Variety (Nov 1938)

Wednesday, November 2, 193» fSIATTEB VARmTY 61 Broadway Tamara G€va, back frbin London, looking tor a new play. Walter Batchelor, visiting from the Coast, lecovering from ^rirnw. Rose Stxadner off to the Coast and M ColumWa contract for 4 year. George Nicholai to Palm Beach to recuperate from nervous aUment. Leon Netter,. Par theatre depart- ment eicecutive» back from Boston. Hunter Perry, Virginia Par part- iier, in town following recent death ct Mrs. Perry. . . ^ Myrna Kennedy, east, set for a professional comeback in Astoria film production. Paramount Pep club held its an- itual dinner dance at the Astor hotel Friday night (26). Larry Spier now a Westchester commutetr where the music publish- er bought an estate. Bert Frohman, nitcry m.c, has a major role in William K. Howard's moduction at Astoria. Dorothy Dickinson, Arkansas 1]«aiity contest winner, has been signed for a Shufaert musical. Vkentc 'Gomez, I9BC guitarist^ ■ails for Venezuela Friday (4> for concert tour and broadcasting. CjKUe Janis, publicity-advertising oHSef for Trdns^Lux newsreel circuit, has resigned, ^ective Friday (4). John O'Hara probably scripting William K. Howard's next, 'Cafe New Yoi^k,' a *cale society' theme. Jack (Scat) Powell, new Univer- sal songster, makes Broadway debut Dec. 7 in the N. Y.- Paramount show. Armand Denis, producer of 'Dark Bs4»ture»* is personally -advance- agenting his .film,, touring with his private plane. Columbia Broac^sting bunch made a killing on th« football pool slips past Saturday. Took the. bookies for $1,600. Duke Wellington, art director for National Screen in New York, has resigned. Plans entering production field on Coast. Gene Aiello, re'signed from UA advertising department, now with Paramount art department at home office, under Vince Trotta. Mary Mason will pl^y the psirt she created in the Broadway 'Brother Rat" when the comedy is presented Nov. 14 in MapleWood, N. J. Paul Draper back from London Just in time to open at the Waldorf tomorrow. Will return, in April for another session at Cafe de Paris. Mrs. Mack Miller motoring back to the Coast, having bought a car while east on vacash. Mrs. Jimmy Fidler also returning this week. Lennox Robinson's The White- headed Boy' will.be presented Sun- day night (6) by the Irish Repertory Players at the Heckscher theatre. G. L. Carrlngton, general manager Altec Service Corp., goe$ from con- vention of Society Motion Picture Engineers in Detroit to the Coast on biz. Hal Home will visit England, France. Switzerland, Belgium, Hol- land, Sweden, Poland and Italy on his seven weeks' trip for Walt .Dis- ney. Niteries did all right from the football crowds over the weekend. Army-Notre Dame influx rates next to New Year's eve for a spending crowd. Ken Murray, in Hollywood on a film specialty at U, set for 'Fair Enough,' new Milton Lazarus play for Lee Shubert-Alex Aarons this winter. Jeanette's Circus is still another 52d street bistro due to open soon, with backing from some of the ex- Frolics bunch. Mike Riley's Troc likewise set. " DeWitt Celsor, assistant treasurer of N. Y. Paramount, back from Bowling Green, Ky., after attending funeral of Celsor's father, killed when struck by a car. Bob O'Donnell came on. to New York from the Pittsburgh Variety Club dinner. Discussing picture deals with Y. Frank Freeman at Paramount and returns to Dallas to- day (Wednesday >. Paramount Pep Club, of which Carl Clausen is the new prez, held its annual dinner-dance at the Astor Friday night, with atten«*?JT»'>e highest in its history. Bob Weit- man m.c.d show. Rose and Jack Bobbins due back from Hollywood soon, where they went to dispose of their BevhilLs home, which Louis K. Sidney, Metro exec» bought after first being the Bobbins^ tenant. Mob of actors looking for parts in the forthcoming Kaufman s^nd Hart show, 'The .American Way,' which Sam K., Harris will present at the Center,.'was so great last week that police had to be called to preserve order. (WB) from Regent to Embassy for added run try. Cecil Kellaway here on loan from RKO to appear in 'Mr. Chedworth Hits Out* for Cinesound. •White Banners^ (WB) took a k.o. at the b.o. here.. Final notice went up four days after premiere. Peg-Leg Bates engaged k>y Charles Munro to tour Hoyts chain by ar- rangement with Tivoli circuit. Nancy Gurr» exploiteer for Cine- sound, has had a book for kiddies ac- cepted by a London publisher. Luna.park» top amusement park, got under way for the Phillips Co. They also operate similar park in Melbourne. Shirley Ann Richards, Cinesound star, was rccmtly thrown from a horse and injured while on vacation. Recovering. Ernest Rolls here to produce for Williamson-Tait Stated he^s been appointed a director of W-T as well as chief .producer. Irene Furcell. Dibby Dare, Mary Dees, Jessica Ilogers, Ardeh Young and Dorothy Zimmer have arrived to play in The Women' for Williamson- Tait Understood Hoyts dickering for ad- ditional theatres in the various stages, mostly in nabe centers. Greater Union rushing to complete Victory, Sydney. Looks as thoi)^ government will nix Yuletide pantos in commercial stores with kid talent. Actors' .Fed- eration against this form of cheap entertainment. Bob Sheppard, former exec J. C. Williamson Pictures, New Zealand, passed away. Prior to joining Wil- liamson, Sheppard was with Sir Ben Fuller over a considerable span. Understood, that Greater Union did not take up its option with F^nk Neil for him to vaude acts. Contract expires with playing of two Yankee acts—Jerry Lawton.and Chris Gill. Film Beard of Ttade attempting to bring distribs and exhibs together on a more friendly basis than hitherto. Idea is to try, and prevent govern- ment interference in the picture biz. London Baltiniore By Hevvard A. Burman Lou Rome heading new Variety Club charity drive. Max (Oasis) Cohen up and about after recent hospitalization. Leo Fields permanently to the Coast iand new radio recording li- brary biz, Ray Bell doubling up on local Loew publicity from similar stint in Washington. Harold Burke, on Ad Club pro- gram committee, tieing in WBAL for weekly airings. Ted Routson planning new local talent revue for Hippodrome in tie- up with News-Post. . John Little going about his duties at Ford's theatre on crutches after summertime leg'fracture. Morris Mechanic up to ears In .construction of new Radio Center theatre and studio setup for WFBR. Mickey Walker, the m.c. at new Subway nitery and Tiger Flowers working at Royal, colored combo house. Lou Schecter and Norman Clark commuting to New York for rewrite of 'Window Shopping,' new opus slated for Broadway opening by Tom Kilpatrick. U. jS» Attitude (Continued from page 3) Sydney By Eric Gerrick Hoyts presenting 'Snow White' as flesh panto in the nabes for the kid- dies. Wife cf Edwin Geach, a director of Greater Union Theatres, died in Sydney. Lady Fuller, wife of Sir Ben Fuller, seriously ill with pneumonia, recovering. Greater Union Theatres reviving Ttfonte Carlo' (Par) for a run try in the ace spots. Hoyts transferred 'Robin Hood' observation that the Department's job was much harder, since the workers did not have all of the data at their finger-tips and a huge staff- to call on for aid. Three months should be ample to think up argu- ments why the petition should not be granted and to join issue, it is felt. Coolness toward the industry on these minor angles was regarded as answer to skeptics who laughed at reports Arnold handed the major company representatives an ultima- tum at the second informal confer- ence about the suit. Disclosure of the attitude appeared to bear out hints that the anti-trust staff is liable to use harsher methods if th^ re- spondents do not show a sincere de- sire to cooperate. i ■ The possibility of a criminal case, in retaliation for the industry's you- can't-do-this-to-us manner, was be- lieved remote in some quarters, al- though intimates of some of the D. J. barristers insist ihere is more than an outside chance such measures will be employed if the majors try to blpck the civil proceeding by ob- structionist legal Tianeuvers. Doubt- ers point to the statement by Arn- old, when the suit was filed, in which he explained why the equity- route was chosen, as positive assur- ance there will be no criminal charges. The Duncan Sisters off to Paris. Henry Lartigue and Clifford C. Fischer in town. Jack Powell in from Zurich for vaudeville dates. Irving Asher ff to California in a couple of weeks. Stoll's Film Studios, Cricklewood. is'up for auction. Al Sherman here to hviy Briti$h pictures for the American market June Clyde may return to New York to star in new musical show. Lyn Harding's 71st birthday cele- brated on his native Welsh heath Oct. 12. E. H. Bostock, bead of the famous circus family, has jiist celebrated his 80th birthday. Carroll Levis to vacation .in De- cember. Will go to ^ypt. first holi- day in two years. Alfred Esdaile producing Al Bur- nett's vaudeville road show -which he's Also backing. Charles B. Cochran wants Charles Hislop for new musical he intends to produce shortly. "Novelist-dramatist Ian Hay (Major John Beith). becomes public relations officer at the war office. Paul Draper could not accept eight weelis' booking offered him 'by Eddie Deusberg fcHr -Scaila. Serlin. Flora Robson has left for America to play with Merle Oberoh in the filming of 'Wuthering Heights.' Clive Brook, starring in Michael Balcon's "The Ware Case/ at Ealing studios, is in on a percentage deal. -Nice, Florio aiid Lubow at Les Ambassadeurs. Paris, with Jimmy Nice making it a honeymoon, too. 'Bobby Get Your Gun,» Adelirfii's new Jack Waller musical, has clidced for six weeks library deal involving $40,000. John B. Myers, Alexatoder^ Korda aide, who used to own an atrplanCi, for .business trips, has given up that means of transport. After a continuous rqn of 37 weeks, now generally released, 'Snow White' (RKO) returns to the New Gallery for Christmas. . With Lilian Braithwaite out of the cast with appendicitis, Ivor Novello's 'Comedienne' closed at the Aldwych Oct. 15 after four months. Paul Robeson said to have been signed by Hyams Bros, for Stjite, Kilburn, at $3,000 per, which would be. a record for single at this house. Flock of ice skaters, booked by Rockwell-O'Keefe for English spots, returns home Saturday" (5). Already said to set here for next season. Drury Lane theatre: staff, with ex- ception of fireman, stage director and doorkeeper, off the payroll till next production. First time in years. Prince of Wales theatre chorines in strike, objecting to daily rehearsals, making 14 hours per working day. Girls taken back with exception of leader. Billy Scott-Coraber fell out of 'Radio Rodeo' vaudeville unit, due to laryngitis, with Charles Forsythe (Seamon and FarreR) taking his place at moment's notice. Twentieth Centu^T ^ Fox taking additional premises in Soho Square to house some of its production ex- ecutives, instead of having them tucked away at Pinewood. Charlie Forsythe (Forsythe, Sea- mon and Farrell) threatening to close his three vaudeville units now touring England and return to Amer- ica to play dates with his act. Ronald Adam's second presenta- tion at. the . Arts Theatre Club, 'A Party for Christmas,' moved into the Haymarket Oct. 26, replacing the short-lived 'On Borrowed Time.* Lord Castlerosse Will advise on Irish aspect of- 20th-century film, Don Byrne's 'Hangman's House,' which Bill Conselman is scripting in readiness for shooting in early JAn- uary. New play on the Empress Eliza- beth of Austria comes to Garrick Nov. 3. It is by novelist Eliz?b3th Spri.2gs knd her sister-in-law, Katri- ona Spriggs. and depicts the Queen's life over 45 years. Cast includes Wanda Rotha, Richard Ainley, Gyles Isham and May Agate. This year's Royal Command Va- riety performance at Coliseum, Nov. 9, will include Evelyn Laye, Richard Hearne, Les Allen, Renee Houston and Donald Stewart, Ken Davidson and Hugh Forgie, jack Payne and band, Stuart Morgan- Dancers. Cras- tonians. Two Le^es, John. "Eiller Dancers, Elsie aiid Dp.ris Waters, Lu- pino Lane. Hattbn and Manners. cnt to Italian screen. Has been signed by Scalera. Leading her troupe of Javanese dancers, Devi Dja appeared here at the Quirino theatre for her first Eu- ropean engagement. Annibale Ninchi has formed legit company, which will produce among other plays, Gherardi's 'East-West.' Conti's "That Mask' and Nincfai's 'A Gray Gentleman.' UFA cooperating with Astra Film on production of 'Castles.in the Air,' starring Lilian Harvey, Vittorio de Sica, Otto Tressler and Fritz Ode- mar. Outdoor shots being made at Capri, Florence and Venice^ Experimental Cinema Center open- ing its courses for this year; 50 new pupUs will be admitted. The courses, which cover technical training as well as acting and directing, are f «pen to Italian men over 18, and to women over )6. Paris B-y flutfo .Speek Gaby Morlay off on Swxss tour, 'Pliitus' closed at Theatre Atelier. Samy .Siritzky recovering firom -flu. 'Sacred Law' will be G. W. Pabst's [ next. Jacqueline Laurent in from Holly> wood. Charles Trenet topping new ,ABC offering. Abel Gance starting 'Louise' with Grace Moore. Harry Baur plans theatrical tour of Jugoslavia. King Vidor gathering material on Madame Curie. Vincent Hypsa, music hall star and film actor, dead. IMLonte-Carlo Ballet opening season in Monte-Carlo. Harry Gcvdon, Scotch comedian, in with wife for a look. Fox .gave special showing of 'Alex- ander's Ragtime Band' for locsil maestros. Georges Rigaud will make 'Accord Final' for his first French film, after a flln>less Hollywood stay. Mistinguett, Marlene Dietrich and Grace Moore caught new Casino de Paris revue the same night. Presidei^t and Madame Lebhm catching l,00()th performance of 'Werther* at Opera-C>)mique, Marcel PagnoL acquired film rights to Roger Ferdinand s. new play, 'Le "President Hautecoeur,' now at Odeon theatre, 'Katra;' Danielle Darrieux's first film after return' from Hollywood, opening at 'Miarivaux. She's readying for Hollywood return. Jeff Musso .abandoning 'Goya' tem- porarily as Spanish war won't permit scenes to be taken there. Going, to make 'M, Gilhooley' from a Liam O'Flaherty yarn. 2d'Hand Shoes (Continued from page 1) claiming that almost 20,000 pairs of second-hand shoes were imported from America during August. Clara Bow planed to Chicago. Franciska Gaal a sinus victim. Frank Coen in.'frem Manhattan. Lou Irwin to f'risco on Fair biz. ZaSu Pitts m from personal tour. B, W. Richards in from New York, Joseph Seidelman here for confabs. Mickey Rooney to Oklahoma City. Jimmy Ellison recovering from flu. Henry Grace back from European tour. Herman Robbins back from New York, • Bob Taplingef back from New York. Reginald Gardiner fractured his elbow. Frsnklin D. Parker improving in hospitaL Rollo Dix changed his film nam* to Uric VaRon. George Roberts joined the Rodney 'Fantages office. Frank .Mitchell back after scouting Broadwcor plays. Mien Drew in hospital recovering from appttsdicitis, George Giroux to Detroit'for en- gineers' convention. Maridia Hunt laid up with lip in- jury stained, on ;Set. Andy Deviney' celebrating fifth wedding anniversary. Lyie Talbot and Franklin Parker recovering from bums. Tyrone Power starts South Amer- ican air tour n^xt .week. Johnny Builte built a new hous« for his parents in Van Nuys, Donald Clark «md Audrey Parri» back from honeymoon in Rend. Cliff Edwards and Edith Fellows preparing for midwest personal tour. William Wyler and .Margaret Talli- chet returned from iWff-day.. honey- moon. Shunji Shimizu arrived' from Tokyo to gander films for Japanese trade. Shirley Temple named grand mar- shal of Pasadena's Tournament of Roses parade. Chicago 35 |1 a Star's Curt Hollywood, Nov. 1. Curly locks from the crowned heads of Hblljrwood (platinum, pe- roxide, strawberry or natural) are yours for the asking—and one buck. Thousands of used permanent waves,' clipped from the domes of picture stars,- are going on sale at the World's. Fair in Frisco. One-third of the buck goes to the Screen Actors Guild and the rest to Perc West- more, Warners makeup^ head, who thought up the hair-raising stunt. Thus far the hirsute donations are all feminine. None of the male thesps has offered a ringlet. Tom Quigley, in the music biz years, is writing a book .about it. Gertrude Lawrence tossed a. mid- night gabfest for local newspaper- men. Mort Singer off to New Orleans to o.o. theatre holding there. Then heads to the Coast. Tom Kane, who came in ahead of 'Of Mice and Men,' switched to ad- vance of 'Our Town' for Jed Harris. Judy Starr, who has been in hos- pital, rejoins Hal Kemp's orchestra on its Chicago theatre date this week. Show biz section of the Community Fund drive this year handed $25,000 quota; Jack Kirsch, Allied proxy, chairman. Jimmy Durante receiving an hon- orary degree of Master of Speech from the local Columbia College of Drama and Radio. Bvat Qfstie, for years regional ad and pnb.for B&K, has taken evier Midwest Film Studio^ trailer flrmi- firom Bob Hartman. James Christy, general midwest managcir for RKO theatires. recouo- ing from serious illness at Napervllle San. Expected back in couple weeks. Jack Hunt, manager of the State- Lake for the past five years, moves ovpr to overseer the Oriental under the newt Jones, Linick & Schaefer regime. Rome 1 New film company, Milanese Cine- , matographic Society, just formed. I Berlin male choir, known as 'Ber- linder Liedertafel,* in Italy on a goodwill tour. I.sa Pola to stay with Antonio Gan- dusio's company this legit season, de- jsp'ite rumors that she would leave. I Ermete Zacconi, 82, has returned ■from six-month tour of South Amer- ican cities with his acting company. State to subsidize opera and con- cert circuits in Italy as well as dra- matic companies, operettas and re- ' vues. [ Vittorio Mussolini, son of 11 Duce. ••eolaced Luciano De Feo as editor i of Cinema, a paper devoted to film : news. Dina Sassoli, 18, won Italian maga- / zine prize offered to attract new tal- HARLEM ON PARADE (Continued from page 53) legs that rate highly. Youngster draws more applause than any other act, save the headliner. With expert coaching in stage behavior, the lad would be featured in any fan-tan revue. His green-and-white silk cos- tume appears tt>o tight,^ which sug- gests a reason for his early uneasi- ness. Tries singing, but his chief as.sets are his legs. Brown and Brown, in their open- ing number. 'Harlem Apache,' dis- play versatility. Their cockeyed an- tics in the jitterburg dance leave the pewholders limp. Combining every form of screwball dancing, their leg- mania paves the way for Troy Brown, who pitches til) the curtain falls. Brown, a decided heav.vweight, wears outlandish clothes. His ini- tialer is a monolog employing song titles, tepid laugh-getter. His mimi- cry of a poker game , socks, though, followed by seemingly intricate dance steps. Despite his obesity, comedian does a neat split and taps away expertly to rate several calls. Givens mikes at the finale, with each act briskly participating. 'Pa- rade* lasts 47 minutes and should click in any class B or C house. House half-full at show caught. Cuss. Pitisbiirgli By Hal Csfaen The Lee Lovelands divorced. Harry Nosokoffs celebrated their silver wedding anniversary, Mrs. Gerry CNeill back on her feet again after a hospital stay. Bill Eichler out of the hospital after getting hfs appendix clipped. Dick Ware back where he started from. Show Boat, checking as m.c. Ben Atwen around liieatihg the drums for the ne^ Mordkin Brllet. Margaret Daum coming home to sing at Dapper Dan banquet Nov. 20. Harry Seed's lad going on road in few weteks as Ted Lewis* advance man. Pitt-Fordham game Saturday ^29) gave niteries their biggest weekend in years. Catholic .Theatre Guild hosted Emmett Lavery at dinner Sunday, nite my. Hy Shul?oId home for a few dr.ys befoi'e setting out on round-the- world tour. Lucille Harrison named harpist for Pittsburgh Symphony Under Fritz Reiner. Johnny McQuade, Playhouse alum- nus. In this week with George M. Cohan show. Patti Morgan and Al Shelleday doing vocals for Al Kavelin's reor- ganized band. Local group talking about a drive- in film place on the outskirts for next summer. Harrises new downtown theatre. Senator, won't get the starting gun until next month. Ruth Willock. 'Miss Pittsburgh* ■''olrced out of Wolfendale hotel show bp''au.'?e of aopendix. G. G. Gfrrette, an agent for 35 years, in P»tt.<;burgh for first time, ahead of 'Whiteoaks.*