Variety (January 19, 1955)

74 CHATTER Wednesday, January 19, 1955 Broadway Homeoffice Employees Union, Local H-63, IATSE has moved to 750 Eighth Ave. Sir Winston Churchill was guest of honor at the 250th performance of "This Is Cinerama” in London. Travelers Aid Society will spon- sor the premiere of "Cinerama Holiday” at the Warner Theatre Feb. 8. Marc Daniels is directing a new three-reel color film produced by George Blake Enterprises for Con ^ Edison. Warner Bros, pub-ad chief Mort Blumenstock returned to the Coast over the weekend after a 10-day homeoffice huddle. •Associated Music Publishers is giving a concert and reception at the Sherry-Nctherland Sunday (23) to honor composer Wallingford Riegger’s on his 70th birthday. Westrex L'd. and the G. B. Kales Co., both of England, are the latest theatre equipment manufacturers to obtain licensing agreements to make Perspecta stereophonic sound integrator units. Mike Simons, Metro’s director of customer relations, has sched- uled 16 additional Ticket Selling Workshops between now and June 13. making a total of 20 exhib gatherings under M-G auspicies. Joseph Itosenstock, general di- rector of the N. Y. City Opera Co., and Julius Uudel, the company’s music administrator, will flv to Europe next Monday (24) for a fortnight of conducting engage- ments in Mannheim and Vienna, respectively. Miami Beach By Lary Solloway Sammy Walsh now running new all-night intimery, the Spa. Swank L’Aiglon now featuring two orchs. Sonny Kendis and Chuy Reyes. Dick Shawn took over the top > spot in the Latin Quarter show Sunday (16). Arthur Godfrey and his family at the Kenilworth, the hotel he acquired recently. The Shah of Iran and his queen checked into the Sans Souci with entourage of 40, for a three-week stay. Billy Daniels returns to the Casablanca’s El Morocco Feb. 2, with a Wally Wanger production supporting. Abner Silver spending the win- ter at the Patrician Hotel, compos- ing a theme song for Miami Beach’s 40th anni celebration. Lou Walters now a midnight- radio gabber-interviewer, broad- casting from the Mademoiselle Room of his Latin Quarter nightly via WQAM. Jack E. Leonard follows Jackie Miles into Driftwood Room of the Nautilus Jan. 19 continuing the comics’ parade which has made the spot a big click. Former Kitty Davis’ Club, dark for two seasons, reopened by Stan McDonald, Louisville operator. New team of Sammy Richards and Walter Long head up the show. Copenhagen Six-day bike race scored at Forum. "You Can’t Take It With You” at A.B.C.-Teatret being followed by Lommer’s winter revue. Biggest U.S. pic in town is "On Waterfront” (Col), now past its 15th week at Norrcport Bio. Nygade-Teatret shuttered after three months of repertoire; will probably reopen as a cinema. Aage Stentoft, who has a hit in "By Candlelight” at Apollo with Max Hansen, opens rebuilt Norre- bro Teater, now tagged the New Scala, with a winter revue. Denmark’s best known jazz vio- linist and band leader, Svend As- mussen, going on a trip round-the- world; later plans dates in U.S., where his disks are being praised In trade circles. Osvald Helmuth, now over 60 and for a decade the most popular Danish revue star, made the big- gest hit of his career when he ap- peared at the Koyal Theatre as guest star in classical comedy, ‘‘Jeppe on the Hill.” Berlin By llans Iloehn (Li chtcrf., 9a Tulpcnstr; 760264) "A Star Is Born” (WB>, preemed at Filmbuehne Wien, drew excep- tional press appraisal here. While in Berlin. Ava Gardner paid visits to the U.S. Army Hos- pital and other Yank installations. Two Vicki Baum yarns will be filmed by CCC in 1955, "Helene Willfuer” and "Vor Regen Wird Gewarnt.” Nearly 120.000 saw Disney’s Living Desert” during its 14-week run at Cinema Paris. Pic is now running at numerous nabe houses. Lila Jacobsson’s second German film will be "Die heilige Luege” (The Sacred Lie) with Karlheinz Boehm. Wolfgang Liebeneiner. will direct. Henry Porten, who couldn’t find roles in West German pix, signed for her second DEFA (East Ger- man) pic, “Madame Scuderi.” Her first DEFA film. "Carola Lamber- ti,” recently was preemed in East Berlin. With the new regulations issued by East Berlin authorities. West Berliners have to use West Marks to pay their bills in East Berlin restaurants. Formerly they could take advantage of the favorable exchange rate. Paris By Gene Moskowitz (28 Rue Huchette; Odeon 49 44) Harold Lloyd’s "Safety First” in a firstrun revival here at the Stu- dio 28. "Tea House of August Moon” slated for a legit appearance here at Theatre Montparnasse in Feb- ruary. Winner of Miss France contest, Veronique Zuber, set for part in the first French-Italian C’Scoper, "Frou-Frou.” State-subsidized Theatre National Populaire invited for a series of presentations at the Old Vic in London in May. Borrah Minevitch hid behind a post during first stint of his Har- monica Rascals as toppers of the new Lido show here. Herbert Jacoby here looking for talent for his Blue Angel in N.Y. He may also take over a nitery here next summer in conjunction with Pierre-Louis Guerin. Jean-Pierre Aumont rehearsing new Jacques Deval legiter, "II Ya Longtemps Que Je T’Aime.” (I’ve Always Loved You), which bows at the Edouard VII later this season. Evelyne Gabrielli inked for top femme role in Gallic legit version of "The Moon Is Blue” which opens at the Theatre Michel this month. It is called "L’lngenue Organisee.” Marcel Achard’s new legiter, "Voulez Vous Jouer Avec Moi?” (Will You Play With Me?), will be done at the Theatre En Rond here by Robert Dhery and Colette Brosset. Orson Welles finished a novel, "Two by Two,” concerning the Biblical story of Noah, and will make a pic version of it this year. He also just wound his "Mr. Arka- din” here. John Huston’s "Maltese Falcon” (WB> getting a firstrun re-release here, and ditto Jean Renoir’s pre- war Jean Gabin-Simone Simon starrer, "La Bete Humaine” (The Human peast). Eddie Constantine has just fin- ished his memoirs, "Cet Homme- N’Est Pas Dangeureux” (This Man Is Not Dangerous). U.S. singer- thesp is now' the second highest paid film star here after only four pix. Two new legit hits are Marc Gil- bert Sauvajon’s adaptation of Peter Ustinov’s "Love of Four Col- onels” and Albert Vidalie’s adapta- tion of Eugene Sue’s novel of the 19th Century Paris underworld, "Les Mysteres De Paris.”' Yves Montand’s solid success as a thesp, in his first stage role in Arthur Miller’s “Crucible” here, has him up to play “Othello” in the production which Raymond Rouleau is preparing for the next Shakespeare fest at Stratford. Jacques Dacqmine has a busy sked with nightly appearances in hit play, "Comme Les Dieux” (As The Gods), playing Claudius with Jean Louis-Barrault -in the Mar- igny’s "Hamlet” on his one night off and rehearsing the Gallic ver- sion of "Moon Is Blue” which bows at the Theatre Michel in March. Chicago Cleo Moore due here next week for personal in behalf of pic, “Women’s Prison.” Jackie Robinson making the local radio-tv circuit advancing Na- tional Brotherhood Week. Jack Wilander replaced Ralph Sharon as Cloister Inn pianist. Sharon formed a new jazz trio. MCA prexy Lou Wasserman planed in from the Coast to attend the Dorothy Towne-Jack Webb nuptials. Morton Downey in for his annual appearance at the Chi baseball writers’ banquet at the Conrad Hilton Sunday night (16». Birmingham By Fred Woodress Walter Backhaus concert at Au- ditorium Feb. 1. “Caine Mutiny Court Martial" at Temple Jan. 31-Feb. 1. "Seven Year Itch” at Temple Feb. 2 for two performances. Scott Jackson back from singing at Le Nouvelle Eve and other Paris clubs, ready for induction in Army Jan. 24. London Peter Ustinov starts a new BBC radio series next week with Peter Jones. Ivan Foxwell inked director Guy Hamilton on an exclusive two-year contract. Reginald Armour, Republic top- per in London, back from his an- nual visit to Hollywood. Harry Green starring in a re- vival of "Welcome Stranger,” which opens in Dublin next month. Douglas Granville, Universal- International rep in London, to Paris for confabs with Americo Aboaf. Second novel by Valerie White, South Africa-born actress, due for publication next month. It is titled, "Case for Treachery.” John Nasht in and out from Rome in connection with his pro- duction of “The Widow” which he recently completed in the Italian city. British contingent to the Uru- guay film fest included John Sutro, Richard Attenborough, Sheila Sim, Janette Scott, Thora Hird and Kathleen Ryan. Vet actor Arthur Wentner, w'ho celebrates his 80th birthday Friday (2D, will talk about his long ex- periences in the theatre in a BBC- TV feature entitled, "I Remem- ber.” Passengers to New York on the Liberte last Tuesday (11) included Alfred Hitchcock and Jeanne Crain. Rudy Vallee sailed the previous day on the America for tv dates in New' York. Australia By Norman Louden Stanley W. Higginson, manag- ing director of Warners in Aussie, celebrating 27 years with the com- pany. He started out as an ad man. Deal being mulled by the Na- tional Opera to take over Harry Wren’s vaude house, Sydney Pal- ladium, for two months commenc- ing in February. Aussie actor John McCallum and English actress wife, Googie With- ers, (with small daughter, Joanna) due here to do a series of plays under J. C. Williamson banner. Choreographer and ballet star, Robert Helpman (a hometown boy), with Katharine Hepburn, will head an Old Vic Co. opening in Sydney May 14 for the J. C. Wil- liamson management. Washington By Florence S. Lowe National Symphony maestro Howard Mitchell currently in Eu- rope doing a series of guest stints with famed continental orchs. Ethel Waters booked by Pat- rick Hayes Concert Bureau for two “At Home” performances at George Washington Us Lisner Auditorium Jan. 20-21. Virginia Mayo asked to high- light annual convention of Daugh- ters of the American Revolution next April. She is a member of the patriotic organization as a descen- dant of an Allentown, Pa., Revolu- tionary soldier. "Three for Tonight,” the Paul Gregory-Charles Laughton vaude show starring Marge and Gower Champion and Harry Belafonte, here Saturday (15) for trio of week- end performances at Constitution Hall under Feld Brothers aegis. Reno By Mark Curtis Patti Page will be back in the Riverside in March. Reno loses bid for 1960 Olympic Winter Games, but Squaw Valley, Calif., where they will be held, is only a few r miles from here. Tom McGovern, publisher of Magazine Las Vegas and former manager of KBMI, Boulder City, soon to open independent radio station here. KONE. It will make six radio stations for Reno. Dish Night Continued from pace 1 is the case. For example, during 1954 the leading dish peddlers showed an approximate 20% in- crease in business. Price claims a $3,000,000 gross in theatre sales and DeLuxe Theatre Premiums, headed by Samuel D. Goldstein and Marcus Schlitt, reports $1,000,- 000 in sales. Price and DeLuxe maintain homeofTices in New York and have branches in about a half a dozen other cities. Price and DeLuxe only represent a fraction of the total volume of business In the fitid since there are many other sectional premium houses. Premiums, particularly the give- away of dishes, is an established adjunct of theatre business. It has been since the idea was Introduced, in 1932. As explained by Gold- stein, the premium biz is closely dependent on theatre attendance. "Say there are 100 people in a theatre," Goldstein said, "then premiums can increase the attend- ance to 200. However, if it’s a time of film prosperity with 200 people in the theatre, then the giv- ing away of dishes can bring 400 people to the theatre. The more people in the house, the more dishes we sell.” Between 2,000 and 3,000 theatres in the country conduct premium nights once or twice a week. The houses are smalltown theatres, sub-runs, drive-ins or nabe cine- mas. Dishes, glassware, and en- cyclopedias are the main giveaway items. Dishes lead the lists because by announcing the giveaway of a 52- piece complete dinnerware set the theatre can be assured of a sub- stantial repeat audience the same night each week. Theatres sign up with the premium houses on a yearly basis, the contract usually beginning late in September. This gives the theatre a chance to pub- licize the "dish night” after the summer season. It costs the theatre 25c per dish. Although this cuts into the box- office admission price, the theatre operator more than makes up for it by the substantial increase in attendance. Some theatres charge an extra 5c or 10c to patrons who have signed up for the complete set. Drive-ins recently have become big premium users. Rather than hand out a dish when the auto en- ters the enclosure, the ozoners hand out tickets redeemable at the concession stand. In this manner, the patron is lured to the conces- sion area where in addition to picking up the premium item the customer stops to purchase a snack item. Drive-ins have discovered that this gimmick has resulted in a hefty increase in concession sales. Reopening of many theatres be- cause of new confidence in the pic- ture business has worked to the advantage of the premium mer- chants. These house usually re- quire an outside boost and give- aways are filling the bill. Playtex Continued from page Z land for the production abroad of the whole Playtex line. SW’s net profit for the first quar- ter after deduction of all charges was $1,110,100, equivalent to 50c per share on the 2.212,900 shares of common stock outstanding. This compares with a net profit of $523,- 100 for the corresponding quarter last year, equivalent to 21c per share on the common stock out- standing then. Gross income for the first quar- ter was $23,320,400 as compared with $13,794,100 for the same quar- ter one year ago. The figures for the most- recent stanza include the operations of International Latex, which became a subsidiary last April. Fabian also told the stockhold- ers that Stanley Warner had com- pleted its theatre divesture pro- gram required under terms of the Government’s consent decree and subsequent court order. At a meeting of the board of di- rectors Monday (17), a dividend of 25c per share, payable on Feb. 25, was declared. In his remarks to the stockhold- ers, Fabian said: "We look forward to the continued growth, expansion and further diversification of our company’s activities. With eco- nomic factors favorable, with our highly experienced and loyal or- ganization carrying out the pro- gressive policies of Stanley War- ner, we view the future with con- fidence and assurance.” Total of 1,833,853 shares or ap- proximately 84% of the common stock was represented at the an- nual meeting in person or by proxy. Stockholders overwhelming- ly approved the amendment to the certificate of incorporation provid- ing for two classes of directors, each class of which is elected for two years, with the terms of each class expiring in alternate years. Fabian, executive v.p. Samuel Rosen, and chairman of the finance committee David Baird were re- elected directors for a period of two years. Board of directors of Stanley Warner Corp. at meeting Monday (17) declared a quarterly dividend of 25c. ' Slice is payable on Feb. 27 to stockholder* of record Feb. 4 . Hollywood Henry Fonda airlined in from N.Y. Regis Toomeys celebrated their 30th wedding annl. Eddie Polo hospitalized with an undisclosed ailment. Frank Sinatra and Peter Lorre planed in from N.Y. James R. Grainger to Mexico City for RKO sales sessions. George Pal discharged from the hospital after minor surgery. John Del Valle joined Mayer & O’Brien public relations firm, as West Coast manager. Dore Schary named chairman of the film division of Cedars of Leba- non expansion fund. George Marakas, formerly with Daily Variety, joined Casey Shaw* han’s NBC press staff. Paul Marion quit acting after 20 years and joined his agent, Bob Brandies, as an associate. . Editor Wade Nichols arrived In Hollywood to make final arrange- ments for the 16th Annual Red- book Awards. Minneapolis By Les Rees Pianist Nino Nanni into Hotel Radisson Flame Room. Edyth Bush Little Theatre hold- ing over "Nothing But Truth.” Annual Shipstad-Johnson "lee Follies” date at Arena here set for March 29-April 17. Local "Doc” Evans Dixieland band off for Rochester, Minn., and Milwaukee. Wis., engagements. Variety Clubs International pres- ident George Hoover to be North- west Variety club honor guest at a dinner here Jan. 31. When regular Minneapolis Sym- phony orch conductor Antal Dorati suffered a sudden flu attack be- tween last Friday’s rehearsal and evening concert, Gerard Samuel, his assistant, took over baton at 11th hour. With 238 of 447 participating theatres reporting so far. North- west Variety heart hospital collec- tions total $19,000 and indications are they will exceed those of last year by a wide margin, chief barker L. J. Miller reports. Pittsburgh By Hal V. Cohen Josh White follows Maxine Sulli- van into Lenny Litman’s Copa next week. Sid Dickler took the cast off his broken leg and will be back on job next week. Team of Fletcher Peck and Ray Malone booked into the Horizon Room for next wek. Susan Bracy succeeds John Hel- sel as p.a. for Francis Mayville’s International Theatre. Tech drama graduate Phyllis Love signed for the new William Inge play. "Bus Stop.” Ethel Waters booked for single night stand in her one-woman show at Carnegie Music Hall Feb. 5. Jacqueline Hurley, who just closed at Ankara, opens six-month European tour at Moulin Rouge in Paris Feb. 20. Pennsylvania’s new Governor • Leader presented with lifetime honorary membership in Variety Club by Tent No. 1. Philadelphia By Jerry Gaghan Harry "The Hipster” Gibson back at the Rendezvous for first time in four years. Lenny Salidor, vet record pro- motion man, named branch man- ager for Decca in this area. Booker Bill Honney staging the Lions Club big charity show at Convention week of March 14 for the seventh straight year. William K. Huff, managing di- rector of the Philadelphia Forum, re-elected president of National Assn, of Concert Managers. Erich Leinsdorf, conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic will lead first Philadelphia Orchestra Pension Fund concert Jan. 24 with~ William Warfield and Leontyne Price as soloists. Memphis By Matty Brescia Ted Mack and his amateurs sked- ded for a one-nighter here at Audi- torium April 6 as Lions Club benefit. Joe Simon checks out as skipper of Ritz nabe house to handle Lucian house, with owner Jack Katz now managing Ritz. James Little, Memphis insur- ance exec, and Frank Williams, Arkansas banker, poured beaucoup money into purchase of Las Vegas Last Frontier Hotel with three California bigwigs. New group will change name to New Frontier Hotel