Variety (January 1950)

TO CJMiTtSII pitalized yets at dress rehearsal of “All You Need Is One Good mnii T^ftiiren' The service- from 17 instaUatiOns in S^nge PenhaiiC general director of Bailet Rttsse de'Monte Carlo, ->edded wth flu. Jimmy Grainger, executive vee- pee and general manager of Re- public Fix, heddedhy flu. Leo Shubert Still after Milton Berle for a Winter Garden musi- cal; but comedian tied up with TV. Hume Cronyn chose London, Ght. for break-in of VNow I Lay Me Down to Sleep” since it’s his honie'-lown.y ^ ■ Cesar Romerb, Stair of .Hnited Artists’ “Once a Thief,” in town for confabs with UA execs on Aim’s ballyhoo, campaign. Lew ^ Kerner; Goldwyn Produc- tions talent chief, arrived in N. Y: yesterday (24) with Samuel Gold- wyn to 0.0. Broadway plays and .thespers,"'^-’ Joseph Priedmah, former man- aging director in Britain for .Go- iuinbia Pictures, off to the Coast today (Wed.) after arriylng from London last week. ; The tino Rossis (he’s the French tenor), N. A. Bronsten, British film producer, and opera singer Lester Ferguson due in today XWed.) on the Queen Mary. Geza Herczeg, film scripter, and Roger Bowman, NBC announcer and tele producer> Joined teaching staff of Dramatic Workshop. Her- czeg will lecture oh Aim; writing; Bowman: will teach radio produc- tioh and acting. Eastern Pennsylvania, New. Jersey and pelaware. Also taking part in the arrangements ..were the Rod Cross and the show’s producers, Monte Proser and Joseph Kipness. -I: \ By Joaquina C. Vidal-Gomls Nina Konsta at the Right nitery. “A Gipsy in Heaven” at the Em- porium nitery; ' Mayormt, Oriental dancer, at Lampgir nitery. ; • yaleriano Leon and wife, Aurora Redondo, in new legit farce,: “The Eye- of Moscii,” kidding Russian politics. Premiere of Mexican pic, *• Mac- lovia,” at the Montecaroli wins critical kudos; public not so en- thusiastic. Legit actor Ricardo Calvo cele^ brating his golden jubilee oh the stage, Madrid presenting him Gold Medal of the City. Veij0cgday» January 25, 1950 London By Maxime de Beix (33 Blvd. 'Montpatnc^se) The Gerry Mayers in Rome. Marie and Cmio Naldi enjoying PariSv'-:' Pat and: Jacques Cappella writ- ing from Ithiy. >: Agent Felix Marouahl off to Canada and U, S. ; Playwright Steve Passeur tp America for lecture tour. Pave Stein still at George V be- fore he opens shop for MCA. Paris hPtelmeh singing the blues until the expected influx of tour- ists.. . Elen Dosia to Rome for a month before she resumes' smging at the .Opera. Lacy Kastner’s daughter. Mar- quise Pamela de Coninek, in and out of hospital after surgery. Merle Oberon and Paul Hen- reid, filmmg: a picture for Andre Sarrut, finding the bilingual prob- lem tougher than expected. Announcers Continued froin page 30 video show and Broadway, to the Roxy theatre.. : ^ Of the 10 Radio-TV senibrs who will graduate this spring:-—pro- vided they pass philospphy, ethics and psychology—-six are already wbrkihg parttime at one or another of the networks and a seventh is assistant managering at the RKO Palace. In radio, they’re serving as guides. Ushers; aetprs aind news- room copyboysj This air experi- ence, : their work on WFUV, and the instruction they receive from Pur professional faculty all add up to training that should pay off in the years ahead. They’re on their way; so save a headline in, “the Bib^e’^ fPr these headliners of ’5^! : ’, William A. Coleman, Chairman, AM-TV pivision Fbrdham U., N. Y. C. By Florence S, Lowe John Payne here briefly en route to hometown of Roanpke, Va., for preem bf-‘‘Captain China.” Denis Benoit, ex of the. cast of “Ice-Capades,” in city all week as new role of tub thumper fPr Ice show; . Craig Stevens here from Holly- wood to be best man at wedding of Prucie Snyder, daughter of the Secretary of Treasury to Maj. John Horton, who * handles films for Pentagon’s Public Information Pi- visioh. Universal troupe, on way to Europe for Gl preem p£ “Francis,” was here last week for an over- night stopover to beat drums for pic and meet its scripter, publisher David Stern, 3d. In group were film stars Donald O’Connor * and Patricia Medina, Rlus Universal players Yvonne de Carlo, Jackie Cbogan and Gloria de Haven. ‘ By Jerry Gaghaii Margaret Truman will be starred at Robin Hood Dell concert, July ■•27; :.;V : Fire in Shubert Bldg, bottleheck- ed all bobkirig in Philly Friday (20) afterrioon, driving agents to sidewalk. .Producer Sam Stiefel signed Steve Van Buren, Philadelphrd Eagles star halfback, for pic to be made in Februaty. Delta Rhythm Boys, slated for 421 Club, postponed opener be- cause of illness of Carl. Jones, lead tenor. Flip Phillips combo filled in the date. Big Rill’s and Little Johnny’s, two of the : inid-town’s cocktail lounges, ahe mergihg and will op- erate as one corporation and under the same management. Carter arid Garden, comedy duo of “All You Need Is One Good (current at Locust Street WLS Refutes . Chicago. Editor, Variety; As the old year drew to a Close, Variety queried “Where Are New Announcers?” and nientioned the “chief complaint today is that the announcer’s role has become too regimented, that he’s stifled in a job that’s become red-taped and highly specialized.” , The ariripuncing staffs of WLS and other clear channel stations rise * to refute the regimentatipri angle; And these showmen of the mid-century scoff at the “stifle” slant.. 7 Today, if he’s made of the right stuff, tlte announcer enjoys as much flexibility of movement as did his. predecessor of yesterday. There are no announcers—in the stereotyped sense of the word—at WLS, the Prairie Farmer station. All on the annoujneing staff are personalities hot orators — but talkers, jesters, inspirers—genuine friends of the audience. New personalities have always gone along with WLS, Folks like Cy Harrice, one of the highest paid and. best-knowri annouheers in New York, Joe Kelly of Quiz Kids fame, Harlow Wilcox of the Fibber McGee and Molly show, Chuck' Se- bastian, assistant manager and news director .of WFJL JFM)- Chi- cago, recently elected presideht of the Chicago Radio Correspondents Assn.; Jack Hoiden and jack Stilwill of the old. school are stili at WLS. pitching with the best because they are styled personality performers ^speaking .to their good friends of the vast Prairie Farmeriand audi- ehce-^writing scripts aimed at their vlikes. Bill Bailey, who femcees the Phillips . 66 National .Barn Dance on ABC; emceed, a livestock auc- tion and Philharmohic all in thp same day. Then there’s A1 Tiffany, who travels all through the mid- west—keeping Up With the latest farm news personaUy^hecking bn reasons for livestock sales; Larry McDonald, who helps conduct t)in- nerbelt, America’s oldest farm .Service program, also wtitihg in- formative programs: on current ag- rieultural trends; Hal Culver, WLS’ only disk jockey; who is also a singer; Jack Brinkley, wh o is a writer,, actor and dperaies his owri recording studio.; There’s no deterioration in the A* Robins has just closed deal with Emile Littler to return to London for his next pantomime at the London Casino. Sir Henry L.^ French voted fii’st chairman of the Joint Industrial Council, which aims at regulating labor conditions in the studios. Film starlet Sally Ann Howes plans February marriage to Max- well^^oker, from the cast of “Okla- homa J” She’s daughter -of comedi' an Bobby Howes, David Niven due here : early Match for retakes on “Elusive Pim- pernel” required by Sam Goldwyn: before; he takes delivery of this Korda production. Walter Gould off last week for a quick lobksee in Paris arid Rome arid expecting to announce inde- pendent production plahs ;6n his return here in a few days; Variety Artists Federation hord- ing a - ballot among' members to decide whether Gernian arid Japr anese Vaudeville performers: should he allowed; to work in Britain. Rosalie CrutOhley leaving for New York to play in Grahanie Greene’s “The Heart of the Mat- ter,” She will be accompanied by \ her producer-husband, Peter Ash- more.' Hymari Zahl has cabled Cicely Courtneidge’s agent, Harry Foster, offer from Canada for English star to do extensive tour there in some of her musical ; shows; including her present show “Hbr Excellency” at the Saville; Leslie Hen$On has commissioned Eddie Horari, to inject new musical numbers in one of his old suc- cesses, “Tonight^s the Night,” which the English ^tar is anxious to .revive for the West End after tour around the provinces. Sylvia Regan’a “The Golden Door,” Which last week completed a record-.breakinR run at the Em^ bassy, Swiss Cottage, is moving in- to the Alexandra theatre, Stoke Newington, which until recently has been presentihg plays in Yid- dish. Leslie M a chI o n n e 1 k Foster.s’ agency exec; to Paris to close deal for Katherine Dunham’s appear- ance in Italy and also to line up several Continental acts for some of the West End niteries, including deal for Raye and Naldi to open at the Colony restaurant, London, next month. News theatre at Dun Laoghaire, seaside resort. It’s Ireland’s ^rst all-newsreel house and was form- erly a riabe theatre; Christopher Fry’s “The Lady’s Not for Burning” to be produced for Longford Productions at the Gate theatre by Blake Gifford dur- ing the spring season. Eiigehe List and Carroll Glenn set for Auditorium Jan. 28. Eleanor Roosevelt spoke at Civic Auditorium last Sunday night (22); , Capitol revived vaudeyille last week with Barrett Sisters heading bill.-- , Michael Loring doing . well as singer, host and irianager at El Rancho Village. Sons bf Pioneers, riiinUs Bob Nolan, did a one-niter at Tiny Du- mont’s Western Ballrooiri last Sat- urday; night (21). Cowboy singer Ken Curtis was: on Same program, Ted. Fiorito vacationing at Last Frontier, NBC’s Ralph . Edwards here as m.c. for Boy Scouts area council diriner at Flamingo. Four leading resort hotels pool- ing shows for March of Dimes auction benefit Jam 30. : pet Rooney, Sr. headlining at Flamingo. Gus Van with. Herkie Styles at: Last Frontier with The Paysees. Chico Marx a sellout for opener at Rancho Vegas, with continued sunny Weather keepirig all hostel- ries ahead of last year. By Hal Cohen ; : Jackie Heller and his wife sailed for West Indies cruise on Nieuw Amstei-daht; ■. Dr. Allen DuMont in town for WDTV’s first anni dinrier at Du- quesne Club. OarV Brissori headlining Terrace Room show for two weeks with Hal Kanner’s band. A1 Rogers, one-time cowboy singer on ■ WJAS, now recording for Metro label. Moe Silver, WB zone riianager, soaking up some sun in Miami for couple of weeks. ^ Gene Lyons, local actor, under- studying Don Hanmbr in N. Y. le- ffitpr **Thp' TVliiri ** Wandji Hilliard, Pittsburgh dan- cer, back home again with Rulpff Trio at Nixon Cafe.. Don Cornell, Sammy Kaye’s ex- vocalist, making cafe debut as sin- gle ait (iJaroiisel next week. Saul Perilman, WB Main Line salesman, rushed to Moritefiore Hospital for emergency appeii- dectomy, Louis Rosenberg,; for last 10 years advance ad man for Johnny J. Jones Exposition, now sales manager for Triangle Poster Co. By George Mezoeli Alfred Hitchcock at St. Moritz. Viennese dancer Rosalia Ghla- dek inked for recital at Sciiaus- pielhaus. Italian pic, “RisO Amaro” (“Bitt ter Rice”), breaking all records at Scala, Zurich. “Henry V” and “Blue Lagoon,” British pix, both in second month of continuous run here. ' U. S. singer Nell Rankin, in first starring role as Carmen at Stadt- theater, praised by critics. -- Eraesen’s- “Swiss-Touiv’^ Gbrnet Wilde starrer, in seventh week of smash b.o., at the Rex here. Julien Duviyier’s “Au Royaume des Cieux” (“Kingdom of Heaven”) another b.o. winner here, with 14th Week of big business at the Pal- ace. ■ International Ballet of London set for one week of perforrnarices at Hallehstadion, Zurich, with bal- lets by Tchaikoysky, Delibes and Chopin. ?h7Are)'dSubiine'at" aS the announcer fraternity theatre) douDung at Anay a ^08 stations such as WLS. Cabin, South Jersey spot, . , Frank Palumbo hosted 800 hos-1 WLS Announcers, By Maxwell Sweeney C. B, Cochran’s.“Bless the Bride” skedded for spring preem here. Charles Wade planed in after scaniiihg Loridon circus talent for Theatre Royal. .. Loiiis Ellimari, managing-direc- tor Odeojl (Ireland >, Ltd., back from biz visit to London. Actor Christopher CasSon and wife Kay, scenic designer,: bowing out from Longford Productions. Carol Reed’s “The Third Man” topped Everiihg Herald readers’ poll for best pic of ’49. .“jbhuny Belinda” was second. Bruce Newbury, vice-prexy of Hepubiic Pictures, in for quick looksee at local setup, whicb is handled by British, Libri office. Maurice Baum opened the Tatler , BV William H. Cpnlon “per Fall Winslow” (“The Wins- low Boy”) at the Hebbel theatre. Kammerspiel theatre in the Rus- sian sector putting on Odets’ “Golden Boy.” ' “Der* Dritte Mann” (“the Third Man”) is solid b,o, at the Film- buehne Wien theatre, Therese Gieshe in from Zurich to do Gorki's “Wasser Slsnowa” at the Kammerspiel theatre. “Streetcar Named Desire” slated for the SchloSsparktheater, Will probably opeh in about three .weeks." ' Fritz Kortner ip town to take the lead in Strindberg’s “The father” at the Hebbel theatre soon. Will do “Death of; a Salesman” after that. By Mabel Thomas . Spencer Weaver secured a long lease on Queens Surf Club. Buster Crabbe, local lad, bring- ing his aquacade here for three weeks. Gladys Swarthout and Jiusband Frank Chapman here; she’s giving four concerts.. O. 0. Dull casting locals for extras, in Metro pic, “Pagan Love Song.” Arthur Freed producipg. —John - Calvert, rmagician, doing excellent business on all islands. He then goes to Japan for lengthy tour with the Matsuo Bros. Les Ballets de Paris into His Majesty’s, Feb. 6 for seven per- formances. Johnny Howard and his comedy act bringing, Carrousel back to life after many barren months. Phil Maurice,; irianager for Con- solidated Theatres here, in Con- valescent Hospital after heart at- tack! . v-;, :' ■; prigirially slated for Jan. 26-27; Mia Slavenska arid company post- poned date here until May 11 be- cause of injuries suffered by Miss Slavenska while dancing in York. Pa., Jan, 16. . cuff Lewis laid up with virus Pola Negn pl«ned to San An. toiiio. Melcff citJ;*'’®’* ''®««onlng HoberLCummlngs in town after tour of Europe. "uey Abe Lastfogef back in town alter a month in N. Y^ Briskin instaUed as pres- ident of Temple Israel, - ^ Bob Gillham In town for huddiAt with David O. Selznick, Dennis Morgan returned to worir at Warnets after siege rif flu ■ Mark Hobson to Sun Valley to wwk on mm script about skiing Evelyn Keyes hospitalized with back :injuries after fall in her home Y, Frank Freeman hosted u meinbers of Japanese Diet touring U.''S;. Belita and troupe of 19 skater? planed to Hayanri to open an ice show;.. Louis B. Mayer tossed his an- nual dinner for Los Angeles turf writers..;^ Jack Carson is new riiotiori pic- ture chairman of National Safetv Council. ^ Dennis Morgan laid up with flu and Warners, is Shooting “Pretty Baby’\ around him.: .■ Frank Haven MacQUarrie ac- quitted on charges of hegligent driving in auto accident. William Sailor Vinqerit seriously burned while, doing sturit in “Ar- row and the Hawk” at Warnrirs. Pev Marley bedded by flu, Will Cline takes over his stint as cam- eraman on “Pretty Baby” at WB. Y. Frank Freeman in from N Y. where he attended first meetirig of new Paramount Distributing Gorp. Dennis Day b o U g h t back his managerial contract with Ken Dolan and moved to Patmar agency.' By Lary Solloway Irving Berlin and Joe Schenck at Boca Raton. Jennie Goldstein joins Moishe Oysher in Kitty Davis’ show on Jan. 25. Ritz Bros, open at Beachcomber on . Feb. 1 with Cab Calloway and Vic pamone. , Danny Kaye at Sans Souci with irianager Ed pukoff and accom- panist Sanimy Prager. The Harry Richmans returned to their Biscayne bay estate from Nevada ranch for sun and rest. Joe Kipness at Saxony While his new musical “All You Need Is One Good Break” is being prepped. St. John Terrell and Lawrence Schwab presenting .“Rose Marie” as third production of their oper- etta season here this Week! By Les Rees Herbie Fields band at St. Paul Flame. Lyceum gets “Inside U.S.A,” week of Feb. 12. Joie Shea here ahead of “Detec- tive Story” at Lyceum, Feb. 1-5. Ctirly’s has Lou Seiler, Melba Vick, Dick Wesson and line of girls. Katharine Cornell in “That Lady” spotted Into Lyceum for March, Sophe Tucker opens a return date at Club Carnival Jan, 26 fol- lowing Ritz Bros. Cast of ‘Mister Roberts” at Lyceum presented tabloid version Of play at U. S, Veterans, hospital here. St. Paul Winter Carnival’s stage- show, “Carnival of FUhatics,” Feb,; 3-4, to have Bob Crosby as m.G,, Gene Sheldon arid Others. Bob Tapliriger retained as press agent for Riverview Park here. Crosby M, Kelly appointeid di- rector of Chicago Lake Front Fair. ; George Raft will be here for Jimmy Durante opening at Chez Paree Feb. 11. Linda King has joined the chst of “Death of. a Salesman,”' now in its last five weeks at Erlanger. < By Geeno Garr : : American pianist Julius' Katchen touririg Spain; , ; Svend-Asiriussens, Danish musi- cal clowns, touring Spain. . . : French stars MOnique Thibaut. and Jose .Rarcenas in new revue at the Foritalba, - Cubari actress Carmine Benguna at the Teatro Lara, Madrid, pnpt a Spanish tour. . SorigStress Maruja Tamayo oil to Paris toi do special Spanish num- bers in a French pic. Dancer,Amparito Renkel left tof Copenhagen froni where she starts a tour"’of the Scaridinayiari coun- tries. Legit actor Erhestd Vilches, after having worked for 15 years in;vari- ous CentraL arid Shuth American countries, is back in Madrid a no will probably be engaged by the official Teatro EspanoL , . Conductor Jdaquina Marti h as left the ballet company of Ajuien- can-Spianish dancers Jose Greco and Nila Ainparo, and has returneU to Spain, where he’s formi n g a company with Which to tour Italy. anrl' GiirU'Toi'i.infi