Variety (Sep 1942)

WAR ACTIVITIES Wcdnesdayi September 30, 1942 See Industay Meetmg Treasury's $775^000 Bond (kKil By Td#t With Monday (28) bringing $60,- £65,000 fn bond sales, record day of the month, there was every indica- tion late yesterday (Tuesday) that tlip picture industry's September biilion-doUar war bond campaign would achieve its goal by midnight toright (Wednesday). The Monday record sales left slightly less than $75,000,000 to be raised in the final two days of the drive. War Activi- tie.~ Committee headquarters for the drive indicated late yesterday that It looked like a photo finish but that Ti-esday and Wednesday sales should hi^ $75,000,000. making the required $775,000,000 set by the Treasury (this represents a maturity value at $1,000,000,000). Fact that the Anal 15 minutes be- fcre midnight tonight (Wed.) will be' deVoted to extra selling at the grand finale of Army Emergency benefit •how at the Madison Square Garden b regarded as assurance that the (Continued on page 18) Beriie to Tour Army Bases With Radio Shor, May Also Go Abroad Chicago, Sept. 29. Vnder a deal being worked out by P. K. Wrigley, Jr., Ben Bernie's gum show will make an extensive lour of Army camps, doing free ■hows for the armed forces, and may beeome the first overseas radio com- mercial if plaas go through to take him and his band, plus Gale Rnb- binf, The King's Jesters and Jack t'ulton, to England and Ireland. Prime purpose would be to enter- tain, AEF stationed abroad and the CBS commercials (Bernie does a 15- ininute shot from Monday through Friday at 5:45 p.m.) would be aired late at night so as to hit the States at the proper hours. In a measure, the Wrigley-Bernie prbject would approximate the Camel Caravan, the chicle manufac- turer paying all fees. "The keynote of the Wrigley show is to 'refresh yourself with a piece of gum while at defense work, and thus don't de- lay war production.' Ifapliank' and 'Army' Pals Honor Dan Healy After the Friday (25) performance «f This Is the Army,' which Unaled the following night at the Broadway, N. Y., Dan Healy was presented with a heavy seal ring, inscribed, 'From his veteran pals of 'Yip, Yip, Yap- hank' and "This Is the Army.' The crossed guns of the Infantry and 'V tor Victory' are superimposed on a five point star. Presentation speech Was made by Sgt. Peter J. Burns. Healy is In 'Army,' heading a bunch of a.k. hoofers who were in *Yaphank' and he introduces Irving Berlin for the latter's 'Hate to Get Up in the Morning' assignment. Healy was recently stricken with •tomach ulcers and hospitalized, but Is now well. Appearing in 'Army' without compensation, he is now on tour with the soldier show. BLOW 'EM DOWN MIniklures in Demand as Big Set Subslitutes Hollywood, Sept. 29 Miniature departments in the film atudios are getting the heaviest play In the history of motion pictures and at the same time losing more tech nical workers, according to average, than any other branch of the busi- ness. With massive sets barred by lack of priority material, there has been an Increasing demand for ar- tisans who can make a Tom Thumb background look like a million dol- lars worth of scenery. Meanwhile, Uncle Sam has plenty of use for smart technicians and is grabbing them for the armed serv- ices. Vernon Walker, chief of spe- cial effects at RKO, reports that six of his best artificers have moved Into the Army while the studio de- mands for that sort of work have Increased by 40% in the last six months. Feels Better, Now Philadelphia, Sept. 29. Ever since the Philly canteen opened, Lincoln (Link) Wilmcr- ton has been m.c.ing In the servicemen's rendezvous in the basement of the Academy of Music. Recently, being the only male in civvies got Wilmerton down, so he enlisted in the Army. Army Benefit Tonight Will Snag $200,000 There are kudos for all of show business in the extraordinary job attendant to the Army Emergency Relief show tonight (Wed.) at Madi- son Square Garden, which will es- tablish a new record high for a sm- gle Indoor performance with a $200,- 000 take. It will also offset the re- cent to-do over the Conn-Louis l\ght, because the War Dept. already is pointing to tonight's show as an ex- ample of how much can be grossed (and netted) for an Army benefit with the expenditure of only a few dollars for incidentals. This in it- self is a marked tribute to show biz. From a sharp trading deal for Madison Sq. Garden, which usually charges a lot of 'extras,' to the ex- cellent work of Bernard Relen, a civilian promotion man who sold many thousands of dollars of tickets single-handedly, it has resulted in a terrific t|lce. Relen sold SI boxes at $1,000 each; the regularly scaled $101,000 gate at $16.50 top is already sold out; and there is a $40,000 pro- gram. When Ed Sullivan, the N. Y. News columnist, who has been sponsoring the proceedings, announced at the final executive committee meeting Monday (28) that 'this is my birth- day and it's been the grandest birth- day present I have ever had, to work with such a willing bunch of help- ers,' Abe Lastfogel formally pro- posed a resolution thanking the newspaperman for his excellent leadership throughout. The War Dept., recognizing that this would be a spectacle probably of historic significance, is setting up extra photographic crews to record it for the archives. The show reads like a who's who; the radio stations will carry it in relays almost throughout the evening. Navy Relief's benefit last March set a then new high of $164,000 b.o., also at the Garden. Mren Goes Latin Hollywood, Sept. 29, Lester ZifTren checked off the 20th-Fox lot to join the Office of Co- ordinator of Inter-American Affairs, headed by Nelson Rockefeller. Before he became Bryan Foy's a-sistant at 20th-Fox. Ziffren was a newspaper correspondent In Spain and South America. D.C CANTEEN IN Oa. 4 DEBUT Washington, Sept. 29. Washington's Stage Door Canteen will have its unveiling Oct. 4 with a pound party. Anybody bringing cnimed edibles weighing two pounds i{cts a peek at the new servicemen's club. Manpower Commissioner Paul V. McNutt, Senators Pepper and Gil- lette are among civic leaders who have signed up as busboys. More than 3,000 socialites have registered, been photographed and fingerprinted fot FBI flies, as a preliminary to becoming junior hostesses. Canteen this week turned down offer of support from the Com- munity Chest. Thought it .smacked too much of charity and prefers to be a self-sustaining operation. Watson Barratt has completed his Canteen murals In his New Yor'- studio, bringing them down for mounting this week. Interior of Csnteen is a replica of a mid-Vic- tcrian little theatre, with small stage bi'ilt out from the proscenium. Register Amatear Talent Amateur talent Is being registered this week for fill-in roles. Bulk of shows will come from N. Y. and the Washington theatres. It will be or- gsnized and routined by a large en- (Contlnued on page 54) Oldie for WooUey Hollywood, Sept. 29. 20th-Fox bought the old Arnold Bennett novel, 'Buried Alive,' as a future starrer for Monty Woolley, following completion of his next as- signment in 'The Late Christopher Bean.' Arnold story deals with a noted artist who assumed the identity of his valet to escape his idolatrous public. 'Corregidor' Okayed Hollywood, Sept. 29. Film division of the War Dept. headed by Co\. Mason Wright, ap- proved the script of 'Corregidor' to be produced by Atlantis Pictures for distribution by Producers Releasing Corp. Story, okayed without change, goes into production Oct. 14, with Edgar G. Ulmer directing. Uncle Sams Roll Call V's First War Casualty First Universal employee war fatality occurred last week when air cadet Wilson P. Thedford, 24, crashed at Bruce Field, Ballinger, Texas, during a solo flight Thedford was formerly a salesman with Gaumont British In Dallas. Texas, later with Fox. and joined the Oklahoma office of Universal in December, 1941. His widow and two brothers survive. Abe Lyman Enlists Abe Lyman, in his 40s. last week enlisted in the Army and reports Oct. 10 for induction in N. Y. He signed In on the Coast, thus can- celing a scheduled location job at the Florentine Gardens, Hollywood. Lyman, who has been a band name for over 20 years, is expected to be assigned to maestro an Army orches- tra. It's also figured he'll be sta- tioned, at least temporarily, at a camp in New Jersey. It's reported he's bringing 28 mu- sicians, many from his band. Into the Army with him. Irving Kahn Inducted Irving Kahn, in charge of radio publicity on Hal Home's staff at 20th-Fox, reports to Camp Dix, N. J. Robert Montgomery, now on the 20th publicity staff, and Myra Miller, Kahn's assistant, will divide radio work. Kahn is Irving Berlin's nephew. Stephen L. Freeland commissioned ensign U. S. Naval' Reserves'. He is feature writer in 20th-Fox publicity department in N. Y. and editor of the weekly radio letter. Eddie Resnlck, 43, Enlists Eddie Resnick, the talent agent, en- listed last week and reported Satur- day (26) at Camp Dix. N. J., as a buck private. He's 43. Resnick was chiefly active in touring film person- alities In the vaude theatres. J. J. FltzglbbODS' Daughter In Ottawa, Sept. 28. Airwoman Helen Fitzgibbons, daughter of J. J. Fitzgibbons, presi- dent of Famous Players-Canadian Corp.. Is a recruit at the Ottawa air station. RocklifTe, Royal Canadian Air Force. Fitzgibbons' three sons are already in the U. S. Army, one at Hawaii, another at Scott Field and a third in the Medical Corps. John Howard Farewelled Detroit, Sept. 29. FareweU party for John Howard, branch manager for Paramount and former prexy of the Variety Club here, took on large proportions be- fore his departure as a lieutenant (Continued on page 23) Fislits to Av(Md M War Job Private Jack Murray, co-author of Hoom Service,' Is the central figure in an Ironic.story about an enlistee who pulled strings, not to get a soft snap, but to. get himself assigned to combat service. Aiter he had been accepted Murray foimd himself at Camp Upton. A few days after his arrival Murray noticed a banner announcing that camp players would soon offer a production of 'Room Service.' He ^ave the announcement no further attention. Soon afterwards he was recog- nized by an ex-Broadway agent in uniform. Murray thought no more of this meeting until he was instructed to report to the morale officer. He was ordered to devote himself to the production. Murray obtained permission to take his case up the line. He ex- plained that he had enlisted for active service out of deep feeling for the issues Involved in the war, and that he preferred not to be di- verted elsewhere. His plea was granted and he was transferred to en armed unit in another camp. Neglected by Qamftur, Detroit Snipes at Bonds' Cheesecake Bally -44- Ferry Command Fdm Hollywood, Sept. 29. One of the least publicized and yet one of the most Interesting of the war movements Is the ferrying of bombers to distant fronts. Warners will produce 'Transport Command,' next in the series of Technicolor National Defense two-reelers, start- ing Oct. 1 at an undisclosed aviation base. Charles Tedford and James Blood- worth are doing the script, based on actual performances, with Gordon HoUingshead as producer. Army Takes Over Hal Roach Studio For Training Pics Hollywood, Sept. 29. Uncle Sam is taking over the Hal Roach studio for the use of the photograph division. Army Air Force, in the production of training films. Deal now under negotiation calls for the exclusive use of the lot by the AAF for four months, after which Roach would have the privi- lege of using halt the facilities for thfe resumption of his 'streamliners' for United Artists release. In case the AAF requires contin- ued use of the ^entire studio, the Roach organization will film its pic- tures on the RKO-Pathe lot. SUBMIT SHAKEUP PLANS FOR CANTEEN The joint committee of 10 acting in the interests of the American Thea- tre Wing's Stage Door Canteen met Thursday (24) and its report on certain changes in the Canteen per- sonnel will be placed before the Wing's board next week. Reorgan- ization of the Canteen's publicity de- partment will receive attention. Press has been temporarily handled by Lorella Val-Mery and Oliver M. Sayler. .Former, who has been in -Washington -in connscticn v,-ith the new Canteen which opens there late this week, is regularly engaged in handling the Wing's publicity. Leo Freedman has been .selected as co- chairman of the Canteen's press de- partment, with another p.a. to be chosen. Understood that the entertainment committee will again be revised as the result of an impression that re- cent nightly Canteen shows could have been pepped up. Shows were originally handled by a committee headed by Radie Harris. When she was sent to the Coast. Jamc.<: E. Sautcr took over. Chi Coliseum to Army Chicago, Sept 29. Chicago's historic Coliseum, 42 years old, in which several Repub- lican national conventions and other big events have been held, was taken over by the Chicago Army Air Force for transformation Into a technical school. Arena has been partitioned into 14 classrooms where over 1,600 stu- dents will receive' instruction in ra- dio technique, sending and receiving of messages in code, orientation lec- tures and training. Detroit, Sept. 29. Detroit, neglected by the glamour girls sent out to boost war bond sales, has started to snipe at the Treasury Department for not con- ducting its campaign along lines 'more in keeping with the national emergency.' Editorials have started appearing not only In the press here but in .^everal other midwest sections charg- ing that the war bond sales were be- ing conducted along the lines of a three - ring circus, taking direct punches at the use of Hollywood film stars to hypo sales and indicat- ing that the war bond sale should be a more dignified business. ' Theatre men In these parts, after an all-out effort to sell bonds dur- ing September, while irked that no names were sent in to help the local campaign, are resenting the belittling of show biz contribution to the war effort. However, a few have gone along on the Idea that some of the publicity associated with the film stars' visits has been of a type to (Continued on page 55) L. A. to N. Y. Carlton Alsop. Don Amechc. Edgar Bergen, Joe Blgelow. Harry Brash. Dorothy Brown. Maury Cohen. Lester Cowan. Lester Cutler. Bill Dover. S. Charles Einfcld. Dale Evans. Glenda Farrell. William Gaxton. Nat Goldstone. John Harkins. Radie Harris. Ben Hecht. Katharine Hepburn. Jean HoUoway. Jack Hurdle. Henry Jafle. Talbot Jennings. Arthur Kemp. Larry Kent. W. B. Lewis. Billy Livingston. Harry Maizlish. Johnny Mascio. S. Barret McCormick. K. F. Morgan. Seymour Morris. AnneNe.'kgJc. Ray Noble. Joe Nolan. Harry Norwood. Natalie Schafer. Nathaniel Shilkret. Herbert T. Sllverberg. Anthony Stanford. Henry Stephenson. Robert Tapllnger. Mary Treen. • Terry Turner. Jimmy Walker. Harry M. Warner. Ben Wallerstein. Nina Varela. N. Y. to L. A. Stanley Adams. Fred Ahlert. Fay Bainter. Jim Fonda. Harry Frazee. V. Frank Freeman. George Gruskln. Tom Harrington. Eddie Mannlx. Ned Marin. Jack Messier. Charles Tobias. Joe Schenck, Lou Smith. Paul Whiteman.