Variety (October 1954)

JIISCEI.IAW’ Pfoftutrr Wednesday, October. 27 , 1954 By ABEL GREEN Veteran showman Nate J, Blum- berg, east on one of his: periodic trips, but getting less regular since he assumed the board chairman- ship of Universal Pictures, is of the opinion «1>, that picture stocks are the most : underpriced issues on the market, just as (2), the pic- ture business -‘will always be with us”. The success story, of. U. \vith.its credo of ’-making ’em af a price”, even in the doldrum days ^of the industry when .many within . .arid without the industry Ave^e ’'writing the picture business out of. exis- tence,” . make him an unique authority, For . thing, U’s ‘‘bread-and-butter” pictures; in the downbeat days of grosses, always saw his company turning a profit; And in its recent evolution, with the Decca Records takeover of U control, the stock upbeat in both diskery and the picture company issues has been marked. Above all, Blumberg, a vaude Stoky’sGold Platter Leopold Stokowski was handed a gold platter last week by RCA Victor’s general manager, Manic Sacks, for selling 1,000,000 copies of his ‘'Blue Danube Waltz” record- ing. He became the second Red Seal conductor to get into the golden circle of bestsellers. First Victor maestro to get a gold disk was Arthur Fiedler, whose recording of “jalousie” with the Boston Pops passed the 1,000,000 marker in 1952. Frank Farrell’s Radio Eye-Opener as Divorce HORACE HEIDT BOX 472 Van .Nuys,vCalifornia York World-Telegram & Sun columnist Frank Farrell vet from ’wav back,, is bemused by ( staged one of those, cafe society • • ‘ • ' .ii_ e. ' _ _ ■ j _ 11 j. . i,' .L:* ' A T> /~+ C 1 ... his, personally favorite credo that [ eye-openers on his ABC Sunday “the pio?e show business Changes [ ight“Critics Choiice” segment last the more it remains the same.” ‘ week (24> by bringing on three of He sees it now with television and the four principals in the year’s spectaculars and color—“the s^me -hottest divorce suit. Guests were thing; we went through in the film singer Juliana Larson, he? oilman business until we found that adfi- husband, Bedford Sharpe, and jew- eler Louis Arpels (Van Cleeff), a lotta star-power or color isn't the, insurance against a poor (Continued on page 25) A * f- ^ ?? * threesome -. . \vhiie tn tabloids:were carrying 21 while th hot 'n' heavy coverage about Mme, Arpels’ divorce suit, against her ■ a . . husband naming Miss Larson co- routine:,.which left listeners puz- zled as to its purpose and/or mean- Hollywood, Oct. 26. Plaintiffs in the $51,750,000 blacklist suit against the major ing, blit Farrell later explained _ 4 1! • l i‘ j ■ l •% Jl •_ .. ‘ ‘ studios and many independent pro- that from his viewpoint it was a ducers have filed notice of appeal matter of good journalism in get- irpm dismissal of the action last ; ting in-the-news people together July. At tliat v tirhe Superior Judge i (Continued on page 20) case, ruling that employers have [ a u if n 1411 . a right to refuse to hire persons . tcuiS llSFFy L0DH IflOSt who have declined to answer ques* __ f . iniauo c n onceniing Comi ™ nistic af Maligned In Hollywood Plaintiffs, 23 in all. are former Hollywood, Oct; 26. film people involved in Congres-; Fortnight magazine out today sional probing of Reds in Holly-! ‘26* booses Harry Cohn as only wood, They include Gale Sender- j filmland personality to be included gaard, Anne Revere and Michael: in compilation of 27 “top perforni- New York, Oct. 19. Editor , Variety: If only to prove to you that I read Variety from cover to cover each week, you will remember that I called you after I had read yourr very interesting editorial, “Peepshow in Reverse,” in the is- sue of Sept, 29. I thought it stimulating and pro- < vocative but I also felt it was on : the wrong page; that I didn’t be- llieve what Variety had to say should have been addressed pri-, marily to television people but rather to picture people. It seemed to me that everything you said about television was ac- j curate but that the most important thing the piece, had to say is. that (Continued on page 79) Glynis Johns’ US. lead Hollywood, Get. 26. British actress Glynis Johns has ! York’s Coogan’s Bluff that was By JOE SCHOENFELD r’ Hollywood, Oct, 26. Last Wednesday night (20) at Hillcrest Was like an echo Off New been signed for her American film debut opposite Danny Kaye ih “Court. Jester,” Dena production which rolls next month at Para-, mount lot. She’s due here next week for rehearsals. Ike Asks Eddie Fisher To Sing So He ‘Counts His Blessings’Via Berlin Time A “dream” plug, under the top- most auspices, . that of the Presi- dent of the United States, was a {Thomas, Tony Martin, Ned Cronin, long time arriving. The. roar of the •Polo Grounders., tasting Indian blood was counterpointed by the laughter of more than 400 slag members and guests who jammed the country club .for Leo Durocher Night. It was ribald and funny, and at times there was an unmistakable note of tender affection for. arid by the tough leader of the Giants who fractured the Cleveland Goliath. The dias- was one of the “bright- est” since the old days in the N Y. Friar’ 48th Street monastery. From toastmaster George Jessel, through Jack Benny, Danny Kaye, Groucho and Harpo Marx, Danny spontaneous happenstance to Eddie Fisher and Irving Berlin’s ‘’Count Your Blessings.” Song is from the latter’s “White Christmas” fiimu- sical currently at Radio City Mu- George Burns, Charlie Dresseh and Fred Haney, was expected dazzling wit, but most of it came ih four- letter words. Dignity started and ended with Hillcrest prexy t*eli sic Hall. It happened at the Jew- ! Juda’s intro of-Jessel. Of the come- ish Tercentary Dinner last Wednes> day night (20) at the Sheratonr Astor Hotel, N. Y., where the President was the honored guest and where both Berlin and Fisher, were to perforin. (Hans, only Groucho; who was on too early to get the cu'e, stayed fairly clean and gave out with the most 6rigirial gags. Kaye, who ; had no jokes but a hilarious takeoff on Horace Stoneham, provided the Having rushed over from his[ biggest laughs, and Harpo, minus own tv show to sing the National; ^ red fright wig and playing it Arithem With a choir from the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, Fisher somehow* was overloo^d^Tin^harp solo. Only other hiu si for the nonce, the choir of- ficiated with... the “Star-Spangled Banner” and Berlin sang his “God Bless Arherica.” When the President learned there still were five minutes before radio-tv time, he requested Fisher to singing “anything,” The young straight, gave out with the most novel entertainment for a stag— (Continued on page 20) MAE WEST INKED FOR MIAMI COPA AT 15G Mae West has been signed to u ■ -a ■ * - *ui pla - v Gopa City, Miami Beach, baritone, rose to the occasion with | starting Jan: 8. She’ll be getting lTin a » ' ia>nn a/iaI m m a«I **4k a ^ ~ ^ ^ • •. _ w ‘ ° Wilson. Valerie Hobson. Retiring, But Not Immediately London, Oct. 26. Valerie Hobson, w starring in the London production of “The King and I,” may retire from the stage when she weds John Prp- fumo, a junior minister in’the gov- rnment. However, she recently, re- newed her contract for the Drury Lane musical through August next year and has not asked to be re- leased. It is thought her intention is to retire only on completion of her existing, commitments. She is also active on screen, radio and tv. . ers of year.” Article" says Cohn, “one of most maligned men in Hollywood,” fooled his detractors by coming out With three great successes in One year—“Caine Mu- ] tiny,” “On the Waterfront” and forthcoming “Long Gray Line." With “Eternity” still going strong, Cohn was “Movie Man of Year.” Berlin’s London Bally Irving Berlin continues his song- plugging and exploitation pitch for Bing Crosby Attorneys Fight U, S. Tax Claim Washington, Oct. 26. Bing Crosby is fighting a Federal tax claim in the U, S. Tax Court here; He has filed suit against an action cf the Internal Revenue Service which claims the gro^ner owes an additional. $17,710 on his income and that of his late wife, Dixie Lee. Dispute is over the amount of i „ ... - i taxes due on $300,000, which the Wliite Chnslmas, with an over- t Crosbvs received for selling a one- sea P uext Monday (Nov. 1) fori third interest ill Decros- Corp., a a fast, wefek in London, meeting recording compalny, to Decca Rric- music and film critics, interviewsords. Crosby said the $275,000 with the BBC disk jockeys, and in ! netted was a capital gain arid not general follow the sarrie pattern as • annual income, on his recent U. S. deejay tour., | Revenue Service also refused Songsmith has a Orie-third own- to allow: dependency deductions erririp in the film with Bing Crosby • claimed; for Mrs, Crosby’s parents, and Paramount; and this is; frank- .-This v. a$ not contested by Crosby ly a commercial exploitation tour, ( and his wife’s estate. SHAPE NOV. 21 FETE TO SCHENCK BROTHERS Hollywood, Oct. 26, Screen Producers Guild has ap- pointed a special committee to ar- range details of the Fourth Annual Milestone Dinner Nov. 21. It is composed of Buddy Adler, Robert Arthur, Louis F. Edelman, Walter M. Mirisch arid Lewis J. Rachmil. Dinner will be held to honor Nicholas and Joseph M. Schenck for their contributions to the film industry. Darryl F. Zanuck was recipient of the Milestone Award last. year. what was acclaimed “the Tight thing to say at the right time”— especially since it was all so unex- pected—and observed, “This is the ‘Command Performance’ of all command perforriiances, and since $15,000. It’s the first major talent acquisition by Murray Weinger, who’s buying for the Spot, Weinger has been attempting to get a string of film and tele-names for-.the cafe in an effort to induce this command came from the Presi- , tele networks to originate a Sat 10 27 Subscription Order Form Enclosed find check for $ Please send VARIETY for One Year Two Years To Street (Pleas* Print Name) • #. • •' Zone. ... State. , . . .. . Regular Subscription Rates One Year—$10.00 Two Years^-$18.Q0 Canada and Foreign—$1 Additional per Yeer t'SniETY Inc. 154 W*i» 4iMi Street * New York 34. N. Y. Bea Lillie Set For Three-Week Scot Tour . Glasgow, Oct; 26. Beatrice Lillie is set to play a iveek at the King’s Theatre open- ing Nov. 1 ‘ her “An Evening With Beatrice Lillie.” In first half of the show Miss Lillie will be supported by Leslie Bricusse (mem- ber of Cambridge University Foot- lights Dramatic Club), Constance Carpenter arid John Philip. Eadie & Rack, the Mr. & Mrs. team who •acconipanied Beatrice Lillie in the U: S., will be at the two pianos. Miss Lillie’s last show in the United Kingdom .Was “Better Late” at the Garrick Theatre, London. Current show is set for weeks at Edinburgh and Manchester before playing the West. End of London. I. Basso’s Prof undo Hamilton Basso’s new novel, “View From Pompey’s Head,” includes a blind novelist who is disintegrating, and his high- ly protective wife,. Although the book is fictitional and any resemblance to real persons is denied, legit oldtimers around Manhattan think they ' detect the “models" for these two characters in the late play- wright Eugene O’Neill and his wife. Carlotta Monterey. The speculation is given some plausibility because Bas- so has researched the O’Neill' story.' Mrs. O’Neill is said not to share the view that any re- semblance exists. Now resi- dent in New York City,.she.is jpracticMIy incommunicado. dent of the United States, this is one more blessing in my life, so I'll sing Irving Berlin’s ‘Count Your Blessings.”' - The Chief Executive apparently was so impressed that when he got on mike and camera he interrupted the proceedings to tell the public, “I was so touched by the song that I would like Eddie Fisher to again sing one. chorus of -Count Your Blessings' before I start iriy speech.” At the dinner, incidentally, Ber- lin’s introductory to “God Bless America” was to the effect that; like the pioneer Dutch Jews who first settled in Nieuw Amsterdam 300 years ago, - he too came to America, the son of a rabbi, from Russia, and this is his (Berlin’s) ex- pression of his love of America. Ms Theatrical Version Sheldon Reynolds, is planning a theatrical version of his “Foreign Intrigue” telepix series, tb be filmed in Paris next spring. Reynolds is currently in New York negotiating a financing-distribution deal, with three major studios reportedly in- terested in the project. Aside from the “Intrigue” .film, Which would mark Reynolds' bow in feature-length production, he’s planning, three other features for lensing during next summer in France. Trio comprises a melo- drama, a love story and a comedy. He’s already : scripted one of the three. urday or Sunday liight series from the Beach cafe/ Major Donald .Neville-Willing, who sailed, from London on: the Queqn Elizabeth Thursday (21), ar- rived in N. YTyesterday (Tuesj to continue negotiations for Mae West to headline at the Cafe de Paris after New Year’s. Preliminary overtures have already taken place and, while Miss West reportedly is receptive, she’s indicated she wants to come with the complete entourage with which she appeared at Las Vegas and the Latin Quar- ter, N, Y. ' Neville*Willing’s mission is main- ly concerned with trying to per- suade hey to pome alone, with the promise, that extra talent, includ- ing the necessary musclemen, could be recruited in London. Neville-Willing, who handles all American “bookings for the Cafe de Paris, Will be returning to Lon- don a few days ahead of Rudy Vallee’s opening end of next month. More Closed-Circuit TV Fifty units of specially-designed big-screeri tv units for hotel closed- circuit television has been pur- chased by Nate Halpern’s Theatre Network Television from General Precision Laboratory. Purchase is said to represent the largest tv, I equipment transaction outside the broadcast field. The new equipment is to make possible simultaneous business meetings in as many as 50 hotels in 50 different cities from coast to coast. Box Office Television, , rival closed-circuit outfit, has a Ideal;with the Sheraton.Hotels and {has a number of units installed in Chile Cardinal Urges Bari on Tolies’ Visit Santiago, Oct. 19. Cardinal Jose Maria Care pub-[the chain’s hotels. In addition, it lished a declaration today urging j maintains portable stand-by equip - the Chilean government to follow m ent for other situations. Approx^ the example of the Peruvian Gov- | ma tely 100 theatres throughout th country have closed-circuit equip* ment of their own which is con- trolled by neither TNT nor BOTV. Equipment, purchased by Hal- pern, is known as model PB 610 and it provides adjustable pictures dalous arid perhaps the worst seen [ ranging in size for 4x6 feet t<A9Xl2 in Europe and some countries of [feet. Included in the buy are sev- the Americas.” j erai standard theatre projection In case the Folies r visit cannot units which provide pictures from be stopped, the Cardinal strongly; 9x12. feet to 24x36 feet for large discouraged Catholics from attend-,hotel ballrooms accommodating ing. ‘1,000 people o? .mor.e., ' ernment and prohibit the visit of the rbad company of the Folies Bergere, scheduled to open at the Victoria this month. The Arch- bishop of Santiago described the show as “one of the most scan-