Variety (Sep 1942)

ettuemttty« September 30, 1942 MISCELLANY Taming of Shanghai s Wild Night Life After Dec. 7 Reviewed by Yank Writer By HAL P. MILLS IFormer editor and publUher of The Olympian, Shanghai's No. 1 tmusement toeektv; 'Variety* corre- Joondent in China; recently returned on the exchange ship, Cripsholm.] The scene was Shanghai, China, in the early morning hours of Dec. 8, 1941 (Dec. 7 American time). In the distance Nanking Road's col- ored necklace of neon Ughts tinged the heavens with its Incandescence. Thousands of men and women thronged the streets and Shanghai's hectic night life went merrily on. Came a salvo of heavy guns and the spiteful crack of machine guns as the Japanese navy opened fire on the U.S.S. Wake and the H.M.S. Peterel, the only foreign war vessels in the great port. War had come to the Pacific area. And within a single hour Shang- hai's wild night life vanished, like chalk marks on a slate disappearing before the sweep of a wet sponge, throwing hundreds of foreign musi- cians and artists out of employment, closing all of the city's night estab- lishments, theatres and places of amusement. Even darkening the thousands of cafes and restaurants and bringing the business life of the dty to a standstill. • That was more than eight months ago, but Shanghai has not recovered from that blow. On June 29, 1942, when 600 Ameri- oan repatriates sailed from Shanghai, all theatres, night clubs, cabarets, ' ballrooms and places of amusement were under Nip control; in many in- stances had been entirely taken over by the Japs. First to be seized (Dec. 9) were the city's first-run plx houses, in- cluding the Grand, one of the world's largest theatres; the Cathay, Majes- tic and the Nanking. These houses were operated by the Asia Theatres Co, officials of which were for- eigners and a few Chinese. During the following few days the Nips seized all Alms in the city. Harold Dunn. Far Eastern manager of Warner Bros., protested vigor- ously. Dunn was 'rewarded.' He went to jail, said jail being a Jap military prison, not unjustifiably called the House of Torture. Others Escaped Prison Other pix officials managed to escape prison, but Dunn had plenty of company in his torture cage. Newspapermen, bankers, representa- tives of oil companies and business men, chiefly Americans and Britons. Shanghai was shocked and stunned over the closing of the hot spots. The oldest inhabitant could not recall a similar situation. Not even in 1932, when the Nips got out of hand, took over the Hongkew district of Shang- hai and captured, sacked and burned Chapei and Nantao, the Chinese counterparts of the International Settlement and the French Conces sion. "That the Japs meant business was evident, for early on the morning of Dec. 8 Jap soldiers by the thou- Mnds marched across the Garden Bridge into the Settlement and took over. Soldiers were stationed at all foreign and some Chinese amuse- ment spots. It was war in earnest and the Nips were out to grab whije the grabbing was good. Not only were the hot spots and theatres taken over but American and British banks as well. And hotels. And for the first time in the mod- ern history of Shanghai residents were without entertainment or any form of amusement. Such famous spots as the Para- mount Ballroom, the Sky Terrace of the towering Park Hotel, the Lido, the Metropole and the Cathay Cab- aret, all Chinese-owned, were forced to suspend, despite the proclamations of the Nips to the effect that there was no wish on their part that the normal life of the city be inter- rupted. Take the hot spots of Shanghai away and what's left? ^anghailanders found out. "sr, too, hit musicians and artists (Continued un page 02) Once an Actor Hollywood, Sept. 29. Frank McDonald, director for nine years at Republic, moves into his 51st pilot job on the still untitled Weaver Bros, and Elviry stafrer. He reached the half- century mark with 'Crooked Cir- cle,' just completed. To celebrate his 01st chore, McDonald will play a bit role. He started his film career as an actor. HINT RENEWED TALENT RAIDING Fear of an outbreak of inter-studio talent 1-aiding, already accentuated by drafting of male stars, is creating additional headaches among studio execs who have been watching pro- posed wage and price stabilization legislation now being debated in Washington. Unless workers are also frozen to their jobs, there is apparently noth- ing in currently pending legislation to prevent opposition studios from hiring players away from their home lots by offering more coin. Current proposals ostensibly provide only that workers will not be able to get increased wages or ^salaries where presently employed. Whether a bill could be framed within the meaning of the Constitu- tion preventing professionals from changing employers is uncertain, some film attorneys contending this would be tantamount to 'involuntary servitude.' Problematical whether wartime emergency powers would be invoked to freeze 'non-essential' crafts or professions in their present positions at fixed scales of earnings. Sonthernaires Score On Appeal in Race Discrimination Suit Rochester, N. Y., Sept. 29. The Appellate Division of Supreme Court refused a motion of the Saga- more Hotel to strike out as a mat- ter of law all except $2,000 of a $22,000 demand for four members of the Southcrnaires, Negro radio and concert singers, in their race dis- crimination suits. The quartet, Spencer Odom, Jay Toney, Homer Smith and Lowell Peters, all of New York, obtained rooms at the hotel Feb. 15, 1941, the evening before their appearance with the Rochester Civic orchestra in Eastman theatre. They claim a man who appeared to be the head- waiter refused to serve them supper in the hotel dining room because of their race and told them they would be served in their rooms at no ad- ditional cost. MPLS. B.O. m THE POTURE Too Much War Picture Fare Noted, and More on the Horizon — Prefer Abhott & Costello's Hoke Com- edy to Artistry of 'Pied Piper,' at Least* in This Sector PATRON'S ATTITUDE Minneapolis, Sept. 29. If the boxoffice is to be the main consideration, 'go easy on war pic- tures' is the warning cry of local exhibitor leaders to Hollywood. Spurred on by unfavorable film fans' reaction to much of the fare now being dished out, the exhibitors are wondering whether more comedies and dramas with other themes are not in order and whether these lat- ter films couldn't do even more for the public morale than the war stories. That the public as a whole already is becoming surfeited with war pic- tures, although numerous are still in the offing, and that even antagan- ism is starting to manifest itself, is evidenced by patrons' complaints, comments and remarks in lobbies (Continued on page 52) Tibbett Still in Big Coin Lawrence Tibbett, despite vocal illnesses which caused cancellations last year, stil made over $100,000 for himself during that time. This sea- son the baritone will devote his early part of the year to opera and appearances in USD camp benefits. Tibbett opened his season in Mon- treal in 'Tosca' and 'Rigoletto' last week and after war camp appear- ances will sing with the Chicago Opera Co. in 'Rigoletto.' 'Tosca,' 'Aida' and 'Traviata.' He then joins the Met until the first part of Febru- ary, when he is booked for 25-30 con- certs before rejoining the Met on its spring road tour. Dedicate Country Home for Indigent Fdmers on Coast Hollywood, Sept. 29. Dedication of the Motion Picture Relief Fund Country House, 20 miles from Hollywood, in Lush Valley country, attracted 3,000 people of the film industry to the ceremonies Sunday (27). Jean Her- sholt. prez of the Relief Fund, was the official spokesman and drew a rousing cheer when he said every- thing on 41-acres was fully paid for. The Country House has its official opening Oct. 1 when 24 former in- dustry workers take up residence. Sidney R. Kent Memorial Clinic will take care of 18 patients in need of the rest home's cure. Hersholt In his speech thanked Gulf Oil for sponsorship of the Screen Guild Theatre which made possible the erection of the home and also spoke of the new Lady Esther series which will provide funds for maintenance and expan- sion. William Pereira, architect, who designed the main building and guest cottages, was awarded the industry's first humanitarian medal for out- standing charitable efforts. Governor Culbert Olson spoke of the project as evidence of the 'unselfish hearts of people of picture industry who at all times come forward to give their talent and services in time of need.' Private Nicky Nayfack. until recently a Metro studio exec, took part in the flag-raising ceremony. When present quarters are com- pleted the home will accommodate 164 guests, with 31 of planned 40 cot- tages already donated. If the War Ends Pretty Soon, What Ahout Fihn Story Buys for 1944? The Payoff Hollywood, Sept. 29. As a favor to an old friend, Brian Donlevy will play a char- acter role for three days in 'The Miracle of Morgan's Creek," pro- duced by Preston Sturges at Paramount. Donlevy Is paying oft an old debt to Sturges, who lifted him out of the villain class and made him a star in The Great Mc- Ginty.' ORSON WELLES JOINING 20TH Orson Welles is pretty well set on a deal for 20th Century-Fox. It will be an acting writing-producing-di- recting contract, similar to Welles' RKO pact, but it will differ in that Welles will be under increased stu- dio direction. Joe Schenck personally handled it just before going to Hollywood. With Schenck sitting in more actively on general production matters—Bill Goetz running the studio, in Col. Darryl Zanuck's leave, foj tHfe dura- tion—Welles will have a sympathetic liaison with the studio. Jack Moss, his partner in Mercury Productions, is in on the deal. Whether this would include a take- over by 20th of Welles' Brazilian picture, 'h's All True,' is u:icertain, though Welles has stated that he would not agree to any contract adjustment with RKO unless provi- sion was made for him to complete his South American production either at RKO or at some other studio. 'Moon Down' on Orson Hollywood, Sept. 29. 20th-Fox picked Irving Pichel to direct the screen version of The Moon Is Down,' the John Steinbeck novel which had a short career as a Broadway stage play. There was talk of hiring Orson Welles to direct the picture and play one of the leading roles, but it ended in talk. The current dilemma of major stu« dio story editors is guessing when the war will end. The editors are currently buying for 1944 production and tangling with the problem of what type of yarns to buy If the war is still on then they'll need war angled yarns. . But, and the editors talk in capitals what it the war is over? After the last war it was many a year before fiim fans w^re ripe for laughs and entertain- ment based on World Ws"- i Th« Big Parade,' All Quiet on the West- ern Front,' 'Two Arabian Knights,' the Quirt-Flagg films, were all many, many years after 1918. And, runs their reasoning, if they stock up with war yarns and the fracas folds then their studio.^ will be loaded with story properties that won't be saleable for anywhere from five to 10 years. And who will take the rap, liie ulflcient militarista or the story editors? The trend, at the moment. Is to- ward a bullish market for peace. No one is admitting it, but the editors are selling the war short and en- deavoring to lay in' a supply of scripta that can be used at any time, scripts like mystery, horror and period yarns. Prime Inlerest Film company interest In major story properties continued strong last week, three yarns holding prim- ary attention being Time To Be Born,' by Dawn Powell, 'One Des- (Continued on page 54) HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN DEBUTS SATURDAY Hollywood, Sept. 29. Three name bands will play for the opening Saturday (3) of the Hollywood Canteen. Rudy Vallee will lead the Coast Guard outfit in dedicatory ceremonies, and Kay Kyser and Duke Ellington will alter- nate on floor show and dancing, Bette Davis, prez of the Canteen, will make the welcoming address, after which the spot will be turned over to the men in uniform. 'BeU' ToUs $1,800,000 Costliest picture on this year's schedule for Paramount will be 'For Whom the Bell Tolls," with the nega- tive nick running to $1,800,000. Stars Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman. Likely picture will be sold singly at high percentage terms and at in- creased admissions. Frisco Chronicle's Editorial on Robeson's Signoff Anent H'wood San Francisco, Sept. 29. After Paul Robeson said here he was through with motion picture acting for good, because of the way nims depict Negroes, the Chronicle, in an editorial, agreed 'Hollywood does not portray ideological verities,' adding: '. . . if we do not like to look through Hollywood eyes, we can stay home and read a book.' The editorial spouted, in full: 'What Paul Robeson says about the plantation tradition, in motion pic- tures giving a false version of Negro life, is similar to what everybody else says about Hollywood misrep- resentating the American scene, and every other scene. Certainly, the drunken, dissolute crews with hell- roaring city editors that appear in the films could never manufacture a newspaper. 'But all this is because Hollywood does not portray ideological verities, but deaLs in amusement. And amuse- ment rests on a boxoffice foundation. 'His recour.se has to be the pub- lic's recourse. He does not have to appear in films if he does not like the philosophy in their world of Il- lusion. Similarly, if we do not like to look through Hollywood's eyes, we can stay home and read a book.' Trad* Mark ReRlatereil FOUNDED BT SIMB SILVERMAN Pobll«h«d n'mklj bj VARIETT. [nr. ... Silverman, Prealdent. I5« West ittti Slrcot. Now York. N. T. . SUB.SCRIPTION Annual 110 Foreign Ill Slnule Coploa Centa Vol. 148 No. 4 INDEX Bills ....48 Chatter '.., . 53 Concert-Opera 39 Exploitation 10 Film Booking Cliar 20 Film Reviews 8 Gridcast 55 House Review.'; 23 Inside—LeKit 50 inside—Music 44 Inside—Orchestras 40 Inside—Pictures 27 Inside—Radio 37 Inside—Vaude-Nitcry .... 46 International 13 Legitimate 49 Literati 52 Music 43 New Acts 23 Night Club Rewe- ^ 46 Obituaries 54 Orchestras 40 Pictures 5 Radio 28 Radio Reviews 36 Vaudeville 46 War Activities 4 DAII.V VAKIKTV (PubllHhod In HollvMood bf Dally Variety. I.icl.i 110 a rear—112 forciRn