Variety (May 1946)

SCREEN MUSIC STAGE niETY rul>li»bfl<l Wsokly at it* West 4CU> Stieel, New York 15, K. T.. I>y Vnrlely. Inc. Anmml subscription, f 10. Single' coplM. S5 crnln. KtlUMcd «■ necoiia-Uaiui iiihikm JjttemW 22, 1906, ol tlje Tout OrTka al Now YoiU, N. V., umlor the acL of '-March 3. ' 1*79. COIYKU.HX, 1940, BY VABIETY, INC. ALT. KIGUT8 KESKKVKD. VOL. 162 No. 12 NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1946 PRICE 25 CENTS ONION' SCRIBES NIX POLITIX AS CAREER Chicago, May 28. Neither Howard Lindsay nor Rus- sel Crouse cares to run lor Pro-si-. ! dent of the United Stales, they told John Knight, publisher of the Ghi- : cago Daily News, last week. Pub- lisher had suggested earlier, after • fcecing the pair's political comedy, "Slate of the Union," at the Black- . stone theatre, that they go into poli- tics, but on a big scale. . They'll do a Coolidge, they told Knight, preferring, to let the show -. do their running lor them, and the longer the better. As to writing a . parly platform, "we do not -set our- . selves up as policy-makers for either ■ party or for the nation." '- The suggestions indicated in the dialog ot "Union," they pointed out, laic protests against selfish groups - and divisive factions. "In the play 'we make a plea tor national unity, seeking first and foremost the gen- (Continued on page 62) 'Awake and Sing' Awakes In L A. With Original Cast Los Angeles, May 28. Same cast that opened "Awake and Sing - ', in New York. 11 years ago will reappear in the stage show at the Las Pal mas theatre here, start- ing June 25. . In the roster are John Garfield. J. Edward Brombcrg, Alfred Ryder, Phoebe Bar.d, Morris Carnovsky, Mary Tarcai, Art Smith, David Clark and Peter Virgo. Sinatra Paid 41G for Record In Chi Date; Can Keep Only AG Coney's Nickel Empire Phfft BY JO HANSON The rambunctious "nickei" empire at Coney Island has toppled and like the old Roman resort of Pompeii is buried deep in the brown and white . sand. Inflation is now the star act al New York's onc-limc Barbary Ct.asl and the only thing a nickel can gel you is a crowded subway ride to the raucously popular spa, or admish to a Sun' Avenue juke. Island opens officially tomorrow (30). Most sensational piece cf intelli- gence to emerge from the island at outset of 1946 season was salt; of Feltman's for approximately $850,000 to three exceptionally shrewd entre- preneurs, Benno M. Bcchhold, exec- utive vcepce of New York's swank Savoy-Plaza Hotel; Harry SocololV. pi'CNy of Sweet Life Food of Brook- lyn, major wholesaler of foodstuffs; and Alvan E. Knllman, widely known hotel and resort operator. Trio grabbed themselves what amounted to a gigantic slice'of the outdoor amusement center, by sign- (Continued on page 50) (LS.AtomFilmToo Strong to Show? Unexplained delay in releasing the two-reeler, "The Atomic Bomb Strikes," poses a myslery to a num- ber of organizations seeking the film from the Army. The short, consid- ered the hottest treatment of the subject, is a compilation ot shots by the Army, Navy and newsreel com- panies which the Signal Corps as^ sembled several months ago. In- cluded in it are heretofore unre- leascd footage of the bombing ot Hiroshima""and Nagasaki as well a* slark closeups of the injuries caused by the bomb to civilians ot those two cities. Army has given no reason for .the stalled release iii turning down re- quests' for the film. Meanwhile, public airing ot the controversy has been threatened with the claim made that the film will be indefinitely shelved because its portrayal of tho full force and total destruction of atom fission and its effects on the human body would arouse public in- dignation over its use. Chicago, May 28. The Chicago theatre broke all rec- ords for film grosses in Chicago, and Frank Sinatra pulled Out of town Thursday (23) with $41,000. for his week's stint al the Balaban & Katz flagship—highest salary eve*' paid a performer for a week's work in the history of vaudeville, even though the Government gets 90';*. of it. He had a $25,000 guarantee and 50% of the gross over $G0.000. Theatre did $92,000 for the week. With other acts i,n the package and income tax to pay, The Voice will wind up with only about $f.000 for, himself. Acts, paid oft the gross, are Pied Pipers, $2,600; Skitch Hen- derson, arranger and conductor, $1,- 000; - and Steeplechasers,' sepia tap duo, $500. Income tax on Sinatra's take is estimated at about 90%. Sinatra also broke all records at the Downtown, Detroit, previous week, chalking up $60,000 againsl record of $34,000. Crooner beat rec- ord of $73,000 at the Chicago, held by Charles Spivak, and established a new high for the city, previously held by "The Outlaw" ■ and Jane Russell's appearance at the Oriental With $78,000. POLL NAMES 'EM Betty Field and Laurence Olivier wear new laurel wreaths—picked as the best 'actress and actor on Broadway this year. The stars of "Dream- Girl" and the Old Vic company, respectively, the two were, signaled out as "best" of the 1945-46 Broadway season through Variety's annual poll of the toughest of all juries—the N. Y. drama critics. ■ In one of Broadway's most unusual seasons—made notable by the return pVwUtTsinatra at the Chicago | ?i..£ h /Jj^?' .?L he A.. Me : rmari V i"? was Metro's "Up/Goes Maisie." ~" ~ ' ' "" " RADIO LUXEMBOURG GOES COMM'L JULY 1 London, May 28. Secret arrangements are now being completed for Radio Luxembourg to start commercial broadcasting July 1 with Wireless Publicity, Ltd., as its agent. Station overcame ' the sterling problem by selling space to linns'in the non-sterling .area of Europe. WP, consequently, is taking its com- mission not in cash but in percentage ot time sold, which il will then re- sell to British advertisers for ster- ling. SEE McCORMICK WITH MORE N.Y. NEWS SAY What will happen to the New York Daily -News editorial policy is a constant query this week wilh the death of Captain Joseph Medill Pat- terson, 'the paper's publisher. Answer came from insiders: Col. Robert R. McCormick. publisher of the Chicago- Tribune, will have his hand in the paper more than ever. McCormick and Patterson were con.--, ins. and the News and Trio, along with the Washington Times-Herald, are definitely family prbpcrlics. Cissie Patterson, sislcr of late pub- lisher, publishes the capital daily. John O'Donnell, political columnist for the News, who some thought might become more closely identified with the News now. is not a likely candidate to share editorial-policy, reins of the paper. That job will be retained by Reuben Maury, insiders tool. Maury has long been the News' chief editorial writer, having worked closely with Patterson. 200G GARDNER FORFEIT PRICE ON TIME Hollywood, May 28. Ed Gardner has set price ot $200.- 000 on promised Wednesday night al .9 time on NBC. Inasmuch as he was promised the. Wednesday slot when it opened up, it will be de- livered to him.' bill Gardner is also cognizant of his sponsor's eagerness to land Joan Davis.for the product to be relinquished by Cantor. Intimated he would be willing to release Bristol from his promise for cash consideration of $20,000 a year for 10 years. Understood that Gardner does not want to hold Bris- tol-Myers to the full amount and has suggested that drug firm, Pabst and Cantor contribute to the pool. Bris- tol is said to have rejected this pay- ment plan. William Morris agency, which handles all three principals in the project—Miss Davis, Gardner and Cantor—has a firm offer from Bristol for the Joan Davis package but no mention is made of a Wed- nesday night time. Paul Warwick (& Leglcr) lias had conversations with Canlor and both are agreeable to an earlier start, for Pai>si than called for in recently signed contract. 'Big Two* Play Stresses RussoyVmerican Palship Hollywood, May 28 Plans of Robert Montgomery to star and co-produce with Elliott Nu- gent in "The Big Two," Ladislaus Bush-Fekele's play, may cause him to forego picture, acting and direct- ing for all of next season. Play is a comedy set in Russian- occupied Austria, with strong theme stressing importance of long-range Russian-American friendship. Irving Berlin, and the visit of Old Vic; highlighted by distinguished re- vivals (Shakespeare, "Show Boat," "Candida," "Pygmalion") and un- usual productions ("Lute Song," (Continued on page 60) Minnie Mex Monte Carlo Mexico City. May 28. A miniature Monte Carlo.' wilh cock fighting on the side and delu-.o hdtcl is being built at Teno'-'Ol'n-'. a town just outside the oily limits. Opening is scheduled fm fall. Blocked Italian Liras Exchanged By fix To Aid Welfare Groups Number of film companies arc getting their blocked coin out of Italy via deals wilh Catholic and Jewish relief organizations., it has been, learned. Inasmuch as the wel- fare associations require liras and the U. S. firms want dollars, the trades', have worked out advantageously to both sides. Allied Conlrol Commission's rul- i ing that dollars can be shipped out '.of Italy for relief or religious pur- pose-: has given rise to IMP huddles the American companies arc having wiih Catholic churciinvn and Jewish I (Continued on page 22) . Gee-Gee Losses Sprout Angels A businessman-tumed-angel re- cently explained his legit financing. He'd "only lose il at the races any- way," he stated. But the guy was surprised-~ho bought in on a hit. It's one of the anomalies of show busi- ness. A majority ot angels enter the fringe of show business frankly as investors but there are others who put up coin particularly aware that Ihe chances arc risky. Frequently producers don't per- sonally know the identity of all their backers, some of whom deal through friends of the management. Melyyn Dotiglas . and Herman Levin were unacquainted with one chap in the women's wear trade who put $3,000 in their "Call Me Mister," the invest- ment being made through a third parly. The lucky merchant will get between five and 10 times the amount he put into the click revue instead of contributing il to the bookies or mutuel machines, which he would have ordinarily. Gypola As '46 Texas Guinan? Comeback of the Texas Guinan type of hostessing prevalent in tha '20s may come; with deal now in negotiation for Gypsy Rose Lee to front a new nite'ry. Spot would be opened in the Edison hotel. N.Y, in the room previously occupied by the Folies Bergere. Partner in the 'enterprise will be Paul Feigay, co-producer of the le- gitcr "Billion Dollar Baby" at the Alvin theatre, N. Y. Feigay's "Baby" burlesques the '20's. Anti-Semitic Theme Won't Be Bypassed In i 'Home of Brave' Film Firs; ly wiih "Home o. Stanley * products -feature pic to deal open- '-Semitic angles will be le Brave." according to ■ amcr. v.p. in charge of of Story Productions, which served up screen rights to the' Arthur LaurcnLs lcgitcr during the past week. Kramer said the picture would in no way duck the anti- Semitic issues which wore drama- tized in the legit version. Laurents is writing the screen-. (Continued on page G3) Wheat Curb Threat To U.S. Niteries' Wet Goods Washington. May 28. The more than 70.000 niteries in the U.S.. plus an estimated 80,000 straight drinking places, are fearful of the effects the grain and wheat shortage will have on their, liquor stocks. Already, the Government has hint- ed it will shut down on gram to the liquor industry by Aug. 1, thus ne- gating the use of grain for the mak- ing.of distilled spirits. I^eslie Howard's Son To Start Acting Career Chicago. May 28. Rodney Howard, son of the late Leslie Howard, will start a screen- acting career in England this sum- mer, probably with Eagle-Lion, ac- cording to his sister, Leslie. Latter was here with her Canadian-born husband, .Robert Dale Harris, visit- in;; the junior Ernie Bylields last week. Describing him ua "the image of. his father," Mrs: Harris said th« younger Howard has never acted, having been a writer before the war. He served with the British Royal Navy throughout the war, aboard the HMS Belfast sank the Scharnhorst. and was when it