Variety (August 1949)

^edBC»<i«y» Angmt SI, 1949 OBITUARIES in Hollywood, following a heart at- years he w'as connected di;!\ niiniature department at KK(J, HERMAN DEVRIES | Herman Devries, 90, dean of Chicago music critics before his retirement from the Chicago Herald American, died Aug. 24 in Chicago. He was music critic on the Chi daily for over 30 years be- fore retiring in 1944. i Born in New York, Devries originally sang in opera from 1879 to 1901, appearing with the Paris Opera, Paris Opera Comique and the Savage Opera Co. In 1898, he debuted with the Met Opera Assn. In New York in “Romeo and Juliette.” He specialized in French and German opera. After retiring from the stage, he taught and composed music, lie also pro- duced several plays in French. He is survived by his son, Rene, who is Chicago editor of Musical Courier. WILLIAM N. ROBSON. SR. William N. Robson, Sr., 64. one of earliest of film exploitation men and father of the radio pro- ducer, William, Jr., died in Pitts- burgh, Aug. 27, following a stroke. Robson worked for Paramount and Jesse L. Lasky when the in- dustry was young, quitting the road in the early 20’s to go Into S olitics. Registrar of Deeds under layor Scully, he had been deputy clerk of courts in the office of the prothonotary since 1944. He was also editor of a column on city hall activity that was published in more than 60 local weeklies. In addition to his wife and son. is the British and Hollywood film actor, Edmund Gwenn. Chesney was also seen in several nlms. aside from a long list of Lon- don plays. He last played in “The Years Between” in London in 1945. He was the first husband of Estelle Winwood, actress, who is appearing ■ in the Broadway production of Madwoman of Chaillot." LUIS DE VARGAS Luis de Vargas, playwright, 58. died in Madrid. Aug. 18. He had lately met with difficulties in his producing and directing activities as legit theatre manager. His first play. "Santo con gracia. was presented in Madrid in 1914. He was the author of 16 plays. j OSCAR WASSERBERGER I j Oscar Wa.sserberger, 49, radio and concert violinist, died in N. Y., Aug. 24. after a long illness. He formerly worked for 20th-Fox ns I a studio musician and was an original member of the Capitol theatre symphony orchestra. i A wife, daughter, brother, sister and lather survive. ’ VICTOR METZETTI 1 Victor Met/.ettl, 54. film stunt I man and former circus acrobat,! died Aug. 21 in Birmingham Gen- eral Hospital. Los Angeles, after a siege of pneumonia. I He was a member of the Metzetti family which loured for years un- Edward J. Burke, 75. former pro-' ^*ssional pugilist and stagehand at; Buffalo theatres for the past 35 years, died in BuiTalo last w eek af-, ter several months’ illness. Sgt. Robert Burlen. 20. son of actress Margaret Burlen. killed in , ! action over Yokohama April 16.1 1945, was buried at the National Cemetery, St. Louis, Aug. 30. ! Clarence Rush, 56. in Chicago, Aug. 23. He was motion picture operator at the Maryland. Chi. for many years. Survived by w ife. i Rodger B. Grieg. 39. former pro- ducer with the Canadian Broad- casting Co., died .Aug. 27 in To- ronto. I Jack Ilerschel Ellsworth, 38. screen actor, died Aug. 19 in Holly- wood Mrs. Eddie Cline, 49. wife of Monogram film director, died sud- denly Aug. 24, in Los Angeles, i I Mother of Lennie Hayton, musi- cal director at Metro, died Aug. 21 in Hollywood. Dr. George Erland Malmgren, j 47, physician to numerous film stars, died Aug. 24 in Hollywood. Eddie Parks, 38. trumpter in the RKO studio orchestra, died of , leukemia, Aug. 25, in Los Angeles, IN MEMORIAM Marcus Loew September 5th, 1927 he leaves a daughter, Mrs. William der the big top and on the stage A. Haughton (Gertrude Robsoni, a until J920, when he went into films former ballet dancer. i .lACK DARROCK Jack Uarrock, 52, veteran news- reel and short subjects editor, died in San Diego, Cal., Aug. 27, from a heart ailment. Fox Movie- tone shorts editor at the time of his death, he had suffered a stroke about a year ago. Darrock. who 'had been with Movietone news- reel for about 15 years, stepped up to the short subjects editor post when Lew Lehr was forced out because of illness a number of years ago. Originally with Pathe News, Darrock had been Coast super- visor for Movietone newsreel for many years. Body will be brought east for burial in Albany, N. Y. Survived by wife, father, sister and brother. GEORGE GORDON George Gordon. 60, member of the chorus of the Met Oprr.n A sen., died in Coney Island hospital, N.Y., Aug. 27. He was stricken with a heart ailment in May while touring la commemoration of tny beloved Wend ond theatrical mentor PAUL ARMSTRONG Who passed away Angnst 30th. 1915 ben j. piazza Met troupe. Born in ^ leading tenor at ne Beyretith festival for several /hd came to America as a tlu* Boston-Manhattan Op- Co. accompanied the dan- **avlova on tour, and w a.^ 0 .soloi.st with the Chicago and pnn« companies. He also sang performed at flie ^1 the Roxy theatre. N. Y. idow and two sons survive. p CLARENCE EISEMAN Ki.seman, 55, New York district manager for earner Bros., died in N. Y.. Aug. Clpvli^ Joined Warners in 1942 in tvs* as a salesman and later shin branch manager- 1943. He assumed position in 1948. •te and son survive. CHESNEY »ctPr Chesney, 67, British char- don u Aug, 27 in Lnn- 1903 debuted on the stage in in * uitide his first appearance Plav^7- 19^6 when he Bit of FlufT,” *ater m "Caroline.” His brother CARL H. (TINY) HUNT Carl Henry (Tiny* Hunt, 45,1 violinist, died .Aug. 26 in Holly- wood. of injuries sustained in a motor crash For the last four years he plased with Fibber .McGee and .Molly on radio. LOUIS MILLER I.oiiis Miller. 45, died in Mil- waukee .Aug. 26. He was the owner of the (hand theatre, Chi- cago southside nabe house. Sur- vived by widow, JOSEPH siVHTIl GERARD Joseph Smith (]erard, 78, pioneer screen actor, died Aug. 20 at the Motion Picture Country Home near Los .Angeles. James (’ostello, 71. veteran re- ceptionist at 20th-Fox homeoffice in N. Y . died Aug. 28 after an illness of only a week. He was widely known to everybody in the industry around N. \ . having been with 26th-F().\ tor about 30 years. Survived t)y wife and four da lighters. ** ^ Minnie OT'arrell. 73. wife of vaudevilli.in I'alhol O'Farrell, died in London. .Aug 23. .Voted for her charitable aciivilic'j. she inaugu- rated the Cup of Kindness fund to help needy stage folk, of which or- ganization she was president. Surx'ived l)> liii.shand and four children. Fred Moag. .i7, projectionist in .North 'I’onawanda. .V V.. theatres for the past 17 ycai's. died al his home in Tonawanda .hdy 28. He was a ?iicmher of the International Alliance (»f Thealriial Stage Ein- plovees. VVile. fhiee sons and a daughter survive George II. .Nelson. 77 manager of the Nel'^on theatre. Fairmont. W Va,. from 191.') until it closed in 1939. and in recent vears inter- ested in promotional afTairs in eon- neetion with theatics. died at Fair- mont. .Aug. 2.5. Frank DePaoe. .58 manager of the Pi inces.s-Me\ theatre. Shinns- ton. W Va died al Shinnston Aug. 20 from a heart attack. He had succeeded Ihv late .Miss Lynne Moni'oe as m.'uiagi'r ot that theatre when she died a ti'vv >ears ago. Jimmy Fax. 97. vet Canadian comic singer, died in a loronto hospital Aug. 28 alter a long ill- ness. He had touted the top cir- cuits in C. .S amt Canada, makjng his last person.il api>eaiancc in lo- ronto last vear Jules Salmen. .74 motion pitlurt- technician, died suddenly .Aug. 23 I Color Video Continued (rum page 1 aforementioned development.s in color TV last week, however, the Society decided to devote consid- erable time also to that subject. Number of technical developments and explanatory papers are expect- ed to stem from the convention. Film engineers and research technicians point out that TV has already come to them for advice on lighting, special elTects, etc., in current black-and-white broadcast- ing. CBS-TV. for example, is gen- erally accredited with being tlie first network to initiate low-key lighting, rear screen projection, etc. Those developments were the work of George Stoetzel, one-lime eliicf cameraman for indie produc- er Louis de Hochemont, and ,Iohn HeMott, who liad 10 years’ expe- rience with Partmioimt’s special ef- fects department in Hollywood be- fore joining UBS. Film researchers claim that most refinements in color photography during the last several decades were either developed by their in- dustry or traced directly to their needs. As a result, they said, if color video becomes a commercial reality, broadcasters will be forced to turn again to them. Thus, they aver, the two indu.stries will be linked together more closely than ever. Legit Bits L— Continued from page 58 writing the .songs. Director John C. Wilson and choreographer Hanya Holm will go along to con- duct tuneup rehearsals of the sec- ond company of "Kiss Me, Kate,” in advance of the Chicago engage- ment. Fred Stewart joining the tour- ing "Brigadoon’’ . . . Peggy Cass in the cast of the revue "Touch and Go’’ , . . "Cabalgata,”—the Spanish song and dance show at the Broad- way, N. Y., has been retitled "A Night in Spain” . . . Robert White- head and Oliver Rea will present "Member of the Wedding," by Carson McCullers from her own novel, with Harold Clurman stag- ing. Still on the W & R schedule are "The Halter,” by Albert Camus; a revival of Pinero’s "The end of the Cof Magistrate” and the Ben Edwards-; competition a Virginia Bolen (Mrs. Whitehead) ; breaks in yeai adaptation of Chekhov’s "The off buying, tak ^ „ I panicky enouf Cherry Orchard. their top head Cornelia Otis Skinner, w’ h o below salaries returned Monday *29) from an engagement and vacation in Eng- land. may star in the Russel Qp* I Lewis-IIoward Young production of John Patrick’s ih amatization of ■■ :: Continue Dickens’ "Bleak Hou.se ' . . . Equity Library Theatre will present all its k’scence duiir productions this season at the nionths has all Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, ble damage. N Y. . . . >lary-Elizabeth Anders mistically that will present Shelley O’Day’s dram- try does now atization of Booth Tarkington’s much. "Rumbin Gallerie.s’’ this winter . . . Bnjno-N Y Pressagent Edggr Wallach back metropolitan a from three-month ( oust vacation. . declared . . . William Blair will again man- , age .Margaret tVebster’s t,.uring ' Shakespeare repertory troupe. ” Harry .Mirsky. formerly a man spokt sman sau ager for the Shuberls, recuperatif?.^>s^‘t sales have at French hospital. N Y.. alter a last .several da; heart attack . . . Harold Fried- company won lander, of Artcraft. theatrical print- fourth quarter ing firm, will be married Sept. 1. 1950 line, he Burl Ives, currently guest- sold out and 1 starring in "The .Man Who C'amc file keeping it to Dinner,” at the Laguna '(’al.) the unprecedt .strawhat, has signed tor a part in sets, the Universal-International picture. "Sierra” Incidentally, the ballad - singer is selling his auxiliary sloop, | as his concert and nitcry engage- I ments keep him too busy for sail- ing .. . .Michael Todd, who planed I'- Continue Friday night '26' to the Coast to trv to sign Jimmy Durante for the dissolve from opening bill of his "Tw i-a-Day,*’ tore, which w was determined to get tiack in time live dramatic to spend last night ‘Tnes.h her Each of Ih birthday, with Joan Blondell '.Mrs. sponsors will Todd', who’s starring in Happy minute show. Birthday” this ueek at ran haven, lijp bt«) Mass. the program a Robin A. Gibson, fornier D Oy!y J5.,,pp(md plug Carte stage r terinission. NB in New York a boa 1(1 a late fall st; Elizabeth last week with the opUpfii.ipfi , intention of becoming an American citizen, has been »fiS.;.gc (l <> te;ac i theatre production -(.ilhcit A Sul- ‘ livan in particular* al the Friends mer Seminary, N. V. Competitive Heat ! Continued from pa*« 1 i Barken for a reported $40,000. Ac- quisition of a second club is fig- ured to give Schuyler a buying i edge such as no Beach operator has had in many years. Schuyler has been in'New Y’ork inquiring about names, but is in no hurry to sign on the dotted line. La Boheme, Hallandale. Fla., which may be the sole cafe in the area with a connecting casino, hasn’t signed any acts as yet. al- though it’s figured that Danny Thomas may return. The nearby Colonial Inn, owned by Harold ^ Minsky, will return to the non- name "burlesque” policy which was successful last year. I The majority of Florida oper- ators aren’t optimistic regarding i the ability of the nitery market I to support names costing $12,500 or more. They regard the possible end of the Copa City-Beachcomber ; competition as one of the be.st breaks in years, and if they hold off buying, talent agencies may get : panicky enough to sell some of ■ their top headliners at prices far below salaries of last year. Danny nearby Harold MARRIAGES Charlotte C. C'hapman to Robert A. Beauregard, Keene. N, II., Aug. 24. Bride is a musicians. Mary*’ Mason to John F, Whar- ton, Aug. 30. in Reno. Bride ia legit-radio actress; he's the the- atrical attorney. Irene* Halliday to Maurice Bo- dington, Toi*onto, Aug. 24 He’s radio comic on Canadian Broad- casting Corp networks. Beverly Jolly to Steve Lancaster, Los Angeles. Aug. 27, Bride and groom are screen players. Hazel Patricia McAlister to F'red S. Haywood, Aug, 26. Bolton, S. C. Groom is WNBC’s news and special events director. BIRTHS Mr. and Mrs. Hal E. Chestci-. son. Hollywood, ,Aug. 21. Father is a film producer. Mr. and .Mrs. Sam Friedman, daughter. Los .Angeles. .Aug. 24. Father is a songuriti'r. Mr. and Mrs. Eddy Howard, son, Aug. 22. Chieago. Father is an oreh leader. Mr, and Mrs. Henry S. White, daughter. New York. .Aug. 24. Father is President of World Video, Ine. .Mr and Mrs. Jonas T. .Silver- stone, son, .Aug. 25, New York. Father is a memlier of I lie thea- trical law firm, Silverstone & Rosenthal. Mr, and Mrs. Jo Dine. son. .Aug, 24. Now York. Father is NBC press director. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lauter, daugliter, Hollywood. .Aug. 23. Father is stage and screen actor. Mr. and Mi's. Uufe Davis, son, Santa Monica, Aug. 20. Father is actor. Mr. ami Mrs. Gerald Kramer, son. Pittsburgh, .Aug. 22. Father manages Hollywood Show Bar, Pittsburgh. Mr. and Mrs. Morton Silverblalt, son. Pittsburgh. .Aug. 22. Father’s the son of Estlier iShuge* Silver- blatt, nitery singer. Mr. and Mrs. E. J. McNamara, Jr., son, Los Angeles, .Aug. 21. Child is grandson of Dam.y Vari- ET circulation manager. Mr. and Mrs. William Beaudine, Jr., son. Los Angeles, .Aug. 26. Father is an assistant film direc- tor Mr. and Mrs. Bernie Green, son. New Y'ork, Aug. 29. Father is theatrical pre.ss agent. Mr, and Mrs. Saul I*. Pryor, daughter, Aug. ‘29 in New York. Father is a theatrical attorney. Set Retailers Continiird from pane 31 lescence during the last several months has already done irrepara- ble damage. He claimed pessi- mistically that noliiing the inclii.s- try does now will lielp mailers much. Bruno-N. Y'.. disli ibutor in tlie metropolitan area for HCA-Victor sets, declared that it's still too early to tell what efVect the sto- ries on color will have. Bruno spokesman said, though, that their ^.set sales have boomed dining tlie last several days and predicted the company would have the best fourth quarter in Lts histoi-y. New 1950 line, he .>al4, is completely sold out and UC.A is having trou- ble keeping its production up to the unprecedented demand for sets. I NBC’s Sat. Nite Cuntinurd from paicr 31 dissolve from there into the fea- ture, wliich would actually be a live dramatic presentation. Each of the 12 participating sponsors will pay for only a L5- minute show. Plan is to spotlight each at the beginning and clo.se of the program and then insert four 15-sec()nd plugs at each hour’s in- termission. .\BC-TV is shooting for a late fall start, with the block scheduled to occupy the 8 to 11 p.m. period. Title is still indefinite, with NBC now referring to the program merely as "Saturday NighU” NBC-Goldwyn | Continued from pane I talked TV production but Jerry F'airbanks and Hal Roach are the only ’’name” producers actually to be making vidpix. Roach has been unable to sell hi.s product at th« price he wants for TV. Selznick, now honeymooning in Europe with his bride. Jennifer Jones, has had continuing huddles on the production do«l with (’BS hoard chairman William S. Paley abroad. The two liave been close friends for years. Contract would presumably have Selznick lens the shorts on the Coast, for national TV syndication by the C'B.S film de- partiiK'nt out of New Y’ork. Goldwyn has not yet revealed his plans for TV pnxluction but has consistently averred that 'I'V would open a lush new market for Holly- wood producers. If his deal with NBC goes through, he would work the same as Selznick, making the chorts in Hollywood for syndication to TV stations by the .NBC film de- partment. Latter now handles all Jerry Fairbanks productions for video. Legit Financing Continiird from pa^r l sure-thing practitioners as Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hamiiicistem. II, can get all the financing they need at the first announcement of a contemplated new project, few other managements are still in that in-demand position. Nearly all, even long-established ones, have to get out and flail the underbrush for money. 'Ihal’s just dandy for the guy with bucks but no "connections,” the dreamy individual who’s al- ways heard about the fabulous profits from big hits, but who nor- mally gels a chance at only the flamboyant baubles that experi- enced operators avoid. If present trends continue, these rank out- siders with only a checking ac- count to recomm«-nd them, will be able to invest uiili the most rep- utable managements, instead of al- ways getting stuck with the fruno- • hysteria promoters.