Variety (March 1954)

Mafck 8,1954 • More Show Bli Boohs Ben' Hecht’s autoblog "A "Child of the Century/' due In May, via Simon Sc Schuster, which is also bringing out Max Beerbohm’s Lon- don show biz writings. “Around Theatres." It's a symposium.of 153 pieces/ for the first time contained in one volume, dealing with Shaw, Rostand, Ibsen, Henry James, Bernhardt, Duse, Ellen Terry, Forbes-Robertson, Sir Henry Irv- ing and Beerbohm-Tree. Another informal symposium of 20 writers is due in July, under the title, “The Arts of Living." Among the contributors are Rebec- ca West, Alistair Cooke, Oliver LaFarge, John Mason Brown and Victoria Lincoln. Hersholt’a Collection Sale Jean Hersholt’s collection of some 843 English and American first editions and other books and manuscripts dealing with Califor- nia arid the American West is being put up for auction by Her- sholt’s order by the Parke-Beraet Galleries, N.Y.; Anarch 23-24. Col- lection, ranging from the 17th cen- tury to the present, includes a presentation copy of Mrs. Henry Wood’s “East Lynne 1 '; first Eng- lish edition of Boccaccio’s “Decam- eron”; Defoe’s “Robinson Crusoe," copy of which was once owned by William Congreve; Dickens’ “Sketches by Boz," with the Cruik- shank plates) and one of 100 copies of Poe’s “Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane and Minor Poems.” Section relating to the West con- tains the first English edition of Jose Figtiero’s “Manifesto;" a first edition of Mercer’s “The Banditti of the Plains" and other Mexican and American -historical works. In a postscript -to an introduction to the ParkerBernet catalog, Hersholt writes, “No, I’m not broke." 4 U.S. Mags Held In Contempt For publishing “vicious stories" In. reference to a murder trial in Cornwall, Ontario, a New York editor was fined $2,000 for con- tempt of court; a local distributor sentenced to 10 days in jail, and three U.S. publications were fined a total of $12,000 Friday (26) by Chief Justice J. C. Mcruer of On- tario’s Supreme Court, in Mont- real. Mrs. Renee Buse, editor of True Detective Cases, paid the $2,000 fine with an option of six months in jail for a story she published called “The Nude and the Ring." Fawcett Publications in New York paid a $5,000 fine; Triangle Publi- cations of Philly, publishers of Of- ficial Detective. $4,000; and T.D. Publications of New York, publish- ers of True Detective Cases, a ^$3,000 fine. Defense counsel claim- ed the articles prejudiced the case of his client. Balanchine’s ’Ballets* Imposing new book on the dance f^ ne * s George Balanchine’s Complete Stories of the Great Ballets," edited by Francis Mason (Doubleday; $5.95). The 600-page volume contains lengthy action-by- action, interpretative descriptions ot 131 ballets, plus photos, a his- tory. of ballet, data on dancers and dancing, a discography on ballet music, etc. There’s also a biog of Balanchine, and lengthy personal comments by him. Chief virtue of the book aside from the authority brought by Ba lanchine, probably the world’s fore- r.iost choreographer, is that most of the ballets described are alive, m current repertoires, rather than shelved as historical, pieces. Also, that the latest ballets, even those that preemed last season (like Con Amore," “Pineapple Poll’ *nd “Filling Station"), are in- c 'uded. Descriptions include story of the ballet, its background, quotes from the reviews, original cast, etc. Tome makes a fine, Up to-date reference book. Bron. Sat. Review’s Disk Comeon Saturday Review mag will use ; disk as a comeon for new sub- scribers. Mag has etched Carl bandburg’s reading of his “Lin- emn Preface" on the Saturday Re- view Originals label. Disk will not oe put on sale and will be available only to new subscribers. Plans for future wax promotions nave not been set. Sandburg read nis recently unearthed 30-year old piece over ABC-TV on a special Lincoln Birthday telecast. More Pix Westerns Two forthcoming Frank Gruber western .novels, “Bitter- Sage" and bait River,” have been pur- chased from publisher’s galleys oy Sam, Wiesenthal’s Olympic Productions. Gruber also doing Captation and screenplay for Bitter Sage." Deal is at the sign- ing point also for Wiesenthal to acquire “30,000 On The Hoof," a Zane Grey property, only obstacle Is Romer Grey’s restrictions of a four-year film right 'limit. New Press Publicity Service Teletype transmission system for public relations and publicity firms direct to 10 New York and Phila- delphia newspapers and press as- sociations has been set up by PR News Assn. System, the PR News- wire, enables subscribing publicity j outfits to send their releases via teletypes into the news outlets simultaneously and in minimum time, according to. Newswire gen- eeral .manager Herbert Muschel former editor of “Working Press of the Natioh.’/ Newspapers already*in the belt are the Times, Herald Tribune, World-Telegram & Sun, Journal- national News Service in N.Y. and membership fee, to be credited the Bulletin and Inquirer in Philly. American, Post and Journal, of Commerce, United Press and Ipter- Plans are underway to expand N.Y. cities. Outfit is charging a $15 services and to move into other against future transmissions. New Music Review Bows Juilliard Review, sponsored by the Juilliard School of Music, N. Y., but edited independently by Richard Franko Goldman, has just made its . bow. Published three times a year (January, May, De- cember), mag sells at 50c. Initial issue has articles by Jacques Barzun, Jean Morel, Ber- nard Stambler, Robert Ward and others, and includes a tribute by Claudia Cassidy to William Ka- pell, young concert pianist re- cently killed in a plane crash'. Hawthorn’s New Ones Marty Links, whose syndicated strip, “Bobby-Sox” started in the San Francisco Chronicle, is having his first anthology . published by Hawthorn (Ken Glniger). Cartoon is the only one which ruris in two different papers in New York, the World-rTelegram & Sun weekdays and a full color page in the Sunday Mirror. Hawthorn also publishing Dr. Leonid Kotkin’s “Eat, Think and Be Slender” which has been bought by Coronet in digest form. Hosp Vets’ Contest Eighth annual writing contest for patients in Veterans Adminis- tration hospitals got’under way. re- cently. with some $4,000 in cash and courses, subscriptions, books and equipment as the prizes and top literary figures as'judges. Vari- ous publications, publishers and in- dividuals are volunteering the prizes, which will be awarded in virtually every category, from short shorts to full-length plays. Among contributors are Read- er’s Digest, Doubleday & Co., Women’s Press Club of Indiana, Army Times, Rand McNally & Co., Wilcox & Follett, Christian Her- ald, Samuel French Co., National Cartoonists Society, Chicago Sun- Times, Chi Daily News and others. Judges include Fannie Hurst, El- lery Queen, Rudolph Flesch, Ben- nett Cerf, H. Allen Smith, Milton Caniff, Robert Hillyer, Lillian Budd and others. Contest closes April 15. It’s sponsored by the Hospitalized Veterans Writing Project, a volunteer group. Poling Heads Mag Writers James Poling, former editor at D.Oubleday-Doran and Universal- International prior to becoming a mag contributor, has been named prez of the Society of Magazine Writers for 1954. Elected veepee was Jhan Rob- bins, while Donald G. Cooley was reelected treasurer. Others named were Robert Deindorfer as re- cording secretary and Jose Schorr, corresponding secretary. Paul Green’s Theatre Essays “Dramatic Heritage” (French; $2.50), is a fresh compilation of es- says by Pulitzer-playwright Paul Green (“In Abraham’s Bosom,” 1926). Much of the material previ- ously appeared in magazines and newspapers and in Green’s earlier volume, “The Hawthorn Tree" (U. of N.C. Press). . , . “Heritage" is principally devoted to the story of the author’s work in connection with three major out- door spectacles: “The Lost Col- ony," “Jamestown,” and “The Common Glory.” Tome also offers a valuable re-statement of the American Dream, and Green’s in- terpretation and application of democratic principles in the drama. „ , After years of unselfish labor in the “tributary” theatre, few writers are better qualified than Green to discourse on 4 folk art and “people’s theatre.” However, the author’s enthusiasm permits him to see the amateur stage as a panacea for all the woes of show business. Green seems oblivions to the fact that much of the- vigor of regional theatre is dissipated by the preference of most provincial dramatic groups for re-producing Broadway hits. This book also contains inter- views with Bernard Shaw and Paul Claudel, thoughts on music in the theatre, a chapter on the author s travels in Asia, and some rather sketchy notes on Japanese and Indian theatre. Down. ’Death Row’ Hot Issue Prentice-HaH is rushing "Cell ^245 Death Row, San Quentin" for earliest publication this spring to beat the May-scheduled gas-cham- ber execution of Caryl Chessman who was sentenced to death under California’s “little Lindbergh law” fon..allegedly having kidnaped two women. Chessman, who schooled .himself while in jail, admits to other crimes but is claiming inno- cence of this particular one. There is considerable to-do in California because of the clouded issues, and it is expected that the book’s pub- lication—and possible film sale— will further heighten the personal drama. P-H has rushed a series of gal- loyproofs to several studios. Among the hottest bidders is Walter Wanger. The Chessman ms. came to the publishers via an agent, Joseph Longstreth. Jes* Call Me ’Satchmo* * Louis (Satchmo) Armstrong has finally turned in his autobiography to Prentice-Hall and the publishers hope to bring it out this fall under the title of “Satchmo.” Foreign rights have long since been sold to Britain, France, Belgium, the Norse. countries and elsewhere where the jazzist’s fame is far and wide. Autobiog covers the entire New Orleans period, from birth to 1923, and'with its now renowned N. O. jazz era. It is hoped that Arm- strong one day may bring a second volume up to date. Libel, Midgets, Et Al. Joseph Dean has assembled a variety of English libel cases, or- iginally published in England un- der the title of “Hatred, Ridicule or Contempt.” which Macmillan is bringing out under the title of “Publish and Be Damned!” Con- tentious and colorful personalities figure in this book of libel cases. They include Winston Churchill, Rasputin, Harold Laski. Lord Al- fred Douglas and Maurice Utrillo. The same publisher is bringing out “Theatre World Annual, No. 4 (1951-53),” edited by Frances Stephens and F. L. Lucas’ “Greek Drama for Everyman." Alice Curtis Desmond’s biog of America’s famous midget is, also a Macmillan publication titled “Bamum Presents: (Jen. Tom Thumb.” Edward M. Noll’s “Tele- vision for Radiomen" and J. H. Battison’s book. “Battfson’s Tele- vision Broadcasting" are also Mac- millan imprints, as is F. Fraser Bond’s “An Introduction to Journalism." '** CHATTER Louis Sobol in Hollywood to round up film doings for his Broad- way column, Gene Fowler’s next book will be a yarn about his newspaper days in N.Y. during the ’20s. N. Y. Journal-Amerlcan’s excel- lent .headline on that No. 2 sex switch: “Another GI Goes GI-RL.” Gordon and Mildred Gordon signed by Doubleday to write a se- quel to their novel, “Make Haste to Live." Putnam will publish “And As For Me," authored by Jim Richard- son, city editor of the L. A. Ex- aminer. Mary Martin profiled in. March Coronet by Charlotte and Denis Pllmmer, titled “Her Heart Belongs to Broadway/* . Wilson Barrett, w.lc. English actor-manager, publishing his memoirs, “On Stage for Notes,” via Blackwood, London, Albert Mackie, playwright-editor, quit Roy .Thomson’s Evening Dis- patch, Edinburgh, and switched to contributing daily verse to. rival Evening News. Joseph F, Meister, formerly with the Curtis Publishing Co. in Phila- delphia, appointed director of pub- lic relations at Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, N. H. William H. Evans bas been pro- moted from city editor to manag- ing editor of the Gloversville (N. Y.) Leader - Republican and Morning Herald, succeeding Wal- ter F. Hine, who died Feb. 2L L. R. P. Schonheim, publisher of the children’s weekly magazine, Story-a-Day, announced appoint-; ment of Jeremiah Tax as editor. Tax is former editor of Children’s Digest. ^ Lansing (Mich.) State Journal planning a 309-page edition to mark its 100th anniversary next January. City editor H. R. Palmer ] doing the show biz reprises of the i century. { Jerry Wald’s “Screen Adapta- tion,” written for the February is- sue of Films in Review, was re- peated as a tape recording* at the request of the Canadian Broadcast- ing Corp. Poet Patrick Kavanagh lost his libel action over a profile of him which appeared in the Dublin-pub- lished fortnightly. The Leader. His attorney has announced an‘appeal to Irish Supreme Court. Magazine Digest’s May issue will | carry a profile on Dr. Brurfb Furst, authority on memory improvement. Article is a reprint of a recent N. Y. World-Telegram &. Sun Sat- urday magazine'feature. Atlantic - City Press’ 188-page Sunday edition Feb. 28 celebrated the centennial of the founding of the resort city, N. J, Press Assn, official stated the 8 lb. edition was the largest of any paper published in the state. Al Jonas, former N. Y. Journal American sportswriter who moved to Miami because of his health, is doing, freelance sports and show biz articles. He recently had pieces in Turf and Sport and American Turf Monthly. Bennett Glazer has been ap- pointed production manager of Hatty N. Abrams, Inc., New York, art book publishers. Glazer was most recently with Simon & Schus- ter, as assistant to the vice-presi- dent in charge of production. Chicago, new monthly mag de- voted to the Windy City and sub- urbs, debuted on the newsstands Friday (27). Editor-publisher Mau- rice English reported the first is- sue had been upped from 48 to 64 pages because of ad«response. First issue of Center, a magazine of the performing arts to be pub- lished 10 times a year by the N.Y. City Center of Music & Drama, has just been issued. Edited by Robert Hatch, issue contains articles by Harold ClurmaQ, Herbert Wein- stock, W. H. Auden, Chester Kali- man and others. Vantage Press Is publishing “Son of Salem,” autobiography of John Merrill, teacher and actor, who appeared in stock with the , Castle Sq. Theatre, Boston; wrote j books on the theatre, and though retired, still occasionally broad- j casts via WESX. Salem, Masrf. and i WLYN, Lynn, Mass., on miscel- laneous topics. Jessel** Farewells Continued from page 1 which .Bill Miller had made to Cantor. Latter was mildly interest- ed in the face of doctor’s orders to “take it easy,” Cantor, being still j on the recuperative list at his Palm ’"Springs retreat following an ardu- ous ballyhoo lour in behalf of his j biopic, “The Eddie Cantor Story” 1 (WB). Cantor, who has “never j played a saloon,*’ was being offered • the same May 19 date, hence the ; possibility of tfie Jesse 1 “opposi- | tion,” but at the last minute nixed • it at M.D.’s orders. ; Jessel’s last nitery stint was at j the now 7 defunct Nicky Blair's Car- I nival (Capitol Hotel), New York, < in 1948, and before that his last I saloon stint was 15 years earlier at j Chez Paree,-Chicago, in 1933. I Jessel 1 winds his first semester I for ABC-TV June 6, but plans mov- ! ing to Jthe Coast April 4, or there- J a bouts,’ and do the final shows from I Hollj’wood. Jessel has a home in ] Santa Monica and prefers the ] spring on the Coast. While playing i the Vegas nitery he’d have to re- ' hearse commuting by air between L.A. and L,V. ^cAbtd tic 4CCHC4 tit m*4t l ► w I Behind the scenes at the most dangerous game la the world. ’’Something to bring the sweat of bullring excitement (and there is no other excitement quite like it) is on almost every page/\ Tom leo /‘Some of the most dra- matic* beautiful* and ghostly pictures ever tok- en in the .bull ring/* The New Yorker * f€mc t* tic n mt r t Superbly written, accu- rate and eloquent, and illustrated with undoubt- edly the greatest collec- tion of photographs of the brave bulls . . . that has ever been assembled be- tween the covers of any book. By any standard this is a beautiful* moving book.** Saturdoy Review by the author of MATADOR Barnaby Conrad La Fiesta Brava $5.00 ot all bookstores • Houghton Mifflin Co.* 2 Fork St.* Boston 7* Mots, J