Variety (Apr 1949)

Wednesday, April 27, 1949 Safe' Picture GontUined trQm pftlti I s exclusive programs would, not draw against the competition of the same program cuflo In homes.' Actually, the NBC attack on the- atre tele program is double^ply unii Bo to a new studio, you have RCA, parent company to NBC, has to prove yourself all over again." | asked for specifications from TOA Wvler declared he "feels better! and o*^her theatre groups on the t are'legit players «„uiDoed to choose a story than optimum set tor large-screen play- MARRIAGES Jean Ashley Kimball to John L. Hutchinson, Buffalo, N. Y., April 18. He's a producer at WBEN-TV there. Virginia Baker to Walter J. Pa- lance, New York, April 21^ Both n t- 4v,„ o« I Nina Mae McKinney tp Frank J »i**?^^ u ? ^^^i^^.^ So- Hickey. KollywbQd, April 17, Bride ciety OT Motion Picture Engineer.s ' is a Screen actress '4 Tnr,"^.^!;itf "Vp').t„H'v^\h"i i Lor^nz to John Pletkowich, Hucer conceded. Nevertheless, | TOA s request. Recently, the | jjewanee, 111., April 15. Bride is Wvler believes, that the overly- l^H^r organization became a spon- daughter of Rud Lorenz, exhibitor Wyier oe ^.^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ I 5„^,„g n„en,ber of the SMPE. j i„ tggt city. Discussion of the problem of | Lorraine Bendix to Richard Mon- specifications IS expected to arise roe; Beverly Bills, April 20; Bride at the next TOA-SMPE joint meet- is the daughter of William Bendix, ing now set for May 5. Entine fjlnl Star; he's hn iictor. TOA television committee, headed I ijell Saunders to Eddie Myers, by Florida exhib Mitchell Wplfson ] Pittsburgh, March 29. Bride is and co-chairman Walter Heade, Jr., someone else. But when the other „ nerson puts up the money, he is - entitled to his opinion too," pro- conservative view la nm;" V"ai | "you're careful to the point where ' vou don't do anything or. until you don't do anything but the safest." Good Pix Help Others OBITUARIES <;>ubi, ""♦Mi.. CHARLES B. MIDDLETON Charles B. Middleton, 70, veteran actor, died in Lps Angeles, April 22w He had been in show business for more than 50 years. Starting out in carnivals and cricuses at an early age, Middleton later ap aire and at one time had owned and operated the Lancaster the- atre, Boston. "The whole film business cramps vniir style now,'' Wyler continued. .„ . . . . .. _. "The t^ct that people do not go to "ttend the impor ant meeting, see pictures now is due to a lot of Meanwhile SMPE is gathering bum ones. One good picture helps ! necessary data another. It's the same condition in tp-"'" New York with plays. Good plays help each other by stirring up en- thusiasm, for the theatre. That's v»hy this season is. such a terrific one." Wyler stressed, however, that.he had been permitted "to go Early answer to RCA is expected because the' Federal Communica- tions Commission has just indiT cated that it will assign a spectrum suitable for theatre television no later than six months hence. In huddles, with; film industryites, all the way with 'The Heiress' and FCC has given the impression that j was thoroughly satisfied with the, the channel will be trom 4.000-1 filih " 9,000 megacycles or a portion of it. I Wyler, who came to Paramount , SMPE has indicated, on its part j with Frank Capra, George Stevens that the 4,000-9,000 band is most and Robert Riskin when Par ac- suitable for theatre tele because quired Liberty Films, shares the; below 4,000 megacycles, theatre right with the studio to pass on equipment becomes too clumsy and story material. Neither can go I ahow, no equipment has become ahead on a Wyler project without readily available, the other. Capra and Stevens have the same deal. - Producer-director has four more films to make for Par under his contract. That sort of deal, he believes, "is the rub which can work to the great disadvantage of the individual.'* Capra. has three more to niake- and. Stevens, four. First Wyler pic, "The " Heiress," took one and one^hatf years. Wyler will definitely make "Sis- ter Carrie," fllmization of the The- odore Dreiser novel Tommy Carlyn's former vocalist; he's a band musician. Hildegarde CoUigan . to Nelson Gidding, New York, April 22. Bride. is a junior editor of Viking Press;: he's a radio writer and novelist. Elizabeth Sidford to William J. Cody, Enciho, April 22. He's the son of. Bill Cody, former western star. Carolyn Lucia White to Carl Reinschild, New York, April 23, He's an exec with Columbia rec- ords-.'' ■ Mary Jane Preusser to Fred- erick G, Schang, 3d, Norwalk, Conn., April 23. He's concert man- ager, and son of Frederick C. Schang, Jr.; prez of Columbia Artists Management. LOUIS L. MARKS Louis L. Marks, 62, former co-, owner o£ the Granada and Mar- peare4 in stock companies, vaude- i boro theatres, Chicago, died in that ville: and legit productions. His [city, April 18. With his brother,: last stage appearance was in I, the late Meyer Marks, he built up "January Thaw" on Broadway in ' a chain of film houses in Chicago 1945. ' which they sold in 1928. He later went to Hollywood I Survived by -two sons and a where he appeared in films, in-! daughtei'. : eluding "Kongo," "Bellamy Trial;' "David Harum," "Grapes of Wrath" and "Capt. Fury.'! Survived by a daughter. HERMAN A. MILLER Herman A. Miller, 53, playwright and former Ohio State Univ. pre fessor of English and drama, died in Columbus, April 20. - After 20 Alfred^Dravton"67^fiHti^h actor ^^^''^ °" ^SU faculty he left Aureu uidyion, oi, tuiusn atioi, j„ ,Q.^n ,„ ^c.%-nta hie Hmo tn n,rU- died m London, April 25. Drayton, who was co-starred in the H'wood Hot ^ Continued from page 2 ss> Huston, $i,500; John Byram, Paria- mount's eastei'n play. edi;t6r, $750; writer Irwin Shaw, $l,50O;; prodil- eer-writer Max Wilk, $1,500; Ralph I Bellamy, the play's^ star, ,$4,500; I producer-agent Leland Hayward, Since the i $4,500, and producer-director Wil- script is taking a long time, Wyler is looking over Broadway plays with the possibility of closing, ■for the film rights. Initial sounds ings indicate that leglters "are all liam Wyler, $1,500. Kingsley has been stalling ef- forts by the film companies to BIRTHS -Mr. and Mrs. Don Green, daugh- ter, Los Angeles, April 15. Father is a publicist for Fox-West Coast, • Mr. and Mrs. Matty Malnick, daughter, Hollywood, April 19. Father is a bandleader. Mr. , and . Mrs. Liam -Redmond, daughter, Dublin, April 2. Father, ex-Abbeyite, is an actor, and Irish dialog adviser for British pix. Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Cusack, daughter, Dublin, April 9. Father, ex-Abbeyite, an actor in British films. Mr.- and Mrs. Jack Denove, son, New York, April 21. Father is as- mes indicate mat leeuers "are au make a deal for the screen rights, i distant to Ben Duffy BBD&O prez; ialkiiirirmillioL ^t to^^^^^ Producers Howard Lindsay and mother is former actress. Ann Far- are over." Wyler sees no objec- tion in participation deals-^"if they got something good, they're entitled to share the profits.'' While Pai-amount does not ordinarily en- courage participation buys; com- pany is not adamant on the sub- ject, Wyler said. , Wyler does not believe there will be any real difficulties with his studio if he does not turn out the fequired five pix in five years. "We would have to talk that over. It would depend on who failed. However, I don't think there would Russel Crouse agree with his feel- ing that the play will run on Broadway a long time so there's no hurry. Meantime, Audrey Wood, agent for Tennessee Williams' "Street- car Named Desire,'' has asked the picture companies to make bids on their own terms for the play and to state their objection to the deals laid out in a letter about- four weeks ago requesting bids be in by the following Friday. No studio submitted an offer at that time. Objections of most of the compa- were (1) the high price be any trouble. The important j "'!ef,„ „„„^ . • ■ thing now is to make good picture? ' <$450 000 ) set as a minimum bid. which will make money." ^nd (2 > the fact that this was only lor a lease until 1961 rather than ti outright buy. Miss Wood claims leigh Mr. and Mrs. Roy Evans, daugh- ter, Inglewood, Cal., April 17 Father is a Fox-West Coast theatre manager. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Howell, son, San Antonio, April 21. Father is news editor for WOAI there. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Brickhouse, current London hit, ''One Wild Oat" at the Garrick theatre, died in his sleep after giving his regular performance Monday (25) nights in 1938 to devote his tiine to writ- ing. . . Survived by wife. •. EDWARD O'DONNELL Edward O'Donnell, 62,- veteran Show is continuing, with Drayton's H'eatreman Irom Webster Mass understudy replacing him. '''"'1 C"'" 'V'^'c'; *'^*«r Drayton was also partnered with .veais of E. M. Loew s State, Web- Robertson Hare for 13 years in a ' died at .the Worcester hoS- number of productions, ' j attack " following a heart j Survived by two sisters -wtiji- MRS, DANIEL COOK Mrs. Grace Barton Allen Cook, S2, author and playwright, died at the home of her daughter in Flush- ing, N. Y., April 23. Mrs. Cook, -who once taught at the Woman's School of Applied Design, N. Y., was the author of a number of one- act plays produced on the Coast. Survived by husband, Daniel Cook, president emeritus of the Univ. of Gincinnati; and a daugh- ter. whom he made his'home. JOHN GARRIS John Garris, 37, German-bom tenor who had been touring with the Metropolitan Opera Cov, was ZAVEL ZILBERTS Zavel Zilberts, 69, founder and musical director of Zilbert's Choral Society, died at his home in Niew York, April 25. Russian-born, he came to America in 1920 and served as musical director of the Cantor's Assn. of America. He di- rected choral groups in Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall, and the old Hippodrome, N. Y.- Surviving are his wife and five brothers. IN FQND MEMORY OF HENRY GOLDSON who patted away thrM ycart ago April 26, 1946 "POP AND AL" FRANK S. WATSON Frank S. Watson, 73, former 'cellist with the Philadelphia Or- chestra, died at his home in Stone- hurst, Pa., April 19, Watson was a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra under Leo- pold Stokowski, and played with daughter, Chicago, April 19. Father the Robin Hood Dell and other Ed Wynn Continued from page I is sports announcer for WGN, Chi Mr. and Mrs. Sam Shain, son, New York, April 13. Father is di- rector of public and ejchibltor: rela- tions for 20th-FoX. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Pat Burke, daugh- ter, Pittsburgh, April 18. Parents are the singing team of Pat and Sylvia. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Spertell, .son, New York, April 18. Father is head of Eagle Lion's advertising symphony groups. Before coming to this country he was a member of the Queen's Hall Orchestra and the London Symphony, found murdered in Atlanta, April 21. 1 BENJAMIN STALKER Benjamin Stalker, 88, who toured the U. S., Canada and Mexico for 50 years as owner of a Wild West Show, died April 17 in Columbus, O. He retired in 1936. Survived by son and five daugh- ters. . ■ . '""^ accounting dept; mother, formerly secretary to Arthur Sachson, sales dies regarding .the rights Paramount exhibited consider- I able interest last week in "At War wood for the rest of the run. His i With the Army," the James B. Al- wiU be sponsored by I'^rdice comedy currently at the program Pabst, his AM bankroller, over : ^^^^ ^^^^J. con.sideration. As Booth. Studio; howevesr, nixed the NBC-TV. Benny will probably go! a result, it is understood likely under American Tobacco sponsor-1 that producer William 11. Katzell ship over CBS-TV. will make the screen ver-sion him- self. He negotiated an indie pro- duction deal some weeks ago with Eagle Lion. '49 Haylofts Continued from page I Wynn's program will be based j on the "Prirfect Fool" characteri-1 zation he established in legit mu-1 sicals'and is expected to be aired! for a half-hour weekly. Both NBC i and CBS are now attempting to, .iuggle their programming setups i to find time for the Coastorigi-j sliiwc ^'J^'k'"^] ^""'^ Itl bodv. says Miss Stamm, has been snows are to be done live on the ^ ' . , „ Coast and kinescoped, they can be , angling for Bqrn Yesterday, run in at any time on stations not | 'Harvey" and "Present Laughter," directly connected by relay facili-' with the owners disinclined to re- Ues to the Hollywood outlets.; j ^ ground there is some Both Benny and Cantor are con- ^ ,' _ ° . .. . tinuing adamant in their stand, to"""g P'^^s yet. againstjdoing a TV show more than , In "Laughter's" case, Edward tvyice a month, on the as.sumption ; Everett Horton has . just started TV takes so much time in prepara-; touring in it, and if he draws, may uon and also consumes material | , . , .. .„ ^y,^ much more rapidly than does I want to do it agam in the fall. chief of Samuel Goldwyn Produc tions. Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Johnson, daughter, New York, April 18. Mother is the former Kitty Lane, band vocalist; father is profession- al manager of Southern Music Co. Mr. and Mrs. Fred B. Phillips, daughter, Santa Barbara, April 22. Father is a makeup man. Mr. and Mrs. James Chadwick, son, Hollywood, April 17. Father is researcher for Ralph Edwards' radio shows; mother is publicist. Mr. and Mrs. Hank Ausubel, son, April 20, Brooklyn, N. Y. Mother, Anne Austin, is private secretary to the editor of Variety. Mr; , and Mrs. Jay Kaye, daugh- ter. New York, April 18. Mother is Joann Dolan, an actress; father is radio columnist of Newark (N.J.) Evening News. ' Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Livingston, I daughter, New York JIM JONSON Jim Jonson, 50, Irish comedian, died in Dublin, April 10. Born in Belfast ho built a reputation part- nered with his wife, Josie Da.v, touring Ireland. He joined Jimmy O'Dea-^Harry O'Donovan team and played many , revues 'and panto- mimes with them in Dublin and in England; where he was also fea- tured as Mr, Mulligan in the BBC "Irish Half-Hour" shows. Survived by wife. MARTINA DE LA CRUZ Martina de la Cruz, 74, billed as the "world's smallest woman," died in WaycrosS, Ga., April 24. Miss de la Cruz, a native of Pa-, nay, Philippine Islands, was 21 inches tall and had been appearing with carnival when stricken. ROBERT AVRA'Y Robert Avray, 36, former .stage manager for legit productions, died at the Veterans Hospital, N. Y., April 19. He had server' in the Army in the past World War. He had been stage manager for the Ballet Theatre, Civic Reper- tory, Group Theatre and the musi- cal, "Are You with It?" Survived by mother and four sisters. LOUIS W. PETERS Louis W. Peters, 63, former pres- ident of Sylvan Beach, Inc., opera- tor of an-amu.sement .resort in St. Louis, died at his home therei April 18. Survived by wife. ANDREW.W. SHERIDAN Andrew W. Sheridan, 63, former a.sst. film director, died in New York, April 25. He had been in films for 25 years. Survived by wife. HERMAN SPITALNY ; : Herman Spitalny, 66, musician and uncle of Maurice and Phil Spitalny, died April 22 in Clever land. ■ - Russian-born violinist played in April 26.1 both his nephew's bands after com- CLEM RECK Clem Reck, 44, salesman for Par- amount, died April 24 at his home in Shamokin, Pa. Survived by wife and three cbil- dren.- Father is with Universal-Interna- | ing to Cleveland in 1923, as well LLOYD LEWIS Lloyd Lewis, 57, former drama editor of the Daily News, Chicago, died of a heart attack April 21 at; his home in Libertyville, 111. Survived by-wife and a sister. tional's publicity dept I as in several theatre pit orchestras standard radio. del Giudice Continned from page Ji NBC Opens Race Continued from page 1 hou.ses that sought to pick ur) the Louis-Walcott fight last June. 'Exclusive'' Angle Use of tele programs on an ex- the' -play. ; . Miss Stainm, who has .' operated the Casino since 1941. bought the theatre a year ago for $35,000. The- elu.sive basis is .expected to hypo atre will open for its 23d season exhib action forthwith. Many big June 27, likely opener being a theatre ops have been holding back package, "The Medium" and "The on putting up heavy coin for equip ment on the eonvit^ion that non 1 Miss Stamm. however, reports that Lindsay and Crouse let her do, stepped off the Caronia's gang- "Arsenip and Old Lace" at New- ^^^"^ ^'^'^ "^^^ Arsenic ana uia Lace at wew , ^ financial backer—a port while the comedy was stiU j Portland cement manufacturer— playing on Broadway, and that in- merely through a chance meeting stead of any, adverse effect, it ap- I on the vessel. While in New York parently whetted tour interest in in addition to teaching music. Survived by two sons daughter. JOAN BLAINE Joan Blaine, legit and radio actress, died in New York, April 19. After serving as an apprentice with the Chicago Theatre Guild, she appeared in several Broadway productions, including "Spitfire;" "And So to Bed" and "Winter's Tale." More recently she had ap- Ruth Propp Starn; 55, wifj? oC I Ed Starn, manager of Bobbins and I Music, died in New York, April 26; ' Before her marriage she had been secretary to':- Harry Von •IKbfer," songsmith-publtsher, and Murrajc Baker, professional manager at Robbins. the former Rank producer will | pgared in radio productions confer with Amerigo Benefico, ; Survived by husband, head of Variety Film Distributors, who is handing U. S. distribution CHARLES ROSS of Pilgrim's "The Guinea Pig." In Charles Ross, 72, of-Windsor, Vt., addition he brought a print of his exhibitor for many years, died sud- recently completed "Private An- denly in the Bo.ston film district gelo" with him and will likely set last week while parking his car. Viola Ellis, wardrobe mistress, died in New York, April 21. She had been employed in Max Gor- don productions for the past IS years and at the time, of death was wardrobe mistress for "Born Yes- terday'- at the Henry Miller, N. Y. Mother, 75i of Leslie Fenton, film director, died April 19 in Hollywood. 1 Mother of Dave Silverman, RKO Telephone." Don Leven is resident i a realease deal on this during his He was a partner with the ' exchange manager in Pittsburgh, director. - ' current stay. . Lalchis circuit in the Windsor the- died in that city, April 14.