Variety (Aug 1939)

Wediiesday, August 30, 1939 OUTDOORS VARIETY 47 Casey s Better Press for N. Y. Fair Jenction of the nation's press to the new publicity setup at the New k World's Fair under Leo Casey, who assumed command about a ith'ago, is causing wide discussion among Fourth Eslaters. Front- page brealis, elaborate layouts and a more friendly attitude towards the whole exposition has shown up in vastly increased attention. being devoted to Grover Whalen's show. Numerous editors have gone out of their way to squelch the early yarns about high food prices, upped hotel rates, etc. Oiie. outstanding development of Casey'.s regime has been to bring newsmen in from nearby states to the Fair on what has amounted to a personally-conducted tour. In several instances, press groups have been brought in via tieups with railroads at small outlay to the scribes. Casey wants them to see for themselves whether or not New York has a great show.. Besides the press in neai'by communities, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Washington and Chicago writers have been brought in for visits. Boy, 14, ElectrocDted Toronto, Aug. 29. Prowling about the motor truck of The Arlens, high-wire act at Sunnyside. Amus. Park here, Victor Alton, 14, was fatally electrocuted when he touched a grill guard on the front bumper. Electricians stated that the truck, living quarters of the aerialists, had become charged -wiJh electricity because of a short, circuit. Cable had been' plugged into the standard hydro lines to provide power for lighting and domestic pur- poses. No action has been launched against The Arlens. OBITUARIES 1 SEATTLE TO WEIGH BAN ON CARNIVALS Seattle, Aug. 29. Carneys are in for a tough round In Seattle, with the city council shortly to weigh refusal of licenses for any to show in this burg. Attack came to a climax last week when J. M. Hone, ex-sec of the Motion Pic- ture Theatre Owners Assn. of the Northwest, attacked carnivals before the city council. Hone based his at- tack on unsanitary conditions around carneys, .'rampgnt gambling' and, most of ail. 'immoral conditions,' in- cluding lewd shows and comeon series of admissions for 'for men cnl.v' presentations. Formal petition on the carney nix has been prepared by the theatre men to present to the council. Fights Are Forced Out Of New York by Fair Mike Jacobs, sports promoter, de- clares that he spotted three major fights outside of New York because the World's Fair is too strong oppo- sition. The Louis-Pastor match in Detroit; fight between Galento and Nova will be staged in Philadelphia, and the repeat contest between Conn and Bettina will be in Pittsburgh. Jacobs, who is alluded to as 'the traveling salesman,' has spotted his three boxoffice heads in the three stands. Riv Bi.sland is in Detroit. H.vmie Lewin in Pittsburgh, and Charles Bowman in Philly. 17G in Fr«e Talent To Mass. Expo Patrons Sidney Howard _: Continued from page 42___ Brockton Fair, Brockton, Mass., through the Music Corp. of America, will give its patrons around $17,000 worth of free talent during its one- week's duration. Fair opens iSept. 10. Three name bands have been set. Glen Cray's Cassi Loma orch plays Sept. 10-11-12; Guy Lpmbardo, 13- 14, . and Eddy Duchin. 15-16. Acts set thiis far are Jane Pickens, Rufe Davis, Sylvia Froos and 16 Chester Hale dancers. Five more acts are yet to be filled. Including costs of transportation, the talent bill for the Brockton Fair will be around $20,000 a record en- tertainnnent outlay for. that event thus far. Miles Ingalls and Manny Sachs, of MCA, have been handling the show. BEATTY'S JUNGLE FARM Clyde Beatty, currently . at the George Hamid Pier, Atlantic City Fair 's Film Stunts .Continued from page 1_ the band shell was the lipoff on how much the bands were benefiting the conceiision.s. Major point overlooked is that the name crews attract short bankrolled jitterbugs. Furthernriore the music goes to all sections of the grounds via 21 loudspeaker outlets. This per- mits dancers to cut the rug at almost any spot on the Flushing site. Typi- cal o( failure to draw big crowd to the midway was Saluday t2G) after- noon, a big day. when only a meager throng went to the bandshell. New York exposition will have to grab a heavy gate from now on in order to show paid, attendance of 25.000,000, supposedly the' minimum figure the management believes will Closes Sept. 10 and then do«s severa|i enable a payoff. Pro.<;pect of rain ! and the threat of a European war I may cripple the anticipated big Sep- I tember infiux. There were■ reports, weeks of fairs bpJto.rp.Qpefiing Dec. 2 at his own Jungle Farm and Zoo, located at Fort Lauderdale, Fla. It's a new venture for Beatty, and will remain open all year 'roiuid. *Scandals^ Buy Continued from page 41 saved from taking It on the: chin last .season, when there were sev- eral distinct slumps. Brokers, how- ever, appear to be more than willing to take a chance and, incidentally, put a nick in the code. They also see ,a way to forestall the plan ot managers to establish a central ticket agency. Showmen were all steamed Up to establish such an enterpri.se but lately such plans have simmered down following objections by some managers to turn over control ot their boxoffices. There is a chance that some action against the Alvin by the League will result from White's financing of 'Scandals.' Understood that the. pro- ducer secured 'loans* from' various brokers, also that orders on the box- office would not be recognized from agencies which refused to 'lend' coin to While. If discriminaton in allot- ting tickets exists, the League is ex- pected to act; Matter of the loans' was reported to the League, where the showman's manipulations ,'were regarded as a buy. White declared that was in- correct, explaining that the advance coin from the brokers was strictly in the nature of loans, for which he signed notes. Equity has rules paralleling those of the code, applicable to managers not belonging to the League. Such rules are more stringent in some respects and include a provision against buys. Equity could order its niembers out of shows for evasion of that rule but being engrossed in ^ore vital matters, particularly the lurisdietional union fight, it's doubf- lul if such drastic action would be considered at this time. definitely denied, that the show might . shutter before Oct. 31, but fair vcleraus all agreed that such move would be bad, hurting pros- pects (or 1940. Exhibitors' meeting last week agreed virtually lOO'c to go for a 1940 fair. Unofficial poll of foreign area indicated a majority would come in next year. Only thing that would hamper foreign participation, it was staled, would be a World War Outbreak of hostilities might bring the recall of foreign commissioners. It is reported that some Latin-Amer- icon countries already have called back their representatives^ but more in pique at high labor costs. Diffi- culty may be encountered in getting j of foreign nations to return next year unle.>!s some adjustments are made by the management becau.se of the extra amount needed for the first year's operation. However, foreign reps admit that the heaviest outlay is out of the way, and the only coin needed for 1940 would be lor actual operation. Building union.s and Local 3. IBEW, hiive been blamed mostly for these upped co.sts. were figured to be essential to that cause. Besicies being , popular among the Dramatists Guild membership, Howard was also, well liked through-, out show business circles; Playwright's death occurred last Wednesday afternoon (23J, when he attempted to start a tractor in the garage of his farm at Tyringham, Mass. The machine had been loft in gear.and, when he cranked it, started forward, pinning him against the wall. His body was found some time later by an employee, who extricated it and summoned aid. Mrs. Howard, the former Leopoldtne uianie Dam- rpsch, daughter of Walter Damrosch, was shopping at Leei Mass., several miles away and was notified on her return. Funeral, held Saturday (26) in Union Church, Tyringham, drew many theatrical people from Broad- way and the east, as well as ac- quaintances in Tyringham, Lee, Stockbridge and the surrounding towns. Anderson and Sherwood are in Hollywood and were unable to at- tend the services, but Rice and Behr- man, with other associates, were among the honorary pallbearers. Burial was in the Little Cemetery, Tyringham. Mrs. Howard has indi- cated she intends making her perma- nent home on the Tyringham farm', called the Shaker Meeting House and purchased by the playwright in 1935. It was his favorite spot and he spent all the time he could there. Howard was born in Oakland, Calif., in 1891. His parents, John Lav^rence Howard and the former Helen Louise Coe. After graduating from the University of California he attended Pirof. George Pierce Baker's classes in playwrighting at Harvard. He recently told friends that he and Behrman were the only two mem- bers of the class not considered as having a chance of becoming suc- cessful dramatists. Howard joined the service when the U. S. entered the war, serving as an ambulance driver and then as an aviator. After the war he worked for The New Republic, Hear.st's In- ternational and then joined the .staff of Life. His first play was 'The Labor Spy,'' followed by 'Swords,' 'S. S. Tenacity,' 'Casanova,' 'Sancho Panza,' 'Bewitched' and 'They Knew What They Wanted,' the latter win- ning the Pulitzer Prize in 1924. Other plays included 'Lucky Sam McCarver.' The Last Night of Don Juan,' "Michael Auclair,' 'Morals,' 'Ned McCobb's Daughter,' 'The Sil- ver Cord,' 'One, Two, Three.' 'Sal- vation,' 'Olympia;' 'Half Gods,' ■Marseilles.' "The Late Christopher Bean,' 'Alien Corn,' 'Dod.sworth,' 'Yellow Jack,' 'Ode to Liberty.' 'Paths 'Glory' and 'Ghost of Yankee wrote a novel. UARRT C. BAKER Harry C. Baker, §2, outdoor sbow- mah for more than 30 years and as president of Baker & Traver, op- erated 12 rides at the New. York World's Fair, died of a heart attack at his home in Larchmont, N. Y., Aug. 23, Fatal attack is believed to have resulted from a stroke he suf- fered last June, After a brief enlistment in the U. S. Army, with which he .saw serv- ice in the Philippines, he started in Chicago as a builder of rides and amusement park devices. Jointly controlling patents to the under- friction roller coaster with John Miller, he received royalties.from all such rides until five years ago. Only last year he opened the largest roller coaster in South America. Dedicated by President 'Vargas of Brazil in Rio de. Janeiro, it was built'by Baker in association with Harry G. Traver. Throughout the U, S. he had an inr terest in more than 50 types of rides. In addition, he also controlled pat- ents on various fun hoiises. Baker was a member of the N. Y. World's Fair advisory committee and treasurer of the Concessionnaires orchestra leader and trick .drummer, died unexpectedly Aug. 25 at the home of his mother in Princeton, Ind. 1: uneral services in Princeton. - Mother only immediate survivor. CATHERINE COUTTS-BAIN Catherine: Coutts - Bain, concert singer who was once summoned for a command performance by Edward. 'VII, died In Toronto Saturday (26). She retired from the concert stage 10 years ago and had been ill for more than a year. Biirial in Toronto. EDWARD STAUB Edward. Staub, 67, former theatre operator, (lied in Glcndale, Cal., Aug. 27. He had been an exhibitor in Chicago, Los Angeles, Oakland and Berkeley, Cal. Leaves son, Ralph Staub, a film director. MARGARET WHISTLER Margaret Whistler, 47, former ."creen player, died Aug. 23 in Hollyr wood. She had played with Mabel Normand, Clara Kimball Youbg and IN MEMORIAM Mavcus Loew September 5th, 1927 Assn. Rides operated by Baker & Traver at the Fair are The Whip, Serpentine, Jitterbug, Laff-in-Dark, Midget Auto, Rolloplane, Roller Coaster, Centipede, Skyride, Snap- per, Stratoship and Laughland. Surviving are his widow, Mrs. May Baker; two brothers, John Baker of Long Beach, Cal., and George J. iBaker, supervisor of Playland, Rye, N. Y. Funeral services were held Thursday (24) in New Rochelle, and burial followed in Chicago. JOHN D. TOBIAS ■ John Douglas Tobias,- 59, died Aug. 15 in Los Angeles. Deceased was born in Riverside, Cal., and started musical career on the (ioast in 1898. He was former member of the board of directors of Local 47, American Federation of Musicians, Los An- geles, from 1911 to 1917; president of tifie local in 1923-24, and its vice- pre.sidcnt in 1928. He also .served as a director of the Musicians' club of Los Angeles from 1925 to 1932, and was i^ first president. DON FREDERICO GAMBOA Don FedericO Gamboa, 74, Mexican novelist, who authored 'Santa' ('Saintess'), substance of Mexico's first talker in 1930, and which is Jack Gilbert in silent days. In recent years she was a costume designer at Columbia. W. J. GUNTHER W. J. ■ Gunther, 34, chief engineer of WJJD, Chicago, for the past five years, died in Chicago Aug. 18, fol- lowing an operation. •Widow and child survive. Ernest Donat, 75, father of Robert Donat, British picture player, died in Wallingford, Conn., Monday (28). A native of Poland, he had been.promi- nent as an engineer in England for years. Widow and three other sons survive. O. S. 'Stape* Wright, 58, one of the first Negro orchestra leaders to achieve national renown, died Aug. 23 in Columbus, O. His band was popular in immediate post World War days, recording for Victor. Joseph T. Bradley, 57, band leader in the Albany area for years, died at his home in the New York state capi- tal last week after a six-week illness. Widow and sister survive. Leo I. S. Conway, - Philadelphia ticket broker, died. Monday (28) at his home in Overbrook, Philly su- burb. Survived by his -widow, two children and two sisters. soon to be pic-revived with Dolores del Rio in the lead, died at his home in Mexico City (Aug. 15) after a long illness. A son survives.- Burial in Mexico City. BIRTHS Mr. and Mr.s. James FitzPatrick. daughter, Aug. 21, in Los Angeles. Father produces Travcllalks for Metro. Mr. and Mr.s. John Berlero, son, in Los Angele.s, Aug. 20. Father is Fox- We.st Coast attorney. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Greenhalgh. son, in Hollywood, Aug. 23. Father is studio cameraman. Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Randolph, daughter, in Dcs Moines, Aug. 12. Father is continuity writer for KSO- KRNT, Dcs Moines; mother is the former Virginia 'Vail, songstress. Mr, and Mr.s. Barron Howard, daughter, in Richmond, Va., re- cently. Falher is business manager of WRVA, Richmond. ED WHEELER Ed Wheeler, 63, well-known in Coast radio circles and recently editor of Southern California Broad- caster, was killed Aug. 21 when istriick by an auto as he alighted from a bus near his home in Glen- dale, Cal. More recently he was a.ssociated. with Hal Styles on KHJ's 'Help Thy Neighbor' program. Doodle.' He also 'Three Flights Up.' Among his film .scripts wer. 'Bull- dog Drummond,' 'Condemned,' 'Raf- fles,' 'A Lady in Love,' 'Free Love,' 'The Greeks Had a. Word for It,' 'Dbdsworth,' 'The Silver Cord,' 'The Late Christopher Bean' and the forthcoming 'Gone With , the Wind.' . His script for 'Arrowsmith' won an Aciidemy award. Besides, his widow, survivors in-j . elude four children, Clare Jenness I HARR'V.G. McGREGOR Howard, daughter by his first wife, I Harry G. McGregor, 40, midget '.he late Clare Jenrtess Eames, the fireeatcr, died Sunday (27) scon after actress; Sidney Damrosch Howard, | completing his act with a freak show Walter Damro.sch Howard and Mar- ; at the Iowa State Fair, Dos Moines, garet Helen Damrosch Howard; his IA coroner's investigation ascribed mother, a sister and three brothers, j death to a heart attack. In addition to his membership in the • His widow, also a midget, known Dramatists Guild, Howard also be- | as 'The iron Eyelid Woman' isur- longed to the Society of American vives. Dramatists and Composers, the Na- tional Institute of Arts and Letters, the American Academy of Fine Arts and was a director of the American Civil Liberties Union. ■ Howard's will, filed for probate on Monday (28), leaves his estate in trust to his widow. Upon her death, the four children share equally in the principal. Petition for probate formally valued the estate at 'more than $20,000.' Walter Briishaber, 41, operator of the Avalon night club. Port Clinton, O., died Aug. 21 from injuries re- ceived in an automobile accident near that city. Henry J. Benjamin, 81, director of music, at the old Olympic '-eatre, St. Louis, from 1893 to 1911, died of a complication of diseases last week in St. Louis: John B. Ollnger, 65, retired Mil- waukee exhibitor, died in that city, Aug. 22. Surviving are his widow and sister. Edgar Marston Burgard, 14, step- son of Lawrence Tibbett, opera sing- er, died in Honolulu Monday (28) of a head infccti.on. He had been ill a week. Pblllp Le Feuvre, 68, retired stage and screen actor, died Aug. 23 in Arcadia, Calif. MARRIAGES Betty Winkler to Robert Jennings, in Chicago, Aug. 23. He's radio head of Kastor ad agency; she's radio player. ' Sara Byrd to Douglas Edwards, tn Atlanta, Aug. 29. He's announcer at WXYZ, Detroit. Helen Howorth to Robert N. HORACE GOLDIN Perry, in Wollaston, Mass., Aug. 28. Horace Goldin, 65, magician, died Bride is production inanager of Aug. 22 in London after collapsing i WORL, Boston; he's "program direc- during a performance at the Wood- tor of same station. green Empire theatre there. Details in vaudeville section. JOHN HENRY MULHALL John Henry Mulhall, 27, . known professionally as Johnny Mulhall, who for more than 10 years was an Dorothy Andrews to F. Ward Sam- ple, in Columbu.s, O., Aufir'26. He is WHKC, Columbus, continuity editor. Adah Smith Alison to Rev. Harry W. Pedicord, in Bridgeport, Aug. 22. Bride Is WCCC, Bridgeport, broad- caster.