Variety (Jan 1942)

Wednesday, January 28, 1942 CHATTER 53 Broadway David Lewis, Coast film producer, (n tOWDi Earl Carroll to Mexico City on way ♦"nlWawkrlng left Warners' h.o. •ISof H^Sman very lU at St. ^^^/Ilte^'ttn due in from the raast this week. Bob' Wcitman recovering from a efnstX'wIiner theatre «ec in Pittsburgh, In town. . Brice Disque, Jr., radio scripter, ••nprtlni! to go into the army. "Emda Darnell and Joe E. Brown arrived Monday (26) for camp-show ^*JW Cooper plans a trip to Ne- bip*a. where he operates a circuit ''iSJoiTross. editor of New Yorker mawzine. out of hospital after treat- ment for ulcers. Sheila Barofl. of the W im Mor- rla office secretarial staff, .nounced her eneagement to a non-pro. Bettc Davis came east to New Vork and immediately left for her niace in New Hampshire. James O'Neill, of the Golden thea- tre boxofllce. in Wlckersham hos- ultal with nervous condition. Claude Lee returned to town Mon- day (26) from Charlotte, N. C, fol- lowhig a stop at Washingtort Jack narrower, former film trade columnist, named Coast pubUcity rep for Producers Releasing Corp. Irvin Yergln, Warner field pub- licity representative In Chicago, re- turned there over the .weekend. Meyer Davis, Jr, son of the or- chestra leader, is serving on Iceland . patrol duty with the U. S. Navy. ■Abe Bernstein back after exploita- tion tour of Ave weeks through Ohio and Michigan on 'Hellzapoppin.'. " Major company foreign managers duddle tomorrow-(Th"utsdayJi..Seml-_ monthly conclave. Bob-Sylvester, of News dranja de- partment, to Florida on vacation. He has story on 44th street in current SEPost. Montague Gowthorpe, comptroller of the Par theatre circuit, returned to the h.o. Monday (26) from a trip through the far west Choru9 Equity moving its offices next Monday (2) to Mayfair theatre building, Seventh avenue and 47th street Sid Gar&eld-Les Zimmerman pub- licity team has dissolved, with Gar- field gohig to Tom FIzdale agency. Zimmenrian continues solo. Arthur Loew staged a surprise birthday party for nis mother, 71, at his home at Pembroke, Glen Cove, Long Island, last Sunday (25). W. J. Heineman, Universal's as- sistant sales chief, bkck to N. Y. over the weekend from" a tour of the south and southwest territory. . Will Kays starting work on his re- port to be submitted at annual meet- ing of Motion Picture Producers Si Distributors Assn. in March. - Ben Kalmenson, Warner sales manager, and Ralph McCoy, south- em-midwestem division chief, left FMday (23) for Florida on distribu- tion matters. David Rose, Paramount's managing director in Great Britain, returning from Hollywood this weekend to make arrangements for his return to headquarters in London. Billy Rose, whose 'Aquacades', ap- parently have had their natatorial effect on him, left for Florida yes- terday (Tuesday) to continue the Rimming lessons that wife Eleanor Holm started giving him last season. Harry David, operator of Par's Ohio' theatres, and Earl J. Hudson, In charge of the Par string in Detroit,' left Friday (23) for CincinnaU and Detroit respectively, where they make headquarters, following h.o. conferences. stars came from Chicago for broad- cast at St Paul Winter CamivaL RKO setting aside AprU 11-17 as 'Ooldhanuner Week' In 'anniversary drive' as testlmonfal to district man- ager here. Gordon Greene, former Minnesota theatre operator and manager, has resigned as trustee in bankruptcy for the house. Eddie Somz transferred from Cin- cinnati to National Screen sales staff here to succeed Dave Bader, who goes to Kansas City. Alan Usher and Fred Sartow, Paramount district manager and ex- plolteer, respectively, here for open- ing of new exchange building. Claude Dickinson resigned as M-G booker to become United Artists' of- fice tnanager, succeeding Edward StoUer, promoted to sales staff. . Harry Lund, RKO North Dakota salesman, elevated to Sioux Falls, S. D., office manager, replacing Mar- vin Woolflsh, transferred to. Pitts- burgh. Lyceum has Katherlne Cornell pencilled in for one-day stand Feb. 11 in "Rose Burke.' 'Life with Father' scheduled for full week starting on Feb. 18. London SlLonis By Sam X. Hurst By Lea Sees Eleanor Hoffman, WB office staff, to wed. Dick Jurgens booked for Tashlon bnow dance. Wife of Fred Ableson, RKO sales- man, in hospital. St Paul Civic Opera company pre- sentmg 'Rose Marie.' Mother of 'Bucky' Zweig of Co- lumbia passed away. Bob Murphy, Star-Journal film editor, father of a daughter. , Exhibitors here have been rushing ™,yarole Lombard reissues. Margie Hart spotted Into Hirsch- •^^tf, burlesque at Alvln Feb. 6. ^Ow-Fox and M-G in first and sec- """l place in Film Bowling league. P"**P°1'5 Civic Opera associa- present 'Samson and Delilah.' »Y"e Foot in Heaven' (WB) had PauT premiere at Riviera, St. Tinii!"^'*.'J '^^wis here for series of lecture? °' classroom BnTfMcnuhin here for appear- ch^?^ Minneapolis Symphony or- aft'^ll^^it'f °' Minnesota Playhouse beH,M* Mrs, North.' 'Mac foiU'i? Si"^ Variety club tendered tenPafMnn^e"/*^" Don McNeill and 'Breakfast Club' DeAngelo and Porter current at Club Continental, Hotel-Jefferson. Former home of Stage Hands Local No. 143 sold last week for $25,000. Maintenance fund drive for $135,- 000 for St I/>uis symph orch under way. Yehudi Menuhin, violinist, skedded to make p.a, with St Louis symph orch Friday and Saturday (30-31). Gen. Platofl Don Cossack troupe, sponsored by Entertainment Inc., to appear at Municipal Auditorium on Feb. 3. —Joy—theatre,—40O'seater,~Chester;- ni., damaged $40,000 by fire resulting from furnace explosion. Plans being made to'rebuild. Every 200th contribiitor to the Globe - Democrat - KMOX sponsored 'Mile o' Dimes' gets a ducat to Loew's. About 25 are dished out dally. William M. Brandt, who refused fee of $5,000 for serving as co-re- ceiver of lATSE, Local No. 143, while John P. Nick was being ousted, has stepped aside as secretary-organizer of the. Central Trade and Labor Union here. He is pensioned at $100 per month. Jolson's Tour sCootlnned from pace 3s man shows, which may become a model for the rest of show busi- ness, gagging and singing a reper- toire opening with 'Swanee,' the sea- soned star went down the line of 'April Showers,' 'California, Here I Come,' 'Sonny Boy,' 'Mammy,' 'You Made Me Love You,' 'Brother, Can You Spare a Dime,' 'Remember Pearl Harbor,' 'Melancholy Baby,' 'See You in My Dreams,' 'JJy Buddy,' 'Old Man River,' 'Blue Heaven,' 'At Sundown,' etc. Singing and enterUining with the songs which the fathers of present day men In uniforsri heard during the World War I days, Jolson held the rostrum as a one-man show, sans any supporting talent accompanied by Martin Freed, his long-time pianist, whose expenses the star is defraying. Jolson started at 7:15 p.m. for an hour's concert, singing some 11 numbers interspersed with ad lib comedy. When the hall was cleared out he gave a second solo perform- ance. The Jacksonville Naval Air Station band played between con- certs. While routed under USO auspices, Jolson stipulated gratis admission. Furthermore, he will subscribe to sundry patriotic services at each camp. The tour ends after a series of 11 dates on Feb. 7 at Morrisfleld, West Palm Beach, at which time Jolson's seven-year-old son, Al, Jr., may ar- rive from Hollywood to spend the winter with the comedian, Jolson has just bought a permanent Miami Beach home. Jolson left for Camp Stewart, Sa- vannah, Ga., today for his concert there tomorrow (Wednesday). Judy CUcks Detroit Jan. 27. Despite an abscessed tooth) Judy XSarland made her' debut as a volunteer entertainer last week at Fort Custer, Mich. Audiences of 2,000 soldiers cheered her In two performances in Thumbs Up,' in which her husband, Dave Rose, ac- companied her on the piano. She was routed from Custer into Fort Knox, Ky., where she played two night shows starting Friday <23). Theatre organist Reginald Foort divorced. A. E, Abrahams dickering with Phyllis Dixey to star her in revue. Tommy Trinder doing regular flre-watehing duty at the Palladium. Adelaide Hall opening a club here for colored Americans in the forces. Cyril Lawrence a flu victim and staying at his country bouse under doctor's orders. Bert Howell, Interned in Germany since July, 1940, writes to friends in London saying he is well. Jack Hylton s contract with Daniel Mayer Co. for West End rights of 'Peter Pan' is for five years. When not sponsoring Firth Shep- hard's 'The Man Who Came to Din- ner,' JeriY 'VTerno is a wartime cop. Richard Greene - and Patricia Medina |iad Christmas wedding at St. James' Church, Spanish Place, London,, Robert Morley being groomed for the Winston Churchill part in film which Warners is to make in England this year. Ralph Wedgwood, the new chair- man of Associated British Pictures, has. received a baronetey on the New Years' Honor List. Archie Shenburne to stage revue in the West End, possibly at the Garrick theatre, with Fay Coropton already engaged to star. 'Whltey' Neeson, former Charles Cochran showgal and ex-spouse of Ken Harvey, has made comeback and is now at the Cocoanut Grove. Agent Jack Davies out of hospital after eight weeks. Spent most of his time writing his life stoiy, which 'Victor Gollancz is considering pub- lishing. Shortage of sUS has caused George Black to get Charles Henry, his assistant producer to look after the press publicity of the Palladium and Hippodrome. Tommy Trinder's next picture for Associated Talking Pictures (Michael. Baicon) starts in July. Story is based on oil wells and is tentatively titled -The Life Line.' Charles Cochran celebrated his theatrical jubilee at a luncheon given in his honor. Among the 1,000 guesta were H. G. Wells, Sarah Churchill and Vic Oliver. Sam Smith to New York and Hollywood in February. Sez he has seen what war is like over here in the last two years and now wanta to see what it is like in America. 'Black Vanities,' the George Black revue at Victoria Palace, closed after nine months, with sequel to 'Me and My Girl,' presented by Lupino Lane, in which he will also star, replacing. William Gaunt, former millionaire millowner, who years ago had large interests in the Shuberts' West End theatre investmenta, now running a second-hand clothes store in Brad- ford. Success in '49th Parallel' has upped Eric Portman's salary from $1,200 per week to $4,000. Maurice Ostrer, head of Gainsborough Films, has signatured him for two plots at $20,000 per. Russia is getting its Innings in Tin Pan Alley. After 'Russian Rose' comes 'Russian Serenade,' written and composed by maestro Harry Roy, which Is gradually creeping into the hit class. Rupert D'Oyly Carte won a di- vorce and was awarded costs against the co-respondent, St. Yves de Ver- teuil. Couple were married in 1907, and the missus has lived In Trinidad since outbreak of war. Shortage of studio space has upped rental prices in some Instances to over 5(1%. Instances are Welwyn studios, upped from $1,800 to $2,800 per week; Gainsborough, $2,400 to $4,000, and Denham, $3,200 to $5,000. Geraldo and George Formby in- vited to play before the King and Queen at Windsor Castle, with latter bringing along Max Thorpe, local sales head of (Columbia Pictures. Thorpe was presented to Their Majesties. Regal picture theatre, Marble Arch, started vaudfllm policy with Jack Payne band featured. Others being dickered for are Joe Loss, Carroll Gibbons, Jack Jackson. Maurice Winnick, Oscar Rabin and Vera Lynn. Flanagan and Allen off to enter- tain Army, Navy and Air Forces for the month of February, after which they are to do a film, which Val Guest is already scripting. Boys keeping it close secret, but under- stood film is for Lou Jackson. Michael Balcon's 'Big Blockade,' for UA release, was to. have been prcrreleased early in March, but government requested that, owing to its subject matter, it be released earlier. Pic has since opened at London Pavilion, doubling at Marble Arch Pavilion. British Actors' Equity and Theat- rical Managers Assn. came to an agreement in London on the terms of a provincial standard contract for musical and straight plays on tour. It was also decided to set up a Pro- vincial Theatre Council, similar to the one in London. George Black's 'Black Vanities,' the 'Victoria Palace revue, will bfe the summer-attraction at the Opera House, Blackpool. Black would like Flanagan and Allen, plus Frances Day, original stars of the show, to play Blackpool, but they have turned down offer. It is quite likely George Archi- bald, formerly joint managing di- rector of United Artists with Teddy Carr, and now in the Air Force, will be next chairman of the Kinemato- graph Renters' Society, with the job for the first time in the history of the society to be a paid one. John Mills' daughter, Juliet, ar- rived while he was filming "The Young Mr. Pitt' Christening plans include such names as godparente; Vivien Leigh, Lady Oxford, Noel Coward, Laurence Olivier and An- >thony Asquith. This is the first child born to his actress wife. Hay- ley Bell. Pittsbnrgb By Hal Cohen Sid Dickler, p.a., down with laryn- gitis. Tommy Carlyn lost Billy Douglas to the Baron Elliott band. Betty Smiley, WCAE vocali.it. now with Rusty Williams' orchestra. Brian McDonald in West Penn hos- pital recovering from a minor oper- ation. Anne Zortayo, .cigie gal at defunct El Chico, has joined touring rhumba troupe. Al Mercer and wife shoved off over weekend for Miami to spend the winter. Illness cancelled Artie Shaw and band out of the Stanley week of Feb. 13. Maurice Evans-Judith Anderson 'Macbeth' booked into Nixon week March 16. John McGreevey, after licking pneumonia, now quarantined with chicken pox. Phil and Maurice Spitalny's mother down from Cleveland to spend a few da.ys with them. Cliff Daniel, WCAE program di- rector, in Shadyside hospital with throat infection. John McQuade, former local Play- house actor, has gone into Maurice Evans' 'Macbeth.' Clyde Knight orch, with Fran Eichler now. fronting, back from Denver engagement '-- Nancy Steigerwalt and Tom Lewis playing lead &i Playhouse production of "Mr. and Mrs. North.' Lou Bolton hasn't had word of his son, engineer in Arxny Air Corps in Philippines, since war started.' - 'Mafor Barbara' will finally get a first-run showing here at Gabe Rubin's Art Cinema, next month. Joe Blpwitz, theatre manager, a grandpop. His boy. Bill, with Par praisery in Hollywood, father of a son. Florence Fishery Parry's son, Dave, formerly with Lynn Farnol in N. Y., now flying instructor in Cali- fornia. Aleen Leslie, who writes daily col- umn for Press as Aleen Wetstein, Has sold 'Henry Aldrich Geta Glam- our' to Par. Hollywood Entire staff of WHAT has been fingerprinted. 'Ice-Capades' open here on Feb. 7 for a nine-day stay. Ruth Welles, K'YW women's coun- seUor, delivered talk at the State Teachers College, Kutztown, last week. Mayris Chaney, former member terp team Chaney and Fox, now in charge of dancing for the National Civilian Health program. S. Jay Kaufman, p.a. for 'Hellz- apoppin', a member of the Pen and Pencil Club's Tuesday night poker session for duration of run here. Cal Tlhney, who already has apart- menta in New York, Philly, Wa-sh- ington and a home in Long Island, has purchased a farm in Bucks county, Pa. Don Martin, WFIL spieler, is teaching radio announcing in 'Junto's' adult education series. Herb Ringgold, Phillip Klein agency, tu- tors radio scripting. Dorseys' Story ____ Contlnntd from paee l=^=ssl various U. S. soldier and naval re- lief services. It's the first major gesture in this direction from the dance band business and will entail seven dates in that many cities, .itarting in late April or early May. It is estimated that the turnstile re- ceipts, plus incidental income, from these events might total as high as $100,000. After obtaining assent to the idea from Jimmy Dorsey, Mike Nidorf, General Amusement Corp. v.p., last week flew to the Coast to see Tommy. Dorsey. The latter readily agreed to the proposal. The playing of the dates will likely range over a period of three weeks. The towns already selected for the joint appearances of the Dorsey bands are New York, Chicago; Philadelphia and Washing- ton, and it is possible that the other three towns will be St. Louis, Cin- cinnati and Kansas City. It is in- tended in any event to make Wash- ington the final date for the two- some. A committee will have been chosen in that city to allocate the total proceeds of the seven stands. A committee of civic .leaders will be named In each city to sponsor the event Don Cossacks at Warners (or a short. Ginny Simms to New Orleans to sell Defense Bonds. . Ralph Snnford back at work after cracking three ribs. James R. Grainger due for studio huddles at Republic, George Murphy to Pittsburgh to open a five-week stage tour. Ann Miller to TuUahoma, Tenn., to open a tour of Army camps. S.illy Rand sued by her former business manager, Eugene Curtis, for $3,011. P. G. Wolfson back from treatmcnta at Mayo clinic and resting on the desert. John Payne selected as 20tli-Fox reprcsentnlivc at President's Birth- day Ball Jack Mills returned east after 50th birthday shindy tossed by brother Irving. Arthur Hunnicutt, stage actor, working in his first picture at Par- amount. Tommy Jones, trumpet player with Kay Kyser's band. Army-bound next month. Franchot Tone's sprained ankle halted work on 'Highly Irregular' at Columbia. David Rose, head man for Para- mount in England, here for studio conferences. Otis Wiles, Columbia studio p.a., got tangled up with a buzz saw and lost two fingers. Herbert Yates here for his cus- tomary mid-winter parleys with Re- public studio execs. Bert Lahr going back to New York legit when he finishes, his ..current picture job in 'Ship Ahoy.' Edward Arnold led the vanguard of film notables to Washington for the President's Birthday Ball. Father Michael J, Mullins. founder of the Catholic Motion Picture Guild, seriously injured in a motor crash. "E. H. Griffith to Portland, Ore., to ogle the new Sam Curtis stage play, 'As They Desire,' for possible filming. Bob Murphy dealing with a syn- dicate for a string of corn beef and - cabbage taverns around the coun- try. Craig Mitehell, of N. Y. legU. will draw his pay as an actor at Uni- versal under the name of Frank Kelly. Woody Herman and his band moved east after completing their spot in Universal's 'Wake Up and Dream.' Slim Sallee,' onetime piteher for St Loo (Ordinals, testing for part in Lou Gehrig picture, 'Pride of the Yankees.' Most of the town's musical set at- tended a stag tossed by Irving M'Us In honor of his brother Jack s 50th birthday. Lorraine and Rognan, eccentric dancing team, put under contract by Paramount as reward for their work in 'The Fleet's In.' Columbia putting 'Miss' before- name of Glynis Jones in release of the English picture. The Ihvaders' to avoid confusion. Henry King, on leave from 20th- Fox, back from Washington to com- plete plans for Civil Air Patrol In southern California. Walter I^intz cartoon character. Woody Woodpecker, is the official insignia of 31st Observation Squad- ron at San Bernardino, Cal. Frances Glfford and Martha O'DrlscoU (but not Mary Martin) share the femme leads In Para- mount's 'My - Heart Belongs to Daddy.' Baeoos Aires By Bay Jotephi Heat keeping 'em away from the b.o. Robert K. Hawkinson, of RKO, re- maining indefinitely. . Lumilon's 'Adolescencla' finished shooting and headed for lab. New municipal ordinance stops newspaper hawking after 10 p.m. Sono signed writers Enrique Amorin and Ramon Gomez Massia. Rigoletto' drew best house of sea- son at Colon al fresco showing in Palermo. San Miguel inked Manuel de Falla, composer, for 'En El Vlejo Buenos Aires' ('In Old Buenos Aires'). Maipo, only air-conditioned le- giter, opened summer season with ■Yo Me Quiero Dlvertir' CI Want to Have Fun'). Municipality Included pesos 28.750 (approximately ^7,000) in '42 budget for prizes to stimulate artistic and literary standards of locally-made picts. '■1 Puente Invisible' ('Invisible Bridge') Opened at the Smart, critics 5raising jierformances of Delfina auffret, Eduardo Cutlno, and Pepe Castro. Dinner was given Enrique Gus- tavano, author of 'La.Novia Fardlda' CThe Lost Bride'), which copped lo- cal prize. Author is m.c. and direc- tor m local theatres. Plans still in the air regarding next season at the Politeama, Ataneo, LIceo, and Odeon. IiOcal artists plenty worried over production plans, fearing curtailment. Artistas Argentlnos Asoclados (AAA) first will be 'El Vlejo Hucha* (The Old Timer'), adaptation of stage 6lay by Darthea and DameL Lucai lemare will meg with Enrique Muino and Francisco Petrone In leading toleg.