Variety (Jun 1941)

52 LEGITIMATE lETf Wednesday, June 18, 1941 Literati lionls Sobol Lets Down Bis Hair (T) Louis Sobol, columnist for ttie N. Y. Journal-American, hearkened back to the prohibition era June 13 with the frankest confession yet by any newspaperman anent the kow- towing of the Broadway scribes to the hoodlums of the speakeasy days, Sobol, reminded by the conviction of Charles (The Bug') Workman for the murder of Dutch Shultz, wrote about 'the bizarre era when the po- tentates of crime operated along ruthless totalitarian lines on Broad- way.' Describing them as a 'bunch of scurvy, cheap, chiseling thugs,' So- bol said they never 'did one blessed thing to win them a nod from decent society; but, oh, how we spun Round Table and Robin Hood tales about them—their kindness to impecunious chorus, girls; their solicitude for their gentle mothers ... what bunk! What lying piffle! But none of us had the guts to expose them for what they were in those days—neither the po- lice nor the brave boys of the press, among whom, let it be confessed, I was one—and undoubtedly as lily- livered a poltroon as any of them.* Sobol mi^ht have mentioned the fact that the mobs and mobsters con- trolled virtually all of the night clubs and speaks, where the columnists made their hangouts and gleaned their gossip and chatter. He in- ferred the truth about the mobsters and their 'kindness' to chorines. The 'kindness' was ofttimes virtually en- forced prostitution and procuring. Sobol might also have mentioned the almost nightly ritual in one Broad- way- nitery of mobsters selling stolen Koods across the table, appraising the gems like jewelers. N. T. Post's Upbeat The New York Post, with a tUt of almost 50,000 lines, was the heaviest gainer of advertising In New York during May, as' compared with the same month a year ago. Media Rec- ords reveals. Only other dailies' to show upturns were the two Hearst- papers, the Mirror (42,000 lines) and Journal-American (23,000 lines), while the greatest drop in ads dur- ing, the month was registered by the Mirror's tab competish, the News. It'suffered a decrease of 106,000 ■lines. Others which went down were the Herald Trib (70,000 lines), World-Telegram (61,000 lines). Sun (51,000 lines), ,and Times (26,000 lines). Sunday paper .figures ere better, E-T, Mirror and J-A all showing rises, with only the Tlines and News down, and those J)y just a- few lines. In Brooklyn, the Eagle took a drop during the week, too, but showed a ■mall gain on Sundays. PSTs 'General' To Do Book PM's 24-year-old '(General,' Leon- ard Engel, has been ngned by Bennett Cerf, Random House head, to do a book. Volume wiU be an analysis of the current war and Its military end tactical problms for the various coimtries concerned, similar to Engel's .daily column, signed The (General,' In the New York tab. Engel Is by far the youngest of the large crop of military and naval analysts maintained by American papers. Despite the excellent repu- tation he h^s gained for astuteness and the accuracy of his forecasts, PM bas kept his Identity secret for i fear his youth would injure reader lalth In him. „ New Pablishlns Pnttts Independent Jewish Press Service, Inc., chartered to conduct a pub- lishing business in New York, with a capital stock of $10,000, $100 par value. Dynamic Publications, Inc., char- tered to conduct a printing-publish- ing business in Manhattan.' Jonathan Swift, Inc, chartered to conduct a business in literary pro- ducUoDis of all kinds, with principal offices in New York. Howell, Soskin Publishers, Inc., chartered at Albany to conduct a printing-publishing, business in New York. Capital stock Is 200 shares, no par value. Verne Slarshall Out as Editor In the annual election of officers of the Gazette Co., Cedar Rapids, la., last week, the name of Verne Mar- shall, former secretary, was sup- planted by that of Joseph Hladky, Jr, son-in-law of John Miller,.presi- Marshall attalnedf national fame as eiiairman of t6e - No-Foreign-War fCommitteev disbanded a few. weeks ago. His former-place as editor-of file Gazette is now ocmvM by bis brother, Clare Marshall, also elected treasurer of the Gazette Co. Attaches of the Gazette say Verne Marshall is 'away for his health.' Report N. T. Daily's Siukenp Reports are current that the gen- eral manager and managing editor of a New York daily will resign shortly in a general shakeup. Two Libel Salts Lieut. WiUiam J. Geller, U. S. Naval Reserve, filed suit Wednes- day (11) in N. Y. federal court against Friday, Inc., Dan S. Gillmor, president, Michael Sayers and Al- bert E. Kahn, writers, charging libel. Damages of $500,000 are sought. Alleged libel appeared in the Sept. 27, 1940, issue of Friday entitled 'American Merchants of Hate.' The article deal'', with anti-Semitism and included reference to GeUer. Benson N. Katz, formerly presi- dent of the Russian Banks, Ltd., of Japan, filed a $60,000 libel suit in N. Y. supreme court Wednesday (11), against Simon & Schuster, Inc., because of a book, 'In Search of Complications,' by Eugene de Sar- tisch. According to the complaint, the boolc, an autobiography of a doc- tor, declares that the plaintiff was dishonest. Colnmnlst Now Knows Justice Buenos Aires Criminal Appeal Court has annulled the sentence of the lower courts, in which Junius J. Rugeroni, publisher of the B.A. Her-- aid, largest English-language news- paper in S.A., was sentenced to one year's conditional imprisonment with sentence suspended. Rugeroni was charged with con- tempt of court for remarks about the slowness of Argentine Justice in a column'he wrote. Case now has to be tried in the lower courts but under a different judge. Life Mag's Service Issue Life mag will publish a special Army issue on July 4, devoted en- tirely to the land and air forces of the U. S. Many of the picturiis used will be shots by the trainees themsel'ves. It has made arrangements with the public relations officer in each camp to receive the pbc from the soldiers and forward them to Life in New Yorlc Mag. will pay for all of them published. Cosmopolitan Mac Bevamp Shakeup at Hearst-owned Cosmo- politan mag last week brought about a number of resignations.- Among them was that of Dorothy Taylor, makeup editor, who bad been with the publication for 18 years. . Others included Katherlne Bourne, associate editor in charge of fiction, and- Lee RusseU, fashion editor. BloKlng Jack Doyle Jeok Doyle, famed Broadway bet- ting commissioner, known as 'The Lloyds of Broadway' because of his willingness. to quote odds on any- thing, is being biographed by Clem McCarthy. Sports gabber-writer is currently spending about four hours a day with Doyle getting material. Yarn first will be serialized for magazine publication and then pub- lished as a book. LITEBATI OBITS John Woods, 24, who became the first N. Y. Herald Tribune reporter to be Inducted into the Army when he was drafted last March, fell to his death June 12 from the window of a friend's apartment In midto'wn New York. A cousin of Mark Sul- livan, Washington columnist for that paper, he had been visiting Carroll Cavanagh, a fellow Tribune reporter, when he lost his balance. William H. Bobertson, 83, sports columnist for the European edition of the N. Y. Herald Tribune, who was more familiarly known as 'Spar- row' Robertson, died of a heart at- tack June 10 at his home in<Bois-le- Roi, near Fontainbleau, France. Al- though his paper suspended publica- tion when the Germans occupied Paris, he chose to remain in France. Steve Clow, aroxmd 68, who edited th% now defunct Broadway Brevi- ties! scandal sheet, did in Bellevue hospital, N. Y., June 6. Details on page 2. Lewis A. Culbertson, 70, publisher of the Mount Vernon, O., News, died May 26. L, D. Clark, 53, financial editor of the Oakland Tribune since 1922, died following a-brief Illness, result of a heart attack. , Joseph F. Conghlln, SO, staff writer' for the Motion Picture Herald since 1034, died June 13 in St. Luke's hos- pital. New York. Leaves his mother, Harriet, and a brother, Frank. Mrs. Lola F. Bell, 61, Reno cor respondent for the N.Y, Dally News, died in that city June 14 after a short illness. Husband, Jack, and a son, survive. Moses Katz, 77, Yiddish playwright and novelist and until recently edi- tor of The Jewish World, Yiddish- language daily in Philadelphia, died June 14 at his home in that city. Surviving are his wld«w and a son. CHAtTEB Ben Cooper has been named editor of Rome (Ga.) News-Tribune. Stuart Palmer wrote a new mystery tale for Crime Club publi- cation. Judith Allen completed her novel, 'My Eyes Still Shine,' to be published by House of Field. Theodore Pratt dug in at the North Carolina mountains near Henderson- ville, working on his new book. Elliot Paul has completed new volume tabbed 'Intoxlation Made Easy' with 24 black and white plates by artist Luis Quihtanilla. Jack Moffitt, Kansas City Star film crick, now working at Para- mount, has finished a new book, "There's a Door In My Grave.' Frank Scully has sold a book to Alliance. Labeled 'Unholy Nights,' it's the crime career of a preacher- safecracker. Het Manheim of Will- iam Morris office-agented. Sheilah Graham takes temporary leave of her Hollywood chores In mid-July to spend six weeks in Eng- land writing feature stories about the war for the North American Newspaper Alliance. Meanwhile, her picture beat will be covered by Harold Heffernan. Payroll Traffic SSContlnned from page 3C ^^ New York, replacing regular men away for summer vacations, include Daniel Ehrenreich, formerly of WNYC, New York; Gene Clark, for- merly of WTRY, Troy, N. Y.; Elroy Grosman and Harry L. Bryant, grad- uates of the RCA institute. Saskatoon, Sask.—Jerry Hudson added as news editor _ of CFQC, Saskatoon. . Spokane—^Louis D. Livingston, for- merly of KOL, Seattle, has joined stations KHQ-KGA In continuity de- partment. San Francisco—Boyd Rippey Is new KFRC sales promotion chief, replacing Gary Krledt, who has in- herited a publishing biz in Manila. Also new on KFRC prdduction staff is John Nickel. Toledo, Od—Edward C. Kutz has join ed the announcing staff of WTOL. He replaces Joe Fields, now in the Army, Mansfield, O.—Gene La Velle, for- merly of WMAN, Mansfield, O., has joined the staff of WCKY, Clncin- natL Boston—Kilbum CuUey, formerly at WLAW in Lawrence, has been added to WEEI's control room. Bills Next Week : Continued from page 48; KTCTgmen Oaideu Revelere Sam Sweet Alice Sone Zelda Wicked Wllllci Hotel RooMvelt Johnny Kanlhua Hoyal HawllojiB Botel ttobenle; Billy HInde Oro Rita Seaman Buzz Mayer Jack Calhoun Hotel TVm Pobb (Continental Bur) Wanda Escorte Kennywood Park Brad Hunt Oro Jeanle Rcltat Billy Carmlchaei Merry-Qo-Roand Joo Hart .Oro Dick Harter New Penn Oay Carllalo Oro Teddy Ryan Klnic Sis Penny Oray MIxon Cafe Al Marlaco Oro* Bob Carter Roshee & Lee Stenart ft Leo Kretlow Ols Not Housb Sherdlna Walker O Ted Blake Joe -Klein Oeorse Qtegg Evelyn NelllB Kay Balfe Mlllv Brndlev Fat Burns Charley Adams OasU Joe 'Vlllella Ora John Conto Joe Connolo Stu Bt-adon Berry Anne PlncB Howard Becker Oro Trelon ' 4 A<<ea Max Tarshla Flo Parker Oeorge Weber ' Tacht aob Archie Tarshia Oro Qua Van Singer Sis Line «) Shirley Holler Bky-Vae Fran Elchler Oro ' Vnlon Orlll Art Tagollo Frank Natal* Mike .Sandretto Villa Madrid Btzl Covato Oro Mark Lano Jon Tio Kollette ft Deane Marcia Wayne Harriet Brent !l Jerks WebBt«r HoU Billy Merle Oro West Tien Park Jimmy Gamble Oro Jay Lorlng Chuck Miller Aerlalettes WlUowa Art Fnrrar Oro Inside Stuff-Legit Production outlay of 'Pal Joey,' Barrymore, N. Y., Is reported having been earned back through operation, It cost around $80,000 to put on, although George Abbott, who produced the musical. Indicated a higher nut. 'Joey' Is assiured exceptional profits through the picture rights deal. It being a percentajge proposition. Manager Is sold on the Idea of a set sum and percentage on picture rights, Price paid for 'Boys From Syracuse' was not high, but profit checks are being received by him and the authors (Rodgers and Hart). 'Syracuse' was Jules Levey's (Mayfair) first musical picture. He Is cur- rently producing 'Hellzapoppln.' Understood that If Gene Kelly doesn't go on tour next season In 'Joey,' his brother, Fred, will take over the role on the road. Gene has a couple of picture deals on the fire, one with Metro being particularly hot at the moment, and may head for Hollywood at end of 'Joey's' Broad- way run. Fred Kelly played another part his brother created, that of hoofer in 'Time, of Your Life,' touring with Pulitzer prize-winner all year. Gene also considering buying end producing Saroyan's 'Sweeney In the Trees,' which was tried out last summer at Cape May, N, J., as a vehicle for himself and Fred. They would appear as Sweeney and his alter ego. That, however, is for season of 1942-43. There Is a possibility that Chicago's Auditorium may be saved from the wreckers. John S. Clark, tax assessor for Cook County, HI., proposed a plan to attorneys for" the 52-year-oId building, whereby the assessment should be cut so that back taxes could be taken care of and current taxes be paid out of operating Income. Problem could be solved In that way If the lowered assessment be made retroactive. All activities at the Aud are due to cease June 30. Clark states that such a reduction would be justified, since the Aud is not a commercial utility. Over a period of 10 years assessments on the spot have been made under the same rules applicable to business prop- erty and therefore unfair. Taxes on other civic or semi-public buildings have been substantially reduced in recent years, but for some reason the Aud never applied for similar relief. Aud has been assessed on-what appears to be an InBated valuation of $2,000,000 and the annual tax bills have been over $70,000 annual^. Net after bare operating expenses has averaged $35,000. Suggested that the property be assessed at $600,000,, which would mean a tax of $20,000. Aud is back $1,000,000 in unpaid taxes. Owen Davis, who has started his annual sojourn at Skowhegan, Me., will start work on the dramatization of 'WhUtle Stop,' current best seller authored by 22-year-old Marrita M. Wolff of the U. of Michigan. Al- though the veteran author obtained the stage righte, no producer has been selected to present the play. ■ During the past season Davis was represented on Broadway by Mr. end Mrs. North,' edaptod from magazine stories by Richard Lockrldgo, critic of the N. Y. Sun, and his wife. Show, backed by Metro, recently closed at the Belasco, but is'now playing the subway circuit. It grossed around $7,000 at the Flatbus^ Brooklyn, last week and was Immediately booked for a repeat. Robert Stevenson is out as manager of Erlanger's, Buffalo, efter han- dling the leglter for four years. Fred Ziemer, treasurer of the house, is acting manager, but If a replacement is made It wUl not be until the new season begins. Usually out of town house managers are retained through summer, getting half salary and the same appUes during dark weeks otherwise. ^ iu v« ■ Stevenson is a former Broadway boxoffice man, as was his father, who died several years ago. Strawhat Plays (Continued from page 60) while Albert Vees, Marshall Brad- ford and Lewis Martin round out the generally capable support - The play as it stands should have a long enough run on Broadway to warrant a film purchase. Play's lone setting Is laid in the judge's living room, is sufficient, but nothing to werrent imdue attention. Same & true of the staging. Smith. SKAAL Media, Pa„ June 16. Drama In three acta (seven scenes) by Vivian Johannes; staged by Oeorge Ebel- Ing: sets, Stanley iPaukstella; presented at Hedgerow theatre, Media, Fa., June 16, '41. Old Tbor Jasper Deeter Thar ...Mlohael De Beausset Frltjot.... Richard Baaehart Ragna Miriam Phillips Selma Helen Alexander Old Tlnk David Metcalt Hllde Rosalind Metcalt Stephen Michael Stuart Director Jasper Deeter continues to toy with poetic fantasies that fit the sylvan atmosphere of his Hedge- row theatre—but that wouldn't last long on the commercial stage. Such a work is Vivian Johannes'' 'Skaal!', produced hers tonight (16) for Hedgerow's 146th production in its IS-yearrold history. The play is Miss Johannes' first Little else Is known of her here except that she's Wisconsin-born and in her early thirties. Her play Is a dramatic Idyll of the deep Minnesota woods, peopled by simple, sturdy Scandinavian stock. The father of the family is a lumberman. His older son fol- lows in his footstefs, tending the timber and guarding against forest fires. His younger son, heart dl his heart, has gone to sea. There's also a triangle. Story is told in wordy, slow fash- Ion, iif a setting devoid of action, as to become tedious. There is allegory and poetic allusion, much of it con- fusing. The lighting is dark, to heighten the poetic effect while add- ing also to the general dragginess of the production. What life is given the drama comes from Individual portrayals. Jasper Deeter, returning to the Hedgerow stage for the first time in two years, gives a sensitive, warm- ing picture of the aging head of the family. David Metcalf, as an old tinker, has another flavorsome role that he' plays up fully. Michael de Beausset and Richard Basehart play the two sons adequately. Rosalind Metcalf. as the bewildered youne bride of the older brother, and Miriam Phillips and Helen Alex-^ ander, as the practical, earthbound sisters, hold up a formidable distaff side. George Ebeling directed, getting as mucn pace out of his play as a pedestrian script, would permit. Stanley Pauksteua was responsible for lights, sets and props. Shal. HONEY Baltimore, June 9. Comedy In three acU by Word Oreene: presented by the Hilltop Theatre: directed by Edward Padula; settings, Forrest Thay- er, Jr., at Hilltop Playhouse. Elllcott Clt}-, Md., June A, '41. Honey Tarrant Eliss Hunt Tony CosettI t Richard Angarola Fred Robert Klbbce liovey Tarrant Lyn Swann Mrs. Tarrant Aurella Robing Joe Tarrant... .' Laurence Faulus Larry Bailey William MacI.eon Hugh Tarrant Harry Cr» Lorena Tarrant Maiy Jane Btockbam Harry B. Tarrant Qlbbs Fenrom Aunt Carrie Hlghtower Allle Pierce A Tezlcab Driver 'Bert Coffey First production of Hilltop The- atre local strawhat setup, lacks stature and falls far short of possible future metropolitan effort. There isn't enough play; characters are phoney and in spite of a few situa- tions that could possibly be devel- oped, pace is halting and highly in- ocuous. Story deals with one of those' southern families - long on ancestors but short on cash. Mother, father, two sons, daughters-in-law, end a daughter are esconced in a Brook- lyn menage of very modest propor* tions. One by one they drift into the picture end an unceasing argument of family background and supposedly typical southern foolishness. There s a gangster, too, a visiting aunt and a bumpkin from back home with an idea for chewing gum. Cast is fairly adequate, with Elsie Hunt-Lyn Swann, Allie Pierce and Mary Jane Stockham making the most of the lightweight' material. Direction doesn't get anywhere. Set is good. Only a miracle can make anjrthing out of this one. Burm, Bass Books' Opener Gloucester, Mass,, June 17. Bass Rocks theatre, under man- agement of Martin Manulis and Henry Levin, will open June 30 with 'Tovarich,' co-starring Ramon No- varro and Francesca Braggiotti. Eric Rhodes will be starred In 'George Washington Slept Here,' the second offering of the season,