Variety (Jul 1946)

WeJnewlaynJ'^y 3 » 1946 VARIETY CHATTER 47 Broadway Phil Baker doing his autobiog. Jack L. Warner due in In two, or three weeks. Pete Harrison to the Coast for Ave •or si" months. ■ Pep^i-Cola Canteen, at Broadway and 4"th. discontinued; •Joe Roberts now using J. Law- rence at the front end. Jay Elleng has joined Gustav Blum's producing organization. Sardi's aircooling plant flopped out during last week's, heat wave. Walter Vincent, Actors Fund prez, to Hollywood on Fund.business. David ("Bloomer Girl") Brooks into Cafe Society Uptown next Mon- ^EdcHeKnill, John C, Wilson's gen. mgr, and David Tebet off to Coast Monday U). John Bvram planed back from London, not appearing as though overfed there. . ... Louis A. Lotito chairmanning thea- tres committee of the Greater N. Y. Fund campaign. ... New talent and modeling agency, with dramatic school tied in with it, being set up by Dave March, ex-GI. Ruth Hussey.will leave "State of the Union" next month, being an ex- pectant mother. Kay Francis re- places. Carl Lesenhan making his N. Y. stay indef, handling Ben Bogcaus' eastern business. Frank D. (Doc) Shean formally opened Casino Park, Virginia Beach, Va, Tuesday (2). William P. Farnsworth and Jos. L. Rhodie, who were in the Air Corps, again practicing law. The Rube Jackters (he's Colum- bia's asst. general sales manager) celebrating 18th wedding anniver- sary. ' ■ ' John Brooks McCormack set for 12 performances of "La Traviata" with Central City Festival in Colorado in July. Y. Frank Freeman. Jr., who was in production at the Par studio prior <to going into service, will settle in Hollywood. Society of Motion Picture Engi- neers will resume monthly forum meetings next September after sum- mer recess. Zero Hostel to make legit debut in "The Milky Way," with Sam Jaffe .and Byron McGralh, at Long Beach theatre July 9. Barry (WOR) Gray got a plane back from Hollywood a couple of days earlier in order to insure get- ting back on lime. Charles C. Moskowitz slated to make his first official trip to the Coast on Friday (S) since taking over' as Metro yeepee and treasurer. Don Voorhees planed to Coast for Telephone Hour's broadcast, featur- ing Nelson Eddy Monday (1), flying back immediately afterwards. J. "Arthur Warner's • Greek-Ameri- can partners in the $3,600,000 buy of the Suffolk Downs (Boston) race- track include Spyros Skouras. George Wellbaum, publicist for N. Y. Telephone Co., accorded con- siderable space in the dailies on oc- casion of its SOth anniversary. Gil Lamb finishing 12-week stint at Chicago's Palmer House, signed to star in "Sally," at the Louisville opera season, week of July 15. WCAU's Stan Lee Broza came in Monday for his son. Elliot Law- rence's band debut at the Pennsy. Quite a Philly turnout for the occa- sion. Eddie Jackson still in town, get- ting brand new set of teeth, while Jack Roth will spend summer east with family, but Schnozzola's gone west. William Zoellner assumed his new post Monday <1) as Metro special n.o. sales rep in charge of foreign nun importations, after vacationing in Miami. Ben Bngcnus uncertain whether to extend his New York visit now that the strike has hit Hollywood studios. He was to have gone back tonight or tomorrow. Arthur Schwartz back to Holly- wood this weekend to polish his 'Park Avenue" (legit musical) score with lyricist Ira Gershwin, held there by screen commitment. Music pub Louis' (Shapiro^) Bern- stein was set to visit Paris this, sum- pier but decided things were too tough abroad, and is settling for 10 days, of Maine fishing instead. UA prexy Edward C. Raftery re- turned to N. Y. from the Coast over the weekend with his bride. They're vacationing in Connecticut this week, with Raftery due back at his desk next Monday (8). Wife of NBC's Harold Bock (Holly- wood) at a house party was bemoan- ing her inability to buy a Hammond organ whereupon Deems Taylor remarked, he had one for sale and a deal was made. Violinist Carroll Glenn, back from European concert tour, talks about way foreign audiences go for Ameri- can music nowadays. In Borne, after her recital, aud kept calling loudly lor Gershwin. Gershwin." Sidney Tobias, who as a lieuten jnt^plonel, was chief of the fiscal ?' v ^°«» of the Transportation corps tL i Paci nc. who received the glon of Merit, has joined Dazian's as accountant and auditor. rnVL c "y Defense Recreation S." 11 ^ holding windup cere- monuis fo r 99 Park Avenue head quarters July 8. Army and Navy service to visiting soldiers and sailors. - Emil'Friedlander and George Fein- berg, of Dazian's, chairmen of the Amusement Division of the Boy Scouts of America, announce, final results of the 1946 campaign. This division, in 833 gifts, collected $27,- 220, as against the 1945 collection of 402 gifts totaling $16,033. Chicago Louis Shun" and Mack Millar in with Bob Hope. Saxie Dowel! comes into the Black- hawk in August. Ruth Gordon air-conditioning her- self in the tump Room. Henry King and orch back at the Aragon for the summer. Max Lulz. of Burke-Van Heusen, went to Hollywood to -visif his family. . Ballerina Carol King to Pittsburgh to take part in municipal operettas there. Ravinia concert season opened with Jarmila Novotria, George Szell conducting. Sidney Lanfleld and wife, in Chi en route from a holiday in N. Y. back to the studio. Phil Regan en route through town to California and "Sweetheart of Sigma Chi." his next .pic. Carl Brisson's secretary, Juliet Goudman, out ol St. Luke's hospital, where she spent a few days. Maxie Rbsenbloom and Max Baer booked into Colosimo's, to follow Ada Leonard and ice show, current, Henrici exec Fred Ericcson's 82- year-old mother died in Oslo, Nor- way, and he's flying there for a visit. Robert Merrill guested at the sum- mer's inaugural Grant Park concert, with Nicolai Malko on the podium. Bob Hope returning in September to do a benefit for the Evariston Cradle, and maybe to adopt another child. Jimmy "Professor Backwards" Ed mondson npt opening at the Baker hotel, Dallas, because of the recent fire at the spot. Hildegarde, Patsy Kelly. Jan Mur- ray and Harry Sosnik back to N. Y for a broadcast, then to the Down- town, Detroit, for a week. Still-champ Joe Louis will be honored by the United Negro and Allied Vets of America at a testi monial dinner here July 23. John Charles Thomas and Helen Traubel will guest at the Chicago- land Music Festival, sponsored by the Chi Tribune, Aug. 17. in Soldier's Field. Moss and Bernie Hart, Hollywood- bound, stopped over tor a gander at Neil Hamilton. Judith Evelyn and James Rennie in the Chi "State of the Union." David E. Green. N. Y. 'publicist, purchased the Hollywood publicity biz of A. L. 'Rackin Associates. Rackin remains over as account ex- ecutive. Eddie Cantor. Jane Fronian, Don- ald O'Connor and Jessica Dragonetle booked by Sid Harris of the William Morris office for the four-week Mil- waukee Centennial, starting July 12. Eddie South and Five Blue Jack* els added to the annual American Music Festival at White .Sox Ball Park July 12. wilh Paul Robeson and Frankie "Sugar Chile" Robinson headlining. Herb Lyon, director of publicity for tele station WBKB and Balaban gz Katz' Regal theatre, resigned and leaves for the Coast Aug. 1. with Helen Bolstad reluming to her old job with B&K; London present commendations for its Miami Beach Bv I.arry Solloway Jerry W.ild, the orch leader, at Versailles hotel for a vacash. _ Al Singer, former lightweight champ, looking lor a cafe connection here. . Jack (Clover Club) Goldman and bride returned this week after New York visit. Paddock club, .shuttered by union troubles, has reopened wilh all nite dine-dance policy.. Nina Wilcox Pulnam planed to N. Y. for conferences with publish- ers of her new book. Ralph Maurice, formerly of Ross Fenton Farms, bought Ray's Steak House. ' Plans include shows and band for season. Ned Schuyler and associates re- newed lease on Beachcomber club at $23,000 per year. May install floor- shows in August. . Tommy Dix planed lb Birmingham over weekend to get married, and returned with bride Sunday (30) for honeymoon at Cadillac. Zarco and Beryl, dance duo re- cently at Clover Club and Latin Quarter splitting, with Beryl going into hotel dance studio biz. Paul Brun, local nitery columnist debuted 15-minute nightly air com- mentary on WKAT, sponsored by Clover Club and Kitty Davis. Wometco theatre chain announced plans for 2,500-seat house on Lincoln road; Construction stalls as soon as building restrictions are lifted. Toni Williams, former manager of Mocambo, Clover and Sky clubs, joined the Herbert Marks talent agency here, handling cafe depart- ment. ' , Murray Wcinger and.Ben Slulsky, Capacabana ops planed in to look over situash anent hotel-nilery bat- tle over licenses. Say they may re- open in mid-August, if convention biz turns out as good as expected. George Foster seriously ill, with doctors almost giving up hope. Lily Pons and Andre Kostclanctz off to South of France for two weeks vacation. Elisabeth Welch back from Amer- ica after turning down role in Orson Welles' "Round the World." Roy Fox and band replace Al Jennings and his Carribeans at Mil- roy club July 8. Former band re- placed Harry Roy for last month. Ursula Jeans and Roger Livesey to co-star in "Ever Since Paradise," new J. B. Priestley play which starts a pre-London tour in August. City of Gloucester to build a thea- tre and assembly hall as a war memorial to cost around $400,000. Town has had no theatre for 16 years. Claire Luce has taken up art as career and has been a pupil of Vic- tor Hicks for'some time. Her re- cent work, three pictures, sold for $120 each. I.ily Pons was presented to the Queen when she and Andre Kos- telanetz gave concert at Albert Hall June 23 in aid of Commandos' Benevolent Fund. Cinema Exhibitors' Assn., with membership of over 4,000, has in-^- timated that it will cancel all films booked at its theatres if they art televised by the BBC. Lady Cedric Hardwicke is making an appeal on the British Broadcast- ing Corp., July 7, on behalf of the Haven of Rest for aged members of the theatrical profession. Joan Hopkins took over the Wendy Hiller part in "The First- Gentle- man," at the Savoy, with tempera- ture of 103, with her doctor in con- stant attendance backstage. Glyndebourne Opera House, Sus- sex, known before the war as the English Salzburg, is reopening July 12 with' Benjamin Britten's hew opera,- "The Rape of Lucrece." '.' Harry Foster has booked Grace Moore for series of concerts in Lon- don and big cities in the fall under direction of Harold Fielding. Has also signed the Great Dante to play here starting September for Bernard Delfont. Arts Theatre Club staging the Don Juan in Hell scene from "Man and Superman" to honor Bernard Shaw's birthday in July, when he will be 90. The Moscow Theatre Society has al- ready celebrated the event well in advance. Leopold Stokowski has been in- vited to come to London early next year to conduct two concerts, one at the Albert Hall for funds for new hall which is being erected in place of the old Queen's Hall which was blitzed during the war. Serge Lifar had boos mingled with applause at his first appearance here since the war; dancing solo in the Monte • Carlo Ballet at the Cam- bridge, June 24. He has been offi- cially cleared of charges of collabo- ration wjth Germans. Alexander Korda having acquired Moore Raymond's "Smiley" for films is sending the author to Queensland, where action of'film takes place, to find a boy actor to play title role. Boys will be selected for screen tests in Sydney, with Korda having last word in selection. Paul Soskin is making return, to film biz. Has just signed contract with J. Arthur Rank to produce film based on Mary Webb's best seller, "Precious Bane." with Stewart Gran- ger to star, and dickering" for Ingrid Bergman to play fern me lead. Stage Door Canteen, Piccadilly, which., was to close end of June, is now likely to stay open to end of the year at least. Subscriptions are coming along, with latest contribu. tions $3,200 from the Army Welfare Service and $400 from Michael Red- grave. Prince Littler has promised to give the Coliseum for special Sunday concert to raise further funds. Musical comedy stars of the last generation comprising Denise Orme t Duchess of Leinster), Mimi Craw- ford (Countess of Suffolk),.-Gertie Miller (Dowager Countess of Dud- ley), Olive May (Countess of Drog- heda), Zena Dare, Lily Elsie. Edna May, Rosie Boote (Lady Headfort). met at tea party, at Dorchester hotel, for first time in years. Party was prelude to first night of "Gaiety George" (Pathe Films), which opens at Warner, theatre, June 28. wright" for sale. Thought to be Dorothy Parker farm at Pipersville. Sara Seeger (Mrs. Ezra Stone) making local circuit adjacent to Washington Crossing, Pa., home. Plays "Claudia" at Yardley (1) and "Chicken Every Sunday" at Play- house (8). Other local actors signed by Playhouse for "Chicken" include ex-Wave Joan Mortimer, Mary Mullen and John Girard. Washington - By Florence S. Lowe M-G's Sam Marks in town to iron out details for "Beginning or the End." ■ Nate Golden, film head for Dept. of Commerce, off to the VFW con- vention. Goldwyn Girls in town, with much fanfare, to beat the drums for "Kid from Brooklyn." Local theatres going all oiit in co- operation with current campaign for European food relief. Anne Barnovitz, asst. to Carter Barron, Loew manager, here, leaves to join husband in Chicago. Leonard Schloss, director of Glen Echo amusement park, off to Florida to recuperate from a serious illness. Cast of "Voice of the Turtle" feted by the United Nations Club. Lois Horton, heading the cast, is a local gal. Harry Revel, songwriter, here to get Government cooperation for Vet- ville, his. project for housing dis- abled vets. Elliott Roosevelt and frau, Faye Emerson, in town Monday (1) for the Memorial Session of Congress in honor of FDR. Mary Cavanaugh, eye-Ailing flack for WRC-NBC, being lured to Lansing, Mich., by wedding bells, J. Royen will replace her. Billy Rose tried to get the Willard ballroom <for one of his super-diiper niteries, but offer was nixed in favor of the local team of Harry Anger and Paul Young, operator of another D. C. nitery. Hollywood Bucks County, Pa. By Sol Jacobean Moss Hart to Hollywood. Tues (25) to sift talent for new play. Elsie Morris, Philly radio actress, and spouse, Dick, regular Solebury weekenders. Lt Carmen Cost!, former Play- house technician, in from Yoko- hama (27) on terminal leave. Brian Ahernes, Leo Freedmans. Ben Washer, Phyllis Blum checked in for weekend at New. Hope. Joey Gold, dean of 47th street ticket brokers, in Fri. (28) to gander son, Michael Abbott, with Play- house acting troupe. Ben Snyder, Philly auto and radio parts manufacturer, new local gentry with acquisition of estate near Bowman's Hill Tower. ■ Charlie Child, local painter, back at Lumberville home after four years in Washington with Govern- ment on cultural relations job. Local real estate brokers offering 200-acre estate "developed by u play- er's week's vaude date here. Westport By Humphrey Douleni. Jennie Tourel househunting. Ward French on Canadian trip. Gene Tunney back from Mexico. . The Paul McGraths summering here. Dorothy Gi6h here before flying to England. Sigmund Spaeth's 4th of July party resumed. John and Georgia Chapman to Denver for vacation. Dorothy and Lillian Gish left for Ireland and England. Laura May Wilson, vocalist, open- ing, at General Putnam. Hunt Bros." Circus booked for South Norwalk July 8, 9. Eleanor French back from engage- ment at Mayfair Club, Boston. Leonard Warren, Met baritone, has bought large estate at Greenwich. Paul. Kwartin to Central City, Colo., to sing in summer theatre fes- tival. Henry and Clare Booth Luce tak- ing Grace Moore's home for the sum- mer. • Alexander Kipnis and wife Mildred enrpute to South America for sum- mer opera. Lawrence Langners opened Coun- try Playhouse (1) with terrific sub- scription, sale. - Nellie Yorke, ex-film player and ex-wife of Walter Lissberger and J. Stanley Joyce (Peggy's first), is here after skippering her 55-foot ketch from Florida. • Seventy members of N. Y. Phil- harmonic Symphony will play a series of four August "Pops" con- certs in Norwalk*s municipal park, with city receiving a percentage of receipts. Mary Martin, Theresa Helbum, Richard Rodgers, F. C. Coppicus, Edna Ferber, Mrs. John C. Wilson, John Lodge, Paul Draper, Justin Sturm, Carol Dempster, Bill Van Deusen, Mrs. James Melton at open- ing of "They Knew What They Wanted" at Country Playhouse. Kansas City By J*hn Qelnn Charles Cobum guest of honor at annual banquet of Metro exchange employees. Woody Herman, Eddie Howard and Lee Williams orchs played one- nighters here last week. Bobby. Meeker and band taking over the bandstand in the Terrace Grill at Hotel Muehlebach. Fern Bookman, display artist, pull- ing up stakes for Hollywood and agency work on press books. Dick Morton and orch had option picked up and stay at the Drum Room of the President for an ex- tended run. Fairyland Park, outdoor amuse- ment spot, oft to a big start accord- ing to mgr. Harry Duncan. Ball room operating on; Fri-Sat-Sun. policy. Nat Plunkett returning to the Pal- ace, Chi, and bis old post after serv- ing as asst. mgr. of the Orpheum here three weeks in absence of Wil- liam Kelty. Barney Joffee, Tower theatre manager, tossing a cocktail party at the Hotel Muehlebach for Jack Car- son opening day of the Warner play- William Bendix headed to N. Y. Sidney Lanfleld in from New York. Walter Lantz flew home\ from Gotham. Mabel Hill joined the Sol Lesser flackery. Veloz and Yolanda vacationing on Catalina. Aich'Oboler in from Chicago loca- tion junket. Ken Curtis to Sacramento .for' rodeo riding. ' A. Pam Blumenthal in town for the summer. Douglas Dick back from Broad way appearances. Ingrid Bergman being coached in torch singing. Jack Cummings back from N. Y. location stint. Frederick Kohner recovering from appendectomy. Don Fedderson to British Colum- bia on vacation, Jeffrey. Lynn expected back at Warners Aug. 1. Jerry Mayer to. the Canadian Rockies on vacation. Bob Cbbunut celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary. Walter Tetley setting p.a. dates through the midwest. Lauritz Melchior hosting his sis- ter here from Denmark. Denny Morrison vacationing from the International flackery. Hal Roach opened his new com- missary, feeding 125 daily. ' Howie Miyer hitting the auto trail to Chicago for month's stay. George McCall dropped into town oh one of his business tours. George Cukor returned to work at Metro after a long illness. Harry Levette became publicity director of Sepia Productions. Charles BtafehL returned from drama gandecms} on Broadway. Larry Witten checked in as story editor for Golden Productions. Harold Rossmore upped to assist- ant casting director at Republic. Al Jolson bought a home in Cold- water Canyon for reported $150,000. Winifred Heidt in town readying for her "Carmen" role in the bowl. Eddie Prinz, studio dance director, hospitalized with nasal hemorrhages. Fritz Lang gandering sites in Lucerne Valley for "Winchester '73." > John Beck returned to his chores at International after a battle with flu. Butch Jenkins spending his vaca- tion on a rancho near Santa Bar- bara. Jimmy Dorsey in from the east to start work on "The Fabulous Dor- seys." . Joe Nadel returned from New. York huddles about Cardinal Pic- tures. John Sutherland in from New York to huddle with United Artists execs. , Clifton Webb up and at work on 'The Razor's Edge" after acute bronchitis. Jimmy McHugh elected to board of directors of the Bevhills Chamber of Commerce. Gene Ail try to fly his own plane to Calgary for rodeo appearances July 3, 4 and 5. Rory Calhoun laid up with flu, slowing the Sol Lesser production, "No Trespassing." Ava Gardner and Artie Shaw an- nounced their marital separation after eight months. Milton Sperling and Rabul Walsh returned from scouting New Mexico locations for "Pursued." William, Elliott booked for per- sonal appearances In Denver, Kansas City and Salt Lake City. Robert Bassler's production, "The Homestretch," shifted its starting date from July 1 to July 8. Gary Cooper will take a vacation, on Long Island when he washes his role in "Cloak and Dagger." Richard Greene slated to get cita- tion for his war record at the Van-- couver. B. C, Diamond Jubilee. Dr. Herbert T. Kalmus in from New York accompanied, by Kay Harrison, Technicolor director in London. Atlantic City By Joe Walker Sophie Tucker opens Saturday <6) at the Aquarium. Billy Van and orch into May- flower's Holiday room. : "Sonny" Kendis opened Hotel Strand's Embassy room (28). Ray McKinley band replaced . Alex Bartha in Hamid's pier ballroom. At Steel pier Claude Thornhill replaced Elliot Lawrence; Max Baer and Maxie Rosenbloom checked in at the Ambassador last weekend while they played to fer- ric biz at Oraatti's casino in nearby Somen Point Vincent Speciale and local orches- tra opened first of summer Sunday concerts Sunder night (30) with Lois Miller as vocalist; concerts -are played on down beach Ventnor municipal pier. Mark Wilson, Shubert press age** from Philly, has taken residetv u suburban'. Margate for. season ^e'll handle, publicity for Steel at., -Mil- lion DoUar piers. ■ Bill "Bojangles" Robinson here to dance at Auxiliary Police Minstrel .show in Municipal Auditorium last week (26). Got gold badge from Mayor Altman and was sworn in as | honorary captain of Auxiliary Police. Key to city, too.