Variety (Dec 1942)

24 PICTURES fSff Wfldneaday, December 2, 1942 All N. Y. Theatres, Indoor Amusements Face Severe 'Special Firemen Edict New York City fire department is li(ernlli/ applying the torch to ercry tlienlre tii (he territory in a thorough test to determine fire ha:.ar(ls. /olloiring the Cocoanut Grove fire in Boston. Props, apparatus and theatre striictHres are being given rigid fire tests. All theatres examined in this area so for have been /ound ill satisfactory condition. Picture houses, legit theatres, <3inie-a-daiiceries, iiiteries and skat- ing rinks are confronted with a proposed New York City regula- tion which would increase opera- tioji co^ls hundrects of thousands of dollars annually. Councillor Louis Cohen, Bronx, has introduced a re.solulion in N. Y. City council chamber.<> calling for the manda- tory employment of 'two or more' special Aremen in 'all places of amusement' using mechanical ap- paratus in this territory. Potentially, most vulnerable under the proposed regulation would be smaller theatres, some of which might be forced to close. Under the measure 600-seaters could be compelled to employ 'special flre- itien.' Fear is also expressed in the trade that such employees would eooner than later be organized and that high wage scales would be Imposed by unions. While most serioiLsly alTecting Independent operators, de luxe theatres would also face heavy charges. Though well-equipped and with a minimum fire hazard, they could be called on to employ any number over two special firemen. Former New York State Senator J. Henry Walters, RKO counsel, called a meeting of theatre op- erators last Monday (30) to con- sider the problem. Reference to the use of mechanical equipment by any place of amusement is so broad that it could apply to many niterles and legitimate theatres using only spotlights, etc. A boost of say $7S or $100 weekly In cost of operation of smaller theatres would likely shutter some situations. As currently worded the measure covers 700 picture houses in addition to an estimated 400 additional 'places of amusement' such as legit, niteries, ballrooms, rinks, arenas, etc. Luck of the 'Army* Soldier members of 'This Is the Army,' the touring Irving Berlin musical, missed the Are at the Cocoanut Grove, Boston, Satur- day night (28) by only a couple of hours' luck. During the two- week Boston engagement of the show, the nitery hosted 25 mem- bers of the cast at dinner every night. Boys also frequented the spot after the nightly perform- ances. Last Saturday, the closing night of the 'Army' run in Boston, the regular 25 soldiers from the show had free dinner at the Grove, leaving at 8 p.m. to fo to the Boston Opera House, hey and others of the com- pany intended returning after the performance for a farewell drink. The fire broke out shortly after 10 p.m. PAR TRYING TO SIMPLIFY ITS BOOKKEEPING Problems confi'ontlng the men who keep books were brought tmder wide discussion in New York at meetings with high theatre Parn- moun executives, attended by Ireasu- ers of various operating companies making up the Par circuit. The treasurers have already returned to their respective headquartei's in the field after four days of conference. Reported that in addition to gen- eral problems, including taxation, the sessions embraced discussion of ways and means of simplifying ac- counting with a view to dispensing, for economic as well as manpower- shortage reasons, any'auditing that isn't entirely essential. To begin with, new taxation, bond-buying de- ductions and other developments of the war, have created an extra bur- den on theatre accounting forces. Numerous Par executives figured in the New York meetings, includ- ing Leonard H. Goldenson, Montague F. Gowthorpe, Fred Mohrhardt, Sam Dembow. Jr.. and Leon Netter. Treasurer in for the sessions were Buck Jones S Continaed from page 3 ss ducer of westerns, at the Invitation of the Junior Commando Army spon- sored by the Boston Traveler. Dun- lap was critically burned and was reported near death last night, (1), Repor'ling that Jones died 'from smoke inhalation and burned lungs, and from third and second degree burns of the face and neck,' physi- cians told the cowboy star's friend, Trem Carr, Mono iroducer who planed in from the Coast after learn- ing of the tragedy, that even had Jones survived his career would have been over because he wa? so grotesquely disfigured. Jones died while hi. wife was reported speeding to his bedside. Checkup yesterday (1) diclosed that of about two dozen guests at the Jones testimonial, 13 were known dead, seven, mostly women, were recorded as missing and pre- sumably dead, and the remainder were in hospitals with burns or in- juries that may prove fatal. Idol of millions of fans. Jones was an early contemporary of such famous stars as Bronco Billy Ander- son, William S. Hart and Tom Mix. For 20 years he was the dashing hero of the westerns. Starting a life of roving at an early age, he went to Montana, where he worked as a cowhand. Later he joined the U. S. Cavalry for service in the Philippines and, upon returning, was engaged as an expert rider with the Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Wild West Show. During the World War he .served in France with the First Air Squad- Mrs. Bauer) and Guy Howard, en- tertainers in the ill-fated nitery. Among the seriously injured was Buck Jones, western star, who later died of his burns. His producer, Scott R. Dunlap, v. p. Monogram, Buck Jones, Marshal Philadelphia, Dec. 1. Buck Jones, burned to death In the Cocoanut Grove blaze, was grand marshal astride a white horse of the annual Gim- bel Bros. Thanksgiving Day parade last Thurs. (26). He left Philly for Boston, his last stop on his tour before re- turning to Hollywood. N.Y. Canteen Now Taking Rvtra FirP Prprailtimw I Upton of Balaban & Katz; EiXira rire rrecaununs ^arl Dixon. Saenger circuit: M. C. One result of the Cocoanut Grove halocaust in Boston has the Ameri- can Theatre Wing asking the N. Y. Fire Department to survey its Stage Door Canteen, in New York, and set e limit on the number of persons thst can safely be handled at any one time. The N. Y. Canteen is located In basement under the 44th street thea- tre, site at one time being a nitery known as the Little Club. Canteen Is a prime favorite with servicemen end often handled 1,500 men of an •venihg. . - With.the Boston fire as an example of what overcrowding can do when a fire breaks out, and the one major exit being none too accessible, the Wing plans to limit the number of people in the spot at any one time by having a checker at the door. When the maximum is inside the doors will be closed and additional servicemen admitted only as the •arlycomers leave. At the same time the United Thea trical War Activities Committee which clears talent for war-slanted benefits . and canteens, such as the Music Box Canteen for Merchant Ma- riners, is asking the Fire Department to guage the maximum capacity of all such spots and will make certain that no performers appear unless the location is within the safety limit. ron of the U. S. Army and. after the Armistice, he stayed in Europe as a trick rider with a number of traveling shows. One of his ex- hibitions brought him to the at- tention of William Fox, who signed him to appear in films and took him to Hollywood. In the 20 years that elapsed, he was one of the few Hollywood stars to retain his popularity and he ap- peared in more than 100 films. He worked for Fox, Universal, Colum Talley of Florida State Theatres; f. recently. Monogram X. Jones, Wilby-Kincey. Bill Glid- recent films were 'Ghost den, Mullen 8c Pinanski ;Teddy de Town Law,' 'Below the Border,' Boer, Interstate, and Leo McKech- 'Forbidden Trails' and 'Gunman neay of the Blank circuit. I From Bodie.' Show Biz Fatalities and Casualties STORY BUYS Hollywood, Dec. 1. Harry Sherman bought 'Hank Johnson's Brother,' mag yarn by Samuel W. Taylor. Milt Gross sold 'The Ghost and the Guest' to Alexander Stern Produc- tions. Arthur Sinclair sold 'North Africa Incident' to PRC-Pathe. Monogram purchased They Met In Alaska.' by Wallace Morgan. Columbia acquired 'Rhapsody in A Flat,' by Doris Malloy. Boston, Dec. 1. Among the li.^t of 449 dead and .scores injured in the Cocoanut Grove fire, those identified with .'how business follow. The extent of the injuries detiilcd in story herewith: THE DEAD Edward Ansin, president of Interstate Circuit of New England, and Mrs. Ansin. Harry Asher, independent distribution executive in New England. Paul Barron, branch manager for Universal in Boston, and Mrs Barron. Maxine Coleman, entertainer at Cocoanut Grove. Eugene Gross, Monogram salesman in company's Boston exchange Guy Howard, entertainer at Cocoanut Grove. Charles (Buck) Jones, cowboy film star. , Mrs. Bernard Levin, wife of Columbia film salesman. Ethel Powell and Carl Bauer (Mr. and Mrs. Bauer), entertainers at Cocoanut Grove. Charles Stern, eastern district sales manager for United Artists In Boston. Mrs. Herman Rifkin, wife of Monogram franchise holder in Boston. Fred Sharby, Keene, N. H., exhibitor, Mrs. Sharby and son, Fred, Jf-. Mrs. Martin Sheridan, wife or local Boston publicist for Monogram. Phil Seletsky, chief film buyer-booker for Mullen & Pinanski The- atre's in Boston, and Mrs. Seletsky. O. A. St. Pierre, art director for M. & P. Theatres. Lawrence Stone, Monogram .salesman in Boston exchange. Grace Vaughn, singer-pianist working at the Cocoanut Grove club. THE INJURED Scott R. Dunlap, producer at Monogram and v. p. of the company. Moe Grassgreen, Boston branch manager for Twentieth-Fox. Bernard Levin, salesman for Columbia at Bonton. Fred Lieberman, owner of B<j'.ton theatre circuit, and Mrs. Lieberman. Herman Rifkm, New England franchise holder for Monogram. Martin Sheridan, Monogram presf agent in Boston. Mrs. Charles Stern, wife of eastern (li!<trict solei manager for UA. Mrs. Lawrence Stone, wife ol Mono salcsntan. Mrs. O. A. St. Pierre, wife of art director for M. Sc P. Theatres. Harry C. Thomas, N. Y., and Philaclf-Iphin franchise holder for Mono. Boston Nitery Holocaust CentlDued from paie 3 Freak of Fate By a strange twist of fate, Harry Asher, victim of the fire which gutted the Cocoanut Grove, Boston, died in the build- ing which he himself had erected. Premises up to 15 years ago housgd the Boston Para- mount sales force. Asher, back in 1917. when he owned the New England fran- chise on Par pictures, built the structure which 25 years later was to take the lives of hun- dreds of persons as well as his own. He sub.seqnently sold out his franchi.se to Par and of late years has been dabbling in in- dependent distribution in the New England area. Par moved to new exchange quarters in Boston in 1927. was another victim. Reported he has taken a turn for the better. Herman Rifkin and Harry C. Thomas, Mono franchise holders; Moe Grassgreen branch manager for 20lh-Fox at Boston, and Fred Lieberman, who owns a small circuit of theatres in Boston, and Mrs. Lieberman, are all badly hurt. Bernard Levin, salesman for Columbia; Martin Sheridan, Mono p. a., are also hospitalized. Mrs. Rifkin. Mrs. Levin and Mrs. Sheridan have succumbed. Buck Jones Hosted Jones, with fatal head and face burns, was host at a party given at the Boston nitery by Monogram, which had invited theatre and other people to attend. Greengrass is said to have a 50-50 chance of surviving but late reports held out slenderer hopes for Mrs. Charles Stern. "Thomas, who owns the N. Y. and Philadelphia Monogram franchises and at one time headed his own company. First Division Pictures^ was so badly burned that it is feared he may lose his eyesight. However, reported ye.sterday (Tues.) that he was responding to treatment and has a good chance of recovery. Rifkin, owner of the Boston Mono franchise, is said to be in critical shape, but like Dunlap may survive his in- juries. When Stern was found he was so badly charred that identification was difficult. The Sterns have a son. Buddy, who's in school. Eddie Schnitzer, UA sales executive in N. Y., who was to huddle with Stern in Albany this week (part of his district), and Harry Gold, eastern UA sales chief, went to Boston Sun- day 129) to identify Stern. His re- mains are being brought back to New York for burial today (Wednes- day). In Boston just one year, he starred with UA as a branch man- ager in New England, subsequently becoming southeastern district man- ager at Atlanta. He was only 42. Paul Barron was on» of the young- est branch managers in the busi- ness. He was 35 years old and had been with U between three and four years. The Seletskys, who also perished, both formerly worked at the Par- amount homeofTice. In the old days when the company's chain was known as Publix, Seletsky was a booker handling the New England territory, while his wife was the former Lillian Rudnick, secretary at the h. o. to Jack Barry before the Seletskys shifted to Boston about 10 years ago. The Seletskys leave two children. Funeral services were held yesterday (Tuesday) at New- ton, Mass. Talent FaUlllles Miss Vaughn, who worked at a piano in the Melody Lounge portion of the nitery, is the daughter of John E. McDermolt, in charge of account- ing-auditing at Paramount's home office. She died as result of suffoca- tion and was found slumped near the piano without any fire having touched her. A singer of Irish songs, playing her own piano accompaniment. Miss Vaughn got her start at the Hotel Belmont-Plaza's Glass Hat in N. Y. a few years ago and worked at other places, including the Weylin bar, N. Y., St. George hotel, Brooklyn, and Ben Marden's Riviera in New Jersey. She was the niece of Grace O'Mallcy of the team of Billy Dun ham and Grace O'Malley. Her first job was given her at Irving Berlin's by Harry Link. She was a niece of Link's private secretary. On the air a couple of years ago with Nick Kenny and his gang, Miss Vaughn also had tried her hand in legit, hav. Ing appeared in stock at Ogunquit, Maine, last summer. She was only 20. McDermott, who ru.shed to Boston Sunday afternoon (29) to identify the body, brought It back to N. Y. yesterday (Tuesday). Fimeral serv- ices will be held today (Wed.). Cook's, Pierce's Heroism Thirty-three members of the show, including dancers, specially artists and chorus girls, were saved by the individual heroism of a 19-year-old chorus boy named Marshall Cook, who discovered the flames roaring up the stairs to the .second floor dressing rooms. Slamming shut the door, he calmly informed the show people of their danger, broke through a window leading to the roof, and led them out. Finding a ladder on the roof, he and another chorus boy held it by the top rung while the girls climbed down. They had to drop the final six feet, but none was seriously injured, and many of them strove heroically to effect the rescue of those entrapped in the lower part of the building. In the meantime, Eddie Pierce, of the dancing team of Pierce & Roland, bodily lifted another group of per- formers one at a time onto an ad- joining roof, from which they ell escaped without harm. The saving of so many of the show people was due to the fact that the fire broke out between floor shows, and they were in their dressing rooms. On the current bill at the Grove were the Carr Bros., Miriam Johnson, Helen Faye, Pierce & Roland', and the chorus line of 12 girls, all work- ing on the main floor. In the new cocktail lounge were Bauer, Miss Powell, Carlos Compas Si Melita, Miss Vaughn and Miss Coleman. With Guy Howard in the Melody Lounge was Goodie Goodell. Most of these sustained minor injuries, but none, except those mentioned as casualties, was seriously injured, so far as could be learned tonight. Re- turns, however, are far from com- plete 24 hours after the tragedy, an4 there is a possibility the deatht among show people may increase. Barney Welansky, owner of th« Grove and usually on hand on a Sat- urday night, was confined to his home due to recent heart attack, enq was not on the premises during th* conflagration. Bound to Affect That the tragedy will profoundly affect the local night spots, and even those in other cities, was without question tonight. Many of them ere considered firetraps, and all of them, certainly, will come in for a terrific inspection, with con.struclion changes ordered—or else. The Grove was not overly upholstered with tinsel and other terribly inflammable geegaws, and was, indeed, finished in many places with a fireproof wall material. This material resisted flames, but gave off suffocating fumes which, along with the smoke, accounted, ac- cording to current information, for more deaths than the flames. Seconds after the cry of 'flrel' swept through the crowded estab- lishment, though, the entire structure was an inferno, the flames leaping from place to place as though simul- taneously Ignited. Rules Jackson Park, Chi, Has Good Cause for Suit Chicago, Dec. 1. Preliminary hearings of the Jack- son Park Theatre's conspiracy suit against most of the film distributing companies and the Balaban & Katz and Warner theatre circuits were heard Friday (27) before Judge Michael L. Igoe in U. S. District Court. Judge Igoe overruled the motions of the defendants to dismiss and quash the ca.se and turned down their request for a bill of particulars, at the same time advising the com- plainants to try the ca.se on the issue of facts. Judge Igoe also stated that Jackson Park had a good complaint and was not subject to any legal defects. The case was filed on last July 28 and asked for $360,000 in damages for conspiracy against the plaintiff's busi- ness under the Sherman and Clayton anti-trust acts. Thomas C. McConnell, former arbitrator on the panel of the American Arbitration Board here, is attorney for the plaintiffs.