Variety (Sep 1938)

62 VARIETY Wednesday, September 28, 1938 OBITUARIES ROBERT L. MADIGAN Robert L. Madigan, 44, former Cleveland theatre manager and ex- change executive, died Sept. 23 at his home in Lisbon, O., and was buried in Cleveland. During his career in the latter town he ran the Standard theatre for twelve years, was booker for Universal film exchange, and also operated the Lisbon theatre. Sur- vived by father, one sister and two brothers. GUSTAV SCHWAB Gustav Schwab, for the past quar- ter century connected with he dis- tribution end of the film business, chiefly in Berlin and Paris, but more recently in New York, died in this city last week. An Alsatian by birth and a citizen of France, he engaged in the business of film exportation, coming to this country about three years ago to deal in French and other continental films, and it was his import, 'En Saga' which opened the Continental theatre last fall. He contributed im- portantly to the recent promotion of French productions in America and also had excellent South American connections. Survived by his widow :.nd two daughters, resident in New York and a son, now doing service with tt.2 French army. ,v More recently he had been en- gaged in exploitation work. Services and burial in Akron. House Reviews VICTOR O. PETERS Victor O. Peters, 47, building su- perintendent for the Metropolitan Edison Company, Reading, at its Lebanon, Pa., plant, died several days ago. He was a vaudeville acrobat for many years, touring the country in an act called the Four Victors. He leaves a widow. EDGAR J. FELLERS Edgar J. Fellers, 75, proprietor of one of the first five cent motion pic- ture shows in Fremont, O., died in that city Sept. 19, from injuries re- ceived when he was struck by a mor torcycle several weeks ago. A son and daughter survive. Services and burial locally. OTTO RIO Otto Rio Dohmen, 64, known in theatricals as Otto Rio, died Sept. 24 at his home in Jamaica, L. I. Death came as the result of lobar pneu- monia. Since his retirement, in 1928, he had been a real estate broker. Sur- vived by widow, one son, and a daughter. J UBI LEST A, K. C. (Continued from page 53) decided edge with the masterly band leader aided by a varied supporting bill. Wisely dependent, too, upon his company, Vallee inserted his own numbers at well-spaced intervals. Of the company, Vic Hyde, the one- man swing band, playing several trumpets simultaneously and imitat- ing the leading band masters; Mirth and Mack, with their dancing and mimicking, and Edna Strong's tap- ping set the pace. While the Jubilesta was held in the main arena, a Variety Parade was also in progress thrice daily, in ;he downstairs Exhibition Hall, and Tiny Town show performed continu- ously in the Little theatre. These were separate shows, with separate gates, Tiny Town (at 25c and 10c) proving the better draw. The Variety Parade, classed as a vaude show in its own right, in- cluded only one bill for the entire nine days, 25c for mats and 40c nights. Lineup listed Lottie Mayer's disaDoearing water ballet; the Swan- son Bros., with Marjorie Scates and Earlita Ward, log rollers; Nelson's boxing cats, Ross. Pierre and Schus- ter, The Three Flames and the Hud- son Wonders. Quin. TOWER, K. C. KATE CORBALET Mrs. Kate Corbaley, 60, Metro story editor and veteran screen writer, died Sept. 2?, in Hollywood. One of the old timers of the pic- ture industry, she began writing for the Triangle Film Co. after her hus- band's death. In- the silent days she did 23 stories for William Farnum. Sidney Drew, Harry Carey, Florence Vidor and others. Mrs. Corbaley worked at various times for the Palmer Photoplay Co., Thomas H. Ince and Hunt Stromberg. Joining Metro in 1926, she was later appointed story editor by Irving Thalberg and held it until her death. Surviving are four daughters. LYNDE DENIG Lynde Denig, one of the veterans of the film industry, died Sept. 24 in [Pearl River. He had been in ill health for some years, but death came suddenly. Denig had been publicity man for the old Goldwyn Pictures and later went to First National in a similar capacity, but he was best known as a trade paper writer, having been editor of Wid's Daily and the Dra- matic Mirror. He wrote extensively for the magazines on amusement topics. He is survived by his. widow. In terment in New Haven. CHARLES RICHARD SAGER Charles Richard Sager, 53, who once was advertising agent for the old Grand Opera house in Youngs- town, O., and has been a stage hand ever since, died at his home In Youngstown Sept. 15 from a heart ailment. He was a carpenter at the Park theatre in Youngstown, later a stage hand at the Hippodrome until it was abandoned and has been a stage hand at the State since it opened. He was financial secretary of the stage hands union in Youngstown. His wife survives. ORVILLE BROWN Orville Brown, 93, one time actor and legit manager, died Sept.. 24 in Pasadena. For years he trouped with the Savoy Players, draifcatic company operated by his son, Gilmore Brown, the Pasadena Community Playhouse director. MATTHEW D. CHRISTIE Matthew D. Christie, 78, at one time manager of an opera house at Fairmont, W. Va., died Sunday morn- ing. For years he had divided his time between Brooklyn, N. Y., Richmond, Va., Fairmont, W. Va., and Palmer Lake, Col. PATRICK J. MARTIN Patrick J. Martin, 69, in show busi- ness for' 40 years, died Sept. 20 at home in South Norwalk, Conn. Martin had managed Hoyt's thea- tre, now Rialto, in South Norwalk, and Taylor Opera House and Capitol in Danbury, Conn. Son and three daughters survive. HARRY GARSON Harry Garsori, 56, who directed and managed Clara Kimball Young in silent pictures, died Sept. 21 in Los Angeles. He also directed and produced other films, but has been inactive oi: late. He leaves a son. LADISLAV PAPEZ Ladislav Papez, 54, former French Opera musician, violinist and band leader, died in New Orleans Sept. 21. Papez went to New Orleans in 1912 from what is now Czechoslovakia and joined the French Opera as violinist. He served in that capacity until the World War forced its sus- pension in 1914. After that he had his own band and worked in various New Orleans theatres. A sister sur- vives. CLIFFORD V. GODDARD Clifford V. Goddafd, 7J, once man- ager of the Goddard opera house and roller rink, died Sept. 17 at his home in Alliance, O., after a several weeks illness. For many years he had- been iden- tified with early theatrical enter- prises there. His widow, four sons, and two daughters survive. PAUL M. BURKE Paul M. Burke, 40, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., former manager of WFJC, one of the early radio sta- tions in Akron, O., died in that city Sept. 16 in People's hospital from in- juries received in a fall a week ago. CHARLES H. HICKMAN Charles H. Hickman, 62, former film director, died Sept. 19, in the National Military Hospital at Saw telle, Calif. He retired in 1932 after 24 years in the picture business. CHARLES W. MONTGOMERY Charles Washington Montgomery, 48, former stage manager, Colonial theatre, Norfolk, died there Sept. 22 He was veteran Of World War. CLAUDE BURLANDO Claude Burlando, 20, film extra, died Sept. 25 from traffic injuries in Hollywood. Mrs. Ray Cohen Kessler, 75, widow of David Kessler, Yiddish actor, died Sept. 20 in New York. She had been ill only two days with' a heart ail- ment. Seek Aussie Tax Lift Perth, Sept. 10. West Australian showmen now are seeking to have the government re duce the high amusement tax. This now amounts to about 4c on every 25c admission, some exhibitors regarding the tax as being the same as a 16% % sales tax as comparec with current sales tax in commer cial field of only 3%%. Kansas City, Sept. 24. Johnny Perkins, Ruth Petty, Ming & Toy, Horton Spur, Frank Evers & Dolores, Marian Bellet & English Bros., House Line, Judy Conrad house orch; 'Hold That Co-Ed' (20th). A striking contrast is this week's Tower bill compared to last week's jitter show. It's standard variety, with Johnny Perkins as m.c. Acts upped to five, while the house .prices are held at 55c top, admission price when there are names here. Perkins, making a sudden return, performed only two weeks ago here in a similar capacity. He also ex changes banter with Ruth Petty. As an m.c. he's okay, but his drawing power is weakened by his recent ap pearance. Miss Petty, singing pop tunes, gets major applause. She perhaps shades the remainder of the bill in her next-to-close spot. Opening is taken by the house line, which returns after a week's rest enforced by the Benny Goodman show last week Following are Frank Evers and Dolores, featuring dancing on the tight wire., A barefoot number by Dolores is outstanding., Second act is Ming and Toy, Chi- nese act, with their ukeing, tapping singing and juggling. They're no newcomers here and present their variety briskly. Horton Spur t single, features a style of pogo-stick dancing, which outdoes his slow-mo tion golfer. Miss Petty then torches and Marian Bellet and English Bros wind up with a slapstick acrobatics Quin. FOLLY, BROOKLYN BIRTHS ' Mr. and Mrs. Larry Nixon in New York, Sept. 24, daughter. Father is p.a. for WNEW; Mr. and Mr$. John Woodcock, daughter, Sept. 25, in Los Angeles. Father is sound cutter at Para- mount. Oriental Trio, Ted Lester, Fiji D'Orsay,.. Larry Wile, Ross & Ed- wards, Eight Jitterbugs, Ted Eddy house orch (10); 'International Svv {Rep). Folly has had flesh for several sea sons but this is one of the few times that it really has a show. Bigger band, better stage dressing and gen- erally more spending for acts pro- vides, the contrast. This show marks the second in the season's split-week policy. First half of last week had an all-colored show. Bill is not big-time by any means. There is,' however, enough strength to attract middle-class patrons to whom house caters. Films are still lightweight, consequently leaving much of load on stage fare. Bill Miller, booker, inaugurated new policy of 10 tuxedoed bandsmen and elevated them from pit to stage Formerly a half dozen mediocre clefTers held forth and accomped the anemic show. Current lineup has moderate name appeal. Ted Eddy, who maestroed at the old N. Y. Coliseum for 10 years t opens activities with a windy intro of himself and crew, during which members do vocal and instrumental solos. He's given a little latitude to build himself up and get acquainted Larry Wile, m.c, uses every stock Broadway curb gag and bit of biz between the acts. Some of it is funny and a lot of it dirty, too much so for family spot. Last in vaude with team of Worth, Wile and Howe m.c.'ing is seemingly new to. him. and while able, he's inclined to go overboard. Orchestra, in later spot, gets itself across and should improve. Band members' vocals, however, are n.s.g. Lighting likewise needed im- provement, spotter keeping whole stage lit up at all times and not spotting individuality. Wile gets off his first routine pre ceding ice breaker, Oriental Trio (New Acts), fast, barrel balancing by Chinese male duo with gal only 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 Carlyle Bennet, radio singer and actor, and Wesley Boynton, actor, were fined $500 and given a six months' suspended sentence in Town Court at Westbury, Conn., Sept. 20. Pair were charged with breaking into a summer hom. and removing $3,000 worth of furnishings. RKO-Proctor 58th street celebrated its 10th anniversary last week. Refers only to the new theatre, which re- placed the old structure built in 1895. Musical enthusiasts in Union, N. J., gathered Wednesday at Union High School to hear Amri Galli-Campl, new Met Op. chirper. Presently told there were no lights and directed to Washington School. No lights there, either, so to Franklin School, where the now drenched crowd heard the diva. N. J. Alcoholic Beverage Control has refused a permit to a cafe which proposed to run a gambling casino with stage money only. Fears some patrons might use real coin and branded scheme in its more innocent phase to be 'a prep school for Monte Carlo.' Annie Elms, 99, who used to dance in the musical productions at Tony Pastor's, taken to Bellevue last week suffering from amnesia and exposure. Remembered her name, but not her address. Located at the Coolidge, where the clerk said he urged her not-to go out in the rain. N. J. Licensed Beverage Assn. asks Alcohol board to crack down on all places using hostesses. Aimed at At- lantic City. Paris dress models seized by the customs from Marcel Rochas, Inc., auctioned at the Federal building, N. Y., Friday. Brought $8,000, but worth much more originally. Much handling cut down values. Estate of lata Thomas Wolfe, nov- elist, set at less than $5,000 in report to surrogate's court. Hotels and restaurants in the vicinity of the St. James theatre planning special dinners for the au- diences at the full length 'Hamlet' who get 40 minutes out for eats. Most require advance bookings in order to properly cater. Frank Novak plans to use 13 ocarinas when his band comes to the Biltmore. Not a plug for the Yam in 'Carefree.' Howard, Fine and Howard have notified Paul Garner, Sam Wolf and Richard Hakins to discontinue billing themselves as Ted Healey's stooges. Latter worked with the late come- dian in Broadway shows. George Abbott host to 24 guests of the Percy Williams home at the matinee of 'What a Life' last Satur- day. Reception on the stage after- ward. 'Knickerbocker Holiday' company moved from Hartford to Boston by truck after 1 giving a performance with makeshift lighting effects owing to the flood. Ely Culbertson has written a who- dunit which Robert Milton may pro- duce. Has a bridge angle. Display of Walt Disney drawings at the Westchester Community Center tomorrow (Tuesday) in con- nection with opening of classes in the Workshop. Pittsfleld police searching for Aurelio Giorni, N. Y. pianist, whose billfold was found on the bank of the river. Head of the piano dept. N. Y. College of Music and known as a composer. Olga Baclanova suing Nicholas Soussanin for divorce in Phila. Had established residence there. Josef Casimir Hoffman, resigned his position as director of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Monday (26). Edward Johnson, N. Y, Met. Opera g. m., returned frpm a European tour to announce nlans for the forthcom- ing opera season. Long Island parks suffered dam- age to the extent of $500,000, it was estimated by Park Commissioner Moses, Coast Patrick. Carlyle, screen director, was sued for divorce in L.A. John Richards and Marty Faust, bit players at Universal, were in- jured in a storm sequence during the filming of 'The Storm.' Richards suffered a broken leg and Faust i dislocated shoulder. Norman Hall, film and fiction writer, was sued for separate main- tenance in L.A. Bing Crosby and Albert Johnson, his horse trainer, were sued in L.A. for $28,441 by Mrs. Carmen Schootz, injured in collision with a car driven' by Johnson. She claims he was on business for Crosby. Mildren Ann Deusern, film dancer, filed suit for divorce from Ray Deusern, L.A. theatre manager. Income tax liens were filed In L. A. against B. P. Schulberg, for $9,741; Zoe Akins, $8,269; Stepin Fetchit, $3,615: Henry Lehrman. $823; Helen Mack, $444, and Benny Rubi , $251. Glenn Morris, film player and for- mer Olympic champion, told L. A. court he was broke and could not pay Charlotte Morris the $700 month- ly temporary alimony she demanded. Court upheld his plea. Bill Robinson, Negro tap dancer and film player, arrested on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon, was released on his own recognizance pending action by the grand jury. Paul Moffet, college football player, claimed Robinson struck him on the head with a pistol in a traffic argu- ment. Robinson claimed self-defense. for background and manual as- sistance. Do their share to speed sendoff but unfortunately are fol- lowed by Wile, who goes into a tele- phone monolog. He gets laughs in spots especially when doing takeoff on Red Skelton's famous doughtnut- eating routine. Smooth Ted Lester (New Acts), in second rung, is new in theatres, hav- ing confined novelty musical act mostly to niteries, but he should go a long way in houses. Act goes well here. Fifl D'Orsay, in third stanza, tickles the males with her naughtiness. This also might have been cut a little, in what is otherwise a deftly- paced show, but, nevertheless, she peps the show with her songs and spirit. Standards Ross and Edwards hold up the fourth spot as naturals for this patronage. Their 'Honeymoon Is Over' novelty song is right in the groove. Nothing offensive in their material but plenty that goes straight home to solid married class. Finale, with their customary limey word- play, requires encores. Eight Jitterbugs, shag and apple dancers, give the show necessary speed for closing but that's about all they give, being monotonously similar to many others of the same type. Nick Kenny, Peggy Taylor, Paul Robinson's harmonica gang and Rodney and Gould on the second half. Hurl. Bev. Hills, Ky., Nitery Goes Heavy for Names Beverly Hills Country Club, New- port, Ky., will go in for names heav- ily during season. Ingalls and Da- vies, bookers, have already lined up several headliners. orvejU^ Current is Belle Baker. Joe E. Dewis and Terry Lawlor go in Sept 30; Cross and Dunn and George Jes- sel, Oct. 14; Ozzie Nelson-Harriet Hilliard, Oct. 28, with Bert Wheeler and Ted Lewis following. Going Arty- Kansas City, Sept. 27. Something different in the way of lectures is being tried out here this fall with a Hollywood series to be presented in the Muny Auditorium Music Hall under George Goldman. Sylvia, dietician, opens the lectures Oct. 19, with Buddy Westmore, Par makeup expert, in Nov. 14 and Travis Banton, designer for Par and Selznick, to close the series Nov. 30. MARRIAGES Gladys Weiland to Walter J. Woz- nack, in Pittsburgh, Sept. 22. He's assistant manager of New Oakland theatre, Pittsburgh. June Kuhn to Bob Crosby, in Spo- kane, Sept. 22. He's a band leader and brother of Bing Crosby. Mary Frances Rucker to Francisco Alonso, in Los Angeles, Sept. 17. He's assistant director at Paramount. Ruth Bacheller to John McGeehan, in Seattle, Sept. 21. He's RKOS northwest publicity rep. Margaret Jungck to Ray Cox, in Cedar Rapids, la., Sept. 4. He's p.a. for WMT, Cedar Rapids. ROsella Towne to James Lathrop, in Riverside, Cal., Sept. 14. Bride is Warner player. Anne Robinson to Paul M'acWil- liams, in Hollywood, Sept. 24. Bride is stand-in for Olivia de Havilland. Margaret Haase to Charles Seeley, in Hollywood, Sept. 23. He's in Me- tro's production department. Edith Hellman to Paul Schwegler, Sept. 24, in Hollywood. He's with Tay Garnett Productions; she of the Hellman banking family.