Variety (September 1950)

MISCELLANY Wednesday, September 6, 1950 Edinburgh* Aug. 29, This is America’s year at the Scottish capital’s fourth annual junket of the arts. Although visit- ors are here from all parts of the world, there are mbre than ever from the U;S. Sleek American automobiles from New York, Wash- ington and Ohio are conspicuous, Edinburgh never before . having seen such a mass Yankee influx. More than 100,000 people are here for the three-week Edinburgh fes- tival, which ends Sept. 9. Festival crowds can choose from some 145 events; There are six top orchestras, four choirs, five chamber music groups, 50 soloists, three ballet companies, two drama units and one opera company. Ap- proximately 1,630 artists are par- ticipating, coming from France, Denmark, Italy, America, Hungary, Germany, Austria and all parts of Britain. Fireworks will close the Festival Sept. 9, with a performance (con- ducted by Sir Thomas Beecham) of; Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks, accompanied by can- non and real fireworks on the Castle Esplanade. Sherwood Blasts Hollywood Fireworks of the verbal variety launched one of the major side- shows, the International Confer- ence of Poets, Essayists and Nov- elists. This was a heated encount- er between St. John Ervirte (Ire- land), Robert E. Sherwood (Amer- ica) and C. M. Grieve (Scotland) over the inclusion of political ref- erences. . Later, Robert Sherwood attacked the cinema, saying that American playwrights had disap- peared the day talking films ar- rived. He also declared a large number of promising playwrights had never beep heard of since they took the road to Hollywood^ On Aug. 21 Glyndeboume Opera gave the first version of Strauss’ “Ariadne auf Naxos” at the King’s; (Continued on page 61) DRAPER, ADLER SOCK Gershwin Workshop To Boston, Sept. 5. George Gershwin Theatre Work- shop will be established this fall by Boston U. Funds for the project are being' raised by a committee headed by Oscar Ham-? merstein, II. The workshop, to be. part of the division of radio, speech and theatre, will train students, for Che professional stage, radio and television. It will offer courses in acting, direction and management, and technical pro- duction; The workshop’s program will center around the arena-type the- atre, with experimental projects in playwrighting and drama history, Plays will be produced for per- formance in various New England communities with the idea of de- veloping public interest in the theatre. . The committee raising funds for the memorial to the late composer includes, besides Hammerstein,, Fred Astaire, Aaron Copland, Max Gordon, Moss Hart, Fannie Hurst, George Jessel, Jeanette MacDon- ald, Alexander Smallens, Sigmund Romberg, Rise Stevens, Sophie Tucker, Fred Waring 'and Paul Whiteman. Lou Clayton’s Condition Hollywood, Sept. 5. Or on ■ , By .Gypsy Rose Lee 43 One hour after I signed with ABC to do a radio show called “What Makes You Tick,” (not sponsored by Balova Watch Co.) the phone started ringing. The Lou Clayton, longtime Jimmy calls, of course were the usual Durante’s personal manager arid Broadway whys guys -— the dear, partner, is near death in St. hearts and gentle people who want John’s Hospital, Santa Monica, to know why .every time you do Former member of Clayton, Jack- something other than drop dead, son & Durante, a top nitery act “Better get out Of the contract,” of the Prohibition era, has been said , one of my well wishers, suffering from cancer of the “Gypsy Rose Lee writing murder pancreas for nearly a year. mysteries, troupirig with a carnival, WILL MAHONEY THE INIMITABLE An IRISHMAN doing: SCOTCH In MERRIE OLDE ENGLAND Currently PALLADIUM, London Represented by ASSOCIATED BOOKING CORP. London, Sept. 5. The Palladium bill, which opened Monday (4) with one of the largest complements of U, S. acts to be used on one program this season, hit a high stride, with harmonica player Larry Adler and dancer Paul Draper getting top acclaim; Draper registered in a sock manner while Adler topped In solo offerings. Will Mahoney returned to this country for his first trip in some, years and showed up better than ever. Harold Barnes’ acrobatics were well received. The King Cole Trio garnered good returns, but total result was below expectations in light of their disk rep. Marker Mulled for Site Of B. F. Keith Birthplace Hillsborough, N. H., Sept. 5. The memory of Benjamin F. Keith, founder of the theatre chain bearing his name, may be honored with the erection of a marker on the site of his birthplace here. The showman’s old home was razed about 30 years ago and a cottage owned by his son, Paul Keith, at Loon Lake, was sold in 1910. Officials of the Keith theatrical syndicate have visited Hillsborough to discuss the; proposed memorial. Hollywood, Sept/ 5. Dick Mack, newly-elected prez of the Radio & Television Directors Guild, this week sharply rebuked the alleged raiding by the Screen Directors Guild of America on RTDG membership, thereby dis- puting the claims of SDGA prez Joseph L. Mankiewicz that no such raiding has occurred. Presaging a long, drawn-out hassle between the two organizations, Mack told Variety that “we shall continue to fight this battle until SDGA leaves the jurisdiction of video directors to the RTDG, by which organiza- tion it was: started, has been fairly and carefully nurtured and to whom such jurisdiction properly belongs.” New RTDG prez continued: “I (Continued on page 54) Rudolph Bing Returns From Europe Talent O.O. Rudolph Bing, general manager of the Metropolitan Opera Co., ar- rived in N. Y. from Europe yester- day (Tues.) aboard the Mauretania. Bing was abroad on a talent quest. Other arrivals included Orville Bullitt, Philadelphia Orch prexy, and his wife; Ania Dorfman, con- cert pianist; Eva Turner, British opera singer, arid P. F. Dee, Alli- ance Theatre Corp. prexy, and his i wife. | Film producers Hal Wallis and I Sol Lesser, and their wives, re- ! turned to N, Y. fro Europe Satur- ] day (2) aboard the Nieuw Amster- > dam. Subscription Order Form Enclosed find check for $ Please send VARIETY for Two Years To ..............,. .. . . .;. . ...................;. (Please Plint Name) Street City. .. • • •> .. • •.......... Zone. .. • State... •. •,. Regular Subscription Ratos On# Year—$10.00 Two Years—$18.00 Canada and Foreign—$1 Additional per Year PfitelETY Inc. 154 West 44th Street New York 19. N. Y. Ceilings in New Bill Washington; Sept. 5. Rentals charged by film distrib- utors for their product and theatre admission prices are /specifically exempted from price ceilings in the new Economic Control Bill which Congress approved last weekend. Time charges by radio stations are also exempted. However, under the measure, the President may freeze wages of all in show business. He also has authority to. allocate any scarce materials, such as raw film, and to set prices over all materials pur- chased. This includes building materials used for film and stage sets, etc. Control over materials could halt erection of new theatres. EYTHE TO REJOIN *EAR’; JUGGED IN CHICAGO Minneapolis, Sept. 5. William Eythe has been an- nounced to rejoin “Lend An Ear” for the road tour which starts here Sept. 18 for a week at the Lyceum following its Chicago run. Re- suming his original role, Eythe is to supplant John Beal, who was starred during the Windy City en- gagement. Show plays its Twin City en- gagement exclusively in Minneap- olis, passing Up St. Paul. In pre- vious seasons, St. Paul city officials and newspapers have protested to the N. Y. Theatre Guild arid United Booking Office on those oc- casions when other legitimate roadshow attractions confined their appearances to Minneapolis. The St. Paul sheets refuse to. accept the attractions’ paid advertising or permit any mention of their pres- ence here in the news columns. Chi Divorce Snag Chicago, Sept. 5. William Eythe, who arrived here over the weekend to look over “Lend An Ear,” of which he is co- producer, was arrested on a court order obtained by his ex-wife, Izia Wallace, the former Buff Cobb, and was lodged in the county jail in default of a $5,000 bond. The ac- tor-producer is charged with fail- ure to pay a $2,500 settlement. in connection with Mrs. Wallace’s di- vorce from him a year ago. The order reiquires him to re- j main in the jurisdiction of the lo- I cal court until the settlement is 'paid. Clayton's, wife, Ida, Durante making movies, editing a news- and Eddie Jackson, third mem- paper, catching a fish, even having ber of the trio, are at his bedside, a baby—that’s okay. But Gypsy Durante had turned down sev- Rose Lee on the radio—uh uh, era! engagements in recent months that’s a gruesome something else to be near his longtime partnerr again.” manager. He cancelled out of the . “My advice to you,” said another Palladium, London, when it be* simpatico gent,” is to develop an came, known that Ciayton’s Illness incurable case of quincy throat, was serious. You may have been a sight for , Clayton, one 6f the top soft-shoe sore eyes but you’ll never be a dancers in showbusiness, was at SOU nd for sore ears.” They all seem one time partnered with Sammy to think that Gypola on the air White with whom he appeared in is like a silent movie of Lily Pons, the “Passing Show of 1915.” After- 0 r,trying to get your back scratched: ward,, he was . teamed with Cliff by Hedy Lamarr over the tele- (Ukelele Ike) Edwards, and in 1924 phong/ teamed with Durante and Jackson. For’all the lads who advised that :—■— "' ; T —— . I stick to the flashy flesh and avoid A ^ ^ the ethereal ether, I had. an answer liAWSII YIAV IVmKP which was rough, ready and, I VUV?€M1 lvluj lllCUlV hopq, a little raucous. For one - thing, if I’d listened to all my good IV 1 f , 1 fl-. friends back in 1930 I Would never rirKTnrfl IfPstl IITI hav& taken that total of 38 weeks * lvl»l V'l w I/wtll vll i n burlesque. I would have laid off with all the other acts when vaude- tf. .'¥) m i* a ville got stranded in a hall bed- Mnrv ilfftHPiniPC r° om » fl hd would have wound up V/€UlJf A l w|fVI Uvu behind a counter or modeling jumpers on Seventh avenue—if I Artists Alliance, indie omit set was lucky. I wouldn’t have writ- up by Mary Pickford and Lester ten a book, because those same Cowan early in 1948, is about to be j a ^ s told me no one was interested dissolved. Cowan has made a “buy i n a stripteaser’s mind. I wouldn’t or Bell” offer to Miss Pickford for the 11-story properties owned by the unit. It is understood likely that he will make a deal with her to take them over. Stories include “Rain,” “Sorrel and Son,” “Greeks Had a Word For It” and a number of others. (Continued on page 52) RKO. AGVA SETTING UP UNIT FOR ARMY CAMI The RKO Circuit and the Ameri- About six are in script form. Prop- can Guild of Variety Artists are co- erties are said to be valued at operating on an Army entertain- about $1,000,000. ment venture. Union has okayed a AA made only one film, “Love proposition whereby the theatre Happy,” Marx Brothers-starrer. it chain will sponsor an overseas tour was released by United Artists, of of eight acts to play for American which Miss Pickford is part owner, troops in Europe. RKO will pay under a deal by which she is en- $100 per performer and the Army titled to preferential distribution will provide transportation, food terms. New Jerry Wald-Norman Krasna and quarters. ' In return, circuit will tour the unit at RKO is reportedly attempt- the acts upon their return at their ing to make a deal for “Rain,” reguar salaries. Ti'oupe will be which is based on Somerset Mau- ballyhooed heavily, gham’s short story, “Sadie Thomp* It’s an attempt by RKO to build son.” Pic under that title was pro- up attractions for the chain. RKO duced for UA release in 1928 by toppers feel that sufficient exploi- the Gloria Swanson unit, with Miss tation can build up the troupe to Swanson starred. Another Ver- similar proportions to that of the sion, titled “Rain,” starring Joan first unit of filmsters which made Crawford, was produced by Lewis similar tour during the last war. Milestone and presented by Jos- Latter included Kay Francis, Mitzi eph M. Schenck via UA release Mayfair, Martha Raye and the late in 1932. Carol Landis, which tourned Eu- Wald and Krasna are understood roupe under title of “Four Jills and thinking of Vivien Leigh for the a Jeep.” starring role which Jeanne Eagels ——— — made famous on the stage. Miss/ fLimc Pickford tossed “Rain” into the vlallllo AA stockpile. id For Hollywood, Sept. 5. John Garfield is listening to an offer by Otto Preminger to star in “A Candle For Ruth,” to be filmed next March in Israel. Under his contract with 20th-Fox, Preminger has the right to produce and direct independently six months in the year. Project calls for a “Ruth” cast, consisted of players signed in Is- rael, with the exception of the top male role, offered to Garfield. Josh White Keynotes Negro Loyalty to U S. Washington, Sept. 5. Josh White, Negro folk singer, last week denounced the Paul Robeson statement that American Negroes would not fight against Soviet Russia. White appeared as a voluntary witness before the House Un-American Activities Committee to charge that he and other entertainers had been ex- ploited by Communists for causes later discovered to be subversive. “In recent years,” he said, “a lot of us have been drawn by our heartstrings into groups fixed up to look like noble causes which later were found to be subversive. I regret, and I suspect that many artists share the same deep regret with me, that an effective exposure of communistic activities in the theatrical and musical fields had not been made long before now.” He said the Robeson statement was “both wrong and an insult, be- cause I stand ready to fight Russia or any other enemy of America. I have great admiration of Mr. Robe- son as an actor arid a great singer, but I feel sad over the help he’s been giving to people who despise America. His Ukes to Tune of 300G Damage suit for $300,000 was filed against Arthur Godfrey in N. Y. supreme court this week by Tex Smith, the Harmonica Man, Inc., mail-order h ou s e which claimed the CBS star had libelled and slandered it to such an extent that it was forced to go out Qf busi- ness. Plaintiff manufactures and sells ukuleles. Suit alleges that God- frey, on his CBS radio show April 11, described the uke as “cheap junk” and quoted him as saying: “Why the heck they don’t jail peo- ple F who do things like this (manu- facture and sell the product), I don’t know.” Cantor’s 33 Concerts Eddie Cantor is doing .33 one- man concerts this season, starting with Carnegie Hall, N.Y., Sept. 30. All are under his own management, with the; exception of three bene- fits. 1 . • ’ / ' Ope is for a colored Catholic church in Camden, which he is doing Nov. 14 as a courtesy to RCA prexy Frank M. Folsom; one for Dr. William Kountz’s clinic in St. Louis, and another in Dallas for one of Interstate Circuit’s g.m.-vee- pee Bob O’Donnell’s charities.