Variety (December 1954)

54 CHATTER Wednesday, December 29, 1954 Broadway Late sqngsmith Irving Kahal’s daughter, Ethel Lenore Kahal, en- gaged to Julius Grossman Staff. The Richard Mealands and con- cert singer Muriel St. Clair in from Europe last week on the Maure- tania. William Saroyan in town attend- ant to the revival of his play, “The Time of Your Life,” at the N. Y. City Center. The Sol Huroks sailed last Thursday (23) on the lie de France lor a 12-day Caribbean and South American cruise. Bill Halligan coming in from the Coast to attend the Friars’ shindig for Martin & Lewis March 11 at the Waldorf - Astoria. David Merrick, co-producer of “Fanny,” is vacationing in Havana this week. He will return after the New Year holidays. Andre Mertens, veepee of Co- lumbia Artists Mgt., bedded this week at his Westport, Conn., home with a virus. Harry Brandt, N.Y. circuit owner, off to the Coast yesterday (Tues.) for three weeks of com- bined business and vacation. Actor Sidney Blackmer in seri- ous condition at the Rowan Me- morial Hospital, Salisbury, N. C., after undergoing a major abdomi- nal operation there last Friday (24). Dick Lederer, ad copy writer at WB homeoffice, promoted to copy chief of the ad dept, under Gil Golden, ad manager. Before join- ing Warners in 1950, Lederer was a member of Columbia’s advertis- ing staff. Elliott Nugent was struck by an auto while crossing First Ave. at 57th St. on Christmas eve but after receiving ambulance treatment on the scene for facial and heSd cuts and bruises he decided he did not require hospitalization. Moon Carroll, ex-actress, who appeared on Broadway in “And So to Bed” (1927) and “Cradle Snatchers” (1925), shares in the estate of Arthur Garfield Hays, lawyer, who died Dec. 14, with a bequeathipent of $15,000 and the income from one-third of his re- siduary estate until she marries'or dies. Chicago Pressagent Max Cooper and wife off to Puerto Rico on vacation. Gene Autry here last week for pre-holiday visit with Chi friends. Jimmy Konos orch at Randolph Rendezvous on Mondays and Tues- days. Film attorney Seymour Simon running for 40th Ward Alderman on Democratic ticket. Sam Honigberg, flack for George Gobel, in from Coast to spend holidays with his family. Abe Turchin. manager of Woody Herman, in town during band’s two-weeker at the Blue Note. Ralaban & Katz declared year- end dividend of $1.25 on common stock, making total of $4 50 paid for the year. Lesa Davis. Finis Henderson, Parrish and Bob Hahn comprising first musical revue in Gaslight Club’s new Back Porch room. Per custom, ABC-TV veep John Mitchell and wife in from New York to share Xmas with the Dave (Balahan & Katz) Wallersteins. Reegie Dombeck retained by Chi Universal office to do special promotional work in department itoyes and on tv for “So This Is Paris.” Pittsburgh By Hal V. Cohen Blackstone magico show booked back into Nixon for week of Feb. 7. Local singer Barry Parks is the new house vocalist at Casino bur- ley theatre. Nat Nazarro and his wife, Marge Ne'son, gave up the chinchilla- raising business. Major Harold Broudy, son of the late maestro. Dave Broudy, now stationed in Siam. Joe Hillers went up to Detroit over Christmas weekend for mar- riage of his niece. Leo Strini. musical director for “Ice Cycles.” rejoined show in Spokane, W’ash., after holidaying with his family here. Former Sun-Tele drama critic Geort* Seibel, age 82, resigned as director of Carnegie Library on Northside after 15 years. Minneapolis Alex Kallao, blind Detroit pi- anist, at Augie’s theatre lounge to accompaniment of liberal news- paper plugs. Oskar Nordh, Swedish modern pianist, reported heavy draw at White House, where he splits pi- anistic chores with Jerry Mayeron. Adair Dance Studio harked back to 25-year-ago heyday of kiddie re- vues with juvenile show presented with success at the State this week. Show was in for matinees only. “Nothing But The Truth,” initial 1955 play at Edyth Bush Little theatre, St. Paul, opening Jan. 6 for run of three Thursday-through- Sunday weekends. Split run pol- icy proved a marked success at the house last year. “Sailor’s Delight” underwent weekend rehearsals before installa- tion of new second act for week’s date on Lyceum theatre stage, play, which is N.Y.-bound, stars Eva Gabor, who was hostess at press luncheon Monday (27). Schiek’s Cafe marks fifth anni of nightly shows by singing sextet Dec. 29. Fashioned by Glyde Sny- der, the show series have been a local phenom, occasioning holdouts nightly. In five years, show has used some 75 singers. Paris * By Gene Moskowits (28 Rue Huchette-Odeon 49-44) Jacques Berline upped to head of sales in the French Columbia Films setup. Lionel Hampton orch broke all records during its stint at the Olympia Musichall. For the U.S. pic, “Fireman Save My Child” (U), Romeo Carles has created subtitles that do not trans- late any of the film’s actual dialog. Jesse Hahn, U.S. actor, into a top role in the Gallic legit version of “Love of Four Colonels.” Peter Ustinov in for a looksee of his play. Bella Darvi attended the present- ation of her first pic in France, “Hell And High Water” (20th). Although French, this is her first film. Marcel Pagnol here to attend the preem of his wife’s (Jacqueline) return to legit in a reprise of Jean Anouilh’s 1941 play, “Le Rendez- vous De Senlis”. For his next pic, “Lola Montez,” Max Ophuls has a big star cast with Martine Carol, Peter Ustinov, Anton Walbrook, Gerard Philipe and Oscar Werner. Maurice Chevalier slated to head for Hollywood soon to super- vise the pic being made on his life, and also to appear in a film with Bob Hope, “The Cheat.” Georges Guetary, Edith Piaf, Luis Mariano and Tino Rossi are the only Gallic singers to have re- ceived the traditional gold disk for the millionth record sold. Bernard Lafay, head of the Paris Municipal Council, would like to have special heating lamps in- stalled before cinemas here to ease waiting lines during the winter. Olivia De Havilland and finance Pierre Galante Air Francing in from Hollywood, where she just completed “Not As A Stranger” (UA). Couple will be married here in January and then Miss De Havilland starts her next Contin- ental film chore in “Leila,” to be made in Paris and London. Scotland By Gordon Irving (G lasgow; Kelvin 1590) Olga Gwynne to King’s, Edin- burgh, as Principal Boy in “Dick Whittington.” Janette Scott, teenage Associated British contract star, to film part of “First Love” in Scotland. Stewart Cruikshank, Howard & Wyndham topper, to Edinburgh and Glasgow for panto openings. Chic & Candy Ross, Canadian dancers, pacted for cabaret week at Piccadilly nitery, Glasgow, open- ing Jan. 10. Helen Russell inked as Principal Boy for pantomime at His Majes- ty’s, Aberdeen, with Suzanne Foret as Principal Girl. New film comedy, “Mad About Men,” starring Glynis Johns, given sneak-preview at Gaumont cinema, Anniesland, Glasgow. Yolande Donlan to His Majesty’s, Aberdeen, in new comedy, “It’s Different For Men,” by Michael Pertwee and Monja Danischewsky. Caledon Pictures tossed dinner to celebrate 40th anni of Lome Cinema, Glasgow, where Sir Alex- ander King, cinema magnate, was first manager. Yolande Donlan, in Glasgow with new comedy, “It’s Different for Men.” planning trip to Tangier with film producer hubby Val Guest to o.o. location sites for new pic. Harry Gordon and Jack Rad- cliffe clicked as new partnership in pantomime success, “Dick Whit- tington,” which garnered rave notices at King's Theatre, Edin- burg. Lennox Milne, Scv i actress, awarded prize by Scot Committee of Arts Council for top perform- ance in “The Heart Is Highland.” She’s wife of author Moray Mc- Laren. London William J. Gell, head of Mon- arch Films, off to Hollywood for his annual looksee. Denis Forman, director of the British Film Institute, leaving his job in February to enter commer- cial tv. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. read the lesson at a St. Paul’s Cathedral memorial service to the late Sir George Robey. More than 700 gifts collected at the Variety Club Christmas lunch- eon last week were handed over to children in hospitals. Lord Anthony Vivian, who was recently involved in a shooting in- cident, back from Switzerland to undergo further surgery. Tony Reddin, Paramount pub- licity topper, back in town after fortnight’s New York and Holly- wood quickie for product confabs. Lina Lopez, star of the French- made. “The Sheep Has Five Legs,” currently preeming in the West End, in from Paijis for a tele as- signment. Duncan Lamont ankled the cast of “Deadlock.” Stewart Granger- Jean Simmons starrer for Mike Frankovich, because of a clash of film commitments. A Noel Coward radio program recorded before he left for his American and Jamaican trip is to be aired by BBC sound radio over the Christmas holidays. Stuart Levy, partner with Nat Cohen in Anglo-Amalgamated Film Distribs, returned from Monte Carlo where he has been recuper- ating after a long illness. Sir Charles Coleston has re- signed his appointment as vice- chairman of the Independent Tele- vision Authority, the organization responsible for the commercial web. Charles Russell and Lance Ham- ilton sailed for N.Y. last weekend to o.o. the American tele scene on behalf of Noel Coward and to sign Hermione Gingold for a revival of “Blithe Spirit.” They *are going on to Jamaica to join Coward. Richard Mealand, Paramount production exec in London, sfciled for America on the Mauretania. Helene Cordet is a fellow passen- ger enroute to Canada for her cabaret debut, and Trude Adams is joining the liner at La Havre following her season at the Colony restaurant. Australia By Norm Louden (Sydney, Box 4457 GPO) Borovansky Ballet is slated to tour New Zealand under J. C. Wil- liamson banner, opening in Auck- land this week. Local actor John McCallum, and his English wife, Googie Withers, will open at Comedy Theatre, early in February in “Simon and Laura.” Ernest Turnbull, managing di- rector of Hoyts, called the circuit’s top brass into Sydney to celebrate the first birthday of Cinemascope launching in Aussie. Wally Orr, manager for Univer- sal in Tokyo, here for talks with A1 Daff, who is skedded to plane this month. U exec will be back in his native country for Xmas. Uranium finds on mining prop- erty owned by Sam Snider are hailed as the richest yet uncovered in New South Wales. Snider is chairman of Snider-Dean cinema loop. Joe Fearon, Metro exec, ap- pointed to fill vacancy on the Mo- tion Picture Industry Benevolent Fund Council, created by the re- signation of Les Wicks, former dis- trib and lab topper. Madrid By Ramsay Ames (Castellana-Hilton; 37-22-00) Jose Iturbi, in Madrid again last week, enroute to spend Christmas in Valencia. Les Paul and Mary Ford arrived Dec. 19 for a 10-ten vacation at the Castellana-Hilton. Ingrid Bergman, Rosselini and their children arrived last week in Barcelona, where she is appearing in “Juana en la Hoguera” (Joan of Arc) at Teatro Liceo. La Bergman recently completed filming the pic, “Fire,” in Munich, with German Mathias Wiemann as co-star. Miroslava left Dec. 16 for Mex- ico, pulling out of “La Legion del Silencio,” after having started to shoot, with her role taken over by Spanish Nani Fernandez. Nieves Conde and Forque are directing instead of originally-slated Juan de Orduna. Jorge Mistral con- tinues as the male lead. Miroslava says she will return to Spain next year after she finishes “Fedra” in Brazil. Rosario returned the night of Dec. 15, at the Teatro Madrid, where she drew a capacity audi- ence. After an extensive tour of Europe and South America Rosa- rio’s return was triumphant. Be- sides her solo dances and with her full, company there waa a guitar solo by Juan Garcia de la Mata, a piano duet by Alfredo Rodriguez Mendoza and Sofia I£noll and Flamenco songs by Alvaro de la Isla. There were solos and duets by some members of her company, notably Roberto Iglesias, Juan Alba, Juan Quintero. Aida Rami- rez, and Pedro Lorca. Omaha By Glenn Trump Lind Bros, flew in from N.Y. to appear at the climax of Israel bond sales here. Charles E. Greenlee, operator of Silver Hill Theatre, Oshkosh. Neb., named prexy of chamber of com- merce there. Ralph Qpldberg, owner of local theatre string, donated $100 to the World-Herald’s Good Fellows fund in memory of Jake Rachman, late Variety mugg here and theatre editor of the paper. Omaha Carpenters District Coun- cil last week feted press and radio at a luncheon to release publicity on its dance and show slated for new City Auditorium Jan. 22. Helen Boyce, Karl Wayne, Two Checkers, three bands and Darling Debutantes set for show. India Clifford Agarwala, former chief censor, appointed special counsel for American Film Export Corp. Paramount’s latest Bob Hope pic, “Casanova,” did substantial biz at Bombay’s Eros for two weeks. In Madras, it also is drawing good crowds. Oldest theatre in Calcutta, the Poorna, converted into air-condi- tioned house. Gives Calcutta 15 air-conditioned houses, biggest number for any city in India. Since the government of India has refused to cooperate with the film unit in producing “Bhowani Junction,” by lending military per- sonnel or railway staff, George Cukor may produce the film in Pakistan. Negotiations between India gov- ernment and president of Indian Film Federation having fallen through, India has decided to force screening of Indian newsreels in all South Indian theatres under 1952 Cinematograph Act which em- powers the central government to give necessary \ directives in this connection. At the same time, the India government has shown a willingness to allow private pro- ducers 50% of the playing time al- lotted to approved films if they produce documentaries. Santiago By Edythe Ziffren (Dr. Corbalan Melgarejo 27 -A; 31o45) Tito Davidson in from Mexico in connection with his plans to film “Cabo de Homos” (Cape Horn) in Chile. “Crimen Perfecto” (Dial M for Murder) over the 500-performance mark, new record for a Chilean theatre. Argentine Metallurgical Exposi- tion at the Edificio Espana is fea- turing a nightclub with performers including Marua Montes, Margarita Padin and Adolfo Stray. Authorities permitted “Folies Bergere” company to open at Municipal Theatre in Vina del Mar, coastal resort, despite a flood of lawsuits and church opposition. Xenia Monty, production’s star, who walked out on the show here, is still out. 20th Statement Continued from page 5 — would be a fact with another 5,000 expected by the end of March. In the major European markets, Skouras said France now had 500 installations, with 900 due by the end of March; Italy has 700 and expects to have 1,250 by March; Britain has 750 with 1,350 in pros- pect; Germany should have 750 by Jan. 1 and 1,250 by the end of March. The 20th prexy estimated that about 125 Cinemascope releases would come from the major companies in the U. S. during 1955. European production in the widescreen process had been great- ly accelerated, he reported. Skouras also noted the sinking of a fourth oil well on stadio prop- erty on the Coast. Tests of the third we41 so far have produced 90 barrels of 37.7 degree oil daily and 1,600,000 cubic feet of clean sul- phur-free gas. The well is bot- tomed at 5,300 feet. The fourth well, started on Nov. 18, is now at 6,600 feet. Hollywood Shelley Winters In from London on vacation. Ron Randell in from London for the holidays. Lester Sansom out of the hos- pital after surgery. Kenneth Harlan in the hospital with virus infection. Allison Hayes spending holidays in Washington, D. C. Liberace ordered to take a month’s rest because of a heart condition. Donald O’Connor and Sidney Miller returned from their Hawai- ian siesta. James Millican will ride his horse, “Chips,” in March of Dimes parade, Jan. 15. Doris Day hostessed 85 mem- bers of the Ohio State football squad for luncheon at Metro. Dean Martin. Jerry Lewis and Debbie Reynolds accepted their Golden Apple awards from the Hollywood Women’s Press Club. Cleveland By Glenn C. Pullen Herbert Elwell, composer and Plain Dealer music critic, back on job after illness of several months. Walter Alvord made annual visit to the Hanna, ahead of Katherine Cornell’s current “Dark Was Light Enough,” which opened Dec. 20. Eddie Sindelar tentatively plan- ning to trim his Sky-Way’s budget down to just a dance band after New Year’s Eve week, resuming floor shows in spring. Frank Senness and his brothers closed local branch of their Sen- ness booking agency last week. Local biz will be* handled here- after by their Cincinnati rep. Play House’s repertory company doing “Best Foot Forward” as an- nual, in addition to “My Three Angels” and “Material Witness,” originally known as "Dead Pig- eon,” in its three theatres. Philadelphia By Jerry Gaghan Joe Letizia named manager of the Bistro, West Philly musical bar. Helene Darcel, Denise’s sister, makes local nitery bow at Car- roll’s, West Philly spot. Eddie White, comedian and owner of Drury Lane- Inn, took week off to play the Palace, New York. Barry McGuigan, vet staffer in Shubert Theatres’ pressroom, in Women’s College Hospital with heart attack. Bill Gerson (Pep’s Musical Bar) pacted Roy Hamilton, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan for dates early in 1955. Mary Ann McCall, songstress at Rendezvous, working from wheel- chair as the result of burns suf- fered from overturned coffee pot Rome By Robert F. Hawkins (Archimede 145; 800 211) Howard Hawks looking over Sicily for possible future filming. Michael Stern back in town after U.S. 'visit followed by quickie trip to Germany. Ava Gardner arrived from Far East junket to p.a. locally-made “Barefoot Contessa.” Actress-model Ivy Nicholson, now in “Summer’s End,” shooting in’Toscanini’s north Italian villa, skedded to star in an upcoming Toto comedy, as Cleopatra. - Corinne Calvet goes into her third Italian production, “Opera- zione Notte,” for FederalCine. Stint follows previous work on “Loves of Casanova” and “Girls of San Frediano.” Marcel Carne, French director, here for huddles with writer Ce- sare Zavattini concerning upcom- ing joint project, “Men of the Dike,” which Carne is slated to do next spring. “La Figlia Di Iorio,” Ildebrando Pizzetti’s new opera based on the D’Annunzio play a critical hit in its Naples opening. Roberto Ros- sellini stage-directed it, with Gian- Andrea Gavazzenl batoning. Omaha - By Glenn Trump Eartha Kitt’s “Mrs. Patterson**- slated to play here in February. Slivers Madison signed to work Tom Packs Elephants at Omaha Shrine Circus this spring. Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, featuring Maria Tallchief, slated for new City Auditorium Jan. 6. Nebraska Assn, of Fair Man- agers annual confab slated for Lincoln’s Cornhusker Hotel Jan. 24-28. Henry Fonda In town for two days with his sister before heading for N. Y. to spend Christmas with his family.