Variety (May 1939)

Wedn^ay, May 10, 1939 CHATTER VARJETY S3 Bob Gillham's girth has.come down • bit Dick Lamarr In from Hollywood for visit Donald Randolph to summer In Hollywood. Bob Powers back to his Par office af ier illness. Lep Solomon devised World's Fair feather buttonlere. Jim Finn back after trips to Chi- cago and the Coast. Charles Tucker, London agent. In town scoutinK talent Harold Hadley has finished a com- edy. Don't Be Silly". Ole Olseii's daughter better after week's hospitalization. The BKO Harry Mandels will visit the Frisco Fair in June, Bill Lawrence, Par realty execu- tive, has an infected mitt. E .Paul Phillips and Joe Cooper are back from the midwest Judge Hymie Bushel flew to Cali- ' fornia on quick business trip. Harry Rubin is out of the hospital after an operation on his nose. Richard P. Leahy, exhibitor of Bay City, Mich., in to o-o the Fair.' Charles Perry, veteran theatre operator, in from Detroit on short Visit Meyer Berger on the Times is do- In-i the best sidelight stuff on the. Fair. Frank Camp has gone to Detroit to live with his son. He's retiring from legit CliA Lewis, away from Par studio six weeks, left Monday night (8) for Coast Bob Shapiro, one of the managers at the Par, N. Y., laid up with-ton- silltis. ' Murray Sllverstone has decided on Great Neck for' his permanent resi- lience. Ernest Emerling of Loew b.o. and the missus sails today (Wed) for London. J. J. Nolan, asst. secy. RKO studios in charge of comnutraents, east 'for two weeks. Morris lushevitz, of Local 306, had a week of it in a hospital wiUi an infected ear. Walter. Damrosch, entering Para- mount films at 77, leaves for the Coast this week. Description 'of the World's Fair along the Broadway sector—^Radio City with drafts. Jack Gould, of the N. Y. Times drama staff, on a month's vacation in Houston, Texas. Doreen MacKay, radio actor and producer from Sydney, Australia, in town for a Fair visit Carol Stone going to the Coast after an engagement at the Maple- wood (N.J.) theatre. Bill Rowland on his way back to Mexico City for . another gringo- Latin flicker for RKO. Yoeng's cafe, formerly Jim Brad- dock's place, to stage floor show with Chinese girl entertainers. . Moe Siegel. Republic Pictures exec, in from the Coast with the wife and children for several weeks. Parites Alec Moss, the missus. Bill Pine and Robert Preston did the town thoroughly Sunday (6). Irene Tedrow, of the Maurice Evans company, will vacation with her parents at Pasadena this sum- mer. Alan Dinehart, Jr., trained to the Coast Monday (10) to visit his mother, recovering from recent auto injury. • Joan Danton, radio actress, to Coast by boat to visit her brother-in- law, Al Sherman,' songwriter, in Bev- erly Hills. Sgm Birnbaum was in court two days in a row without any sleep in between, due to a sudden death in the family. Friends toissed a farewell party last ' night (Tues.) for tiouis Notarius, who foes to the Coast Friday (12) for 'aramount Harold Igo, whose 'Ohio Doom' has just been optioned by Ann Bur- gess, is In North Carolina working on a new one. Alfred Paschall, who recently closed In 'Hamlet' and 'Henry IV,' going to San Francisco next week to appear In an expo show. Maurice Evans due back from Bermuda vacash in about a week. May go to London, for. an extended visit early in the summer. William Bowers has a writing com- mitment for two more pictures at Columbia. Due back on Broadway with a new play in the fall. Jack Osterman lost 14 pounds fol- lowing a flu dttack. (lOing south to recup, Hal Hixon replacing him at his 52d street Club Osterman. Robert Ardrey left New Orleans last week and is due in New York early in June after a stopoff in Chi- cago. Has completed a new play. Hal Danson, of Paramount expects to become a father early in June, and probably won't go to the L. A. con- vention of company for that reason. Henry Senber, ex-N. Y. Morning Telegraph, has a public relations counsel berth at the fair for the American Telephone tt Telegraph Co. George Weltner, assistant to John W. Hicks, Jr., Paramount's foreign manager, started his summer vaca- tion Uiis week by working on bis yacht Geraldlne Fitzgerald sails late this week for a six-month vacation at her home in Dublin. When she returns she expects to go directly to the Coast Oliver H. P. Garrett playwright and scenarist, who was married last week on the Coast to Charlcie Hedge, former actress, will summer in Con- necticut Anyone going into Metro's publi- city dept to see a given person, can't talk to anyone else there, without go- ing back to the reception desk to be announced again. Bill Pine and Cecil B. DeMille were presented with heavy gold Hamilton watches by the Union Paci- fic R. R. for their work in connection with 'Union Pacific'. Wesley Addy and Emmett Rogers will be In the company at the Ann Arbor Drama Festival. Latter sub- sequently joins the regular company at Stockbridge, Mass. Sylvia Sidney and Luther AdIer have fone . to their Pennsylvania farm. IMiss Sidney missed the final performance of 'Gentle People' be- cause of slight illness. Thornton Wilder sailed Saturday (6) for .a brief European trip. Ex- plained he wants to see the places again, as he remembers them, before they're all blown up in the next war. Sidney Howard back from the C^ast and has gone to his Tsrringham (Mass.) home to put a fine polish on his new untitled play scheduled for fall production by the Playwrights. The Arthur Fiersons (Ruth Matte- son) and the Richard Clarks (Vir- ginia Campbell) are taking a house at Wcstport for this summer. All four are in different Bro -r legit shows. Robert Morley, who closed Satur- day (6) in 'Oscar Wilde,' has ho fur- ther plans at ttie moment but he expects to remain in the U. S. this summer. May tour with the show in the faU. Gieorge M. Cohan, the dailies' darl- ing, got a champ page 1 trailer' in the nation's press on 'We Must Be Ready,' his new rah-rah song intro- duced by him at the recent press convention. The Rockefellers' new 'Ask Me!' glides, stationed in front of Radio ity buildings, say that the natives are asking more things than the tourists—because there aren't so many tourists. Bill Schneider, formerly with Far- amount as private sec. to George J. Schaefer, returned to company Mon- day (8) as shorthand-taker for Bob GiUham. Margaret Russell is taking six months' leave of absence to Itave a baby. Leota Lane, one of the Lane Sis- ters, who made her opera debut with the Juilliard company March 29, is serving on the Mjsicians' Emergency Relief Fund, in arrangements for the Musicians' Emergency Benefit at the Hippodrome May 22. John Hay Whitney and Selznick- Intematlonal have moved from the N. Y. Central bidg. to the; Interna- tional bldg. in Radio City, making the sixth picture company to headquar- ter in R. C; Monogram, RKO, Uni- versal, Pathe and Grand National are the others. The Fair's getting the Broadway columnists assiduously for inside chit-chat,' excepting that the mid- way's been so dead from the start, however, so are the cafes of late. The bistros bonifaces can hardly wait for after June 15 when the real in- flux is expected. Paris By Hugo Speck Omar Kiam in from New York. Royal Kiltie band at the Alham bra. The Spencer Tracys in from Lon- don. Nara Padlo held over at the Chez O'Dett Lys Gauty topping new European offering. Cirque Medrano shuttered for the summer. Billy Sparrow featured at Boeuf Sur Le Toit Maurice Eisenberg, violinist in from U. S. tour. Emil Ludwig named Chevalier of Legion of Honor. 'Bon Voyage,' new revue, opened at La Lune Rousse. Yvette Gilbert planning series of concerts in England. 'Love Affair' (RKO) called 'Elle et Lui' ('She and He') here. Deportation of Jo Baker's troupe by Argentina creating stir. Luna Park, Paris'^ Coney Island, reopening for the summer. 'Battiment de Coeur' will be title of Danielle Darrieux's next Cecil Sorel rehearsing short revue due for the Alhambra. Robert Vidalin and Spadolini on the bill. Eugene Lourie, who did sets for 'Grand Illusion' and 'La Bete Hu- maine,' planning Hollywood visit Jean Cabin and Simone Simon in from London where they went for English premiere of 'La Bete Hu- maine.' Jacques Feyder and cast of 'Lia Loi du Nord' ('The Law of the North') in from Sweden, where ex- teriors were shot British Ambassador Phipps and French Foreign Minister Bonnet at- tended premiere of 'Entente Cor- diale,' Marcel L'Herbler's latest De Launay, president of the Paris Municipal Council, cancelling New York World's Fair visit on La Guardla's invitation, as a result of international outlook London Jack Davis recuperating at Corn- wall from heart ailment, , Harry Foster back in harness again after recent iUness. Ganjou Bros, and Juanita back from j N. Y., then on to Sweden booking. I Peter Boumphrey off to Hollywood to play in next Sonja Henie picture. Luanne Shaw (formerly Pearl Rivers, dau^ter of Max Rivers), is now with Jack Johnson's band. Robert Sherwood and wife off to their summer house in Sussex, w.here they generally stay four months each year. Gabriel Pascal expected here in middle of June when 'Doctor's Dilemma' goes into production at Pinewood Films studios. Emlyn Williams beat the Duchci;<: theatre record with his play, 'The Com Is Green,' which celebrated its 2S0th performance May 2. Merle Oberon's first picture at Denham for Alexander Korda will be "Manon Lescaut;' which Korda will direct. It'll be in color. Five Bottle Party clubs, Cocoanut Grove, Paradise, Florida, Cabaret Club and Femina, iiave formed Bot- tle Party Mutual Protection Assn. Sydney CarroU, too busy with newspaper work, will be succeeded by S. A. Fabes as manager of this summer's open air theatre in Re- gent's Park. Teddy Brown told by his doctor to lay off for fortnight, due to slight heart attack. His place in Charles L. Tucker's vaudeville unit taken by Stanley. HoUoway. . The Shaftesbury theatre beini; re- decorated lor the new Henry Sherek show, starring Luise Rainer. which opens in London, May 23, after three weeks out of town. Robert Morley's comedy, 'Good- ness, How Sad,' was set to close April 20, but a b.o. spurt encourased an Indefinite prolonging. Show has been runnmg six months. Tlie Comedy's next show will have practically Uie same principals as current show, 'Room for Two,' with femme lead to be Doroth - Dickson instead of Elsie Randolph, Aldwych Films, which is doing 'An Englishman's Home' for United Artists, has offered Monty Berman the role of an English officer, but he prefers to stick to costume-sell- ich Pommer holding up his New York sailing due to 'Jamaica Inn' not yet ready. His next picture, and 'last under his contract with Asso- ciated BriUsh Pictures, is 'The Ad- mirable Crichton,' the J. M. Barrie play. Charles I<aughton is his ABP producing associate. By Erie Gorriek "Dawn Patrol' (WB) doing socko here. Triple bills slowly exiting in the nabes and stix. ' Greater Union opened Its new Lib- erty, Melbourne. Nicola, magician, doing top biz in Melbourne for Sir Ben Fuller. 'Pygmalion' (G-B) stiU nabbing top grosses in Sydney and Mel- bourne. Johnny Glass is in charge of Hoyts' affairs in Sydney during Charles Munro's U. S. visit Management of WIrth's Circus gave annual free show to poor kiddies of Sydney, plus free eats. Sir Victor Wilson, who quits as head of Motion Picture Distrihs' Assn. next month, is holidaying in New Zealand. Here Mclntyre, Universal, and Cecil Marks, UA, the only two dis- trib reps not tripping to U. S. for huddles with their chiefs. Pauline Lord is due here soon for a legit run under the direction ot Australian-New Zealand Theatres. Ian Keith will co-star with her. Many applications Iiave been re- ceived by the Films Commission In connection with theatre erections. Applicants must ndvertise their in- tention beforehand in newspapers, according to the new act By Barold W. Caben Mayor Scully made an associate manager of the Variety Club. Jimmy Dl Paima won't lose sight of one eye as originally feared. Mike Shapiro to- a hospital In Rochester, Minn., for an operation. The Tony Lombardos expect the stork for the second time late in Sep- tember. Joe Mazzei, of Art Cinema,' in hos- pital convalescing from a serious op- eration. Catholic Theatre Guild will close season next month with 'Father Ma- lacby's Miracle.' The Harry Seeds at Erie (Pa.) bed- side of their son, Martin, suffering from pneumonia. Rufus Blair due in from Par prais- ery on Coast next week for annual visit to drama desks. Dave Broulys, Charlie Rileys and Johnny Marlnos all back from St Petersburg vacations. Paderewski drew several hundred standees to his concert at Syria Mosque Saturday (6). Jimmy Saphier here for a'day with Joe Feldman on his way back to Hollywood from N; Y. Fred. Burleigh going to Maine for six weeks before checking in at Co- hasset for the summer season. John Walsh's wife and baby dot- ter have gone to their old home in Newport, R. I., lor the summer. Arthur Low back to New York for the summer with closing of legit Nixon, where he's house treasurer. Billle Mulvlhlll replaced Nancy Steigerwalt for last three perform- ances of 'Meet My Sister' at Play- house. Elmer Kenyon home again after p.a.'ing Maurice Evans' brief road tour and will go out with him next ^season. HoDywood Chicago Hal Tate now doing .film chatter program on 'WFCL. Ray Wilson and frau In town to visit the home folks. Joe Sherman opened new offices in the Garrick building. Bill Kerrigan has joined the FUmack organization. Ian Keith doubling to the Procter & Gamble ether show. Don Pedro returns to local ether under 'Bvuns Fur sponsorship. Muriel Francis in to'wn to set local operations for Max Reinhardt Arch HerzoS knocked off 20 pounds and still living on lettuce. Lou Lavan in from Wichita for huddles with advertising agencies. Bill Elson stopped off for some chinning on way back to Minne- apolis. ' Millie Wajme warbling at the Rose Bowl for first appearance in the midwest Ed Voynow to New York for east- ern Petry conlab belore headiog Kentucky Derby-ward. Esther Ralston In eonlabbing with J. Charles Gilbert on new Civic Theatre summer stock set-up. Capitol Building, once norne ol many show business offices, being torn down and will be replaced with a two-story tax-saver. Des Moines The R. M. Copelands off to Excel sior Springs. Variety club boys having a stag Friday night (12) for reorganization. T. H. Archer, owner and ooerator of the Tromar ballroom, building a new summer spot to have two dance floors. ' ' Ronald Dutch' Reagan, Warner Bros, player, returned to the home town Co broadcast the Drake Relays for station WHO. The bill to license pin-ball games shelved by the legislature alter it made the house. The' bill to tax bank nights died. too. A. H. Blank, G. Ralph Branton, Dave Dewey, L. M. McKedineay and A. G. Stolte, of Tri-States, cara- vanned over to Omaha. . Vincent Lopez wired gardenias for all the gals dancing at the Tromar two nights before his arrival. There were 600 femmes present Nelson Eddy's concert at the Shrine a complete sellout of the 4,500-seat house, with Eddy collect- ing about $6,000 for the evening. Hagenbeck-Wallace has wltho&a'wn suit against Aversa Blacaman, hyp- notist which tias been on flle in federal district court bere since last year. TrI-States boys who attended the Union Pacific shindig In Omaha \n- eluded A. H. Blank, G. Ralph Bran, ton, L. M. McKechneay, J. J. Delteh, Dave Dewey. A. G. Stolte. SL Louis By Sara X. Unrst Don Ameche paused here on way to Kentucky' Derby. Cliff Winehill, late of King's Horses, ra.c.'ing in Chicago niteries. . George Hirst who will baton mu- nicipal theatre orch in Forest Park, carrying extra poundage. Harry Lange Is m.c. at Forest Park Hi;;hlands, burg's major amusement park, which started 43d season Sun- day (7). Al Kavelin and some of his tooters visited Lee Keller, reporter for Glot>e-Democrat, in local hospital and serenaded patient Jack Rosenzweig, manager of Man- chester, Is major domo of Bargain Carnival fostered by Manchester- (^houteau Buslnes.smen's Assn. Midget auto racing season sUrted in Alton, 111. First day's racing re- sulted in two drivers injured seri- ously and several others bruised in smashups. Around 350 femmes, ranging In ages from 16 to 45, showed up at American theatre to try for 29 places in Municipal theatre singing chorus. Jobs pay $30 per week for 12 weeks. Greater St Iiouis Singing Society, made up of 150 warbling business- men and industrial leaders, l>elng Tormed. Auditions being held by St Louisans, Inc., at studios of KMOX. Sid Rogell back from Honolulu. Jed Prou^ to Maine for vacation. J. P. McEvoy here for the sum- ' mer. Natalie Draper divorced Tom Brown. Terry De Lapp back from Des Moines. Larry Kent back from home office huddles. Nunnally Johnson back from Broadway. Victor McLaglen deep-sea fishing off Mexico, Miriam Hopkins back to . work after illness. June Martell recovering from ap- pendectomy. Elsa Maxwell slated lor 60 lectures this summer. A. G. Doyle in from Japan on an- nual vacation. Meyer Levin in town gathering mag material. Doris Keny .n in Reno to divorce A. D. Lasker, Marjorie De Haven Reilly divorced Thomas Reilly. Al Smith and brown bowler visit- ing the studios. Ernst Lubitsch icouting locations for 'Nlnotchka'. Edmund Low« to Holland, Mich., for tulip festival. Bruce Cal>ot recovering from in- juries in motor crash. Gus B>lwards going to Colorado Springs for his health. Russell Crouse checked in at Para- mount for writing job. Harry Ijcon Wilson seriously 111 at his home in Carmel, Cal. Ben Cammack back from tour of South Africa and Far East Nelly Kelly doing personal ap- pearances in the midwest Malcolm St Clair going to Hawaii on first vacash In two years. LilUan K. Leighton returned as head ol Selznick^ research depart- ment 111 health caused Aaron Rosenthal to resign as head ol Republic's legal department Pacita Paredes, daughter of Philip- pine high commissioner, playing bit role in 'The Real Glory. Harry M. Warners announced en- gagement ol their daughter, Betty, to Milton D. Sperling, screen writer. Sam Blythe has recovered lully from injuries sustained in a fall early in the winter on the Family club steps, San Francisco. Carrie Moore, Australian .actress who clayed the 'Merry Widow' role on tne legit stage In Australia, is guesting here at the home of Betty lythe. By Berb GoMen Joe McGrath again hosting at the Anchorage. ' John Nolan, ol Comerlord, ill In a N. Y. hospital. Morris Kret ol AlfllUted Circuit, seriously ailing. Hallie Flana gan In to consult with local heads of FTP. Showmen's club arranging a din- ner for Ray O'Rourke, Doris theatre op, former orez. Les Quailey, of N. W. Ayer, toured south to look over Atlantic Refining basel>all spielers. Moe Freeman, ex-stick swlsher at the Ritz-Carlton, bedded with pneu- monia at Mt Sinai hosp. Norbert Nawn, doorman at I<ani-. downe theatre^ ^doubles between tick- et-chopping and the organ. Stanley theatre employes feted manager Al Reh with an after-the- show surprise party for tals birthday last week. Marty Goldenberg, of the State theatre, got himself a smack In the schnoz from a patron who refused to stoy in line. Dave Yaffe .out as secretory and counsel ol new Allied unit here, Sally Fisher, formerly with N. J. Al- lied, taking his place. Warners ' negotiating with Valley Forge Military Academy lor filming of a pic on the grounds. 'Dead End Kids' to be featured 11 deal works out Next Mask and Wig show will be tagged 'Great Guns,' wiUi music and lyrics again by BIck Relcbner and Clay Boland. It's a streamlined western, in standard musicomedy formula. Kansas Oty By John Qninn Don Ameche and'Dave Rubinoff in over the week-end. Paul Pendarvis and orch In at the Terrace Grill. Frank Dailey and crew moved out Friday (5) after three-week stand. Bryant Washburn, Leo Pellet aiid Ralph Rowland In town workine out promotion lor Jesse Lasky's 'Gate- way to Hollywood' cc test Maxine Tappan, K. C, songstress formerly with Henry Busse and Ed- di: Duchin, warbling in the Hotel PhlUlps Cabana. First local appear- ance since becoming a "ro. Variety club throwing a farewell dinner for Bill Warner, former War- ner Bros, exchange manager, who leaves lor biz connections In Call- -lornla. Jimmy Winn, ex-(Srand Na- tional divisional manager, takes over at the WB exchange.