Variety (Apr 1939)

69 VARIETY Wednesday, April 19, 1939 OBITUARIES DOBOIHT MOBTON Dorothy Morton, 69, well known as a light opera diva at the turn Of the century, died in her sleep at her home, Geisha Villa, near Bound Brook, N. April 15. The singer had been in poor health for several years. Ward of Benjamin Brlggs, wealthy New York tea merchant, who spon- sored her voice study abroad, she debuted during the mauve decade. Among the more prominent pro- ductions in wlilch she played were Reginald De Koven's comic opera, The Wedding Trip,' 'Cavallerla Rusticana/. 'Geisha' and The Widow Jones.' She also sang in Max Free- man's production of The World's Free Bread Fund.' which bowed at the old Star theatre, New York, In 1893. . She once turned impresario and formed her own . company, which fared, poorly and was subsequently withdrawn In Atlanta. Although retiring shorUy before the World War, she returned to the stage .to entertain for the AEF. Miss Morton, who privately was Mrs. Llbble McCarthy Conger, widow of the New Jersey art patron, left no immediate survivors. OLIVEB PEKCT BEBNABD Oliver Percy Bernard, 68, stage designer, architect and writer, once chief scenic artist for Klaw & Er- langer. technical director of the Boston Opera Co. and who in later years confined his interests to archi- tecture, died In London Saturday US). As a youth he- pursued a seafar- ing lite as a cabin l>oy. This in- terrupted Ills : theatrical career, which began at 16 when he per- formed on the stage, mostly in Shakespearan parts. A devout stu- dent of the theatre, he later became assistant artist at Covent Garden Opera house, whence he later came to America. ' By a quirk of fate he averted death while aboard the Lusltania when that vessel was torpedoed ofl the coast of Ireland in 1915. He had passed the winter in New York and was en route home when at the last- minute he switched cabins. Ot>- servers said that if he had retained his original berth escape would have been impossible. He held a com- mission in the Britlsfai Royal Engi- neers, served in France, was woimded and later decorated with the .Military Cross. Upon termi- nation of the war he returned to Co- vent Garden as technical director. He served as a consultant to the British government when It was preparing a display at the Paris Exposition and designed many build- ings in-London. He leaves his widoW, Mrs. Edith Hodges Bernard; three sons and a daughter. S. S. VAN DINE (W. H. Wrigbt) Willard Huntington Wright, 01, better known as S. S. Van Dine, per- liaps foremost of all whodunit scrib- blers, died Oast week in New Yorlc. After gaining a limited reputation as a writer on philosophy, palAtlng and literature; Wright turned to who- dunits as a means of relaxation after a nervous breakdowh. With that he liecame Van Dine, and earned a fortune. . . He had served as literary editor at various times on the 'Los Angeles Times and New York Evening Mall; music, critic and art editor of the San Francisco Bulletia and art .critic for Hearsfs International Magazine. His Philo Vance, character became well known when his books were adopted for a series of films. Widow and daughter survive. HOLLA S. BROADWELL Rolla , Sherman Broadwell, 69, composer of song "hits in minstrel days, died April 10 of a heart ail- ment at his home In Cleveland. Broadwell wrote most of his tunes for Primrose and West and Lew Dockstader at the height of their popularity 20-odd years ago. His best Imown songs were 'All Alone, or Would You Love Me Just the Same' 'and *I Long to Hear the Darldes Sing Old Black Joe.' Survived by widow, a son, daugh- ter and five sisters. MBS. BOBEBI B. MANTELL Mrs. Robert B. - ManteU, 83, first wife of the late Shakespearean actor, "died April 13 In a Bronx hospital An actress herself^ Mrs. Mantell received her early training on the British stage and came to America in 1883. As Marie Sheldpn, she won distinction for her Mme. de Toumay in Sardou's first American produc- tion of 'Fedora,' in 1884. Her hus- band also appeared In the play and was featured in support of Fanny Davenport, the star. A year later she again played jrlth her husband in the 'Veiled Picture,' produced at the old Lyceum. New York. Her marriage to Mantell was ter- minated by divorce in 1893 and she never remarried. ManteU married ttiree times thereafter. PETEB D. CONLET Peter D. Conley. 46. business man- ager of the San Francisco Opera Co. and Symph, died suddenly from a heart attack at his hoine in. San Fran- cisco April 12. Conley was also business manager of the San Francisco Art Commis- sion's concert attractions, secretary of the Musical Coordinating commit- tee of the Golden Gate Exposition,' and San Francisco rep for the Na- tional Broadcasting Co.'s artist serv- ice and the Columbia Broadcasting Co.'s concert association. In addi- tion, he privately operated a Frisco managerial agency. Survived by widow, a brother and a sister. LinOI BOBBELU Lulgl Borrelll, 82. who 40 years ago established the first Italian theatre, the Salome Margherita, in Philadelphia, died at his home in that city on Saturday (15). Theatre Was sold, after 10'years, to the Lu- bln Interests, wlilch converted It Into a nickelodeon. Survived by widow, daughter and two sons, Ralpli, announcer and di- rector of Italian programs at WPEN, PtiUadelpliia, and Charles, operator of a local radio time sales agency in Philadelphia. USELBIA CLABKE SMITH Uselma Clarke Smith. 60, organ- ist, composer and author of books on music, died at his hom« In Phila- delphia, April 10, Former dean of file Pennsylvania Cliapter of ttie American Guild of Organists, Smith taught summer courses at Wellesley College and was widely known as a teacher of organ, piano, voice and composition. Surviving are his widow, a son, two brothers, a sister and a grand- son. MBS. ANTONIO DAOUANNO Mrs. Antonio Daguanno. 27. of Brooklyn. N. Y., a dsincer, was killed in an automobile collision near Grln- nell, la., April 14. while enroute to a San Francisco World's Fair en- gagement . -One other died and hw husband, Antonio, 37. her dancing partner, was seriously Injured in the same -crash. CHABLES A. SMITH Cliarles A. Smith. 67, of Glovers- vllle, N. Y., circus aerlallst for over 35 years, died In a hospital there April 12." He was for years with Ringllng Bros. Circus and continued with it even after the merger with Bamum and Bailey. Survivors are his widow and one daughter. SAM BLETEB Sam Bleyer, 60, veteran Pitts- burgh theatre manager, died in the Smoky City last week followhig a stroke a fortnight ago. Bleyer for a numt>er of years managed the Leona, Homestead, Pa., but lately had been inactive. Body was taken to Philadelphia for burlaL Widow survives. BOBEBT HALL Robert Hall, 74, musician, died April 2 in an Oconto Falls, Wis., hos- pital. He had appeared for years in the Midwest as a concert violinist and orchestra leader. Survived by widow, three daugh' ters, two sons, a brother and two sisters. JOHN A. GOETZ John A; Goetz, 90, violinist, died March 31 In Milwaukee. He ap- peared on the stage during his younger years and also played in the Alhambra theatre, Milwaukee, or- chestra. Survived by a son. EDGAB F. BITNEB Edgar. F. Bltner. 62, former presi- dent of Leo Feist. Inc.. who resigned his post In 1B36 to head the Music Periodicals Corp., publisher of music mags, died of a heart attack at his New York home April 12. Detalb in the music section. ALBERT SMITH Albert J. Smith. 45, character player, died April 12 in Hollywood. He had appeared In westerns for 25 years. Surviving are two daughters. AUCE DENVEB BTAN Mrs. Alice Denver Ryan, 53. for merly In vaude in Los Angeles, died April 14 after a long illness. Leaves son and two sisters. George Dlpson, brother of Nikltas D. DIpiBon, president of Genesee The atre Enterprises, Batavla, N. Y., died last week in Athens, Greece. He was attorney and director of Na- tional Bank of Greeci^ Louis Brand. 75. father of Harry Brand, publicly director of 20th< Fox, and Superior Court Judge Ed- ward R. Brand, died April 14 in Hol- lywood. Father, 71. of Eugene Murphy, with Loew Theatres advertising dept. died in Chicago April 15. Fimeral services held yesterday (Tuesday). Lnla Bnms Jenks, 69. former character actress, died April IS in Los Angeles. N.Y.FairPreem (Continued from page 1) stretch. Ubusual amotmt of rainfall this month has slowed construction schedules. Even though the mid- way (Play Zone as it is now official- ly designated) appears badly behind the remainder of the exposition, last minute scramble is counted on to put about 75-90% of its entertain- ment in operation-the opening-week. Fountain lagoon, skirting one side of the midway, now is being set for fireworks-water displays to be nightly feature. Loudspeaker sys- tem, to carry recorded music for this display, was tested finally last week. This free night show will be staged from small barges in the lagoon. On opposite shore, construction was nearing completion on Camp Wash- ington, where some 800 soldiers, sailors and marines will be stationed during the Fair. Beginning tills weelc. numerous in dustrlal firms with exhibits at the Fair will dedicate or preview their pavilions or shows. General Motors and Radio Corp. of America head the list, former staging its press pre- view yesterday (Tuesday). Doping the B.O. Showmen with experience at other expositions believe that New York theatre and nitety biz will not start perking up untH some time in June, because the first real influx of out-of- towners is not counted' on until then. Because the New York Fair will draw largely .from native popula- tion the first month, show biz box- office may drop sharply the Initial weeks the expo Is open. After that, they predict the theatres and night spots will grab bulk trade. That was the history of the Chi cago Expo the first two months, when the natives flocked out and theatre business suffered, but when the tourists came In it boomed everything. The same thing Is hap penlng In Frisco right now, as de- tailed in the film gross story on Page 9 and in the S.F. Expo yam on Page 63. The key to steady exposition at- tendance lies in the 'special events' lineup, veterans claim. The N. Y. show will have a ..pedal event on virtually every one of the 180 days set for the first year. There already are 121 special events on as many different days scheduled, each ex- pected to draw not less than 100,000 in addition to the usual daily attend- ance. Besides special days for each of the 48 states, opening month will witness a numtier of. New York "bor- ough days.' New Mermaid show. Twenty Thousand Legs Under the Sea,' backed by Salvadore Ball, known as a surrealist, was pacted for the amusement zone last week. King Features also has set up a 'House of Popeye,' a walk-through. Nils X, Granlund returned from the Coast with 16 lookers for his 'Congress of Beauties' revue and Aztec Sun-Worshippers, another girl show. Not all are from Hollywood. Betty Compson, silent screen star, will do the Texas Guinan role in the revue. Besides Faith Bacon and Delia Carroll, N. T. G. also has Tul- lah and Mly, Egyptian harem danc- ers; Joan Vickera, a Polynesian dancer, and several others. His two shows era located between the Sim Valley winter sports village and the Cuban Village. Chick Webb's band la set for the Savoy Harlem show, which Is under Moe Gale's management Billy Rose's Aquacade and Revue, vrhieh wlU be in the N. Y. State Building Ampliltheatre facing the lagoon, was being set last week against bad wither. Stadium seats will be covered by an elaborate can- vas arrangement, in case of rain. Billy Rose offered some 25 conces- sions he has -for his show to one concessionaire for $50,000 cash. Un- able to secure proper backing for this, he now has obtained 25 differ- ent concession lieople who each have agreed to put up $2,000 In cash. One man will supervise the whole igroup, NTS's H'wood Bonndnp Hollywood, April 18. Nils T. Granlund la en route to New York with 10 Holljrwood re-, crults for his Garden of Girls at the World's Fair. Jean Carmen heads the troupe as Queen of the Garden. Others are Patricia West. Eleanor and Ruth Troy, Axis Dunlap, Helen. Johnson, Marjorle Waley, Flower Perry, Inez Cooper and Lois Whitney. War Scares (Continued from page 1) untH some indication of i»eace Is 'vis- ible across the Atlantic The British Idea London, April IB. If a war breaks out in Europe, the British film industry will come to an almost complete standstlU. Pro- ducers will be requested to make only propaganda films, and most of the important studios, it is under- stood, have been requisitioned by the government as storehouses for planes and supplies. All British producers and picture stars have been requested also to tour England and make patriotic speeches. This campaign is already in full progress. Producers and dis- tributors liave agreed to. sell pic- tures to the British navy at nominal prices at the request of the govern- ment through the Duke of Kent, ac cording to report MARRIAGES Irma Warner to Albert Rogell in Las Vegas. Nev., April 13. She's former wife of Jack L. Warner; he's the fllm director. Helen Pautsch to Lloyd Taylor, in Des Moines, April 8. He's with Central States Theatres Corp. Mary Bars to Clifford Thompson, in Rockf ord. HL, April 9. He's a dr cus giant; she's of normal size and a circus dancer. Alice Margaret Knepper to Gene Morgan, In New York April 10. He's WMCA, N. Y, announcer. Elizabeth Shannon Phillips to Frank Heller in New York, AprU 12. Bride is a smlptress. he's an actor and assistant stage manager of "Tbfi American Way.' Elizabeth Fredericks, non-pro. to Dave Drlacoll, April 12 in New York. Groom is special eventsman for WOR, New York. Movita to Jack Doyle, at Ensenada, Mexico, April 15. Bride is a film player; he's the iMxer. BIRTHS Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Brown, daughter, in MUwaukee, . April 9. Father Is pit orchestra leader at the Davidson, Milwaukee.legit house. Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Vamum, daughter, hi Des Moines, April 7. Father is time salesman for KSO- KRNT, Des Moines; mother, former Gladys Cox, was assistant radio edi- tor of Des Moines Register and Tribune. Mr. and Mrs. WilUam Hoffman, twin daughters, in New York, April 12. Father is bass fiddler with AI Donahue's orchestra. Mr. and Mrs. William Woodslde, son, in Pittsburgh, AprU 11. Father's business manager of Pittsburgh Playhouse. Mr. and Mrs. H. A. McDondl, daughter, in Hollywood, April 14. Father is comptroller at Columbia. Mr. and Mrs. William Tllenius, daughter, April 14, in RockvUle Cen- ter, L. I. Father is on NBC sales staff, N. Y, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Flamm, daughter, in New York. April 13. Father is assistant to brother Donald Flamm, WMCA, N. Y, president On the Upbeat (Continued from page 48) May 17. Spot adding to its capacity. Now seats 1,200. Ben Harden's Blvlers, Fort Lee, N. J., will be deferred from May 4 to May 11 because of the signing of Ted Florito. Band doesn't finish « current coast date until end of April. Jehnay Blager replaces Sleepy Hall at the Show Bar, Forest HlUa^ L. I., tomorrow night (19). AI Shelleday, saxophonist, and Patti Morgan, vocalist, joined AI Kavelin in St Louis at the Chasa Hotel. Chnok Foster's band on northwest tour, playing college and ballroom one-nigh tiers. Ban Wilde renewed for a stay at the Hofbrau in San Diego. Four Sqnirea holding over for an- other month at the Town House, IMS Angeles.. AI Fremont at Show Boat, Pltts^ burgh, has had option picked up for four additional weeks. Outfit haa just signed with CRA through Joo Hlller. Lonia Amen, trick pianist back In Pittsburgh after doing cafe work In' New York for three years and la now organizing his own 10-plec* dance band. PanI Barton iMoked for on«- nl^ter at Bryn Mawr ballroom, Pittsburgh. Tuesday (25). Spot' haa been leased by AI Bonach. Smoky City promoter, for series of Tuesday nite dances with semi-names. Lawrence plays Willows; Pittsburgh. May 22 on a one-night stand. Ted Flo BIto'a orchestra booked into Ben Marden's Riviera. New Jer- sey, May 15. Larry Kent, currently at Blltmora Bowl, L. A., goes Into the Utah ho- tel In Salt Lake City May 27. Hnisy^BIareelllao'a newly formed band opens May 13 at Natatorium Parl^ Spokane. Jaek MoLean takes his orchestra into Bin Green's Casino, Pittsburgh. Il4ay 29. Jimmy Betas' orchestra replaced Stan Jacobsen's band at Sam PlcVa Club. Madrid. Milwaukee, last week, the latter shifting to the Chateau CIxA there„ Seger Ellis and His Choir of Brass opened a 22-day engagement at fh* Netherland Plaza's PavUioh Caprice^ Cincy. His wife, Irene Taykir, for- merly with Paul Whiteman's orch, ia singing. Ellis crew moves May S to the Van Cleve. Dayton. O., for a month and then Into the Nicolet Hotel, Minneapolis, for a run. Ted Lewis and his band opened a return engagement at Beverly HUlsb Cincy. Friday (14). Billy Snider and his Kentucky Colonels, local Cincy orch, are at the . Lookout House, nearby Ken- tucky night spot, for an Indef stay. Jane Blohmond, vocalist, formerly with Jimmy Dorsey and recently with Cab Calloway, Joined the And^ Kirk orchestra in Bowling Green, Ky., Monday (17). Anna Sosenko. manager of the singer Hlldegarde, has taken over management of the Rudolph Friml, Jr., orchestra. Gray Gordon orchestra Is booked almost solid until well Into 1940. Band opens at the Sir Francis Drak* Hotel, S. F., New Year's eve. Trianon Boom of the Ambassador Hotel, N. Y., closes for the summer May 2. Dick Gasparre and Vincent Bragale's band exit Claire Tapper, warbler and pian- ist at 500-CIub, New Orleans French Quarter nltery, signed by Shep . Fields. Annabella Graham, now singing with band, trains out to Chi- cago to become housewife.