Variety (Jul 1946)

Wednesday, July 24, 1946 Broai Kay Kenney in Hollywood writing lor Hal Koach studio. Margaret Perry Fanning at Doc- tars hospital for rest. Harriet Kaplan now on William Calm's staff as play editor. Lilian C. Dalzell going out thu week in advance of "Life With fcama Pierpoht to. Coast for "State of the Union ' road company, in re- he RKO flackery chief Rutgers Niel- son back on the job after a week's vacation. . Dennis Day moved parents from their home in the Bronx to the Coast Tuesday (23). . '. Two - way telephone equipment available for, motor cars late this summer or early fall. Ruth O'Neill, treasurer Of Colum- bia Concerts, flying this weekend to Ireland on pleasure trip. : Sam H. Harris memorial services in chapel of Jewish Theatrical Guild next Tuesday (30) at 5:30 p.m. Sheila Barrett recovering from third attack of virus pneumonia, due out of Gotham hospital this week. Haidee Blumenstock. daughter of Mort Blumenstock, WB pub-ad di- rector, engaged to. Fred Fox Auer- bach. , , . George Upton, of "Annie Get Your Gun" cast, to produce waxed kid programs for . International Rec- ord Co. Warner Bros, exploitation dept. has affected a literal tleup.. Sulka's are now featuring "Night and Day" cravats. ,. , Penny Bancroft, who auditioned into a Versailles club date, was with the first all-girl USO unit in China and India. ■ Maurice Conn off for Coast yester- ' day (Tuesday ) after huddling with Aslor Pix's Bob Savini on new pro- duction deal. American Negro Theatre Is play- ing "Angel Street" this week. To be followed by "You Can't Take It With You." in Harlem. Concert manager Charles L. Wag- ner broke his right wrist in a fall last week, and will carry his arm In sling for several weeks. Steve Harihegan to. Sun Valley preparatory to reopening the resort which has been closed, since 1941 be- cause of wartime pleasure travel re- strictions. . Manning Gurin, back 'after four years in Pacific, named company manager of "On Whitman Avenue." replacing Lester' Al Smith who is going into own legit production this fall. - Eddie. Cantor, who completed a 12-day date at the Vancouver, B. C, Diamond Jubilee, vacationing with Ida in Banff and Lake Louise until he starts at Milwaukee's Centurama celebration next week. Billy B. Van, Broadway comedian, who retired from show business 20 years ago, spoke al the Sales Execu- tive Club, N. Y., on Tuesday, and leaves for Chicago, where he speaks to the Small Business Men of Ameri- ca. His talks are "Application of Showmanship to Industry." Mean- while-boosting his Pine Tree Soap and his state , of New Hampshire. ft r the . National Assn. erchants pcAvwow. of Music Mark Hellinger and Sonny ■ Tufts "1 to bring in for. preview ii Room, Pearson hotel. run skedded to bring in print Of 'Th' Killer" for. preview in New English Music Merchants confatbers en- tertained by local Republic exchange with cocktails and preview of "I've. Always Loved You'. ' James Coston, Warner Bros, cir- cuit zone manager, and Tom Flan- nery, White Way Signs chieftain, back from Eagle River, Wis., fishing, jaunt. Shubert supervisor Sam Gerson taking it easy in. Atlantic. City, and midwest Decca recording chief Mike Conner doing likewise in Jenkins, Minn. Walter Wagner and Lucien' Self stopped to see "State of the Union" enroute to L. A. to take over as gen. stage mgr. and'backstage mgr., re- spectively, of the third company. Darnell Howard, Lee Collins, Preston Jackson, John Lindsay, Cliff "Snags" Jones, Chink' Hester and Bertha Hill put on their "New Or- leans Stampers", stint for the Hot Club of Chi.; Times' Doris Arden and Sun's Harry Murdock and Dale Harrison are among the town's fourth-estaters enjoying Metro's munificence at the Grand hotel, Mackinac Island, 'dur- ing filming of "This Time for Keeps." Dublin Chicago Ella Fitzgerald at the Regal. Al Borde to 'N. Y. on business.. Harry Cohn in town enroute to N.Y. ' . Kay Armen in town visiting her brother. Singapore closing for repairs Aug. 19-Sepf. 3. Ashton Stevens vacationing at Winona, Minn. Joan and Frank Bering celebrated 14th wedding anni. . Carlos Chavez conducted-a couple of Ravinia concerts. Mike Todd in, giving his "Up in Central Park" the o.o. Claude Morris flew in, beating the drums for "Duel in the Sun." Julie Chez, Latin Quarter chorine, slightly injured in auto accident. Joan Bering to N. Y. to see the Freddie Friedlobs off for England. Jack Leonard off to Atlantic City in support of Jane Russell at Steel Pier. Pump Room magician Bert Aller- ton seriously ill and confined to his home. Lou Abrahamsoh, Allied office secretary, catching fish again..- in Michigan. Desi Arnaz follows the Ritz Bros, into the Chicago theatre Aug. 16 for two weeks Mischa Auer inked to follow Slap- . sie Maxic Rosenbloom and Max Baor into Colosimo's. ■ . ■ ; Howard Marx,. formerly with Na- tional Theatre . Supply, now asst. sales manager for Ampro Corp. Jesus Maria Sanroma, Israel Baker, Dorothy Kay and Vivian Delia Chiesa soloed at Grant Park. Vivian Blnine~ solved autograph problem by entertaining 200 bobby- soxers backstage at the Chicago Theatre. Bob Hope gave $1,705 to Variety Club, part of proceeds from ■ his recent on-nighter, for LaRabida Sanitarium. willard Rutzen,- Morrison hotel asst. mgr... reappointed membership director of GrecterspX America By Maxwell Sweeney Sir Alexander Korda reportedly dickering for film rights of George Shiels's Abbey comedy "Professor Tim." Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" gets an Irish presentation at Dublin Gate by Longford Productions next month. Abbey Theatre.: after- long series of revivals, gets a new play in pro- duction soon, Frank Carney^s "The Righteous Are Bold." : Welsh cellist Peers Coetmore; wife of Irish composer E. J.-Moerui, in Dublin for symphony, concert with Radio Eireann today (24). Jooss Ballet terper Michael Charnley hospitalized for a tbnsll- ectomy; actor Arthur O'Sullivan down with recurrence of knee trou- ble. Thomas M. ' Sheeny, director of Hollywood ,Studio of Dancing, back in Ireland for a long vacation, his first visit since he emigrated 44 years back. Abbey players May Craig and Fred Johnson, with Bernard Mc- Ginn secretary of Irish Equity, were judges of a beauty contest at FoUr Provinces House tevpery. July 13. . New translation of "The Marriage of Figaro" from the French of Beau- marchais has been made. by the Earl "of Longford. It's on the Gate schedule for production next month. Actor Michael Lawrence, who co- stars with Anna Neagle in "Picca- dilly Incident/' has signed five-year contract with Herbert Willcox cov- ering 15 films for a reported $960,- 000. Scottish exhibs visiting Ireland to enjoy un'rationed steaks include Harry Kemp, West of Scotland chain, and Bill Hunter and Jack Taylor, guests of Gen. Film'Distrib- utors' Dublin manager, R. C. Mc- Kew. CHATTER 63 London Joe Breen off to Paris July 25 for a week, after which he returns to U. S. R. H. Gillespie, chairman of Moss Empires, celebrates his Golden ju- bilee in Showbiz. Clifford Whitley intends to take over revue with entire English, cast to Broadway this fall. "Better Late," Garrick theatre re- vue, is first West End show to be televised by British Broadcasting Corp. Ronald Howard, son of late Leslie Howard, gets his first film role in Terence Rattigan's "While the Sun Shines." Edgar Howard Tripp. 43, blind composer and brother of June/ the actress, now. residing in Hollywood, died last week. Latest to back Stage Door Can- teen is J. Arthur Rank who has put up enough money for spot to oper- ate till end of October. Norman Glnsbury to Deyonshire for two weeks after having finished scripting "Bonnie Prince Charlie" for Sir Alexander Korda. Michael - Balcon's daughter. Jill, making her pix debut in her.father's film "Nicholas , Nickleby" which Cavalanti is directing at Ealing stu- dios. Flanagan and Allen invested' $.1,200 in Henry Sherek's "The First Gen- tlertian," the. Savoy theatre current hit, and have been drawing $400 per month in last 16 .months. Yehudl Menuhin to make his first appearance at the Royal Albert Hall Promenade concerts, which starts eight-week season July 27, with London Symphony Orchestra and British Broadcasting Corp. orches- tra. - "A Night In Casablanca," after running concurrently in West End at Gaumont and Marble Arch Pa- vilion, goes into London Pavilion for second run, making first time this house has entertained such a policy. Harry Foster talked Cecilia. Col- ledge, amateur: ice-skating' champ, into turning pro, and has her booked with new Tom Arnold ice show be- ing . staged 'in the West End, prob- ably at Stolls' theatre, Kingway, in the fall. George King has postponed his film, "A Lady Was to Die," and will instead produce "The Shop at Sly Corner," based on hit play of same name currently at St. Martin's, with Oscar Homolka returning from Hol- lywood to star. Shooting starts at Worton Hall studios Aug. 6. and will be made for British Lion Films distrib. Australia By Erie Gorrick Cas Marshall, formerly with Hoyts joining United Artists in charge of publicity. Charles Munro increasing his film loop in Queensland via deals , with indie exhibs. Sir Ben Fuller recovering from ear infection caught • during recent visit to Adelaide. Dan Casey. Universal salesman ager, left by Malson liner Monterey for U. S. His first trip abroad in many years. George and Joy Nicholls have left for a run in British revue at Prince of Wales, London, to be followed later by a continental trip. Whitehall Productions is present- ing "Youth at the Helm" at Minerva, Sydney. Ron Randell, starred In Columbia's' film "Smithy." heads cast, Hoyts bringing out house mag in Melbourne under George Griffith, southern gen. mgr. Lifting of news- print restriction sees big boost in homebrew publications. Alexander Gray is visiting Sydney with Aussie-born wife, former model Joy Flower. Duo plan to slay here several weeks then returning to N. Y: for "Blossom Time." Dave Martin's next vaude-rovue unit into Sydney Tivoii includes Elimar, Ma Sui Lin. Chung Doo. Lee Pak Fa, Kwams, Bobby Le Brun. Ronnie Shand. Les Ritchie. It's titled "Forbidden City Eric Williams. Ealing Studios (London) sound engineer, here for six weeks working on the Harry Watt pic "Overl.mdcrs,'' has been made a member of the British Em- pire by the King for his contribution to sound .advancement- ,n British pix. Kelroy, acrobat with the Will playing working in "Berkeley Sq." next week at Yardley theatre. Mary Lea'therby, . Joshua Logan's sister, supervised Helen Hayes' pic- lure for Life at Playhouse. Westport Variety mugg Humphrey Doulens in Thurs. (18) for visit with Dick Skinner, now proud possessor of an apt. Alexander Kirkland and spouse at Logan Inn for week. - Kirkland fea- tured this week with Kitty Carlisle in "Tonight or Never." Broadwayites in to gander Helen Hayes and, daughter at New Hope last week included Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein > II, Bretaigne Windust, Samson Raphaelson, Mary Martin, George Kaufman, Moss Hart, Haila Stoddard, Marc Connelly, Jean Dalrymple, Eddie Duchin, Nancy Carroll/ Paul Whiteman, Nedda Har- rigan, Kitty Carlisle and Berriie Hart. Atlantic City By Joe W. Walker Gracie Barrie in at the Bath and Turf (18). Maurice Rocco booked into Club: Narlem Aug. 16: Alex Bartha again, playing for dancers at Hamids. Sophie Tucker booked in at Copa Cabana Friday (26). Replaces Jackie Miles. Andy Arcari, accordionist, in the Submarine grill from Joe Moss's Copa Cabana. Steel pier vaude. features Herzogs, the Chords, Richard Adair dancers, Bobby Whaling and Co. and Van Kirk. Pedro Marcano's Rumbers started in EI Capitan, Walk hotspot. tonight (23). Replaces Sherry's Marimba band. Jack Teagarden in at OrsalU's Ca- sino in Somers Point until tomorrow (Thurs.). Carmen Cavallaro in Fri- day (26) for the weekend. Hialeah, refurbished Atlantic ave. nitery, now boasting air-conditioning. New spot offers Patricia Lane, Holly- wood Trio and Al Small's band. Donna Atwood, Francine Benolt and Edythe Walley, from Ice-Ca- pades, at the' local Kiwanis club luncheon last Thursday (18) to brighten up session. John Conlon, who organized the Newark Police Band before he re- tired in 1938, in town singing and distributing his composition. "The •Policeman's Safety Song." Condon, now 84, says he has sold 26.000 copies since 1924, when he composed the number. Harry James and band made re- cording on a piece of German equip- ment captured during the war and now a part of the display «t the U. S. Army exhibit on the Boardwalk. The equipment, developed in 1938 to re- place the disk type of recording, is known as a* magnetic-type recorder Washington By Florence S. Lowe National theatre dark, last week for the first time this season. Nancy Hartung, local gal,, here lo drum up interest in "Caesar and Cleopatra." ' Jerry arid Turk currently click- ing at Delmonicos, which, is the old Club Duet with a new tag. Sir Cedric Hardwicke feted In (he House restaurant by Rep. Harless (D.r Ariz.) during visit here last week. • ■ - Pat Powers, Ross Federal exec, spoke before meeting of government film workers on use of industrial films by Jerry Fairbanks Studio. Teen-age delegates, to National Youth Conference here-voted to pe- tition ATA to reverse its decision on "Seeds of Destiny" arid release the film. Joseph Borkin. Dept. of Justice trust-buster, who is . handling the Technicolor case, sending pix post- cards from Lake Placid, Where he is vacationing. Local 20th-Fox exchange . feted drama desks at a "Siamese Dinner" at the Mayflower last night (23). to beat the drums, for "Anna and the King of Siam." Jay Royen, WRC news and spe- cial events editor, has been upped to station publicity .manager, suc- ceeding Mary Cavanaugh, who re- signed to get married. ' . Virginia's Gov. Tuck up to Philly- last week to dedicate monument on grave of James A. Bland, (Negro composer of "Carry Me Back) to Old Virginriy," official state song.-. Eric Johnston, MPA prexy, plans vacation with his family in 'Spokane. Wash., soon after IATSE meet. Will return here from Chicago, then "make quickie to N. Y., and leave around July 29. Local theatre owners cooperating with Warner's. John Payette in 20th anniversary of sound, with lobby displays of congratulations, personal messages, etc. Bell Telephone also going all out in publicizing the cele- bration. Hollywood Westport By Hamphrey Doulem Carry Wharton taking first flying lessons. Mary Martin has bought house near Norwalk. Lily Pons' sister Kiki here for first U. S. visit. Eddy Duchin a .regular Arstnighter at Country Playhouse this season. Matinee biz picked up this week at. Country Playhouse with Jean- Pierre Aumont credited. Nights al- ways a sellout. John Golden huddling with. Law- rence Langner and will probably try' out Hagar' Wilde's "It's a Man's World" Labor Day week. Francesca Braggiotti played "De- sign for Living" here all week de- spite injuries received attempting to halt a runaway pony at village fair. Clifton Webb arrivfng from Coast Aug. 1, a couple of weeks before rehearsals of Noel Coward's "Pres- ent Laughter," to be presented by John C. Wilson. Beverly Roberts, Mrs. David Selz- nck,' Maynard Morris. Odette Myr- til, Eva LeGallienne, Roger Adams, Joe McGee, John. Fearnlev. Gladys Swarthout, Frank Chapman, Wil-. liam Layton, Edna Ferber,' Paul Draper. William Gaxton, Madeline Cameron among theatregoers this week. Mahoney vaude troupe Tivoii loop for Dave Martin, had his national I truck containing props worth $2,000 Hotel! stolen from outside Tivoii. Sydney. .1 Found truck next day with stuff in- HCA-Vlct'or veepec (in charge of ! tact; crooks left'note saying acrd- ' 'd -activities) J. W. Murray'in ; batic props had no'value. Bucks County, Pa. . By Sol Jacobfon Diana Barry more 'in. for "Rebecca" rehearsals. John Byram. back from London, weekending in Solebury. ' Emile Gauvreau batting out new tome at Pt. Pleasant home. Marie SermOlino. Life fashion cd, weekending with Theron Bainber- gcrs. Kathcrinc Cowanova. Philly terp teacher, weekending at Ben Snyder's Tanglewood farm. Don Walker's youngsters out of hospital, after bike crash which ne- cessitated surgery. Sara Seegcr (Mrs. Ezra ■ Stone) San Francisco By Ted Friend Woody Herman here. Elsa Maxwell in; broadcasting from KFRC. Harry Mandel and family in for vacation from N. Y. Don Searle in town for confer- ences wth Gayle Grubb. Pat Russo off July 29 to join Del Courtney orch in Chicago. Ella Mae Morse, victim of' hotel- room shortage, sleeping on cot in St. Francis kitchen. Tom Breneman in for p.a. and.15- minule radio program from new Sherman and Clay disk dept. Bob Corbin, Golden Gate mana- ger, celebrating birthday and signr i ing apartment lease same day, July ■ Id. Sol Lesser to Alaska on vacation. Ben Freedmans on siesta at Lake Tahoe. Louis Hyman. vacationing at Lake Tahoe.' Helen Forrest recovering from ear surgery. Bert Granet to Mexico City on vacation. Barabara . Stanwyck celebrated a . birthday. Carolina Cotton divorced Deuce Spriggens. Linda Darnell and Peverel Marley living apart. Loyce Whiteman and Harry Bar- ris unhitched. Edward Hyans joined Richard Wiley agency. Ellen Drew divorced Sidney S. "Sy" Bartlett; Helene Thimig leaving . for Salz- burg, Germany. Eddie Stinson in from Detroit for huddles at Metro. Frank Daugherty moved . into Columbia's flackery. Gene Kelly, back in civvies, checked in at Metro. Steven Geray bicycling between two films at Columbia. Reed Hadley- commuting between pix on two 20th-Fox lots. Paul Reichardt, Danish actor, gan- dering Hollywood studios. Tony Martin . recovering from emergency appendectomy. Adrian Booth returned from bi- cycle trip to Santa Barbara. George Hershberger joined Sam- uel Goldwyn's publicity staff. Jean Gilman, publicist, divorced Page H. Gilman, radio actor. Warren Low, . film editor, cele- brating his 25th anni in films. Thomas Gomez back at "Jniversal after five months on the stage. Lou Page entered California Lutheran hosp for observation. Paul Kohner to Mexico City on combined biz and vacation trip. Boy Rogers going on rodeo tour, starting Sept. 17 in Philadelphia. Pat Michaels to Australia to play the male lead in a Clnesound pic. Alex Evelove to San Francisco for the 20th anni' of scund celebration. Tony . Hanze elected Commander of 20th-Fox American Legion Post. Eddie Gordon, trick .bicyclist, left on six-month tour, of South America. Harry Rapf returned to Metro fol- lowing recovery from heart attack. Harold A. Scheib new chief of special effects dept. at telefilm Stu- dios. ». Harry Stern to Salt Lake Ctt.v to start tour as western div. mgr. X\rtr •. PRC. Walter Lantz reopened his studio after two-week vacation for whole staff. David Mathews out of Army- and back as - chief of 20th-Fox's story dept. Busby Berkeley hospitalized after slashing throat and wrist with - a razor, Runrun Shaw, film exhlb from Singapore, gandering production at Metro. : Peter Godfrey 'to guestar at annual show of the Coast Assn. -of Ma- gicians.- Mary Sheffield Dawe ' divorced film-actor husband, Robert Dawe Shayne. ' Carl Leserman In from N. Y. for exploitation huddles with ' Benedict Bogeaus. Raoul Roullen, Brazilian pro- •' ducer, in from Rio to huddle with Lou Brock. Lionel Kaye to Las Vegas to open at Last Frontier In his daffy auc- tioneer act. ' ** Jose G. Salago, top exhlb in Puerto Rico, gandering production at Warners. Hal. Roach studio golf tournament will be held Aug. 25 at Brentwood Country Club. Hillcrest Country Club, hone of Aim- industry goiters, celebrated 25th birthday. Jane Withers booked for week at the Golden' Gate, San Francisco, starting Aug. 28. Alice Joyce filed suit for $100,000, charging her eyesight was damaged in an auto crash. Sister Elizabeth Kenny trains in from Minneapolis this week to meet Rosalind. Russell. Otto Preminger returned frqm Philadelphia where "Centennial Summer", was preemed. ' Michel Dumoht and Sacha de Manziarly, French govt, officials, visiting Charles Boyer. William Boyd and his horse, Top- per, will perform at Boys* Sport Carnival at Long Beach. .Clinton Duffy, warden of Sah Quentin, checked into Paramount lo advise on prison scene's for "My Favorite Brunette." Jean Ruth drew leave of absence from Paramount to appear in the. Chicago "I Remember Mama" co. Mort Goodman returned to his chores as publicity chief at Rcpubr lie after two weeks touring ihe mid- west. _ Jack Kirkland started costing for hjs legit play, "Suds in Your. Eye.'" which opens road tour July 29 in Portland, Ore. William- Elliott returned to Repub- lic after swing around the circuit to convince his public that he. is no longer Wild Bill. Col. Jack L. Warner became dircc- "tor of newly organized Army- Air Forces Assn. of which . Lt.: Gen. James Doolittlc iij-.nat'l pre?i '■?