Variety (November 1963)

New. York niteries will: ‘go. in. for $1 Mil. Deal Puts Varna’s $" as Maurice . Chevalier, Mistinguett, + and ‘Josephine ‘Baker. ~ -around-the-clock . major ‘alteration Production Shows Bump Headliners; | yi ve ey Singleton for 36 Stardust’ started’ the vogue;.: the + -hhas: béen . shifting : between | names} . Beach, found itself to. be more. com: [: fortable in.the nude: with, the ‘cur _ Tent. Lou: Walters show. ~ , ‘tiating: with the” ‘show’ s:. owner, | al-: ‘Henri ‘Varna, -for.'a year. ‘The. ex: | 8 "Production shows: are again dis-+ creasing . number of: . top’ sites.) Latest to-join the big-show. mgve‘ment ‘is ‘the Dunes Hotel, Las feg| as, which has: purchased the Casino | de Paris. show from Paris to start. Dec. 23 for .an..indefinite run. |. ‘Dunes’ operator, Major ‘Riddle, recently “went. to. Paris to. gander : the -show. . The -Casino. ‘de Paris | “booking. gives Las Vegas.three shows from: France. The Stardust has a new Bergere. 3 /The inclination. of. hitery. ‘piiyers: 7 ‘to.go.after production’ shows stems: mainly from the. erosion ‘of draws of many of the toplinerseurrently. available. A number has. been. play-. ing the gaming ‘capital. for years and:their Iure. has. declined: in some ‘instances. 7 “} ‘It’s claimed ‘that: the. huge -asking. ‘prices. -of ‘some. of the. attractions. are’ not the bone of ‘conten ing. and able to shell. out, -but feel. Names. and must. cast . around for: _ other: policies: * ' The nude shows have ‘always 7 “pulled” huge trade in. Vegas. -The | “Dunes, New Frontier: and the Trop. “followed ‘suit; although the: Dunes | and ‘shows, .: ” . The: Las Vegas: trend is: also. 1 Tefiecting itself. élsewhere, For. eX: ample, the. Americana‘ in’ ‘Puerto. Rico is also seeking 4 similar layout: Moreover,.:the Fontainebleau, -Miami Beach,. reportedly ‘will buy. -@ nudie display if;-one becomes available. ‘The. Carillon, :also. Miami: ‘There -is also a possibility ‘that ‘some: important talent : ‘during’ its (Continued. on page: 56)... ‘Casino: de-Paris’ Spec... hto Dunes, LY, Dec. 23). | ‘Las. Vegas; : Nov: 12>. "The: famed French spectacular, ; | een * iGasino: de Paris,” has been:signed | . by the: Dunes ‘Hotel for a.Dec. 23) f} .. ‘opening, it was: revealed ‘Thursday at (7) by. the : “Spa's. ‘prexy,” Riddle.” Riddle: said ‘he’ had ‘beeh nezo M. AL travaganza,. ‘which: is being’ exported for ‘the first time, has ‘served .to ‘introduce such: {nternational .stars _The ‘Dunes: <has:-. “started an: .of its ‘main ‘showroom to receive the. ‘spec. ‘Initial . cash ‘ outlay . for the show will. exceéd $1,000,000, |: and before . the year is. over ; the. -hotel ‘“will, -have j $4,000,000 ‘for ~ the’: “twice-nightly*} Dunes presentations, : -Riddle said. | Line | ‘Renaud; © femme. singing| . dancing star of.-. “Casino de Paris” | ff] “for, the: past four years, .will head--; line ‘the . show: here. Dunes exec |§} _ producer Frederic. Apear, who -cre| § “ated ‘the highly successful .“Vive | ‘Les Girls!” now..in its. second. edi-. _ tion’ in. the Dunes: Persian--Room | il. dounge), will. stage, the’ new -show: ti “>. While the. main showroom :-is:|f]-~. being . prepared for. “‘Casino: de | fl. Paris,” the -lounge policy .contin| ues, with’ dinners: beirig:-served ‘at:} “Vive Les Girls!”and: a. $3 mini-|. mum forthe second show, with no: show. cover. ‘or minimum for the “thitd: : _. Dean’s S Veoas ‘Bow o “Jimmy: Dean ‘has been. inked -for | . his first ‘cafe date. in:‘Las | Vegas: | I] He'll -go_into the Flamingo. Hotel | ., etarting July. °9.. He’s | presently | tepping his . “own” teleseries . on | 4] _ ABC-TV. Deal .was ‘made through the will ‘am’ Morris Agency “and-‘personal | Manager Al Bruno” (&. Sheils).. : Other dates are to. be lined. up.. Ops Won't Canle on Some hans 7 Cale $ Top Takes 7 placing * ‘name policies in «an. .in-| : “Nat King -Cole Sounds” show‘grossed solid $12, 900 “day. (1). Backing . Cole. -were . comedian. | Pete Barbutti, Merry Young Souls ‘and Joe Zito's. 19-pieceorchestra.. ‘Local ‘promotion was ‘by Celebrity Concerts and Tadio. ‘station .CJOB..} ‘edition of: the: Lido’ de Paris. show} and .the Tropicana has the’ Folies vy “Nat King ‘Cole and:-his two and.| ‘a: half hour show. ‘grossed a smash $17,769. (excluding tax). for .aonenighter: here last Wednesday.‘ (30): : Crowd. numbered: : 5,400'.:in': the 9,000-seat house. With the bulk of.| customers’ in.-the -higher’ priced. seats, admissions | averaged ‘$3.50: It: was Cole's s first: Twin Cities’ appearance: an. several ' "years... ‘tion. Many ‘Vegas: hotels ‘are. will-|-y.* that: they: carinot ‘afford’ to’ gamble} J on-the declining: :draws. of some}: Drop Tce’ Pact Si ohn. H. Harris. and_ Metro: | media. Ine: | contract’. ‘calling for: him. to ‘pro-. -duce. ‘the. next: edition .of Capades.' on the : big. blader in 1940 with ‘aid. from the..Arena Managers /Assn., engineered : .the.. deal that. gave.| Metromedia _ $5, 000,000. . At’ ‘the: time. of the. deal, he ‘signed a pact to produce thenext two.editions of the. show. ‘However;. he -has:‘bowed out after one year, | The Pitt showman, who has’ Offices | in. the Civic Arena : here, under‘went major. surgery last year.. He. ‘Still intends. to: be: ‘active and will \-be -here Friday: (15) for: the: per-. | formance. ‘of “ which’ he As promoting. spent.” almost |} © NEW YORK 10036 “AER i AT mt ; Jy... San Juan. has grown to. the point}. | where. it.. willbe a’ larger talent. {employer ‘than .Miami Beach; although bigger. salaries will be shell-. ‘ed. out. in the Florida resort.. The The Sheraton Puerto: Ria was siss| Bight (3) eoncert at $5 top to. gross neighboring Ponce. de: Leon, gives f sock $15,000 rae the single Phe {the Puerto Rican capital a total of. reducing b a bi Hal. Zelg six. prime‘ hotels ‘with three secend-| lucing. banner 0 bes ie ‘ary. “users, .aS. against five .prime| ~ Tt was. a. triumphant : encore: for buyers in. “Miami Beach. Zeiger who played Charles at DonOne .of the’ reasons’ ‘for ‘the nelly in’ two: shows ‘in one night | Srplovicg ton talent it the nissan iam ge “ oy. p talen e-elemen of gambling, which is a major lure and setting an alltime record. for -vacationers.: 1 —— . However, Puerto: Rico. takes’ thel fe view. that -it'szannot pay Miamil i gyi Beach. salaries’ because it has only |! AECUS eines See 9, ww Award Vs. AGYA in Mpls. Ct. ‘Beach, and a full week: Moreover, “Minneapolis, ‘Nov. 12. the. heavy.hase of. native: nitery |-It may. cést the American Guild Charles Sock 156 in Hub : Boston;. Noy, 42: “Ray ‘Charles: sold .out. Donnelly: $25,000. ‘Winnipeg, ‘Nov. 12, “Sights . ‘and House was scalded ‘to. $3.. .-Palled.. 5,400, ‘Payees:‘Minneapolis, Nov. 42: . | goers are admittedly not as welli‘heeled .as the American variety. -of _| cafe spenders. These factors.are re-. ‘| garded. sufficient to: downbeat : San}: | Juan salaries. | | ~ However, there is. ‘some: hope that | | San. Juan ‘may ‘be able to afford: the | {comparable salaries :paid ‘in .Flor| ida.’ Several hotel operators.are:pre-} paring.to petition the P.R.-Economic-Development: Administration: to. permit some advertising of casinos >} in the hotels. .": a .Gambling ‘Ads Taba: not cauder present regulations, -there Can: no. mention: o gamblin in have’ terminated. a| outside ads. ‘The. hotel can Sniy point . to the. direction. of the casino in’ small type. in ‘its lobby.. Again, . ‘the casino’s may ‘operate only. from. 8:30.p:m. for.a. ‘Maximum of :eight ing ' picketed’. the’ ‘William : ‘Smith circus ‘at : ‘Brainerd;: Minn., “because the owner: allegedly was $11, 000. in: pay arrears ‘to performers. J That’s: the: amount awarded io. 60-year old Smith. of. this: city by. a. Pittsburgh; ‘Nov. 42." of.the case here; = Charging. ‘AGVA with unfair la‘bor practices, Smith had sued for. $275,000. damages. ‘Because of the picketing, . -it’s:. alleged the. citeus. hours. Play there: is not as hea was cancelled ‘-as the grandstan as it is at Vegas’or. some casings county. fair show. .in Brainerd,. it i ” since has. ‘been. disbanded... in other Darts of the World. esl AGVA: hasn’t ‘revealed: yet if it is. that. anybody..wha wants, to play will ‘seek .a new trial or. appeal. to 4will find the casino no matter how|@higher court. It claimed that. small.the signs leading the -way:|during ‘the circus’ Canadian-Alas‘But hotelmen fear that inability to|ka summer tour performers and. | advertise the casinos, even in a re-| animals Jed. a Strained manner, will cause: Puerto} existence ‘and ‘some ‘animals: even. Rico to lose. trade to the Bahamas, Starved to death.” ~ ‘which only now. is discovering the}. ° Among. other: things, Smith. allush oot of the green baize tables. Jeged that AGVA. members’ threat| The. Sheraton Hotel is set to. buy “ened: a non union helicopter, act ) , (Continued ¢ on page 58). | “Which: he’ had. hired. . “Tee. who founded ‘Harris;. _ the : “show | .. for} ‘The Black “Watch” | tryout can ‘mean ‘you: as a personor. ‘you: ‘as. ‘an. organizational entity: ‘Either “way,. the question is ‘pertinent. You ought not neglect. “you.” Insist. upon being noticed, counted, included i in. Burn-a light’ in. the big ‘window of the : | : Memorial: ‘Theatre in. a Sunday} ar Gets. of. Variety “Artists ‘$15, 000. for hav| Federal. Court jury. after. the trial} “hand to mouth” | | meet: next Tues. The American Guild. of Variety” | | Artists is polling its national board ‘on whether: to settle the suits {against the Union .by. former: AG-. VA president Penny Singleton for. Telegrams. sent last week to all members of the national board by . national administrative secretary °* Bobby Faye stated, ‘William FerTiter, attorney: for Penny Singleton, makes a demand in the sum of $25,000 as a settlement. figure for the cases against AGVA in ‘Federal Court. I have been ardered to poll the national board of AGVA on this point: Please wire collect :. immediately to AGVA if you vote to. approve or disapprove. settle‘ment... : The wire’ drew.” immeitiiate pro-” |tests from officers of the ‘union, particularly veepees. Johnny ‘Woods {and Paul Valentine and treasurer Russell. Swann, who demanded to know who did the “ordering” since the national or the executive board are the only bodies that could auth-: orize such a step: They also protest-. ed the wording of the telegram on. _| the. ground that it appeared that Miss Singleton is holding up AGVA for ‘a-settlement. According to a spokesman, for the trio. of. officers, Faye declared that the Federal court in Los An-.. eles suggested that steps be taken to settle the issue and AGVA’s Coast attorneys and Feiriter suggested the $25,000 figure. Miss Singleton’s suit against AGVA stems from a 10-year suspension from the union on the eve. -of? last: June’s._ corivention which. would have nominated her to run for the. presidency of the organization. She has told intimates that she has: already ‘spent. “close to $60,000”. in fighting the. suspension. 7 through -. the Federal Court. . The. issue came up. again at the union’srecent. national board . meeting . which. overruled its. appeals board:. ‘and restored Miss. Singleton. to ‘good membership standing. The. step. foward. settlement. was taken shortly after a Minneapolis. | Federal Court.jury awarded the’ Smith & Dale Circus $15,000 damages. against AGVA for injuries as a result. of .the union’s picketing. (See separate story). _. The recent national board meet {ing sought to end litigation against ‘the. union because of the vast ex{pense involved. Board lifted Miss. Singleton’ Ss: Suspension as one step |.in. the effort to ease AGVA’'s. kiting legal costs. . The executive. board, which will (19), will also consider means of settling a suit. filed against AGVA. by the Federal Government. Case involves suspension of tie Philadelphia branch, -which the Government held was in Violation “of the Landrum-Griffin ‘Act. The ‘board is weighing a con ‘sent decree to. end the action. || Seatle Center’s Coliseum, Il| Switched From Fair Use, Sets Sliding Rental Fees . Seattle, Nov.. 12. Rental: rates have been set for Iii the Coliseum at the Seattle Center, now being converted from World's Fair use. Ready in April, the arena and exhibition hall will seat 11,000 All for hockey. or ice shows, 12,000 for. basketball and 14,000 for exhibi jl tions and meetings when floor is Your-ideal; once-a-year opportunity to-assure. yourself 55 space. sand place. in. the _most-read, most-kept, ‘most-referred-back-to: panoramic volume of show business, Usual Advertising, Rates For Unusual Value. Get in‘touch with the. nearest office.” 7 “HOLLYWOOD 90028 CHICAGO 60611 : 2154. w. bth St. a . 4408 ‘Sunset Bivd. 400 N. |. Michigan Ave, LONDON, $.W.1 a “PARIS ; ae St. ‘James's Street te ‘0 hive. le: ‘Newllly ROME 3. a _Fictedity es ve le Nenily-Sur-Seine 7 * Ma Serdegee a. . vm {tion .HaHi and Playhouse. ‘portion is for modernization of © used, ‘Rates. that “distinguish between {| profit and non-profit groups” will run from. flat.$850. for non-profit group to $1, 000 plus per cent of gross for an ice. show, said Fred B. 4 McCoy, City of Seattle building ‘superintendent. Currently, $90; 000 is being spent . \to repair roof of Coliseum, along j with $1,200,000 for improvements \ for. other. Seattle Center buildings —the Area, Opera House, ExhibiMajor: seating.and other interior portions }of the Arena, but includes some | improvement. of backstage facilities and lighting for the. Playhouse, where the new Seattle Repertory | Theatre opens Woy. 13 for first : season.