Variety (Jun 1939)

Vednesday. June 28, 1939 CHATTER VARIETY 53 Broadway Bryan Foy in town. Leone's new garden cafe open. A E. Thomas at Watch HiU, H. I, jtilte Lubin in AtlanUc City for the summer. George KeUy back in Philadelphia from the Coast. • Edward Chads Carpenter at New Hartford, Conn. Movietone execs now luncheon regulars at Lambs Club round table. The Robert Ardreys have taken a summer home at South Kent, Conn. C. J. WUUams. vet legiter, in Len- nox Hill hospital with kidney ail- ment Ripley's Odditorium on the site of the old Hollywood due to debut in a week or so. Warner exchange and ITs division sales manager floor getting fresh coats of . paint. Barney Gerard, due to switch away from Metro, will revisit Broad- way after a long stay west Armida's husband. ex-Chi musi- cian, now does her business. She's an ex-Gus Edwards aliimna. Frances Lesly, formerly "with Lon- don Films, now secretary to James R, Grainger, Republic prexy. The Budapest, West 48th street nitery, in voluntary bankruptcy. Assets of $5,000; liabilities, $18,000. John Golden's flSth birthday yes- ■ terday (Tues.) celebrated quietly at his home at Bayside, L. I, with his family. Postponed quarterly ineeting of the Hays office directors slated for Thursday (22), adjourned to Fri- day (30). Harvey - Day yearns to live on a farm up in Minnesota where he spent many younger days as a film salesman. This'Is the 65th consecutive week for Marlynn and Michael atop the 65th floor of the RCA BIdg.'s Rain- bow Grill. E. Ray Goetz sails back to Paris next Saturday, returning in the fall with a couple of French plays be plans doing on Broadway. will Hays has been getting the flashlighters' attention in the niter- ies with his white summer tux, straw hat and black topcoat. Leonard Goldenson, Par h.o. thea- tre executive, confesses he's taking the big leap this fall with Isabelle Weinsteia, whose dad is the prez of Bussek's. Plenty of Hollywood around Broadway, especially the tunesmiths and musical people^players and producers. Priming stage musicals for this fall. Harry Cohn, Columbia prez, met Wesley Ruggles upon his arrival Monday (26) and together with Al . Hall, another Col director, return to the Coast this week. With the Fair influx, the city has spotted anti-begging signs in all public conveyances, emphasizing that municipal relief agencies make ' the mendicants uhnecess&ry. Natalie Napp, of the William Morris Agency, weekended at Totem Lodge, Berkshire Hills resort near ; Troy, N.Y., where she directs the Morris-booked entertainment . New terp ' creation, called the Grover.Whalen Cakewalk, concocted by Bill Robinson, was tried out by Bojangles at the Fair preem of 'Hot Mikado' Thursday (22) night. J. C. Stein (MCA) and the Mrs. back to the Coast the end of the week, following a week in New York on business. Stopped oft in KC. for the AFM convention. The free gardenias and fancy sou- venir program at the 'From Vienna' premierie was a bit of a shock to the flrstnighters. First time they ever gave something away in a legit house. Bob Hope while at the Orpheum, Minneapolis, participated in the . lYans-Mississippi women's golf tournament .. It was an exhibition match for charity against Patty Berg. _ Albert Maltz, whose 'Life and Death of an A merica n' is being pre- sented by the FTP at the Miazine Bllott N. Y.. has gone to Cape Cod to write short stories. Goes to Boulder (Colo.) for the writers' con- ference in August The new Loew's World's Fair in- formation booth, located In the Island at 46tfa street in Times Sq. formally dedicated today (Wednes- day). Attendants will be present,' speaking French,- Spanish, German, Italian and Russian. . Baron Valentin Mandelstamm, for-^ anerly stationed in Hollywood as liaison between French 'government and the Hays oSice, -will shortly re- turn to the Coast but in a private edacity. For the past four years lie's been writing in France. -Georgie Tapps, a hoofer with legit ambitions, goes into a Swan .Lake (N. Y.) strawhat fbr 3 couple of weeks after closing at the Interna- tiona] Casino July "7. Opens July ^ at Bon Air, Chi. for a month, at Ills old chores of tapstering, how- ever. ^nillam Gehriiig. 3r.. father of SOth's central division sales manager, Mtires as a. conductor next spring aftw 47 .years with N.Y. Centr^ Because of a superstition, he ob- tamed special diqiensatlon as oziiy conductor to wear a. red necktie while on duty, Sidney Howard, with two plays ready for fall production by the Playwrights' Co., has nearly finished adapting Graham Greene's novel, 'Brighton Rock,' for Gilbert Miller, with Louis Hay ward and Ida Lupino mentioned for leads. Playwri-;ht is at his Tyringham (Mass.) fan... Paris Hal Wallis, of Warners, in town. Earl of Warwick in from Holly- wood. German film star, Hilda Kruger, in town. Sydney Howard relaxing at Juan- les-Pins. Marika C^otopuU, the 'Greek Sarah Bernhardt' in town. Igor Stravinsky shortly oft for Venice music festivaL Dita Parlo negotiating with a Hollywood film outfit The Comedie Francaise off for two- month tour of South America. Paris Opera ballet dancers Georgette Rigel and Charles Ritz wed. Jerome Weldman, the New York author, here oh his way around the world. , . Joe Seidleman, Universal s foreign manager, here for U sales con- vention. ■ _ , George and Ludmilla Pitoeli have revived Ibsen's 'Enemy of the People* at the Pitoeff. _ . , v. Pierre Dac, smger to make his pic-- ture debut in Tempete Sur Paris •(Ttempest Over Paris'). ■ Lee Ephraim back to London with comedian Bobby Howes after talent scout for their new show. Charles B. Cochran, who starts rfr- hearsals for a new show in August, in from London on talent hunt Louis Eymond winning praise for the French rendering of Shake- speare's 'OtheUo' at the Chaillot. Irving Marks negotiating with Jan Kiepura and Martha Eggerth/Mrs. Kiepura) for new XjOndon musical. Jean Pierre-Aumont to do Le Cocu Magniflque' with Antoinette Ferlay, recently elected 'Miiss Cine- monde.' Charles Mere been elected presi- dent of the French Society of artors and dramatic composers, succeeding Emile Fabre. , _ , Michael Mindlin, one of Carl Laemmle's lieutenants, has purchased -several French pictures for Amen can distribution. The American George Hale girls have replaced the British 12 Ador-r ables at the Ambassadeurs after three months at the Cafe de Paris, I^odO'l- ..... J 1 J Vincent d'Indy Festival scheduled for June 30 at the Salle Gaveau. The benefits will go. towards the con- struction of a monument to the French composer. . ^ M. L .Mogoulsky, who directs a circuit of seven Cinephone houses in Paris, announces his new showpiece, for London, devoted exclusively to French pictures. . . „ •La NouveUe Patrie' ('The New Homeland'), inspired by the German exodus of refugees last September, will shortly go on the lot at Gaumont with Joseph Than directing. Danielle Darrieux finally started work on 'Battement de Coeui^ ('Heart Beats') under hubby Henri Decoih's direction. She's supported by five comedians, Andre Luguet Saturnin Fabre, Jean Tissier, Julien Carrete and Claude Dauphin. Pittsborgh ' By Bal Cohen 'Outward Bound' set for ATS sub- scription series at Nixon next season. Lew Mercur, Miami Nut CHub op- erator, up from Florida for vacation, 'Miss Pittsburgh' for Atlantic City wiU be picked at New Penn on July 12. Orson Welles took in practically every nite spot in town here last week. Eula Mae Jackson into Kilbuck theatre's 'Heights' for last two weeks of run. , ^ Mike Cullen flew in from Kansas City for opening of '(Goodbye, Mr. Chips.' Harry Marshard in from Boston linine up deb bookings for his bands this fall. Johnny Harris has dubbed new speed boat Lujon after wife Lucille and son John. Joe Feldmans leave next week for a fortnight's vacation at I>ake Bat- tist in C^ada. Al Mercurs have purchased a home in the suburbs. Ditto Charlie Baron, the M-G exploiteer. Dancer BeUy Nylander out of Italian Gardens for a week on ac- coimt of an injured leg. Kap Monahan's wife has gone to Denver to be at the bedside of her serimisly ailing mother. Post - Gazette reporter Jimmy George weighing offer to become p.a. for GOP in Allegheny county. Frank DaiUy left his Meadovir- brook club long enough to come on for Bill Marshall's Willows opening. Mary Alice Baldinger, wife of Post^azette newsman, booking Pitts- burgh Children's Theatre . '39-40 dates. London Henry Wilcoxon asking for $40,000 income tax exempjon to do a pic- ture' here. H. G. Wells is said to have a finan- cial inter^t in 'Bridge of Sighs,' at St Martinis. Eddy Ryan latest addition to 'Alien Com,' which Bronson Albery is pre- senting at Wyndham's July 5. Gladys Tudor-Owen, former pub- licity hound for Palladium, and Bet^ Davis, late of Wielands agency, are combining forces. Collins & Grade, local 10%ers, have leased Alexandra Palace for Christmas season of four weeks, and will operate circus and fun fair. Cafe de Paris closing month of August with Billy Blssett its band mestro, planning a trip to New York if he can get out of nis radio com- mitments.. Tt. deal between Lee Ephraim and Slmone Simon to star in new musical with Bobby Howes held up, due to Miss Simon asking for in- come tax exemption on salary. Opera House, Blackpool, being re- constructed at cost of over $1,000,000. House will seat 2,500, instead of for- mer 1,800. Reopens in July witli Jack Taylor revue for summer sea- son. Next to British Broadcasting Corp., according to Leslie Boosey, chairman of Performing Right So- ciety, picture houses are now the second most important clients of the society. Next show at London Casino will not be produced by Pierr^ Sahdrini and Jacques Charles. Will be staged in August by Alfred Esdaile, man- aging director and stager of Prince of Wales theatre shows. Mick Hyams, one of the Hyams Bros., sails for America next month to' line up several film names for Royal.Cine Variety Performance, in aid of the Cinematograph Benevolent Fund, to be held at the State, Kil- burn in the fall. Oscar Deutsch, head of Odeon cir- cuit giving guarantee to British film producers by underwriting portion of production cost as minimum guaran- tee against percentage of intake at his theatres, subject to Deutsch okay- ing story and cast 'Alien Corn,* which was done by Katharine Cornell on Broadway some years ago. follows 'The Intru- der' at Wyndham's July 5 or 6, with cast headed by Hartley Power, Mar- garetta Scott and John Clements in leads. 'Intruder' will be.transferred to the Piccadilly as a two-for-oner. Jack Buchanan's deal with Walter Hackett to star i latter's play with Marion Lome Is temporarily off. Buchanan now considering two mu- sicals, one by Fred Thompson and Archie Menzies, and other by P: G. Wodehouse, based on a Jeeves yarn. Buchanan muy have Beatrice Lillie star with- him. Durbin, has been signed to a long- term contract by Ken G. Hall for Cinesound. Alec Hanlon, here with a unit show for Fullers-Snider-Dean, played the old Fuller chain in 1913 with Daisy Jerome. Metro experienced some fairly quick skidders at St Jame^ with Stand Up and Fighf 'Honolulu' and Huckleberry Finn.' Keith Connolly and Bobby Morris spotted by Sir Ben Fuller into re- vue unit for New Zealand run. Top act is Salici's puppets. Tivoli playing up the coming of George Rbbey. Comic was a big fave with Australian soldiers in London during the war. Jack Arthur, Helen Denizon, Ber- nice Claire and members of other legit units brought from U. S. by ANZT wUl shorOy return to U. S. Syd Greisman will release the latest (jeorge Formby picture, Trou- ble Brewing,' in- Sydney, June 30, followed by a nation-wide coverage. Richard Crooks meeting with high success in New Zealand.- Will come to Sydney soon for concert season under ANZT. Singer was here a couple of years ago. Before leaving for U. S. and Eng- land, Johnny Fuller said that he in- tended to . take a looksee into tele- vision. Has no Intention of break- ing into amusement biz again. Strondsbmrg, Pa. By John J. Bartholomew Dorothy Llsette of old 'Roxy's Gang,' active with vocal studio. Author Carl CHausen readying short-shorts at his Mt Nebo home. Ralph Schaeffer's Ambassadors opened at Pocono Alps tavern, Mis- ertown. Arthur Murray dancers to remain at Pocono Manor Inn for duration of summer. 'Stage Door* opens summer the- atre season July 6 at Worthington Hall; Shawnee-on-Delaware. Joseph P. Doyle director. Jacic Edwai^s continues quarter- hour each Saturday a.m. on WEST,. Easton. Pocono Male Chorus had half-hour Sunday (25). Floyd Gibb<«s absent some time from his Cheny Valley farm pre- paring last night's (Tuesday) per- sonal stint for 'Inside Story' on NBC blue. Lack of tourists laid to N. Y. World's Fair. They go straight through without stopovers. New booster billboards don't help locally as some expected. Billy Cook, 12, former resident delighted audiences with his best performance to date with Irene Dunne and IVed MacMurray in 'In- vitation to Happiness.' Aostralia By Erie Gorrick Zane Grey returned to U. S. Sir . Ben Fuller on talent tour. New cabarets ^ringing up in Syd- ney. Anna May Wong in for Tivolt dates. Peter Dawson feted by Greater Union. Sir Victor Wilson lookseeing South Australia. Since ease in war scare, biz gen- erally has picked up. 'All Quiet' (U) has been turning in remarkable grosses on reissue. Government of New South Wales has nixed auto races at local track on Sabbath. Fullers continuing at Newtown with picture poli^ minus sanction from Films Commission. 'Streets of London.' oldtime melo- drama, in for a short season at King's. Melbourne. Local cast spotted. Jean Hatton, Australia's Deanna By Les Bees George Givot in town on pleasure trip. Roy Schlentz, Gopher manager, to Texas to visit his imrents. Fred Finnegan about again, fully recovered from bis long illness. Paul Lundqulst 20th-Fox head booker, vacationing on local golf courses. Eddie StoUer, United Artists' office manager, vacationing in northern Minnesota. Nat Kalcheim, of William Morris office, here from New York to catch Bob Hope show. A. Selby Carr pronioted from ad- vertising department head to office manager at Paramount J. W. MacFarland, National Screen branch manager, devoting his vaca- tion to fishing in Minnesota lakes. Tony Stecher piloted Bronko Na- gurski to Houston for latter's cham- pion wrestling mateh with Louis Thesz. J. A. Gilgosh resigned from Na- tional Screen to become airway keeper for U. S. at Reynolds Field, Jackson, Mich. Bill Clayson, 20th-Fox ad sales manager, off to Chicago for fortnight Joe Fieldman resigned from Uni- versal sales staff. Young 'Buzzle' Balnbrldge, son of the late local dramatic stock impre- sario and mayor, on tour with Christy Obrecht rep company, playing sticks, Stepin Fetchit working out of Minneapolis, playing territory's smaller towns and returning nearly every night Drives as far as 200 miles after his last show to join grou<- of his friends. St Louis By Sam X. Hunt Herb Mahler's brch at Forest Park Highlands ballroom. Fred Wehrenberg back from biz and pleasure trip to New York. . First of five pop concerts spon- sored by citizens of Clayton, suhurb, drew 600. Allan Clark, former KMCX warbler, featured vocalist at Forest Park hotel nitery. Jose Manzanares and his South American orch at El' Patio Supper Club, Hotel Chase. George Hirst has melted off eight pounds in the pit at the al fresco theatre in Forest Park. Arthur Schneithorst redecorating Bevo Mill, South St Louis dining spot which he will reopen. 'Chick' Evens, manager of Loew's. to motor vacation tO' New Yo:'k ana visit to old home at Plattsburg. Jimmy Harris, p.a. at Loew's, on a motoring vacation that will include a visit to New York and the Fair. I: W. Rodgers, Cairo, IlL, oiwner of a chain of nabes in southern Illinois, building a winter-home in Florida. Solo by Nina Strogonova, ballerina in 'Lost Waltz,' cancelled Tuesday (20) because of slippery, stage due to rain; State's Aftotney ' tjaixls' Z. r week, St Clair county, clamped down move to reopen "The Treasure Chest' lotto game. In Belleville, 111. - Opening of Civic Theatre, Inc., strawhatter, delayed 24 hours by tor- rential rain. Season got under way Wednesday (21) with. Call It a Day.' First wedding in Muny Opera chorus during current season was that of " Alan- Easterling, basso, to Lucille Flint Decatur, 111., a non-pro. George Reeves, Jr., owner of Lake Hill Park, St Louis county amuse- ment resort was fined $100 for op- erating the place without a license. Wives of Variety Club members tendered card party for Mrs. William Feldstein, who is moving to Spring- field, 111., where her husband Is booker for the Frisina Amusement Co.'a chain. Hollywood Tony Martin home from p.a. tour. Herman Wobber in tor studio hud- dles. Scott R. Dunlap celebrated a birth- day. ' Edmund Goulding back from Eu- rope. LeRoy Frinz east for Louis-Galento bout. Errol Flynn's mother In from Ire- land. James Roosevelt back from New York. Fritz Leiber motoring east on va- cation. Iiawrence Tibbett on Hawaiian vacash. John. Lee Mahin back from South America; Tommy Rockwell holidaying on his ranch. Bonlta Granville graduated from high school. Joel McCrea and Frances Dee back on the ranch. Lew Goldberg joined Rodney Pan- tages'. agency. T. R. Gill tabbing studios for As- sociated Press. Del Goodman in from Far East for studio huddles. Bette Davis back to work after throat infection. William Anthony McGuire laid up with bronchitis. Noah Beery recovering from acute indigestion attack. Harold Lloyd to AtlanUc City for Shrine convention. Enid Parrlsh filed divorce action, against Henry Spitz. Maurice Cowan ganderlng studios for London Picturegoer. Errol Flyzm nursing cuts on fore- head after motor crash. Jesse IjBBky's son. Bill, went to work for Samuel Goldwyn. Amanda Duff and Philip Duff an- noimced wedding intentions. Edmund Grainger - huddling with Tohn Steinbeck at Los Gatos. Robert GiUham and Terry DeLapp back from Mexican vacation. Jascha Heifetz in from east to gander his own screen debut Dick Arlen sailing as deck hand In annual yacht race to Honolulu. Mildred Blanche Col&s changed her screen name to Gloria Carter. Andy Devine makes his debut next week as a tourist to Manhattan. Irvin Cobb's 83d ''Irthday cele- brated by 600 diners at Santa Monica, Norman B. Rydge sailed for Aus- tralia after two months in Holly- wood and N. Y. Vera Zorina and George Balan- chine going to Norway on comple- tion of 'On Your Toes' at Warners, Dorothy Quackenbush adopted Wanda McKay as her screen name. Stuart Palmer to Baraboo, Wis., where his father is ill. QoTeland By Glenn C. PallCD William de L'orbe out as Trianon ballroom's p.a. Mort Engel, M-G-M scOut heading for Coast in coupla weeks. Everett Steinbuck. of State, going to Colorado for hoss-: ''ling. Johnny Huntington joined Clint Noble-Emie Taylor band combo. Albert Duval passing out portraits instead of stogies for a baby-boy. Milt Harris. Loew p.a., home from Havana .cruise. Wife's health im- proved. Jack Hecht taking rest from real estate to manage his own Cedar Gar- dens club. Prince Olav and Princess Martha of Norway giving town a thorough going-over. Outdoor first performance of "My Maryland' at Cain park amphitheatre rained out Wife of Al Woods, Broadway pro- ducer, visiting relatives here en route to Alaska. Karl WInezIihmer sold Interest in his spot and is back wIC dad as Avalon's greeter. Harrr £. Long, Loew's division mogul here, and wife giddyapping to Quebec and New Hampshire.' Stagehands threaten to resume picketing of Play House, for not hiring- union grlppers, when it opens in fail. Son of Fay Thomas, top-man of Carter hotel, learning business from bottom up at Hollenden, while son of latter's manager, Dick Marsh, is dittoing at the (Tarter. Des Moines 'Louisiana Lou' of WHO awarded film .contract with Republic. World premiere of 'Career,' here July 2, bringing plenty of Hollywood names. Charlie Agnew's band at Rlver- vlew, Agnew former m. c. at the Paramount Sandy Dalziel and Chauncey A. Weaver to the AFM convention In Kansas City. Barnes-Carruthers here for fifth annual. convention of Register & Tribune newsboys. Roadshows set for next season at the Shrine include 'Master Builder.' 'What a Life.' 'On Borrowed Time' and 'Golden Boy'. Fred O. Griffen of Hampton elect- ed president of Iowa Bandmasten^ association and Alonzo Iicach, Des Moines, reelected secretary.