The Washington times., 1933-01-26


ANDREW n. KELLEYHollywood mi.
crophones. The Perfect Fool was
bust in his first silent picture,
Rubber Heels" far from colos-
sal in his first sound film, Fol
low the Leader" Jack Pearl, a
second rate comedian who has
clicked on the radio, has never
tried pictures. Chevalier, a charm
ing music hall entertainer and
a Paramount screen star was a
failure on the air waves.
Both Jolson and Cantor would
have made a success in any buSii-
ness because Of the tremendous
energy, enthusiasm and the will
to win they put behind their
great natural talent. I doubt
much, knowing AL Jolson, whether
he would have signed a radio
contract unless he was reason
ably sure what he had to offer
the loud speaker would keep him
up with the leaders. You may
be certain that he had an eye
also on the potentialities Of the
radio audiences at the theater
box office.
A few weeks ago AL SJolson was
booked for personal appearances
at a Chicago theater. His con-
tract called for four shows q
day, five on Saturdays and Sun
days, or 80 performances. Well
the crowds came and AL Jolson
did not disappoint them. Uncle
AL gave 81 performances, at no
extra cost, and the theater hung
up new attendance record.
I contrast this with Holly
wood star who made a personal
appearance a few years ago at
one Of Washington's first run
houses. He sang one song and
one chorus at each performance.
His whole idea was to get by
as easy as possible even If it
were necessary to disappoint au-
dienceS. I never looked further
for the reason why he has gone
steadily backward in pictures.
Eddie Cantor made probably
the greatest personal sacrifice of
any stage star to help the Actors
Equity win its fight with the
managers. He walked out of
ziegfeld's Follies in the face of
the ziegfeld edict he would never
again be starred in one Of his
productions. That's Cantor. His
heart and soul was in the equity
cause, just as it is in his stage,
screen or movie work.
Just after he made his first
motion picture, and before it was
released, Eddie Cantor played the
Earle Theater at $500 a week.
He proved poor investment for
the Earle for the reason that
he had not been established as
a star with motion picture audi
ences, was unknown to radio. His
failure was a keener disappoint-
ment to Comedian Cantor than
it was to those who had to pay
his inflated salary. So he agreed
to play the Earle at some future
date for a nominal salary and
let Warner Brothers earn a Can
tor dividend. So far as / know
the offer stands.
Right at the moment Eddie
Cantor Is the sensation of radio
and his picture, kid From
Spain" is one Of 1889 biggest
winners. He is planning a tour
Of one-night stands with q big
musical revue to sell at 50 top.
He is smart enough to cash in
on his popularity while he is at
the peak and must be well on
the way to financial recovery
after dropping a million cash in
Wall Street.
Jack Pearl, in my opinion, will
never join the select triple threat
circle. For the reason that he is
too dependent upon others-a
good gag man, for instances
without the perception and intelli-
gence Of both Cantor and Jolson.
On my last conversation with the
lamented Flo Ziegfeld he deplored
the fact that his chief comic,