Variety (Sep 1937)

VARIETY 61 VIKGINIA EARL Virginia Earl, 62, one of the lead- ing musical stars of the 96's, died in a New Jersey sanitarium Sept. 21. She had been the guest ol the Ac- tors' Fund Home at Englewood the last two years. •' Miss Earl niade her stage debut at the age of 12 in one of the juvenile productions of The Mikado'.,which Uterally infested the country about that time, following the success of similar' ventureis with 'Pinafore.' For two years she played with Don^ peiley and Girard in 'Later On,' and th?n spent twp. yejars in Australia. Coming home she toured in Hoyt's 'A Hole in the Ground' and then spent two years in 'Wang' with De Wolf HojJpe^.' But it was not until she. came,to the N. Y. Casino that she took a permanent place as a Broadway favorite, playing in nu- merous George Lederer-productions. She was featured in other 'produc- tions and in 'Sergeant Kitty'^ she achieved stardom, but her" chief suc- cesses, .centered about the old Cia- sino, though in later years she was regarded as an Augustin Daly Star. Later die went Into vaudeville -with fair'success, but withoiit repeating her' musical comedy hit. . . She is survived by her sister, Mamtie Earl, also an actress, , and two • brothers. RUTH .box AND Ruth Roland, 39, former serial ac-'. ^ress and reputedly one • of Holly- wood's wealthiest, died Sept. 22 after a lingering illness. She is survived by her husb'andj Ben Bard, actor- producer, and her aunt,. Mrs.' Edith B. Thonipson. . Funeral was held .Sept. 24 at the Wee Kirk o' the Heather, Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, with a Christian Science service, ^urial followed in a mausoleum at Forest Lawn. In 1930 Miss Roland's fortune, largely earned in real estate, was estimated as exceeding $6,400,000. Heavy losses during the depression reduced it considerably but she^-was still/considered very wealthy. Deceased entered pictures in 1915 and played In many serials for Pathe, Kalem and Balboa in the old lilent days, undergoing many dangers and often escaping death or serious' injury" by the proverbial hair's breadthv She also was starred in dozens of feature dramas. She was first married to Lionel R. (Lee) Kent, later becoming the wife of Bard. Her fortune was accumu- lated through shrewd realty deals. broadcasts by the Armco band on "WLW until his demise. Kohlmann, a native of Germany, came to the 'Q. S. 53 years ago. For 25 years he. was an instructor of brass instruments at the Cincinnati College of Music. / Survived by a son, Charles. ' ROBERT STEVENSON, SR. Robert Stevenson, Sr., 53, formerly one" of Broadway's top box office treasurers, died Sept 25, at Laguna Beach, Calif., where he resided for about two years. He was a cancer victim, diseasie first infecting one leg which was amputated some months before he moved west. He was long connected with the Morosco theatre, being in charge of th^ box office during several long runs including 'The Bat.' His son, Robert, J., who .has been .managing .Erlanger's, Buffalo, for the past year or so, planed to the Coast for the funeral, which .was held Tuesday. ION SWINLET Ion Swinley, 45, well known Shakespearean and riadio actor, died in hii?. sleep at his . London home Sept. 16. Graduating from the Acad- emy of Dramatic Art, he played many varying roles, from Shaw to light comedy, ;and dramatic radio roles. At the tiine of his death he had been appearing in Sydney Carroll's last Shakespearean production of the season at the Open-Air theatre, play- ing Solinus in 'The Comedy of Er- rors.' He was also the author of four plays. calling which he had followed for the past 40 yearsi FRANK HUNT Frank Hunt, 65, Elk City, Okla., theatre owner, died at Polyclinic Hospital in Oklahoma City, Sept. 24, after an illness of three weeks. His death was attributed to heart disease. He is survived by- his wife and a sister. . CARL EVANS Carl Evans, siS, superintendent, of the municipal zoo at Columbus, O., died suddenly Sept, 23 at his home in that city from a heart ailment. • He had been in charge of the op- eration of the zoo there since its creation in 1929. THEODORE C. (DOC) McQUATE Theodore C. (Doc) McQuate, 64, ex Outdoorshowman, died in Ault- man hospital. Canton, O., Sept. 23 after a series of strokes, A close friend of the late' President William McKinley, he became interested in horses and became a prominent fig- ure around the eastern Ohio fair circuit.' He later purchased an in- terest in the New England Carnival Co., and became ddeifit as a 'b'arker.^ He then was engaged in this capac- ity by the Ringling Bros, circus side- show, with which tented attraction he traveled several years. MARY BLACKjPORD Mary Bernice Blackford, 23, screen player, died Sept. 24, m Santa Monica, after a .'three-year illness from paralysis. She was injured in an automobile accident. Surviving are her mother and a brother.: JOSEPH KLAW Joseph 'Klaw, 49,' son of Marc Klaw and himself a. producer of stage shows, killed himself With car- bon monoxide from the exhaust of his parked car in' N. Y.,. Sept. 22. Details in the legit section. ROSALIND COGHLAN Rosalind Coghlan Pittman, retired actress and daughter of Rose Cogh- lan, died in Forrest Hills, N. Y., Sept. 27, of a cerebral hemorrhage. She was for many years on the legitimate stage and in •O^udeville. MAY ARCIER May Arcier, known in • theatrical circles as Mrs. Lloyd A. Balliet, died Aug. 20, at her- home in Dayton, Ohio. She had befen ill for some time. GEORGE McCLfelNNON George McClennon, 49, comedian and trick clarinetist, died Sept. 24, in the Municipal Sanitarium, in Chi- cago, where he had been confined since'last May. OLIVER W. TUTTLE Oliver W. Tuttle, 50, one-time manager of station KPO, San Fran- cisco, died of a heart attack Sept. 20 at his home in Burlingame, Cal. Tut^tle, who was promotion manager foi;. the San Francisco Examiner," Hearst morning daily, at the time of his death, in 1922 was manager of the Examiner-owned station, KUO. He became affiliated with KPO in 1924, and was largely responsible for .the station's development to-a position of importance in the follow- ing year. A pioneer in local radio circles, Tuttle continued his interest in broadcasting while Examiner pro- motion manager, arranging numer- ous promotional tie-ups between the paper and KYA, Hearst-owned San t'rancisco station. His widow, Marie, and a son, Oliver W. Tuttle, Jr., six years old, survive. LYNN WILLIS Lynn Willis, 30, announcer at KYW, Philadelphia, jumped to death from a second-floor Window of the Presbyterian hospital, Philadelphia, •Sept. 21. Delirious after an opera- tion, he left his bed on the first floor, ran up a stairway to the next land Jug and battered his way through a screen. "W'illis joined KYW last May after six years service at WIP, Philadel Phia. He had been on sick leave several months before changing af- filiations and had only been back about a week when the transfer was announced. His wife, the former Barbara Kenna, and his mother survive. CARL KOHLMANN Carl Kohlmann, 75, solo trombon- ist with the Cincinnati. Symphony orchestra since it was organized, in 1895, died Sept. 23, at his home. Al- though in ill health for the past year,-he played with the orchestra last season and performed in weekly BESSIE SMITH Bessie Smith, blues singer, who originated in one of the Beale street theatres in Memphis, was killed in that city. Sept 26, when an auto in which she was riding overturned. Her work attracted the attention of theatrical agents and she played Broadway engagements in addition to making m^iny phonograph record- ing?. She had returned to Memphis to join the 'Broadway Rastus,' a Beale street musical production De- tails in the Music Section. FRANK B. ARNOLD Frank. B. Arnold, 69, for many years identified with the film busi- ness, died Sept 21 at his home in Miami, Fla., «fter an illness of sev- eral months. For many years he was a theatri- cal advance agent and prior to his retirement traveled for the Foreign Film Exchange Co, His widow and several nephews and nieces survive. The body was returned to Columbus, his former home. JOHN McGARVEY John W. McGarvey, 57, veteran Pittsburgh fight promoter, died last week at his home after a long' ill- ness which became critical only re- cently, however, ' He had returned only a few weeks ago fromi San Francisco where he had his newest find, Billy Conn, leading contender for the middle- weight crown, take on a few of the Coast hopefuls. BURNETT C. M«KINSTRY Burnett C. McKinstry, 53, man- ager and proprietor of the Lake Breeze hotel, Buckeye Lake, O., died Sept, 18 in Mt, Carmel hospital, Columbus, after suffering a stroke of apoplexy. He was well known in the amuse- ment park field in central Ohio and before becoming associated with the hotel management. THADDEUS COWAN Thaddeus Cowan, 97, who por trayed the role of 'King Neptune' in the beauty pageants at Atlantic City, N. J,, died Wednesday (22) at the age of 97. Cowan was a fisherman* Each pageant year he had his day as 'King Neptune' and then returned to his WILLIAM MILNE William Milne, age 55, died at the W411 Rogers Hospital Sept, 24. For the past 22 years he 'was connected with Loew's TTieatres, Inc., as as sistant manager. MONA MOORE Mona Moore, 25, singer, died sud- denly in Chicago on Sept. 22. She had worked in niteries and vaude. Parents survive. Brother^ 29, of Mary Margaret Mc- bride (Martha Deane, WOR, New York), died Sept. 25, 1937, after a gallstone operation in Winter Park, ria. Henry Erb, 50, formerly pianist with Los Angeles Philharmonic Or- chestra, died at Gardena, Calif., Sept 23. William Gargan, 68, father of Wil- liam And, Edward Gargan, actors, died in Hollywood, Sept 22. Father, 64, of Paul Malvern, film producer, died Sept 23 in San Diego, Paris Dream (Continued from pag;e 11) would be so long that it would have to be run serially. But the truth seems to be that all those himdreds of thousands of francs needed were not forthcoming by public subscrip- tion. Original plan called for 'shares' of one franc each beine sold. When the picture was produced, those who had bought the share would have that amount deducted from their entrance fee when they saw the film. Story will now retrace the history of three men from Marseilles who came to Paris and took part in the Revolution. Three practically un- known actors—in comparison to the big star nafnes originally announced —will carry these three roles. Names of Pierre Renoir, Louis Jou- vet, Paul Dullac, Andre Zibral, Maurice Escande and Suzy Prim are still connected with the production, but they are only a handful to the ones first announced. Production his finally gotten un- der way but indicative of how much backing is lacked was an appeal in one paper asking those who could appear in mob scenes to go to Fon- tainebleau, as they could appear in the film and 'their fares and lunch- eon would be paid.* News From the Dailies This' department contains rewritten theatrical news items as pub- lished during the week in the daily vap^tfi'^ Wertf Yorfc, Chtcago, San Francisco, Hollywood and London, Vabiety takes no credit for these news it^ms; each has been rewritten from' a daily paper. East Bureau of Taxation for N. Y. state reports drinking on the increase. Figures for first eight months of the year $2,405,940 in excess of. same period in '36. ' Drake's pop priced eatery closed by a strike. First time in 25 years the doors have been locked. May stay closed rather than sign up. American Legion ' pilgrimage to France put $1,400,000 in thie till of the steamship companies. Yarmouth (N. S.) fair in a jam over a nude painting in the art ex- hibit. Dominie turned it to the wall and the artist turned it back again and dared the minister to repeat Huntsville, Tex., convicts to stage a rodeo. Will stay inside the prison walls. Four Sunday sessions. Top prize $10. ^ Artef players'' move to Daly's and will .rename the house. President has issued the usual proclamation making Columbus Day a national holiday. Friends of the late George Gersh- win planning a memorial in the form of a grove of 10,000 treeis planted in Palestine. To be located noil; far from the Gabrilowitch grove and similar tributes to Georjge Washing- ton, George V, dnd Hoxy. ' .' ^ Cleo Mayfield's camp at Lake Sun- apee, N. H., burned down last Tues- day, Loss about $15,000. Gabriele d'Annunzio given presi- dency of Royal Italian Academy, vacated by the death of Sig. Marconi. Street cleaners figure Legion pa- rade made six times as much litter as the Lindbergh welcome. Ran 625 tons. Thomas Nolan, chauffeur for Ben Bernie, freed of a drunk driving charge-last Wednesday, Magistrate said it was a borderline case* but gave him the benefit, of the doubt Legionnaires in the 40 and 8 con- tingent returned all. traffic signs copped during their three-day col- lecting tour. In recognition of the treatment accorded them by the police. George M. Cohan the hit of the Legion show at the Garden, Wednes- day. Sang 'Over There' until his voice hoarsed up. Clifford Odets^ 'Golden Gloves' re- titled 'The Manly Art' by Group Theatre. Lewis Leverett and Martha Drie- blatt added to faculty of the New Theatre school for the season. Hubert Julian, Harlem's own avia- tor, fell oft a chair in Paris and broke his arm in three places. Says he can't go to help China win the war. Toscanini and Furtwaengler In a jam. Italian does not believe the German conductor should try to con- duct at Beyreuth and Salzburg. Furtwaengler retorts that music should rise above politics. May decline to conduct at Salzburg next season, but there's plenty of time in which to change his mind. Ted Peckham is stealing Billy Rose's stuff and hiring British peers for his esfcort service. They will also go into the chorus of a B'way musi- cal. League of Nations will probably make an exhibit at the N. y. World's fair. Committee lias so' recommend- ed. Now a question of funds. Outdoor art fihow in Washington Sq. reports sales of $1|200. ' Biological Photographic Assn., in convention in Rochester, shows photos in color of the blood stream of a rabbit. Had been done before in black and white, but color adds to educational value. Mayor protests assignment of spe- cial cops to guard jewels of nite club patrons. Afraid it will make them gigolos, he explains. Gloria Allen, 17, parachute jumper, seriously injured at Roanoke, Va., when her chute ripped. With her sister and brother in an act known as the Batavia parachute jumpers. Playing at a fair. Fourth annual Night of Stars, for Palestine fund, set for Nov. 17 at the Garden. Examination into the mental status of Robert Irwjn begun yesterday (Tuesday.) in the Tombs prison. .Figures released to show 30,044 persons enjoyed the camping facili- ties of Palisades Interstate Park this summer. New record. National Broadcasting to experi- ment with mobile television unit starting Oct 18. Returning travelers report the French beaches are using photos of Atlantic City contestants as samples of what they can show. Mineola fair opened Monday. Open nights for the first time. A. B. Hopkins, of the recently closed auto trailer show, attacks as inadequate provision made by N. Y. World's Fair of only 43 acres as parking space- for mobile homes. Also says $1 a week space rental is too low. N. Y. department store has opened a marionette sale. Has 128 different figures and seven type.s of theatres. October will bring 100,000 conven- tion vi.sitors to N. Y, Blliott Jacoby to write the musical score for Cornelia Otis Skinner's version of 'Edna, His Wife,' which she will iise this season. Congressional Library recatalogu- ing its volumes. Frank Scully's 'Fun in Bed' classified as a sex book and put on the shelf along with Havelock' JJllis, et fil; Carmello> Riviera, leader of the • orch at the Toreador, Harlem Span- ish nitery held by the police in the knifing of Carmello Correa, his rival, for the affections of a local charmer. N. Y. police staging drives against bootblacks and handbook makers,' Utah first state definitely to sign, an exhibition, contract with N. Y. World's Fair, Johhhancocked ra'iS> week, ' Coast William F. James,, former news- paperman and husband of Margaret ° Irving, film actress, was granted pro- bation for five yearS' following his conviction on seVen forgery, charges in Los Angeles, Nick Stuart, orchestra leader and former screen player, and Ruth Eileen Skinner, who were divorced in Reno last May, applied for a mar'* riage license in L. A. and announced they will re-marry. Ex-bride, a nitery thrush, sang with Stuart's orch. Hamilton 'Buddy' westmore' dropped his contemplated resistance to the plea of Mfartha Raye for a divorce from him in L. A. MARRIAGES Doris Havens to E, Samuel Lon- holm, in Philadelphia, Sept. 25. Bride is studio organist at WCAU, Philly. Groom is former radio singer. . Art Wortha, manager Fox-Roxy, ^ LaPorte, Ind., to }&iry Helen Duke». • non-pro, in LaPorte on Sept 123. Rex Willlamfl, manager Hoosler theatre, Whiting, Ind., to Estelle Mc- - Closkey, non-pro, on' Sept, 26. Cornel Wilde to Patricia Knight In N. Y., Sept 21. Both are legit players, James AuU to Sarah H. Longacre at Norristown, Pa., Sept 25. Groom is p.a. at KYW, Philly, Isabelle Steams to Samuel- Car- lyle Monroe in Peterborough, N. H., Sept 28. Bride is legit actress. Groom is 'with television interests of NBC. Juliette Kengal, dancer, to Leigh' ton Brill, writer, Sept. 26 at Yuma. Doris Borbrldge, dancer to Van Faust Metro studio music exec, Sept. 26 at Yuma. Stella Agius to Mike Camilleri, Sept. 26, in N. Y< Groom is con- nected with Music Publishers, Inc. Juliette of France to Harri Henri, in MiUerton, N. Y., Sept 19. Margaret Lynam to Byron Vande- grift at Yuma, Ariz., Sept 24. Bride is a stage and screen actress. BIRTHS Mr. and Mrs, Bert Spurlin, son. Sept 24, in Hollywood. Fatner is an assistant director at Metro.^ Mr. and Mrs. Jack Proctor, daughter. Sept 24, in Los Angeles, Father is film publicist To Mr, and Mrs. Ed Sullivan, son, at Dallas, Aug. 29. Father is manager of the Majestic In that city. Mr. and Mrs, Bob Buckley,, son, (3ondell Memorial hospital, Liberty- viUe, 111., Sept 22. Father is with CBS sales deparimenti Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Byrd, daugh- ter, Sept 23, in Hqllywood. Father is an actor at Republic. Mother is the former Virginia Carroll, filin actress. Mr. and Mrs. John Auer, daugh- ter, Sept 23, in Hollywood. Father is Republic producei:. Mr. and Mrs, Norman Campbell, son, in N. Y., Sept. 24. Father is general manager of Radio Orchestra Corp. Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Whitney, daughter. In New York, Sept. 22. Father is sports writer for N. Y. Daily Mirror. Mr. and Mrs, Leonard Lyons, son, Sept 22, in New York. Father Is Broadway column.'st on the N. Y. Post Mr, and Mrs. Louis Lewyn, son; in Los Angeles, Sept 26. Father is a shorts producer for Metro. Bobby Godet, singer with Shep Fields band, is temporarily soloist on WNEW, N. Y., while the orches- tra is out ol town. Godet was orig- inally a bailadist on the station about 18 months ago before he was discovered by Fields. Rejoins band on its return.