Variety (Apr 1942)

Wednesdcyr Aprg 22> 1941 CHATTER 59 Broadway Clark Brown back from Wash.- hasUn settling down In, "sdiosaberg laid up at home during past wedt with a cold. Bob GUlham back ,BIonday (20) from Ashing trip on Florida keys. Zlegfeld Club hoMing- seventh annual ball at Waldprf-Aatoria May 2 Owen Davis up and around Times Square again after his recent opera- tion. . , X 11 Ann Corlo gomg into summer stock again. Probably will try out in a "'^George' S. Sharf, Metro attorney, marrying Therese Bergman in New York May 17. Sophie Tucker, in Washington this weak with 'High Kickers,' doubling at the Club Troika. ^ . , ^ ^ , Dorothy MacKie had mfected face but was discharged from French hospital Saturday (18). Barret McCormlck and Jack Peg- ler returned Thursday (16) from the ' Coast after RKO studio confabs. Typical American soldier puffing a Camel on the Claridge hotel sign is being revamped to represent a gob. Fred Thompson converting "The Butter and Egg Man' into musical comedy book. No score writers as yet. Terry Turner, RKO exploitation chief, started on a swing of Canadian end midwest U. S. key cities yester- day (Tues.). Bniy Stein, MCA v.p. and brother of J. C. Stein, sufficiently well now, following long Illness, to take hotel suite in town, in order to be nearer 'hq, . War or no war, Atlantic City's amiual beauty pageant wHl be held as usual this year Sept 7-13< Variety Clubs aga&i participate In sponsor- ship. Don Beddoe, Columbia contract pfayer who came east last week for bb mother's funeral, returns to the Coast -early next week. Dkk Moon's-, wife died suddenly last Thursday '(16). Treasurer has btoi on du^ almost dally at the American Theatre Wing canteen,' George Smith, western-southern division SEdes manager for Para- mount, left Friday (17> for St. Louis to discuss product deals with Fan- chon & Marco. Gertrude I<awrence sponsored Paul Meltsner's one-man portrait ex- hibition a£ the FerrargH galleries Monday (20), proceeds going to the American Theatre Wing. Terl Josefovits still confined to Polyclinic hospital with intestinal ailment Has been given several transfusions by Paramount theatre staffers^ where the pianist was long employed. P.a.'s Joe Heldt and BiU Doll switching lobs. Heidt taking over •Yesterday's Maeic' at the GuUd the- atre, N. Y., and Doll gohig'out ahead of "Withont Love,' botn Theatre Guild productions. IiUekey Barron; company manager of 'Cafe Crown.' doubling as gjn. for *I>ife> of Rellly,' opening -at the Broadhurst N. Y., next week. Sam Friedman flacking and Sam Schwartz company manager for Tuttle and Bromley production. San Francisco The Shangri-La Is scheduled to make its debut April 28. Artie Mehltngcr, head of Green- Revel music publishing company, in town on biz. Bee and Ray Gorman's Gay SO's nltery wiH celebrate first anniver- sary early in May. Warbler Sue Jones,' married a few weeks ago, - Is due to return to the Club Shanghai show. A new nitery, Richelieu Casino, scheduled to open first week in May with Hortado Bcos.' marimba band. Music Box will reopen soon as cocktail loiffige with entertainment under Jurisdiction of Llo^d Camp- bell. Jack E. Lewis was in town whoop- ing up the Pollack Bros. Circus, opening May 1 under'Shrine spon- sorship. ^ Stairway, to the Stars, closed by gendarmes several months ago, may reopen May ff as Flamingo, present- ing Maxie Rosenbloran. Hany Owens amd His Royal Ha- wallans first in for resumption after SIX months of dancing in the Mural Room, Hotel St Francis. -. Larry Adler, the harmonica player, appearing with the San Francisco Symphony (Jrchestra, wowed the audience with 'Bolero' and a mod- em, sophisticated concerto. »»'^'* °ew members; WiUlain Matthouse, James Laments and May Cooper Mackln, have been initiated jnto the San Francisco Theatrical Club. . George Stinson, who quit as a tenor with the-San Francisco Opera company to return to his old job of atate highway patrohnan, is "filling an engagement at the Golden Gate theatre on his vacation. singers for the 1842 "ght opera season Issued by General Director Edwin Lester brought out more than 20fr aspirants, including numerous members of the San Fran- cisco grand 'opera chorus. Lester Sicked a mixed group of 15 and then eparted for Hollywood to complete rehearsal of the first production, •Bitter Sweet,' May 11, with Muriel Angelus and John Howard. Miami By LesHe Harris Ralph Cook set for Kitty Davis's. Glenn Billingsley heading for N. Y. Record downpour blitzed midweek nltery biz. Five O'clock club bringing hi Sylvia Sherwood gal line. Sir Geoffrey Hale newest warbling addition to Riptide lineup. Royal Canadian Air Force slated to set up training school on beach. Sammy Gaines turned over $792 to Navy Relief from Beachcomber benefit Bill Jordan's Bar of Music closes April 25, but reopens June 8 with new show. MyrUe Vail, vacationing at Holly- wood Beach, visited-Miami to appear on WQAM defense bond show. Arthur CbUders will keep Baqiboo Terrace and Crystal cocktail lounge of Royal Palm open all summer. Baenos Aires By Bay Josephs 'Banjo' CloslRg SS^K Continued from pace formed and went to hfs hotel rooms Friday (17). 'Banjo' cost $180,000 In total and during x\s 19 weeks at the Hollywood it earned back $eo,eO&, so that the loss Is $100,600. Warners and Cantor were 50-50 on the show but it Is understood that the star sold a con- siderable Interest In his share, one participant being AI Streslln, out- door sign man. Whether Cantor was financially singed at all is not cer- tain, since he was paid a consider- able weekly salary. BoxoSice was instructed to refund all ticket advance sales, amounting to $39,000. 'Banjo* grossed as high as $38,000 weekly, and was averaging $29,000, while the show's share was never under $20,1(00,' Operating cost was $18,000 and the lowest -Weekly takings were $28,000. 2M Lose Jabs , Closing means that more than 200 persons were forced out of jobs, there having been a large crew, or- chestra and liouse complement. It was said that 'Banjo' might resume in three "we^, but Monday Wty the management said the show was off and It Is understood that Cantor plans |;olng to Hollywood soon. Com- pany was paid for half a week, as two performances -had been played on the final Sunday and the closing was not official until two more days had elapsed. There was talk of Jack Haley tak- ing over, but the management was not hopeful that another comedian could successfully replace Cantor and Haley said he had other com- mitments.- Cantor was said to have been happy In < his appearances in 'Banjo,' but around the theatre it was known that there was much friction be- tween the management and Jack Kreindel, star'! personal representa- tive. It Is said that situation'was contributory to the show's - demise. During rehearsals Cantor was so much upset at one time that he wondered why he ever returned to" the stage. When 'Banjo' trl6d out there was plenty of trouble In get- ting It in shape, musical remaining out of town longer than Intended for that purposp. • However, the show clicked and it was expected Uiat it not only would work out of the red. but play through the summer. There is some talk of 'Banjo' going on tour next season with Cantor, even though it doesn't relight on Broadway. Cantor PrograB t« CMst Cantor takes bis Bristol-Myers program to the Coast after next Wednesday night's (30) broadcast on NDC-Red (WEAF). Reason Cantor is waiting .another week to go to the Coast Is so Dinah Shore, vocalist on his program, can fill a guest date Saturday night (23) on the Lucky Strike 'Hit Parade' over CBS. Singer will also do her own song series on the Blue for Bristol-Myers from New York this Sunday night (20), after which It will also orlgbiate on the Coast It shifts to, a Friday night spot with the May 1 broadcast Upon his arrival on the Coast Cantor will go to Palm Springs for a four-week rest He will continue his program until June 24, when Those We Love' replaces for the summer. Cantor is slated to do a musical film for Warner Bros, during August and September. Mark Hellinger may be the producer, although that and the story, title and other details re- main to be set i Exhlb King Wallace feted by film crowd before marriage. Distrib Luis Federico Alme of Monitor Pictures to Mar del Plate. Universal named Miguel OscaV Fratini rep for General Pico zone. MUagro de la Veea plans to open own dramatic school, first of Its kind here. Comic Luis Sandrini doing well on tour In Chile. Will make pict for EFA here on return. Miguel Navas resigned as secre- tary of the Asociacion Mutual Cine- matografica (Film Aid- Society). Indie San Miguel Studios have guaranteed one release monthly for the Monumental, top national' film house here. Santiago Solviche using socialites in 'Mar del Plata Ida y Vuelta' ('Mar del Plata Return Ticket') for new indie producer-Cruz del Sur. Dr. Leon Klimovsky oi>ened Cine- Arte theatre for showing of best films of all nationalities together with experimental shorts and docu- mentaries. NinI Marshall to return to char- acter of 'Catita' in new picture be- ing planned by director Luis Cesar Amadori. Role, which she created, was first popularized on the air. Pascual Carcaballo filed for use of the name 'Alvear* for new house Jie- ing built on Calle Corrientes^ B. A.'s Broadway. Filmery now holding title presently shows only Axis picts. Jacques Remy started filming - of 'El Gran Secreto' (*The Great Se- cret') with George Rigaud, Mecha Ortiz. C^los Morgant and Homero Carpena, for Generalclne at Pampa Studios. actor, home.from N. Y. tor a few ~j-days to attend brother-in-law's wed- ding. Martha Shulgold, of Crown Film exchange, is Film Row's only mem- ber of the Red Cross Ambulance Corps. . Anne Guler, Johnstown girl in chorus of 'Best Foot Forward,' en- gaged to Jack Jordan, Jr., a prin cipal in the musical. Memphis By Harry Martin . John Scott Trotter grounded here overnight flying west. Hot Springs Bathhouse Row hit by torrential rains. Little Theatre preemlng 'Flight to the West* Monday night (27). W. J. Toler new prexy of Mis- sissippi Del^ Fair Association. Ethel Taylor home from concert season In east for sister's nuptials. Connie ICrebs in for biennial visit to tell the press about RKO product. Civic Theatre took final play, 'Thunder Rock,' to Helena, Ark., for one night - L. H. Dille, first president of the Civic Theatre, has quit his bank v.p. to join the WPB staff. Seaman Jack Embry of U. S. Coast Guard, local exhibitor, transferred to Greenville (Miss.) ^se. Art Jarrett into Peabody Skyway Friday (24), with Carl Ravazza hop- ping to Chase hotel, St l40uis. Lucky Teeter's Hell Divers In for American Legion- last Sunday at Mfd-South Fairgrounds. Ditto com- ing Sabbath. Muriel Sherman, erstwhile Enoch Light and Larry Funk lark, now wedded to Jack Wilson, sax player with Carl Ravazza orch. Ralph McCoy, Tommy Baldridge and Jack Goldsmith, of Vltagraph southern office in Atlanta, In for survey of local exchange scene. Roy Brauer, new Universal toanch manager, spieUne on WMC for Chi- nese aid campaign. Was formerly Universal manager In Far East. Lieut Barty Malloiy, of U. S. Nav;y, visited Film Row where he was a Metro employe before volun- teering. Is headed for foreign du^. Lieut Bed Foreman, former op- erator of Elast End concessions here, transferred from Randolph Field, Texas, to Hendricks Field, Sebring, Fla. New Haven By Harold H. B«ne 'Roller Vanities' into Arena w^ck of May 5. Joe Miller preparing his Rainbow Inn for a grand opening. Jewish Home for A?ed vaude benefit a 5,000-seat sellout. . Bijou has taken on one-day (Tues- day) vaude as regular diet. Grace and Scotty .still holding forth at Hotel'-Garde Fiesta Room. New Hepbmrn" show. "Without Love,' hits town April 30-May 2. Frank Wirth circus here week of April 27 for Navy Relief society. Intertown Drama Leatwe won an- nual drama tourney at Yale theitre. Club Continental, at Sovin Rock, has Unshuttered for the summer sea- son. Morris Nunes making* a hobby of acquiring theatres, latest being the Lincoln. Komisarjevsky Players did a bene- fit bill for newly organized Bundles for America. Shubert mulling a summer season, dependent on acquiring air-condi- tioning equipment Barney Hatp and brother Barry Wood (Louis Rapp) did their first hometown stand Sunday in several years. Vaughn Mooroe doe at Arena Sun- day (28) in spring band-vaude se- ries. Jimmy Evan» again booking the spot Jack Sidney, new manager of Mil- ford Drive-In, renewing acquaint- ances around town, where he used to assist-manage local Locw house. Kansas City By John Qulnn Barbara Marshall being held over for a week as singing-pianist in the Drum Room, her first pro engage- ment. 'Mouse' Straight staged open house in his new ad agency and photo store for the trade last Fri-. day (17). KMBC's''Victory Caravan' to sell defense stamps and bonds, plays its first date at Ottawa, -ICans., this week (23). Woodrow Sherrlll new salesman for Metro on the Western Kansas territory. He left booker's desk to take the post. Ralph LlBeau and Arthur Cole, of Paramount exchange, hosting the trade at - the Vogue theatre for a screening of DeMQle's 'Reap the Wild Wind'.' Ray Redman In town from New York and conniving with Joe Red- mond, of the Esquire, and Allan ICarf, of the Uptown, on campaign for 'Spoilers'. Lieutenant Commander Eddie Pea- body on leave from the Great Lakes Naval Training Station while he did a two-day headline stint at the 'Food for Victory Pafr* here last week. Don McNeil and his Breakfast Club troupe also down from Chi- for a stand at the Food Fair and shows in Springfield, Mo., and Wichita, Kans. Pittsbmrgh By Hal Cohen Harold Lund back on the Job at Ross Federal office after two months in Miami. AGVA moving headquarters from Fourth avenue to the Jackson Building May 1. Joe Hiller has set Sammy Walsh at the Iroquois Gardens, liOuisvUIe, for Derby Week. Sam Nixon spending week, while the Nixon's dark, between New York and Philly. Zac Freedman here beating drums for 'High Kickers' and Joe Heidt In ahead of 'Without Love.' Young Donald Riehl was home last week, understudying one of the boys in 'Watch On the Rhine.' Red French has taken Tommy Noll's place at the'drums in Al Mar- sico's Nixon Cafe orch. • Angle .Gonlin, U accessory man- ager, has been laid up for several weeks with an eye infection. Rita Watson, English girl with Lola and Andre troupe at Villa Ma- drid, applying for citizenship papers. Bunny Berigan played third one- nighter in as many months at^Ara- gon Ballroom last night (Tuesday). Sanford Bickart, radio and stage TheatresrMorale CootJaiied Trem pat* whether or not ballding codes, some of which' are very sfrlct, will, have to be changed, and whether Insurance rates may be Increased. An Idea of one insurance -expert Is installation of sprinkler i^'stems in theatres to reduce fire hazards bat, he admits, this Is no more than a good Idea since It Is Impossible now' to get sprinkler equipment He points out however, that theatre operators are more fire-conscious than in former years and the dangers in this direc- tion have been greatly reduced. While riot-known-as-yet it Is be- lieved the. WPB will raise restric- tions for the. benefit of, Kewanee, ni., which suffered a bad conflagra- tion 10 days ago which destroyed a reported 70 buildings In the town. The two Great'States (Par) theatres there, the Kee and Peerless, as well as the only other theatre operating in the town, the Rlalto, were victims of the Gre. The Kee and Rialto were comlpetely destroyed while the Peer- less can be repaired If necessary ma- terials are obtainable. Rlalto Is In- dependently operated, while Par had th^ Kee and Peerless under lease. Understood that theatres can't get new projectors any more but are able to obtain required parts, including carbons. However, no one can order more than is needed. This is also true of other things Including com- pressors -and other equipment used for cooling systems, boilers, eto. HoDywood Bette Davis \M up with laryngitis. Brenda Marshall back to work after measles. Spencer Tracy to Chicago on a bond selling Jaunt. Ann Sothern filed suit for divorce from Roger Pryor. - * Helen Walker, Broadway actress, testing at Paramount George <>eld bought the George Hill, Jr, ranch at Encino. Robert Benchley In from New York to work in three pictures. Tamara Geva, liallerina, in from New York for picture work. Private Jackie Coogan laid up with measles at the Stockton Air Field. Bertram Bloch, home office story editor, in for studio huddles at 20th- Fox. Will Ro,!»ers, Jr., is running for Congress In the Beverly Hills dis- trict Lou Smith, formei" Columbia pub- licity chief, to Tucson, Ariz., 'for bis health. Binnie Barnes join&d the speakers^ bureau of the Los Angeles Red Cross. Violet Bradley Andrews, singer, divorced Robert D. Andrews, scenarist EdwErd G. Robinson, screen baddie, to lecture Inmates of San Quentin -prison, Mark. Hellinger back from New York vacationing to take up his new- Job at Warners, Independent Publicists is the new name of the free-lance flacks, re- cently organized. Myma Loy in Reno to establish legal residence for a divorce from Arthur Hornblow. Harry Bailey, film player and one- time Broadway theatre manager. • seriously HI in the hospital. Mel Riddle joined the puWIcity division of Southern California United Service Organizations. George Brown to Palm Springs to recuperate from lUness before re- turning to his Paramount <ft?k. Harry Sherman's daughter. TeddL makes her^film debut in papa's Para- mount nroductlon,.'Silver Queen', " . James Stafford; professional build.. Ing wrecker, showing cast of'Wreck- ing Crew' how to wreck bufldtags. Gali Gait magician, ordered to pay Gabrielle Hanafi $200 monthly ah- mony in her separate maintenance suit. Ginger Rogers' mother, Lela, play- ing her daughter's screen mother at Paramount In The Major and tho Minor.' Craig Steveiis, sufl-ering from laryngitis, replaced by Dennis Morgan in 'Moonlight Masquerade' a* Warners. Frank Sculljr's dismissal as secra- ta,^ the State t»epartment of In- stlthtlons upheld by Callfomla Su- preme Court • Jeffrey Lynn, now a soldier, asked Superior Court to legalize Ws flhn name. In private Hfe her Is Ragnar Godfrey Llrid. Hattle McDantel. head of the col- ored division of the Victory Commit- - tee, gomg east on a seven-week tour of A.XPIV camps. George Brown home from the hos- gltal to- recuperate for another wedt efore faking up his job as Para- mount publicity bead. Cliicafo bbcle Painter now In the Pelican CHub. Lew King returns as grceter of F^ous Door. Donald Crisp stopped off en route to Hollywood. Loaise Kelbert, shiger, off ta tho Coast for radio job. Dick Barstowriecuping from emer- gency appendectomy. Bed Duncan back In the Tk'opics Room, Hotel Chicagoan. Joanne Jordan opening fn the Brown Derby as vocalist Mlscha Auer stopped off in Chi on hfs way home from Miami winter, Bussel W. Rome, ASCAP rep here, try in T for a commission In the Navy. Vivienne Stewart vocalist with Freddy Daw's band, tested by Metro. Playhouse, northsfde nltery, re- opened wi& new paint job and new- faces. John McManu» named ticket con- troller for C^omlskey (White Sox) Park. John Schreiber doubling between show business in the Grand and his drug concern. J. Myles Putnam now stage man- ager of 'Good Night Ladles,' clicking in the Blackstone. N. S. Barger readying to open 'his suburban Drive-In theatre despite auto and tire restrictions. George Topper of Producer's Re- leashig Corp. elected v.p. of Film Bookers Club of America, Chi branch. Fran Allison readying to go to the Coa st fo r some air shows as soon as her WBBM commercial deal can b« squared. Eddie Saunders working for the State Treasurer's Office before re- turning to boxofftces at (he tracks this summer.