Variety (Dec 1942)

4 WAR AcrnriTiES Wednesday, December 2, I942 USO Camp Shows Extends to Aussie; HerscheD Stuart, Parnell in Charge USO-Caiiip Shows. Inc.. last week exiondcd its organization to Aus- tralia by appointing HerschcH Siiiart, Anzac representative for the National Theatres (20th-Fox) circuit, Its representative in the Antipodes. Stuart, who was suggested for the post by Spyros Skouras, prexy of 20th Century-Fox, will work with Wallace Parnell. head of the Tivoli vaude circuit in Australia. The .'setup, although an honora- rium, is deemed as potent in that Stuart, as a Yank, and Parnell, as an Anzac. are both experienced showmen who know what is needed to entertain the Yank troops as well Bs how to improvise with what they have on hand. First move will be to utilize as much Anzac talent as is available, and obviously this is none too plenti- ful since what talent is not in serv- ice is entertaining the Australian troops. Meanwhile Stuart and Par- nell will survey the local scene and advise Camp Shows in New York of their requirements. These will be supplied as fast as transportation can be arranged. In the interim it is ex- pected that Camp Shows will ar- range to supply its Australian organ- ization with a temporary flnancial allotment so the wheels can get moving. Camp Shows has been marking time with plans to service troops in the Antipodes for some months. Be- fore the Solomon Islands became a hot battle area they had a troupe of about 50 people waiting to leave for the Pacific. These were cancelled as suddenly as they were requested ob- viously because space intended for their transportation had been taken by the troops and sopplies now in action in that area. Not Step on Each Other Further complicating Camp Shows ability to move fast on its plans for servicing the various AEF's with en- tertainment is the patent need not to step on the toes of local organiza- tions already in action. Thus, in England Gamp Shows last week ab- sorbed an outfit headed by Ben Lyon, Vic Oliver and Teddy Brown which had been clearing talent for shows before American troops and will now function as the USO-Camp Shows rep. Currently Camp Shows has an or- ganization, headed by Don George, In Hawaii which uses local talent (Continued on page 42) Debased Forever Hollywood, Dec. 1. American police uniforms are getting a dirty deal as a result of a wartime shortage in military regalia. At RKO the wardrobe couldn't find authentic Nazi clothes for the elite guard In ■Hitler's Children.' As a substitute they dug up SO coppers' uniforms and added Gestapo trimmings. U. S. PIX STARS PLAY TO QUEEN IN ENGLAND London, Dec. 1. The USO-Camp Shows unit of femme names now entertaining troops in England gave its 'first show for British servicemen on Nov. 27 and followed with performances for English factory workers. The stars, Kay Francis, Carole Landis, Martha Raye and Mitzi May- fair, worked before Queen Eliza- beth and the Royal princesses and later were presented to the Royalty. "The girls broadcast Saturday (28) over BBC with Jack Buchanan as m.c. and Miss Raye introducing 'Der Fuehrer's Face' to local audiences. The performances for British troops and war workers were dupli- cates of the show played here for Yank servicemen. Miss Francis and Mayfair. inci-' dentally, were hospitalized for a short time last week, former because of a bad case of laryngitis, while Miss Mayfair strained a shoulder tossing around a hulking soldier dur- ing her routine . 'Arsenic' USO Unit Severely Injured In Texas Train Crash San Antonio, Dec. 1. Philip Huston, Fred Small and Ada McFarland, of the USO-Camp Shows •Arsenic and Old Lace" unit, were severely injured when the diner of the train carrying the troupe from Austin to San Antonio was derailed Sunday night (29). The performers were rushed to the M & S hospital here where x-rays showed Huston had a fractured shoulder. Small had several frac- tured ribs, and Miss McFarland was severely cut and bruised. The men will be out of action for a', least eight weeks. Since Huston had the lead in the legiter. SmaU was the stage manager and McFarland the femme under- study, the show cancelled all per- formances until replacements ar- rived from N. Y. SET SHOWS FOR 700 ARMY CAMPS Hollywood. Dec. 1. Film stars and Ies.ser lights will be routed to 700 army camps during ensuing weeks by the Victory Com^ mittec. Extensive program calls net only for entertainment but mingling with troops, taking meals with them and, in general, be pally with serv- icemen for a week at a time. Ar- rangement is at .suggestion of the War Dept.. which dispatched Lieut. Col. Marvin Young, former NBC Hollywood producer, to the Coflst for talks with Victory Committee and USO-Cwmp shows officials. Shows to be spotted by UiSO in camps all over the country will pass two 10 four wcpks in designated sec- tors .so ih.nl MO camps, however small, will be pas.sed up. Tentative plans call for (JO to 70 traveling units to start out within fortnight. Also under preparation is a line- up of players for overseas and off- shore as.signmcnts for which over 100 Hollywood's lop names have vol- unteered. 1,500-2,000 Training Pix Instead of 280 This Year Hollywood. Dec. 1. The picture industry will turn out from 1,500 to 2,000 reels of Army training films next year as compared with 2B0 this year, according to Col. E. M. Gillette, commanding officer of the Signal Corps Photographic Cen- tre, who disclosed his plans to a group of 40 industry leaders at :i meeting yesterday (30). With full cooperation of all stu- dios pledged, it was voted that a special committee of three 'oe named to work more closely with Col. Gil- lette in expediting the expansion of the training film productions. Col. Gillette lauded the work of the Academy Research Council, express- ing satisfaction with the industry's contribution of the training pix. which he said was already having thi effect of speeding up and im- proving previous training methods. Wendell Whitten is replacing Hus- ton, John Clubley Ukes the place of Small. Both left New York last night to join the troupe, which re- opens at Ft. Bliss, El Paso, on Fri- day (4). Proposal for Paid. Exec Sec at Wing Meets Oppoation Proposal that an executive secre- tary under salary be chosen for the American Theatre Wing met with a difference of opinion during last week's board session in New York. It was contended that because of the Wings spread of activities, such a post should lighten the task of tho.se handling its affairs. That idea was countered by the declaration that the Wing was being efficiently administered by the volunteer ex- ecutives who have steered the Wing's course from the start. Since the Wing was formed nearly a year ago. around $250,000 has been handled l<y its treasury. Of that total $100,000 was contributed by the profession. The balance came from donations, the weekly radio program and advance paymenl.s for the forthcoming. 'Stage Door Can- teen' picture. Wing has an approxi- mate balance of $60,000. Although the Canteen is the recipient of much foodstuffs, considerable expenditure is necessary. Such costs are vari- able but October's bills amounted to $7,000. On Thanksgiving day, turkey .dinner was served at the Canteen. Wing has also given away 1,000 boxes n( Christmas cards, about 60% being donated. Hit balance be- ins .secured at cost. Wing's newest activity, a can- teen (or the merchant marine, was slated to open early this months but the date has been set back because required materials cannot be de- livered for several weeks. Letters Back Home to ffway [The home front, on Broadway, Hollywood, and points in between, likes to hear from the boys away from home, ;is much as vice versa. More letters like these are invited for publication.] Ex-Bway P. A.'a Army Shew State College, Miss., Nov. 22. Editor, 'Variety': They give us very little time to do anything but study, a very dis- tressing condition in face of (also in torso of) all the little Southern belles ringing around the campus. This certainly is not the war Sher- man (pre-Stork Club) had in mind. I did find time to put on a show called "This Ain't the Army.' And for the little practice we had, it was quite good. Me. I was the droll master of ceremonies. The show, revue-type, included 100 of my class and a handful (figure of speech) of Mississippi State co-eds. We were asked to take th show here and (here in the South, but this actually Is war, you know, and we're needed for something more important. Joke: Even Hitler must have heard It referred to as 'darkest Africa.' but It never looked so black to him as now. Add comment: They say it Rom- mel keeps up his current blistering pace. It won't be long before he overtakes the Philadelphia Phillies. Seaman Jacobs. DeflnlUon of : nrale Camp Blanding, Fla., Nov. 23. Editor, 'Variety': Have been kept quite busy lately, being turned Into a soldier. So far, I'm writing and rehearsing a musi- cal show, handling some public re- lations and flUlng In as company clerk. I haven't had a gun in my hands as yet, but any day now I expect some sergeant to take me out to the rifle range, show me a gun. and very paUently explain to me which end the bullet comes out I doubt whether he'll let me find out for myself, as I understand that that Is the first thing a recruit docs, with the result that quit* a few recruits are lost this way. Atter this bit of information .-.inks In, I'll probably be Uught which is my left and which is my rij;ht. I undcrstond that the period allowed for this (for the average recruil) is three weeks. However, in view of my I.Q. rating, they expect ine lo make it in two. As for soldier morale, this shojild give you an idea of what the aver- age soldier wants. The first re- hearsal of my show resulted in a 100% turnout. For the second re- hearsal only al>out 20% showed up. Investigation showed that a double feature, consisting of Tim Holt (or a rca.sonable facsimile) in 'Trigger Tim' and Roy Rogers (o.a.r.f.) in 'Trigger Roy' was playing at one of the Post theatres. I plucked my 'hams' out of the line and after con- vincing them that this double bill would again appear the next night, they came back to rehearsal. Then we waited for the piano player to show up. Finally, w—d came that a mess sergeant, under whom my pianist was doing K.P. duty, had Issued an ultimatum, to wit: 'Dese dishes has got to be washed—t'hell wit the show.' That about sums it up. Incidentally, on a week-end jaunt recently, I foimd the one thing that can do more to boost soldier morale than anything else—the WAAC (Continued on page 9S) HLN INDUSTRY'S 3 FUND-RAISING DRIVES War Activities Committee has three fund-raising campaigns al- ready lined up for 1943, with further drives likely as the year progresses. First on the list is the United Na- tions drive Jan. 14-20. Francis Har- mon, executive vice-chairman, left for Washington Monday (30) to ar- range for Government sponsorship for the campaign. Film industry's next major cam- paign will be the Red Cross drive starting the first week in April. A fund-raising drive on behalf of the Merchant Marine Is al.so scheduled. Uncle Sam s RoD Call Shobert Aide in Philly Donates 13G to Canteen Nctter's Son aa Ensign Douglas Netter, son of Leon Netter.- Paramount homroffice theatre exec- utive, is slated to be enslgned Dec. 24. Navy may assign him as Instruc- tor in navigation. Netter's other son. Charles, in I Naval Resei-ves. is taking a training course at Holy Cro.ss. Both of the Netter boys worked in Par of recent years Ijetween college term.s. Louis Wcincr. publicist-explniteer for United Arti.sts in the Washington, D. C. territory, now assigned to a technical school squadron in the U. S. Army Air Corps. Philadelphia, Dec. 1. Lawrence Shubert Lawrence, man- aging director of the Shubert enter- prises here, last week presented a check for $13,367 lo the Stage Door Canteen, proceeds of special matl- Bees held for the Canteen's benefit. Frank Williams Fare welled Saratoga Spring.s, N. Y.. Dec. 1. Frank William.s, booker for Benton Theatre.'!, .^rmy. Thlrty-flve men from Albany film exchanges came lo Saratoga for a farewell party. Bill Benton, head of the circuit, pre- sented Williams with two $100 war bonds. Harry Burke, manager of flenton's Congress. to<ik over Wil- liam.s' work. Capt. Frank Mandell Killed PitLsburgh, Dec. I. Film Row was steeped in mourning here la.st week at word from Guadal- canal that Capt. Frank Mandell, of r^. <-,i 1 the Marine Corps, had been killed In Oakland, Cal., Dec. 1. Although not a film man, Ervin Blunkall. director and actor Mandell was well-known on the Row last with Eddie Cantor in 'Banjo through his sister, Goldlc Mandell, of Eyes,' is now in Oakland attached to Paramount office, and distributors Army Air Corps in civilian capacity. ; 'olloiued his military career closely Blunkall began his stage career in i via letters tihe received from her dramatic stock. j 'Continued o^ page 12) All-Soldier Cast Nets lOOG Bond Sale in Ya. Prod, of The Women' Richmond. Va., Dec. 1. An all-suldier cast from Camp Lee brought Clare Boothe's "The Women' to the Lyric theatre for a two-night stand last Friday and Saturday and took in over $100,000 in War Bonds and Stamps. Three earlier performances at Camp Lee for Army Emergency Re- lief had given the boys what amounted! to throe dres.* rehearsals. Production was by T Sgt. Edward Yaryan. former member of the San Franci.'sco Light Opera Cfompany. MORE CUTTING IN ON STUDIO STAFFS Wood's Saratoga Trunk' Hollywood. Dec. 1. Sam Wood draws the director chore on the Edna Ferber yarn, 'Saratoga Trunk.' to be produced bv Hal B. Wallis at Warners. Technicolor picture Ls being script- ed by Casey Robinson for a Janu- ary start. B&K's Salute Chicago. Dec. 1. As a tribute to employees who have left the company for service in the armed forces, Balaban & Katz placed third-page ads in both morn- ing papers on Thanksgiving (26) in the form of an open letter written to one of their former members. Letter is signed by John Balaban. N. Y. to L. A. Joe Glazer. Milton Pickman. Further calls are being nnade by branches of the U. S. armed services on studios (or technical staffs—par- ticularly cameramen, film cutters, writers and directors—in a renewed drive .to fill increasing needs as crews of trained men go into the neld. Training film, bulletin and other Signal Corps and departmental production schedules, being stepped up in line with a progressive long range program, now require further extension of manpower rolls. List of eligibles for Government service is now. being scanned, both in New York and on the Coast, for selection of several hundred lech- niciims needed immediately. Understood that several film com- pany execs are cooperating with the authorities In lining up eligibles. L. A. to N. Y. Eddie Anderson. Ed Beloin. Joan Barclay. Jack Benny. Whitney Bolton. George Bonwick. Mr. and Mrs. Myrt Bluia Lecter Cowan. J. Cheever Cowdin. Dennis Day. Ellen Drew. Charles Einfeld. Fred Fleck. Jose Iturbi. Stanley Kramer. Helena Kou. Rowland Lee. Mary Livingstone. Mary Martin. Bill Morrow. Joseph Moskowilz. Oscar Oldknow. Louella Parsons. Otto Preminger. Ann Rutherford. Bert Scott. FranK Shaw. Jack H. Skirball. Nate Spingold. Donald W. Thornburgh. Jack L. Warner. Mr. and Mrs. Bob Welch. Don Wilson. Sol Wurtzel