Variety (May 1935)

Wednesday. May 15, 1935 LEGIIIMAYE VARIETY 57 Literati Will Discuss Book Code Book trades code as it affects tbe bookseller will be the principal Item of 'discus,<iIon at the annual conven- tion of the American Booksellers' Convention which opens at the Hotel Pennsylvania, May 26, tor two days. Reported dissatisfaction in some quarters over the code, despite the fact that It contains book price maintenance, something for which the bookseller has been fighting for for years. Firat Mickey Mag George Daws has been appointed genera.1 manager, of Hal Horhe, Inc., publisher of Mickey Mouse Maga- zine. Horhe will edit the mag, first Issue of which goes on the news- stands today (Wed.). First run, 200,000 copies, price 26c. "Will be quarterly. Associate editors are two radio and vauleville gag men, Irving Brecker and A. P. Lip.ticott. Another Scribe Lands Another one-time member of the editorial staff of the old New York World has been appointed to a p.a. position in the State Service. He is Allan L. Reagan, named by ConseiTatlon Commissioner Llth- gow Osborne to the $6,000-a-year Job as director of the N. Y. State Publicity Bureau, which will carry on an advertising-publicity cam- paign for the State as a vacation- land and ii dustrial centre. Reagan served for the past year as sports editor of Hearst's Albany Times Union. One of his superiors in the Conservation Depai'tment Is Deputy Commissioner John T. Gibbs, also a 'World' alumnus. For the Sick A mag 'Fun In Bed' is being pro- jected by a Detroit publisher, in- tended for distribution to hospital patients only. Will be called Cheerio, and publication will be weekly. Contents will comprise light fiction, games and puzzles. To fully Identify the proposed periodical, Cheerio will be subtitled The National Magazine for Hos- pital Patients. J. F. Thompson editing. 3-in-1 N. Y. Locality Mag Neighborhood News Publishing Co. has been reorganized as the Cue Publishing Co,, and getting out- a new locality amusement weekly called Cue. Mag is In three edi- tions, serving the East Side and the West Side of New York City, and Westchester County. New editor Is Jesse Zunser. Lawes With Prison. Life Negotiations between Theodore Epstein and Warden Lewis E, Lawes of Sing Sing, whereby Lawes was to serve as nominal editor of Epstein's projected mag. Prison Btorjes, have fallen through. Lawes was subsequently signed by the newly-formed Tewhlel Publica- tions to edit Its forthcoming mag. Prison Life. In the case of Prison Life, also, Lawes will only nominally be the editor. Actual editor will be Walter W. Hubbard. Prison Life will carry fiction and fact. With Lawes o\it, Epstein has abandoned his projected Prison Stories. Had even dummied a full issue to sell the Idea to Lawes. Retailers Turn Pubs. Number of Eastern booksellers, Who have been planning for some time a Join limited excursion Into book publishing, finally get started With 'Gertrude Jekyll,' a biog by Francis Jekyll. Booksellers call their undertaking the Bookshop Round Table. The volumes published by them will be In limited editions, subscribed for In advance as far as possible. Felt by th« booksellers Involved that they are violating no ethics by publishing. They also point out that a. number of book publishers main- tain bookshops, notably Doubleday, t)oran. New Reprint Mag New reprint mag, fashioned after The Golden Book, is the Fiction Parade. Belles its title, however, In that It uses drawings, poetry and Other matter beisldes fiction. New mag differs from The Oolden Book In that it reprints con- temporary and recent stuff. Golden Book uses mostly the classics. Edi- tor of Fiction Parade Is Francis R. Bellamy. New Smallie Another one of those 'lllllu' ma,ga •n process of preparation, Spon- for Is Herman IJartnow, who will call It The Fellow Traveler, Initial .issue will appear ne.\t Septemer and will contain a miscellany of matter Including fact and fiction. Partnow also editing. CHATTER Katharine Brush has gone abroad. Lilo Linke in Turkey to do a book on that land. .Helen Augur has Joined the Bobbs, Merrill editorial staff. Name ,of Arthur Kober's book changed to 'Thunder Over tlio Bronx,' Margaret Deland, the novelist, do- ing her reminiscences. W.. R. Barnes has sailed for Porto Rico and nearby points. Jessie Ernst embarking for Paris May 18 from New York. Victoria Lincoln back to New England to start a new novel. Fourth printing for 'Devf in April.' Same for 'Personal Appearance.' Stella Gibbons finished her third novel, 'Enbury Heath,' for Long- mans, Green. Tod Downing has quit his teach- ing job to devote himself exclusive- ly to scribbling. First two days, after it won the Pulitzer Prize 'Now In November' sold 9,000 copies. Real name of Henry Wade, au- thor of 'Constable, Guard Thyself," Is Henry L. A. Fletcher. Sax Rohmer due in New York from London the end of May to chin with his American publishers. Horace McCoy has written a novel about marathon dancers and Essandess have it for publication, Paul Engle, one of the few poets whose books of rhymes sell in quan- tity, doing a new volume of verse while training with his college boat club. Harry Lee, publicist in Warner Bros. New York office, had a poem, 'Bells of Callfon,^ accepted by Good Housekeeping, will appear In July issue of mag. Scribner's soon brings out 'Mag- ical City,' a book of the drawings of New York scenes by "Vernon Howe Bailey that have appeared in the N. Y. Sun. Book Reviews Second Click Gladys Hasty Carroll's second novel, 'A Few Foolish Ones,' (Mac- mlllan, ?2.50), lost no time getting Into the best-seller classification and is likely to stay there for a time. She still clings to the Maine en- vironment, though, save for lesser details, her Gus Bragdon might have been spotted anywhere be- tween the St. Croix river and liake Champlaln. He Is the type of hard headed, tight-fisted but eminently square shooter to be found any- where between those two points. The story rides with him from his marriage In 1870 to his death in 1930, but the 60-yoar span Is di- vided by two time Jumps Into three compact parts. Told in the simple, but gripping style of her earlier work, she holds Interest through making her people Intimately real and then taking thorn through their many homely adventures. It's dif- ficult to put the book down once it is started. Life of a Harridan Fictional prize winners are not, generally, very good from a literary standpoint. 'Not for Heaven,' by Dorothy McCleary (Doubleday - Doran; $2), Is an exception to this. Story Magazine and D-D sponsored a $1,000 contest for a first novel by a previous contributor to the mag. This book and Edward Anderson's 'Hungry Men' were both considered good enough to win and the prize was duplicated. 'Heaven' Is an amusing story about a tough old lady who wanted to plant vegetables. Sometimes re- minding of 'February Hill,' Mlsa McCleary writes of the same kind of homey, yet somewhat screwy characters. It Is not as consistently funny as 'February Hill' and Is a bit more true to life; but reading one can't help reminding of the other. Not for films. mer In a sjnall southern town and his canvas is a big one. He has a whole slew of characters of varying sorts and he manages to spin them all together. To do this he resorts to tlie use of many short sub-chap- tor divis snolskp,ipnisiNNNsur,h .8.2 ter divLsions, .skipping back and forth in the narration. It Is all basically good writing and worth- while as fiction, but perhaps a bit too di cult to follow for average readers. Not for picturizatlon. Tough World .lacrk Conroy, who writes books in bctwf>on editing The Anvil, Is one of the leaders among the writers of 'proletarian fiction.' His newest book, 'A World to Win' (Covicl- Frlede; $2.50), falls in that class and could easily have been much better than It Is, although contain- ing many really strong passages and some fine observation. It Is a Rtoi-y of two brothers who tackle life in completely different way.s, but reach the same conclu- sion: that times are tough. Over- written in the last few chapters, book nevertheless leaves a memory behind. Not for films. Heavy Propaganda In seeking to capitalize the recent munitions scandals; Michellne Keat- ing somewhat handicaps her 'Till Heaven Cracks' (Hartney, $2). The propaganda intrudes on an other- wise smartly told story of a society artist who fears the millions made by the father of the girl who seeks to mari-y him. Not violently a paci- fist, but doesn't quite like the Idea of the source. Complications a,rewell knitted and there are some capital character studies. In spite of the arguments, the story runs fluidly, but 'Just misses being a topper. PLAYS ON BROADWAY Saga of the South There have been . many book.s written about the south In the past few years and some of them have been fine. Newest in the series Is 'Siesta,' by Berry Fleming (Hor- court-Brace; $2.60), deserving of much better gener reception than It la likely to ^et. Mr, Fleming's efory Is of a Bum- THE HOOK-UP Conifidy In two 'act.s. presented at the Cort, N. v., May 8, '.35, by I.enllo J. Spll- Icr; written by Jack I.alt and Stephen Gross; Krneat Truex starred; .staged by Frank MerDn; $3.30 top. Florenne Mary Jane Barrett Lawrence ...Russell Morrison Bloomberg Philip Van Zandt Oiccoilnl ArlBlldea de Leon (Jrant Frederic Howard Roper Peter Powers victor "Vance Ernest Truex Mary Dalnbrldge Edith Taliaferro Virginia Bryce Helen Lynd Paeo Boy HIchard Abert Paso Boy Robert Elwyn .\. J. Lamb Harold Moffet .Ml.ss Hemingway Olive Miller Bins Balboa Arthur Tracy Announcer Edward Fersu.son Rodio Engineer Charles Wagenhclm Tappin Percy Helton Blonde Ruth Fallows .Mother Bryce Eva Condon Etta Lynch Grace "Valentine Hollls, A.B.C DouBlas Gregory Seth G. Jay Straight. Jr. Mlsha Snul Z. Martell Jerry Wells Richardson Uuby Georgette Harvey Betty Patricia Pcardon Harry Philip Truex Bishop Thomdyke Frederick Graham Brlde.fmalJ ..Margaret O'Donnell Bridesmaid Elaine Blauvcit Plays Out of Town SHINING ARMOR Pittsburgh, May 10. Bacchanalians of Carnegie Tech present n new comedy by Roscm-.iry fasoy and B. Iden Payne; In three arts and one .icene; Bt.%.i;cd by Chester Wallaic; at the Davis theatre for two perfonnanees.. ! Shirley Davis Pattl Llitell Stephen Davis Gcorgo "LlDyd ICdw.Trd Davis Malcolm Mllllcan Clara Davis , Janet Patrick Roger Clayton .George Klltrcdge Josephine Polly Rowles Parker Brinlon Turkic There Is some day going to be a smash comedy on radio, Just as there have been about Broadway, the press and the races. Had these air waves-wise authors devoted more time on the satire It would have a much better chance. Arriv- ing at the tall end of the season, however, clink possibilities arc limited. 'The Ilook-Up' Is the best play on x'adio to date and Hollywood will probably take it, even if Broadway doesn't. Playwi-iting power is pres- ent, as indicated by the matked Im- provement over Its try-out form in Philadelphia. It was In three acts for the first performances, then con- verted Into two parts, which promptly stepped it up. Jack Lait and Stephen Gross, who collaborated In writing the play, know radio. A studio wedding Is the big scene In the new play. It Is hilarious, giving 'Hook-Up' its punch and the detail seems even more the McCoy. Play's authenticity In the studio scenes Is .mother pertinent, favor- able factor. Laugh content could have been fuller and the best guffaw of the premiere was Inserted at the last moment, an added Lalt contrib- ution. Play Jjtarts' in the board room of the Amalgamated Broadcasting Company, whore the execs are plot- ting how to sell time to A. .T. Lamb, maker of Ponce de Leon pills. I>amb is given an audition with Victor Vance, the 'country lawyer' handing out sage advice, Orphan Nell being his main stooge. Pill maker won't go for it until Vance puts In a f;on- vincer—a romance between tlie lawyer and Nell, they to be m.i.rricd at the termln.atlon of the 13th and final broadcast of the scries. Baby talk Nell Is not so dumb when It corne.s to coin. She. gof'S on tho make for Liamb and has him falling for her. Just before the big ail- mai-Hage Vance Is forced to sign a new contract, which gives Nell ,a goodly plere of the raised salary. Supposed parson. In the robes of a bishop, officiates In the wedding Hcpne nic '-ly IjuIU up for laughs and 'Shining Armor' Is the new title of the play, once called "fhe Saint's Husband.' Piece has had a check- ered career. Originally a solo effort by Rosemaiy Casey, Pittsburgh so- cialite, It was tried out first last summer at Locust Valley and later B. Iden Payne, then instructor at Carnegie Tech drama school and now director of Stratford-on-Avon theatre in England, was called In as collaborator. Taken for production by the fli-m of Hanna and Nellson with Alexandra Carlisle In the lead- ing role, show was called off by pro- ducers on the eve of its Broadway premiere. Here it's done by a group of Tech drama students called the Baccha- nalians, who produce one play an- nually during the .spring. I>ast 3'ear they did another of Miss Casey's comedies, 'Love Is Not Important.' There's a chance lor 'Shining Armor,' but It still needs some ex- tensive revisions. Has an excellent first act, a fair second, but in the third it collapses completely through clumsy writing, with emphasis so poorly placed that audience at first performance here was guffawing at what W.1S Intended to be semi- tragic. Closing scenes don't ring true at all, and the husband's vacillating character doesn't. quite m.ake sense at times. Fault seems to be chiefly In the writing, since the concluding stanza could easily be one of the strongest Instead of the weakest. Amateur cast does extremely well, everything considered, with Polly Rowles, although occasionally a bit too forceful, and Janet Patrick shar- ing honors. Youngster named George Kittredge is quite good as the earn- est Juvenile. Single set looks thor- oughly professional, and Chester Wallace, Tech drama instructor, who directed, achleve.s a llq.uld tempo until the end, when not even a Mamoullan could have held It together. Cohen. TOO LATE TO DIE Philadelphia, May 11. This play by Christopher Wood won plenty of space In the dallies because the group presenting it, the New Theatre, was denied a license to present It In their,own little arty here. Was finally presented at the Locust theatre (film house, con- trolled by A. R. Boyd, Fox head here). Largely as a result of all the stories all the first-string cricks covered and there was consid- erable Interest in the first-night. Business good because of labor groups and unions, and although show was originally In for three nights only, it may be held over next week. A laugh for all except the zealots of the New Theatre group is the program arrangement of names. Characters In the play are listed by themselves, with no actor be- side them. On tho opposite page the members of tho company are listed — In alphabetical order, and that applies whether man or woman play.s one of the mob or a lead. Equality for all being tho idea. 'Too Late to Die' doesn't Impress as having a chance in the theatre without the backing of the leftists or extremists. As stage fare It Is extremely unimportant, without the sharply-edged characterizations and shrewd Judgment of footlight quali- ties that mark such plays a« 'Steve- dore' or 'Awake and .SltiK.' It Is the story of the omic It Is there that the cast Is in high. Testing of the microphones to and back from the control room adds interest as the time draws near when the program goes on the air, excit- ing to the lay people and certainly funny. Ernest Truex as Vance gives a corking performance, putting every- thing po.sslble Into the part. 'Through him the spoofing of radio provides much of the fun. Helen Lynd as the vamp Is .another top choice. Ei?lth Taliaferro is .Mary, Victor's real romance. Frederick Or.Tham cops honors as thu cleric. Large ca.st Includes Truex' wife f.Maiy J!ui(.' Barrett) and his son Philip. There l.s, too, a studio or- chestra. But .'it.'i.nd-out, .along with the star, l.« Arthur- Tracy ('The Street .Singer'), v/ho.^e song contributions do much to provide the broadcast .studio alrnosphere. Amplifying ap- paratus comes In for duty, too. In between scenes, with Tracy gcn(!r- ally on thfi other end. Ills vocal solos are 'Tf-ll Mo Th.'it You Love Mo' and 'O, T'romlse Mf.' Frank Merlin dit-i "icri Hook- I,'p,' n good Job fhee. troubles of Chester Jouc-i, .l.i 'd,- employed machinist, who.«o iidihk mortgage is foreclosed ami n>1io is about to lose his property, lie goes to an attorney, with small result; then to a loan company with less, then, in turn, to an einpioynn.'nt agency and a cler.gym.an. As a last resort, he hies himself to the Relief Headquarters, and, there is put off and off with the stall that hIs' ca.se will be heard later. Chester gets riled and takes a sock at a cop. Jailed, he is brought to trial and the District Attorney is ))resented as a particularly brutal .Simon Legreelsh sort of guy, while Ches- ter's own lawyer Is full of sweet- ness and light. For no particular reason, after being acquitted, he Is held for an examination into hia sanity. The psychiatrists who ex- amine him, among other things, ask him it he hears voices, and he pro- claims loudly that he docs. This Is where the play goes into realms close to the fantastic. And, inci- dentally, the laborites begin to whoop it up at this point. Chester's household is one of a number that is ordered disposed by the Sheriff. There is milling and near-rlotlng between neighbors and police. Chester's wife is shot. That probably proves something very im- portant, but there were a number in the first night audience who didn't know Just what. Acting is so-so, or less, with a couple of exceptions. Production is inclined to be kaleidoscopic, with twenty scenes In two acts. Most of them are merely hazy tableaux. On the other hand, there are soma good dialog, occasional flashes of sound melodrama and effective stage settings, which helped the multipli- city of scenes. Watnra. WEDDING Pa&idena, Cal., May 7. Comedy drama In three acts by. Judith Kandel. Presented by the Pasadena Com- munity Players, May 7, '.35. Directed by Henry K. Dunn. Cast: Anita Blair, Florence .Short, Erlo Van Horn, Julie Benell, Hugh Hippie, John Hhlne, Lyman Wlllams, Edna .Sturgeon, Klsa Hermann, "Frances Carlon, Judltli Evelyn Grant Rlcbardv, Roland Kricff, Ethel C. Runck. Constructed on the 'Grand Hotel' motif, 'Wedding,' once it has been relieved of some of Its dragginess, should stack up as fairly good fodder for Broadway. In Its present form It reveals flashes of exceptional merit, and properly, cast and under expert direction It should have no trouble making the grade. Local presentation, scheduled for a week only, is one of the Com- munity Playhouse's most preten- tious. In addition to the main stage setting, the ballroom suite of a fashionable New York hotel, ante rooms are spotted on either side of the proscenium, with curtain at no time lo^vered and action being con- tinuous, and pantomime entirely pre- ceding the start and during both intermissions. Story is one of the current cock- tail set, with a young, naive bride- to-be getting plenty of education concerning marriage on the^evenlng Just preceding, her wedding. For two and a half hours her Illusions are completely shattered. Wedding party is made up of relatives, divor- cees, wives with their lovers, potters, gold-diggers, castoff mistresses and would be society crashers. Bride-to-be's father Is on the verge of a financial crash and pulls off the big party with all the bluff and gusto of a moneyed giant. Olrl's married sister reveals her unfaith- fulness; she is beset on all sides by the soured experiences of most of the guests and finally elects to cast discretion to tho winds when tho groom-to-bc'B former mistress ia expo.scd after having revealed her* self as his cousin. Sanity finally pre- vails and the tag has the youner couple about to go through with the ceremony. Local cast Includes several whose portrayals register, chief among them Anita Blair as the young brldo; Julie Eenell, her trlfiinff sister; ugh Hippie, lattcr's patient husband; Eric Van Horn, the father, and Florence Short, the mother. Frances Carlon Is oke as the c.asto mistress and Lyman Williams satis- factory as the groom. .ludlth Kandel, who authored, la the wife of..*.ben JCandeJ, novell.st now on the Fox scribble list. F.dwi. Busch Prepping 'Salt' For B'way Production Hollywood, May 14. Nlven Bu.sch has bought tho stago and screen rights to Rebecca West's novelette 'Salt of the Earth.' He will adapt the story for the stage, hoping to get Broadway pro- duction. New Romberg-Harbach Slgmund Romberg and Otto Har« bach arc currently authoring a play with music for production by Law- rimce Schwab In the fall. Title of thfc show is 'The T^dy in ilic Window.'