Variety (Oct 1938)

54 VARIETY Wednesday, October 26, 1938 OBITUARIES MAY mWIN May Irwin, 76, tor many years America's foremost comedienne, died in New York, Oct. 22. Details in the Legitimate section. DORqTHY HALE Dorothy Hale, 23, who had spent several years on the stage, either fell or jumped from the window of her 16th floor apartment in Hampshire House, New York, Oct. 21, and was instantly killed. Police refused to report it as a case of suicide, but notes to her lawyer suggested that her act had been premeditated. For several months her name had been linked with that Harry Hopkins, WPA administrator, but an engage- ment was denied. Of an affluent family, she early showed a partiality for the stage. She also had played small roles in other pictures. She spent several years in stock in prejparation for the Broadway stage. Friends profess a belief that it was her failure to real- ize this ambition that led her to take her life. She had twice been married, first to Ty G. Thomas, industrialist^ and later to Gardner Hale, mural painter, who was kUled in California in 1931 when his car plunged over a cliff. JOHN B. CAMPBELL John B.' Campbell, 67, son of Bartley Campbell, the playwright of an earlier day,^ and himself long as- sociated, with the theatre, died Oct. 24, in New York. For many years he had been with a stock, brokerage firm as secretary. Earlier he had been associated ■with the Henry Miller production of 'Daddy Longlegs* and had been con- nected with the AL H, Woods pro- duction, 'The Trial of Mary Dugan.' He also had been connected with several Oliver Morosco productions. He Is survived by a brother, Robert, who is secretary of the Actors' Fund. 'Oliver Goldsmith' with Stuart Rob- son, He is survived by his widow, a son, Lawrence Grant, and a brother. All Grant, monologist. HAL KEMPIE Hal Kempie, Kansas City bandmas- ter, died there Oct. 19 while playing with his band. Physicians had warned him that trumpet playing was bad for , his weak heart, but he laughingly' retorted that swing never killed any- one. He was often confused with Hal Kemp, better known bandmaster, but there was no relationship. through conciliation or arbitration. Other points for discussion at the powwow will Include whether the anti-trust laws actually prohibit con- structive cooperation between dis- tributor and exhibitor; whether the Government suit against majors will clarify confusion and uncertainties; j whether regulation of business prac> :' tices in distribution and exhibition by criminal statute Is inevitable; ! whether responsible indie exhibs and country town theatre owners should have any voice in Federal and state legislation to regulate business prac- tices, and others. 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, Hollywdod and London. Variety takes no credfTJor these news items; each has been rewritten from a daily paper. East GEORGE ALLEN COLEMAN George Allen Coleman, 29, radio engineer of WGST, Atlanta, died last week of bronchial pneumonia. A native of Graymont^ Ga.^ Coleman was graduated from Georgia Tech in 1932, going with WGST two years ago. Burial was In Atlanta. Widow, parents and brother survive. GEORGE F. HABTMAN, JB. George F. Hartman, Jr;, 52, motion picture operator at the Cameo thea-> tre, Youngstown, O., died in that city suddenly of a heart attack recently. He was a long time member of the M'otion Picture Operators Union. His widow, daughter and a brother sur- vive. FELIX MENDELSOHN Felix Mendelsohn, publisher and showman, died in Chicago, Oct. 24. He had directed 20 expositions, chiefly Chicago affairs, and had writ- ten a number of books. His widow, a son and daughter, survive. ALICE YORKE Alice Yorke, 52, wife of the late B. C. Whitney, an associate of A. L. Erlanger, died in Flushing, L. L, Oct. 22 of ;uremic poisoning. She wa? a prima' donna of a bygone era and achieved -prominence in many musi- cal comedies. Her last appearance was in the 'Chocolate Soldier.* Survived by three brothers, John Yorke, who is Vinton Freedley's business manager, Gebffrey Wliitney and Charles F. Hill of Toronto. In- terment was in Detroit. LEWIS S. WmTCOMB Lewis S. Whitcomb, 50, assistant manager and p. a. for WEEI; Bos ton, died Oct 21, 1938, at Beth Is- rael hospital, following a beart at tack. He Had been ill for more than a yeaV, but had been on the jobl Was. assistant manager of WEEI for 14 years, and before that had been a newspaperman^ He yv&s, at one time, radio editor of the Bos- ton Post, Leaves a widow and three daughters. FRED A. CHAPMAN Fred A. Chapman died in Ionia, Mich., Oct; 18.^ He promoted the ad- mission-free Ionia Fair, one of the high-spot fairs in Michigan, and later managed the Michigan State Fair. TOMMY NOLAN Tommy iJolan, former burlesque actor and .later an agent, died in Brdoklj'n, N. Y., Oct. 12. Por many years he was with the Colimibia Wheel shows. Allied's Confabs Atlantic City, Oct. 25. More than 400 delegates and mem- bers of the New Jersey and New York Allied Theatre Owners in con- vention here last week heard Qol H;- A. Cole, chtiirtnan of Allied's negotiation committee at Trade Par- leys in New York, state that parleys would not be able to solve theatre divorcement issue. Much of the busi- ness scheduled at this convention was shelved because of the parleys which opened the same day as the conclave here. The Movie Quiz, the two organiza- tions were told, had been conducted with too much 'mystery' and that as a result there was little if any public interest. The convention held it was a waste of time and money to con- tinue the contest. Similar opinions of lack of interest were expressed by delegates form Maryland, Pennsyl- vania and New England States. Col. Cole together with Abram F. Myers, general counsel for Allied, and Nathan Yamis, national presi- dent, addressed the convention on the New York parleys. They all stated that there were signs of much good coming from the parleys, but it was too early in the game to prom- ise anything definite. Cpl. Cole stated, 'Allied's Com- mittee at its first meeting with the representatives of distributors were advised that the latter could not ne- gotiate divorcement of theatres. We have not discussed this further.' AUied has been favoring theatre divorcement, one of the present issues. Myers called the parleys a 'test of whether there exists in this business capacity to practice self- regulation.' JOHN H. WALTON John H, Walton, 49, in wardrobe department at 20th-Fox, died Oct. 19 in Los Angeles. Mrs. G. L. (June) Borserlne, 21, died Oct 13. She was the only daughter of Claude Morris, director of publicity and advertising for Metro in the Kansas City district of- fice. %i8s the Boys* ALLEN T. (CAPi)Y) HAMMEL Allen T. (Caddy) Hammel, 71, cir- cus and tent show agent died re- cently at his home In Circleville, O., from complications. He was on the advance of several of the major cireuses from 1888 unr til 1912. In recent years he had been employed in the county engineers office and custodian of the Masonic Temple, Circleville. JENNIE AUSTIN Jennie Austin, around 48, wife of Joseph Huftig, a brother of Jules (Hiirtig and Seamon), died Oct 19 In New York and wafi buried Friday (21). She was of the Austin Sisters In burlesque. Husband has been identified with t}iat field for some time .and was interested in burlesque presented in WaterbUry and Bridge- port last season. WALLACE DECKER Wallace Decker, 72, veteran legit company manager, died Oct 15 at the Sydenham hospital, N. Y., suc- cumbing to cancer. He handled any number of touring attractions for Broadway producers. Burial was made lest week at the Actors Fund plot Kensico, N. Y. JAMES GRANT James (Jumbo) Grant 66, died In New York Oct 15. He had been In many Shubert productions during the past 20 years, and had played in 'Adonis' With Hebry R Dixey and In Father of Charles Sonin, of Metro's purchasing department died Oct 24 in New York; Mrs. Salome Ebele, 77, mother of Edward Ebele, 20th.-Fox executive, died Oct 20 in Hollywood. Conciliation (Continued from page 5) to the board of directors at the con- vention, probably opening day (30). Proposals will be discussed from all angles, togethei; with procedure to be followed On resumption of meet- ings here with the distributors. L. C. Griffith, appointed to the MPTOA committee, was unable to come to New York last week, due to hiis wife's illness, but may join for sub- sequent huddles early in- November. Before leaving for Mississippi, Kuy- kendall announced that- definite progress was being made towards the solution of outstanding industry problems. Tenor of Allied's an nouncement refiected the same feel ing, although it is early to .deter- mine just how harmoniously dis- tribs and Indies may arrive at self- regulation satisfactory to .both sides, There is bound to be considerable wraingling and undoubtedly much compromising, including among Indie exhib groups themselves. In addition to the program made up as a basis for discussion of trade practices with the distributors, the MPTOA convention. It has been promised, will consider other ques- tions, including the chances for or- ganized self-regulation ultimately and whether clearance and other dis- putes can be adjusted locally. (Continued from page 1) Wind,*,which has become a sorely sctrious subject on the S-I lot. Dave Selznick laughed off that he is east to file a suit against Clare Boothe, author of "Kiss the Boys,' on alleged grounds that the play In jures his picture property 'Gone With theh .Wind.' He saw the play before he left for Bermuda today (Wednesday). Goldwyn on Legit Hollywood, Oct. 25. Samuel Goldwyn Is authority for the statement that the stage Is defi- nitely on Its way to recovery. The producer returned from his Broad- way safari Intent on filming what he calls the best of the current legit crop, 'Abe Lincoln in Illinois.* However, Darryl Zanuck is beat- ing him to a Lincoln picture by ordering immediate start on 'Lawyer of the West,' yarn about the great liberator's early career in Illinois. Lamar Trotti sold the story to the studio a year ago and goes on the screenplay. Cloldwyn says the stage's perkup, is a good sign for pictures, as much' needed material is made available. - Selznick, Whitney (Continued from page 3) some time there in conferences with Jo Swerling on the'new 'Gone With the Wind' script Hollywood, Oct 25. David O. Selznick set Jan. 5 as the starting date for 'Gone With the Wind.' Date was announced just be- fore the producer left for New York to confer with Jo Swerling on plans for trimming the script which is too long for filming. While in the east, Selnick will look over candidates for the role of Scar- lett. He expects to be gone a month. He sails tomorrow (Wednesday) from New York on a holiday. Selznick is dickering with Samuel Goldwyn for the loan of Andrea Leeds for the Melanie role In 'Wind.' Actress Is currently cast In 'The Last Frontier' with Gary Cooper. Peggy Fears' . mother committed suicide by gas poisoning In Dallas, Tex., Opt. 19. Ill health is ascribed as the cause of her act Connie Immerman arrested last week on charge of being' a common gambler. Aftermath of the recent raid on the Beach Club, Atlantic Beach. Out on $2,500 bail. Players Club to give its first pub- lir"<tinetion' -to 'celebrate the 50th anniversary of Its founding. Affair at the Waldorf, Nov. 9. Helen Hayes, Maurice Evans, Otis Skinner, Hen- drik Wilem van Loon and Walter Hampden to entertain. Fred Stone seidl master at the Lambs last Thursday. He and John Golden did a song from 'Chin Chin,' Now it's a whistling contest to be sponsored by the Dept. of Parks. Finals at MuUaly park, Bronx, to>be preceded by eliminations. Open to all. Mrs. Emily Davis, former light opera singer, awarded $6,000 dam- ages in her suit for $35,000 against 108th Infantry Armory Athletic Assn. Hit on the nose by a lacrosse ball two years ago while watching a practice game. Asserts it eiided her singing career. Cornelia Otis Skinner opened her regular season at Short Hills, N. J., last night (Tuesday). Repeats tonight. Government business in Barcelona halted for two hours last week while Pablo Casals played a concert broad- cast to the U. S. He's a Catlan. RCA plans at least a two-hour television program daily by the time the World's Fair opens. Preparing to manufacture receivers on a wide Carl Erbe, p.a. for Ben Marden's Riviera, sailed last week with three others on a cruise to the West Indies and Panama in a 62-foot ketch, the announced intention being to bring, back beautiful girls for the floor show. All ,in a Jersey shore hos- pital after being pulled out of the surf off Wlldwood when the tub cap- sized. None in any danger, but the trip's off. Definitely. Alexander WooUcott reputed to have turned down a picture offer. Says he can't desert stage. New Haven road repeated Its Husking Bee Train of last season. Took out quite a crowd last Satur- day. District of Columbia commis- sioners fly the skull crossbones flag foir 24 hours after an auto death. If no fatality. It's a white flag. Mary Pickford, in Washington to present one of her old films to the government, tells reporters she finds the slums of the capital worse than any she saw abroad. Troy (N. Y.) police start a new campaign against cellar clubs. Claim the owners stymied previous efforts, but now judge says he'll back them up. Too many crimes of violence. Brooklyn woman who set fire to her own auto held not to be guilty of arson, but magistrate advised her not to do it again. Touched the car off because her.husband was using it without her permission. Theatre Guil^ subscribers advised they can obtain tickets to Mercury theatre productions on Guild terms. Missouri declares the Movie Quiz contest to be a lottery. Rodeo performers made their sev- enth annual visit to Bellevue last Thursday. Performed before 5,000 patients and nurses. Equity refuses Helen Hayes* 'Vic- toria' a two'-week pre-Christmas lay- off without pay. Says the usual week is sufficient. Lawrence Tibbett back In N. Y. after a 32,000-mile tour which in- cluded Australia. Two yeggs garnered the receipts of Mrs. Roosevelt's lecture at Green Bay, Wis., last week. Told the women in the box offlc^ they had been sent to watch the receipts so they could go inside.and hear the lecture. They did and the two men walked off with about $700. Serge Lifar, of Ballet Russe, sailed for home Saturday after a jam with the management. Jacques Deval made his third cross-country fiight in two weeks last Friday. Planed east to 'rehearse in 'Lorelei,* called back to Hollywood for retakes and now he's back in town for the play. Cast of 'Missouri Legend' guests at the Rodeo last Sunday. Robert Sherwood speaker at sec- ond-symposium of. Group theatre Saturday. Billy Gould, -Ceteran vaudevillian, now on WPA, offers a program to prove he did the Lambeth Walk on the old New York roof In 1901. • Leroy G. Phelps, cameraman of 'Dark Rapture,' doing a lecture tour of N. Y. high schools. Talks about the filming. Rodeo gave a special morning per- formance Saturday for 15,000 under- privileged children. Financed by an anonymous business men. Suzanne Browne appoints William C. Lengel her agent in the disposal of the literary properties of her father, the late Porter Emerson Browne. Included are 82 plays, 43 motion picture, synopses as well as short stories, articles and poems. Frank Retalatto, who has been selling fur coats to chorines at amaz- ing bargains, in the toils, charged with having pilfered the coats. A. A. Clarke, of New Rochelle. got 50 free trips across thhe Henry Hudson bridge Saturday. His was theh 15,00q,000th car to cross." R. H. Burnside to stage 'Financial Follies' for the N. Y. Financial Writers, Astor hotel, Dec.^ 16. Lamar Stringfield, sgrmphony con- ductor, now associate conductor at Radio City M. H. Father Flanagan of Boys Town, says the film has cut Into current receipts. People figure it a going •concern not In need of money. Con- tributions down $5,000 since the pic- ture opened. Sponsors of Berkshire Music Fes- tival announce that $75,000 will bs needed for next season's event. Mostly for impilovements to the property. Coast L. A. sheriff's squad raided Phil Selznlck's, M'ammy Louise's and Irvine's Mermaid. Niteries were charged with selling liquor after 2 a.m. Mary Lane, screen actress, In- jured by a motor truck in L. A. last March, accepted an out-of-court set- tlement of her $51,000 suit. William Dieterle, film director, was awarded $13,022 and his wife, Charlotte, $13,875. in their damage suit against Pelix La Forge In L. A. Suit was the result of injuries sus- tained in a taxicab accident in 1936. Judge Ben Lindsey assailed what he called the 'travesty on justice* that permits law suits to consume $83,000 of Freddie Bartholomew's earnings. He advocated complete protection for child actors In a speech before the L. A. Lawyers club. Dorothy Merle DePont, dance In- structor, was awarded damages of $5,547 In a suit against a miUc com- pany. She was injured last January when her car collided with a truck. Separate maintenance suit filed In L. A> by Leopoldine Konstantin Her- czeg, Austrian actress, against Geza Herczeg, screen writer, was dis- missed by mutual consent. Couplo are negotiating a property settle- ment. Eula Marlene Rich, wife of Fred- die Rich, band leader, filed a $100,000 alienation suit in L. A. against Eliza- beth Gordon. MARRIAGES Dina Alevy to Clarence J. Schneider, foreign publicity director of Columbia Pictures, Oct. 21, in New York. Juanita Smith to Kenneth Black, in Decatur, 111., Oct 3. He's with the Songfellows, WHO, Des Moines. Cecelia Carey to John R. Kearney In Washington, D. C, Oct. 20, Both are singers with 'I'd Rather Be Right* on tour. Margaret T. Tallichet film actress; to William Wyler, film director, Oct 23 in Arrowhead Springs, Cal. Sec- ond try for the groom, formerly married to Margaret Sullavan. BIRTHS Mr. and Mrs. Einar H. Bourman, son, in Hollywood, Oct 18. Father Is costumer 'at Metro. ' Mr. and Mrs, Hugh A. L. Halff, daughter. In San Antcnio, Oct 15. Father is president and^general man- ager of WOAI, ISan Antonio: Mr. and Mrs. Harry Walton, son, in Pittsburgh, Oct. 17. Father ii pianist with Dick Stabile's band. Mr, and Mrs. Foster May, daugh- ter, in Omaha, Oct 15. Father is newscaster and special events an- nouncer for WOW, Omaha. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Woolsten- hulme, son, in Hollywood, Oct. 20. Father is Paramount imit business manager. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Janofsky, daughter, in Hollywood, Oct. 21. Father .Is attorney for Screen Writ- ers' Guild. Mr. and Mrs. Creorge Dallin, daughter, in Philadelphia, Oct. 14. Father is Bobbins music rep in Philly. Mr. and Mrs. Vic Rugl), son, in Wichita, Oct. 19. Father is announcer for radio station KFH.