Variety (March 1955)

Wednesday, March 2, 1955 71 TRIXIE FRIGANZA Trixie Friganza, 83, veteran vaude headliner, died Feb. 27 in Flintridge, Cal., where she had been bedridden with arthritis at the Sacred Heart Academy since 1939. Running away from her Kansas home at. 17, she started her stage career in Cleveland that was td last for some 50 years in musical comedy, vaudeville and silent films. Mis» Friganza, who was born Brigid O’Callaghan, starred in “The Prince of Pilsen” on Broad- way shortly after the turn of the century. She appeared with Weber & Fields and was paired with Eddie Cantor and Jimmy Savo. While with Savo she made famous the song, “I May Be Wrong, But 1 Think You’re Wonderful.” Ar- thritis forced her to retire in the early 1930’s. Her first starring part was in “A Christmas Night” in 1894. She later had top roles in ‘‘The Belle of Bohemia,” ‘‘The Girl From Paris,” “Sally in Our Alley,” "The Girl From Yama” and “The Sweetest Girl in Paris.” A song from the latter play, "No Wedding Bells for Me,” became her trade- mark until she wed Charles A. Goettler, a theatrical agent. Miss Friganza appeared in such Grahame-White, an aviator, a union which also ended in divorce. Surviving is a daughter, Geor- gette Cohan. IN LOVING MEMORY OTHER BARSTOW Mar. 6. 1952 EDIE (Hid DICK WILLIAM P. BURT William Presley Burt, 88, whose career covered 75 years on the stage and in films, died Feb. 23 in Denver. His parents were George and Agnes Logan Burt, thespers with a traveling Shakespearean troupe. His mother had been a member of the Edwin Booth Act- ing Co., and wps present at the assassination of Lincoln. In his youth Burt performed in minstrel and medicine shows. Later, from 1917 to 1921. he was associated with George B. Seitz Inc., producing such silent films as the Pearl White series. Burt went to the Coast in 1926 where he appeared in “King of Kings.” He also acted in “Night of Mystery.” “Danger Signals” and “Cimarron.” While there he wrote some of the last Rin Tin Tin se- ries and also directed several films. Subsequently he moved to Den- ver in 1935 where he appeared in productions of the Federal Thea- tre. He also wrote radio scripts until his retirement seven years ago. Surviving are a daughter, Nellie Burt Martin, an actress, and a granddaughter. a breather at Olsen’s home prior to filling a Las Vegas date. Born in England, Sburety came to the U. S. in 1940. Several brothers and sisters survive. EDWIN II. (TED) LAUDER Edwin (Ted) Lauder. 70. former vice president of the Keith-Albee circuit, died in New York March 1. He had been ailing for several years. Lauder at one time was a powerful figure in vaude circles in- asmuch as he supervised the book- ings of all the circuit’s houses. Lauder had been out of show biz for many years. Since leaving the circuit, he had been administering the Albee estate. Funeral services will be held to- j morrow (ThursJ from Campbell’s Funeral Church. had appeared at one time with Tony Pastor and Weber A Fields. She was last seen in “The Man Who Came Back.” RCA Approaches Henry N. Fanning, 65, a member of the RKO-Pathe police force since 1944 and onetime dean of the Pacific Coast League umpires, died of a kidney ailment, Feb. 27, in Los Angeles. His wife and son survive. Continu'd from pax* 1 Mrs. Mary Mitchell Freedley, wife of Vinton Freedley, theatrical producer, died Feb. 27 in New York. Surviving, besides her husband, are a son and a daugh- ter. CARMEN T. VALENCIA Carmen Tortola Valencia, 72, re- tired dancer who was a contem- porary of Isadora Duncan. La Ar- gentina and Diaghilev, died Feb. 13 in Sarria-Barcelona, Spain. In the course of her career she was credited with having introduced many Oriental and c’assic dances. Miss Valencia made her last ap- pearance in Quito. Ecuador, in 1930 wtien she retired from the stage in keeping with a religious vow'. Since then she resided in Sarria-Barcelona. She never mar- ried. Alfred E. Freudemann, 65. por- trait artist and former art director for Paramount Pictures, died Feb. 28 of a heart attack in New' York. His wife survives. films as “The Charmer,” “The Road to Yesterday,” “Free and Easy,” and “Proud Flesh.” After her retirement she resided at the Sacred Heart Academy. But dur- ing World War II she frequently made appearances at veterans’ hospitals despite the fact she was afflicted with arthritis. TOM HOWARD Tom Howard. 69, vet comic, died Feb. 27 in Long Branch. N. J. Born in County Tyrone, Ireland, he came to the U. S. with his parents prior to his first birthday. He began his career in vaudeville in 1905, moved to burlesque, legit- musicals and then to radio and tv. In the latter media he was quiz- master of the show, “It Pays to be Ignorant.” Broadway shows in which How- ard appeared included “Smiles,” “Keep Moving,” “The Gang’s All Here,” “Rain or Shine” and “Greenwich Village Follies.” In burlesque, he played the American and Columbia Wheel circuits. He also made more than 50 film shorts. Surviving are his wife, a daugh- PAUL CLAUDEL Paul Claudel, 86, French poet and playwright, died of a heart at- tack Feb. 23 in Paris. A leading Catholic writer, he was primarily a career diplomat and only recent- ly won fresh recognition for his theatrical works. Plaudits came when Jean-Louis Barrault restaged his “Le Partage Du Midi” and the Comedie-Francaise added his 60- year-old play, “L’Announce Faite A Marie,” to its repertoire. Claudel, who led a double life of diplomat and poet of the gospel, at one time served as French ambassador to the U. S. While freuently devoting himself to religious themes in his writ- ing, he also had a number of plays to his credit. His “Souliers De Satin” was presented by the Comedie-Francaise in 1940. A more recent work, “Jeanne Au Bucher,” an oratorio with music by Arthur Honneger, was staged by Robert Rossellini and toujred Europe with Ingrid Bergman as star. Surviving are his wife, two sons and two daughters. JAMES M. HONE James M. Hone. 83, executive secretary of the Theatre Owners Assn, of Washington, Northern Idaho and Alaska, died Feb. 19 in Seattle. Organizing the exhibitors of the area in 1920, he continued to be an important factor in show biz of the Northwest until a month before his death, when he became seriously ill. He had planned to retire next month. Two sons and a daughter sur- vive. In Memoriam <§rauman (The Little Giant ef Show Biz) Yon‘)I never be forgotten, Sid. Arthur S. Wenzel ter, Mrs. Ruth Howard Hoyt, who wrote the script and gags with her father for the "It Pays to be Ignorant” show; and a son, Thomas Howard Jr., a radio scripter. HARRY SANTLY Harry Santly, 42, w.k, music man, died of a heart attack Feb. 24 in New York. Iq the music biz for more than 20 years, he started as a counter boy at Famous Music. He also was associated with Sha- piro-Bernstein and for the past couple of years had been general manager of Simon House and the Johnny Burke-Jimmy Van Heusen firms. He was the son of vet publisher Joe (Banjo) Santly and the nephew of Lester and Henry Santly. His father is still active in the biz while Lester, who was partnered with George Joy, retired several years ago. Henry Santly, who also headed up a publishing operation, died several years ago. In addition to his father, his wife, actress Helene Travers Sant- ly. and his mother survive. ETHEL LEVEY Ethel Levey, 72, actress and for- mer wife of the late George M. Cohan, died Feb. 27 of a heart at- tack in New York. A native of San Francisco, she made her stage debut on New Year’s Eve, 1897 in “A Milk White Flag.” Subsequent- ly she played in New York at the Weber and Fields Music Hall and at Koster and Bial’s. While she was a member of the Ryde-Behman troupe she met and married Cohan. After her marriage to Cohan, she appeared in all his productions from 1901 to 1907. She was seen in “The Governor’s Son” in 1901, “Running for Office" in 1903, “Lit- tle Jhonny Jones" in 1904 and “George Washington Jr.” in 1906. During this period she also starred in the Charles Frohman produc- tion “My Lady Molly” in 1903. Following her divorce from Cohan in 1907, Miss Levey made numerous European appearances including the Alhambra in Lon- don and the Apollo in Venice. In 1916 she was wed to Claude HAROLD J. McGEE Harold J. McGee, 55, legit actor for more than 25 years, died Feb. 23 in New York after a long ill- ness. In 1921 he joined the Prov- incetown Players as a student ac- tor, later becoming one of its board of directors. In 1924 he acted in a production of four one- act plays of Eugene O’Neill pre- sented under the collective title of “S.S. Glencairn.” McGee had also appeared In Paul Green’s 1927 Pulitzer Prize winner. “In Abraham’s Bosom;” “This Is Our Country” in 1935, “The Country Gentleman” in 1936, “Live Life Again” in 1945 and “Anne of the Thousand Days” in 1948. He was a member of the board of governors of The Players. His wife survives. CHRIS BEUTE Chris Beute, 62. veteran produc- tion and studio exec, died of Hodg- kin’s disease, Feb. 25, in Holly- wood. He was a pioneer member of the Screen Directors Guild. At various times Beute func- tioned as assistant director, pro- duction manager, studio manager and producer. He was the first manager of the Motion Picture Center. Surviving are hid! wife, a son and a sister. ARCHIE HUGH HENDERSON Archie Hugh Henderson, 42, games concessionaire for Patty Conklin’s midway at the Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto, for several years, died Feb. 25. in that city. Born in Vancouver, he joined show business as a boy, and was with such carnivals as Queen City Shows and Wallace Bros. He was a member of the Showmen’s League of America. Survived by son and daughter. JOE WALLACE Joseph Faulisi, 53, night club emcee, and comic known profes- sionally as Joe Wallace, died Feb. 26, in Chicago. Active in the club date field in the Chicago area, in recent years, he devoted much of his time to fund raising for various charities and organized the Parents Assn, for Cerebral Palsy. He was also a member of the local board of American Guild of Variety Artists. Wife and two sons survive. Edmund K. Greer, 72. former Paramount studio purchasing agent for 28 years, died of a heart attack Feb. 27 in Glendale. Cal. His wife and two sisters survive. 1954, first quarterly melon for 1955 at 25 cents per share of com- mon payable Jan. 24. % Total assets, as of Dec. 31, 1955, amounted to $386,522,000 com- pared with $349,735,000 at end of previous year. Additions to plant and equipment during the year amounted to $34 290 000. Report said NBC established a n«w record also during the year, surpassing 1953 by 14.3%. Spot sales increased 28% in tele and 14% in radio. Netw'ork video billings “increased substantially.” while network radio showed “a moderate decline in line with the industry trend.” During 1954 NBC-TV web ex- panded from 168 to 195 stations, with some 100 now equipped to telecast in color, covering 90% of the nation’s receivers. Radio web now numbers 209 stations. Mother of the late hillbilly com- poser and singing star, Hank Wil- liams. died Feb. 26 of a heart at- tack in Montgomery, Ala. A daugh- ter survives. Italy’s Studios Continued from pagr 2 Frank W. Turpin, 66. comedian, known professionally as Frank Hunter, died Feb. 26 in Denvillc. N. J. Surviving are a daughter and a brother. Mother, 76. of Fitzroy Davis, ac- tor and author of the play, “Quick- silver,” died Feb. 22 in Evanston, 111 . Mother, 82. of Tom Spencer, singer and songwriter, died after a long illness Feb. 23 in Long Beach, Cal. work on completely revamped film legislation which was to have been submitted in the meantime. This new law involves several changes in the rebate system, particularly as it applies to documentaries. It now appears that internal dis- sension over the exact form and extent of these proposed changes of the rebate system makes it un- likely that the law can be sub- mitted—much less approved— by June 30, the date when the old legislation expires. John J. Calvey, 84, former man- ager of the Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, died there last week. A son and daughter survive. Mother, 63, of singer Nat (King) Cole, died Feb. 23 in N. Chicago, 111. Also surviving are three other sons and a daughter. Mother, 79, of Margaret Her- rick, Academy executive director, died Feb. 25 in Yakima, Wash. Father, 85. of English actress Sonia Dresdel died Feb. 14 in Aberdeen, Scot. Mother of actor Willis Bouchey. died Feb. 27, in Burbank, Calif. John Kenneth Murchison, Gaelic singer, died Feb. 21 in Edinburgh. GEORGE SHURETY George Shurety, 43. midget clown, was found dead Feb. 28 in the basement of comedian Ole Olsen’s home in Malverne, N. Y. Shurety, who was less than 40 inches high, had appeared in various Olsen & Johnson produc- tions. According to police, Shurety had apparently fallen down the flight of stairs leading to the basement and died as a result of head in- juries. He had just returned from an engagement at a northen I Michigan resort and was taking | JULIE A. HERNE Julie A. Herne, 74, playwright and retired Broadway critic for Metro, was found dead Feb. 24 in her New York apartment. Daughter of playw’right James A. Herne and actress Mrs. Kath- arine Corcoran Herne, she had for a number of years judged scripts and plays in New York for pos- sible film production by Metro. DR. ALEXANDER LESLIE Dr. Alexander Leslie, 43, con- ductor of the Springfield, Mass., Symphony Orchestra since its re- vival in 1944, died Feb. 23 in that city. He studied music at the New England Conservatory in Boston and conducted under Serge Kous- sevitzky at the Berkshire Music Center in Lenox. Sen. Wiley Continu'd from *pace 2 This problem can be met, in part, by American parents insisting upon wholesome radio and tv fare for their children. Voluntary patron- age or non-patronage of sponsors’ programs and products is just about the most ppwerful lever for assuring good programs and curb- ing unwholesome ones. Govern- ment censorship as such is not the answer, except in programs clearly beyond the border of good taste. “I have stated publicly, too, could use a top-notch regular radio-tv program, or programs, dedicated to the cause of combatting juvenile delinquency . . . “What I want are down to earth, realistic radio-tv programs that tell the story of the average American home, the many wholesome influ- ences in it that prevent delin- quency and, yes, the all-too-com- mon conditions in it, like parental neglect, which contribute to ju- venile delinquency.” Treble Damages MARRIAGES Lili St. Cyr to Ted Jordan. Las Vegas. Feb. Bride’s a stripper; he’s an actor. I Heather Christi?!!) Lowry to An- thony Redmond, Liverpool, Eng., | Feb. 20. He’s a staEe director. Lee Parry to Sigmund Bres- I lauer, Munich, GerrtftJ.ny, Feb. 19. i Bride is a German actress; he’s a I Buenos Aires theatreowner. Barbara Pritchett to Armel (Bill), Williams, Fort Worth, Feb. 28. Bride is member of the continuity staff of WBAP-TV there. Tony Goodwilli to Evelyn Terry, Ayr. Scotland, Feb. 26. Bride’s a chorine; he’s one of the Goodwilli Twins, vaude act. Monty Goodwilli to June Knight, Ayr. Scotland, Feb. 26. Bride’s a chorine; he’s one of the Goodwilli Twins, vaude act. Mary McCormick to George Nei- man, Feb. 22, Greenwich, Conn. He’s a lighting director with NBC-TV. Cindy Stoker to John J. Miller, New York, Feb. 22. Bride’s a stage comedienne; he’s a writer and col- umnist for the N. Y. Enquirer. Ann Josephine Lowry to Dick Farrelly, Dublin, Feb. 17. He’s a songwriter. Clare Mullen to Kevin O’Connor, Dublin, Feb. 18. Bride is an ac- tress. Linda Ballantyne to Andrew Allan. Toronto, Feb. 14. She’s an actress; he’s Canadian Broadcast- ing Corp.’s tv-radio drama super- visor. Marguerite Thompson to John L. Spanko, New York. Feb. 12. Bride’s former secretary to Ted Collins and Kate Smith. MILTON LAZARUS Milton Lazarus, 54. playwright who authored such works as "Song of Norway,” died of a heart ail- ment. Feb. 28, in Los Angeles. Wife, a daughter and a sister survive. Harry Stafford, former vaude performer and more recently an agent, died Feb. 10 in Manchester. Eng. He Jong was a partner of comedian Eric Dudley and latar appeared solo in revues. Allie Gilbert, 86. retired actress, died Feb. 20 UkJNLew York. She Continu'd from page 2 $250,000. Counsel for the indie exhibitor agreed that Congress has full power to tax penalty receipts. However, he continued. Congress has never passed a law expressly iaxing such receipts, although the treble damage statute has been on the books more than 40 years. Samuel H. Levy, counsel for Gold- man, pointed out that, although Congress completely revamped the tax laws only last year, it again failed to include penalties as something subject to tax. Finally, he said, if such penalty payments are to be taxed, the question to be determined is whether they should be taxed as a capital gain or has straight income, and this has never been decided. BIRTHS Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Ora, son, Los Angeles, Feb. 24. Father is a member of MCA; child’s grand- j mother is Cherie Redmond. Hecht- Lancaster’s office manager. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Apple- white, son, Fort Worth, Feb. 23. Father is a vocalist. Mr. and Mrs. Jay Russell, son, White Plains. N. Y., Feb. 24. Fa- ther is a legit publicist. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Weaver, son, New York,. Feb. 26. Father is pressagent for the Broadway mu- sical, “Fanny.” Mr. and Mrs. Norman Leebron, son, Philadelphia, Feb. 12. Father is WCAU-TV film manager. Mr. and Mrs. John Meister, daughter, Philadelphia, Feb. 15. Father is in WPTZ film editing department. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cummings, daughter, Santa Monica, Cal., Feb 21. Father is an actor. Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Danziger. son. New York, Feb. 23. Fathc r is ad director of Toy Guidance Council Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Gino DaDan, daughter, Chicago. Feb. 21. Father is a WNBQ-WMAQ ad-promotion assistant. Mr. and Mrs. Tito Rodriguez, son. New York, Feb. 20. Mother is former dancer Tobi Kunimatsu; father s an orchestra leader. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Mann daughter, Hollywood, Feb. 21. Father is a director.