Week), exisits for this engagement.



Claim stub for the "Chinese Auto Park" on the east side of the theatre from this time period.

Saturday, August 30, 1930
Ann Harding (28) Forecourt Ceremonies
Saturday. August 30, 1930 at 11:30 PM:

"Midnite Matinee": "Hell's Angels" and regular program wih extras including: Sally O'Neill, Molly O'Day, and Margaret Adams.
Friday, September 12, 1930:

The Beverly Hill-Billies are added to headline the Sid Grauman Prologue, with "Mr. Tall-Feller" - Glen Rose.
Wednesday, September 17, 1930:

Bobby Agnew, in person at all performances, heading a great new stage show.
Saturday, September 27, 1930:

Added attraction: Gwen Seager "Miss Prosperity from Hollywood."

Reported Gross "Hell's Angels" @ 75¢ - $1.50
Week
Week Ending
Perfs.
Gross
Preem
Wednesday,May 27, 1930
1
$16,000
1
Tuesday, June 3, 1930
15
$40,500
2
Tuesday, June 10, 1930
15
$33,200
3
Tuesday, June 17, 1930
15
$32,700
4
Tuesday, June 24, 1930
15
$32,300
5
Tuesday, July 1, 1930
15
$29,600
6
Tuesday, July 8, 1930
15
$28,700
7
Tuesday, July 15, 1930
15
$26,000
8
Tuesday, July 22, 1930
15
$24,600
9
Tuesday, July 29, 1930
15
$25,600
10
Tuesday, August 5, 1930
15
$20,800
11
Tuesday, August 12, 1930
15
$22,000
12
Tuesday, August 19, 1930
15
$22,500
13
Tuesday, August 26, 1930
15
$18,600
14
Tuesday, September 2, 1930
15
$14,830
15
Tuesday, September 9, 1930
15
$9,500
16
Tuesday, September 16, 1930
15
$13,900
17
Tuesday, September 23, 1930
15
$7,200
18
Sunday, September 28, 1930 (5 Days)
11
$4,200
Totals
125 Days
Daily Average: $3,382
--
--
18 Weeks
Average Performance: $1,583
267
$422,730
Source: Motion Picture News
 
 
World Premiere, Thursday, October 2, 1930 @ 8:30 PM
Regular Engagement: Friday, October 3, 1930 - Sunday, November 23, 1930 (8 Weeks)
The Big Trail
Starring John Wayne and Marguerite Churchill
Directed by Raoul Walsh
A Fox Picture, "Shown Entirely in Grandeur"

122 Minutes
PROGRAM:

A: Fox Movietone News Exclusive Interview with George Bernard Shaw / Hearst Metrotone News "They Speak for Themselves"


B:

1: Overture: "Pioneer Airs" Augmented Symphony Orchestra, Carli Elinor, Conductor

2: Premiere Presentation:
"Curtain of the Stars" a la Cugat

C: "The Big Trail"

Twice Daily: 2:30 and 8:30 PM
Shown with an Intermission
Cameras and Projection Machines of Grandeur Pictures by General Theatre Equipment Co. Sound by Western Electric System
Monday, October 20, 1930:

"Now with Gorgeous Stage Review - A Dazzling. . . Glittering Ensemble of Rare Charm. . . Color. . . Spectacle. . . 50-Beauties-50 "Mayfair Sensation" (staged by Seymore Felix)


The "Curtain of Stars" by Xavier Cugat.
Friday, November 14, 1930
Raoul Walsh (43) Footprinting Ceremonies
 
Reported Gross "The Big Trail" @ 75¢ - $1.50
Week
Week Ending
Perfs.
Gross
1
Wednesday, October 8, 1930
13
$24,000
2
Wednesday, October 15, 1930
14
$23,000
3
Wednesday, October 22, 1930
14
$22,000
4
Wednesday, October 29, 1930
14
$20,200
5
Wednesday, November 5, 1930
14
$14,500
6
Wednesday, November 12, 1930
14
$17,500
7
Wednesday, November 26, 1930
14
$12,000
8
Sunday, November 23, 1930 (4 Days)
8
$9,200
Totals
53 Days
Daily Average: $2,687
--
--
8 Weeks
Average Performance: $1,356
105
$142,400
Source: Motion Picture News

An issue of The Playgoer, dated Monday, October 27, 1930 (6th Week), exisits for this engagement.
 
Premiere, Tuesday, November 25, 1930
Regular Engagement: Saturday, November 26, 1930 - Sunday, January 18, 1931 (7.5 Weeks)
Morocco
Starring Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper
Directed by Josef von Sternberg
A Paramount Picture
92 Minutes

The Most Glorious Prologue Ever Produced:
"Moorish Melodic Fantasy"
Conceived by Fanchon and Marco

A: Paramount Sound News / Fox Movietone News / Hearst Metrotone News

B: "Moorish Melodic Panorama" Staged by Larry Ceballos Starring
"Marietta"
Amanda Chirot
Hadji Ali with Toofik Simon and His Damascus Artists
Ali Ben Hassan Troupe
Ferdna and Company
Gay, Bert & Dare
Eva Nightengale
Ada May Emgard
24 of Hollywood's Most Beautiful Sunkist Beauties
--
Choral Ensemble, by Ernest G. Grooney
Musical Settings by Karl Hajos
Ensembles by Larry Ceballos
--
Chinese Symphony Orchestra, conduced by Georgie Stoll

Stars attending the premiere:
Ruth Chatterton / Clara Bow / Adolph Zukor / George Bancroft / B.P. Schulberg / Mary Brian / Norma Shearer / Gary Cooper / Louis B. Mayer '/ Fay Wray / Joseph Schenck / Ann Harding / Marie Dressler / Walace Beery / Irving Thalberg / Al Jolson / Charles Chaplin / Josef von Sternberg / Sol Lesser / Richard Arlen / George Olsen / Lilly Damita / Kay Francis / Sid Grauman / June Colyer / Victor McLaglen / Constance Bennett / William Powell / Robert Montgomery / Jobyna Ralston / Leon Errol / Clarence Brown / Julia Faye / Cecil B. DeMille / John M. Stahl / Marcia Manners / Lew Cody / Sue Carol / Harry Green / Stewart Erwin / Hedda Hopper / James Hall / Carmel Meyers / Ruth Roland / Anita Stewart / Nick Stuart / Laura LaPlante / Carl Laemmle / Cissy Loftus / Hope Hampton / Myrna Kennedy / Robert Woolsley / Marian Nixon



Wednesday, June 4, 1930

Film House Reviews - Grauman's Chinese, (Hollywood) - Hollywood, Nov. 25.

Equally as interesting as the highly ballyhooed advent of the new personality picture girl (Marlene Dietrich) was the elaborate Fancho & Marco prolog which Larry Ceballos staged, bringing back the Chinese to all its glory of the past when elaborate stage presentations were as much an attraction of this atmospheric theatre as the screen spectacle.

So elaborately and picturesquely have F&M put on their 'Moorish Panorama,' as it is captioned, that there is some criticism within the Paramount studio that the stage portion nullified the general atmospheric effect of faithfully planting the native locale which Josef von Sternberg attempted to do in 'Morocco.'

The Paramount picture, especially on the ballyhoo for the German picture girl, Miss Dietrich, almost repeated itself on doing a Chevalier in that once again a foreign screen personality was too much over-sold. Los Angeles, Hollywood, Beverly Hills and environs are generously plastered will billboards heralding the birth of a new star and the $5 customers expected a lot.

General opinion is that the Chinese has a good show generally, both screen and stage—that the picture, while not stupendous or epochal in the Hollywood sense, is good entertainment.

The stage show looks like $4,000 to $5,000 and cost half. Great break for Paramount on its percentage split for the celluloid through Marco buying up a lot of people reasonably and dovetailing them into a real flash. The twice daily schedule was one reason why a number of people modified their salaries for this engagement.

The entire Moorish panorama is replete with all the mysticism, color and buncombe of the Orient, bringing in an assortment of levitation tricks, cutting - a - woman - in - half basket hoke, fire-eating, whirlwind Arabian dervishes, dancing girls, Moorish instrumentalists, lights, shadows, gay splashes of color, the preist on high in his minaret, etc. It is the preistly call at sundown, as the Moors kneel toward the west at the end of the day, that makes for a pip curtain finale.

The two girl stars of the unit are Marietta, and extraordinary acrobatic dance specialist who was in 'Scandals,' and who whammed 'em, and Amanda Chirot. Latter is a petite Mexican prima and proved equally distinguished in her opportunities.

The most memorable flash specialist of the presentation is Hadja Ali, an added starter, who does one of those acts where he apparently swallows generous portions of aquapura, kerosene, etc., and spits out flames of fire which are later extinquished by a human fountain effect created by the gallons of water stored in him.

The Ali Ben Hassan troupe of whirlwind Arabs scored with their fast ground tumbling, especially the be-moustached lightnin' tumbler. Ferdinand and Co. do the levitation specialty. Eva Nightengale handles the basket trick. The Damascus Artists are the street musicians, amospherically spotted. Gay, Bert and Dare doing one of those threesome adagio routines, are likewise professional. Ada May Emgard is the snake artiste.

There are 20 girls and 20 male voices for the general background. Entire stage personnel numbers 60 people and the $2,500 cost to the house is a tribute to F&M's smart showmanship and a great break for the general percentage split between the Chinese and Par. In on 70-30 above house nut.

Georgie Stoll's corking pit direction also rates commendation. He and his trench unionists are in the characteristic costumes of the Foreign Legionnaires.

Marietta makes her entrance on a camel and a donkey is also there, along with the other live-stock contributions towards a realistic Moorish street scene. Presentation runs 30 minutes and is crammed with novelty and nuance, quickly shifting, blending and dovetailing from one highlight to another.

Larry Ceballos contributed some nifty dance and general staging. Given fuller opportunities than on previous occasions, the stager took full advantage of the possibilities of mixing up the reds and the whites, as in that colorful cape dance routine, thus working in his general atmosphere effects for best returns.

Xavier Cugat's Curtain of Stars still remains for the overture flash. Paramount, Fox and Hearst newsreels followed. Feature was marred twice by projection booth breaks, rather untoward circumstances for such a gala premiere.

Paramount for first time is spending money along with the theatre on its picture, although not doing it for its own houses.

Par also went for a makeshift radio broadcasting studio in the foyer with John P. Medbury, the Hearst columnist—who went heavy on plugging Hearst—doing the announcing on a United Broadcasting hook-up. Medbury got paid for his comedy interpolations which were cued to alternate with his announcements of personalities.

'Variety's' reviewer took advantage of one of those 'say a few words' routines by slipping in a plug for 'Variety' for which the rag may yet get a bill.

Abel.

Daily at 2:30 and 8:30 PM


Saturday, November 29, 1930 at 12:00 Midnight:

Midnite Showing: "Morocco" and regular program with extras including: Marlene Dietrich in person: "Her first and only American appearance"


Saturday, December 6, 1930 at 12:00 Midnight:

"Midnite Football Matinee": "Morocco" and regular program with extras including: Larry "Moon" Mullins, who relates the story of that day's Notre Dame vs. USC Football game. Movietone Highlights of "Today's Game" (SC lost to Notre Dame, 27-0—ED)


Saturday, December 13, 1930 at 12:00 Midnight:

"Midnight Show - the Third, the Biggest, the Best": "Morocco" and regular program with extras including: Leon Errol, Cheif Fun Maker and June Collyer


Wednesday, December 31, 1930 at 12:00 Midnight:

"New Year's Eve Midnight Frolic": "Morocco" and regular program with extras including: Jayzelle, in Person! Norman Thomas Quintet, Lee Wilmot, The Ham & Egg Twins. Old time 2-reeler in dialogue, Old time slides and Illustrated Songs, Noisemakers, Frolic, Fun and Whoopee.





"Sidney Fox, Universal's latest stage recuit who will appear in the leading role of "Gambling Daughters" (AKA: The Bad Sister) stands in front of the famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre (The Bad Sister was released in March 1931)."

 
© Copyright graumanschinese.org. Background Photo: From the Terry Helgesen Collection of the Theatre Historical Society, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.