Variety (Aug 1941)

60 UTERATI Wednesday, August 13, 1941 Literati Lite Trains Army Fhotographers Nine-week course for Signal Coyss photogs has been set up by Life mag in cooperation with the Army. Mil- itary lensers started arriving at Life offices in New York June 1 in batches ol about five a week> Mag hopes to teach them to turn out both good pix for peacetime publicity purposes and to provide best pos- sible coverage in the event U. S. gets into an actual fighting war. •With the censorship getting tougher and tougher,' one Life exec explained, 'number of places are iii- creasing into which we cannot get our civilian photographers. So we're helping to train the Army camera men to get the pictures for us. Their pictures, however, of course will be available to all magazines and news- papers on an equal footing.' Course is divided into three three- week sections. First is darkroom technique; second, classroom lectures by Life eds on what they want in picture stories, why they accept cer- tain pictures and reject others, how picture stories are made up; third, accompany Life photogs on assign ments and then cover assignments themselves. Latter are what Life sloughs off as not good enough, for their regular staffers but are secon dary possibilities. Staff of the 'school' consists of John Shaw Billings, m.e.; Daniel Longwell, exec ed; Wilson Hicks, exec pic ed; Edward J. Thompson, associate ed; Bart Sheridan, assistant pic ed, who serves as kind of 'prexy and all of the Life photogs. Army provides living expenses and equip ment and Life incidental expenses and supplies. Groups now in train- ing are drawn from Fort Monmouth, Fort Benning, Camp Robinson and the Army War College. seated at a table in the Savage Club, ttempting to lay out a program for the entertainment. They were de- scribed as 'Ave lousy actors.' Be- fore the show started, Quentin Rey- nolds was waylayed in the aisle by bunch of girls pleading for hi£ autograph. Later he went upon the stage and made a speech beginning with 'Dear Enemy Entertainers.' The Newspaper Proprietors' Assn. gave a luncheon two days later to the American Correspondents in London. It was presided over by Viscount Rothermere, who welcomed the guests, and response was made by Joseph Si Evans, Jr., vice-pres- ident of the Assn. of American Cor- respondents in London. Ambassador Winant spoke, as did Viscount Astor and Anthony S. Drexel Biddle, Jr. Weldon James to London Weldon James, of PM's foreign news staff in New York, is expected to go to London shortly to repre sent the paper there. He'll fill in for only a couple months, however, for Ben Robertson, who returned to the U. S. last week. Robertson taking a leave-of-absence to work for a friend in a political campaign in South Carolina, his home state. PM publisher Ralph IngersoU has not been heard from by the sheet for more than a week now. ' Last message was Monday a week ago (4) when he planed out of Chung king, China, for Moscow. Trip was supposed to take three days. V. S. Scribes in London Partied A small coterie of stage people gave a party July 20 at the Saville theatre, London, to the Dominion and American newspapermen London. It began at 6 o'clock with a 'get-together' in the bar, and this proved so popular it was necessary to shut down the refreshment salon at 7 p.m. or they would never have been able to get the audience in their seats for the stage perform ance. The services of the troupers was, of course, gratis, end the problem of paying for the likker was solved by a business-man named Home, vrho tapped a number of his friends to help make up the cost. Show opened with Bud Flanagan, Chesney Allen, Leslie Henson, Arthur Riscoe and Hannen Swaffer Lister to Fhllly Record Series of recent exec, resignations at the New York Post continued last week with Walter B. Lister quitting as city ed. Lister took over similar spot on the Philly Record, succeed- ing Alexander Griffin, who has been ill and has switched to the easier post of assistant managing ed in charge of features. Gary Finley, Post sports ed, suc- ceeds Lister as city ed on the sheet. He is a former assistant city ed. Paul Kiester, assistant sports ed, was upped to sports ed. Resignations at the Post are said to be accompanied by publisher George Backer taking a much more personal part in daily output of the paper. noon daily, died Aug, 7 in a hospital at nearby Jujuy, Argentina. He was severely injured two days previously in an automobile accident. Leo J. Geeenheimer, 31, night editor of the Portland (Ind.) 'Sun,' died Aug. 5 of bronchial pneumonia. James T. Ilanrahan, 67, circulation director of the Terre Haute Tribune- Star, died of a heart attack. Dlllwyn Parrlsh, 47, author and painter, died of a gunshot wound Aug. 8, • at his ranch home near Hemet, Cal. Police called it suicide. Among his novels were 'My Wings,' 'Gray Sheep,' 'The Everlasting' and 'Praise the Lord,' He was a brother of Ann Parrish, novelist. William Wachtel, 63, for some 30 years advertising director of The Day, N. Y., Jewish Daily newspaper, died Aug. 10 in the Hunts Point Hos- pital, the Bronx, after a long illness. William C. Bowland, 81, publisher of the SUten Island, N. Y., World from 1912 to 1917, died Aug. 10 at his home in Livingston, S. I. after a three-month Illness. Vincent Treanor, 64, racing expert, sports editor and columnist for the old N.Y. Evening World, died Aug. B at the home of a son, Vincent, Jr., In Andover, Mass. Widow, daughter and two other sons survive. Floyd W. Parsons, 61, mining and industrial authority, who for the past 21 years was associated with the Robbins Publishing Co. as editor of several trade journals, died Aug. 7 at the Post-Graduate Hospital, N. Y., after a brief illness. Holland A. Galllher, 61, newspaper cartoonist, died Aug. 7 at Cambridge, O., of a heart attack. Albany A. P. Man's Collier Piece Robert C. McCormick, now with the Albany bureau of the Associated Press and former sports editor of The Saratogian, Saratoga Springs, authored the recenV article in Col- lier's on Vic Fleming, famous har- ness horse driver. McCormick, who writes on sports, among other things for A, P., uses the nom de plume of Robert Cart- wright in magazine articles. Toangstown Pnrlty Purge Youngstown, O., City Prosecutor Forrest Cavalier has listed 31 maga- zines which he will ask distributing agencies to keep from newsstands. They are Included in a list of more than 100 magazines deemed 'offend- ing' by the National Organization for Decent Literature. John T. Wfiltaker's Lectures John T. Whitaker, Chicago Daily News Foreign Service correspondent, arrived In New York from Lisbon Sunday (10). Is booked for about 50 lectures in next three months at approximately $250 a throw. Upon arriving, Whitaker grabbed a lot of space when he- expressed the opinion that England 'didn't have a chance.' LITERATI OBITS Frederick James Smith, 55, who, as 'Beverly Hill' was picture editor for Liberty magazine, died Aug. 5 in the lobby of the Algonquin Hotel, New York. One-time film critic for the old Y. Telegram, he had been editor of numerous picture fan mags in recent years. Babindranath Tagore, 80, Indian mystic, also renowned as a poet, playwright and philosopher, died Aug. 7 after a long illness In Cal- cutta. Natallo Botana, 63, publisher of Crltica, Buenos Aires' largest after- IVs Published AT LAST! The True Story of L Gay WW»« Way ©«¥«r ^•••^^PAnONSTODDART CHATTER Hector Chevigny took time off from his radio scripting to sell Liberty a short story, 'The Natural- ization of Joe Mendoza.' Michael -Davidson, formerly with Walt Disney on exploitation, handl- ing promotion for a new magazine, Country Bpok, a digest of articles and rural books. - Johnson City Journal, Inc., has been chartered to conduct a print- ing-publishing business in Joimson City, near Binghamton, N. Y. Di- rectors are: Harold J. Granger and Virginia A. Granger, Binghamton; Jacob Kokis, Johnson City. Richard C. Patterson, vice-pres- ident and general manager of the Toledo Times for the last 10 years, is now president. Has been with paper 33 years. Donald A. Wiley, with the organization for 10 years, was named vice-president. Richard D. Logan will continue as secre- tary. Patterson also is treasurer. Few N. Y. Bets ^sContlnue.d from page ■'m out scripts have been sent for by picture story departments. Gordon Interested In Thomas Play Max Gordon Is reported interested in 'Concert Tour,' written by Frank M. Thomas and Henry K. Moritz, from an Idea by Murray Boltinoff. The Broadway producer will witness a performance of it this weekend at the Woodstock (N.Y.) Playhouse where it is having its initial tryout tomorrow (Thursday) through Sun- day with Frankle Thomas in the starring role. His father, Frank Thomas, will also appear in the comedy-drama, in which young Thomas enacts the role of a tough kid who becomes a great piano vir- tuoso. Other players include Phyllis Ellerman, William Halstead, Helen Baysinger, Philippa Bevans, Duane McKinney and Ivan Triesault. Selznick's 'Dundass' Cast Santa Barbara, Aug. 12. David O. Selznick completed cast- ing for 'Lottie Dundass,' second of his summer stock shows at the Lobero theatre, opening Thursday (14) and running through Sunday. Supporting Gefaldine Fitzgerald in the top role are Dame May Whitty, Joanna Ross, Ben Webster, Gisella Werbezirk, Jao George, Clarence Straight and David Bacon. Vladimir SokoloS directs. Night Club Reviews .Continued from' page 36^ MINNESOTA TERRACE routines, devised by Harry Losee, who haa a hand in the directing of the Republic film, are new. As ice shows go, this is unpreten- tious and extremely tabloid, night club restrictions and limitations necessarily making it so. But, as usual nitery fare goes, it rates as an ambitious effort and provides splen- did entertainment along different lines. Show is titled 'Adventures on Ice' and numbers are confined to dancing and acrobatics on the steel blades. Thus restricted in variety, it runs only about 30 minutes and the cast numbers but seven. Yet it attains flash by virtue of colorful costuming, skillful lighting, good all-around showmanship, and fast pacing. Miss Lewis' own arresting personality and superior skating ability, as well as her looks, lend plenty to the per- formance's Impressiveness. Musical score, credited to Jack Phifler, leaves room for improvement, but the cos- tumes, created by Tedi of Hollywood, are tops. Considering the limited space, 17 by 20 feet, in which the performers must work, the exhibitions are all the more remarkable. The Ice unit used is moved from under the band platform and is returned there after the floor show. A gay 90's number, utilizing the entire company, is a brief meller on ice with villain pursuing heroine and a few spiHs for laughs. The St. Regis 'Bustles' are Harriette Hadd- son, Norah Gale, Bernice Stewart and Lucille Lamar, an ensemble of lookers. The Heasley Twins are handsome young men whose rhythm and precision maneuvers are excel- lent. One of the liveliest and best- liked routines is a can-can number that's plenty snappy and hot. A military number also scores. Miss Lewjs.and ttie two men probably are at their best, however, in an adagio contribution. The Tom ' McGovern orchestra, locally recruited, plays the show and for dancing adequately.' Show is In for four weeks with an option for additional two. Rees. Ta-Ba-Ris, Buenos Aires Goshen Quits In Bed Goshen, Aug, 12. The Community Playhouse, new stock company here, pulled the final curtain last week after operat- ing at a $400-a-week loss. Closing came half way through a scheduled 10-week program. 'Three Men on a Horse* zippered the enterprise. Mitchell Kaplan of Newburgh and Gregory K. Deane of New York, sponsors, estimated they had been nicked for $2.20(k Buenot Air^t, Aug. 1. lownstni. Ballet (6), Suzanne & Christine, Anita Del Hlo, Mortana, Vera Orlopuia, Lecuona Cuban Boys with Estela, 'John Catabrv and orch. This top B. A. after-dark spot, and the only one using floor shows in the U. S. manner, is currently show- ing its first specially imported Yankee acts and finding the result very satisfactory at the cash regis- ter. While the imports have not zipped biz up to any sensational heights, they've been more than sat- isfactory, and Aristed Salgueiro, manager, Is inclined to think that it may be soon worthwhile to ship down bigger names, exploitation value of the present show being not quite enough to attract patronage ordinarily unaccustomed to visiting the spot. Imports are the Townsend Ballet, a line of six girls led by Jill Town- send, and Suzarme and Christine, sister team. Ballet (Vela Ceres, Pat Marland, Mary Woods, l^udy Beyer, Estelle Kier and Eleanor Bolevn) are all tall good-lookers and fast steppers and, while not overly origi- nal by U. S. standards, are novel for the customers here. They're saved for the climax .of the thrice-nightly show. Open with an ensemble with semi-classical ballet touches, then swing into a hot chorus. Hotter it gets, the more the portenos like it. A tango number included in the first show had to be cut when it was found the customers didn't care for U. S. variations on the local fave, but wanted their jive straight from the States, Suzanne and Christine have been clicking in more acrobatic stuff. They work quickly and neatly, make a smart appearance and have a bo- lero encore that's a stopper. Here, too, the more U. S. they keep the material, the better it goes across. Red and white costumes somewhat suggesting American colors help. Anita Del Rio, who packs a terrific wallop into her Spanish numbers, remams the best of the native por- tion of the show. She's a trim, tiny package of fire who stamps her heels and tosses her head in the approved Madi'id manner and never fails to hold up the show. Been at the Tab longer than any other single per- former and since most of the patrons are regulars, that's a recommenda- tion that means something. Vera Orlogwa, a Rus^iail dancer who does a turn in peasant costume, and Mari- ana, in modern tap, had better be left unmenfioned. They're poor. Lecuona Cuban Boys bana which has been in and out of the Tab sev- eral times, is probably one of the world's top congarhumba outfits. They've been o.o.-ed before, so fur- ther orchids are unnecessary, except to mention that their'new singer, Estela, isn't quite up to the New England born Dolores, who used to work with the outfit in Europe, Ha- vana and here before going on her own. Boys, carry the burden, how- ever, and their specialties, including a new Turkish number, bring out even the oldest Jockey Club ment^ bers from their darkened balcony boxes for a whirl on the floor. John Calabry's jazz is so-so. U. S. acts were booked by William Morris' Sol Shapiro while here. Ray. Wit's End, Miami Beach Miami Beach, Aug. 8. Bobby Baxter, Arthur Blake, Ray and Marion Lynn, Betty Stone, Frank Carlona Orch (6); no cover or minimum. After a tardy debut last season, this sidewalk saloon achieved con- siderable popularity with the 23rd street waifs as a nightcapery. Since then the operators have discovered air-conditioning, planted genial Jo« Conti at the door, installed Tom Williams, forrnerly of the Paddock, as manager, and are getting nitery billing. Room is quite small, seat- ing under 150 and with a long bar running its length. Attractive de- cor follows a red and blue motif. Still very informal though. Only th« waiters wear ties. Current divertisement is headed by Arthur Blake, a clever mime and satirist. Impressions run gamut from Morgan (Helen) to Miranda, and are first rate, but accompanying mono could be slicked up a bit. Mimic appears slightly 111 at ease in this room. When caught a table ot moppets who should never have been permitted in the joint in the first place created such a disturbance that tie had to spend most of his time quieting them down. He deserves better treatment. Bobby Baxter has been getting a hefty word of mouth buildup. Con- trary to general impression though, he's not another Bobby Breen. A pint-sized songster who looks like a comjiosite Golden Gloves champ, ha is strictly of the 'lift dat bale—tote dat barge' brigade. For his 24 years, he possesses surprising volume ana range, but shows slight strain in up- - per register. Choice of songs are standard baritone showcase wares— 'Ole Man River,' 'I Got Plenty of Nothing' earning him biggest hand. These take plenty and Baxter doesn't sp^re himself. Might be wise for him to get in with a good coach. To con- tinue at present output could scar his pipes. Nice stage presence and pleasing personality. With smart handling he'll go places. Terpin^ team of Ray and Marion Lynn shows to better advantage here than on theatre stage. They're a pair of good looking youngsters, with plenty of zip, and' with smart rou- tines could really step. Betty Stone is an attractive dish, but as a featured warbler she's n.s.i^ Tones are nasal and lack expression. Joe Carlona's combo really takes you back where the com and 'taters 2row, what with the drummer parked out front in the center of the band and the arrangements strictly from stock. All the boys wear sport shirts, and a couple iQUst have taken $ pledge not to shave till the show's over. Leslie, 5100 CLUB, CHI Chicago, Aug. 8. Donny-Thomas, Mary Beth Sires, Carlos and Dolores, Bob-O-Lins (6), MaTfc Fisher Orch (10); no cover or minmum. Formerly rated as strictly a neigh- borhood cafe, this club has become one of the important show spots of the city by virtue iOf the brand of entertainment. Capacity crowds are the rule rather, and they come in for one purpose only, to see the show. Room seats 400, with an ad- ditional 100 at the cocktail bar. Bob-O-Lins, line ot six girls, open the show, and work in two subse- quent production numbers. Gals are fair lookers, but don't offer much In the way of dancing ability. Ward- robe okay, but numbers are too stereotyped. Singer Mary Beth Sires is an at- tractive blonde and has good pipes. Diction and choice of numbers could be improved, but customers like her here, and she is enjoying a long run. A mediocre dance team, Carlos and Dolores have little. Real strength of the show lies in the m.c, Danny Thomas, clever and slated for bigger things. Thomas boasts a neat sense of timing and is a nifty mugger. His numbers are really funny, with 'CMoe' and 'Road to Mandalay' among the best. In his 60th week in this spot, Thomas has a terrific following. Another stron.^ portion of the bill Is carried by Mark Fisher, who. In addition to leading the band, steps into the show for several rousing vocals. Fisher has long been a Chi favorite and does a swell job on such numbers as 'Beguine' and 'I Am an American.' He has a big voice and good salesmanship. Show closes with a production number by the entire cast, based on the Gay Nineties, with the gals li viting customers up to partake in 'Boompsa Daisy.'