Variety (Oct 1937)

Wednesday, October 20, 1937 CHATTER VARIETY 61 Broadway Williani P- Farnsworth out of hos- pital. Dave Green cut his lip; fell asleep at the wheel, Eddie Lewis in from London for several weeks. Ethel Merman to the Coast on her 20th-Fox chore. ... Harry Foster in for a periodic o.o. of the U. S. situation. Lou Guimond. due back from Hollywood this week, Mike Scott, old-time dancer, in Ward B-1 at Bellevue hosp. Archie L. Mayo in New York prior to a trip around the world, George Sklar has finished a new comedy, 'Enough Is Enough.' Lou Strauss, p.a.'ing for Harry Moss' Associated Radio Artists. Madeleine Donnelly, secretary- treasurer of Short Plays Theatre. Howard Schnebbe received pain- ful rib injuries when taxi miade sud- den stop, ^ X. , William Hexter, former burlesque manager, seriously ill at Polyclinic hosoital. Cafes have those Wall Street blues. Market always is reflected ffrst in nite spots. Mac O'Connell and Ben Taft re- placed recent. resignees at . Radio Orch. Corp. Broadway in the lower 40's now has one shill artist in pvery block, two in some. Cyrilla Dome, legiter, made her radio debut on March of Time pro- gram this week. . Beni Ketchum, g.m. for Delos Chappell, takerf ill en route from Denver, recovering. Daniel C. Collins was named a di« rector of Electrical Research Prod- ucts, Inc., last wefek. Toots (Tavern ) Shor now runs his eatery as a sideline to takin' the boys over on football'. Ward Greene of King Features has written a play, 'Honey.' William Morris office handling. Leo Robin and'the Mrs. in and out of town for three days; just tg. get a quickie of N. Y. ozone. Billy K. Wells, after an - intensive rest cure in the - Catskills this sum- mer, is shipshape again, r Merritt Hulburd, Goldwyn produc- tion exec, due east aiext week en route to European vacash. Armando, Mexican artist with Buchanan agency, now designing the new Boeing planes for TWA, Al • West to stage manager 'Robin Landing,', new Sidney Harmon show, which starts rehearsals Oct. 22. Jim Dawson (Times) Honoluluing on his vacash, sailing from' Van- couver Oct. 30, return-sailing, Nov. 12. Sam (and Mrs.) Hellman planed back to the Coast last Thursday (14), three days after landing from Lon- don. Abe Cohn back of the Shuberts' 'ZLegfeld Follies,' opening tonight in Ithaca and thence on a southern tour, Annabella, new 20th-Fox Euro- pean beauty, host to press at Wal- dorf-Astoria cocktail party last week. Mrs. Dorothy Modisette j(Berman), Samuel Goldwyn eastern story ed, last week adopted a two-weelc-old son, Peter. Tom Waller, Paramount's syndi- cate-press association publicist,. ■ re- turned first of week from visit to Hollywood. Marian Barr, formerly of Barr and Cross, vauders, has opened a club booking office, Varsity Entertain- ment Bureau. Pete Weitman, son of the manag- ing director of the Paramount, is on his feet again after a tough siege of several rrionths. Helen Morgan turned in to Equity by Theatre Authority for playing an unauthorized benefit last week. Gets a hearing this week. Jimmy Johnston, formerly with the Garden, has bought fighting rights to Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, to oppose Garden fistic fetes. Horace Jackson in from Coast for rehearsals of his 'Christian Hero,' which will have Fredric March and Florence Eldridge topping. Xavifir Cugat, who was an artist before a maestro, is doing the mural caricatures for new restaurant lounge at the Waldof-Astoria. . Robert Loewi and Helen Buchan- an, of the William Morris office on the Coast, skeddcd to return there Monday (18) after a brief New York stay. Father Edward F. Leonard, chap- lam of tlie Catholic Actors Guild and pastor of actor's St. Malachy's church, created a Monsignor this week. Jimmy McHugh in town to handle arrangements on his new tunes for yniversal's new Deanna Durbin pic- ture and 'Merry-Go-Round.' Back to Coast this week. . Chinese and .Japanese turn out in large numbers at the newsreel thea- tres, booming the.se houses; ascribed, of course, to the Sino-Nipponese unpleasantness abroad. George D. Lottman, p.n., accom panied Jack Bregman west on lat- ter s Hollywood huddle with Metro on Feist music matters. Lottman contacting Coast clients. Tango and rhumba lessons on the cuff to the customers is now a regu- lar stunt at the Rainbow Room, El Chico and Cafe Latino. Country more and more Lalln terp-minded, Jeanne Cagney, si-ster of James and a senior at Hunter .College, mak- ing her theatrical debut in school's production of Rose Franken's 'An- other Language' at Heckscher' the- atre Nov. 19-2L Armando, art flirector for Lord & Thomas, has taken on a special side- line assignment as art adviser for TWA which is soon to launch several new 32-passenger sleeper planes on a 10-hour schedule to the Coast. As with W. C. Fields' $12,000 M.D. award, which provided him with plenty of comedy material, Lou Holtz,. who was bitten by the mar- ket, is making comedy capital of it currently at the Frolics. Harry Kalcheim, who looks like a half-back, the other day after a sinus treatment, got a shot of whisky as a bracer. Shortly after the Par booker passed Out in Bob Weitman's office at the Paramount theatre. Mrs. Florence Loiiibardo, wife of Carmen Lombardo, returned last week from European trip. Went on a ticket Carmen won at a raffle dur- ing the band's stay last season at the Arcadia Restaurant, Philly. . Dorothy Kay feted with a mid- night cocktailery two weeks prior to her sailing, because the party was scheduled but the. sailing set back. She'll do international ballyhoo for the French Casino, sailing Friday of next \yeek. • French Casino has undraped its show more on strength of the nudity at'the International. Heretofore all niteries. under wraps. F.C. adding a new- flash number for which CHIT Fischer is remaining over until the end of next week. London Irving Asher just back from flying visit to the continent. Sale at the Lyric theatre, where 'Victoria Regina is current, robbed of $250. StoU's Palace, Leicester, will do an ice ballet for Christmas holiday. Instead of pantomime. Mark Hambourg became a grand- pop Oct. 8, when his daughter, Nadine, gave birth tp a s£jn. Gaston and Andree in trouble with Birmingham Watch Committee over mademoiselle's lack of clothing. Betty Nuttall's sister, Thelma, en- gaged to Don Stannard, London film actor, just signed Hollywood termer. Gene Gerrard returning to musi- cal stage, replacing Herman Tim- berg in 'Take It Easy' at the Palace. Mills Broth'ers in fourth trip here, and staying longest. Have 28 weeks solid lined up, averaging $3,000 per week. While in Hollywood for Metro, Eric Maschwitz will find time to col- laborate on new musical with Cole Porter. Leon M. Lion's next production, in which he will appear, will be 'Code of Honor,',new play by Vere Sullivan. Brian Lawrence out of Lands- downe House, replaced by the Crackerjacks, formerly at the Flor- ida Club. For first time, the Lord Mayor's Show will be televised, cameras being stationed in Trafalgar Square for the purpose. Will Mahoney back , in his vaude- ville unit. Was out for fortnight at Birmingham and Bradford, with Billy Caryll replacing. Raymond Massey thus far unable to find suitable actress for Lynn Fontanne's role in 'Idiot's Delight,' which he is casting here. Sam Ehgel and Monty Banks mov- ing h. q. from St. James' street to Denham, where 20th are due to start Gracie Fields in 'He Was Her Man.' Benny Ross (Ross and Stone) and Freddy Morgan, American banjoist, are songwriting as sideline, with Chappells interested in their work, (jeorge Black, who has -been look- ing over most of the MCA offices in America, due here shortly, when he joins the directorate of MCA's Lon- don office. John B. Myers, who has been Alexander Korda's publicity hound since 1932, has just had his contract extended for another two years, with tilt in salary. Libel action by Prince and Princess Chegodieff against Metro in connection v/ith film, 'Rasputin, the Mad Monk,' set for hearing Nov. 15, and likely to last two days. Gladys Cooper-Phlllin Merivale reappearance in the West End In '(Goodbye to Yesterday' will be at the Phoenix first week in November, after three weeks' tryout in the provinces. Ministry of Labor has refused to renew Bill Beaudine's labor permit after Dec. 31. so he goes back to the U. S. after three years here, having made 13 eomedie.s, chiefly for G-B and Warner.s. Princess Juliana of Holland re- ported as having demanded auto- graphed Dhotos of Anna Neagle and Anton. Walbrook, following com- mand preview of 'Victoria the Great' at the Royal Palace. James A. Fitzpatrick has com- Dleted the eighth quota feature for Metro; the last three were based on lives of Liszt. Beethoven and Chopin. Has 10,000 more feet to do, which completes quota requirements of Metro for this year. Wilson, Kcnoell and Betty back to America with record of having stayed here lonf/est of all American acts. Only going to olay a few weeks and return in time to onen pantomime .sea.son for Prince Littler at Manchester. Christmas, f"*- f'l'^ht weeks. Paris Lola Leblanc in hospital. Line Noro ill in hospital. Laure Diana at Europeen. John Loder to New York. 'Camille' (M-G) ai Le Paris. Harry Baur ill in Dunkerque. Lillian Hellman In from Russia. Jim Molllson in and out again. Reda Caire topping at Europeen. Max Reinhardt back to America Jacques Copeau Dack from Greece. Mistinguett singing over Radio- Cite. Margo and Norton at the Harlem- Club. Slim Sumrrierville in town to visit expo. Betty Spell back from Rio de Ja- neiro. C, Auzello new director of Ritz Hotel. Dora Del Monte at Bal Moulin Rouge. New revue opening at Lune- Rousse. Jean, Jac and Jo hold over at Par- amount. • ABC revue. starring Marie Dubas closing, Lys Gauty set to star in next ABC offering. Colette d'Arvillc recitaling at Salle Gaveau. Marian Anderson vacationing on Riviera. Elvire Popesco back from South Ame.rica. Mabel Scott at reopened Chez Florence. Expo visitors totaling more than 20,000,000. 'Wee Willie Winkle' (20th' opening at Balzac. Jean Stelli writing new scenario, •Gibraltar.' 'Slave Ship' (20th) opening at Normandie. General Dawes in for Legionnaire ceremonies. Flora Duane topping new Coli- seum revue. October expo. attendaYice records being broken. Premier Chautemps addressing American Club. Short and Long to London for the Trocadero show. Cubaine Cabaine, Montmartre nitery, reopening.. Presidenc Lebiun visiting 31st an- nual Auto Snow. 'Artists and Models' opening at Cinema Studio 28.. M. Perin named new director of State Broadcasting. Jack Dempsey's intended return to films getting play. United Artists cocktailing at Cril- lon for King Vidor. Julien Duvivier's departure for America set for Oct. 20. Film 'Bataille Silencieuae' passing second month at Colisee. Mitty Goldin dickering with Ra- mon Novarro for his ABC. 'Stella Dallas' (UA) opening at Cinema de Champs-Elysees. New scene called 'Femmes' added to Bal Moulin Rouge revue. Nyota Inyoka dance recitaling at Comedie des Champs-Elysees. Suzy Solidor making theatrical debut in 'Opera de Quat' Sous.' Andre Maurois writing one film review weekly for Clnemonde. Paris-Soir devoting entire page to story of Fred and Adele Astaire, 'Her Majesty, , the Woman,' new show in rehearsal at the Coliseum. Ro.tonde Cafe adding orchestra and attra'ctions to help restaurant trade. Philip Gaubert, director of opera orchestra, off. to . Berlin for concerts. Belgian national orchestra concert- ing at Theatre des Champs-Elysees. Germaine Aussey's sudden depart- ure from Hollywood given ride here. New. York Herald Tribune, Paris edition, celebrating 50th anniver.sary. Gilbert Romagnino's bar now called 'Le Berry,' with Mario direct- ing. Barbara La May scheduled recital soon at Comedie-des-Champs-Ely- sees. Duke and Duchess of Windsor at- tended Cecile Sorel's gala perform- ance. Jan Kiepura scheduled for con- cert soon at Theatre des Champs- Elysees. Armand Salacrou finished new play called 'Le Pcrroquct' (The Parrot'). 'La Melodie Perdue,' operetta with music by Romberg, in rehearsal at Chatelet. Eric von Stroheim engaged by itichard Oswald for latter's "Tcmpetc sur I'Al.se.' Og Caister, Belgian producer, making film based on life of late King Albert. Esther Kiss playing top femmc role in new play opening at Theatre De Mathu.rins. Fred Adison's orche.stra playing for tea dances at Choz Sartory. in Champs-Elysees. Rita Georg, talked of for next star for Folics-Bergere, unable to get working permit. Samson Fainsilber joining ca.st of 'Knights of the Round Table' at The- atre de rOeuvre. Marcellc Chantal given lead • in 'L'Affairc Lafargc,' which . Pierre Chonal is making.. New revue going into Lune. Russc, with Charles Fallot, Jean Bastia, Ded Rysel in leads. Lawrence Tibbett and wife to Prague. He's due to sing here again near end of month. ' Josephine Baker planning Euro- pean tour when current Folies- Bergere revue closes. 'Folies en Pleurs' name of next Folies-Bergere revue, which Mau- rice Hermite will set. Sacha Guitry making film of new play, 'Quadrille,' running at The- atre de la Madeleine. Thirteenth Annual Gala Of Asso- ciation of Artists of Music-Hall to be held at Cirque Medraho. Dora Kalinowna dance and song recitaling for .first time in France at Archives Internationales de la Danse. Alice Cocea looking over 'Le Grand Poucet,' new play by Claude- Andre Puget, as possible production for Theatre des Ambasadeurs later. Marcy AUegret commencing work on *Le Vcnin,' by Henry Bernstein, adapted by Marcel Achard, starring Charles Boyer and Lisette Lanvin. Pittsburgh .By Hal Cohen Lodewick Vroom In town beating the urums for 'Tovarich.' Dale Winthrop back at Stanley for second time in three months. Willows going on a week-end only policy after first of the month. Ailing Wanda. Shiner better and has rejoined Billy Catizone's trio. Ed Gribbons. replacing Dick War- ren in Kilbuck theatre's 'Stardust.' Robert Alan Greens on their way to Hollywood to spend the winter. Rose Meitlein back home after five years of concert work' in New York. We'oster Hall opening new Im- perial Room with Tom Care's orch. Bass-player Ed Snvder has hooked up with Al Marsico s orch at Show Boat. Al Spink paying his annual visit, this time ahead of 'Leaning on Letty.' Frank Blandi named manager of Playhouse's downstairs grill this season. Polly Rowles gets femme lead in Gene Autry's 'Springtime In the Rockies.' ' Drama League conducting theatre tour to Broadway over Thanksgiving week-end., Playhouse will follow first show of season, 'Pursuit of Happiness,' with 'Excursion.' Dale Harkness back into hosp again with serious -recurrence of his neck ailment. 'Victoria Regina! isn't due until Thanslesgiving week but mail order terrif already. Constance Cummlngs made a big hit with lads and lassies of press here last week. Buell Whitehill assisting Carl B. Cass in directing University of Pittsburgh Players. Joe Feldman and C. J. Latta rep- resented local WB crowd at Warner Club party in Erie. John Magganotti has set aside Monday as candid-camera night at his river play spot, the Show Boat. Hollywood Chicago Jack Lait a stopover last week. Max Halperin In Detroit for the week. Jack Van Volkenburg to N. Y. and return. Ralph Atlass back from Washing- ton last week. Columbia pictures sales meeting over the week-end. RoUo Timponi out of town on a long rest recuperation. Plans being laid for Mayor Kelly's Christmas charity party. Maurie Lipsey, of Music Corp., re- couping from serious illness, Paul Low finishing up exploitation work on Beaux Arts ball,, to be held Oct. 30. Al Eckhardt in the Grand box of- fice after a summer of Cubs ball- parking. •Robert Milford, company manager of 'The Women,' has been laid up Yi\*h a tough cold. J. C. Stein ribbing his friends with his newly discovered novelty per- former, Homer, the human echo. Dick Marvin, of J. Walter Thomp- .son, is on the entertainment com- mittee of 'Off the Street' show for the Ad Federation... Pahn Springs Bill Gargan and Charlie Ruggles around. Town is waking up for the long winter sea.son. Don Thompson is the tennis pro at the Desert Inn. Don Amechc keeping in condition bowling; rolled 208. Chuck Morrison back as ex-officio police commissioner, Charles Farrell and wife, Virginia Valli, opening the Racquet club. Smoke Tree ranch opened over the week-end. Desert Inn last Friday n.'j). Exclusive Los Angeles .shops main- taining branches here have luovcd in ! vhcir oer.sonnel. Eddie Goulding, the Bert Wheel- ers, Jack Benny and Mary Living- stone among the early sojourner.'?. Big row . in the Village is whether or not ra.s.sling «nd boxing bouts will be permitted. Undesirables feared.. Milton Berle in for 'Radio City Revels.' Richard Thorpe planning a Hula- land, vacash. Fernand . Gravet arrived with heavy wardrobe. Wesley Ruggles applied for a pass- port for Europe. Gladys-Swarthout slightly injured In a fall at Paramount. George Delacorte, fan mag pub- lisher, left after looksee. Sam Berkowitz is AmbRs.sndor'.s new western sales chief. Jeanne Dante returning to New York for stage work soon. David Niven back after picture- making chores in London. .Bob Hussey quit the Columbia praisery to join Parainount. Brian Aheme in from N. Y. for Hal Roach's Take It Easy.' Sam Hellman back from scripting assignments for 20th-Fox in London. Simone Simon off the set of 20th- Fox's 'Love and Hisses' due to severe cold. ' Kenneth "Thomson back at Screen Writers' Guild desk after motoring 8,000 miles. George Raft and Mack Grey around again minus a roll plunged on the Giants. Charles McCarthy in for studio huddles with Harry Brand and other 20th-Fox execs. '. Joe Louis being ogled by the mob at 20th-Fox's Cafe de Paree, where he was guested by Bill Robinson. Lew Pollack and Sidnev Mitchell invited by Mayor LaGuardia to deff the N. Y. World's Fair theme song. Japanese vegetable brokers Out here in a delicate spot, what with U. S. feelings on the Sino-Jap situash. J. Earl Malr quit, the Bank of America to become treasurer of the Monogram distributing organization on the Coast. Virginia Van Upp, who was an actress before she took up screen-. writing at Paramount, Will be tested for a role in 'Are Husbands Neces- sary?' which she scripted. Bob Sanders and Don Haynes motored to San Francisco to open a new office for Consolidated Radio Artists, Inc., with Haynes in charge , and Sanders bossing as Pacific. Coast chief for CRA. One star not to be caught napping with the new vogue for French stars in Hollywood Is Shirley -Tem-ilc. Paul Walling, correspondent for French rage, is giving the cute little, gosse two lessons a week. Man who cleans Hrfrry Lang's apartment was out two days. He re- turned, apologizing that he got a call for extra work, hence he couldn't valet the apt. per schedule. Lonp's . still trying to cragh local radio, in meantime. Sydney By Erie Gorrick Walter Hutchinson going to South Africa. Summerish over here, Hous-es turning on cooling plants. Marcus show quits here this week after 10 weeks' top biz for Fullers- Snider-Dean. 'Maytime' (Metro) is pulling plenty on four-a-day and should go to about 10 weeks. Comedy Harmonists have been forced to give extra concerts to cope with biz for A.B.C. Met's 'Saratoga' got away to fair .start, but trade is expected to build when word-of-mouth gets around, Williamson-Tait asking $2.50 top for the premiere here n<ytt month of 'Victoria Regina' with Fay Comp- ton. June Munjo, youngest daughter of Charles Munro, will have an impor- tant role In 'Broken Lady' for Cine- sound. Met brought in, The Good Earth* on three-a-day and should experi- ence little difficulty in seiiuring plenty b. o. reaction. .Wrestling is still a big draw here, despite the approach of the hot weather. Mostly American grapplcr.9 are engaged for these contests, Arthur Rubinstein will give three recitals during the month for Aus- tralian Broadcasting Comn'ission. Pianist met with considerable suc- cess in N. S. Wales. Deal is reported on by Greater Union to get rid of the Melba the- afrc here by arrangement with Greater J. D. Williams—a unit of GU'r and holders of the lea.'je. Queensland government is still imposing theatre ban on ftU children under 16, owing to sliiiht inlanlire paralysis outbreak. Ban is tre- mendous blow to aJl tiioalrc;. Revival try hero v/ith 'CVwo. of In- dia' (UA) and 'Folics Bcrfici-o' (UA) on two-a-day at pop ijvic-i-. r.hmy managers are t;iki.'ii» Mic cl-.i one: out of the cans and ca'shinj in a lit'Je extra douijii, Frank Neil has a very .strnn,:; bill lined up at the TIvoJi hCiitied by Nina Mae McKinncy. Other acl-? in- clude Batie & F().-:*.er. Tr;i!>cy & llay, Eddie Sharp. Ahcrdi, Bob Fi.-.hi'j' ,ind Harry Marconi.