Variety (Jan 1948)

2S8 Forty-second /^K/JSTT Annivenmy V«iJneadayj Jknuary 7, 1948 OBITUARIES I MICHAEL .T. MEEHAN Michael J. Meehan, ^8, one o£ the most spectacular operators on the N. Y. Stock Exchange betoi'e 1937, and noted at that time tor his op- eiations in film and radio shares, died Jan. 2 of pneumonia in his Suite at the WaldorfrAstoria hotel, N. Y. His most outstanding deals were in Radio Corporation common shares during the period when "Ra- dio" was boomed in the late '20s be- cause pi rapid , growth of the radio industry then. He was known in the film business because of his, reputed large stake at one time in old Pathe shares and his holdings in RKO. His influence in tlie company was. so extensive at one time that he was thought to have had one or- more representa- tives on the directorate and his own man with the corporation in an ex- ecutive capacity. Meehan was a big influence in ■ RKO; since his extensive Keith- Albee-Orpheum preferred holdings ■ gave him virtual control o£ the RKO theatres while the corporation was in "yT-B. He had a stake at one time ■i Blso" in- RKO preferred stock. Mal- , cojm Kingsbergk RKO -theatres topr ' executive^ .was i>ne of, his life-long W'if«, two daughters and two sons ■SMipvive.. '. • • London run at the Shaftsbury thea- ti-e, she had played the role in the original New York production at j the Casino theatre. After the-Lon- don run of 697 nights, she'^reap- peared in a revival of the' piece at Daly's theatre, N. Y. Most of h.er stage life was spent in London, with only occasional returns to New York. In almost 10 years of uninterrupted success she : In Memory of My ■cloved HmbaiHl ' DICK RYAN MARY RYAN ' appeared in musical comedies such l as "An American Beauty,". "The 1 Girl From Up There," "Three Little Maids," "The School Girl," . "The Catch of The Season" and "The Belle of Mayfair." On a return visit to the U. S. in 1935 she refused offers to return to the stage.' ■ ■- GVS'S, SCBI.C:SINGER Gus S< Schleslngier, 6S, who headed Wamecs' toreigti . department for more than 13 yeaxs, died J^v. 2 at IN LOVING MEMORY OF HARRY VON TILZER July 8,1872^on. 10.1946 His Brothers : WILL-JULES-HAROLD-ALBERT dayi!," one of the earliest Warner pielure.s. Gros.-ie.-i on the fllm were among the highest ever to have been achieved at that time in the foreign field. He remained with the com- pany as its foreign chief until 1933. At various times he also was as- sociated with his brother, the .late Morris Schlesinger, in Qperatlon of the Shubert theatre, Newark. He was a brother of Leon SchleS' inger, producer of animated car^ toons for Warners^ Sister and an-s other brother survive. LOUISE BEAODET Louise Beaude't, 86, former actress who for a time had headed her own troupe, Louise Beaudet Opera Co., died Dec. 31 at her home in New York. She made her debut in a Maurice Grau operatic productions in I»onr don, and shortly after came to America. She appeared - with the MoCauU Opera Go. and also in "America" at the Auditorium during the World's Fair in Chicago. In addition to musicals she also ap- peared in dramatic produptions with James .O'Neil, Jeffreys Lewis, Clara Morris, and with William Hbdge in "The Man'From Home." She was also in the William A. Brady revival of "Jim, The PHvman" before acting in '"Flo Flo"; and with Laurette Taylor in- "One Night In Rome." During one season she ap- peared in vaudeville' in a sketch entitled "Mother Love." . ■ " ' She returned to her favorite field of light opera under the manage- ment of The Shuberts in "My Mary- land," and later in "White Lilacs." Her last appearance was in Patter- son McNutt's play, "Hay Fever." . EDNA MAT Edna May., 69; former actress who starred in New York and London in -"The Belle ol New York." died •JTan. X in Lausanne, Switzerland, 'after a heart attack. Her husband, Oscar Lewisohn, died in 1917. Although born in Syracuse, N. Y., ■where she appeared in children's plays,. Miss May subsequently went to Lcndon in the '90s at the age of IS -and scored a personal success as ,.^the iSalV^tion Army lassie in "The BSUe at New Yoffc."* Prior to the his home in Orange, N. J. He had been relatively inactive in the pic- ture field isilTce 1933. A former manager for George M. Cohan, he also managed theati-es in Ottawa, Toronto^ and Montreal. In 1916 he quit the exhibitor field to join the old Interocean Film Co. He subsequently became associated with Harry M. Warner and aided in setting tip Warner's foreign de- partment. ■ ." ' While making a European) trip in 1920, Schlesinger marketed "School-^ V.AVGHN COWFORI! Vaughn' Comfort, ■'. 66, a former blackface minstrel and a veteran ,of more than 40 years in show busi- ness, died Dec. 29 in West Palm Beach, Fla. He was for^many years proprietor of a cafe in' Ocean City* N. J. Comfort, who. began > his singing career at the age of 12, joined the old Dumont Minstrel troupe in Phil- adelphia in 1908, and . was sub'se- quently tenor and interlocutor with shows of "George M. Cohan, George (Honeyboy) Evans, George Prim- rose and Neil O'Brien. He was on the Keith circuit from 1914 to 1926. Dream" and "That's All She Wanted of Me." He was a ntemher of the' American Society of Authors, Com- posers and Publishers, BAT C. HICKMAN Ray C. Hickman; 52, part owner of the Washington Theatre Co., which owned and operated theatres in Marietta, O., died thei*e Jan. 2. He had been in the theatre business for about 30 years, starting with the ownership of the Auditorium thea- tre, Marietta, and later formed -a partnership with the late Mort Shea. Hickman was the^ircuit's travel- ing representative until 1942, when he was incapacitated by an automo- bile accident. Wife, son and daughter survive. MARK FISHER Mark Fisher, 51, singer, orchestra leader and composer, died Jan. 2 in Round Lake, 111., o£ heart attack. He composed many songs including "When You're Smiling" and "Oh How I Miss You Tonight" and at variovs times, played with dance bands around' Chicago, He also played in the various theatre or- chestras employed* by the Balaban & Katz circuit. In recent years, he did a singing act. ». Wife and son- survive." ADOLPH H. WIXTMANN Adolph H, Wittmanp, S7, projec- tionist at the Shaw -tiieatre, St< Louis; died Dec. 28 of heart disease' at his home there. He was a son of the late Adolph Wittmann, one Of the pioneer motion picture theatre owners in St. Louis. Wife and daughter survive. Todd Rubinstein, 45> former nitery entertainer, died last week while visiting friends in Musicians Hall, Philadelphia. In recent years he had been in the trucking business. VirsU Miller, 30, of WCAE en- gineering staff, died suddenly of a heart attack .last \yeek. He had joined the station Im than a year ago. Wife and child survive. ROGER L. ROSENBI.VM Roger L. Rosenblum,, 60, song* writer who was credited with' the lyi-ics to such hits as "One,Dozen Roses" and the "Oceana Roll," died of a heart attack Thursday (1) in Chicago. He was stricken on the street while walking near his home. Other songs for which Rosenblum authored the. words included "Down by the Winegar Works," "When I ■Was a Dreamer and You Were My Charles A. Miller, 57, former thea- tre manager in MeadviUe, Butler and Connellsville, Pa., died last week at Albion, Pa., where for some time'-novr he'had been in the restau- rant business. in jflemoriam 1947 JACK BEDASZ STANLEY F. DAWSON SdPHIE GABY EDELH^IT JOHN GOLDSMITH BERNIE F. HEAD THOMAS R. KILLILEA OnO KLIVIS SAM KRAUS CONN LITTLE HARRY ROSSNAGLE WILLIAM WILKINS ALEX YOKEL ASSOOAliON OF THEATRICAL PRESS AGENTS AND MANAGERS Sarah L. Thomas^ meihber of the J. Walter Thompson ad agency staff for 18. years, died Dec. 30 in Santa Monica. She was a sister of Margaret Ettinger a.nd a cousin of Louella O. Parsons. lanbttan' m^, Mellows' 13G. 'BouiNrNG.PIiilly Philadelphia. Philly's three leg», holiday shows broke just about ey^, both as to S^"^ *^A"*,.*^ ^^i:; "Make Mine Manhattan," was a hit irom its Ri'<:T night and is now in the tojiout claw at the Forrest where it wuds un itt two-and-a-half weeks' stav <?Tfiir day night (10). Wisdom of for the - current session has Wn shown repeatedly as biz mounted? "Bonanza Bound" was a floppo and folded Saturday night (3), It got a critical panning and- Wlifavorable ' word-of-mouth. In-betweener of the three open- ings wa.s "Strange Bedfellows" which preemed Saturday (27). No- tices were good, though not raves, and audience reaction has been favorable. This week is without openings, since "The Last Dance" (previously "A Friend of the Family") put back its preem at the Walnut from Thurs- day (8) to next Monday (12). On that date it will compete with "Bur- lesque," the Bert Lahr revival at the locust and "Song of Norway" at the Sbubert, Tuesday (13) the Forrest gets "Look, Ma„ I'm Dancing," All are in for two week stays. The Walnut is listed for the debat Jan. 28 of "Mr. Roberts," with Henry Fonda, the Shubert gets "Carousel" the same night and the Forrest is skedded for Maurice Chevalier then. First-'named in ' for two '' weeks, "Carousel" for an ittdeflnite stay and Chevalier in for one week. He will be followed by Maurice .Schwartz, also for a week. ' ' Estimates (or Last Week "Bonanza Biiund," Shubert (2d week). Thanks to a capacity hoti.se New Year's Eve,'this tryout limped to a sad $15,000; folded Saturday (3). "Make Mine Manhattan," Forrest (2d week-). This pre-Broadway tune- up started'Vrell and.steadily built to $40,0a0r helijedby a tilted Jlew Year's Eve scale;. reirpains' this 'week. "Strange Redfeilows," Locust (1st week).' Fair reaction and generally gooa $13,000 for the first full week;, current wee'k is the finale. Jacob Kramer, 62, father of Burton Kramer, film . editor, and Arthur Kramer, story editor, died* Bee. 41 in Hollywood. 'Carousel' Big $34,000; 'Norway' Current, Balto Baltimore. ."Carousel" completed its . second round at Ford's here last week to resounding biz, helped by the juicy take for New Year's Eve. In cur- rently to a strong advance is "Song of Norway" with an extra matinee Friday (9) slated as a benefit per- formance for the Actors Fund. ' Estimate for Last Week "Caroflsel," Fprd's (2d week). Rodgers-Hammerstein musical drew a nice $34,000 for its fln?! stanza, bringing the total gross to $64,000 for the fortnight. Wiggers* 105G Season •. . Albany. Setting a boxoffice record for the outfit, the Univ. of Pennsyljjania's' Mask arid Wig production of "Juleo and Romiet" grossed over $13,000 at its New Year's Eve performance at the 3,300 seat Eastman, theatre, Rochester. At the Grand theatre, Al- bany, on Friday (2),' it pulled in $4,.348 at a $.3.90 top. During its 27 performances in Philadelphia and on the road, the show drew an estimated 50,000 cus- tomers, gro.s.sing $105,000 minus taxes. It made a profit despite pay- ing Pennsylvania Railroad $18,000 lor a special train. MARRIAGE Dale Evans to Roy Koger.s, Davis, Okla„ Jan. li^ Bride and groom are fllm thest«. ' BIRTHS Mr. and Mrs. Oren Root, Jr„ son, New York, Dec. 30. Mother is the former Daphne Skouras, daughter of 20th'-Fox prexy Spyros Skouras. Mr. and Mrs. Steve Rodnbk, Jr., daughter, Pittsburgh, Dee. 13, Father owns a theatre in Oakmont, Pa, . Mr. and Mrs. Don Morgan, son, Hollywood, Dec. 30. Father is a press agent. Mr.o and Mrs. Hy Freedman. son, Santa Monica, Dec. 31. feather is a radio writer. Louis Nizer's autobiography due soon, title. "Between You and Me: An AUtobiograi^hy of Spare Time." Producers Representatives (Irving • Lesser and Seymour Poe)- moved from the Paramount to RKO Bldg. When "Born Yesterday" goes be- fore the Columbia .cameras it will have Sidney Buchman as producer. Apartment swap with concert manager Clara Weiss gives the Bob (MBS) Swezeys a larger apartment on West 57th. . ' Second annual forum sponsored by the National Ass"h. of Magazine Pub- lishers has been postponed irom Jan. 15-lfi to April 27-28. Lynn Farnol, Goldwyn flack chief, who went to Miami Beach last week to 5et "Bishop's Wife" opening, to Sarasota this week for brief vaca- tion. Charles Schlaifer, 20th-Fox ad- publicity chief, back at his desk after a three-week trip to Florida where he Set up openings in three Htanfl theatres for ^^Gentleman's Agree- ment." Clay Morgan, executive, aide to NBC prexy Niles Trammell, fully recovered from the accident at the National Assn. of Broadcasters con- ventiorj, in Atlantic City last fall, back at his desk. Hugo Morris, of the William Mor- ris Agency, a snow casualty. He's recovering in Roosevelt Hospital from a fractured leg sustained i^tf fall on W. 46th St. at the,height «f last week's blizzardt Billy Rose waxes a week's di.sks for his Kreml (Mutual) series in one day, every Tuesday, at WOR. The five platters require about 10 hourS; work; five each for editing his scripts for size and for actual waxing. Herb Drake, veepee and promo- tion director for Macfadden Publi- cations, left for the Coast Friday (2) for a 10-day stay to confab with stu- dio personnel and handle arrange- ments for Photoplay Mag's Gold , Medal banquet slated for Feb. 10. Mayor O'flwyer's edict ordering pleasure cars off city streets for over a week, while the record snoW" storm was being cleared, was tne laxidrivers' delight. Ditto for taxi riders because, despite the slush ana debris, it certainly was much easier to get around. ,„ ,„ WB producer Jerry Wains brother-in-law. Baron Polan (Con- nie Wald's brother) manages .Kay Thompson & Williams Bros. Plan.^ keeping the well publicized act oui of N. Y. as long as possible unH sure of proper showcasing. Herbert Jacoby-Max Gordon, who jusi bought Cafe Society Uptown, maj preem their new acquisition wuh int. ■»Ctf ■