Variety (August 1955)

62 CHATTER Wednesday, August 3, 1935 Broadway Songwriter Joseph Meyer and wife sail for Europe on the Liberte today (Wed,). Pressagent Betty Lee Hunt in Doctors Hospital, last week, for minor surgery. Jerry Thorpe, BCA Victor pub- licity chief, jn'o N. V. Eye & Ear* .Hospital for surgery. When Loew’s exec Oscar A. Doob retires to write in Palm Beach, he will also serve as. Variety cor- respondent in that territory. Sol Hurok returned to N. Y. Monday (1) after a summer in Europe, having completed details ■ on import of five major music and . legit groups for the coming season. Sol A. Schwartz, president of RKO Theatres, left yesterday (Tues.) for a week’s Coast stay to onceover .new pictures and look in on the ciiain’s operations in L. A, and San Francisco. Edmund C, Grainger Jr. has re' turned to private law practice with O’Brien, Driscoll & Raftery, having resigned as special assistant to the Attorney General of the U.S* in the Tax Division of the Dept, of Justice. Sissa Bethea, ex-Copa dancer, back in the U.S. after eight-month tour with Rascel’s variety show throughout Italy. She nixed a next season’s repeat in order to visit her father, John Bethea, an Or- lando (Fla.) fruit grower: Armand John Veqsey Jr., asst. & m. of Standard Vacuum Oil of . Y., and son of the late com- S oser-director at the now defunct itz - Carlton Hotel, married Jeanne-Marie Kranich, ex-Argosy mag associate editor, last week. Singer and Coca-Cola executive Morton Downey, along with attor- ney Edwin L. Weisl (Paramount Pictures board member), named to the board of the reorganized Amer- ican News Co. by Henry Gatfinkle, who became ANC prexy a month ago. Joe. Cornbleth, onetime agent, booker and arena and nitery pro- ducer who was with the William Morris office in N. Y. for several years, now a departmental sales manager for English &' Douglas, San Fernando Valley realtors on the Coast. Harmonicaist Larry Adler, now touring Down Under, has asked . that he not N be confused with the Larry Adler of the Brooklyn Eagle, who was described as a Commu- nist in the 1930s during June 29 testimony before the Senate Inter- nal Security subcommittee given by CBS announcer Winston Burdett. Walter Pidgeon, , Maureen O’Hara, Merle Oberon, Barbara Rush, Anne Francis, Jeanne Crain and Col. Serge Obolensky making the inaugural flight via Brazil’s own Varig Airlines to Rio de Janeiro. Obolensky’s syndicate is building a new El Ebajador (Am- bassador) Hotel in Ciudad Trujillo, Dominican Republic, which is now the first stop (5Vfc hours away) from N.Y. to Rio. The Warren Stevenses (Lydia Minevitch) cut their N.Y. honey- moon short because of a Universal film commitment. Actor, while east and awaiting the return from Paris of his bride-to-be, who had flown over for the services of Borrah Minevitch, her father, did a Philco Playhouse guester. Deems Taylor, who was best man for Stevens, hosted at a small recep- tion following their marriage last Thursday (27) at the First Presby- terian Church here. Norman Reader, public info chief of the French Government Tourist Office in. North America, awarded France’s Tourist Medal, becoming Chevalier de l'Ordre du Merite Touristique. Award started in '49. for non-Frenchmen; Reader is a native American. Pittsburgh By Hal V. Cohen George Elias staging Sesque- centennial pageant in Canton, O. Twin Coaches goes 'back to full- week operation again with Sophie Tucker booking on Sept. 9. Mrs. Lincoln Maazel flew to Rome to spend some time with her son, Lorin Maazel, the Symphony conductor. Karl Krug, drama editor of Sun- Telegraph, vacationing for three weeks, with Leonard MendlowRr pinch-hitting. I/r Terry Wayne has broken awa£ l from Miriam Sage organization and now has the line herself at the White Elephant. Atlantic City By Joe W. Walker Atlantic City Race track opens Aug. 9 and runs until Oct, 5. Three Galanes at President Hotel Round-the-World-Room. Joe Hogan purchased Escort Bar, mid-city spot, from Tony Bar- atta. Shelburne Hotel formally opened Its new convention room last week. Dolores Wilson featured Tues- day (2) in Ventnor Summer Musi- cal festival in suburban Ventnor. Cuffo Sunday night (band con- certs on Garden Pier out as amuse- ment interests protested. Concerts now staged on Monday nights. Paradise night club dropped plan of using name bands during season aftejf early trial resulted in poor - business.' Negro Spot fea- tured Larry . Steele last summer. Kay Martin, Bamboo Club sing- er, in police court for appearing on boardwalk in Bikini bathing suit. Released with warning as news services used yarns and pix of stunt. Paris By Gene Moskowitz (28 Rue Huchette;: Odeon 49-44) Elissa Lotti off to Munich on a contract to appear in three Ger- man pix. “Seven Brides For Seven Bcotli- *ers” (M-G) in for heat crix; looks to do biz, a rarity for musicals hefe. Beldon Katelman, owner of El Rancho in Las Vegas, in to ogle talent; so far Interested in Alicia Marquez, carioca wigglOr at the Folies-Bergere^ Ilya Lopert to receive high gov- ernmental honor decoration from Italy, with the Grande Officiale, for his fine work/for Italy via his “Summertime” (UA). Joe Warfield, U. S. tihiesp, into French pic, “Le Madelon/’ as American Army colonek Warfield was strictly a . private during his real U. S. Army stint.. Gina Lollbrigida is the third Continental star to work on a tra- peze this year and she now goes into practice for one of the star roles in the Hecht-Lancaster “Tra- peze” (UA) which rolls , Aug. 1. Michele Morgan did trapeze work in the recent “Obsession” while Martine Carol is still doing her aerial work in Germany in Max Ophuls’ pic, “Lola Montes.” In spite of governmental rulings here on pix that are to be shown in the whole territory of “France, the mayor of Nice has banned foUr pix by special municipal decree. This is being contested by distribs. Pix are “Avant Le Deluge” on juvenile delinquency; “La Rage Au Corps,” on nymphomania;” “Le Feu Dans Le Peau” (Fire in the Flesh), about lust, and “La Neige Etait Sale,” about a degenerate during the occupation^ Fire Island By Mike Gross Le*e Wiley warbled to Harold Rome’s piano accomp at Ted Fine’s bash. Big Three topper Abe Olman weekending with tunesmith Lou Alter. * Jir* LOnghi off to Ogonquit, Me., for opening of his play, “Two Fin- gers Of Pride.” Beth Hollinger cut her summer vacaah short to take on Scripting chores for Bess Myerson’s new ra- dio show. S T Brill Building refugees on/' the beach: Marvin Caine, Artie Mogull, Wally Schuster, Marvin Fisher and Ivan Mogull. Bill Kayland, NBC-TV producer on the Coast, guesting with Lloyd Leipzig between huddles on “Wide, Wide World.” Albert Hague and Arnold Hor- witt, “Plain and Fancy” cleffers, mapping out plans over weekend for a new tuner. Rome By Robert F. Hawkins (Archimede 145; tel 800 211) Gloria Swanson is back in town after trip to Paris. Franchise Arnoul here briefly from Paris to discuss film matters. Florence may be next Italo cen- ter after Milan and Rome to get Cinerama. Patachou booked for two-night stand at. out-of-town Casina delle Rose nitery. Shirley Jones leaves “Oklahoma” company at end of Rome stand and wings to Hollywood to work in /'Carousel.” Venice Film Festival prelims open Aug. 15 because of heavy pre- booking of documentary and kid pix; Feature fete opens Aug. 25. Current Casina delle Rose nitery show includes topliner Geo Dorlis, Johnson & Madill, Homer and Holt, Lana Rita and Walton’s Mario- nettes. Caby Andre and husband Ely Smith off to Paris after lengthy local stay. Smith may produce pix locally in a deal possibly involving Broderick Crawford. Raoul Levy, French producer, in from Paris to look for Italo talent for his next pic, “The Witch;” which rolls in Sweden soon with Marina Vlady in the lead. . London . Frank Lawton recuperating from abdominal operation. Stephen Boyd, popular tv star, inked longterm contract with Lon- don Films. ( ! Guy Mitchell threw a novelty in the way of a reception, prior to his Palladium opening, serving steaks in his hotel suite. ; Palladium patrons sustained in- juries when part of ceiling plaster, fell on audience last week, caus- ing closing of some seats, and money refunds. Bob Hope flew in from Paris to make a personal at the Plaza and meet folks bearing the .name of Foy. This tied up with current showing of his pic, “The Seven Little Foys.’V , ^ Max Adrian, star of “Airs On a Shoestring” which ran over a year at the Royal Court Theatre, joined cast of “From Here To There” last week. This current revue was sagging for lack of a- strong male personality. „ Janet Leigh and Victor Mature getting innoculated against all the African ills before they set off at the end of the month for Kenya, for location shooting on Metros latest pic “Safari”. Local shots are now under way at Elstree Stu- dios megged by Terence Young.. “Braziliana”, a musical from Rio de Janeiro, opens a fom>week run at the 'Piccadilly Theatre Aug. 9, under the direction of Mieco As- kanasy. Show was unique when staged in Rio, being the first na- tive theatre production with an all-Brazilian cast. Barcelona By Joaqulna C. Vidal-Gomls (Tel, 24-00-18; Angli, 43) Edmund Purdom, who’s in town, assisting at bull fights here. Rafael de Cordoba’ and the Puppet Parade . at Emporium nitery. The Talia Theatre’s “Menta y Canela,” musical show, stars Rosita Ferrer. • . ^ Mexican Ana Maria Gonzalez, who is a favorite here, now at Casablanca nitery. Agatha Christie’s “The Mouse- trap” at the Comedia Theatre, presented by Arturo Serrano. -The Rigat nitery has a typical Spanish show, besides Harry Brampton, Los Turina and Ugolini. Argentine tango singer Alberto Castillo at the Calderon. Theatre sold out during his two-week stay. American pix on Barcelona screens are; “Witness To Murder” (UA), “Great Houdini” (Par.) “Mask of Avenger” (Col), “Uncle Willie” (Col), “Song of South” (RKO) and “Golden Blade” <U). Frankfurt St. Olaf’s Choir one-nighted at Drei Konigs Kirche here Aug. 1. Eddie Constantine, American singer-actor who’s one of the top stars in France, due here for open- ing .of “Serenade Fuer 2 Pistolen.” Singer Caterina Valente leaves Germany in December for three- month tour of the U.S.; including tv shows and a guesting at a Las V6gas hotel. . Stuart Schulberg of Trans-Rhein ! Films producing ‘‘Fliegende Gue- terwagen” (Flying Truck) for U. S. Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corp. Wolfgang Staudte, barred from working in West Germany because of his work with DEFA in East Berlin, now making “Ein Kind Braucht Nur'Liebe” (Every Child Needs Love), with a German and Dutch cast, at the Cineton studios in Amsterdam. Gustav Machaty, who directed “Ecstasy,” set to make “Wie ein Sturm wind” (Like a Hurricane). O. W. Fischer, actor turned di- rector, just finished first directorial' job “Hanussen,” for Royal Films. Helmut Kaeutner, one of top German directors, plans three new productions filmization of Carl Zuckmayer novel, “Das Engele von Loewen”; “Himmel ohne Sterne” (Heaven Without Stars); and re- make of “Der Hauptmann von Koepenick.” ' By Jerry Gaghan Jackie Davis pacted by Capitol Records. , Iz Kamens, Shubert' theatres program man, recuperating after siege in hospital. Jackie Lee, local pianist, at Johnson’s Cafe, Wildwood, for seventh consecutive summer. Grace Kelly starrer “To Catch A Thief,” will have world preem at Trans-Lux Theatre this week. Stripper Julie Gibson makes stage debut as Tondelaya in-Ken- ley Players' “White Cargo”, Bris- tol, Pa. Steve Strohman, Capitol Records, moved to Coast as assistant opera- tions manager for company’s Holly- wood branch. Patricia Jenkins, daughter of Evening Bulletin drama reviewer Dudley Jenkins, had principal role in “Fifth Season” at the Park Playhouse. Theodore Viniello, known pro- fessionally as Teddy Walters, for- mer Tommy Dorsey and . Artie Shaw vocalist, in Philadelphia General Hospital suffering from blood disease. San Francisco By Bill. Steif Leonard Silliman signed T. C. Jones for “New Faces of’ ’56.” Hal Prinz, a native, up from Hol- lywood to catch-his own “Pajama Game.” Bob Scobey’s Dixieland Band moving across the Bay to Oak- land’s Jack London Square. "Albert Marre heading for Paris and a few days of confabs with Anouilh before assuming 4i rec *o- rial duties for The Playwrights.: Louis de Rochemont welcomed to San Francisco with a cocktail party. aboard Western Pacific’s California Zephyr ~ all part of; preparation for opening of “Cine- j rama Holiday.” Iron.Curtain ‘Time’ Continued from' page 1 with Moscow hnd while there are individuals in some of the com- panies who think this is the time to pierce the Iron Curtain with American films, none of the dis- tribs will 'move until and unless/ Johnston and the association give the go-ahead. Latter, in turn, have some heavy thinking to do before pulling down their self-erected bar- rier against trading with the Reds. Oddly enough, the Soviets them- selves want American features and have said so. The U. S. State Dept., too, has indicated it wouldn’t be opposed to Hollywood pix going into Russia. But ap- parently that hasn’t been sufficient for Johnston and the company prexies who would rather act on a direct request from the govern- ment. That way, if there are any kickbacks, no blame could be at- tached to the industry. Shifting Attitudes It’s acknowledged at the MPEA that the entire climate has changed to the point where it would make sense to make a film deal with the. Russians. . In other cultural areas ■—such as music—there has been an obvious tendency to initiate ex- changes with Moscow In the wake of the. favorable atmosphere cre- ated at the Geneva four-power talks. Yehtidi Menuhin, the violinist, said last week he was going to the USSR next ye-ar and that two Soviet musicians—violinist DavicL Oistrakh and pianist Emil Gilels—- would visit the U. S. Also, Russia apparently wants, to send over its top ballerinas and singers and wants American counterparts to visit in turn. “Porgyand Bess,” U. S, version, also is poised to pierce the Iron Curtain. With films, the exchange—if one comes about—would be a one- sided .one since Russian pix are freely imported into this coqnt/*y. There haven’t been any new Amer- ican films shipped to the; Soviet Union since soon after the war % The Russians have shown some* Hollywood pix, declaring them “war booty” captured in Berlin. The State Dept, protested these unlicensed exhibitions at the be- hest of the U. S. distribs. Move was on in 1947 for the JMPEA to sell a batch of films to Russia for $1,000,000. However, at < that time, the local commissars couldn’t,mack up their minds on what films they wanted, and the deal fell through. A year ago, when another Red request for pix came through, it was flatly nixed by the MPEA. ^That was at the time Senator McCarthy rode high and mentioning the Russians was | tantamount to treason. One of the major problems of selling pix to Russia is the one of supervision since the suspicion re- mains that the Soviets might edit the films to suit their own propa- ganda purposes. Selection of the films is a comparatively minor problem since there are plenty of “neutral” type features that should be acceptable to both sides as rep- resenting “pure” entertainment. There have been repeated reports out of Russia stating that Ameri- can films are very’ popular with audiences despite official govern- ment discouragement. The Russian papers have on occasions riled against the western “trash” which filmgoers appear to enjoy. Hollywood / Yul Brynner bought a home in the Hollywood hills. Muriel Roberta hospitalized with bronchial pneumonia. ^ Milton R. Rackmil in from N.-Y. for. Universal huddles. Grade Alien and Mary Living- stone returned from N. Y. Norman Taurog will direct the Deb Star.Ball at Hollywood Pal- ladium Sept. 30. Joan Crawford and bridegroom, Alfred Steele, returned from their honeymoon abroad. Mary Castle collapsed on 20th- Fox lot and withdrew from the cast of “GodE Morning, Miss Dove.“ Protestant Motion Picture Coun- cil picked Metro’s “Interrupted Melody” as Picture of the Month, George Stevens tossed a lunch- eon for Edna Ferber, Suit was filed here by producer J. K. McEldowney and publicist Malvina McEldowney, his wife, against Commonwealth Pictures Corp. for back salaries allegedy owed them. Manila Roy Hamilton is top hit in radio and jukes. “Prisoner of Parma,” an Italian import, banned by local censor board. Columbia release, “Objective Central Luzon,” made by BOnifer, enjoyed successful nationwide ex- hibition, Alfonso B. Garcia, top exec of Deegar Cinema, due from New York, where he was reported to have closed a co-production deal. FAMAS, local counterpart of Hollywood’s film academy, ready- ing annual awards ceremony for September. New officers elected. George Stevens’ “Penny Sere- nade” in first-run revival at Lyric. “Man Without A-Star” (U-I) moved over to first-run Times from Uni- vcrsdl “Strange Lady In Town” (Co- lumbia) to run simultaneously at Lyric and Avenue. “A Prize Of Gold” lri twin engagement at State and Capitol. Banning of “Martin Luther” by censor board .drew unfavorable press reaction. Censors say film attacked Catholicism, dominant religion here. „ New deal between Chapman Ho and producer Manuel Vistan Jr., of Premiere Productions, calls for three pics to be made in Hongkong* for release throughout Southeast Asia. MGA’s Merchandising Continued from pace 2 saa stores these days on drinking glasses, • lighters, wallets and cuff- links, according to MCA. Direct revenue returns aren’t the only object of the Mincolla operation, He’s been told to ar- range various premium deals as a plus to attract sponsors to any of the several telefilms produced under MCA aegis. For example,, a giveaway has been fixed for the Bill Williams starrer, “Kit Karson," as a boost for bankroller Coca Cola. In addition to the performers, such as Edwards, presently receiv- ing merchandising attention front MCA, Mincolla says that there are also MCA-repped writers on the list, Mincolla says that MCA mer- chandising has begun hiring its \ own staff, headed by an attorney to handle licenses and other con- tracts with manufacturers and talent. It’s also got its own ad agency, Paris & Peart, s i R&H ‘Pipe’ , Continued from pace 1 Williamson Music (R & H), in part- nership with Prince Littler. That is the regular production setup in England for R & H shows, or other U. S. shows acquired by R & H for Britain. Assuming that “Pipe Dream” is done in London successfully next spring, it would probably extend the R&H tenancy of the Drury beyond the 10-year mark. It would thus top the decade record set dur- ing the 1920s and 1930s by Oscar Hammerstein 2d with various shows done in collaboration with various composers, before he formed his current co-author and co-producer partnership with Rich- ard Rodgers, Among the outstanding Hammer- stein hits at the Drury during that previous. 10-year string were “Show Boat,” “Rose Marie,” “Des- ert Song” and “New Moon.”