Variety (June 1949)

S4 CHATTER Wednesday, June 29, 1949 Broadway Josh Meyer, of the Jack Davies •flice, bedded with sun-poisoning. Charlie Tobias, vet songsmith. and his wife. Edna, celebrating tlieir 25th anni July 6. The Sid Piermonts calling their son David. He's the Loew talent booker. It’s their first. Father of Robby Lantz. N. Y. head of the Berg - Allenberg agency, ailing in London. The Frank (RCA prez» Folsoms to Europe on the Queen Mary. July 6. for six weeks on business-pleas- ure. Jed Harris planed to Paris Mon- 'day <27» for a short stay, which wiil be followed by a visit to Lon- don. Joe Moskowitz following the Darrvl Zanucks to Europe next week. Latter will plane over Fri- day (1). Hose and Joe Seldelman—he's the Universal Piets foreign chief— back from extended European survey trip. Mrs. Bugs (Louise! Baer spark- ing a new Westchester Heart Home, to be erected in front of the County Center. A1 Jol.son busy baby' shopping for their new two-week-old adopted girl. The boy, Al, Jr., is i now almo.st two years. | Jack Pierson, son of H. Wayne Pierson, has joined Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey Circus as a member of the advertising staff. How'ard S. Cullman, Richard Widniark, Richard Ney and novel- ist A. J. Cronin among those sail- ing Monday (27) on the Caronia. Herbert T. Silverberg, Coast legalite repping a number of indie producers, planed tO Los Angeles this week after a short trip to N. Y. The Leslie (NBC production) Harrises—she was Rosemary Cox —celebrated 8th anniversary witli shindig at their Douglaston. L. I., home. Clifford C. Fi.scher Air-Franced to Paris on Saturday. His wife and exec secretary, Mrs. Bee Zimmer -1 man. will follow over by boat in two or three W'eeks. Mrs. H. W. Hartung, for the first time in years; the latter has been a Houston resident for over a decade. Bette Davis mulling a Strawfiat Award annually to the two most promising new players (male and female I on the hayloft circuit. Would embrace two miniature gold strawhats plus $500 honorariums to each. Paulette Goddard planing to New York from Coast for advance publicity campaign on her Colum- bia Pictures starrer, “Anna Lu- casta.’’ She’s stopping over at Chicago to be guest of honor at the 14th Air Force reunion Fri- day (U. Radio scripter Alan Lipscott and columnist Louis Sobol swapped apartmepts; latter heading west, Lipscott in N, Y. on vacation, and al.so huddilng Irving Brecher, own- er of "Life of Riley’’ radio and TV packages. British film producer Michael Powell hosting a cocktail party to- morrow (Thurs.) at the Bijou, where his “Red Shoes’’ is in an extended run. Powell is presenting the Museum of Modern Art with the ballet sequence in the pic. Ken Englund west on a quickie to huddle Leo McCarey on an orig- inal. “Everything to Live For,’’ in between the writer-producer ready- ing his musical, “He and She,’’ F^nglund and McCarey met by ac- cident at a party here, hence the quick writing assignment. Most rabid ball fans during their N. Y. stopovers last week and this week, in between biz powwows east and or en route to Europe, were Dore Schary, Eddie Cantor. Jack Benny. Al Jolson and Harry Cohn Mrs. Cohn (Joan Perry! flew in Monday to join the Col exec, both sailing tomorrow • Thurs.) on the Queen Elizabeth. When Eddie Cantor and Jack Benny started to clown with Tony Martin's show at the Riviera, they did an impromptu double which inspired Benny to crack. “We’re doing this for nothing.’’ whereupon some $4.25 in change w'as thrown onstage which the comics picked up. Charles Correll (& FYeeman Ctosdeni also in the audience that night. London Bobby Wright, of Wright and Marion, hospitalized for internal operation. , i Mrs. Henry Sherek recovering from complications following an appendectomy. j I Cochran’s next musical, “Tough ' at the Top,’’ skedded to open at the Adelphi July 13. I Maurice Winnick orch from Ciro’s signed for short season at ^ Ambassadeur, Deauville. ! Nadia Gray arrived from Paris! and soon will be starring in May-1 flower’s “The Spider and the Fly.’’ Cecil Lyle in hospital at Amster- dam, after heart attack, which ne- cessitated him cancelling 10 weeks work. I Margaret Lockwood now^ touring I in “Private Lives.’’ w hich Henry Sherek plans to bring to the West I End this fall. Sonny Cox and H. Elton Box, of music publishing house of Box and 1 Cox, leaving June 30 on short busi- ness trip to New York. Noel Coward, having taken over I the Redgrave role in “The Aston-} I ished Heart,’’ will again be playing | ' opposite Celia Johnson. I Son-in-law of Earl Mountbatten, I Lord Brabourne, entered film busi- i ness as personal assistant to Ian j Dalrymple on “The Wooden Horse.” j ; Eric Linklater’s latest comedy, I “Love in Albania,” comes into St. j James at conclusion of Cornelia I Otis Skinner’s two week engage- ment. Alan Hale due here this summer I to play to U. S. Army Air Force ! camps in Britain and Germany, and I also in Norman Krasna play, i I “John Loves Mary.” j “Hats in the Air,” the Bernard ' Delfont musical, which was to 1 j start at the Saville at end of June, 1 has been held over for the prov- inces and a lot of doctoring. Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin, i after five days at Harringay Arena, I starting Aug. 27 for Tom Arnold, w ill tour provinces for 10 weeks, and'then go to Ireland at sugges-' tion of the Aga Khan. | Barcelona Mrs. Jack Kapp to the Coast today tWed.), her first trip to vi.sil her family since the Decca presi- dent died suddenly two months ago. Ethel Levey, vet songstress and former wife of the late George M. Cohan, left for London last week. While there she may do a lecture tour. Musical comedy actress Mary Jane Walsh “at home" in Daven- port. la., following her marriage Monday (27) to Lincoln V. Bur- rows. Music Corp. of America veepee Charlie Miller sailing to Europe i on the Queen Elizabeth July 11 i for a two-month business trip and vacation. | Russell Holman, Paramount’s eastern studio rep. being dined tomorrow' (Thurs.) by his staff in i celebration of his 30th anniversary with the company. The Chocolateers. Negro com- edy trio who appeared with Danny Kaye at the London Palladium, arrived yesterday iTues.) on the Nieuw Amsterdam. Ida Cantor due in next week and sailing with her comedian-husband Jujy 9 on the America for a quickie to Paris before he starts his radio chores again. The first of the after-theatre galas for the benefit of the Ameri- can Theatre Wing being held to- morrow (Thurs.* at the Rendez- \ ous Room of the Plaza. Col. and Mrs. Fred Lew. vet l.ouisville showman. celoi)rated their golden wedding anniversarv at the Claridge Hotel, Atlantic City, yesterday (Tues.*. Morvyn LeRoy, Metro director, and his aide. William C-annon. reach Gotham. Monday (27> for me- Jiminarv chores on the M-G film • East Side. We.st Side.” Howard Koch in from the Coast to prepare the New York scenes t«> -be u.sed in “East Side. West Side” Charlie Hunt, business manager for (he unit, ditto. John Paddy Carstairs. British film director and novelist, in on 10- dny visit following wrap-up of "The Cliiltern Hundreds.’’ pic whidi he filmed for J. Arthur Rank's Two Cities unit. Rig show hi/ contingent on Queen Elizabeth sailing tomor- T^)^\ iTIuirs.) includes the Harry Cohns. Arnold Grants, T.ouise 'Mrs. Martin* Beck. Bob Kriendler among others. .loseph H. Seidelman. Unixer- s.d s foreign chief, and Joseph A. IMcConville. head of Columbia Pic- tures International Corp., returned fiom European surveys yesterday n'ues ) on the Queen Elizabeth. Hildegarde. currently at the Shamrock Hotel’.s Emerald Room. Houston, reunited with l>cr si.ster. Chicago I Entertainment Managers’ Assn’s lOth annual outing July 7 at St. .\ndrews Golf Club. West Chicago. Ben Coleman, former Chi radio ' packager now with E.squire mag ' in New York, in town visiting ' friends. Joey Bishop, comic, goes it alone again, having split with singer Jack Soo. before current Oriental theatre stint. Joey Jacobson, owner of Chez Paree. in New' York hoping to pact Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis for an .August appearance. Milton Berle. Joyce Matthews and daughter Vicky, lunching at F^ump room, on way to Hollywood ,and film commitments. Gloria Breese. 16-year old daughter of booker and band- leader Lou Breese, off to Coast for scieen test by Paramount, i Merian C. Cooper, producer of "Mighty Joe Young” in town set- ting up exploitation for Palace theatre opening next month. Jinx Falkenburg and Joe E. Brovxn to be hosted by Burma- India Veterans .Assn., at its second annual reunion. August 12. at Fieeport. III. New summer theatre here, Chexy Chase, opens July 11, with Buddy Ebsen. Buster Keaton. Billie Burke. Signe Has.so and Mady Christians to headline dur- ing the season. Rodielle Hudson and a Holly- wood cast, shooting film at Wild- ing studio here, for John Deere Co. farm equipment. Company is spending $125,000 on the film, to be used for p.a. purposes. Richard Travis has top male role. South Africa By Joe Hanson Recent polio drive by .African Consolidated Theatres netted over $40,350 Harry Watt. Ealing Studio pro- duc»‘i. completed three months tom- of jountry searching for suit- able film material. Barton Mumaxx. billed as “The .\meri(an Nijinsky." to be prin- cipal male dancer in S. African production of ".\nnie Get Your G'un '■ iMelro’s "Secn*t Garden” xxill be gixen fiist xxorld release in South .Afriia with simultaneous screen- ings in .lohannesburg. Cape Town, and Duiban. Unique occasion of five xvorld celebs performing in Cape Toxxn recently celebrated by party. Giie.-^ts of honor were Dolin and Markova. Tito Schipa. Ida llacndcl and .Moisho Oysher, .. .. By Joaquina C. Vidal-Gomis | Argentine film director Ratti left for Buenos Aires after a long ' stay here. j I Director Alejandro Perla on ! location in the Pyrenees, shooting much of “Bad Spell.” New' summer nitery. Bahia, owned by Pons, presented F'rench j singer Fernanda Montel. who has I been in Argentine for many years, i Director Jose L. Saenz Heredia arrived from ' Madrid with Mre. i Heredia to assist at preeni of I “Waters Run Black” at the Alex- andra. I Folloxving the same style as ' “Anchor Button.’’ Fernan Gomez will direct “La Trinca del Aire.” screenplay by Torrado on aviation pilots. I French director Julien Duvivier is due in Spain to work on the ' Balearic Isles on “The Man From j Formentor.” Louis Hayward and i ! Patricia Roc will star. j Tono de Lara has written a ■ screenplay, “Peace Hotel,” which ' is an adaptation of his legit play, j “Guillermo Hotel.” Will be made j in Mexico by Dyana Films. j I Mexico City By D. L. Grahame | Maria Felix. 1948. Mex Oscar i xvinner, ill with tonsilitis. * I Enrique jContel. manager of radio station XEQ. abed with I heart ailment. i Buying splurge to replenish i stocks expected as soon as the peso is stabilized. I Larry O'Reilly and Jerry Bron- I field here to make tourist docu- mentary for RKO. Katherine Grandstaff. Corpus Christi, Tex., cutie. selected as the I U.S. Navy’s sxveetheart, guesting , here. j Bruno Valleti h.is inked Lilia Beltran for lead in first pic he will ! produce in Mexico. “The Last i Tango.” Government took over the West- ■ ern Union, xxhich it’s operating! through the Ministrx of Com-! munications & Public Works. ' Dallas By Henry Senber Bob 0’l)«)nnell says Inteistate is not planning immediate rexixal of vaude. A’arietx Club held barbecue at its Bovs Ranch near Bedtoid. Texas. Sunday (2(ii. Southern Methodist I'niversitv's nexv summer theatre launched with "Death Takes a Holiday.” Dallas News’ Nathan Wyll and Times-Heralder Virgil Miers back from New York shoxv-sceing trip. Starlight Operetta off to gooo 1 start with two-week run of “Up in Central Park” starring Kenny P j^lcpp, W. R. Frank, producer of “The Great Dan Patch,” in town to set up Southwestern preem scheduled ! for July. I Margo Jones flew to Coast for week’s visit before making New | York trip to line up Theatre 49’s ■ fall season. | John Raitt, Marion Bell, Imogene Coca, Buster West in town rehears- , ing for Starlight’s second show, “Rose Marie.” i Texas bus companies follow'lng j lead of New Haven’s “show train” ; idea with “show bus” sked for Star- j light Operetta. Westport, Conn. By Humphrey Doulens Mr. and Mrs.- Deems Taylor here. Ditto Francine Larrimore. Richard Mealand back from the Coast. Anne Whelan w'riting from Florence and Venice. Mrs. William Anthony McGuire visiting the Peppy d’Albrews. Gladys Swarthout to Cincinnati : summer opera to sing “Carmen.” I Conn. Symphony opening “Pops” I concerts here Friday (1! W'ith j Eleanor Steber as soloist. Alexander Kirkland will be as- sociated with Lucille Lortel in ! White Barn theatre season. j Peggy French to Smithtoxvn.; L. I., lor tryout of Peggy Philli|»s' i “Paper Moon.” Libby Holman. Shepherd | Traube. Louise Campbell, Arthur' Levy, Robert Rockmore, Arthur Schwartz. Lueen McGrath. Paul Draper, Vivienne Segal, Jacque- line Logan, Tony Farrell, James Melton, Theresa Helburn. John Hersey here for opening of "Pretty , Penny” (27). 1 Miami Beach By Larry Solloway - Yvonne Richman back ih loxvn to close winter home then flies west to rejoin husband Harry. Ciro’s shuttered for summer. | Show at Five O’clock Club fea- turing Sunny Mars. Rocio & An- tonio and Ruth Rogers. i Paddock Club reopening with | hurley show. with Lois DeFee in ! featured spot. . j Bookies and all other gambling under wraps after new council | turned on the heat. | Jack (Clover Club* Goldman to New York on talent hunt. j Betty Barclay, former Sammy Kaye vocalist, into Bar of Music. j Pan American Fiesta to be staged by local merchants at' Sherry Frontenac with Stella and ' Jose leading the Inter-American dance groups. Washington I By Florence S. Lowe I Metro producer Sam Marx in J town for huddles with Immigra- i tion Dept, toppers on “Man Hunt.” , Exhibitor Fred Kogod. head of; K-B theatre chain, feted by 4.50; friends and fellow Variety bark-1 ers on his 50lh birthday. I Gael Sullivan featured speaker at Theatre Division luncheon of United Jexvish Appeal, under chairmanship of exhibitor Sidney ! Lust. ' Irving M. Lichtenstein named press relations director of WWDC j succeeding Wadsworth Likely, who has been assigned to station’s press staff. j Playxvright Charles MacArthur I in past week to see daughter Mary i in “Corn Is Green,” with both he and w'ife. Helen Hayes due in next week for a look at their chick as Mary in “John Loves Mary.” j with Guy Madison. j FCC Commis.^ioner Frieda Hen- nock among.st a group of "women i of achievement ” invited as special j guests to preem of Eli.sabeth Berg- ner in “Amphiliyon 38“ Sunday ; (26) at toxvn’s newest legit project. Washington Theatre Festival in Meridian Hill Park. New Haven ! By Harold !VI. Bone | Midget auto race biz only so-so. House Peters. Jr., doubling as aetor-flack at nearby Clinton straxx- hat. i Al Capp recently honored bv .Ad- vertising Club of this, his native, city. Yale drama faeultx ’s Ed Reveaux directing musicals for Gieek the- atre on the Coast. Yale Drama Society did “Male .Animal” as annual Commencement pla.v. Atxvood Levensaler dii'ccting. * Lanny Ross, Hayes Gordon and Martha Wright featured in first summer pop concert at Yale Boxxl <28'. , Ringling show did three-quarter matinee, evening sellout at Wal -1 lingford, neare.st stand to here since the Harllord fire. 1 Hollywood Roland Young in from N. Y Bing Crosby to Elko. Nev., for the summer. William Powells to Coronado for the tennis matches. Jeanne Taylor opened at Larry Potter’s Supper Club. Beatrice Kay moves into Ciro’s July 8, following Connie Sawyer Al Vaughan is the new studio pub-ad director for Samuel Gold- wyn. Joe E. Brown recuperating after surgery at the Long Beach Navy hospital. Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis booked for a stand at Ciro’s, start- ing Aug. 19. Debbie Reynolds’ minor con- tract with Warners approved by Superior court. Mickey Rooney laid up with sun- burn while “The Big Wheel” shoots around him. Jack Carson w'ill do a personal at the Good Humor convention in Atlantic City in August. Frank Whitbeck cut short his vacation with a circus and re- turned to the Metro lot to cool off. Tom Hardiman, most courteous employee of the Tri-State Theatre Circuit, won a free trip to Holly- w’ood. Ciriaco Santiago in from Manila to make a deal for the establish- ment of a color laboratory over there, Charles I.. u g h t o n reading . Shakespearean plays to war vet- erans at the Birmingham General Hospital. Jean Hersholt awarded a special gift as retiring prexy of the Acad- emy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. David Brian will play the Al- fred Lunt role in "O, Mi.^tress Mine” for the La Jolla straxvhat company. John Ford threxv his already in- jured leg out of joint again on the “Front and Center" set at 2()th-Fox but continued directing from a high chair. Las Vegas Helen Gilbert new'est of (he Hol- lywood set here for divorce. Nora Eddington Flynn and Dick Haymfs doing the spots night lx , each awaiting marital severance papers. Jack Cole dancers smash hit at Flamingo backed by Rosalind C’x)urtright in songs and impres- sionist Neal Stanley. Hotel Flamingo getting into the marriage business in earnest xvith new wedding chapel being con- structed on front lawn. Peggy McCarthy of El Rancho Vegas publicity staff resigned. She. represented Las Vegas as beauty queen in last year’s Madison Square Garden rodeo. Hotel El Rancho Veglis. current- ly featuring Carl Ravazza. ha.s inked Joe E. Lewis. Sophie Tucker, Wiere Bros, and Patti Moore ife Ben Lcs.sey for forthcoming sum- mer billings. Station KRAM which hitherto has broadcast only in daylight hours, has secured FCC approval for 24-hour operation making third fulltime outlet here. F.xpects to affiliate with Mutual after instal- lation of nexv equipment. Fifty Washington correspon- dents. covering Governors’ con- ference at C«)lorado Springs, were guests of the tow'n for a da.y of parties hosted by United Air Lines which flew them in, and Hotels Flamingo and Last Frontier. Summer tourist trade holding up well W'ith hotels and motels report- ing better than average occupanc.y. F'lamingo recently completed addi- tion of 60 nexv rooms. Expansion plans for all re.sort hotels have been announced at estimated cost of $3,000,000. Rome By Helen McGill Tubbs Clifton Webb is at the Hassler. Jules Leve> at the Excelsior hotel. Lois Maxxxell is at the Ambas- sador hotel. Composer Aaron Copland in for a vacation. “Love" and “The Human Voice” opens at three of Rome’s first run houses. Mario Sold.-ili i> directing an Halo-British film being made in n.-dv. Called “The Gan.g>lcis Wife.” "Bada die ti M.ingio” revue, xvith American pianist Charlie Beale, goes to Naples for tx'O weeks after 10 xveek.s in Rome. “The Search” (English version* preemed at the Arcoboleno xxith part of proceeds going to the ^ laggio di Sante France.sco, Italian Boys Town , , Wanda O.siris, Italian musical comedy favorite, reopens her layt xxinter’s revue as a summer edi- tion with a fexv changes in cast. It is called “Grand Hotel.”