Variety (Sep 1942)

M MUSIC Wednesday, September 2, 1942 Inside Stuff-Music Roc HUlman and Johnny Napton, writers of the current hit. 'My Devo- tion,' aliTkost got themselves in the middle of a suit ov&i- the tune, which they seemingly gave to two music publishers. "Devotion* is beinft pub- lished by Santly-Joy-Select in N. Y., but soon after it was relca-ed the publishers were notified that the writers had signed a contract with Stover Music Co.. of Hollywood, under which the latter had two years In which to release the melody. Stover claims the song was written last summer and handed to that company a year ago. Hillman and Napton agreed that Stover had had first crack at the tune, but asserted that they had taken it back from that fivm. Stover denied that and produced the two-year agreement. The matter is now in the process of being settled. Metro and Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. are In dispute over the right to use the words, "White Cliffs of Dover,' as the title of a film. The producer had announced that it would make a picture based on the Alice Duer Miller poem, "White ClifTs," and title it "White Cliffs of Dover.' Shapiro- Bernstein's i-eaction to this announcement was a warning to Metro that It (the publishing firm) would not permit the adoption of such a title be- cause of a prior right. After Metro had pooh-poohed S-B's citation of its recent hit, 'White Cliffs of Dover.' ou the grounds that the song's full copyright title was •There'll Be Blue Birds Over the White Cliffs of Dover,' the publisher pulled another card out of the deck. Shapiro-Bernstein informed the producer that it has been the copyright owner in this country for 18 years of a British-written song. 'White Cliffs of Dover.' This number was pub- lished originally by Feldman. of London. Decca has rushed out its 'This Is the Army' album (eight sides) this veek, recorded by the original soldier cast of the Army show, including Irving Berlin doing his 'Hate to Get Up in the Morning.' Letter's voice, Incidentally, is surprisingly good on wax, though the songsmith has always kidded himself about his lack of vocal prowess, especially in interpreting his own songs. Army Emergency Relief Fund collects 7Hc royalty per record. Victor, too, is using an 'Army' album pronto with Brad Reynolds, Fats Waller and Harvey Harding soloists, plus the Victor 'First Nijhter' orchestra. Gus Kahn's last song, 'The New World,' has not yet been posthumously published, because the lyric content may be considered (Da slap at Britain and our other Allies m the Old World, and (2) it may even be thought, by some, as being too isolationistic, with its lyric content giving thanks to the Atlantic and the Pacific. Waltfer Donaldson did the tune •nd is awaiting'more favorable world conditions to publish it The same loes tor Donaldson's own 'My Dream of My Paree', which he's holding back. Gracie Fields has turned out a distinguished album of eight sides for Decca, lour batoned by Harry Sosnik and four by Victor Young, the latter being the previously made disks on the Coast. The album compilation was an eastern afterthought by Decca prexy Jack Kapp, following Miss Fields' general click in the varieties, etc. Seven are pops, including 'The Biggest Aspidastra in the World,' now one of her trademarked tunes, and the eighth selection is 'Ave Maria,' sung in Latin. Robbins' current 'Humming Bird Song' is the third of a trio of pre- Axis tunes out of Italy (composer, E. dl Lazzero). The first two were the 'Woodpecker Song' and 'Ferryboat Serenade,' also hits. Harold Adamson did the lyrics to all three. Ben Hecht became a songwriter by proxy. His poem 'Uncle Sam Stands Up', in PM, the N. Y. tabloid, got so much attention that it was reprinted and, in turn, this came to music publisher Jack Robbins' attention. Ferde Grofe set the melody. 'Jealousy,' which has just reached top among sheet sellers in England, 1^ a 15-year oldie written by, Jacob Gade, German refugee, who Is in a British internment camp. Lawrence Wright (London) is publishing. NBC CBS. Blue. Mutual Piiigs VoXXowXng tabttladon of popular music performances emtrracet all four nettoorka—JVBC, CBS, Blue and Mutual—as represented by WEAF, WJZ WABC and WOR, S. Y. Compilation herewith covert week beoinnina Monday thTough Sunday iAug. 24-30) from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., and is based on data provided by Accurate Reporting Service regular source lor music publtshinp industry. TITLE PUBLISHER TOTAl Be Careful, My Heart—f Holiday Inn' Berlin 31 ••Left Heart at Canteen Army 28 At Last—t'Orchestra Wives' Feist 24 Got Gal Kalamazoo—t'Orchestra Wives' BVC . . . . . . 24 He's My Guy Leeds : . . . . . . . . 24 My Devotion Santly 24 South Wind Witmark V.' 19 Wears Pair Silver Wings Shapiro la Jingle Jangle Jingle Param-nnt . . 18 Conchita Lopez—t'Priorilies On Parade' Famous 17 •When the Lights Go on Again CLP •' 17 Wonder When Baby's Coming Crawford '. 17 Idaho Mills . 16 •Love Is a Song—t'Bambi' bMI l.S Serenade In Blue—t'Orchestra Wives' BVC l.S This Is Worth Fighting For Harms 15 Dearly Beloved—t'You Never Lovelier' ChappcU 14 I Met Her Monday ABC 14 Take Me BBC 14 I Came Here For Joe Shapiro 13 Humming Bird Robbirs 13 Can't Get Out This Mood—t'Seven Day.-; Le^vc' Southein 12 I'm Old Fashioned—t'You Never Lovolici' Chappcll 12 •Strictly Instrumental Cherio ' '. '.. 12 Just Though You Here Yankee . 11 There'll Never Be Another—t'lcelSnd' Morris 11 Pennsylvania Polka Sha'piro 10 Sleepy Lagoon Chappell 10 Sweet Eloise Shapiro 10 I Get Neck of Chicken Southern 9 Just Letter From Home Atlas 9 Manhattan Serenade Robbins 9 •Was It Worth It? Melodylane 9 You Never Lovelier—t'You Never Lovelier'... Hg^ns 9 By Light Silvery Moon Remick Daybreak pelst ••This Is the Army Mr. Jones Army Do You Miss Sweethcirl Paramount Jersey Bounce Lewis One Dozen Roses Famous Abraham—^'Holiday Inn' Berlin Army Air Corps Fischer 6 Don't Do It Darling Shapiro 6 Embraceable You Harms 8 Every Night About Th'is Warock 6 I Put Four-Leaf Clover Loeb .' 8 Kille KiUe Santly 6 •Marines' Hymn Marks 6 Moments Like This—t'College Swing' Famous 6 New York Nocturne Robbins 8 Put Put Put Miller 8 Running Wild Feist 6 Tangerine—t'Fleet's In' Famous 6 Under Strawberry Moon Witmark 6 When You're Long Way From Home Broadway 6 A Boy In Khaki ABC 5 All 1 Need Is You Miller .' 5 Blue Skies Berlin 5 Brazil Southern 5 Everything I Got—t'By Jupiter' Chappell 5 Little Bo Peep Lost Jeep Southern 5 Singing Sands Alamosa Jtemick ^ We Must Be Vigilant BVC 5 Where the Mountains Meet Republic S •Who Wouldn't Love You? Maestro 5 Yankee Doodle Boy—t'Yankee Doodle Dandy*. Vogel 5 You're Grand Flag—t'Yankee Doodle Dandy".. Vogel 5 BMI licensing; others ore via ASCAP. tfilmusical. •• 'This Ii the Army' publtshiTifl subsid, licensed freely to all • Indicates t Legttimate. users.. Music Notes Frans Waxman assigned by Metro to score "Pilot No, 6.' Daniele Amfltheatrof scoring series ©1 Victory Shorts for Pine and EARL CARROLL can now offer snccessfiil acts tbe following astonnd> ing bookings: 3 months in Chicago! 12 months in HoUywoodHt 6 months on tourlt An amazing total of nearly two years work. An en- gagement onparalleled in show business! MILES INGALLS Hotel Aator, New York (Indrpradcat Booker) Thomas at Paramount, first of which is 'A Letter From Bataan.' Herbert Stothart drew musical di- rector chore on Three Hearts Beat for Julia' and 'Private Miss Jones* at Metro. Chick Kardale has been engaged by John 0*Connor as Chicago man- ager for the Warock Music Co, Lennie HsytoB draws the scoring assignment on 'Salute to the Ma- rines' at Metro. Oaniele Amfitbeatrof doing musi- cal backgrounds for Metro's 'Lassie Come Home.' Sol Kaplan will score the text Pete Smith Specialty at Metro. Alexander Tansman composing score and incidental music for 'Flesh and Fantasy' at Universal. Walter Jurmsnn and Paul Webster defied 'Is It Really Love?' for 'Pre- senting Lily Mars' at Metro. Charles Prcvin scoring 'Between Us Girls' at Universal. George Jesse! and Ben Oakland deffed The Flag's Still There, Mr. Themer for WAACt Paul-Pioneer Music Corp. Is publishing a song dedicated to the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps. It's titled 'Sweet Cap- tain (the WAAC Song'). Douglas D. Ballin and Ken- neth S. Clark are the writers. Key, to be sung in the Jerry Brandt picture, 'Scattergood Swings It.' Louis Gruenberg composing the score for 'The Commandos Come at Dawn,' at Columbia. Murray Albert has moved from Crawford Music to Advance Music as contactman. H. J. Salter assigned as musical director on "Cheyenne Roundup' at Universal, in addition to scoring 'Night Monster.' Eddie C.ierkose and Jacques Press doing the score for "Passing the Bi'ck' at Universal. Herbert Stothart putting the fin- ishing touches to the score for Met- ro's 'Random Harvest.' including a symphonic poem based on the World War I armistice. Victor TonnK, borrowed from Paramount, scoring 'Flying Tigers' at Republic. Copyriglit a Lead Sheet Hopeville, Ga., Aug. 17. Variety: Dear Old Friends: I used to know a fellow named Sime with "Variety.' I sang in every big and little the- atre in N. Y. and Brooklyn. I knew Ted Morse, Ed Madden, Berlin, Fred Fischer, and scores of others. I worked with Cantor,' Jessel, Wln- chelL Ben Bernie, and all the rest I was the (first) one to do talking pictures behind the screen for Mr. Church of the B. F. Keith office: 'A Race for Millions' and "Bertha the Sewing Machine Girl' act. I was manager for Marcus Loew (Dave Warfleld), silent partner in his first vaudeville house, 23d St., across from Keith's, just around the corner from Mr. Mlenhold's Gem on 6th avenue. I wrote 'Washington Was a-Grand Old Man,' 'Boots and Shoes' for Geo. Diamond (1911), 'She Is Sleeping Where the Honeysuckles Bloom,* etc. Len Spencer was my agent. What I wanted to say to you Is this: I enlisted the services of Sen. Walter F. George and Sen. Homer Bone and succeeded in having the copyright laws changed so that a songwriter can copyright a 'lead' sheet or violin score with lyrics. Up to several months ago I could not copyright a lead sheet I had to have a full piano arrangement. Here is the advantage: I can write a lead sheet but can't do a piano arr. I go to an arranger. He takes from three days to two weeks for the piano copy. That gives him a chance to steal the song and sell it to a pub. (it has been done). But now I go to an arranger and hum the tune, he jots it down, takes 30 min., then I make a lead sheet and send it to Washington, D. C, and I am protect- ed. Form E-2, unpublished. So I thought that you might give some space to tell composers they can now copyright a lead sheet E-2 unpub. for $1, Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. You see, I wrote 'Wild Roses' during 1932, the depression. I sang it on lots of radios but never had money enough to get a piano arr. made. You have heard my 'Wild Roses' melody almost verbatim in another song hit [title deleted]. My attorney in Chicago is now prepar- ing suit against the writers and pub- lishers of that song. Would be glad if you would tell composers of the new copyright priv- ilege. I think that is news to the profession. Donald Garriain. 'Slush Tunes' li^^^sContlnued from page ^^ss^ with me, I'm going to hop on that story about Eddie Cantor looking for a whitewash for show biz in general from FDR. No Need to WblUwash Actors With more than a year in the army under my belt I don't know just how the general public feels about film stars who are currently spending all of their time touring the camps or selling bonds, but I think I can re- port reliably on how we guys in unli form feel about them. We know just how much good they are doing in the bond-selling department, and we also know how much we appre- ciate their appearances at Camp Shows or at USO affairs. One of the boys who sleeps In my barracks still talks about the night, some six months ago, when he danced with both Carol Bruce and Katherine De- Mille at the opening of a Service Club In L.A. That was a big moment in his life and there have been many other big moments brought about by the saifte kind of action. And the handful of GI's who see my copy of "Variety* every week all aiqireciate just what AI Jolson is going through on his wide-flung tours of the re- mote bases. Some of the boys who've already been there know what they're like. The Henry Fondas of the industry rate a million percent for going in as apprentice seamen while all of us at OCS down here know just what a rough routine Clark Gable is head- ing for In his current Officer's C^- didate School course in Miami. When he gets that commission he'll have earned it. You can bank on that There have been instances in which the profession has suffered somewhat by individual actions. The Tony Martin affair didn't help much and some guys can't figure out just how much patriotism is involved in Rudy Vallee's enlistment in the Coast Guard; what with his radio show still snafuing along at an un- disturbed pace. (Get some GI to transcribe that snafu—it's the best of the army slang to date.) Maybe Cantor la Justified In his feelings that i>eople in show busi- ness need an endorsement from some liigher-up as far as the general pub- lic is concerned—^but from the soldiers' standpoint none is neces- sary. Curt Weinberg. (Officers Candidate School.) [Curt Weinberg was formerly In show biz as press agent—Ed.] 'The Song Of The Boui* I NEED AMERICA (America Needs Me) ★ * ★ All Materlol Available • BAND • DANCE ORCH. • VOCAI 3 KEYS AMERICAN MUSIC, Inc. 9183 BonMt Blvd. Hellywood, CalU. A QiiEAT TUNE! POUND YOUR TABLE POLKA RECORDED BY: • MARY MARTIN and HORACE HElDT—Columbia • LAWRENCE WELK—Decca • RENE MUSETTE—Victor • BARRY SISTERS—Standard > Professional copies available. Orchestration by JACK MAgON 9 COLONIAL MUSIC PUB. CO.. lie. ■ JIM DURKIN, mwi ' les Wmt Z3 Bt., New Yoik, N. X. BranchI 7>H MaU—t Atio., BollywooJ, CM. WALKINfi Bina Crosby ■■nbninU with Bob Crosby's Bob Cat* (Dacca 18371) TUF FLOOR Ernest Tubb (Decca S968) Dick Robertson (Decea 4189) Bob Atcher (Okeh 6496) OVER YO U AMERICAN MUSIC. Inc. '^S,^^""-