Variety (May 1941)

MISCELLANY Wednesday, May 28, 1941 "Sieg im Westen Continues Big Yorkville Theatre's Denial of Pressure Groups' Sup* port Is Refuted The Short Handshake Despite denials I^y the 96th St. theatre, N. Y., that the ccowds at the b.o. to see 'Sieg Im Westen' ('Victory in the West'-) result from pressure on their membership by Nazi aqd Italian organizations, un- dercover anti-subversive groups in New York reiterated that charge, made in Variety last week. They also brushed aside protests by the theatre that it was not admitting persons on presentation of passes or cards, as previously charged. Meantime, the propaganda picture made by the German Army con- tinued to attract overflow audiences to the house in Manhattan's N^ifled Yorkville seotor. Pickets who were half-promised by the American Legion last week, failed to mate- rialize and the house found only minor Obstacles being put In the way of continuing the run for the sched- uled two monfiis. It is now starting Its fourth week. One hurdle was the request by the Citizens Anti-Nazi League In Albany Monday (26) for a mandamus to force censorship qf the film as a newsreel. The other was a renewed petition by the Friends ot Democ- (Contlnued on page 54) BMI Gets 'Official Song* I Of U.SjV. Flying Cadets 1 Sah Antonio,~May 27. I WOAI will originate a special broadcast on June ~ to the Basic Red Network on NBC from Randolph Field, so-called 'West Point of the Air.' Program will dedicate The Spirit of the Air Corps' as official I song of the flying cadets of the I United States Army. I Song was written by Major Wil- liam J. Clinch at Randolph Field ' and Is the musical background of the Paramount picture, 'I Wanted , Wings,' which was filmed here. Song I was sold two weeks. ago to Broad- i cast Music, Inc. I Monte Kleban, WOAI production I manager, and Dwight Bourn, WOAI ' musical director, handling show.' Hollywood, May 27. Hands-across-the-border idea is being promoted at Metro with a plan to make at least 25% of its short subjects with backgrounds in Latlff America. James A. FitzPatrick, Metro travelog producer, currently vaca- tioning in Canada, is slated for a summer and autumn tour of Mexico, where he will make four pictures in Technicolor. THE BERLE-EVG POENt By Milton Eerie Tom Harmon Asks Draft Stay for Pii-Radio Work, Sb'esses Parents' Need Detroit, May 27. Although picture stars aren't get- ting it, Tom Harmon, University of Michigan's All-American halfback, has asked draft deferment to pursue a motion picture and radio career. Interesting factor Is that Harmon's grounds are that he is the sole sup- port of his elderly parents, his pres- ent fame gives him a chance for good earnings In those fields, and that he may get the deferment denied those already in the professions. At the present timer a^ a student, he is in Class 1-B and can stretch It out for an additional defe'rment if he attends summer school. How- ever, this would Interfere with his' tiresent pix contract which calls for him to make 'Harmon of Hollywood' for Columbia this summer. He will receive $13,500 for the picture with the company having an option for a second picture for which he would receive $17,500, It poses a dilemma -lor_the-footballer-'n4iO;-by-9tepping- ^ out of summer school to pick up the ''"film money, may make liimselt elig- ible for the draft. Due to graduate this June, Harmon has been majoring In speech to fol- low his pet ambition of becoming a radio announcer. He has been re- ported to be in line to air the Uni- versity of Michigan games this" fall and already has been the. recipient of numerous radio offers. Possibility looms that since he can establish that his parents are de- pendent on his earnings, the draft board may make a ruling freeing him to pursue both the picture and radio career. 'OUT OF THE FRYING PAN'MO HOLLYWOOD Hollywood, May 27. Florence MacMIchael and Mabel Paige, presently In the Broadway stage play, 'Out of the Frying Pan,' have been' signed by Paramount for their film versions of their stage parts. They're due here in the fall on a deal optioning them for further film work. Rochester, Phil Harris To Tour in Radio Layoff Rochester (E^dle Anderson), comic with Jack Benny on the air, and Phil.Harris, bandleader on the same program, are being booked for a theatre tour during the summer mpnths'that the program lays off. Two will not go out together, Roch- ester beginning his trek at the Los Angeles Paramount week of June 16, and Harris teeing oil at the Or- pheum, Omaha, June 27. That week Rochester will play the Earle, Wash- ington. Bookings aren't complete with either, but both are tentatively set to play the New York Strand, Harris probably arotmd the beginning of August .and-Bochester- during-July^ - Benny' program goes off the air for th^ summer after Sunday's (1) broadcast More Honors in Philly For Marian Anderson Philadelphia, May 27. Marian Anderson, the Negro con- tralto, will receive an honorary de- gree of doctor of music from Temple University at commencement exer- cises June 12. She received th« Bok award of $10)000 last month as being Phila- delphia's outstanding citizen of 1040. Reportorial Immnnity Denied to Mag Writer bt LA. Libel Ruling Los Angeles, May 27. A magazine writer is not a news- paper reporter and Is therefore ^ obliged to answer questions about his source of information, under a' ruling by Superior Court Judge Em- , met H. .Wilson in the libel action brought by Frank L. Shaw, former I mayor of Los Angeles, against Mac-! fadden Publications, Inc., publishers of Liberty. | Ruling was made on the plea of Dwight F. McKinney; asserted to be o.ne of the authors of the Liberty story. The Lid OS Los Angeles.' McKinney claimed a newspaper- man's right to protect his confiden- tial informants. Judge Wilson ad- mitted the validity of the Journal- istic privilege but declared a weekly magazine, in the cdse of Liberty, Is not a newspaper. 2 Variety' Men Rennite On Texas Gninan Fihn Hollywood, May 27. Two former 'Vabietv reporters have been reunited at Paramount and will probably work together on the company's Texas Guinan.' Rob- ert F. SIsk has been assigned to pro- duce, and Claude Binyon' most likely will write the screenplay. Both covered Broadway for Va- METY In the days when Miss Guinan was 'Queen of the Night Clubs,' and both are intimate with the character. Louella Parsons' Air Show Problems Seek $2,000 Additional Weekly Budget — Quality of Names Disappoints Hollywood, May 27. With the LouelJa Parsons 'Holly- wood Prtmlere' series lor Lever Bros. (Lifebuoy) diie to wind up its Initial 13 weeks with the June 20 broadcast, the William Esty agency Is reported trying to obtain a $2,000- s-week budget increase to cover star talent and keep the show on the air. ■Whether such an amount would be sufficient to meet the Screen Ac- tors Guild requirements is uncer- tain, however. Fact that the same sponsor pays up to $5,000 for guest names on the Lux show and that .similar rates apply to other guest star programs would appear to stymie the con- tinuation of Parsons series' despite the possible addition dt $2,000 to the J)udget. Under ihe SAg-AFRA rfegulatloris, stars may not appear gratis on Tremlere' after the first 13 I weeks, nor even work for less than their normal fees. Meanwhile, It appears that the film producers are not co-operating I In turning over their top boxoffice > names as much as Miss Parsons had , predicted and on the basis of which the show w^ sold to Lever Bros. There have been few genuinely im- , portant pictures ballyhooed on the series and consequently a dearth of leading stars. Opening program had Marlene Dietrich In 'Flame of New Orleans,' and subsequent stanzas Included 'Pot o' 'Gold,' with Paulette God- dard, 'Sis Hopkins,' Tobacco Road,' 'Wagons RoU at Night,' 'Her First Beau,' 'Affectionately Yours,' 'The Outlaw' arid 'New Wine,' Studios are apparently using the program to try to boost pictures that 'need help;' but aren't taking the edge off the public's Intei'est In the really promising releases. Geo. Murphy and Family At U.of P. Alumni Honors Philadelphia, May 27. George Murphy, fllm actor, and his wife, the former Julie Johnson, were guests of honor at a dedication of a new field house at the University of Pentisylvenia-Saturday (24) in honor" of Murphy's late father, 'Mike' Mur- phy, noted Penn track coach. Also present were* George Mur- phy's brother and sistSr, Thorne Murphy, Detroit, anj Mrs. Urban A, Fisher, Grand Rapids, Mich, A plaque was unveiled by Michael C. Murphy, 2d, 11-year-old grandson of the late coach. The ceremonies were held in conjunction with the annual alumni day of the university. L. A. to N. Y. Eddie Albert John Alden. F. L. Alstock. Caiarles Butterworth. Ronald Colmaa J. Cheever Cowdin. Lynn Farnol. James A. Fitzpatrick. Donald Friedl. Samuel Goldwyn. Alfred Hitchcocic Benita Hume. John Joseph. Edwin Knopf. Julius Liefkowitz. Nat Lefkowitz. William Morris, Jr. Leo Morrison. Irving Parker, Hal Rosson. Elaine Ryan, William Schneider. George Seaton. Jack Scholl. Sam Spewack. Robert Stack. Joseph Stauffer. Joseph H. Steele. Manny Strauss. David Strumpf. Gloria -Swanson. James J. Walker. Hal Wallis. Bill Watters. Carey 'Wilson. Gosh! Sure was crowded at Atlantic City over the weekend. Six thou- sand pickpockets were holding their convention there. Learned what a pickpocket is—a pants to pants canvasser. Stopped at a very exclusive hotel where they change the linen every day—^from one bed to another. In fact, the room they gave me was so small everytlme I looked in the mirror my expression stepped outside.- — - The weather was so hot I saw a thermometer taking a 'cold shower. Like Atlantic City better than Coney Island. The potato salad in the water is of a much better grade. ' ' Broadway Department Monte Proser Is building a theatre in New York so large that he plans to hire ushers to transport the people to their ^eats in Greyhound busses. Harry Richman took me to the Westchester Dog Show. The judge was so nearsighted h« pinned a blue ribbon on me and shook hands with the dog- * Rags Ragland, the comic, received his army questionnaire the other morning. When he came to the line Dependents, he listed: 'Old Grand Dad.' Hollywoodlana So many people get the brushoff in Hollywood they're thiiiklng of re- naming it 'Broomtown,' They're making a picture of that Broadway hit, "The Man Who Cam* to Dinner.' I know 10 hungry extras who would welcome the chance to play the leading role—even without butter. Producer Harry Joe Brown wires me that he has made so much money on his last picture, two bookmakers just took up his option. A certain Hollywood producer (the one with the portable studio) was so pleased with the work of his second cousin on his-latest quickie that he made him his nephew. (Phewl) Mnslc Department Do you think that .BMI songs wIU bring back Mecca clgarets? Artie Shaw is forming a new 50-piece band—49 'cellos and a police siren. Harms Music is forming a new subsidiary—BEWITCHED, BEWILDERED AND BERNSTEIN. B«dlo Department After all these years my brother finally broke into radio—on a 40c NBC tour. Am I unlucky.7 Finally learned to whistle 'Amapola,' and ASCAP came back on thfe air. ^ Jimmy Dorsey is so considerate, every time the boys In the band play 'High On a Windy Hill' he makes them wear mackinaws. There's No Troth to the Rnmort That Greta Garbo is going to make a personal appearance tour with 40 movie columnists as guest stars....That Mickey Rooney Is going to play the age-less High Llama in the remake of James Hilton's 'Lost Horizon' ... .That because Don Ameche has been In so many South American pic- tures, Darryl F. Zanuck pays him off in pesos. Hangnail Descriptions Phil Harrit: To Faye, I am a man...Anne Shirley: A Sweet Payne... Deanna Durbin: 'Vaughn to be loved.. .IVfaxie Rosenbloom: A bookie'g cookie. ..Bin0 Crosbv; Owner of the 'Stork' Club. Observations I just bought my mother a new spring hat—a price tag with a flower on it. The way the leeches attach themselves to you on 'Vine street they shoidd call it 'Clinging Vine.' The Devil and Miss Jones' is currently playing theatres. They're now making "The Devil and Daniel Webster.' If this .keeps up, the picture business will go to Hell. (From the picture 'Too Hot to Handle.') Eavesdropped at Jack Dempsey's Broadway Restaurant: 'She gave him a look with brass knuckles on it.' Eavesdropped at Lindy's: 'Talk is cheap—and so is he.' My brother (the one with rhythm) has a new Job. He writes all the background music for police calls. Whatever Became of T Jimmy Lucas Capt. Webb's Seals Jesse Lasky's Country Club Mae Usher Mignonette Kokin Hap Hazard Afterj^lece Hollywood is 'fhe place where they " iShd out what yoii don't liike and ~ then give you plenty of It. Saga of a Napkm Director Revealg How Bib Used as Memo Had to Be Planed to Coast HARRMAN SCION PROD. HEAD FOR PRESSBURGER Hollywood, May 27. Arnold Pressburger, producing on the Hal Roach lot for United Artists release, has named - Carley Harrl- man, .scion of the banking family, as production manager of Arnold Productions, Inc. Harrlman got his training under Edward Small. Company's first pic- ture Is 'Shanghai Gresture,' to be fol- lowed by a musical. N. Y. to L.A.- Robert Foulk. Arthur Freed. Wolfe Kaufman. Joan Marlowe. L. B. Mayer. J. J; Milsteln. James Monks. Ward Morehouse. Manie Sacks. J. C. Stein. Howard Strlckling. , Rhys Williams. SAILINGS May 29 (Los Angeles to Honolulu) Dorothy Lamour (Lurline). May 24 (Los Angeles to Tahiti) Alfred Newman (Mariposa). May 22 (Los Angeles to Honolulu) Yola D'AvrU (Matsonia). By GEOBGB FBOST An Air Expressed napkin was the focal point of show biz interest this week at New York's LaGuardia Field, with newsworthy items as scarce as subway trains to the West Coast The flying laundry brought to light scores ot stories on bankers who use tablecloths for accounting pads and Illustrated as clearly as the sun puts the knock on .high noon just how valuable the Air Express services are to the- people who oper- ate on a stopwatch rather than ■ calendar. Curtla Bernhardt, director of War- ner Bros.' 'Million. Dollar Baby' was lunching in Hollywood's Giro's, it seenis, with a number of his aides- de-camp and used one of the eatery's napkins as a blueprint tor a new idea. 'When the lunchfest broke up, Bernhardt hopped a flying Pullman for N. Y. to find on arrival here that he had the napkin In his pocket. The data pencilled on the linen soup-remover had to be'ln his studio, a continent away, some 24 hours (Continued on page 55) BBAONA FREEMNCING ^ Hollywood, May 27. . Olyiplpe' Braflna, 'recent bride, be- came a'Xreelaac'e actress following completion of her contract at War- ners. In the Jast six months she ap- peared In three pictures, 'Knockout,' 'Highway West* and 'The Flight Patrol,' stiU to be released.