Hollywood Motion Picture Review (1944)

BILLY SHEPARD AMD MAX COLD Jimmie Tarantino OK FRIENDS, LETS GO HOLLYWOOD: Mayor Bowron’s statements to the press and over his weekly radio program have citizens of Los Angeles County somewhat confused. It doesn’t seem possible that Bowron speaks with a true knowledge and inside facts of the Klu Ivlux Klan’s past activities. He practically called Attorney General Bob Kenny a liar when he publicly stated Kenny’s 27 listed and recorded charges were untrue. This column must differ with the Major’s opinion. If the Mayor is going to insist, what Kenny says is untrue and was work of children, why doesn’t he get facts and name the investigators and their reports in order that the public may judge for themselves. The Mayor should back up his accusations, and not toss words wildly to news hungry reporters. Does Bowron expect the public to believe the four men who testified they took part in Klan activities were lying? Does the Mayor wish us to believe that the high court in California was in a daze the day the Klu Klux Klan corporate offices were abolished, automatically suspending their operations as an illegal organization? Where was the Mayor when synagogues were robbed, large KKK crosses were burned in front of several homes, and KKK signs painted in at least a dozen Los Angeles homes and schools ? I wonder if he expects Mr. and Mrs. citizen to believe that was also the work of children. Bob Kenny’s investigation was a worthwhile accom¬ plishment appreciated by the public. Let’s place the Klan issue aside for the present time and ask our honorable Mayor a few more questions concerning an issue practically related to the Klan, as long as he has taken the interest of the people to heart. Why hasn’t he offered any constructive method of ridding Los Angeles of Gerald L. K. Smith ? Why does he continue in the capacity of the No. 1 citizen and yet allow the number one public farce to operate and give Un-American speeches in Los Angeles? If the Mayor doubts that Smith is actually milking the pursestrings of Los Angeles citizens who donate to his cause, why doesn’t the Mayor take an hour off some evening and listen to Smith’s outrageous Fascist speeches ? In a recent talk at the Embassy Auditorium, Smith told his follow¬ ers he will remain in Los Angeles (where Bowron is the boss) until the general elections are over in November, in order to organize his fol¬ lowers and voters to fight liberal group, Will Rogers, Jr., or anyone else who aspires to public office with clean cut American views. Of all the cities in America, and there are hundreds, this number one Fascist selects Mayor Bowron’s town to hoodwink the public in a general election. Why does the Mayor stand for that? Would it make any difference to Mr. Bowron, if Smith would currently be campaigning against his office? He would probably be screaming from house tops if that were the case, and run Smith out of town, as many other Mayors have done in a matter of hou-rs. I still maintain it’s the Mayor’s duty to see that Los Angeles gets rid of Gerald L. K. Smith once and for all. He has the power to accomplish that, just as La Guardia used his power in New York City. Report has it that MGM is through with Robert Walker although studio officials would not confirm it. Let’s hope this rumor is untrue . . . The new Troc management has Carmen Miranda and Jimmie Durante set for personal appearances in the latter order, after Dec. 1st. . . . The fabulous Polly Adler, now making Hollywood her home, is writing a book of her life experiences that should raise an eyebrow or two . . . Humphry Bogart and his Bacall have made plans for a two week cruise into Mexican waters after completing his next pic “Dead Reckoning” . . . Harry Revel, the musical genius who donates much of his time to the Veteran cause, wrote four songs for the Monogram pic “It Happened on 5th Ave.” Revel also has a column that appears in 19 mags and newspapers throughout the nation . Constance Bennett lost a lot of loot on her last producing effort, but will come back in about 2 months with fresh Eastern money and a determination to prove she can shoot a money maker . . . Norma Jean Nilsson, the brightest child in radio is recovering from a 3 week illness . . . Allan Ladd has acquired an interest in the swank Mayfair Restau¬ rant in Santa Monica, a Mecca of 20th Century and MGM luminaries . . . Slim Gaillard and his Trio are booked for a New York Paramount Theater appearance around the holidays . . . Ralph Pearl, well known war correspondent and nationally known columnist, has been ordered to live in Las Vegas for the next 2 years Max Gold, co-owner of Billy Gray’s Bandbox, is shown here with his sing¬ ing protege, handsome Billy Shepard. Gold has Billy under a seven year managerial contract. Shepard cur¬ rently appearing at the Bar of Music is a new Hollywood vocalizing hit, who is expected to reach stardom in the crooner department. His singing qual¬ ity is a cross between Sinatra and Como. due to a serious sinus condition. Pearl’s column will appear in this mag starting next week, with scoops and whoops from Las Vegas . . . Actor Lennie Bremen just completed 2 Warner Bros, shorts with Jane Harker and George O’Hanlon . . . Bob Schreiber and Bernie Lieberman, boss men of the new Hollywood Drake Hotel, have turned that hostelry into a celeb rendezvous. One of the brightest events of the season took place last Tuesday nite at the Command Performance Xmas broadcast, staged by the Armed Forces Radio Service. I was thrilled for 2 solid hours watching Bob Hope, Jimmie Durante, Marlene Dietrich, Gary Moore, Edgar Bergen, Ginny Simms, Dinah Shore, Gloria De Haven, June Haver, Slim Gaillard trio, Don Wilson, Ed Gardner, Jerry Colonna, The Merry Macs, and a dozen other celebs go all-out for the GIs. It was superbly produced with the aid of the Hollywood Coordinating Committee, Major Jack C. Connell, Sue Clark, and other Armed Forces Radio Service personnel . . . Lena Horne tiffed with MGM and has gone to New York to visit her 2 children . . . The King Cole Trio’s latest recording is titled “The Xmas Song,” by Mel Torme and Robert Welles . . . Bert Gordon, Tommy Dorsey, and Frank Bruni congratulating Hugh Charles and Lou Trevers on their new Hollywood Blvd. eatery . . . Comic Dave Barry, currently at Larry Potter’s Ventura Blvd. Supper Club, wants protection from material thieves from his new ditties titled “Las Vegas Take It Away” and “I’m Sam — The Guy Who Made The Pants Too Long.” . . . The 2 A.M. nite club and restaurant closing hours will not become official until Arthur Samish well liked California political boss, gives the green light . . . Senator Jack Tenny will explode like an atomic bomb on a couple of California characters in the next 60 days ... Is it true what they say about George Barnardof the Bernard record team who recently closed at Slapsy’s? After witnessing an uncalled for insult thrown by this ham actor toward Willie Bernstein, popular Mayor of Hollywood and Vine, I am inclined to believe his queer antics are natural . . . Jane Jones and A1 “Madman” Stone getting raves at the Hob Nob Club in the Valley . . . The new Club Cobar show is a new Hollywood nite life must. We caught it the other night with Jimmy Durante, Lou Cohen, Durante’s pal Jackson, Sid Silvers, and Maury Stravers. Jay C. Flippen, the Rio Brothers, Earl Bennett, plus an all star cast, paced through laugh a minute routines which makes for a worthwhile visit . . . Comic Jimmie Kennedy a big hit at the Gables Cafe . . . Actor Lou Nova continues on with his comedy act for the bene¬ fit of veterans . . . Authors Alvin and Darley Gordon are doing a Mexico City lecture tour. Mary Rogers the beloved Will’s daughter, and actor James Taggar are a twosome . . . The Pat O’Briens are off on their annual honeymoon vacation back East to witness the Notre Dame-Illinois game and the World Series. It’s an O’Brien custom for the past 13 years . . . Gene Raymond’s first directorial assignment for Eagle-Lion productions will be his own treatment of “Concerto of Death” . . . Lovely Mrs. Max Gold is slowly recovering from a major operation at the Cedars of Lebanon Hosp. . . . Agent Mike Levy Sr. is ailing . . . Record jockey Bill Anson has been appointed official record reviewer for the national musician^ trade mag, Orchestra World . . . Tex Beneke and the Glen Miller Band copped the Martin Block semi-annual ork poll . . . George Distel boss man at the King’s Restaurant, flew to New Orleans to Purchase the original recipe of the “Oysters Rockefeller.” George is now topping the dish that made N. 0. famous. Attorney Pat McCormick, taking exception to an article that ap¬ peared here several weeks ago concerning his squabble with his next door neighbors, Martha Raye and Nick Condos, has this to say in a (Continued on Page 11) (LISTEN TO JIMMIE TARANTINO ON THE “CAVALCADE OF STARS” EVERY SATURDAY, 6:45-7:00, STATION KLAC) NITE-LIFE Page Three