Variety (February 1955)

Wednesday! February 9, 1955 Broadway Mai Braveman’s office handling publicity for Mata & Hari. Hyman Heller, Lindy’s general manager, recuperating from sur- gery for bursitis. Mort Nusbaums (of WBBF, Rochester) to celebrate first wed- ding anni where they got hitched, to wit, Miami. Richard Conte, who’s co-starred In Allied Artists’ “The Big Com- bo,” in from the Coast Mon. (17) to help plug the film. Mitch Miller, Columbia Records a&r chief, returned to his New York desk this week after a series of recording sessions on the Coast. Harlan Jackson, painter-husband of legit pressagent Dorothy Ross, will exhibit his paintings at the Panoras Gallery Feb. 14-26, pre- ceded by a reception Sunday after- noon (13). Helen Craig and John Beal, act- ing pair who’ve been married about 20 years, finally did a joint broad- cast, on the CBS-TV series. “Lamp Unto My Feet” via the Henry C. Brown office. Theodor Adolphus, who has chore- ographed 187 shows, hired by Harry Delmar to stage production numbers for new Stardust Hotel in Las Vegas. Opens May 1 with 22 dancers. 12 show girls, 10 singers. Richard F. Walsh, prexy of the International Alliance of Theatri- cal Stage Employees, will be hon- ored at the second annual Heart Award Dinner of the Variety Club of N. Y. at the Waldorf-Astoria May 2. Tom Gerst, Celebrity Service’s N.Y. office manager, named West Coast director, effective March 1. Gerst’s assistant, Patricia Vernon, accompanies him to the Coast. Lynn Bovvers, current Coast man- ager, resigned to develop scripts on a new tv series. She may take over Celebrity Service’s Paris oper- ation in May. In the meanwhile, Miss Bowers continues on Louella Parsons’ staff. celebrated the show’s 100th per- formance recently with a cocktail party given by the comedy’s Turk- ish adapter, Leyla Erduran. Legit comedian-producer Muam- mer Karaca back from Anatolia getting ready for an early March opening of his new theatre seating 800. House Is called The Karaca. American films playing in here recently include “Betrayed” (M-G), “Horizons West”,(U), “Rhapsody” (M-G), “Little Boy Lost” (Par), “Les Miserables” (20th) and “Lure of Wilderness” (20th). London Miami Beach By Larry Solloway Ed Sullivan, per usual, will helm Mt. Sinai Hospital Jubilee March 3. Lili Christine heads up new re- vue at Jack Goldman’s Clover Club. Jerry Lester in for one frame at Driftwood Room in Nautilus Hotel tonight (Wed.). Jimmy Durante and his group are Royal York hotel guests while playing their Copa City Date. Balmoral may drop shows in the Embassy Room. Celeste Holm closed there Saturday (5); no re- placement set. David Selznick and Jennifer Jones checked into the Fontaine- bleau as did the Lawrence (“Meet The Press”) Spivaks. ' The Arthur Godfreys due at the Kenilworth for 10-day stay begin- ning Feb. 10. He won’t telecast during the period, concentrating on rest. El Paso By Art Hilton Pianist Claudio Arrau drew ca- pacity crowds at Liberty Hall. Fred Waring band due at Lib- erty Hall for two-night stand Feb. 19-20. William Clauson, Victor RCA recording artist, at the La Fiesta, show spot in Juarez. Rod Cameron toured the border city for a few days before going on location on a pic being filmed in the interior of Mexico. Latin American violinist Lauro Uranga did so well at the Tivoli Show Bar in Juarez that he has been held another week. Horace Heidt talent search group arrived in El Paso to audi- tion El Pasosans for their show at the Coliseum. Talent from local military bases was screened as well as local El Paso talent. Paris By Gene Moskowitz (28 Rue Huchette, Odeon 49-44) Singer Roberta becomes a stage actress in Marie De Rasky’s “Le Frise” (Curley). Colette Marchand and Milord Miskovitch back after a six-month terp tour of Japan and the U.S. Albert Tavel and Felix Marou- ani, Gallic agents repping William Morris, celebrate their 25th anni this week/ Raoul Ploquin replacing Roger Richebe as head of the Syndicate of Film Producers and Exporters. Ploquin is a producer. Greta Garbo on a firstrun Paris screen in the Cinema D’Essai re- vival of “Queen Christina” (M-G) with John Gilbert and Lewis Stone. Victor Vicas to Switzerland for direction chore on the Richard Schweitzer story, “Voyage South”, under the Ladislas Wecljsler ban- ner. Seine flooding interfered with shooting of only one film here, when the electricity was cut off at a Neuilly studio because of sewer backups. Harold Hecht, Jim Hill and Carol Reed here to set facilities for forth- coming Hecht-Lancaster produc- tion, “Trapeze” (UA), to be made entirely in France starting next August. George Bernard Shaw gets his third posthumous legiter when the Comedie-Francaise does his “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” next month. First two, “Pygmalion” and “Arms And The Man.” are both hits. Jean Renoir finishing his pic-, “French Cancan.” and into staging chores for his first play, "Orvet,” which he wrote for Leslie Caron. Legiter opens next month at the Renaissance Theatre with Paul Meurisse and Raymond Bussieres opposite Miss Caron. David Berglas, billed as “Map of Magic,” starts his own tele series this week. Eve Boswell planes to South Africa next month on a 12-week vaude tour. Eric Glass negotiated a 'long- termer for Beverly Brooks with the J. Arthur Rank Organization. W. S. (Pete) Tower to Zurich for a three-day confab convened by Eugene S. Gregg, Westrex prez. Bryan Blackburn wrote and de- vised current revue at the Stork Room, “Stop,. Look and Listen.” Robert S. Wolff, RKO topper in London, sailed for N.Y. and home- office huddles on future British production. Jack Hylton producing a royal vaude gala in Blackpool in April, to be attended by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. Sydney K. Lewis, Associated British Cinemas exec, appointed vice-chairman of London Branch of Cinematograph Exhibitors Assn. Sir Henry L. French, director- general of the British Film Pro- ducers Assn, initiating series of lectures on films and tv at London University. Bet he Douglas, who has already appeared at the Mayfair and Casa- nova since she arrived here a cou- ple of months back, opened a two- week run at the Colony Monday (7). Wilfred Pickles leading a unit which is to tour British army in- stallations in Germany. Arthur English and Eddie Gray top an- other group heading for Malta, North Africa and Canal Zone. Pittsburgh By Hal V. Cohen Eartha Kitt in “Mrs. Patterson” booked into the Nixon for week of March 7. Jackie Heller sails next week for Nassau to work the British Colo- nial Hotel. Leon Uris, author of ‘‘Battle Cry,” around for a couple of days plugging the picture. Zac Freedman in town beating the drums for the Diana Barry- more “Pajama Tops.” Joe E. Brown around for few days visiting his son, who’s in the Pirates’ baseball organization. George Claire, who was a hoofer before he turned booker, rehears- ing line of girls for the Copa. Barbara Louis heads for Broad- way to try her luck when “The Women” doses at the Playhouse. Malenkov Scoop Chicago Marty Janis, Black Orchid flack, opening a New York office. Jimmy Durante checked here in briefly enroute to Miami Beach. Lena Home feted by the Negro Joint Appeal at Trianon ballroom. Jack Eigen back at the Chez Paree lounge mike after Florida vacation. Jan Peerce topped Orchestra Hall benefit concert Sunday (6) for the Hyde Park Hebrew Center. Thomas L. Thomas set for a re- peat appearance at U.S. Steel’s spring concert April 19 at Gary, Ind. * The Chicago Police Censor Board reviewed a total of 107 pictures during January. Of the total, there were no rejects and none were tagged “for adults only.” However, eight cuts were made in the films viewed. Some 23 of the films were of foreign origin. against inauguration of telecasts in school classes. Idea probably will be dropped again. Current U.S. first-runs bills here include: “Rhapsody” (M-G), “Ring of Fear" (WB), “All Brothers Were Valiant” (M-G), “Black Shield Fal- worth” (U) and “Susan Slept Here” (RKO), -plus reissue of “Gone Wi^h Wind” (M-G). Author Paul Gallico, who lives in nearby Principality of Lichen- stein in baronial splendor, will re- turn to the U.S. this spring to “brush up on his American idiom” after a long absence. He’ll drive across United States sharpening his ear for Americanese and gath- ering literary grist. Portland, Ore. The Tunesmiths topping bill at the .Frontier Room. The Clover Club shuttered again after being open only two weeks. The Ballet Russe De Monte Carlo at the Auditorium last week for two nights. The Four Knights, Tommy & Benny and The Carroll Dancers at Amato’s Supper Club. Rossini’s is the town’s newest plush eatery. Bob O’Neil combo in for dancing and show. Broadway manager Herb Roy- ster won the RKO “Do It Your- self” campaign for “The Ameri- cano.” Rome Dallas By Bill Barker Kaye Ballard tops bill at Baker Hotel’s Mural Room. Margo Jones trying out “The Feathered Fauna* at Theatre ’55. Dorothy Franey’s new icer, The Gershwin Story, at Hotel Adolphus Century Room. New 1,000-room midtown luxury hotel, started by Statler had an- other name change—from the Conrad Hilton to Statler-Hilton. William W. Lewis upped to managing director of Cinerafna here, succeeding Paul Swater who goes to Buffalo to helm a new Cinerama Theatre. Press on Upsurge Hollywood Continued from pace 1 Continued from page 1 Istanbul By Ozan Sungur Keita Fodeba’s African Ballet due here this month. Spanish dancer Manoly at the Kordonbleu nitery for a month’s date. Riviera Express. Imported revue at the And. with Italian Valli D’Oro in the lead. Max Meinecke’s production of “Colombo” going into its fourth month at the Dram (Feb. 5). “Teahouse of the August Moon” In rehearsal with Haldun Dormen and Mucap Ofluoglu in the leads. Singer Zeki Muren completed second film. “Tha Last Melody.” Muren’s first pic. “The Forgotten Song,” was highest grosser in Turkish film history. Cast of “The Seven'Year Itch” when he called again at that time, was told that "communications had broken down due to atmospherics.” At 9:15, the call went through, and Mass handed the phone over to newscaster John MacVane, who then did a 20-minute interview with Ilearst and Frank Conniff, Hcarst’s editorial adviser. Pffone service to Moscow regularly runs only three hours in the morning, from 8.45, and nobody else ap- pears to have gotten through. Ilearst papers gave the interview top play, with the N. Y. Journal- Amcrican carrying details of the interview’ (with full credit to ABC) on Page 1. Radio network put the tape on the air at 11:45 a.m., while the tv web had Quincy Howe and the tape on for a half-hour at 4 p.m. George Hamilton Combs was on television locally via WABC-TV at 1:45 p.m., and the web scheduled repeats of the tape for radio and tv for late last night. rtBC also piped the tape to com- petition WRCA, the NBC flagship in N. Y., for use on the Tex & Jinx McCrary Show, where Mrs. Hearst was being interviewed in N. Y. By Robert F. Hawkins (Via Archimede 145; 800 211) Lux Films signed starlet Bar- bara Shelley to a five-year con- tract. Rhonda Fleming mulling several offers for local and other European productions. Robert Alda and Milly Vitale co- star in upcoming Spanish-Ameri- can production, “Accent Spain.” Maria Meneghini Callas starred in first presentation here of Chru- bini’s “Medea” at Rome Opera House. Anthony Quinn being sought for role, opposite Giulietta Masina in “I Bidonisti.” to follow up his last- year success in “La Strada,” also opposite Miss Masina. English-language Theatre group to be formed here by John 'C. Mather and John McMichael, with presentations at the Ridotto dell’- Eliseo. Program to include “Dial M For Murder,” “The Little Hut” and “Night Must-Fall.” Omaha By Glenn Trump McCook (Neb.) Shrine Circus set for May 9-11. Ak-Sar-Ben press agent Bernle Kelly named prexy of Nebraska Collie Club. Dick Walter re|urned last week from N. Y. where lie signed Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Sym- phony for a March 5 date and the Jose Greco dancers for May 3 ap- pearance at the new City Audito- rium. man Lincoln. The tenor of Lin- coln’s piece is told in an introduc- tory caption. “Just about broke two years ago,” it says, “the movies right now are riding one of their biggest booms. Some exhibitors are screaming about shortage of product, but for producers the ‘scarce,’ big-screen, ‘big’ picture is a bonanza bigger than their dreams.” Life Magazine, which not too long ago almost completely wrote off the film industry, is preparing another analysis, indications are that it’ll be upbeat this time. Bar- ron’s, the financial weekly. The Wall Street Journal, and Business Week also have commented fre- quently on the Industry’s come- back. Daily papers throughout the country have also called it to the attention of readers via editorials and special sections. Actually it’s been a long time since the industry has been able to get the space it’s accumulating currently—and all on the upbeat side. It’s far cry from the down- beat articles, the Red issue, and the scandal yarns which hit the in- dustry in a time of crisis—only a few short years ago. Miller’s Return Zurich By George Mezoefl U.S. contralto Lucretia West set for a concert at Klubhaus. A. J. Cronin and his wife, cur- rently in Switzerland, may settle here. German vet dancer Harald Kreutzberg opens a dancing school in Berne April L U.S. violinist Eudiee Shapiro ghve her first Swiss recital at Kon- servatorium here. Stadttheatre Berne presents Louis Verneuil’s “Affairs of State” for first time there. Government opposition raised Continued from pace 1 900 feet along the edge of the Hudson River. Miller stated that he would build a replica of the late Riviera with some slight modifications. He plans a nitery to be built atop a gigantic garage, so that the cafe floor would have sufficient elevation to com- mand a view Identical with the room which was destroyed. Room when completed would have a name policy. Miller is currently In town to participate in litigation regarding the defunct room. Action, taking place A n the N. J. Federal Court, seeks to clear up the ownership of the late Riviera. Litigant is Sam Marcus, who for a time was a part- ner of Miller in the Riviera. Miller didn’t say whether the new Riviera would have a built-in casino such as the old building had, but which wasn’t used since pre-war, when the room was operated by Ben Marden. Frank Sinatra back from his Australian tour. Frankie Laine planed out for tour of Australia. Betty Grable laid up with torn ligament in ankle. William Perlbergs celebrated their 27th wedding anni. Arthur Lubin returned from London and checked in at UI. Richard Peel broke his right leg while doing a scene in a tv show. Dore Schary hospitalized for ob- servation of kidney stone ailment. Jeanette MacDonald taped a ra- dio drama for the U. S. Treasury. Liberace will succeed Gale Storm as honorary mayor of Van Nuys, Cal. Abe Saperstein in town to make a deal for the Harlem Globetrot- ters. Joseph Tushinsky to Mexico City for demonstrations of Superscope there. Carl Krueger recuperating in his Beverly Hills horns following an operation. Loretta Young hostessed Maj. Gen. Charles W. Christenberry on Goldwyn lot. Seymour Stern to resume lec- tures on "History of the Film” at UCLA Feb. 15. ' Vic Damone will sing at 16th an- nual charity dinner-dance of Tem- ple Israel here. Chiquita & Johnson setting up a chain of dance schools in Paris, Cannes and Rome. Sam B. Hill celebrated his 33d anni as superintendent of the Samuel Goldwyn lot. Aleon Benett will handle the an- nual world film festival awards dinner for the Foreign Press As- sociation of Hollywood. Philadelphia By Jerry Gaghan BBS Records, of Philly, and Bur- gundy Records, of Detroit, have merged. The Clark Bros., local dance duo, open the Australian tour in Syd- ney. Feb. 10. Kenneth Johnson, brother of film player Russell Johnson, joined Hedgerow Theatre. Jackie Lee, cafe and recording pianist, launched four-week Cana- dian tour in Quebec. Pep’s Musical Bar, closed three weeks for redecoration, has re- opened with Roy Hamilton as topper. Walter Gieseking made first ap- pearance in Philly in 20 years at Academy of Music (Feb. 1) under sponsorship of the Philadelphia Forum. Jules Epstein, who will write film scenario for “The Tender Trap.” came to Walnut Theatre to get first look at play. Madrid By Ramsay Ames (Castellana-Hilton; 37-22-00) Venezuelan actress Maritza Ca- ballero will soon play “Antigone" in Spain. Mexican singer Ana Maria Gon- zalez at the Castellana-Hilton* Rendezvous. Two more legit theatres to be converted into cinemas—the Al- beniz and the Reina Victoria. Gonzalez Vergel’s Art Theatre opens April 9 in Zaragoza with Al- fonso Sastre’s “Sangre de Dios’* (God’s Blood). Marianela de Montijo’s ballet such a favorite with the Castellans Hilton’s bosses that instead of re- opening at the Rendez-Vous this month for only one month, they want to bring her in March 15 for a longrun. Every year the Circulo de F.scri- tores Cinematografieos (Spain’s as- sociation of screen writers) gives prizes for their “firsts.” Awards for 1954 includes best Spanish pic- ture, "Sierra Maldita” (Cursed Mountain); best Spanish director, Cesar F. Ardavin; best Spanish actor, Jose Suarez, and best Span- ish actress, Sylvia Morgan. Minneapolis By Les Rees Augie’s nitery has its first exotie dancer, Beverly Gay. Edyth Bush Little Theatre offer- ing “ ’Ring Around Moon.” “Tea and Sympathy,” at Lyceum Feb. 21-26, scaled at $4.40 top. Eartha Kitt in “Mrs. Patterson set for Lyceum here week of May 23. Quintetto Allegro into Hotel Radisson Flame Room for third date. Burton Holmes Travelogues go into St. Paul Auditorium Feb. 21- March 27. Pianist Nino Nanni rounded out extended four weeks at Hotel Rad- isson Flame Room. National company of “Pajama Game” set for St. Paul Auditorium May 2-3 and Minneapolis Lyceum May 4-14.