Variety (Apr 1939)

Wednesday, Aprtt 26, 1939 CHATTER VARIETY 45 Broadway Herb Cruikshank quite ill again. Bob ODonneU in from Dallas on periodic visit Delos Chappell returned from short stoy in Denver. Austin Keough will be back in two weeks from southern trip. The Hartmans have an RKO film deal on with Pan Berman. Bill Danziger sails Saturday (6) for Havana for two weeks. Sam Taylor has returned from San Francisco and is working «n a play. Anne Graham returning to Lon- don will be replaced by Hillary Brook in 'Set to Music' The Gus Fleischmanns (Virginia Smith) getting tired of the country and moving back to midtown. Bill Miller, agent to the Coast on business in connection with Shuberts' new musical at the Frisco Expo. Morris Green, formerly manager of the Longacre theatre, now operat- ing the Dyckman bowling alleys. Sara Allgood, signed for Sidney Howard's untitled new play, sails for Ireland late this week, to be gone unUl faU. John Balaban and Walter Immer- man of Balaban'& Katz in from Chi- cago to discuss Par product with Neil Agnew. Bela Lugosl to the Coast and Uni- versal. He arrived in N. Y. from Europe midweek, hurrying to the studio pronto. Pat Harrington of Jack White's Club 18 zany tribe hais waxed an en- tire album-full of Irish 'come-all- ye's' for Decc& Eddie Edelson, ex-Grosset & Dun- lap, who used to handle film contacts for the book publishers, in voluntary bankruptcy. Owes )S,146: assets, $375. Hazel Flynn and Blanche. Merrill co-authored liow Heel Shoes,' which Lulu McConnell did on the last RCA Magic Key broadcast over NBC. Dorothy Fletcher, - formerly asso- ciated with Adrlenne Morrison, heads the play department of the Ann Watkins agency effective next week. Oscar Morgan, Paramoupt's new Southern dl^ion manager at the home office left his Great Dane in Atlanta but brought the pet cat up North. S< N. Behrman, whose 'No Time for Comedy' is solidly entrenched at the Barrymore, is figuring on leaving soon to vacation on the Coast or in England. Stephen Slesinger, publishers' rep- resentative, wilT arrive from the Coast Friday with manuscript of Zane Grey's utest novel based on the life of George Washington. Monroe Greenthal and Al Mar- golles to the Coast on Friday <28) to arrange details for UA's annual sales convention which opens May 8 at the Los Angeles Ambassador. Mrs. Esther Root Adams, wife of Franklin P. Adams (F. P. A.), has bought a large house' and leO-acre property in Newtown, Conn., some miles from Adams' manse in Weston. Maxwell Anderson is working on a new straight play. Also has a mu- sical in mind. Both would be for next season production by th? Play- wrights Co. Albert Johnson, who designed Billy Rose's Aquacade for the N. Y. Fair, will leave in a few days for a short vacation at Charleston, S. C. His summer and fall ttlans are un- certain. Hume Cronyn biack from his Ja- - maica vacash and a visit to the Dominion Drama Festival at his hometown, London, Ont He joins the Skowhegan, Me, strawhat troupe in mid-May. Sidney SL Fleischer, Dramatists ' Guild attorney and motion picture sale negotiator, leaves Saturday (29) for a vacation of two or three weeks to recuperate from his recent ap pendectomy. After 25 years a Broadway agent, Sam Lyons' new address is on Madi- son avenue, hence his soliloquy "Now that all my actors are on Park avenue, the least I could do is move over near them.' David Ffolkes, currently designing sets and costumes for the Shake- spearean Globe theatre show in the Merrie England concession at the New York World's Fair, goes home to England late in May. Hell be married there and return to N.Y. during July. ing trumpet for Vincent Travers now. Benny Street, former op of 1214 Club here, reported to have leased swanky Town Casino in Miami for next winter. Catherine Littlefleld ballet group scattered for the summer, with some in strawhat theatres and others at the World's Fair. Joe E. Lewis doing plenty of hop- ing since small quantities of oil have been discovered on some land he owns in Florida. Federal Theatre projecteers cur- rently rehearsing Moliere's 'Would- Be Cientleman,' hoping to again take over the Walnut Prospects for a lOth season of al fresco concerts in Robin Hood Dell by men of Philly Orch, which looked jretty blah a month ago, now seem iopeful. John Martin, former boss at t>hil- adelphia I.edeer, now is publishing the Philadelphia Shopping Guide. Plan first issue May 5, wini nearly 400,000 circulation. John L. Butler is assisting Bilartin. Guide will be standard newspaper in size. By Hal Cohen Charlie Riley and the family have gone to St Petersburg for a month's stay. Mike Gusikoff has resigned as concert-master for the Pittsburgh Syroph. Tony Vincent got a smashed hand when truck rammed Into his car on Film Row. Rose-Room Boys into their second straight year at Ed Harold's Jack- town hotel. Vince Sortinos — he's trumpet player \p. Stanley's house crev^—ex pect an image. Ex-sportswriter Jess Carver re- turning to Conneaut Lake this sum- mer as spot's p.a. Morty Henderson's brother, Har- old, named manager of Ross Fed- eral office in Omaha. Gabe Rubin reissuing "Moonlight Sonata' at Art Cinema to coincide with Paderewaki's concert here. Playhouse director Fred Burleigh stepped into cast of "Meet My Sister' last week when Jules Pross fell OL Kay (Mrs. Bemie).Cummins going to her parents' homis In New York next month to await the stork In July. / By Herb OoUen Warners booking "Professor Mam- lock^ into a few of its houses. Van Iievls' wife s tiing for divorce. Betty Jo, of WIP's Radio Bangers, doubling on a sustainer at WCAM. Louis Couzoff, manager of Jack Lynch's bar, recouping from pneu- monia. Ben Alley, ex-WCAU warbler, making his first nitery appearance at 1523 Locust . Shirley Lee, KYW chlrper, added to Walton Roof .Tropical Bar show. Formerly with Red Nichols. Al Datz, fomerly arranger with Del Regis* band, arranging and toot- London Chicago Joey Stool tussling with tough spring cold. Niles Trammell In for chats with NBC customers and execs. J. D. Gortatowsky In town for gen- eral 0.0. of Hearst situation. Nate Blumberg renewing old ac- quaintances while here to' Univer- sal meet Max Turner locked out of bis house. His wife and Ud are quaran- tined with measles. Irving .Yates in town to set up new talent department at Consolidated Radio ArUsts office. June Travis and Irene Castle now rate as town's top famine space- crackers in the dailies. (jeorge RUey, now recouping at home in Rochester, N.Y., due to head for Coast convalescence In a few Weeks. Kansas CBy By Joka QbIbb Town showered by unusually heavy rains past two weeks. Ground broken and foimdatlon set for Universal Films' new building. Frank Dalley^d orch In at the Terrace Grill for two-week spell. Replaces Clyd e McC oy. Don Davis, WHB prexy, coitflning himself ta his home for 10 days after being exposed to the mumps. Ben Marcus, ext^ange manager, will take his four salesmen tb° the annual Columbia convention at the Drake, Chi, May 14. Neal Agnew, Par v.p. and ■ g.m., stopped over for conference with Ralph LiBeau and Arthur Cole at the local exchange en route to N.Y. Joe Redmond, Esquire; Jim Long, Plaza; Lew Sponsler, Waldo, and Sam Naster, Lincoln, only Fox man- agers unchanged by recent shuffling of personnel. Twice-ToM (Continued from ^age 1) •Polo Joe,' although it's strictly a rac- ing yarn, and earlier this season it was released as a musical under the title Of '(joing Places.* Flood of remakes Is attributed in the trade, Including by exhibitors, to the efforts of producers to keep down story costs by availing themselves time and again of properties that have once or twice before served their purpose. Some of the pictures on which remakes are based were big b.o. attractions when originally released, but In their carbon form have been poor. The remake divi- sion, however, also Includes a list of films that were no great shakes when originally made and still aren't Clare Greet left $10,645 esUte. Sam Smith to the south of France. J. L. Sachs in hospital for observa- tion. Jack Jackson to tour a vaudeville show. Pola Negri in town from the Con- tinent . Jack Eggar's daughter an appen- dix victim. Ken Harvey to' Holland for three broadcasts. Walter Hackett has just completed a new play. The Bo Brummels to Milano,. Italy, for vaudeville dates. Max Berman and sons launching new offices in Paris. Jack Jackson making initial trip' to New York in June, just for the visit Charles Laughton adding scenes to 'Jamaica Inn' for American show- ing only. . ; Frances Day and Bud Flanagan are godparents to Val Guest's new- born son. Simpson's Marionets booked for the Savoy hotel in June by Eric Wollheim. 'Jamaica Inn,' Laughton-Pommer's third film, preeming at Regal, Marble Arch, May 12. 'Magyar Melod/,' the renamed 'Paprika' musical, is .laid to have lost over $126,000. Joyce Bros, and Dean have split with Bobby Joyce doing double act with Sylvia Dean. Oscar Homolka due to go to Amer- ica soon. Intends to stage play on Broadway in the fall. Harry Foster, on an 11-day bout of hiccoughing was on the danger list Now recovering. Sacha Gultry has completed new film script, which he has titled, "Those Nine Bochelors.' Harry Green going into the cos- metic business in London. Also try- ing to stage comeback. Walter Mycroft dickering for film ri^ts of 'Heaven and Charing Cross' for Associated British Pictures. Fraiik Neil finally in London after several postponements. Talent scout- ing for Tivoli Theatres. Australia. Despite rumors to contrary, Ben Goetz is definitely returning to do more British pictures here for Metro. Stephen Haggard's 'Weep for the Spring' opens out-of-town May 8, coining to the West End soon after. Charles Munyard, former Para- mount vaudeville booker, has joined Dave Marks (Richard & Marks) office. Charles L. Tucker will cut his N.Y. visit, whence he sails April 27, to a fortnight Had intended to stay four weeks. Barry O'Brien has .bought the touring rights of Max Catto's thriller, They Walk Alone,' current at the Shaftesbury. . Billie Ryan (Mrs. Ed Ryan) star- ring in 'Galleon's Gold,' trying out at the Rlchniond. Show may come to the West End. Tim Whelan to do another for Irv- ing Asher-Columbia at Denham 'stu- dios, as yet untitled, with Roland Pertwee scripting. 'Made for Each Other' grossing best business for UA at London Pavilion since UA acquired house about five years agol Calgary Bros, due to appear at the Paramount N.Y., May 10, but may postpone It negotiations for a West End show materialize. Harry Ham to give up charge of Myron Selznick.office here since he can't prevail upon his missus to come over and settle In England. Hsrams Bros, disposed of picture theatre site in Kingston, London suburb, to Sidney Bernstein, who will erect another Granada. Anmer Hall presenting Third Party Risk,' by Gilbert Lennox, at St Martin's Blay 2, starring Nora Swinburne and John Wyse. Cafe Anglais, one of West End's landmarks, and for years known as The Cavour, will shortly be razed and made into a dance hall. David Bums given starring role with Tommy Trlnder in former Fred and Adele Astaire musical, 'Funny Face,' being made by Associated British. The De Marcos were practically signed to follow Paul Draper, booked at the Cafe de Paris for five weeks, but it's reported their demands were too high. Erich Ponuner to New York May 4, taking print of 'Jamaica Inn' with him, to snow to Paramount which releases aU Mayfiower pictures in America. 'Quiet Wedding,' which closed at Wyndham's last week, returns to the Piccadilly at cheap prices following its tour. It will replace 'French Without Tears.' Bela Lugosi, who recently finished "Dark Eyes of London' for Argyle Films, sails for New York AprU 15, but may come back to star In Alex- ander Dumas' "The Vampire' for the same company. 'Jesse Jaines' scheduled for West End opening" at the Gaumont Hay- market June 2, but may hove to go to another Gaumont-British house if business holds up there with 'Wuthering Heights.' Associated British Pictures dick- ering with Lee Ephralm and Jack Hulbert to film 'Under Your Hat' the Palace hit musical, in which lat- ter is star with Cicely C^ourtneidge, and former is producer. Frank Lawton is recruiting younger actors Into the Queen's Westmin- sters. Already in, to name a few, are Hugh Williams, Harold French, John Gillespie, Peter Madren, Guy Middleton, Nigel Patrick and Ron- ald Ward. Brian Desmond Hurst to direct "The Night of the Fire,' adaptation from F. L. Greene's best-seller of that name, for G. & S. Productions, with Cliarles Woolf having financial interest in film. Pat Kirwln has done the script Despite European scare, Gilbert Miller going ahead with two more shows for the West' End. These are 'Sixieme Atage,' (Sixth Floor') and ■Le Vale Maitre' ('Bridge King'). Former being adapted In English by Rodney Ackland. The Warning,' British National picture, which was produced from idea by Arthur Dent, is being used extensively for recruitiiig purposes, under government sponsorship. It is estimated that at rate recruits are coming in, picture will be respon- sible for having helped to get over 100,000 men. Paris By Unco Speck Elmer Rice in. Maurice Gleize to Africa. Fine Easter Week weather, hurt cinema box offices. Roger Dann oui of Folies Bergere revue due to illness. Jean Doyen in from Berlin and off on North African tour. Germaine Montero topping new Chez Agens Capri nitery otteiine. Pierre Stephen signed with Abel Gance for part In 'Christopher Co lumbus'. Ludwig Berger to I.ondon to make Thief of Bagdad,' which Marc Al- legret nixed. - Jean Gabin and Vivlanne Romance named by French theatre operators as I>est draws In 1938. Maria Dea, newcomer in films, given, lead femme role by Robert Siodmak for his 'Pieges'. 'Demain Tout Ira Bien' ('Tomor- row Everything Will Be Better') will be Leonlde Moguy's.next 'Intransigeant' publishinK story of 'Jesse James' by Georges Vachellerle concurrently with filnvs release. Abel Gance commencing 'Paradis Perdu' ('Lost Paradise'), starring Ffrnand Gravet and Elvire Popesco. Jeanne Aubert translatin/; and adapting English play in which she says she's star. Keeping title a secret 'You Can't Cheat an Honest Man*' called 'A Day at the Races' here. That was a title of a Marx Bros. film. Alfred Rhode to remake 'Danube Bleu' following buminf; of only Its negative In Saint Cloud laboratory fire. New film snatching racket has ap- peared where reels are stolen from small houses and ransom demanded for return. Maurice Diaman-Berger has writ- ten play which Is scheduled to be Sroduced at the Marigny theatre, 'o tiUe selected yet Vivlanne Romance will star In French version of Zola's "Nana' to- wards end of the year. Jean Renoir mentioned as director. Hatcel Archard, Mare Allegret and Jean Lustie winding up . adaptation of "Le Conalre,' which Charles Boy- er will cocimence In June when he returns from America. Hollywood Bela Lugosi back from London. Phyllis Povah in from Broadway. Al Jolson fishing in Mexico waters. Colin Tapley back from New Zea- land. Polly Moran recovering from ill- ness. Leo Spitz in from Florida for two weeks, Bert Gilroy scouting locations near Sonora. L B. Kornblum laid up by auto accident Albert Lewln at his desk after ear operation. Wallace Beery flew to Wyoming on vacash. Arthur Byron here on annual Equity tour. CariroU Peacock recuperating from heart attack. Harriet Hilllard In from Broadway for film work. (3eorge Joseph in from Manila to gander studios. Tom Moulton on the job after three months' illness. E. Y. Harburg returned from Mex- ican motor tour. Herman Sims at his desk after West Indies tour. Lulse Ralner setUed traffic dam- age suit for $500 by proxy. She's cuiTcntly abroad. Bert Lahr building a home In Coldwater Canyon. Hobart Boswortb up and around after six we^' Illness. Mozelle Brltton recovering from injuries In motor crash. Bessie Love suing William B. Hawks for back alimony. Walter Brennan to be governor's guest' at Kentucky Derby. Alice Brady and Small Co. scttied their dispute out of court Basil Rathbones tossed benefit party for Hollywood Guild. U. S. tax collector asked Maxie Rosenbloom for $3,499 more. Walt Disney checked In after three'weeks in Philadelphia. Charles Ruppert changed hla screen name to Charles Blake. Bette Davis and Miriam Hopkins back to work after flu attacks. Two hundred friends threw a teatl- monial dinner for Jack Gross. Dorothy Devore returned to pic- tures after six years In Europe, Bill Holmes upp^ to chief editor of Foy productions at Warners. Ned Brown re-pacted as head of Famous Artists story department Iselin Auster new assistant to Mu- ton E. Schwarzwald. at Universal. Stan and Illlana Laurel settled their financial quarrel out of court .Ivan Kahn tossed a party for MIscha Elman at HUlcreai Country club. Frank Morgan writing 800 words on motion picture history for En- cyclopedia Brltannlca. By Lea Eeea Parl-mutuel racetrack bill killed by state legislature. Charlie Isaacs, Hollywood gag man, visiting parents here. Wife of Joe Behan, Warner's head booker, out of hospital. Leo Morgan here from Boston to produce Wayne King show at Or- pheum. Gayety, Harry Hirsch's stock burlesque house, to close its spring, season Friday (20). Udell GUI, Farmlngton, Minn., ex- hibitor. In St Mary's hospital here with throat ailment. Benny (aoodman to play one-night dance stand May I at Coliseum, mid- way between Minneapolis and St Paul, under sponsorship of group of U. of Minnesota students. South Africa By H. Hanson War scare hasn't hit show business here. Due to the success of the French picture, 'Mayerling,' Gallis flli.is be- coming populr here. African Cotis. Theatres building 1,000-seat luxury cinema at Wyn- biero (Tape Town suburb. Rufus Press, South African imper- sonator, reported to go shortly to London and New York. Says he has dates there. Otto W. BoUe, manager for 20th- Fox here, says he's arranging to ac- quire four new picture houses in the C^pe Town suburbs. A pro-Cjerman ineml>er of South African Parliament wanted the March of Time's 'Refugee' clip banned, due to carrying propaganda against a 'friendly state.' The Min- ister of the Interior stated he had no power to ban a film if it had been passed by the Censor Board. New Haven By IUr«ld M. Bene Sunday vaude a hefty cUdc at Arena. D'<)yly Carte had season's biggest week at Shubert Jan Peerce due at Shubert In 'Rigoletto' May 7. Arena brings In Perry-Budge In- door-tennis Blay S. Frank WIrth circus under K. of C. auspices here this wcdc (24-29), J. Harold Murray due to Operate nearby Clinton strawhat this year. Yale drama repeats hit musical "Here We Go Agahx' for China re- lief Dan Cununlngs and Jim Brennan getting about afwr serious auto crash couple of months ago. . Armand Zimmerman, local aiitbor of prlze->wliinlii£ play In drama tour- ney, lost his mother the nUht be- fore winning cup. . Thornton Wilder had three plays on local boards last week; 'Our Town' at Shubert and two one-act entries in cl^ drama tourney. Battle Players, Dlxwell Players, Guilford Players, Cliancel Players finished In that order in 12th annual drama tourney. fer George Pierce Baker cup. Sydney By Erie Gerrlek 'Alexander' (20tb) Is smash In the nabes and stix here. Buster West and. Lucille Page a click for Tivoll. Ruth Craven also. Epidemic of measles headaching .film theatres in Melbourne and Vic- toria. In the Southern industrial spots Metro's Toy Wife* took the count from the mobs. Tttp kid star here Is Mickey Roo- ney. 'Hardy* series set him way up as b.o. draw and 'Boys Town' cinched him. Unl has just completed a deal cov- ering 1939 product with Hoyts for Sydney and Melbourne nabes. Great- er Union cops the city runs. Cast presenting revival of "Waltz Dream* for Au<trallan-New Zealand theatres Includes Bemlce Claire, Ma- rie Bremner, Helene Denizen. Jack Arthur, Don Nichol, Melton Moore, Maryon Dale and Marie Le Varre, aicks here include *CItadel* aa-G), 'Stablemates' (M-G). "Great Waltz' (M-G), "Kentucky* (20th), 'Mr. Chcdworth Steps Out* (BEF), 'Dawn Patrol' (WB). 'St Martin's T,ane' (Mayflower). 'There's That Woman Again' (Col) and "Pygmalion' (G-B).