Variety (Sep 1942)

MtSCEIXANY Wednesday* September 30, 1912 War Workers Too Loose With Coin; Oldiield Sees Them As State Charges Hollywood, Sept. 29. Barney Oldfleld, for two gerera- tioni a figure in the entertainment woild, first a£ an early automobile race driver and later as promoter and night c' -b operator, looks out today from his point of vantage be- hind the cash register and sees only a world of woe ahead, unless the M-ar worker pulls up sharply in his pronigate spending. Barney feels that he is in a position to know about that, for he has two road- hcuses here and one of them, on Ventura boulevard, is hard by Viil- tei North American, Lockheed and otl-^er aircraft factories. 'Judging from those who come in niv place there, and I get a lot of thi-m,' says Barney, who ran through E-.-veral fortunes himself, 'they spend all they mr.ke. except for war bond purchases. I've tried to tell them the war isn't going to go on for- ever and they'd better be ready for Iho old rainy day. But it's no dice. ■AH they do is get Impatient,' say- ing 'Come on, come on. Cash this J).^y check for me. I'm feeling good tcpight." 'A lot of other places ■ e>-i.und here say the same thing.' For the most part, it seems, these dt luded neo-rich among the ship- builders and aircrafters patronize th.; cheaper bars and night spots, keeping well out of the heavy- taflfl zone around Vine and Holly- wood. But, once started, they're lavish fpc; ' -s over a weekend and (Continued on page S3) A. H. Woods, Who Made Fortime m Last War, Wants Another Slice Believing that show business will boom because of the war, A. H. Woods, formerly one of the most prolific showmen on Broadway, is anxious to get back into stride. He returned to N. Y. recently after be- ing in Hollywood for two years and will establish offices in the Play- house this week. For many seasons he headquartered atop the Eltinge, which he also operated. Producer came east primarily for a minor operation. Woods ex- plained: 'When I was in the chips, Di. John Erdman was my physician, £> I thought he wouldn't mind at- tending to the plum-like thing (cjst) on my map. So I wired him, 'Listen sweetheart, how about it,' and he told me to come along.' Saying he wanted to be back tn aciion, the manager piped: 'I wruldn't mind putting on a hit and four flops, only I'd like the hit to come first' He was one of the show- men who used to crack that 'nothing was the matter with me that a hit wiin't • e.* Woods specialized on presenting farces and melodramas and has one of each type with which to try a comeback. The laugh show is "Th: Key to Vlvy's Room'; the drama is 'This Little Hand,' which he thinks Is a quotation from Shakespeare. Currently two of his old farces ar^ cleaning up. His 'Good Night Ladies' Ij a sock in Chicago, it originally being : lied 'Ladies Night in a Turk- ish Bath." The otl -•• show is 'Getting Gertie's Garter' ('Night of the Garter'), which is making a run of it in London. He lost Interest in those plays along with many others when forced to take a bankruptcy b.-th years ago. Manager was at his peak during the last World War and made $1,000,-. (KM) from his shows within a period of 18 months. Profits piled up par- ticularly nfter America entered that conflict. Quite Right Hollywood, Sept. 29. It remained for a press agent. Homer Canfield of NBC, to come forward with what is considered one of the most constructive projects of wartime radio. To put an end to the scram- bling by networks to get their shields within camera range at special events, it is his sugges- tion that all emblems be scrapped for the duration and only one hung from ell mikes— the call letters of 130,000,000 people—USA. CANAL ZONE IN FUROR OVER 'INSULTING' PIC Ancon, Canal Zone, Sept. 29. Cinema patrons here arc again In a furor over Hollywood's recent film 'insult' to the Canal Zone. Latest pic to get the razz here is 'Canal Zone." One letter to a local newspaper is typical of considerable of the sen- timent here. It states: 'This is meant as an open letter to the movie purveyors. For the past 60 minutes I sat through the excruci- ating tortures of a film erroneously labeled 'Canal Zone.' The only rea- son I and hundreds of others threw 30 ccntavos on .the line to witness this dog was too see what Hollywood would write and film about us and the zone. 'The mentality of a three-year-old is insulted by this alleged film. It bears as much resemblance to the Zone as the Arctic Circle. The plot and acting Is forgiven—t>ecause they know not/What they do. But there's one thing missing.. That Is the ex- planation, 'Any similarity between thi.? .-I'H entertainment is strictly a mistake." Writer suggested the way to atone for charging admission would be to turn over proceeds from the picture to the USO fund. Laughton 'Bill of Rights' Recitatiye in RKO Pic Charles Laughton will recite The Bill of Rights in his next film, 'This Land Is Mine.' Picture was penned and will be produced by Dudley Nichols for RKO. The story deals with the Nazi Infested countries of Europe. The star plays a coward who gets guts all of a sudden, with the reciting of The Bill of Rights being one result. The star scored heavily some years back when he did Lincoln's Gettys- burg Address in "Ruggles of Red Gap.' BUY UNITED STATES WAR SAVINGS lONDS SEAMPS It ivill cost money to defeat Germany, Japan and Italy. Our government calls on you to help now. Buy war savings bonds or siainps today. Buy them every day if you can. But buv them on a regular basis. DEM BUMS HURT SHOW BIZ FANS Louis Calhern, currently subbing for Howard Lindsay in 'Life With Father,' Empire, N. Y, was Broad- way's hottest rooter for the Dodgers, subsiding only when the Brooklyn team was nosed out at the wire by the St. Louis Cardinals for the National League baseball pennant Known that many along the main stem rooted against the losers, which steamed up the actor all the more. He sat in a box at Ebbets Field on the afternoon the Dodgers were licked twice by the Cards. It poured and Calhern taxied back to N. Y. Upon alighting the sleeves of the New Orleans crash suit he was sporting had shrunk to the elbows. He entered a ticket agency that had thumbs down on the Dodgers, only to hear the radio giving the story of the second game, it having cleared up in Brooklyn. Calhern, who wrote an amusing story of the tour last sea- son of 'Father' in the Times, Sunday (27), immediately laid odds on his favorite team and was nicked again. Among the nitery-vaude people, Alan Cross (& Dunn) claimed honors as the most rabid Dodger fan. He had a medalion on a chain around his neck, the gagger being inscribed Tirst in peace and the National League.' Comedian Danny Kaye Is another ardent Brooklyn rooter. He's a pal of Leo Durocher and a native Flatbushite. When the Cards copped Sunday, the slim hope that it would be an- other subway world's series evap- orated. Ticket brokers watched closely, since had the race been a tie there would have been a rush for tickets to both the Yankee Stadium and the Brooklyn ball park. •s m ttt ***************************** ♦♦♦^ B'WAY MUSICAL LURES DIETRICH FROM PICS Marlene Dietrich will abandon pictures temporarily for a fling in a Broadway legit musical to be pro- duced this fall by Kurt Weill end Cherryl Crawford. Producer pair are In Hollywood now going over the book and songs with the actress. Following completion of her cur- rent picture. 'Pittsburgh,' at Uni- versal. Miss Dietrich hops off for a War Bond tour, after which she goes to New York to rehearse. ABBOTT and COSTELLO Returnind to Air Wavei Thursday, Oct. 8, 7-7:30 p.m^ on NBC Coast-to-Coast Network In their own show for Camel Cigarettet Now on National Release In "PARDON MY SARONG" A Mayfair Production—Unlvareal Pictures Release Under Pereonal Management of EDWARD SHERMAN Lefty's Notebook By Joe Laurie, Jr. ***************************************** »♦♦♦♦♦^ Coolacres, Cal. Dear Joe: I'll bet a lot of Aingressmen feel kinda foolish now when they see what show business Is doing for the war effort. You remember when they cut the actor off the Theatre Project, saying it was just boondoogllng for a lot of lazy people? Did you know that way back in 1854 a fellow by the name of Harry McCartny, an English-born variety artist, who made his first appearance at Btirton's Chamber St. theatre in 1854 during the Civil War lent both his pen and his voice to the cause of the Confederacy. His song, 'The Bonnie Blue Flag,' was his big hit He was known as the Arkansas Comedian. The North never forgave him for his satires and parodies, and he finally ended up playing in San Francisco cellar theatres. He died In 1888. Talking about England, that was where the agency business was started In the early 1800s. It was started by some performer keeping a registry for artists. He had the name and addresses of the performers and would give them to the managers so the managers could find them. He would charge one shilling to the artists for the service. One old English artist when asked why he didn't write direct to the managers and do his busi- ness direct, said, '1 can't read or write.' Now they can read and write and still pay commission. Maybe some pf 'em do their reading and writing through an agent. 1905 a Great Year In Vaode 1905 was a great year in vaudeville. William Morris was booking the Alhambra, Colonial, Proctor's 23d St., Proctor's 58th St. and Hammer- stein's. Percy Williams ooened the Alhambra that year. First act covered under New Acts in 'Variety' was Tod Sloan at Hammerstein's. He did a monolog written by Geo. M. Cohan. There were some great personalities on Broadway in 1905. Ethel Bar- rymore starred in 'Alice-Sit-by-the-Fire.' while Lionel starred in 'Pan. taloon.' Dave Warfleld toured in 'Music Master,' in which Jane Cowl had a minor role. Mrs. Fiske toured in 'Leah Kleschna,' George Arliss was in the cast. William Collier starred in 'On the Quiet,' while Geo. M. Cohan toured In 'Little Johnny Jones.' Mary Pickford was touring as a child in 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' and 'East Lynne.' Cecil DeMille was In 'Lord Chum- ley.' Julia Sanderson was charming audiences in 'Fantana.' Doug Fair- banks was in that cast. Al Jolson was in vaudeville, so was Ed Wynn. Among the vaudeville headliners* that year were Julian Eltinge. Elsie Janis, Eva Tanguay, Grace LaRue, Leila Mclntyre, Louise Dresser, Jack Norworth and James Thornton. Sonr IIIU of 1906 In 1906 the songs of the year were 'If a Girl Like You Loved a Boy Like Me,' 'In Dear Old Georgia,' 'My Irish Molly O,' 'Sliver Heels,' 'Sympathy,* •Pocohantus,' Two Dirty Little Hands,' 'NapoH.* Proctor joined Keith In that year. In 1916 Abe Attell did a monolog on the Orpheum Circuit. 'Variety' opened Its Protected Material Dept. Vaudeville in 1917 did well all over the country. It was the amuse- ment of the soldiers and sailors. President Wilson attended every week's show at Keith's Washington. A year later George Bancroft and Octavia Broske did a singing and talking act called 'Get Off the Carpet.' It was the first time that Bancroft was billed, although he played with Mi^ Broske (his wife) before in acts. Do you remember in 1924 when Fay Bainter appeared In 'Dream Girl' she caused a sensation because she didn't have her hair bobbed. That year Richy Craig, Jr.. appeared with the Tiller's Sunshine Girls at the Palace. It was in 1924 when the stench bomb was first used by stage- hands at a theatre in Ossining. Benjamin Franklin Bush (Frank Bush), one of vaudeville's greatest story tellers, died at the age of 71-4n 1927. Vaudeville and film policy was soaking straight vaudeville very hard. The Palace was dropping two to four grand a week. Keith-Albee-Orpheum Circuit gave acts three-year contracts with slight raises to keep 'em from jumping to other fields. Acts at Loew's Capitol in N. Y. were made to broadcast for no dough. Three years later (1930) vaudeville barred bare legs. The 'Stein Song' was bleating through every radio in the country and the miniature golf craze was a menace to show business. \ What They Used to Be Did you know that Dave Warfleld was an usher at the Bush theatre in Frisco? That Sam Bernard was a paper hanger? , That John Ringling a doctor's assistant in Chicago? Harry Lauder was a miner. Al Shean a pants presser, Bobby North an editor of a Jewish almanac. Cliff Gordon sold zithers. Jack Norworth was a sailor. Bill HalUgan was an office boy at Armour's Meat Co., Fred Hillebrand was an usher at Proctor's 58th St., and Dave Mallen was a railroad clerk. Did you know that all thieving in circuses is called 'Strawberry Short- cake' by the mob? In 1719 an old barn that was turned into a theatre at Richmond, Va., was called by a critic 'A hovel for asses.' "~ In 1844 Matt Brennan owned Novelty Hall, admittance 6Vic. in Spanish money. Performance consisted of minstrel band, end man, dancer and high kickers. Do you remember when the Leviathan was equipped with a regulation night club to offset the sale of booze on foreign ships? They still trav- eled where the booze flowed. Broadway In 1909 Broadway in 1900. The Aulic House on 34th St., Metropole, Parker House (where White Rats originated), Hoffman House, Toby's in the basement and the Hofbrau. Boys walking up and down the street with plenty loud scenery, the Considine Bros., George, John and Jim. Bob Vernon (Pomeroy Bob), Ted Marks, Lee Harrison, Bob, Pete and George Daily, John T. Kelly (Kelly & Ryan). He sang 'AH Good Americans,' would be a riot right now. Nat Grfodwln, Cohan, Sherry Mathews and Harry King Bulger. George Fuller Golden, Dave Montgomery end old Jim Dolan. What a street and what a mob. Remember the time during the last war when a hoofer was selling Liberty Bonds in the street. Nobody was '■ buying any and the hoofer kinda got sore. Finally one man takes a $500 bond. 'What town arc you from, Mr.?,' asked the hoofer., 'Topeka,' scd the man. The hoofer turns to the crowd and sez, 'Looklt, a mugg from a lousy town like Topeka takes $500 worth and youse guys don't take a dime's worth.' Best to the gang, sez Your pal, Le/ly. 20th's Mary Anderson Hollywood, Sept 29. Twentieth-Fox signed Mary An- derson, star of the stage play, 'Guest in House.* She reports this weekend with no assignment set, as yet Flynn Also Producer Hollywood, Sept. 29. Errol Flynn becomes co-proilucer of his picture under the terms of a new contract just Inked al Warner Bros. The deal calls for three starring pictures per year and a cut of the profits to Flynn.