Variety (November 1950)

Wednesdayv Novemliep 29, 1950 P^RiEfr 5S WILLIAM BENTLEY William Bentley, 45, an art d> rector for the 20th-Fox honieoffice advertising department, died Nov. 22 in the Long Island wreck. Details on P. 2. FLORENCE EDNEY Florence Edney, 71, retired ac- tress, died in New York Nov. 24. Born iii London, she came to the U. S. soon after the turn of the century appearing with William H. Crane in “The Price of Money,” and. later with Charles'Hawtrey at tJie old Oarrick theatre, N. Y , in “A Message From Mars” and with Francis Wilson in ‘‘When Knights Were Bold.” She also appeared in “The Sins of. Society” and in a revival of Oscar Wilde's ‘‘The Im- portance of Being Ernest.” She was also in the cast of ‘‘Out- rageous Mrs. Palmer,” “Waterloo Bridge,” “Call It a Day,” and more recently in “Ladies in Retirement” ahd“Angel Street.” the authorized textbook on the “Leschetizky Method,” by Marie Pretner. WILLEM WILLEKE Willem Willeke, 71, ’cellist who was a member of the Kneisel Quartet during the last 10 years of its existence, died of a heart attack in Pittsfield, Mass. Willeke was solo ’cellist at one time or another with most of the leading European orchestras* and the New Y;ork Symphony. At 14 he played the Brahms ’cello sonata with Brahms at the piano, and all of Brahms’ chamber music with the composer. Later he per- formed the Grieg ’cello sonata with Grieg during a Continental concert tour, and the Strauss ’cello sonata with Strauss on. a tour of the U. S. Survived by wife. POROTHY HAMMOND Lady Dorothy Standing, who had appeared on the British stage for 50 years under the name of . Dorothy Hammond, died in Lon- ; don Nov. 23, after a brief illness.. ! She_ was the widow of Sir Guy j Standing, who died in Hollywood 13 years ago. Lady Standing toured the U. S. in 1914 in “Peg o’ My Heart.'! MARK HART Michael Helferri, 77, actor pro- I fessionally known as Mark Hart, ! died in Worcester, Mass., Nov. 25. i A former veepee of the Lambs i Club, he began his theatrical I career at the age of .17 when he 1 , joined his uncle Toni Hart, of the famed team of Harrigan and Hart. He appeared on Broadway plays, in a number of George M. Cohan productions. JAMES V. FAGG James V. Fagg, 68, . vet vaude performer, died Nov, 25 at Lake Orion, Mich. For many years, he and his wife, Julia, toured the vaude circuits in a blackface Com- edy act known as “Fagg and I White,” Twenty years ago they settled in Detroit and were well known on. radio at WJR for their many Negro-type programs and skits, under the name Of .“Rufus ’n’ Mandy,” among them “Cabin Folks” and “The Quick Stop Barber Shop” and “Rufus ’n’ Mandy.” He leaves wife and a daughter. ALBERT G. ANDREWS Albert G. Andrews, 93, retired actor, died in New York, Nov. 27. He made his first stage appear- THVRSTON WRIGHT Thurston Wright, 71, president of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orch, died in Toledo, Nov. 7, while visit- IN FOND REMEMBRANCE WILLIAM FREDERICK PETERS (Dtctmber 1st, 1938) Ha could rood music—Ho could^Jirrlto music Ho could orchosfrofo, ond was d woudorful Conductor His Ddvottd Mrs. William fradarick Fetars ance in “Masks and Faces” at the age of five, and during a ^loiig career in London acted with Henry Irving and Ellen Terry. Coming to the U. S. at the turn of the century, Andrews became a member of . Richard Mansfield’s company and remained with hini for 12 consecutive seasons. After which, he appeared with Otis Skinner, George M. Cohan, Mau- rice Evans and made his last ap- pearance in Eva LeGalliennb’s re^ vival of the “Cherry Orchard” at the National theatre, N. Y. ing friends. Wright, who helped to organize the Pittsburgh Sym- phony, was its prexy for 12 years. A daughter and two sons sur- vive. HAROLD BALDWIN Harold Baldwin, 42, assistant cameraman at Metro, was killed in a traffic accident, Nov. 20 in Cul- ver City while driving home from work on a scooter. He was a brother of Earl Bald- win, screen writer. RUDOLPH J. TEICHNER Rudolph J. Teichner, 51, treas- urer of the National Broadcasting Co., who was on leave of absence because of illness, died of a heart attack Nov. 21 at Palisades, N. Y. He began with NBC in the treasury depaitment in 1928. He was named assistant treasurer in 1934 and treasurer in 1942, Besides his mother, he leaves a sister, and a brother. BETTY FRANCISCO Betty Francisco, 50, silent-film actress and former “Ziegfeld Fol- lies” showgirl, died Nov. 25 at her ranch at Corona, Calv Born in Little Rock, Ark.j Miss Francisco appeared in fnany films, including “The Gingham Girl,” “Broadway,” “Streets of Chance” and “Smiling Irish Eyes.” She retired from pic- tures in 1930 When she was mar- ried to Fred Spradling, New York slock broker. Surviving are her husband and two sisters. MARY E. H. GREENEWALT Mary Elizabeth Hallock Greene- walt, 79, pianist, lecturer and author, died in Philadelphia, ^ov. 27. Mrs. Greenewalt had been recognized as a specialist in inter- preting Chopin and also was pioneer in the use of lighting for dramatic effect in recitals. In 1919-1920 she recorded several of Chopin’s works for Columbia Rec- ords. Later she appeared as a concert pianist with the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Orchs. In 1926 Mrs. Greenewalt was awarded a gold medal at the Philadelphia Sesquicentennial Exposition for her research in the field of music. She also had lectured on rhythm and related subjects and edited JAMES C. BURNS James C. Bums, 63, operator of the Bums Booking Agency in De- troit for 30 years, died Nov. 24 in Elyria, O. Three daughters survive. DORIS DUNN Doris Dunn, 33, former singer With Kay Kyser’s band died Noy. 20 in Los Angeles. Gustaf E. Sweeney, 84, gatemah for years at 20th-Fox, died Nov. 21 at the Motion Picture Country Home. Hardie H« Cluck, theatre owner, died at Belton, Tex., Nov. 20. He was operator of the Beltonlan the- atre there. Mother of Henry Katz, resident counsel of the American Guild of ' Variety Artists, died in New York, Nov. 22. Mother, 60, of Jo Stafford, sing- er, died after a heart attack Nov. 23 at her home in Long Beach, l.Cal. ■ ^ Sawtelle, Cal. Before joining Pacific he was associated with National Theatres. Natalie Sternberg, mother of Paul Stewart, film and legit actor, currently appearing on Broadway in “Mr. Roberts,” died in N. Y.* Nov. 26. Harry Lewis, 64j stage and screen actor, died Nov. 18 in Hollywood. MARRIAGES Netta Jean Atkins to Leonard Shannon, Quartzsite, Ariz., Nov. 19. He’s a flack at RKO. Mildred Don to Frank Milsak, Pittsburgh, Nov. 23, Bride is ra- dio and cafe singer. ■Mina Deal to Dick,Nelson, Dal- las, Nov. 25. Bride’s a dancer. Marie Fueller, to Warren H. Schuetz, Pittsburgh, Nov. 22. Bride is bn KDKA staff. Grace Glass to John Kirsch, Pittsburgh, Nov. 10. Bride’s head of WWSW traffic department. Patricia McCanlies to A1 Law- rence, Glendale, Cal., Nov. 22. He’s a screen actor. Bette Chapel to William Wilkes, Ciheinnati, Nov. 25. Bride is a Chi radio^TV singer, Jeannine Shurwood to Don Cole, St; Louis, Nov. 26. Bride is a sing- er; he’s a Chi tele producer. Jacquelyn Schwimmer to David Kanter, /Kansas City, Nov. 16. Bride is a legit actress; he’s man- ager of “The Consul.” Maude A. Averette to Capt. Jack M. Goetz, New York, Nov. 25. He’s the son of Jack Goet’s, an exec with Republic Pictures and Consolidated Film Industries. Mrs. Elizabeth Sundmark Dodero to Alan Curtis, New York, Nov> 21. He’s an actor. Hadacol Riles Ark. Theatres Continued from page 1 BIRTHS- Mr. and Mrs, Stan Bailey, son, Pittsburgh, Nov. 20. Father’s a bandleader. Mr. and "Mrs. Fred Davy, son, Pittsburgh, Oct. 26. Father’s mu- sic librarian of WJAS, Pitt, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bronder, daughter, Pittsburgh, Nov. 10. Father is Pitt theatre owner. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Trinz, daugh- ter, Chicago, Nov. 22. Father’s general manager of the Clark the- atre, Chi. Mr. and Mrs. Sam Lutz,^ daugh- ter, Hollywood, Nov. 18. Father manages bands and nltery acts. Mr. and Mrs. Mike Hall, daugh- ter, New York, Nov. 25. Father is press-agent; mother is former Frances Stillman, also a flack. Mr. and Mrs.. Ed Lange, son, AL baiiy, Nov. 24. Father is sportscas- ter for WROW. presented every day to theatres,” Ku'by declared, in making known his intent of carrying his plea for a tax on such Shows to Washing- ton, he pointed out that taxes are ordinarily paid bn passes . handed out by theatres. Hadacol plan of giving out free toys and gifts at the Christmas show is “just dressing,” according to Kirby. “The whole idea,” he explained, “is to sell Hadacol and they are trying to rope the theatres into their selling scheme.” "Don’t Give It Away’ Kirby suggested that if exhibs deem the free show advisable “you sell your house, at a profit, to Had- acol; hut under no circumstances should you give it away. Hadacol is paying money for the radio time and newspaper space they use, and if they want the theatres, let them pay for them, tbo;” In a letter tb Senator Dudley J. LeBlanc, of Lafayette, La., Hada- col topper,. Kirby declared: “Per- sonally T have admired your show- manship in selling your product, although lately it seems to be great- ly extended and becoming a bit nauseating. I refer in particular to a recent newspaper ad where your photo appeared with Abraham Lincoln, . a great man, wise and humble . . , Further, we don’t ap- preciate your most generous offer to cut us in on your radio adver- tising—all of us can afford to and do buy radio time. Neither do we like the approach you used on our friends at the radio stations. “Motion pictures are America’s greatest and most inexpensive form of family entertainment. We en- joy a high respect from our pa- trons. Motion picture appreciation is something that can’t be cheap- ened by boxtop admissions, even by Hadacol.” “Confirmation memo” on which radio stations are asked to check off the points on which they’ll co- operate with Hadacol is enclosed by Kirby. It discloses that the drug firm will provide the theatre for free with one of a number of “Hopalong Cassidy” films and a “Woody Woodpecker” short. Stations’ Guarantee Station guarantees to make ar- rangements for use of the theatre. If it is impossible to,get it without charge, station is asked to check the following: “If it is necessary, however, in my case to pay actual expenses, the LeBlanc Corp. may test assured this station will make the best possible deal.” They are also asked to check whether they will present acts from the station during the show as part of the promotion and whether they “will have these acts ballyhoo their appearance on the Hadacol Christ- mas Party ^n their own racio , Likewise, stations are asked to check whether they’ll have a mem- ber of their staff dress in a Santa Claus costume and distribute gifts and prizes. LeBlanc agrees, to pay for rental of the Santa Claus suit and to provide the giveaways. After provision for check marks indicating varying degrees of Co- operation, the memo has a final line which states under“or” in capitals: “We will not cooperate with this endeavor whatsoever.” Station managers obviously take a check mark there to mean they are writing themselves off from apy future Hadacol advertising. In a bulletin from Jack Rathbiin, advertising director of the LeBlanc Corp., station managers are told that the outfit cannot agree to stag- ing a party anywhere unless ad- mission is one Hadacol boxtop per person. Company has had a large unit of topi Vaude and film names on tour in its territory giving, shows on the same basis/ Stations cooperating on the .Christmas party are promised four extra: spots a day for 10 days. Total of $5,000 ift prizes (first prize $2,000) is offered for stations do- ing the best promotion job on the show. It is also suggested that the station try to get some prizes from merchants to be given at the party in return for the publicity. THIS WEEK’S FOO'ITiAEI, By MARTY GUCKMAN SELECTION POINTS 23 35 • • • • • • * • • 13 14 Mother* 88, of actress Judith Anderson, died in Santa Barbara, Cal., Nov. 25. Survived by an- other daughter and two sons. , Mother* 73, of Barton Adams, • film director, died Nov. 20 in Bevi- ' erly Hills. Francis L. Bailey, 68, retired theatre manager* died Noy. 19 In Los Angeles. Alan R. Brake, 43* chief of the , purchasing department for Pacific ! Drive-In Theatres, died Nov. 20 at (WMGM* N. y., ond Poromoonf Newsretf Sport» Commentator) COLLEGE GAMES Army-Navy Army 21 Both teams primed but the Cadets have the personnel. Boston College-Holy Cross.............. Holy Cross *. 1^. 7 Eddie Anderson concludes successful comeback year. Penn Statc-Pittsburgh...... Pittslmrgh .. ... .... 7 Game postponed from last week. Panthers still the pick. Fordham Syracuse Fordham 7 A Ram win could mean a bowl bid. Maryland-Virginia Tech ... Maryland . Terrapins have had one of their best seasons. Alabama-Auburn ... - • • Alabama No contest! Look for Red Tide next year. Rice-Baylor ........ • ... •. • • • • Baylor Bears came strongly last half of campaign. Georgla-Georgla Tech .......... ... Georgia Civil War all over again. Louisiana State-Tulane ................ Tulane Henry Frnka looking ahead to top ranldng. Miami-Missouti (Fri) .................. Miami ^ Hurricanes end regular season undefeated but tied once. MissiBsippi-MississIppi State..... Mississippi State... Traditional battle! Anything can happen. No. Carolina-VIrginia...;............. .No. Carolina..... ....... Dick Bunting an outstanding back. Southern Methodlst-TexaS Christian.. /..Southern Methodist..... Kyle Rote ends college career in glory. Tennessee-Vanderbilt .... •. Tennessee Volunteers are currently best in the south Texas-Texas A&M (Thiirs.) .... . .. Texas Longhorns play host in the Cotton Bowl. Oklahoma-Oklahoma A&M.. .... Oklahoma Only a miracle can stop Sooners’ 2nd undefeated season. Notre Dame-Southern California.. .. .. .Notre Dame , Leahy’s poorest season ends on note of victoryr PROFESSIONAL N. Y. Glants-N. Y. Yanks. .... ... N. Y. Giants Steve Owen has much the better line. Philadelphia-Cleveland Cleveland Paul Brown had t\vo weeks to prepare. Chicago Bears-ChicagO Cardinals Chicago Bears. Bears headed for National Conference title. Detroit Lions-Baltimore Colts .,. . . . Detroit Lions . Lions will be tough to tame next season. WashingtOn-Pittsburgh ... Pittsburgh Skins looking ahead to next season. Green Bay-Los Angeles .Los Angele.s.. ...>.. Waterfield, Van Brocklin & Davis nprk too many guns, SEASON’S RECORD Won, 234; Lost, 97: Tied, J"* Average, .707 (Tics Don’t Count) Kid Days Continued from page 3 would be to set aside one day a week on which some nominal ad- mission would be charged for children. He thought a dime might do it, but if it tHdn’t exhibs should try a nickel. Programs on that day, former RKO chieftain declared, should ap- peal to children, but not be kid pix, such as are found in the Children’s Film Library sponsored by the Motion Picture Assn, of America. “Kids don’t want spinach, they want salami,” Kingsberg remarked. He pointed out that moppets are TV’s “best fans,” and they used to be the theatre’s best, so it is logical to make a pitch to get them back. He disclosed that a plan for the special low-priced children’s shows was in the making at RKO when he left last spring. Exhibs throughout the country have been showing increasing in- terest recently In special Satur- day morning shows with pix on the Children’s Film Library list. These are generally viewed, however, as a public relations gesture, rather than as a lure to make regular filmgoers out of the small fry. Kingsberg will speak at the Riverdale Temple, Fri, (1), on “Television’s Effect on Society.” ftnglO’U. S. Pact Continued from page 3 ^ f • f • 20 14 21 • • • • '0 0 o 4 4 » * 14 Arnall, head of the Society of Ih- jQ dependent Motion Picture Pro- ducers. On hand as, observers will be company prexies aiid other execs of the majors. Oiv Monday (4), MPAA interna- tional division director John G. McCarthy is .scheduled to have a .small, private luncheon with Som- 7 erVell. After Tuesday’s eVent at i the Harvard Club the Board of ! Trade exec is .slated to go to Wash- 10 ington for a Wednesday luncheon with Johnston. Department of 7 State and Commerce officials as well as sundry other Government execs. Inking of the agreement, inci- dentally, was originally to h?- 14 17 been held in Washington in ccTh- 7 junction with the Johnston get- ogether on Wed. Svvitch to New 21 York and the move up to Tuesday ' vvas; arranged With the thought it I would be more coi:vehient for ma- I jor coirpany p • :''e:. p’a.ns a tWo-WvCk U. S. slay. Somervell