Variety (August 1954)

MISCELLANY Wednesday, Aagmt.4, 1954 ’il lt ' i vi i *. \ i D i Twilili, ME Annual trek of foreign language 4 film importers to the Venice in- 7yr r P a i] Franklin Deny ternational film fest is about to iuC^dii, r *« UIV * j get under way once more, but the • Ties to vOlllItHiniSin indies aren’t exactly Enthusiastic Los Angeles, Aug. 3. over their chance of picking up Mary McCall Jr., former prexy of any bargains. the screen Writers Guild, appeared Feeling prevails In N. Y, that, as a voluntary witness before-the even though Venice remains along California Senate Un-American with the Cannes festival an impor- Activities Committee and denied tant showcase and, as one importer charges that she was a Communist put it, "a good place to take the or a . Red sympathizer. She de- European producers’ temperature,” c i are d the present setup is based its importance as an actual mar- on “faulty and incomplete infor- ket place for foreign pix is dimin- ma tion” and urged that the De- ishing. partment of Justice be permitted “You can see there what you’re to- supply clearances for the “pro- not going to buy,” cracked one of tedtion of the innocent, the indies in a kidding-on-the- Another witness, rtul FrenMm.. square mood, former prexy of the Radio Writers Trouble as the N. Y. importers Guild, also denjed any connecUon I see it, is partly due of the House Corn- system under _y-hich the vanous m . ttee on Un . American Activities plx for makine a in Southern California will be held v rong atmosphere for making a November. Object of the deal," was one comment. If a - " . , wintt up the com . HORACE'HEIDT Currently On Tour Under Personal. Management WALTER PLANT t - 4 . "Tt’c iiict mmee on un-Auicuwii $XiSSTS p“S:! 6go swells to tne point wneie ne wuiinm Whppler investigator 1 will refuse to make any deal at -J™ 1 "* Wh«eler investigaioi all unlesson terms that, are fantas- tat the &-J£'3&JBZ22'S£Z etrpurp^is^ Clean,up loose Somehow it’s shrugged oft if lt% Cicero, Or Phenix City (Ala.) or some incest-ridden backwoods community in. Arizona. More so if it's the brothel belt in Marseilles, Casablanca, Port Said, Suez Saigon, Havana, -Shanghai or kindred exotic-sounding, faraway cesspools; Then it almost "assumes a romantie aura. But * the hoodlumism, perversion, Skid Rowlsm,* B-girl stuff, reefer roughs aiid all the other petty, and grand vices which have grown rampantin the Times Square an(l|$Ighth Avenue sectors of Manhattan bring the nasty sld^ fi^|^ our doorstep, It is to the great credit of Chief Inspector Stephen P, Ken- nedy that he did what he diet just this past weekend in rounding up New fork’s midtown vagrants, hustlers.^ hoodlums, and the dope-peddling; reefer-happy bums, -'\\x But that’s not enough. It should be kept up until the show- case showplace of the world’s greatest city-is made attractive and palatable again..- That comes only from-a.hpalthy respect of the law. ^ ; , Fire Island’s Cherry Grove or Greenwich Village’s haunts of. the third sex are mere tomboy havens compared to wha’ hoppens nightly on 42d St., in that block between 7th and 8th Ave$. It is a camping ground of queers at their worst. And a coincidental hoodlum element has made it an adventure to stop into, one of the many Army & Navy outlet stores on that block even in the middle of so-called theatre hours. * a buyer against the other, .always purpose as to cioapm raising the price and never really ends o f previous heatings , intending to sell to either. It’s a “ • 1 ■' waste of time, in a way.” <llJI11*a >111* Nevertheless, many of the in- [1/lolniTO Wintl£ dies continues to make the Venice HlfllMUfl Yv ilUlC trip as a convenient means of look- ing over "the cream of Europe’s - . W film crop. Among those ^oing are |m \An0CTI3Vl P Tom Brandon, Edward R. Kingsley g|| I and Richard Davis. Importers say that Venice is a fine Occasion for m W' . «• p renewing old acquantainces, but I aw K a|iA| not for doing business. £ flA l\Cllvl Outsmart Themselves Example is cited of how festivals By GENE MOSKOWITZ. like Venice work, in a way, to the San Sebastian, Aug. 3. Paris, Aug. 3. for winos who ir U. S, buyers in J?* . down there thei fashion collections bounced Pans ed nitery trade out of its midsummer siaewaiK-peas. doldrums during the past week. The Broadway Assn., the Times Square property owners, out- put. with the main fashion galas 0 f-town and in-town visitors to the Broadway belt have com- l.ow ove’ nitery ops^who had p i a t nec i with such frequency—and until now ineffectually—that cust lt and W call h it U a^suirf- they have became cynical about the whole thing. “Somebody’s : rlii are making no changes in getting paid off,” was the, characteristic-and perhaps realistic [ their shuttering schedules. — conclusion. Else how could the pUnderefs to the hoppys hunt- [ Weekend saw closing of up- ing grounds operate? Not to mention the bookies, the grifters stairs supper club of Regence Res- and the other flotsam of the night who converge on certain cor- taurants in ’ Palais^Royal section, ners a nd make beachheads in certain cafeterias and bars which Club St. James, smart Champs- seemingly are known semi-official bases for their operations. Elysees midnight meeting place, and Bohemian Fiacre-in Saint-Ger- It-may be only coincidence that powerful new realty interests The property and economic damage must be countless. And it isn’t limited to West 42d St. The entire Times Square-belt, from 6th (pardon, the Avenue of the Americas) to 8th Ave., from 42d'into the 50s, in certain unstrategic comers, are rife with reefer peddlers, bums,, hustlers, molesters of decent women, and out-and-out juvenile delinquents. School and church stoops in the several Times Square blocks have become unofficial HQ for winos who make the Bowery bum look like a gent—at least* down there there are the 25c and 50c flophouses—instead of Club St. James, smart Champs- Elysees midnight meeting place, and Bohemian Fiacre-in Saint-Ger- main-des-Pres. Standard deluxe involved in the lease (and right-to-buy) the Hotel Astor—truly like Venice work, in a way, to the San Sebastian, Aug. 3. tourist favorites which offer en- the crossroads of the world—came into the Times Square pic- detriment of Continental pro- Although this _was . technically tertainment or floor show^-siich as ture coincidental with Chief Inspector Kennedy’s crackdown, ducers, too. Last year, a high cash the second manffestation, o: this Lido, Monseigneur Nouvelle Eve, capably assisted by Police Inspector George Neary. guarantee was offered by an. film festival at the Spanish resort Eve, Dinarzade, Casanova, She- r American .for an Italian film. The town of San Sebastian, this year’s herazade“ and Carroll’s—are re- The Times Square cleanup is the finest spotlight warning to offer was considered, but then the fete, which wound Saturday (31), is maining open and expect to do the ruffians that New York’s “finest” can mean business, given picture was entered at Venice aiid considered the first because last won a prize. Immediately, the pro- year’s affair was primarily a film (Continued on page 54) we <* and te5tin S e round - This > ear 2 First Prizes, 3 Second Place Awards to Yanks it entered the annals, with the blessing of the international Assn, of Producers, as the third “B” fes- tival or an international festival without any prizes. However, fete authorities got up an internal prize . _ • __ . __ fpr the best Spanish film, of the . . Af Prplim VaIHPP Fpl’P-f 0111, Entered by making up a jury Legit edition of Haris Christian /II I I CllUl V CUHC L CIC j six foreign journalists and six Andersen,” for production in mu- Venice, July 27. ‘ local scribes. This kudo went to sical tent theatres, is being adapted Yank entries walked off with J “Sierra Maldita” (“Cursed Moun- by Frank Loessei\ who supplied two first prizes and three seconds tain”), directed by Antonio Del the songs for the Danny Kaye film in the documentary and children's Amo and starring Ruben Rojo and romance about the Danish story- films sections of the Venice Film Lucia Rosales. Fest preemed July teller. Composer-lyricist intends zade“ and Carroll’s—are re- The Times Square cleanup is the finest spotlight warning to ling open and expect to do the ruffians that New York’s “finest” can mean business, given (Continued oil page 10) the proper impetus. Chief Inspector Kennedy rates one of those ——— fabulous free feeds in the grand ballroom of the Astor for which U l If T i that Gotham landmark is so justly famed. He’ll probably get it, isser-Hoyt Map lent too, if the hotel’s Robert K. Christenberry has his say. He has Ok P D* T • more tf 12111 a casual stake in everything, not only as president duOWS rTOni 11C lunersj and' managing director of the hotel’s management company but y. i • n . ' as head of the Broadway Assn. Abel Aiidersen as First — ————— • ■ . ————— Loesser-Hoyt Map Tent Festival, which just ended here, i 24 and map an eight-day cycle of to co-produce it with strawhat pack- Dfif'iimpntarv pranrt nrizp wpnt tn15 nix from eight countries (U; S.. ager-agent Howard Hoyt, for sum- Jessel Mulls’Anna Held’ Biopic With Top Paris Stripper, Yvonne Menard Documentary grand prize went to ! 15 pix from eight countries (U; S., ager-ageiu nowara noyi, ior sum- Australia’s “The Back of Beyond,” England, France, Mexico, Argen- nier bookings next year, directed by John Heyer for Shell ti'na, Germany, Italy, and Spain). Project is reportedly the first of Film Unit. Pic is story of trip- by 1 Charles Delac, prexy of IAP, was a series from film musicals by a mail truck across Aussie waste- on hand and nixed an. attempt of LOesser and package-produced in lands. j (Continued on page 10) partnership with Hoyt. Another U.S. winners were topped by “Time Out of War” in the tele sec- tion of the festival. Medium- lengther by Denis Sanders for his senior thesis at UCLA, i.os An- Jantzen FUmusical ;o co-produce it with strawhat pack- . George Jessel, just returned ager-agent Howard Hoyt, for sum- I\ •- 1\ • 1 from a month s trip to London, " ***"■.. of Despite Raids ssa* a n»„ a a n,i H^ ^ ^ Project is reportedly the first of *' VO r‘ V Irvin Marks _ paris . agent a series from film musicals by Y Cltv the property. It’s a French biog- Loesser and package-produced in A/ie . rai< *£ . ine • *;■ Y * ra nhv reoentlv mihlished in Paris Dartnership with Hoyt. Another police m the Times Square dis- . in would likely be “Dancing on a trict last weekend, which resulted ^iss Held’s daughter, Dime,” Paramount release for *n a roundup of more than 100 ijia " a f™’ which Loesser supplied the lyrics -persons, haven’t dented the popu. Miss Held wa$ a famed pro- to tunes by Burton Lane. As far lation of assorted characters to World War I star of the ZiegieJd geles, was previously shown in the ! Humor Mari” and “The Fuller .m j . ■ * lUllCb UY JLIU 1 lull uaitc .* no — vv - > , Hollywood, Aug. 3. % Known .Loesser has no immedi- any extent. The area bounded Follies,” later marriedTto,Flo Zicg e idiom as The Good hv Sixfh fn l^iohfh a .roc onri feld. .whose “millc hath” exoloila In the same idiom as “ ate plans for similar versions of by Sixth to Eighth Aves. and told, .whose “milk bath” exploila- his two stage musicals. “Where’s from 42d to 49th Sts. hasn’t dimin- tion made her the personification TT q on • “Omn h,,s» nthor Vank 1 o “ 4 v his two stage musicals. “Where’s trom 4Zd to 49th Sts. hasn’t dimin- non made ner tne pei kudos w?nf b to ‘T^hristr^he^ i ? ru ? h vet s j' reei ‘ wn 5f r K .®P Charley?” and “Guys and Dolls.” ished in assorted weirdies despite of Parisian naughtiness kudos went td Christopher i Englund has collaborated with . . . the well-Dublicized raids It’s trnp TpsspI hac Vvnnnp l\ Prnmnot n firef nr norinnne j /r\ \j n T.npccpr ic riirrpntlv onmnlpfirip i-ic wcu puuiiu£eu raius. It S true JeSSei nas xvonne 1.1 Menard, the Radiography,” and “How>to Make | j an tzen Girl”). Title speaks for it- What They Wanted,” which he in* ^ X..,; o AToflr ? * 1 o mavm/v/1 «m iLn. oLH 1 , a . . . ■ n • a fon/I a 4a m*A/lnoa m r\or*fnrircKiri (vwtlll dUUUl« a Mask,” last-named in the ehil-! se if’ keyed'to the w k northwest tends to produce in partnership . ' American ^ e 5ut for Lou Waltcis dien’s film section. : swim suU manufacturer with his wife, Lynn Loesser. kitex . The honkytonks are still enjoy- this fall. She t will play the oNVlIll oUU lllallUIaCLUl .... ... 1 ... ltTP nnfimtimD Kneinocc 4 -V» avia amo t ofin o m Mifimi TSaqoIi nnfl . , —. . swim suit manmacturer that he boomtime business, there are Latin Quarters in'Miami Beach and The 26 participating nations. Jerry Wald is eyeing it for Kim ... still a lareo numhpr of accArfod. Npw York for Walters. Jessel. bv cwL f ffW- 8 -nations j erry.waia is eyemg.it ior ivim. Kanin on a misicarcomedv sti11 a lar g e number of assorted New York for Walters. Jessel, by showed a total of 98 pix at these Novak, and Ed Muhl has it under son Kanin on a musical comedy, character _ eoinrfdpnep has nlterv commit- iowcu a io.ai oi pix at tnese .-Novax, ana to Mum nas^t onoer characters patrolling the streets, coincidence, has nitery commlt- . p . r i 0r o t ,° the i .. a i" cx P l01tatl0n ‘ ald *y* 04 WhlCh “ “ port * ,Uy and none of the brassy glitter of ments with Walters for several.I« festival opening here Aug. 22. picture at Universal, Subscription Order Worm 'LOCATIONS' UP TO DATE the area has surrendered to the weeks which.will coincide with Miss wave of activity by the police. The Menard’s debut in Florida arid on various bistros, well-populated by Broadway. . servicemen, have lost few of their — Enclosed find check for $ Please send VARIETY for°wo Years Rossen j, In Spain, ^ cans soliciting for^ dubious Anti-Commie Art Arthur ' . (Continued on page 54) flirtfiPC “Authentic background abroad — UailIlC5 1UM are a definite plus in terms of the l n L n rnM-nll C„a c A,ta,. Hollywood. I audience,” states indie filmmaker V'drroil oues UVeF Editor, Variety: jRobert Rossen. “The world is get- ShaiHFOCk Hotel PUflrfl Correction, please! As a veteran I ting smaller and the public wants naiiuc ino ft anti-Comrtiunist arid one of the to see it,” he adds. Tnhn r arrAl i YnAfiAr, AU «ir.f,!,.« early leaders of the fight against Rossen is now preparing “Alex- ac tor, is asking * $205,000 damages ? n 0l hp W prronLu”ly ander the Great” for shooting this through a local district cdurt for lt . disconcerting^ to be exroneou- y fall at various global points. Pic, injuries he claims resulted from a pb ronicle d m . Variety of 28^^ which United Artists will dis- punch from insurance executive Bo as °" e u who admitted assoc tribute, will be locationed mairtly Howard in the Shamrock Hotel, tlons ^. h . ic b lateY ’^ t f e f ^ in Spain and Greece but second- Houston.. were listed as Red fronts in unit lensing also is set for India The suit claims Howard attacked P ie c e headed, ^Chide^ California and Iran, Carroll from behind and without Anti-Red Committee. Rossen, who has the triple-role provocation, Howard's blow is al- My appearance last week befoic of writer, director and producer, leged to have dislocated Carroll’s the California Senate Committee left for Rome over the weekend jaw, injbred his neck and spinal was an anti-Communist reviewing after a brief N.Y. visit to confer cord, aggravated a World War II successful steps taken by, Houy*- Clarifies Past Stand Hollywood. (Please Print Name) Street Shamrock Hotel Punch Dallas, Aug. 3. Editor, Variety: Correction, please! As a veteran anti-Communist arid one of the City Zone. .... State. Regular Subscription Rotes One Year—$10.00 Two Years—$18.00 .r Canada and Foreign—$1 Additional per Year Pft&lETY Ine. 154 .West 46th Street.. New York 36^ N. Y.. ; anci a uiici xi.x. vioil tu luuicjl vviuj a^giuvatcu a yy vuu »r ai am. qwi.vwojj.ui >' a r*t with vUA .exe<?$,*.He’Jl/go.to. Madrid back injury and l.eft him with a wood. to porribat Coqim 4 unist^inin lqtor.-t^is^-weeklfv/ ”h.*h 'in /.’-i: brain bOfictfssidri. , J u ‘ ,,v * v 'j ’’ '(Cdntintied on Y>Rge 1J.) 1