Variety (Nov 1942)

WAR ACTIVITIES Wednesday* Norember 4, 1942 Scrapping of Specialists Corps Hits Many From Show Business Washington, Nov. 3. Nnpolcon said it 140 years ago, but It' m\'/M\ .stand as the epitaph of the Specialists Corps, U. S. Army, dis- »)lved by the War department, Oct. 31, 1942: "The rate of war is to be exalted In the morning, and low enough at niijht; there is but one step from triumph to ruin." Although it was created in Feb- ruary 1942, by President Roosevelt for a special purpose, the War De- partment never took the Specialists Corp.s .seriou.sly. It was established in a remote corner of the Munitions Building where it mulled over some 200,000 applicatioas from hopeful, overstse Americans eager to do something for the war effort. Eventually Brig. Gen. Dwight F. Davis and his corps moved down into Temporary Building M., close to the Potomac river, where a good many brasshats hoped it would fall In and not come up three times. The Specialists Corp.<; becomes a memory because the U. S. Army re- fused a salute. It was never given eufficient clerical help to answer its mountains of mail, and through the War Dept. the word spread around that only Phi Beta Kappas, or some similar high scholastic rating was necessary to qualify. Toofh Spot The Army did the hazing, and the Specialists Corps couldn't take it. This leaves some 200,000 good Amer- icans the victims of a military hoax, among them more than 2,000 affilia- ted with the organized amusement industry, qualified to run the Army's entertainment. When Congress gets around to looking into the matter it might ask some brasshat to explain why middle-aged men were sent to Camp Meade as Specialists, and assigned for training with Commando units. They were not fitted for this rugged and difficult training which only physically fit youth can endure. It left these good Americans, sore and disillusioned, but still eager to do the Job, though it took training that a prize fighter would find a hardship. The Specialists, and their distinc- tive imiforms, received the fishy eye and the down-the-nose look from General Staff Officers, and those veterans of the service who came up the hard way. They had a smoulder- ing contempt tor those who receive shoulder ornaments the easy way, through commissions from civilian life. For Specialists this frown went double in .spades. Such a "situation created a hardship for Dwight F. Davis' over-age volunteers since they could only be placed in active ser- vice, upon requisition by the Army. Army Politics Brig. Gen. Dwight F. Davis was «nce Secretary of War. and is pre- sumed to know something about Army politics. Congress was buried with letters from applicants for his Corps who never received a reply to their applications. It was speci- fically slated in the executive order creating this branch that political Influence would not apply in making appointments and that the hateful (Continued on page 44) NUMEROUS CHI BLOCK PARTIES cur INTO B.a Chicago. Nov. 3. Neighborhood theatres in this city are beginning to feel the pinch of civilian defense affairs as over 8,000 block captains are increasing number of partie.s. benefits and amateur shows to rai.se money, al- legedly for wor effort. Bunco and bingo parties are being thrown all over town, attended by from 50 to 230 residents of each block and vicinity. Captains have tried to get acts and actors for ap- pearances but the Amusement it Recrer.tion Division has consistently turned them dow. 'Captaijis have even appealed to Service Men'.s Center in hope of cetting attractions for Iheir parties, Dut without avail. Nevertheless, number of the.se partie.s being held has consistently increased in num- ber. Nci^'hborhood theatres, which are cooperating with war effort 100% In planning benefits, and in sale of war bonds and stamps, feel that fur- ther competition to their regular means of livelihood is uncalled for and unnecessary. Ex-Specialists Now Some names -tl various branches of show business in the Specialist Corp include Glenn Miller, Wayne King, Eddie Dowl- ing, Sidney Piermont, John Shu- bert, and a great many others scattered in positions throughout the nation. SOLDe RADIO SHOW GOES PA. STATE-WDE New Cumberland, Pa.. Nov. 3. With the ever-increasing lineup of Army radio shows now listed on the weekly programs, there is a growing feeling amongst radio men that these shows are proving a real competition to high-priced commer- cial programs. Based nurely on the production and entertainment value of these shows, there is no doubt that, with the large gap left in the file of professional musicians and en- tertainers, the Army today must be considered the 'greatest theatrical agency' In the world. A typical example of these all- soldier programs is the new weekly broadcast from the Army Reception Center in New Cumberland, Pa. In a camp with less than 1,000 per- manent cadre, a radio program was originated during the past summer (Continued on page 94) ARMY WAR SHOW GROSS OF $1,000,000 TO FUND ^ St. Louis, Nov. 3. The Army War Show, the realistic presentation of what is occurring on numerous battle fronts, has grossed more than $1,000,000 for Army Emer- gency Relief thus far and is ex- pected to reach $1,500,000 before it closes in Atlanta, according to Stew- art McDonald, Baltimore, chairman of the National Citizens' Committee which is sponsoring the show. In town last week before the show closed its local engagement, he said the presentation had received swell support in each of the 13 cities in which it has been given. The show left here last night (Monday) after a se;^n-night en- gagement and despite rain the nightly attendance wa.s in excess of 8,000. Five more cities in the south and southwest will be visited before (Continued on page 27) Camp Aadieiices SpoO Actors With Applause, Say Jinx and Ritzes By LESLIE HARRIS Miami Beach, Nov. 3. Jinx Falkenburg, sporting a nifty pre-season tan, and relaxing at the Lord Tarleton hotel on Miami Beach, in company with the Ritz QfOs,, Is sold on the Army way. In fact she intimates that Army ovations, espe- cially in spots seldom visited by reg- ular camp shows, spoil performers for future civilian appearances. Just back from a USO Camp show swing around U. S. Army bases in the Canal Zone, the group are hold- ing over to appear before the Army Air Technical Command here, and Miss Falkenbtirg will make a per- sonal in connection with showing of her current pix "Lucky Legs' (Col) at the Lincoln this week. Both the Ritzes and Miss Falken- burg agree that soldier audiences are a cinch for boosting performers ego. Sheer enthusiasm with which boys greeted them everywhere they ap- peared eclipsed anything experi- enced previously. Setup in Canal area got their okay too. Nearly all posts they visited provided well equipped theatres, complete even to dressing rooms. Same went for USO clubhouses and recreation cen- ters. Group was ferried from post to post by clipper, and pitched two shows nightly for three weeks. Be- tween winks they performed at of- ficer clubs, and occasionally at lunch in messhalls. Total appearances number close to 100. As to be expected, Miss Falken- burg returned weighted down with enough citations, medals, and regi- mental honors to have the WAAC's nibbling their nails for the duration, and judging from stories Ritz Bros, have to tell, it's a tossup as to who was entertaining who. Incidentally, the Lord Tarleton, where group arfe stopping, has become unofficial headquarters for show biz here. Register at pres- ent includes Stroud Twins, Joe Rio, Ned Moss and others. Nina Wilcox Putman is parked in a cabana com- pleting a story on Miami during wartime and the Constance Bennetts Gilbert Roland) are due. Canteen Publicity Revamp Oliver Saylor has bowed out as chairman of the volunteer publicity committee for the New York Stage Door Canteen. Bernard Simon and Leo Freedman replaced as co-chair- men of the committee. Lorella Val-Mcry continues as na- tional publicity director of all activi- ' ties of Ihe American Theatre Wing. I A. C.'S BIG BOND RALLY Patriotic OaU Headed by Madeleine Carroll, Dinah Shore Atlantic City. Nov. 3. A gigantic war bond and stamp rally, designed to be the most star- studded entertainment ever yet to play at an Army camp, will be staged in Atlantic City's military pre-empted Municipal Auditorium on Saturday night, Nov. 14. Heading the array of visiting contributors from the stage, radio and screen are Madeleine Carroll and Dinah Shore. While not an integral part of 'Technical Training Command Week,' a local celebration scheduled to familiarize divilians with operations of Atlantic City's new air training post, the rally will serve as a fitting climax. Marshall Bainbridge, South Jersey director of the war bond campaign for the Treasury Department, se- cured the cooperation, of station WJZ, key unit of the Blue Net- work to promote the mairdi' gras. iContinued on page 25) Lastfogel Squires AD-Femine USO %ow AbriKid; Jbother to Bermuda Re-Take Dave Chasen, 44, Gets Army Call Hollywood, Nov. 3. Dave Chasen, 44, married, and the town's leading restaurateur, checks into the Army at Fort MacArthur Nov. 10. as a private. Since he parted with Joe Cook as a stage comic a number of years ago, Chasen has built up a hole-in-the- wall eatery into a 300-.seatcr where the smart diners of the Dim indus- try gather. Recently hl.s staff has been re- duced 50% by wartime require- ments, but his- bride and the elder members of his staff will run the restaurant while he is in uniform. Pvt. Leo Plllot Still at It Pvt. Leo Pillot, formerly in pub- licity-exploitation in pictures and now stationed at the Army Air Base, Salt Lake City, has been made film editor for an eight-page paper be- ing gotten out there' called 'Bbmb- Bny Mcs.scnger.' Sheet Includes a column of chatter on pictures, as well as some music news, a sports page. etc. Pillot is awaiting call to go into the officers training school at the Salt Lake City base. Camp Upton, N. Y.. Nov. 3. Robert A. Willey, of the 'Junior Miss' company, recently ap- peared in a short scene in one of the Army's training films. He played the part of a 17-year-old discharged when officers find he has lied about his age. As he walks out of the camp, the bugle sounds retreat and he remarks wistfully 'Guess I'll never hear that again.' He will, however. For he was Inducted last week. He's actu- ally 22 years old. SOLDIERS HYPO A. C. CINENAS TO PEAK B O. Bill Heldcn ta Miami Fort Worth. Nov. 3. SRt. William Holden, film actor, stationed here a month with the Fly- ing Training Command, has reported at Miami Beach at officers' training school where he will be commis- sioned a .second lieutenant upon com- pletion of his cour.sc. ' Takes Oath on Stage Memphis, Nov. 3. Art Sasser, a star of the 'Skating Vanities,' here last week on tour of the country's larger auditoriums, was accepted in the Army Air Corps (Continued on page 13) Atlantic City, Nov. 3. Soldier patronage is just what the boxofflce physician prescribed for Atlantic City picture houses and other resort amusements, and the re- sponse is proving a winterized shot in the arm. Theatres arc doing record business for the off-season, with every indi- cation that the presence of thousands of air trainees stationed here will stabilize amusements as an all-year enterprise. Since the khaki-clad have such an effect on the cashiers' tills It is only natural that their own special de- mands must be met. These have re- sulted, for one thing, in a complete rearrangement of screen schedules. The island's 13 film houses now in operation find they must complete their next to last shows by 9:30 p.m. or mi.ss out on the half-price ducat buyers, so schedules are so arranged. Air trainees must be in their Beach- front spa barracks by 10 p.m. unle.<» on late pass. Surprisingly enough, sufficient sol- diers out of the mob have afternoon time off to provide a generous splash of khaki to matinee audiences. The soldier rush, however, comes be- tween 6:45 and 7 p.m. when uni- (Continued on page 22)" USO-Camp Shows planed two troupes for overseas bases on Friday morning (30). One troupe went to Bermuda, the other to England. Latter is an all-girl troupe, the (Irst such CSI has sent, cast consisting of Kay Francis, Martha Raye. Carole Larkdis and Mitzi Mayfair. Abe Lastf ogel, USO-Camp Shows boas, went along with the Britain-bound unit. The Bermuda luiit consisted of ths Blossom Sisters, Eleanor French, Frankie Conville, Gertrude Briefer and Stan Kavanaugh. Georgie Tapps was slated to go but had a call from his draft board at the last moment and was replaced by Kavanaugh. Both units went via Pan American and are taking the long hop via Bermuda, Azores, Portugal and so to London. And despite extreme pro- testations of secrecy which had 'Va- riety' sitting on the .story for two weeks, the takeoff was (limed by four newsreel outfits who were sworn to seciecy not to release the prints until the troupe arrives in England. The Office of War Information also made a special four-minute tran- scription—in the WOR transcription studios-^of the cast for u.se as a fea- ture spot In the OWI 'News From Home' shortwave program which ii beamed at troops overseas. Tl.e transcription had each of the names doing a short piece of biz stressing their specialty (Miss Mayfair danced, Martha Raye sang, etc.) and used special material written by Robert (Continued on page 44) TORRE(aDOR' SOLD TO GET UNDER U. S. WIRE CSI TOO CAUTIOUS? But MillUry OSIcUla Says 'Claudia' OK for the Boys USO-Camp Shows, Inc.. execs finally okayed the use of 'Claudia,' for its legit circuit this coming sea- son. Show was originally produced by John Golden, written by Rose Franken and is current on Broad- way. — •When origina-lly offered for CSI showings some of the CSI execs held up the okay for fear thai It might of- fend the troops since its plot re- volves around a young married couple. These mastermlnd.s rea- soned that the troops would skip the comedy and mope about how their love-life was snapped by entering the service. Professional .showmen were amazed at such a blucnose slant on the part of CSI execs but could do nothing. Apparently the Army and Navy big- wigs overuled the more sensitive .showmen at CSI. N. Y. to L. A. Hclcne Burton. Nadinc Conner. Leon Goldberg. Sheiln Graham. Ed Hyman. J. M. Kerrigan. Sol Le.s.ser. Louis B. Ma'.ver. Joe Mo.skowitz. Zero Mostel. John O'Connor. Joe Schenrk. Lew Schrcibcr. Howard StrirKling. Al Vaughan. Hollywood, Nov. 3. Dixon Horwin bought the Aim rights to 'Corregidor* from Atlantis Pictures and will produce it as a special feature for Producers Releas- ing Corp. Atlantis had been given War Dept. clearance on the title with the under- standing that the picture would be made before the first of the year, but is tied up with other pictures for PRC release. Sale was made to fa- cilitate the production of 'Corregi- dor' before the deadline set by Col. W. Mason Wright, head- of the film division for the Bureau of Public Relation. Camp Show Coffos The following performers did cuffo variety shows for U.SO-Camp Shows at military and navul posts in the metropolitan N. Y. area the week ending Oct. 31: Carole Landis, Herb Shriner. Ben McAfee, Rheba Malvey, Cy Reeves, Anita Joyce, Jack Zero, Betty Won- der, Miles Bell & Co., Ann Morris, The Harmonettes, Grace Drysdale, Sunny Rice, Harriette Rent, P.itricia Dillon, Long & Short, Calvin ti Lynn. Tonl Mitchell, Christine. Russ .Brown, Penny Franco^ Norma Locke, ^Adelade Joy, Florence Hayes. Adiele Lambert, Shy Sisters, Wally Brown, June Lorainc, Pam Merryman, Vesta Victoria, Princess Yvonne. Doc. Irving, Bunny Howard, Carroll & Raye, Abe Sher, Eddie Miller, George Kay, Happy Lewis, Mack Murray, Carroll Lynn, Jerry Lawton, Jay Seiler, Jerry Dawn, Miriam Sieboldt, Southern Sons, Gaudsmith Bros., Parkyakarkus, George Prentice. L. A. to N. Y. Jack Arnold. Howard Baer. Diana Barrymore. Adolph Bolm. Carl Cooper. S. Charles Einfeld. Harold Flavin. Bramwell Fletcher. Sidney B. Fleisher. John Garfield. Walter E. Green Martha Hodge. Col. Nathan Levlnson. Martin Lewis. Elmer Rice.' Robert Schless. Barbara Shermund. Leith Stevens. Varga. H. M. Warner.