Variety (March 1955)

CHATTER TO Pf&kWft Wedtieiday, March 30, 1955 Broadway r Sol Huicok due back in N.Y. to- ^ day (Wed.) after 10 days' on the Coast for general business matters. Actor Gene Nelson and ice star Sonya Kaye in from Europe today (Wed.) on the Queen Mary. Gottfried Reinhardt, who recent- ] ly turned indie producer, sailing for Europe today (Wad.) on the Liberte. Melanie and Ben Grauer’s “bare walls brawl” (housewarming) in their new East 63d St, manse this week, “Black tie br‘ dupgarees.” . J. P. McEvoy'recuperating from kidney operation at Harkness Pavilion (Medical Center), his fourth surgery job in two years. Tom and Marjorie McKnight planning an eastern quickie to visit her folks in East Orange, N. J., and the tv producer to o.o. the Broadway shows. Irv Brecher east with a new vid- pix package, which George Gruskin (William Morris agency) is helping to package but which the author- creator-wants to cast personally in N. Y. Stanley Fellerman, sales execu- tive of United World Films and son of Lopert Films general man- ager-veepee Max Fellerman, en- gaged to Sandra Feldman, a- Wal- ton School alumnus. Andre Mertens, Columbia Art- ists Mgt, veepee, off to Florida Saturday (2) for a week's rest, fol- lowing windup of the Berlin Phil- . harmonic, Walter Gieseking and Renata Tebaldi U.S. tours.* Mrs. Irving (Ellin) Berlin has taken a house in Bermuda for a month or more and the songsmith joins her and their daughter, Lin- da, after he disposes of some legal matters this week. Berlin says he ‘wants to take things easier for a while; no particular plans,” etc.- Easter Sunday celebrity brunches have started their “casting” activi- ties with an eye to cuffo space and/or some charity tieup. The Waldorf, for example, is keyed to the Heart Fund; Col. Serge Obo- lensky, having shifted his base from the Sherry-Netherland to the Ambassador, is trying to segue them from 5th Ave., to Park Ave.- and the Vanderbilt Hotel is keyed to the Bunypn Fund. , John Frederics Inc. and affiliated Kat Co. i nc -» both giving *769 Boone Ave. as the business addresses, filed petitions for ar- rangements under Chapter XI of the Chandler Act.-The fashionable show bu and society milliner, lists $233,000, tentative liabilities and estimated assets of $180,000/ Te- , llabllitie s are $54,500 and $5,000 in assets. A settlement of 20%, payable in monthly install- ments of 1%, is proposed, Mr. John Inc;, the splinter outfit since the original John & Fred split, has been separate and apart for a num- ber of years. Miami Beach Lary Solloway ■I/ 1 ® Tommy Dorseys celebra their seventh wedding anni. Kay Starr into the Fontai bleau s La Bonde for two we Howard Hughes and a grout his staffers conferring at the lumbus Hotel. Phil Foster replaced He: Youngman as topper on bill or mg tonight (30) at the Naut Hotel. LuciHe and Eddie Boberts the Empire 8 follows Genevi “fj A th ® Sa * on y's Pagoda Be mid-April. The French chantoc takes over April 1. San J Barken, who built and seated t he ori S in al Five O’Cl Club and who also owns the Bee comber property, back to nil life; he took over this week manager of the Sans Souci 1 Sails Boom. / entation will take-place ip a Ma- drid theatfa sometime this spring. “La Mslauer^da,” authored by' the late Jacinto Benavente, will be presented at the International Festival, in Paris this Spring with a Spanish company under direc- tion of Claudio de la Torre. Antonio Vilar, Portuguese actor, obtained the rights to film the life of Don* Pedro IV, Brazil's onetime and only Emperor, from the U. of Bio de Janeiro. Film, called “El Bey Caballero,” will be made in Lisbon. Paris By Gene Moskowitz (28 rue Huchette; Odeon 4944) Michel Simon back to pix, after a long absence. In “Monsieur Pip- elet.” - Ken Giniger, prexy of Hawthorn Books, here to ogle the literati picture. Hope Williams, Gene Nelson, Harry Kurnitz in for quickie visits from London. Charles Feldman In to investi- gate workings of his Paris office and set up deals. Leonid Moguy in from Megeve and propping his proposed film on the ravages of the atomic bomb, Borrah Minevitch writing his memoirs; ditto Eric Von Stroheim; and Maurice Chevalier is on third volume of his. Yves Allegret's next pic will be “La Parisienne,” based om the Henri Becque boulevard legiter of the early 1900's. -Orson Welles doing a 26 vidpix package for British tv. called “Around The World With Orson Welles” to be shot, natch, all over the globe. Elvire Pdpesco wants to mount 'the new 0 Jean Anouilh play, “Don Juan,” at her Theatre De Paris next season, with Pierre Brasseur in the title role, “A Night At The Lido,” show composed of the best tableaus from the past Lido nitery reps, will play here for eight days before heading for a tour of South America April In Paris ball at the Wal- dorf-Astoria in N.Y. will be head- ed by French chanter Gilbert Be* caud and 18-year-old novelist Francoise Sagan who wrote “Hello Sadness.” ' Martine Carol taking a bath in 500 bottles of champagne in her new. film, “Lola Montez ” being di- rected by Max Ophuls. Three ver- sion pic has a phenom budget of $1,500,000. Olivia De HaVilland-Pierre. Gal- ante nuptials set for April 2 at the hamlet of Yvoi-Le-Marton, wherfe they will be married by the mayor, Jacques Provoust, who is also the publisher of Faris-Match. Abel Gance's first pic in 18 years, “La “Tour De Nesle,” opens this week, and the director, then starts another film, “Les Batisseurs” (The Builders), as he becomes an integral part of the French film scene again. * Alan Jay Lerner and Fred Loewe in from London to. see the Gallic showing of “Pygmalion”, be- fore heading stateside. Pair have been working bn a musical ver- sion of the' Shavian play for next season production in N. Y. Jacques Gauthier says he’ll make a film on the Biviera this summer with Marlon Brando and Joan Crawford called ,n The Secret Life.” Gauthier also has a Mexi- can property, “L’Impasse De Desir,” he’d like to make these with Charles Boyer. Ingrid Bergman interested In doing i-the film .version of “Anas- tasia” for 20th-Fox provided it can be made in Europe with an Amer- ican director. She’s also signed for ah appearance in Israel with G. B. Shaw’s “Saint Joan;” she’Jl play Joan in English backed by an Israeli troupe speaking in Hebrew. Madrid . By Ramsby Ames (Casteliana Hilton; 37-22-00 . (Abdullah) King, once r Jgypt s Sarnia Gamal, n “8 Madrid his new home. Ex-El Morocco habitue, Mac back in his native Argentina bi Ing acts for Buenos Aires thea and cabarets. • , Bico awarded i £§? al ° f honor by the Circulc Bellas Artes for being Spain’s r popular actress. T?i^ ct ^ sse . s Emi »a Pennella Elisa Montes, accompanied by ducer Cesario Gonzalez, back f the Uruguayan Film Festival. . £ e j e £ Wyngarde, British ac Inked by Robert Bossen to api in Rossen’s* upcoming “Alexaf the Great.” It's his first film i Robert Alda and Milly Vital star In Operacion Espana” wl rolls In May under banner Spain’s Eos Films. Lee Gar will lens in Eastman Color. Thesps Maria Asquerino Enrique Diosado organized : legit, company whose initial .p Vienna By Emil W. Maass Grosse Schiffgasse 1 A Tel. A 45050 New state opera will have some- thing unique; numbered standing places “King Ottokar” finally agreed upon as opener of Burg Theatre in October. Swiss Delta and Austrian Zenit in first coproduction. It will be drama, “Priest of Kirehfeld.” Bitter struggle between film companies and film workers union started. General 12% increase de- manded. Geza von Bolvary contemplating as newest ‘ picture, thb story of Catherine Schratt, soul mate of the late Emperor Francis Joseph. Robert Stolz putting finishing touches on his score for Ernst Marischka’s newest film. “Deutsch- meister” (famous Austrian regi- ment up to 1918). Composer-pianist Hermann Leo- pold!, with songstress Helly Mos- lein, rooked by Louis S. de Pitt' of Fleischmanns, N. Y. (Mountain Lodge) for summer season; *j John Gbssage signed on a pro- ducer contract by Warwick Films* . Max Thorpe, managing director of Columbia* underwent success- ful eye surgery at a local hospital last -week.-,'... 'Hannon" swaffer, on sick list since his .75th birthday celebra- tions last November, re-admitted’ to hospital last week. Sonya Kaye, star Of the Empress Hall blades pauto, “Cinderella on Ice,” returned to New York via the Mary last weekend. Eve Boswell, Nat Jackley and the Jack Parnell band' headed a contingent which planed to South Africa last week for a two months’ tour. ■ - Bea Lillie spotlighted in a BBC closeup program 1 last weekend, which featured Constance Carpeh- ter, Andre Chariot and Robert Morley. Lewis Bush resigned as rep of the Commonwealth Film Corp. in' Japan. The British Film Pro- ducers Assn, will shortly name a successor. Hairy Watt, recently appointed documentary producer for Gra- nada-TV, planed to New York Monday (28) for an extended stay to gander tv developments, Harold Hobson, “Sunday Times drama scribe, due for election as president of the Critics’ Circle to- morrow (Thurs.). Paul Holt, Daily Herald film and legit reviewer, to be named vice-prez. . James Carreras, chief barker of the Variety Club London tent, feted by the crew prior to his de- parture foiv New York last week- end. He’ll attend the Interna- tional Convention in L. A. in May. David Whitfield planes to New Y6rk April 4 to make a couple of appearances on Ed Sullivan’s “Toast of the Town” programs April 10 and 17. Sydney Grace, exec of the Lew & Leslie Grade office, goes with him to look after his interests. Washington By Florence S. Lowe Manager* Gerald Price skedded opening of Glen Echo Amusement Park for April 2. “Chandra”, India’s most ambiti- ous film effort to date, set for a capital preem at Roth’s Little The- atre Friday (1). Fess Parker, the “Davy Crock- ett” of tv and the upcoming Dis- ney film, will highlight this week’s National Rifle Assn, confab with a series of Capitol Hill and personal appearance stints. Weekly performances of Oliver Goldsmith’s “She Stoops to Con- quer” skedded as a feature of. the six-week “Prelude to Indepen- dence” Spring festival at historic Colonial Williamsburg, Va. Largest number ot clergymen to ever view a theatrical film to- gether saw 20th’s “A Man Called Peter,” film blog of their late col- league, Rev. Peter Marshall, at spe- cial Loew’s Palace screening. Berlin By Hans Hoehn Hans Leibelt, German stage and screen actor, celebrating his 70th birthday. Leonide Moguy may direct the new German-French coproduction, “Fruit Sans Amour.” There have been 112,378 tv r set owners registered in West Ger- many (incl. West Berlin) as of March 1. Peter Schaeffers and Aldo von Pinelli, bosses of local Melodie- Film, plan trip to New York and Hollywood next month. “The Purple Plain,” British film (Two Cities-Rank), and “Desiree” (20th) have been declared “valu- able” by West German film classi- fication board. Survey discloses 4,206°West Ger- man exhibs members of the ZDF (Central Organization of German Film Theatres). Total number of West German cinemas amounts to 5,300. BBB, new cinema in West Ber- lin, introduced a socalled water- organ to Germany, playing before each performance. Colored foun- tains rise and fall in synchroniza- tion to music. Rome By Robert F, Hawkins (Archimede 145; 800 211) Cinerama gets its . Continental preem ’ at Milan, April 9, during 33d Milan Trade Fair. \ Douglas Fairbanks Jr. expected here shortly to shoot four telepix. Peter Marriot, his exec producer, is here to set details. Jean Negulesco may direct a Gina Lollobrigida starrer currently in the planning stage, “The World’s Most Beautiful Woman.” Gian-Carlo Menotti to Milan to prep a Scala staging of “The Saint of Bleecker 'Street. 7 ’ -' Composer is working on a new opera tentatively titled “The Last Superman.” Local theatre shortage,- which made a “Jazz at the Philharmonic” Roman stopover impossible, also makes it likely that the touring "Porgy and Bess” troupe will play Rome in a «tent. “The Gold of Naple,” DeSlca- directed episoder which stars Toto, Sophia Loren and Silvana Man- gano, received a French govern- ment invitation to the upcoming Cannes Film Fete. . Broderick Crawford, Richard Basehart, and an unset U.S. actress scheduled to star in a local produc- tion entitled “II Bidone,” for which Humphrey Bogart Was once re- ported signed. Pic, produced by Marcello Girosi, will be directed by Federico Fellini. Pittsburgh By Hal V. Cohen Barbara Louis, Playhouse and tv actress, off to New York to try her luck. Any Chakeres, who operates the Horizon Room, back after a month in Florida. Edward Komperda to direct Mt. Lebanon Players’ next show, “Light Up the Sky.” Bobby Brannigans, sr. and jr., will be together in backstage crew of “Damn Yankees.” Barbara Hall making her Play- house debut in the only femme role in “The Little Hut.” Christine Jorgensen headlines the . White Elephant for ■ a week beginning Friday (1). Bill Shirley, at 85 country’s oldest active p.a., in town beating the drums for four UA pix.- Dick Dana to Buffalo after 13 weeks as straightman at the Ca- sino; Danny Jacobs replaced him. Walter BUrelson, Tommy Car- lyn’s first trombonist, and his wife celebrated their 19th wedding anni. Magician Bill Neff- in Haiti checking up on the witch-doctors and getting some voodoo stuff for his new show. Henry Hewes, Saturday Review drama, critic,* here to speak -to drama school of his alma mater, Carnegie Tech. s Vince Barnett here Visiting the family for a few days after taking his wife’s body from Hollywood to Detroit for burial. Sydney I By Norm Louden ABC says it has signed up American singer Lena Horne. Katharine Hepburn and Robert Helpmann scheduled to arrive In Sydney May 6. Pianist Winifred Atwell doing 26 quarter-hour radio shows for the Fidelity transcription outfit. French pianist Monique Haas due here next month for an Aus- tralian Broadcasting Commission concert tour. Irish tenor Patrick O’Hagen will take to the road for the .Austral- ian Broadcasting Commission with 30 concerts set. Joan Lord, local actress, back at work in radio after a trip to Brit- ain, during which she worked in the BBC “Theatre Royal” series. For first time in memory a Jap- anese film was seen here when the Japanese Consul-General gave a private screening of “Jigoku-mon” (Gate of Hell). Australian novelist Jon Cleary’s “The Sundowners” reported to have been bought by Hollywood producer Joseph Kaufman, for production in CinemaScope. Chicago Agent Jack Russell hospitalized with a strep throat. Metopera tenor Richard Tucker appears at Orchestra Hall Satur- day (2). Herb Shriner, Dennis James and Jack Bailey in for the National Assn, of Tobacco Dealers conclave/ Bill Flanagan* longtime press- agent for Adlai Stevenson, joined the Harshe-Rothian publicity firm. Sun-Times columnist Irv Kup- cinet and wife on the Coast for two weeks to cover the Oscar awards and to survey the Holly- wood scene. ® San Francisco By Ralph J. Gleason Bill Hogan, Chronicle drama ed, off on a junket to Omaha. Charlie Barnet cut out- of Fack’s a weekly early. Mutual consent. Mae West doing capacity biz at the Italian Village despite a bad press. Victor Young visiting d.j.s while in town with the General Motors Motorama. Rash of Bohemian type .beer stubes springing up on North Beach with nickelodeons and play- er* pianos* < .. « d v . Kay Starr planed to Miami, Hal Roach Jr.* to Panama on vacation. Bud Abbott recovering from ma- jor surgery. Theda Bara critically ill with in- testinal trouble. Jimmy. McHugh in town after three weeks in the East. -Robert, Paige emceed the Amer- ican Cinema Editors’ fifth annual awards dinner. Moshe Pearlmen, Minister of In- formation for Israel, "addressed the Screen Producers Guild. Film industry toppers tossed a luncheon for British Ambassador Sir. Roger Makins on the 20th-Fox lot. Red Skelton presented with spe- cial plaque for “outstanding con- tribution” at the dedication of the new Knesseth Israel Temple. Southern Cal. Motion Picture Council cited “JuRiter’s Darling,” “Annapolis Story” and “Jump Into Hell” for excellence during the month of March. The Netherlands By Hans Saaltink Arthur Luce Klein’s “Skits and Sketches” revue a click. National Hungarian Song 8c Dance Theatre local hit. Disney’s “The Living Desert” in its 14th * week at the Alhambra, AmctprHaifi ' Philip Dorn, left Holland for Hoi-, lywood, after performing in Jan de Hartog’s “The Fourposter,” “Tea and Sympathy” in reper- tory with 1 the Rotterdams Toneel. Lia Dorana; popular radio star, in her first stage role. Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot/’ - as produced by Theater, m private showing as police officials objected to public performance. Lotte Goslar’s “For Humans Only,” with Freddy Albeck, will move from Holland and reach Miienchen’s Kammerspiele April 13. Hollywood agent Mitchell Gertz set top Dutch actor and cabaretier Wim Sonneveld in his first film. He leaves Holland May 3 for New York and Hollywood. German director Wolfgang Staudte searching for a little boy for the name part in “Ciske the Rat,” due to shoot in April. “Ciske” is adapted from book by Piet Bak- ker. Actors Guus Hermus and John Gobau will start a new company, “Comedia,” in September. At the moment they are part of Holland’s main theatre, group, the Neder- landse Comedie. Cleveland By Glenn C; Pullen Charlie Spivak orch reopening. Crystal -'Beach Park ballroom* Easter Sunday. Rolf Engelhardt cast as Melan- choly Dane in Play House’s version of “Hamlet,” starting April 6. Lloyd Meyers of Aragon Ball- room backing mambo concert- dance by Perez Prado’s- orch at Arena April 3. Chris Gordon, actress-wife of Bill Gordon, WHK disk jockey, joined Drury Theatre for role in “King of Hearts.” Tina Cowgill teamed up with Marty Caine in his theatrical agen- cy. She’s former travel agency booker and wife of Johnny Cow- gill, singing pianist at Herman Pirchner’s nitery. Bob Whalen, former Cleveland tenor, brought in by Alpine Village for two weeks to pinchhit for Dick Melari. Latter reputedly cancelled date because he didn’t want to sing all the production numbers in addition to doing his own act. Wilma Leary, skating with hus- band Edin at Statler Terrace Room ice show, taking off several months due to impending mother- hood. Jane Broadhurst, now in Unit’s line, subs for Mrs. Leary in lead role when revue moves next month to Statler in Washington. Ireland By. Maxwell Sweeney (22 Farney Pk: Dublin 64506) Nat Gonella pacted for Theatre Royal, Dublin. Tenor James Johnston will de U.S. tour in 1956. Geraldo’s orch Inked for sum- mer tour of Irish terperies. Playwright Richard Hayward sails for U. S* gab tour In May. Dublin Globe Theatre Co. pact- ed for Theatre Royal, Waterford, at Easter. Emlyn Williams set for .Charles Dickens readings at Olympia, Dub- lin, next month. Sean O’Casey disking • talks for Radio Eireann to precede season of his plays next month. •Warbler Jackie Flood inked for Rohnie Aldrich’s London band combo, Squadrorjaires; She’s Jackie Lee now.