Variety (January 12, 1955)

75 Wednesday, January 12, 1955 Obituaries Continued from page U ducers on the road. He. staged strawhat companies in vacation shows at Whitley Bay and Ramsey, Isle of Man. During World War II he was with the Royal Air Force Gang Show. Dodd was in show biz since 1912, when he debuted at the Theatre Royal, Birmingham, Eng. Surviving are his wife, actress Babs Gordon, and daughter Fay Lenore, leading lady of London Palladium shows. . Bijou Gordon, now working in tv in Toronto, Canada, is a sister-in-lawr. THOMAS C. KEMP Thomas C. Kemp, 63, drama critic of the Birmingham, Eng., Post since 1935, died Jan. 3. He was also chairman of the Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, and wrote several plays for the group, includ- ing “Harvest of Faith,” “The Wall” and “Supremacy.” < Kemp wrote such books as "The Birmingham Repertory Theatre,” “The Playhouse and the Man” and “The Stratford Festival; a History of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre.” He also was drama and film critic for the Midland Region of the BBC. ELMER PEARSON Elmer Pearson, 70, former vice- president and general manager of Sock and Buskin, into a major cam- pus activity. Brown wrote numerous pam- phlets and newspaper and maga- zine articles on the theatre as well as several books. He was a cor- porate member of the American National Theatre and Academy. HORACE A. VACHELL Horace A. Vachell, 93, novelist and playwright, died Jan. 10 in Bath, Eng. One of the most proli- fic writers in English literature, he had his 100th and last book, “Quests,” a volume of remini- scenes, published last year. Four of Vachell’s plays were pro- duced on Broadway, none of which was a hit. Amonfc them was “The Lodger,” based on a short story by Mrs. Belloc Lowndes, presented in 1917, at Maxine Elliott’s Theatre, with Lionel Atwill in the title role. BABE WELLINGTON Babe Wellington, 57, dancer who trouped with Eddie Cantor and Jimmie Durante, among others, died in New York Dec. 28 after a three-month illness. After appear- ing as a child actress with silent screen star John Bunny, she started a dancing career with Jerry Cal- lahan in a turn known as The Dancing Kellers. Miss Wellington, who toured the Astor Pictures Corporation mourns the passing of our devoted friend end associate BERNARD RUBIN our Cleveland franchise distributor for nine years. R. M. Savin! President the Pathe Film Exchange in New York, died Dec. 30 of a heart ail- ment in Westport, Conn. He had been in the motion picture indus- try for more than 40 years, hold- ing sales executive positions with Vitagraph, Lubin, Universal, First National and the Selig Essanay film companies. At one time Pearson was first v.p. of Pattie-Bray productions, and later was with the Bray Stu- dios and Video Varieties. Surviving are his wife, two brothers and two sisters. WALTER GREENOUGH Walter Greenough, 66, retired New Y’ork actor, director and pro- ducer, died Jan. 7 in Montclair, N.J., after a long illness. Born in Brooklyn, he was most active on Broadway in the late 20’s and early 30's with such plays as “The Jade God," “The Guinea Pig,” “A Ledge,” “Lolly” and “The Vene- tian Glass Hat.” In the summer of 1934 Green- ough was operator of a remodeled ferryboat as a showboat, the Ven- ture, at Long Island summer re- sorts. He also composed a number of pop songs. Three sisters survive. CLYDE BRUCKMAN Clyde Bruckman, 60, silent pic- ture writer and director, shot and major vaude circuits and worked in burlesque, is survived by two sisters and two brothers. JACK kTlEONARD Jack K. Leonard, 42, longtime screen writer, died of cirrhosis of the liver Jan. 9 in Hollywood. A member of the Screen Writers Guild since 1947, he recently scripted “The Plains” for Univer- sal-International. Leonard also collabed on Pine- Thomas’ “Love is a Weapon.” Among his other writing credits were “Man in the Dark” tCol) and "Cry of the Hunted” (M-G). His wife and three children sur- vive. LEO BRODE Leo Brode, 65, vet legit sign painter, died Jan. 1 in Astoria, Queens, N.Y. He turned out more than 18.000 signs since entering that field in 1910. Shows on which he worked included "Oklahoma,” “Life With Father,” “The Liar,”* “The Barrier,” “An Enemy of the People,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “Flahooley,” and “South Pacific.” Wife, three sons, three brothers and two sisters survive. WARREN L. LAWSON Warren L. (Doc) Lawson, 51, or- ganist who was credited with in- troducing the electric organ as Th# Associated Motion Picture Advertisers, Inc. IAMPA), deeply mourns the passing of our devoted friendl and charter member ELMER PEARSON who gave so much to the growth of the motion picture industry. killed himself, Jan. 4, in Santa Monica, Cal., in a fit of despond- ency. During the early days of motion pictures, he worked with such comedians as Harold Lloyd, Buster Keaton and W. C. Fields, and more recently had been a writer at Columbia. He asked Santa Monica police, in a note found on body, to de- liver his body to L. A. County Medical Assn., for experimenta- tion. His wife survives. NINA W. FINESINGER Mrs. Nina Wulfe Finesinger, 54, concert violinist and former mem- ber of the Los Angeles Philhar- monic Orchestra, died Jan. 8 in Boston. She had studied with Leopold Auer, Carl Flesh, Willy Hess and Jaques Thibaud. Mrs. Finesinger was one of the first women to play in a major symphony orchestra in this coun- try. In recent years she organized musical programs presented for the patients at Massachusetts Gen- eral Hospital. PROF. BENJAMIN BROWN Prof. Benjamin W. Brown, 57, mrector of dramatic productions at Brown U. since 1939, died Jan. 7 in Providence, R.I. He was instru- mental in building Brown’s undcr- 8i actuate dramatic organization, background music for horse shows, died of a heart attack Dec. 28 in Bloomfield, Iowa. A former organ- ist for the Paramount Theatre, Des Moines, he played for some 70 horse shows annually in addition to recitals at fairs "and other events. Surviving are his wdfe and two sons. Also surviving are two sons by a former marriage. ¥ ALLAN YOUNG Allan Young (Allan Motters- head», 40. vaude musician, died Jan. 1 in Glasgow. He was appear- ing with his Allan Young Trio (himself, Derek New all and Larry Davis) at the Empress Theatre, Glasgow, and had taken part in previous night’s shows. Young led his act, instrumental and vocal, at the electric organ, and had toured it around most Eng- lish and Scot vauderies. He was a native of Blackpool, Eng. HERB COOK Herb Cook, 59, pianist, singer, composed, died Dec. 31 in Kansas City, Mo. Cause of death was not immediately determined, but at- tempts to resuscitate him failed after he collapsed and became un- conscious that morning. Cook was a musician in the mid- west area for 30 years, at one time being with the Olsen & John- son show and also with the Gage Smith band. He was one of the three authors of "Three Little Words,” and composed a number of other songs. Wife and three children survive. MONTY VANE-TEMPEST Monty Vane-Tempest, 62, actor with Court Players at Crewe, Eng., died in that town Dec. 22 after several weeks’ illness. He was a w.k. thesper in stock, and was the husband of actress Luise Ralston. He entered the theatre alter study- ing medicine at Leeds U. Apart from his London appear- ances, Vane-Tempest toured the U.S. and Canada at one time. LOUIS HEMRICH Louis (Props) Hemrich, 86, a property man in Chicago theatres for nearly 57 years, died Jan. 4 in that city. One of the oldest mem- bers of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, he began his backstage career in 1890 and retired in 1947. He worked at the now-defunct Powers and Illinois Theatres and wound up his career at the Blackstone. Son survives. SAM FLEISCHMAN Sam Fleischman, tot more than 50 years violinist and musical di- rector in the Yiddish theatres of Canada and New York, died Dec. 25 in N.Y. In the course of his career he toured with such Yiddish legit stars as Boris Thomashefsky and Jacob P. Adler. More recently he had operated a mu^ic studio. Surviving are his wife, four sons and two daughters. DAVE ALLEN Dave Allen, 68, founder and first manager of Central Casting Corp. in Hollywood, died Jan. 3 in that city. A former New York theatre pianist, he moved to Hollywood where in 1926 he established Cen- tral Casting, which handles the employment of film extras. Allen left the agency in 1935 to join Columbia Pictures. WILLIAM G. ALBERS William G. Albers, 75, a percus- sion instrument player with the St. Louis symph orch for 27 years and more recently a music teacher, died of a stroke Jan. 2. One of the few remaining zither players in the St. Louis area, he retired from the symph orch about 10 years ago to teach zither playing. His wife and son survive. ALFRED E. DRAKE Alfred E. Drake, 80, violinist and former vice president of the National Assn, for American Com- posers and Conductors, and a for- mer president of the MacDowell Club, died Dec. 31 in New York. For a time he headed his own string quartet. Surviving are a son and daugh- ter. MABEL LAFFIN Mrs. Mabel Taylor, who per- formed in several musicial come- dies in the mid-20’s as Mabel Laffin, died in Chicago Jan. 2. She ap- peared in such shows in Chicago as “Madame Sherry,” “Forbidden Land” and “Prince of Tonight.” Survived by husband. Mrs. Vena N. Bates, 58. presi- dent of the Central Vermont Broadcasting Corp. and general manaager of radio station WHWB in Rutland, Vt., died recently while visiting her daughter, Mrs. Frank Panesfield, in Flint, Mich. Her husband also survives. Gust A. Hausner, 72, longtime violinist and conductor of the orchestra at the former Shubert Theatre in Minneapolis, and more recently manager of a music com- pany, died in Minneapolis, Jan. 3. His wife survives. Helen Hedeman, 43. supervisor of auditions and casting at ABC Radio, died Jan. 7 in New York. She had been with the network in the same post for 21 years, starting when it was the Blue Network. Survived by a sister and two brothers. Ruben Frels, veteran South Texas theatre owner, died Dec. 31 in Victoria. Tex., following a brief illness. He headed a 14-theatre circuit, Frels Theatres, Inc., with headquarters at Victoria. Clarence A. Everage Jr., 28. radio engineer, was electrocuted Dec. 8 while working on the KLBS transmitter in Houston. He was trying to find a short in the trans- mitter which caused the station to go off the air. Mrs. Gibbs Canfield, 46, associ- ate editor of McCall’s magazine and sister of Wolcott Gibbs, drama critic of The New Yorker maga- zine, died Jan. 10 in New York. Surviving, besides her brother, are a daughter and a son. Charles I. Shapiro, 73, veteran hotel and cafe man, died Jan. 3 in West Philadelphia. In the hotel business 50 years, he operated the Hotel Astor and the Astor Lounge in West Philadelphia. Four sisters and two brothers survive. Fred Broomfield, 61, drama editor of Valley Times, North Hollywood, died Jan. 5, following a long illness. Joining the sheet in 1945, he was formerly on the De- troit News for 15 years. Survived by wife. Gregory Duffy, 55, prexy of Metropolitan Engravers in Los Amgeles and widely known in film circles, died Dec. 27 of a heart at- tack while playing golf. He is survived by his wife and two sons. Merritt P. Allen, 62, author of radio and television scripts, but better known for his historical novels for boys, died Dec. 26 in Bristol, Vt. George Goncharov, 50, Russian- born dancing teacher, died Dec. 30 in London, Eng., after an illness_of several months. At one time he had been associated with the Sadler’s Wells Ballet SchooL Harry J. Carey, 40, violinist and pianist, died Dec. 30 In Roselle, N.J., after a long illness. He di- rected a volunteer entertainment troupe which performed in vet- erans hospitals. Guillaume Ferrari, 45, co-direc- tor of the Lido nitery on the Champs Elysees in Paris, died Jan. 4 of injuries suffered in a traffic accident in that city. William Frederick Greenwaldt, 82, the Williams of the vaude com- edy team of Williams & Charles, died Jan. 2 in Alhambra, Cal. Sur- viving are five sons and a brother. Jesus Maria Gonzales Villarreal, radio announcer, was killed Dec. 8 in a headon car collision near Uvalde, Tex. He was a staff an- nouncer with KVOU, Uvalde. Francis X. Pagano, 52, partner in the theatrical accounting firm of Pinto, Winokur & Pagano, died Jan. 7 in Jackson Heights, Queens, N. Y. Wife and a son survive. Aveli Artis, 74, noted Spanish playwright who came to Mexico in 1939, died in Mexico City Dec. 30 after a long illness. Harvey Prescott Dwight, 54, pro- duction staffer at Paramount for past 20 years and with company since 1924. died Jan. 3, at Veterans Hospital, Sawtelle, Calif. His wife survives. Edward W. Foulkes Sr., 65, long- time projectionist at the Para- mount Theatre, Des Moines, died of a heart attack Dec. 28 in that city. A son and daughter survive. J. Barry McGuigan, *53, press representative for the Shubert the- atres in Philadelphia and a one- time newspaper photographer, died Jan. 10 in Philadelphia. Perry O. Stomps, 63, former singer with the Brooklyn Comedy Four quartet on the Keith circuit, died Dec. 21 in Hamilton, O. Edward Kaufman, 61, ohetime producer at 20th-Fox and RKO, died of cancer Jan. 9 in Hollywood. At the time of his death he was a story consultant for Famous Artists. Harry J. Crabtree, 70, for years an advance agent for circuses, died in Zanesville, O., Dec. 27. In re- cent years he operated an adver- tising business. Two daughters survive. Claude Dampier, 76, film, stage and radio comedian, known as “The Professional Idiot,” died Jan. 1 of pneumonia in London. Edward Redmond. 82, actor and pioneer Coast theatrical figure, figure died Dec. 31 in San Jose, Cal. Charles McCarthy, 51. formerly in film transportation in Minne- apolis and later theatre manager for Minnesota Amusement Co., in Fargo, N. D., died Dec. 27. Mother of Margo Henderson (& Sam Kemp), vaude. radio and tv impressionist, died Dec. 9 at Clyde- bank, Scot. Tim Kirby, formerly with vaude team of Kirby, Quinn & Anger, died Jan 7 in Long Island, N.Y. Jack Heywood, 71. veteran New Richmond, Wis., exhibitor, died | Dec. 28. MARRIAGES Lucille G. Collette to Alfred J. Clodgo Jr., Vergennes, Vt., Dec. 20. Bride was cashier at the Ver- gennes Theatre. Paul Curran to Lila Dunbar, Glasgow, De-c. 28. He’s an actor with Glasgow Citizens’ Theatre company. Babette George to Dave Pell, Las Vegas, Dec. 11. Bride’s a dancer in the Flamingo line; he’s a sax- man with Les Brown orch. Pat McMahan to Dave Silver, Las Vegas, Jan. 1. Bride’s an ac- tress; he’s a 20th-Fox assistant di- rector. Helen Gougeon to Joseph Schull, Montreal, Jan. 8. Bride is wom- en’s editor of Week-End Magazine; he’s a radio and tv playwright. Betty Ann Lowry to Albert Fisher, San Antonio, recently. Bride is radio music librarian for WOAI in that city. Glenr.a Hunter to William A. Spencer, Columbus, Dec. 27. Bride is radio-tv editor of the Ohio State (Columbus) Journal and hostess of "Terns and Twenties” show on WBNS-TV. Rita Maza to Jay Williams, New York, Dec. 31. Bride’s a copywriter at the Hirschon, Garfield agency; he’s a sales exec with Official Films. Pat Carroll to Lee Karsian, New York, Jan. 2. Brid« is a tele and cafe performer; he’s with the Wil- liam Morris Agency legit dept. Peggy Romano to Dana Elcar, Ch'cago, Dec. 29. Bride is a legit- tv actress* he’s an actor. Julienne Hendricks to Gerald Kean, N.Y., Jan. 8. Bride is an actress; he’s chief of special proj- ects for radio division of United Nations. Ruth Harris to John Conte, Folkstone, Ga., Dec. 27. Bride’s a tv producer; he’s a tv and musi- comedy performer. BIRTHS Mr. and Mrs. John Woodward, son, Burbank, Cal., Dec. 9. Father is a still lab technician at Colum- bia. Mr. and Mrs. John Houseman, son, Los Angeles, Dec. 30. Father is a Metro producer; mother is for- mer actress Joan Courtney. Mr. ard Mrs. Martin Waldman, daughter, Hollywood, Jan. 4. Fa- ther is former Daily Variety ad staffer, now public relations di- rector for Consolidated Film In- dustries. Mr. ar.d Mrs. Tommy Reynolds, daughter, San Antonio, recently. Father is emcee of his own tv show in KENS-TV in that city. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Childress, son, Youngstown, O., Dec. 22. Fa- ther is theatre critic for Youngs- town Vind ; cetor. Mr. and Mrs. Emil Campaine, son, West Palm Beach, Fla., Jan. 5. Father is an engineer at WJNO- TV in Paim Beach. Mr. and Mrs. Larry Rasco, daughter, Dallas, Dec. 21. Father is news director of KRLD and KRLD-TV there. Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Barker, son, Dallas, Dec. 27. Father is an- nouncer at KRLD there. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Glenn, son. Da las, Jan. 5. Father is director of i Betty Blanchard’s Courtyard Thea- tre there. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Gardner, daughter, Pittsburgh, Jan. 1. Mother’s Priscilla Dodge, actress. Mr. and Mrs. Jim Thompson, daughter, Pittsburgh, Dec. 30. Father’s chief announcer at KQV. Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Gladstone, son. New York, Dec. 25. Mother’s Ruth Fisher, former Pittsburgh Playhouse actress. Mr. and Mrs. Bill Hanrahan, daughter, New York, Dec. 31. .Father js disk jockey at WRCA. Mr. and Mrs. A1 Brodax, twin sons, Norwalk, Conn., Dec. 31. Father is with the William Morris Agency. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hinton, daughter, Santa Monica, Cal., Dec. 28. Father is a film-tv actor. Mr. and Mrs. Maury Passero, son, Norwalk, Conn., Dec. 31. I Mother is former songstress Mar- ilyn Towne. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Schwartz, son, Schenectady, Dec. 29. Father is a Columbia salesman in Albany. Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Wilk, son, New York, Dec. 28. Father is a concert violinist; mother, the for- mer Norma Bloomberg, is a one- ; time French horn player. Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Batteiger, son, St. Louis, Jan. 5. Mother is Ruth Tobin, tv actress, writer and producer. Mr. and Mrs. John W. Loveton, twin daughters, Los Angeles. Dec. 22. Father is producer of the “Topper” and "Mr. and Mrs. North” tv series. Mr. and Mrs. John Tyner, daugh- ter, Philadelphia, Dec. 25. Mother is Acres O’Rc.'ly, night club sing- I er and pianist.