Variety (December 1950)

Record Details:

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OIIClIESTBAS>M1J$lC P^RiffTY Wednesday^ December 20, 1950% Decca copped the album rights to the click Frank Loesser* “Guys juiid Dolls*' legit musical on a holdover deal with Cy Feuer and Ernest Martin, the show’s producers. Diskery originally agreed to wax the tunes from Feuer-Martin production of “Whc’ce s Charley, with Ray Bolger starring, if the producers turned over the album rights on their next show. At present, the “Guys and Dolls set looks like the hot- test wax property since Columbia. Records’ “South Pacific’’ and Decca s •’Oklahoma.” Feuer and Martin, meantime, are still holding back on generah re- lease of several special material .songs from “Guys,” ’Tunes, such as “Adelaide’s Lament,” are being barred from radio and video in attempt, according to the producers, to save their freshness in the show._ Its understood, however, that Decca would prefer a release on these tunes to spur sales of the showtune album. Incidentally, “Bushel aiid a jPeck/’ Xocsser tune from “^ys/^ has become the first show tune of the season to break into the No. 1 spot of the “Hit Parade.’’ Number was given a general release several months ago and steadily forged ahead of the flock of other pop tunes from the Irving Berlin show, “Call Me Madam,” and the Cole Porter musical, “Out of This World.” Tunes from the latter show started late, but are coming up. From ‘'Call Me Madam,” “You’re Just In Love and “It’s a Lovely Day” are also showing strongly in the pop market. > Recent settlement of Solly Loft’s N. Y. supreme' court suit against Nick Campbell came about after a three-hour Dec. 5 trial in W'hich only tile plaintiff took the stand. Following the testimony, Campbell’s attorney, Morris Gold, inoyed for dismissal of the action. .However,. Justice Edgar Nathan reserved decision on the motion, then called the litigants into his chambers and advised settlement. Adjustment totaled $10,500, according to Campbell, which he will I pay Loft over a period of time: Amount represents only money ae-' tuallv owed to Loft. Although Campbell did not testify at the trial, he feels that the outconie of the proceedings represents a victory for him since Loft was suing for. a pOCh interest in Campbell Music and Cornell j Music. Inasmuch as Loft agreed to the settlement, the court never ruled upon the partnership, aspects of the case. A novel promotion has been effected by Dick Bradley, president of Tower Records, Chi indie label, in connection with his Bernie Mann oreh recording of “Toast to Happiness,” new tune published by Dix Music, a Ghi Broadcast Music, Inc., publisher. Bradley is distributing to all disk jockeys a small bottle of wine, given to him by the Mogen David Co., arid a miniature loaf of bread, promoted from Continental Baking Co. Idea is, of course, a toast with the wine and bread, with the disk jockeys playing the record. Bradley is in New York, incidentally, setting eastern promotion on ! the disk, which is Mann’s first for Tower; He’ll return home for Christ- mas, then go to the Coast to start promotion there. Mann has cut 10 sides for Tower, but “Toast,” backed by “When You’re Smiling,” will j be the only release for a while. Top Song* Qii TVi (Alphabetically Listed) (Based on copyrighted A«- dience Coverage Index and Audience Trend Index, pub- lished by Office of Research, Inc., Dr. John G. Peatman, director) Week of Dec. 8-14 La Vie En Rose ...,.., Harms Nevertheless ........ Chappell Gh Babe... ...... Alamo Rudolph Reindeer. St, Nicholas Thinking Of You.. . .Remick 5 Top Standards Diamonds Girl’s Best Friend. . .......... . Robbins Just One Those Things.Harms Stout-Hearted Men .... Harms You’re The Only Star Shapiro You’re The Top :. . ... . Harms Bid to Louis Armstrong for a month-long stand at the Palladium, Hollywood, next spring at a flat $4,000 per week, marks the first time liie terpery has attempted to book a predominantly Negro organization for a run. Colored combos have played the spot, but generally on one-night basis for benefits, etc. Many name bands on regular book- ings have used Negro sidemen in playing the spot but no colored leader ever had an engagement there. Palladium w'ould use Satchmo’s sextet (Jack Teagarden, Earl Hines, Barney ,Bigafd, Cozy Cole, Arvell Shaw and vocalist Velma Middleton), currently at the Oasis, L. A., as a lure, and have another band on hand to handle terp chores. Amateur high school bands will strut in the Pasadena Rose Parade on New Year’s Day as a result of a deal struck by American Federa- tion of Musicians and the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. In return for letting the tyros parade, officials have agreed to use 112 profes- sional windjammers at $25 per head—a total of $2,800. Deal is similar to that made for the Thanksgiving Eve Santa Claus Lane Parade in Hollywood when tyro tooters were blessed because $2,000 worth of professional musicians also were, hired. RCA Victor is trying to figure out what label to use for a pair of sides dueled by Fran Warren and Ezio Pinza. Chirp, a popular artist, always records on RCA black label platters. Pinza’s records have al- ways been in the Red label series. Diskery may solve the problem by putting the pairings put on the green showtune label. Coast recording date with Pinza was part of a double effort for Miss Warren. Flown to the Coast at the plattery’s expense, she also checked in for a wax session with Tony Martin. Benny Benjamin and George Weiss, tunesmiths under contract to Laurel Music, were given special dispensation by the pubbery to join Sammy Kaye in the writing of a number labeled “My Dear Little Girl of Theta Chi.” Tune, scheduled to be out in January, is being pub- lished by Kaye’s World Music (ASCAP)* Number was penned as a tribute to Kaye’s fraternity. Theta Chi, and will be pushed throughout the country by members of the Greek letter society. Report that RCA has put up $50,000 for 12i/^% Of the “Make a Wish,” Jule Styne-Harry Rigby legit musical, is o^ by a decimal point. Corporatiori will probably put up about $5,000 for the legit musical, an adaptation from Ferenc Molnaris “The Good Fairy,” with book by Preston Sturges and score by Hugh Martin; That sum will give RCA Victor first refusal rights on the original cast showtune. album, which is the prime reason for the investment. Mrs. Irene Williams, blirid retired musician, who is having one of her old ballads, “Some Other Spring,” pubiished by Edvvard B. Marks, was once the leader of an orch under the name of Irene Edey.^^^v^ Was formerly married to Teddy Wilson, the jazz pianist, / Jerry Johnson In George Simon Tieup ■ Jerry Johnson, who exited as a partner in Michael Music a few months ago, has. teamed with George Simon, head of George Simon Music and Simon House Mu- sic. Latter pubbery is affiliated with Broadcast Music, Inc., while former is assoeiated with the Amer- ican Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. . Johnson Will represent orgs in the east, while Simon will serve as Coast rep.: Johnson, incidentally, has his own catalog. Hunter Music, composed of all of Michael’s re- corded tunes, which he took when he left the outfit. Simon is also selling- agenV -for Bradshaw Music. Hollywood, Dec. 19, Television’s power as a talent builder is shown in. the skyrocket- ing Coast career of Ina Ray Hut- ton, whose all-girl orch currently ; is one of the hottest musical lures | in the area, i Last summer Mi.ss Hutton was > virtually unknown oii the Coast, i Although she had batoned bands ' for years, slie had never played : a Coast date until she essayed a stand at the Aragon ballroom with ; a distaff band she had formed out j of members Of Local 47. Terpery at that time had a regularly- beamed television program. The Aragon shot led telestation KTLA to build a program around Miss Hutton and her 12 sidewomen, and Altes Beer quickly, arranged to bankroll the layout. Soon, General Artists Corp., which books Miss Hutton, began receiving bids from ballrooms in the area, and from private parties. Batoneer began ac- cepting weekend dates which do not conflict with her Tuesday pro- gram or its rehearsals. Original bookings were at $750 nightly against 60% for ballrooms and a flat $1,000 for private parties. On recent dates she has been going into percentage, grabbing over $1,600 in Balboa and $1,500 in Po- mona. Latter date, incidentally, set a precedent, the terpery actually getting a total of 82 reservations. Management, which had never be- fore had a reservation, figures that as proof that Miss Hutton is luring an entirely new type of patron to the spot. Latest deal is for five consecu- tive nights at Hawthorne ballroom, recently bought by Eddie DeSure. She starts next Tuesday (26) at a flat $5,000 for the stand. Deal also is being talked for a Giro’s stand In February. Miss Hutton’s personal take on the KTLA show, after paying all salaries, is $545 weekly. Gel Peer Cook’s Tour A new form of education will b.e given to lyricists by Peer Interr national Miisic Co. Peer will send its lyricists employed in the adapta- tion of foreign, tunes for American pUbiication to countries outside the U. S. to absorb folk styles and man- nerisms, according to general man- agrr Ben S.elvin. Eirst lyricist to go abroad under tliv irogram will be Albert Gamse, who wrote- the English lyrics for “Anuipola” and “Yours.” Gamse Will vi.rit Brazil during the “carni- val” festivals, in which folk music plays a rriajor part, to absorb back- ground for bis future English adaptations of Brazilian tunes. Survey Week of Dec. 8-14, 1950 The top ZO songs of the week (more in case of ties), based on the copyrighted Audience Coverage Index Survey of Popular Music Broadcast over Radio Networks. Published by the Office of Research, Inc., Dr. John G. Peatman, Director. Alphabetically listed. A Bushel and a Peck--*“Guys and Dolls” ...... ♦, Morris A Marshmallow World :... . ShapirO-B All I\4y Love ... •.■....... • .»»•. • • • .IVIills And You’ll Be Home — ............. . .Burke-VH Be My Love-^1“Toast of New Orleans” .......,., .MiHor Best Thing For You—♦“Call Me Madam” . ......... Berlin Can't Seem To Laugh Anymore ........ • ••••.... • DreyCT Christmas In Killarney ............... Remick Frosty the Snow Man . ................>..;... Hill & Range Get Out Those Old Records ......,.,,. .....^ . i^ BVC Harbor Lights ' . . ..: ... . .........,....... . . .. .Chappell I Am Loved—♦“Out of This World” ............. Chappell If I Were a Bell—♦“Guys and Dolls” . .7, .... . Morris If You’ve Got the Money I’ve Got the Time.. ... , ., Peer I’ll Always Loye You—1 “Friend Irma Goes West”., Famous I’m In the Middle of a Riddle . . . .. . . .:..., .Robbins It’s a Lovely Daj^ Today—♦‘‘Gall Me Madam”.Berlin La Vie En Rose ... . ................ Harms Life Is So Peculiar—1 “Mr. Music” ,.......,...... Burkc-VH Looks Like a Cold Gold Winter .. .......,,,..,... Lombardo My Heart Cries’ For You . . ..............,... Massey Nevertheless—:1''“Three Little Words” ............. . Chappell Once You Find Your Guy ... .................... Harms Orange Colored Sky ........... *............... • Frank Patricia' . .. .......'. . ............... B V C Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer . ,..... . St. Nicholas Silver Bclls^-! “Lemon Drop Kid” ............... Raramoinit Tennessee Waltz ,.;. ;...... . ..., • •. ^.........,. Acufl’-Rose Time Out For Tears ;. .. ...Republic The Thing \ . . . ..; . . . : .. ., . .. . . .....:.......... . Hollis Thinking Of You—;!;“Thre,e Little Words” .... .... Remick You Love Me—■“The West Point Story” .......... Witmark You’re Just 111 Love—♦“Gall Me IMadam” Berlin TUe remaining 20 so^ms pj the ireek (more in cose of tics), based on.the copyright Aiidicnce Coverage Index Survey of Popu- lar Music Broadcast over Radio Nctieorks. Published by the Clffice of Research, Inc., Dr. John G. Peatman, Director. Alphabeticany listed. Beyond the Reef * :Laurel Blue Christmas Choice Button Up Your Overcoat ...................... Crawford Christmas Syinpliony Disney Could Be BMl Here Comes the Fatte.st Man In To\A n...,...,..... Life I. Love the Guy (I Love the Girl) ......... Shapiro B I’ll Get By—i“i’li Get By” .: ..Bourne Never Been In Love Before—♦“Call ^Te Madam”. . Morris Jing-A-Ling Jing-A-Ling ........................ Disnej’^^ Longing .. .Knick'b’ck’r Lucky Lucky Lucky Me .Santly-Joy My Dream Christmas .. .............. .Life Night Is Young and You’re So Beautiful.Words-Music Ocarina—♦“Call Me Madani” Berlin Petite Waltz .....: .Duchess Sea Of the Moon Robbins Sleigh Ride ... Mills So Long Sally ^. .Oxford Timeless .....:. Weiss Tonight Be Tender To Me ...................... Life Where Do 1 Go From You,.......................Paxton i Filmusical. * Legit musical. ASCAP-H’wood Continued fiom page 35 UP TO 10 FILM SCORES FOR BIG 3 PLUGGING The Big Three—rRobbins, Feist and Miller Music—will have one of its busiest schedules in years in 1951. The M-G-M subsidiaries will have anywhere from eight to 10 film scores to work on, in. addition to pop tunes already purchased or contemplated. Firms figure to have six or seven scores from Metro musicals, plus at least a couple from 20th-Fox, which owns a 2S% interest in the Big Three.. Robbins has already set to work on the score of Metro’s Pagan Love Song,” which preems Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) at the N. Y. Capitol theatre. Oh tap for January plugs is J e score of “Roy- al Wedding ” from which firms are scheduied to work on live tunes. Probability is that Jhc score will be split between Feist and Miller; Metro would like to make all five tunes plug songs. . Berneir, J ones Team Plollyvvood, Dec, 19. Sara Berner will etch a total of Six sides with Spike Jones on RCA Victor in the next 12 riionths. She’ll receive billing, on all platters and a share of tlie royalties* Contract allows Miss Berner, aft- er a six-mpiith lapse, to accept oth- er recording chores provided baek-! stopping doesn’t reflect zaiiy baton-! .cer’ii st^le. . *,., , ... ... 4 I theatres which have stage shows or ' play music between films. This sum, however, will far from make up the loss ASCAP is taking from the motion picture industry as a whole. ! Feb. 1 Deadline ' ASCAP, meantime, nolified the ' indie television stations last week that its interim agreement now in ; effect will be suspended after Feb. ! 1, 1950. In making the move,; ASCAP prexy Otto A. Harbach de- , dared that the negotiations with , the TV stations for a blanket, or ; per-program, license had stretched i over a longer period than expected; and that ASCAP would no lon.gcr grant extensions of the interim ar- rangement. ASCAP is giving the TV outlets a ehoice between a blanket license or a per program license if they wish to Use the Society’s rinisic starting in Fcbruai’y. if a statibn doesn’t want either form of licens- ing, ASCAP is allowing the stations to license its compositions on an individual basis. Harbach further pointed but that if the stations rejected all pro- posed ASCAP fees, they could bring the matter into Federal court for a determination of a reason- able fee as provided for in, the Government’s antitrust decree. It’s believed that if the stations take the case into court, ASCAP will ask for stiffer fees than how proposed. ASCAP execs are urging tlic in- die: stations to; adopt the blanket license in order to avoid book- keepilig arid logging difTiculties for the Society. It’s pointed out that the stations will benefit from a blanket license also since they will be free of all copyiright tangles and will also Save on administration costs. The savings from bookkeep- ing alone, .it’s - argued^ would-mGi»e* than make up for any savings on a per program deal. ^ ASCAP notified the Television Per Program Committee of the TV industry, Which is handling the negotiations for the indie outlets, that rates on the per program liccn.ses “would bear a reasonable relationship to the blanket license,” meaning that the per program fees would be slightly higher due to administrative expenses. AS(3AP currently has blanket licensing arrangements with all the major video webs, based on a percentage of each network’s revenues. 8 SHERATON HOTaS IN CANADA GET AFM NIX Toronto, Dec. 19. The eight Sheraton hotels iri Canada this week were put on a “blacklist” by the Toronto Musical Proleclive^^ssri. ahd the American [ Federatiori~:bT'Musicians. W. M. Murdoch, secretary of the local, said that all union men at Shera- ton hotels in Ontario have been withdyawn and that inusicians playing the chain’s Quebec hotels would be withdrawn when present contracts expire. ^ Blacklisting followed a dispute at the King Edward hotel here. After the chain bought the hotel from Vernon G* Cardy last winter, 16 musicians were given notice. While the chain later offered to re- , tain eight men, the union insisted that all be rehired. It then black- listed the hotel, and the AFM ex- tended the bah to all Sheraton hotels. M-G-M Sighs Pair M-G-M Records last week two. folk singers to its talent Gene McGhee, Knoxville singer, and "Happy Wilson, ingham singer. Initial releases of both are sched- Illorl frki' T.on added roster, radio Birm-