Variety (Apr 1939)

44 VARIETY UTERATI Wednesday, April 26, 1939 ' Newspaper Fubs In ConTcnUon Annual convention ot the Ameri- can Newspaper Publishers' Associa- tion, which opened yesterday (25) at the Waldorf-Astoria, N. Y., will con- tinue until Friday. Coincidental ses- sions being h^ld by the National Newspaper Promotion Association. Prior to start of the publishers' con- clave, the Associated Press held its annual meeting on Monday (24) also at the Waldorf-Astoria, and on Sat- urday (22) in Washington, D. C, the American Society of Newspaper Edi- tors concluded a three-day conven- tion with the election of new ofAcers. Highlight of the opening day of the American Newspaper Publishers As- sociation, convention yesterday was a preview by- members of. the N. Y. World's Fair, and dedication of a "Freedom of the Press' statue at the Fair grounds. Important evening tomorrow night ' (27) will be the anntial dinner of the Bureau of Advertising of the A. N. P. A. at the Waldorf-Astoria, at which George M. Cohan, U. S. Sen. Robert A. Taft, Mayor LaGuardia and 'Senator' Edward Ford will speak. General meetings by both the A. N. P. A. and N. N. P. A. will conclude the conclaves on Fri- day morning. Officers elected by the American Society of Newspaper Editors in Washington are Don J. Sterling, of the Oregon Journal, prez.; Tom Wal- lace; Louisville Times, 1st v.p.; M. V. Atwood, Gannett papers, 2d. v.p.; J. Roscoe Drummon'd, Christian Sci- ence Monitor, sec., and Dwlght Mar- vin, Troy Record, treas. Directors are Drummond, David lAwrence, U. S. News; Nathaniel R. Howard, Cleve- land News, and Gardner Cowles, Des Moines Register and Tribune. 'Wntherlng' Selling Extent to which Interest Is re- vived in a literary classic as the re- sult of its transfer to the screen is demonstrated by the Goldwyn pic- turizatloii of "Wuthering Heights.' Although the film has been on ex-. hibition only around a month, .it's resulted in the sale of more copies of the book during that period than in any five years since 'it was first published 92 years ago. First and second editions of the Blue Ribbon Books reprint already gone accord' ing to Freeman Lewis, of that firm, with a third edition on the press and a fourth contemplated. Grosset & Dunlat) have sold some 6,000 copies of their reprint of the book, with another printing now on ttie press. Dodd, Mead special film edition of the ston^ gone, and a second print- ing being readied. Modem Library edition is five times over previous sale. Libraries and even rental libraries report unusual demand for the book, and many sets of the Bronte works being broken up to supply demand tor 'Wutherlng Heights.' The Goldwyn film has also Inspired a stage dramatization for Broadway, opening tomorrow CRiursday). New Dodge of Dodge Dod^e Co., su^id of Robert Mc- Bride, has turned the old Street 4c Smith author trade name device to westerns, for the circulating li- braries, after a start at a $2 price. Flrin has purchased through Mun- sey's agency. Service, for Authors copies of old Argosy Weekly. Au^ thors are approached with ofler of flat sum for old serials, to be Issued under a trade name and with changed titles. Upon sale, yams are sawed down or expanded up to 60,- 000 words. Idea a nice surprise to writers who have westerns they'd never wanted to try for book form. Trademark and invented name tagged to books will belong to firm, Just as it has with S&S In mag and dime novel series—Nick Carter, Burt L. Standlsh, et al. Dodge editor, Critchell Rimihgton, formerly with John Day. Stanley Walker to PhlUy Stanley Walker, among the best known of N. Y. newspapermen, takes editorial charge of the Philadelphia Evening Public Ledger on Monday (1). Succeeds C. M. Morrison, who has resigned as editor and prez the newspaper. Walker most recently an editorial writer for the N. Y. Herald Tribune, on which dolly he's also served as city editor. In addition to holding dftwn many other important editorial Jobs in N. Y., he Is the author of a number of books and articles on the American scene and the newspaper profesh. ' Overseas Press Clnb Elects Overseas Press Club of America formally organized at a meeting Sunday (23) at the Hotel Algonquin, N. Y. Group, composed of former and present foreign correspondents for American newspapers, adoiprted a Sour Qiiiz . Several leading authors are planning a mutual bombardment of just the sort of how-do-you- ever - think - up-all-those-stories questions that they hate from the uninitiated. Crossfire will be the chief feature of a luncheon meeting of the Authors Guild, at the Midston hotel, N. Y, May 9. Only members will be admitted. Principals in the mutual tell- nle-all-about-it exchange will be John P. Marquand, last year's Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, and Stephen Vincent Benet, poet. Helen Hull, fiction writer, will be chairinan. According to the advance dope, the session is supposed to help writers mu- tually solve their problems of craftsmanship. constitution and by-laws, and elected officers. Wythe Williams, editor of Green- wich Time, elected prez. Other of- ficers are Irene Kuhn and Samuel Dashiell, vice-president; Charles Fer- lin, sec, and Joseph Shaplen, treas- urer. Executive board contains Eugene Lyons, Bob Davis, Ralph J. Frantz and. Harry J. Price. James H. Hare, dean of American foreign correspondents, who is now 83, elected honorary prez. Annual award for the best work of a foreign correspondent planned by the new organization. Geo, Backer's N. T. Post? Negotiations' tor the purchase by George Backer of the controlling in- terest In the N. Y. Post from J. David Stem are reliably reported. Deal Is unconfirmed by both parties, but stated by one of the Stem aides that an 'announcement' wIU be made shortly. Some members of the Post staff say that papers for the transfer were drawn up a week ago, and await Stem's return from Philadel- phia for signature. Stem is due back in N. Y. on Friday (28). Backer, a N. Y. City Councilman, is husband of the former Dorothy Schlfl, of the hanking family. He is active in the American Labor Party movement, and seen likely to pursue a liberal party, when and if taking over the daily. Post has been in financial difficul- ties on and off th'e past few months, acquiring loans to keep going. LITEBATI CHATTER The Roy Howarus back from EU' rope. Marie Belloc Lowndes back to liOndon. National Press Service formed by Samuel I. Sax. Charles A. Pearce has quit as edi- tor for Harcourt, Brace. Oliver St John Gogarty, the Irish scribbler, coming over soon. Rodney Wentle going to Mexico when he finishes his new book. Widow of Frank Ward O'Malley, Grace, wed to George A. Mohlman. Neglcy Farso'n in Africa on assign- ment for a series of newspaper pieces. Kenneth Watt In Hollywood on special writing assignment for Liberty. Sigmund Spaeth doing a book for Whittlesey House, to be called 'Mu- sic Is Fun.' John Hall Is doing an article on 'The Wizard of Oz' film at Metro for Good Housekeeping mag. - Charles Anderson In Charleston, preparing a volume on Paul Hayne and the Charleston literati. 'Sex in Business,' Russell Bird- well's second book, has been accepted for publication by Julian Messner. Julian Lee RaytSrd, poet and painter, Living in Woodstock, N. Y., old pal In the south of Jesse Stuart. Martin Mooney sold his book, 'Cobra of Crime,' to Lyman House, San Francisco, for publication June 15. Christopher Hale, whose lilurder on Display' has just been issued by Doubleday, Is really Frances M. R. Stevens. Tibor Koeves In.N, Y. to close with Houghton' Mifflin for the publication of a book to-be called 'Time Table for Tramps.' Al Martin compiling a collection of the late Al Bbasberg's screen and radio scripts under the title, 'He Left Us Laughing.' Walter Scott .Meriwether,,the flc- tioner, publishes a country weekly when not putting fanciful "things down on paper. Walter S. Campbell, whose 'Pro- fessional Writing' has just been pub- lished Is better known as. Stanley Vestal, scribbler. G. E. R. Gedye In N. Y. for a brief stay, accompanied by Mrs. Gedye and his sec, Mrs. Alice Lepper. His first visit to the town. •Today At the Fair* N. Y. World's Fair wUl have its own newspaper, Today at the Fair. A tab, it will sell for a nickel and will be on sale at the Fair grounds and at newsstands throughput the city. Will carry news and pictures of special events and exhibitors at the Fair. Publisher is Patmal Programs, headed by Ii. T,- Mahoney. He's formerly of the N. Y. Times. Inside Staff Newspaper New national weekly newspaper, giving the lowdown on events, after the fashion of Ken, projected by a new publishing orgaiUzatlon, Noram Publishing Co. Has sent out a call for 'inside stuff' material, and par- ticularly desirous of contribs from newspapermen. Noram Co; recently put out an ah breviated edition of Hitler's 'Mein Kampf in tab newspaper form. UteraU Obits James O'Flaherty, 69, publisher of the Bronx (N. Y.) Home News, died Wednesday (19) after a seven- month illness. Founded the paper in 1907 as a weekly serving the Bronx, one of the five boroughs of N. Y., and saw it expand rapidly into a semi-weekly and, in 1922, into a seven-day dally covering the Bronx and upper Manhattan. Unique suc- cess of the paper as a neighborhood news medium within the metropoli- tan city gained the daily a national reputation. Native New Yorker, O'Flaherty served on the old N. Y. Daily News before starting the Bronx paper. Widow and two sisters survive. Homer Sheridan, 71, former news- paper reporter and, at the time of his retirement a year ago, circula tlon promotion manager of the N.Y. Journal-American, died on Wednes- day (10) at' hlis home. Walter Jndd Scott, 73, veteran newspapenhan and former cable edi- tor of the Associated Press, died Saturday .(22) in Union City, N. J., of arthritis. Born-in Byron, Mich,, Scott began his newspaper career on the Toledo Blade. Besides his work for AP, he had also been con- nected with the old N. Y. World and the Poughkeepsie Press. Sister sur- vives. MARRIAGES Velma McCall to Jerry Hausner, In Los Angeles, April 18. She's secre- tary to Lum and Abner, of radio; he's a radio and stage.player, Valerie Hobson to Anthony Have- lock-Allan, In London, April 12. Both are British film players; Martha Reidel to Lawrence Kelly, in Detroit, April 22. He's spieler and head of transcription department at WXYZ, Detroit Vera Maher to Gordon Hughes, in Mexico City, April 21. Both are with NBC in Chicago, Hughes as a drama producer and she as secretary, to night traffic supervisor. Elnora Poppens to Carl Lindbom, In Marinette, Wis., AprU 10. He's arranger with Howard Kraemer's orchestra. Annabella to Tyrone Power in Los Angeles April 23. Both are film players. Jessie Piatt non-pro, to J. G. Rountree, engineer at WRAP, Fort Worth. Wanetta Simpson, non-pro, to Leonard Sayre, engineer at KGKO, Fort Worth. Jayne Ward, non-pro, to Hilery Belles, engineer at KGNC, AmariUo, Texas. Mrs. Mary Lee Idling Hartford to Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., in Los An- geles, April 22. He's the film player. BIRTHS Mr. and Mrs. Dan Stoddard, daugh- ter. In Glendale, Cal., AprU liB. Father Is with Paramount Mr. and Mrs. Sal Victor, daugh- ter, in Atlantic City, April 14. Father's with the Buddy Russell Trio, at the Roosevelt hotel, Pittsburgh. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Merldan, son. In Pittsburgh, April 17. Father's an engineer for KQV, Pitt Mr. and Mrs. Al Capstaff, daugh- ter, April 19, in Los Angeles. Father is NBC engineer. Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Brlnton, daughter. In Pasadena, AprU 21. Father manages United Artists the- atre, Inglewood, Calif. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Seal, daugh- ter. In San Francisco, April 18; Father Is production manager for KPO and KGO. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Hol- llngsworth in AmariUo, Texas, son. Father Is cn staff of KGNC. Mr, and Mrs. Adolph Schimel, daughter. In New York, April 22. Father is attorney for Universal . OBITUARIES MILLIE BCTTEBFIELD MUlle Butterfleld, retired actress, was found dead in her hotel apart- ment New York, AprU 19. Niece of the late Maj. Gen, Daniel A. But- terfleld, she came from Utlca, her birthplace, at 16, to act as hostess for her uncle. Among notables he entertained were the late King Ed-, ward VIII, Grand Duke Alexander and Queen Liliukolanl of Hawaii. Miss Butterfleld won several beau- ty contests in her day. Although her iincle frowned upon the stage, - she essayed many roles and was cast with Otis Skinner in 'Sancho Panza,' with Grace George in the 'Ruined Lady' and with LOu TeUegen in 'Don Juan'. She was the daughter of Theodore Butterfleld, mayor of Utlca in the '705, and her grandfather was one of the founders of the American Ex- press Co., and also of the New York, Albany and Buffalo Telegraph Co, which was later absorbed by Western Union. Her husband died some years ago. HERMAN FINCK Herman Finck, 66. composer and musical director, who* wrote scores ot popular melodies and Ught opera airs during his 29-year tenure as conductor at the Palace theatre, Lon- don, died in that city AprU 21 after a long iUness. A native of London, he studied music as a boy aiid was soon en- gaged as pianist and vioUnist at the Palace In 1892. Four years later he was named conductor and remained in that post untU 1921 when he became musical director of the Thea- tre Royal, Drury Lane. An associate of Sir Alfred Butt he was an exceptionally prolific composer, hhying more than 600 compositions to his credit Among his more prominent works were the operettas, 'Moonshine,' 'Hiawatha' and 'Decameron Nights.' In 1921 he coUaborated with Elsie Janis on the score of 'It's All Wrong,' a London revue that ptaffed Miss Janis. 1 ABTHUK BLOCK Arthur Block, 39, treasurer of the Windsor theatre. New York, flnd brother of Jesse Blqck, of the com- edy team of Block and Sully, died April 23 of pneumonia In a I^. Y. hospital As a . youth he worked in box- offices of N. Y. Yiddish theatres and later was employed similarly In PhUadelphia legit houses. He once produced a Yiddish film. The Can- tor's Son.' More recently had served as treasurer on the boxofflce staffs of Alex Yokel. The Group theatre and George Abbott Surviving also are his widow, Mrs. MUIie Block; a son, Ronald, and two sisters. . ANNA HUDEB KEENAN . Mrs. Anna Huder Keenan, 59, dancing instmctress, died at. her home in PhUadelphia A^rU 17 after a year's Ulness. Mrs. Keenan and her son, Walter, for years were a stage dancing team, both in this country and in Europe, appearing with various name bands. More recenUy Mrs. Keenan and her son had operated a dance studio in PhUadelphia. She was a former v.p. of the Dancing Masters of Amer- ica and the PhUadelphia Dancing Masters Assn. Her son is dance di- rector of the University of Pennsyl- vania's Mask and Wig Club. Her widower, Walter F, a retired bond broker, who managed the studio, also survives. LEANDBO CAMPANABI Leandro Campanarl, 79, who In his childhood had been a violin prodigy, died in San Francisco April 23 after an operation. For a time he was director of orchestral con- certs at La Scala, Milan. He also toured Europe and America with his own string quartfet A contemporary of Puccini, he made his American debut In 1881 with the Boston Symph and later became professor of violin at the New England Conservatory. Since 1907 he had been a resident of San Francisco, where he taught violin and voice. LENA LOVENBERG Mrs. Lena Lovenberg, believed to have been Ihe first woman cornetist In America, died after a prolonged illness at her home in Bridgeport Conn., AprU 19". For six years she toured wUh the RIngling Bros, circus and at one time also appeared with Weber and Fields. Daughter of Charles Loven- berg, an associate of B. F. Keith, she was of the second of three genera* tlons to have been on the stage. Surviving are two daughters, Ade- laide and Esteile. Services were held Saturday (22) and burial followed in Bridgeport. WILLIAM RANDALL WilUam Randall. 62, author and radio, film and legit player for more than 35 years, died In EUzabeth, N. J., AprU 22, after a three-month illness. He appeared in pictures during the Industry's pioneer days as weU as stock " companies and nomerous Broadway productions. More re- cently he had confi'ned his acting to radio sketches and occasionally wrote detective Stories. Survived by a sister, Gertrude Randall, of California. RAFAEL NAVAS Rafael Navas, 54, who retired as a concert pianist 15 years ago,-died April 20 in Leroy Sanatorium, New York, after a short Ulness. A Span- lard by birth, upon termination ot ills career owing to impaired hearing he became a real estate operator. He had toured the major European capitals with leading orchestras and. was once decorated by ex-King Al- fonso, before whom he had played. Survived by widow and a son. EDGAR MIDDLETON Edgar MIddleton, 44. dramatist and author, died in London,' April 10. Originally a journalist, he became well known with his first play, *P6tI. phar's Wife,' which aroused consid- erable controversy and. was banned in some places. He wrote some sketches for a re- vue but they were banned, so ha published them in book form under the title,. "Banned By the Censor.' At his demise he was collaborating on a film biography of Queen Mary. CLABA SEINDLEB Clara Selndler, pianist, wife ot Carmen Rossi, Akron tenor, died AprU 16 In New York following an operation. Well known as a pianist, Miss Selndler had studied in Berlin as a student of Josef Lhevinne. She had lived in N. Y. In recent years whUe her husband continued his operatic studies and singing engage- ments. He's- the only immediate survivor. LEO DBTDEN Leo Dryden, 75, composer and Eng- lish music haU trouper of the 'OOg^ died AprU 21 at the Artists' Benevo- lent Home, London. Once a performer in the same com- pany that Included Charlie Chaplin's mother, he's said to have taught the comedian to walk when C^harUe was a tot He composed "The Miner's Dream of Home,' popular tune ot those times. SOTEROS D. COCALIS Soteros D. Cocalis, 52, who oper- ated motion picture theatres In New Jersey, New York City and Long Is- land, died AprU 22 in a N. Y- hos- pital after an operation for Intestinal trouble. A native of Greece, he came to the U. S. in 1906 and entered the film business in 1917. ' Details in the picture section. FLORENCE L. PABKEB Mrs. Florence I,amont Parker, 63, vaude and legit performer, who re- tired 15 years ago, died of a heart at- tack ApjrU 17 at her home in New York. Mrs. Parker, who appeared for 19 years on the legitimate stage as weU trouping in'vaudeviUe for five years, was the widow of Charles Parker, prominent In Boston society. CORNELIUS DONA VAN Cornelius (Con) Donavan, 70, Pittsburgh stagehand, who was weU known in theatrical circles in that tity for more than 45 years, died at his home there last week after • short Ulness. He retired from active work al- most a decade ago. WALTER HELDMAN Walter Heldman. 43, vice president of the Newark, N. J., Local 21, Inter- national AUiance of Theatrical Stage Employees, died at his home in Ir- vlngton, N. J., last week following a six-month iUness. Widow, a sister and brother sur- vive. GORDON THOMPSON Gordon Thompson, 35, producer of the Rudy VaUee program, died of a heart attack in Hollywood, April 19. (Continued on page 46)