Variety (March 1933)

Tuesday, March 28, 1933 ¥ JIM E S $ Q U A E VARIETY 53 London ■ Georgle Harris framing a vaude- Yllle act. -;• Flossie Freedman taking bigger ' premises. /• Antonio Moreno writing his friends to expect him over soon. Warners local studios closing ^ likprll 1 '0' * -weeks. John Southern's father very 111, ; »nd his life despaired of. Bebe Daniels contemplating a trip over here around November. Charles Laughton growing beard for his film role of Hem-y VIII. Nervo and Knox getting a men- tion during a Parliamentary debate. London Drama League inviting unemployed men to receive free tu- ition. Harcourt Williams giving up pro- ducing at the Old Vic after four years. Alan Dwan changing from the Rltz hotel to the ritzier Dorchester bouse. Sonny Kelly, son of Arthur W Kelly, in hospital with mastoid trouble. Garland WUson, Nina Mae Mc Kinney's pianist, in hospital with abscess. . Mrs. Paul Robeson very kind and considerate to any colored acts fall Ing sick. Brixton theatre, legit house, owned by the Melville brothers, closed after 43 years. Sir Nigel Playfair watching Nlklta BaliefC to get a few hints on com pere-ing. Nora Swinburne has interest In El Patio cafe, in Wardour street, as elde-llne. Charlotte Greenwood and Cyril Maude to co-star in new Gaumont- British film. 'Soldiers of the King,' the latest Gainsborough Films' weakling, to be released April 24. Cochran closing 'Mother of Pearl' for the week preceding Easter, to give Delysla a rest. Harriet Jay, writer of 'When Knights Were Bold,' under 'Charles Marlowe,' left $16,000. Cecil Landeau now on another burlesque film. This times its '40,- 000 Years of S!ng-Sing.' ICric Barker broadcasting his Devonshire holiday by sending his friends Devonshire cream. Jack Hylton Jealous of his wife's grosses. Claims she sometimes makes more than he does. English prisons now running their own weekly newspapers, with no mention of criminal news. Newspapers again trying to beat each other on the Tree Gift' racket, after agreeing to calm down. Murray Silverstone at premiere of 'Kid from Spain,' minus his better balf, due to tatter's Indisposition. Inquiries have arrived here from America seeking the address of Mario Blanchl, alias Monty Banks. Edmund Sayag is shortly to be- come general manager of the Al- hambra, Paris, for General Theatres 'Night of the Garter* closing at the Strand April 1, followed by a ■revival of Lonsdale's 'On Approval.' Fay Compton annoyed with the •Daily Express' for putting her in the 40 years old class. She is only 38. Sir John Relth, head of British Broadcasting Corporation, compli- menting Trix Sisters on first broad cast. Latest Leicester Square theatre booking is Yvonne Valle, opening April 10, for two weeks, with op tions. Doctor Vaughan Williams writing a new opera, being set to music by Evelyn Sharpe, and will be produced shortly. So many American film stars around they are eerlously talking of stnrt'ng a London branch of the 'Masquers.' Although Roy Fox has exclusive Gaumont - British contract. Para- mount has sanction for Roy to play at the Plaza. John Sovranl, managing director of swanky Malmalson Restaurant, is vice-consul of the Italian Repjifellc of San Remo. Entire Cuban consulate booking seats for Leicester Square opening of Don Azplazu and his Havana Band, and Mariana. W. P. Lipscomb went to the com mand performance to find his name spelt wrong on the captions for 'The Good Companions.' Dodle Smith called on for speech when she witnessed the opening of the tour of her play 'Service' at Wimbledon theatre. After many years the Embassy Club Is once more lining up cabaret names to bolster up business, which has been dropping off. George Bishop received personal congratulations from Lord Camrose for the part he played In patching up the Equity business. Dick Elgin and his band, record Inp for Columbia Recording com pany, Is the well respected Dick Crean of Palladium fame. T5ow Street police court, where Americans and other aliens register C H A T T E on arrival here, first police court here to install the 'mike.' Julian Rose beating the West End barring clause, by doing a 'personal' at the Pavilion, and starring in his picture at the Alhambra. Harvey Watklns considering several English hook-ups for Amer- ican novelties, with new type of electric sign one of them. Guy Bolton to adapt the new mu- sical show at the London Hippo- drome, from German, due around June, with Glna Malo in cast. 'Night of the Garter,' currently at the Strand theatre, shortly fold- ing, with Frederick Londsdale's 'On Approval' revival replacing. Despite the thousands of potinds she once possessed, Mrs. Meyrlck, the night-club queen, left less than $300 when all debts were paid. Chaliapin being presented with golden record by His Master's Voice Recording Company, for whom he has been recording for 30 years. Constance Cummlngs' picture, written by Fred Thompson for Brit- ish International Pictures, will not be a musical, as originally intended. Theatre Royal, Birmingham, a Moss house, closed recently for one week, due to lack of attraction. Un- precedented in histoid of this house. All the actors rushing to write their memoirs in the Sunday papers. Stanley Lupino latest, in which he admits be was onise street newsboy. The Italian kine has made Arthur Wontner a knight of the Crown of Italy in recognition of his perform- ance in the Mussolini play 'Napo- leon.' Tommy Osborne, for many years with Moss Empires, and once secre- tary to the late chairman, Frank Allen, given life pension of $7 per week. Joe Friedman, European bead of Columbia Pictures, awaiting inti- mation to sail for America shortly, to discuss Columbia's future Euro- pean policy with Henry and Jack Cohn. Decca Recording Company owes Its bankers over balf million dollars, with bankers asking for the money now that Decca's public issue has flopped. "The next Gladys Cooper produc- tion understood to be a dramatiza- tion of a last season's novel "The Rats of Norway,' the locale being a boy's school. Max Miller, English comic, often mentioned favorably in "Variety,' steals the honors in Gaumont-Brlt- Ish's 'Good Companions' film, to be shown before the King and Queen shortly. George Black paying Jack Taylor $230 per week for use of 'Atlantic' scene in Palladium 'Crazy' outfit. Taylor has English rights from Folles Bergere, where scene was originally staged. Decca Record company, manu- facturers of Decca and Brunswick records, with Hylton, Fox, Lorabar- do, Lyman and Bernle under con- tract with them, asking for $60,000 public subscription. John Southern again after the Shcrman-FIsher Girls as perma- nents for the London Pavilion, mak- ing their third return In as many months. 'Double Hsurness,' by Edward Poor Montgomery, currently at Apollo theatre, being nibbled at for fllml- zation, with author asking $20,000 for rights. Charlie Woolf thinks his concern —Gaumont-Brltish—as good as a bank; but with the public only tak- ing up 36% of his issue, they are not so sure. Will Hay to do series of 'scholas- tic' shots for Gaumont-Brltish, but hold up is G.-B. want to use their producer, with Hay Insisting he tiilc6s Sit hJtnd, Hlbbert, Bird and Ready (former two previously known as Marcello duo, and latter with Malinoff quar- tet), latest to do a Lowe, Berinoff and Wensley take-off. 'Let Me Explain, Dear,* British International's latest to have pre- view at Metro's Empire, March 17, concurrently with Metro's own 'Se- cret of Madame Blanche.' 'Forbidden Company,' made by Reliance Films, America, and pur- chased by William Gell for Gau- mont-Brltish, given the razz at the Capitol picture house recently. Despite all rumors that Clifford Whitley is to present Marlene Die- trich in the West End shortly, HaiTy Foster claims he holds ex- clusive contract with her, and she can only play under his manage- ment. Beaumont Alexander has new bankroll and negotiating leasing Princes' Restaurant for cabaret, claiming has Boswcll Sisters booked. Alexander's angel is Lundy, son of late head of Plack and White whis- key concern. Fresh Flowers, Ltd., In Berkley street, hides Identity of Lady Diana Cooper, Mrs. Cory Wright, Gertrude Lawrence and Mrs. Martin Vogel. Latter Is American. Business Is to supply fresh flowers to all functions I and theatres. Canton By Rex McConnell Windsor, local neighborhood movie, will try foreign films one night a weel;. Palace theatre oke, with operators union for first time since it was re- opened last fall. Sam M. Reichblum, head of Reich- blum Theatre Co., opens general of- fices for his chain in East Liverpool. Frank Devol, featured vocalist with Em Gills' band, visits with home folks here during two weeks' layoff of band. •Hod' Williams' orchestra, follow- ing six months at Florida's most fashionable resorts, resumes tour of Ohio dance spots. Duke Drukenbrod, Hagenbeck Wallace sideshow manager, will leave next month for Peru, Ind., to ready his sideshow for the 1933 tour. R. D. Smith, agentlng 'Moonshine and Honeysuckle' through New England, returns to home here.when road show of that title is shelved temporarily. Ben Bernle, with band and com- pany of 30 entertainers, due to play Canton auditorium some time in April. MCA, of Chicago, sponsoring the tour, which will )ast a month. More than 3,600 Jam city auditor! um to see first of series of free vaude shows, sponsored by City Recreation department, while down town movie houses cater to slim patronage. series of caves dug out of natural sandroclt inside llie bluffs along the Mississippi river, scheduled for April 7, the day froth becomes legal. Neon skuU-and-ci'ossbones sign 8x 10 feet—visible from the loop across the river—the spot's only outside adornment. Spokane By Ray Budwin Tom M^ R. Keane, who originated Sportsmen-Tourist fair idea, here from Tacoma to assist with plans for 14th annual show. Razing of AvaJon theatre, torn down to defeat heavy taxes, has been completed. Plans call for the erection of service station on the downtown site. Wanda Hawley, former screen star, in city plugging new apparel for women at department stores Big turnout with stunt a success at each personal appearance. Charles Burke, advance of Tattle Tales,' Barbara Stanwyck-Frank Fay show, In city arranging book- ing with H. D. McBride of Fox Road attraction booked for two showings March 28. Orpheum reopened March 17, with Tom Olsen as manager. House now operating under direction of Ever- green Theatres, Inc. Straight pix at 30-cent top. Opened to good biz with 'The Great Jasper.* Station KGA will conclude its af- filiation with the Gold network of the NBC April 1, when It will begin operation as a local broadcasting company. Howard Milholland is In charge of the station, which was one of two outlets here for NBC. KHQ will continue to carry NBC chain programs. Hollywood Saranac Lake By Happy Benway Bermnda '42d Street' attracting mobs at the Queen Street flicker palace. Playwright Augustus B. Thomas rambling around with Mrs. Thomas for the next three weks. The Vernons Imported this week (23) for Castle Harbour, the only dancing team on the island at present. Remo Bufano marionettes to per- form poet-Easter in conjunction with the Bermuda Opera club's 'Trial by Jury.' Charley TuUle's 'must come quick' cable sent Helen Kane and Max. Hoffmann home on the next boat (26) in time for the big law- svit. Just as Sigmund Schatz assem- bles his full concert and dance or- chestra at Castle Harbour, his fid- dler tumbles off a bicycle and puts a good arm out of commlsh for a week. St ?aul _ By Walt Raschick Dick Cook In town from Chi. on *Iz. Joe Friedman back from N. Y. on biz. Riviera starts split week sched- ule Friday (24). Paul B. Adams In as manager of the town's ritziest house, the new World, foreign film spot with a six- bit top. Biz so brutal at RKO with Jol- son's 'Hallelujam' that wags declare pic should have been yclept 'Hal- lelujah, I'm a Bum Actor.' Paramount, across-the-street op- po.slsh to the RKO, goes to other extreme and enjoys Its best week In a year with WB's *42nd Street.' Hamllne, nahe house, undergoing extensive remodeling. Six hundred (capacity) 12-sprIng, alr-cushlon, leather-covered seats being in- stalled to replace present antlnquee, Opening of Mystic Caverns, a A few essential things that you and you should know, it might keep you away from Saranac. If you have a slight cold see your doctor, avoid chest protectors and mufflers tied around your neck. Never cough or expectorate in public. Cleanll ness is essential. Sunlight and fresh air are excellent disinfectants Don't forget that a cheerful mind with this slight cold will be one of your best assets. The cultivation of it will be the greatest comfort to you. So be careful, as a slight cold may lead to a chronic disease ■ Tom Ploward, formerly of Howai'd & Marlon, and Gus Barrett, of the Barrett Bros., who operate the Com- monwealth Theatrical Agency, Bos- ton, Mass. have lined :.up many of the up-state houses for spring vaudeville bookings. While looking over Saranac Howard & Barrett stated that they now booked 6^ weeks in. and-around Boston with about five weeks of New York state time lined up for the spring. St. Patrick 'blow-ofC' in san was a big success, every up patient do- ing his bit giving the bed patients a big kick out of the local clown show. Antiques galore were pulled to big laughs, even Ben SchafCer spoke 'four words' in English. Nice time sponsored by Mrs. Katherine Murphy, superintendent of the lodge. Charles Bloomfleld left for Phila- delphia, Pa., with an arrested case okay. It took him a little over a year to do the trick. It was a sad parting, as he sure did hate to leave his friends up here. SARANAC ON PARADE.. .Johnny Laycock who is strictly abed show- ing up to the cure okay.. .Phyliss Milford gets the big out-of-tbe- cure-town okay...Tom Creamer re- turned to the lodge resuming the ozone routine; this is Tom's third visit up here...Jack Nicoll has cut off his connections with Ravenhall night club to resume a mess of cur- ing at 49 Sheppard ave. ..Ford Raymond left the infirmary depart- ment doing a little uplng at times ...Helen O'Reilly who did the cure thing up here is Saranac-lng for a look over; may go into biz up here ...Betty Huntington got the big okay to go home, only to throw one of those things that will keep her in bed for some time to come. Kid now out of the red and doing oke ...Alma Montague leaving cured, will do that farm thing in Verrhont, great come-back...Chris Hagedorn secret meetings with Dr. Woodruff spells another operation. Those two must love each other, this will make the fifth cutting up...Frisco De- Vere feeling so-so with lotsa bed- ding between little get-ups...Mau- rice Cohen is a new-comer at the lodge, now under observation. Dr. Wilson looking over...Alice (Jar- man New Yorklng for a vacash... Betty Blair still in bed... Natalie Feldman three Jumps ahead of the medicos and doing great...Dr. Ed- gar Mayer will vacash it In Cuba... The home of Mrs. Christy Mathew- son. Sr., Is being fixed up; she Is expected back here from her China visit any day.. .Nice to see Danny Murphy and Tommy Vicks out of bed; both licked a mess of bad cold and how.. .Fred Bachman recovered one pound of that lost weight and now swears by cod-liver oil...Have you any spare Jig-saw puzzles? The gang up here can use them while curing...Ben SchafTer back in bed nursing schnozzle trouble.. .Leonard Cowley now on unlimited exercise; nice, eh! WHO'S WHO IN THESE UNITED STATES...George Milton, the~ffrtE:tnal JIggs in Bringing Up Father, holding up okay at the Elk's Home, Dedford, Va.. .Cecilia Hafer- mann, R.S.S. Rutland, Mass., licked a serious setback, now sitting up with that okay thing.. .Artie (Bur- lesque) Lewis doing his stuff at the State San., Waverly, Ky...Bob Mc- Ouire, Barbar Hotel, Los Angeles, Cal.. now out of a six-week flu mess ... Toddy Lorraine, U. S. Vets, Hos- pital, Tupper Lake, N. Y., going through a siege of much sickness... Patricia Bnird left the Mt. Vernon sanatorium and Is now resting at her home in Kansas City, Mo... Joseph Vaughey Is an absolute ar- rested case and is working In Den- vor, Colo.. .Hobby CJraham, No. 191 University ave., Toronto, Canada, on his third m<;rith of that medico tiling, but mjc!. on the mend, ex- P'?ct.s to rcfiunie Work In tlie next future...Are you writing to those that you know In Saranac and else- > where that are sick? Oscar Levant and Jack Bobbins trading Insults. Jack Oakie went for four new suits. That's news. C. N. Nelson Is the assistant to the Metro story editor. Mrs. Gus Kahn arrived here Thursday from the east. Hal Roach with his wife and son sail for Europe March 31. Colleen Moore is hosting the press at her home next Sunday. Overcoats are going into the dis- card with the heat coming. Department stores displayiiig 'goona goona' bathing suits. Lan"y Hart is either smoking larger cigars or he's shrinking. In '42d Street,' Harry Warren photographs like Harry Ruby's brother. Social season in town is beginning to sour with everyone painting up at Malibu. The Barthelmess bungalow at the Bev Hills hotel getting to be a great drop-in spot. Cai'l De Voy, Pasadena portrait photographer, now snapping pic- tures for Columbia. John Wray and Robert Gleckler, actors, started last week by auto fO{ New York on a visit. Mary MacLaren, former silent star, playing a bit in Paramount's 'Intemational House.' Jack Wooldrldge, syndicate writer, on his feet again after the doctors had said it was no go. Those Eskimos brought south for Metro's 'Eskimo' having a tough time being understood. Gary Grant Is still carrying a scar from the explosion on the 'Eagle and Hawk' set at Par. Jacques Lory, French mag writer, received an injured eye when work- ing as an extra in Fox's 'Pilgrim- age.' George Ward, formerly In the Fanchon & Marco home ofiflce. now assistant manager at the Para- mount. Mae Clarke recovering rapidly from her auto accident injuries and returns to work at Metro In about 10 days. Bid Grauman Is still trying to contact George Bernard Shaw for an Imprint of his whiskers in the Chinese forecourt. > West Side Riding and Asthma Club called off Grover Jones' planned week-end on bis yacht. No sailors in the mob. Mario, maitre with Sardl's in New York for five years, has transferred his allegiance to Sardl's In Holl7> wood. He starts today (Mon.). Loop Abe Lastfogel here. Ed Levin on B&K sick list. Fred Jordon with Abbey Players. Dave Llpton on a diet every other day. Ben Ehrllch out of town for a week. Lou Llpstone gone to Manhattan looking for acts. Lou Cowan is publicizing, of all things, an orphans' home. DeSylva, Brown & Henderson ofllce closed, staff disbanded. Col. Daniel Thomson now with H. Leopold Spltalny's radio firm. John Meaney, once an actor, now In Oak Park home for indigents. Jim Christy and John Joseph of RKO aj:e wearing new Easter suits. Newspapers are having an epi- demic of whlte-on-black theatrical ads. World Fair expects to Issue a 15- cent magazine for general distribu- tion. Phillips Carlln and Frank Mason, NBC eastern moguls, barged into town, C. J. Bulllett caught 'Shadow of a Gunman' in the absence of Lloyd Lewis. Frank Bering playing polo at the 124th F. A. Armory took a bad spill, but escaped Injury. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Puck cele- brated 10 years of married life with a party at the Opera Club. City desks a bit Irked at Balaban & Katz for sidestepping questions on negotiations with unions. Jack Qarrlty, Jr., is press agent- lng Kathryn (jrawford, who opens at the 100 CHub. Leo .Salkin booked. -Nate- Blumberg week-ended In Milwaukee with his mother who is slowly mending from an operation. Paul Cohan has taken '3 Rhythm Ramblers' under his wing and re- named them '3 Southern Gentle- men.' Ted Weber sprucing up White City amusement park sanguine of getting share of World's Fair crowds. Albert Dezel has states' rights to 'Seventh Commandment,' a pictorial treatise on the well-known misde- meanor. Lou Greenspan arrived by aero- plane Saturday morning from Hol- lywood to attend his mother'6 fune- ral Monday. . Diane Bothwell from Minneapolis has come to the loop to seek her fortuno with a voice formerly heard over WCCO, St. Paul. Harriet Iloctor replaced Will Ma- honey at the Indie Emboyd, Fort \ (Continued on page 64)