Variety (Sep 1938)

Wednesday, September 21, 193a OUTDOORS—SPORTS VARIETY 55 Reading Fair Was Plenty Wet; Bingo Declared Legal Reading, Pa., Sept. 20. Reading Fair, closing Sunday (18) ran into its fourth rainy day in five days and postponed its automobile racing program until Sunday. Not counting Monday, when a light rain fell, the fair hit showers, some light, others lengthy, on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and today. The Lucky Teter daredevil racing pro- gram was carried out in the mud yesterday afternoon. Feature of fair week was a total attendance, including last Sunday and regardless of rain, that ap- proached the 265,000 mark; 'Big Thursday' went flat but Friday brought a 73,000 crowd. Restablishment of bingo as a legal game marked Thursday. A test case in which five bingo hall operators in a Reading suburb were tried with maintaining a gambling establish- ment resulted in a Berks criminal court jury verdict of not guilty for all five, and an immediate declara- tion by District Attorney John A. Rieser, who had outlawed bingo last spring, that the game would again be permitted to operate so long as cash prizes and certain other gam- bling features are avoided by oper- ators. 'It can't be made a racket,' Rieser warned. Bingo men at the fair, in a few cases, opened Wednesday night and on Thursday the game was in full blast. 'Skillo' and other similar games also went into play. At the request of John L. Cut- shell, distric attorney, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, where the Allentown Fair will open tomorrow, Rieser telephoned Cutshell's office of the Berks jury's verdict. As it had been predicted that no Berks jury would convict the five bingo operators, and as similar predictions were made as to neighboring Lehigh county, in case bingo men were arrested there, it is likely that Cutshell will permit Allentown Fair to operate . bingo games this week as in past seasons. The Zacchinis, Emmanuel and Mario, who do a double cannonball stunt, had a bad afternoon Friday. Emmanuel popped out of the cannon on schedule time, but Mario failed to appear. Because of the danger to the crowd, the cannot could not be lowered, but finally a member of the crew crept into the cannon and hauled out Mario, partially uncon- scious from the fumes of the first explosion. Although sickened, Mario went through with the night per- formance; but another hitch oc- curred. Emmanuel was shot out of the cannon on schedule time, but managers of the act, working c-:s- perately to keep back the crowds, had to .wait two minutes before the balky apparatus popped again and discharged the second man.- Mario was in a hospital for a time after the afternoon mishap. WPA's Deals (Continued from page 49) ently sold to Arch Selwyn and.Ralph Pincus, who are reported paying the regular relief wages. Instance of how the players are affected is cited on the instance of a colored actress, Who appeared there in 'Porgy and Bess,' receiving $175 weekly, but having gone relief, is getting $23.50 from WPA. Destroys Protective Machine From the actor-artist unions' view- point, WPA, in turning over com- plete shows to managers, virtually destroys-the whole protective mech- anism devised to aid professionals, for which the unions were formed. The right of individual bargaining would be tossed overboard should such transactions continue or in- crease. Stagehand and musician groups are equally involved, because members on relief would be taking the jobs of others who have been regularly employed. The WPA situation on the Coast no S \ furtner considered at Monday's U9) meeting of the Four A's and by £quity's executive committee last £nday (16), but the latter's leaders n.ad already acted on 'Chillun.' Ernie Young Goes AFA; Barnes & Carruthers Nix Chicago, Sept. 20. Two fair agencies 1 ere made op- posite decisions regarding the American Federation of Actors and its present campaign to organize outdoor performers in the fair and carnival business. Barnes & Car- ruthers agenc/ has walked away from the AFA and has stopped nego- tiations with the performers' union. On the other hand, the Ernie Young agency has signatured all articles of the AFA and will co- operate 100% with the union. In its campaign. By the agreement the Young office in the future will book and utilize only performers who are members of the AFA on a strict closed shop policy. AFA has made no decision as to what action it will take in the Barnes & Carruthers situation. Likely that, it will "send notices to all fair sectaries notifying them of the B. & C. chill-off and will take further steps following the mailing of these noti .es. 3 CARNIVALS CONSOLIDATE Chicago, Sept. 20. Amalgamation of-the three largest carnivals in the business was set last week, with indications that two more top carnies will be added to the con- solidation this weelc. Trio now hooked up under a single operation banner are Beckmann & Gerety, Royal American and the Rubin & Cherry show. Consolidation represents a total coin merger of around $1,200,000, and some 150 cars. This merge discus- sion and negotiations had been going on for a period of two years. HAMID MAY ACQUIRE JERSEY FAIR PLANT Trenton, Sept. 20. Publicized as a 'seven day and seven night' attraction, the New Jersey State Fair at Trenton will open its gates for the 51st year on Sunday (25). Will be the first time in its history that the Fair has been operated on a 14-hour daily grind. George A. Hsmid will be at the helm for the third successive year. If this year's Fair meets with equal suc- cess, Hamid plans taking over event and grounds from the Trenton Fair Association on a permanent basis and running the place on a year-round schedule. With pari-mutuel betting in New Jersey now a virtual certain- ty by next Spring, the State Fair grounds will in all probability be a focal 'point for Jersey and Phila- delphia horse race enthusiasts. Mile track now used for auto races, with grandstand seating upwards of 20,000, regarded as idsal set up for the pony attraction. Dodging: the Showers Minneapolis, Sept. 20. Minnesota's 1939 State' Fair will run 10 days, instead of customary eight,' and will be advanced- one week, opening Aug. 26 and closing Sept. 4, Labor Day. Earlier opening and longer en- gagement were decided upon be- cause records show weather during last week in Aug. is more stable and warmer.. This year it rained five of the eight days and nights and the bad weather cut heavily into attendance which was Off more than 50,000 from 1937. FILLMORE FAIR FIRE Lincoln, Sept. 20. Fire completely destroyed grand- stand and raged through most of the midway at the Geneva, Neb., Fill- more county fair. Explosion of a gasoline stove as the fair neared its closing hour started things off. Donald Merrill, concessionaire, was overcome by smoke for the only casualty. CIRCUS ROUTES Week of September 26 Barnes-Sells-Floto Ft, Worth. Tex., 25-1:7; Dallas, 28-20; Pcnlson, 30; Paris, 1. Robbins Bros. rhnrlpxlon. S. C. 2fi; Columbia, 27; firt-enwood. IjH; Augustu, Gu., 20; Savan- nah, 3b; \Vityi-ro5s, I. COLE-BEATTY IN COURT AGAIN South Bend, Ind., Sept. 20. Hearing on a petition filed in the United States district court here by four performers of the Cole Bros.- Clyde Beatty Circus, Inc., of Roches- ter, Ind., asking that the court de- clare the circus bankrupt and ap- point a receiver was continued in- definitely Sept. 15 by Judge Thomas W. Slick upon mutual consent of counsel. The petitioners, Irfna Aurelia Za- vatta, Raffaele Zoppe, Giovanni Zoppe and Claude Langlols, through their Chicago attorneys. Simon H. Alster and Albert N. Gaulano asked that the court recognize their salary claims, and others they represented to the amount of $7,500 for services rendered. Their petition sets out the claim that Cie circus turned over its phy- sical properties to the Associates In- vestment company of South, Bend, to satisfy a $40,000 debt secured by mortgage. There are 11 foreign acrobats stranded with their visiting permits expiring Nov. 4, on account of the closing of the Cole show. Now with no funds, their case continued, the government getting ready to deport them, the acrobats are really up in the air and there doesn't seem to be any sort of a net spread Under them. AFL'S WE GREEN DENIES 'SPANKING' WHITEHEAD Washington, Sept 20. Although official denial has been, transmitted to Ralph Whitehead, sec- retary of the American Federation of Actors, by William Green, re-' garding any chastisement contem- plated by the American Federation of Labor for the manner in which AFA handled the Ringling Bros.- Barnum & Bailey circus situation, dis- cussion has been on and is going on relative to the situation. It will be recalled that Green recently said the Federation would cooperate in ef- forts to .revive the circus as an American institution, which appears to some labor officials here as being an indirect rebuke for Whitehead. Copy of telegram which Green sent Whitehead to disavow verbal spanking or otherwise being planned by the A.F. of L. follows: 'I most emphatically disavbw the article published in Variety to which you refer in your telegram. . I repudiate it in the name of the American Federation of Labor. There was no basis for it and no au- thorization for its publication by any officer of the American -Federa- tion of Labor. 1 French Directors (Continued from page 11) those turned out by Marcel Came and Pierre Chenal. Duvivier is now in Hollywood, having worked on Metro's 'Great Waltz.' Renoir is currently known in this country for turning out 'Grand Illusion.' Clair is recognized as having turned out a ndmber of b.o... films in France but most re- cently has been in England produc- ing 'Break the News,' with Maurice Chevalier. Of the new directors, Pierre Chenal is known for his 'Crime and Punishment,' but possibly will not be rated as high as the veterans un- til more of his works are seen in America. Carne's efforts thus far are just being talked about in this country though reputedly a coming director in France. G. W. Pabst and Ludvig Berger, German refugees, both of whom have been to Hollywood, now are back in France to do pictures. And though this trend is develop- ing, there still are some outstanding stars who mean something to the box office in this country. They include Jean Gabin, Harry Baur, Pierre Fresnay, Charles Boyer, Simone Simon, Annabella and Danielle Dar- rieUx. French are hoping that her current effort in France for Renoir— 'Human Beast' with Jean Gabin—' will help restore Miss Simon to her prestige with French audiences. Boyer, Annabella and Miss Dar- rieux all are making pictures in America but are smart enough to re- turn to France at least once a year to make a feature. Football By Nat Kahn King Football grabs the spotlight of America's sportsdom this Satur- day with the official opening of the 1938 season. This year, in the east, it looks like Pittsburgh is tops; Minnesota should set the pace in the midwest; Rice in the southwest; Louisiana State in the deep south; Alabama in the south- east, and Washington's Huskies on the Coast. Here go the first week's picks, comprising only the outstand- ing games in the country: Abibama-UJS.C. Alabama, potentially one of thr south's topnotch teams, should re* turn to the Coast once to no avail. In the New Year's Day Rose Bowl classic last season, the. Crimson Tide dropped a 13-0 decision to Califor- nia. This team, after too many fruit- less seasons of late, should be a' ban- ner ^one for Howard Jones' Trojans, who are rated next to Washington as the cream on the Pacific Coast Oklahoma A. & M.-Arkansas Arkansas has lost several of those exact its toll as the season goes along. However, the Coast team still has enough of what it takes to get by in the initialer. Texas-Kansas Kansas' good backfield should off- set a weak line to come through for a close one over weak Texas. Mlssisslppi-L.S.U. This is State's year—it's packed just chockful of power from end to end, and. in the backfield, while Mis- sissippi's green team is too tough a hurdle for Ed Walker's coaching successor, Harry Mehre. State should take this one with plenty to spare. 'Washington-Minnesota This should stack up as one of the season's best games, between the prospective leaders on the Coast and in the midwest, respectively. Wash- ington Is touted as the Rose Bowl host this"' season while Minnesota, aided with a good backfield, should give plenty of trouble in this game with the Huskies. Being played in Minneapolis, the Gophers stamping grounds, should aid them- consider- Probable Football Winners And Proper Odds (Sept. 24, 1938) By Nat Kahn GAMES WINNEBS ODDS Alabama at Univ. of So. California . U.S.C Even Oklju A. A M. at Arkansas Arkansas 8/5 St Mary's at California California 9/5 Detroit at Pnrdue Detroit 7/5 Iowa at U.CX.A U.C.L.A. 7/5 Texas at Kansas Kansas 6/5 Mississippi at La. State U La. State 2/1 Washington at Minnesota Washington Even William and Mary at Navy Navy ( 9/5 Washington State at Oregon Oregon 7/5 Idaho at Oregon State Idaho 6/5 Centenary at Texas Christian U... .T.C.U. 8/5 (Predictions Based on Fair Weather} passing stars of last season and should be considerably weaker this year but still seems to hold enough to upset the Aggies, who, however, loom bigger and stronger. ~St Mary's-Californla Slip Madigan has another colorful team again this year in the Gallop- ing Gaels, particularly with the re- doubtable Jerry Dowd, center, one of the nation's outstanding punters, but still doesn't seem to have enough to upset last year's Rose Bowl cham- pions. The Bears haven't the attack of last year and it's a question of their rebuilding for this season but they'll be giving the top teams a battle. Detroit-Purdue Detroit packs too many guns for the steamless Boilermakers, whose only attack functioned last season with Cecil Isbell in the lineup. With him gone, prospects don't look any too good against the Titans, who will be sporting a veteran team, whose scoring potentialities, while dimin- ished by the loss of their galloping back of last season, Andy Farkas, still packs plenty of dynamite. Iowa-U.C.L.A. Iowa has plenty of reserves and lettermen left from last season and should serve as a stiff opener for the Uclans, whose lack of reserve will May Quit Italy (Continued from page 11) technique would be not unlike that pursued in Germany currently. There the tendency is to bar any film that is calculated to dwarf a Ger- man production. Other spokesmen claim that apparently Italy and Italian producers merely want to benefit from American methods and technical perfection for what it was worth in their own producing. Nationalization decree apparently does not forbid foreign companies from operating exchanges in Italy. But distribution will be handled by the government agency set up for that specific purpose, with choice of product, rentals, etc., in this agency's hands. Trend towards talcing over all dis- tribution in Italy has been brewing for months, according to informa- tion in N. Y. Most definite sign pointing in that direction was reduc-. tion of the number of films allowed in Italy by quota provisions. Offi- cial word of the decree was received ably but the Huskies get the edge in this one. William and Mary-Navy William and Mary has served as the Middies' season opener for some years now. For the first time in some seasons it looks a little more than a breather for the gobs. True, W-M hasn't got much, but Navy is fairly mediocre this season. However, rah, rah, Nav-ee. Washington State-Oregon A veteran team should push Ore- gon among the topflight, although picking this game with Washington State is a problem. State is rated, as are all Coast teams this year, in the foreground. Oregon should get the win, however, but only after a struggle. Idaho-Oregon State The long trip to Oregon may take at lot out of the reserveless Idahoans, but they hold enough to win. Oregon State full of soph talent Centenary-Texas Christian T.C.U. is the top team but Cen- tenary can't be sold short The lat- ter became known last year as the smallie that became the giant-killer when it upset Southern Methodist and T.C.U., the latter by 10-9. Davie O'Brien's great passing arm should turn the trick for the Christians this Saturday. in N. Y. film offices Thursday (15) but clarification of different clauses was still being sought this week. British Co. Quits Home ' London, Sept 10. Mario Zampi, producing English- speaking version here of 'A Source of Irritation' for British distribution by Two Cities Films, has been asked to quit Italy because of the fact his company is Jewish-controlled. Two Cities Co. denies Zampi was shown the door, but aver they re- called him on their own account, de- ciding to transfer production to this country. Company has uready re- ceived one Italian-made picture, but planned to do whole series, and was understood to have been financed by Italian sources, government co-op- erating to attract producers to Rome studios. More than one British film con- cern, which had made; .or was mak- ing arr. ngementg for -production of pictures in. Italy, has found it ex- pedient to cancel these commitments. This is in line with a systematic blacklisting campaign organized here when Mussolini announced an anti- Jewish campaign.