Variety (August 15, 1951)

VARIETY BILLS David KLUo.i t'hnsUnt Nelson Van Kirk Harvey BeU WEEK Of AUGUST 15 importance. Poor biz racked up by many of their Alms Anally pene- trated to exhibs, who habitually de- mand names for their marquees, and then to the studios. Even new names and still-im- portant established ones—at the height of her career, Ingrid Berg- man, for instanc Maureen O’Hara. On the 20th-Fo* stages were “With a Song In My Heart** with Susan Hayward and Rory Calhoun; “Red Skies of Mon- tana” with Richard Widmark and Constance Smith; "Rose of Cimar- ron” with Jack Buetel, Mala Powers, Bill Williams and Jim Davis; **Elopement” with Clifton Webb and Anne Francis; “Fixed Bayonets” with Richard Basehart, Michael O'Shea and Gene Evans, and “Pride of St. Louis” with Dan Dailey and Joanne Dru. Universal-International was work- ing on “Bend of the River” with James Stewart, Arthur Kennedy and Julia Adams. Warner Bros, had •The Big Trees” with Kirk Doug- las. Patrice Wymore, Eve Miller, John Archer and Ellen Corby; “The Crimson Pirate” with Bun Lancaster; “Where's Charley?” with Ray Bolger and Aliys Me Lerie; “Carson City” with Ran* dolph Scott and Lucille Norman, and “1*11 See You In My Dreams* with Doris Day, Danny Thomas, Patrice Wymore, Frank Lovejoy and Mary Wicks. The independents, most of them shooting out of the country, had in work “African Queen” (Hori- zon) with Humphrey Bogan and Katharine Hepburn; “No Time for Flowers” (Briskin) with Vlveca Lindfors and Paul Christian; “Geisha Girl” < Breaks to n-Stahl ) with Martha Hyer and Todd Karns; “Bride of the Gorilla” (Broder) with Barbara Payton and Raymond Burr; and “Chained for Life” (Spera) with Hilton Sisters and Mario de Laval. Mariano Stanley-Boucher O Celebrity Club Alan Gala Freddie Stewart Winn Saalay Teddy Kins Ore Clever Club Barerly Hudson Al Barnla Gomel S Beatrice Dancers tt> Woody Woodbury Tony Lopos Ora Delano Hatat Willie Hollander 9 Zina Rayee Mickey Walker Louis Adler Ore Siva O'clock Club Buddy Looter Joyce Bryant ft A E Reyea Len Daemon Ore Jobnlna Hotel Michael Strange Tony Mataa Helene Aitnce Jimmy Wooda Loon 4 India's Eddie Guertta Tubby Boots Gaby DeLane Bitty Ah etin Martinique Hotel Manolo A Ethel Danny Yataa Ora Mather Kelly** Pat Marrtaaay Penny Malone Freddie Lana Storm A Gala Tool Have Jeanne Franca Rita Holden Roaita Aloruo Dusty Da Lure Bob Morris Ore Gt Felixo Resina Maida Chief Beale Eye A B Amazing Rhoerle Ragfte Dennis HACKNIY Implre (I) 19 Frank Randle Gua Aubrey Stan Stafford A J Powell Johnny Patera Zia Angela Mandalay Singers Dagenham Girl riper* 3 Palmers Hal Mack Co LIIDS ■ metre (Mi 19 Joy Joy A Joy Lea Lawrence Frmk-M-n A Wf Peter Sellers Tony A Ruby Michael Bernina Peter Raynor Lea DanteUys Milton Woodward BANOOR (Me) Rilew (P> 17 Only Asylum of Horrors BATH (Me) Opera House (P) If Onlv Asylum of Hut roil CHICAOO Chicago (P) 17 Dinah Shore Mr Kltael WtU Mastin 9 Sammy Davis Jr TAP V allot Pert Pairfield (Mel Paramount (P) 11 Only Asylum of Horrors HOULTOM (Me) Heutten <P> M Only Asylum of Horrors MIAMI Olympls (Pi If Mart a A 4 *trian Ray Douglas Antlers 4 George Dunn Penny Singleton ROCKLAND (Me) Knox IP) 1* Only Asylum of Horrors WASHIHOTON Capital (L> W Kanazawa 9 Margarv? Phelan Den Rice CAT Valdes WATMVILLI (Me) Heines (P) H Only Aayhim of Horrors NIW YORK CITY Music Hall (I) 14 Marilyn Murphy Sonor Cortes Myrons BetUng Roeay Patricia Dry lie Brunhild* Rogue Corps de BaUet Eric Hutson Rockettes Sym Ore Palace <R) 14 Wally Brown Sonja Van Horne Park A Clifford Chss Slim TimbUn 6 11*0 Sis rue* Howard Paramount (P> If Moderneires Bob Chester Or* Danny Lewis Helen* A Howard 2Ui> Card en as Rasy (I) IS B illon Berle at mar Fatso Maror Sid Gary Leonard Sims Crist lanis Magld Tripled* BALTIMORE Royal 111 if Wall* Jackson Ruth Brown Eddie Hevwoed t Plano Red Alien Drew Epic A Spaa NORWICH Hippodrome (I) 11 Ossie Morris Stan Stennett Rite Pace Dancettea Lea Henry Dorothy Williams Mary Sullivan Don Saunders J D Girls NOTTINOHAM Imulre <M> 13 Bllfy McCormack Camilla A Castelll Alfoldl Tp Marriott A Wenman Peter Du lay Roy Jefferies J Allen A Barbers Jacqueline Farrell siiM’uUfi ruui wU SHIPPIILO Implre (M> II H A A Rosa 5 Smith Bros Williams A Shand Eddie Grey Roger Car no Stainless Stephen Para Nino Harry Bailey SUHDRRLAMO Implre <M) II Morgan A Gray Dorothy Squires Alex James A 1 Jackie Hunter Allen A Lee Non! Nit* A D Johnson Clark Lea Hollyoa TAG Durant* fWANflA Implre (M) 19 Lester Ferguson Max WaU Semprinl Fred Lovell* L Sharp* A Iris Cynthia A Gladys 3 Oxfords Tune In Lovlies WALTHAMSTOW Palace tl) 13 Freddie tttlle Jerry Nlcholla Jeff Smith Gloria A Jeanette Bacchantes Tex Montane Paul Weed Valentino Lovlies Georg* Barnes Julie Rufford Vicki* Gail Hal Bra a ton Mark Chesney Alex Goodheed YORK Implre (I) 19 Phil Strickland V M Gaston Patricia Lyndon Tom Benny Archie Hartnell Michael Wayne Jean Bradford Frod Renwtck Olga Sandersand Lomarr Bros Frakson It Nsughtlgala soon proved to be duds if not cist in sufficiently high-powered stories. As a result, many of the former marquee weight-bearers were dropped from the lists in favor of younger play- ers—at a great saving of money— and concentration went into the story. While start are still plenty im- portant—more because of the ex- hibs ’ “Who’s In it?” query than the public's—there has been a definite de-emphasis in that department in the past few years. Thus Hollywood has had an opportunity to do con- siderable development work on a large crop of newcomers. Lack of unfailing b.o. power is no more the fault of the newcom- ers than it is currently of the vets who are stllLsdrawing top feet for their pic performances. It is ap- parently the public and the situa- tion that hat changed. Patrons will no more lay down their coins to tee such established newcomers as Kirk Douglas. Montgomery Clift or Elizabeth Taylor than they will to see the oldsters—unless they like the story. Results on pic- ture after picture have proved that point in the past five years. Thus It has been relatively easy for producers to make the money- saving decision that puts a new face in an Important role and give* the frigid treatment to established names. It's plain to see. therefore, why production schedules recently have less frequently carried many once b.o. potent femme names. Males, of course, far outlast the femmes as sex bait on the screen. But even Cooper, Grant, Gable, Cagney, Spencer Tracy, Jimmy Stewart and the other onetime b.o. infallible! have been proved clay unless backed by a top ptory. They're still insurance in a way for getting bookings and good terms from exhibs, but much less so than formerly. Number of new facet now to be eeen in plx is evident in a recent week's production schedule, for in- stance. Even more Interesting in studying cast lists is how clearly the vet males have outlived the distaff aide. Perusal reveals only one feature at work at Columbia, 'The Brig- and,” with Anthony Dexter, Jody Lawrance and Anthony Quinn. Metro had on the stages “Singln* In the Rain” with Gene Kelly. Deb- bie Reynolds, Donald O’Connor and Jean Hagen; “Belle of New York* with Fred Astaire and Vera- Ellen; “Ivanhoe” with Robert Tay- yor, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Fon- taine and George Sanders; “When In Rome” with Van Johnson and Paul Douglas; and “The Enemy” with George Murphy and Nancy Davis. Other Prod. Schedules Paramount had “Anything Can Happen” with Jose Ferrer and Kim Hunter; “Denver A Rio Grande" with Edmond O'Brien and Sterling Hayden; “Shane” with Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur and Van Heflin; and '“Green Gold of Nevada” with John Payne and Susan Morrow. RKO had “I Want You” (Gold- wyn) with Dana Andrews, Dorothy McGuire, Farley Granger and Peg- gy Dow; “The Big Sky” (Winches- ter) with Kirk Douglas and Eliza- beth Threatt; and “Day Without End” (Filmakers) with Ida Lupino, Robert Ryan and Barbara Whiting. In work at Republic was “The Quiet Man” with John Wayne and Kitty Davis Larry Wilde Wanda A Rudolf LeUtia Barry Terry Shand* Elaln* Dexter Rafael** Rum be roe LIICaSTIR Palace (SI 13 Carroll Levis Co Erik Van Are 2 Venarda Jenny Hayes Dots Ire Potter A Carole LONDON Palladium (M> It Tony Martin Florence Deamond Pinky Lee Mack Triplets Jesee James A C Bolonds Donald B Stuart Jackie Palladium Girls Skyrockets Ore MANCHISTIR Hippodrome (S) 19 lssy Bonn Anion Karas Bob Grey Begs 3 Spanglers Pat Hyde Palace <M) II Jack Carson Kay Cavendish Australian Air Aces Clifford Stanton Jose Moreno Ce Pepinos Circus 3 Coronets NEWCASTLE Implre (M) 13 Blister Keaton Hetty King Shaun Glen villa Albert Whelan George Robey Peter Bernard Archie Gien Moran A El of Empire Girls NORTHAMPTON New (I) 13 Tom Moss 3 Karloffs 4 Silver Chords Marie DeVerc Co Wyn Valerie Aqua Maids 4 Water Cranks Black Hawk Norms Lou Doggelt Hope Zee Ray Arnett Connie Baxter Ken Remo Bobo Lewis A AUSTRALIA SYDNIY TIveM (I) II Armand Perren Marion Davies 3 Fayes Devin* A King Card BJemstad Chrlbl Marika Saary Phillip Taypin Win De Jong Jacques Cartaux Jimmy Elder Jo* Whitehous* Cissy Trenholm Terry Scanlon MILSOURNI Tivoli (l> 11 Jon Pert we* Alan Clive Los Triannss S Pepito 3 Csraony Bros Tipsy A Brow Evy A Everto Bsbs MacKinnon Moira X Claux Horrle Dargle 4 6 Celebrity Singers 6 Les Models Les Debonnslres 4 Tivoli Ballet Harper Flaherty Bob FHagerald BRITAIN Isa Continue# from pug* • idfcmJ fessional holders of large blocks, there’s little profit In tendering shares at under $15. One of the minor advantages of telling to WB rather than on the market Is that no commission is involved in sales via tenders. As a result of the market rise, WB will get considerably fewer shares for the $15,000,000 It has appropriated for the purpose. Vir- tually all the important operators are waiting for the very last mo- ment tomorrow before deciding on their ti *?rs, so they'll take full advantage of market appreciation. Tenders must be received by Guaranty Trust Co.. N. Y„ before 3 p.m. Tenders will be taken up in order of price, the lowest ones, of course, being accepted first When $15,000,000 of them has been acquired, company will stop and the higher offers will be rejected. ASTON Hippodrome (l> 13 D A J O'Gorman Dudley Dale Singers 3 Hicks Dollne Ballet Freddie Karrisoa BIRMINGHAM Hippodrome (M) 13 Sugar Chile Robinson Caryll A Mundy Arthur Worsley Les Mathis CswaUnts Dogs Dorothy Gray Ce Maurice French Richards Sis BLACKPOOL Opera House (I) 13 BAB Bernard Vera Lynn Jack Rjidcliffe Co Harry Secomb* Co Erica York* Palace (I) 13 Frasers Harmonica Co Bedinl T| Geor Collison A Breen Lesha Welch Ken Morris . Woods A Jarrett Jean Kennedy Ids Steepler 3 Morrocco* Muldoon 3 CHILSIA Palace (I) 19 Murray Spike Milligan Jones A Foss S A R RusseU 3 Atlanta* Grace Mars Dagnar A RcU CHISWICK Implre <S) 19 Tessa* O'Shea Steve Conway Billy McCamb A June Moxham Bros A Carol Nixon A Dixon 2 Redheads Len Williams Billy Bartholomew COVENTRY Hippodrome (l> 13 Jewel! A WarrlM Benson Dulqy Co Bentley Sis Fay Lenore Ren* Strang* Bertie Her* Jacqueline Dunbar So American Lev lie* OIREY Hippodrome <S) 13 M A A Day Kay* Bros Ramonk Bros BAB Bruce Haynes A Gardiner Lee Sinclaire Ramon Girls I AST HAMPTON Metropolitan (I) 13 Jimmy Wheeler Michael Howard Charmian Innes Dick Henderson Sam Linfteld Co Will Dotta Jon Gresham Eenara Syd Amoy Palace (J) 13 Reid A Gordon Jack Hubert Watson Fogel Harry Tat# Jr Dump Harris A Stan 3 Spallas 10 Starlets Rita Martell Lillian Brown KDINBUROH Implre <M> 13 Deep River Boys Beryl Orde Daveen A Blondes Walter Nlblo Flying Comets Craig A Voyle Nelson Lloyd Stuart A Gray FINSBURY PARK Implre <M> 13 Rena* Dymott Nat Mills A Bobbie Joe Ortnes G H Elliott Scott Sanders Key Ellington 4 Tippy A Cobina June Rose lie Victor Marches* Laths- Airee Emil Coleman Of# I 1 - Continued from page SI sssJ and Peggy Alexander, who does an audience participation act. Miss Cummings will nursemaid for this entourage. Under this setup, there'll be a surplus a cheesecake in one package and a paucity in the other, but selections had to be made that way because of the prob- lem of musical backing. Smeck will have to provide accomps for Miss Clare only. Individually the acts registered. Miss Rillo is an extremely com- petent squeeze-boxer w'ho clicks in her solo spot and did the backing on night caught. She’s okay in both sectors. Larry Weeks, who emcees, provides a good brand of He hits a nice stride Cabaret Bills 11 Us ms Tox A Denise Walthon A Dorr sine Lucky A Henry Sereno A Joy f eid Twins ower Circus (I) 13 Charlie CalroU A 1 Smiths KnJes French Horses Oscar Konyots Lions Gt Alexander Tp Victor Julian A Pet* Enies Animals 4 Rlchays 3 Lorandoa Mars Tp Arrtgonks 3 Houcs Jimmy Scott Flying Constellation Little Jimmy Annettes Circusettes Winter Garden (I) 13 Norman Evans Be nor Carlos Canfield Smith A Snodgrass 12 Whiteley Girl* 4 Zio Anegls Darlya Dogs Joy Beatti* Anna Mac Gyneth Lascellet BOSCOMBK Hippodrome (I) 13 Billy Whittaker Miihi Law BAT Clayton Phil Lester Eric Marsh Gail Harvey Jack Lennard Gai diner A Baxter Hi Diddle Diddle Debs Terry* Juves BRADFORD Alhambra <M) 13 Bartlett A Roas Ford A Sheen Douglas Harris Pierre Zsmpa RRIOHTON Hippodrome (M) 13 Frankie Howerd Mary Nayior Arthur Richard* Joy Beattie HEW Y0BK CITY diane Hotel New Yerkei obb Ore Bernie Cummins ldge Ore Cavanaughs rrlstano Kevin O'Sullivan i uit Mary Over Hunter rZ^Z**** Via BUd * ®**«tles UtudiUo "?•* ReepsveH ore Mark Mont* Ore * Nocturnes Hotel at. Reels LitoS Milt Shaw Or* Horace Dies Ore ilea Hotel Stellar •bar Shop Fields Ore Hotel ton V incent Lopes Ore Hotel Warwick Gloria El wood Latin Quarter Juanita HaU Jack KUty Honey Bros. P Mazzone Dcr* Gloria La Roy 1 Lea Pablos Can Can Dcr* Art Wane? ore Park Av*. Carole Hendnrk Woody Morgan Dolores Penthouse Paul Taubman Mirko Riviera Peter Lind Hayts A Mary Healy Blackburn Twins A Pam Cavan Sherry Steven* Nanci Crompton Clark Ranger Michael Terris Lin* Walter Ny# Ore Ren* Touzet Oro VeAa life* Carmen Torres Robert Maxwell Smile Petti ore Panchito Ore Vllie«e Rem Burt Hliher Louise A Harris Dick Shawn Dolph Traymon 3 Bobby Meyers Ore VlfleR* Vaoquar* Orson Bean Shoshana Damarl • Clarence Wi'iiam* > Wtvel Ming Cteu other than professionals as day players.” The Guild's contract proposals for these players seek an increase in the daily minimum wage from $55 to $100, and a weekly freelance minimum from $175 to $375. SAG proposal dealing with tele- vision films requires that the pay- ment ot an actor's salary allows one showing in each TV viewing area, and that for each subsequent showing the player must be repaid hit original salary. It also de- mands that theatrical pictures made after Aug. 1, 1048, be with- held from use in television until the producer and the Guild reach an agreement under which such TV exhibition of a theatrical pic- ture would be permitted. juggling with ribbon-twirling, Indian clubs and balls. Although he's unsure of himself In the emceeship stints, his overall impression is good. Miss Clare was handicapped by a faulty mike, and her diction was undistinguishable at times. How- ever, that might have been a break for the Camp Shows’ execs present. The representation of chaplains at this performance couldn’t tell whether her version of the “Mar- tins and the Coys” had any Indigo lyrics. During her turn, several adjustments in the mike had to be made, so that it was impossible to get a true picture of her vocal tex- ture. She got a hefty mitting, nonetheless . Dancer Roseanne got by on a picturesque pair of gams. She shows some good ,acro tricks, but these are few and far between a series of terps which had little mo- tion and made less sense. Punch V Judy Scores Probably the strongest bit shown was the punch-and-judy act by Tommy Trent. It’s good enter- tainment for all age groups. Smeck unrolls a vast portion of his catalog with showmanly handling of a series of string instruments and gets off to a hearty exit. Miss Cummings is okay in doling out im- pressions. Her carbons show fidelity to the originals and they have a grain of humor which gets across. It's doubtful, though, that the younger GIs will get any ap- preciation out of the ZaSu PitU and Ned Sparks Impersonations. These names haven’t boen active for some years. ► ' The unit wound up with'EUdl- Roalta Rio# Ramoncita A Leon Victoria Barcelo Isabel Campo Fernando Strvent Rodriguez 4 Ramon Torre* Ore Red Norvo S Bobby Heckett Ore Havana-Mad rtu Bobby Eaeoto Roberto A Alicia Lola A Lita Tanya A Tondelayo Laon A ladie s Eddie Davis Larry Daniels Libby Dean Al Dellay Carmen Montoya Th* Rogers Little ctub Ernie Warren (ire No 1 Fifth Av* Downey A fonvtn* Hazel Webster Old Knlck Paul Killian Ernest Sarncino Clara Cedron* Old Roumanian Sadie Ranks Lou Seiler Irene CarroU Carol Linser Joe La Port* Ore IFAquila Ore Park Sheraton Cy Coleman 3 Mlml Warren Ernestine Holmes Natal Ambassador luler Land* Oro Hotel Aster Sammy Kay* Ore Hotel Blltmeeu Mtscka Ragtnaky O Hotel Edited. Joel Shew Ore ence participation by Peggy Alex- ander. She's personable and can get an audience to go for all sorts of gimmicks. On her own, she does song and dance work capably. Miss Alexander's final stint in get- ting a dozen troops onstage for terp exhibits from folk-dancing to ballet went over excellently. Camp Shows' prexy James Sauier and exec veepee Lawrence Phillips have had one of the busi- est weeks since the start of the Korean war. Not only were these two setups dispatched, but ex-Met baritone Robert Merrill left for Europe for a series of GI concerts, and a radio unit headed by Walter O'Keefe left for the same area, where they’ll tape a series of “Double or Nothing” shows before soldier audiences. Jose. ISSB Continued from 3*1* 9 - a result of the Jewish emigration to Israel. Incidentally. Hollywood films, with the exception of hors# operas, have been the heavier losers. Negotiations are currently under way for a renewal of the 1949 cur- rency transfer agreement which permitted U. S. companies to get ,f out-of-pocket expenses” not fX* ceeding $80,000 per year, on the films they distribute In the coun- try. The agreement expired last June 30 with the proposed exten- sion carrying it for another year The Hollywood distributors also are pressing for permission to transfer a portion of thetr fU™ royalties. U.S. pictures gross about 91,960,000 annually there.* Key Eliinat) Elia Shields BiUy Russell GLASGOW ■m|»lr* (M) 13 Andrews Sit Gall Gall Jack Daivy -rim* Noble 2 Cromwells Balmoral 4 Joyce Golding OIIMSBY Palecs (I) 12 Alan Alan Ladd West Campbell A Rogerson i Adunfl Greta Unger X BRISTOL Hippodrome <S> 13 Rose Murphy V A J Crasionian Charlie Clapham 3 1-ederera J A K St u(hard George Meat on Yolandas Marla A Mari 4 - * Migualito V,