Variety (November 1953)

MIMKI-I.AW Wednesday, No vernier 4. 19 .“, 3 Buenos Aires, On 2 : Taking steps to forestall n - petition, some of the better fie 4 circuits have been signing <!. „ « here with vaudeville talent m, ; , s to be ready for enactment of ; e law recently passed by congr.-t which makes it obligatory for ♦ , theatres to use variety turns > all film shows. Now. the Labor Ministrv |k,s stepped in arbitrarily and declai. d any contracts already inked .• null and void until such tunc t has drafted the regulations end- ing the law. Moreover, the min- istry ordained that once this task \ finished, the law will come u <1 force simultaneously all over the country. This should be the viun.'.l for a wild scramble to sign tali-nt. No one knows how- long the task < t drafting the law will take. Meanwhile, anticipating the it- fects, talent agencies arc rushing to enter into combinations with ihy big circuits, and talent scouts an* setting out on buying expeditions in Europe and America. The Lococo Circuit «Opera The- atre) already has Clemente Lococu. Jr., to the U. S. for this purpose while the Central Cinematografu a ‘(Iran Rex) may work out a com- bination with Francisco Gallo, one of the smartest legit operates here, with a score of theatres un- der his control. The lribcrri Con- certs Organization also may come in on this combo since Gallo and Iriberri are combining to handle the Katherine Dunham Damns' next South American tour, sched- uled to start in Cuba next year. Gallo is going to Europe in search of talent while Bernardo lribcrri will also leave for the Con- tinent in November. His partner, Maria Iriberri, is due to plane to the U. S. at the same time, and will look out for vaudeville attrac- tions as well as longhair and li git numbers for the 1954 season. U.S. Acts to Queen’s Taste In Command Vauder Clicko London, Nov. 3. Royal Command variety show, at the London Colisseum last night • Mon.>, was staged with a combi- nation of lavishness and good taste, giving fullest opportunities to an array of British and American tal- ent. “Guys and Dolls" stars Sam Lovene, Jerry Wayne. Stubby Kave, Lizbeth Webb. Tom Pedi, Johnny Silver and Lew Herbert made a resounding impression with “Rockin’ the Boat,” although a last- minute decision to revise the lyric and dress Salvation Army girls in mufti to avoid offending suscepti- bilities was strongly critic iked, par- ticularly as the Royal Family had already seen the show. Vivian Blaine was socko in a solo spot but dropped her origi- nally-planned production number of “Shine On Your Shoes” and replaced it with "Give My Regards l*o Broadway,” and climaxed in great style with “Take Back Your Mink.” Gloria Nord did a tine skat- ing solo as a spectacular closing to.the first-half finale. Tommy Coo- per, Max Bygraves and Jimmy Ed- wards got heftiest British ovation. Miss Blaine, Levene, Kaye. Miss Webb. Miss Nord and Edmund llockridge were among those pre- sented to the Queen after the show. Bowing to universal criticism and recognizing that Its strength li sts in screen entertainment, the | British motion picture industry! slashed its stage presentation at the Rusal Command Film performance I rum the previously set standard nt IK) minutes to a streamlined 20 minutes The results, as witnessed last wee k, were no less disastrous. For t he first time since the Royal performances were instil ut- in 1 !)•;<;. no attempt was made* to bring out. especially from Hol- ly wood, name stars. Instead, the* promoters sensibly relied on the* cream of available British talent plus the U S. thespers currently working in Europe. There* was cer- tainly no shortage of talent from cither side* of the* Atlantic, yet the* overall effect lacked inspiration, character and imagination. The one* person who emerged satisfactorily from the stagfng was British star Jack Hawkins, whose job it was to introduce the guests, and subsequently give the loyal ad- dress to the Queen nnd othe*r mem- bers of the* Royal family, lie* played Ins role admirably but worked to a script which gave him oppor- tunity. ... Film Names Of the Hollywood tale*nt pre- sented on the stage of the Ocleon Leicester Square, there were such name artists as Gary Cooper. Jeanne Crain. John Ireland. Jo- anne Dili and Richard Haschart. With the* entire presentation cut to a mere* 20 minutes, there was little time for anything other than a for- mal introduction, hut British film director Am bony Kimmins had been set to supervise the presenta- tion and Nicholas Phipps was em- ployed as the* scripter. Admittedly, because of studio commitments there was minimum time available for rehearsals, hut it is hard to believe* that the ingenuity of those concerned could not have produced a more sparkling dish to set before the* Queen. For example*. Gloria Crahimt* w as inti educed by Hawkins as an Academy Award winner. “Say something to the* audience.” Haw- kins a^ks he*r. "Something." an- swers Vlivs Grab.mu*. Embarrass- ing silence. Alter which she* is asked. "Well, say anything." ■ Any- time." answers Miss Grahame Em- barrassing *-ile*ne*«* once more be- fore* the* next artist is introduced Almost without exception all the • Continued on page 55.) John Patrick, author of the legit click, “Teahouse of the August Moon.” left N. Y. for the Coast over the weekend at the invitation (and expense) 01 20th-Fox. Film company has a writing deal in mind, but details are under wraps. “Teahouse” film rights are owned by Metro. Roles of Radio, Films In ’Mission Against Moscow’ Outlined by Streibert Washington. Nov. 3 Radio and motion pictures will continue to play major parts in the U. S. Information Agency’s new “Mission Against Moscow,” according to the directive issued bv President Eisenhower. Setup, as explained at a press conference past Thursday '29) by Theodore C. Streibert. director of the Information Agency, includes the following: Voice of America will concen- trate more on factual reporting “to build up its credibility and relia- bility abroad.” There will be some commentary to explain this Gov- ernment’s policies, hut generally there’ll be an avoidance of a strong propaganda note. With greater emphasis on local autono- my in the field, material will be shipped to the various USIA out- posts around the world with con- siderable decision to be made there on the use. The rrfaterial will not only give facts about our policy but will also refute Communist lies. Generally, there will be little attacking of Communism .as such, except from Munich where programs aimed at the Red hating people of the Eu- satellites will be hard- HORACE IIEIDT FOIt LUCKY STRIKE Under Personal Management JOHN LEER 111 Fifth Ave.. New York Bcttv Hutton, who thus far has been unapproachable for TV be- cause of the coin she’s lieen de- manding. has been having conver- sations with CBS which may cul- minate in a hall-hour series. Network's TV program chief- tain Hubbcll Robinson jr. admitted that there have been talks with the star, but added "if there is a deal it'll probably be a long time com- ing.” when and if negotiations are tinalizcd. because of money and other angles. Within the past nine months both NBC’ and ABC had made overtures to bring Miss Hutton into their respective camps, but the amount asked was considered so fancy that all deals went cold. New flurry of activity by CBS was sparked personally by Colum- bia board chairman William S. l’alcy. Orson Welles in Sudden Departure for Europe j Sez He ’May Be Back’ Almost smack in the middle of talks with the Radio-TV Workshop ol Hit* Ford Foundation on future * engagements for “Omnibus" 'he ap- ( peared a few weeks hack on “King I .car’’', Orson Welles pulled up stakes and flew back to Europe last week. He left no reason for j the sudden departure, though in-' dilated in a note to the Workshop that he may be back soon to resume talks. Prior to winging back to Europe Welles was called to Boston to lend 1 an assist on the “Kismet” musical production trying out there. . ropean • hitting, with plenty of anti-Russian : propaganda. In the field of motion pictures, Streibert explained, there is not I the money available for production I of informational and propaganda 1 films by the Hollywood studios. I However. Streibert made clear that he looks to the motion picture in- dustry for considerable aid. He said Eric Johnston had as- sured him of cooperation toward I improved foreign distribution of 1 the Agency's lilms, and Cecil B. j De Mille has also been very help- 1 ful. The long range plan, to get ! under way about mid-1954, calls | for most of the Agency's propa- ganda pix to be made abroad in the countries and areas in which ' they are to be used. This is in ac- ' cordance with the plan of dropping ; generalized material and develop- j ing more specialized subjects di- rectly aimed at specific audiences. Hero’s Welcome to LaRosa, In First Post - Godfrey Personal at Albany Fete Albany. Nov. 3. 1 Pittsburgh, Nov. 3. Failure by Dick Haymes to no- tify operators of the Carousel, Pittsburgh, that he v^ould be* un- able to appear at that spot became his medico ordered him into the 1 Park East Hospital, N. V.. caused i quite a bit of embarrassment in I the Smoky City. Haymes, who was slated to open at the Carousel Monday • 2», was to be the guest of honor at a cocktail party that afternoon. Press and friends ot the ops appeared in the afternoon, hut Haymes never showed. For the evening show, tlu* op- erators of other bistros in town pitched in to aid the Carousel, which was without a headliner. George DeVVitt, topper at tin* t'opa, was sent over by Lenny Lit man to appear at the Carousel. Vagab >nds and Steve Condos, at tiie \ ogue Terrace, were also dispatched to aid tlu* operator. The incident added further fuel to the blazing tiff Pitt arc having with Music Corp. of Amer- ica. Niteries feel that it wo- in- cumbent upon the agency, w' (It handles Haymes, to notify ’he Carousel in time so that embar- rassment could have been avoided at the cocktail party, arid a'-u would have permitted the ("arm * 1 1 ops to get a substitute head! .’a r. Los Angeles. Nov. 3. Columbia's filming of "Mission Over Korea" was too realistic, ac- cording to the late Robert E. Sat- terfield's widow, who lias filed a ! Si too. 000 suit charging that the stu- dio's bombing planes over the fam- ily ranch near Newhall caused her husband to die of a heart attack. Mrs. Satterfield claims two planes simulated bombing attack.; 30 feet above the house in violation ot aviation laws. Hollywood, Nov 3 Industrial firms in Germane have found a now way to change marks into American dollars- bv bankrolling American motion pic- ture producers. That was the re- port brought hack from Munich In Allan Dowling, who heads his own Hollywood production company. With little merchandise to ex- port. German industry is financing lilms. through their hanking in- stitutions fur screening in tin* C S market. While in Munich he do ed r deal tor the hacking of two film- *9 15 to Freedom” and “llcdda Gablcr.’ to be produced early n- \t Brit. Govt. Gives Nearly $2,000,000 to Show Biz London. Oct. 27. With a government grant of S1 .- 890.000, the Arts Council last year played a major role in subsidizing British opera, music, ballet and drama. Details of income and ex- penditure were revealed in the Council's annual report. Principal beneficiary was opera, which received more than $971,000. Covent Garden alone had a grant of $742,000 with a further $42,000 for tlu* Coronation season plus $140,000 to cover depletion and maintenance. The council also paid out $223,000 for music and $202,000 for drama. Subscription Order Form Enclosed find check for $ Please send VARIETY for one Rooney on ‘Autothon’ San Antonio. Nov. 3. Now it's an "Autothon,” a 48 hour sales campaign to sell Ford cars. Held at and by Jordon Motors here, sale was staged with the help of Mickey Rooney, Hollywood screen star. Regular Subscription Rates One Year—-$10.00 Two Years—$18.00 Canada and Foreign—$1 Additional per Year P^IZIETY Inc. 154 We»t 44th Street New York 34. N. Y ( lently is riding with “Santa