Variety (Jan 1949)

62 CHATTHI Wednesday, January 26, 1949 Broadway Hot Air Club holds Us 50th an- fual beefsteak dinner at theXambs aturday (29). Chico Mferx and actor George Goulouris stfnong those sailing to- night (Wed.) on the Queen Mary. National Council to Gorabat Blindness planning name show for March 27 at Century theatre to raise fluids. Maurice Winnick, British band- leader, is on the Queen Mary Mon- tay (24) to scout acts for London's Impress Hall. Wladimir Lissim, RKO's conti- nental manager, and nitery chan- ieuse Suzy Solidor arrive today (Wedi) ; on the America. Marlene Dietrich heads for Eu- rope shortly to make a picture for Terence Ratlgan or Jean Coc- teau, or both, if the timing can be arranged. , Joseph P. Brinton III, former public relations officer for the American Field Service in Italy, joined Film Counselors as an edr ' itorial associate. Monroe Greenthal Co., ad agency handling both Universal and Eagle Lion, is branching into non-show- biz activities by taking on the Florida Citrus Canners Coopera- tive account. Raymond Massey bought Law- rence Tibbetfs Wilton, Conn., es- tate for a reported $125,000. The Tlbbets, however, are retaining some 30 acres and a small house for their own use. - Attorney Arnold Grant to the Coast for confabs with Harry Cohn, Columbia prexy, whom he repre- sents. Grant is also slated to hud- dle with Jack and Harry Warner on deals for his clients pending there. Robeuto Rossellini, director of ?'Paisan," accoladed for that film last week when the National Board Of Review handed him its 1948 award for the "best motion picture of the year," at a reception held at the Museum of Modem Art. Irene Dunne will be awarded a plaque from the Protestant Mo- tion Picture Council Friday (28) at an AMPA luncheon in the Hotel Piccadilly; Prize is for her work m RKO's "I Remember Mama," chosen by the Council- as "Best JFamily Picture of 1948." Bryan Foy, Eagle Lion producer, and James T; Vaughn, EL'S studio producti6n managier, converged on Gotham this week to start location shots on Foy's "Port of New York" *ind "Trapped." Foy came from Washington, where he attended the Inaugural, while Vaughn trekked ■ from the Coast. Frank Meyer, retiring purchas- ing manager of Paramount, partied by h.o. execs at the Hotel Astor last week, with Austin C. Keough, general counsel, emceeing. Lined On the dais were Adolph Zukor, Charles Reagan, Paul Raibourn, Leonard . Goldenson, - Russell Hol- £ian, Fred Mohrhardt, John Bala- an, Y. Frank Freeman and George Weltner. on the site of a hous6 destroyed by bombs in 1943. At Harburg the U. T. Rathausplatz (650 seats) gives the town its sixth pix house, while in Essen, the Gemar Palast (1,200 seats), has rebpened. It was completely destroyed by bombs. By Maxime de Beix (33 Blwd Montparnosse) Friends feting clown Francois Fratellini on 70th birthday. Arthur Ornitz back, from Bel- gium to begin work on TV shorts. Katherine Dunham signed a new contract for a two-month h'oldover in Paris. J. B. Morrill took entire com- pany of Big Ben's to Lausanne for opening of . new film house. Rex Stewart is doing a series of Sunday night programs for French Radio on the histoid of jazz. George Maureri producer of "Mr Vincent," got a belated Legion of Honor for war services, with pen- sion. . ■• Bill Robson, CBS producer, and Ray Morgan, associate, in on Ca- rpnia to .begin "This Is" Paris" 'series*' Belgium; Dutch and French Ra- dio bigwigs holding conference to decide on standard TV screen for Europe. Leon Pearson, NBC, Paris, called to Washington to run NBC video there. He Is Drew Pearson's brother. Ichitaro Takata, editor of Tokyo daily Mainichi, first Japanese newspaperman to hit Paris since the war. Hotelman M. Berladier is financ- ing four Paris legit houses—Sti Georges, Mathurins, Glamont and Ambigu. Orson Welles down last week with flu, but prepping to hop for a short London o. o.Aefore directs ing picture here with Eric von Stroheim and Maria Montez. Metro's 3,000-seater Forum, in Liege, Belgium, will house one- night stops of Maurice Chevalier and of Katherine Dunham tours. Roger Capgras, produce mer- chant already interested in many theatre ventures, repotted" about to: open a small legiter back; of the Lido club. - Germany . By Harvey Sanderson Geiselgasteig, Munich, now has seven studios, making it the center Of German pix production. Tova Film, Berlin (licensee Carl . Boese and Gaston Briese,) is shoot- ing its first pic in studios of Ondia in Berlin! Film actress Else Elster is star- ring with Bernard Koenigsfeld in "Rather Rich—But Happy," a musi- cal comedy playing in Cologne. The Gloria Palast, a new 720- treater, has opened in Berlin only ■ A few hundred yards from the site in Kurfuerstendamm where the original Palast was destroyed. Omnium Film began its film dis- tribution business in the three, ivestern zones of Germany and in Austria with the film "Blossom Time," starring Richard Tauber. Willy-Zeyne Film, in Munich- .Geiselgasteig, is. synchronizing three English films. First two are ■''Pygmalion'' and "Major Barbara/' but third is unnamed. Scheduled for distribution next summer. F-T Production^ Berlin, a new French-licensed outfit, is starting two documentaries, "The Berlin Woman Today" and I'They Don't Sleep Nights." Most of the shoot- ing will be done on the streets of Berlin. Magda Schneider an d Karl Schoenboeck have joined Walter Janssen in a musical comedy, "The' Minstry Is Offended," current at the Schaubade in Munich. They {ecently played in Nurnberg, Err angen and Augsburg. The press department of DEFA lias denied stories in some daily papers to -the effect that it was be- ing made a Soviet film corporation. 7hey also denied that a credit of 140,000,000 mbles had been set up to launch the new concern. A nkw 1,000-seateri the Alster Lichtsplele, hai opened in Mann- heim. In Hamburg a fourth house, The Urania Lichtsplele* has opened Miami Beach his By Lary Solloway Lou Irwin in town, at Boney, Joseph Schenck here on yacht. . Bob Hope troupe hosted by Neal Lang at Roney Plaza. , Peter Lorre at Sherry Frontenac while here for Olympia engage- ment. Louis Shurr flew in to meet Bob Hope and went to Tampa with him on the one night stand tour, Lenny Kent cut short Paddock club engagement on news of fa ther's death Sunday (23) and rushed back to N.Y. Gene Baylos may be back at Mother Kelly's, where he clicked last year, if terms can be arranged for Feb. 7 date. Beachcomber's Sophie Tucker- Harry Rlchman-Jackie Miles-Vaga- bonds show, broke spot's gross records over weekend. Season disappointments forgotten when hotels filled this weekend, with Delano already turning down reservations for February and March. Kay Thompson and Williams Brothers, Peter Lind Hayes aiid Mary Healy, the Jack Cole dancers and Sammy Kaye orch, opened at Copa City, Monday (24). Diana Napier, widow of Richard Tauber, hSs written his biography, which Is to be published in Febru- ary. • Tom O'Brien, M.P., British labor chief, visiting Austria and Hungary on a mission for the Trades Union Congress. Frank Lawton is to star with Rosalyn Boulter in a new comedy, "Summer in December," by James Liggat. Show' opens a provincial tour early in February. Harry Roy re-forming his band after two years lapse to tour vaude- ville with version of "Stop J;he, Music," and opens extensive tour for Moss and Stolls some time in April. Wally Peterson, one of the few remaining original cast members of "Oklahoma!'.' turned songwriter with a waltz, "This Is the First Time," which Lawrence Wright Music is publishing. To emphasize the association of Pathe Pictures with the Associated •British Picture Corp., William Mot- fat, Pathe topper^ announced change of company's name to As- sociated British-Pathe. Godfrey Tearle makes his first appearance as Macbeth when he plays the role in this year's Shakes- pearean Festival at Stratford-on- Avon, opening April 16. Diane Wynyard plays Lady Macbeth. Alison Leggatt taking over Mary Merrall's role in "The Gioconda Smile", when latter leaves to ap- pear in Margery Sharp's-new play, "The Foolish Gentlewoman," sked- ded for the Duchess in February. I 20th-Fox star Marion Marshall, now playing in "I Was a Male War Bride," extending her stay in Lon- don by playing the: smart Amer- ican girl in Two Cities' VChilterii Hundreds,", which goes into pro- duction next month. . Irwin Tlshman to Paris Jan. 31, to fix bookings for Buster Shaver, 01i\;e, George and Richard in France and Switzerland prior to team's return to England to play 20. weeks season for Lawrence Wright at Blackpool, opening June 3. Forthcoming revue skedded to follow the pantomime at the Casino is titled '"Latin Quarter." Tom Arnold and Emile Littler present the show which will be directed by Robert Nesbitt. Stars are Frances Day, Jack Durant, Georges Gue- tary. Jack de Leoit presenting a new naval comedy; by Commander Hackforth-^Jones, ' titled "Sweet- hearts and Wives,": in which Jessie Matthews and Patricia Burke will have leading femme roles. Play will have brief provincial tour be- fore West End bow. Filippo del Guldice, who has been elevated to the chairmanship of Pilgrim Pictures following the resignation of his millionaire backer, William G. Riley, is leaving for N. Y. Jan. 29 to arrange special showings of his first indie produc- tion, "The Guinea Pig." London Films (International) has acquired the Australian, New Zea- land and South African rights to Dan Fish's Technicolor-featuret "Say It With Flowers." Pic, which has Eric Portman as narrator, with Eric Maschwitz responsible for story continuity, recently finished five weeks' run at Paramount's Plaza, erator with Charles Munro, boats to London on a biz-pleasure trip. Herschell Stuari continues to make slow progress at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, following heart U. S. principals for "Oklahoma'■ have arrived in Melbourne. Show opens late February for J. C. Wil- liamson. • "Strong Is the Seed," home made pic with Indie local coin, is still in the cans waiting release, pic was completed several months :nio, Arthur Collins directed; Home-made Aussie serial, "The Lawsons," written by Gwen Meri- dith for the Austrialian Broadcast- ing Commission^ winds up Feb. 25 after doing 1,299 daily episodes via native cast; Rome Lynn -Merrickr-HoUywood film- ete, visiting Rome. Will visit Paris soon. Gregory Ratpff in Rome discuss- mg film plans with author Ben Simcoe. Binnie Barnes,- now in Rome, getting offers from film companies in Italy. Emile Lopert, of the Lopert-Ros- sellini combination, in Rome on business. "A Streetcar Named Desire," in Italian, opened at the Eliseo thea- tre, Luchlno Visconti directing. John Kitzmiller, American Ne- gro and former Army captain, Has ]ust finished his third Italian film. "Babes in Toyland," 12-year-oldie starring Laurel and Hardy, has been dubbed in Italian and is very popular here. Alfred Hayes, who was on the writing staff for "Open City," has sold screen rights to his novel, "The Girl on Via Flamlnla," to Gary Cooper. Plans are being made to do the film in Italy later in the year. Alida Valli, star of "The Paradine Case," has been visiting her mother in Como, in northern Italy, when not working on film "Third Man" in Vienna. She will spend a short time in England before returning to Hollywood. Aberdeen Carl Rosa Opera set to play His Majesty's April 11." Harry Parry and Rhythm Sextet booked for variety at Tivoli Jan. 31. Big'advance sell out for February season of "Annie Get Your Gun," hitting its furthest-north spot in Britain. The Logan Family, w.k.-Scot out- fit of entertainers, play two Weeks here next month. Mother Is sister of Ella Logan. Scots comic Jimmy Nicoll who clicked here in pantomime "Dick Whittlngton," has been booked for next Christmas, By Eric Gorrlck Slapsie Maxie Rosenbloom okay at Celebrity Club, Sydney. J. C. Williamson reviving "White Horse Inn" for short run in Mel- bourne. Will Mahoney has clicked In panto for Maurice Diamond in Newcastle. . ; i Cecil Marks, Korda's Aussie sales manager, set for New Zea- land selling trip. Chips Rafferty is due back from London early February. He's to do a local chore for Ealing. Arch Menzies, well-known play- wright, is returning to Aussie after lengthy stay in England. • Tessle O'Shea is.in third week in Sydney for the Dave Martin Tivoli loop. Returns to London soon. Maurice Sloman, indie loop op- Dublin By Maxwell Sweeney; BBC producer Stephen Miller in town to 0.0. Irish scene. Bristol Old Vic skedded for re- turn season at Gaiety here. William Kelly and Elizabeth Brady to direct new Irish Youth Theatre. Comedian Danny Cummins to take out own roadshow after cur- rent stint in pantomime. ; Abbeyite Eileen Crowe back in town after stint for Par in Holly- wood on "Top o': the Morning." Jack Cronln has sold 900-seater' Lyric cinema, Limerick, to McNally Enterprises for $120,000. Josephine Albericci has bowed out of Sunday Theatre Co. P. J. O'Connor Productions takes over unit. Abbey playwright and director Lennox Robinson has been com- missioned to write a history of Ab- bey theatre and Irish national the->> atre. Jarl Norman, of the N. Y. Opera Co., here on way to fill engage- ments on Danish radio and vaca- tion in native Oslo before return-^ ing to U. S. Busiest producer in town, is Patrick J; O'Connor, currently handling five plays—apart from O'Neill's "S.S. Glencairn" group which he directed for Sunday the- atre, Jan. 16. Kansas City By John Qulnn Sherman Bros, at El Casbah of Bellerive hotel. Severe snow and blizzard of last week put a crimp in show biz of all kinds. Isaac Stern fiddling with the Philharmonic Orch as guest star last. week. "Enchanted Cottage" scheduled for second production of the Resi- dent theatre season. Sherman: Hayes, whose band opened at Muehlebach hotel, laid up at Research Hospital. - Olsen & Johnson "Hellzapop- pin' " troupe in extra rehearsal here as new show is being shaken down for rest of road tour. Sherman Hayes orch making annual stand in Terrace Grill of Muehlebach hotel. Here following long stand at Blackhawk in Chi. Blevins Davis, the producer, host to President Truman and family for dinner on his Independence farm during presidential vacation here. : Ruth Warrick due in from Coast to begin rehearsals for "Candida." Play opens Feb. 21 at University of Kansas City Play- house. i •::•..::,:,• ■ By Hal P. Mills "Bell Tolls" and "Search" two biggest b.o. currently, Metro's Eddie O'Connor planed in from Hongkong for brief visit. Niteries will-be hard-Jiit .when American Army pulls out of this city soon. ■ Leon Brittonv head of RKO's: Far Eastern-setup, planed in from his headquarters at Singapore^ Kulpa Sisters and Bob Hill's band packing 'em in at the Garden Bridge American Officer's Club. Wage increase of 80% granted Chinese employees by foreign dis- tribs ended week-old sTtdown strike. Strikers threatened to force boycott of foreign pix. Broadway, Shanghai's Tender- loin, ruled out of bounds to Amer- ican marines. Thoroughfare is un- safe at night and foreigners trav-. erse it in groups. ' More than 100 clip joints on Broadway and more than 100 strongarm robberies every night. Portland, Ore. Toy -and Wing and Paula Drake at Clover Club. Ted Weems orch at Jantzen Beach Ballroom. Jack McCoy headlining show at Paradise Boom, Nortonia Hotel. Louis Armstrong and his Jubilee Combo here for a concert and dance at Cheney's Palaiae Royal and Auditorium. Hoflywood here^' *'"*«rin« Pat O'Briens celebrated thni. 18th wedding anni. Sid Grauman considerablv im proved over a year ago. ' "h* Jimmy McHugh "escoriced at thn Sunset Towers while here, ® Bing Crosbys moved into their new home at Pebble Beach Larry Parks and Betty Garr*tt slightly injured in auto accident Roslta Moreno hospitalized in Santa Monica with undulant fever Jimmy Boyle, former RKO'flack now selling business-machine equipment. Bobby Hyatt, film moppet, romn. ing. again after four months of oh. lio treatment ''^ Kay and Groucho Marx just moved into their New North Foot- hill road manse. : ^ Jeanne Crow, Queen of N Y Press Photographers' Ball, gettine RKO screen test. * Director Henry Roster's illness, halted work on "Come to the Stable" at 20th-FoX. ^ Dore Schary will have to wear that brace for his sacroiliac injury for a coupla months. Jonie Taps threw a dinner at Chasen's for Saul Bourne, N. Y music publication chief. - -* Veronica Lake laid up with flu while the "Slattery's Hurricane" troupe shoots around her. Sammy Fain and Bob Billiard here to songsmith "Alice In Won- derland'' for Walt: Disney; Agnes Moorhead awarded plaque by Caledonian Society of San Prait- Cisco for her work in "Johnny Belinda." ' Freddie Brisson and Rosalind Russell (Mrs. B) LaQuintaing be- fore she starts her Columbia as- signment. L, Bj Mayer still collects 10% of the purses on Honeymoon, et al., as breeder's fees, even though he sold out his stable.' Lawrence Taylor returned from Palm Springs vacation to put final touches, on his "Undesirables," screenplay at Metro. ^ MGM Records exec* Jesse Kaye showing Mrs. Frank White, wife of the Columbia Records prexy, around the Metro studio. Preston Sturges building a 200- seat little theatre back of his Play- ers restaurant with-an unique ris* ing floor for the customers. George Jessel, Jack Benny and Al Jolson rounding up cast for Friars Club's first benefit show for Motion Picture Belief Fund. Both Louis K. Sidney and his: son, George Sidney, Metro veepee and director, respec, have trained down plenty of poundage by diet- ing. George Brown, Par studio pub- licity-ad head, east to sail Feb. 8 on a i3-day Caribbean cruise; His wife to Mexico with the Bill Ben- dixes for a quickie holiday. Herb Yates east following Jim- my Grainger's departure. Repub- lic's publicity chief Mort Goodman to Frisco territory attendant to launching John Steinbeck's "Red Pony." NBC exec veepee Charles Denny detoured to Frisco to huddle with John Elwood while NBC v.p. John F; Royal lingered here an extra few days, returning to N. Y. over the weekend. Old Hearst mansion on North Benedict drive was completely done over by Louis B. Mayer for his bride, the former Lorena Dank-r er, in 12 days while both «ere honeymooning east. : Director Charles Vidor and his wife, former Doris Warner, left for a month's holiday in New York. Vidor, however, flies back here in (Continued on page 63) ^India^ By N. V. Eswar . . , South Indian film industry jolted by the ban on any program W*. extends over three hours. ' . Calcutta in 1948 produced 39 pic- tures in the local language,;, Ben- gali. A dozen proved boxoffice sue The'Madras Government is con- sidering imposing a ban on tne portrayals of gods and godaesscs in South Indian films. . The Central Government at Delhi set up a committee to Iook Into manufacturing raw stock anu film equipment in India. Walt Disney's "Melody Ti*e failed to click in Madras. His last picture, "Pun And Fancy Free, also didn't click in Madras ano Bombay . . -„rt Government of India has no« directly assumed powers to issu^ licenses for filin storage all oyei India. Hitherto this was under tne direct control of the provlnciai governments. iCAiith Touring cinema owners of bouw India have formed the South w, dian Touring Cinema Owne^ Assn. There are nearly 300 tourwK cinema camps operating in sx»»" India at the moment