Variety (Dec 1941)

Wednesday, December 81, 1941 CHATTER 53 Adolph Zukor U on the Coast for *^Cli^gt'^Dimbow ha« brought hU •^teTMJ^prin^anlVmuB fun- ^'^U'efB^o^^SSSS'banquet-ball •i the Waldorf March 14. "•^urers" Clyb lesUv. to mem- bers and friends Tuesday. ■ alhu Winer, UniversaVs assistant jjjtern story ed, vacationing on the Hal Home and Dick Condon on the Coast confabbing with 20th-Fox ioEcs on future campaigns. jj Fitzgibbons left for Toronto Siiiday night (28) after spending ffitaias here with his fam.^. All doors and glass partiUons In the offices of the Times are being lom out as an air-raid precaution. Qiienlin Reynolds, whtf flew from ■ Cairo to Ireland, is due back in New ?ork, by boat, some time next week "^Herbert Wolf, aide to Ed Wolf, his father "as radio producer,, and now ■ at Fort Knox, Ky., is on furlough in NY. - Gregor Rabinowitch, French film producer, bankrolled Otto Prem- Inger's play production, 'In Time to Come.' ' , , „ ■, Jimmy Durante and Jeffrey Lynn weekend departures for Hollywood. Durante has a new WB contract on the Are. - » , «, • Gypsy Rose Lee^ novel Xmas ereetlQg was a stereopticon set with i strip of film showing the stripper In action. ' Bob Winston assistant manager of the Blst St., goes into the army next month, reporting to Camp Upton, L. I., Jan. 28. Danielle Darrieux, striving to get out of unoccupied France'for months, still stymied. She's making pictures for UFA meantime. E. Ray Goetz hosting Irvln Maries, the Nicky Blairs, the Billy Roses (Eleanor Holm) over the holidays at his Saratoga retreat Ed Kobak, Jr., son of NBC v.p., and Harlow Dean, concert manager, readying shows featuring camp .tal- ent for possible radio pickups, Roxy Bowling Alleys advertises that 'in case of air-raid, come below to our bomb-shelter.' It's on 7th avenue, opposite the Roxy theatre. A. P. Waxman's aide, Fanchon KUr, and Alwyn Metzger are pen- cilled In for that Big Leap. Also Lou Mindling's (Xavler Ciigat) sister. Blanche Ring is first guester on BUI Hardy's Gay '90s nltery siistaln- «r, direct from the E. Mth street bolte, over WJZ-NBC blue, starting next Sunday (4). (fcorgie Price's seven-year-old daughter, Georgain, student at the Professional Children's School, tkedded for the lead in 'A Guest in the Hb)ise,' new legiter. - Jerome Weidman's new play, 'All These Year*,' for Harry Kaufman (Shuberts), waiting on Sir Cedric Hardwicke, the lead, now tied up in film production on the Coast Billy Stein, MCA v.p., invalided for some time, attended hlsJ first Broadway show in a year and had a nostalgic reunion backstage with Sophie Tucker, Georgie Jessel, et al. Grossinger's has bought out the house (1.500 seats) for Eddie Cantor's •Banlo Eyes' the night of Jan. H and m turn selling It at $12.50 top as a heneflt for the Sara Delano Roosevelt Home in England. (hphans of St. Joseph School for Girl? were ehtertained by William J. Hcineman, assistant general sales- ganager of Universal, at his Forest HjUs home last Saturday (27) at a post-Christmas party. i-^Hi'fc'^'**" hosting open-house tonight (Nfw Years eve) at his Ri- viera to old friends and customers. InpidentoUy, spot lyay remain open •?? year round si'nle he's not oper- •tlng in Florida this year. .„» "''o ■ penthouse tiute at Miami Beach's Lord Tarleton gojel for the season, will commute Delween Hollywood and Florida for tWs wuiter. He went to the Coast for •Kfflas but is. now back in Florida. -,2"*„o' fli-st picture theatres to warnings about careless war lis ""l rumors is the World, West ^hi?**uv sureseater.. Cartoon Welches with the warning, 'Careless ttS^tre'stobby"' "a mH?* '"**^' "vlatrix accused in a m^Ki'™?*^"''a jam, danced as otS^ 5*',°' " handled by Dor- . "'hy Berke (Hockenberg), former mniint n'^*'';5''°<^"="'' at the Para- M"- Hocken- dmfic* "i* the wife of a Des Moines dentist. Dr. Sol Hockenberg. 77\p« Riccardi. secreUry of Locai Guard enlisted in the Coast g^^f^ «' KYW employees were tte Vh.3j ""n5"»l Christinas party at •oe studios Tues. (23). mirtn^k* headlines special Sa eSi*. '"S'' tonight (31) at UDD^fi S""^!, has been »114 and $1.71. onSS rPf."*"^*"- new eatery.. "'8'>t. It's oper-. ImJ^' KelleS. local band- jlf •. Sam Bushman Is p.a. AuISSr SS'"°''^°' ''J'- Philly and AUantic City nltery operator,' was feature interviewed in the Philadel- phia Record anent his charitable works. Vic Guinness, former art director of the New York Mirror, has been placed in charge of art publicity and promotion for the U. S. Marine Corps. Baltimore By Howard A, Barman Syd Goldstein off to Miami. Norman Clark a grandpappy. Helen Leonard studying naviga- tion. Bill Click building hotel in uptown sector. Lou Schecter adding the Roslyn to his chain of nabes. MoIIie Steinberg in from Coast with plans for a legiter. Max' Cohen adding two hotels to his real estate holdings. Phil Lampkin, bandleader, a lieu- tenant at nearby Fort Meade. . Ted Routson inaugurating daily back stage broadcast at the Hipp via WITH. Bill Hicks in charge of New Year's Eve celebrations at Variety Club quarters. What Type Pix? SSsContlnncd from page erties of even mediocre importance since the start of the war. Best indication of the way the wind will blow is only to be obtained from some isolated actions. Summary of such activity tends to make it appear that there will be a number of pix in the 'B' classification with various types of naval and military back- grounds, but temporarily, at least, there will be no big-budgeteers—not Until the studios feel surer of the public temper, anyway.. Shelvinc fSS.MO Maagbamer Concrete evidence of the way Para- mount's mind Is running is. seen in the decision last week to shelve W. Somerset Maugham's new novel, 'The Hour Before Dawn,' for which $65,000 was paid last August Mothballing, studio Indicated, was because of a policy to avoid serious aspects of the war in Its pictures. There was another angle, however, and that's that the story deals with life In wartime London. Situation is exactly the same as in Metro's failure to purchase screen rights to 'The Wookey,' legiter which It backed on Broadway and which ends Its run un profitably this week. 'Wookey,' like the Maugham prop- erty. Is. about wartime England. And the one thing studios feel unanimous about Is that'with the United States Itself In the war, there's little chance of clicko b.o. with yarns of Britain at battle. If there's to be any profit in wartime stories at all, It is feU, it will be In those with domest^ locales. Hlstorlo Valne, But . Of course, neither 'The Hour Be- fore Dawn,' "The . Wookey," nor any other such intrinsically good story held by studios, is a loss. It means the tieing up of large sums of money on shelves for a long time, but such yarns have historical value and offer strong possibilities for big groiiBes when the war is over. One of the effects of the U. S.-Axis hostilities on story markets has been the pushing up of prices on good, escapist materiaL Whether or not the studios decide to make any war sub- jects, they all know they'll also need a plentiful supply of piire comedy. So plays and books that were considered solid screen material before the war are figured to be even more so now. Although nothing gn the Broadway stage has been purchased for films since Pearl Harbor day, studio reps are watchfully waiting and there's expected to be a rush shortly for those things which have no war strings and are certain to be im- portant on any production program war or no war. In that category are 'Junior Miss,' 'Best Foot Forward, and 'Let's Face -It' Training Ushers I ^^^2 Continued from page 1 ^^..^ activities in theatres are (or the present being closely guarded Among theatre operators, for obvious rea- sons. That subversive interests might attempt to foment panic wherever large numbers" of people congregate, as in theatres, is a prob- lem which operators feel must be anticipated and provided for. Comprehensive plans (or training ushers to o.o. theatre patrons have been set and are going out to thea- tre managers in every part of the country. Metropolitan centres, where customers are not as well known to ushers as in smaller communities, will requite most scrupulous atten- tion. London Naunton Wayne a flu victim. Al Burnet tested by Gainsborough Films for a starring role. Hi-Gang,' the HaVry Foster BBC revue, folding after six-week tour. Jack Doyle, singing boxer, sus- tained head injuries in a car smash. Greatrex Newman sending but new vaudeville unit to Gibraltar to en- tertain the troops. ; Phyllis Dixie quit Phpenix theatre after four weeks, due to differences with management. De Haven and Page, after being practically set for the new Palladi- um show, 'Gangway,' suddenly switched to the Charles Tucker re- vue. After negotiating lease of Carlton theatre to two parties interested in staging musical shows there. Par- amount's office found its lease with the Crown debars il from subletting. Jack Hylton staging his first panto- mime in the West End at the Palace theatre, starring Arthur Askey, Flor- ence Desmond, Eddie Grey, Archie Glen and Brian Michie. Panto's title is 'Jack and Jill.' Flanagan and Allen approached by George Black to go to Blackpool with 'Black Vanities,' the current Victoria Palace hit for next summer season, but English comics unable to do so because o( a picture commit- ment. Harry Lowe, artists' representa- tive, incapacitated by leg and arm in- juries while on duty in military serv- ice, is anticipating mail from friends in the U. S. while recuperating. He can be reached care Sydney Burns, 26 Charing Cross Road. Evelyn Dall being dickered for by Jack Hylton for the Ethel Merman part in 'DuBarry Was a Lady,' which he intends doing early in April. Try- ing to get Bud Flanagan for the Bert Lahr part or, failing him, may give it to Arthur Riscoe. Brighton tops all provincial towns with biggest number of Christmas pantomimes. Line-up is four, com- prising Hippodrome, headed by Sandy Powell; Theatre Royal, with Nellie Wallace and Randolph Sutton co-starring; Grand, headed by Char- lie Austin, and Imperial, with Syd Walker. St Loois By Sam X. Horft Ollie Watson, stagehand at the Maplewood theatre, Maplewood, Mo., back after a prolonged sick spell. John Quinn, head of M-G's local exchange, will represent the St Louis film Industry In the President's golden jubilee 'March of Dimes' drive. Robert Thomsen, business repre- sentative of lATSE, Local 143, named to the local four-man iKiard set up to hear cases in which alien enemies are involved. Mrs. Clarence Day, Jr., supervis- ing face lifting of the Grand for pres- entation of 'Life With Father,' start- ing Jan. 1. Piece was adapted from her late husband's stories and she's technical adviser for the company. Bill Hoppe, who gave up job as district manager for the St. Louis Amusement Co. to run a hamburger eatery in South St Louis, Is- back as manager of the Rio, North St. Louis nabe. Buenos Aires By Ray Josephs Leopoldo Simar died after long illness. Nat Bru.ski lefit Columbia Plcts publicity, Stuart Dunlap, M-O chiet here, back from Brazilian jaunt. Samuel J. Woolf, N. Y. Times sketcher and interviewer, to Rio. June Marlowe, U. S. actress, made front cover of local Life mag. DesHle. Sherry Mangin of Time, Life and Fortune office in B. A., to States for health. Report stage actress Mecha Ortit plans production of own picts. Jorge Rigaud likely to co-star, and Luis Moturn handle the meg. Bob Roberts) back from Tandil, where he shot Argentine Army ma- neuvers for Institute Cinematografo Argentine, government - sponsorea foundation. Authors Sixto Pondal Rios and Carlos Olivari signed two-year ex- clusive contract with Luiniton for four pix per year to be directed by Francisco Mugica. Don Miguel Machinandiarena, co- owner of Mar del Plata Casino and of indie studios San Miguel, com- pleted purchase of SIDE studios, in financial difficulties over a year. Hugo del Carril, Agustin Irusta. 'Azcucena Maizani, Los Ran'cheros, Bolazo, Nelly Omar, Mercedes Di Simone in Luna Park benefit for Hospital Vccinal de Villa Urquiza. Director Luis Cesar Amadori, credited with developing Pepe Arias into top local screen comic, now completing first Arias pic in some time. 'El Profesor Cero' (.'Professor Zero'). Also stars ZuUy Moreno and Osvaldo Miranda. Teatro Nacional de Comedia ended sixth season with 'Martin Fierro,' dramatic play by Jose Gonzalez Cas- tillo, based on epic of famed- Argen- tine poet Work Is one of the most successful ever presented at the Cer- vantes, where Teatro h.q.s. Lumiton opening summer season in Mar del Plata with 'Asi es La Vida' ('Such Is Life'). Film, based on play w.hich won municipal prize in '30, stars Enrique Muino and feat- ures Ellas Mippi, Sabino Olmos, Fe- lisa Mary and Nina Gambler; . Libertad Lamarque to star in San Miguel's 'En el Viejo Buenos Aires- ('In Old Buenos Aires'), a high- budgeter featuring Amelia Bence, Ang.elina Pagano, Ernesto Vilches and many oldtimers. Antonio Momr plct skedded to direct but that's not deOnite. 'El Prime de las Indias' ('The Cousin of the Indians'), operetta in Spanish directed by actor George Urban, clicking solidly at National. Work features Carmen Brown, Vio- Icta Desmond, Isabel Zaldivar, Car- men Heldy, Maria de la Fuente and Carmen Nogales. New Haven By Harold M. Bone Tony Masella boosted to asst. mgr. at Poll's. Marty Mullins plans to start a Va- riety CJlub here. Willie Howard heads New Year's Eve vauda show at the Shubert Lew Schaefer fully recovered from cracked heel bone suffered some time ago. Walter Prltchard Baton and his Yale Drama school studes again doing one-act plays tor WICC. New Year's Eve nitary reserva- tions, slow to start piled up on the home stretch, with $15 a couple the top in this sector. - After being tossed.' out by the Roger Sherman, 'Citizen Kane' will finally get a local showing at the Shubert (legit house) Jan. 7-13. FBI Catches Wise iConlinnW f«om page !i2Jl program. Hotel dining rooms and even stirnewirts of the big brew- eries have' been purged of long- time German employees whose pro- Hitlsr sympathies reached the at- tention of the FBI. Controversy continues to rage lo- cally over 'Heinle and His Grena- diers,' the German band program on WTMJ, although it has been Amer- icanized to the nth degree, f nd The Milwaukee Journal, owner of the station, continues to receive many letters (and publishes some of them) either urging the abolition of the show or advocating its continuance on the ground that toltrance should be exercised, particularly in this city of many racial groups. 'Der TaoBenbaam' 'Der Tannenbaum,' generally sung in German, has long been a favorite Yuletide melody here and Is in- variably included in the program played-by the Milwaukee police de- partment band directed by Dr. Rob- ert O. Brunkhorst at the annual Community Christmai tree celebra- tion ih the Court of Honor. How- ever, there are a number of mu- sicians of Polish descent In the po- lice band, and they are reported to have been on the verge of open re- bellion this year against playing the German anthem. They were ap- peased, at least on the surface, when it was decided to list the number under another name—'Oh, Faithful Pine,' a free translation. Musicians al another celebration were handed a program in which Tannenbaum,' this time designated as 'My Maryland,' was sandwiched in between 'Adeste Fidelia' and 'Silent Night,' but before they got to play- ing it the chairman of the commit- tee in charge instructed the leader to scratch 'Maryland' es Its rendition might offend someone. Chevalier -Continued from piigc I; Looking for a Millionaire' and 'J'en Ai Marre' ("I'm Fed Up'). Droopy Lip continues the act he's been do- ing for the past few months. Another addition to .show Is comic Dorville, in three short sketches. Chevalier was ^.missing recently from the show for a few days as he went tp Germany to sing to French war prisoners at the Stalag d'Alten Grabow Prison Camp, near Magden- bourg, where he' was a captive for 28 months In the last war. He gave two performances and then returned to Paris via Berlin, where he was feted by some of the high Nazi per- sonalities. Chevalier, Incidentally, has begun a new film with Marie Dea. It's called 'Une Nult Faniastiqux,' with Marcell I'Herbier megging. Hollywood Robert Stevenson laid up with flu. Bette Davis returned to work after Illness. . ■ Barry Regan recovering from an appendectomy. Gabriel Dell joined the East Side Kids at Monogram. Edward Small spending the holi- days in Phoenix, Ariz. Darryl Zanuck to Washington, D. C, on military duty. John Van Druten writing a new play for. Katharine Cornell. Al Lichtman trained east for home office huddles on Metro product^ Irene Rich to open the March of Dimes program in Chicago Jan. U. Bill Elliott motoring to North Carolma to start a three-month stage tour. Virginia O'Brien, screen singer, and Kirk Alyn, stage actor, wed this week. Don English, formerly with Para- mount, joined the Columbia nub- llclty staff. Al Jolson, back from Miami Beach, considering film offers. Pronto off to Florida agam. Louis Frohlich, lawyer for ASCAP and United Artists, In town for a month on business. (jonstance Moore back to work at Paramount for the first time since arrival of her baby. George White In from the north- west °to arrange Coast bookings for his tabloid 'Scandals.' Sidne;r Franklin back at his Metro production desk after a week's physi- cal Theckup in the hospitaL ■ 3 .By Hal Cohen Nltery singer Lois Hendricks re- tiring shortly for marriage. Tony Sterns' Xmas cards were De- fense Bond folders started with one stamp. Jan Savitt plans to Increase his band by four violins within the next month. Stanley dickering with Phil Spl- talny and his 'Hour of Charm' show for week of Jan. 16. Big gang of locals ^oing to Cleve- land next Monday (S) for testimonial dinner to Bert Stearn. ' Peter Balma- In from the Coast to spend Christmas with his wife and stepdaughter, Martha Raye. Jack Coffey's band one-inlghting in this territory prior to opening run at Mayflower Hotel In Akron, O. Sterner Sisters spending the holi- days at home while they're appear* ing at the Nixon in 'Hellzapoppin.' Mrs. Maurice Spltalny re-elected president of Ladles 'Theatrical Club, distaff version of the Variety .Club. Martha Raye's new piano accom- panist, Mickey Freeman,, li an alumhus of the Paul Whiteman orch. Metro gang combined its annual Xmas shindig with a birthday party for Buck-Stoner, exchange manager. Thie Horace McMahoifs (Louise Campbell). here for a day on their way back to Hollywood from New York. Irving Frankel, RKO salesman, us and around again after being hospl-- taled for Week as a result of auto crash. '- Fred Spooner In town ahead- of 'Panama Hattie' and Herb Pickman around drumbeatlng 'How Green Was My Valley.' Sbipstad and Johnson tos.sed their annual 'Ice Follies' Xmas party here and gifted every member of cast with a Defense Bond. By Le* Bees Dean Lutz, Warner booker, enlist- ed in the Army. W. A. Steffes to. spend rest of winter in New Orleans. Harry Dryer, indie exhibitor, open- ing biUiard hall as side enterprise. Yale Dramatic Club offering Waterbury Tales' at Lyceum this week. Erllne Larsen, manager of West theatre, Northfield, Minn,, became a daddy. Dave Evidon, son of "Kelly' Evl- don, WB ad sales manager, enlisted in the Navy. 'Hellzapoppin',' film Into Minne- apolis and St. Paul Orpheums day and date New Year's week. Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo here for three performances with Minne- apolis Symphony Orchestra. Frank Anderson, Paramount sales- man, escaped with only a slight scalp wound when his auto turned over in North Dakota. Eddie Ruben luncheon host to a dozen Australian .and New Zealand fiying cadets here from Canadian training camp on holiday furlough. Art Anderson, Warner branch manager, turned cash Christmas gift from branch staff over to charitable organization to buy Christmas baskets for needy families. Nineteen members of 'Ice Follies' cast including Eddie and Roy Ship- stad, arrived in Minneapolis by spe- cial plane to spend holidays with famlhes in Twin Cities and North- west