Variety (Oct 1938)

^4 VARIETY Wednesday, October 12» 1938 News From the Dailies This department contc^ins rewritten theatrical news items as j)ub- lished during the week in the daily papers of New York, Chicago. San Francisco, Hollywood and London. Vabietv takes no credit for these news items; each has been rewritten from a daily paper. East Lion in a sideshow at Wildwood, N J., escaped from its cage last Wednesday, felled a Japanese em- ployee of an auction room and clawed him to death. Took refuge- under the boardwalk and was not killed until several hours later. ' Bill, the Prospect Park elephant which recently butted his mate, Hilda, into a trench, got into the pa- pers again last week when he sought to butt his new cage-mate through a stone wall. Elephantine lady-kilWr. No Westchester Musical Festival next year. Feared it would conflict with the World's Fair. Also poor finances. Westchester branch of the Automo- bile Club of N. Y. protests that no- where else are motorists subjected to so many nuisance taxes, including tickets to policemen's balls. Seeks relict Rodeo riders went to City Hall Fri- day to greet Mayor LaGuardia and, incidentally, advertise th6 openmg of the show the same evening. N. Y. Federation of Music Clubs opens a contest for a soprano be- tween the age of 16 and 21 to sing at the World's Fair. Brooklyn had an outdoor art show last week in emulation of the annual N. Y, event. About 2,500 paintings on exhibit, largely flower pieces. Henry Ford to put out a new car priced between V8 and the Lincoln. To be called the Mercury. Theresa Helburn, John Houseman and Robert Lewis, of the Theatre Guild, Mercury and Group theatres, re'spectively, discussed The Problem of Theatre Organization' as the first of a series of symposiums sponsored by the. Group at the New School for Social Research Saturday morning. East Side Dramatic Group to visit Sing Sing to get dope for its produc- tion of 'The Nether World.' Members of the American Society of Magicians attended the Strand in a body Friday night to honor Chester Morris, making a p.a. in, whidh he ■doe3-3ome4egeFdemaHi. - • - Cecil B. DeMiUe looking for a wooden. Indian, but it must be a fierce one. For use in 'Union Pacific.^ Everett Marshall in the alimony toils. His ^recently divorced wife, Carolina Segrera, haled him into court in a little matter of $300 a week. Says shell remit airrears, but he must come to taw from how on. He made a $25,000 settlement on Which he has paid $8,000, but the N. Y. courts allowed her the weekly payment. Refugee Theatre, composed of former members of German organi- zations, doing plays in German at the Heckscher. Cecelia Loftus to inaugurate an- other series of impersonations Sun- day evenings, starting Oct. 30 at the Vanderbilt.. Gleiidon Allvine, who wrote *Knights of Song;' tojd the American Gilbert and Sullivan Society all about it at their first meeting last Friday. Operetta Is based on G. & S. melodies: N. Y. State Tax Commission flies a warrant for $4,010 against Mae West for state taxes for 1931-33 in- clusive. Order came' from Albany, and local officials profess ignorance as to the basis for the warrant, which acts as a judgment. Roman Totenberg named concert master of the orch of the New Friends of Miisic. Erich Simon tabbed assistant conductor. He's a clarinetist when he's not shaking the stick. Fredric March passes up Idea for a sta^e engagement to take a long vacation in Bermuda. Police barred 'campers' at the Yankee Stadium. They could get in line as early as they wanted, but no boxes, stools, hot lunches or thfe like. Thev stood and kept standing. Peggy Fears turns down an offer of A. C. Blumenthal to pay her $50,000 in settlement of all claims. It'.-? $70,000 or nothing. May go into a N. Y.- nitery. Drydock Savings Institution, as as- signee of the 140 W.'57th St. Corp., seeks to attach the salary and in- come of Beniamino Gigli for $9,784, rent and telephone charges from July, '32, to September of the fol- lowing year. Reported to have of- fered to settle for $7,500. First meeting of the Met. Opera Guild here yesterday (11). Edward Johnson outlined the season's plans and John Carter, picked for the troupe through the Auditions of the Air. gave a samplie yodel. Mass. Institute of Technology staged a debate with Radcliffe last week on 'Resolved, That swing music is detrimental to American Culture.' Wound up in a jive session with the co-eds shagging in the aisles. Girls from Radcliffe had the negative in the debnte. New Ehgland states closing woods to hunters because of fire peril: Federal Theatre Project's produc- tion of 'The Mikado' to start a six- da)!^ run at the Brooklyn Academy of Music Mdnday. Return engage- ment. Lil" Pons tells a New Orleans re- porter her ambitions. Wants to have Dlenty o"f children, to retire, and to be able to eat all the food she wantis any time she waints it. Mrs. .Eunice Skelly, widow of the comedian who was killed in June, '34, when his car was struck by a locomotive, has settled her claim against the N. Y., N. H. & H. for $7,500. Yale experimenters announce that one highball ori an empty stomach or two after a full meal is the safety limit. Beyond, that the drinker is technically soused. Determined by the alcoholic content of the blood. Menasha Skulnik, Yiddish pro- ducer^ filed petition in bankruptcy last week listing $21,026 liabilities and no assets. Joseph Szigeti and Benny Good- man to present a new concerto for violin, clarinet and orch at Carnegie Hall Jan. 9. Written by Bela Bar- tok at the urge of the violinist. Very little concert music written for the clarinet. Local furrier announcing offer of one chinchilla wrap made from new skins. Priced at $35,000. Chin- cl.lllas now raised for breeding, but still worth too much to provide pelts. Johnny Spoon, parachute jumper, killed at Augusta, Ga., Oct. 9. De- layed pulling the rip. cord in the hooe of bettering the record. Wait- ed'too long. Got a purse of $8 for making the leap. Baok to Duals Indianapolis, Oct. 11. Double bills score again with Carl Niesse, operator of the Vogue, north- side nabe, forsaking his highly pub- liciized single feature bill and hour of shorts to go info the feature pic duo. Got support of all film writers in town, who decried the boredom of double feature pictures, but cus- tomers evidently demanded the extra portion of film footage, as Niesse reports a 30% increase in gross at-^ tendance since changing policy. Coast Gladys Renavent, former actress, filed a cross complaint in L. A. against Georges Renavent, dramatic coach, asking separate maintenance of $750 a month. Stan Laurel pleaded not guilty to a charge of drunken driving and was granted a jury trial in L. A., Oct, 24. John Langan, dialog director, in a cross-complaint, asked a divorce from Joan Manners, screen actress, ThXrA. Ivan Simpson, film player, recov- ering in Santa Monica hospital after attempting suicide by monoxide gas. Mrs. Lawrence Tibbett recovered $20,000 in jewels, stolen aboard a steamer while enroute from an Australian tour. Benth warrant was isisued for SaUy -Rand, fan dancer, who failed to appear for trial on battery charges in L. A. Suit against Martha Raye by her father, Peter F. Reed, asking $50-a- week support, was dropped in L. A. court. Reed also dropped his dam- age suit for $1S0,000 against Peter Baumann, Mids Raye's stepfather and manager. Geraldine Chesebro Wermouth obtained an annulment of her mar- riage to Don Wermuth, publicity man, in L.. A. Married in Yuma four months ago, the bride said she left him when she learned he had been married twice and had two children. Ann Sheridan, film actress, was granted a divorce in L. A. from Ed- ward Norris, stage and screen player. . Property settlement was arranged out of court. Mary Kornman. film actress for merlv with Our Gang comedies, ob- tained a divorce in L. A. from Leo Tover, cameraman. They had been married four years. Will of Con Conrad, song writer, filed' for probate in L. A., left his en tire estate to his widow, Leona Z Conrad. Document specifically dis inherited his former wife, Francine Larrimora. Legit Agents Duals (Continued from page 5) both pictures in the newspapers, op- position theatres there also are threatening to go dual bills. John J. Friedl, a Paramount circuit general manager, says that when the completely remodeled Grand, dark for several years, reopens as the New Gopher Oct. 28, it will play single first-run features at 25c. This means that only the Aster here and Tower, St Paul, among the chain's downtown theatres, will double fea- ture first-rims. Both houses have B 25c. admission and couple only 'b' or lower classification films. OBITUARIES St. Loo's Duals St. Louis, Oct. 11. Little or no headway is being made to eliminate dualers in local houses although plenty of beefs against 'em are registered "with the theatre own- ers and in the vox pop columns of daily rags. C. B. Nelson, of Fanchon & Marco, states there isn't an ex- hibitor in the.U..S. who Would not jump at the chance of operating his theatre on a single-bill program basis as it would enable him to cut his cost of operating sharply, but that St. Louis cusomers, along with those in many other cities, absolutely demand double feature programs. Nelson cited the fact that 34,126 customers attended the St. Louis the- atre on three consecutive days last week to see 'Dracula' and 'Franken- stein' on the same program as evi- dence of the double feature taste of localites. Nelson said 'inasmuch as our business depends on the public, -we-happily- -givfr—them—double-biil- programs.' Akron's Solo Ten Akron, Oct. 11. Possibility that Akron theatres— both first-run and nabe—will adopt single feature policy within the next few months appeared likely here today. > Robert C, Menches, president of the Akron Independent Theatre Owners Association^ said first-run managers have asked him to sound out neigh- borhood managements on abandon- ment of the present double feature policy found in all Akron and subur- ban theatres. Menches said he is now making plans to call the ses- sion. FRANK I. FRAYNE Frank I. Frayne, 75, a legit per- former .or many years, died of coronary thrombosis at his home in Valley Stream, L. I., Sept. 20. Dur- ing his career he appeared in such plays as 'Boys Will Be Boys,' 'Gen- tlemen of the Press,' 'The Good Earth* and 'The Wild Duck' among others. In his younger days Frayne toured the country for several years in 'Mardo t^e I. unter' and 'Si Slocum,' the highlight of each being the actor's fall into a den of lions, which he intimidated by shooting off a pair of six guns, which thrillc,^ the au- diences to the core, but which rather annoyed the lions. Survived by his wife, Adelaide Gbundre, daughter, Viola, and a son, Frank. SAM'W. PICKERING Sam W, Pickering,, 73, veteran theatre manager, died in Elkhart, Ind., Oct. 4. He went to South Bend in 1898 from Chicago, where he had been associated with his uncle, Will J. Davis, in managing the Haymar- ket. For 21 years he managed the Oli- ver and Auditorium theatres for the lessee, Harry G. Somers -of New York. Later he booked concerts and operatic attractions. He retired about 10 years ago. His widow, Mrs. Ann Pickering, who was closely as- sociated with him in the managerial work, survives him. ELMER J. BARNARD Elmei J. Barnard, branch manager for Paramount in Indianapolis, died there Oct. 11. He. had been associated with Para- mount since 1924 when he started as assistant shipper in the ad sales de- partment of the Chicago exchange. Later he was advanced to ad sales manager in Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago. In 1927 he became salesman in the Chicago office and was made sales manager of that ex- cTTaiTfe'In 1933r--Three-years-iater- he went to ^Indianapolis as branch manager. CHARtES SAVILLE Charles Saville, 46, pianist who played the old Keith vaudeville cir- cuit for more than 20 years, died at his home In Pittsburgh last Wednesday (5) after a short illness. Saville was with the first band Ted Lewis organized and later ac- companied Eva Tanguay and Fannie Brice. He leaves his mother, Mrs. Sylvester Saville, BIRTHS Mr, and Mrs, Linwood Dunn, daughter, in Los Angeles, Oct. 4. Father is cameraman at RKO. Mr. and Mrs. Earl W. Long, son, n Duluth, Oct. 2. Father is manager of Garrick theatre, Duluth. Mr. and Mrs. Eddie DeAngelus, daughter, Yonkers, N, Y,, Oct. 8, Father is associated with his father, Phil DeAngelus, in outdoor adver- tising. (Continued from page 1) there were twice as many shows on Btoadway, Nearly the same number of agents are attempting to operate out of the red, or have slowed up so much that their permits may be re- voked; Because of the number of casters on the list, new and more enetgetic casters have been unable to secure recognition by Equity ^nd are forced to split commissions with those who have permltsl"' although that is a violation of the rules. It is conceded by most agents that 10% is being paid by many actors, but they would like to see the busi- ness 'regularized' by having Equity make the desired concessions. There was an agents association which functioned fairly well for a time, then became stagnant. It has been revived and the younger element Is handling the situation with Equity and has apparently convinced the committee that they should be given more leeway In operating. Judge Directs Orchestra Philadelphia, Oct. 11. New series of concerts by National YoiHth Administration ordh. of 35 pieces being aired by WFIL, each week, as part of the cultural side of its sked. Podium for initial airing was held down by. Curtis Bok, judge of Philly Common Pleas court and grandson of Cyrus H. K. Curtis. Bills Next Week (Continued from page 43) 3214 Club R'bberlcKS WlUlama Mile Cream Lillian Fitzgerald Sue Brown Blondle Scott I.aura Cathrlll Flash & Son IJuttor & Charlie KlnB'8 Swln.>;er Orr "Myra, Johnson Vlklnir Cafe Franltle Richardson Sue'/. & Meln Dot Landy Sis McCall Mildred Gllson Marlon T.lndsey Audrey Jordan Jerry Delmar Ore Vlllnice llarn Dolores O'Neill Derby Wilson Marty Bohn Kelo Bros Orey & Arden Frances Carroll Nancy Lee Louise Messa Teddy Oliver Ore iVeher'n tlof Hrnu (Cnrnden) Nino Carmino Karl & Gretchen Bavarians Rldorndlons Ilae Hart Rudy Briider Ray Miller Gangler Circus Bernard de Pace Gladys Stewart J & T Shellenh'mer Ynrht Club Kitty Helmllns Orr Jimmy Bnlley Watson Sis Charlotte White Helen Wilson Roberta Smith Buttlce Smith Patrldft Robinson WALTER McKEAN Walter McKean, 30 years old, M- G-M North Dakota salesman, was killed almost instantly when his auto got out of control, left the road and crashed into the sement steps of a building at Lake Mille Lac, Minn. McKean, who rose from poster clerk to shipper to head booker to salesman, leaves a widow and two children. F. P, DENISON Frederick Porter Denison, organ- izer-conductor of the Albania orchestra, a leader of other orches- tras, former accompanist for famous musicians on their appearances in Albany, and for aln^ost half a century a church organist and music teacher, died at his home in Albany, Oct. 9, His wife, a vocal'^instructor; survives. PETER TENDER Peter Tender, 50, theatre operator of northeastern Ohio, died Oct. 1 in Elyria, O,, from a heart attack. He was the partner of John Pekras in the operation of theatres in Elyria and Lorain, O. Burial in Elyria. JOE LEWIS Joe Lewis, 40, Hollywood stunt flyer, was killed Odt. 9 at Corning; Calif, He was flying in an air cir- cus when his plane crashed after tailspih. GEORGE GORDON George Gordon, 52, electrical lighting engineer, died in Kearney, N, J,, Sept, 28 after a month's ill- ness. His widow survives. RAYMOND RIPLEY Raymond Ripley, 47, film character actor, died Oct. 7 in Los Angeles. He trouped with the old Baker Stock Co: in Portland for years and worked in pictures since 1918, Widow survives. BARNEY WOLF Barney Wolf, 44, with Fox and 20th-Fox for 22 years, and lately head cutter in the Sol Wurtzel unit died Oct. 9 in Los Angeles. Leaves a widow and two children, GEORGE W. LEDERER George W. Lederer, 76, dean of American musical producers, died in Jackson Heights, N. Y., Oct. 8. Details in the Legit section. JAMES O'NEILL James O'Neill,-veteran' vaude actor, and in pictures for the past 20 years, died Oct. 8 in Hollywood. WILLIAM H. CLIFFORD William H. Clifford, 64, film writer, died Oct. 9 in Los Angeles. Elwood Brown, 59, father of Clyde Brown, manager of Fanchon & Mar- co's Fox, St. Louis, di«d last wesk at his home in Madisonville, Ky., from injuries suffered when he was crushed between his truck anc* the wall of a garage on his farm. His wife, three daughters and one son survive. Burial in Madisonville, Enoch P. James, 90, stepfather of Charles Grapewin, Hollywood char- acter actor died unexpectedly of" a heart ailment, Oct, 3, at his home in Xenia, O. MoUier, 89, of Anita Loos, fltm writer and novelist, diedOct. 9 in' Santa Monica, Cal, Granddaughter, Mary Anita Loos, film actress, and son also survive. Joseph Hecht, father of Ben Hecht, novelist and screen writer, died Oct. 5 in Los Angeles. MARRIAGES Doreen Carrington to Edwin But- ler Simonson, Sept. 22, in Cooper's Town, N. Y. She wa. of the Six English Tivo li Gi rls. Helen "Kelly "to Del MilneriSTches— tra leader, Oct. 2, Vancouver. She's vocal soloist with Milne's band. Don Tiff to Betty Best in Kansas City, Oct. 1, Groom Is pianist in Judy Conrad's house orch at Tower theatre. Bride was formerly mem- ber of the house line, the Adorables. Dorothy Alexander to Francis Bright, in Pittsburgh, Oct. 4. She'3 daughter of Jim Alexander, Republic franchise holder. Martha Raye to David Rose, In Ensenada, Mexico, Oct. 8. Bride is film comedienne; he's a composer. Dora M. Kiser to Harry David, v.p. and g.m. of Intermountain The- atres, Inc., Oct. 9, at Colorado Springs. She was his. private sec. His second marriage. Jane Clayton to Russell Hayden, Oct. 8, in Tularosa, New Mexicow Both are picture players, Eleanor Rennie to Glenn Dolberg, Oct. 1, in San Francisco. Groom i» program manager for KPO-KGQ Bride is singer. Birdie Byron to John Christ, ra- dio producer, Oct. 8, Los Angeles. Janice Hanford Kelly to Craig Adams in Sioux City, Sept. 1. He's a legit player. Rose Ingram to John Warrington, in Philadelphia, Oct. 25. He's a tooter in Jan Savitt's KYW, Philly» house band. 4 A's In Middle (Continued from page 1) olution regarding peace with CI . If forced to take a stand in the tus- sle, it is thought likely the Four A's delegates would side with Tobin, though whether they would go so far as to withdraw from the. Federation with him is questionable. So far, the question of lATSE tak- ing over the Four A's jurisdiction has not arisen in the convention. Neither has the matter of the Grand Opera Choral Alliance charter revo- cation. The former ,is not expected to be raised, but GOCA heads have said they would carry their fight to regain their Four A's charter- to the AFL' tops. Four A's delegates to the convention include Gillmore, Ken- neth Thomson, Leo Fischer and Ralph Whitehead. Mrs. Florence Marston and Paul Turner are also attending, while Lawrence Tibbett, who was scheduled to give a concert in Houston last night (Tuesday), was expected to speak at the convention yesterday.