Variety (December 1954)

Record Details:

Something wrong or inaccurate about this page? Let us Know!

Thanks for helping us continually improve the quality of the Lantern search engine for all of our users! We have millions of scanned pages, so user reports are incredibly helpful for us to identify places where we can improve and update the metadata.

Please describe the issue below, and click "Submit" to send your comments to our team! If you'd prefer, you can also send us an email to mhdl@commarts.wisc.edu with your comments.




We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.

Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.

62 CHATTER Wednesday, December 8, 1954 • Broadway Geraldine Brooks, Bernard Del- font and the George Blacks re- turned to Britain last week on the Queen Mary. Charles Boyer back from a Paris film chore and off to the Coast this week for a role in Metro’s upcoming “The Cobweb.” Ted Ashley Associates has changed its name to Ashley- Steiner Corp. Ira Steiner is tak- ing charge of an expanded Coast office. Lillian Jenkins, publicity direc- tor, Madison Square Garden, off to Milwaukee to o.o. The Hollywood Ice Revue before its N.Y. opening In January. The Arthur (20th-Fox) Silver- stones’ daughter, Sandra Esta, a Vassar senior, engaged to marry Robert Lowell Stern of Montreal next June. Kenneth MacKenna. Metro’s studio story chief, in for his pe- riodic o.o. of the Broadway shows and for talks with editors and book publishers. Vincent Sardi Jr. compiling a list of names of ex-Marines in show biz and allied fields, like eateries, and wants all ex-Leather- necks to contact him. Until Sol Hurok imports the Comedic Francaise, the Waldorf’s Claude C. Philippe is commuting by air to Paris to spend New Year’s with his bride, Mony Dalmes, of the CF. Judith Evelyn planed to the Coast over the weekend to play the second femme lead in “Female on the Beach,” starring Joan Craw- ford. She’s due back in about three weeks. Rene Black's Waldorf-Astoria colleagues farewell-dinnered him Monday night (6) before the vet maitre d’hotel assumes his new post at the new Fontainebleau, Miami Beach. Biow agency v.p. Henry White, whose twin daughter^ were chris- tened Sunday (5), had “Fanny” star Walter Slezak and NBC’s Dave Garroway on hand as the young- sters’ godfathers. Rouben Mamoulian lecturing N. Y. U. students this afternoon (Wed.) on “Art and the Motion Picture.” His address is part of a course in motion pictures con- ducted by Robert Gessner. Composer Richard Rodgers; Carleton Sprague Smith, chief of music division, N.Y. Public Li- brary, and banker Gerald F. Beal elected to board of directors of N.Y. Philharmonic - Symphony. Jose Ferrer due in from the Coast today (Wed.) for round of bally activities for Metro’s “Deep in My Heart.” Ferrer and Helen Traubel will attend pic’s preem tomorrow (Thurs.) at Radio City Music Hall. Hernando Courtright, managing director of the BevHills Hotel, to Nassau for 10 days’ fishing with Dick O’Connor (Magnavox) and Jack McGuire. RCA prexy Frank M. Folsom had to bow out at the last minute because of business pressure. Guy Bolton’s previous Theatre Guild committment will see Eddie Davis soloing on the book of “This Must Be The Plaze” (burlesque background). Davis’ bestseller, “Laugh Yourself Well” (Fell), has resulted in a sequel, “Laugh and Live Longer.” Australia By Norm Louden (P.O. Box 4457; tel XL3200) English ballet dancers, Walter Gore and wife Paula Hinton, may return here to settle; had a suc- cessful Aussie tour in 1952. Tom Dole, Columbia Pictures’ former ad-publicity topper, is back on deck after enforced layoff be- cause of illness. Dole slated for switch to post of special sales and promotion. Sydney radio and film actor Rodney Taylor set for special test by Paramount in Hollywood. Tay- lor was recommended to Hal Wallis by Byron Haskin, who di- rected “Long John Silver” here. Arthur Gillespie, who stepped out of Metro where he supervised the company’s theatre loop, to go into private biz, will take over the lease of the Hoyts’ house at Neu- tral Bay, Sydney neighborhood operation. San Francisco By Ralph J. Gleason Joe Loco has signed with E. B. Marks to publish his mambo spe- cials. Wood Soanes, Oakland Tribune drama ed, to Mediterranean on cruise. Harry James booked for one- nighter at the Bay Meadows race track clubhouse, Jan. 21. Lou Williams, formerly witti Fox West Coast, made new resident manager at Orpheum, replacing Charles Marquart, resigned. Wood Soanes, Oakland Tribune drama ed, touring the Mediterran- ean with a stopover planning for Majorca to visit flack Tony Buttita. The Interplayers, Frisco Little Theatre group, circulating a peti- tion among its members to the San Francisco Chronicle expressing ap- preciation of tye “excellent cov- erage of the local non-commercial theatre groups” by Luther Nichols, deploring his departure from the paper and expressing hope that coverage of these groups will con- tinue. Paris By Gene Moskowitz (28 Rue Huchette; Odeon 49-44) First French Film Week in Rus- sia will unroll next March in Mos- cow. * Francoise Arnoul to play oppo- site Fernandel in remake of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Maurice Carrere opening his nitery addition on first floor of Maxim’s, called The Imperial. Franco-Italo pic, “Secrets D’Al- cove,” censored in Italy because of too much undress of star Martine Carol in one of sketches. Wilva Breen and Lee Gershwin to North Africa to looksee next stops and theatre facilities for tour- ing “Porgy and Bess” company. Reprise of the Georges Feydeau legit comedy, "Le Main Passe” (The Roving Hand), preems at Theatre Antoine this week at a gala benefit. Steve Previn finishing his 50th vidpic here this week in dividing chores between Sheldon Reynold’s two series, “Sherlock Holmes” and “Foreign Intrigue.” Zappy Max,.radio fave here, tries his first stage stint in new operetta, “Une Nuit Aux Baleares” (A Night in the Balearics) which preems this week at Etoile Theatre. George Ulmer playing stage- show at the Alhambra along with opening of his first straight acting role in Franco-Spanish pic, “Un Balle Suffit” (One Bullet Is Enough). Arthur Miller’s “Crucible” opens here this week in an adaption by Marcel Ayme at the Sarah Bern- hardt Theatre. It is called “Les Sorcieres De Salem” (The Witches of Salem). Leo Marjane to play Belgium and French hinterlands after her current stint at Moulin Rouge. Then she heads for the U S. to take over the old La Rue as a per- sonal club. Minneapolis By Les Rees Tom Powers back with “Moon Is Blue” at Lyceum. St. Paul Flame has Ella Fitz- gerald as show topper. Met Opera star Jan Peerce gave concert for Defense of Israel bene- fit. Ken Senn of Old Log strawhat- ter featured in Star Playhouse production of “Stalag 17.” Comic Dick Curtis finished 10- week date at Starlight club where comedienne Jeannie Karin now tops floorshow. Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo back for first time in two years, giving three performances at Northrop Auditorium. Allen Dazell here ahead of “Sailor’s Delight," Theatre Guild’s second subscription season offer- ing at Lyceum, advanced to week of Dec. 27 as show moves into N.Y. sooner than expected. Don McGrane, going into third year at Hotel Radisson Flame Room with his orch, bought home in local suburb and will make his home here, moving from N.Y. MCA originally booked him into room for one month. Vienna First Juke Box installed in Old Vienna Bar. Brazilian pianist Jacques Kleind appeared in Musikverein Hall. Prof. Franz Sirowy elected pres- ident of Austrian Musicians Union. Karl Etti directed the 2,000th performance of the Wiener Maen- ner Gesang Verein. State Burg Theatre actor Ewald Balser inked for role of Oberst Redl in spy picture, “Opera Ball.” Franz Antel started shooting comedy, “We Live Again Happily,” with Christl Mardayn in Sievering Studios. Josefstadt in correspondence with Robert Anderson for possible production of “Tea.” Already translated by H. H. Carwin. Austria to be represented at the Lima, Peru, religious picture festi- val, with “One Is Mightier.” pro- duced by Catholic film guild. Americans are sending blank checks to management of State Opera for opening night in Novem- ber next year asking it to “fill in the amount.” . London Anita Ellis opens at the Colony next Monday (13). Jean Carson returned from N. Y. yesterday (Tues.) after her two tv spot appearances. Helen Traubel inked for cabaret appearance at the Cafe de Paris for the New Year. L. F. Rider named 20th-Fox tech- nical manager, succeeding A. G. K. Faija, who retires after 30 years service. W. P. (Bill) Lipscombe in Athens readying a script of “Seven Won- ders of the World” to be filmed by Cinerama. Henry Lombroso, Republic top- per in Italy, here for confabs with Reginald Armour on the 1955 re- lease program. BBC-TV producer Henry Cald- well off to Amsterdam, Hamburg and Berlin on a quickie in connec- tion with a telepix deal. A plaque to the memory of Car- roll Gibbons on the piano at which he played for so many years at the Savoy Hotel dedicated last Mon- day (6). Sir Louis Sterling last week gave away over $550,000 to charities in celebration of his 75th birthday, bringing his total up to almost $3,000,000. Vida Hope planed back from a Spanish vacation last weekend and is now prepping her stage version of “Henry VIII” in association with Sandy Wilson. Suzanne Warner, head of local public relations agency which han- dles top American talent, back at her desk after being hospitalized with pneumonia. Herbert Wilcox and Anna Neagle to Yugoslavia to scout locations for their upcoming production of "King’s Rhapsody,” which will co- star Errol Flynn. Henry Hewes, drama critic of the Saturday Review, who au- thored the English adaptation of “Accounting For Love,” checked out for Paris two days after the opening at the Saville last Wednes- day (1), and returning to N. Y. this week. Santiago By F.dythe Ziffren (Corbalan Nelgarejo 21-A; 31645) Xiomara Alfaro, Cuban warbler, signed by King’s Club nitery. “Picaresque,” burlesque unit, closed by Santiago’s femme mayor; also banned in Valparaiso. Sussy Montrey, I^ina Celi, Marion Christie, Carlos Manuel and Janet D’Acosta heading up Tap Room’s floor show. Leguia-Cordoba stock company staging “Mi Marido va al Folies” (My Husband’s Going to the Fol- lies) at the Satch. Malu Gatica and Emilio Gaete to tour provinces with Angela Morel’s “Matrimonio de Amor— Sin Amor” (Love Marriage—With- out Love). Jose E. Cavero, president of Na- tional Broadcasters Assn, of Peru, here to plug Interamerican Broad- casting Assn, congress skedded for Lima next April. Carlos Melo Cruz won job of ar- tistic director of Municipal Thea- tre, succeeding Juan Casanova Vi- cuna, named Chilean ambassador to Venezuela. Madrid Bv Ramsay Ames (Castellana-Hilton; 37-22-00) Jane Powell and new husband, Pat Nemey, honeymooning at Castellana-Hilton. Spanish version of “South Pa- cific,” directed by Jose Tamayo, al- most ready for opening at Teatro Zarzuela. Sloan Simpson here to interview Robert Rossen and Ambassador Angier Biddle—Duke, on tape, for the Tex and Jinx show. Arnold Picker, United Artists veepee and foreign sales topper, and Charles Smadja, continental European director, arrived from Paris for more huddles on “Alex- ander the Great.” Pic is sched- uled to roll Feb. 15. A wide search is under way for “most beautiful girl in Spain” to play the role of Stateira. Pittsburgh By Hal V. Cohen Harmonicaires booked into the Ankara for three weeks beginning Jan. 3. William Leech, director of Play- house, in Southside Hospital for observation. Ruth Vernon Pivorotto gets title role in Playhouse’s New Year’s show, “Sabrina Fair.” Wally Gingers’ band will record a tune by Father Gianni, a priest in nearby Connellsville. Joni James here for a day to get deejays to plug her new MGM re- lease, “When You Come of Age.” Dancer Gaby Monet staying over after her Vogue Terrace booking to work the Horizon Room next week. Allvn McLerie in from N. Y. to spend a week with her husband, George Gaynes, of “Wonderful Town.” Lenny Litman and his wife planed to Hollywood for Andre Philippe’s opening at the Mo- cambo. Emil Cohen topping show at an- nual Jewish Home for Babies dance at Hotel Schenley tomorrow (Thurs.). Mary K. Frank tossing supper party for Deborah Kerr after per- formance of “Tea and Sympathy” next Thursday night (13). Miami Beach By Larry Solloway Jonathan Dwight new owner- producer of the Biltmore Play- house. Sea Isle Hotel will be setting for mid-January broadcasts of NBC’s “Today” and “Tonight” shows for one week. Ralph Snider, owner of the Bradford (Bradford Roof) Hotel in Boston, partnered in new owner- ship of Sea Isle. Walter Jacobs, “retired” for this season, looking over new locations, north and south of Miami for his next Lord Tarleton hotel. Newlyweds Barron Polan and Julie Wilson joined the group flown in for opening of swank new La Coquille in Palm Beach. Jacques Renard, Eddie Cantor’s radio musical director in the 30’s, settled here and is taking out a local union card; he plans to or- ganize a string unit. Kay Thompson being paged to fill two-week date at the new Bal- moral Hotel in January to replace Genvieve who can’t make the stand until later in season. Cleveland By Glenn C. Pullen Dolores Hawkins at Vogue Room for two weeks. “Ice Follies” skating into Arena Jan. 18 to play 13-day date. Tommy Purcell orch replaced George Duffy band at Hotel Hol- lenden. Dorothy Donegan back at The- atrical Grill, and staying througn Yule holidays. Hans Reiss, manager and pianist at Willie Rich’s club, awarded naturalization papers. Kaye Ballard awarded official key to city on return to her home- town and Vogue Room. Bob Ancell, Hipp’s assistant manager, quit to join Fred Strauss booking agency but continuing to hold disk-jockey job. Al Russ, bandmaster-composer, and James Kovacs, formerly an RCA recording engineer, opened their new Audio Recording Studios. Nick Pinardo reopened his re- modeled nitery, formerly the El Bolero, renaming it Whisper Room with policy of intimate musical acts. Cleveland’s getting heavy dose of balletmania, with Teresa and Luisillo in Ballets Esrpagnols at Public Music Hall Dec. 3 and Jose Greco’s troupe coming to the Hanna Monday (6) for full week. Rome By Robert F. Hawkins (Archimede 145; 800211) Italy holding another Italian Film Week in Cairo soon. Harry James and Betty Grable to tour Italian key cities after the holidays. Elia Kazan reported to have turned down local offer to direct “War and Peace.” Otto Preminger here briefly be- fore flying on to India to look into Ghandi biopic chances. Rhonda Fleming expected to go to Switzerland when she completes work on her local stint, “Semi- ramis.” Vittorio DeSica touring again with Sophia Loren in “Sign of Venus,” comedy which starts shoot- ing soon at Titanus Studios. Mar- cello Girosi is producer. Jim Carhartt and Nicky Winter started a new column in Rome Daily American called “Lend Us Your Ears”; replaces that paper’s regular “Seen and Heard.” F. Hugh Herbert in Rome to see Eduardo De Filippo, author of “Filumena Marturano,” which Her- bert is adapting for Broadway. Shirley Booth is a possible star. Portland, Ore. By Ray Feves Louis Armstrong set for a one- nighter concert at the Auditorium, Dec. 14. Mills Bros, and Danii & Genii Prior held for second week at Amato’s Supper Club. Konnie G. Worth has highest rating in town for any woman’s show. She has only been on Station KGW a few months. Hollywood Josh Logan planed in from N.Y. Fred Astaire laid up with laryn- gitis. Henry Borsage recovering after surgery. Zasu Pitts recovering after ma- jor surgery. Clifton Webb hosted a dinner for Noel Coward. Trixie Friganza celebrated her 83rd birthday. Bob Hope and Gordon MacRae returned from Dallas. Lester Sansome left the hospital to recuperate at home. James Stewart to Indiana, Pa* for his father’s wedding. Willard Josephy upped to veepee of the Kurt Frings agency. Ted Ashley Associates changed name to Ashley-Steiner Corp. George Marton in from Paris for confabs with Darryl F. Zanuck. George Pal invited to attend the International Exposition in Rotter- dam. British Field Marshal Mont- gomery guested with Samuel Gold- wyn. Virginia Grey sustained two broken ribs in a scene for “The Rose Tattoo.” Joe Newman celebrated his 37th anni in films by directing UI’s “Kiss of Fire.” Charles Simonelli in from N.Y. for huddles with Dayid A. Lipton, Universal ad-publicity chief. Entire estate of the late Lionel Barrymore was left to Florence Rozella Wheeler, his nurse for 20 years. Jack Benny, Danny Kaye and Barbara Stanwyck recording Christ- mas greetings for Veterans’ Ad- ministration. Chicago Yma Sumac here in concert at Orchestra Hall Friday (10). Frank J. (Tweet) Hogan made March of Dimes chairman for Chi show biz. Al Borde to Coast and Las Vegas to look over western branch book- ing office. Dick Marcus, former band vocal- ist, joined MCA acts department here this week. Club Moderne near Oak Park staging oddball auctions as Wednes- day night biz hypo. Art Talmadge, Mercury Records veepee, out of hospital and recov- ering from slipped disk at home. Hoagy Carmichael due here next week as guest of honor at annual Indiana Society of Chicago banquet at Conrad Hilton Hotel. Dardanelle bringing jazz to the Opera Cluh, sharing keyboard with longhair pianist Aaron Leifer; Esther DeNicola joined linkup as singer. Police Censor Board here last month nixed one pic and tagged two for adults out of a sheaf of 82 films. Of the number, 21 pic- tures were foreign, six of them Mexican, five German, three Rus- sian, two Italian, two Greek, one French, one Swedish, and one Japanese. Barcelona By Joaquina C. Viral-Gomis ( Angli . 43; 24-00-18) Armando Orefiche Cuban orch at the Rigat. Rio nitery has The Buddy Bradlely show. Anne Sandry. French chanteuse, at Emporium nitery, with Bruno Stella orch. Juan Manuel, who came here with Xavier Cugat and stayed over, a hit at Bolero nifbry. Marco Ferreri, Italian producer, in city with intention of producing a pic in Spain with director Fede- rico Fellini. Liceo Opera House has “Rigo- letto,” with Aldo Protti, Antonietta Pastori and Gianni Poggi, Italians; and Rosario Gomez, Luis Corbella, both Spaniards. Maestro Angelo Questa conducted. American pix on Barcelona screens recently: “Demetrius and Gladiators” (20th), “On Water- front” (Col), “Phantom of Rue Morgue” and “The Fountainhead.” both WB; “Apache” (UA), “Har- riet Craig” (Col), “Bad and Beauti- ful” (M-G). Philadelphia By Jerry Gaghan Victor Borge at Arena, Dec. 5, under sponsorship of Philadel- phia Inquirer Charities. Pep’s Musical Bar, musical name showcase, switched policy bringing in comedian Slappy White. Dave Dushoff, co-owner of Latin Casino, planed to the Coast to visit Sammy Davis Jr., who launched the club’s fall season. Bellson family is represented on three local marquees — Pearl Bailey, at Erlanger in “House of Flowers,” and in Stanley pic, “Carmen Jones,” and husband Louis Bellson, topper at Rendez- vous Cafe.