Variety (June 1952)

M19CBUANV W* In****;. June 4, 1951 Show bit I# being confronted-f' with an anomaly next season, In f the face of a hypoed draw Jot bal : let on the toad* and increased im terest in the" classic terp art" in stage plays and especially motion pictures, there will he less higtime ballet on tour than In some-years. For the first time In Several sea- sons, no foreign classic tsoupe will be traipsing the U. S. countryside. At the moment, it looks as if' just one major ballet company will be out on tour. Where there wefce six major clas- sical ballet troupes, in New York three seasons ago, this fall will see only two—N, Y, City Ballet and Ballet Theatre, The road, at this moment, anyway, will get but one •—Ballet Theatre. Ballet Rusxe de Lena, Stone, Blake Sock . At London Palladium London, June 3. Lena Horne* after an absence of two seasons, made a sock' appear ance at the Palladium here, doing a 40-minute stint tp top mitting. Harvey Stone, who also is making his- first stand here M a couple of years, Was a click, and Arthur Blake, doubling from the Baga-J telle, had the'top hand of the -day/' Saul Grauman showed a pleasing novelty at the opening show yes- terday (Mon.). „ * Layout also includes Clifford Australian* .. ventriloquist, To Paris i^ABEL GREEN. Layout Is, ip for two weeks. Toronto Rabbi Rapped For Appeal to Boycott _ Guest, Monte Carlo, which has toured the who has played-the IJ. S. several U. S. extensively for the past 14 times; Freddie Bamberger & Pam; seasons without a break, hasn't Set Dandy Bros, and Krista ** Kristel. any bookings yet-for next-year, whereas its usual season's tour is generally all pencilled in by end of April. Sadler's Wells Ballet of London, which 'was here twice, two and fhree seasons ago, and took In 000,000 on its second visit, of 20 weeks; its sister troupe, Sadler's Wells Theatre Ballet, which was . Toronto, June 3. here this past season, and also gar- With Rabbi Abraham Feinberg, nered $2,000,000 on its 27-week leader of the Jewish faith in To- *tay; Ballets de Paris, which was a TO nto, urging Toronto Jews (some sock draw three seasons ago, and 60,000 here) to boycott the recital the Marquis de Cuevas' Grand tonight (3) at Massey Hall of Wal- Ballet de Monte Car Jo, seen here ter Gieseking, newspapers here are briefly In 1040—won't be back next editorially backing the German pi- se Ason.* impresario Sol Hurok, an i S t and censuring the rabbi, however, is promising another Sad- Gilles Potvin, sponsor of Giese- ler’s Wells Theatre Ballet visit in king’s current Canadian concert *53-54. four, said the pianist had been an Hurok, . incidentally, known in- undercover anti-Nazi who had aid- formally for years in the trade as e a many Jtws to escape from con- "the ballet king,” won’t have either Generation camps; that he had doc- uments from top U, S. Army of- ficials to support the claim, plus similar documentary endorsements from Jewish organizations in Eu- rope and South America Andre Puglia, manager of Giese- king, was a member of the French resistance movement during the war, said Potvin; and ‘‘Gieseking 1 (Continued on page 63) H domestic or foreign troupe on tour, his plans'to troupe the N. Y. (Continued on page 63) HAZEL SCOn REBOOKED FOR ISRAEL; BAND ADDED Hazel Scott, who did a three week concert tour of Israel last December, is . slated for a repeat next winter Instead *of doing a ; single, however; pianist will be ac- companied by a band* That will permit added variety in the' show particularly in light of the grow- ing attraction for Israelis of mod- em jazz. Band idea was instituted'by Jack Amidor, Israeli concert manager, Who books the acts in the U. S., with Lena Horne. She's recently completed a tour. Although Miss Scott's 10 concerts were highly Successful, it’s felt band could still further hypo them and would per- mit an extension of the tour. American acts working in Israel get no dollars out Miss Scott in addition to giving two free con- certs for soldiers., donated half her earnings to wounded service- men. Remainder is frozen. Talk Judy Chi Stand San Francisco, June 3. Judy Garland may take her va- riety show to Chicago in Septem- ber. Deal now Is being discussed for such a stand at the Chicago Opera House. Show would be produced by Sid Luft, who produced the layout now at the Curran Theatre here. Opera House would be taken over on a four-wall basis for a four-week run. Hepburn Breaks Glasgow Record With Shaw Play Glasgow, June 3. Katharine Hepburn, In George Bernard Shaw's “The Million- airess,” broke house records here at the King’s Theatre last week. Play bowed Monday (26) to rave notices, did SRO biz and could easily have run two weeks. Piece will play a limited run in London, and there is a chance it may go to New York, Press interviews here were cut 'to the barest minimum, and, while being elusive, star also won praise from the hard-bitten columnists for her charm. Each night, crowds of young girls and mlddleaged ladies gathered outside the King’s stage- door and applauded her as she left. Paris, June 3. An influx is loading the town with Hollywood picture people, flit- ting In principally from London and' -Rome . , . Indie producer Chaklei Feldman • is huddling, with Italian actorrdirector VlUpri* Detitea in regard to a him venture, the pair/is prepping . . , Clark Gable and Gene Kelly readying their respective Metro, pictures for production in Britain, With Ren GOeta here from London for com fibs. Likewise, Metro "prod« Arthur' Freed and songsmith Jahn- ny Green. ‘ Indie producer Sana Spiegel readying “Melba ” in which Fa- trice Muinsel will" star from the Harry Kurnite script . , . Loew’s, Inc., veepee Leopold Friedman and his wife houseguesting with Metro continental chieftain David Lewis prior to leaving for Vienna and Bad Gasteih with Mrs.-Ben Goetz „ .. Claudette Colbert and husband, Dr. Joel Pressman, here awaiting the arrival from New York of Uni- versal - International production head Bill Goetz. Trio then goes.to London to take in Jack Benny's opening at the Palladium. Paramount’s John Byrsm, alsq Dick Mealand, here prior, to head- ing for .London with N.’ Y.. Post drama critic Rickard Watte . Georie Raft making "The Black Pawn” in Britain, which Bernie Luber is producing for Lippert re- lease . . , MCA’s Jules C. Stein due in London Saturday (7). Meantime, Doris Stein is readying the house MCA has taken over for-its Paris headquarters under David Stein The William Holdens.’ and- Billy Wilders continuing their European travels and huddling with Eric Von Stroheim, who is permanently re- siding here, on their next picture. Only Gloria Swanson was needed to complete the cast of “Sunset Boulevard” . . . Paramount hud dling with Peter Ustinov on a one- picture deal after his current Lon- don show, “Love of Four Colonels,” closes at the Wyndham next week . . . Nathan Golden, chief of the U. S. Dept, of Commerce’s motion picture division, continuing his* Eu- ropean survey. French Linq’s Liberte ■ loaded with filmites returning to the U. S. including John G. McCarthy, -di rector of the Motion Picture Assn of America's international division .Phil Reisman, RKO foreign chief: Edwin (Buddy) Morris, music pub Lee Eastman, show biz attorney, and songwriter Harry .Warren TV-Par actress Mary Sinclair here to make a series of vidpix for Mar- tin Stone. Sdnp as Tangliest In WorHfor O’seas Acts * Sydney, May 27. Wally Boag, American featured in David N, Martin's vaudtft-evue, “TJie Peep Show/' current at the Royal here, said that overseas tal- ent found Australia “the toughest spot In the, world on taxation,” Boag added; that performers prior lit accepting Down Under engage- ments should learn all about tjh^ ocal tax * slugs... Boag added that '. 'HOllywdOd, June 3. A special committee to aid fllm- ites who feel they have been un- justly accused' of, COmmunist sym- pathies is being mapped by the Motion Picture Industry Council. Individual Member groups of the MPIC are voting, on ,* resolution he had no axe to grind about-work- creating a spbeiit board to serve, as ing conditions fn the Aussie zone, (these were flnel but that the local taxation mogul^hifcd^ JaEfca beys o shame. Asked what he considered tough from a taxation viewpoint of an overseas performer, Boag replied that no deductions were allowed a clearing hoUSSL for all informa- tion, and to permlt accused person- nelto clear..theipselves. Committee kW^ ' hog&lr 4kep*4h*. Red issue out of the nation’s press while the industry itself solves problems arising from various ac- cusations. Suggestion for such a moye originally was made by MPIC for hotel and living expenses. He prexy. Gunther Lessing in 1950, but Had sought, deduction* for Ms wife feMed ^n- If. rtvlwd now fel- j , , ,,, . .. M Tr , c w lowing VARtmr’s revelation that and two children in the U. S. t but American Legion lias submitted was informed that .since" they were to the studios! lengthy list of film- favored in Australia, no deductions ltes whose loyalties the Legion has were permissible, questioned. , Boag pointed out that iaxation ^ processes through which their officials also refused to okay an own personnel could answer accu- expendlture on toupees (costly satlon< but no provision* had been item currently), publicity made for freelancers. The pro- graphs ^^dl * °ut»i.d.e the p OSe( j AIPIC committee would take territory. .Living costs are Pretty care pf this situation since it would high here and by the J **5? hear complaints brought hy any pays, tough tax slugs it takes all an( j a |j. picture workers, the glitter off a Down Under en- xyroTr* ^ gagement 'for an American per- an former,” Boag added. Don Marquis, of the Marquis Family animal act current in the show, also backed up Boag about the toughness of Aussie tax slugs covering visiting acts. He stated he was refused any tax deductions for the added cost of operating a MPIC leaders /feel' the Commit- tee will serve as ;a.clearing house for all questions dealing with Com- munist infiltration Jof the industry. It would be open not only to those who feel they have been unjustly accused but also* to those who claim they have been blacklisted and are unable to get jobs because of their political . sympathies* Recurrent special truck to transport the act complaints from certain anti-Com on playdate coverage. munists that they, too, have been Both Boag and Marquis contend- discriminated against in employ- ed that visiting artists should be ment would apparently come under *told, prior to signaturing a contract the same committee for a Down Under run; about the local taxation setup covering al- lowable an'd non-allowable tax de- ductions. BBC-TV IN STRONG PITCH TO LEGIT PRODUCERS Laughton Has Bad Time . London, June 3. Leading London legit manage- _ . nl m * ments have been invited by British On London PlaneTnps -tS London, .June 3. those to whom overtures have al- Damone Back in U.S. Vic Damone, in the Army tbe past year, stationed in Germany, returned to the U. S. last night (Tues.) by plane to aid in the Armed Forces recruiting campaign. Damone,- a pfc., will cut a new tune, “The Girls are Marching,” for the women in the U. S. Air Force. Tune was penned by Jule Styne, Betty Comden and Adolph Green. While in Europe he helped stage servicemen shows. Subscription Order Form Enclosed find check for $ Please send VARIETY for 6/34 To ., Street City. . (Pleas® Print Name) Zone. • • • State . Regular Subscription Rates One Year—$10.00 Two Years—$18.00- Canada and Fortign~~~$1 Additional per Year P^ftlETY Inc. 154 W»st 44th Street New York 34. N. Y. Ohio Jurist’s Critique: Tine’ Show by Fem-Male But‘Improper Dress’ Columbus, June 3. A publicity man's idea for pro- moting the “Jewel Box Revue” at the Riviera Theatre Bar here resulted in the arrest of a femme impersonator who turned up as one of the contestants in a beauty con- test on the stage of Loew's Ohio, downtown first-run house, last % Wednesday' , (28). Paul Laveme Cummings, of the troupe, was jugged after being detected as an entry in a “Miss National Boat Race of 1952” con- test at the film house. He dressed .in a woman’s bathing suit and wore a hair ribbon, makeup, and high- heeled shoes which lace up the leg. . Municipal Court Judge Wayne Fogle said he thought the perform- er had put on a “fine performance” but set a fine of $25 and costs on a charge of “improper dress.” Barry Gray Playing Himself in Cowan Pic Barry Gray, the N. Y. disk jock- ey-commentator, has been set to play himself in Lester Cowan’s New York film production of “Main St. to Broadway,” being made un- der the auspices of the Council of the Living Theatre. Flock of top names from the Broadway theatre are set to play themselves in the pic, which is due to start in about a week. Charles Laughton suffered two setbacks in his attempts to plane to London last week to see J. B. Priestley's “The Dragon's Mouth,” which . he plans to present in America later in the year. He set out last Monday (26) via plane but it developed engine trouble and had to return to New York. Laughton quit the plane, which resumed the flight after ready been made are Val Parnell, Jack Hylton, and TOm Arnold. Ronald Waldman, head of ’ TV light entertainment, who initiated the discussions, is anxious to secure the cooperation of the best crea- tive brains of the theatre and 'to have the benefit of their experi- ence in staging shows. There is no suggestion of usin? extracts from current London productions. If some delay. He failed to advise the project matures, entirely new London and J. B. Priestley and shows Will be staged. Leslie Grade waited in vain at the London airport. Two days later Laughton set out via another airplane line. This plane also developed engine trouble and had to return to its New York base. Laughton walked off for the second time. The BBC in the meantime is dickering with several West End managements for inclusion of ex- cerpts from current London pro- ductions. Stumbling block at the moment'is the desire of managers,, to' be granted facilities on the peak Sunday night programs. This would interfere with the existing practice of having- a full-length play. Inclusion of a 40-minute ex- cerpt would upset the timetable. April Admish Tax Off ' By Million From; ’51 Washington, June 3. Entertainment biz continues off from last year on the basis of ad- missions tax receipts reported by Uncle Sam."^-Bureau of Internal | <4 Night in Venice,”. spectacle to Revemm got $25,787,461 from the presented by Michael Todd at 20% general admissions tax in April, which generally means that Rowboat to Patrol », t Backstage at ‘Venice the Marine. Stadium, Jones Beach, N. Y., opening June 26, will have a cast of 400, according' to the pro- ducer. H e claims this will be the largest number of actors assembled .April tax take, however, was far at the same place and time in sev- better than the Government’s $19,- eral years, including Equity meet- 863,000 for the previous month, ings. it represented March at the turn- stiles. The figure was about $1,000,- 000 below the same month of 1951, and showed a seasonal upturn in biz. About 80% of the general ad- missions bite comes from motion picture theatres. Tax take from the 20% bite on Todd also says he's providing a wholesale meal ticket for the Stage Managers' Club, nine of whose members will -be employed on the show, including one.who will be. nitery tabs’was $3,848,102, approx- assigned to a rowboat to patrol the imately $350,000 better than the backstage, which is an island, month before and $150,000 more 1 a™u R S nue Bureau receipts in | Boothman Wins ?140,000 In Irish Sweepstakes April, 1951. New York’s 3rd Internal Revenue District, which takes in all of Man- hattan above 23rd St., turned in a very nice $4,385,000 for the month, contrasted with $2,916,000 the month before. Manhattan’s night spots paid the Government $335,- 758, an improvement over the $291,376 of the preceding month. * Toronto, June 4. Solly Cohen, 51, projectionist at the Victoria ’here, won $140,000 in the annual Irish Sweepstake*. Cohen said that a large number of relatives and friends, who can use the money. Will benefit from his good fortune.