Variety (Sep 1942)

SCREEN RADIO MUSIC GE Publlahad W««)ilr >t 164 Weat 4<th Street, Naw Tock, N. Z., by Varletr, Inc. Annual aubscrlptlon, 110. BIngIa eopleg tt canta. » 1 - -• .. _ . — J-.- .. omca at New York, N. T., under the act of March I. 1879. Enterea aa Becoia-elasa matter December 22, 1205, at the COFXHIOHT, 1M2, Vt VABIETT, INC. AIX BIGHTS RE8EBVED yOL. 148 No. 4 NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1942 PRICE 25 GENTS BmY MOVES TO IKENCHES Free Breakfasts, Midnight Snack For MOwaukee Swing-Shift Fihn Fans Milwaukee, Sept. 29. First attempt here to meet the de- mand of the swing-shifters in the .war ■production plants for entertain- ment' at hours when they can take advantage of it is being made by the Paradise (Fox) situated in one of the town's biggest industrial areas. Not only is a 'Round the Clock' show being put on, but to conserve the workers' time the house also offers a free breakfast at one period of the day and a free midnight snack at another interval. Factory hands are urged to attend the Paradise in their work clothes, either before they go on the job or when they come oft it, and results for the first week seem to indicate the swing shifters are going for the innovation in a big way. Intensive promotion is being carried on in cir- cularizing the war plants in addition to newspaper advertising, and door prizes are offered in addition to the tree feeds. Food is served buffet style right in the theatre lobby, breakfast being served from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and comprising rolls, doughnuts and cot fee, while the midnight snack, con- sists of hors d'buvre; kalter auf- schnlt (a luxury at current meat prices) and coffee. Trying out this new idea in war- time show business is essayed on Wednesday of each week, with the regular program of doable features and shorts. Atlantic City Mayor Blames Enemies For Resort's Vice Influx Atlantic City, Sept. 29. Mayor Thomas D. Taggart, Jr., this week placed the blame for 'an influx of cheap, disease-ridden proS' titues' upon his political enemies and threatened to ask Governor Charles Edison for State Troopers to clean up vice conditions in Atlan- tic City U. S. General Grandson Of Noted Siamese Twins Charlotte, N. C, Sept. 29. The outdoor show world is inter- ested in the record being made by Caleb Haynes, just promoted to the rank of brigadier general, and as- signed an important command with the American air forces in the south- west Pacific war area. General Haynes is a grandson of Eng Bunker, who, with his brother Chang, formed the inseparable Sia- mese twins famed throughout the world of science and exhibition a century ago. The general's mother, daughter of Eng and his wife, nee Sarah Yates, lives at Mount Airy, N. C. The mayor's denunciation was 41?iiahrpr'« Fare' (^atcheS broadcast over two local radio ste- '•ruCnrcr S r ace V.au,Iira tlons (WFPG and WBAB) In a sur- prisingly frank airing of conditions generally considered taboo for radio transmission It followed an equally frank, though less public, heart-to- heart talk last Friday night by New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Fred- ' eric R. Colie to Atlantic City and County law enforcement heads. Justice Colie warned local law Mflcers that the Army would invoke Its authority via the May act, a fed- eral statute, if 'this city doesn't clean up gambling and prostitution, say wthin two weeks.' Mayor Taggart, who was himself stripped of authority over the po- i^e department last May by reso- lutions of a hostile city commis- s'on, lambasted 'buck-passing by law enlorcement officials'; threatened grand jury action against 'cheap, razen, political protectors of pros- (Cobtinued on page 52) ARMY PROBING HIDDEN TALENT IN CAMPS The U. S. Army is asking major booking offices for lists of enter, tainers of any type whom they have booked in the past and who are now in service, or those who are known to be on the verge of going in. It's felt that there are a number of enter tainers now at various training camps who have not made known their talent, either because of a desire for action instead of a comparatively soft morale berth, or for other reasons, There are quite a number of train- ing camps in regions remote from regular routes of entertainment units now circulating and it's figured that those entertainers who are already in the ranks can help relieve the sit uation. Victor Disks Flat-Footed Victor Record."! was caught flat- footed by the quick success of Spike Jones' recording of "Der Fuehrer's Face.' From the reception accord' I the interpretation since its release two weeks ago the disc bids fair to be one of those surprise hits by a comparatively unknown artist. Victor had no idea that it had a hit on its hands until it's various distributors were rushed with orders. It gives Martin Block, WNEW, N. Y., record spinner, credit for helping exploit 'Face' in his area. Block offered a copy of it free to all lis- teners who bought a War Bond of at least $50 denomination, selling $60,- 000 worth up to Monday (28). Written by Oliver Wallace, the tune is published by Southern Music. It's from a Walt Disney short, 'In Nutsyland.' LlilE SHOWS FOR ALL U.S. FRONTS USO-Camp Shows to Enter- tain AEFS Around the Globe—Meantime Broad- way Legit Hits Will Be Recorded for Yanks Over- seas START PRONTO Broadway is about to be taV: into the front line with the U. S. forces abroad: Plans for the presen- tation of both live and recorded en- tertainment were being readied this week by both USO-Camp Shows and the Army itself. USO-Camp Shows is lining up a comprehensive program of units for overseas duty. Included in the play- dates are areas all over the globe, spots hitherto untouched by Camp Shows, but now on the must list, due to the presence of Yank troops. Among the spots to be serviced will be the Pacific area, as well as expanded service to the Europe arena. Definite playdates hinge on acceptances' from name players to head the units, some of which will be sizable productions. Most recent unit to hit the over- seas trail went to Iceland this last weekend. Talent roster, possibly the last to go sans a top name, consists 0^ Peggy Alexander, hoofer; Olya Klem, accordionist; Stubby Kay, m.c; Tina Pauli, singer, and Migini, the Magician. The Army plans to make record- (Continued on page 55) Detroit Cafe Operators Go To Army School, Taoght How to Handle Soldiers Detroit, Sept. 29. Tavernkeepers and nitery opera- tors in these parts are being required to go to school—under Army teach- ers. With clubs and taverns In this vital defense «rea under close super- vision of authorities, previous re- strictions even ordering 'no gossip- ing' in the spots, the latest device is to send the owners to school to learn the proper handling of soldier customers. First of the classes will be started in Battle Creek, which has Fort Custer nearby, with the Army in- structors taking their' traveling school room to other important areas of the State. Michigan Liquor Con- trol Commission representatives will sit in at the classes to make sure the boys get their lessons all right. They won't just flunk. They'll have their licenses revoked if they don't get hep to Army regulations. Screen Actors See Selves Exploited By Others in Name of Patriotism Paul Whiteman's Slant On Pretty Uniforms Paul Whiteman, who.was a chief petty offlcer in the Navy in World War 1 and was discharged as a technician ensign, was recently of- fered a commission. He told the Navy officials that If it's a matter of wearing a pretty uniform, he's worn plenty of those in his career, but he could see a more practical job in taking out a big Navy Band, plus some of his alumni, such as Bing Crosby, Morton Downey, et al., and really raising some fancy coin for Navy Relief. Right now, of course. Navy Relief has expressed itself as having enough funds. U.S.0X1ST00 RESPECTABLE FOR ITALY Kay Kyser, now on an assignment for OWI, is trying to steam up our DX propaganda, «specially since learning that some of it isn't what it should be. The bandman recounts his first-hand experience with an American woman, just returned from Italy, where she long domiciled. Her complaint is that Yankee shortwave propaganda is dull, factual, statisti- cal, unimaginative, and hasn't the bravado elan and local humor which distinguishes the propagandists from London, for example, who beam into lUly. For example, Count Ciano's ama- tory exploits are w.k. in Italy, and almost every day there's ^qme gag about one or another Ciano in- (Continued on page 93) Mrs. John Hamilton Just . Doesn't Like Jitterbugs Philadelphia, Sept. 29. Reason behind the sudden resigna- tion of John D. M. Hamilton, ex- chief of the G.O.P. National Com- mittee, and his wife from the Stage Door Canteen's board of directors, was Mrs. Hamilton's apparent dis- taste of jitterbug dancing. Although the Hamiltons stoutly de- nied it, and directors of the canteen tried to keep the controversy under wraps, it became known last w^ek that the lady had tried to put a ; damper on the hepcat hoofing of the ; gobs and doughboys who frequent I the canteen. I Once, it is said, she walked over to ' a jitterbugging sailor and told him i he belonged 'over on Arch street.' (Arch street was the center of I (Continued on page 52) Hollywood, Sept. 29. Ban of free appearances on com- mercial radio programs by meml>ers of the Screen Actors Guild was voted at annual meeting of talent group Sunday night. Only actors allowed such privilege will be those cleared by Hollywood victory com- mittee. Franchot Tone summed up gratis evils by saying networks will be petitioned to desist from asking actors to work for free or for AFRA minimum on sustainers of patriotic nature unless given assurances that their pay be raised to regular rates when on program if it's sold for sponsorship. Guild atso sets forth dangers involved In practice of serv- ice organizations seeking funds by offering to advertisers big name shows with the participating actors quoted at minimum rate. SAG went on record as opposing these practices on ground entire wage structure of radio is being undermined. Work in commercial films without pay is also tabooed. James Cagney was installed as president and Kenneth Thomson as executive secretary. In detailing years activities Guild said piembership dropped from 8,683 to 7,192 due. to war. Military withdrawals were given as 622 mem- bers. Some 319 are on temporary leave for work in defen.<)e industries. Sam, the Bargain Man, ny Orchestra m Detroit Detroit, Sept. 29. Last year spoiisored by the Ford Motor Company, the Detroit.Sym- phony Orchestra will return to the air here via WWJ in a series of 21 Sunday evening broadcasts spon- sored by Sam's Cut-Rate, Inc. It marks a further come-uppance for the cut-rate store here which grew out of a small cigar place into Detroit's second store on volume purchases and which persistently has aimed for 'class entertainment' in its radio programs. Last year the store sponsored a University of Michigan professor in a series of broadcasts giving the historical interpretation of the war. However, there will be no com- mercial to the program—a policy followed by the store last season— with the hour program's sole plug- ging being the sale of war bonds and stanrips. Where William Cameron, of the Ford Motor Co., was dubbed in for the company talk last year, speakers of national prominence will be presented in that spot to plug the war bond sale. The store has taken over the cost of the broadcasts at an estimated $I..500 weekly for the orchestra in addition to rental of the hall, pur- chase of the time and a line to Washington for the speakers.