The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1938-07-22

that experienced by ball
player when he is at bat with
the tying or winning run on the
bases, or a football player get
ting ready to make the kick that
will either leave the score tied
or give his team that extra one
point for victory. You know
you've got a job to do, one that
you have done time and again,
you're going to do it for all
you are worth, but still, that old
feeling.
THE DIRECTORS JOB
I wonder how many people,
sitting back in those nice COM
Portable seats, enjoying stage
show, realize that a large meas
ure of the success of that show
is dependent on how accurately
a musical director transmits
the thoughts of the artist to the
musicians.
I wonder If they realize the
responsibility that rests upon
his shoulders when that curtain
goes up and singers, dancers, in
StrumentalistS and various other
acts parade across the stage,
each act wanting music played
perfectly at that first show.
They're playing Loew's Capitol
Theater, they're in the nations
Capital, and they want to click.
Can you blame them? Not at
all. You want to give them a
perfect first show. You want to
see them work at ease, and you
do all you can to help them.
There are youngsters just
breaking into show business, mo-
ton picture stars, radio head
liners, musical comedy singers
and names that spell "theater
tradition" but at that first
show they all have a single
thought, Give me a perfect
first show" and every time that
baton comes down, you try to
make their thoughts realities.
FAvORITE PERFORMERS
During the past seven years
at the Capitol have played for
hundreds Of performers. The
names of many of them are for
gotten now, yet there are others
whom I shall always remember
because there was something
about each one that stamped
his name indelibly upon my
mind. Many years ago while
going to high school in Oak
land, California, I never missed
q single week when Williams
and Wolfus played the old
Orpheum.
Herb Williams became my
favorite comedian. I never
dreamed then that years later
I would have the privilege Of
conducting for him. He will al
ways remain my favorite per-
former, and when he was called
to his heavenly reward I lost
the most genuine friend the
theater has ever given me.
Allan Jones, the Metro-Gold-
wyn-Mayer star, is the most gra.
cious artist I have ever played
for. He wanted everyone work
ing with him to feel at ease at
ali times. The easiest person to
play for was Bill Robinson, the
greatest of all tap dancers. His
sense of rhythm is so highly
developed that his feet really
lead the band and the director
doesn't have to use the baton
while he is performing.
AN EXACTING STAR
The most exacting star was
Gertrude Niessen. Not only is
she a fine singer, but an excel
lent musician, and she knows
every note in the special ar
rangements she uses. She takes
more time to rehearse than any
one else and everything must be
"just So" The music she uses
is as much a part OF her AS
her voice. From a purely pro-
fessionaI standpoint my favor
lite band leader is Paul White
man. When he played our the
alter l realized why he is called
''the dean of modern American
music"
His every thought and effort
is to make the world conscious
of modern American music and
orcheStras.
Second to none are the Ches'
ter Hale Texas Comets. hi:
chorus of "a girls, show after
show, would bring down the
house with their superb preci
sion dancing. They are the
tops.
THE INCEST COUPLE
I think the incest couple evel
played for were Ben Lyon anc
Bebe Daniels. They are really
two sincere and lovely people
NV nomination for the hardeS'
worker will always go to WeSle!
Eddy. He never let down for on
moment. Whether there wer'
300 or 5000 people in the thea
ter he was always giving every
thing he had at every show.
The most entertaining impreS
Sionist, is, in my opinion, Shells
Barrett. Her conception o
satire is an art in itself. Whel
the word "showmanship" is mer
toned there is only one. Sine
] was a kid he has always bee
INV ideal and when he Dlaye