Variety (Feb 1941)

Wednesday, February 5, 194l OBITUARIES 1 .-.:. MARIE NARELLE Marie Narelie, 67, concert singer , and actress who last appeared' in the London . , musical success, 'Under Your Hat,' which, starred Jack Hul- bertand Gicely Courtheidge in 1937, died Jan. 25 at - Chipping Norton* near Oxford, England. •-. An Australian by 'birth, Mine: Na- relie made her debut in 1904 at the St. Louis World's Fair; Gifted, with a fine soprano voice, she specialized in Irish songs and once toured with John McCormack. Twice-weti,Mme. Narelie used the. name of her .first husband for pro- fessional purpose's. He died, many years ago when she scarcely had started her career. Upon marrying Harry A, : Currie, she.left the profes-, sional concert- stage although she oc- casionally sang- for charity. After his ..death in '1934, she went abroad and returned, to the theatre for the Hulbert-Courtheidge musical. Survivors are a son, Reginald Na- relie; and. also two daughters by her first marriage. ' CHARLES H. JONES I Charles Hi Jones, 66;, retired vaude and circus performer who, with his wife Ruth, trouped in an. aerial act. known: as The Leoras and later were featured as the Ruth Howell Duo, died of a heart attack Jani 8 at his home near Garrison, Minn. For some time he had been in failing health. ''■.'"' A native of Emporia, Kas., Jones started his career as a highwire worker . and balloon ascender at fair's and amusement parks. After his marriage to Ruth Willman in 1909 the pair teamed as The Lepras and later established the Howell Duo while touring the Pantages and Orpheum circuits. . Since 1930 Jones had lived in Anoka, Minn., where he Was en- gaged with his son, Don, in the oil business; Also leaves widow and two half-sisters... Burial at Brainerd, Minn. BILLY DE MONT Billy De -Mont, 67, actor and vaude performer who last appeared in the late Joseph M. Gaites' production of The Man Who Killed Lincoln' at the Longacre, N.Y., a.year ago, died Jan. 29 in New York. Born in Louisville, Ky., as Williaro De Mont Evans, he later took the name of Billy De Mont for profes- sional purposes. For .35 years he worked in vaude, acted on the le- gitimate stage and also wrote plays and composed. He teamed with his Wife, Lillyn as Brown and De- Mont, an act known as the two Black Dia- monds: More recently he had ap- peared on several radio dramatic sketches. Also surviving are a. soft, daughter iiid a sister. CLARA B. PRICE Clara B. Price, 85, Shakespearean actress, died Feb. 1 in Santa Monica hospital, Santa Monica, Calif., from complications resulting from a broken leg which she sustained In a fall about three months ago. Widow of an actor, Mark Price, she was a native of Boston, where 6he played in stock for 10 years with the Boston Theatre Company. Mrs. Price; usually seen^in either Shakes- pearean or romantic parts, later joined Augustin Daly's company, and for five years appeared with Robert Man tell. After cremation, the ashes will be placed beside' the "grave of her hus- band in Kensico Cemetery,.N. Y. He died in 1917. V JIMMY JONES J. West Jones, 53,. known toi per- formers and patrons of Steel Pier Music Hall, Atlantic City, where he conducted orch as Jimmy Jones, died : suddenly of .heart attack Jan. 28 in Philadelphia: For 16 : years, Jones ' directed the pier orchestra each sunv rnery; and during winter season enr gaged in' similar . capacity at ■ Fay's theatre, Philadelphia. Jones played on old keith circuit and was also a'composer. At one time he was associated with J. Bart McHugh in musical show produc- tions. He - was the featured pianist at Variety Club. dinner at Bellevue- Stratford. hotel the night. before his death. Widow and. Son" survive./. JOHN J. FARREN John J. Farren, 60, former owner of the Victoria theatre, ; Rochester, N. Y;, died Jan. 26 at his home in. Rochester after two years* illness. He was a native of New York, mov- ing to Rochester 35 years ago to be* come manager of the. Hippodrome theatre, one -of earliest film houses in the upstate city. A year. later he became manager, and part owner of the Victoria; operated as vaudfllm house until his /- retirement inL 1929. Three, years later: the .theatre was razed. Widow, Mary Dblan Farren, sur- vives. ' GRACE LYNN Grace. Lynn, 57, actress and news- paper contributor, died Jan. 29 after a short illness at the Monteflore hos- pital, Bronx, N.Y. A native of New York, she was a graduate of Hunter College. • . . Miss Lynn, who had a long and varied career on the stage, at one time acted as understudy to Henri- etta Crossman, In recent years she had done free-lance literary work, writing chiefly on theatrical topics. Surviving are two sisters and two brothers. Funeral, services were held in New York Friday (31) under auspices of. the Actors' Fund, HENRY S. KOPPIN . ' Henry S. Koppin, 64, who built and at various times operated 26 the- atres, in Detroit, died suddenly, in Toledo, O., when he suffered a stroke Caldwell H. Brown, Jr. 1911—1936 while on a businarr trip- koppin was. also the operator' for years of the Ramona dance hall and amuse- ment park at the entrance to Belle Isle, -Mich: Leaves widow, three sons, one of whom, Henry, manages the Uptown theatre, Detroit^ and two daughters. VIOLET ESSEX Violet Essex, . 48, London musical comedy star during the last war, died Jan. 31 in Beverly Hills, Calif. Privately she was the wife of Charles Levlnson Tucker. Miss Essex, who early in her career sang at Covent Garden, went on to assume the role of Margana in the musical, 'Chu Chin Chow,' Which ran in -London for more than five years. TRACY C. BERGERON Tracy C.. Bergeron, 70, manager and pianist of the old-time vaude Harmony Four, died Jan, 23 in Cleveland. He helped form the quartet 50 years ago and toured it through the continent and in Eng- land for years. Team, included Frank Barrett, now in music business in London; Eddie Hughes and Fred Brockman, all Clevelanders. '-■'. WALTER J. GARYN . Walter J. Garyn, '50; operating for three .years as Garynteed Pictures, Inc.,. independent film exchange at, Dallas, Texas, and. .a veteran film salesman, died . recently of heart disease. Formerly ., was general salesrhanager of National Screen] Service. Native of St. Louis, he be? gan with Fox Films, later Held M-G executive sales job. Widow and sister survive. : ' State; Strand, Delia and Roxy, to fhe Butterfleld chain. He leaves widow and daughter. STEFAN PECHA V- : -'.'''; Stefan Pecha, 28, who had played first oboe with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra for the past'.five years, died Jan. 29 at his room in a New York hotel. '' :: \ : Born . in Czechoslovakia,. Pecha came to the .United States at the age of 12 and received his early; musical education at the Institute of Musical Art, N. Y. .. A RM A ND KALIZ . ■'..' Armand Kaliz, 49, long a stage, ac- tor and for the past 10 years a screen- actor-writer^ died ■'■ Feb.. 1 in Beverly Hills, Cal., of a heart ailment ' Coming to- this country after the World • War, -Kaliz appeared in many Broadway plays and .for years was an Orpheum headlirier. He acted in. 30 pictures arid later, turned to writing. : : Widow survives. '-. LESTER E. MATT .-' Lester E. Matt, 61, one of the pio- neer showmen of Flint (Mich.), died of a heart, attack while returning home fr.Om his winter camp at Mio, Mich.,'Jan. 27. Only a:few weeks ago he retired from business, selling his four film houses In Flinty the RALPH RICKENBACHER , Ralph. Rickeribacher, music con- tractor ' on several Coast radio shows, died Feb. I in Santo Monica, cai. ■ v "•' Survived by widow arid' brother, Paul Rickenbacher, radio exec with J. Waiter Thompson agency in Hollywood. ' Father, 80, of Milton Silver, ad- vertising and publicity director for National Screen Service^ died of a cerebral .hemorrhage Jan. 30 in Flushing, L; I. Besides -his soft, widow and four daughters also surv, vive. Funeral services were held Sunday (2) in Flushing. . .. Aba W. Rlegelman, 55, salesman for 20th-Fox in, southern Iowa for 14 years, died Jan. 27 at Iowa Lutheran hospital, Des Moines, after a ; -brief illness; . Survived by a son, sister and four brothers. Mrs. Mary Frledland, /mother of Bess. Schulter, member of a syndi- cate operating several nabe Aimers in St Louis, died last week. A son, Al Friedlandi is an officer of IATSE, Local No. 143. Mariano Spazlano, about 70, father of Joe Spaziano who leads 'orchestra at Fay's Theatre, Providence, - : died. Sunday, Jari. 26', aftejr lorig illness. v * MARRIAGES Vera Engelsi to Ivan. Lebedeff, in Enseriada, Mexico, Jan. 24. Bride's an actress; he's, a film player, j Lynne Roberts to William Engel- bert. iii. Yuma, Ariz., Jan. 6..' Bride, is contract player at 20th-Fox. Mary Fletcher to Victor Thorleyv in; New York, Feb, 4. Both are, 'legit prayers.- 4 Lillian Keil to Michael Cirillo, In Detroit, Jan. 29.. Bride is-- beauty contest winner; . with 'American Beauties Oh Parade* vaude unit; he's of Three Cirillos vaude act. Thora Hoagland to Harold Eckert; Jan. 29, in Columbus, O. He's drama editor of The Ohio State-Journal, Columbus. Jacqueline Dalya to William Con- selman, Jr.; in Las Vegas, Nev., Jan. 27. She's a. film player; he's a screen writer. : " Marjorie Lytell to James MacColl, Jan. -30, Jn Newport, Ky. Bride is former Wife of Philip Faversham, son .of. William Faversham, stage star; MacColl is legit player. Osa Johnson to Clark H. Getts, in New York, Feb. 3. Bride, was widow of adventurer, Martin Johnson; he's her manager. Gertrude. Winer to Ira Kaplan, in Detroit, Jan. 29. He is manager arid part owner of Cinema theatre, De- ,troit; bride is radio actress.. BIRTHS Mr. and Mrs. John Herberg, son, in Seattle, Jari. 24. Mother is Gene Dennis,, the psychic; father is north- west theatre owner. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Perrine, daughter, in Hollywood, Jan. 21. Father is manager of Ruthrauff and Ryan ad agency there. _.Mr. and Mrs. John Melbourne, son, Jan. 25, in Springfield, III. Father is. a member of. the talent staff of WCBS, Springfield. 111. Mr. and Mrs. Harold M. Green, daughter, in New York. Father was formerly in RKO Radio homeibffice advertising dept., now. in liquor-busi- ness-for himself. Mr. and Mrs. Ned Scott, daughter, in Hollywood, Jan. 26. Father is still photographer for Globe Productions. Mr. and Mrs. Frank, McLatchy, son;: Jari, 16, in Salt Lake City. Father is sales executive for' KSL, Sait Lake CUy.. ' ; ' ■■ ; Mr. and;Mrs.. Ralph W..Hardy,,sohi in Salt Lake CitJV Jan. 18. Father is sales executive for KSL. Mr- : and Mrs. Wayne F. Richards, daughter, in Salt Lake City, Jan. 30. Father is .promotion .and publicity head at KSL. . Mrv and[ Mrs. Jack Daniels, son, in ]^ew-. York, last. week. Father's a legit actor. Mr. and Mrs. Barron Howard, daughter, ; in Richmond; Va;, last week. Father is business manager of WRVA( Richiriond, .; . ■[ Mr. and Mrs. Edd Henry, daugh- ter, in Hollywood, Feb. 2. Mother is fllni actress. Joyce Bryant; father is an agent. ■ Plans Lynchburg House . ; Lynchburg, Va., Feb: 4; . Site, on High street, Portsmouth, has been bought by William. S, Wild- er for a $200^000 theatre! seating 1,200. Ground is to be broken soon. 'Wilder owns a string of Virginia houses. ' ■ ' • Bills Hext Week {Continued from page 56; Jay Jason' .'■ Pol Jlai* (Jla-- Pets VUra- Oro . «atler Ilptel B' Uftdrlguera pro Patricia Olliho'r* ■ Encudero Sarlta & Tito Morale* ; . Sav Diego V; Qeorgef Prcsnell.. -. Al Alnxander Oro pan Merryman . Don- Francisco Starr & Jlaxlno -' '" VenM'a Bert- Nolan ■ Boyd Senter Mafcla :hastlnff : Betty Belvllle Harry Collet Oro >T1ilttifr Hotel : _jOold Cap Room) Tony Pattl '. .Wonder' Bar ■ Sammy Olbert Orb PITTSBUS6H ■ Anchorage Hugh .Morton' Oro Maynard Deane .. ' Arlington Lodge • Phil Cavezza Ore . Uachelors'-;C.lub- Al:.Turner .Qrc . France* McCoy . ' Balconadea . Joe y41lella Oro, . ° IUiy Grfen'a • Olyde-Knight 6ro.'- : . Janet XaeT -. Herb. Roaher •'. Boogie-WflOgle Clab Boog Sherman lzzy Nutz Buddy Walsh . Nutsy. Fa gan - Harry Comorada.v' Pocky .' M'Farland'. Tiny Miller Bernle Crawford - Club Petite. Piccolo Pete Oro Mary Krleg Bernle- Lambert Ted ' belmohlf o ' Betty. Benz ' Betty Be.egle ;. Cork arid Bottle Jack Davis Eddie. Peyton's BUI Campbell Orb ■ Caroline Moore . Mabel Harrold Marlon - Muller . " ■ Eddie Peyton .-' El Chlco . Clra liuDA'S. Oro Bsfre'llta Pena Alziro Camargo , . Chlnlta Marin Charley Boy Hotel Fort Pitt-.. Ken Bailey Ore Johnny Mitchell Jessica Wheatley - . . Harry Walton • Irma Outhreil Hotnl Henry (Silver Orlll) Billy Treacher Ore Sandy Davidson ' Flo Parker ' : . Jean Wood's ; . ; (Gny 90'«) . . Dorothy Nesbltt ' Hotel ,7th Avenue Bess Saunders . Ida Iola . . 'Everett Haydn ' Betty Donahoe Shirley Heller At Devln '.-■■.■ Evergreen Garden* Red Clarke Oro Ebble Srhaub . Paula Harvey , Hotel Rlln Olga Mundy Oro Dale 8t Clair Zelda. • Hotel Boo«evelt Ted Blake ' Men About . .' Hotel Schealey Billy Hinds Oro Patty Dixon Buzz Mayer '■ ■. - Hotel Win. Penn ' <Chatterbok) Baron Elliott. Ore . (Continental Bar) Frank Andrlnl i Herry-Oo-Roand Brad Hunt bro Jeanle Regal Billy Carmlchael Huntsrqen ly'e.w.- Penn- -, ■ Henry Blauth Ore..-. ' •' :-. Niion Cufo ..■•'. Al Marlsco Ore . Bob Carter H--.'. Lester & Irma Jean Thompson,Bros/' Norma Shea ■ Starlets- . Nat Hour* bale Hark'nes* .' Ray Neville . Pat McGowan Joey Reynold* Chiick Wilson': . Oasl* ..'.' Louie Pope Oro Margie- Krabe'r ' .Orchard .'• 7lmmy' iQamble' Ore Jay Lorlng ... Chiick Miller Pine* Bill LeRoy Oro Tony Rozance Ray Englert : Yacht Clnb Jack ■ Walton Oro Llto & Lee Yachtsmen Betty Nyln'nder Harry Schilling Bert Nagel Co - - Tom Ball G Is 8Uy-Vu». Mickey Ross Oro Sky Pilots Union Grill Art Tagelio . Frank Natale Mllce Sandretto. Villa Madrid Etzl Covato Orb . Mark Lane . Stepln Fetchtt Abdul Sender 3 Cran'dyls . Dolores La Mont Kay & Kay Dewey Moon MIAMI Beachcomber Xavler Cugat Ore Mlguellto Valdez Carlyle BlacUwell • Chavez Oro' Tropical Dane Corrouael Ina Ray Hutton Or Velerb Sis Ore Sammy Walsh Harry Stevens Nancy Hunt. Patty Ortell Stuart Foster ""' Club Ball Tommy; Nunez. Ojrc Peggy Fears Olivette & Murray - Merle &' Gaylbr Alfredo Seville Ball-ett.es (12) Club Require Wo.rthy Hills pre Hernandez Ore Cross & Dunn Terry Lawlor . De Ang'elo & Porter Howard Brboli* EsqUlretteS (8) Club Te Pee Myles Bell Ore Wanda Lee: Armond 4 Juliana . Colonial Inn' '. Paul Whlteman Ore Harry Riohmnn Sophie Tucker. " Joe E Lewis Chandra-Kaly Dane Marianne : ; Ann Sutherland . Armando Oro '■'.-'■ ■ .Cuban; Cadno Eva. Ortega Harrle.tte Hen'nlng Nnn Blakatone . , Tropic Beauties .. :- Don. tanning's Doris Sherrill ' • Roberta Sherwood '■' Jlmmle Hodges. Marie Lewis El Chlco Ralph 1 .Cook: Marllyn-.Fo3.ter : '''. Glnrla liUcane Lytell Dane • live O'clock Club Pancho Ore La I'laya Dane . Hotel. Deihnsey- - . Vanderbllt -. (Pago Togo Room) Bobby -Parks Ore ■ Vincent Bragal* Or Terry Lawlor, Leon Sc Mac* <> ' Carroll & Gormaii Walter Donoliue . Hotel Hollywood -Beach (Bamboo Room) Eddie Oliver Ore Milton Douglas -. Sara Ann McCabe Hotel Miami Blltmore - (Ulralda Room) M Bergere Qro' Rodney McLennan Columbus & Carroll Marlssa. Hotel Roney'Plaza (Vlennene Room) . Emery Deutsch Ore J aye Martin Jean Travers - Georges & Jalna! . Victor Rodriguez . . Hotel Shelborne (Mayan'Boom) . Phet. Brownagle Ore K Miller Dane Hoter Vf nallle* (Gulf Boom) Chaa Murray. Oro Jeff's '• Jerf y Delmar "Oro . ■Marty Bonn -. Nancy Lee . Merle Burke - ' .. Mldgle Fellow* Murphy Sis ' Jlmmle's Budd Sawyer'* Ore Ohio Kennedy. Ravelle &. Jeanette Billy: Young • Rae Jayne Wayne Sc Marltn " Dorothy Eden •: Kitty Davis Johnny Silver' Billy .Vine . . .Conga- .pa'iip \ -. 'Latin Quarter Joe Candullo Ore Lollta Cordoba Ore Emll Boreb Grlsha & Brona , ' Henri Therrleh ■ Lela Moore Frank Mazzone : Yvonne. BoUvler Clarissa ■ • . Mayfair Club',..... Matty's Rhythm Cb Leonardo Ore • Benny Dayl* '■' Nnt Club : Tubby Rive* Lew Mercur : ' Musical Maniacs ' Paddock Club . Leon' Prima Ore ' Frante* Fayo' Rogers & Morris Ga'ye DiJton ■ Manhattanettes .: Bhamba Casino Alex Batkln Ore ' ■ Fantasias Rhumb'* Desl Arnaz Martasa Rbslta Rio* . ■ - .Raul ft Eva Reyes Royal Palm Club Abe Lyman pro ' Oscar .Rosa Pro':- Paul Haakon Jansley*- Mllton Berle Royal' Guards. Alexis .Rotoy.. • • Rose Blaine Singapore Sadie'* Dixieland Bd Johnny pineapple O Bob Berry Denliiv . BUpsy Blaxle'* Babe Russfn Pre Maxle Rosehbloont - Joe Frisco ' Cully Richards ' Sammy Lewi* Patty Moore-.'--. Carolyn Mai-sir M Garrlston :;.The Drurrt.,. Val Olman Ore John . Buckmast'e'r - Stuart &. Lee Diana- Courtney . • • Villa Venice Harry Rogers Oro Moore & Revel >Vlt'* End Tony Car|ona Oro -. Jbs'e Tomus. Prc Lenny Kent Kenlse Rae Marsh - Rita Renaud Sharon I.ynne Dana BOSTON 'Beach Co mber Nye Mayhew Oro : Don .OstroW' Orc 12deu Twins Copacabana Gls '.' George Escudeio Dorn ft.Ybssez Bllnstrub's Karl. Itohde Oro ' Rex Grayson : .'4-X'rleya Bobby. Joyce & G - Cana Mananli Lou- Ca,rter Ore ' Lee. Steele .. David Ballentlne Mai-cla Rice ' Club Mayfalr.. Ranriy Weeks Ore Bernle Bennett Ore Mills, King. & Ray Cookie Faye.- .:,,.. Do Mcranvllles 1 Ypla Qall| . Ge'/rge Xlbby Rev •' • Cocoanut Grove -. Mickey -Alpert Ore Don- Rico Ore ' . Goodrich. Sc. Nelson Paulens Ethel Lynn Allen Twins ■ George . Rand. Rev Billy Paine Nancy- Gny (Melody Ixtnnge) . RHa'Couglilfn : Crawford House Ray Collins. Ore. Sally Keith Ill-Hat Pete Herman Ore Hotel Bradford (Circus Room) Ruth Wallls Hotel Brunswick ■ (Bermuda Terrace) Ella Fitzgerald Ore Babe Wallace Hotel - Copier Plow (Sheraton Room). Stuart Frazler Ore - Hotel Essex . Lou Gordon Ore Billy Kelly Sheperd Sis Mary MacMaster .'• • Hotel Somerwt.'. - . (Ballnese Room) . Harry Marshard ' Johnny Tunnbull Lenny Welsh Hotel Stutler ; (Terrace Room) . Vaughn Monroe Pro Marilyn Duke.' " Zlggy Talent..' - '•. Joe Carney Bobby Nichols Hofel Westminster (Blue. Boom) jimmy McHale Oro Tropical Seren'd's O Adrian P'Brlenv ■Paul Regan ' Harry-Drake Rev Margie . Ford- ■•■ Marlon & H.Lynn I^tTn Quarter Don Dudley Oro Tony Bruno Ore \ Harry Spear . . Clymas Koaloft Dane Janet; Carroll.! ■ EVelyn Fahrriey 4 Sydneys' ' . .. Radio Iterb Lewis Steuben'* (Vienna Room) Lew - Conrad Ore .. ' Prince & P Selaridla . Nora &. Jimmy- Bell- Bobby Whallrig- Co Doris Abbott The Cave . Mark.. Gilbert Or.0 Jack Fisher Tamara Doi-lva Doris Abbott . Carlos & Dorla .'Mo T<k Ernie Belt Oro Ben Ford Rev .-Tretnont Plaza '■ Ben -Pullo. Ore Versallle* Geo MacVarlane Or - Buster & B Burnell. Joe Kirk . Chappell & Harmon Johnny Andrews Mgrs. Guild Pact Continued from page 57 the. Guild. Latter states that re^- quirement will not . embarrass the producers,. nor work a - hardship -oh : the alien writers. They .' point' out that when an American play is pre- sented abroad the author is required to join the writers guild in such countries. . " Present agreement stipulates that if a manager becomes bankrupt, his rights to plays shall revert to the author. . In a draft. of the revised agreement, that provision was made to read that the rights also revert in the event of the manager's death. Showmen . Immediately objected to, that .insertion, on the grounds that it was : ndt , equitable.''. Guild leaders . conceded the point and the word 'dies* will .be deleted.. They claimed they were not aware that the death inclusion, had crept into the clause. Guild is seeking three. new regular tions; regarding jrtusical .shows.., One. is that a copy of the complete score shall be turned over to the authors' association within six months of the- opening date. Since the cost of or- chestrations amounts to several thou- sand dollars or more, the" managers feel that they should be compensated by. the' Guild, Authors regard that. \ idea as .reasonable, but no fixed amount has been decided upon. Another provision calls ior the: tablishment, of a minimum. percent-. age for the. writers and ^composers of musicals. Guild sets the mark at 2%. for composers,: 2% for book writers and 1% for lyricists. As 6% . of the gross is the usual compensa- tion- to sucft writers, 1% is ieftto.be arranged for. .. Third rie.w rule- pro- vides that if single numbers from a musical are disposed of, a percentage of the purchase money shall be di- yided among all the show's writers., Cole Porter mentioned to do the score and lyrics for 'Not Tonight. Josephine,' for which Bert Lahr ahd Martha Raye are cast probabilities. .