Variety (Dec 1948)

WtdneBAmy, DecemW 8, 1948 «5 SAMUEL J. WOOLF Samuel J. Woolf, 68, noted artist and writer, widely known for his portrait slcetches and interviews, publislied In New York Times and other periodicals, died in New York, Dec, 3. Having devoted his life to "hunt- ing the great" in America and Eu- rope, with, portfolio and charcoal and with pad and pencil, Woolf came to know statesmen and aur thors, painters and poets, financiers and scientists/ actors and musi- cians. He observed that successful men were about as interesting or as dull as other individuals, that the supposedly brilliant were bor- ing, and others; presumably col- oi'less, were entertaining. An artist-journalist for some 30 1892 was named professor of music at the University of Michigan in charge of violin. During his musi- cal career he also wrote "Rastus on Parade," "Whistling Rufus" and the score for the musical, "Fasci- nating Widow." Some years ago he moved to the Coast and report- edly had engaged in the realty business. A son, Frederick, Jr„ of Yon- kers, is the sole survivor., He planed to the Coast yesterday (Tues.) to attend funeral services. BOOTH S McCBACKEN Booth (Boots) Stanley Mc- Cracken, 43/ 20th-Fox production exec connected with "The Prince of Foxes" company in Italy, died in Rome, Dec. 3. He suffered"^ IN MEMORY OF DAMON RUN YON PAUL SMALL one-act. plays designed for char- acters wearing masks. He created his Benda Masks for the "Green- wich Village Follies of 1920" and for the original production of Eu- gene O'Neill's "Great God Brown," among other productions. Survived by wife and two daugh- ters. , EDWARD BLACK Edward Black, 48, in British film business for 32 years, died in London, Nov. 30, just as he was about to start production oh his latest picture, fie had produced in England for Sir Alexander Korda, Gainsborough and Gau- mont-British. Black started as an exhibitor in 1916 going into the. production end in 1930. In 1944 he joined Metro- Goldwyn (British Studios) as script writer doing "Pickwick Papers" and "In Queen's Service.'' He started producing for Korda in 1946 turning out "Man About the House" and "Bonnie Prince Charlie." years, Woolf never held; a salaried job in his life. He had an early reputation as a portrait painter be- fore he made lithographs of such personages as Mark Twain and' PrBsident Theodore Roosevelt, but his eventual career was largely , de- termined by the first World War. His oil paintings of battlefield scenesi based on sketches he made at the front in 1918 for Collier's magazine, captured attention. ■ The Woolf family had been; ar- tistic for generations. Woolf's great-igrandfather was a renowned singer in the 18th century. Qne uncle, Michael Angelo Woolf, fuided him to a painter's career, fncle Mike was himself an actor, ' lithographer and wood . engraver, and drew street urchins for the old Life magazine. Another uncle, . Solomon Woolf, was Professor of Alt and Drawing at City College. ~A third uncle, Ben Woolf, was a music critic for Boston newspapers. stroke three weeks agOi at which time studio flew, his wife, Mrs. Ethel McCracken, and daughter, Barbara, 20th-Fox cutter, to Italian capital, SO they could be with him. Stanley went to Italy about five months ago to make arrange- ments for troupe to Aim picture in various parts of that country. He had been employed by company since. 1932, when he started as an assistant director. Survivors In addition, to wife and daughter, include mother, brother and sister. RAY McCAREY Ray McCarey, 50, film director, died Dec. I in Los Angeles after an illness of several weeks.* He died alone in. his Wilshire Boulevard apartment with two empty medi- cine bottles nearby. Born in Los Angeles and a son of Tom McCarey, leading boxing promoter of a bygone era, Ray Mc- IN MEMORiAM DAMON RUNYON December 10, 1946 ED WEINER FRED G. WALLACE Fred Gale Wallace, 66, veteran showman on staiT of Fulton thea- tre, Pittsburgh, for last six years,; died there Nov. 28. Wallace was one of the early managers of roadrshow. pictures and handled "Birth of. a Nation," "Mickey" and "Big Parade," among others. He was also associated with such Broadway musicals as "Floradora" and "Adele." In 1942, he returned to Pittsburgh, , where he had broken into theatrical busi- ness 42 ■ years before ^ at old Alvin theatre, to go . with Fulton as publicity directori- , Survived by wife, two brothers and a sister. BEN SHANIN Ben Shanin, 56; independent vaudeville and cafe ageqt for many years, died suddenly of a heart attack in his office in the Para- mount Building, N. Y., Nov. 30 . Shanin started in showbusiness in 1930 with the Freddy Simon agency, after having been a stock- holder for many years. At various times he worked with the John Singer Agency, and the Matty Rosen office. Survived by wife and a daughter Shirley, now with the Universal Attractions. who had appeared in many Broad" way legits, died at Marblehead, Mass., Dec. 4. He had played in productions of the Frohman Co. and the Shuberts, prior to his re- tirement in 1930. Subsequently he had appeared in several films.' Survived by wife, and a sister. GEORGE P. HUNDLING George P. Hundling, 67, a part- ner in Tri-States Theatre Corp. in operation of the Capitol theatre, Newton, Iowa, died there, Nov. 28. He had been associated with Tri- States since 1922. Survived by wife, a son, Dorman D., asspclated with his father in the theatre business, and two daughters, FRANK VAN VOLLENHOVEN Frank Van Vollenhoven, 86, bari- tone who- had; starred ' in many, operettas in his native Holland, died in Cleveland, Nov. 30. Upon retirement from the stage some years ago, he had made his home in Canada. Survived by son and three daughters, EDWARD G. MILLER Edward George Miller, 65, pioneer screen; actor; died Dec. 1 in Los Angeles. Starting in the early days of Hollywood, Miller appeared in most of David Wark Griffith's pic- tureSi, In decent years he had been playing bit roles. Elmer Rice Continued (ram page 1 WILLIAM FLECK William Fleck, 56, talent agent and- former orchestra leader; died Deci 2 in Hollywood, following a heart attack. Mrs. Florence Slater, sister of William A. Scully, Universal-Inter- national veepee and general sales manager, died in Boston, Nov. 30. In addition to Scully, she is sur- vived by husband, a: son; two other brothers, John J. Scully, district sales manager for U-I and Frank Scully, formerly with Loew's Inc. . Still another, Philip Woolf, was a playwright, who in the '80s wrote ^'The Almighty Dollar" for Billy Florence, a matinee idol of that 'era. A brother of Woolf, Edgaf Allan Woolf, who died in Hollywood in 1943, was a librettist and vaude- ville sketch writer, and 'later' a script writer. - Besides his wife, he leaves two daughters, one of ; whom, under maiden name of Dorothy- Woolf, is news editor for Newsweek. .; FREDERICK A. (KERRY) MILLS Frederick A. (Kerry) Mills, 79, who wrote such top standard tunes as "Red Wing" and "Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis," died Dec. 5 at his home in Hawthorne, Cal., after a MAUREEN RIO .1)1 siiU and loTtiiff memory -of " my a»rlliiB. Dec. lltlt, There is someone who niltiB«B you ilaUy niid fiwlH nione sln'ee '^ou went. Xliere Is Mtmcone who grleveN for -you ■ ..-.nlwiiyN. ■ JBut .tries to be brave and content. MOTHER Carey broke into the film business the hard way as a laborer on the Paramount lot in 1918 at the age of 20. Later he landed a prop boy's job and . advanced to assistant director, in which capacity he worked at the Paramount, Pathe, RKO and Mack:. Sennett studips. For a year he wrote scenarios on the Fox lot and graduated as a I director of short subjects. In this field he won Academy Awards in 1932, 1933 and 1935. Among the features ;he directed were "The Mystery^ Man," "Pack Up Your Troubles," "Sun.set Range," "Hot Tip" and "Millions: in the Air." His last director, task was "The Gay Intruders/' for Frank Seltzer Productions. Surviving are his wife and their two children .and his- brother, Leo McCarey, producer-director. CHARLES M. I.LOYD Charles M. Lloyd, 78, vet vaude- viUian and screen character actor, died in Hollywood; Dec. 4, after a heart attack. In 1911 'he bought Jesse L. Lasky's "Hobocs'V act, in which he toured Orpheum Circuit and other top circuits, both in U. S. and abroad, for 10 years. Later he Joined M-ack Sennett in his Keystone Komedies and subse- quently Hal Roach Production. He was a charter member and organ- izer of the Screen Actors Guild. Survived by son, daughter and a sister. EVA SARGENT Mrs. Eva D. Ball, 64, retired actress who under professional name of Eva Sargent had headed her own stock companies in asso- ciation with her husband,; Jack Ball, died in Glean, N. Y., Nov. 21. She and her husband had I operated stock companies for 25 1 years. After stock declined, they I had toured with their own rep com- panies and made occasional ap- pearances in: vaudeville^ sketches and. playlets. Survived, by husband and sister. Donald Dexter, 44, chief of Duo- plane photography for Jerry Fair- banks Productions, died Dec. 3 in Hollywood,, following a heart ati tack. if anyone ever will do anything about it, but that he still believes such a plan, or something else in the same general direction, would benefit everyoae involved.' Bice figures that there are aroimd 300 to 400 legit actors in virtually constant demand. Every- one knows who they are, he says, as their names appear repeatedly in the cast lists. Under present conditions, the playwright esti- mates that many of these estab- lished actors probably get salaries of $750 or so a week, but average only eight or 10 weeks a year. This Is a ruinous and demoralizing sit- uation for the artists and;, at $750' a week, too costly for produeeri; who must hire them. According to Rice, these actors would unquestionably welcome a setup under which they'd earn, say, $400 a week with a guarantee of at least 25 weeks' employment a year. He points out that the un- certainty of employment is the worst aspect of the profession and that it's elimination should put act-; ing on a more secure and economi- cal basis. The same principle ap- plies in the case of directors, de- signers, musicians; stagehands and others, he notes; The author frankly admits that any such system would require considerable study and working out He's made no effort to do so himself' because he's convinced it would be useless, as sufficient Broadway producers would never undertake such a project or stick to it. if they did. However, he's thought about the idea enough to recognize certain ; basic require- ments involved. For instance, 'he figures,- a for- mula would have to be evolved for determining salaries. There would also have to be a mutually agree- able method for deciding which producer would get- which actor in case of conflict, as we,ll as a way: for actors to refuse 'unsuitable parts without violating their agree- ment. There would undoubtedly be • certain amount of risk involved ia such a setup. Rice concedes, since there'd always be the prospect.that: the right parts might not tum up in any single season to pay for the proportionate; salary guaranteed. That would be one of the things to be worked out. Even so, he's MARRIAGES Lynn Durler to Robert Shannon, Hollywood, Nov. 27. He's an assists ant film director at Republic. Dorothy Bergman to William Waldren, New York, Dec. 6. Both are in cast of "Howdyi Mr.; Ice" at Center theatre, N. Y. Margie Gowman to Clifton.Mau- pin, Hollywood, Nov. 28. He's a cameraman at 20th-Fox., . : i . . . ; -. Lorena Danker to Louis B convmced that in a non-subsidized Mayer, Yuma, Dec. 4. «he's the I theatre such as that in America, J. Walter Thompson exec, and j some reforms must be made to widow of Danny Danker; he's head i protect the professionals involved, of MGM studios. or the theatre itself will inevitably . Lillian Fitzpatrick to Richard Drake, Hollywood, Dec. 2. Bride is secretary to William Goetz at Uni- versal-International. Betty Lou . Walters to Ken Mur- ray, Riverside, Cal., Dec. 1. She's a member of his "Blackouts" cast. Ira Morals to Irene Weisgold, New York, Dec. 5. He's an RKO Theatres publicist. Jennie Waylen to Ivan Black, New York, Dec. 6. He's a legit and radio pressagent continue to wither. Rice, a member of the Play- wrights' Co., thinks there's no chance of that organization at- tempting to operate such a system, even in cooperation with one or two other major producing outfits, such as the Theatre Gbild. He says the plan could not work on a modi- fled scale, but would require the participation of virtually all the establLshed producers. That's why -long illness. As head of the pub- lishing firm of F. A. Mills around the turn of the century he had pub- lished a number of works: of the late George M. Cohan. While the Mills firm was one of the less pubs; Cohan is said to h ave placed: songs with the co m- pany due; to the fact he always got a "square deal." When Mills with- drew from the publishing field, the catalog was absorbed by the old 'Joseph W. Stern organization. As a songwriter Mills won par- ticular esteem for his "At a Georgia Camp Meeting." The tune IS considered by some authorities as having established syncopation ss a fundamental basic of our musi- cal expression. Said to be written as a protest against "artificial coon songs," it was in the Cakewalk idiom. ■ Born in Philadelphia, Mills stufiied violin in his youth and in PAUL W. LARKIN Paul W. Larkin, 53, copy editor and radio c o I u ranis t of the Worcester Telegram, died in Worcester, Mass., Dec. 3. For many years and up. to time of; 1 death; he had; been Variety's corr ! respondent in that area.. He had I been associated with the Tele- I gram for 16 years. In addition to [ his editor chores, he. had con- ducted the "Radio Rambling" col- umn. He also had been on other newspapers in the south and mid- west. He was the son of the late Wil- liam J. (Bill) Larkin,. also a news- papernjan, who took him under his wing after graduation from Holy Cross and: a hitch in World War .I in the Army Air Corps. JAMES W. LYONS James Warren Lyons, 52, legit actor,, died in New York, Nov. 20. Born in Rochester, N. Y., he first appeared with the Jessie Bonstelle Co., in Buffalo, in 1920, and was a member of other stock companies before appearing with the late Wil- liam Hodge, and with Ethel Barry- more in "The Kingdom of God" at the Ethel Barrymore; theatre, N. Y. He also appeared with Helen Hayes in "To The Ladies." New Year's Eve Continued from page 1 W. T. BKNDA W. T. Benda, 75. artist, author, and authority on theatrical masks, died after a heart attack in Newark, N: J., Nov. 30. Working first as a magazine il- 'lustrator and painter, Benda I achieved great success in this field. ; He began creating his own masks : as a hobby, then made them for. the theatre and later wrote several JOHN A. SCOTT John A. Scott, 79, evangelist, who is said to, have, produced the first religious; radio program, ' died ; in Newark, N. J., Dec. 2. In J 924 he established his pro- gram; "The Happy Hour", and a Swedish music program over WAAM, later absorbed by WNEW, N. Y. Survived by three daughters and a son. Marianne'Dunne to Bill Conrad, I believes nothing will ever come Santa Monica, Dec. 1. She's a, of it. vocalist; he's a musician. Sheila Mary McLaglen to Mor- ley Pro vine, Carmel;. Cal., Nov. 6. Bride is an actress'and daughter a£ Victor McLagleni Peggy Cass to Carl. FLsher, Jer- fcL^If hc?^"mai;ag^efo^f S\^-'>' « ^PO* It's probable son theatre NY "e'iner spot would haye Helga Stone'to Len Barry, Lon- "^'o^S^ been a chance of: don, Dec. 1. She's BBC singer; he's « ^'"'ne on the Eve to per- Sid Field's manager i*"'* iaem to cover previous lo.sses, Jane C. Lewis to' Ephraim M. |Last year, the Riviera, went Abramson, New York, Dec. 4. He's | through some very bad weeks in television engineer at WPIX, N. Y., order to hang on until Dec. 31, and son of Nat Abramson, head of This season. Bill Miller closed WOR Artists Bureau. that spot shortly after the weather Joan Bower to Arnold Horwitt, started getting chilly, Greenwich,. Conn.,: Dec. 4. Bride A. HERMAN EISENSTADT A. Herman Eisenstadt, 74, who had .been a pioneer exhibitor and operator of four picture theatres in Brooklyn, N. Y., died there Dec. I 2. He was owner of the Terminal, National; Atlantic and Kingston and had: been one of the founders of the Independent Theatre Owners Assn. - Survived by wife and two; daughters. IS legit actress; he authored sketches "Make Mine Manhattan." ~ BIRTHS ~ Mr. and Mrs. Mickey McCardle, daughter. New ,York> Nov, 25. Father is Warner contract player. Mr. and Mrs. Bill Burch ter, Hollywood, Nov. 26. Father is a radio producer. Mr. and Mrs. Mike Rich, daugh- ter,; Albany, recently. Mother, is Bea Wiilner; former music librar- ian at WNEW and WHN, N.Y.; father is a disk jockey at WOKO, Albany. Mr. and Mrs; Jay Emmett, son; New York, Dec. 2. Father is head of own publicity service. ' Mr. and Mrs. Bob Knouse, son, San Antonio, recently. Father is newscaster there with KTSA. HARMON B. MacGREGOR Harmon B. MacGregor, 70, actor ; This ■ year, icafe ; operators again figure on capacity houses. It's felt that the spots will be sold out by-pec. 31 eyeji at $20 mihirtiims. Hpwievfer, tKe[se that can afford that kind of coin fdr one eyeniiig out,: I will: probably 'see to it that; the "1. " u i ^"^^^ tabvfor th^. ifeveniiig's.j; enWi'-, aaugn-1 tainment doeisn't go; far oeydrid:- that,'point. :; ■, ^ ^:.v,','.' ;.•'■''■'■',..'■■.' Bonifaces feel that the wine- buying N. Y. eve spender dis- appeared as soon as the black mar- kets evaporated. Once that type of patron disappeared, N. Y. eve grosses could never provide enough' to make up for losing weeks and create a backlog that would c&Tfy a spot through the dismal Janu- ary bu,siness. There's some talk that, some Mr. and MrsVsioan Nibley, son, other spots may follow the example ; Burbank, Cal., Dec. 6. Father is of the Harem and Le Direetoire. ! Republic scripter; mother Is Linda , One spot, particularly, may give ! Stirling, former Republic contract up if a strong hcadiiner doesn't ' player. become available.