Variety (December 1954)

Wednesday, December 8, 1954 63 BfTUARIES FRED ROSE Fred Rose, 57, hillbilly song- writer publisher, died in Nashville, D Details in Music S ection. KURT WIDMANN Kurt Widmann, 48, top Berlin Viandleader died Nov. 27 in that eS rom apoplexy. After amputa- on of his right leg in May, he had been in bad shape but never- theless returned to the bandstand us one week ago (20) for a tri- umphant comeback performance. Latter was done against his doc tors’ advice. . . . Widmann started his career in Berlin, in 1927 as • d"™™* »■£ formed his first band in 1933. He soon became one of Berlin’s most popular bandleaders. From 1933 to 1943 he, his trombone and his orch were the main attractions at Berlin’s noted Cafe Imperator, which was bombed out during the "^lis popularity was mainly based on the fact that he was one of the few bandleaders who, against Nazi regulations, continued playing jazz tunes. Later, when American jazz practically was forbidden in Germany, he even managed to “smuggle” Anglo-American songs into his repertoire. After the war, Widmann made numerous appearances at Berlin GI clubs and became known among Americans as the “German Tommy Dorsey.” He was perhaps Berlin’s busiest bandleader until his break- down in May. His wife and a 12-year-old daughter survive. Jackson, in 1929, died Nov. 30, in Malvern, Eng. He began in the- atrical management in 1911 and after war service and a spell in business, he inaugurated the Festi- val with Jackson. From 1938, Limbert assumed sole control of the Festival. He presented many important pro- ductions including G. B. Shaw’s “Geneva” and a revival of “St. Joan” with Elisabeth Bergner. He was also associated^ with a number of West End plays, among them being “Black Chiffon” and “Buoy- ant Billions.” Lane Agency which has offices in London, Manchester and Halifax, and booked many top stars in vaude and the band field. Albert A. Knecht, 70, musician and head of his own musical in- strument firm, died Dec,- 4. jin Philadelphia. He toured with many organizations, including the Buf- falo Bill Wild West Show and the John Philip Sousa band. JOHN C. QUINLAN John C. Quinlan, 62, voice teach- er and former musical comedy actor, died Dec. 1, in White Plains, N. Y., after a three month illness. A native of New Zealand, he came to this country in the ’20’s and appeared in "Madam Pompadour,” “Sky High” and “The Passing Show.” Quinlan maintained a voice stu- dio in New York, and coached such singers as Frank Sinatra, Vic Da- mone, Alan Dale and Eileen Bar- ton. With Sinatra, he wrote a book entitled, "Tips on Popular Sing- ing.” Nathan K. Thon, 52, a theatre manager at Coon Rapids, Iowa, was fatally injured in an auto accident Nov. 29, when his car struck a barricade and overturned. He died in a Carroll, Iowa, hospital a few hours later. Mother, 65, of Paul Schreibman, former operator of Las Palmas Theatre, Hollywood, died in Holly- wood Dec. 3 after a long illness. Other survivors include another son, Morey, head of Cinema Arts. Jerry K. Crocker, 29. first pro- f ;ram director and former disk ockey of WCUE, Akron, O.. died Nov. 30 in Albuquerque, N. M., after a two-month illness. BENJAMIN BURKE Benjamin Burke, 82, a Pitts burgh district exhibitor since the nickelodeon days, died Nov. 20, in CHARLES ROONER Ernest R. Pruster, 53, actor and director who had worked in Mexican films for some 20 years, died of a heart attack Nov. 22 in Mexico City. Known professionally as Charles Rooner, he was stricken while at work in a studio. A native of Vienna, he came to Mexico after appearing on the stage and screen in Aystria and Germany. His wife survives. George F. Roster, 84, lounder of men ^ with his studio of the need j^dio station WQAO, N.Y., died concen trate on pix with Iniilt- Dec. 5 in New \ork. Suiviving a e . jj.o. appeal that had a maximum two daughters. WILLIAM H. HEINZ William H. Heinz, 72, former Swissvale, a Pitt suburb. He was' manager of radio station WHO, IN MEMORY OF DAMON RUNYON MRS. PAUL SMALL the original partner of James B. Clark and Richard A. Rowland, pioneers in the film house field. The Rowland and Clark chain later formed the backbone of the Warner circuit. Born in Riga, in 1872, Burke opened his first theatre in Colum- bus, O., in 1905, later moved to Pittsburgh and launched the Won- derland there in 1911. He then built, in succession, the Family, the Crystal and the Capitol in Braddock. For years, his brother, Joe Burke, was also in the thea- tre business, last at Batavia, 111. Mrs. Burke, the former Mae Grif- fith, survives. Des Moines, died of a heart attack Nov. 25, at Hermosa Beach, Cal. He was manager of the station from 1924, when it was founded by» the Bankers Life Co. of Des Moines, until 1929, when he re- signed to move to California. Surviving are his wife, a son and a daughter. CORTINI Cortini (Paul Korth), German Il- lusionist and conjurer, died in Copenhagen, Nov. 14. He col- lapsed after performing his final tnck at a matinee performance at the National Scala, Copenhagen, and was carried off the stage by S'* A native of Hamburg, he had been in show biz for over 45 years. Cortini presented fullstage il- lusions and sleight of hand. He nnH nown t*® 8 * as “the man with 30.000 dollars.” This fullstage mass coin production act was per- formed on his English debut at the Alhambra, London, in April, 1927. J-ast August he launched a new hiagic show at the Chat Noir, Oslo. WILLIAM DE GROUCHY William de Grouchy, 65, former magazine editor and quthor, died J ov - 29 at Drexel Hill, Pa. He was ar t editor at Curtis Publishing i°m 1913 to 1932 and an editor afui rCe * ^ Smith until five years While 8t Street & Smith he was sponsible for bringing to promi- onee "The Shadow” mystery ‘ r eri f s and he also revived the Nick e r stories. He was active in ,‘ e theatre groups and was the n l *' n ° r of numerous short stories S a book ’ “Jungle Gold.” His iu°\v. two sons and a daughter survive. JULIUS L. KARTY Julius Lee Karty, 53, for 10 years assistant manager of the Henry W. Kiel (Municipal) auditorium in St. Louis until 1944, died of a brain hemorrtiage Nov. 29 in that city. At one time he was backstage man ager of the Municipal Opera Assn. | and manager of the old Shubert Theatre in St. Louis. His wife and three sons survive. „ ROY LIMBERT \i!i limbert, 60, founder of the * alvern Festival with Sir Barry ART LLOYD Art Lloyd, 57, retired film cam- eraman. died of a heart attack Nov. 25 in Hollywood. He was known for his work with Harold Lloyd, Laurel & Hardy and the "Our Gang” comedies. His wife and son survive. Mother of George E. Burgess Jr., eastern sales rep of Screen Gems, Columbia Pictures telefilm subsidiary, died Dec. 1 in New Bedford, Mass., of a heart attack. thing to say on the matter of keep- ing down production volume for the sake of quality. The indie pro- ducer wrote in the Screen Produc- ers Guild journal that It was “a miracle” to him that Hollywood hadn’t realized earlier that "the only way to-recaptut?, tJi#, public (is) by. giving it. quality instead of quantity in entertainment.” He expressed concern over , a possible softening in Hollywood’s attitude, partly as a result of exhib demands. "It is not surprising that some shortsighted exhibitors will rend the heavens with their demands for more and more pic- tures, because of their basic ap- proach that the greater the supply the cheaper they will be able lo buy,” he wrote. "But it is most surprising that any producer . . . who has been ‘through the wars’ and who has seen the near-tragic results brought | about by attempting to make pic- tures on an assembly line basis should for a moment be fooled into thinking that any good can be | accomplished by returning to the practices that nearly ruined us once before.” Top distribution exec of one of the majors in N. Y. last week held that his company, anyway, was well aware of the pitfalls of volume production. For this reason, he said, he was in complete agree- Allied Alibis Continued from page 3 recent picketing of the Columbia exchange here, and its tjhrtats to seek legislation to bring reliefs the occasidn is also taken defiantjy to assail the film companies aj Latter are accused of "brutal and slugging” business treatment and of forcing “lousy” playdates. In effect, the current outburst constitutes an admission that seeds of dissension are being sown in this territory’s independent exhibitor ranks, that there’s rift and NCA’s conduct isn’t getting full approval from theatreowners. But the claim is made that Allied’s battling alone has averted wholesale de- struction of independent ex- hibitors. Mother, 83, of Ray Heindorf, head ment after a long illness. I in iLi.vf. ..ppeal ! coin potential. With remarkable frankness, he of 'Warners’ music depart- admitted that this was hurting the died Nov. 29 in Hollywood “little man” in exhibition. "Let’s a lone illness 'face it.” he said. "The trend of ! our industry is against him. No Dulcie Day, 43, singer and bit one is deliberately going out to player, died Dec. 1 at the Motion Picture Country Hospital in Cali- fornia. Her mother survives. Edward F. Foley, dean of Al- bany doormen and long at the Strand Theatre, was found dead in bed Dec. 1. Wife survives. hurt him, but I don’t see how we caq, help him. The way this busi- ness is going, and the way it's going to go. the small operator is going to have an increasingly rough time.” Observers feel that, for the com- ing year at least, there will be a Fleanor Winchester wife of Ted continuing tendency on the part Winchester, RKO cameraman, died I oi distribs to bolster their studios Nov. 28 in Hollywood after a long 1 own output with ou side re eases, illness i Good example is 20th which con- Father of Chick Ludavici, of new singing quartet in Pittsburgh. The Four Larks, died in that city Nov. 28. tinues on the prowl lor quality 2-D fare to service the approximately 4.000 potential U. S. customers who, by the end of this year, still won’t have Cinemascope installed. Since 20th doesn’t make its Walter C. Zengerle, 71, for' C’Scope pix available in standard many years a violinist with the version—Universal, on the other Cleveland Orchestra, died Dec. 3 in that city. G. W. Wortley, vice-chairman of Glasgow’ Film Society from 1937 to 1949, died, recently at Falkirk, Scotland. Emmett O’Donnell, 58, manager of Paradise Theatre in Chicago for 35 vears, died Nov. 26 in that city Wife, daughter and four sons sur- vive. Eugen Marchand, 94, a tenor who had sung at the Met Opera for 10 years, died Nov. 22 in Duisburg, Germany. Jimmy Gordon, an original di- rector of Lome Cinema, Glasgow, and w.k. football player, died in Glasgow recently. Marvin Briggs, 43, radio time salesman, died Nov. 21 in Holly- wood, following a heart attack. His wife survives. hand, does—it’s missing out on those accounts. There is significance in the fact that the 2-D pix which 20th has handled in 1954 haven't been very successful. That includes its owm Panoramic productions. This lends added weight to the argument that the day si the small-budgeter is gone. It also causes companies like 20th to raise doubts over the economic potential of exhib-backed small and medium-budgeters such as the ones proposed by Hal R. Makclim. Quebec Censors Continued from pace 1 Dr. Kenneth McPherson Bradley, 82, founder and president for 25 years of the Bush Conservatory in Chicago, died Dec. 3 in Los An- geles, where he had lived since his retirement 20 years ago. In 1925 and 1926 he was educational di- rector of the Juilliard Musical Foundation in New York. Alfons C. Storch, 76. violinist with the N. Y. Metropolitan Opera House orchestra for 46 years, died Nov. 31, in Bethesda, Md., after a long illness. He retired last year after a lengthy career with the Philadelphia Symphony and the Met. Carol Grauer, 57, owner of the Maisonette Carol in Montreal, died in that city Dec. 4 after a long ill- ness. Born in Rumania, he emi- grated to Canada in 1928 and acted as manager of the Samovar in Montreal until opening his own spot in 1950. Harry Newton Lane. 67, English agent, died at Manchester. Eng., Nov. 8. He headed the Brand- John Sillars, 67, broadcaster and author, died Nov. 21 on Isle of Arran, Scotland. Agnes Hallet, 74, character ac- tress, died Nov. 19 in Hollywood after a long illness. Lawrence Cellini, 59, proprietor of Rex Cinema, Hindley, Lan- cashire, Eng., died there recently. Father of Betty George, nitery and tv singer, died Nov. 23 in New York. Mother, 69, of Herman Goldfarb, theatrical manager-attorney, died in New York Nov. 24. H’wood ‘Counts’ Continued from pane 1 be done, it wouldn’t be’done, he stressed, adding — significantly— that “we won’t make pictures just to keep down the overhead.” At one point the 20th overhead was as high as 50%. Zanuck con- firmed that it had been brought down via production economies to a much lower figure, but wouldn’t disclose what it was. By contrast, he said 20th’s cost of actual pro- duction, i.e., pic budgets, had gone up 6Q% over prior years. Samuel Goldwyn, too, had some- is on every reel of film. Since all the members of the board are French, occasional English films get buy with phrases that would never pass a group of En#lish scissors wielders. According to exhibitors here, the board has shown signs of relaxing in recent months, but there’s no hope of re- laxation to the point of censors in other Canadian provinces. The QBC put the clamp on drive- ins a long time ago, basing its de- cision on moral grounds. There’s been one attempt to defy this ac- tion, but it ended in failure. A group decided to defy the board by building on an Indian reserva- tion near Montreal. Since this was Federal property, it thought the provincial laws would not apply. However, the QBC got word out that firms dealing with the ozoner would face difficulty in working with other Quebec theatres. Hint proved effective and the bare screen skeleton is standing, al- most as a reminder to others with similar ideas. The board remains all-powerful and because exhibitors respect this condition, it makes certain conces- sions, allowing children to see re- ligious pictures such as “Fabiola” and "Joan of Arc” or special Walt Disney pix. Under Quebec law, no one under 16 is allowed in any film house. Censor policies change with the times and many that are vetoed one year will be resubmitted months later and sometimes ap- proved. MARRIAGES Sandra Warfield to James McCracken, New York. Nov. 27. Bride and groom are singers with the Metropolitan Opera Co. Marion Hutton to Victor Schocn, Santa Monica. Cal. Dec. 4 Bride’s a singer; he's a musician and mu- sic director. Virginia Morley to Fred Waring, Indianapolis, Dec. 2. Bride is a pianist with the groom’s orchestra. Lynn Marks to Paul B, Alper, New York, Dec. 5. Bride is a pub- licity assistant at Screen Gems, the Columbia Pictures telefilm sub- sid. Barbara Riefcr to Cpl. Robert J. Lypc, Pittsburgh, Dec. 1. lie's the son of Alma L.vpe, of Stanley Warner Theatres in Pitt. Shan Jukes to Whit Bissel, Brentwood, Cal., Dec. 5. He’s an actor. Sibil Kamban to Abner Biber- man, Las Vegas, Nov. 27. Bride’s a film editor; he’s a screen direc- tor. Beryl Johnstone to Colin Camp- bell. Stranraer, Scotland. Nov. 23. Both are thespers with Scottish Arts Theatre company. Larue Fallow to Lennie Kats- man, Las Vegas, Nov. 27. Bride’s an actress; he’s an assistant direc- tor at Columbia. Maria V. Torino to Carl VV. Rob- inson, White River Junction. Vt., Nov. 21. Bride is cashier at Lyric Theatre there. Marie Windsor to Jack Hupp. Tijuana, Mexico, Nov. 30. Bride’s an actress. Dorothy Lou Jolliffe to Eric G. Ensign, Haverstraw, N. Y., Dec. 4. Bride is an actress; he’s an exec with the Ted Bates agency. BIRTHS Mr. and Mrs. Everett Mitchell, son. Chicago, Dec. 1. Father is NBC’s Chi farm commentator. Mr. and Mrs. Dave Barnheiser, son, Chicago, Dec. 1. Father is a director at NBC-TV, Chicago. Mr. and Mrs, William J. Daley Jr., daughter. Buffalo,- Nov. 25. Fa- ther is president of Daley & Kim- berly Associates, Buffalo public re- lations outfit. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Greene, daughter, Santa Monica. Cal., Dec. 2. Father is a film editor. Mr. and Mrs. Jim Wiggins, daughter, San Antonio, recently. Father is sportscaster on KENS, San Antonio. Mr. and Mrs, Stephen McNally, daughter, Los Angeles, Dec. 3. Father is a screen actor. Mr. and Mrs. Nat Stoller, son, Hollywood, Dec. 3. Father is Bev- erly Hills tax consultant; mother is a former William Morris sec- retary. Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Day, daugh- ter, Hollywood, Dec. 3. Father is the radio-tv-disk singer. Mr. and Mrs. Garry Stevens, laughter, Schenectady, N. Y., re- cently. Father Is a singer-emcee on WRGB-TV. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Henley, son, New York, Dec. 2. Father is pro- ducer of CBS Radio’s "Make Up Your Mind” series. Mr. and Mrs. Bert Briller, son, Dec. 5. in New York. Father is I manager of the ABC-TV sales de- velopment department and a for- mer Variety mugg;. mother is as- jsistant article editor of the Wom- an's Home Companion, i Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hayes, son, Nov. 28. Sharon. Conn. Father is the author of the novel and the upcoming film and Broadway play, "The Desperate Hours.” Mother is authoress - playwright Marijane | Hayes. Mr. and Mrs. Mike Donovan, son, New York, Dec. 4. Father is doorman at CBS’ Madison Avenue headquarters. Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Penn, son, Cleveland, Nov. 21. Mother’s an ex-Metro flack.