Variety (Sep 1935)

Wednesday, September 25, 1935 MUSIC VARIETY 61 Paramount Deal Only One on Bobby Crawford, hiead. o£ the music firm bearing bis name Is authority, from & sickbed, via tele- phone, that the Paramount deal to acquire the Crawford iMusic Corp. (DeSylva, rpwn & Henderson, Inc.) catilog ■ la'the oifTy'oh*i5":r&i11y' ..hanging... l40.u_.PJiamo]id,..iiead of Par's niuslc interests—which already Includes its own subisidiary, Famous Music Corp.-^ls the con- tact maii on behalf of the picture company. J. B. Otterson,. head of iPar, Is said to have referred the matter to accountants, Mills Music has ' also been nib- bling for the Crawford Music' take- over. In either instance, Rocco Vocco would probably stay on as an em- ploye besides holding 25% of the Iflrm, Crawford is anxious to bow out and go Into fllm production in Hollywood. Crawford's illness from a cold has been complicated by a nervous breakdown, but Sunday (22) was the first day be was able to go out for a drive after being confined almost a month.. Deal that Metro launched two weeks ago for the purchase of the Lett Feist, Inc., catalog has gone cold. Picture producer asked the publisher to quote a price and the resultant figure convinced Metro that not only was it too niuch, but the difference was too wide to allow for any bargaining. SI liar reac- tions have within thef past two months occurred to Warner Bros, and Famous Miislc Corp, Figure quoted by Feist to WB was reported as $800,000. HIGH VOLTAGE JAZZ MUSIC INSTRUMENTS Current trend in orks is the high voltage types employing electrified string Instruments. Han-v Keser, [Hot, has gone even further, and added a Hammond electric organ to his aijgi'egatiin. This is believed to be the pioneer outfit using the plpe- less keyboard to complement a band. Hawaiian and Spanish guitars, made by Rickenbacker in Lbs .An- geles, are already part of the band's equipment. Horace Heldt is the only other known band leader in- cluding 'current' instruments. Every unit of a band may now be battericd with exception of the brass end. Organ music must be scored with the ork. It was first put in use last week, when Reser went to Georgia, a 1,100-mile trip, to open a nlte club In Atlanta. Mechanism is entirely without pipes and works with a series of rotary clock motoi-s and powered by a portable generator, tioudspeaker is attached to tlie in- strument and may be placed any- where. Other tpye of electorgans are manufactured by Dubro In Cali- fornia and Electrovox in New York. FOUR PRIMA SWINGERS HURT IN AUTO CRASH New Orleans, Sept. 24. Pour members of Louis Prlma's orchestra suiPfered injuries when the car In which they were driving from New York, for their engage- ment at the Shim Sham Club here was struck by a truck near Meri- dian, MIb.s. The auto plunged into a ditch after it wa.s turned over. Jack Ryan, of Schenectady. N, Y., bass fiddle player, required medical treatment in a Meridian hospital. Mack Adams. 'Pee Wee' Rusaeii arid Frank Plnero were bruised and scratched but were able to continue on to New Orlean.s in a car driven by 'Red' McCuIlum, business manager of the orchestra. . Ryan rejoined the band In time to open at the Shim Sham. The band has taken the city by storm. Jack Colt, proprietor of the Famous Door, is in the city trying to persuade Prima to change hi.s mind about going to Hollywnn/i Mid 1.0 return lo N^w Tr^i- C-C Sets Coslow Sam Coslow is the first of a sc- ries of songw'riters signed by Campbell-Connelly to go abroad for the British popular song house. A.merican rep for C-C, is signing op a half• dtjzen nthers'-itfats week; C-C's advantage in so doing is that the world copyrights rest Avith the British company, which in turn can assign the American publica- tion rights as it sees fit. BUFFALO SPOTS GOING FOR NAMES AND SHOWS Buffalo," Sept. 24. Buffalo night hot spots getting under way last week have gone strong for name, shows. The Hollywood will play a series of name bands, Ben Bernie just finishing and Duchin, Lopez and Bestor penciled for early fall. Cnez Ami, downtown intimate night spot, is reopening with Bob Larrl and a floor siiow Including Cy Landry, Jules and Josie Walton arid Vivian Fields. Park Lane, is converting its for- mer lounge and. Red Room into-a supper club and, planning name bands and perhaps Dwight Fiske, The Savarin, operated by Altman and Wallens, will open with an old- time Bowery show and policy. Mc- Van's Padio has Rasha and Rheria, Jackie Whalen, Peggy Dale and Rita. K. E. P. Club has booked Everett Sanderson and his Mem- phis MinstrelSi Vendome, Colored, but pUying to ofays, will give the Hollywood com- petition with Calloway and Elling- ton sought. Jamestown has Ginger Evans, Lee Sisters, Flash Russel' and Verna Bowman, while Little Harjem will have a colored show and Ray Hart's band (white). Crystal-Barge Folds, but Auditore Trying Again After the Alcoholic Beverage Control board found the Crystal Club on the East River, N. Y., guilty for alleged violations, Jimmy Auditore sought to operate the nitery from the nearby anchored barge. The ABC olBcIals frowned on that too and so the Crystal Club- Barge has folded. Auditore is going into a new spot. Maxim's on East 54th, House of Lords, also East 54th, sponsored by Harry Kannen, Joe Moss and Lee Shubert, featuring Helen Morgan, is, slated to start <> soon. Enric Madrlguera's orchestra isn't set for the Morgan nitery as previously re- ported. A band will probably be l).ullt around Miss Morgan's piano accompanist. Club Madeleine,, along with Bar- ney Gallant's new spot opposite El Morrocco, plus Bill's Gay Nineties and the Hotel Weyleln's Caprice Room, mak^."? East 54 th another highly congested nltei-y' belt. Maurice Auditore's Lc Mirage \yith Eve Symington feature is also due to st-art shortly in the same sector. Galla:nt previewed his hew up- town spot yesterday (Tuesday) be- fore the big fight. Formal opening Thursday. This mark.s the former Greenwich Village 'Mayor's' come- back: to nitc life having renounced the Village and his Washington Sq. N. spot with the advent of re- peal, willing It to Arnold Rossfield. Latter later also gave it up and Is now with Nick. In the successful Versailles. Tatum in Loop Chicago,. Sept. 24. Art Tatum, blind panlst from Cleveland, is opening at the Three Deuces on State .street. EENE'S CAFE Cafe Rene will open on the site of the old King's Terrace, New York, Oct. 3, with premises enlarged to ;iccommodate 500 persons. It will be under tlie management of .Rene, who was last with the Town Ca.sino Cliib. Vincent Sorpv orchestra Is ant. to- gelli'^r with .to f -)"-'!- '"iirt "I't-* Most Played on A\r To fan^iUarhte the trade tctth the tunes most on the air around iis'tinb oj the aorya moiit pidytd on the crqas-counlri/. networks last week, in. relative standing, 'according to the approxiwate number o) combined plugs on WEAF, WJZund VPADC. Cheek to Cheek I'm In the Mood for Love Rhythm and Bomanee Isn't This a Lovely Day "I Wished on <h0 Moon ' I'm On a See-Siaw ' Without a Word of WarnihB Double Trouble Top Hat, White Tie, TaiU I Couldn't Believe My Eyes ,Every Now and Then From Top of Your Head Nothing Lives Longer Oregon Trail Page Miss Glory Accent on Youth Little Gypsy Tea Room Got ■ Feeling You're Fooli I Wish I Were Aladdin When Leaves Bid Trees Good* bye That's What Yoy Think Rose in Her Hair The Picco.lino Starr Says Acceptance of Board Post No Endorsement of MAP; WB Will Walk If Not Sab'sy Wash'ton Moves ation To Federal Court Tacoma, Wash., Sept. 24, State of Washington has trans- ferred its litigation against the American Society of Composers, Authors and Putlishers to the federal courts. In a petition filed last week the state asked the local U. S. District Court for a permanent Injunction restraining ASCAP and 10 Washington radio stations from do- ing business with one another on the ground that Society was exercis- ing a monopoly in perfor ing rights. No date for a hearing on the peti- tion has been set. Federal niove Is similar to the one that the state successfully prose- cuted In its own courts several weeks ago. In a sweeping order the latter declared all contracts between ASCAP and its local licensees Illegal and void and prohibited all radio stations and others using perform- ing right from accepting the present ASCAP contracts. Nathan Burkan, ASCAP's gen- eral counsel, declared yesterday (Tuesday) that he had not been ap- prised of the State of Washington's latest action against the Society. ASCAP, said Burkan, has filed, with the Federal Court in Tacoma, a petition asking that the state's case against the Society be trans- ferred to the farmer's JurLsdiction. He was under the iinpression, added Burkan, that the state authorities were making efforts to have the Society's action bi-ought back to the state courts. Ben Bernie Divorced Helen Morgan lU Htltn Morgan is cjaltc ill In Xcw York with ' high le.v.er,- This furthti' postpone* the opening of her nitery, House, of Morgan. Lee Shul>€rt, Harry Kannen and Joe Moss are intftrested in the Morgan nitery project. DEIROrr SHOW SPLURCE DURING WORLD SERIES Detroit. Sept. 24. Led by Emerson GiU's orcbettra, Detroit nlterles. and botele viiS present topnotch attraciiont- fcr World Series celebrants here oeit week. Business was fine during the 1934 baseball claissic,, due chiefly to the fact it was. first pennant for city in 25 years and is bright, this year, too. With Gill at Hotel Webster Hall is Marion Mann, Lafayette and La Verne. Two Kays, Jessita, Jack Bliss, Johnny Drake and Red Davison. At the Book-Cadillac, which opens its Mayfair Room Oct. i, will be Frieddle Bergin ork, featuring Mary Tudor.- Oriole Ten-ace. has booked Cross and Dunn with a big revue. Others on the show are James and Peltz, Betty Thompson, and Billy Carr, and RysB Lyons' orchestra.' Eddie Minick band tops the show at the . To-Jo Farms, with Evelyn Hoffman, Prlscllla Bennett, iand Larry Vincent. Ted Rice's band is at Blue Boat Inn. Reviie with Milt Bernie band is at Cocoanut Plams, a nifty attrac- tion for the week. Special shows likewise are being arranged by Plantation, Northwood Inn, Ossie, Pioneer Club and the several black- and-tans. American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers will appoint a special, committee of writers, and publl.shers to take charge of tbe or- ganization's fight, against the Duffy copyright bill which passed the Sen.-, ate at the last session of Congress. Designation of a group whoise func- tion it will be to work with Nathan Burkan, general counsel, was.agreed upon at a meeting TPhursday (19) I of the ASCAP's directorate. ! Following his ilectiori to the J board at this same meeting, Her- man Starr,. Warner Bros, treasurer, I declared that he hoped that his ac- ) ceptance of the post would not be j taken as a gesture of reconciliation. 5 Starr averred that he was pre- j pared tp do all he could to co-oper- :;ate with the directors in keeping * VTB publishing firms within the So- ; c*ty but that unless ASCAP would ■ before Jan. 1 shDW first, by a re- ' vision of its methods of royalty al- I location and second, by drastically ' changing its contracts with radio,, that Warner Bros, will enjoy a subr stantial inci-ease in performing rights income his organization would go through with its intention of withdrawing from the Society.. Objections Starr's remarks drew objections from some of the directors. They said they didn't , like the spirit in which he entered the board, and Starr retorted that lie could walk out as easily as he came in. Bal- ance of the session was taken up with routine matters and a discus- sion as to how the Duffy bill, which is slated to come up before the House of Representatives this Jan- uiary, can be best opposed. Indications are that the Society will refrain from readjusting the ratings of its members for the rest of 1935, Since it is proposed to put a new method of allocating the royalties into effect Jan. 1, many of the board members figure that it would be best to let the classiflca- tions stand as they are through the subsequent quarter. HYLTON-CAMPBELL DUE, MAYBE WITH WALKER Jack Hylton and Jimmy Campbell are due in the U. S. from London around Oct. 16. Hylton. will start a new conimerclal for Standard Oil of Illinois, making the second Brlt- isli band (Noble first) to be open- sesamed for the ether. Campbell is of the Campbell-Connelly music pub, flrpi. Reported Jimmy Walker, New York's ex-mayor, may suddenly de- cide to accompany Hylton and Campbell, but that's indef. The C-C firm has Just taken the British rights for two years to Se- lect-Santly. Chicago, Sept. 24. Ben Bernie last week was divorced from Roses Bernie on charges of de- sertion. They married In 1915 and .separated in 1931. Mrs. Bernie secured custody of their son, Jason, now enrolled at Culver Military Academy. Strike Delays Cleve. Statler Show Opening Cleveland, Sept, 24. Walkout of chefs and waiters, who are 'trying to force Statler Hotel to recognize their union by picketing. Is deadlocking liolel's mu.slcal plans for fall. Tommy Tucker's ork with Emily Lano originally .scheduled to go before Oct. 1, may be po.stponed. .Stubby Gordon's band Is .staying on, for musicians' union doesn't want tp be drawn Into strike. Rumored that hotel will hold out until after elections, when set-up may be changed. Present mayor ">'""flp)'*'fl too frlfndlv f> u«>-"Vp..u Ramon-Rosita Open , in NX, but Not Together Ramon and Renlta having opened at the Rainbow Room, N. Y., last week, hin ex-partner and wife, Kosita and Fontana, new partner, arc slated to bow into the Savoy- Plaza hotel, N. Y;, Oct. 3. Ramon switched the new 'Roslta's' name to Renita following legal threat over trade name; Dick Gasparre's orchestra and Dwight Fiske arc associate new features at the S-P hostelry. Philly Openings Philadelphia, Sept. 24. nitz Carlton hotel, after several quiet seasons, will go nitery Sept. 30 with orchestra and floor show In redecorated former dining room re- cently vacated by Locust Clyb. Pennsylvania hotel reopens Sept. 30, with Joe . FraKetto'fi band and show. Buddy Crawford ha.<i charge MAIO'S NEW LOCASH Albany, Sept. 24. John Malo, moved his Club Frolics to a new location on South Pearl . .street and reopened CJatur- day (21) with Scotty'.s Mls-saui-inn."--, Dorotliy Peter.son's glrN, K«1dle Vnn Dyke, Murray Ro.sfi. Vlirplnl.i Nu- gent, JackJo .Schwartz ."nil Sldnoy NBC GIVES IN A UL' BIT ON PLUGGERS NBC last week lifted its ban against publishers' contact (song pluggere) men in one respect. They may now, on two designated after- noons of the week, call at the net- work's program department for in- formation as to which of their tunes have been scheduled for future broadcasts. But.the rule which bars them from visiting the studios or the latters' ante-roomis remains un- changed. Under ths arrangement which NBC put into effect, after publl.sh- erH asked for . a reconsideration of tho order, which Khut them put of the network's premises completely, the music men may get their Info about slated plugs on Wednesday and Friday afternoons. Barring order wals Issued after NBC pageboys had allegedly report- ed to the heads of the program de- partment that several music con- tacteers had been caught using de- vious passages to get to the stu- dios. Silver s Rating Upped Abner liver I.'ist week reoclvcd an. upplng in his rating from the classification meeting o£ the Ameri- can Roijlcty, of Composcr.s, Authors and I-'ubilnhei-a. Boost was from Class B to Class BE. Special pur.se that the writer fac- tion Is slated to distribute for the thlr quarter of 193B is reported to !iavo first," second, tliird and fourth money allocated. In that order, to the \yrlters of 'Gypsy Tearoom,' 'Cha.sing ."^hntlow.",' 'And Then Some' ;\nd '1 Couldn't Br'llcve My Eyes.' ni.^ifrlbiitlcin /fs based , on plugs ac- f.-umulated'Oduring the "o^ond quarter of the vpar;