Variety (Mar 1936)

68 VARIETY flMES SQUARE Wednesday, March 18, 1936 Broadway Herman Shumlln back from Coast. Ann Sothern in from Coast for a brief stay, Joe Relchman in fronr-Boston for a short visit. Jake Lubln back from Fla., and all corked up. Jack Hylton in town over the weekend from Chi, Bob Gillham at Key West, Fla., trying his luck at fishing, Fred Day, London music pub, due to return to England shortly. Murray Alper planed in from Hollywood for funeral of-mother Kit Klein, champ femme skater, deserting the amateur ranks to turn pro Irving Weingart of Loew's book- ing office in the hosp for observa- tion. Sam Dembow, Jr., is planning to shove off for Florida for a short rest. Paul Sabin up from Florida by mid-April to continue his dance chores. Charles Bayes Schmertz, who fol- lowed Boris Morros to Hollywood, is back. Spence Cliff Swayer doWn with grippe, with Lou Lissner bh job day and night. Bobby. Gordon (Gordon, Reed and King) has 'quit hoofing. to agent with Paul Small. Betty Bowker recovered from ' the grippe and back- at the Man About Town nitery, Ray Connor, manager of the Pal- ace, shed his appendix in Elizabeth General hospital,. Eliz., N. J. C6L Ed Schiller, Loew's- v.p., has returned' to. his home in Atlanta after four m'6nths in Florida. $am Williams, formerly... vaude partner of the late Kate . Ellnore, back in Wall Street brokerage. C. N. Odell, Parmount exploiteer, returned to his desk late last week after swing through Ohio and Ken- tucky. Russell Swan, magish who Just finished 16 ■ weeks at the Waldorf, goes to the Palmer House, Chi, -May-.30. Conchlta Moreno, Bowes amateur Winner, ..begins professional riite club career at Dimitri's Club Gaucho. Elliott. MeManus, formerly with publicity forces at 20th-Fox, * has been promoted to executive spot in ad sales division. . Frank Hughes, theatrical adver- tising agent, who broke his left wrist recently« when he slipped on the ice, is mending o.k. Jack Robbins due in from Hohy- wtsod the -26th " fbr N. T. biz visit. Hag taken home in Beverly for permanent California residence. Jack Lewis and John Butler open- ing a theatrical Democratic club at 68. W. 46th street. That makes two. No connection with, the one on 46th. The Gary Cooper? are remaining In. Bermuda another month or more, Par notifying him studio won't re- quire his services for at least that lortg. Arthur Johnston In from the Coast for a quickie around Broad- war. Songwrlting team of Brown and Freed also in town for a brief vacash. Fernando C. Tamayo, Columbia Picture's foreign publicity chief, off to~Venezuelarxtn—a-rac'atlon.—- Will London plane from Miami to Caras, where bis parents live. Monte Prosfer back on Broadway after driving to Miami for eight hoyr*' vacash - when he was> tele; graphed by the French Casino man- agement: to return prbhto. Mrs. Prbser (Julie Jeriner) staying'on in Florida. fffy ,7«9 7 th Avenue,'housing Ber- lin .and: r-RobHInsFmusic flrmBf' the Elks,, Mills A*fls'jfcs; v et jil, has been Without, heat or: lift service due to the-strike. Staffs worked in their overcoa.ts and hats, during the brisker-days hist week. Bufdapest By E.. P. Jacobi 'Roberta' (RKO) a hit here. Zit'a Perczel recovering in a sana- torium. Thea von Harbou,. Germany's leading woman scenarist, here. Szoke Szakall studying English, in the hope of a London engagement. E. D. Leishman, RKO's European manager, here on -the lookout for scenarios. •200 a Month' is title of Laszlo Vadnay's burlesque, now being shot at Hunnia. 'Hernani,' a classical Victor Hugo play in blank verse, revived at the National, a total flop. Benno Moeblus,. German film architect, here to discuss Gevman- Hungarian picture possibilities. Istvan Gero, of the Royal The- atres Trust, bargaining for "Modern Times" in London, but not agreed on price yet. Magyar theatre, in which 'First Legion' has passed its 100th. per- formance, has obtained rights to Ernest Lavery's "Monslgnor's Hour." Alexander Hevesl will again Adapt and direct the Hungarian version. Grade Fields due back from Af rlca. Alfred Drayton in hospital with gout trouble; Naunton Wayne added for m. c work at the Dorchester. Dorothy Ward dangerously ill with ptomaine poisonings Three matinees a. week expert ment current at the Haymarket, Jack Hyltbn's 'She Shall Have Music' opens at the Regal, March 6 Ballet Russe due here June 16 for a two month season at Govent Gar- den. Monty Banks moving out to WeK wyn.. Claims its nicer to live near the studios. Bob Hale, local publisher, has split from Hutchinsons and is forming his own press. Prince. Littler off to New York.to Hne up novelties for his pantomimes for next year. Willie Clarkson's premises, prop- erties and costumes up for public auction March 18. 'Milky Way' (Par) goes into the Carlton March 3, replacing 'I Dream Too Much* (RKO). Guy Morgan, Daily Express re- porter, in line for: the Qedrlc Bel- frage films critic desk. Henry, Edwards' completing pro- duction of 'In the Soup,' which he is directing for Twickenham*' Following their pantomime en- gagement, Blllie and • Renee Hous- ton will, do singles in vaudeville. Harry Roy to do another pic for Joe Rock in June, as soon as-he gets through at the London Palladium. Dennis King's 'Petticoat Fever' a> flop; never moved after bad press arid folded March 7, three weeks. The. Academy running French version of 'Crime and .Punishment,' for four weeks, starting end of March. William Walker's new revue, starring Nelson Keys, originally in- tended for the Savoy, going to the Saville. Cliff Whitley thinking of the new Une-up for the next Dorchester floor show, although it is not due till end of April. Peggy Maguire, Australian, who made a hit in 'Heritge,' an Austral- ian film, has been signed by Gau- mont-British for two years. Patric Knowles, under contract to Irving Asher at Teddington, is to be .^nsferjr^...bxJKftrjiera..j».jaojUy.T. wood. He will play the lead in Charge of the Light Brigade' 'The Frog,* adapted from an Ed- gar Wallace thriller, 'Brotherhood of the Frog,', being done at the Prince's by Firth Shepherd. Gordon Harker, Jack Hawkins. Grler Garson in cast. After seven years, British Inter- national will film 'Funny. Face,' Fred and Adele Astaire musical success. Will change title not to conflict with the Joe E, Brown picture of the same name. Betty Ann Davies to play the Adele role. .«, Dlana Wynyard's new play Is The Ante Room,' adapted by Kate O Brlen from her hovel of the same name. Will be done in the fall by Harry Tennant and Hugh Beau- mont* newly formed producing com- pany, at either Globe or Queen's theatres. ATTE Foreign Minister Euguen Chen, an outstanding exponent of modern dancing; left for Moscow for dates. Tay Garnett in Hongkong await- ing arrival of yacht Athene before proceeding to South Sea Islands. Jeannette Loff and husband In the party. Box office bests of the week: 'Magnificent Obsession,' (U); 'Cap- tain . Blood,' (WB); 'China Seas' (MG) and 'Last Days of Pompei," (RKO). Di Gaetario Quintette, formerly Denver, and Portland, recently at Cathay Ballroom, now touring Malay and India, under direction of Ai Carpi. Worth Sisters, from San Fran- cisco, concluded a. Paramount con- tract and now nightly at the select Park Hotel. Lilian Green, crooner, also at the Park. Berlin By Cal S. Hlrsh Robert ., ,Koke,.. Holiywood, a Shanghai visitor.- Rebuilt Blue Danube nlte_ club opened and packing them, 1 ' Chinese rumor • that Shirley Tem^ pie was killed by falling: off a lad- der. Bel Monte an attraction for American tourists, Thurman Hyde manager. • . , .•: • / • Charles Thode, composer of 'But- ^erfiv . Wu," leaving In one month for Frisco. Canidrome dog track, owing to of- ficial pressure, now restricted to two nights weekly. Anna May Wong visited here en route for a six month vacation in the South Sea Islands. ; J. P. McEvoy, after six months in China, resturned to the States, ac- companied by his daughter. Metro's 'China' Seas' oked by Chinese censors after months'. Now showing a-t Nanking Theatre. 'Ben&a,l Lancer' (Par) held up for nearly a year by Chinese censors, now released with only 24 foet cut out. Tolla ^edemlkoff, 15-year old Russian pianist, coming to U. S. soon, patroned by a Boston million- aire. Harris and Yvonne Ashburn, dance team, set for a month in Co- lombo. Will return to New York in April. Rogotta, Los Rossilianos and American born Chinese girl, Anna Chang, featured on Paramount Ball- room bill. Dr. Arnold Franck, ace German photographer,-stopped in Shanghai en route to Japan,, where he will shoot mountain scenery. Sylvia Chen, daughter of ex- Jack Raymond in from London. •King Kong Lives/ ballyhoo for a chimp act. Herbert Maisch directing new UFA talker 'Boccaccio.' Casanova, swank nitery in the Scala building, folded once more, General music director Leo Blech invited by the Stockholm Royal Opera. Monster concert at the Sport Palast by 330 military musicians and 180 vocalists.: .-. Jules Marx, former Scala gen- eral director and proprietor, now managing a Hungarian orch. Television' service, Berlin-Leipzig, boasting 49 long-distance Connec- tions in the first, three days. Bill Powell back from Karlskoga, Sweden, after a visit to winter quarters of Circus, Mijares Bros.. Pola Negri booked a personal ap- pearance tour in Sweden, Denmark, Holland and. Belgium after the. Scala date; Rossini's 'Barber of Seville* and Donizetti's 'Lucia of Lammer- moor' broadcast on same night by German stations, Paula Busch alarmed by terrific opposition* of Circus Sarrasani, Hamburg; decided to play only on three nights weekly. Too much carnival hoopla In Mannheim; authorities angry with mob going nuts over Visiting film stars Willie Fritsch, Annie Ondra, etc. Paris By Bob Stern Berlin's 'Via Triumphales,^ Olym.- plc Games' street of splendor, 35 kilometers long, stretching from Alexanderplatz to Relchs Sporting Fields, now getting final touches. S. Africa By H. Hanson Jack Payne and his band arrive here March 30 for a South African tour. A grand prlx motor race will be held in Cape Town during the summer. Gambling by means of pin tables has been referred to the Govern- ment . for legislation. Don Alfredo, non-stop dancer, put up a, South African record of 127 hours" in Cape Town. He will tour the country. The 1936 Rosebank (Cape Town) Agricultural Show will carry a novel item in 'Hell Divers,' brought over, from Chicago World's Fair. Albert F. Ross, aged nearly 70, and first general manager of Afri- can theatres, married In Cape Town, Feb. 5, to Mrs. Agnes Whit- field, widow of an English bar- rister. Henri, van Wermeskerken, novel- ist, dramatist and scenario writer from Holland is here. He is ac- companied by his wife, Sophia Spree, actress and theatre owner. They are collecting details for a Vob'rtrekker film, to be released in Holland In 1938 David Souhami off to Rome.. Jack Lawrence, off on a trip to Vienna, Zemganno trio, of trapezists at the Rex. Alfredo marimba band in from New York. Iris Kirk white signed by the Casino at Nice. George Archibald, of United Artists, over from London. Esme Davis putting finishing touches on her hew aerial act. ' Edouard VII cinema cutting prloes to $1 top for 'Christmas Carol.' Teresina kicking that lots of Spanish dancers, aren't Spanish. • Maurice Lehmann postponing, re- vival of 'Cyrano' tHl next season. Marie Dubas. set for next season in Jean Tranchant operetta, 'Per- nelle.' ' Pierre Foucret of the Ambassa- deurs spending evening chez Flor- ence. Fratellinis getting the signature of the King of Sweden in their gold, book. John Murrary Anderson here, seeing Spadolinl and other local dancers, : Jimmy Witterled putting on part of the show for Lace Ball at Hotel George V. Serge Lifar back after putting-, on 'Icarus,' his melodyless ballet, in Bordeaux. . Hildegarde singing at the Bagdad and Revva Reyes at Nicolai'a Casa- nova nitery. \ Local press kicking that surplus of fake yarns about Hollywood stars Is reaching it.' Paul Oeraldy, lyric writer, making vaude debut, reciting his own Verse at Noctambules. Curtis Melriltz helping Douglas Fairbanks through maze of French marriage red tape. Victor Francen, . after short ill- ness, back in cast of H. Bernstern'a 'Heart' at the Gymnase. Alexis Granowsky's .'Tarass Bulba' film opening at last at the Marlgnan March 6 after four remakes. Mario Belottl, Kbrda's rep here, seeing 'Tarass Bulba,' of which Korda plans an English version. Martha the Corsican, woman lion tamer, badly clawed at Bordeaux when working for the first time with a new_ cat. " Talk"" of AmBassa'deurs'' theatre going vaude for the 1937 expo; Also reopening of Empire for vaude is discussed again. Raspail 216, Left Bank showcase once run by Saul Colin, to be re- opened, specializing in 'foreign pix again, by J. J. Menques. Stefan Zweig talking about his Hollywood offers:- one to help on script of 'Manpn Lescaut' and the other to do an original. French Film Artisans' Association putting in fresh kicks to the Min- istry of Labor against employment of German refugees on local lots. Jules LadoumegUe, runner, con- tinuing as star of Casino de Paris, show, although Joan Warner - was supposed to have replaced him after March 1. Hollywood The Hague By M. W. Etty-Lfcal Rome Gherardo Gherardi's 'Partire' ('Leave'.) now playing at the Argen- tina. Eliseo playing Mario Frederlcl's 'Lunga Marcla di Ritorno' ('Long Return March') with some success. During Littorial dell'Art at Venice, various orators discussed theme 'The Cinema as a Document of the Civilization of a Nation.' Princess Marie, daughter of the King and Queen, attended showing of La Rosa's comedy 'In Guardia Pippo' ('Watch Out Pippo').. Royal Academy of Santa Cecilia has organized a study course for scientific production music designed fpr films, radio and phonographs. Ernesto Cauda in charge. Anna Bonacci's 'La Casa delle Pubili' ('House of the Clouds') was noisily received at the Eliseo the- atre, but had a short run. Miss Bonacct .is one of. the. first Italian women to get a play produced. Radio-tenor Joseph Schmidt tour- ing Holland. Martin Heuckeroth, conductor, dangerously ill. Nelson Revue back again in Galte Cabaret, ■ Amsterdam. VARA broadcasts melodies of Shirley Temple fllfn, 'Curly Top.* Dutch filth of submarine'tour pro- duced by Polygoon a. big hit here. Premiere of Dutch film, 'Spring- song,' this week at Studio theatre. Charlotte Koehler reciting in Brussels, and another Dutch-actress; Marguerite Couperus, in Paris. Dutch actor Paul de Groot, -who has'been touring South Africa for six years, now back to Holland. Leo Kbk, who was to appear to- gether -with Mistinguett in her latest revue 'Fleurs de Paris,' muffed date; ill. Rika Hopper theatre, Amsterdam, billing premiere of *Mr ; Carroll's Two Wives,' by Marguerite Veiller and Martin Vale. Two hundredth performance of 'L'Autorltaire' by Henri Clerc in Dutch version by Michael at Hol- landsche Schouwberg in Amster- dam. French composer Albert Roussel coming over to hear own composi- tion produced by ConOertgebouw orchestra, conducted by Bruno Walter. Dutch soprano Jo Vincent guest of. Berlin Phllharmohic Orchestra in Bach's 'Mattheus Passion.* Concert was broadcast and relayed in Hol- land via KRO. Gala Karsenty French troupe at The Hague in 'Arlequin Poll Par 1 Amour* with Dutch military band of Royal Grenadiers doing accom- panying music. i Carole Lombard floored by flu. Jack Durant moving to Bovhilla, Aubrey Scotto nipped by polo bug. ; Harold Hurley vacationing, w motor. Sam Wood sailing for Honolulu vacash. John Wlldberg on play-readlna bender. Purn^ll Pratt pulled in after Lon^ don stay. Newest recruit to plcts Is Edna Goodrich.' BUI Thomas suffering from ln^ fected eye. Charles Kenyon home from Hono- lulu vacash. Alma Lloyd took a header at rld^ lng academy. Curtis Harrison took the water route to N. Y. Arthur Stebbins .laid up at home with pleurisy. Joe: Novack quit caster at Col. Ed Olmstead heading east fbr new Columbia job. Dick Powell fighting laryngitis at Palm Springs. Mary Brian, in town after making plx in Europe. William LeBaron into new offices . at Paramount.' . Gregory Hatoff directing and acU lng in 'Turmoil.' . Viola Shore Brothers concluded long stay in eaBt. Charlie Skouras bowed to Jeffrey Bernerd at golf; . " , Frank Lloyd pulled out for Mex* lean hunting trip. . Nick Stuart showing Oklahoma; friends the sights. Paul .Kelly latest to turn-San. Fernando rancher. Robert Montgomery to Mexico for three weeks siesta. Ben Berlnstein home from Miami V MPTOA pow-wow. Jack Seld now associated with Ben Rinaldo agency. Mark Kelly and Gene chowed Jim Cbffroth. Bob Presnell now full-fledged su« pervisor at Warners. Harry Brand fighting sinus attack: at Arrowhead Springs. Arthur Horhblow, Jr., in Bwank shorts on tennis courts* . Divot diggers at 20th-Fox 'stage annual tourney April 6. Norman Taurog sending the gang Grand Canyon postcards. The Ray Mlllands home after bo- journ in. London and Paris. Crew of 34 men using 14 cameras on Metro's 'San Francisco.' Virgil Miller .making test shots at Yuma for 'Garden of Allah/ Hugh Hippie becomes. John Mar* lowe for part in Republic pic. Mrs,_Louis (T L Selznick calls her Hbwer shop Tbrget Me NbtJ T James Flavin planed to New York for burial of his father: William Jennings Bryan, Jr., working on new color process. Good Neighbors of Hollywood feted-Mary-Carr on her birthday, James L. Grainger here for prod- uct pow-wow with Carl Laemmle.' Carta- Laemmle doing specialty dance in Universal's 'Show Boat.' Milton Krasner flashing new sev- en-year ticket as cameraman at U. , Edward Small's flu attack halted' production work of his Unit at RKO. Univerjsal's 1 basketball team en- tered AAU tournament in Denver. Grace Wilcox, Detrqit Free Press scrib, rushed to hosp for appendix op. Binnie.Barnes Off to New York to sail for London on six weeks' va- cash. Mel Baker planed in from New York to go on Columbia scribbling staff. Falling plaster almost kayoed John LeRoy Johnson in his office at U. Leon D'Usseau now with Acad- emy-Halperin Pictures in exec ca- pacity. They're using 30 Scotch bagpiP- ; ers in Warner short, 'Changing the Guard.' William Jaffee, associate of Sol Rosenblatt, Here on biz for Rosy's clients. Nate Blumberg to Frisco for pow- wows with Cliff Work, before head- ing east.. -.. Al Smith returned tn Central . Casting, replacing Frank Roderick, resigned. Ruth Biery arid Jim Reld here gathering feature material fbr east- ern mags. Rosanna Kaiin, here from N. Y. for test at 20th-Fox, having nose retreadtd. William Mueller pinch-hitting for Major Le Vinson during latter's N. Y. stay. Joe Lewfr, from the night clubs, goes into 'Lightning Strikes Twice' at 20th-Fox. Harry Holman giving boulevard- lers a sartorial treat in those nobby English togs. Sam Hellman, Eric Hatch and Clifford Odets latest to join Screen Writers Guild. Arthur Loew due shortly for con- fabs with brother, David, on fll production, plans. Ed Corcoran here to replenish Hollywood Museum exhlb for Atlan- tic City stfeel pier.----- —- Bill Thomas handling trailer de- partment at Columbia studio, in ad- dition to publicity. . Hal Roach is combing L. A. and Frisco Chinatowns for an Oriental boy, 'cute and -clever,' 4 to 8, whom (Continued on page 70)