Variety (October 1950)

Wednesday, October 18, 1950 I Club Harlem, Atlantic City, has opened new upstairs room at Pos Playwright Philip Dunning join- ing the television writing ranks. Ken Murray planning to do film sequel to his Oscar-winning bird film, “Bill & Coo.” Irish tenor Christopher Lynch, accompanied by his wife and three children, in from Europe for con- cert dates. " Evelyn Keyes, who recently com- pleted “The Prowler” for United Artists release, in from the Coast for a short vacation. Goodman Ace, who is Scripting a yarn for Wald-Krasha (RKO), will ftctose-guest with Groucho Marx When he sojourns to tne Coast. Kim- Kendall, British vauder, sailing for the U.S> this week for a visit. She's a granddaughter of Marie Kendall, vet English per- fumer. ' ^ Lon don producer jack Hylton extending his N., Y. stay and may hot return until Oct. 25, by boat, instead, of flying out this weekend as expected. . . . Robert J. Rubin, former counsel for Society of Independent Motion Picture Producers, slated to re- turn this Week after two months on the Coast; Lew Schreiber, 20th-Fpx studio exec, and orchestra conductor Dr. Artur Rodzinski enroute to Britain on the Queen Mary, which left Saturday (14). Gloria McGrath, longtime aide to Ed and Pegeen Fitzgerald, back with thein after a protracted illness Which took her back to her mid- western home for recuperation. Twentieth-Fox director Edmund Gouldirig, recuperated from a 10- day illness, back to the Coast to Start work on a new film. His last pic was ''“Mister; 880,” which got critical raves. \ ^Associated,, Motion Picture Ad- vertisers kudos the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences as well as the organization’s prez, Charles Brackett, at a luncheon Thursday. Oct. 26. Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr,, off,on the first rung of his 1950-51 lecture tour following >a slight heart at- tack brought on while working in the James Roosevelt campaign for governor of California. Charles Schlaifer, head of the ad agency bearing his name in To- peka, to attend the annual meet- ing of the board of Menninger Foundation for psychiatric treat- ment,. education and research. Fred A. Joyce, Sr., Chicago public relations counselor, and publicity director for the Hilton hotels chain, addressed Cornell U.’s hotel administration students "Friday (13V on hotel drumbeating. This- is the season when college groups, lodges, etc., write deadpan letters to Variety inquiring “what big names will be around New York (Providence, Baltimore, etc.) to make an appearance at our foot- ball rally.” None seems to think . there’s such a thing as a fee in- volved. Renee Schine, daughter of 3, Myer Schine, who owns a string of hqstelri.es in addition to being prexy of the Schine Theatre Corp., engaged to Lester Crown, son of Col. Henry Crown, Chi.industrialist who has 'provided most of the financing for the Hilton Hotels chain and is on the board of Co- lumbia Pictures. tal Card Cafe. Agent Jolly Joyce has signed Texas Jim Robertson, hillbilly singer with RCA Victor and WATV, Newark, to a three- year exclusive contract. London Paris By Maxime de Beix 33 Blvd. Montparnasse Arletty starring in new revue at the Empire. Anna Magnani at opening of “Vulcano,” her latest starrer. Marcel Achard to bring the adap- tation of “Harvey” to Paris Oct. 20. Milton Rackmil to London after two days huddling with local Decca execs. Cornel Wilde drawing notice from the gals in•the George V lobby. Albert Cornfield prepping for a Contintental junket with: Murray Silverstone, Charles Paul guest batoning the Conservatoire orch at Theatre des" Chaihps Elyseesi Paul Claudel, long a bitter enemy of the screen, to have his play ‘‘Otage” adapted and filmed. Barney Balaban and George Weltner off to Israel, Italy/Holland and Denmark before homing Via London. Errol Flynn- plans to make his Monaco wedding, coincide with the Riviera filming of closing sequences of pic he is co-producing there with Bill Marshall. • Serge Belinko, public relations exec of Air France, throwing cock- tail party at George V for first batch of passengers to come over via the Canada-to-Paris service. Maurice Chevalier’s song, “When a Gendarme Meets Another Gendarme,” coming true here. Three of them were arrested for pilfering a chateau entrusted to their care. Jacques DeVal’s new play, “Road to Samarkand,” likely to be real moneymaker, with London likely to get it immediately, a Broadway. deal cooking and ; sale of screen j rights looming. Florence Desmond opened a cabaret season at the Cafe de Paris last Monday (16). . Gerard Landry here from Pans to play in “Night Without Stars” with David Earrar and Nadia cGray. Bobby Breen lining up own pro- duction company. First pic, “Doc- tor in the Family” is due to start by end of year. V “Golden* City,” due to transfer: from Adelphi to the Savoy this week, had to fold because theatre was not available. Hy *iHazell left this week for Barcelona where she will do a month’s cabaret work before start- ing rehearsals pn a Christmas pan- tomime. Ed Mathieu and wife (Rose Mur- phy) sail for New York Oct. 17 on the Queen Elizabeth; are booked to return here for vaude and nitery work next spring. . Jerry Whyte here to supervise the coming provincial tour of “Oklahoma.” He will also cheek on replacements in “Carousel,” current Drury Lane hit. Ashley Duke’s “Man with a Load of Mischief” was revived for a two ! weeks season at' the Embassy the-1 atre; leads were played by Griffith j Jones and Heather Stannard. Lou Wilson off to Switzerland; Geneva and Paris to take looksee at some Continental acts for the Stoll theatres; also to advise his boss, Prince Littler, on current shows which may be suitable for the West End. produce “Canasta Uruguaya” for Filniadora Interriacional, Roberto Canedo, newest major pic star, singing three times week- ly at local radio station XEX. Emilio Azcarraga, radio - tele- vision operator, back from N. Y., where he consummated TY deals. Oscar J. Brooks of Mier and Brooks, film „ producers-distribu- tors, recovering from major op- eration. irasemia Dilliam due here soon to play in Spanish version Of “Girls in Uniform.” Rudolph Loewenthal will produce. Jaime Menasce mulling offer to produce a film in Colombia with Mexican players and Fernando Soler, vet Mexican actor, megging. Agustin Lara, romantic s^ng writer, so ill that his showy in which he warbles his own songs, has suspended at the*- Teatro Margo. South Africa By Joe Hanson British pic, “Odette,” drawing better than average trade; New African Film Productions Afrikaans language film* “Here We Are Again,” preemed at Pre- toria. . Niteries in Johannesburg feeling biz pinch. Casbah. atop His Ma- jesty’s theatre, third to close down. Yiddish legit company headed by Sarah Sylvia at Alhambra, Capetown, after successful season in Johannesburg; Gideon Robs, chairman of Board of Governors, of South African Broadcasting Co . flew to Australia to investigate broadcasting condi- tions there. “Hassan,” play by the late James Flecher, at Opera House, Pretoria, with South African tour to follow. Britis'h producer Basil Dean here to direct show. By Glenn C. Pullen ■ Harvey Stone at Alhambra Tav- ern for two weeks, and doing socko biz. ’ ' Mary Hopkins, guest-starring in Play House’s edition of “Born Yesterday” Ann Sheridan in town to bally- hoo “Woman on Run,” at three press-radio get-togethers. Jeanne Harvey, formerly in Horace Heidt unit, joined Abby Albert’s band at Statler Terrace Room. » Rudy Vallee imported JA piece orchestra to accompany him in show for Ohio Restaurateurs Assn, convention. Sandy Gottlieb. Eagle Lion sales- man- here, made manager of its Philadelphia exchange and feted by Film row on departure. Behno Frank ^currently produc- ing “Let’s Make an Opera” for Karamu Players, prior to New York opening, with Harold Fink handling music, D’Arve Barton had busy time hosting MCA powwow that drew Lew Wasserman and heads of nine of its key city agencies here. Just a general policy meeting of band department heads. By Gordon Irying Leslie Henson here in “Harvey,” Eric Linklater’s “The Atom Doctor,”; ^preemed at Edinburgh Festival, to be presented in. Lon-, don. Sonnie Hale has written a farce called, “See You In Court,” He plans to give it a pre-London run With himself and Charles Heslop in cast. .. ' New Scots comedy, “Lace for Her Petticoat,” written by. Aimee Stuart and starring Sophie Stew- art; given world proem at Glasgow King’s Oct. 9. Donald Peers scoring at Em- pire, Edinburgh, and will also play the Empire, Glasgow. Last time he was in Scotland it was in straw- hat revue. Markov a-Dol j,ri ballet causing Ipng lines at Glasgow Alhambra. Regal: cinema, Glasgow, marking 21st birthday and inviting Anna Neagle as guest of honor. New play, “A Guardsman’s Cup of Tea,” by Thomas Browne, skedded for Glasgow, Oct; 23. Rosamund John, Ellen Pollick and Andrew Crawford head cast. ex- By Jerry. Gaghan Magicians of the Eastern States Assn, are having their convention at the Hotel Adelphia Oct. 22-24. B. S. P'ully doubling,*! in “Guys and Dolls” at Shubert theatre and at. little Rathskeller Cafe; across the street. The Shubert theatre has $75,000 in mail orders, three .weeks in ad- vance of the opening of Cole Porter’s “Out of This World.” Jackie Miles filled in last two days. (13-141 of Martha Raye ..run at Latin Casino, when comedienne had to rehearse for Milton - Berle TV show,. . ; Paul Wliiteihan received; the 1950 PAL award for his work foi teenagers on his ABC-TV pro- gram, at the annual Police Athletic League dinner in the Bellevue Stratford (13 V.. By Hal Cohen Nick Covato arid zany band off on tour Of the midwest. “The Consul” booked into Nixon Dec. 18 under Guild auspices. Stan Lenchner named head of radio department for Community Chest. Mel Tonne opens two-week engagement at Bill Green’s On Nov. 3! Polly Rowles. local actress/sign- ed for role in “The Golden State” with Josephine Hull. George Murphy coming on from Hollywood for animal Variety Club banquet bn Sunday (22). Bill Kinsey and missus doing publicity this season for Harris- burg. Community Theatre. By Larry Solloway Roney Plaza reopened last week- end. It’s now air conditioned, will run the year’round. . Site of Celebrity Club on 23d ~ J street, back to former owner, now George Jesse] will toastmaster ( that Alan Gale . is building own the mid-century dinner of the Mo-' spot; - 4 I Atl : ' *t"^l •' TJ (AMnAUn A k. ' «trUi aL . : ' -Tl Jr vv**j UAifAAW r \S X. Aliy tion .Picture Pioneers at ' which Spyros Skouras, 20th Fox prez, will be accoladed as “Pioneer of the Year,” Affair will be held Nov; 16 at the Waldorf-Astoria.' Fire damaged the clun rooms of . the Mask & Wig Club, University of Pennsylvania undergrad the- atrical group, damaging portraits and caricatures of members done by Maxfield Parrish and Agnes Allen. Charles Johnson* manager of J 1^/ V i Mother Kelly’s brought back shows.this week, for fall reopening, with Lou Vogle and the Quintones fentursd Butlin’s, $5,000,000 resort in the Bahamas, which opened last year with a casino-pbpprice rooms idea, in receivership. Mrs, Walter Winchell and daugh- ter Wanda have a cottage at Gulf- stream apartments for season. Winchell • is due to join them this week. By Bill Conlan Berlin ; Industry Fair attracting people from all over. Europe/ The influx has boomed nightclub biz. West German government deci- sion to limit number of American pix imported to 100 arousing an- tagonism from public and some Berlin producers, . American pix currently showing at the big houses are “Three Musketeers,” “Paleface,” “Young Man with Horn,” “Chain Light- ning” and “Dark Passage.” Arrangements .underway to pro- duce “Arsenic and Old Lace” and “The Women” here in December. Approval miist be obtained from the U. S; High Commissioner prior to any commitments.. Milan - By Luigi Gario Trio Rayazzolo, coniic adagio dancers, at Teatro Odeon after a six-month ‘ tour of : Germany arid Central Europe. The Venetian 'Co.* of Baseggio and Gheraldi at the Excelsior pre- senting. “Sundown,”,, a, coriiedy by Renato Simofii. 'Ebe Bertelii, ballet dancer work- ing /in niteries, back from Cairo, has left for Switzerland, Belgium and Holland on-tour., Walt D i s n e y ’ s “Cinderella,” shown for four days only at. the Capitol here, did c a p a c i t y five shows daily. It will be dubbed in Italian before being preemed in other Italian spots. By Florence S. Lowe ; Telenews opening a D. C. change. Shep Fields current at hotel Statler’s Embassy Room; Rudy Vallee into hotel Shore- ham’s .Blue Room next Monday. 1 (23).": - Miguelito Valdos opened at Hotel Carlton’s Conga Room last Monday night for an indefinite run. , Catholic U preeming its theatre season Oct; 27 0 With its version of the prize winning “Madwoman of Chaillot.” Buddy Lester, current headliner at Club Kavakos, has been inked to do two NBC-TV shows with Kate Smith. Uline Arena back in show biz with -Renfro Valley hillbilly jam- boree and Ralph Flanagan orch do- ing one nighters. Nathan Golden, Dept, of Com- merce film head, and Jake Flax, Republic Pictures rep, off to Pitts- burgh next week to represent Tent 11 at Variety Club’s mid-season conclave. Frank Fontaine planed in from Boston. Charles Boyer returned from Montreal. : Henry Rogers in town after three Weeks in N. Y. Kim Spalding’s new screen name is Ross Latimer. Terry Turner out of the hospital after a nasal operation. Sid Rogell returned from busi- ness conferences in N. Y. Mrs. Eddie Prince recovering from emergency surgery. Ruth Warrick out of the hospi- tal after successful surgery.* Steve Brodie recovering from an emergency appendectomy. Bill Hebert recovering at home after a collapse from overwork. Watson Webb bought Jules Stein's estate at Lake ArrowheafL William Farnuhi returned from N. Y. where he was a guest of the Lambs. Edward L. Alpersoii reported improved after a Week of virus infection-: Norman Moray in from N. Y. for huddles about short subjects at Warners. Yic Damone returned to work at Metro after a week out with an infected leg, IrV Kiipcinet in from Chicago to line up Hollywood names for the Harvest Moon Ball. Victor Mature walking for the first time since recent motorcycle accident in Montana. Mai Boyd addressed the month* ly dinner of the Society of Motion Picture Comptrollers, Republic Studio Club will hold its annual shindig; at the Elks Lodge, Burbank, Nov. 4. Dick Powell is the only Holly- wood thesp on the Apparel Crea- tors’ list of best-dressed men; Charles P. Skouras in from Washington Where he huddled with Department of Justice officials. William Beaudine started his 35th year in film business and his 500th picture, “Bowery Battalion.” Wanda Hendrix, Robert Stack and Robert Preston in from Mex- ico City where they made “The Tiger,”. Bill Hickman recovering from a punctured ear drum sustained on location with the “Red Badge of Courage” troupe. Walter C. Christensen, former contact between the Marines and the film studios, reported wounded in action in Korea. Jack. L. Warner awarded the 1950 Certificate of Appreciation by the National Society for Crippled Children and Adults. "Cedric Gibbons was presented an award by the Society of Motion Picture Art Directors for his con* tributions to the; film art. Richard Owen in from Houston to line up film companies for space in the industry exposition at the national TOA convention. John Ford won a citation from the United Veterans of Indian Wars for “preserving the glory of America’s colorful frontier his- By D. L. Grahame Jose Yazbek bought in heavily in Monumental Films. Sigi Weissenberg, pianist/booked for four concerts, in - the' Palace ! of Fine Arts. | Henry Fink, the Cuernavaca bis- j tro, composed another song, “Just 1 a j Little, Slowly.” • Rudolph Loewenthal readying to Rome By Helen McGill Tubbs Italian actress; Maria Denis, re- turned from a trip to Spain. Antonio Petrucci, head of the Venice Festival, on visit here. John Sleeter, ’■American actor, recovering from appendicitis opera- tion. The James Farleys planed out for Switzerland after a few days here. “Miracles Are Not'- Repeated” company, starring Alida Valli and Jean Marais, on location at San Geminiano. Reginald P. Baker here from England for British Producers Assn, conferences with Italian pro- ducers. / The r British Embassy threw a cocktail party for the English and Italian film biggies during the An- glo-Italian film confabs here; ' Jane Wyman will represent War- ners in receiving the “Best Pic- ture of the Month Scroll” from the Holly wood.Foreign Correspondents Assn, for “The Glass Menagerie,” By Les Rees Sammy Kaye played one-nighter at Prom Ballroom.. Henny Youngman held over at Hotel Radisson: Flame Room. Sophie Parker and Joe Griffin back into Gay 90’s, topping seven- act bill. Hotel Nicollet Minnesota Terrace has Fran Warren and Jack Durant with Cecil Golly orchestra, Antin Dorati, Minneapolis Sym- phony orchestra conductor, back from a Holland concert tour. “Skating Vanities of 1951,” which played six nights at St; Paul Audi- torium, brought back Harold Stein- man, the producer, to his home town. Honolulu By.Mabel Thomas Gloria de Haven has returned to Hollywood. N Lloyd Pantages house guest of Doris Duke here. E, Pinza booked for concerts here later this fall. < Ricardo Cortez and bride at the Royal for two months. Hawaii Calls touring west coast With Alfred Apaka featured. New $2,000,000 Matson hotel, Surf Rider; Under construction at Waikiki. Consolidated American Co. go- ing all out on talent search for Warner Bros, General Douglas MacArthur gave Tats Matsuo the green light to bring 80 top circus performers here from Japan. . : Harry Owens were: special guest of United Air Lines. While, here he found a real beauty from Maui for his TV show. - Jose Iturbi , packed civic arid- to a sellout house despite 6,300 seat capacity. Two nights later, with his sister^ he did the same thing. Jack Bolton, of Music Corp. of America, came along for the ride on new United airliner, with Joan Fontaine, Ann Miller and Con- stance Moore. Peter Lawford will have three days here enroute to Australia. Bob Hope gave numerous shows to vets during his , short layover here. Marilyn Maxwell and Gloria De Haven also worked end- less hours entertaining. Despite bad breaks, tape recordings of Hope’s show Sunday were finished under terrific pressure.