Variety (Apr 1939)

^ Vedneada y, AprM 19, 1939 FORUM-'OUtDOORS VARIETY 6S WHAT THEY THINK Television EnU>iuri<ut Hew Brunswick, N. J. editor, Vawew: Vjunnr Is due lor a loss In pub- lie esteem and confidence unless it mends its ways and stops trying to ^rce down the throats of Its readers ohviously biased and Incongtuous itorles on the status of television In the U. S.. During the past year more than two dozen stories on tele- vision have appeared In your pub- lication, all of which have been In- jected with (a) ridicule; (b) scorn; (e) unwarranted skepticism; <d) igbvlotis attempt to debunk. One would gather from the f«re- midg that Vabiett la grinding someone's axe-^nd It positively is not In the Interest of the general public. Furthermore, VABiEnr Is not only •painting' Its television stories to ob- scure the definitely roseate future of this Infant Industry, "but goes out of Its way to enlarge,far out of pro- portion of their true worth states nents by the lunatic fringe' of the radio Industry which tend to put television in a bad light. VABiErr struck Its peak in devil- ish reporting with Its ^elevlsh's lk)uch OS story In the April 12 Is- sue. It was characteristic of the 'tTpe of biased articles on the sub- ject which are thoroughly unfair: VolMidy Is kidding anybody Into be- lieving television has arrived,'. the story sourly asserts. Well, five years ago that statement would have held water. Today it Is as silly to say telmrlslon basnt arrived as It la to say the silent screen Is due for a oomebacb. Television Is. here and .Its conunerclel possibilities are end- less. The fact that It Is stiU classed 'experimental' Is n6 fault of the tele- vision Industry. The Government ' could just as easily change that term to 'commercial' today—In the Inter- est of all concerned. ' One could go on endlessly. Take, for Instance, the statement that 'only one hour of television twice a wee^ Is In prospect What labout the five hours of film to be televised every ' afternoon (five days a week) so that dealers may exhibit their sets? What about the outside telecasts of of sports and general news events which MBC plans to send out during the sununer months? Four , years of news reporting on ^ subject have given me a clear insight on what Is being done. It la, therefore, a source of annoyance to see Vabiett' go to all extremes to give the new Industry an unwar- ranted black eye, and at the same time give showmen a tals^ picture of what television really means as ■n Indiistey, While I detest being placed In the letter-to-the-edltor* cIbss, In the In- terest of the general public, I feel this admonition should be published. Will fiattln. (Radlo-nieatre Editor).. (So good an auXhority as T.AM. Onven, member of the FCC .jvat lost .toeeh said again that television 1« still away. Vabiett has heard from t?ie above torlter on this theme lie/ore. Although he accuses this paper of bias against teletnsion, no fci/ormation ovalloble to Vabiett's uorld-wide newsgathering staff sup- tests on occasion for enthusiasm, More television news on Page 6.) Sez Sally Sand San Francisco. Editor, Vabieiy: In re your story of April 12, many statements contained In same are to- tally inaccurate and substantial proof of inaccuracies can be produced if desired. Proof of Golden Gate In^ teniatlonal Exposition's financial he^th is that their income more Hum covers overhead. More than sufficient staff and personnel in all departments is maintained. The only cuts that have been made were those that were indicated when the MnstrucUon period of the Exposl- non ended and the operating period began, at which time personnel and staff engaged in construction projects Were no longer needed. The gardening and upkeep of same far exceed in efficiency and beauty any other World's Fair at which I bave been present On kid days and weekends It is Impossible to keep all roadways and midways complete' ly clear, which has t>een the experl fince of every other exposition. I am a member of Concession- nalres* Association, also on Board of Directors and speaker of the Execu- te Committee of the Board. Con- Mssionnaires at this Exposition each and every one know that their money is held in escrow and that "ot one penny of It Is used. The Exposition has not been slow In pay- ing up. As a matter of fact many concessionnalres have been-advanced money ahead of settUng-up time, be- cause they needed it and at .no con- cessionnalreB* meeting bas there been any complaint whatsoever In connec- tion with settling up. I personally have received my money at any time or upon any day that I went to get It and the iaccoimts, were straight and even up right to the date. I respectfully request that the statement 'Sally Band's Nude Ranch. Is lagging and is said to have gone In the red one week recently,' be denied. The Nude Ranch is doing an average of 15% of the total Exposi- tion gate and, , on many days, It has been as high as 24%. The average percentage is brought down by the 'kids days,' as the Nude Ranch per- mits no minors. The Nude Ranch paid for Its «ntire investment the first three weeks of operation and has paid Its nut Its Fair percentage, and has made a very fine profit every week including Holy Week and the pasi week. I personally feel that such an ar- ticle does damage to show business In general, which I know Is- not the purpose or aim of Vabibtt, which has always been In the position of stimulating show business. ■Sallv Aand. Little Theatre's Talent Chicago. Editor, Vabieiy: In view of the dearth of dramatic theatres many people might wonder where the next generation of good actors Is to come from.' Outside of New York there are too few houses to enable an actor to make a living permanently In one place. Anyone who has seen the work of the Innumerable amateurs all over the country can say that It would be possible to cast A fairly good show from the non-pros of any fairly big city. On the whole the presenta- tion of amateur plays, even under rather good direction, may not be the best but the point is that there are always a few players In the cast who show genuine acUng talent It they were to be transferred to a piofesslonal stage they would not be out of place. In view of these potential stars, any fairly' serious amateur troupe Is worthy of Interest and attention whenev< they really feel they liave something.' - Carl Peterson. Jimmy Duffy's Mother's P.S. New York. . Editor, VAtam: I want to extend my sincere grati- tude for your prompt response to the correction, in reference to Jimmy Duffy's passing, and may I also^take advantage of your gradousness again to thank the hundreds of people for letters that have come to me slnte you published my address. I am not physically able to answer all the letr ters received, and the beautiful trib- utes from all over the country. Prov- ing he had a host of friends and ad- mirers. Many have asked about his age, as they had known him since a child They could not make it 50, as It ap- peared March 15, so set them right please—say he' was 47 the 1st of January. Margaret Sawtelle Duffy. Big Apple Eater Chicago. Editor, Variety: Will you please publish.that I am fast recovering from an operation and illness. You published an article some weelcs ago about Stan Kava naugh stating Bobby May told him Carson was - the - originator of the apple-eating trick. I wish , to state my friend, Bobby May, told him the truth. 'When William Morris, featured Counsel the Great I was eating ap' pies for Col. W. S. Butterfleld; when Fred Sa Herra was doing a mind reading act; when J.>Aldridge Libby made up as Buffalo BiU; when Gen, eral Ed La Vine was "The Man who has Soldiered all liis Life'; when Gus Williams told me to join the 'White Rats; when Terry Keaton was throw- ing Buster (>ver tables; when E. Frederick Hawley's The Bandit' was 'Held for Ransom,' and Mr. and Mrs. Robyns were "The Counsel for the Defense,' and many others. Henry Chesterfield called up Jesse Kaye about five years ago to stop a juggler using my trick who was be- ing submitted to him. They talked about my trick. I also called on Mr, Kaye and he told me he would pro tect me on that I have given one juggler permission to do a trick with a plate, napkin and eating one apple. This is the way I used to do thi trick at the supper show-when I could save my teeth tfud two apples. The original trick is with three apples. I will be back with you shortly eating one^ two or three apples as I please, as It Is my creation and I will thank you to publish thl& CTiorles B. Carson. European-Olympia Circus (STAPnni, CHICAGO) ■Chicago, April 19. Victorlo & Lorenzo, Four Krdn- ton«, waUe & Damby, Smiley & Smiley, The Yanters, The Great Rayno. The Great Alvarez, The Great Costica, Povier^ Elephants, Wong. Wen HaiTShona Hai Troupes, Pcroff Trio, Harold Voyse Co-,, Brenfffcs, Cedora, Naida & Perez, The Arleys, The Antelalcs. Edna Curtis & Christiansen, Petroff's Bears, The Great Fussner, Bianoffs, Gauehos, Cressonians, Pee Jay, tSon- roe & Grant, Rudy Rudynoff's Horses, Peerless Potters, Weber Bros. & Chotita, Crouch Trio, Ray Goody, Loyal - RapensM Troupe, WaUendas, The HeVktists, Zacchfiii. The Stadium made a ".eal with the. Barnes-Carruthers fair booking agency to build a circus for this 14,000-seat arena .and the result is a 16-day run, running 10 shows weekly with matinees Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. ^ This circus runs long .-.nd slowly. Several of the acts are standard, m vaudeville, , and where they clicked in vaude with proper lighting and musical support they miss here be- cause of divided attention, poor pro- duction and improperly .arranged music. The fault lies In the basic Impossibility of presenting vaude ac& in a general mlx-up of a circus. B. & C. also cannot "buuc the funda- mental faults of putting on an old- fa^oned circus for an audirace tuned to modem stage, screen and radio quality. After the grand entry, which is StiU in the 19th .centujy style of presentation, comes the i^ical open- ing acrobatic turns of Victorlo and Lorenzo, Four Krantons, WlUie and Damby, Smiley and Smiley and the Yanters. Small-time hand-to-hand Work and balancing. The Great Rayno and the Great Alvarez walk up an Inclined tight wire and slide down for mild results. One of the good flashes in the show is the Great 'ostlca, who does a fine Iron-jaw swing from the roof of the Stadium. Powers' Elephants are old-tlmey In routining. There are three Chi- nese acts, the Wong, Wen Hal and the Shahg Hal troupes. The latter is the most polished of the three. They all do hand-to-hand worlt jug- gling and the tisual contortion bits. Paroff Trio comes through-'with a good tum, working on a nigh perch and with unsupported, ladders. Stunts are rather repetitious, but the height on the stunt puts it across. Harold Voyse Co. works on aerial bars not too effectively. . Brengks tld gals do sbme posing. Cedora nms ti motorcycle Inside a. metaljdobe for a short flash that's okay, nouble here is that there's too much stalling before the act toes on and in between the stunts.' tuff like this n^ght be okay for a flash on fair grounds, but it.doesn't help a show that must have pace. Pole perch turns are Naida and Perez, tne Antelaka and the Arleys, all known in vaude; They do better on a stage. Same goes for James Evans, with his foot juggling; the juggling Robeys and the globe- roulng LIttlejohns. Three men and three women make up an act known as the Aerial Ballet Work on sup- ported ladders near the roof of the Stadium, and manage some acrobatic formations for a good-looking flash. With the dogs and ponies there are Edna Curtis and Cliristlansep, I>oth woefully dated and stilted Same goes for Petroff's Bears, Teeterboard work is clean-cut and polished and delivered by the Bian- offs, Gauehos and Cressonians. Gauehos stand out as best Pee Jay jumps a bicycle about 75 feet from an elevated incline into a tank of water, an okay quickie flash. From vaude are Monroe and Grant with their trampoline act but their usually solid tum gets little aid mu- sically or from production, and it fallen correspondingly. Rudy Rudynofl's Uberty horses are trained neatly, but haven't enough style. Peerless Potters are a flying act using set perches. Some good work here. On the tight wires are Weber Bros, and Chatita, Crouch Trio and in tlie center Ray Goody. Side acts all right but Goody fails to impress. Probably the best bet on the show is the Loyal-Repenski bareback troupe. Real stuff. Flash and clevei: showmanship make this outstanding. Can play anywhere. Also good are the WaUendas, from vaude, with their high-wire work, especially , with the bicycle balancing. The Hellkvists would also do better on the fair grounds, They put them- selves on fire and dive into a tank. Zacchini, who is propelled from , a cannon, also belongs at the fairs.- Top-priced seats at $2.20 are going slowly, while the cheap seats are doing weU. Gold. Frisco hf» Needs Less War News and More Warm WeaAer; Lodis for Hfidsomiiier Pkbp San Francisco, AprU 18. What the Frisco Fair seems to need Is Us8 war news and more warm weather. PhU Patcfain, major domo of the Standard OU of California, one of the Fair's godfathers. In a recent state- ment declared that by midsummer the Golden Gate International Ex- position should be out of the dumps. Statement was made by Patctaln when be was queried about the oU company coming through witti more cash in an effort to help the expo over the hurdles at this tinte. He admitted that the Fair had thrown open Its gates with considerable less money than was pledged by sutncrlb- ers. 'Expo had hoped to raise -$7,500,- 000 but instead, got only $6,400,000. Most of this money came from local business firms, individual donors, and from advance ticket sales. ' Shaving of personnel at expo, fol- lowing &e letdown which set in after first couple of weeks, has saved approximately $100,000 a moiitb. Last week $1,560 a month was lopped off the radio personnel when several technicians, including Les Hewitt -who supervised the installation of rtbdio equipment on the Island, an announcer and a producer were let out Patchln denied the report that the Expo was seeking a loan. He declared that new money is being sought through more pledges and donations. Rumor that expo company was op- erating on concessionaires' money was also scotched by' Patchln, who said that operators are getUng their cash promptly and in fuU. Patchln had, no statement to make when questioned as to whether or not there would be a drastic change in the expo management In an effort to sell Edwin Franko Goldman's band to San Franciscans, plans are being, made to have the band give a gala Sunday concert in the city's Golden Gate Park band stand. In exchange the Park band wiU be brought to the Sun Tower. Arrangements also have been com- pleted for NBC to broadcast a series of concerts by Goldman over a na- tionwide network. Cro-wds at the Goldman band are stlU pretty thin. The new Miss America show on the Gayway is now open. Fronting the show are barkers duded up in white suits and maroon shirts. Buck Jones is the only film name oh the .'Island. He is appearing In the new KIddyland concession and also at Grieenwich Village. Jones Is said to be set for the remainder of the Fair. Metro's Belssne Irks S. F. Some local kiclcs were registered with Metro on the reissue at this time of 'San Francisco,' the third biggest money maker this studio has turned out Picture has exag- gerated sequence built around the San Francisco earthquake. . 'San Francisco' -was withdrawn from cir- culation in 1937 and held for reis- suing during, the-current liicposition year. Its flrst showing here caused considerable of a controversy stirred up by the city fathers. Premiere of its . reissuance was staged on Treas- ure Island last week. J. J. Shubert's 'Ziegfeld FoUles of 1939' wiU follow the successful 'Folies Bergere' into the California Audi- torium on Treasure Island in alMut two weeks, but . the ToUes' manage- ment CUfford C. Fischer, is dicker- ing to stay oh Indef. Shubert show wlU be' produced by Nata- lia Kamarova, who produced the present' 'FoUes . ^rgere' and then walked out after an argument with Fischer. Upon checking out the end of tiie month, 'FoUes Bergere' heads south, where it may open at the El Capitan, Hollywood, «n a three-a- day basis with picture house appear- ances scheduled after that. In six weelcs Tolies Bergere' has played to 376,000 people or better than 26% of the total Fair attend- ance since the show opened. 'FoUes' has grossed better than $30,000 weekly. Impresario Fischer is try- ing to buy off Shubert's contract to open the 'Ziegfeld FoUIes' at the California Auditorium foUowing the 'Folies' 11-week run. Otherwise the 'Folies' may be moved to Festival Hall, if not going to Hollywood. 'Cavalcade of the Golden West' the 23-scene. spectacle at the expo, Is forging ahead .as a coin getter. 'Headless Girl' show is now being ballyhooed via a 100-foot sky streamer. Headed by Walter Sibley,- show is one of the best 10c draws on the Gayway. The 'Monte Carlo Secrets' spot near the "Headless Girl' lUusIon Is reported -to have been sold to an outfit who wIU InstaU a Sport- land Closing of "Mbnte Carlo Se- crets' is stiU surrounded with mys- tery. Roy Gardner, Post Office rob- ber, has been forced out of the Greenwich Village by G-men who didn't like bis prison-Ufe ediibit Concessionaires, including shows, rides and .caterers, took in $1,300,000 In the first six weeks. Nearly aU the shows have made their nut accord- ing to the Expo's concession depart- ment Despite objections by Japanese of- flcials that it 'conveys an exceedingly erroneous idea,' the Treasure Island exhibit of the State Division of Nar- cotic Enforcement picturliig Japan as the center of the narcotic traffic l)etween the Orient and the Pacific Coast has not been changed State officials Insist that the map and U- lustrations in the exhibit were "based on facts' submitted to the League of Nations. Japanese are doing every- thing possible to give the best inv- pression of their country possible. Chap, in charge of public relations is said to have an expense account of $600 a month to entertain the ^ight i>eople.' A Japanese troupe of dancing girls Is also bere under the aegis of the propaganda division of Tokyo. The Chinese Village, has reverted hs admission charge to 25c, which ended an experimental period of 'special days' during which the ad- mission had been reduced to 10c. At- tendance at the lower price was somewhat larger, but revenue did not Increase. Free exhibits and per-' formances now given in the VlUage justify the reversal to the former gate. This concession, along with the art exhibit Is In on a combo sou- venir ticket deal whereby a 60c pur- chase entitles you to admission to the Island and to either one of these exhibits. Probe Nudity, Gambling At Missouri State Fair St Louis, AprU 18. The manner In which the Missouri State Fair, In SedaUa, was con- ducted last faU Is under flre. Xiast week' Circuit Judge Dtanmltt Hoff- man instructed the grand jury In Sedalia to investigate reports of 'nudity, vulgarity and rank gamb- Ung.' ]ji charging the jury. Judge Hoff- man said he had been advised also that visitors were fleeced In gamb- Ung and that beer of a high alco- holic content was dispensed In vio- lation .of regulations. LINCOLN COMPETISH TOUGH Wonld Like te Begiilate Season* Be- tween Various BaUroems Lincoln, AprU 18. With the flrst weekend In. May, Turnpike Casino, danceiy here, goes 'off a regular weekend terp basis (three ni^its) and 'wiU only take name bands wben available through the summer. Has been on at least three nights weekly basis for more than nine months. Dicker is on between the dance lads here to arrange the competlsh Into, less deadly lines. Hope is that Harry King's ballroom, which is located in the Capitol Beach amuse- ment park, wlU take the 17-week summer months, then give tlie rest of the year to Pla-Mor and the "Turnpike, Instead of aU three going all year around Aerialist Hnit in Fall Buffalo, AprU 18. Ludwig. Beroslni, clown of the Berosini high-wire aerlalists, siis*' tained a fractured ankle and other injuries when he feU 20 feet from the wire to a wooden platform dur- ing a performance for the Shrine Circus at the Broadway Auditorium here this weelt. ..The Berosinis are Czechs, making their flrst appearance in tliis coun- try. They were admitted by the Im- migration authoriUes.only last week.