Variety (Mar 1949)

CBATTBR Vcdnesilay, March 30, 1949 Joe Sacks, tondon producer, in town. Walt Clyde, p.a., filed voluntary fctition of bankruptcy, listing 14,913 liabilities; no assets. James MacColl, actor, and film actress Cecelia Mansfield in from Irance Monday (28) on the De Grasse, Justine Hanson, daughter of Jo Ranson, publicity director at WMGM, to marry Harry Schacter April 9. Joe Maharam, head of the the- atrical fabric house bearing his game, to the Coast for 10 days on usiness. , , „ „ ^ Jane Wyatt planed to the Coast last week after p^a.ing at the openr. Ing of Allied Artists' "9ad Boy" at t]l6 PfllflC© ■ ■ ■ Katharine Cornell, Kate O'Brien and Christopher Lynch guests of. honor at Lotos Club cocktailery Tuesday (5). Al, Slep, theatrical and radio publicist, joined Republic Pictures |i assistant to publicity manager Evelyn Koleman. Don Velde, formerly with Para- mount and National Screen, now specializing in film theatre adver- tising accessories. ErroL_i:iynn._and. British band- leader Maurice Winnick among ^.those Who sailed Saturday (26) to •Europe on the Queen Mary. Radio actress Anne Seymour re- cording Eleanor Lothrop's novel, "Throw Me a Bone,'' for the Amer- ican Foundation for the Blind, Metro star Kathryn Grayson and husband, Johnny Johnston, arriv- ing from Coast Friday (1) and then Smbarking for England the next ay.'- Mark Linder, playwright, recov- ered from recent heart attack and resting at home. .He!« a brother of Jack Linder, N. Y, indie vaude booker. . / Manie Sacks, Columbia records ' veepee, trained for Hollywood Sunday (27) for huddles with Ben ' Selvin, Coast director of artists . and.repertory. Kerstin Thorborg - Bergman, twedish opera singer, returned to weden last week after participat- ing in several performances at the Metropolitan Opera. Producer-director Maxwell Shane in New York to help Uni^ versal beat the drums for his film, "City Across the River," which preems at Capitol in April. Sydney Gross, Film Classics publicity chiefj Coastwards for con- fabs with Ida I^upino on a cam- paign for her indie production, "Not Wanted," which FC is re- leasing. Ray Ventura, F r e n c h band- leader-music publisher-film pro- ducer, left for Cuba Monday (28) and; is due to plane back to Paris this weekend after a six-week --U. S. stay, Milton Livingston, Universal : -publicist, tapped as. public relations director for the- newly-organized National Foundation for Cerebral Palsy which Leonard Goldenson, Paramount theatre chief, heads. Kirk Douglas making the jive * joints in company of WB pub chief Larry Golob in preparation of "Young Man With a Horn'! in Which he will star for Warner Bros., with Jerry Wald producing. Kate O'Brien and Katharine . Cornell, dramatist, and star of the , forthcoming legit, "For Orie'^weet ■ Grape," will be feted at Lotos Club cocktail party, April 5, along with Irish tenor Christopher Lynch. Dr. Leo Handel of Metro's Audi- ence Research bureau stepping to the blackboard tonight (Wed.) to lecture Columbia University's class on communications research. Sub- ject is "Audience Research in the Motion Picture Industry." Stanton Griffis, chairman of Par- amount's executive board and U.S. Ambassador to Egypt; film players Ronald Reagan, Michael Wilding, Patricia Neal, and 20th-rox pro- ducer Sam Engel due in today . (Wed.) on the Queen Mary. J. Arthur Hank, Spyros Skouras, Robert R. Young, Robert Benjamin and Arthur Krim headed film delegation which attended U. S. preem of Rank's "Quartet" at the Sutton theatre Monday (28). Over- seas Press Club sponsored the affair. The Herman Starrs (Warnei Bros, music chief) got back by plane just in time for the Jack Kapp services. Vera (Mrs. Nate) Blumberg had an even tougher ex- perience flying back from Key West, With the Florida plane schedules completely congested. Paul Ash, Roxy bandleader, re- cuperating iErom his recent opera- • tion at the Hotel Princess, Ber- muda, with his wife and daughter. Also vacationing in Bermuda are CBS engineering veepee William B. Lodge and Vincent Welch, whose law firm reps 20th-Fox in Washington. John Wenger, w.k. stage de- aigner, hat some of his theatrical scenes from "Ziegfeld Follies," "FUnny Face," an impression of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue," etc. as part of the "Behind the American Footlights" exhibit currently at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Australia . By Eric Gorrick Cleave Shepherd, SRO's Aussie rep, on bl? trip in New Zealand. Night club trade is pretty good around the Sydney zone. No big name acts are current. Freddie Bamberg still a hit in fifth stanza at Tivoli, Sydney, for Dave Martin's Tivoli loop. Herschell Stuart continues to make progress at St. Vincent's Pri- vate Hospital, Sydney, on health recovery. "Love Me Sailor" folded in Syd- ney: Sponsors said to have drop- ped $44,000 on stage adaptation of the Robert Close novel. Elsie Beyer, who was general manager of -the Old • Vic Go. dur- ing its recent Aussie run, has re- turned for a five weeks' biz look- see. Harry Walker, dean of Aussie film sales managers, is resting on doctor's orders. Walker was with 20th-Fox for 20 years before re^ signing to take, complete rest. Tyrone Guthrie, British stage di- rector, has arrived here for talks with the government covering the setting up of a national theatre in each Aussie keyer. He'll be here for a short while, probably going to New Zealand before returning to London. Tokyo Bill Carty, Paramount News photog, off to Formosa for 3(f days. George Folster, NBC newscaster, back in Tokyo after a flying trip to N. Y. First public demonsitration of Japanese-built television set draw- ing huge crowds at the^ Foreign Trade Fair in Yokohama. American Theatre, Far East scored its third Tokyo success with boff six-day run for Allied audi- ences of "O Mistress Mine." William Gostello, CBS commen- tator here, author of new book, "Democracy vs. Feudalism in Post- was Japan," published in Tokyo. Finance Ministry reportedly clamping down on Japan Columbia Record Co. which it claims is near- ly 100 million yen ($3 million) in arrears In its taxes. Albert R. Crews to leave Japan early in April after serving two years as chief of the radio branch in SCAP's Civil Information and Education Section. Dwight B. Herrick replaces. Traditional Jap practice of play- ing new pix at flrstrun houses for one week with no holdovers, re- gardless of public demand, is un- der edilorlar fire from Mainichi, nation's second largest newispaper. London Vet comedian George Graves in Guy's Hospital, London, for cbeck- •up. ■■■ Stanley HoUoway enroute to New Zealand and Australia for a radio and stage tour. BBC announced setting up of a special films department with Philip Dorte as controller. Harry Alan Towers, leaving shortly on a world tour, has pub- lished a book, "Show Business." Lord Vivian, partner of Charles B. Cochran, is cruising on the Med- iterranean after a serious illness. Management of Bagatelle Club dickering with Willie Shore for long run if salary differences can be adjusted! Eleanor Farrell, formerly of Forsythe, Seamon and Fan-ell, is back from America and rejoining the act for broadcasting. Yolande Donlan signed for a new British pic, "Miss Pilgrim's Prog- ress," subject to Ministry of Labor okaying extension of her , permit. Michael Carr to New York June 21 for three months, taking with him his latest song hit, "The Lovely Shepherd," published by Unit Music Co. Arts Theatre Club staged revival of Somerset Maugham's comedy, "Carollne_," March 22, with Nora Swinburne and Wyndbani Goldie getting ovations in leading roles; , Florence Lipscomb, American wife of English film scripter W. P. Lipscomb, IS public relations officer for John Grierson, documentary film producer for government's films division. With the completion, of the Ansco color lab at Denham studios, following successful processing of a test film shot at Pinewood, Alan W. Cooke has sailed fov New York after -several months in Europe. Victor Hochhauser is importing Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra of 100 to do series of six concerts at Albert Hall, starting Sept. 28. Bruno Walter will conduct, with Yehudi Menuhin soloist. Orchestra will also be "televised. ■ . Queen's Hall, London's favorite longhair rendezvous until it was bombed early in the war, is to be rebuilt in time for the Festival of Britain in 1951. Rebuilding will cost an estimated $1,000,000, with seating capacity of 4,000. signer, gave an exhibt in sculpting, results of his work in Paris and Rome the last few months. Renzo Hossellini, brother of Roberto Rossellini, will do the musical score for the forthcoming Ingrld Bergman picture to be pro- duced by Howard Hughes. American oldies dubbed into Italian now playing the neighbor- hood houses— "Mutiny on the Bounty," "The Mad Miss Manton," "The White Cliffs of Dover," and "White Cargo." ' Billy Rose and wife, Eleanor Holm, arrived in Rome JVIarch 21. They motored to Venic0 for the weekend, arid take the plane to Paris at the end of the week be- fore leaving for America, Stockholm Two showboats are slated for Stockholm this summer, with one ah'eady in Gothenburg. Nicholas Bros, now oppearing at th^ China here with Karl Gerhard and scoring great success. "Harvey" will probably open at the Vasa theatre here in Septem- ber, -with Max.Qansen in the lead- ing role. Swedish authoress, Brlta Wrede wrote screenplay for ''Adventures In the Mountains," to be filmed by Rank in London.- " After, being banned by Swedish censors for several years, "Arsenic and Old Lace" (Warner) is now a smash at the Roda Kvarn cinema: Swedish cameraman Arne; Palm left for South Africa, where Jie will work for the South African government for at least three years on educational films. Hollywood Chicago Betty Button and hubbv Ted Brlskin in town visiting Sam Bris- kin, latter's father. Keenan Wynn and bride, Betty Butler, of St. Louis, honeymooned at Ambassador-East hotel. Billy DeWolfe's film comltments forced cancellation of his Empire Room date at Palmer House. Bob Yoder, former Daily, News columnist who had Keeping Posted page in Sat. Evening Post, quit to do free lance writing. . Jean Hersholt will be honored at Chi Better Business Bureau din- ner, April 27. His "Dr. Christian" program will be broadcast from here. Miami Beach By Larry Solloway Tommy Raft, Bubbles Dailenc and other acts from recently closed , Colonial Inn into Monte Carlo. 1 Sam Barken will shutter >hls Five O'clock Club for vacation after current .liminy Ca.sanova .show; reopens in May with all- Latin policy. Sid Gary replaced Jane Froman in Copa City show. Ben Blue. Ben Lessy and Pattl Moore hold over. De Castro Sisters set for Clover Club in April. Variety Tent here officiallv took oyer South Florida Children's Hos- pital. ■ ■... Scotland By Gordon Irving Wilson Barrett rep company re- turn to Alhambra, Glasgow, in May. All-Irish show, "Gossoons from Gloccamorra,'* pulling in to Metrff- pole, Glasgow. Danny Kaye week now fixed for Empire, Glasgow, during June. Sell-out assured. Maria Michi, Italian actress^ at- tended opening of "Paisa," in which she appears, at Cosmo, Glas- gow. Eamonn Andrews, Radio Eireann qizmaster, visited Scotland for first time, in Joe:Loss show at Empire, Glasgow. Paul Robeson, concertlzlng here, is giving two free concerts in Glas- gow and Edinburgh for miners and dock-workers. Poole family, film pioneers in East Scotland, opened 500-seater Cameo cinema in Edinburgh for screening art pix. Oscar Rabin and Harry Davis, playing Playhouse ballroom, Glas-, gow, celebrate 25th anniversary of their partnership soon. Richard Murdoch, Kenneth Horne and Sam Costa play Glas- gow and Edinburgh soon in stage version of "Much Binding in the Marsh." Allan Jones tops variety in Glas- gow May 16. Larry Adler heads roadshow May 9, George and Bert Bernard, mime experts, play Glas- gow May 23. Dublin By Maxwell Sweeney' Abbey offering $500 prize for new Irish play. Tenor Patrick Griffin to Scot- land for concert tour.:. Ian Whyte and BBC Scottish orch skedded for Belfast next month.. . . Joe Vegoda, RKO sales manager, here for talks with local office and cxhlbs. Warbler Maureen Hart back in town after three-month season at Belfast Hippodrome. Warbling accordionist Kay Ma- loney, recently back from U. S., inked for BBC TV show at Easter. Comedian Danny Cummins named vaude producer for '49 sea- son at Butlin's Mosney Holiday Camp. Frank Robbins, secretary of Irish cinema and theatre workers union, to U, S: on combo vacation- study trip. ^ Henry Cooper, director for Andrew Buchanan Productions, back to London after mulling plans lor making shorts here. Madrid Portland, Ore. Wally Boag and Ivie Andcrsori at Clover club. Frankie Laine set for Jantzen Beach Ballroom April 2. Del Courtney orch to open danc- ing season at Jantzen Beach Ball^ room. May 6. . Mickey Katz' "Borshlcapades" signed by Portland B'nai Britli for Mayfair, April 25. Lenny Russel and Helen Harper returned to Pacific Northwest af- ter absence of two years; playing , niteries. Rome By Helen McGill Tubbs Louis Hay ward's brother, John, in from London. I Mikhail Basumny and wile.leave ! for New York' by plane the end of I March. j Moliere's "Don Giovanni" at the Little Theatre of Rome in its I sixth week. Gregory Ratoff back in Rome from London readying his next film.to start soon in San Renio. Melchior Lengyel, author of "Ninotchka,;* spending several months in Rome writing a film script. Rudy Salmson of the Ilya 'Lopert Distributing Co., has left for Paris after several weeks in Rome. ■ ■ De Filippo Co. is in its seventh week at the Elisco with "The Voice from Within," by Edouardo De- Flllppo. Edward Killy is in Rome from Hollywood, as Howard Hughes rep- resentative during filming of Bei g- man-Rossellini pic. Gabriel Kohn, fonnerly at Para- mount, Hollywood, as * set de- By Geeno Garr EI Chlcaro y Dolores planed to Buenos Aires to click at El Maipol nitery there. Les Dunnelle Girls, French group of dancers, appearing at J. Hay nitery in Madrid. Ballet Scala, group of Austrian girl refugees,* made bow in Casai blanca nitery in Madrid. French chanteuse Nicole Blanch- ery at the Passapoga nitery with a group of Danish dancers. Andrea Sabna and- Ana Maria C.onzales, singing duo, planed for Mexico City to fulfill contracts. Carmen Caballero, femme lead at Calderon theatre, is going to South America with a Spanish folk lore company. Virginia Fabrega and her legit company from Mexico have gone to Barcelona and then will tour provinces until June. Latest legit success is "Crime and Punishment," J. J. Alelxan- dre's dramatization of Dosloycv- sky's produced at the Maria Guerrero theatre. ; Myriam Kleckova dancers; Les Cincis, acrobats; Maese Cosmon, and Diana Stein singers, head an in- tei'national. variety show at the Fontoria theatre, Madrid. Pastora Imperlo, veteran singer and dancer, making come back in a Madrid theatre in a new musical, "Pastora ha Vuelto" ("Pastora Comes Back"), by Alcazar, Serrano and Arroca. Lillian Nicholson hospitalized it ter a stroke. Sammy Cahn out of hospital t>nA recuperatmg from ulcers at hoZ Louis B: Mayer returned to Holl lywood alter four weeks in the Betty Hutton in from Washlno ton ^where she was a White House John Ford's illness has cost 2nni on^^-ST Bing Crosby tossed a dinner af Chasen's for his favorite ball chih the Pirates. Otto Preminger and phiim Dunne returned from a three-week trip to China. J. Carrol Nalsh goes to London in June.for a revival of "Mm^ chant of Venice." George Nasser in from San Fran- Cisco for production confabs with his brother James. Joergen Bagger and Helge Rob. bert, Danish film directors, studv- ing American technique at UI Jack Segasture in from N Y seeking talent for his forthcomine Broadway production, "Thread of Scarlet." Hollywood Coordinating Com- mittee is rounding up 50 film names for veteran hospital tours in May and June. ' r Gus Schroeder broke a leg while funcfioning as Samuel Goldwyn's location manager with "Roseanna McCoy" at Sonora. India By N. V. Eswar Slated for early release at Bom- bay is Par's "Paleface." "Hamlet" entered third week of a record run at the Globe, Madras. Gemini Studios of Madras will make a Tamil film version of "Cor- sican Bros;" A film, "Romeo and Juliet," has been produced in Hindi, with the Nargis in lead as Juliet. Indian press is agitated over exhibition of "India Speaks" in New York, claiming it generates anti-Indian feelings abroad. ' Indian dancer, Uday Shan-kar starting out on. a wodd tour in October. Plans winter tour of Europe, U. S. Mexico and South Africa. Goldwyn's "Song Is Born" did swell business for two weeks each at Calcutta and Bombay. Ryn Is; something out of ordinary in re-, cent months. Casino, Madras' key flrstrun house, set a precedent in the coun- try by double billing "Oklahoma Raiders,".and "Law and Order" as one program last week. Germany Vienna Vienna Boys Choir returned home after a tour in the U. S. Second group left on same day for South Amei'ica. - Oscar Karlwels, after his Insel theatre appearance in "Harvey," going to Bizonia, then to New York, where his inked for "Collector's Item." Actor Ernst Deutsch off to America; will return late this fall. Raimund theatre signed con' ■ tracts with Oscar Straus'for fall production of his latest operetta, I 'Here Comesi the Waltz." By Bernard Liebes German director Karl Heint Stroux was seriously injured in an, automobile accident. First film of Hans Domnlck Film Productions, "Amico," released in Hamburg, British Zone. Dancer Marika Roeck is starring in "Fregola," produced by Styria Film Production Co. in Vienna. Claire Waldoff, prewar German< cabaret singer/ is in Braunschweig, and then slated for an engagement in Hamburg. New German Film Co. has com- pleted its - third film, "Secret Rendezvous." Pic is scheduled for April release. , . IkaroS Films in Berlin is shoot- ing an advertising short, "Free German University," slated for r«- lease in the states. , ' I Jutta von Alpen, known for her roles in "The Green Saloon' and I "Summer Nights," was hired by an Indian film company. , Helmut Kaeutner, director of "The Apple has Fallen," has been named stage manager of the Kam- inersplele in Hamburg. . . ,. . Hans Soehnker, after finishing; the film "Hello Frauleln," in which he had the lead, is appearing at the Schlosspark theatre in Berlin^ Bcrolina Film Co. has started "Chance or Not" in the Geiselgas- teig studios near Munich. .Direcu ing is E. W. Emo. Theo Lingennas the leading role. . . „. Zarah. Leander. Swedish singcf and film star who appeared «! many German pix before and ow- ing the war, recently gave a con- cert in Darmstadt „!, The bomb-damaged TulbecK Street theatre in Munich Is being, remodeled into a film studio. Vm-. nix Film Co. will film "The Three Village Saints" there. Hilde Krahl, now in Vienna, wUl return to Germany for the }'eie»,=* ing of "Liebes 1947" ("Love 1947 In which she has the lead. Wou gang Libeneiner directed it. Fortuna Film Co. has a working agreement with an Italian film nnu to co-produce three Italian muw cals in Germany. Tenor Bemam no Gigli will star in two—"Attention Shootings" and "1 Love Only You.. The third film will star youtW"' Francesco Albanese from 'he ScaU in Milan, "Sing but Soft.