Variety (Oct 1938)

VARIETY Wednesday, October 19, 1938 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 Theatre Education League an- nounces its first lecture for Oct. 28. Had been announced for last, week, Jane Cowl,' Orson Welles and Roljert E. Shetwood to be the speakers. Recent Italian demonstration against the Jews has forced G. B. Shaw to rewrite his new play, •Geneva.' Had a scene in which Mussolini told Hitler he was foolish to persecute the Jews. Now the Duce is in th^ same box. Last Wednesday's preview of 'Dan- ton's Death' postp.oned whfen it was discovered that some of .the stage machinery would not work. Audi- ence given tickets for a later show, but permitted to remain and watch the rehearsal. Distillers Institute to make an ex- hibit at the N. Y. World's Fair, but •will not exhibit any liquors. Just educational. At the Rodeo last week orie of the contestants roped a section of railing Instead of a call Ripped off 10 feet before he could check his nag. Catholic Actors' ' GuUd held a dance and entertainment at the Pla^A Sunday. Its 25th year, and cele- brating. •Knickerbocker Holiday* nreluded Its opening at the Barrymore tonight ■with a preview for the benefit of the "Westchester County Children's Assn. last ni?rht. Random House to publish Clare Booth's 'Kiss the Boys Goodbye.' Local store put on a skating cos- tume fashiott show at the Gay Blades fink last Friday. John Orbsky who used to play, ■with Sousa reported to the police that his wife had decamped with his $400 flute. She can keep on going if she wants to, but he would like the flute back. ^ . ^ Italian authorities' urge patriots not to laugh at Chaplin or the Marx Brothers. They're non-Aryan, so thev can't be fuftny. Henry Miller's theatre offering New Year reservations now for 'Kiss th" Boys Goodbye.' Phila Arts and Sciences Society gives Catherine Littlefield a gold medal in recognition of her work in developing, the ballet. Newest castronomic hook-uo is the Society of Amateur Chefs, formed at thfe Astor last week. To meet and consume food cooked by the membership, which includes Ben Irvipp! Butler. Gelett Burfjess. Dud- lev Fii«^M Mflo'ne, "Boh Davis. Acbmed Abdullah, Ford Madox Ford. Jack D^^nnsev sn-i Alexander Kirkland. T?5re In Hectbf's' cafeteria, in the Hf^tel Cla^'d^e Thursday m^ht did rot even d'<'Hii:b the diners, but .save B'way strollers an excuse to stand tirrtupd and gawk. ' ■ ■ D«'5trif!t of Cohimbia to use peak of WP-sbin«ton M'onument as two way r?»dio station to send and re cfe've fire. «ilarms. n/Talor Bowes back In the hospita" W'+h ♦hat crushed- flnser. 'T ■lUTarr^'i'' An'Angel' to eive a in<»f'tiee ■'i'r'day aftert^^on for • the Actors' Fn"d. First A,F. benefit of th"- new *p''Son. T^»ea Voiivods. dome<5t,ic: collaosed !p the r."siq'» theatre. E. 86th street, ;Trhi?r.<!c'av. Diaeijosifed .as pn- over- dc^i-of .si<;eninc tablets b^ Bellevue. ' TiPf'v for a Day' tKe • flem'^^'^trf.- tl«ri film in the first of .«!idnev Kaiif- jt»«»n*.<! tpitti-e*? on the cinema at the TJ«w R'-hool for Social Research last Mohdajr. '^'eoarfamenf store puts on 'Snow White and th6 Seven Dwarfs' for a • tyro week run. Started last Satur- day. To advertise i its own marion- ettes and theatres.' Mrs. Chauncey C. Woodworth Vallee, Widow of. the millionaire, perfume ntanufacturer; suift.^ in West Palin Beach for a divorce' from Val .Ernie, bard leader, whose real name Js, Ernest P, Villeei They were mar-, tied Isist January. New ' Theatre League nlanned a {(arty for Will Geer and Herta Wear ast Saturday, with their marriage the star event But . Geer, forgot Columbus Day was a holiday, and could hot procure the license.. Had A reception that night and hitched Monday. ^ Westchester court gives landowners the right to sell top soil from their property'to contractors for filling at the World's Fair.' Injunction against the practice denied% Newly formed Greek Actors Assn, applies to 4-A for a charter. To cover all types of entertainment.. Margaret Webster starting on a 100,000. word history of the stage from 1865. Will feature her father, ,Ben Webster and her mother, the latter. Dame, May Whitty. , ' ' . *Pins and Needles telebrated its 4bOth, performance Moiiday; night. Mfit 'Operp announces, a'"roster 'of 101 sin.TOrfl. iip four from last year. iTiere ar* 14 newcomers. Leonard Field joins Jerome Mayer in production. First will be 'Blow Bugle, Blow,' Daniel Moriarty, Birmingham banker and veteran football official died at the Yankee Stadium, Satur- day, while umpiring a game. Ashes of the late Warner Oland. who was cremated in Stockholm, Sweden, following his death there, were buried in thfe Episcopal .ceme Self Regulation (Continued from page 3) various exhibitor bodies can be ex- pedited. S. Ri Kent, chairman of the committee, and Ned E. Depinet (RKO) will meet with the MPTOA people, while Grad Sears (WB), W. P. OBITUARIES CHARLES (DOC) FONDA .Charles Fonda, 71, showman for - - . ^ „ X ^ .many years, died in Syracuse Oct. Rodgers (M-G) and Abe Montague ''^^ ^^^^ retirement for (Col) will huddle with the Allied ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^ jigted in group. It is planned that Montague directory as an entertainer, shall also act as an alternate, sitting Nathan circus in in with either Kent or Depinet in jggg working In the cook tent, but case one is unable to do so; also to ^^^^ graduated to a Punch, and Judy act as coordinator between the split- ^.^^ ^^^^y^ Robbins> show, up sections of the distributor com- U ^^^j, ^^^^ ^ lecturing with the . * «,«^?«,..«, sideshow and presently developed a o .^u V tc-t -r^* iQ A^greeins to devote the maximimi ^ . tery, Southborough, Mass Oct, 13. amount of time physically Possible * riqulred. He For many years he and Mrs Oland Lq the parleys with exhibitors, the J'^l w owned a farm in the adjacent town- /."^ iommittee members also will ^ ,a ^^^L^m ship of Southville. | ..^l^^,::. jIj,^ f5L-i 1,^*" I also had been connected with medi- owned and operated the poster plant there. A brother survives. sofsSarlSdlt K^^^^^ trade press Whose fullest co.J"-iJ,-^^^^ general yea.s ago to from its pen and went on a tour of operation is sought. Starting t'Vight reside in maintain a close, dally contact with i ^..^^ shows. Syracuse, which he and his wife, Anetta Keller, regarded as their home. She died about a y«ar the city "Monday morning. Cops (Wed.), a daily statement, if any finally roped .it in a hardware store thing has happened, ' will be pre „„„.^ ^ on Sixth Ave., five blocks frorn the pared while possibly beginning next Burial was locally. Garden, after a chase twice that dis- ^^.^ preliminary procedure and ' • A« • * .J ♦ u^^^ dating of meetings is more fully set, Golfer m Atlanta wanted to hear distributor representatives may football game and get in a round "'^ " 'r^ j„ at the same time so he hired two .try to meet with the trade reporters caddies. One to tote his clubs, other each day. to carry a portable radio. In order .that there be no confllc- ' '■ —- I tion of statements, with representa^ OSCAR H. WILLIAMSON Oscar Howell Williamson, Jr., 32, manager of 6,000-seat Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, died last week of injuries received Saturday (8) on KATHERINE CLARE WARD Katherine Clare Ward, 67, long ime stage and vaude actress and lor he past 15 years in .pictures, died Oct. 14 in Hollywood. Last appeare(^ on stage in 'Little Nelly Kelly'. Was married to Charlie Ward who com- posied 'Whi!9 The Band Played On'. Leaves a daughter, three grand- children and one great grandchild. EDGAR ALLEN ROGERS Edgar Allen Rogers, 72, orchestra conductor; died in San Antonio. Oct. 10. He was one of the promoters of the old Electric Park, local aniusement place, where he conducted orchestra for touring opera companies. Survived by the widow, three sons, and two daughters. Coast «„„a on p.o.«. or r^-^^^l^^^^^^^ of Southeastern Fair. Harold R. Harris, who accom- panied Williamson on fatal ride, told- police they were hardly seated on ride when it started suddenly, hurl- ing Williamson 1? feet into air, his head striking guard railing in fall. Vive. made from mahy.campsi the distrib- utors will propose that joint state- ments be issued with whichever Franz Steininger, composer; Jane I group or groups is concerned in the Novalc, actress, and Fred Malatesta, ^g^g occurring. This was suggested actor, filed bankruptcy pleas in LA. . meeting with the trade nress Steininger listed $25,984 in liabilities f meeting wim tne iraae press and $28,^00 assets; Miss Novak, yesterday morning (Tues.) in Rod- ^ ^ $15,263 and $100; Malatesta, $1,098 gers offices at Metro by Sears. De- . ^ heavy-set former and $56. ' pinet and Montague were also pres- amateur wrestler, suffered fractured Two L.A. niteries, Hawaiian Para- ent at this meeting, with Rodgers gj^^u and crushed vertebrae in fall disc' and Alpine .Village ^jitered acting as spokesman. Williamson became manager of bankruptcy proceedings, former list- Allied'.. Meets Pltv AhHp- in 1M4 ^iipoeedine ing debts of $44,060 and assets of , ^"""^ . i;"^ m 1934, succeeding $10,573, and the latter $24,586 in lia- AUied, which meets m Atlantic Walker T. Lee, who met death in an jilities'and $28,447 assets. City tomorrow (Thurs.), in a New automobile accident in Mississippi Ken Maynard, film cowboy and York-New Jersey convention, but that year, circus owner, was sued in LvA. for where also Allied will hold a board | Wife, two sons and brother suT' separate maintenance of $500 a meeting, asked Rodgers for an ap- month by Mary Elsie Maynard. polntment prior to this date and Raymond Heindorf, arranger at Rodgers agreed to the noon meeting Warners studio is defendant in a y ^g^day (Tues.) for discussion of i oomupl H Boriskv 47 died Oct SiXX'orh&liiSc'i'J^S^S r^^^^^^ or lenfUve accepl=mce r.Tmn^ .Za!S^'in'john*H°p.' herself and son. for future negotiating parleys of any ^jng hospital at Baltimore. He had Caroline Kay, dancer, won a di- Pl3**°'^™ Allied submits. The Allied entered hospital two days before, vorce in L.A. from Ernest S. Allen. committee set up for negotiating in- Borisky, a native of Atlanta, Faith Bacon, dancer, filed $375,000 elude Abram F. Myers, general where he was well known in motion suit against Sally Rand in L.A., counsel; Col. H. A, Cole of Texas; picture circles, established himself SSlT^^iS®Mi«%'!?n?^,Prf^^^^ Yamins, president, of Fall in Chattanooga, Tenn., when he left S&s LUUan C^^^ as second lieutenant after mother of Jackie Coogan, was denied New Jersey; Al Steffes of Minneap- World War, as operator of a chain a motion in L,A. court to release olis and Roy Branch of Michigan, In I of neighborhood theatres. He was $40,000 from 'her first husband's es- all probability Allied leaders will | vice-president of Independent The tate, now in receivership pending the discuss more fully its approach to atres. outcome of young Coogan s suit for coding meetings at which trade film'^mSpet earnings as 81^.^^^^^ ^^.^^^ ^.^ ^^^^^^^ ^^j.. . j^^^ ^ STORET Judith Alien's home in Van Nuys, ^"6 its gathering in Atlantic City . john J. Storey, 50, managing dlrec- Cal., was robbed of $1,000 in jewels tomorrow (Thiirs.). tor of WTAG, Worcester, Mass., died while the actress was in Chicago. | MPTOA's Committee I at his home in that city of a heart SAMUEL H. BORISKT MARRIAGES The MPTOAj meeting in New I attack Oct. 17. Storey had spent York Monday-(17-) -and- yesterday practically -his entire "businesg~career (Tues,) to discuss its procedure, in the employ of the Worcester Tele Marie Arbuckle to Paul Green In elected a committee of 10 to confer gram and the Gazette. The Tele- Yuma, Ariz., Oct. 8. Bride is a radio with the distributors. It consists of gram owns and operates WTAG, singer; he's an NBC annoimcer in Ed Kuykendall, president; Ed Levy, whose direction he took over in 1926, Hollywood. general counsel; C. E. Williams of Storey, who at one time was a Peggy Layton to Charles Springer, Nebraska; R. V. Harvey, San Fran- "^^P* °* the National Association of Inr Cumberland, Md,, Oct. 13. Bride's cisco; Lewen pizor of Philadelphia* Broadcasters, is survived by two siS' a show..girl, he's staff musician at Oscar Lam of Georgia; Mack Jack- *®rs and a brother.- WgAE, pmsburgh. ' son of Alabama; Arthur Lockwood »«»™™rT~r.™**r Peggy Zevansky to Max Adkins, of Connecticut; M C. Moore of Flor- ROBERT V. LATHAM In. Cumbarland, Md:, Oct.. 13.. He's.h^a and Sam Pinanski. Last-men- Robert V. Latham, 59, stage direc Arranger for WCAE, Pittsburgh, Air-1 tiongjj ig the only affiliated chain tor and inventor, died in Miami Oct. member of this committee, being op- H. after a two-week illness. liners. PriScilla Rose Clancy to Henry r;;ato7'^7tj;"j;jf ''j; MuUin of New I He was the inventor of the rolling Darnel Goodwin in Arlington, Mass England Paramount theatres. stage, much used in picture theatres. ^''i-wn^A^^^' f'^c^'^'^^fi i°i MPTOA will pattern its. approach He built many stage sets for the ^^*^?'^S^"^^mu*^ to n^goti^^^^ ^vith distribs on its N. Y. Paramount and had managed . *° 7^°"iPf.°r' 10-point program, whUe Allied is ex- theatres in'Lansing, Mich., and To-, in Virginia City, Nev., Oct. 10. Btide pg^ted ^Q prepare a stronger slate, ledo before going to Miami in 1926. ^SJX'^o *^l.P'^oe':^"» department of including, among other things, elim- ' NBC, San Francisco; he s news^di- I .ination' of block booking, restriction HUQH J. GEISELMAN tor and special events head at NBC s of theatre expansion and what it Hugh J Geiselman 53 for many San Francisco division. considers unfair alloMtihn«! Strong- ""S^J ^'"seiman, oj, iot many Cora McGregor to Glen . Ritter, in St pS iJ^Sh he K^^^ °1 •^T?' ^^""^^^ Wichita,. Oct.. 9. Bride is of the SiiS anHthergT^^ ^fif'^'^^V^^i^P^^ Modernettes Trio at KANS, Wichita; ed fo see eSlS^ conSr^ c^n- ^^I^^/^ J^^'^^f -^l^'J; ^ ""K^'^ he's the station's chief engineer. .1 celllLTprivileges'^"^^^^^^^^^ S^S ' ^ ^ ' '' ' Pinkie Lawrie to Andy Hervey in that will be in excess of 1Q% iOT-\- t^^^J^^I^^^^^ i,^ Las Vegas, Cal., Oct.; 16.' He's in merly permitted. MPTOA has been' ""^"^ ^^"^ operated the Metro publicity department. talking about demands for a 20% opera house in that town and also HARRY SHAW • Harry Shaw, about 52, died Oct, 16, 1938 in Sarasota, Florida, after a long Illness. He was a former president of the National Association of Broadcasters and. a radio station operate r before his retirement from Waterloo, Iowa. Widow survives. LEONARD H. WINDMILLER Leonard H. WindmlUer, 36, 20th Century-Fox operator, Des Moines, died from a heart attack while at* tending a foodball game, Oct. 8. He was formerly operator at the Uptown theatre. ANNIE SYLVESTER Annie Sylvester, 77, circus cyclist in the 80s, died Oct. 13 in Los Angeles. She rode a high-wheel bike and was billed as 'the world's greatest woman bicyclist.' She is survived by a sister. CECELIA BALL Cecelia Ball, veteran employe of 20th-Fox exchange in Pittsburgh, died at her home there last Satm'- day after a long illness. She leaves a brother, George Ball, booker In the same office. MARY RORKE Mary Rorke, 80, veteran English actress who retired in 1931, died in London Oct. 12. She made her first professional appearance in 1873. WILLIAM H. WRIGHT William H. Wright, veteran man- ager and stock operator, died in New York Oct. 12. Details in the legitimate depart- ment. CHARLES FREDERICK BAYER Charles Frederick Bayer, 68, who built the Palace theatre in Periys« ville, O., died in that city Oct. 4, after a year's illness. His widow, five sons and two daughters survive. JAMES GIBSON James Gibson, 72, former vaude- ville and screen actor, died Oct. 13, in Los Angeles. Surviving are a widow and son. RALPH LUND Ralph' Lund, advertising copy writer at RKO's homeoffice, died at his home in New York, Oct. 17. Reynolds Janney, 80, father of Russell Janney, New York theatrical producer and grandfather of Billy Janney of the films, died at his hom« in Chillicothe, O., Oct. 8. Theresa Weingarten to Michael cancellation privilege without re- Raymond, in .New York, scheduled strictions. for Oct. 30. He's" a film writer. .wide Industry Importance for all Distributor leaders, on and off the I branches, producers, distributors and official negotiating committee set up, exhibitor (whether major or indie) are not unmindful of the magnitude in view of the Ui S. anti-trust suit, of the effort being made to frame theatre divorcement troubles, civil industry machinery ,to cover buyer- suits, legislation of a .varied, dan- seller relations in all its various gerous character, etc. The exhibs knotty phases, nor that it promises are ostensibly just as avid for this to be a long, arduous j.ob. There is success now as the distributors, n/r J T> n J u I telling how many meetings will , Concessions Mr. and Mrs. Barney Carr, daugh- ^ave to be held, how many involved Previously Warner Bros, had re- rf'^^-.r-xfl" i^!!?JJ-L il^^V^^^ will cause delays, how much fused to consider the. MPTOA 10- ^^^^^^.^^ j^^^j^ forth will be point program, assertedly on legal BIRTHS Mr. and. Mrs.* Phil Pemberton, daughter, in HpUywood, Oct. 14. Father is head of Paramount's pro- duction department. is assistant director for Hal. Roach. Mr, and Mrs. Madison Lindsey, necessary, what legal angles will advice, and other distribs, regretting daughter, in Hollywood, Oct. 12. have to be discussed carefully, what the WB" stand, did not feel as duty- Father is projectionist at Fox-Flor- friction may develop, etc. For this bound as at present to really do ence theatre, Hollywood. • reason, no one can estimate how something about the trade practice .Mr. and^ MVs. Herbert M. Miller, I long it may take to get to a satis- situation. There were some conces- .son, in Philadelphia, Oct., 9. Father factory pact on trade practices but sions, including certain relief in is film trade paper editor. ^ indications are that all distributors, connection with cancellations, score Mr. and Mrs. Larry Semon, twin anxious to arrive at a concordat charges, etc., but those gains were daughters, Oct. l4, Santa Monica, 'that will prove practical, are noW minor compared to the prospects Father is a .radio singer in South ready to go a long way trying to Iriow in store. America. I achieve that end. Success can be of I Distributor representatives of' all companies met at the Hotel Astor'a Yacht Room Monday (17), at which Warner participation and the elec- tion of Sears to the negotiating com- mittee were voted. Sears attended thjis meeting for WB. Others were Kent and Herman Wobber (20th), Rodgers (M-G), Depinet (RKO), Montague (Col), Neil Agnew (Par), William Scully (U) and Paul Lazarus (UA). Although Par, UA and U are not represented on the distrib commit- tee, these companies will be kept well informed of progress that is made. Their final approval of steps taken will, of course, be necessary when the time comes for such action. • Leo Spitz, who is stepping out of RKO. as that, company's president, and Nicholas M. Schenck, president of Loew's-MGM, are alternate chair- men' of the distrib committee headed by Kent.