Variety (Sep 1938)

54 VARIETY OBITUARIES PAULINE FREDERICK Pauline Frederick, 53, stage and screen actress for past 35 years, died Sept. 19 in her Beverly Hills home after an asthma attack, Inhalator squad failed to revive her. Deceased made stage debut as chorus girl in 1902 in 'Rogers Brothers in Harvard/ but thereafter she shunned musicals. Among her early plays were 'Little .Gray Lady,' 'Girl in White,' 'Samson,' 'Fourth Estate,' 'The Dollar Mark,' 'Joseph and His Brethren.' She turned to pictures in 1915 and remained away from stage for eight years. Her films included 'The Eternal Flame,' 'Mrs. Dane's Defense,' •Zaza,' 'La Tosca,' 'Fedora,' 'Bella Donna,' 'Madam X,' 'Devil's Island,' 'Roads of Destiny.' Returning to the stage in 1923 she occasionally took time out for pic- tures arid appeared in such, produc- tions as 'On Trial,' 'Mumsie,' 'Evi- dence,' 'This Modern Age,' 'The Sacred Flame,' 'My Marriage.' Her last film was 'Ramona' at 20th«Fox. She did many stage revivals along Coast between pictures. . She had been married five times, among her husbands being Willard Mack. CHARLES E. COOK Charles E. Cook, 53, former circus technician and lately With Para- mount, died Sept. 17, at his home in West Los Angeles after a' heart at- tack. He had finished an assignment IX MEMORIAM MARK A. LUESCHER Pled Sept. 180, 1988 In - Our Heart* and Memory Always FAMILY as unit manager on the film, 'If I Were King,' and was* preparing for the start of 'Union Pacific' when stricken. In his youth he joined the Gaskell carnival in Texas as an electrician, later moved to the Al G. Barnes cir- cus and traveled for 23 years' under the big top. He was the first to install electricity in a circus. Surviving are his widow; a son, a sister and two brothers. T. NELSON DOWNS T. Nelson Downs, 'King of Koins,' died Sept. 11 at his home in Mar shalltown, la., following a three-year illness. A number of well-known magicians attended the funeral, which was held in Marshalltown, Sept. 13. Downs was known for many years as about the cleverest coin manipu lator before the public and his repu- tation had carried him to European countries, where he had exhibited his deftness before crowned heads and gala audiences. He became skill- ful in handling coins during his youthful days as a clerk in a Mar- shalltown bank. operation for mastoids on Sept. 14. At the time of his death Barrett was •chief of the Chicago office of WOR, Newark. Previously he had been radio time buyer for Blackett-Saittple-Hummert agency in Chicago. Had also been with NBC Chicago and was the net- work's liaison man with the World's Fair during 1833-1934. Widow and three daughters sur- vive. Burial in Chicago. CHARLES KINGSBURY YOUNG Charles Kingsbury Young, 45, for- mer concert pianist, died in New Rochelle, N. Y., Sept. 14. In recent years he had been teach- ing in New Rochelle, and was ac- companist- for the Huguenot Glee Club. His widow survives. VALERIE BERGERE Valerie Bergere, 71, former stage and screen actress, died Sept. 16 in Hollywood. "Born in Alsace-Lor- raine, Miss Bergere made her Amer- ican debut in San Francisco stock in 1892, and played in legit, musical comedy and vaudeville for 43 years. Her last stage appearance was-'in fMoon Over Mulberry Street' in 1935. In her picture career she played for a time with Warners and finished with a part in 'Miss America' at RKO in 1937. Surviving is her husband, Herbert Warren. JOHN R. RITCHIE John Robertson Ritchie, 55, who as a contractor built theatres in Mechanicville and Plattsburg and as a sculptor did a bas relief of Sonja Henie recen::y placed in the new Field House at Saratoga Springs, died at his home in that city Sept. 12. A native of Scotland and a veteran of the Boer War, he directed many amateur theatrical productions in the Saratoga area. KENNETH L. SMITH Kenneth L. Smith, an executive of radio station XEBZ, Mexico City, died Sept 7 at his home in the Mexi- can capital. He was a native of Elizabeth, N. J., and had been a resident of Mexico for 25 years. Burial was in Mexico City. He is survived by his widow, his' mother, a son, and two daugh- ters. NONA LEE Mrs. Lloyd Tracy Dodd (Nona Lee), 22, radio singer, died In child- birth, Sept. 15, in Los Angeles. She made her radio debut 12 years ago and later appeared in opera on the Coast. The child died'with her. INEZ FORMAN Inez Forman Greig, 74, one time Shakespearean actress, died Sept. 9 in Pasadena. - As Inez Forman she played for years on the Keith and Proctor Cir- cuit. Surviving is a daughter. FRANK MURRAY Frank Murray, 29, technician at Metro studio, died Sept. 14 in Los Angeles. 6 MILDRED GAULT Mildred Gault, 33, film dancer, died Sept. 15, in a sanitarium near Los Angeles. Mrs. Elsie Gray, 37, wife of Danny Gray,, chief of Metro's film editing department, died Sept. 15 in Beverly Hills. R. J. BARRETT, JR. Roscoe Barrett, Jr., 35 died in Chi- cago of pneumonia following an MARRIAGES Shirley Lucile Young to Valhce Carroll in Los Angeles, Sept. 11. Bride is film player; he's a director. Helen Ince to Frank Kerwin in Beverly Hills, Sept. 15.- Bride is widow of Ralph Ince, film producer, he's Hollywood night club owner. Maryalice Riley to' Warren Mead in Milwaukee, Sept. 8.. He's an- nouncer with WTMJ, Milwaukee. "" Joan Palmer to Charles Kaufman in Beverly Hills, Sept. 14. He's a film writer. Judy Kish to Billy Cornell in Pittsburgh, Sept. 10. He's with Jimmy Peyton's orchestra at Plaza cafe, Pittsburgh. Mary Kirby to Thomas Conrad Sawyer in Hollywood, Sept. 16. Bride is Sandra Bruce, WCOP, Bos- ton, announcer and hostess; he's Coast NBC and'- CBS writer. Edna Strong to -Everett Marshall in Fort Worth, Tex., Sept. 16. Bride is dancer; he's a singer. Shirley Ross to Ken Dolan in Los Angeles, Sept. 18. Bride- is film player; he's Hollywood agent. Genevieve Tobin to William Keighley, Yuma, Ariz., Sept. 19. Bride is film player; he's film direc- tor. Fair Preview (Continued from page 1) housed in the Business-Building at night. Tariff is marked at $1 a head as entrance fee only with extras for a peek at attractions inside or par- ticipation in numerous games housed in tents, resembling a rural state fair. The outdoor carnival in the aft- ernoon will include a b6tanical gar- den tea party modelled after the European idea in which stage and screen names will mingle with the public and clip 'em $1 apiece for autographs. Rest will be a tent for the presentation of one-minute thrillers and comedies with im- promptu casts culled from names present, but done with prepared scripts. A two-bit-a-dance tent, with Equity choristers to trip with; a gambling . tent; crockery smashing booth; one for pie-throwing where customers can pay 50c for a custard and either eat it or throw it at a colored target; a makeup tent w.here femmes will be nicked. $2 to be taught makeup; and various other games and gadgets designed to sep- arate escorts from their-wad. An audition tent modeled after the 'I Want to Be an Actor' radio pro- gram has been suggested with sound recording apparatus and experienced actors in attendance. In the evening, plans call for a revue to be staged in the dual-winged Business Build- ing with a trl-cornered stage to al- low an audience in each wing. Tar- iff here would range from $3 to $10. show will comprise half a dozen sketches prepared l y the Authors League, backed by production num- bers for which the choruses of "I Married an Angel,' 'You Never Know,' the Rockettes from the Ra- dio City Music Hall, and the Gae Foster Girls from the Roxy are be- ing sought. Names connected with the affair list Rachel Crothers, as general di- rector; John Golden, executive di- rector; Antoinette Pe-ry, executive secretary; Dwight Deert Wiman, ex- ecutive prqducer; Ashley Miller, general secretary, and Leon Leoni- doff and Robert H. Burnside as pro-- ducers, latter names as yet .being doubtful. Stars who have wired or mailed agreements to be on hand if in the vicinity are Irving Berlin, Fred Stone, Jimmie Durante, Mau- rice Evans, Walter Hampden, Dennis King, Grace George,' L'anny Ross, Nazimova, Frank Craven, Ina Claire, Jane Cowl, Otis Skinner and pro- ducers Marc Connolly and Brock Pemberton. Others have not yet been heard from. Vaude Revival (Continued from page 1) is the host of film and radio players available for p. a.'s. As far as standard vaude talent is concerned, there hasn't been as much of a depreciation in ranks as pop- ularly supposed. Nitery work, plus in a smaller measure the WPA projects, has kept them going. Per- usal of the numerous agents' lists shows that comparatively little of the talent around a- few years ago has dropped completely out of the biz. In fact, so many of the acts are still around it's incongruous in comparison with the terrific skid of vaude itself. Comedy Acts a Problem Rather than a lack of talent, the theatres, If and when a general 'vaude revival' eventuates, will -be faced with two other major -prob- lems. First will be the question of sufficient playable comedy acts; (2), break-in time. ' One hinges upon the other. Com- edy acts need development, some- thing they haven't had for a number of years because of the complete ex- tinction of break-in time. Even the smallest indie houses in the past few years have demanded tried and standard acts, refusing to take a chance with unknowns. It has been proven in the past on numerous occasions that the nitery comics are usually n. g. \in theatres; their material, as' a rule, being too topical of the nocturnal life for gen- eral public consumption. The strictly radio comics also have too frequently failed to impress on a stage, this be- ing due chiefly to the lack of stage, presence and training on the part of. most of them. Both of these type of acts would need extensive break-in dates before being acceptable in major and de- luxe stageshow houses. It will_ be an absolute need for the circuits to each ~et aside a certain amount of break-in playing time, as in the past, in order to provide themselves with the major ingredient of a vaudeville layout—comedy. BIRTHS Mr. and Mrs. Irving Rubine. son, in Glendale, Cal., Sept. 13. Father is in Warners' publicity debartment. Mr. and Mrs, Ken MacKaig, son, in Los Angeles, Sept. 15. Father is film salesman for United Artists, L.A. Mr. and Mrs. Georgie Price, son, Sept. 15,1938, in New York. He's the former comedian, now a stock broker; she was Lorain Mariners pro- fessionally. Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Berns, daughter, Sept. 17, 1938, in New York. He's of Jack & Charlie's 21 Club, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Griffin, son, in Pittsburgh, Sept. 15. Mother is ^he former Peggy Dogherty, vaude and stock player. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Guild, daughter, in San Francisco, Sept. 15, Father is m.c. and writer at KSFO, Frisco. Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Nimmons, son, in Dallas. Father is program direc- tor of WFAA, Dallas. News From the Dailies This department contains rewritten theatrical news items as pub- lished during the week in the daily papers of New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Hollywood and London. Variety takes no credit for these news items; each has been rewritten from a daily paper. East John A. Lardner, son of the late Ring W. Lardner, married in Elktoh, Md., Thursday. Hazel Hairston writer, party of the second part. Lotte Lehman carried out her an- nounced intention and took out first citizenship papers in New York last Thursday. She is herself an Ayran, but her stepsons had a Jewish moth- er and came under the ban. The three boys had already taken out first papers." Scarecrow contest one of the come- ohs at New Canan (Conn.) flower shbw. Second prize went to an ef- figy of Mae West. Mrs. Emily Ringling to receive $50,000 and interest on a note given her by the circus magnate shortly before their marriage. Has been in dispute since his death. Job of handling the Movie Quiz contest given to Radio and Publica- tions Contest Co., which will put 500 clerks on the job of wprking over the answers. Jewel theatre, six of whose staff were recently pinched for conduct- ing a lottery, to carry the case to the supreme court if necessary, attor- neys for the theatre announced last week. Preliminary hearing in mag- istrates' court adjourned to Oct. 4. Louis Reynolds, of the tobacco family, defending his wife's suit for temporary alimony, presents the affi- davit of Julie Donahue Higgins in- volving Charles MacArthur and Cecil Haskett, radio exec, in coun- ter charges. Am rlcan Gilbert and Sullivan Productions, amateurs, wants some more chorus people. Office Stein way. Hall. Natalie Bodanya, of the Met, can- celd her date at the Venice Music Festival next Sunday (25) because of the recent Italian enactments against the Jews. " Friedrich Schorr, ..Wagnerian bari- tone, appointed vocal advisor for Met Wagner productions. To train young American singers in the Wag- nerian tradition. Benjamin C. Cutler, orch leader, given his choice between a $25 fine and 10 days in jail for driving his car into the East river. Explained he had played several engagements and was sleepy. 'Night of Stars,' Palestine benefit, set for Nov. 16 at the Mad. Sq. Garden. Playwrights Producing Co. Is now just Playwrights Co. Bruce Barton t he fall guy at the Circus Saints and Sinners last week. Murray Mintz, of Brooklyn, waived extradlction and will be taken to Kansas City to face a charge of ship- ping lascivious reading matter be- tween K. C. and Chicago. Gang puncturing tires and slash- ing upholstery in parked cars in Flatbush section of Brooklyn for no apparent reason. Fur coat worth $60,000 to figure In the Radio City Music Hall revue opening tomorrow. Took 16 years to collect the pelts of albino mink from which it is fashioned. Gus Boell, die sinker, given a 10- day suspended sentence In Flushing court Thursday. He intended to jump from the top of the trylon at the World's Fair, but the wind gave out, his 'chute got wet and he was afraid tb v climb down. Rescued by steel workers, so newsreel men, who had been tipped off, got some footage. Helene Pons designed the cos- tumes for 'Mme. Capet.' Little Carnegie, picture house, re- opens after a four weeks' shut. Morton and Herbert Minsky to convert the National Winter Garden, their original burlesque home, to a picture theatre, showing Soviet films. Coe Glade sang 'Carmen' at the Center theatre, N. Y., Thursday night, hopped a plane for Hollywood the following day to sing in the Legion production of 'Gettysburg' the 23rd. Back by plane the ne*t day to sing her second 'Carmen.' A. C. Blumenthal mentioned in the bankruptcy schedules of the.gown shop operated by Mrs. Gloria Mor- gan Vanderbilt and her twin sister, Lidy Furncss. Owes $375 • on an original order for about $1,000 worth of clothes for an unnamed picture actress. Directed to appear Sept 30 for examination befo trial. Werner Bateman, of 'Victoria Re- tina,' reported' to be in trouble in Germany. He went over on a vaca- tion and now he can't get out again. Wayne Morris, making a p. a. at the N. Y. 3 l -rnd last week, denied that a marriage betv/een himself and Betty Jane Fer juson was impending. Says they're t .1". ing about it, but want to wait a ye^r. J A Federal "flusic Project ask- ing for onuses to play at the Forum Laboratory concerts at Carnegie chamber music hall. Stephen Czoka, Hungarian, won the first prize in the outdoor art exhibit in Washington Sq. That got him a check for $25. Fire in the newsprint warehouse next the N. Y. Journal office drove 20 men from t'teir desks. Paper a total loss. Staff , moved to the com- posing room and go' Saturday's paper out fr. there. Transient visitors to the N. Y. World's Fair arriving over the N. Y. Central to be dumped at the 138th street station. Taken from there by bus over the TriboroUPh bridge. Artur Rubinstein, Polish pianist, cancels his Italian tour and sends back a decoration. Protest over the ! treatment of the Jews in Italy. Will 1 come to the U. S. instead. I Theatre Education League, suggest- 1 ed by Theatre Council, to lecture high school pupils. w * Harry Sothern, nephew of E. H. Sothern, became an American citi- zen last week. Playing in 'Shadow and Substance.' 'Made in Japan,' New Theatre prize play by Maurice Stoller, to get a musical setting by Elie Siegmeister. Preemed next month. Brooklyn homicide court has held Solon Schulman without bail on a charge of homicide. Charged with killing Nathan Kline, projectionist of the Queens theatre, Jamaica. Committee announces that five questions in the Movie Quiz are in- correct, due to errors. Any answer will be adjudged correct. Music school of the N. Y. Assn. for the Blind opened its 31st season Monday. Marjorie Harding, of the Women's Symphony orch, prexy. John Moses, son .of. the late Harry Moses, mulling production plans. Coast Suit of Jeff Davis against Para- mount was transferred from Su- perior to Federal court in L. A. Hobo 'king' wants $50,000 and back pay for working in 'The Arkansas Traveler.' Suit was shifted because Paramount is a New York corpora- tion. Will of Max Factor, makeup art- ist, filed in Los Angeles, left all stock in the cosmetic business to be divi- ded equally among four sons and two daughters. Remainder of the es- tate, $100,000 in personal property and $16,000 in real estate, goes to the widow, Mrs. Vennie Factor. Sidney B. Factor, son of the late Max Factor, was sued for $200,000 heart balm by Mildred O'Bryant, former employe of the Hollywood cosmetic firm. Glenn Morris, film actor and for- mer Olympic decathlon champion, was sued for divorce in L. A. Paramount studio and its physi- cian, Dr. Hi J. Strathern, were granted a new trial in the $500,000 action brought by Irene Bennett, actress, ; vho claimed her health was damaged permanently, by an incor- rect diagnosis. First trial in- L. A,, resulted in a judgment of $8,500 for Miss Bennett. Richard Tucker, screen player, ob- tained a divot e in L. A. from Erma Deen, singer. Jane Wyma: screen player, made an out-of-court settlement of $29,662 commission suit by Harry Rosen, Hollywood apent. Peggy Fears' salary at Phil Selz- nick's nitery in Hollywood was at- tached for $154 grocery bill. - Maxine Coleman, night club enter- tainer, won a divorce in L. A. from Virgil Creason. John W. Considine, Jr.. film pro- ducer, was sued for $150,000 in L. A. by his Cousin. Vera L. Donnellan, who charged false arrest. Arthur J. Beckhard, Santa Bar- bara theatrical producer, was held on a charge of negligent homicide as a result of the traffic deaths of Pa- tricia Marian Kelley and Frank C. Joyce, Jr., in Beverly Hills, Aug. 27. I. C. Overdorff, president, and Ed- ward Rose, vice-president of the National Talent Pictures Corp., were ordered to trial in L. A. on grand theft- charges. Freddie Rich, orchestra leader, was sued in L. A. by his former wife, Eula Mariene Rich, for sepa- rate maintenance of $500 a month and $2,500 attorney fees. Mrs. Rich also asks $2,000 arrears on an - ali- mony judgment awarded in Nev/ York. Convicted of conspiring to per- form an illegal operation, from which the victim died, Robert Gil- bert, one-time vaude hypnotist, who billed himself as 'The Great Gilbert,' awaited sentence in Los Angeles. AGMA's Switch Ted Carr, assistant executive-sec- retary of the American Guild of Mu- sical Artists, left New York last week to take charge of the-organization's Los Angeles office for the next three months. Ernest Charles, who has been handling the Coast office, re- places him in the homeofflce. Shift is a routine matter to fami- liarize both with the AGMA setup at each end.