Variety (Aug 1939)

46 VARIETY CHATTER Wednesday, August 30, 1939 Broadway Dick Lamarr in from the Coast. Ed Smith in town from Hollywood. Sam Spachner treasurer of the Spa theatre, Saratoga. 'Scandals' preem, first of the new season, a gala social event. Dave Palfreyman, assistant to Will Hays, baclc at his desic in N. Y. Irving Berlin's nephew, Irving B. Kahn, is p.a. for Larry Clinton. Earl Carroll In from the Coast-'last week, principally to see his tailor. Russell Muth greeting, newsreel cronies after two. years in Europe. Steve Fitzgibbon back at.Movie- tone -studio after Deauville holiday. Charles Gartner to Coast on perma- nent Paramount publicity assignment at studio. Mildred Gordon is in the Com- munity hospital recovering from an operation. Auction sale of late Robert L. Hague's effects at Plaza art galleries today (Wed.). Elks No. 1 will toss Judge Fred- erick E. Goldsmith a testimonial dinner Sept. 30. J. R. Grainger, riding the rods again cross-country. Returns to Broadway Sept. 11. Warren: O'Hara will be back with *I Married an Angel' on tour, with Campbiell Casad ahead. John Fitzgerald of Steve Hanna- gan Associates to Cincinnati on the Powel Crosley account. ■ David Lipton, head of publicity'for Universal, plans to start back for the Coast Iast~'of this week. Bob Landry (Variety) and the Mrs. among those stuck in England in the rush for home boats. Henry J. Beckman, of Clifford C. Fischer's of Ace, back in New York -after a trans-continental tour. Charlie Einfeld, packing less weight by 35 pounds than when last in N. Y., left yesterday (Tues.) for the Coast. . , Howard Barnes, Herald-Tribune pix critic, injured in auto accident* at Great Barrington, Mass., last Sat- urday (26). George Raft has a fresh scar on his hand. Result of altercation with a passenger on the Normandie in a card game.. Eddie Buzzell and Norman Krasna; among first arrivals from war- threatened Europe, back to the Coast pronto. Edna Thomas temporarily replac- ing Fredi Washington as executive director and secretary of the Negro Actors Guild. Wilma Freeman, recovered from a case of poison ivy, back at the War- ner home office. Jimmy Collins, who scribes a syn- dicated sports column for Clem Mc- Carthy, becoming a publicist in part- nership with Mori Fremon. Lee Shubert back on the main stem after a huddle with Simone Simone in Paris to do the 'Gibson Girl' on Broadway this fall. Even if you pay $1 a bottle, no beer at the French Pavilion; just . vines. Also no hors d'puvres served at night; only for -liihcheon. Barry Burke, division manager for Minnesota Amusement Co. (Par) of Minneapolis, in town for once- over of shows and on buying trip. In floating the Cincinnati beer east, the brewers are using the old Weber and Fields catchphrase, "Vas fou efer in Zinzinnati,' as a sales llogan. Andy Rice. back in town, script- y>g for radio. Did a chore for Sam Bernard, Jr., on a CBS shot, just as he originally authored for the late Bernard. ■ Tamara Toumanova, who left the Uonte Carlo ballet last season to go . Tito'Dwight Wiman's 'Stars in Your tyes,' has returned to the-De Basil Ihesp outfit. Lepke's arrest and quizzing will bring the last of the mob stuff, con. nected with the niteries, into the open. Augurs much sensationalism and surprise. Ed- Sullivan east for four weeks. Will continue to write his column in N. Y. Carhe in to m.c. the News' Harvest Moon Bait and p.a. at Loew's State, where he opens tomorrow (Thursday). The niteries threw up their hands with the record Sunday turnout at tlie Fair for the cut-rate Mirror day (coupon and 35c, instead of SOc), and decided once and for all that biz won't pick up until the Fair folds. Australia By Erio Gorrlck Ken Asprey to London. Marjorie I,awrence clicking on concerts. 'Nazi Spy* (WB) had smash open- ing in Brisbane and Queensland for Hoyts. 'Dark Victory* (WB) a click with the femmes at the Century, Sydney, for Hoyts. T. C. Fairburn boating from Lon- don to produce 'Hiawatha' in Mel- bourne. Frank Blackmail, Williamson-Tait producer, to plane to London for new acts. Hoyts sponsoring talent quest In the nabes, worked on the old ama- teur night angle. Sydney's Chinese populace bring- ing biz to the Tivoli during run of Anna May Wong. Greater XInion io open a new house in Adelaide next month. Norman Rydge supervising. • Six Danwells will tour Tlvoll loop for Frank Neil following short re- vue season for Williamson-Tait. Pic moguls back from overseas say that it will be 10 years before prac- tical television comes to Australia. Dave Martin, by arrangement with Williamson-Tait, will bring in a re- vival of 'Women' at Minerva, Sydr ney. 'Union Pacific' (Par) got away to a strong premiere at Prince Ed- ward, Sydney. Pie-looks definitely set extended run.. Terrific weather in New Zealand has been crippling biz to a marked extent. Showmen say its the worst winter ever experienced. After b.o. success in Melbotirne. Marjorie Lawrence, American opera star, skidded in Sydney, being forced to reduce planned concerts. Williamson-Tait will bring a grand opera troupe to Australia late this year, Frank Tait, in association with E. J. Tait, will talentscout. Wiiliamson-Tait will revive 'Wild- flower' -in Brisbane, on tryout before taking it to Sydney for a run. Marie Burke and Melton Moore will have the leads. Bert Ives,' photographer attached to the Department of Commerce, dead in Melbourne after a short ill- ness. Previously he had been with local stiidios. 'Stagecoach* (UA) floppo at Re- gent, Sydney. Pic spotted in wrong house. Uptowners don't care for horse-operas, no matter how pol- ished they might be. Par newsreel had been missing for some weeks from screens of the two Sydney newsreel theatres—operated respectively by Hoyts and Greater Union, due to wrangling on rates. Ian Keith, who came here with Pauline Lord for' Williamson-Tait, will play lead in the revival, 'Out- ward Bound,' for Dave Martin. May also do 'Libel' for same management. 'Kentucky' (20th) is proving one of the best paying pix imported to Australia in years. It has stacked up records in the city spots as' well as doing nittily in the nabes and stix. Sir Ben Fuller huddling with Jack O'Hagan, song writer, to do a picture suggested by the tune, •The Dog Sat on the Tucker Box.' It would be strictly for local con- sumption. Henry Mollison, originally brought out by Australian-New Zealand The- atres for 'Idiot's Delight,' and Lina Basquette, first Intended as principal dancer in 'Casino Revue,' -but spotted into 'Delight,' have quit 'Good Morning Bill,*^ the Wodehouse comedy playing at the Minerya, Syd- ney, for Dave Martin, after a row with latter. London Paris Sammy Siritsky to Biarritz for rest. The ABC, which shut Aug. 1, will reopen Sept. 8. The Jules Berrys (Josephine Gael) parents of a new daughter. 'Nazi Spy* going strong at the Apollo, Cesar and Max Linder. French pic based on the life of Columbus will be done In techni- color. Arthur Rubinstein gave piano re- cital at French National defense benefit. 'Wuthering Heights* transferred to Les Portlques after 15 weelcs at Le Biarritz. Harry Baur engaged by Mitty Goldin for three weeks at the ABC next season. Norma Shearer, George Raft and the Charles Boyers (Pat Paterson) off to Cannes. Pierre Fresnay to debut as pic director in "he Duel,' in which he'll also have leading role. Pola Negri will do 'Hungarian Rhapsody' film here next month. Edmond Greville will direct. Theatre des Arts opens Sept. 11 with 'Le Major Cravachon,'. a 'vio- lent attack against the Nazis.' The Siritsky circuit has just added La Royale to its chain of showpieces for second-run pix. Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., and wife at Monte Carlo after long stay in Venice. Announced they would plane to America on the Clipper. Pierre Brasseur has written 'Un Ange Passe' ('An Angel Passes') which he will direct at the Theatre de Rochefort and in which he'll also take main role. " Julien Duvivier signed contract with Societe Transcontinental Film as general technical and artistic di- rector. Henceforth, he'll direct ex clusively for new firm. Elsa Maxwell gave dinner-dance on terrace of her villa Lou Parodu, Cannes, to which 150 guests in- vited, including Grace Moore, Con- stance Bennett and Marlene Die- trich. Josephine Baker's return to Paris saddened by death of all tropical birds she brought back from South Americ*. Her cook found them all dead in their cages, prey to ynsuit- able Paris clime. - Pierce and Harris to Cannes. Reginald FogwcU out of Aldwych Films. Beatrice Lillie to Monte Carlo, -then returns for more broadcasts. Binnie Hale returning to revue, her first love, in the West End in the fall.' Jack Fallon, manager of London Casino, in hospital with appendix trouble. Associated British to rebuild 50. of their 500 theatres, entailing cost of $2,500,000. Nova Philbeam ' and Penrose Tennyson, film director, announce their engagement. Dorchester hotel auditioning bands, to select relief for resident maestro Maurice Winnick. Lea ScidI making her debut as cabaret iinger, for Charles L. Tucker, at Trocabaret, Sept. 11. Joe Beckett, former British heavy- weight champion boxer, is a stage- hand at Denham studios. * Monty Banks to Hollywood for story idea and cast for next Gracie Fields' 20th-Fox picture. Chevalier Bros, to America Sept. 6 for six weeks, due back here for a Tom Arnold pantomime. Peter Mitchell, 'laughing boy' in 'Goodbye, Mr. Chips," being tested by Stephen Thomas for BBC. Betty Frankis quitting . Victoria Palace show, 'Me and My Girl,' after having played in it for 18 months. Gilbert Miller sails for New York Sept. 7 to produce 'Ladies and Gentlemen,' starring Helen Hayes. Jack Durant doubling from Lon- don Casino into 'Band Waggon' show at the Palladium 'till latter closes. Gilbert Miller to Paris to confer with Helen Hayes, who arrived there without stopping in London. Sidney Bernstein establishing a social welfare organization for the usherettes employed in his cinemas. Dan Casey, Universal's Australa- sian chief, looked into town on first stage of homeward trip from New York. 'Punch Without Judy,' tried out at the 'Q' and Embassy theatres, goes to New after three weeks in the sticks. Manning Sherman signed by BBC to write score of 'Holiday Camp,' new feature which ethers in Sep- tember. Empire theatre, Chatham, part of Stoll circuit, and operating picture policy for last three years, goes repertory plays. Jake Milstein in on the Clipper to fix British preem of 'Man in Iron Mask' at the Odeon, Sept. 4. Mean- time, he's oft to Paris. Grand Theatre, Birmingham, bought by Alan Fairley and Mecca Cafes from General Theatres, con- verted into eatery-theatre. Jack Taylor's deal with the Opera House, Blackpool, calls-for his an- nual shows to be offshoots of lionr don Palladium 'Crazy' presentations. Ian Hay, in private life Major- General Beith, public-relations of- ficer at the War Office, says he has no time to write new books or plays. Buster Shaver, Olive and George not coming over to play English dates "due to Irving Tishman having booked act for an A. B. Marcus unit. Paddy Carstairs off to Cap' D'An- tibes to confer with his boss, Capt. Richard Norton, who's there to re- cuperate from his recent motor smash. Basil Dean and Stefan Zweig col- laborating in dramatization of latter's book,''Beware of Pity,' which Dean intends to produce i,i London and America in the fall. Tyrone Power made appearances at the Tivoli ('Jesse James') and Gaumopt (Gracie Fields' 'Shipyard Sally'), although neither house had a personal in years'. O'Bryen, Linnet & Dunfee's 'Saloon Bar,' starring Gordon Harker, goes to Wyndham*s middle next month, replacing 'Alien Corn.' with talk latter may be transferred to another-theatre. Derval wanted Cass. Owen and Topsy to star in new 'Folies Bereere' revue, but team staying in 'Black and Blue,* London Hippodrome re- vue. Played 'Folies' three years ago when Mack was in the act. Dick Henry (Morris agency) to Paris Friday (1) after taking look at Palladium's 'Crazy* show, which had initial opening at Brighton to see premiere of new Cirque Mcdrano show. Sails for America Sept. 6. Chicago Chester Hale in town. Eddie Brichetto now a grandpop. Henry Herbel out for a look-over of his Warner territory. John Hickey planed into N. Y. to attend his mother's funeral. Jimmy. Grainger, Republic's prexy, in town for circuit conferences. Edward (Red) Johnson, tri-city exhibitor, In town on buying trip. Henri Elman back from month's trip to Monogram's Coast studios. Leo Spitz, John Balaban and Nate Plait supplying the boys with fish, Falkenstein Bros, putting up their Hi-Hat Club for sale; $11,000 asked. James Jovaney, Superior Pic- tures, back from month on. the Coast, . Lawrence Tibbett, appearing at Grant Park free concert, drew 242,- 000 on rainy night last week. Murray Ross, former vaude per- former, seriously ill in a sanatorium. Two blood transfusions last week. Burt. Ofstie pinch-hitting on Charlie Dawn's Evening American nitery column while latter vacations. Al Williamson leaving freelance publicity to direct advertising and public relations for an insurance company. Hollywood Summer Tryouts THE ODD MAN (Continued from page 44) - one of the invited male.«. A stranger appearing at her door for a handout attracts her and supplys the 'odd man' for the evening. This bridge- playing stranger (Kenneth Fertig, Jr.), turns out to be on escaped con- vict whom the cops have started to chase. Mary suspects her guest. is the wanted man and he readily admits he is, but romance has taken hold and pretty soon Mary is ready to give up ner staid and substantial steady beau for life with the un- known. The business of convincing herself and her new-found love that such a romance is 'the thing' makes the play. .It's innocuous theatre and entirely phoney in presentation. What the guy did to land him in Jail and how they are going to make it after they decide to take their fling is never hinted at. It's a complete shutout in favor of the grand pas- sion. Miss Stockham and Mr. Fertig do well enough and the rest of the cast comes through equally as well. Jean Price gives an effective reading as Mary's girl friend ane' Allan Dale, Jr., handles himself adequately as the respectable, but rejected, suitor. Direction by Gregory S. Mooney is okay. Burm. FANCY THAT Litchfield, Conn., Aug. 25. Farfe In throe nets (0 nconra) by A. M. Foslc-r; prracnicd liy tlio Miclincld - Hills Thoftlrc: staKcd by Randolph Cnrior; «ct- llnRS by John Mvlnio: nt (hp I.lldini-ld rinyhottse, Lltchncld, Conn., week at Auir. •yi, Mil. Gorllln. Ettor nomdlii Dnpcy Rofror Fox Mac Clmrlcs .MJen l^ebert O'TooIe .-.Charle.i I-'urculowe PInah Perkins Jnpk Wnrren Joe Malone Herbert Mn1nni> Diibo La Verne Muriel Hetlell .Matilda Tllllnehnst Judith MnKcc Lawyer J. M. Cnlllater Pitllceman JuMuh Gulncbl Mlsn Lewis Alice KnrrlBon Mtfls Pclmrosft Mnry Wnrren Clancy Curl Mlllclaire The second tryout of this- season for the Litchfield Hills Theatre. 'Fancy That,' unfurled five years ago in New Haven by an amateur group, then drew a nibble from Paramount. From all indications it will go back for another heavy dose of moth- balls. As in prior summer tryout, this farce falls short through thin plotting. Premise of an Englishman coming to the U.S. and his utter confusion with American slang is nothing new. It also revolves about a one-time famous prizefighter making a come- back in the American ring. A favc with the gals at the height of his career, he is having a facial opera- tion to Improve his rather battered countenance. While'going through the plastic op, all of which is being kept secret, his English brother comes to this country, latter resem- bling the pug before he was bat- tered. A fast-stepping press agent, trying to win back the femme appeal for the pug, substitutes the brother for the champ, who's secreted while .re- cuperating from his operation. On the night of the fight the champ's brother is mistakenly kidnaped by a racketeer promoter. Ends with the champ winning the fight. Charles Furculowe, as Egbert O'Toole, brother of the champ, turns in a commendable performance. Roger Fox, as Dopey, trainer of the chimp, and Jack Warren, as Flash Perkins, the flack, are also credit- able. Sets by John Mylrae are okay. Eck. TMATB. O. Men .Continued from page 41_ group planned to secede from the union 'so far as they knew.' Among the reports current Is one that the boxoffice men want a radi- cal change in the agreement with the managers, principally that they be allowed to accept gratuities from brokers. When the pact with the managers was negotiated the box- office men expressed willingness to forego such coin. Under the tax regulations all money oyer the box- office price obtained from agencies must be split 50-50 with the Govern- ment. On Friday (1) a count of the votes on a referendum to give a committee the power to affiliate with other unions is due. Stipulated, however, that such committee's actions be subject to a vote by the membership- at-large. Harry Green in from London Lew Goldberg easting via Denver Glenn Morris divorced in Casoer* Wyo. ^ ' Kay Van Riper seriously ill at home. Lewis Stone back from Honolulu vacash. . . Carole Lombard checked but of hospital. Jeff Lazarus vacationing in British Columbia. Herbert Wilcox and Anna Neaele to Toronto. ^ Otis Wiles joined Warners' pub- licity staff. Otis Wiles joined Warners pub- licity staff. Dari-yl Zanuck tossed his annual ranch party. Victor Fleming on first vacation in three years. Ruth Gordon in from Manhattan for 'Lincoln.' Vernita Murphy's new name Is Sally March. W. F. Rodgers in for week of M-G studio huddles. Richard Shayer rec6vering froni appendectomy. Jock Lawrence returns to Gold- wyn lot next week. Bert Ostermnn in for huddles on Fox-West Coast biz. Charles P. Skouras won Fox-West Coast gQlf tournament. Helen Morgan in from Frisco to visit daughter, who's ill. Maryon Curtis filed suit for di- vorce against George Givot. Elliston Vinson upped to assistant publicity director at RKO. Cora Witherspoon dislocated her knee in fall on Biltmore stage. . Mickey Rooney reporting for work later this week after eastern p.a. Marlene Dietrich back from Paris to ride for Universal in a western. Lieut. Commander Harvey Haislip to Washington with first print of Metro's 'Thunder Afloat.* Minneapolis By Les Rees- Morris Morman new Monogram booker. Bill Scars, Orpheum manager, back from short vacation. Twin City Variety club - pledged to raise $22,000 for charity. Larry Klein, RKO office manager, visiting parents in St. Louis. Katherihe Holm another Minne- sotan to crash films, signing with RKO. Ted Bolnick, Eddie Ruben's La- crosse, Wis., manager, in. town with the wife. Monogram taking over Grand Na- tional's quarters in heart of local film center. Jerry Welsfeldt, Warner booker, back from visit to New . York World's Fair. Eddie Ruben chairman of commit- tee in charge of drive to raise funds for social center. Minnesota theatre has Stroud Twins week of Sept. 1 with Zasu Pitts a possibility. .... Gene M.eredith back at Warner post after covering 6,000 miles dur-' ing Coast auto jaunt. A. Selby Carr. John Fritcher and Ernie Lund, of Paramount, back from northern Minnesota with plenty of fish. J. Barrett Kiesling, M-G assistant publicity director from Hollywood, caught a 17-pound northern pike at Lake of Woods, Minn. Local M-G office in lead In dis- trict, ificluding Chicago, Detroit. Mil- waukee and Indianapolis, in 'Cham- pionship* sales' contest. Harold Field, indie circuit owner, host to his employes at his Lake Minnetonka summer home during*' chain's convention here. Bill Elson to be toastmaster at dinner this week to honor L. E. Goldhammer because of latter's pro- motion from RKO branch to district manager. Benny Goodman, who played Min- neapolis and not St. Paul last'sea- son, will reverse procedure next month, going into St. Paul Orpheum but not returning here. Stroudsburg, Pa. By John J. Bartholomew Nick Kermy at Buckwood. Jock. Harris at Lutherland. Summer season in the Poconos n.s.g. A.A.U.-sponsored boxing k.o.d for the season. Fred Waring presented his Glee Club in concert at Shawnee. Enroute from N. Y. to Scranton's world premiere of 'The Under Piip,' starlet Gloria Jean's (Schoonover) special stopped at Pocono Summit for campers' greetings and news- writers. Eddie James, June LaValle, Carol and Danny O'Donnel, Gerry Lari- son and Eddie Morgan at Penn- Stroud, with Billy Buswell's Ham- mond and Ernie Mitchell's and Ted Brewster's band continuing, Mae Desmond presents 'Darling Daughter* as finale with her Players at nearby Haubert theatre, New- foundland, following which she re- turns to Philly to operate winter stock.