GAME SHARK EXPLAINS ROULETTE “FIXING”

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 167, 5 April 1939, Page 4

GAME SHARK EXPLAINS ROULETTE “FIXING”

Granted that a modern Diogenes seaielmig tor an Jionest man in Hollywood might look past the corner of Hollywood and Vine and iind the object of his quest, Art Butler wants to know how W. C. Fields figured out that “You Can’t Cheat an Honest J\Lan. 7 ’ Butler has earned a livelihood in the him capital lor several years by cheating. He hastens to add that his is an honest application ol' that line art. Butler is also an expert on all types of gambling, particularly devices for “fixing” what are sometimes laughingly called “games of chance.” He is an ex-carnival man who knows all the tricks. Butler’s latest assignment is Universal’s Crime Ciub production, “The Last 'Warning,” in which he is overseeing gambling casino scenes. “When a roulette wheel is fixed, it’s always done with electricity,” says Butler. “That’s because there’s no place on or arouiidl a roulette table for ‘gaffs’ or other devices, usually operated with the loot, that control ordinary carnival wheels.” He says, however, that ehuck-a-hiek —known to the trade as the “birdcage”—is the.''only device that isn’t fixed. “'Phe odds are even, three winners and three losers, so the worst a. ‘bird-cage’ operator’ can do is break even.” .. /t" FLYING ROOSEVELTS MISS SKY PIRATES When a plane took off from the United Aifport during a location scene for Universal’s “Pirates of the Skies” and ruined the “take.” director Joe McDonough nearly wont wild.

The plane was one of several airliners used merely as a back-ground • for a shot of Kent Taylor and Ivueijelle Hudson, and an official of the airline >vas. on hand to see that no planes were moved. The embarrassed air representative ran over to check on the error, and in a few minutes reported back to the irate director. “Sprfy, Joe,” lie said. “That plane was just chartered by the President's £■’ son, James Roosevelt, to take him anu his party to San Francisco.” more blood-gursleuc in HORROR COMEBACK Following up on die phenomenal success of the "Frankenstein” and “Dracula” revival, Universal has announced! plans lor the dual-reissue of “Bride of Frankenstein” and “DracuJa’s Daughter.” The twin revival .of “Frankenstein” and “Dracula” is the current box-of-fice sensation, with key cities through- y out the country reporting record runs and grosses. Re-issue of the follow-up frighteners, as another double-barrelled horror combination, ‘is expected to brir'. equally sensational returns. /'