Variety (Jul 1946)

Wcdneoday, July 10, 1946 VAUDEVILLE 47 AGVA Seeks Return of Autonomy, Sets Up National Confab for Oct.-Nov. American Guild of Variety Artists,* via Matt Shelvey, its national direc- 1 tor, will petlUon return of full au- tonomy from Associated Actors and Artistes of America, which took over affairs of AGVA in 1942 when that union was in chaotic state, allegedly due to incompetence of that admin- istration and heavy indebtedness to allied unions. Latter had shelled out financial assistance to tune of $70,857 and figured it gone with the" wind. Board of the Four A's stepped in and took over affairs of the union, automatically suspending officers and council of AGVA, and appointed Shelvey as . national administrator. During Shelvey's less than three years of administration the yaude union has set up branches in all key cities, tripled its working staff and withal has paid off handsomely. Since Shelvey went in in 1943 and cut many corners to solidify union and bring itup to its present healthy financial status, the Four A's have given him free hand sans any inter- ference whatsoever and have been ^perfectly satisfied with the herculean strides AGVA has made under his . direction and supervision. Payoff of Debt AGVA's healthy financial condi- tion was cued two weeks ago when. Shelvey, with his chief aide Dave Fox, head of the N. Y. local, walked into the meeting of the, Four A's June 27 and paid off the indebted- ness encumbered by previous admin- istration. Breakdown of the $70,857 debt was $40,212 to Screen Actors Guild; $18,874 to Equity and $11,500 to Chorus Equity. Shelvey is now seeking return of autonomy to AGVA upon premise that past performances have proven the infant of the. talent unions has come of age and -is perfectly com- petent to handle its own affairs from now on. With return of autonomy Shelvey will ask the green light from the parent union to set up its own offi- cers and national council such as ob- tains in other talent unions. All would be elective offices sans re- muneration, elected by the member- ship. Only salaried post would be that of exec-sec'y, not an elective office but appointed by the council. Shelvey May Quit Upon okay by the Four A's AGVA plans setting up a national conven- tion next October or November in some midwest city, to be determined later. Although it's a cinch that Shelvey would get exec-secy post under new setup, it's not certain he may remain with AGVA. He's not in the best of health and his medico has ordered him to slow up somewhat and take things easier. However, when quer- ied on possible bowout he iold varietv last week that he will re- main with union at least long enough to see new setup function ing properly. Vet Clown Drops Dead At Kiddie Show in St Loo St. Louis, July 9. While entertaining crippled chil- dren at the Shriners' Hospital last week, Arthur Borella, 72, a clown who toured Europe, and was fea- tured on vaude circuits for many years, succumbed to a heart attack. He had been a clown in small cir- cuses in recent years. Borella was leading the children in singing "Jingle Bells" when he suddenly stopped and exclaimed, "Here I go." He stepped back and fell dead. The children thought it was part of the act and didn't re- alize the clown was dead until a bicycle act was quickly substituted and the show continued. Chucho Martinez Sees To Enjoin Drummer From Using Same Tag Chucho Martinez, singer current at the State theatre, N. Y., has filed suit in N. Y. supreme court, asking a temporary injunction against Pedro Jesus Martinez, drummer for Dioso Costello's terp-turn, from billing himself as Chuchu Martinez. Miss Costello is being named as co- defendant in the action. Temporary injunction is being asked prior to .a damage suit in which the singer is asking for $50,000 damages as unfair competi- tion and loss of income, plus $5,000 counsel fees. Singer declares that the drummer's billing of similar name is causing loss, of his value as a headliner to theatres and cafes. Injunction arguments are slated for July 16. PROSER, RAFT, CASSARA IN COAST TR0C DEAL Los Angeles, July 9. Monte Proser and Tom Cassara bought the lease on the Trocadero nitery at a reported price of $60,- 000. Understood George Raft is one of a group of names involved in the deal. Sale was made by Norman Staller. Auditors are currently going over the night spot's stocks to set a price. 'Aqua Follies'in LA. Date Los Angeles, July 9. Helen Clenkovich Morgan, diving champion, will star in "Aqua Fol- lies," to be produced by Larry Cros- by and staff at the Olympic Swim Stadium, starting tomorrow (Wed.). Water show will run here for two weeks under sponsorship of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. Artists Corp. of America char- tered as theatrical agency with of- fices in New York. HopeMedaled byVFW Kansas City, July 9. Bob Hope was awarded the gold citizenship medal, the high- est award of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, in* a ceremony during showing here of his vaude .unit July 4. The award was made by Lawrence A. : (Buck) Rogers, national director of athletics and recreation for the VFW. • It was made in appreciation of Hope's good work in enter- taining servicemen overesas. MP if Photographers STAGE - SCREEN - RADIO ARTISTS NEW YORK STUDIO 154 West 87th Strut DELIGHTFULLY AIR-CONDITIONED PHONI CIRCLE 7-3505 BOSTON STUDIO - LENOX HOTEL fhoitt for Appointment: Kmunor* 5-300 50 N.Y. State Fairs fori Albany, N. Y., July 9. New York State fairs, bounding back from a wartime low of 29 in 1943, Will number 50 this year. James A. Carey, in charge of fairs for the State Department of Agri- culture and Markets and secretary of the N. Y. State Fairs Association, announced that fairs are scheduled for 42 counties and the total the largest since 1941, when 52 were held. He« stated that "demand for and interest in fairs is great through- out the state." There are a num- ber who have operated in the Empire State for more than 100 years. While manufacture of farm machinery is only getting into swing at pre-war levels, many of the com- panies will display their machines at county expositions this year. The outlook for exhibits, rides, midway entertainment and stage shows is excellent, according to Carey. The State reimburses fairs for prizes awarded, the highest allotment being $10,000. This is done, to foster the educatidnal and scientific phases of fairs. The first fair will be held at Lockport, N..-Y., week of July 22. The week of Aug. 19 will see 10, the highest number. Last fair will be that at Trumansburg, N. Y;, week of Oct. 2. CARSON'S CUFFO DATE UPS K.C. TAKE TO 18G Kansas Cit.y July 9, Jack Carson, pic and radio comed- ian, in last week's cuffo date at the Tower theatre, sent the house to a new high of $18,000. Previpus high was a '$16,000 chalked up by Count Basic two years ago. Carson began his climb as emcee for the Tower about 10 years ago, and Basie started his musical career in K. C, apparently showing the home town boys have b.o. draw here. The 30 performances last week were, played by Carson at the Tow- er's regular scale of 39c. to 60c. Talent Union Okays GI Shows at Versailles, N.Y. The Versailles, N. Y., has resumed its series of GI tryouts, after several weeks suspension, awaiting decision of American Guild of Variety Artists on whether tryouts were in violation of union's ukase against "Celebrity Nights." Nick Prounis, co-owner of spot, met with and convinced AGVA that it was a patriotic and not profitable venture, merely set up to give re- turning Gl's an opportunity to dis- play talents before a smart audience such as the swank nitery gets. When AGVA gave Prounis green light to continue the.audition series, nitery operator of his own volition agreed to make substantial donation of the union's Emergency Death Benefit Fund on all subsequent per- formances given. GI tryouts are held Sunday nights at the Versailles, in addition to reg- ular show. Winners of the auditions are given a two-week salaried en- gagement at the bistro. Bob Hope's H wood Show Winds Tour With Boff Gross of 500G on 331-Niters Joe Moss Takes Over Aquarium, A. C. Nitery Aquarium, Atlantic City nitery, is slated to undergo changes in opera- tion with Joe Moss, formerly with the 400 Club, N; Y., assuming man- agement of the spot. First change is expected to be a shift of name with Copa tag currently being considered. Spot will also undergo - some re- furbishing on the interior with one change already having been made on location of the bar. No changes are contemplated in- talent policy. Cocktaileries Slump Cues Talent Cnrb; Agency Chops Staff Slump in cocktail lounge business has started making serious indents upon talent agency income. Indica- tive of business slump in that de- partment is seen by the layoff of two men in the cocktail Sector of the Moe Gale agency which last week let out Al Roth and Lou Bronsteln. Joe Marsolais and Walter Hyde remain. While other offices ire still keep- ing cocktail staffs intact, income has dwindled appreciably. Most of the drop comes from the urban spots, many of which have cut down on talent budgets, while others are dispensing with talent for the summer. However, roadhouses and resort spots have picked up, but not enough to offset loss from intown lounges. Business drop during hot weather is normal, according to agency men, but hick this year is so severe as to indicate the boff business of war years is completely out. Slump in cocktaileries follows business dip in night clubs, but ef- fects were later in becoming evident because of the generally lower price policy in effect. As a result of the business dip many vocalists and musicians are on the unemployed list, but name must cal units and chirpers that carry their salaries at the b.o. are still able to draw top coin. But lesser salary bracketed performers are being cut during current lull. Tidbits'May Cue Cycle of Legit-Yanders Summer revival of the two-a-day legit vaude revues is indicated for this summer with opening of tid- bits of 1946" at the Plymouth thea- tre, N. Y.,.Monday (8), and contem- plated production of another by Paul Small. Small expects to open at the Alvin theatre, N. Y. some- time in August. Talent for the new Small produc- tion hasn't been set yet. Kansas City, July 9. The Bob. Hope vaude unit wound up its tour July 4 with a matinee in the Municipal Auditorium here and a night performance at the Topeka, Kans., Fair Grounds. Com- pany covered 33 cities in 29 days. The local matinee played to slightly more than 5,000 customers for a $13,000 gross at $4 top. Some idea of the contrast be- tween afternoon and nite trade done by the troupe can be had from the' Des Moines, la., date July 3. The matinee .is reported to have skimmed through with $3,600, while the night show jammed them in for. nearly $30,000, almost a 10-to-l improvement. Hope told the press here that the airborne tour would garner upwards of $500,000, but final count will not be available for a few days. Hope's 20G Take In Memphis Memphis, July 9. Bob Hope's vaude unit did $20,000 at Crump Stadium last Tuesday night (2). . Believed here crowd would have been much larger but for threat of inclement weather throughout two days preceding the show. Mayor Chandler designated the day officially as "Bob Hope Day In Memphis." As climax to show, the Mayor presented Hope with a handr some scroll in behalf pf local Ameri- can Legion, American Veterans, Committee, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veter- ans chapters, praising Hope's war- time contribution to GI morale. CINCY CAFE HOLDOUTS AGREE TO GUILD TERMS Four holdout niterles In Cincinnati area which mutinied some weeks ago against renewing pacts with Ameri- can Guild of Variety Artists when apprised they'd have to lay cash bonds on line, capitulated to de- mands of the union this week. Spots involved and operating on Kentucky side of river are Beverly Hills Country Club, Lookout House, Glen Rendezvous and Latin Quarter. After Matt- Shelvey, head of AGVA, planed out over weekend to confer, with the operators' and ex- plain bond requirement was neces- sary, and not discriminatory towards them, ops posted aggregate sum of $14,000 as salary assurance to per- formers booked in. After Shelvey apprised them that four spots on the Cincy side had al- ready posted cash bonds everything was rosy again. Latter spots are Casa Grande, Cat 'n' Fiddle, .Rink's Club and Listerman's Nite Spot. Terp Troupe for Hawaii First non-service sponsored unit to appear in Honolulu since Pearl Harbor will be headed by Veloz and Yolanda. Dance team will take its "Dansa- tion .of 1946" to the Hawaiian Is- lands in September. Andrews Sis Set For 20G at Steel Pier, A.C. !Wlywood, July 9. Andrews S •'.•" a! '!or Steel Pier, Atlantic Cil . f .. v .•••'.c of Aug. 11 at flat $20,001" '' •.!!;(■ stanza, the top straight s <-V .-. ■>. ..ver has received and one ^ ;igures ever given a vocal ■■ .i. The v. c r. ■•' t-rentl;' are vacation- ing K- .■■>.' after recent mop-Up tour ■ ■ '.■ slope vaude houses. ■ i Carol, former Louis ■ ilist, into, the Steel Pier, ity, Aug. 25. • Ttlwtcus LOEW BOOKING AGENCY etNfMt txtcuriyt ornctt LOEW BUILDING ANNEX ; !M W. 44H> t»., N.T.C • Hyoni 9-7MO Offt M F W YORK B O S T Q N