Variety (Jul 1945)

Weduesdaf, Juty 25, 194^ Literati He»rst'i 'No lilmiC ray William Randolph Hearst has sel ia ''iio limit" price policy on slovies and features tor the American Week- ly in a move to get top'flighl news- paper writers and America's lore- most artists as regular contributors by the fourth quarter ol 1945. . In plan to send the American ■ Weekly over the 9,000,000 circulaticjn mark (it's currently 8,400,000) Mike" Poi ter,.editor, is lining up as regiilau contributors such names as Gene Fowler, Paul Gallico, Damon Run- •yon, ' Charles MacArthur, Homer ■ Croyj Fannie Hurst, -Dan Parker, 'Adela Rogers St. John, and Inez Bobb. ' Two or three of the writers being lined up have conti'ibuted occasional pieces to the. Weekly recently; High circulation figures, as much as top coin being oflfored, is attracting the ,-writers to the Weekly. Given sufficient newsprint. Hear.st plans to .shoot the paper higher than the 9,000,000 mark withiiT:a year. Porter is scheduled to negotiate deals v'ith leading American arti.sts to illustrate the stories and articles. ■ Hearst execs are primarily after name writers who have written their way \ip in the newspaper field. for U. of O; Press; which he or- ganized, and also , at Princeton U, Press. . ■» ' ■. ■ Brandt succeeds Herbeft G. Bris- tol, who has been head of Holt for more than six years, with Bristol be- coming chairman of the board. For- mer Rliodes scholar, Brandt is 45 and' a- native of Indiana, Dearth of Farceurs ■ Although about $40,000 has been eicpended since. 1930 under the Avery Hopwood'awards at the U. o£ Michi^ gan, as prizes to talented students in four categories—drama, fiction, poetry and essay—it's noteworthy that no outstanding farce writer has been discovered as result o£ tlie awards set up by the late farceur ■ and: author of ''Up in Mabel's Room,'" "Getting Gertie's Garter," etc. Most of the prominent winners, who've included such names a.s Betty Smith, Hubert Skidmore. Maiitta Wolfl and lola Fuller, have been poets or novelists, whose worlt.s, published as result of their studies under the awai'd, have di-sclcsed their talent. Results have indicated an increased respect' foi- the far- ; ceur's- craft,- which- appears decep- tively simple to many in the biz . New 25c Bantaiu Books Long-standing reports that Ran- dom House, through its Grosset & Dunlap subsidiary, would go into the 25c reprint book field, in competition to Simon &• Schuster's (Marshall Field 3d) Pocket Books, are con- firmed with announcement that G & D and the Curtis Publishing Co.. will put out- a: two":l)itter when paper; restrictions are removed, titled Bantam Books. Corp. will be owned .iointly by G & D, Curtis and Ian Ballantine, latter of Penguin Books, who will be the president and active manager. Sales will be handled by Curtis* na- tional distrib; organization, with management control in hands of G & D. G & D, in turn, is jointly, eon- trolled by Harper's. Little Brown, Random House; Scribner's and Book 01 Month Club. Gert Stein's Trek Salzburg. Austria. .June 30. Gertrude Stein, the .Dali oi the typewriter, came through our Public Relations Oifice yesterday while en route to - Hitler's Berchtesgaden shack. She's doing a piece on the American Gl,and in 24 hours not once did she crack anything about that famous rose that rose where roses rose. The old gal is looking swell and her current assignment hiis her kick- ing around the continent in a C-47 with 14 airborne troops who have demonstrated' every phase of glider lighting for her. USO activities have stepped up in the. neighborhood and we caught a dained good, no-big-name variety '46. His first two were "Sailors in Boots" and "Getting Salty," both born of thp theatrical caricaturist's experience in tlie Navy. Curt Weinberg's "Stripes" Spot Cpl. Curt H. Weinberg, ex-Broad- way p.a., now working on the copy desk , of "Stars and Stripes," Ger- man edition/ at Pfungstadt, Sole Otlier Stars and Stripes staffer from Broadway is Sid Gans, who used to work with Connie Miles, nitery ed on the .old N. Y. American. Gans is now slot man for S. & S. Paris edi- tion, While Hal Wefssman, ex-N. Y. Mirror sports writer, is writing sports for the Paris edition. Gingrich NoL-ftesirning Reports that Arnold Gingrich is resigning, or ' has resigned from editorship, of Esquire, were scotched by disclosure that he is. going to Europe for Esquire. His travel plans are still not jelled, hut he may leave :soon.'" Rejuvenated Fannie Fannie Hurst was recently told to rewrite a piece she had turned in to the American Weekly, She accepted the instructions say- ing, "Now I feel young again." Plenty Spieling Ray Josephs,'first "Variety'' mugg (Buenos Aires) to hit; tl-ie lecture load, knocked ofl:' 75 speaking dates in five months last season (his first on the gab-circuit). _ _ _ how here the other night. This dazzi'ed 'by " the' big "returns" Hop-1 '^"e s called "Playmates" and it's one wood's farces brought. I the imits that worked its way all Promising recent Hopwood award- i through Italy before heading for winner is Rene Kuhn, 21-year-old ■ ^'>TO troop territory. Headlining are daughter of Irene Kuhn, NBC asst info director and vet newswoman whose recently published novel,. ' H Charlton," 'has received fine praise. Mag Cover Not f'Cule' .The Writers' War Board, has been doing an outstandiiig war- | time job of exposing .perpetuation of j racial stereotypes, has lodged a protest, with Fawcett Publications.! •because of the August cover True mag. Pictured on the mag i cover is a white sailor, who i.s hold- ing up a pair of dice which he ob- viously considers loaded. Beside him. holding, the sailor's money and iWatehv is an outlandish Negro native. Apparently intended by the Fawcett editors to be merely "cute." the cover has been characterized bv tho Board as "incredibly irresponsible of social consequences." The stereotype is proven, the ; Board thinks, by the fact that the Fa.wcett editors just wouldn't \ cverse the roles and have the white boy cheating the- black boy. .' Ihi 'no. That wouldn't be: cute," (Sl-acked one member. ■'■ ■ '.The Board has sent a steamup leltoi to the magazine. Herbie Faye and Ruth Mason, a pat- ter team, supporteti by Ward DuVal, accordionist; thrush Priscilla Parker; I Billy Burke,' a comedy sinser who I has guts enough to sing in falsetto before a Gl mob and dancer: Eleanor which I Christian. Went over big. Cpl. Clin H. Weinberg. .V Neumann's Newest Alfred Neuman's new . novel; "Six on I of Them." just publi-s-hed by; Mac- millan. had one of its chapter? pre- viewed in Esquire last April. It deals with the Munich Univeisity students' revolt against the Nazis. Ne.umann's "Conflict" - . (Bogart; WB) is current, his second film .stol-y, the first being "None Shall Escape" (Metro). Universal also owns the film rights to his novel. "The De-i'il."- which won the Kleist prize, in 1926, has sold over 500.000 copies and has been translated into 14 languages. Coast Guard's Anni Sheet U. S, Coast Guai'd, in connection with its ISoth anni, put out an eiqht- page news sheet,- "Silver Shield.' for distrib to all C.G. ships and station.s throughout world. Sliect has coivtribs from Kent Cooper, Miirquis Cliilds, Roy Howard. Frank Gannett. Arthur Krock, Dorothy Bromley. Ira Wolfert and others; a Walter Win- .- cheH ,column reprint on the .C.G/. the N. Y. Daily . News ''Inquiring Photographer" column querying biggies on their opinion of the C.G.: a Nick Kenny poem-column, and a tribute to C.G.'s show biz irUere.»-"i by "Variety's" Abel Green. Last page, devoted to sports, has contiite ■ by Art Daley, Joe William.s, Dan Parker and others. Gessner Dramatixing Own Novel Robert Gessner, pix prol. at N. Y. University, and a former WB scrjp- ter.- is dramatizing his own novel. "YpUth. Is the Time." which, Scrib-. .nevs broiight out last spriny. (jcssner h-M taken the - book . ol) tlic: film market, with intention oL" liiit pro- ducing it on Broadway.- • , CHATTER Frank G. Menke working on a book of Gus Edwards' career; - Lewis Browne, pal-cf Chaplin, has lost his mustache, presumably to Chaplin, who wears one permanent- ly now. Jack Lait, editor of the- Daily Mirror, conferring with William Randolph Hearst on the San Simeon Ranch, California. , Sidney Carroll, recent war - cor- respondent, will open offices for Esquire and Coronet magazines in Hollywood, with Grace Fischler as Ijis editorial associate. . Instead of N. Y. Mirror editor Jack Lait filling in for Walter. Winchell during: tile latter's August vacation, as in recent-years, the guest-column, idea is being reinaugurated; Seven publishers dangling top offers before: Harry Hopkins, now that he is the impartial arbiter of the N. Y; cloak-and-suit industry (former spot held by ex-Mayor Jimmy Walker >; : Bennett Cerfy who will publish the Billy Rose biog (by Maurice Zolo- tow), says he made only one condi- tion with the showman; "I want- the ginrummy concession.'' Theory Is Ro.se is a pigeon. Theodore Pratt points- out that 27 years, after he becar-," z writer and had ambitions to get Into The: Best American Short Stories; he has just made the 1945 edition with an e.vcerpt from Esquire. ■ vGolvin Brown, v.p., treasurer and director of Quigley Publication.^, hgs resigned : and sold his 10% stock back to the company. Has been on the financial and business end of the. tradepapers since 1931. Brown is also on the General Aniline &-Film directorate,- -; Beatrice Morosco, former-legit and radio actress now turned writer, has authored "Careers in Con.solation," a yarn about femme; .embalniers .in current issue ot SHE mag. . Also "Chippena and Wild RiceV for August-issue ot This Month. Both are on :newsbtands-now.. Brandt Frexy of Henry Ilolt Co. Joseph A. Brandt; director of Uni- versity of Chicago Press,- was named piez of Henry Holt & Co.. 80-yealv old book piiblishing firm with head-, quarters in N. Y., last week. Brantit» - who- assumes his new post in Octo- ber, was formerly president ol the U, of Oklahoma, and was named director, of U. of C. Preps in 1943, Alex Oard's 4tli Book His third boblc, "Sick Bay," just issued "by Scribners, Alex Gard, Jhe cartoonist, has signed" lor -^ lourth having -Served'in .similar capacity book of sketches to be published in , Culture Gomes to H'wood Further proof that culture is creeping into Hollywood was re- vealed at a . cocktail party -which Simon. & Schuster threw lor "Lee ^Wriglit 81; the Beverly: Hills, hotel Sunday (15). Place was jampaeked with - mysterious people, most - of whom turned out to be "Inner Sanc- tum": mystery writers. Lee - Wright i.s their editor. Ray Healy, western SfeS rep, staged the party and round- ed up everybody,, including Carroll Carroll, Lewis Browne and-Frank Scull.v, who, because ho happens to be an SfeS author, solved at least one mystery; Reps of otiier publishers were there, including Verstappen of Doubteday-Doran with a black patch o\er his eye. Among the mystery writers. Craig Rice turned out to be Mrs. Lipton, Anthony Boucher to be A. P. White, and Leslie Char- isris,- still otherwise unidentified. EDWARD KNOBLOOK ' Edward :Knoblock, 71, Internation- ally JtnojTO playwright, died in'tion- don July 19. Although born in New York City and having had much of his success in America, he migrated to London, where he became a Brit- ish citizen in 1916. After graduation from Harvard in 1896: he^became an actor^"to gain experience of dramatic technique." During that period he wrote his first play, "The Club Baby;" in doUabora- tion with Lawrence Sterner, in 1895; but it was 10 years later that he won London production with ''The Partikler Pet," adapted from the ■Fi'ench. :- Knoblock's career as a playwright extended over 40 years, during which he won considerable success in New York, London and Holly- wood. Before it ended he had be- come the second most prolific writer for the English-speaking stage; his total of; 50 plays in 1935 put him sec- only only to Owen Davis; with more than 100. In that, long list wei'e many still familiar to playgoers, such as "Kis- met," which starred Otis Sldnner for a long run;"Milestones," which he did in collaboration with Arnold Bennett: "Good Companions,". "Hat- ter's Castle" and "It a Baby," also done with collaborators. He .later went to Hollywood, where he adapted for the screen "Thief of "Bagdad" for the late Doug- las Fairbanks and f'Three -Musket- eer.s.":--: Most .of his plays were -written from novels or fore!s;n plays in col- laboration witli otliers. Among nov-. elists with whom he worked, besides Bennett, were Beverly Nichols, J. B. Priestley and Winifred T. Coleby. In 1939 he published his-reminis- cences, "Round the Room." BIRTHS I.t. and Mrs. Lloyd Chapman, son, Pittsburgh, July 8. Father, formerly: editor of KDKA newsroom, is in France.' Mr. and Mrs. Delmar Nuetzman, daughter. New Yijrk, July-18. Father is a radio actor. Mr;- and Mr.s. Al Schwartz;: son, Hollywood. July 16. Father writes for Bob Hope's air show. Col. and Mrs. Ed Voynow, son, Chicago, July 14. Father Is veepee of Edward Petry & Go., radio station 1 reps,: in charge of Chi office. l Mr, and Mrs. Frank McNellis. son, I Brooklyn, N. Y.. June 29. Parents I are legit players. : i Mr. and: Mrs. Palmer Baudette. son, Hollywood, July 20. Mother is Cubina Wright,-Jr.. of the films. Mr.; and Mrs. Ken Craig, son; Chi- cago, July 5, Father is radio director of MoCann-Erickson Chicago office. - Mr. and Mrs. John Baker, son, Los Angeles, July 22. Mother, is head of Universal's scenario department; fa- ther, studio publicist. Capt. and Mrs. James B. Kobak, son, N. Y„ July 20. Father's dad ia president of Mutual. WILLIAM J. FERRY William J. Ferr.y, 73, former cir- cus clown-contortionist who had been known in show biz. as "The Frog Man," died in New York alter a heart , attack on: July 10. A native of. Philadelphia, Ferry joined a- circus while in his teens and after travelling for several season with. Ringling, Barn um & Bailey and other top circu.ses diverted to vaude, doing a contor- tion act which he later built into a scenic production act in which lie appeared for more than half a cen- tury on the top vaude circuits iiere and abroad. ; : Act was known as "The Frog," backgrounded by an • attractive woodland setting with effects, of ris- ing dawn, with Ferry garbed as frog hopping oft' a pond lily to do his contortion stunts and leaps for re- mainder of act. In addition to vaude, he was featured :-n several Winter Garden revues, Ed Wynn's "A Perfect Fool" and in Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe .Revue. He had been a member of National Variety Artists since 1916; Practically up to time of death he had played vaude and club dates, Remauis were in- terred in family plot in Philly. WALTER C. THOMAS Walter C. Thomas. 54. head of Aeme Distiibutiug Company in Pittsburgh and a pioneer in motion picture business, - died ; recently at his home in that city. Thomas got his start as a boy ot 14 operating the phonograph-music box 111 the world's first nickelodeon, opened in Pittsburgli in 1905: by Harry Davis and John P. Harris, both now. dead. Later he joined the house -staff of the old Duquesne theatre and then went with Vita- graph and the Calcium Light Com- pany, later serving Educational Ex- change ih Pitt as assistant manager and then manager. ■ - '. He was a newsreel cameraman as well for 25 years and several years ago won the Headhners Award for the best news pictures of the year, of the Pennsylvania flood, ' ;Although in poor health, Thomas carried on and was even on the job for a short while on the day he died. He leaves widow, two daughters and a son. Staft' Sergeant Frank J. (Bud) Thomas, now in ItalJ'. HARRY W. WALKER Harry W. Walker, 37, exhibitor and an AMPTO director, was killed last week in Pittsburgh , when his car crashed into a loaded truck trailer, ile had been vacationing with his family in Conneaut Lake and had. returned to the city for a quick chec^^up of the theatres which he operated with his brother, William J. Walker, and their part* ner, Harry Rachielc. He died ih. stantly of a. skuU fracture, leaViuk widow and two children. The Walker brothers are the'sons of the late Harry Walker, who waj known in the theatrical world as Harry Williams, operator of the old Academy of Music, in Pittsburgh halt a century ago. Their mother died earlier in the year, GEORGE BARBIER George Barbier, 79; character-ac-- 'tor on stage and screen, died July 19, in Hollywood following a heart at- tack, closing a dramatic career cov- ering 54 years. Educated for the ministry, Barbier preferred the stage and appeared for years on Broadway- in . such playsi as "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," "The Man Who Came Back," "Beg- gars on Horseback" and "The Front Page." Signed by Paramount in 1929, he: played his first film role in 'Tho Big Pond" with Claudette Colbert and Maurice Chevalier. In addition to appearing regularly in Paramount pictures for years,: he: pla.ve(J:!"on: practically every other major lot. His wife, Caroline Thatcher Barbier, died in 1939. MYRA HAMPTON STREGER Myra Hamjjton Streger, 44, died in. a New York sanitarium July 19 after being ill for more than a year. For- mer actress was casting director for George S. Kaufman, being listed: in- the Lyceum theatre program credits for ''The Late George Aplcy,": and also the author's private secretary. She was the wife of Paul Streger of : Leland Hay ward's New York: ofliee. As Myra Hampton she ap- peared in "Cradle Snatcher.s" when it was presented at the Music Box, N. Y., and at that time was married to Ra.vmond Hackett, also of tho. cast, from whom. she was divorced, A 14-year-old son of that union, also survives. P. G. DEMETRE ■ I P. G. Demetre, 70, director ot United Amusement Corp.. Ltd., Con- federated Amusement Corn.. Ltd., - as well as owner ot tlie Stamford : Park race track in Niagara Falls, Ont., died July 17 in Fort Erie, Ontario. . • Demetre came to the U. S. as a boy, later moving to Canada. -He began business career selling pea- nuts and within a few years had a chain-of restaurants, later, branch- ing out into moving picture exhibi- tion. , Surviving arc widow, two sons, and SIX daughters. WILLIAM M. GVLICK William M.'Gulick, 75; auditor on the Metro lot for 22 years, died July 19 in Hollywood, following a heart attaelc. He had been associated with the flhn industry suice 1919, when he joined Loew's, Inc.. in Nev,^ Yorli:, movint! to California in 1923. SurvivinR are his widow, daughter and son Lieut, W. B. GuUclc. who worked at Metro before entering the Army ERNEST P. EVERS Ernest P. Evers. 71,- stage and Screen actor, died in Hollywood, July 22; He went to Hollywood 30: years ago. a-fter playing leading roles, 01} Broadway, and had the juvenile (Continued on page 55) MARRIAGES Jean Meyer to Robert Furniss Bain. Hollywood. July 14, Groom is guitarist witli Tommy Dorsey's band, Grace Baker to Henry T. Morgar., Pittsburgh. July 15. Bride is man- ager of WB's, Palace thetre, Taren- tum, Pa; - Mary Elizabeth McCurdy to LI, John Jafturs. Ithaca. N. Y., July 7. Groom, twice-wounded vet of Euror pean campaign, is the son of James Jaffurs, veteran Pittsburgh exhib, Vida Tazartus to Cpl. Moe Krcg- stein. New York, last week. Biide is secretary to R. M. Savini, prez of Astor Pictures. Catherine Ma'rvis Corcey to Julius (Groucho) Marx, Hollywood. July 21. Bride is former wile oC Leo Gorcey. screen actor and one of "Dead End, Kids"; groom is stage, screen and'radio comedian. Mary Elizabeth Leader to Lieut. Ray Goulding, Fort Knox, Ky.. July 20. Groom was former WEEl aiir nouncei'. WAC Pvt. Margaret L. Tell to QM/lst CI. George Gilbert, July 23,° N. Y. He's ex-"Variety."