Variety (November 1954)

62 CHATTER Director Richard Thorpe in from Europe and on to the Coaat, Patricia Ann Kelly engaged to Harold Porr* of Variety’s "music .department. , Dore Schary returning to the Coast Sunday (7) after three-week sojourn in the east. _ , George Cukor arrived from Europe and will spend several days in Gotham before Coasting. RCA Victor’s Steven R. Carlin and his actress-wife Peggy back from a month’s Paris and Rome holiday . Carl Brisson is in New York this Week, between hotel dates. He’ll open at the Statler, Hartford, Nov, 15, Robert Vogel, Loew’s Interna- tional rep at the studio; returned to the Coast following homeoffice confabs. Metro Star Edmund Pur.dom ar- riving tomorrow (Thurs.) for two- day visit eh route to the Coast from England. Hazard E. Reeves, prexy of Reeves Souridcraft Corp. and Cine- rama ■Inc.; named a fellow, of the Society, of Motion Picture & Tele- vision Engineers. r Maurice Silyerstein, Latin Amer- ican regional director for Loew’s. International, in for homeoffice talks. Myron -'Karlin, Argentina manager, returned to his head- quarters. Producer : Nicholas Nayfack, di- rector John Sturgis, and Cornel Wilde, returned to the. Coast over the weekend after a . week of shoot- ing locales for .Metro’s “The Scar- lett Coat” in .upstate New York, Howard. Taubman, music editor of the N., Y, Times, was. cocktail- partied yesterday (Tues.) ih honor of his 25th anniversary with the Times, at home of Margaret Car- son Ruff, former publicity rep of the Met Opera, R. Hi Penndorf and Arlene Francis have formed as Lady Arlene Inc. to merchandise simu- lated diamond replicas, of the heart-locket which; has been her tv. trademark. Heart earrings also , added to the merchandising line. Jack Mclnerney Jr., son of the late publicist for the Paramount Theatre, is sports editor of the weekly newspaper of the Third Bomber .Wing in Japan. He is also base sports correspondent for Stars & Stripes and the Air Force Times. Fred Bradna, equestrian: director emeritus of Ringling Brothers- Barnum & Bailey Circus, critically, ill. in Sarasota, Fla. Colorful show- man who was .engaged by James A. Bailey when the circus Visited Europe in 1901, is .84 and the acknowledged : dean: of all circus people in America, Jose Ferrer, scripter Ketti Frings and her, agent-husband Kurt Frings qUickied to Europe over the week- end, directly; after, he completed his riiaideri try as a. film director With locations in N. Y, on “The Shrike,’’ TheyTl do 10 days in Italy and Spain on (1),. a property buy, and (2), some location shots. Agent Paul Marr in Grant Hos- pital, with heart trouble. Jack. McGuire and Vic Wilmot, former Recordland staffers, re- opening flackery. Jacqques Tati w French mimic, in town for three days to plug opening of “Mr. Hulot’s Holiday’’ at Surf. Theatre. Jerry Yale, singing on Howard. Miller tv show currently, added at Blue Note to hypo the Chico O’Farrill- bill, Vera-Elleri here this week, both for TOA and to make appearances' in United Artists lobby fof opening of “White. Christinas.” “Mambo U.S.A.’V With Joe Loco quintet, MachitO orch and Carlos Ramirez set for two performances at Opera‘House next Saturday (6). Pressagent . Herb Kraus tempo- rarily has Sam Honigberg talent accounts While latter is in Holly- wood with George Gobel, deciding, whether to remain. j Bob Qe Vere in town to . plug SatiSfiers] “Rickety .Tickety 'Mel- ody,” a Jim Lowe tune; Lowe, for- mer NBC. staff announcer, is now settled in N.Y. writing, songs. By Les Rees Charlie VentUra combo into St. Paul Flame, Hotel Radisson Flame Room has pianist Jan August. Star Playhouse lias “Voice of the Turtle” for two-week run. Northwest Variety club holding annual election of officers this week. Esther Williams’ stageshow, Which had been set for local Radio City, cancelled. Sol Hurok’s London’s Festival Ballet set for three performances: at Northrop Auditorium Nov, 15- 17. Yma Sumac, and her company here, for one-nighter at Northrop Auditorium this week for Minne- sota U. convocation fund benefit; scaled at $3 top. Old Log Strawhatter Co. to re- turn to Lyceum, Ideal legit house, for another single production, “The Front Page,” with Minneapolis newspaper, people playing most of the roles. It will be third time the Old LOg has presented this play this. way. By Robert F. Hawkins (149 Archimedes tel 877443) Steve Barclay, US. thesper work- ing here, engaged to Italo actress Lyle: Rocco: Mara Lane, Anglo-American ac- tress, in, Rome for fourth role this year, in“Great Adventure.” Sir Alexander Korda, at Taor- mina, reported looking into Si-- cilian film production possibilities. Peter Riethof; prexy. of Amer- ican Dubbing Co., here to o.O. pos- sible plant setup to dub tv films for. li. S. market. Superscope getting local demon- stration at Capitol Theatre. . Wal- ter Branson and Joseph Tushinsky Will present the. process to local trade. Lewis Milestone . Winds, his Turin - shot , pic, “The Black Widow,” shortly. Venturini pro- duction stars Particia ' Roc and Massimo Seraio. Silvana Pampanini set. for local production of “Beauty of Rome,” new pic directed by Luigi Com- encini, who made the successful “Bread, Love and Dreams.” Waft Slate Continued from page .2 Barnpuw and Halsted Welles; for ve.epee, Philo . Higley and Elihu Winer, and for secretary-treasurer, William Kendall Clarke: and John Duff Stradley. The .council will consist of four Writers from live freelance tv; three from live free- lance radio; two. from film free- lance tv; and one . from each of the following categories: staff tv news, transcribed freelance radio, Staff radio news and staff continu- ity. Three Council members are to be elected from the “at large” cate- gory. Seen by observers as a block to TWA interference on the top eche- lons, WGA reprinted portions of the constitution in a letter to mem- bership yesterday, declaring that no, pne can hold: office unless “an. active member in good standing of the Guild”: for the past. year. Many TWAers were also members in one or another of the Guild sections, but there are thos§ who held out until just these past few days. Continued from page' 2 man registration, Fitelson & May- ers told the MPAA that, at no time, had there been any talks 1 with anyone for the film rights of the; show. Complaint was also that the registration, and publicity con-\ neqted with it, “interferes with' the rights of our clients,” It’s pointed out that Fitelson and Mayers apparently overlooked the fact: that the MPAA isn’t a copyright bureau * and acts merely j as a clearing house for title regis- tration so as to avoid expensive duplication, Membership in the; title bureau is voluntary and. it is Open, to both MPAA members and liommembers. Furthermore, Feld- man or any Other producer have a perfect right to register any title they please with the bureau and this. in no way binds. them to. ac- tual production, it’s said. fictional Crime Continued from 1 S mimmmiim, . the last two or three moments of the show,” the investigator said. Clendenen told the Congress that juvenile delinquency had risen 30?o between 1948’ and 1953 and only 6% could be ascribed to pop- ulation increase. Study reveals that most youngsters on the edge of delinquency can not be checked or pulled back by a new recreation center of child guidance center or joining a boys club. “We do our ultimate cause ho good by contrib- uting to wave the banner of delin- quency prevention,” Clendenen J told the penologists* | "7 London John Byram in towfi for casting on the upcoming Broadway pro- duction of “Shangri-La.” Robert Stannage named WB, di- rector of publicity,. Jack Francis takes charge of ad-exploitation. ; Mai Zetterling due to leave for N.Y. to star in the Broadway pro- duction, “A Night in Sammarkand.” After an extended run in the Empress Hall’s summer ice show, Belita left for, California last week. Jack Hawkins to co-star with Alec Guinness in Columbia’s “The Prisonerbased on a recent West End play.. Jack Todd, London recording manager of Westrex* attending a special confab in N.Y. before, going to Hollywood. ,V ; . ..... Hannen Swaffer celebrated his 75th birthday last -Monday (1). Hep is being feted at an honor , lunch by the People next week. “Jean Simmons returned to Lon- don after four years to star in the. Mike Frankoyich and Maxwell Setton production of “Deadlock for Columbia release. Edmund Morris’ play, . ’-The ‘Wooden Dish,” which recently had a season at the Phoenix Theatre, is*, to be broadcast by the BBC next Saturday (6) with Joan Miller in her original role. By Hal V. Cohen Marti Stevens makes her local debut at Ankara week of Nov. 29. Noel Mills (Mrs. Tommy Riggs) to N; Y* to make some tv conW mefcials. Jerry May all, musical director of “Ice Capades,” convalescing after an : operation. Lies Beiderman, Press sports- writer, convalescing at home after major surgery. Sam Pearce ih for series of lec- tures for Theatre Guild-American Theatre Society. DeCastro . Sisters booked for the Copa week of Nov. 22, with Crew Cuts coming in Monday (8). Mrs. Maurice Spitalny spending a few weeks in Indianapolis With her children arid grandchildren^ Jimmy Stewart iriade a trailer for the magic show of hiS old pal and fellow-townsman, Bill Neff. Variety Club’s newly-elected chief barker, L 1 Elmer Ecker, arid his wife celebrated 28th wedding anni. Nancy Wickwire, Tech drama school graduate, signed for Roland Alexander’s new play, “The Grand Prize.” By Lewis Garyo “Knock On Wood 1 -’ (Par) doing SRO biz at the Monumental., “Salome” (Col) doing big trade in its fifth week at the Capitolio Cinema. Erasto arid his dancers* a Por- tuguese troupe, off to fill contracts in Africa. Cinema S. Luiz reopened after' facelifting with a new large gal- lery and C’Scope. “Executive Suite” preetned to good reviews arid plenty of biz at the cftiema S. Jorge. Bico. Doirado nitery reopened with the Rebocho and Carvalho orchs, just back from an African tour. Two new cinemas have been opened in Castelo Branco and Covilha, north of Portugal. New houses already have installed C’Scope. By Walt Christie Rita Ray followed Helen Forrest at .the Clouds, new 1 penthouse; nitery. ' • : Harry Nakamura; Chicago nitery op knowri as “Honolulu Harry,” here hunting new talent, for liis Club Waikiki. Stewart Fern, publicist for Ha- waii Visitors Bureau, quasipublic tourist promotion agency, re- signed, ..with future plans not dis- closed. Webley Edwards, vet creator- producer and emcee of “Hawaii Calls,” running -as Republican can- didate for seat in Territorial legr islature. ' Scotland By Gordon Irving (Kemsley House: Kelvin 159Q) Tommy Morgan, vet Scot comic, bedded with shingles. James P. Sherwood presenting annual circus again at Waverley Market, Edinburgh. “Martin Luther” booked for Wednesday, November 3, 1954 Nbv. 15 start' at Cosmo Cinema, Glasgow art house. Jack Spurgeon & Joan Tucker, ballet team, launching new ballet school at Edinburgh. Stanley Baxter, young Scot coriiedian, likely to join “Half-Past Eight” revue at King’s, Edinburgh, next summer. Claire & Leslie Gonda, terping twosome, back to Continent after season in “Half-Past Eight” revue at Alhambra, Glasgow. Auld Lang Syne tv show, with Jimmy Logan and Kenneth Mc- Kellar, skedded for national net- work on Nov. 30 (St; Andrew’s Night, Scot national day). Santiago “Knock on Wood” (Par) going big at the Rex. “Beneath 12-Mile Reef” (20th) went four weeks at the Astor. Lee. Ann Meriwether, “Miss America,” attracting real attention I here; Chileari government decorated Uruguayan Writer, Blanca Luz Brurii. Phillippa Duke Schuyler, Ameri- can pianist, booked for Municipal Theatre concert. Aristides . Aguilera and singer- wife, Diana Ross, Planed to Lon- don to join , the BBC. “Dos Gemelos bn Aprietos” (Twins in Trouble), Silvana Pam- panini. starrer from Italy, a real click at the Real; Jackson Winter off to Juan Fer- nandez Island to film documentary on Alexander Selkirk, the legend-; ary Robinson Crusoe. .; Tito, Mundt arid Alfred Hertzka, of La Nacion, scribbling new Radio Corporation show, “What, How, .Where, When and Why.,” twice weekly. Eugene D’Arcy, Argentine danc- er and choreographer of “Bim- Bam-Bum” revue and co-owner of King’s Club nitery, deported to Buenos Aires by Chilean gen- darmes. 25 Years After Hollywood Glynis Johns in from London Jackie Coogan returned from Norway. Spyros Skouras in town for stu- dio confabs. John .Ford out of hospital to re- cuperate at home. Andy Devines celebrated their 21st wedding anni. William Wyler hosted Gen. Carl Spaatz at Paramount; L Allied Artists ' studio will. be closed four days for Thanksgiving, Dorothy Lamour, leaves next week for a series of one-nighters i Europe. Robert Gottschalk and Richard Mobre to Chicago for the TOA meeting. Grace Kelly invited to attend the British Command Performance in London. Mervyn LeRoy received the Vic* toire Trophy from French Consul General Raoul Bertrand. Moscha Lazrah suffered leg fracture while rehearsing a dance for “Daddy Long Legs” at* 20th- Fox. Southern California Motion Pic- ture Council handed Universal ari award of merit to "Bengal Bri- gade.” Mr. and Mrs. Danny Thomas' named Mr. and Mrs. American Citizen of 1954 by B’nai B’rith Lodge 487, Portland, Ore. . By Ray Feves; . Ginny'Simms here to head ..big show for. annual logger's Conven- tion. Duke Ellington orch inked for one-nighter at Jantzen Beach Ball- room Nov. 13. Les Blue & Yvette, Vera Mason, Doraihe & Ellis, Deidre VariCe and Bill David at Amato’s Supper Club for one week. Walter Hoffman, Paramount fieldriian, here to set sock promo- tion on “White Christmas” ith Par manager Dick Newton. William Duggan Attractions shows set for Auditorium in 1954- 55 season include Melvyn Douglas in “Tim® Out For . Ginger” and Helen Hayes In.. "What Every Woman Knows,” due in this month. Continued from page 2 Bobby Crawford, B. S. Moss and. others' who, only a few weeks earlier, that fall, would be hosted at a 50-franc table d’hote dinrier. While marveling at the lavish fare : of a $2 blueplate special in France (the franc was then 4c and bought plenty of solid values for an Amer- ican in Paris), they would scan the Paris edition of the N. Y. Herald (it wasn’t the Herald Tribune then) bnd proclaim such and such stock just went up another few points. Thb moneyed showman all seemed to . be profiting thousands just by sitting; at a table in. a Mont- martre bistro, so as to make that $2 table d’hote appear hardly worth this Variety mugg’s hos- pitality. . A few weeks later these leisurely Continental jaunters were hemmed in by 3,000 miles of Atlantic Ex- panse; there was no transoceanic air travel; the cables were clogged. Some of the more seasoned tra- velers hopped to London and found they could ship out, cable or phone with somewhat greater facility from the British capital. In a few. weeks the paper profit millionaires were paupers, and the frustration of riot being able to communicate with their brokers on whether to “cover” or sell-out heightened the personal drama. The Wall Street contagion was not the copyright of the Ameri- cans. Busboys arid . waiters—les garcons of the ,traditional great .restaurants and hotels-—were play- ing the Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels bourses in 5-franc stocks. They, too, got caught in the back- wash, of the debacle. ; A Variety mugg found himself fortuitously iri an objective vantage point for the basic economic rea- son of not having anything, with which to dabble in the market. But not very subjective were the ashen- gray, faces. of friends and acquaint- ances hemmed in by an economic upheaval 3;000 miles overseas, and unable to do a thing about it—ex- cept to watch those galloping num- bers on the tardy ticker reports oh the brokerage boards doing a re- verse gallop—all downwards. Most memorable tragedy was A1 Woods being able, somehow, to get through from Paris to his brother, Martin Herman, in New York,' in order to “tell Rose (Mrs'. Woods) where $1,000,000 was stashed for ari emergency.” That million, too, went down the Wall Street drai By N. Zarar Metro’s “Executive Suite”/ big b.o. at the Melek. , Betty Beilis arid her all-femme orchestra at the Bebek Casino. Muhsiri Ertugrul’ . “Hamlet” •closes Nov. 3 after 35 perform- ances. New swanky nitery, Blue Wagon, announces an early November opening. German director Heinz Hilbert pacted by the Kucuk Sahne to di- rect Schiller’s “The Parasite” in March. The yearly concert season starts Nov. 4, with the Istanbul Philhar- monic. Cemal Resit Rey con-: ducting. Peter Lederer and his orchestra at the Taksim Pavyon with French dance and comedy act Jean, Jac- ques & Joe on the same bill. The English Players preemed at the Atlas with “The Importance of Being Earnest” Nov. 2. Peter Assinder and Edward Jervesbury play the leads. A new theatre being built by a German company at the centre of the^ amusement section. House will serve as a showplace for Ufa films and imported legit operettas. By Matty Brescia' Joy Cayler’and her all-girl arch to Peabody’s Hotel Skyway for two weeks. Benny Bluestein, Memphis yaudevillian and Variety Tent No. 20 press agent, on ailing list. Adrienne (Vivian Clay) drawing big crowds with her piano and warbling at swank Park Ave. Res- taurant here* / . Pittsburgh Courier, national Ne-. gro weekly, booked the white Ellis Auditorium here Fe<b. 8-10 for its Home Service Fair. Leo Burson, Meriiphis showman and: promoter, .will introduce his chum, Sen. Estes Kefauyer, at party’s $100 plate in New. York :Nov. 20. FolieS Bergere pacted to visit Havana March 7. Blanquita Theatre, to reopen and show French pix. Film Commission reports; seven Mexican and Cuban pix producea at new studio. • John Young discusses local en- tertainment on new thrice weekly MOK program. _ ‘ Both Tele-Miindo arid CMQ-TV annirig to film, video shows ior stribution in Latin America.