Variety (Apr 1949)

Wi^ntad»y, April 6, 1949 63 OBITUARIES a (on, Alexis, wttQ operates J. Al- bert & Spns. JAV GOVE Jay Gove, 70, director of sales *«P»ich for Metro, died in his in New York, March 30. Death was attributed to a throm- '"*Gove entered the motion picture inrtli^itrv as ^he first advertising Sfnager for Fox FUm Corp. He Zs later assistant general mana- ger of Beal""^ Pictures Corp; later tales manager for Associated Ex- hibitors, and First National. He joined M-G-M in 1927 with the advent of short subject pro- duction and distribution, as sales development manager. His work in establishing a yard- stick for the measurement and com- parison of boxoffice grosses of M-G-M pictures was unique in the industry. In recent years he had compiled an analysis of theatre at- tendance which he had hoped to publish in book form. Survived by wife. ARMAND VECSEY Arinaiid Vecsey, 70, violinist and composer, died at his home in New York, March 31. He had been leader of the orchestra at the Ritz- Carlton hotel, N.Y., from 1910 to 1844. Before coming to the U.S. he had conducted the orcEestra at the Savoy Hotel, London. While conducting at the Ritz, Vecsey also had orchs in Sherry's, the Vanderbilt hotel and Robert Goelet hotels throughout the coun- try. He was noted for arrange- ments of large symphonic works for small orchestras and composed the operettas, "The Nightingale," with libretto and lyrics by P. G. Wodehouse and Guy Bolton; "Rose of China" and "Hotel Mouse." He had also made many recordings for old Edison Co. Survived by wife, two sons, a daughter, two brothers and a sister. iiam S. Hart, Charles Ray, Bill Rus- sell and William Duncan. Before entering silent films, she was with various stock companies. Her niece and protege, June Clyde, is now starring in British films. Survived by husband. JAMES B. DONOVAN James B. Donovan, 80, retired vaude comedian, died in Boston, March 27. He bad been a standard act in the top vaude circuits, first partnered with his "former wife, Rena Arnold, and later teamed in the act of Donovan tt. Lee. . He had also appeared in several musical productions for George M. Cohan. Survived by con and a brother. JOHN DALEY i John Daley, 68, vaude performer,' died in Lima, O., April 2, where he was appearing in a nitery show. The vet comedian and dancer had toured vaude circuits in an act with his wife, known as Mack & Daley. Survived by wife and son. Lonely Heart Terperies Continned fcom pan 1 idea for the Friendship Club when | rules agiuhst rcheek-to^heekihg, a , he managed a theatre in Winsted,! gent with a white carnation stacidf- Conn. Lockwood, brother of Ar-j in the dead center «if the fldpr. This' thur Lockwood, Theatre Owners of = doesn't seem to deter some souls America prez, noticed that nlany whp have found sudden friendsj lonely people went to the picture ; these manage to assume ecstatic SARA SWARTS house for lack of anything better i expressions and romantic stances. Sara Swarts, 50, character to do. "I wanted to satisfy the 1 For the most part, customers ate actress, died March 31 after along! emotional needs of older, shy, 1 New Yorkers, but there is a gen- illness in the Motion Picture Coun-| ti^i^, self-onscious types who find 'erous sprinkling of out-of-towners. it difiicult to answer their need for ] About half the coiiiers are 6vei':4Ci companionship ' and" desire to i and the gals, too, ol}\dously appeal; dance," he said. So he opened the to be prospecting for a mate. "I'm Bronx ballroom in '41 and the dahcing with this dame,'^ one Brooklyn place in *47. i told another, "and she's puinping "We have 14 rules and enforce I me about bu«ness, »m liow?»rtn<^, pm strirtlv •• r,nckwond exulain- ™?P«y I ve ,gOtt, and^ SO oH.? .Sfl I try Home hospital She had been in pictures for 31 years, chiefly at. Universal, LOUIS IBOUCOT Louis Boucot, 60i French stage and screen comedian, died in Paris, March 30. Making his professional debut in Parisian cafes in 1900,- he later headlined'many bills at the Casino de Paris and subsequently ap- peared in operettas at the Chate- let. Recently he was partnered with , Marie Dubas in a variety show at i the Ambigu theatre, Paris. J. DELL LAMPE J. Dell Lampe, 54, orchestra leader and music arranger, died after a heart attack at his home in Amityville, L: I.i April 2. He was the son of the late J. Bodewalt Lampe, composer and charter member of American Society of Authors, Composers and Publish- ers, . Survived by wife, two daughters,, 'two sons and two sisters. GEORGE GRAVES George Graves, 73* noted come- dian of the British theatre, died In London, April 2. His perfect diction, rich voice, and comedies delighted playgoers for nearly 50 years. His best role was that of Count PopofE in "The Merry Widow." Others of his successes were "Lilac Time" and "Me and ■ My Girl." He made his final appear- ance in the latter in 1945. Two years after .his first appear- ance on the stage in Portsmouth ALFRED J. niLLIER Alfred' J. Hillier, 59, former vaude and burlesque performer, died in Paterson, N. J., April 4. At one time a straight man for Jack Pearl, Hillier played his first engagement at the age of 16 and was active until his retirement a few years ago. . Surviving are his wife and three sons. ■ FAITH HAMPTON Faith Hampton, 40, film actress, and her husband, Don Short, died of suffocation In Hollywood, April 1, when a fire destroyed their one- room apartment. Miss Hampton had been featured in films during the silent era but had been inactive in pix for sev NEAL HART : Neal Hart, 70. film cowboy in, the days; of the silent screen, died i at Motion Picture Country Home, j <hem strictly," Lockwood explain , i.™.i,„„„ j.i.„„ April 2. ■ ed. Among the rules are: no one j -^^f^' I™ here to-dance. Survived by wife and son. under 28 (bring birth certificate to ' * • - —- ! prove age); be friendly but not i In contrast with the three clubs, Mrs. Edsar Stillman Kelley, 80 ' fresh; no one will be admitted who ' Clara Lane's Friendship Centre widow of the composer, died in has the odor of wine, whiskey or. no dances. Members are m- Dallas, April 3. She had been • beer on his or her breath; ladies, Produced individually and-go on there attending convention of Fed-, not be permitted to wear slacks, dates elsewhere. They join for six eration of Music Clubs, of which form-fitting sweaters, knitted months and are guaranteed one dresses or low-cut gowns; couples ' "J^ro a week. It costs $50 fw men, not permitted to hold haiids and a i ?100 forewomen un*p^^ man is not allowed to sit with ! wme"^ 30-45, and $20p ^ his arm around a woman or even j over 45. It usually^takes S^ 4^^^^ rest it ton the back of her chair; no l"^^^ "»ember finds som#WS^^ be Cuban rhumbas. tindy shakes, j °^ 1*^^; ^^f" shags or balconades. (A halconade }*"■;,,''^'J^s w the "k«M<^ W « a step in the Peabody, i.e. a fast ] Su^lurnSg^ ■ " ■'• ; . ^; . . " V. i pahion, the member cah rfeaSW (or Reason for jitt^rbuggmg bar is | another half year-^payihg aiioth^r that the club appeals to dancers ] fee pf course who would feel out of place among j AppUcihts have td^ Roselands sharp hoppers. A five- f^t^, gj^in^ t,acfcgto„„a, piece j:ombo, ei^hasizes older, disUkes, and Economic %tStus. ; It danceable standards, and new^pop lakes a staffto loveitlgate tunes without a bouocey beat, appiicarits and set up iAtroaufctions; There s a high propprtion .pf ma-1 During the past 10 years; Miss zurkas, .walties,- Virginia Reels, | Lane estimates she hat brouE;ht tangos, 'polkas, hillbilly numbers, I Paul Joneses^ boomps-a-daisies and she was a past president. Rudolph O. Obermeyer, 21, a shipper in the St. Louis Metro ex- change*was killed March 25 when a jeep which he was driving coir lided with an automobile in St. Louis. Erskine HiU, 54, member of RKO's construction department for 18 years, died March 27 in' Hollywood. Wife of Israel Roth, veteran Pittsburgh theatre owner, died there on March 28. A son, Jerry Roth, is also in theatre business. Father, 75, of Ralph DeStephano, bandleader at Carousel in Pitts-, „ . . burgh, died in that city, March 30. I the varsovianna—an early Ameri- ' can ballroom step known in Texas Dr. Basil Harwood, 89, organist and composer of hymns, died in London, April 3. as "Did you see my new shoe?" .The Brooklyn club takes in aboufSOO-eOO pal-seekers on.a fair; Saturday night, the Bronx place 450-500. Marathon Hoofing for a Buck together about 40,000 persons— with about 8,000 marriages result- ing. There are always about 1;5D0 members in her files. . Need for her centre, she feels, grows out of fact that "America is a land of strangers." One man told h/r, "I wouldn't have to spend a dime to meet a girl at a bar, but I" couldn't have her meet my friends. MARRIAGES Bernard Teitel to Tlielma, The Avalon Fellowship Club, op-' No decent girl can be picked up iurncr, Lnicago, March .JO. Bride | erated atop the Rialto theatre by ; Naturally, some men come to the Tpfttwwnp'if'nV WarM^t.'jf ^Michael Accardl, has two elevators house Chi ^' a'xJ « ™an with a white carnation >/r ' J »«• ;i i who herds lonelyhearts into the v^'^J'- S)?** '^'^irt^M^^i?' ^^'ii' "^^^ cars. Upstairs, on a weekend eve, York, March 16. Mother, Harriet ,:„„„ .vnmpn iTnih i. partnered with Naomi I ^""^ ""^^ °* women is in centre saying they are in N. Y. on a short , visit and would like a date. Miss Lane tells them, "If you're looking for excitement, go elsewhere. We want members who ?h» TpffTLrf shove $1 bills through the ticket ■ want long-terra friendships leading me ,ieiiTi.uuii incdire - J »t_ x ^ i.!_*t. ■ fn maM-iaOB nnf Avoraiffhf ac- he was performing in London, A j g^ai yeai-s, except for occasional ■year Kiter he was in Russia with >:|yit parts , "The Geisha" and other musical; comedies. His only appearance in j the U. S. was made in "The Little; Michus" in 1907. Falb, nartv buieru^ jen-xoaa tneatre No" one'asks for "bYrth, to marriage, not overnight t?„w^ f„ Alwf r'„i..K certificates. Most comers obvi-1 quaintances." N. Y.? ApVirs. She's secret^ to \ ""^'^ "^^^ Ma-In-Law " " ~ :At the: doorway a large poster | Some folks come to get oiner lists, 10 rules, substantially the j people married. A father: may reg^; same as the Lockwood establish- ister his daughter, withbiit^.^h^ ments.r Inside the softly lit hall I knowing, meet the meii at the cen- to Albert Golub, She's secretary to, Alan Jackson, Paramount . story! editor; he's operatot-. of the cockr tail lounge in Carnegie HaU. ' '< Myrna Powell to Robert Bernant, I EDWARD MUNN RENO Edward Munn Reno, 87, reput- edly dean of American magicians, died in his home at Kankakee, 111,, April 2. Reno, who received his title sev- eral years ago from the Inter- national Brotherhood of Magicians, was honorary president of , the Knights of the Ebony Wand. • Starting his career at the age of .11, .he appeared in theatres tliroughouf: the world and contin- ued niling professional engage- ments until he was past 80. . Surviving are his wife, three daughters and a son. ■ J. SEARLE DAWLEY J. Searle Dawiey, 71, pioneer motion picture director, died March 29 in the Motion Picture Home, near Hollywood. He was active in pictures for 41 years and retired Ia.st year because of ill health. Dawiey reportedly megged first film made by Thomas Edison back m 1907. Between 1912 and 1920 he directed many of top name I FRED MORROW | Fred Morrow. 74, founder and I producer of the Ulster theatre. Ire-1 Aprjl 5, White Plains, N. Y., at the < there are other placards: "Please ] tre and take them home, passing land, died March 22 in Belfast. His j home of her parents, the Jack! report any rudeness or improper I them off as business friends. One wife died three weeks ago. , ; I Powells. Latter is the vet drum-' language" and "'Ladies are re^ | man enrolled his mother-in-law sub He produced many pageants inimer-coinedian; .principals are non- quested to dance when asked." The ' rosa and, using the same plan, got Ireland and his ULster theatre pro-1 pro, | latter is not wholeheartedly ac-> her married and out of his crowd- ductions included "Thomson of_Tir| jy^e Knight to Carl B. Squieri l eepted. One woman told her part-; ed apartment. Another man. Las Vegas, March 29. Bride is ! ner, "Would you believe it, that i strapped by alimony payments, had radio songstress. ■ .. i fat man over there asked me," she ' Miss tane marry off his ,ex-wife, Sari Gabor to George Sanders, j confided. "And that bald one over ! Members hail ffotij all classes. na nog" and Helen Waddell's "The Spoiled Buddha." Surviving is a son. MRS. BAYMONDE BERGMAN ! ^«'een niav'ers Mrs. Raymonde Bergman, 80, ^cieen players, retired dramatic coach and skit I Virgmia Kellogg to Thomas Mil- writer, died in New York, March i ton Fine, Hollywood, March 23 30 She was a counsin of the late I Bride is screenwright under con- Sam Bernard, comedian, for whom tract to Warners 2. Both are there. Imagine! I told . 'em no. I The way I see it. it's kinder to re- fuse 'em right off the bat." The. Avalon has a large roped- off dance, floor, surrounded by backgrounds and sections of the country, from Pascagoula, Miss., to Montpelier, \U. The centre has branches in Atlantic; City and Miami and plans are underway to she wrote skits when latter ap- peared with Weber & Fields at their N. Y, Musiciil Hall. Survived by two .sons and a sister. MRS. MARIE ANDREWS Mrs. Marie Andrews, 57, lyric Margie G. Peile to Charles E. Seebeck. Staunton, Va.. March 21. He's sale.s manager for station WTON there. chairs. Off to one side is a long ■ establish Offices in Chi, Philly. St. counter which sells soft drinks and ; Louis, L. A., Frisco and other key refreshments. One customer said,- Mr. BIRTHS and Mrs. Paul E. Gilmor, soprano who for a time was a ra-1 (laughter, March 20, Alliance, G. dio singer, died at her home in i Father is sales manager with sta- silent day.s' stars, including Alice ter gi'ady, John Ban^more, Billie Burke,, Mary Pickford and Pearl White. Bernardsville, N. J.; April 2. In recent years, she had been soloist in the Methodist Church of Sum- mit, N. .1. Prior to that she sang over WJ2 and WOR; N. Y. Survived by husband and daugh- tion WHBC, Canton, O. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Heppner, daughter, New York, April 1. Father is partner in Metropolitan together, but the rush-hour-jam'ef' Photo Service, N. Y., and former feet helps. Both males and females "This is, &>. cheap date if you bring a girl, only a buck a head, which is less than a film. And if you pick up a gal, she can't run up a bill. The bar sells only coffee and soda, at a dime a drink. Cake and pie cost only 10 or 20c and how much cake can a woman eat?" • By .9 p.m. on most evenings the large hall is full. No particular devices are used to bring couples ' cities. . Friendship pays! Andy Smith Continued from pstge S FiRANCfiSCO: PASINETTI- Francesco Pasinetti, 37; Italian film director and writer, and head . . LFOPni n RTCivrnT 1 Cinematographic Experi- TsnntliV i; • 1 ' mental Center, died in Rome after Leopold Steinert, 86^ composer ^ ^^^^.^ attack. April 2. Pasinetti directed his first film at 18. He served at the experi- meiital center sinc^ 1937 arid t>e- came a director last year. and former member of John Philip jousa's band, died in Los Angelest March 30. A native of Berlin, Steinert came U- S. when 24 and subsequently flao been a clarinetist and conduc- tor ^pf bands and-orchestras, in- cluding, a nine-year hitch with jousa and later with the orch at Metropolitan Opera House, N. Y. Survived by son and three daughters. LEON A HBTTON Mrs. Mary Epstein, 57, known' professionally as Leona Hutton, [ silent screen star, died April 1 of I CHRIS H. LIVINGSTON I Chris H. Livingston. 92, retired ■ circus clown, and aerialist, died in St. Louis, March 28. ; Living.ston started his circus ca- reer witli the old St. Louis Turn- verin, a gymnastic society, and I later appeared with Ringling Bros, and other circuses for yearsj Walt Disney and Hal Home Or- ganization p.a. Mr. and Mrs. Neil Murphy, daughter, Chicago, ^ March 26.; Father is Chi NBG auditor. ! Mr. and Mrs. Everett A. Hayes,' son, Santa Monica, March 31. Mother is Bertha Kelly Hayes, press agent; father is. a story ana- lyst at 20th-Fox. Mr. and Mi-s. Jonah Ruddy, daughter. Hollywood, March 31. Father is a press agent Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Blanken- ship. son. Lubbock, Tex., recently, Father is general manager of Wal'; lace Theatres there. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Spatz, daugh- ter, New York, March 18. Father is with Bregman, Vocco, Conn mu- sic firm. Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Clark, circulate around the floor, giving the o.o. to those of the opposite sex.; Typical opening lines are. "Hello, bright eyes," "Hi, good- lookin' " or "How'd they let you in? You ain't over 28." To the last gambit one matron answered, "Sh-sh, I'm only 25, but I used my sister's birth certificate." ■ Gripes on S. (Lack oMt) Occasional expressions of dissat- i.sfaction with tlie distaff represen- tation are heard. But then, too, approved by us." These chores, contract states, are confined to the fir.st year. Thereafter, until March 6, 1954, Lichtman "will render us advisory services in connection with such changes in methods and distribu- tion polic,- as may be necessary from time-to-time during the pe- riod." , Payment of $1,500 weekly to Smith represents a continuation of the same pay which he has: been receiving since Jan. 9, 1948, when he took over as sales chief. That ticket would have expired at the end of '50. Prior to becoming sales topper in the wake of the resigna- ■ tlon by Tom Connors, Smith was the guys aren't always loaded with ' receiving $1,000 weekly on an agreement made in 1945 which I Soh. Washington, March 20. Father MRS. FRANK^LBERT l is top flack for MPAA; stationed .-r Uri. Minna Albert, wife of i in Washington. an overdose of sleeping pills at her Frank Albert, Australian music : Mr. and Mrs. Leo ShulJ, son, home in Toledo, O. publisher, died in Sydney, March ; N. Y., April 3. Mother is a legit ae- -She played in sHent films from 30. { tress (Claire Klar) 1813 to 1924. co-starring with Wtt- Surviving are het husband and llshes a legit herald. s.a. either, although they're wear- ing their Sunday best. Sometimes they chat with a woman who pat- ronizes their vegetable or grocery store, or find another man. in the same line of business to talk shop. A few guests have the traveling- salesman look. The Avalon, has a five-piece orch. Music is slow, but a bit sharper than the Brooklyn and Bronx started him off at S850 and then scaled upwards. Under his new contract, 20th will enter new discussions with smith on Jan. 1, 1951, to review the deal, "having in mind a ftirther extension of: the agreement as well. aS' the terms and other provisions thereof." These discussions are to be staged "Without prejudice to f tress' (Claire Klar)- father pub- i places, and there are some Latin-1 the rights of either party to the ' ' ' - . . . .' American medleys. To enforce employment contract.'v