Variety (October 1952)

62 OIATTEK PUlZIETY Wednesday, October 22, 1952 Broadway Variety’s Hy Hollinger and singer-actress Gina Coliens to wed in January. • Si Seadler, Metro’s ad topper re- turned Monday (20) from a Euro- pean vacation. Publicist Lynn Farnol planed to the Coast last night (Tues.) on a 10-day stay in the interests of Cin- erama. P.a. Mike" O’Shea to Hollywood for 10-day vacation. He’ll do the nitei^ circuit in S. F. before re- turning to N. Y. Harold Boxall, assistant manag- ing director of London Films, re- turning to Britain today (Wed.) oh the Queen Mary. Johnny Gretn, head of Metro music dept, at the studio, returned to the Coast Monday (20) after a weekend in Gotham on biz. Phil Reisman motoring to Bos- ton this week to powwow with his new boss, Joe Kennedy, and thence to his Cape Cod house. Bernard Smith, producer of Par- amount’s forthcoming “Rhapsody.” and Charles Vidor, who will direct, are in town for script confabs with writers Ruth and Augustus Goetz. ..'M-G producer Albert Lewin left for the Coast over the weekend following his return from a six- month research tour abroad on his latest, “Saadia,” set for production in Europe. Dorothy Ross has exited Ross Associates, having returned last week from Mexico with her final decree from George Ross, who now heads the flackery. She’s in busi- .ness for herself. Charles Schlaifer, onetime 20th- Fox ad-pub chief, who now heads his own agency, is guest speaker today (Wed.) at a Lions Club "en- clave at the Roger Smith Hotel, New Brunswick, N. J. Marks Levine, National Concert & Artists Corp. prez, flying to L.A. Friday (24) for a week of confabs with Saiv Francisco Opera Assn, officials and to catch the Frisco group performances in L.A. Benay Venuta would swap her Bevhills manse for a large N. Y. apartment, for the duration of the “Hazel Flagg” run in which she’ll costar. Husband-actor Fred Clark would fly east between pix. Bernard A. Grossman, theatri- cal attorney, elected prez of the Federal Bar Assn, of N. Y., N. J. and Conn.: Theodore R. Kupfer- man, of NBC’s legal department, was elected secretary. Elmer G. Leterman has a good personal clipping service gag—for friends—enclosing anything about them that he sees in the public prints. It’s also a good continuing trailer for the show biz insurance exec. Frank Sinatra and Ezio Pinza co-chairmanning the Theatre, Mo- tion Picture & Television section of the American Committee on Italian Migration which is holding a $100-a-plate dinner at the Wal- dorf Oct. 30. Metro scripter Helen Deutsch took off Saturday (18) for Italy to research her next film, “Nina.” She’ll be gone three weeks and return in time for the world preem of “Plymouth Adventure,” which she screenplayed. Frank Mattison, Warner assist- ant director, headed back to the studio yesterday (Tues.) after re- turning from Europe, where he worked ‘with director William Keighley on the Errol Flynn starrer, “The Sea Rogue.” Paralleling Rocky Marciano’s rap- port with the waiters and busboys of the Blue Angel nitery, the click of Ruggero Romor in “Time of the Cuckoo” has special meaning for the Colony restaurant staffers. He was a checker in the kitchen there. Ceil Chapman designed a modern version coronation gown in Metro’s’ “Prisoner of Zenda.” It will high- light the Saks-Fifth Avenue fash- ion show at the Colgate night of the National Assn, of Food Buyers powwow in Miami next Tuesday (28). Gael Sullivan, ex-TOA exec sec, who used to be in realty, and still is a member of the American So- ciety of Appraisers (Alpha Lamba —which means “land appraisal in Greek”) to the Coast next week to assist a friend in appraising a piece of L. A. realty. Ernie Anderson returning with Jose Ferrer to London end of Oct. Latter got in yesterday (Tues.). Also aboard were Bing Crosby and Artur Rodzinski. London pro- ducer Jack Hylton, and associate of Ferrer in several co-productions abroad, couldn’t* make^the trip but plans flying over shortly. Paris Agent Andre Bernheim started his own film production setup, Ab- bey Films. Gilbert Miller over to inspect Paris fall legit crop before return- ing to U.S. “Queen of Hearts,” new play by Gabriel Arout, a hit of the new legit season here. Adolphe Menjou in for his first visit here since pre-war days and then back to London for his tele- pix. Gypsy Markoff singing as well as playing her accordion in the new show at Spivy’s East Side which includes Pepe Costa and Muriel Gaines. Rainy weather postponed de- parture of Bing Crosby “Little Boy Lost” unit on location here until Oct. 18. Claude Dauphin goes to Hollywood to complete pic. Georges Ulmer, now at Drap D’Or, being considered for lead in French production of “Pal Joey.’ Archie Thomson flies here next week to confer with Marcel, Achard on the, adaptation. Albert Lewin off to visit London and Rome before returning to Hol- lywood for conferences on filming of "Saaida.” Pic will be made in North Africa next year with top Metro star in the lead. Marquis de Cuevas ballet troupe relights the Empire Oct. 23. House has been dark since Chevalier show, “Fuli Fire,” closed in Au- gust. Cuevas company remain for three months with Festival Ballet following in January. London Cleveland By Glenn C. Pullen Betty Reilly singing at Sky-Way Club with Four Jacks & Jill on same bill. Sandy Solo, amputee disk croon- er, doing a week at Moe’s Main Street Club. Eileen Wilson, TV canary into Vogue Room in show including Johnny Conrad's line. Young son of Bobby May, jug- gler, rushed to hospital with polio. Father is at Alpine Village. Kurt Cerf, nephew of Bennett, directing new version of “Lys- istrata” fer Karamu Theatre. Patti Phillips rejoined “Ice Capades” at Arena and starts skat- ing in it again in Philadelphia. Shizu Morya, Jap actress, here to plug “Willie and Joe Back at Front” for U-I and RKO Palace. Bob Whalen, local tenor who won first prize in Arthur Godfrey TV contest, getting a Metro test. Young son of Bobby May, jug- gler, rushed to hospital with polio while father was performing at Al- pine Village. Kaye Ballard, Clevelander, has featured song-and-comedy role in Phil Silver’s “Top Banana,” cur- rent at Hanna. “Biggest Show of ’52,” with Stan Kenton, Sarah Vaughan and Nat (King) Cole, drew 5,700 attendance (17) to Cleveland Arena. William Pine (and Thomas) ar- rived in London yesterday (Tues.). Variety Club annual stag dinner to elect a new crew for 1953 set for Dec. 11 at the Savoy. * Mary Martin and Noel Coward starring in a cabaret show at the Cafe de Paris Nov. 9 to aid the Actors’ Orphanage. Jose Ferrer dickering with John |*Mills to play the lead in the Lon- don production of “The Shrike” which is expected to open next year. Harry Foster scheduled to plane to N. Y. tomorrow (Thurs.) on his regular talent looksee, with a par- ticular eye for next year’s Pal- ladium season. Kirk Douglas is the latest addi- tion to list of Hollywood stars who will appear in the stageshow fol- lowing the Royal Command film next Mondav (27). Mrs. L. Paterson, Toronto the- atrical agent, who has been re- cruiting Sheakespearean actors for the Canadian stage, sailed for Que- bec last week on the Franconia. _ Producer George K. Arthur in London on a three-dav quickie to acquire the rights of “King of Dia- monds” by Louis Tracy, which he will put into production next sprint. Clifford Guest who wound a three-week run at the Palladium last Saturday (18) planed to New York yesterday (Tues.) and is set to onen at the Statler, Cleveland, Oct 27. Julie Wilson returned to London last Thursday and was guest of honor at a Drury Lane cocktailery the following day. She takes over the Mary Martin role in “South Pacific” Nov. 10. Peter Ustinov’s secretary, Pa- tricia Pakenham-Walsh, authored a new play, “The Fiddle at the Wedding,” which began an out-of- town tryout this week. It was di- rected by Ustinov. Miami Beach By Lary Solloway Bill Jordan back from New York and enlarging his Bar of Music for seasonal preem. Walter Jacobs back to prep his Lord Tarleton Hotel for seasonal opening in November. Conventions of American Soci- ety of Travel Agents and Florida Automobile Dealers hypoed biz around town this week. Henry Neyle, general manager of Vagabonds Club, back in town after long vacash. Won’t reopen spot until return of the quartet in late November. Arthur Blake being held over by Sans Souci until the 17th. Shine & Stone, who clicked during summer, follow, with new personal rep Ab- ner J. Greshler readying new act for comedy duo. # Martha Raye, recovering from ailment which hospitalized her for over a week, readying for trip to New York; and'. TV date, then re- turns Nov, 3 for reopening of her Five O’clock Club. . French singer Michael Allard, allowed into country under $500 bond posted for Immigration au- thorities here after entrance dif- ficulties, opens at Henry Thau's Dream Bar this week. • Scotland By Gordon Irving*- . “Rashomon,” Japanese film, pull- ing in top biz at Cameo Theatre, Edinburgh. Next strawhat season at Pitlo- chry’s canvas theatre-in-the-hills will tee off May 9, 1953. Brisk advance sale for Betty Hutton vaude week at Empire, Glasgow,“starting Oct. 20. Big demand for seats for Italian opera season at Theatre Royal, Glasgow, starting Nov. 10. New production of “Smilin’ Through,” with Dermot Walsh and Hazel Court in leads, opening at King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Dec. 8. George Lacy, co-star of “Half- Past Eight” at King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, out of show and or- dered by medicos to rest. Jack Tripp, English comic, replacing him. Shreveport, La. By Bill Monroe The Diplomats in for three weeks at Florentine nitery. The Four Bits prance in for sec- ond local date in indef stay at thq Dome. Thesps prepping for Southwest Theatre Conference here, Oct. 30 Nov. 1. Good advance sales for Wayne King one-nighter at Blackham -Col iseum in Lafayette. Harnett T. Kane in from New Orleans to plug and sign copies of “Dear Dorothy Dix,” bio of his friend and neighbor. New director James D. Mcos, from Sumter, S.C., Community Theatre, skeds “Liliom” to bow in the Courtyard Players here. Civic Opera rehearsing “Samson and Delilah” under maestro Walter Herbert. Blanche Thebom, Ramon Vinay, Sigurd Bjoerling set as prin cipals. Danish Symphony, to tee off Community Concert Series with Chilean pianffct Claudic Arrau booked as bonus for. this year’s package. John Garradine in for a night of “Great Scenes from Great Lit- erature” as Knife & Fork Club season opener (15), replacing Mon- ty Woolley. Preem of Jonathan Bates’ “Con- necticut Hallowe’en” at Little Theatre. Network interview on tap for first performance with play wright and director John Young. singer Lee Mariner and Irv Wil- liams orch. Yehudi Menuhin here this week for concert at Lyceum with- admis- sion restricted to purchasers of Israeli bonds. ' “Original” Dagmar back at Al- vin (burlesque) for quick return after breaking season's record there two weeks ago. Washington By Florence S. Lowe Tony Muto, 20th rep, screened “Stars and Stripes Forever” for .group of Marine toppers. Maurice Evans, current at Shu- bert Theatre in “Dial M for Mur- der,” guest on the Hazel Markel WWDC-Mutual radio show. Rita Gam, hfere to tub-thump for the wordless “The Thief,” took time out for a speaking stint on behalf of Community Chest. Gladys Swarthout, soloist at opening concert of National Sym- phony, was tossed a post-concert fete by American Newspaper Wo men's Club, Despite mixed reviews, in-the- round production of E u g e n e O’Neill’s “Desire Under the Elms had a record-breaking first week at Arena Theatre. Col. Joseph Goetz, head of Armed Forces Professional Enter- tainment Branch, currently in Hol- lywood laying "spade work for Christmas shows to be .sent by USO and Hollywood Coordinating Committee to far-flung troops. Hollywood Wray Minneapolis By Les Rees Minneapolis Symphony opens season Nov. 1. Herbie Fields in second week at St. Paul Flame. Page Cavanaugh Trio continuing at White House. Roy King & Komic Kings In third year at Magic Bar. Heinie’s holding over Ray Rey- nolds band for fourth week. Former Congresswoman Helen Gahagan Douglas here for Gov. Adlai Stevenson. ‘ Dr. I. Q.” (Lew Valentine) emcee at an Eisenhower “birthday party” here. Comedian George Gobel into Hotel Radisson Flame Room for third engagement. John Melendez into Dorothy Lewis Ice Show at Hotel Nicollet Minnesota Terrace. Billy Eckstine, George Shearing Quintet and Count Basie orch at Auditorium for concert Oct. 25. Harry James set for one-nighter at New Ulm (Minn.) Ballroom Oct. 30 and being advertised in Twin Cities, “The Country Girl,” with Rob- ert Young, Dane Clark and Nancy Kelly, pencilled into Lyceum week of Nov. 9. St. Paul Club Capitol has exotic dancers Lupita & Louise Sharae, Omaha By Glenn Trump Don Cosey’s band in at Ballerina Gardens. Singer pianist Marietta opened at Colony Club Piano Bar. Navy Band due Tuesday (28) at City Auditorium for two concerts. TV organist Warren Piper an added attraction at the Cave under the Hill Hotel. Heavy paper going up for Hollywood Ice Revue” at Ak-Sar- Ben rink, Nov. 5-12. Wayne Sweeney to take over as manager of Ralph Goldberg's State Theatre this week. “Jazz at Philharmonic,” with Ella Fitzgerald, Gene Krupa, Oscar Peterson and Charles Shavers, in Friday (24) at Tech High Aud. Earl Wilson, his b.w., Hedda Hopper and “Mrs. America” (Mrs. Robert Sclienk) concluded the World - Herald’s Better Living Forum. Ralph Hayward, ex-Burlington Railroad official and show fan now in retirement in Long Beach, Cal.‘, sent 30 volumes containing pro- grams of Omaha theatrical per- formances from 1893 to 1925. to City Library. Australia By Eric Gorrick U.S. baseball team is due in this zone next Xmas. Night trotting taking heavy coin from film boxoffices. “Encore” (BEF) a smash at Grosvenor, Melbourne. Borovansky Ballet socko in Auck- land, New Zealand, for William- son. “South Pacific” terrific at His Majestys, Melbourne, for William- scn. Biz continues big with “Folies Bergere” at Tivoli, Sydney, for David N. Martin. Indie bid will be made next year to introduce drive-ins in the Queensland zone. Dan Carroll, managing director of Prince Edward. Sydney, due back soon from abroad looksee. Virgil, U. S. magician, set for run at Princess, Melbourne, fol- lowing so-so biz at Empire, Sydney. Many Quensland country exhib- itors are reducing admissions to bolster falling biz caused by un- employment upbeat. Evie Hayes, Mrs. Will Mahoney, may return here around middle next year to do a top U. S. musi- cal for the Williamson manage- ment. Roy Brauer, Columbia chief, visiting New Zealand presently. Understood that Brauer will try to iron out product contract prob- lems with Mike Moodabe of the Amalgamated loop. Walter O’Keefe broke his left ankle in an accident in Pasadena John C. Flinn to San Diego to arrange the preem of “Flat Top ” Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy in town after six months in Europe. Bernard Herzbrun returned to his UI desk after seven months of illness. Arthur Krim in from NY for huddles with United Artists’ ‘ pro- ducers. Duncan Sisters presented with honorary memberships in the Stu- dio Club. Theron Warth returned from Samoa where he produced “Return to Paradise.” “Bullets” Durgom added Ray Benson and Bob Finke to his Holly- wood office staff. Tallulah Bankhead in at Gold- wyn studios for her role in “Main Street to Broadway.” Paul Douglas and Jan Sterling will put on a Christmas show for servicemen in Korea. Mervyn LeRoy will preside at the City of Hope’s testimonial din- ner for Eric Johnston. Richard Basehart an suspension for turning down “Nearer My God to Thee” at 20th-Fox. Joseph Sistrom in from London where he laid plans for filming “Wings Across the Sea.”* John Balaban and Nate Platt in town booking talent for the Bala- ban & Katz circuit in Chicago. Irving Reis cited by American Assn, of University Women for his direction of “The Four Poster.” Mayor Bowron dedicated the new $500,000 Mary Pickford build- ing at the Jewish Home for the Aged. Arthur Freed goes to London next month to huddle with Gene Kelly about “Invitation to the Dance.” Mrs. Gus Kahn a visitor at War- ners where her late husband was biofilmed in “I’ll See You in My Dreams.” Nate J. Blumberg, on behalf of UI, accepted an award from the President’s Committee on Employ- ment of the Physically Handi- capped. San Francisco By Ted Friend •John Gielgud on Nob Hili. Alfred Katz doing the seven hills. Beatrice Kay at Peacock Court of Mark Hopkins. Clarence Green and Russell Rouse advancing “The Thief.” Louis Lurie hosting party at Jack’s for Edward Everett Horton’s 93-year-old mother. Samuel Goldwyn, Don Hartman and Milton Rackmil all in within four days to gander the Danny Kaye Show. Robert Ryan, Benay Venuta* .Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bo- gart in for Adlai Stevenson rally at Con Palace. Diane, Hollywood fashion stylist, hitting the TV and radio circuit for “Employ Physically Handi- capped” Week. Reno Riviera 4 ,-By Ed Quinn Jean Cocteau after a quiet vaca- tion here left by plane for Dussel- dorf, Fernandel started work on a new film with exteriors being shot in the French Provence. Georges Guetary spent a few days in his Cannes villa before leaving for a “Don Carlos” stint in Lyon. Roberto Rossellini in Monte Carlo, and on returning ’ from a Barcelona trip, will take*a vaca- tion with his wife in Italy. His next pic is “Sagapo/' By Mark Curtis Arlene Judge in. Dick Haymes current at Mapes Skyroom. ® Don Cornell follows Guy Mitchell into New Golden, Oct. 22. Johnnie Ray in for one week at Riverside, Oct. 30 with Les Baxter to follow. Sanford Adler, co-owner of Cal- Neva Lodge, Lake Tahoe, huys de- funct Tahoe Biltmore for $350,000. Cornel Wilde "and Jean Wallace in town. He and Peggy Lee split New Golden sked, Oct. 22 to Nov. 4, for one week each. Guy Mitchell announces engage- ment to Jackie Loughery, 21-year- old starlet. Mitchell says wedding will take place at coast home after his current engagement at New Golden. Vienna By Emil W. Maass Oscar Straus disking here for Marcel Prawy productions. Telos Film Co. began work on “Dachstein,” a film story about the Alpine region. A modern art theatre, Cocteau, opened here in former Alraune cabaret on Lichtensteg. Schoenbrunn studio working on new Prater (Vienna amusement district) film, called “Hearts of the Prater,” with Curd Juergens in the lead. Robert Stolz writing the music for “Lieber Augustin,” a festival play for the Vienna music weeks next year. Paul Hoerbiger will play the lead. Centropafilm, American outfit ac- cepted Johann M. Simmel's script on “Sarajevo 1914,” a historical pic about the assassination of Franz Ferdinand.