Variety (Dec 1942)

Wednesday; December 16, 1942 Bill Morris, Jr., to D.C. thU we«k. B«n Stein 'elected' mayor of 4Sth street George Wellbaiun back on the job after illness. Marian Spitzer in from Coast with her sister Tonl. Peter Arno is said to have a new legit.production idea. S. Jay Kaufman company manag- ing 'Claudia' (Forrest). Charlie Miller. MCA v.p., suffer- ing from appendicitis attack. George Jessel plans producing Saroyan's 'Get Away Old Man.' Capt. Ted DegUn of Madison Square Garden to Fort Slocum. Sid Silvers, in Army uniform, en- tertained at Stage Door Canteen. Gene Fowler's book on John Barry- more won't be finished tmtU March. Sam Bramson, Wm. Morris agent, just missed the draft by that 38-year rule. Jimmy Durante playing repeat guest snot on Camel hour Friday (18). Bill Torpey and Murray Queen are stage managers of 'Something for the Boys.' Palm Beach starting to boom. Many homes reopened ahead of schedule. Jack Toohey switched from the Oscar Serlin press department to Dick Maney's outfit. Jean Dalrymple joined Dorothy Ross' flackery as pards on several new accounts. Vera Barton, singer, left Madison Park hospital, Brooklyn, after long pneumonia siege. Peggy Fears out of Royal Casino, new boite. Ditto Adelaide Moffett out of Mon Paree. Some upstart niteries are being pencilled in as post-Jan. 1 casualties unless biz perks markedly. Eddie McPartland and Paddy Hop- kins, of the Music Box theatre, also in sourvenir theatre book biz. Songsmith Arthur Schwartz due in town this week with wife (Kay.Car- rington) and baby for a holiday. Al Jolson visited his family in Washington over the weekend. He denies he's going into legit produc- tion. P.a. Harry Sobol back from ex- tended Coast stay, returning soon where he has established Hollywood branch. Betty (Mrs. Harry) Sosnik to the Coast to join her maestro-busband, west with the Oracle Fields radio show. Robert Burton and Angela Jacobs are replacements in 'Coun^eiror-at- Law' (Royale), latter having been in original cast. Attorney Harold Gumm, who man- ages Lena Home, no longer dittoes for Ethel Waters, whom he previous- ly represented. Oscar Doob's desk is now a two- in-one job; one side for WAC duties and the other for his regular Loew theatres chores. George Murphy may co-star with Marjene Dietrich in Cheryl Craw- ford's forthcoming musical, according to present plans. Helen Forrest rejoined Harry James' band in Hollywood Monday (14) after staying behind in N.Y. to have her nose bobbed. Carmen Miranda due In from the Coast for a personal at the Roxy, to appear in conjunction with 'Black Swan' Christmas week. Sam Salvia may tie In with Cbf- ford C. Fischer's new nitery idea in the Hotel Edison, in charge of the cuisine, long Salvin's forte. Ned Marin, associated with Charlie Feldman agency on the Coast, back west with his bride, 'China' .Harris. Sam H. Harris' former widow. ^thur Hammerstein. hibernating m Palm Beach, may put on a gala USO show this winter, after all, al CHATTER 4S theatre biE has been off this week, mdicates anew that the war workers go for the niteries preferably. New CMbah, on Central Park South, with Pran]?lln Hughes decor, opens next Wed (23). Max Cassvan, who headed class spots in Europe, Is generalissimo of the new supper club. Before HUdegarde tackled her bond show at Saks Bth Ave. Monday (14) she had $300,000 In bond pledges, although her given goal was only a quarter-of-a-mllUon. Final tally $530,000. Charles K. Feldman. Hollywood agent, now handling 'smaller war plants' at WPB, under Matty Fox, ex-Universal v.p., in Washington Another filmit*. Monroe Greenthal, is also with Fox. Betty Jane Greer, 18-year-old Washington, D. C, radio and dra- matic actress, after being tested by D. O. Selznick and Paramount, has gone to the Coast with her mother on an Indie film deal. Frances Rockefeller King, former, ly in charge of the Keith-Albee club, booking department, proposes estab- lishing a national lottery to help finance the war. She estimated that nearly $4,000,000,000 could be raised annually in this way. Bernice Parks may be added to 'Ziegfeld Follies,' which will co-star Milton Berle, Ilonay Massey and Ar- thur Treacher, with Sue Ryan and Jack Cole featured (latter meantime staging Mike Todd's dances in 'Some thing for the Boys') Dean Murphy another addition. Cecelia Ager's mother confined to Cedars of Lebanon, Hollywood, the PM columnist has taken a room at the hosp to be beside her. Song- writer-hubby, Milton Ager, joins her there shortly, picking up Ben Bernie in Chi who shifts his Wrigley broad casts to Hollywood. Arthur L. Pratchett, Paramount's manckeing director in the Iiatin Americas (excepting Argentina, Bra- zil and Uruguay), and Robert Graham, company's manager in Mex ico, arrived in New York this week for homeoffice confabs with John W Hicks, Jr., foreign sales chief. 37 Answer Serlin CoDtlnned from past I hearsal next month. A similar ad ap peared in 'Daily Variety.' Serlin said 11 of the replies were from Coast actors, writers and agents who offered to Invest from $500 to )B,000 in the production. All latter inquiries were declined. Stated by the Serlin office that 21 answers were from players who desire to switch from the studios to the stage. One response came from an actor rated Independently wealthy who would like to play one of the fea- tured characters In the play. Although his Hollywood salary Is es- timated at $3,000 weekly when on the lot, he offered to appear In 'The Family' for $100, or even less, if the budget necessitated it. However, the player in question is not suited for the role, Serlin thinks. Claimed by tha Serlin office it is the first time for a Broadway show- man to 'Invade' Hollywood for talent. New War Pix n .1 ssJ tViniiak .« A_1V — " 8"" pourmg in. neacuon mere wim -~-ft^s£^t«f 'S2??^^^^^ the public was that nobody wanted Froman's husband. Latter slated to entertain servicemen as soon as she winds up at Riobamba, just opened nitery. Tom Kane, prexy of Century Play Co. slipped on ttie ice, result was broken hand. Continuing his i-egu- lar office schedule, though, with hand in a cast. Frolics, In Miami, former class nitery, now a booming dancehall, and said to be netting $1,500 to $2,000 weekly, strictly from the service mens patronage. Lew Parker, comedian, who ap- peared out of town In 'Hellzapoppin,' playing Ole Olson's role, opens at the jnate tomorrow (Thursday), head- lining the show. Cafe Life, Oscar Schlmerman ven- ture, on site of old Kit Kat, a foldo. Cost some $21,000, but the J)oniface says he's readying a new show for reopening shortly. The same Christmas bonus as paid last vear will be given employees in the lower brackets by Loew's; 1. e., two weeks' salary not to exceed $50, If under $40 a week. Hotel Astor's p.a. Hy Gardner pulled a nifty bv printing a Ub edi- tion of news flashes for his hotel guests, in lieu of the dailies, tied up by news deliverers' strike. Zoot-sult and defense factory work- jCTs patronizing the niteries, while CoBtinacd from pase reach the saturation point long be- fore many of them have been placed into actual work.- New York head- quarters also have been advised of the expetience in Great Britain on such warfare productions once the full impact of long casualty lists be- gan pouring in. Reaction there with to see ansrthlhg'cohnecfed 'wiQi"1Tie military struggle. While thu was a temporary status, it meant that no war picture measured up to expecta- tions no matter how well made or carefully sold. IVpical of the large backlog of wartime stories being stacked up is that of one major company which recently found It had 22 martial yarns earmarked for future produc- tion. Even If eight were turned out this season, this would leave 144e- maining stories which might not hit most accounts imtil two years from now. Despite any reaction because of casualty lists, it Is felt In film circles that the public is bound to become fed up on too much wartime fare. Also the fact that the battlefronta are constantly changing makes many such war yams a ticklish thing to handle. Suitable battle locale or theme may be entirely changed by the time any such picture Is readied for distribution. Reported that many top officials are considering a wide swing to de- tective and mystery stories as well as additional escapist films and com- edies. : I , It ■ , ti i - ... .... Chicago James C. Petrillo in town for union conferences. N. S. Barger, operator Rialto the- atre, to New Yotk in search of talent. Arthur Willi, RKO casting direc- tor, in town to give The Three Make- Believes the once over. Paul Draper and Larry Adler did a show last week for soldiers bil- leted at the former Stevens hotel, now an army unit Capt Michael Cullen, formerly with the Loew circuit and now in U. S. Army Special Services here, around the loop catching shows. 20th Century-Fox Employees' Club holds annual Christmas party at Mor- rison hotel Dec. 18. Club will send $5 each to 11 members now in armed forces. Corp. Robert Phillips, former agent and newspaperman and son of Phil Phillips, local booker and producer, in from Camp Lee, Va., making the rounds. Winter season of shows at the Chi- cago Service Men's Center will start next week marking resumption of entertainment there, absent since last August. Harold J. Clark named as arbi- trator in Sheridan theatre, North Chicago, 111., film clearance case at local arbitration board, called for hearing December 22. .lames Collins, formerly asst mgr. of Wheaton theatre, Wheaton, 111., has assumed management of Miller theatre. Woodstock, 111., succeeding Billy Thomas, inducted. By SI Shalt* WIP is on the market for an as- sistant news editor. Helene Standish has been added to the show at the Club Bali. Belle Baker has been held over at the Swan Club until after the first of the year. George Clifford is readying a new production for the holiday season at the Embassy. Sweet Charity.' new George Ab' bott comedy, preems at the Locust next Monday (21). Arsenic and Old Lace,' starring Boris Karloff. returns here Jan. 11 for a two-week stay at the Walnut. Anne O'Brien, columnist on the Philadelphia Observer, has joined the Thomas J. LaBrum publicity agency. Jeff Keen, former columnist and managing editor of the Daily News, is latest addition to the staff of the Philly* Record. Tom Moorhead of the WFIL pub licity staff is doubling as editorial assistant on the new magazine for the Coast Guard Reserve. Taylor Grant, WCAU sports com mentator. has taken a leave of ab- sence. His news spot will be filled temporarily by Robin Flynn. former scieen writer from Farrell, Pa., transferred from Norfolk to Portsmouth (Va.) navy hospital. Lester Cutler, indie producer from Pittsburgh, whose latest picture. PRC's "Yanks Are Coming.' has just gone into general release, left here last week for Hollywood to get liis next film, 'Sweethearts of U.S.A.,' before the cameras right after first of year. Butler took his family with him and plans to make his permanent home on the Coast By Les Bees Carl Reese, Republic branch man- ager, ill. Carl Lorch orch into Hotel St. Paul's Club Casino. Jean Weil shifted from Paramount to Columbia office staff. Bob Chester orch Inked for five- day stand at Prom Ballroom. Ballet Theatre booked with Minne- apolis Symphony orch Jan. 8-10. Ed. Linner, Stillwater, Minn., indie exhibitor, reelected to city council for third time. Charlie Barnett spotted for Orphe- um New Year's week, and Four Ink Spots later in month. Voltune, magician, into Curly's night club, where Ethel Shutta re- mains second week. Reel Fellows' Club, comprising film salesmen, expanding and will move into larger quarters. Mrs. J. L. Jensen, White Bear, Minn., indie exhibitor, out of hospital and on road to recovery after major op. Ted and Art Miller went frcm Curly's nitery into Alvin theatre as added attraction with Hirsch-Katz burly roadshow. George Wald orch into Nicoljet hotel's Minnesota Terrace, with Syl- via Froos held over for additional fortnight along with Console and Melba. By Hal Cohen John H. Harris out of Mercy hospi- tal, pronounced okay. Regis Joyce, local actor. In small part in 'The Sun Field' on Broadway. Thelma Cutter back to work In the WB office after six months of sick leave. George Atkinson in town beating drums for Boston Comic Opera com- pany. Nancy Murray has just been added to the staff of receptionists at station KDKA. Lt. Bob Fiske had a close call In auto accident at his base in Rapid City. S. D. Cy Hungerford, Post-Gazette car- toonist, in hospital as result of an auto crack-up. George Jaffe. the burley im- presario, home from a month's visit to Hot Springs. Lt Malcolm Milligan, bombardier and ex-Playhouse star, now some- where in India. Sarn'HrSHiTOii," from WitJranr'Jtfor'' ris office, in to catch Buddy Lester at the Yacht Club. Gain Sisters, just signed by Jan Savitt, are three Pittsburgh girls and Lou Bolton's proteges. G. Dare Fleck, KDKA traffic man- ager, elected to H. V. Kaltenborn's 20-Years-in-Radio club. Steve Rodnenok, Oakmont theatre owner, underwent op ;t Allegheny General hosp. last week. It won't be original Broadway company of 'Life With Father' Nixon gets next month after all. Dancer Dixie Wong going to Camp Gruber, Okla.. for holidayi to visit hT husband, Charlie Cody. Herbert Evers, featured in 'Janie,' a nephew of Jim Levine, Par ex- ploitation man in this district. With closing of Nut House in MIU- vale, Tiny Miller has become drum- beater for Al Mercur's Music Bar. Florence Parry, Playhouse p.a., back from Idaho and a visit with her brother, army pilot Lt. Dave Parry. Dorothy Soprano wed to Pvt. George Rodnok in Pittsburgh, Dec. 2. He's son of Steven Rodnesnok, Oakmont (Pa.). June Robbins wants MCA to get he:- a booking in Rio, where she was a <:ensation with Eddy Duchln sum-. mer before last. Chief Petty Officer Paul, Moss, .•1.1.1... ■ ' • ' ,'1 Allied Victories Contlnoed from page 1 tries officially at war with the Axis or already on official outs, sentiment is with the winner. latino psychol- ogy, unlike that of norteamericanos, doesn't favor the underdog. Uncle Sam's good neighbors, much as they sing about hemisphere harmony, want to b« sure that their coin Is on the winning pasteboard. No- where Is it more true than in Ar- gentina and Chile, which are still fence-sitting. Recent events have also consider- ably upped radio listening to U. S. shortwave and re-transmitted pro- grams. Stations from the Rio Grande to Patagonia report local checkups particularly strong in this regard, with subsequent falling off of dialers to Rome, Berlin and Toklo. The Frenchmen Berlin's complete grab of the Vichy Government han been accom- panied In Argentina with an at- tempt to use Frenchmen for swastika purposes. This is especially true of show biz fields. Many Latins have always considered France as their spiritual home and Ooebbels' propa- gandists have sought to employ ar- tists now here for their own ends. Particular stress has been placed on trying to show that France un- der the Nazis is still 'La Belle France,' and that now it's Uncle Sammy who's trying to steal what rightfully belongs to the fleur de lis. Public sympathy has been entirely the other way and no sooner does an ariist proclaim hls^ stand with Vichy than he is slapped down by the cash customers, as in the case of Louis Jouvet, famed French actor, now in Buenos Aires, who has been boy"colfelI-By maff/tltvSfJ!^ Fascist leanings. French singer Jean Sablon, now touring South America, has never hesitated to express his disapproval of the Vichy regime and, la fact. Is rated by many as an American be- cause of long residence in New York even though retaining French citizenship. Parisian jazz orch of Ray Ven- tura is also anti-Vichy although less so publicly since many of the boys have relatives still In the old coun- try. Attempts have been made to force these and other artists into public assistance for the icUout cause but In these and other cases it's been quickly apparent that any- one going over to the other side loses the following which might make*hlm of value to the Axis prop- agandists. Teatro Frances del Rio de la Plata, leading French legit group In S. A., of which George Etienne Boronski Is administrator. Is strongly anti- Vichy, with many members active In Fighting French movement. Boronskl was long assooiated wjth Clifford Fischer In the latter's Pa- risian nitery enterprises. Hollywood Bette Davis laid up with larys* gitis. Joan Crawford back at work aftar flu attack. Betty Hammer joined the RKO publicity staff. Anne Meyers joined Univeraal publicity staff. Arthur DuPuis joined Central Casting as a director. Ann Sheridan to Mexico City t* divorce George Brent. Lieut Clark Gable paused In Hel> lywood on Army business. Charles Einfeld returned from Naw York and Washington huddles. Arturo de Cordova returned from Mexico City to act for Paramoimt Eddie Buzzell vacationing at Ar- rowhead Springs for the next week. Helen Gilbert, screen actress, dl« vorced by Seymour Chotiner, attor- ney. Rene Clair returned to Paramount after prowling Broadway for two weeks. Vincent Price in town to reaumt picture work after a stretch on Broadway. Hal B. Wallls returned from horn* office huddles after a short stopovar in CincinnatL Jean Wallace, actress wife «f Franchot Tone, recovering from an appendectomy. Myrna Loy and John Hertz, Jr., back in town for the first time sine* their marriage. Ann Harding turned down an ollar from Broadway, and will remain in Hollywood indefinitely. John Hurley, 'Daily Variety' re- porter, enlisted in the Marines and takes his boot training at San Diego. Ben Kalmenson shoved off for To- ronto, Ont, at the head of a delega- tion to Warners' Canadian sales con- vention. Baron Long bought the controlling shares at an auction of the Agua Ca- liente outfit, just across the Mexican border. Fellow behind the Santa Claus whiskers at Beverly Hills USO head- quarters Christmas Eve will be Jim- my McHugh. Sherman Bllllngsley due in Holly- wood after the first of the year to advise Columbia on night club tech- nique in 'Cover Girl.' Elissa Landl going back to New York for a stage revival of 'Tha Women' when she finishes her cur- rent film role in 'Corregldor.' Sgt. George- Temple, Jr., Marina veteran of the Pearl Harbor attack, in town on a furlough to visit sister Shirley and his mom and pop. Joe E. Brown checked out of tha hospital after treatment for leg In- juries sustained when be was klclrad by a horse on location for'Republle. Countess Yvonne Heyndrick, wifa of Belgium's Ambassador to ROMta, making her film debut by playing herself in "Mission to Moscow* at Warners. Clare Boothe Luce checked in at 20th-Fox as technical adviser on an untitled CHilnese story before moving to Washington to start her new Joo as Congresswoman from Connecticut Miami Robert Preston into Officer's Can- didate School. Gus Van, appearing at Olympla, doing a guest shot on N^vy Radio Show. Jimmy Hitz, manager of Lord Tarleton, in Navy as Chief Commla- sary Steward. Jack Marshall set to open at Kitty. Davis Airliner on New Year's tv9, with Joe . Rio held over till then. Norman Krasna, Hollywood dirac- tor, now a first lieutenant in tha Army, preparing to shoot a plctura on the Officer's Candidate ScnooL Mother Kelly opened with Joa* Martinez, Margaret Haas, Ann Sher- wood and Peggy English to a ca- pacity crowd. Booked by Sid White. A condensed version of 'Desert Song' was given at Flamingo Park by the Army Air Force. Laurcnca •ac'iiVisiti, - wfeinal- producer -of- - thft show In New York, supervised pro- duction, with Pvt. Josh Logan di- recting and Pvt Allan Campball, husband ef Dorothy Parker, doing th* rewrite job. Played three days. SLLoois By Sam X. Hant St. Louis Variety Club to adopt a war activities policy for the duranon. McKays, ballroomologists, current at the Club ContlnenUl, Hotel Jef- ferson. Elolse Wells Polk, 9, was (uest pianUt with the St. Louis cympB at the. second student concert W. H. Sherman, owner of the La- Mar theatre. Arthur, 111., raised $2S,- 000 at a War Bond rally. Total for house now $87,000. Pat Meadowns, manager of W. H. Elchkom's Roxy theatre, Mounds, 111., has resigned to ah] his father la the management of the Strand thea- tre in Dawson Springs, Ky. More than 0,000 persons. Including 1.000 sollors, attended navy memorial concert of St Louis svmph orch in convention hall of the Municipal Auditorium. It was the second of foUr cuffo concerts. Vladimir Oolgeh- rnqpn,waved baton.. . _ . . . . a ' ,,M—a—M.«w.^ «a.—-M«.— *« —