Variety (Dec 1942)

WAB ACTIVITIES Wednesday. December 16, 1942 Theatre Wing's Merdiant Marine Gnb in N.Y. Due to Open Jaa 4 American Theatre Wing's Mer- chant Marine Club, 109 west 43rd street, N.Y., will officially open Jan. 4. Many noUbles will attend the opening. Wing's newest activity is marked with the same generosity by donors that attended the success of the nearby Stage Door Canteen. There will be five rooms, some for games and other recreations, entertain- ment being along the lines of the Canteen. Around 2,000 seamen of the merchant marine can be ac- comodated nightly. Wing's committee for the Club is headed by John Golden and Mrs. Margaret Pemberton, co-chairmen. Constance Collier, who originated the idea, is among the active work- ers. Wing is acting In collaboration with the Civilian Defense Hecrea- tional Committee, the National United Seamen's Service, of which Madeleine Carroll is a leader, and the Victory Guild, a Jewish group. Latter organization has been ac- tive in raising funds for the Wing, with Jack Shapiro contribuitng ma- terials and equipment such as stoves and iceboxes to the club. Other leading participants and contributors are Harry and Helen Brandt, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Tibbett and Mrs. Albert Lasker, while John Root is decorating the Club. Their efforts and donations have been such that the cost to the Wing is very little. Wing to Name Secretary Wing, which celebrated its first year last Saturday (12), will appoint a fuUtime paid secretary to take over routine duties. Explained that the organization is now on a national scale, with too much work for An- toinette Perry and other volunteer workers who are giving their entire time to the Wing. New secretary will be paid not more than $100 weekly and will perform such duties as designated by the board of direc- tors or officers of the Wing. Board has named an executive committee of seven which will make interim decisions, at least four of the committee being in accord, to malte rulings effective. The execu- tive crew: Vera Allen, Mrs. Martin Beck, James E. Sauter, Solly Pernick, Arthur Ricbman, Kermit Bloomgar- den and Oliver M. Sayler. 400 Chi Theatres Drive For Soldiers' ComftMis Chicago, Dec. IS. The 400 film houses In Chicago and suburbs are conducting a drive for candy, cigarets and razor blades for n.en in the armed forces encamped nearby. In addition, girls employed along film row collect a goodly num- ber of cakes and cookies each week which are deUvered to the Chicago Servici Men's Center. The theatres are running special trailers on their screens appealing to their patrons for contributions and have installed' boxes for collections in their lobbies. iOOO In Armed Services From Pkture Colony INDUa TONY MARTIN INT0THEARMYOEC.30 Hollywood, D«o. IS. Tony Martin is scheduled tor in' duction into the Army Deo. 30. The singer, who was discharged from the Navy after the court mar^ •|»t an officer accused of accepting \ I from Martin, prior to his Na^ J signment, has asked his Draft Boi* for immediate acUve service. If wood's Victory Committee Spotted 1,141 Players in 1st Yr.'s Operation 6ootle{{iii( Again? Hollywood, Dec. 15. Hollywood to date Is represented by 4.000 artists and workers in the U. S. armed forces, according to fig- ' ures revealed by the Producers' As- sociation. This force represents 23% of the industry's roster here, as 18,- 000 of 35,000 employees are males. Survey shows actors In military or naval service number nearly 900; executives and producers, 40, while 104 are members of the Screen Di- rectors Guild, and 58 from the Screen Writers Guild. In addition to this group there are cameramen and technicians. It was also disclosed that the pic- ture industry, in addition to Its war and entertainment activities, has contributed in the past year $1,829,- 424 to various charity drives. Fort Bragg, N. C, Deo. 10. Editor, 'Variety': The latest brainstorm down here Is the new rationing of whiskey on a localized state-wide scale. It calls for ration books that allow civilians a pint of booze a week and soldiers must get their coupons through their commanding officers. AU 1 can see happening out of this is a real old- fashioned bootlegging spree as there are too many soldiers in this vicinity who will want their booz and they're going to get it—even if it's good old rotgut a la 1928. I'm willing to bet that within two weeks the state will be overrun with those fine special- ists who know how to make 2Z pints out of one good quart of whiskey and before long we'll be involved In one of the durndest bootlegging messes since the good old days. A Soldier pom Broadway. Cantor's Gift When the new Miami Red Cross building opens next week it wlU have an 'Eddie Cantor' room. Billy Read, ex-m.c, now the yeoman en- tertainment assistant at the local naval air station, heard about the Red Cross' lack of dough for fur- nishings. A letter to Cantor brought a check by return mail. If Yon Tote a Violin, And Yonr Hair Is Tnmin' Sihrer, Morgan Wants Yon Minneapolis, Dec. 15. Russ Morgan believes he has found ■olution to the problem created by less of men to the armed forces. It's the employment of more fiddle play- ers. These fiddle players, he says, ■re in greater supply because they're usually older men outside the draft Morgan lost three of his brass sec- tion—Joe Moody, Tommy FredericI and Steve Benorio—to Uncle Sam during his Orpheum theatre engage- ment. During the last two days here he filled in with three local musi- cians, but in Burlington, la., this •week he'll take on three more fld- iflers for permanent assignment. This will bring the Morgan violin section up to six men. BUI pBCbsIski Killed. Northampton, Mass., Dec. 15. William W. Puchalski, assistant manager of the Plaza here before his induction on March 4, 1941, was killed In the South Pacific, accord- ing to work received by his par- ents. When last heard from he was In New Caledonia. Also surviving are four sisters and two brothers. On the same day that word arrived of his death, there also came notice of the passing of his chum, Francis S. Ansanitis, of this city, who was in- ducted the same day. 2,000 ARMY SHORTS IN 1943 FILM BIZ GOAL Hollywood, Dec. 15. Film industry's contribution to the building of the war machine will be upped to 1,500, and probably 2,000, Army training shorts for the next 12 months, under an agreement between the producers and Col. M. E. Gillette, commanding officer of the Signal Corps Photographic Center. Special committee appointed to expedite the patriotic output consists «f E. J. Mannix, B. B. Kahane, M. J. Slegel and Cliff Work. Lew Ayres In Texas VM. Unit San Antonio, Dec. 15. Motion picture star Lew Ayres is BOW stationed in the 36th Evacuation Hospital, at Fort Sam Houston. .* fter completing the surgical tech nicians course at Camp Berkeley in Abilene (Texas), Ayres reported here. >-♦-♦-( Uncle Sams RollCaH It's BUlor Ben Lyon Now Ben Lyon was sworn into the American Air Force In London Yesterday. His rank is that of ma- jor. Actor has been in England sev- eral years, acting in films, radio and legit with his wife, Bebe Daniels. Glen Naves Enlists - Spartanburg, S. C, Dec. IS. Glen W. Naves, Spartanburg area 'Variety' correspondent. Naval Re- serve. Naves was a member of The Asheville (N. C.) Citizen-Times staff 1928'-1934, and since has been a Spar- tanburg Herald-Journal staffer. E. R. Medd, manager, Carolina, Spindale, Naval Reserve. Gebman Vice Sallivan Post of Ed Sullivan, head of the photographic department of Para- mount at Its homeoffice, who had been inducted into the army, has been filled by Frank Gebman, for 10 years with the Acme Photo Service. Gebman took over the reins Monday (14). Sullivan, with Par 16 years, re- ported to Camp Upton, L. I., yes- terday (Tuesday). He expects to be assigned to the Signal Corps. Add: Crawford and 'Big Boy' AUanUc City, Dec. 15. Among new arrivals at this re- sorl's Army Air Forces basic air training center are Pvt. Broderick Crawford, 36, and Pvt. Guinn ('Big Boy') Williams, 44, who has often essayed the role of hard-boiled i^ergeant in war pictures. Plaqoe for Bon Kellcy Seattle, Dec. 15. Impressive ceremony was held at the Blue Mouse (Hamrlck-Ever- green) on Dec. 7, when a plaque was dedicated to Ron Kelley, for- mer manager, who was killed in ac- tion off Honolulu, early last spring. A naval chaplain conducted the dedication, with sailors and execu- tives of the theatre chain present. The plaque has been placed in the theatre foyer. New Tork Contingent Sidney Salkow, Columttia Picts director, first lieutenant U. S. Ma- rine Corps, reports at Quantico, Va., Jan. 1. Joe Koser, Irvmgton, N. J., come- dian, into the Army. Del Casino, bandleader. Navy as boxing instructor. Milwaukee, Dec. 15. Fred Miller and Donald Patoka, of the WTMJ-W55M staff, have enlisted in the army air forces, the former as a bombardier, the latter as a member of the 'Flying Tornado' squadron just recruited by the Naval Air corps. Pitt's Boll Call Pittsburgh, Dec. 15. Milton Broud., former Columbia booker and son of Dave Broudy, Stanley theatre musician, made an acting sergeant at Fort McClellan, Ala. He was inducted only couple of months ago. Bernard Alderman, son of Pete Alderman, theatre supply man, navy. Nathan Rosen, U booker, army. Irving Berney, assistant manager of Pastime in Lewistown, Pa., and son of Dee Berney, who owns house, army. James Rizza, Par shipper, army. Irving Stein, 20th shipper, army air corps. John Barner, manager of Grand in Huntingdon, Pa., army. Ben Rosenberg, son of M. A. Ros- enberg, indie exhib and president of National Allied, army glider service. Anthony Delisi, of Liberty theatre in Saltsburg, army. Tom Anas, son of N. G. Anas, Broadway Dimputs Foster More Hoodlumisin, Charge Nightly dlniout in Time* 8q. baa Foireased rowdyism, wMh reporU of Women and ohildren being molested, according to action ordered by Police Commissioner Lewis A. Valentine. First word of annoyances came in a complaint filed by a businessman who charged his wife and daughter were molested on 42d St., after at- tending a performance at the Metro- politan opera house. Complaint charged lack of proper police protection. Valentine turned it over to Chief Inspector Louis F. Costuma for 'Immediate attention and appropriate action.' Valentine said district was policed by uni' formed men, policewomen and plaindothesmen until 3 a.m.. Patrol men then take over. FactioirBacb New Drive For Frisco Canteen San Francisco. Dec. 15. Convinced there was little likeli- hood of making any progre.<:s under the present leadership of the cam- paign for a Stage Door Canteen here, one group of show people- is now seeking formation of a committee that would bring new elements into the drive. Support is being lined up for a new setup that would give a voice to rep- resentatives of the theatrical unions, as well as to other key show people, and interested parties. Local citizens, such as Louis Lurie. Frisco capitalist and partner of Sol Lesser, producer of 'Stage Door Can- teen,' and City Controller Harold J. Boyd, a friend of many theatrical people, are being tapped. Lurie, who has also been connected with the le- gitimate theatre here, is understood to have pledged every cooperation. Ina Claire, representative for the American Theatre Wing, is still fig- ured as the person to add prestige to the project, and assure cooperation of the American Theatre .Wing. Barney Gould, a former p.a. for Billy Rose and a member of the Can- teen committee that has been more or less slumbering, has been working for a long time on idea of a Canteen here, and expects to bring the vari- ous elements together under the new setup. Theatrical unions are not repre- sented on present committee, and dissident boys consider their support highly important for a successful Canteen. Miss Claire, who recently returned from the east, reported that Brock Pemberton, Antoinette Perry and Armina Marshall Langner will be out here shortly as reps of American Theatre Wing to talk over Canteen situation. veteran exhib, army air corps. Howard Graudine, NSS, army corps. Charles Cassoulis, manager Manos in Hollldaysburg, army. of From Out ut the West Hollywood, Dec. 15. Lewis Davis, studio technician. Navy. Stanley York, film cutter. Army. Cecil Vinnicoff, film exhibitor, Marines. James Simmons, studio press agent. Army. Harry Brandon, screen actor. Marines. David Street, screen actor. Army. Max Friedman, studio technician. Army. Herb Westrate, still photographer Army Air Corps. Jack Greenhalgh, cameraman. Army Air Force. Ed Hogan, screen writer, Navy. David Elarly, studio press agent. Army Air Force. Jim Fonda, radio producer, Army. Robert E. Lee, radio writer. Army. George Thomas, Jr., studio press agent. Army, * Don Kerr, stu^o technician, Navy. (COTltinued on page 44) Hollywood, Dec. IS. In the first year of Its exlstenc* the Hollywood Victory Committee has provided 1,141 stars of toreen, stage and radio to help build up America's wartime morale, the big- gest free talent pool ever organized anywhere. Work of the committee la disclosed in Ita first annual report, published by the Industry Service Bureaa Report shows that the committee has presented 392 USO shows ai Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard camps along the Pacific Coast and in the desert areas of California. New Mexico and Arizona at the ra- quest of the War Department b addition, the USO Camp Tour Shows performed in 273 large camps from coast to coast, often appeartaig lav- eral times the same day to entertain the entire personnel In relays. Overseas, nine players have put on shows for soldiers in EnglE id and Ireland, and 14 have planed to ftt* flung bases in Alaska, the Aleutian Islands, Newfoundland, the Panama Canal Zone and various outposts in the Caribbean Sea. In the Septem- ber War Bond Drive, highlighted b^ Stars Over America,' 270 players made 2,773 appearances. A total of 474 players have taken part in 222 live radio broadcasts ang 507 more have participated in 111 radio transcriptions. Including war- time charities, the total of indivldua) appearances tvas 6,828, with a total mileage well above 1,000,000. NAMES TO ENTERTAIN SERVICEMEN IN K.C Kansas City, Deo. IB. A double-header Christmas partjr for all men in the armed forces now training here will be sponsored jointly by the Kansas City Can- teen. The Kansas City Star and various service organizations Christ- mas Day, in the Municipal Audi- torium, with a stage show in the afternoon and a dance at night The cast for the two-hour stage show will include such headliners as Gilda Gray, Charles King, Wal- ter Dare Wahl, Cecil Lewln, Harrr Meehan, Pansy the Horse, The Oreai Yacopis and others from the BUljr Rose 'Diamond Horseshoe* revue which will be playing at the Tower theatre here that week. Several others from the Folly theatre and various Kansas City night clubs will appear. Music for the four-houv dance at night will be played by Henry Busse's orchestra. N. Y. to L. A. Whitney Bolton. Jack Cohn. Ted Cott. Charlie Einfeld. Yasha Frank. L. Wolfe Gilbert. Andre Kostelanetz. Jack Lait. Harry Link. L. B. Mayer. Ned Marin. Bill Perlberg. Mitchell Rawson. Lou Bobbins. Gilbert Seldes. Marian Shockley. Mrs. Harry Sosnik. Howard Strickling. Joe Schenck. Rocco Vocco. Hal Wallls. George Zachary. Bernice Zaconlck. L. A. to N. Y. Phil Berg. John Brahm. Matty Fox. Flossie Freedman, Leon Fromkess. Edward A. Golden. Leila Hyams. Arthur Kober. Arthur S. Lyons. Lieut Lee Mortimer. Harold Mlrlsh. Florabel Mulr. Irving Repper. Charles R. Rogers. Major Alex P. de Seversky. Bill Stern. Arthur Schwartz, Sol Schwartz. Walter Slezak. David E. Weshner. - Oliver Wallace.