Variety (November 1954)

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Wednesday, November 3, 1954 L. B. WILSON X. B, Wilson, 63, president and general manager pf WCKY, Cin- cinnati, which he established 25 vears ago and developed into a oowerful independent 50,000-watt station, died Oct. 28 from a heart attack in his suite at the Sheraton- Gibson Hotel. The station has .offices -arid. Studies in the hotel: Following a brief Whirl in vaude- ville in. a song dance act with his brother, Hansford, Wilson, oper- ated a poolroom and candy store in his native Covington, Ky., across the Ohio River from Cincy. He became president of a bank and owner of several motion picture theatres in Covington before turn- jug to radio, his sole interest in recent years.' Severing affiliations with NBC and CBS some years ago, Wilson’s operation was one of the country's largest to' embark independently oil a policy of recorded music and news. Id-recent years WCKY has operated around the clock. Small in stature, Wilson prided in being termed "the biggest little man in radio” and never disclosed his first name, preferring to be known as L. B. His death followed by several days the second action bv the Government for collection of . taxes on income which' Wilson maintained was being reserved for backing of a television •station. He sought a tv .permit for. Cincy and later Miami, Fla. Besides his brother, who -con- tinued in musicals as Hans Wilson, also surviving are his Wife, the former Constance Freshwater, who was an actress under the name of Jean Oliver; FRANCO ALFANO Franco Alfano, 79, Italian com- poser, died Oct. 27 in San Remo, Italy. He was ‘noted, for having completed Giacomo Puccini’s - op- era, “Turandot*” after. Puccini’s death in 1924.. Working from origi- nal sketches by Puccini, he con- tributed the olast part of the last act. a duet and the finale. Alfano, who wrote a number cf works, saw production of his op- era, “Resurrection,” by the Chi- cago Opera Co. in 1926. It was also presented the following year at the Opera Comique in Paris. His “Madonna Imperia” was pro- duced at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1928. ENRICO GORETTI Enrico Paolo Goretti (Albano), 71, continental clown, died recent- ly in Stockholm. Born in Chartres, France, in 1883, he Was a circus acrobat at an early age. Later lie joined the Albano Family- and played throughout the world, In 1920 Goretti formed the clowning act of the Four Albanos, being assisted by his young sons. Act was a hit With Bertram Mills’ Olympia Circus in 1935. When the turn split up, Enrico helped his three sons to form a new clowning and comedy-acro . act, the, Three Bragazzi. He was manager of this turn up to the time of his death. BUDDY O’NEILL George O’Neill, 46, night cliib coniic arid phonpriiimic known pro- fessionally. as Buddy O’Neill, died in Pittsburgh Oct. 25 of a blood, clot. Re had only a short tiine ago recovered from a major operation and . had been active up until the time of his death. Originally a single, O’Neill had teamed of late with Syd Magdison and his wife, Amy. Berlinger, as the Variety Three. They were one pf Pittsburgh’s busiest club date RCtS. His-wife , and four children sur- vive. MICHAEL SOBANGELO *, Michael Sorangelo, 47, yioli ist who played in orchestras of many. Philadelphia musical shows and was director arid owner of the Brahms Conservatory of Music, Philadelphia, died Oct. 24 in Dallas, Texas. Sorangelo, who lived in Drexel Hill, Pa., was born in Italy, but received his inusical education in Philadelphia. For two years he was soloist with the WCAU studio orchestra. He was musical contrac- tor for the old Roxy-Mastbaum and the Philadelphia LaScala Opera Co. , He originated in 1947 and acted as editor of the monthly magazine, Arpeggio, official publication of the Musicians Union, Local 77. His wife, son and daughter survive. PHILIP RIDGEWAY Philip Ridgeway, 63, former* actor, producer and one-time head of the BBC variety department, died in London, Oct. 27. He Was the originator of “The Ridgeway Party,” one of radio’s top light en- tertainment programs in the..l930’si During the last war Ridgeway left the theatre for industry, but was planning to return in a. new revue, “Ridgeway Cabaret,” when he was stricken with paralysis on the right side of his face. Surviving are his wife, daughter and. .two sops, one of whom is a show biz publicist, 1 '■? ii WALTER STEVENS Walter Stevens, 50, general sec- retary of the Electrical Trades Union, died in London Oct. 24 after he was injured in ah; auto accident, A leading member of the Communist Party, he was elected ETU secretary in 1947 and was .returned unopposed in 1952. He had Worked in British studios Spain, when struck by the propel- ler of. a plane she was to board while filming “What Never Dies.’- Infant daughter. of Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Landsman, died in San Antonio, Oct. 28, from, what was belfeved ’to bo tobacco poison. Father is manager of the Statewide Drive-In Theatre Circuit.. I. ... - ’ i Mother, 84, of Neil Munro, Brid- lington (Eng,) entertainments man- ager, died in Aberdeen, Scotlahd, recently. Under her stage.name, of Madame Lizzie Hunter, she Was. a noted soprano. Eliot Gordon, 47, .business man- ager of screen; players, died of a heart'attack, Oct. 30, in Hollywood. In Loving Memory of M. COHAN 1878 1942 The Cohan Family In Memory of E KALMAN Who passed aWay OCTOBER 30 , 1953 VERA MARIA KALMAN CHARLES KALMAN ELISABETH KALMAN DAUNES YVONNE KALMAN before becoming a full time union official. His wife and four children sur- vive. . HARRY J. GOULD Harry J. Gould, 73, retired ex- hibitor, died in Fort Worth recent- ly. He opened the first nabe thea- tre in Dallas and in 1916 moved to Fort Worth to manage the Hippo- drome Theatre for 10 years. In 1926 Gould became manager of the Palace Theatre, Fort Worth, ' a post he held until his retirement in 1952. GARRETT porter ^ Garrett J?orter, 50, onetime United Press, March of Time and Voice of America staff writer, died in New York Oct: 24 after a long illness. After more than 20 years In the press arid radio .field, he turned to special writing two yeats ago when his health, failed. Surviving are a daughter^ three brothers and a sister. ARTHUR M. VAN DYKE Arthur M, Van Dyke, 61, circuit Sales manager for 20th Fox* died in Chicago Oct. 23 following sur- gery. With 20th in Chi since 1920, he served as office manager for a time and later as Chicago sales manager. He had been seriously ill for the past thltee years; Wife and daughter survive. ELMER DEWEY Elmer Dewey, 70, screen actor, died Of a heart attack, Oct. 28, in Hollywood, Starting his career as a heavy, he played for a number of years under the name of Don Danilo and later became a char- acter actor, A son, now in the Navy, survives. ' M. j. DOLAN M. J. Dolan, 70, veteran, member Of the Abbey Theatre, died in Dublin Oct. 21 after a long illness. Joining Abbey in 1910, he toured the U. S. with, the company on each of its visits. At one time he was* assistant film censor. Three daughters and. son survive, Andrew “Ft Kelley, 64, veteran Cincinnati stagehand, died Oct. 28 in that city. A meiriber of Local 5, IATSE, of which his fatheiy the late Edward Kelley, was an organ- izer, he was a flyman for 45 years. He leaves his wife,. a sister and five brothers; George Everett., McBride, 75,' died Oct. 20 in Edmonton, Alta. A bass player, he was one of the ori- ginal members of the Edmonton Symphony orchestra arid the Ed- monton Pops orch,. Survived by a son and a daughter. Joseph P. Quinn, 70, member of several oldtime minstrel troupes, died recently in Buffalo.. He came to that city, in 1915 and became a dealer in ,, picture projectors and supplies. Mercedes Aldea, Spanish actress, was killed Oct. 28 in Sabadell, His wife, daughter arid parents survive. John . Paia, 46, Hawaiian screen actor and night club entertainer, died Oct. 24 in Los Angeles. At one time he was a champion surf- board rider. His wife survives, Louis Farkas, 36, and Royal Lowe, 45, 'powder, men. for War- ners'.‘’Target Zero,” were killed Oct. 26 in a dynamite* explosion oh location hear Fort Carson, Colo; Mother of Gordon Girdwood (Ursula Irving &), singer, died re- cently at Malyern East, Victoria, Australia. H. Musk Beattie, 67, a founder of Northampton Repertory Theatre and a former director-secretary, died Oct; 25, in Northampton, Eng, Mother, 87, of Milton S. Harris,, advance representative for “Gen- tlemen Prefer Blondes,” on tour, died in Brooklyn, N. Y., on Oct. 23. Dugald McNeil, w.k. tenor, died in Glasgow, Oct. 25. He was known as “the Gospel Caruso” because of his many hymn recordings. Jean King, who two years ago had been slated to produce a Broadway musical tagged “Off Limits,” died Oct. 21 in New York. • Mother, 80, of the late cowboy film star, Buck Jones, died Oct. 28 in Indianapolis. Edward Piatek, 33, saxophonist and clarinet player, died in Man- chester, N. H., Oct. 23. Joseph Rodin, 75, former con- cert singer and vocal teacher, died in Concord, N. H., Oct. 23, ity Promoters ■ •mmmmmmm Continued from page 1 on the event on their own. Talks are currently being held with •the- atre chains and indie houses which have large screen tv equip- ment. The physical handling of the event, including the televising and arrangements for long line facilities, will, be handled by one of the major tv networks. DuMont appears to have, the' inside track at this nioriient since the Album will originate from DuMont’s Adel- phi Theatre in N* Y, The only other organization, that will participate in the project will be the Empire Producing Co., of Kansas City. Latter is a national promotion outfit whose task will be to oversee the ticket selling via local Care organizations and to solicit advertising for a special program that will be distributed free. The participants in the proj- ect expect to realize $100,000 from the advertising alone; Russell Farnsworth, aide to Empire, prexy George De Haven is currently in New 'York to' confer with the the- atre tv execs of the vari cir- cuits. He’s already' stopped in Chi- cago for talks with* Abe Platt, Balaban & Katz exec. Setup, as conceived by ANTA and Care t is for the' sponsoring duo to refit the closed-circuit equipped theatres on a four-wall deal. The theatres would have no responsibility oh ticket sales,, ad- vertising, or publicity. Si all the proceeds would be going to, twq non-profit prgs, the tickets would be tax exempt. Present plan is to lay away 150 seats in.. each theatre . for special patrons at $10 per ticket. The or- chestra arid loge seats would, sell for $8 aiid the balcony pews for $4. All prof its after expenses will be split 50-50 between ANTA. and Care. Each outfit, is hopeful of .Winding up with $250,000 if the. project is carried out as planned-. ANTA has been diskering for over a year with Box Office Tele- vision on the possibility of offer- ing its annual show on a closed- circuit hookup.. It was originally Scheduled for last May, then post- poned until. this fall, and eventu- ally called off altogether until- the new; joint effort, with Care, i Willard Swire of ANTA, Joseph Stanley, head of special events of Care, arid Joseph Heidt, Care pub- licist, are doing the field work on the joint, project. 20% Tax, Continued from page 1 line in this “It is held that payments for . food, refresh- ments, -service, or merchandise made prior .to the beginning of the entertainment in a cabaret, roof- garden or .Similar place are sub- ject to he cabaz‘et tax iiriposed by* section. 1700 (e) of the Code, where the patrons or guests by or for whom such amounts are paid re- main for. any portion of the. en.ter- tainnient afforded. However, the tax does riot, apply to payments made by.or for patrons or guests Who leave the establishment prior to the beginning of the entertai men, or who, enter and leave dur- ing an intermission period, or who enter after the entertainment has ceased.” MARRIAGES Julie Harris to Manning Gurian, London* Oct. 21. Bride is. the legit-film star; he’s, a legit com- pany manager and playwright. .Norma Wilson to Robert C. Den- nis, Los Angeles, Oct. ,24. He’s' television writer. Diane Day to Benny Carter, Phoenix, Oct. 24. Bride’s a vocal- ist; he’s a musician. •.. Lee Phillip to William Bell, Chi- cago, Oct. 23. Bride is femme, com- mentator at WBBM-TV there; he’s a McCann-Erickson. copy writer. Shirley Harmer to. George Mur- ray. Toronto, Oct. 30. Both are ; tw sineers. Mary Nicolletti to Henry W. Bode Jr., New York, Oct. 30. Bride is a member of Metro’s homeoffice special service department, Ava Norring to Everett S. Mil- ler, Elkton, M.d., Oct. 28. Bride’s an actress. Pilar Palette to John Wayne, Kona, Hawaii, Nov. 1. Bride’s a Peruvian actress; he’s a.film actor; BIRTHS Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Murphy, son, Santa Monica, Cal., Oct. 24. Father is in Metr ’ casting de- partment. . Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sigety, daughter, New York, Oct; 27. Mother is Kit Rhine, cooking edi- tor of NBC-TV’s ”Home” show; fa- ther heads vip Video Vittles, produ- cers of food commercials, with wife as his partner., . Mr. arid Mrs. Frank Milsak, son, Pittsburgh, Oct. 24. Mother's Mil- dred Don, radio arid tv singer. Mr. and Mrs. Earl Wheeler, son, Pittsburgh, Oct. 20. Father runs Pitt ctfiarm and modeling school. Mr. and Mrs. Bill Monahan, daughter, New York, Oct. 28. .Mother is . singer Teresa Brewer. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Gray, daughter, Carlisle, Eng., Oct, 21. Father is company manager of Salisbury Arts Theatre; mother is actress Elisabeth Orion. Mr. and Mi-sv Rudy Ruderman, son, New York, Oct; 27. Father is a producer for WNEW, N.. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Graham Davie, son, Ayr, Scotland, recently; Mother is former Wendy Popplewell, daugh-. ter of theatre owner Eric Popple- well. Mr. and Mrs. B. Elder, daughter, San Antonio, recently. Father, is : manager of the El Capitan Theatre there; Mr. and Mrs. Bob Gibson, daugh- ter, Oct. 26, New York. Father is associate producer with Sandy Howard Productions,