Variety (Mar 1945)

Wednesday, March 28, 1945 81 OBITUARIES JOSHUA LOWE (/olo) Joshua Lowe, around 72, who wrote under the pen name of Jolo, Hied ot shock following a leg frac- ture in London last Wednesday (22) He was in charge of "Va- riety's" bureau in, the British capital for 23 years. Details on.page 2. : BEBT FELDMAN Bert Feldman, 70, head of B. Feld- man & Co., one of the leading Brit- ish music publishers, died March 25 at a Blackpool, England, nursing home after a long illness. Feldman. who published his first song about 50 years ago, dug up "Tipperary" and other famous songs. He repre- sented maiiy American music firms in Great Britain, handling songs re- cently for Shapiro-Bernstein, among others. He is reputed to have been handling the current catalog of Remick and Witmark. Feldman was rated one of the three largest ' music publishers in England. He built up a huge fortune In Britain by representing U. S. firms. At one time, he handled Wit- Beheflt Bureau, formed to raise funds for American Committee for Devastated France, which later de- veloped into Film Bureau, Inc., of which she was a director. The. bureau opened the Little Pic- ture theatre on East 50th St., using arty films. MRS. GLENN A S. TINNIN Mrs. . Glenna Smith Tinnin, 67, business manager for the last tour of E. H. Sothern," Shakespearean actor, died in Chestnut Hill, Mass., March 23. She had lived in N. Y. for years, but taught dramatics in Boston during the winter. Mrs: Tinnin also was subscription manager for the Raymond Moore strawhat theatre. Cohasset, Mass. She helped found, the National Junior Theatre in Washington. . JACOB POTAR .Jacob Polar, 79, former manager and producer of burlesque shows died in New .York, March 19. ' Potar had operated his own shows for years on the old American JOSHUA LOWE Tho News Hat Shocked Us Dooply. Ho Wat Oh of Omp Doaroit Frlondi. Wo Pool So Sorry for HIc Fomily ond ,. Many Priondi. LION KIMIERLY and HELEN PAGE under contract several years to Ring- llng-Barnum circus. Upon his re- tirement, his son, Roland, took over the acts. Victoria Warnesson, 57, head of Warnesson Theatrical Makeup Co., died March 18 in Chicago. She was associated for 37 years with the com- pany founded by her father, the late Prof. J. • Warnesson, and took over the management when her mother died. Survived by a brother and three sisters, CHATTER Broadway Mrs. Rupert Hughes, 42, wife of author and radio commentator, died in Hollywood, March 23.. She had been In ill health ; for some time, death resulting apparently from an overdose of sleeping tablets, taken accidentally. Mrs. Hu;hes wrote magazine stories under the name of Elizabeth Patterson Dial. Anne Courtney Koelker, 45, wife of Anthony J. Koelker, former pub- licity manager for Blue network in Chicago, died March 16 in Chicago. She had been ill for six months. Survived by her husband, now a lieutenant in the Navy, a son and a daughter. Father of Milton Berger, of Gen- eral Amus. Corp.'s vaude depart- ment, N. Y;, died in Chicago March. 21. mark, Remick, and Watterson, Ber- lin tc Snyder catalog in Britain. He is reputed- to have left about 18,000,000. Feldman went to London about 24 years ago, but had been active in the music publishing field for 30 to 40 years. He made his last trip to the U. S. about eight years ago. It was around , that time that he saw the vast potentialities of the American musical film and started to publish music for these, starting with "Gold Diggers of Broadway." '. ■" Felix Slevln, general manager of Feldman & Co., is carrying on he business in London. NAT BURTON Nat Burton, writer of . many hit songs, including "Believe It, Be- loved," "Our Waltz," "White Cliffs of Dover." "When the Roses Bloom Again," "Don't Let Yout Love Go Wrong," the current ''Don't Ever Change" and many others, died last In jpnd momory of My Door Fiiond, FRED B. HAMLAND Wfc. died March Ztta, ltM JERRY V04IL. Wednesday (21) in Hollywood. He ■*M 43. ■ He died following a heart attack suffered on the street in the early evening. The body is being brought fo N. Y. by Bill Burton, his brother. Services will be held at Park West Memorial Chapel Friday (30) after- noon. Just prior to Burton's death, he had completed several new songs which will be published in the near future. • Survived by widow, son, another brother and sister. ROBERT BOLLINGER Robert "Bob" Bollinger, 68, who with his late wife appeared in vaudeville in high wire and rope bounding acts, was burned to death at Grafton, W. Va., March 20, when a obaidlrig house there was' swept oy i flames. His wife, Edythe Rey- nolds, died in an auto accident in Boston while her husband was in Australia entertaining soldiers in World War I. Three children survive. A son Sgt William Bollinger died In. a Jap prison camp about a year ago. Burlesque Circuit, and later on the Mutual Circuit. He .retired from show biz when the latter wheel folded some years ago. Two sons, a daughter, two broth- ers and a sister survive him. LOUIS MEYER Louis Meyer, 74, who helped pro- duce outdoor concerts which he or- ganized for the American Red Cross and Liberty Loan drives in the first World War, died March 22 in New Rpchelle, N. Y. He had been taken to a hospital there after the recent death of his wife. He Was former publisher of "The Theatre Magazine." which suspended publication in 1930. WALTER C. PETERSON Walter C. Peterson; 52, veteran radio entertainer, died March 21 in Chicago. A musician and a singer, he appeared on Station WLS, Chi- cago, • and on the National Barn Dance program. Survived by widow, a son and daughter. LT. BASIL O. PANTAGE8 .Lt. Basil G. Pantages, 21, died of wounds received in action with the Marines, according to word received by his father, George B. Pantages, owner of Orange theatre, Orange, Cal. He_w.as a cousin of Rodney Pan- tages. WILLIAM C. "BILLY" BYRNE William C. (Billy) Byrne, 63. died March 13 in Hollywood. He toured with Byrne-Golson Players in "Mat- inee Girl" and "Mutt and Jeff.'' Byrne also toured in his own tabloid musicals in the east and south. VIVIAN FOSTER Vivian Foster, 77, music hall player known as "The Vicar: of Mirth," died in London March 20. He was one of the first British ac- tors to broadcast in the early days of radio. ROBERT CLYDE LITTLE Robert Clyde Little, former, vaude singer, died in Miami. March 22. He had been in Miami for eight years., previously loUTing 'iii vaifde- ville in an act with his sister. IRENE FULLER , ; Irene Fuller, 47- actress In silent film day*, died March 20 in Holly- wood. ; SOPHIE K. SMITH Miss Sophie K. Smith, 58, former managing director of the Little Pic- ture House in N. Y., died in West- Pjrt, Conn,, March 20. She was one oi organizers of- the Film Mutual Captain John Tlebor, 86, trainer of sea lions, died March 22 at Tona- wanda. N. Y. While visiting the Buf; falo, N.Y., Zoo, 30 years ago he con- ceived the idea of teaching sea lions, acquired a number of cubs and sub- sequently ran his small stake into a $75,000 investment. He exhibited them all -over the -world, and was Mother, 82, of Virginia Mann Hy- men, legit actress, died at Floral Park, L..I., March 17. . MARRIAGES • Jessyca Russell to • Jack Gaver, March 24, Ft. Lee. N., J. She's ex- p.a., how New York editor of Maga- zine Digest of Canada; groom- is UP dramatic critic and amusement col- umnist. .Gloria Jean Gold to Lieut. Sey- mour Udell, USNR, Waldorf-Astoria, New York, March 25. Bride is daughter of Harry L. Gold, veepee of United Artists. Katherine M. Nordella ; to David H. Thompson, Los Angeles, March 22. Groom, now assigned to Navy Flying School, is a former film director. Gladyce Peterson to R. J. Galinas, Jr., Los Angeles, March 21. Bride is a receptionist at Republic; groom a film actor. E'lie Chenault Galbriath to Al Jolson, Arizona, March 24. Bride is contract actress at . 20th-Fox; groom producer at. Columbia. Helen Reynolds to Walter C. King, New York, March 24. Bride formerly had done a skating act in vaude. BIRTHS Mr. and Mrs. Jack Durant, son, Santa Monica, March 23. Mother was Molly O'Day, of the films; father is a screen actor. Mr. and Mrs. Leo Townsend, daughter, - Hollywood, . March 19, Father is writer at Warners; mother is.the former Pauline Swansbri, ex- radio publicist and fan mag writer. - Mr. and Mrs. Jack Slattery, daugh- ter, March 17 in Glendale, Cal. Father is radio announcer in L. A. Mr. and Mrs. Terry Hayward, daughter, March 19 in Hollywood. Father is on Young Sc Rubicam pub- licity staff there. - -Mrr */ixi-Mv$r"Edd;e- Mack in.-, twin sons, Pittsburgh, March 7. Father's an M-G booker. Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Safranski, daughter, New York, March 14. Father's, with Hal Mclntyre orch. Mr. and Mrs. Keva Marcus, daugh- ter, Hollywood, March 13. Mother is Kay Lenard, story analyst at Co- lumbia; father was production as- sistant to George Pal before joining the Army. Mr, and Mrs. Jack Carson, daugh- ter, in Hollywood, March 22. Mother is Kay St. Germain, radio singer. Father is Warners'star. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Brdnslon, daughter, Hollywood, March 22. Mother was Pony Bbgalchck, concert pianist; father is Aim producer. Mr. and Mrs. Leon Roth, son, N. Y-, March 22. Father Is with United Artists; mother, former "Mimi Wolfe, is radio scripter. Mr. and Mrs. Ned Washington, daughter, Los Angeles, March 25. Father is songwriter. - V Kopy Kat Klub Klipped San Antonio. March 27. Kopy Kat. Klub here was robbed of $125 by burglar who gained en- trance by smashing a window in a side door. Alex B. Shapiro, owner of the nlte spot found the money missing from his cash box 'next riny. Hal B. Wallis due east in early April. Carl Laenimle, Jr., due here in three weeks. • About half of "The Tempest" in- vestment reported"recouped. Robert Edmond Jones will light and design Jed Harris' next show. Chi's Ashton Stevens helped copy- read Sophie Tucker's "Some: of These Da\ s." Muriel Rahn, the Carmen of "Car- men Jones," in Town Hall debut recital Tuesday (3). Margaret Webster's surprise visit to Frisco to rehearse the "Othello" company. Fritz Lang back to the Coast at the end-of the week, after arriving only last Sunday (25). Harry Fleishman, general manager for Gilbert Miller, back after medico ordered two weeks in Florida sun. Monte Proser now auditions Ashing tackle, antiques, stale auctions—any- thing to keep his daytime hours Ailed up; Jim Proctor and Frank Goodman agenting "I'll Be Waiting," opening tryout in Wilmington, Del., tomorrow (29). Dobley Wilson, of "Bloomer Girl," Aimed a Negro family fable for Army song, short at Astoria last week. , . PM's Selma Robinson did a spread on the curfew and its effects on show biz for next weekend's Sunday, Morey Amsterdam ("Rum and Coca-Cola".) will collab on the songs for the new Ethel Waters vaude- revue. Jock Lawrence's "Col. Blimp" car- nations; horticultural trailer for the pic's Thurs. (29) preeni at the Gotham. ■ Sgt. Dick Harrity, ex-radio writer,- back on job as pji. for Yank, Aimy weekly, after seven' weeks out with arthritis. Mike Todd says "nothing to it',' as regards those reported Frisco pro- duction plans to tie in with the World Security Conference. Ferenc Molnar says he's "thrilled" with the Theatre Guild musicaliza- tion «f his "Lillom," under title of "Carousel." Lyn Murray writing a ballet, as well as doing musical arrangements, for Max Gordon's "The Hollywood Pinafore." Gus Eyssell, managing director and president of Radio City Music Hall, back from three-week visit to the Coast. Harry. Davlcs and Joe Phillips handling press for "The Glass Me- nagerie, opening at Playhouse Sat- urday c (31). The Lambs have honored Emil Friedlander for his efforts on behalf of the organization, presenting him with a plaque. Michael Todd circulating copies of Edna Ferber's "Great Song" with a card heralding that's his next (first) pic production. . Greta Keller's Town Hall reap- pearance April 8, first time in 'four years. Helen Howe, Stuart Ross and Cy Walter assisting artists. "The old songs are the best songs' is the telephonist's greeting when you call up Jcvry Vogel, who spe- cializes in reviving old copyrights. Frances Robinson, like Anita Colby and "Stuttering Sam" Mary Dowell, has joined the p.a. ranks. Actress now with the Dick Condon flackery. Phil Dunning .staging the John Tuerk-Donald Flamm-Charles K. Gordon production; "By Appoint- ment Only," new play by Bennec Htisscll. erstwhile, songwriter. . Since the Treasury Dept. probe on Florida blacketeors' wild spending, the "hot" R.R. agents are laying low. with result that many a tourist is stranded there now. Max Meth, conductor of "Up In Central Park" (Century) orchestra, recorded album of show's tunes for Decca.. Nat Dorfman reports 85','. of his winter issue of Stage Pictorial sold, and working on a spring issue due out. April 15. Will be limited to 100,000 by quota rule. . Two more Roxy employees com- mended for war front heroism. They are Capt. Daniel R. Morgan, assistant manager, and Sgt. John T. Galloway, of the junjor executive staff. Mildred Natwick, on the Coast since last summer, due in N. Y. for Easter.. Worked in twp Alms, "En- chanted Cottage" (RKO) and "Yb- landa and the Thief" (M-G). Bill Pierce, Jr., advertising-public- ity director for Lester Cowan, back to the Coast last week following huddles with George J. Schaefcr on campaigns for "G. T. Joe" and "To- morrow the World." Allan Finn, cx-NBC newscast writer in Hollywood, and on milifary, lea,ve as Ncwswcek's radio editor, who enlisted as a rifleman, recently promoted to captain in Lt. Gen. Pat- 'ton's Army in Germany. Wilella Waldorf. Post critic, 'was out sick again Monday <19), as on previous Monday! film editor Irene Thlrer covering ' Decn Mrs. Sykcs." Mies Waldorf was b.-"lc Tuesday for • Kiss Them For Me" coverage. Hollywood Mary Hatcher bedded by flu. Henry Morgan reclassified 1-A. Paul Muni laid up with laryngitis. Don De Fore laid, up with bron- chitis. Lester- Cowan to Palm Springs for vacation. , John Hubbard and Jon Hall clas- sified 1-A. Joan Fontaine east on a two-week bond tour. Jane Wyman recovering from pneumonia. Jerome Courtland inducted at Fort MacArthur. George Bowser, hospitalized with sinus trouble. Randolph Scott vacationing at ■ Palm Springs. Michael Curtiz recovering from throat infection. Carl Lcserman in town for United States sales huddles. Vicki Ba'um to Palm Springs to recover from illness. ' Gleni. Ford back to work, after three weeks of illness. Boris Karloff paid $39,000 for a home in Beverly Hills; Steve Broidy returned from New York and Washington. Louis Sidneys celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary. -Don Searle, of the Blue Network, vacationing at Palm Springs. Walter Tetley at Palm Springs, re- cuperating from pneumonia. * Mitchell Bernstein, Canadian cir- cuit owner, visiting Warners. Nunnally Johnson returned from a month's vacash In the East.: Anita Colby returned from Tucson to recuperate, from pneumonia. Sol A. Schwartz in town on a na- tion-wide tour of RKO theatres. Jane Powell to sing in Easter Sun- rise services at Hollywood Bowl. Gloria Dean, screen actress di- vorced John F. Statham, musician. Lillian Jenkins, Madison Square Garden flack, gandering film studios. Louis ■ DaPi - on, Universal dance director, passed his Army physical. Ray Martin, chief of Crystal Sign Co., St. Louis, gandering the film studios. Kenny Baker to report for induc- tion on completion of his current film role. Roy Damron, medically discharged from the Army, returned to work at 20th-Fox. Sidney Kingsley in town to con- fer With Metro on "The Homecom- ing of Ulysses." . J. J. Fitzgibbons, chief of Famous Players Canadian Corp., in town to gander product. . Alice Adrian, \ screen actress, divorced George Jacobi, New York restaurant man. Sid Kallet, New York state thea- tre operator, in town to see how pictures are made. Maureen O'Hara reported for work at 20th-Fox for the first time in more than a year. Shirley Temple's brother, George, back in civilian life after four years with the Marines.' Harry Carey sold his 100-acre ranch near Saugus to L. W. Blanch- aid of New Jersey. John Charles Thomas will sing for Easter services at the Motion Pic- ture Country Home. Sam Hadley, 20 years at Warners, celebrated his 75th birthday and his 501h year as a juicer. Orville Stewart returned to 20th- Fox'<: .production stu ff " a fter two yeaTs with the Marines. Ai Wilkie in' from New York to huddle on Paramount, flack prob- lems with George Brown. Phil Regan will sing "The Slar Spangled Banner" at the Sen Fran- cisco security conference. Myrt H. Blum, Jack Benny's busi- ness manager, robbed by burglars of furs and jewelry valued at $15,000. Bob Haymcs changed his Aim name to Robert Stanton to prevent confusion with his brother; Dick, Billy ;. Green, oldtime Barbary. Coast operator, and recently lilm technical, adviser, celebrated his 83d birthday. Alan C. Abeel, In charge of motion picture loans for the Guaranty Trust Co., in town to huddle with indie producers. Lieut Gen. William S. Knudsen arid Jean Hersholt sponsoring a na- tional poster contest for Danish re- habilitation. , Cecil B. DeMille filed notice of ap- peal from the Superior Court ver- i diet in his $1 assessment fight V'th ' the,Radio guild. . Orson Welles and bis first wife, Anne Stafford, reached an out-of- court .settlement of a support suit for their daughter. • , Kcchah Wynn will require six more weeks to recover from his mo- torcycle injuries, including a double fracture of his jawbone. Ardabelle Carradine granted a final California' divorce from John Carradine, w]io had previously,ob- tained a secret Mexican decree., ,