Variety (Feb 1948)

Wcdneeday, February 25, 1948 VAVDBVnLLB 4S [ospitalized Vets Plenty Hep On Show Values, Sez Simons The long term patients at Veter- ns Administration Army and Jjavy ospitals throughout the country are ecoming one of the most critical audeville audiences, according to ouis M. Simon, newly appointed eneral manager at Veterans Hospi- js Camp Shows, successor to USO- amp Shows. Simon stated that most patients iiet severar years of USO-Camp Ihows, have become accustomed to hi^Iy ■ professional , brand of hows. Those who never saw a live how until Camp Shows hit the raining camps, are now annoyed if in act repeats too frequently. They lompare current shows with previ- lus displays, and often express dis- ipproval if not up to par. ! fortunately, the better acts are iow making themselves available to MCS. Currently nine vaude units ,nd one legit show, "John Loves tory," are on tour. Most acts Kith VHCS have been standsird lames on the .vaude and isafe circuits or years. More acts are expected to Jay the hospitals as vaudeville ilaying time diminishes. It's been fcpnd, according to limon, that the variety performer ;onstitutes the most efficient type M entertainment in the hospitals. HTaude troupes can play before small Egroups in wards as well as to the imbulatory patients in auditoriums, lonsequently the shows can be seen by all. Sight acts, he stated, consti- tute the safest bet, especially since they offer no problem when playing to psycho-neurotic patients, many of whom cannot follow long dialog. JONES, EX-PHILLY AGVA, SUED BY CARROLL CREW Philadelphia, Feb. 24, Suit was filed today (Tues.) in Federal court here seeking $63,637 in damages against Dick Jones, erst- while secretary of Philly's local of the American Guild of-Variety Ar- tists. Action was taken by 12 mem- bers of the Earl Carroll's "Vanities" company on the grounds that Jones had failed to help them when their show was stranded here. Performers claimed that Jones had failed to collect $1,888 in back wages' due them. Jones also didn't do any- thing about getting them transporta- tion home after the show folded at the Karle Jan, 23, '47, the suit al- leged."'■ Plaintiffs in the case were Patricia McKay, Jane Silk, Biane Cleary, Ruth P. Johnson, Gail Taylor, Ella Rodgers,-Edna May Hill, Joyce and James Vey, Joseph Mole, Russell and James W. Mercer. ' Jones was ordered ousted as exec secretary last year when the faction led b;^; Matt Shelvey took over the Phitly office. SURREALIST HUMORIST (Frornvriioi h* makM a livlns?) seIler HELD OVER? AGAIN? SEVENTH WEEK CASA SEVILLE, LONG ISUND Available tor Ijegit, Vniide, Fairs, Ice ' Sliows, Intlme SpotH, IDurope, South America, Oliiema, Shorts, Snap- Shots, TortnlKhtus, One Nlshtcrgi Benents, Auditions and Home Cooked Dinners, PrMtniing a Kpirfofrc of Original Comedy and a f«w goad Nnmbcr*. LOU. SEILER Character, Actor, Dialectician, Dancer, Gooh, Decorator, Insurance. . 'Recently completed Town Casino, BulTalo; Carousel Club, ntitsburgh.- . Scheduled for ° ■ Bergundy Roonii Pttrolt HANDIN RE-HEADS NVA; JESSEL HONORARY PREZ Newly elected officers of National Variety Artists were installed at a special/ function at the NVA club- house, N. Y., Feb. 22. LoU Handin was elected to the presidency for his 11th term, there having, been no op- position ticket. Handin had held that office for 10 terms but stepped aside last year when George Jessel was elected prexy, and was elected to post of executive secretary. Jessel being unavailable to succeed himself this year because of his Soth-Fox producer chores keeping him on Coast, so notified the nominating committeei However, Jessel'wll£ be perpetuated as honorary prexy. Handin will double as prez and exec sec'y. Others elected were Jack O'Brien, first veepee; Harry Jackson, second veepee; Rosa Crouch, recording sec'y, and Al Friedman, treasurer. Zelda- O'Neili Jack Davis and Max Fleming were elected to Board of Governors for two year terms. There had been 15 nominees for the latter posts.; Kelley Dailey Circus PA As Butler Resumes at RB6 With Roland Butler again heading the Ringling, Barnum & Bailey press department, Bev Kelley, who with- drew from the post last fall, has joined the Dailey Bros, circus, a 25- car outfit headquartering in Te^as and principally trouping western territory. Others who were with RBB's publicity staff also slated for the Dailey show are Allen Lester, Frank Morrisey and Sam Stratton, although the latter recently became agent for "Sweetiiearts," now in Chi- cago. ;.' . Butler's aides this season will be Frank Braden and William .Fields, who is press representative for the Playwrights Co., but joins the big- top press staff when RBB plays Madison Square Garden, N. Y. Date of the season's start there is not def- initely set, being dependent- on the hockey playoffs. Tentative debut date is April 7. AGVA Cites Lucienne Boyer For Not Remitting Coin to France The American Guild of Variety Artists has adopted a "get tough" policy in an effort to enforce its agreement with the French govern- ment regarding the amount of dollar exchange thut can be taken by acts out of each country. As a result, Lucienne Boyer was placed on union's unfair list, but was permitted to open at the Waldorf- Astoria hotel, N. Y., last week after she remitted a token payment of $1,- 000 to be held by AGVA for dispo- sition by the French government. An accounting of her earnings is to be miide and upon completion, 50% of her earnings, less taxes and ex- penses, will be -turned over to France. Union is set to follow up on all Gallic acts working here. In line for action are Maurice Chevalier, Com- pagnons de la Chanson, Edith Piaf and others. Action against Chevalier will be taken when he plays the AGVA jurisdiction; consequently, he'll be allowed to open at the Gol- den theatre, N. Y,, Sunday (29), since that date is under jurisdiction of Equity. Jean Sablon, however, is expected to pose a problem for AGVA. Sablon has filed his intentions of becoming an American citizen, and disposition of his case will be made by a joint .action between AGVA and the French embassy here. It acts refuse to remit their coin^ union must report the refusal to th« French embassy, which has agreed to take action, Agreement now in effect between AGVA and France calls for U. S, performers to take out 50% Of their salaries less taxes and expenses when working French engagements. French actors in" this country must depost 50% of their earnings, after taxes and expenses, either with AGVA or any bank named by the actor, for disposition by the French government. LESTER'S COPA PACTING STIRS MCA HARRIS TIFF Jerry Lester's booking into the Copacabana Feb. 5 is the cause of a tiff between Nait Harris, Harem, N. Y., operator, and Music Corp. of America, which handles Lester. Har- ris claims that the comic was prom- ised him by MCA if Harry Richraan was signed for the same show. Harris made a Florida trip last week and succeeded in getting Richi man, who now opens Aprils 4, Cur- ing the Florida trip, Harris claims that MCA submitted Lester to the Copa which pacted the comic. Har- ris is still to decide what action will be taken. . « AMERICA'S TOP HEADLINE SINGING GROItP^ Currently Clover, Club Porllanda Ort, VICTOR FAVORITEt All Major Netnorka. Xheatre* and Clubi,' Vi S. and Canads 1 i reraonal DirAellon—KD MRKlBn !!90R RKO 'BnUOInK, New York SO. N. T. CiMic 6-MM After 3 Year Absence HORACE Daily Newst ''HORACE HEIDT BIG LEAGUE AT THE CAPITOL." Ed |u//ivan. Journal-Americant "TOPS IN TOWN . . . HOR- ACE HEIDT STAGE SHOW AT THE CAPITOL." Dorothy KilgoHen. Variety, Feb. 18, 1948: "HEIDT HAS RETURNED TO THE SHOW MARTS WITH A SOUND BOXOFFICE PAT- TERN AND PACKAGE." Ocfec. And His MUSICAL KNIGHTS A SMASH $83,000 In the First Weeic at the NEW YORK Hitting ta 12.5 Rating Witliin 10 Weelcs on the PHILIP MORRIS PROGRAM SHiKlays--10:30-11:00 P.M.. EST, NIC. Ceast-to-Coast Thanks to the BlOW Agency Thanlcs to Marvin Schencic, Joe Vogel and Sydney Piermont Direction: MUSIC CORPORATION OF AIMERICA