Variety (Jan 1940)

Wednesday, January <f, lyw Thirly^fourth—VARIETY—Anniversary 83 SEASONAL GREETINGS FROM JACK HARRIS NOW FEATURED AT THE LONDON CASINO AND EL MOROCCO, LONDON. ENGLAND TO ALL HIS FRIENDS ITALY'S CRIPPLED VARIETIES By Hugo Speck Rome, Dec. 20. Show biz, whether it be filmed or unfilmed, dressed in all the eor- geousness of costume or undressed in the scantiest.of scanlies that Rome will allow, was terrible in the Fascist capital this year. With restrictions against the expor- tation of earnings, a continual war tcare hovering over this country, and few tourists rubbernecking around the boot of the globe, foreign talent . fought shy of Italy last year and producers for the most pari did the best they could with what the local bookers could furnish. Only the world famou.': spots like the Lido Venice, and the famed Italian Riviera resort, San Rcmo, made any attempt at cornering foi- cign talent to parade behind the lights for the amusement of the few visitors who came, and the even fewer Ilalos who had the coin to fi'equcnt such establishments. But even in those internationally known hangouts for the take it easy folks, business was below the normal level, which means that all class joints in the Italo amusement world suffered alike. . If anyone wants to point an ac- cusing finger at any one country, or Bel it down even to one single man, the lyric to the tune says Germany and Hitler. Since a year ago last September, when Daladicr - and Chamberlain scurried to Munich to postpone the war, Europe had the Jitters and Italy has had her share It was one crisis after another— with at least one centering in Italy— until the German troops crossed the Polish frontier and started their drive for Warsaw. The entertain- ment world here suffered from the watchful waiting policy of foreign talent and customers who did not want to be caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. When war did come, there was plenty doubt in this country whether or not Fasci.st troops would enter the conflict. When it transpired that Mussolini's Italy would take 'no military initiative' it was too late to salvage any of the trade that had been lost. Tough Restrictions And with the commencement of the conflict up north came restric- tions that slammed the cash box clo.<;ed for the few operators.who still had a desire to continue and .>:howcd a willingness to do the best they could under existing conditions. Dancehall operators took it in the neck for more than six weeks as the slept>ing spots were padlocked from almost the start of the war until its second month's anniversary. Va- riety houses were spared the com- plete padlock, but they were harn- pcred by inability to get talent for bills that had In be curUined at midnight. Niteries took the wor.-t kick next fo dancehalls, with dancing also forbidden in such establish- ments for six weeks. .And when regulations were eased in November, dancing was allowed only until one a.m., which is early for a town that dines late and has its liqueurs about midnight. The class joints also took another kick in early September when all private cars—except for business and official reasons, if permits were forthcoming—were oflticially garaged to conserve gas. That meant, and still means, no night cruising be- tween favorite night spots. Cus- tomers took to home entertainments. Meatless days—Thursdays and Fri- days—in effect since early Septem- ber, have also taken their toll in the class restaurants where dancing and variety might be found. Lack of coflee is also hard on night spots, where payees often came solely to imbibe the favorite beverage of Italians. Summer Fairly Ohay Only bright spot in the entire year was the summer. A few straggling tourists did blow this way during the months when the weather, in- stead of the headlines, furnished the heat. At that time dancing was per- mitted and sizeable crowds were at- tracted. The LidD in Venice im- ported a small co". lection of Ameri- can acl.s. including Marthca Mcrry- lield and a troupe of Chester Hale Girls, who were held over for a re- peat at the Mr.nicip.-'l Casino there. Booked for other engagements in Italy, like several other American acts here at the time fireworks started, they took advice of Ameri- can consuls here and scrammed home on first available boats. Although there was a sprinkling of American dance learns, the Four Stars, a skating act, and a few American comedians, the better at- tractions never got as far south as Rome. The best ■ summer spots in the capital, like the Villa della Rosa, offering both dancing and variety, the Casino Valadier, Apollo Roof Gardens, and the swankier spots like the Quirninale, had little to of- fer but local talent topped now and then by tank towners from Central Europe. Only on rare occasions did any of this hit above the ordinary level. Vaude Talent Scarce Variety houses as such shuttered for the holler months and the fall reopening occurred after the gun- fire had begun, so they had little chance of offering anything better than the local talent, which had been going the rounds during.the entire year. A few American performers took refuge here as a neutral coun- try and expressed a desire to stay the winter out, consuls and bookings permitting. On the whole, the year was a dud from almost every aspect of this type of amusement. What there was of it was from hand-to-mouth through- out the entire year. Not one opera- tor in this town at the close of 1939 had good news to report, and they were gloomier still about the coming 12 months. An uncertainty as to .what the spring will bring makes them reticent about prophesying for the future, but there appears to be no hope on the amusement horizon. The year end., especially the res- toration of dancing, did hypo the bright spots a little, but only to the extent that might be expected over the passing of a pretty grim old year and the bringing in of a new. There .seems to be little to warrant a be- lief that 1040 will be better, though the easing of wartime restrictions may bring business back to normal. However, normal in this amusement capital is far from good. But as the current saying goes, 1939 not only marked the beginning of the second European war in the 20th century, but it also put the Yankees Doing Some Wishfnl Thinking On Japanese Regularions Consistent with Japanese overtures to Jhe U. S. for a new trade accord, most recently evidenced by her pledge to open the Yangtze River in China to international trade, the American film industry is expected to be one of the prime benefitters in the negotiations. A pact would permit a new film distrib deal and negotiations to withdraw rental money collected in 1939, which has been allowed to leave the country only sparingly,. Japanese have for some time been anxious to renew the American ac- cord, which expires Jan. 26. Most picture officials in New York be- lieve that films will be in the fore- ground of such agreements becau.se of popularity of U. S. product in •Japan. This altitude was evidenced by the former pact, effective last year, whereby American picture com- panies, which considered the deal favorable to themselves, removed rental coin collected in Japan for depositing in the-Yokahama Specie Bank, San Francisco branch, and were permitted to distribute 220 pic- tures in Japan in the last 12 months. They're presently applying pressure to obtain a similar agreement. blackout on the amusement world. Brightest ray for the future n6w is the hope that it will all be over by 1942, when Italy Is planning to pull her International Exhibition. FOSTER'S AGENCY GEORGE FOSTER H^'^^Y ^^^^^^ The Oldest Established Theatrical. Film and Vaudeville Agents in Europe PICCADILLY HOUSE, PICCADILLY CIRCUS. LONDON, W. 1. Phone: Regent 5367, 5368 and 5369 Telegrams and Cables Confirmation London