The very fine band at the Tower has been augmented by the engagement of Fidlon, fiddler of note, who is subject to call nightly by guests who wish to have their favourite melodies. either classical or jazz played. Herbert Ruff, at the piano, likewise is besieged for musical items and, between them, with the addition of two other musicians, they make things hum. Edith Grey reflects her charming personality as she sings with the band, her voice being as pleasing her personality.
Mile Claudette is distinctive among local artistes, inasmuch as her voice is grand opera calibre and her dancing turns leave nothing to be desired.
Argentina Garden Whenever weather permits, the Ar-gentian garden is one of the more popular rendezvous in Shanghai and, with adverse conditions the ballroom remains as popular as before. A great feature of the garden is the barbecue machine, American made, where delicious steaks and chicken are prepared for guests.
Heading the floor show is the Chin Ping troupe, Chinese acrobatic and adagio players, who never fail to please. Their work is sparkling and brilliant. The virile Francesco, she of the vivid costumes and castanets. is a flashing delight while on the floor. George Roth's music, along with that of his melody men. is amplified for the roof garden.
Barnett Billiard, called difficult, because she walked out on a contract, is back too, Dietrich, who sometimes used to give a bad off-screen performance, is among the regulars now, They say Gloria Swanson used to havecher moments, but back in the movies now she is business-like.
That's the way almost every actress business-like and practical.
There are occasional flare-ups, a rule the important people today are amenable to suggestion, ce-operative, on time, agreeable hardworking, if you call making movies hard work. They do, Simone Simon denies that she ever was hard to handle, but the stories about her disagreeableness are too many to shrug off. One of the most amusing concerns a thermometer. She would cry that she was too ill to work, on the verge of something dreadful. She had a thermometer to show to skeptical directors and executive. It registered 103 degrees when she exhibited it, She always was well again the next day.
It may be that the story is getting better legends, They say that somebody borrowed Simone's thermometer and put it in a bucket of ice, It still registered 103.
No temperament has Carmen Miranda, the "Souze" American gal, but she does have an entourage. Carmen's insistence that her mother, her brother, her manager and her orchestra accompany her almost everywhere is one of the laughs of Hollywood, Her manager, Aloysia Oliviera, directs the orchestra, plays the guitar and also, says Carmen, is her boy fron.' The five others in the orchestra follow the leader, New Dance Music New music direct from the United States has just been obtained by Guy Roberts. leader of the dance and concert band at the Ah Baba Night Club. and is being played nightly with special arrangements by Roberts. The band has four excellent singers, including the two crack pianists. Geza and Gino, known as the two G-Men. K. James, accordeonist, is also one of the vocalists.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.