Variety (December 1953)

MIMEIXAXY We<Ine*<lav, December 2, 19.>3 By NED ARMSTRONG * Boston. Deo. 1 Though no one is anxious to he quoted, drama critics in the in- out towns of Washington. Balti- more. Philadelphia and Boston are greatly concerned about the failure again this year of t he Times Square theatre to maintain high lit- erary standards. Everywhere, a shake of the head, a questioning look, accompanies discussion of this season's tryout fare. Few of the plays which have broken through the barrier to be- come hits in New York have been plays which road critics regard as very much, in the literary or dra- matic sense. The obvious success of some new' plays on the sole 'Continued on page 82) Seek U.S. Congressmen’s Intercession to Permit Showing New Hitler Pic Bonn, Dec. 1. C. S. Congressmen are to be asked to intercede to permit the exhibition of a recently-made Ger- man film dealing with the life of \dolph Hitler which has hqen banned on the personal orders “of Chancellor Adenauer after its day- cLate opening in 20 West German ‘-itnations. The order for the film io be withdrawn was issued in the name of the Home Minister S< brooder. The pic was viewed by Adenauer and his ministerial colleagues on the day of its opening. Them he gave immediate instructions for its banning with it is understood, the approval of the three Allied powers in West Germany. The film, titled "Until Five Past 12." <a symbolic reference to the time ol the capitulation), has not only been stopped for exhibition in West Germany, but a bar lias been put up on its export. Accord- ing to agency repbrts, the decision was taken because the picture showed Hitler in a sympathetic light, but show biz execs who saw the film at its proem claim that it 'Continued on page 71» Two reps of Hollywood's Produc- tion Code Administration have nix-d in advance any filmization of the current legit smash. "Tea and Sympathy,” as it’s now played. Geoffrey Shurloek. the Code’s second in command to Joseph I. Breen, and staffer Jack Bizzard cross-countried from the Coast to view the Robert Anderson play and. offer their appraisal in terms of pic adaptation. The Codesters reportedly re- turned west with the verdict that drastic changes would be required before any film version could (jiialiiv for Cede endorsement. In its list of "particular applica- tions.’’ the Code states: "Sex per- version or any inference of it is forbidden.” While there's no actual sexual deviation in the Anderson play, it does focus on a student at a bovs* school who is falsely ac- HORACE HEIDT FOB LUCKY STRIKE Under Personal Management JOHN LEER 111 Fifth Ave.. New York Validity of G. B. Shaw Will Being Challenged By 3 Brit. Art Groups London. Dee. 1. r £he validity of the will of the late George Bernard S.iaw. who left the hulk of his $1,000,000 es- tate to further the use of a new alphabet, is being challenged in a high court action due for hearing next year. Among the interested parties to the hearing will be the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. the Na- tional Gallery of Ireland and the British Museum. Shaw had di- rected that these three institutions jor studio would welcome any row should share the money if his will with the Code. was upset. Asking price for the uie rights , t Shaw, who died three years ago has been close to $500.000. ■ a f the age of 94, directed that the —> *— residue of his estate should be . ... nnn/vnn , used to finance a series of in- IAN KEITH IIP BEFORE ‘fuiries into the English alphabet. Such probes would determine the time, labor and money that could be saved by substituting a 40-let- ter alphabet as against the pres- ent 2G. rur to violent, strongly-contrasting Actor Ian Keith will face charges and misbehavior of drunkenness during a video performance tumor- | row night 'Thurs.i before AFTBA in New York as a remit of his on- tlie-air panning of Nash commer- '• ; als on WOU-TVs "Broadway TV j Theatre” a couple of weeks ago. | (’barges were brought by Warren Wade, producer of iho show, act- Albany. Dee. 1 Marilyn Cantor and Her Three Boy Friends will headline the floor show in the Whip ire Room of the Ten Eyck Hotel this weekend. It is the first date for the pet. a song and dance turn, according to Gus Lampe, director of entertainment and music for Schine Hotels. No mention of Marilyn’s famous father Eddie will be made in ad- vertising or publicity. Lampe told Variety. 'Eddie Cantor made a benefit appearance at Albany Vet- erans’ Hospital in the summer of 1952. while playing a Saturday en- gagement at Totem Lodge, hac k of Troy, for his friend. Henry Tobias, director of entertainment at Hie summer spot. > ing as an indie packager. Keith, according to the charge, appeared at the studio for the pro- duction of "Dark Victory" in an in- toxicated condition and then, while on camera and doing a commercial, insulted the sponsor's product., in- timated that the spiel was a lot of nonsense and finally thumbed his nose on-camera at Wade, who was signalling to him in the control room, Wade charges his behavior en- dangers live television. Station, however, is taking no part in the action, claiming that there’s no point in hounding Keith and that io good will he served by the ac- tion. Nash has stayed with the show despite the incident. Pro- gram olten ires one of the thesps to deliver commercials. Keith was dropped from the show following the incident, hut ‘ince has gotten work in other spots. |h> had the lead in "Kraft It lev Mon Theatre's*’ production of "The While Carnation" on ABC-TV last Thursday '2f>>. No commer- cials, no incidents. Even tin* British seem not to like British shows on Broadway, i'nat goes for "Escapade." anyvvav. Logan Gom lay. theatrical col- umnist for the London Sunday Ex- prevs. commented last week on his reactions during his stay in New York. Under the heading. "Snip- pels in New York During the Week." ho wrote. "I saw how a first class play like Roger Mac- Dougal’s 'sici ‘Escapade’ can be ruined by inept production, care- less east in" and uninspired writ- ing. It is still running in London alter a year. It won't. I fear, be 'Coniinued on page 71) Sullivan’s Europe Quickie, Guest Emcee for ‘Toast’ Ed Sullivan will be absent from tin* Dee. 2*> tele show at whic h time he’il be vacationing in Europe. A guest emcee is still to be booked. Syndicated columnist for the V V Daily News who corfducts "Toast of the Town" on CBS-TV will go abroad with his family for the holidays. He’ll spend Christ- mas in London and New Year’s in Paris He's exnec ted to return home in time for the following week’s progiam. Enclosed find check or m.o. for S Send Variety for one year two years ZONE STATE CITY Dow nbeat toward T\ on Uie part ol Jack L. War- ner is reflected in the new Warner Bros. ’'Eddie Cantor Story" picture. Eyebrow-raiser within the TV trade 'among those who have already witnessed a screening of the film* is the fact that, in reprising the highlights of the Cantor show biz cavalcade, through his /icgteld Follies days” into radio, there's.not a single ref- erence to hi* career as a TV star -even though a newer generation has identified him almost exclusively with the video medium.) Indicate if gift card desired ADDRESS ... CITY ZONE STATE One Year—$10.00 Two Years—-SI 8.00 Canada and Foreign—SI Additional per Year y^RfETY '"«• 154 W«»t 44th Street N«w York 34.