Variety (Dec 1946)

Wnanegtlay, DeCferol>«y 18> 1946 CHATTBII 71 Broadway Attorney Louis Nizer to Arizona for month's rest. Salter about again Harry after ,b,.ee weeks'with grippe. Bill Slater switched from Repub- lie to Columbia's exploitation staff. /«iV Fox resiffned as exec v.p. of . Offidal Films 16m outfit. No plans ''^Fmmett Corrigan planes to Toledo everTsunclay to ailing dad who ■ ^ DwiKht Deere Wimpn has moved pfjiccs from Playhouse to Adelphi """'hn'Farmer m.c. at RKO Christ- mas party™t Waldorf-Astoria Fn- supplied by showbusiness benefits, is malting his annual appeal for funds and Xmas packages for non-secta- rian distribution among the inmates: Cinema Iiodge of B'nai B'rith sponsored a dinner last night (Tues- day) at the Astor hotel honoring Kate Smith and Sister Kenny "for outstanding contributions toward true American democratic prin- ciples." Former is national chair- woman for the current Si.ster Kenny $2,000,000 fund drive. John .jias pi '''.fony Buttitta, p.a. ahead of "Song of Norway" in Chicago, has finished ' Davtd Manners replacing Henry Diinilll in 'Lady Windermere's Fan" *"riiboirRusseIl. last in "Gypsy Lady/' has romantic lead in "In Gay Old kew Orleans,'' . , . , ,, The Danny Kayes thinkmg of call- ing their daughter Dena from the record of the same name. Marvin Schenck, Metro veepee and eastern studio rep, to the Coast for huddles with studio execs. Beth Merrill returning to stage in "All My Sons," retitled from "The Sign of the Archer." ^ . T Newman Lawler, of O Brien, DriscoU & Raftery, handling legal chores again after brief illness. Philip Stevenson resigned from Theatre Guild press department, Reginald Dennenholz replacing. '-Ted Baumfeld, eastern sales rep for producer Arnold Pressburger, Coast vacationing for three weeks. John Houseman, who staged "Beg- gar's Holiday," will direct "Mirror in the Sky," another new musical. Percy Waram out of "Another ' Part of The Forest" two nights last week, being replaced by Paul Ford. Bill Norton, company manager of "Up In Central Park" on tour, back in town on vacation^ Bill Doll sub- bing. , . , , , Charles Brackett, who arrived last week from the Coast, o.o:'ing B>ay shows; returns to Hollywood next ■ week. United Artists prexy Kd Raftery's young son, Ed, Jr;, .underwent emer- gency operation Mbnday (16) ■ night for appendix. , Rutgers Nielson taking heat treat- ments and wearing a knee guard since he injured his leg about six weeks ago. Mark Hanna clearing title on a Westchester farm. Bucolic-inclined agfent has picked up 22 acres in Bed- : ford Village. Harry Fleishman, general mana- . ger for Gilbert Miller, has resigned, going on vacation before making an- other connection. Sandy Cummings, Col. producer, planed back to the Coast Sunday (15) after six days in N. Y., chiefly to visit with his fiancee. Carol Brandt, Metro's eastern sliory chief, and Olin Clark, eastern story editor, due back from the ■ Coast tomorrow (Thursday). Sara Briskin back to Hollywood Saturday (21) after a brief N. Y. visit ianent his new Liberty Films production. "It's A Wonderful Life." Claudette Colbert and Fred Mac- Murray as "Col-Mac Egg Ranch" sending out "Egg and I" handpalnted (by Orry Kelly) ties, from the Uni- versal picture of the same name, P. E, Furber and Norman W. El- son, Trans-Lux theatre circuit top- pers, returned from Mexico City last week where both attended the open- ing of the chain's eighth unit there. Herbert S. Nu.sbaum, member ol , Metros homeoffice legal staff, re- signed to join legal firm handling • Monogram's affairs on the Coast. He will headquarter at the Mono studio alter Jan. 1. Tom J. Connors, ,20th-Fox veepee oyer saleis to the Coast today (Wed.) PJP«nd Xmas with his family and huddle with studio execs on routine business matters. Due back at the n o. Dec. 28. iJ^^"^ Universal execs training °" t'^e Century and Ai.„ .m?- ' studio huddles. nSL nJ'' marriage of '^'""''''^'■S's daughter, Dodo, to Stanley Meyer, Jan. 14. . a™ syndicate owning the Park ovUlnrf"?!!*"'??* w'^ic"' threatens pTi«\' tl^l Danny Kaye.s (Sylvia L?*' i"<=l"?es producer GUbert MU- rhi-iv.!*'"^^'*^ attorney WilUam L. sfS?""'?.* In the control. ^Ctordine, French producer ik who expected to'attend SalSJSJ'",?i.^*^« 55th St. Playhouse du™J?^y was unable to appear sa'*? lability to secure v\^^V^&- He's now slated to arrive early in January. DbMv w'^^'*'^^ tasting up N. Y. camn«iJ^^^^"'.»" ''avid Chamay's AiJ^tt^.^^i^'^st the State Liquor ch«mSI u '.'•ackdown on the Long- c£?2„u''^'" because of credit- arp T^'^- Some 2,000 workers 'tay revoked " "th^^ll G 'Wittels, who profiled Sb£„« -y=lePt MCA-in four twol^P?^* chapters, now doing a stein^ 9,4 o" Oscar Hammer- wit>, tu ■ ■ Pi^actically communes town'Pa llrm^'''" '^'^ Doyles- • n^^f tlyland, whose Dan- ClSrch V . P'^i'^on «hapel. bv r^>« ^^^^ "^ood Thief, wa.s built " <=onvict labor and with funds Washington, D. C. By Florence S. Lowe Joe HoUon, fitai. scout, in to o.o. "State Occasion," current Catholic U attraction. John Grier.son is producing the I fir.st short in a: new series of morale I films for the Navy. I BMI is furnishing talent for the i annual National Press Club dinner to the President on Jan. 11. Variety Club reviving it.s iinnua) moppets' party on Dec. 27. Event was di.scontinued durin;; war. Bryson Rash back at hi.s old stand as director of Special Features for WMAL-ABC, after a five months leave to direct radio for Democratic National Committee, Sidney Lust's trio of suburban theatres holding annual food and clothing matinees this week, with 20th-:Fox, Warner's , and Columbia contributing the features. D, C, radio ■ stations pooling their talent for a Christmas show at Glen Dale sanitarium. Brown Dei-by and Club 400, local niteries, also con- tribbing acts for the show, Film and radio biggies at Gridiron. Club dinner past Saturday (14) in- cluded Nicholas Schenck. Spyros Skouras, Eric Johnston, Gridiioner i Byron Price, David Sanioff and ' Gardiner Cowles. Treasure Island, which dropped its floor .show policy pa.st week, i.s sec- ond D. C. nitery to succumb to spending slump. Paul Young's Ro- many Room previously atmounced it would operate as straight eatery after Jan. 1. Stockholm Sten Nordenskiold ofl! for West Africa to make educational shorts for Svensk Filmindustri, Gustav Wally, who visited the U, S. last August, expect.s to make another trip to the states next sum- mer. Swedish film, "Det Brinner en Eld" ("A Fire Is Burning"), dealing with the Norwegian underground, is scoring big success in Spain, Vet film scripter Franz Winter- stein, who's been plying his trade in Madrid the past few years, re- ported returning to Sweden soon, Stig Jaerrel, ex-actor turned meg- ger, completed chores on "Bad Eyes" for Centrum Film and is slated to handle another for i.he same firm. "Eyes" will preem early in January, Miami Beach By Larry SoUowmy Lucille Barton into Bar of Music, Una Merkel in town for a long stay.' Nitery biz ofl' over 60% in most spots. Sonny Kippe's orch into Roney Plaza. J, J, Shubert, Robert Hannegan at Shelborne hotel, Bruce Cabot in town on ; way to Havana .(or vacash. Irving Fielcl.'S orch back at Cadil- lac hotel lounge for season. Bert Wheeler due today (Wed.) for vacash at Lord Tarleton. Harry Brent, local booker, setting top acts for Nassau engagements. Lou Zissen opening a "Penthouse" addition to his Bowery, in Miami. Patricia Ryan. the. (Jraysons and Ted & Carolyn Adair in new show at Club Bali. Harry Conover due in town in February to judge' Press Photog's model contest. Hal Herbert's new and expensive Sirloin Club a click, with the little room packed. nightly. The George Brandts (she was Jayne Manners) in town for honey- moon at Raleigh hotel. Noel Francis planed in from N. Y. to take over flackery duties for Lou Walter's' Latin Quarter. Ruth Barr, former N. Y. talent agent, now located here, announced impending wedding to Jules Kasdin, chain drug store head. Giro's, swank dine-dance room, opened for season Friday (13). Cha- vez debut at Mardi Gras drew the late crowds same night. Hotel ops blaming northern black market,.railroad ticket rings for the half-empty trains arriving, despite reports that jammed cars are leaving N. Y. daily. Billy Vine settled long feud with Kitty Davis and will open at her club on New Year's Eve. Prof. Backwards (Jimmy Edmondsen) and Patricia Adair on same bill. Ned Schuyler and Ca.sey Castle- man, Beachcomber owners, opened dancery in Negro section of town, with Louis Armstrong's band bring- ing in 3,000 admissions over week- end. Celeb parties inaugurated last weekend with Ben Gaines feteing the Copacabana show and Swift Morgan at his Blackamoor , room; Kitty Davis partying all the local amusement columnists. Beachcomber makes seasonal de- but Thursday (19) with Jackie Miles- Gypsy Rose' Lee show with Lou Walters preeming his Palm Island Latin Quarter the following night with his new French revue. Week loaded with openings. Tues- day Myron Cohen, Lorraine DeWood and Watkin twins at Kitty Davis; Wednesday, the Clover Club show cases Jack Marshall, Betty R^illy and Cop.sey Ayres, while Diosa Cos- tello and Pupi Campo debut at the Five o'clock Club. Harry Watt is working on script for "Eureka Stockade," next home- made film planned for Ealing. Watt will bring out a productiqinuntt.next year.. ■. In a radio talk to Australia via Sydney's 2SM, Bing Crosby said he hoped to visit this country next year, not to make a pic but tO' gander the racetracks. ■'The Killers" will run at the State, Sydney, operated by: GUT. First time a pic Of this calibre has screen- ed in "this deluxer, catering mostly tcr-cTarriage trade, Ralph Foster leaves for Canada end oi this year. He's been out here for the Aussie Government heading the National Films Board, producers of documentaries. Biz is bright for the Tivoli loop in Sydney with Jan Rubini. Nelson Clifford, Marie Marion, the Apple- tons and Ray Smith. In Melbourne, Tommy Trinder is still sock in eighth week for Dave Martin. Biz is still terrific in keys and stix with Ealing's homemade "Over- landers." Pic is going through Brit- ish Empire Films, also handling As- sociated British, Republic: and Mono- gram under Gordon ' EDis. Hollywood 20th to Produce sss (Continued from page Dsa seven years under the condition it would pick up the option within 30 days after publication. Tome is to be published by Doubleday Jan. 23. Small Town Boy Makes Good Cedar Rapids, la,, Dec, l1. William E. Henniqg, a .shorthand instructor in a small business college here, is currently dickering with 20th-Fox to sell screen rights to his first novel, Harold Ober agency, handling the deal for him, has a.sked 20th for a minimum of $50,000 and the company is on the verge of accepting. Novel, titled "The Heller," brought Henning rejection slips from H different publishers before he. finally sold it to the Ladies Home Journal, which plans to print a condensed version next summer. Story, concerning eight months in the life, of a teen-age girl, was de- veloped "chiefly through observa- t i on requiring little research," Henning said. Pix Admissions (Continued from pace Das their present norm, A slice in prices at the boxoffice would be the worst thing that could happen to the in- dustry, this exec saidi Only word of caution was voiced by one Broadway theatre manager, who warned against trying to boost prices any higher than $2, Experi- ence of Samuel Goldwyn in trying to get that price for his "Best Years of Our Lives'' during weekdays at the Astor, N. Y..- adds weight to the statement, he said. Theatre patrons, he said, will go for anytliing up to $2 for a strip ticket. Once the price soars over that figure, the customer expects to get a reserved .seat, which means only road.show atlrftctions can expect to go for ■ - ■n""''" By Hal Cohen Bob HOffmanvis the new organist at Hotel Keystone's Lounge Cafe. "Y" Playhouse has "A Bell for Adano" in rehearsal for Its next pro- duction, , , , . , ^ Gene Lyons, local lad, signed for revival of "Rope" starring John Carradine. Carnegie Tech drama school cur- rently reviving George Ade's "Col- lege Widow." . , Terrace Room's new floor show headed by Kay Vernon and Artini and Consuelo. New Year's Eve tariff m the downtown clubs will range from $15 to $25 per couple. , . Variety Club closing down this week for few days for annual pre- Xmas liousecleaning. Dave Broudy, feeling fit again after a breakdown, is back managing WB's Shadyside Theatre.- , Police recovered Emil Brenkus bass fiddle less than an hour after it was stolen from his car. Art Farrar, bandleader, comuig home from Hollywood to spend Christmas with his family. Bobby Klein, a big hit at Play- house in "Kiss and Tell," cast for lead there in coming "Poor Nut.^ Johnny Harris coast-bound to bring back John, Jr., in military school out there, back for holidays. Harold Lund, with Ward-Wheel- ock in Philly, came here for mar- riage of his niece, Shirley Stevenson, to Elliott Plowe. Palm Springs By Hank Goldenberc A ga-ga tourist fell into Marjorie Main's lap at the Village Inn. Horace Heidt due here to enter- tain at his Lone Palm on New Year's Eve. ■■ . , Bill Holden and Brian' Donlevy Christmas shopping on .the Boul'*- vard. : Charlie Morrison's Stables closed Dec. 1, with announced reopening for Dec. 26. Screen actor Bob Stevens and Jerelyn Arthur annouii£e wedding plans at the Tennis Club. Joan Fontaine and Bill Dozier tanning at La Quinta. Ditto Carole Keppler, new 20th-Fox moppet. Absorbing the violet-rays; Mike Newman and Arthur and Betsy Schmidt, Columbia Pictures pub- licists. Swinging partners in ye old Square Dance at. the Palm House: The Bill Gargans, and Rudy Vallee with a lovely. C. E. McDonald. Fox manager, San Francisco, shed his raincoat to guest here with Nick Turner, retired Pox- West Coast exec. ; Edward Small has taken large suite for season at new Villa Her- mosa. His writer, George Bruce, anchored here to *o "Valentino" scripting chore. Gene Rodgers, recording artist, en- tertains the customers at the Lido. Ditto Martha Davis at Chi-Chi's Cir- cus Room. Charel still at the ivories in the Oval Room. Underneath the sheltering palms: Phil Harris, John M. Stahl, Hal Roach, Jr., Diana Barrymore, the Lee Bowmans, Mrs, Herbert Mar- siiall, and J. Carrol Naish. Taking pointers from tennis cham- pion Pauline Betz at the Racquet Club: Gary Grant, Spencer Tracy, Paul Lukas, Mervyn LeRoy and the Bill Powells. Kibitzers: The Edgar Bergens, Ken Murray, the Skinny Ennises, and Anita Louise with Buddy Adler. Radio Chirpers gsCContinued from page 1); Australia By Eric Gorrick Here Mclntyre (U) and Bernie Freeman (Metro) are winding up an extensive ^NfiW Zealand visit for respective units, , i, Dan CarroU, manager of the Prince Edward, Sydney. Paramouht shbwcase, is back at his desk after a major operation, . . Paul Schramm is giving lunchhour piano recitals in Sydney City Hall at 40c fee afid pianist is coppmg plenty from office workers. . Fullers ' have renewed : lease or Majestic, Adelaide, for further long- term. Have held house for around, 30 years. It will continue vaude. Ti'ade is o.k. i:or the Littles. Plays on tap for summer include "Mary Stuart," "Or Mice and Men,' • Twelfth Night" and "Lover's Leap. their sore disappointment to the Detroit- ers. Old Gold isn't exactly conceal- ing the fact that, on the basis of Frank Sinatra's earnings from his Wednesday night air show, the cigr gie outfit merits a better rating, Meanwhile there's talk that, come spring, and the Old Gold-Sinatra al- liance may blow up permanently. Kate Smith and her $14,500 weekly package is^nearing the end of its General-Foods run, .with the general impression prevailing that GF will let the whole thing lapse. And Bor- den's has: crystallized its thinking about the $12,500 weekly Ginny Simms show by pacting Donald O'Connor to a permanent ticket, be- ginning this Friday (20), in a move to hypo the stanza. Bourjois had a recent similar ex- perience, even with a more moder- ately-'budgeted show, when it inlced Tony Martin to a CBS half-hour commercial, but decided that sing- ing stars weren't paying off. The overall impression, which will undoubtedly have a bearing on future commercial programming of that type show, is that, weighed strictly in terms of their coast-^to- coast appeal, their prices are way above ceiling. The emergence of the vocal stars into the.'top coin brackets is an off- shoot of their wartime popularity. During the time when they were gearing their vocal contribs toward GI consumption, they were riding high and wide in popularity. Came the era of infiated talent prices and thdy all got front -seats on the band- wagon, But, say the sponsors, they don't fit into the postwar pattern of listening appeal at those ssime top .-priee's.' Jean Hersholt to Palm Springs, ■ Ionia McDonald to Mexico City, Richard Hageman to Mexico City. John Huston returned from New York. Martin Mooney vacationing in Las Vegas. Edwin O'Hanlon nursing a case of poison ivy. Elizabeth- Taylor laid up with bronchitis. Sol Cornberg and Everett Wile to San Francisco. Luther Adler in from Manhattan for iilm work. Pat O'Brien checked 'in from Birmingham, Ala.. . Edwin Schallert. hospitalized with intestinal trouble.. Sam Ja(fee elected veepee of Art- ists Managers Guild. . . ■ Dwight Mitchell Wiley recuperat*: ing from pneumonia. Audie Murphy to Texas for a tour of stage appearancees. - Jerry Jarman has a new film name, Geralcline Cobb. . Howard Da Silva will spend- Christmas in the cast. Billy- Halop filed suit for divorce against Helen Tupper, Robert Taylor flew his own plane in from Wichita, Kansas. Barney Gerards celebrated their. 25th wedding anniversary. Antonio Moreno celebrated: his 33rd anni as a film actor. Jackie Coopers celebrated second wedding anniversary. Joseph M. Schenck in town after two months in Mexico City. - B. B. Kahane to Chicago for the funeral of his brother-in-law.: Norman Siegel i'eturned to Para- mount after a trip to England. Peter Dunne back in town after touring with Mae West's legiter. ^ Ray Enright and Doc Merman to Albuquerque ',o scout locations. John Corfield, British producer, paying his first visit to Hollywood. Olive Faye returned after four years of overseas trouping for USO. Maxine Lewis in from Las Vegas to sign talent for the "Last Frontier." Ben Lyon and Bebe Daniels deco- rated for military services oversea.s. Gordon Hollingshead returned to work after winning a bout with ■flu..' William Pizor in from New York for Screen Guild Distribution hud- dles. Lauritz and Maria Melchior were awarded their final citizenship pa^ pers. Nita Hunter slated for a personal appearande tour with "Susie Steps Out." Daniel O'Shea to Rochester, Minn., for a check-up at the Mayo clinic. Steve Brodie and Iiois Andrews to Lake Tahoe on a delayed honey- moon.. Happy Chandler, baseball com- missioneri ' ^atidering Paramount - studio. Prema Fernando, exhibitor from Ceylon, gendering production at Warners. ' Cedric (jribbons sold his hou.sc in Santa Monica Canyon to Van John- son lor $125,000. Ed Marin going to Pariis when he completes his director job on "Christmas Eve." Morgan Conway to Arrowhead: Springs, instead of New York for the holiday season. , Eddie Shipstad injured three fin- gers while operating a buzz saw in his home workshop. Quentin Reynolds and Ben Hecht to Oceanside to screenplay "The Miracle of the Bells." John Berry, on leave of absence for three months, returned to Para- mount with a completed screenplay, "The Medal." Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh will be house guests of David Niven when they arrive in Holly- wood next month. Benedict Bogeaus and Dolores Moran will spend the holidays with Burgess Meredith and Paulette God- dard in New York. Glenn H. Campbell and L. W. Rember, Chicago butter-and-egg men, ogling "The Egg and I" at Universal-International, ■ - :By Xes .Rees Edyth Bush Players offering "Holi- day." Dunninger playing one-nighter at Auditorium. Lyceum gets. "Glass Menagerie" Dec, 30-Jan. 2. Sammy Walsh, into Hotel Dyck- man Robin Hffod Room. Lowry Terrace has Leo Piepcr Orch With Beverly Whitney. ; Benny Fields foUowsvLiberace into Hotel Hadisson Flame Room John Wildberg and the missus spent three days here helping to publicize»"Anna Lucasta." ' . Andy's nitery floor show incHides Del Campos, Marina, Joe Griffin, Adorables and Jerry May.notn's orch. Happy Hour floor shcf, •.include.s Don Ragon Orch with Atfce Raye, Frank & Peggy Cole and Pepper Hall'. ■ North Star Drama Guild, city's principal civic theatre group, offer- ing "Junior Miss" and "Here Today'' this month with "Hasty Heart," "Enchanted Cottage," "Barretts of Wimpole Street," "Under Capri- corn," "The Jest," .".Jane Eyre," "Daik of Moon" and "Mr, Cooper's Left Hand" to follow.