Variety (Jul 1944)

42 KR&lttTY Wednesday, July 12, 1911 OBIT UAH IE S MA J. DAVID F. SILVERS-TEIN Maj. David F. Silversteitv 47; former him, playwright and ex-news- paperman, died July 6 in Halloran .'General Hospital, Stat en Island, N.Y. He was attached to U. S. Army Pho- tiis^aphie Center, Astoria, I., that produced Army training films. Sil- verstcin wrote film scripts for many major film ' companies, 'including Metro. Columbia, Paramount and Republic, He also was 'in the music publishing business having headed Harms Music Co. at one time; A veteran of the first 'World War, Silycrstein held many medals' for gallantry on the battlefields includ- ing the purple Heart. Croix De Guerre. Medal.of Honor and foreign decorations. After his experience in thai war, he was convinced that mo- tion pictures could be of vast value, in. training soldiers for the next war by shortening the training period and simplifying understanding of prob- ■ leiri&.'of warfare. .>'•', '- Sih'crstein helped organize the training films section of the Signal Corps, and wrote and produced many of the pictures which are credited with helping the Army training pro- gram. He was a reporter and edi- tor on N. Y„ Pittsburgh and Chicago newspapers following his graduation . from .University of Pennsylvania... i Survived by widow. Alice Gray- son," Itlm actress, and son. radio circuits: to France, Germany, Norway and other European coun- trie, and to South America. He supervised the reception'in N.Y. of the flrs't picture transmitted by com- mercial mriio service. Survived by -Wtdo\\, two sisters ?nd two:sons, Roy W. being an ayiar tion'engineer with U. S..- Navy., ■ GEORGE B. SEITZ George B: Seilz; 5(5, notable figure in film industry, died July 8 dti: Hollywood after a varied career.';.s artist, writer,: actor, playwright, di- rector and producer. Starting as a paiiiter. he turned to the stage early and became an actor. : Wrote hU fii'st play. "The King's Game," at the luge of. 21. , • His film career began in 1914 at Paths where he functioned as a star and scenarist, and later as director o£ the Pearl White serials. Prodiic- j ing a stage musical with Alex Aatons in 1919, Seitz hired an obscure com- I poser to write the score. The com- f poser was George Gershwin. - In his long career as a director. Seitz worked at Paramount, Univer- sal, Metropolitan, PDC, FBO. RKO. Fox and Columbia, until 1930, when li»•■moved to Metro and remained ■ HARRY T. NOLAN : ;: Harry T. Nolan. 72. producer, the- atre owner .and film distributor, died in Denver. July t. . Nolan was princi- pally interested in exhibition, owning several theatres in Colorado and Ok- lahoma At one time, he was First National, franchise holder in Denver and Salt Lake City. .;':• While an exhibitor Nolan went to Hollywood where he was' associated with Carl Lae.mmle in forming Uni- versal.\as' well.as in film production. Nolan started as an exhibitor in the 90 s when he handled brief ac- tion ftims in a sideshow with Hagen- back-Wallace circus. He opened his first theatre in 1906 in Denver, and later branched out in the state and Oklahoma. Theatres later were 1 ab- so> bed iti the Westland group. . , Survived by a ^daughter, FRED I.. MILLS Fred L. Mills 49. president of Mills Indus!lies, Inc.-.. which was rated' largest manufacturer: of coin-oper- ated machines .in U. S. before the war; died July 6 in St. Charles, III. He was pioneer in automatic mach- inery business being credited with 'making-'"juke' boxes'' popular. His company now is entirely in war pro- duction,., ' - ■ ">:v.'.r^ Mills became head of concern after liis'falher s death in 1929. company's name: being, changed, irom Mills Novell* Co. 11st yen . Survived by widow, a son.' two daughters, four sisters and three brothers, last three being officials of Mil's Co.- . •: . .:;:;..->'.■-■'■:"-.-.■ :'- - was killed July 3 in the wreck of the Santa Ke Chief railroad train near Williams, Ariz, He was onrohte to Los Angqle.s cm business.-- Details in film section. Percy G. Robins, 50, manager of WKBV. Richmond, Ind.. for the last year, died July 3 in Richmond. Be- fore going to'Richmond eight years ago, he was a program director for Fort Wayne stations, starting a num- ber of new programs, including the present. "Home Forum'' broadcast. Survived, by widow-.. .-. Jacob Ginsburg., 74. father of Norman Jay, produces "Open Let- ter" program, WMCA. N Y., died in Philadelphia. July 10.: He was for- merly publisher Philadelphia Jewish world. '..'"■'■;.■. ■,; y •■■.'.'■' :.■'..•:••"'■'■,.•.•;■'•.'. Mrs, Charlotte Taulienhaiis, 74, mother of Gene Doyle, who. is early years was a concert and operatic singer "known as Chaiiotte Kaas, died in New' York. July t>., Had ap- peared % ilh De Res '.l-:e Opera Com- pany and others. '■'.•. . . E, C. Diumni, 61. manager Gooding Greater Shows Columbus. O, tor last 28 years, died there July t>. Sur- vived by widow and a brother.... ,. something...! don't know of any- thing I have been connected with in the war that has been more .■■tremen- dous, more exciting and more inter- esting than the work that is going on in the camps under the leadership of the National Conference of Chris- tians and Jews." Andrew M. Goitschall, of NCCJ. introduced the team at the Wing meeting. The other speakers were Father Vincent A. Brown and Rabbi Philip Bernstein, who is minister of the Liberal Jewish Temple, Roches- ter. N. Y. on leave of absence. He mentioned having spoken before an audience of 5.000 men at Ft. Mon- mouth, N. J,« a few weeks ago and said it was the largest volunteer out- pouring of men to hear a clergyman. He wasn't sure whether the boys at all the camps liked his addresses but was certain they did at Monmouth.,' There have been as many as 28 meetings in a single camp. Schedule of the religions teams is indicated by tiie routine set by a team which had to. address 48.000 men at 20 sessions in a period of. three days. The audi- ences ranged from 1,500 to 4.000 each In that spot but the trios have ad- dressed audiences as large as 10,000 at one time. * NCCJ appearances are conceded to have enhanced the work Mother, 65. of Sam Bi amson. Wil- Maifi Morris acts deparimc'iil. died July 5 in Kansas City. Mb. - . Y '•''-" South Pacific Continued from pase « EDWARD E. COLLINS Edward E. Collins. 49, city manager San 'Antonio I nte v s tat e . Thet i itrc^'dfe ^ July 8 in that,city. He died after_a heart attack following work the pre- vious- night in laying out details of a bond show for-youngsters. For there until his death. His first Metro three years he was manager M-'jestic ■ picture,.'"'A Family Affair," started Mickey Rooney on his way to star- dom and later developed into the Andy Hardy series. Among his di- rectorial, tasks were "The Vanishing American." "Blood Ship." "Lost Frontier." "Great Mail Robbery," "Isle of Forgotten Women." "Pass- port to Paradise." "Arizona" and "Pierre of the Plains." .■ '<.. ': ' Survived by widow, son and daughter.' .• \. Mother of Georgie A.ul.d. drch leader.. succumbed ;tb h'eart a ttack at home' in Brooklyn, N. Y, July 3 Theatre Wing ; Coinhiued from pise I uie money regularly, these teams have had admirable results. The Wing is the largest single contributor to NCCJ. Last season it donated $50,000. and recently gave another $25,000, after being inspired by the experiences of three clerics at the training camps. The trio'.'ad- dressed a. Wing board meeting re- cently, after.Which it was immedi- ately proposed to donate additional money. der the handicap of driving 'rain. The boys in Wenzel's area are eager- ly awaiting, the Bob Hope-Frances Lahgford tour, hoping it doesn't pass them by. Wenzel spoke highly of "Destination Tokio" but revealed that all war dramas do not meet with the same success and approval in. the . GI ranks. "They don't mind a picture like 'Destination.' b'lft do hate what they call the 'flag Waving'' variety;. There are a lot of them." Most popular films , with the men are such pictures as "Captains Cour- ageous." "Woman of the Year" and "A Guy Named Joe." The spiritual element, too; is welcome, says Wenzel. ,..'.:•'.'..,-;. "■■,;•'.'■■'*] "When 'Song of BernadetteVwas shown you could have heard a pin heatre there and five years Sau Antonio city manager of Interstate Circuit. Had been in show business almost 23 years and had operated theatres in many Texas cities, Collins " WoS ' local" chairman of WAC. and had been active in loan drives and other civic affairs. Sur- vived by widow, two daughters and one sister. Sol Lesser'* Idea Par t ici pat-ion— i» —tins—NCCJ—m.is_| drop allh onf; h the fi-tw -c ace! u "su. ally pretty noisy and make quite au- dible comments." Many films do not reach the area at all. Notable among those missed and which many of the men expressed a desire to see were 'Best Foot: Forward.' 'Old Acquaint- ance.' 'Let's Face It' and 'Happy Go Lucky'."; :.'■ . '; :.' '■'.■- ■'"■•..•, NAT. CARR Nat Carr,. 57, veteran slag screen actor, died iii"Holly\yood. July I June 19 EDWARD DUDLEY NAFF i Edward Dudley Naff. 64. musical director for 15; years at: station and WRVA. Richmond, Va., died there 6. He had done considerable film work lhere until his retirement sev- eral years aSo. Born in Russia, Carr came to this country as-a boy and branched out into show biz in New York. In early years he was on the, road in pop legits, of Stair & Havlih Circuit. lie later appeared in burlesque, succeed- in;! Alex Carr In "Wine. Women and Soiig" ;riicr this show catapulted the latter Carr to Broadw-ay stardom. He also toured vaude after "W.W.&S." fprded: in skit. "The End of the World" (Tcbh'tsky Sez). a. wallop from the burley show. He also appeared iii several other vaude. ^sketches .and some Broadway legits^: ,.■"■."■ : About 15 years ago he went to Hollywood and played in fllnl version oi "Kdslier Kitty Kelly." adapted: from .Broadway .musical: "Private Izzy Murphy." "Love Thrill." "Ma- dmiM o(. Sleeping Cars" and '.'Wall Street,"..'-among .others. ; Survived by widow. Madge Carr. •chess. ' • ,- ■ ■ WI I.I.I AM A, WINTERBO'J'JOM William Arthur Winterbottom. (it», vi.ce-prcsidei'it and general manager of RCA Cinimunications, Inc.. died Julv !> at-Baysi:!e. L. I.'• . Since join Naff was a veteran musician and music authority, a music teacher and director of choirs and ^choral so- cieties. He was best known as Squire Hix oh the "Corn Cob Pipe Club" programs w'hich ran about 10 years on WRVA and CBS. ■; ' ... ,. CARL MAYER . . Carl Mayer. 49, film writer and. co- producer, died July 1 in London. A native of Austria. Mayer 'turned down Hollywood offers though he wrote the script, for "Sunrise" that was produced in U-. S. Among-his best known films were "Tee Last Laugh" and "Cabinet of Dt. Caiigari." .-.'•' KERTONSEARFOSS Berion Seal loss, 49. vaude acrobat "»Kjst one.-lime member of vaude trio of, Welch, Mealy and Mont rose, died at Will Rogers Memorial hospital, Sai'anac Lake. N, Y . July 5. He had been * patient there for last four .mouths. Body was sent to Wilkes-Barre, Pa., for burial. ; ;','; - ISIpOK H. JHERK Isidor H. Herk. 61. for many years one. of the leading operators of burlesdue. died in New York. July 5. Marconi Telegraph j Funeral services were held at River- ant!. VVirelcss. Co. in 1!I1'4. he had side chapel, Nv Y.'last Friday : (71. played an actiye role in the develop- J Further details in Vaude section inept or radio connhiuiiciiitio"s. Whei 1 RCA was .formed, in 19.19 and took over iiarqoni." he was. made ,t|'atlH; tptuwger, in charge of transo;e:inic and miiriii.e. radio services. When RCA Cmiimimientjiins was. t'm'nied.in 1929. he vvrs 'made v.'p. in charge of .ciimnmi''cations. being made 'get feral nvihage.r a year later and direc or i'n 1932. , ,'■•'.'•,•,• ' ., '-'• '.;. r: As.'tral'fin manager for RCA, Wlh- 'erboltojri s»tv the completion . of DANNY DANKER Daniel. Joseph Diinker. Jr., 41. put- sianding agency figure, in' radio for the last. 10 years, died suddenly July 5. in. Beverly Hills after a heart at- tack:;: ■.' ■•■;. ■; ■ ■"' -...''' ' ;■■ -.' ■•' Details in radio section. " • ', JOHN S. MaeLF.OiD John S MacLeod, 59. head of Me! ro'j maintenance .departinent. made at the suggeslion'of Sol Lesser, who made tEe ii 1 nv"Stage Door Can- teen." under the auspices of the Wing,, which received most of the profits." In his 'agreement there was a proviso that a percentage of the net be allocated by the Wing to the Hollywood Stage Door Canteen and also to theatrical charity. Later, I Lesser said that aid to NCCJ was as i important a cause. That work ■ in the cDnips has been in -progress for ] 18 months, and 525 training camps have bee.i> visited by the teams, with an average of seven platform sessions daily. '■• There Were many soldiers from small communities \vho ihad never seen a priest, minister or a rabbi be- fore. When the three men of diverse religious beliefs were witnessed in full and friendly accord, the reaction in dissipating some pre-conccived piejudices was described as "electri- fying." Alter noting the applause given the clerics by camp audiences, aii. Arnry officer observed that the men had been "oriented in intercnl- tural democracy" but that definition doesn't indicate the actual reaction among the men. •: ..;', ■' ,■.• '., One situation. was told by 9 'Pro- testant minister ot the time : his "team" attended one of the largest camps in the south last autumn. Dur- ing a camp chanipion'ship football game the band, with high-stepping majorettes, went into action.between halves. Suddenly it stopped and the musicians formed the Jewish Star of David across the field, then did the Hebrew hymn. ' Eli Eli." . Bandsmen quickly re-formed in the shape of the cross and played "Onward Chris- tian Soldiers," the enormous crowd, giving vent to ecstatic enthusiasm. It was thrilling to the clerics arid the Wing board was thrilled at the re- port, '. '."-. ;.-•'. ;.''.;■ :■::•■ ' Sitnifleanl ." .. The address at the Wing meeting was made by the Rev, Theodore Speers. the spot being Camp Ben- ningi Ga., where bis unit had re- peatedly been' addressing large groups of trainees. In explaining the .demonstration, he. said: "The boys couldn't say what'they felt and ii was their recognition of what we had done and what the National Conference stands for—something that is peculiar and unique in the United States, i am very proud to have had a small part in carrying on tins work."' »e • also said thai. it is the . only religious organization that has the pf-ivilege of talking to.tile boys on; Government time, "which is really No Bias ss Continued from page 3 — keenness ot existing competition in the American film market provides the answer. It is fortunate that Mr. Skouias (Spyros Skouras, president of 20th-Fox) sees eye to eye with me about the value of healthy com- petition,; arid, for this reason has agreed to help my distribution in the U. S. by giving me physical facilities. Like me, he wants to see the quality, of screen fare rise higher and higher. Like .me, he is convinced the surest way to improve the quality of any product is to develop, the competi- tive spirit among producers to a superlative degree. Q—In the matter, of qualify, will you name a British film which, in your opinion, measures up to Holly- wood standards? 7''^Y Bij- Grossers. ■.-"''•.'>•" '*'• . -■ ' A.—I. could name a great, inany. but tor out- purposes two examples should be enough. "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp" and "Fanny By Gaslight" are breaking records throughout the United Kingdom. In some key cities, and even in small towns, they are "playing to bigger gi psses-than such- a record-breaker as "Snow White." I realize figures can be made to prove anything, but so far as exhibitors are concerned— here and in America—there is no disputing the final significance of gross takings at the boxoffice. Q— But these two films have been shown to British audiences bniy: how caii their success here be used as a gauge of American reaction? A.—You overlook a fact, which the great majority of American exhibi- tors have up to now overlooked— British audiences are for the most part as ardent Hollywood-film en- thusiasts as the most rabid American fans. These two "British films are facing competition with the current Hollywood offerings: and not only that. they are being liked by all the American soldiers here. In some parts of the country American troops make up a large proportion of our audiences. If they prefer these Brit- ish films, it is clear their families iti the U. S. will do the same. Q,—Will these two films be in- cluded in the first releases of-your product in America? ' •' A—The matter is not yet settled. Q.—Slowness of tempo being pi-i, marily a question of slickiiess in tins cutting room, would there be any objection to , allowing your pictures ta be reeditcd for the American mar- ket by expert American cutters? A.—That's a horse of a different color. In point of fact the subject has not been considered. In piiiv- ciple I can see no grounds for objet-- tion. But I hold to my: convicliori there is no difference of consequence between filmgoers in this country and in America. The difference iii te.m))o between Hollywood - made films and ours is just as apparent tii British audiences as it would be to Americans. The screen hit here is, im my opinion, certain of no less ait enthusiastic reception at the hands of 'Amerietiii. picttuegoers.:: Q — Finally, what is the answer, if any. to the'Amoriirm distributor who agrees your picture is as good as-tb*'" Hollywood item he. happens to be hr.ndling—but since it is only equal in audience appeal lie will ditch it in favor of the home-made, product'.' A:—Thei'e are two answers. Fits't, •'; a showman must be very '.confidentif he claims to.assess the precise box^- office value of any . linscj eened filiti.- There is .no way of forecasting fjie] relative merits of two unscreened films. Second, if there was a way'of determining in advance the .respec- tive values of two films, and it,could be definitely proved they weie equal, if would be bad showmanship Au scap the Britjsh_prodiict automatic- ally, and bad for the people of the two countries, learning more about each other.. As I have said, .if-' v, e are going to give the world of fiiin-" goers:'a steadily rising quality, of en- tertainment it can be done only by open competition by the world's best. brains—wherever the actual studios may be located. At the risk of ap»—- pearing to be over-confident I am, prepared to go so far as to; say I truly believe the distribution of British films in picture houses in the United States will tend to make Hollywood work harder than ever to improve the quality of their own productions. And by the same token ~1 am OTTly too ea ger to play, m y part in this pitting of the brains of the ; two countries against each other lor fhe common good of the boxoffice. patron. ., MARRIAGES Frances Greer to Victor TruccQ. Carson City. Nev..-June 22. Bride is', Metoo soprano and soloist on "Music For An Hour" ai'rer.- ': .: /' Sylvia Rublne lo Iso Briselli^ Phil- adelphia, June 15. GrOom is concert violinist. .,'.,• .'; " ■ ■ ■'. Barbara Mary Wefntralib io 1,1. Arthur Horwitz, July 6 in N. Y." Bride is daughter of former publisher of Esquire and prez 'of. Win. H. Wein- traub ad agency. ■ Dorothy Schoemer to Sgl. Leo Shreve.. Los Angeles, July 5. Bride is a dancer; groom was a film actor before joining the Army. Martha Edwards to John Kelly Ross. Mission, Tows, lecetitly. Groom is manager of the R. E. Smi.h theatres here. I • Madelaine Roth to Ted Cain- Santa Barbara, July 1. Bride was biz man- ager, for groom, chief of Universal';! music depal tnient. . Carmelle Bergstrom to Jim Jor- dan. Jr., in Hollywood. May 26." Bride is a Paramount player: groom the son of Fibber McGee and Molly. Margaret Peka to Walter Kozlow-. ski. Pittsburgh, Julie 28. Bride is one of the Peka Sisters, cafe dancers', Mary Paula Shilston. to Lionel At- will. Las Vegas. Nevada, July 7.- Bride is radio singer and producer; groom, film actor. Agnes de Nicholas to Billy Gor- don. Los Angeles. July 9. Groom is tasting director for Hunt Strom- berg, -:\YYY-'" , BIRTHS Lieut, and Mrs. Kenneth L. Gra- ham, son, Hollywood, jfuly 2. Child is grandson of Jack Stern,'.composer.' Mr. and Mrs. John Morale, daugh- ter. July 6. Brooklyn, N. Y. Fatiiei; is head of Warners foreign contract dept. ;. •'"'.;'•:-■! '■'; . ''"-.'.. Mr. and Mrs. James Flaste)\ daugh- ter, Los Angeles. July 8. Father is a musician at Metro. ■ '.';'< Mr. and Mrs. Stanley R. Chase, daughter, Hollywood, July 1. Father is shorts director at Paramount, Mr. and- Mrs. Jules Green. so>' Pittsburgh, July 2. Father'is chie. shorts booker for WB.