Variety (Sep 1942)

MISCELLANY "WiiatBdajt September 2, 1942 Room at Haza, Chaiice to Finish SA Epic, All Welles Wants Out of Life By UOBI KBUSBEN All Orson WeOes wants out of lite is enough expense money to be able t3 live at the Plaza hotel. New York, and to finish his Brazilian pictut-e. •It's All True.* He doesn't care whether he does the latter for RKO or some other studio. After that he may tie in with the office of the Co-ordinator of Inter-American Af- fairs either in radio or picture pro- duction designed to consolidate hemispheric solidarity. For the mo- ment, however. 'It's All True,' which he fondly calls 'my' picture, is his major obsession. 'It's All True' is only about jur- fitihs finished, at a cost in coin and fot tage greater than Welles, just re- turned from Brazil, cared to re- member. And the Mexican bull fight scene still has to be shot We1le.s declaimed in oracular fashion that *my picture,' always emphasizing the possessive, 'must be saved from the clutches of clumsy studio execs.' Welles is determined not to let any- one other than himself at RKO or elsewhere tamper with his brain- child on pain of legal action to force the studio to live up to a contract which allegedly calls for two more pictures from him. 'After all.' said WeUes. the South American public is just waiting t) have it proved to them that Hollywood cant do anything bet- ter than 'A Night In Bia' I've got t3 make that picture in the inter- estF of pan-Americani^. to keep faith with Brazil, justify the con- fidence of the U. S. Government in the undertaking and for the sake of the movies.' Oh, ta Uve at the PUia In order to achieve his purpo.>e Welles points out that he doesn't want anything but expense money (enough to Uve at the Plaza if he wants to). Dismissing Charlie Kcerner's action in pushing Welles' Mercury Productions off the RKO studio lot as 'sheer misimderstand- In^ and boobyism,' the young actor- producer-author said, 'But I'm not mad at anybody. Yet Vm the only guy who doesn't get anything oat of it I can even understand why they sent Phil Reisman to Brazil to try and stop me from spending any more money. Naturally no- bcdy likes spending so much money on a picture. But I orfginally re- fused to leave for Brazil if I was to be limited to shooting on a budg- et and on schedule. Trouble was that in the minds of the new aiCO administration this was another lo- cation trip. They thought I could wmd It up in 10 days and when they saw what it was costing they started phoning and cabling to have me .stop shooting at all costs. You know the kind of cable, he mimicked sonorously, that starts off 'we have repeatedly and constantly cautioned you.' etc., etc' All of which rather bored Welles after awhile considering that most of the expense ' involved was in transportation, and to stop shooting would have meant a loss of close tu $200,000. Insofar as the new RKO admin Istration is concerned, Welles be- lieves it sailed in strictly on an anti- Welles ticket fused with a de- termination to produce nothing but pictures that are tried, trite and true.' This last, he said, was the openly avowed studio motto. WoBt See 'AmberMBs' * Welles hasnt seen The Mag nificent Ambersons' yet and doesn intend to see it He claims that 'AmbersoQsf is the picture that nobody wanted to succeed and hints darkly that attempts were made to scuttle it Welles^says he doesn care to see 'Ambersms' click because he didn't cut it and 'God knows what they did to it. after he left for Brazil. If it flops, then Its the studio's do ing. He contends the studio doesnt want it to succeed because it has Welles' name on it and that might spoil the anti-Wellesticket on which the new administration rode into power.' If the picture clicks nation ally then "Wdles mi^t come riding in on a white horse' and, according to the actor-producer. It looks as if they'd rather have a white elephant than a white horse.' Welles says, however, that they've eotta make good by the anti-Welles ticket so they're probably hoping that if 'Ambersons' doesn't flop maybe the next Welles picture will 'Journey Into Fear,' he predicts, will likely be a real "sinker,* because (Continued on page 55) That Was Pre-WPB Reported that Orson WeUes has shot over 75,000 feet of film for It's All True,' In Brazil, of which Charles Koerner has said he could figure on using about 3,000 feet, from accounts. Technicolor scenes showing mixed dancing, from the RKO distribution standpoint, cut the market for the film in 14 south- ern states. DEDICATE RELIEF FUND'S COUNTRY HOUSE SEPT. 27 Hollywood, Sept 1. Motion Picture Relief Fund ap- pointed a committee, representing all branches of the industry, to ar- range a program for the dedication of the Fund's Country House at Woodland HUls, Sept. 27. Committee consists of Jean Hers- holt Ralph Morgan, Y. Frank Free- man, Sol Lesser, Walter Wanger, Walter Johnson, Huntley Gordon, Casey Roberts, Albert Criz, Mary C. McCall, Jr," Arch Reeve, Frederick Richards and Irving Pichel. A.&C Aiding Burlesque Comic, Derita, in frwood Cleveland, Sept 1. Joe Derita, Cleveland burlesque comedian, is taking a dual flyer into Hollywood with aid of George Young, his business agent and opera- tor of local Boxy. Latter placing him in 'Swing Shift Revels,' $2 revue being produced this month by Harry Abbott, brother of Bud Abbblt (& Costello) in film caintaL Derita also slated to take a Uni- versal screen test, with way being paved by two old friends, Abbott & Costello. Camera Technicians For Army End Pic Training Hollywood, Sept I. Three classes, of 20 camera techni- cians each, finished six-week train- ing courses at Metro, Paramount and Coliunbia and entered the Army Sig- nal Corps Reserves as non-coms. Fourth class is studying at 20th-Fox and others are being formed with the idea of graduating 500 annually. Academy Research 'Coimcil ar- ranged the study cotirses, designed to fill the demand for photographic technicians in all branches of the combat services. FOBs^cioinr ^BUY r TWITED 1 STATES It wta cost money to defeat Germany, Japan and Italy. Our government caUs on you to help now. Buy war savings bonds or stamps today. Buy them every day if you can. But Inai them on a regular basis. "No Publicity'Key ToFihners'NixOf Sky in Bond Drive By GEOBGB FBOST Scores of filmland's great and near- great this week gave the airlines the bird as they started to run up their initial mileage in the September bond drive, by using railroad trans- portation although aerial seats were open to most of them. Of all the showfolk who gathered in this area for the beginning of the drive yesterday (1) nary a one, so far as (Continued on page 47) Phil Baker's Auto Crash Comedian Phil Baker was among three persons injured slightly yes- terday (Tuesday) morning in an auto collision in New York between Baker's car and a taxicab. With Baker in his auto was Miss Gertrude Koppl, 21. of New York. Baker's hand and Miss Koppl's face were cut. The third person injured was a colored army sergeant, Shirley Wil- son, of Camp Kilmer, N. J., who was a passenger in the taxi. Joy Lyons' Comeback Joy Lyons, widow of Sam Lyons, the Hollywood and New York agent who died suddenly last year at 41. is returning to show- business to keep herself busy. She goes into La Vie Parlsienne, swank 'N. Y. boite, next week. Mrs. Lyons has been modeling and doing radio script serials in recent weeks, as prelude to a more active theatrical career. I*. '4 ABBOTT and COSTELLO New on National Release In "PARDON MY SARONC* A Mayfair Productior^Univaraal Picture* Release Under Peraonat Manaaement of EDWARD SHERMAN 4>f♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦ »»♦♦♦♦♦*•«*» ♦ #♦♦♦»» > »♦< i THE BERLE-ING POINT ; By Milton Berle M ♦>♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦••♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦«««»» M «4 » - Hollywood, Sept-.- h • - This Is the third week on my picture, 'Over My Dead Body,' and it's coming along fine next week they're going to put fllni in the camera. It is the fltvt picture ever made with built-in jdishes. I did a scene the other day where I spoke for six minutes with the aid ot my interpreter. /%IaI St Clair, my director, is a gr^at guy. He lets me act anyway I want to... .when I go home. I did a closeup with Mary Beth Hughes. She closed her eyes as I kissed her and passionately she whispered in my ear: 'Milton, you didn't have to put retreads on your lipsl' Darryl Zanuck, my boss, called me into his office and said: *Berle, this picture proves that you're really big-time... .no more soundies for youP The whole cast gathered in the projection room to see the rushes. And you never saw such rushes... .for aspirin. My agent did a very unusual thing when I appeared on the screen....he gave me back my 10%. It was the first time they ever had a bank-night in a projection room. Dur- ing the showing, the film started to jump all over the sireen. The pro- jectionist leaned out of the booth and said: 'Don't mind the jerk folks!' . .fine thing, I wasn't bothering anyone. I went over to N. B. C. to appear on the Kraft show. As I walked in the artist's entrance, the doorman stopned me. 'I'm Berlel' I said. 'You poor soul!' he said, 'here's a dime....Ran into Joan Davis In the lobby ... .and we spoke for about six pratt-falls. Along came Rudy Vallee and he sadly told me that he'd had a fight with his nose and is now vocalizing through his eyes....Walked into the rehearsal hall and a shout went up from the cast (Why do I always forget to take those bobby pins out of my hair). Bob Crosby walked over and said: 'Milton, this will be like old times on the BaUantine show....no laughsT Two hundred and fifty pound John Scott Trotter came over and told me he had joined the F. B. I Fat Boy's Institute. John used to room with Skinnay Ennls and saved the cost of a baton... .he used Skinnay. For the occasion I brought along a mirthful microphone (I got to get laughs, don't I?). Mary Martin congratulated me on the fine monolog I did. She said: 'Milton, tint's the finest one I've ever heard you do six times!'....Desi Amaz was one of the guests on the show. He beat on a drum so strongly ,.500 savages walked into the studio thinking Frank BUck was calling tor candidates for a safari. After the show I got a lovely wire from the sponsors saying: "We must have been DAFT to put you on Kraftr Sunday morning I got up about 7 ad libs after 10. I had my usual breakfast consisting of herring with wheatcakes and pink polly seeds under glass. I had to make the breakfast myself, because the servant problem is really something. This town is the only place in the world where you have to give hired help an audition....and references. My colored boy Always wants Sundays off. I finally discovered he bad his own radio show and was using my gag file. I htmg around till 12 o'clock end decided to go to the Army-Washing- ton Redskins football game. I sat so high*up in the stadium.,..swal- lows were using my head for a stopping off place on the way to Capis- trana....Ah, football. It reminds me of the day I ran 100 yards.... knocked all opposition out of the way as I tore down the field....then they substituted men for the women I played against It was so hot at this game Sunday....the players wore halters and shorts. I ordered a frankfurter. As I was aBout to put It in my mouth, it looked at me and said: 'Please don't eat me, kind sir I'm Carrying a torch for a bottle of mustardl' 'Slush Tunes,' Nonetheless, Get Best Play in Camp Jukeboxes, Says Soldier Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. Editor, A^ariety': The current issue of 'Variety' has managed to get my skin hot to the point where for the first time in years I find myself writing a letter to the editor. Main reason for this is the ctirroit to-do about songs that are 'bad for the morale of soldiers and sailors.' Apparently everybody has had a chance to shoot his mouth off about just what is good 'and bad for our morale, so how alMut a G.I. getting his two coppers in. I see biat the Philly Stage Door Canteen has banned such tunes as 'Dear Mom,' 'White Cliffs of Dover,' 'Miss You' and 'My Buddy' on the grounds that they make the poor little soldier boy homesick and miserable. Funny thing about that is that these same songs get or got, the biggest play in Post Exchange jukeboxes when they were riding on top of the Hit Parade, and the boys still seem to Uke them enough to drop a jiickel in the slot and play them all night long. If you don't be- lieve me, hop out to some army camp some night and keep a box- score on the tunes played on any of the boxes. You'll find the slush tunes getting as big a' play as the ^songs that Philly seems to think we soldiers should not hear. As for the BBCs ukase against this type of song, maybe they don't know Uiat one of the tunes on their verboten list. This Love of Mine,' was written, at least unofficially, by_ a Fort Bragg soldier named Murray" Peskin, who still collects royalties on the tune, and this is still one of the big favorites around army camps —even though it has long been dropped from the musical topnotch box-score. Now, while Tve still got the mood (Continued on page SO) Wartinie in Paradise By LAUBENCE SCHWAB tFormer theatrical producer and author gives a praphic closeup o/ Miami Beach, his home since de- serting Broadtoav.l Miami Beach, Sept 1. The eager corps of publicity di- rectors who have succeeded in pic- turing Miami Beach to a pleasure seeking nation in the shape of a luscious pair of legs would be sur- prised to find out that nowadays a leg to the Beach is just something to march on. The golf courses that, a few months ago, echoed to irritated fores' thrown at the backs of fussy foursomes now are pounded daily by thousands of feet, while within sound of the drill master's voice, realtors dream up a post-war boom in which our entire population comes clamoring for a place under a polm tree. The narrow strip of Island, which hi peacetime is a reasonable fac- simile of heaven, is one of the largest non-flying bases of the Army Air Corps. The main establishment is the Offcers Training School, popu- larly known as Camp Roney Plaza, as its activities ar4 centered around that plush resort hotel. Here, in six weeks, civilians are changed into ground officers for aviation. This means they are taught the organiza- tion, equipment and maintenance of aa airdrome and to mess, servinc and mother the actual flying officers and their planes. It is no rabbit in the hut trick. The average business or professional mfih comes heavy with old habits of thinking, living and eating. School statistics report two tons of tummies dropped off from a class of 500 in three weeks. Drill, fotmations, swimming, llfesaving and calisthenics do this part of the trick. Men-over 50, out of the habit of even lifting their own stenographers off .their laps, perspire under the order.'; (Continued on page 62)