Variety (Dec 1942)

VeJpc8day» December 2, MISCELLAinr Cocoanut Grove, Boston, Fnre Stuns Show Biz; Buck Jones, Fix Sales Execs And Cafe Artists Among Fatalities Numerous film men and, In some cases, their wives, have already been'identified as dead or seriously Injured as the casualty list mounts In the Cocoanut Grove, Boston, night club fire Saturday night (28). sec- ond worst disaster since the Chicago Iroquois fire shortly after the turn of the century. As 'Variety' went to press yesterday (Tuesday) thft known dead stood at 449 including eight as yet unidentified. Of the show business, among them, were Charles Stern, eastern district sales manager for United Artists; Edward Ansin, president of the Interstate circuit in New Eng- land, and Mrs. Ansin; Harry Asher, veteran New England distribution man lately engaged in Indie distrib- uting in the Boston area; Lawrence Stone and Eugene Gross, Monogram salesmen at Boston; Phil Seletsky, ohlef buyer-booker for the Mullin St Finanskl chain, and Mrs. Seletsky; b. A. St. Pierre, M. & P. art director; Fred Sharby, Keene, N. H,, exhibitor; Mrs. Sharby and their son, Fred, Jr.; iPaul Barron, Universal branch manager at Boston and Mra. Barron; |nd Grace Vaughn, Maxlne Coleman; Ethel Powell, Carl Bauer (Mr. and (Continued on vage 24) Buck Jones Was Long-Time Fave Of Cowboy Fans The Boston Cocanut Grove nitery disaster Saturday night (28) brought itetth to one of the long-time favor- tM of America's boy picture fans, was Charles (Buck) Jones, born Charles Frederick Gebhard in Vin cennes, Ind., S3 years ago. Jones burned in the disaster, died at the Mass. General Hospital, Boston, Monday afternoon (30) without re- gaining consciousness. Physicians laid they had abandoned all hope for recovery immediately after exam ining his burns. .Topes, who was the guest of honor •t a party when the fire broke out, had gone to Boston with his personal rep, Scott R. Dunlap, Monogram pro (Continued on page 24) Benefit for Victims Due to the tragedy befalling many film folk in the Boston fire and funerals that were held yesterday (Tuesday) in Boston or suburbs, all local exchanges of the picture companies closed down. Meantime, under discus- sion by film exchanges is a bene- fit show for the relief of some of the victims' families. The tragedy cast an incredible pall of gloom over the city of Boston, with picture as well as legit theatres reporting business at a virtual standstill. NO RADIO SUB AS YET FOR WINCHELL Lennen Sc Mitchell, agency on the Jergens account, hadn't decided by yesterday (Tuesday) on whom to recommend as pinchhitter for Walter Winchell in his Sunday night spot otl the Blue Network. Winchell on active Naval duty, has taken a leave which the agency figures won't last longer than eight weeks. Among the subs discussed at the agency are Frank Gervasi, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, Kingsbury Smith INS correspondent in Washing- ton, and Marquis James. Agency is also considering spotting Hedda Hopper in the period to do a mixed routine of news and film gossip. She's slated to take over the quarter hour following Winchell's Jan. 3, and (Continued on page 34) U. S. TREASURY IS Lady Esther and Com Prod- ucts in Position of Pos- sibly Having Only Assured Supply of Guest Stars of All Radio Variety Pro- grams H wood Studros in Increased Raids On Broadway Legit for Performers To Make Up Void Caused By War CLARIFIED Lady Esther's 'Screen Guild Play- ers' and Corn Products' 'Stage Door Canteen' may be the only commer- cial programs with major film names on the air in 1943 as the result of a special ruling handed down by the '^e^sury Department. This possi- bility is, of course, dependent on whether the same Department modi- fies the regulations on the $25,000 net income limitation. If the latter stric- tures stand, the 'Guild' and 'Canteen' shows will be in a class by them- selves. Under a modification granted by the Commissioner of Internal Reve- nue these two programs are recog- nized by the Government as charit- able enterprises even though they are not incorporated and as inde- pendent contractors. The two pro- grams can do business with adver- tisers for the purpose of raising funds with the stars involved having (Continued on page 45) Phones Clogged By early Monday morning (30) it was impossible to buy a Boston paper on any of the New York stands selling out-of-town sheets. Also, telephone lines became so clogged between N. Y. and Boston immediately after the Boston fire became known that it was difficult getting any calls through or to get much informa- tion if making a contact. WHAT'S IN A NAME? Boy Rofcrs vs. Roy Borers Thinks It's Worth *50e,MI Roy Rogers filed suit in the N. Y. supreme court Friday (27) for $500,- OOO against Leonard Slye, known in films as Roy Rogers, Republic Pic- tures Corp. and Republic Produc- tions, Inc. In his complaint Rogers seeks an Injunction restraining Slye from using the Roy Rogers name. He .al- leges that he entered into an agree- ment in November, 1938, with Slye, after he brought suit against Slye In California, wherein Slye was to use the name of 'Roy Rogers' only in motion pictures. Slye allegedly adopted the Rogers cognomen early in 1938, but the plaintlfT claims that Slye violated that agreement by making personal appearances, using R. R. billing unrelated to the motion picture industry. Robeson 111 Fort Wayne, Ind., Dec. 1. The appearance of Paul Robeson as soloist with the Fort Wayne Symphony, scheduled for last Wednesday night (25), was called off, because of a serious case of Influenza suffered by the singer. RoI>eson was to have opened the orchestra's 11th season. 'Claudia' Tour Puts Crimp In Baclanova's Comeback Pittsburgh, Dec. 1. Olga Baclanova, star in silent pix who lingered in Hollywood for a while after talkies came in. revealed here while playing the Nixon last week in 'Claudia' that she had been forced to turn down a comeback chance on screen because of her run-of-the-play contract in the John Golden hit. During show's recent engagement on coast, Hunt Strom- berg offered her a role in the Bar- bara Stanwyck starrer, 'G-String Murders,' but she couldn't accept it Baclanova said, however, she ex- pects to return to Hollywood for an- other fling at films after 'Claudia' tour ends., Frances Starr, also in 'Claudia,' said that reports from Coast that she had signed a deal with RKO, to begin next summer, weren't true. Veteran legit actress was offered a contract but didn't accept it, she an- nounced. Warners Holds Butler Hollywood, Dec. 1. David Butler became a regular member of the Warners director staff through a term contract fol- lowing a one-picture job. Mark Hellinger, producer, called Butler in to direct 'Thank Your Lucky Stars,' and Jack L. Warner decided to keep him on the lot BILL ROBINSON'S PIC Hollywood, Dec. 1. Bill Robinson will not only tap, but act in the 'Thanks Pal' cavalcade of Negro music at 20lh-Fox. The all-sepia opus has been set for a Jan. 1 start. . . B. S. PuDey Hits New Low in SU St Nitery Obscenity One downtown N. Y. nitery en- tertainer got something out of his recent station house booking for indecency of performance — that certain something being an uptown booking and big type in daily news- paper ads listing him as Mr. B. S. Pulley, 'a new version.' He is neither a new version nor much cleaner than he was at the Frolics, and the only thing that the 'Mister' billing indicates is that he may be getting a little more coin at the Zebra Club on S2d street. Neither Pulley nor the Zebra Club's management was hep to the (Continued on page 54) METROPaFOX BIDDING FOR LUNT PLAY Metro, Paramount and 20th-Fox are submitting bids for the film rights to 'The Pirate.' Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne starrer, by S. N. Behrman. Metro is reported having a slight edge, due to its contact with Behrman, who is on the studio writ- ing list. No asking figure has.been report- ed as yet, though sealed bids run well into six figures, from accounts. 'Strip for Action,' Howard Lindsay- Russel Crouse comedy, has not at- tracted a great deal of attention as yet, owing to asking price of $250,000. Stock Company Idea 20th-Fox, meantime is talking of establishing a stock company in Los Angeles first, with possibility that similar groups may be set up in New York and one other city, to develop new writers and (Continued on page 47) By JACK PULASKI Reputed increased raiding of tal* ent in Broadway shows by Holly« wood scouts is reported by man« agers, who say that the current raids are actuated by the number of young male film players joining the armea forces. Demand is for players not likely to be called into service in the im- mediate future. Result is likely to b: beneficial to such' talent in the way of upped pay, -while there is a trend among producers to increase the number of people given run-of- the-play contracts. Aim of man- agers is to choose actors who are reasonably sure of not being called in the draft for some time. Some plays, however, call for adolescents and such players are subject to call •as they near maturity. 'Janle* As Example Case in point is the young people in 'Janie,' Miller, N. Y. After the comedy opened Brock Pemberton boosted the salaries of several juve- nile leads and replaced their stand- ard contracts with run-of-the-play agreements. Manager said that he di.l so not only because of picture offers, but he believed they should get more money even though ap- pearing on Broadway for the first time. In some instances salaries were materially increased. It is known that Hollywood offers (Continued on page 47) Harry Abbott BkpL Hollywood, Dec. 1. Harry Abbott, Jr., who recently tried to revive refined burlesque at the Music Box theatre with disas- trous results, filed a voluntary peti- tion in bankruptcy. Debts are listed at $37,081 and assets $3,752. Those owed are his brother Bud Abbott (end Costello) $18,000 and $2,435 due in salaries to meml>ers of the ill-fated show. New Congress Likely to Challenge Validity of $25,000 Income Ceiling COHAN MEMORIAL BY CATHOLIC GULD Catholic Actors Guild, which was headed by the late George M. Co- han, has arranged a memorial serv- ice which will be held at the Ac- tors Church, St. Malachy's, N. Y, Monday (7), at 11 a.m. Mass will be celebrated by Father John F. White, chaplain and treasurer of the Guild. In addition to members of the organization, friends of Co- han are Invited to attend. The Friars, of which Cohan was Abbott for years, held the club's 35th annual Frolic at the Music Box, Sunday (29), the event being designated in hia memory. 'CEILING' NOW PART OF INDIE CONTRAaS With wage stabilization still in the transitory stage, indie film producers are attempting to load their con- tracts with players with clauses that have the performer waiving any re- course to legal action. One clause has the actor agreeing to accept the wage ceiling stipend, no matter what the contract calls for, with the Government mentioned as the determining factor. Drew No Blank Here Hollywod, Dec. 1. Henry Blanke celebrated the start of hie 21st year with Warners by signing a new contract as producer. Currently he is producing 'Old Ac- quaintance' and preparing 'The Mir-* acle.' While various Congressional stal- warts are gearing up for a battle on the controversial $25,000 income ceiling after the new Congress con- venes in January, the film industry is unlikely to be affected by any possible change until the spring. Many weeks are expected to pass before a committee is formed to take up the issue. In this event, the status of studio contract lists would be doubtful after Dec. 31, 1942, pending further Con- gressional action. Studios have been trying to avert such a contract up- set, which might prove damaging even if only temporary, suggesting some modification of the regulation whereby the validity of contracts would be maintained but no definite response from U. S. Treasury offi- cials on this point has yet been noted. Meantime, clarification of the Economic Stabilization regulation, which was generally expected to be released in Washington last Wed- nesday (29) failed to materialize last (Continued on page 44) Trade Mark Raglat«r«d FOUNDED BT SIMB SILVERMAN PablUhed Weekly hj VABIKTT. imr. Sid Sllvarman. Prealdent 154 Weat 4«th Btreat, New York. N. T. SUBSCRIPTION Annual 110 Forslsa Ill Single Coplaa 21 CanU Vol. 14B 1*0 No. 13 INDEX Bills ... Chatter 48 S3 Concert-Opera 34 Exploitation 13 Film Revjews 8 House Reviews 46 Inside—Legit i2 Inside Music 40 Inside—Orchestras 37 Inside—Pictures 20 Inside—Radio 32 Inside—Vaiidc-Nilery 44 International J2 Legitimate 49 Literati 'j'y Music j5 New Acts 43 Night Club Reviews 45 Obituary 54 Orchestras '. 35 Pictures 5 Radio 27 Radio Reviews 32 Vaudeville 11 War Activities 4 DAILY VARIKTlr (Publlahed In Hollyvrood Dally Variety. I.td.) 110 a year—SI2 raralgn