Variety (Oct 1942)

52 Wednesday, October 28, I942 Literati War Corrrspondrnl Casualties , tone' of Time mac only U. S. piibli Bvion D;irnlon s arcidcnlal dealh ca'io" "^i- aii-fxpicssc<l to Latin | on llu- Aiislralian front tail week! Ami-'''i^^a- Clium maR. which is the marks another in the rapiJly grow-: chief source of U S. news for most | ma list of war correspondents who of the expatriate Yankees south of; have met death ir action. In his the border, overly stresses discour-1 nexl-l..-last despatch for The New a."!'"*! fac'o's about U. S. and United; York Times, which assiKned him to Nations' war effort, consequently. General MacArthurs headquarters j ch'uding the piciure which is being | Down Under last winier. Darnlon I fO'i^'Ocd 1° Lal"ios from other summed up the meatcr dilficulties: ^ou'.co''- ., . , . ■ encountered bv iho present-day cor-; Time has a wide circulalion among respondent in comparison to the war'I-<lii> American leaders, many of reporters of World War I. His anal-' whom speak Knglish. ogy was based on his experience as an American soldier-observer in, Schuster's Pet Hate France during the last eonllici and, M. Lincoln Scluisler, the book those as a reporter during the pres- ; publisher, has a phobia against the eiit one. ■ wartime typewriter .strategists and As indicated in his article, which ' r.ndio commentators who 'sulTcr from succeeding Joe H. Torbett, resigned. Salisbury formerly held a similar post on Gannett's Saratoga Springs Saratogian. Robert O. Ryder, former editor of the Ohio Slate Journal. Columbus, O., chosen a member of the Ohio Journalism Hall of Fame by the Ohio State University School of Journal- ism. His name will be formally add- ed to the list of 40 other Ohio jour- nalists posthumously honored by the universiiy at the annual Hall of Fame dinner. Nov. C. appeared in the Times Wednesday over prediction. (21). simultaneouslv with the from-1 Schu.^ler likes to quote Benjamin page announcement of his death Stollberg, economist and author, who along with the wirelessed condo- defines 'a military expert as one lences from General MacArlhiir to! who avoids the small errors as he the Times, the war reporter today hasn't the facilitie. of World War I correspondents. Pointing up this viewpoint, he staled in part: "These war correspondents (of World War I) came, looking very clean and well fed and asking a lot of questions. You took one look at them and knew there wasn't a cootie among them. You disliked them.' Other American correspondents killed in action were Ralph W. Barnes. N. Y. Herald Tribune, in a British bomber crash In Yugoslavia; Mel- ville Jacoby. Time magazine, in an Australian plane accident; Webb Miller, European manager of United Press, during a blackout accident near London; Don Bell. NBC cor- respondent, bayoneted to dealh by the Japs in Manila, and Harry Percy. United Press, who succumbed to malignant malaria in Cairo. Jack Singer, former sports writer for the N. Y. Journal-American, who last spring switched to International News Service as a correspondent in the South Pacific: Witt Hancock. As- sociated Press, and William McDou- gall, United Press, are among those 'missing,' the latter two since the fall of Java, and Singer since a naval task force operation in the South Pacific recently. iweeps on to the grand fancy.' No Typewriter Strategy Hollywood i.<; beginning to under- stand what President Roosevelt meant by typewriter strategy.' Film industry reps huddling with Harold Hopper of the WPB yesterday (Tues.) in Washington complained that the Government has been requi- sitioning studjo typewriters like mad. High-priced authors sitting around without typewriters, not to mention auditors, impresses the industry as 'not cricket.' Situation was clarified somewhat when officials pointed out that the Government wants only the newer make.'; of typewriters. Hollywood is welcome to all of the pre-1935 vin- tages. IMth Anniversary of La Prensa Unusual worldwide response of press for the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jose C. Paz, founder of La Prensa, most Important South American daily, is generally re- garded as a tribute to the leading pro-democratic sheet in Latin Amer- ica. Although Prensa made no espe- cially strong effort to get adjective- filled testimonials, messages from the United Nations capitols were unusu- ally strong and official irreetings were marked by the lack of declara- tions from some of Argentina's own officials, who haven't liked Pren.^a's decided pro-democratic tone, par- ticularly since (he outbreak of war. In contrast, me.'i^ages from U. S. Srully's lOlh AnnI of 'Fun' Frank Scully's 10th anniversary of hLs 'Fun in Bed' series is being cele- brated thi-i season. M. Lincoln (Simon &) Schuster and author Scully were Columbia classmates, and when the latter be- came invalided, both hit upon 'Fun in Bed' series of books which have been solid sellers through the years. WB's 'Night Shift- 'Night Shift,' laid in a midwest nilery. is the second book by Ma- ritla Wolff who, at 22, authored 'Whistle Stop' for Random House. It won the Avery Hopwood prize last year. Warner Bros, already has pur- chased 'Night Shift' which RH is also publishing. LITERATI OBIT E. G. Center, 77. veteran Texas newspaperman, died recently in Dal- las after a brief illness. A former Texas state senator, he was general manager of the old Fort Worth Gazette, worked in Austin as a staff correspondent, city editor and man- aging editor, founded the Cleburne. Texas. Telegram, was co-owner of the Waxahachie. Texas. Enterprise Secretary of State Hull, leading | was once managing editor of the U S. officials and others were all the more comment-provoking. L. A. Boom for Newsmen Newspaper men in Los Angeles, known for years as a low-salavy town, will .soon be drawing the fat- te.'^! envelopes in their history. Guild and owners "have been negotiating for some time, but the new figures will be set by the War Labor Board, and both the employers and ihe workers will have to take if. willy- nilly. Understood the new weekly wages for rewriters. copy dcskmen -ind five-year beat men will be aioinifl $76 for afternoon papers and $84 for the morning side, a general increa-.e of approximately 10%. Meanwiiile the newspapers in town are making plenty of coin, more than they ex- pected under wartime conditions. Waco. Texa.s. News. Mo. Daily Suspends The Carthage, Mo., Democrat, a.m. daily since 1888, suspended publica- tion Saturday (24). Former Slate Senator A. L. McCawlcy. who ac- quired the property three months ago, declared that mechanical diffi- culties and a shortage of competent help was the cause. "The late Cornelius Roach, one-tiinc Secretary of State and later a banker in Kansas City, published the paper for years. "The shuttering of the Democrat leaves the daily Held to the Evening Press, published by W. J. Sewall. Time Mag Too Pessimistic? Kicks from several countries in Latin America have been piling up In regard to the alleged 'pessimistic CHATTER Telegraph editor of the Times- Herald, Moose Jaw. Sask.. Floyd Da.sh h.-us joined the Royal Ca- nadian Air Force. Genoa Magaroff. in Hollywood for a month gathering material on the Canteen, is returning to New York to confer with publishers about a new book. Publication date for 'Continuous Performance.' biography of A. J. Balaban by his wife. Carrie Balaban. has been set by G. P. Putnam & Sons. New Yo;k for Nov. (i. Dinty Moore, editor of the Gren- fell. iSa.sk.) Sun. has enlisted in the Canadian army. New editor of the paper is Colin R. Campbell, formerly of The Leader-Post, Re- Sina. Chicago's Downtown Shopping News, which has never before made play for theatrical advertising, has instituted pa.ge show biz chatter and ads. and wili go after more such business. Francis H. Sherry, telegraph edi- tor of the Troy (N. Y.) Record and also its music critic before entering the Army, has been commissioned a second lieutenant in the Quartermas- ter Corps. Camp Lee, Va. Ruth Waterbury is new prcsi'dent of Hollywood Women's Press Club. Other new officers are Kay Proctor, v.p.; Bertha Jancke. secretary; Kay Hardy, treasurer, and Liza Wilson, Gladys Hall and Kalherinc Albert, directors. Gerald H. Salisbury Is new man- aging editor of Frank Gannett's Al- bany (N.Y.) Knickerbocker News, Current Road Shows I Oc t. 28-Nor. 7) 'Adamant Kve' iIryoul>—Geary, , San Francisco i2-7) (premiere). | 'Anjel Street' (2d Co.)—Harlnian, ; Columbus, O. i28): English, In- dianapolis 129-311: Paramount, To- ledo (2i; Plymouth, Boston (4-7). 'Arsenic and Old Lace' (1st Co.) — Capitol. Salt Lake i2Bi; Auditorium, Denver (30-31); American, St. Louis (2-7), 'Arsienic and Old Lare' (3d Co.) — His Majesty's, Montreal (2-7). 'Best Foot Forward'-English, In- dianapolis (28); Harlman, Columbus, O. (29-31): Nixon, Pittsburgh (2-7). 'Blackouts of 1942' (vaude)—El Capitan, Hollywood (28-7). 'Claudia' (1st Co.)—Biltmore, Los Angeles (28-31); Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, Cal. (2i: Lobero, Santa Barbara (3-4); Municipal Audi- torium, Long Beach (5-6); Russ Auditorium, San Diego (7). •'Corn is Green'—Victory. Dayton (28); Shrine, Ft. Wayne (29): State K'tlamazoo (30): Keith's, Grand Rapids (31): Palace, South Bend (2); Parkway, Madison. Wis. (3); David- son. Milwaukee (4-7). 'Gettini; Geilie's Carter' (stock)— Windsor. Bronx (28-1). 'Gilbert and Sullivan' — Court Square. Springlleld. Mass. (28); Shu- bert. New haven (29-31); Metropoli- tan, Providence (2-4); Klein Audito- rium. Bridgeport (5-7 J. 'Good Night Ladies'—Blackstone, Chicago (28-7). 'Helliapoppin'—American, St. Louis (28-31); Hanna. Cleveland (2-7). 'Her First Murder' (tryout)—Mc- Carler. Princeton (28) (tryout); Community. Hershey, Pa. (29); Playhouse. Wilmington (30-31); Bush- nell Auditorium. Hartford (2); Ma- sonic Auditorium. Rochester, N. Y. (4); Erlanger. Buffalo (5-7). 'Junior Miss' (2d Co.)—Harris. Chicago (28-7). 'Junior Miss- (3d Co.)—Wilbur, Boston (28-7). 'Lady In the Dark'-Ford's, Balti- more (28-7). 'Let Freedom Sing' (stock)—Flat- bush. Brooklyn (28-1); Windsor, Bronx (3-7). 'Life of the Parly' (tryout)—Wil- son, Detroit (28-7). 'Life With Father* (2d Co.)—Wal- nut. Philadelphia (28-7). 'Maid In the Ozarks'—Great North- ern. Chicago (28-7). 'Merry Widow'—Forrest, Philadel- phia (28-7). 'Mr. Sycamore* (tryout)—National, Washington (23-7). 'Old Acquaintance' — Lafayette Detroit (28-7). 'Papa Is All'—Hanna. Cleveland (28-31): English. Indianapolis (2-4); Hartman, Columbus, O. (5-7). 'Pirate' (tryout)—Colonial, Boston (28-7). 'VoTgy and Bes.s'—Taft Audito- rium. Cincinnati (28-31); Slude- baker. Chicago (2-7). * f ■Priorities of 1942' (vaude)—Shu- I bert, Boston (28-31)- Erlanger, Chi-i cago (3-7). I 'Private Lives'—Masonic Audito- rium, Rochester, N. Y. (30-31); Royal Alexandra, Toronto (2-7). 'Skin of Our Teeth' (tryout)-Lo- cust, Philadelphia (28-7). 'Spring Asain'—Selwyn. Chicago (28-7). 'Stage Door' (stock) — Mosque, Newark (2-7). 'Student Prince'— Davidson, Mil- waukee (28): Orpheum, Davdnport (29) ; Shrine Auditorium, Des Moines (30) ; Coliseum. Sioux Falls, S. D. (31) : Auditorium. Denver (2-4); Capitol, Salt Lake City (6). 'Sweet Charily' (IryouD—Shubert, Boston (2-7) (premiere). 'This Is the Army —Mastbaum, Philadelphia (28-7). 'Tobacco Road'—Nixon, Pittsburgh (28-31); Cox, Cincinnati (2-7). 'Topsy and Eva' (tryouD—Music Box, Hollywood (28-7). 'Vickie' (stock)—Flalbush, Brook- lyn (3-7). 'Watch on the Rhine'—Convention Hall, Tulsa. Okla. (28); Melba. Dal- las (30-31): Majestic, Ft. Worth (2); Paramount. Austin (3): Texas, San Antonio (4i; Music Hall, Houston (5); Municipal Auditorium, New Or- leans (7). 'Without Love' (tryout)—Cass, De- troit (28-7). Shows k Rehemal Xlfellne'—Oilbart MllUr. 'WioUr Soldltrt'—Sohool ot Social Research. 'Th* Willow •■4 I'—Donald Blackwell, Aaymond Curtis. 'Great Big Doorstep'—Herman Shumlin. 'Three Sisters' (revival)— Katharine Cornell. 'Fare Thee Well'—Marie L. EReins, Ed. Choat*. 'Sweet Charity'—Alfred Bloomingdale, Shuberts. 'Arsenic and Old Loco' (3d Co., road)—Frank McCoy. College Play Continued from page M Hay-Foot, Straw-Foot cxprcs.scd by former West Pointer Edward Boykin (West Point in Civil War days is play's locale). About three years ago, the original play was given a brief airing in St. Loui.s. but nothing came of It. Recently Harbach, et al., rewrote the script and brought lyrics, etc., up to date on a lighter plane than the original heavily dramatic story. Although 'Hay-Foot' Is billed as a play with music, it is strictly out of the 191S-vintage operetta formula and its Broadway chances must be figured In that light. At present it ranks with musical ventures of Ihe "Sunny River' type, which hold much merit In their particular field but just don't appeal to lovers of the machine-gun rhythm in demand these days. The lads of Eli's dramat, with aid from the university drama depart- ment, plus outside talent, have given 'Hay-Foot' an auspicious springboard lest. Catching the spirit of the play's four-year span extending from 1861 to '65, cast offers a better than ac- ceptable version of West Point activ- ities at that period. Evelyn WyckofT, as the post chaplain's daughter, car- ries the femme lead and pleases in personality and singing, although not given much chance to shina in latter department. George R. Hill and Louis Connick,' Jr., as tha hay-foot, straw-foot cadet combo, • are well cast, as is Susanna TaFel, as a femmc heavy. Top tHesp honors go to Emmy Lou Kehler, who registers as a romantic barmaid. Excepting Miss WyckofT, voices individually are pretty weak, but get good results in ensembles. Glee club (33) works from the pit and adds a vital punch to the score's rendition. Scripters have dona a fairly en- tertaining Job on the book and Kern has provided a score that rates more than passing mention, with a wide variety of sentimental, stirring and comedy tunes. Instrumental end of production is handled via two pi; anos, with Frank Taylor, Louise Holt and Edward J. Olbson at ihe ivories. Bone. COn the Upbeat ; Continued from pace 4* I sextet of singers and dancers, all i part of the band, added. Outfit re- i turns to the Shangri-La, Philadel- ; phia, today (28). Improvements I were made at tha suggestion of ; Dewey Yessner, who operates the ; spot and has taken an Interest in the orchestra. Please OWI Contlnaed from page i help to smooth relations with our principal ally. OK on Columbia's 'Lovelier' Washington critics were asked to scan 'You Were Never Lovelier' and give an off-the-record opinion as to whether there was anything that might offend good neighbors south of the border. Columbia played safe in this instance. Originally the pUa was to set the locale in either Ar- gentina or Chile. When the cam- eras rolled neither country figured prominantly^ Producers had a rep- resentative from Argentina on tha .set and he passed on everything that mi.ght be controversial. As screened it is a musical bon bon, disdaining the war, and with nothing to which South America might object. OWI has no legal right to censor films and seeks none. It can sug- gest, and these suggestions are po- tent enough to be commands to pro- ducers who are wise politically. Sam Goldwyn shelved 'No Greater Glory' after going to considerable expense on the reissue, because Manuel Quezon, president of the Philippines, found things In it that were ob- jectionable in war times. Lowell McUetl of OWI advised it; Goldwyn assented without a struggle. With shortage of product, ques- tion of release may arise on some reissues, particularly those relating to Russia. Some features, made be- fore the war, treated the Soviet fa- cetiously, and some poked jibes at Moscow's flve-year plan. Regard- less of their entertainment values, such features will not be permitted on the current film market. Office of War Information says, unofficially, it Is well pleased with Hollywood, thinks It Is doing a flna job In sustaining the war effort. But thoughtless incidents may creep into pictures which will require'much ex- planation and even be the subject of diplomatic exchange. To avoid this OWI will look these features over before they get the go-ahead passport to foreign markets. Spread of Buying Continued from page T Lloyd Hammons, formed indie distrib. on the payroll as organizer. Outfit is putting on a vigorous drive for members. It has around 30 theatres at present. Another booking-buying combine. Associated Theatres of New Jersey, is gradually growing in size. Dur- ing the past week it added the Forum at Metuchen, N. J. to its list, bringing it up to 18. Ruth deary's f\va-piec« all-girl band will open at the Coq Bougc, New York, Nov. 11. Dan Brittain and WBEN orchestra are doubling nightly at Main-Ulica ballroom on fringe of downtown Buffalo. Bill Ludwlg new drummer with Brad Hunt's orch in Pittsburgh, re- placing Billy Carmirhael, Army. Art Farrar orch out of Pittsburgh pulls out next week for an extended southern tour, opening Nov. 3 at Palomar Ballroom in Norfolk, Va. Frankle Masters band pencilled into Stanley theatre for week begin- ning Friday (30), with Tommy Tucker following. Jach McCarthy doubling into floor show at Villa Madrid, Pittsburgh, as featured vocalist from Mickey Ross band. Bill Miller, Charlie Barnet, pianist, to b« inducted this week. No re- placement set. Mich. Indies' Boying Pool Detroit, Oct. 27 Intent on strengthening its buying combine, the new Michigan Inde- pendent Exhibitors Association has named Lloyd C. Hammond, picture producer for 30 years, as organizer in the drive to bring all independents in the State into the fold. * Convinced that too many exhibitor organizations founded as buying or- ganizations have been short-lived or I (disrupted b^ a lack ot unity in its I membership, Hammond was named I by Joseph P. Uvick, secretary of the I MIEA, to cover Michigan county by I county and bring in a solid territory ! for representation. Hammond's stu- dio, which produced trailers and such shorts as 'Film Fumble.s,' has been on a curtailed schedule through the freeze on raw film stock. With a good foundation laid for its purpose, the new membership drive will be aimed primarily In the out- State district to put the program on a full Michigan basis. It is believed that while the more extensive buying groups in the past have folded be- cause of the difference in interest In Ihe various districts, the present time nnds the exhibitors in greater unity then in the past. On top of that, the MIEA polled the state on getting the various views of the exhibitors for the shaping of Its platform. Following the out-State roundup, the new setup here will concentrate on lining up the independents in the cities but for Its basic purposes Ihe general Michigan membership i^ more vital. Eddie Metcalf, sax, Joins Tommy Tucker; Clyde Hunter replaces Walt McGuffln, trombone, and Jack Gor- don, guitar, is to be added. Taft Jordon. trumpeter formerly with Ella fitzgeram band, has formed • Mvei)-piec« combination handled by Mo« Oaie. Phllly's Co-op Philadelphia, Oct. 20. A buying cooperative, formed here by a group of indie Philly exhibs to pool film buying power, has de- cided to hold up putting it into op- eration until the Allied Caravan's own buying plan starts to function. If the Allied plan is successful, the local group will go along, drop- ping its own program, leaders of the group said.