Variety (February 1957)

62 CHATTER PS^iErt Rock Hudson in Manhattan for a week to publicize “Battle Hymn." Metro eastern story editor Olin H. Clark ofl^for his annual vaca¬ tion in Jamaica. Herbert Rosener, San Francisco exhib in New York for a three to four-week stay. 21st annual Variety Club Inter¬ national Convention will be held at the Roosevelt' Hotel in New Or¬ leans April 3-6. Easter Sunday brunch at the Waldorf will be tied to the Damon Runyon Cancer Fund, in honor of Humphrey Bogart. . / Producer Joe Pasternak off on a personal selling joib on his “Ten , Thousand Bedrooms." Anna Maria Alberghetti will also tour to plug the Metro film. Theatrical attorney I. Robert Broder starting month’s holiday today (Wed.),, planing for a few days in Havana, thence to Mexico City, and back via Hollywood. Harald Bowden, general manager of J.' C. Williamson Theatres Ltd., in Australia, arrived in New York with his wife last Thursday (21) for a gander at the. Broadway shows. Arthur L. Mayer, prez of the Independent Distributors Assn., joined judging panel for the eighth annual Robert J. Flaherty Film Award sponsored by City College’s' Institute of Film Techniques. Joseph DiRoberto, assistant man¬ ager of Loew’s Orpheum, New York, has been named acting man¬ ager of Loew’s Boulevard, Bronx, succeeding Jack Bliim, who has ibeen transferred to Loew’s Spooner. Ileg Briansky, premier danseur and choreographer of the Marquis de Cuevas Ballet Co., replaced George Skibine for the Chicago Ballet’s engagement in Texas Mu¬ nicipal Auditorium. Skibine sufr fered leg injury. Don Ameche, Tony Martin, Wal¬ ter Pidgeon and Mike Todd are added starters to the long talent roster which will participate in the Jewish Theatrical Guild's “enter¬ tainment industry tribute" to Jim¬ my Durante at the Waldorf-Astoria March 17. Sam Stark, who operates one of the most extensive theatrical me¬ morabilia museums (old programs, billposters, etc.) from’ his Laguna Beach (Calif.) base, is due back from a leisurely sixmonth Euro¬ pean, trip on May 25. His wife ac¬ companied him. Ed Murrow will “Person-to-Person" Adah and Ted Lewis from «their Central Park West apartment March 8 over CBS. Bandleader then heads to open the new Palm BeachJFla.) Towers but is stalling a Havana engagement because of the current political strife. Mrs. Tobe C. Davis, president of Tobe Associates, fashion merchan¬ dise consultants, leaves on extend¬ ed tour of the Far East today (Wednesday); will visit Tokyo, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kyoto and Osaka, returning to N.Y. about April 1, Theatre Authority gave its okay for talent, and WABD, New York tv’er. will clear 17V^ hours of time on May 25 and 26 for a telethon in behalf of the City of Hope Na¬ tional Medical Center. George Jessel is national chairman of spe¬ cial events in charge of the tele¬ thon. The power of television: Toots Shor says he “never does any busi¬ ness Sunday nights; my mob is in stir over the weekend resting up for the middle-of-the-week breakerdowners, but a week ago Sun¬ day and again this Sunday they all swarmed in just to buck me up I guess.’’ If and . when NBC-TV does a spectacular “salute" to Irving Ber¬ lin, which is something Manie Sacks has been discussing with the songsmith, latter would only ap¬ pear for a chorus of “God Bless America." Whatever fee. would go to him he would allocate to the “God Bless America” Fund (Boy and Girl Scouts). Robert (Crecas) for 22 years maitre d’hote! at the now shuttered Club Versailles — and for 20 years prior thereto associated with Nich¬ olas D. Prounis at the old Beaux Arts on West 40th St. — is the new m'ihitre d’ at the Club Harwyn. Owner Ed Wynne put Robert, eas¬ ily one of the best known nitery greeters in Gotham, in complete charge of his East 52nd Street bis¬ tro. Betty (Mrs. Marc) Spiegel re¬ turns today (Wed.y to Paris on the SS U.S.; the Ccntinental head of the MPAA preceded her back*to their European ba.se last month while she visited her family in Ohio. The David (Helen) Lewises (Continental chief for Metro) in for two more weeks. Janine and Harry Novak (ditto for Columbia), also based in Paris, slated to arrive next week on business. Thomas Quinn Curtiss, corre¬ spondent for Variety In the French capital and drams' critic of the Paris edition of the^N. Y. Her¬ ald Tribune, kept his annual St. Valentine’s birthday rendezvous with George Jean Nathan although somewhat belatedly, being kept abroad by business until last week. The vet critic was 75 on Feb. 14 and.' while ailing, just completed another book. Curtiss flies back to Paris this weekend after 10 days of intensive show-going. Edward G. Robinson sold the major part of his art works, one of the largest private collections in the U.S., for over $3,000,000 this week. Transaction, described as the biggest of this generation, was made with M. Knoedler & Co., New York art dealers, with 58 im¬ pressionist and post-impressionist and one Degas bronze involved. Robinson still retains part of his collection, consisting of 13 paint¬ ings and a second bronze, and it’s reported he bought back 14 addi¬ tional paintings from Knoedler. Paris By Gene Moskowitz (28 Rue Huchette; Odeon 49’44) New Samuel Beckett play, “Fin De Partie,” due in soon. “23 Paces to Baker Street" (20th) a surprise hit on solid reviews and word-of-mouth. Twenty-two countries already have accepted the invite of the Cannes Film Fest, May 2-17. Nicholas Ray and scripter Gavin Lambert to Tripoli to begin exter¬ iors on “Bitter Victory" (Col). Ludmilla Tcherina debuting at the Opera, via the Opera Ballet, in “Le Martyre De Saint Sebas¬ tian." In 1956, the French public spent $150,000,000 on films and $2,154,000,000 on hard liquor, wines and other alcoholic drinks. Gerard Philipe’s pic, in which he starred and directed, “Till L’Espiegle," forbidden in Holland because some dialog and situations were felt offensive to Dutch Cath¬ olics. Preston Sturges will not make “Long Live The King," which was planned to be done in English as a German-Swedish coproduction with Michael Wilding and Cesar Rom¬ ero, because of financial differ¬ ences with producer John Sheldon. After breaking records with their last' pic, “Notre-Dame De Paris" (to tune of a firstrun $600,000), Robert and Raymond Hakim’s next venture is a film version of Emile Zola’s “Pot Bouille," with Julien Duvivier to direct. Gerard Philipe would star. By Florence S. Lowe Esther Williams here to highlight McCall Mag’s “Togetherness” awards. Robert Ryan and Aldo Ray duetting here Thursday (28) to beat drums for their latest starrer, “Men in War." Fiddler Yehudi Menuhin, in for a National Symphony stint, stayed over to see “Dream Girl," starring Sefton Darr, current click at Arena Stage. By Eric Gorrick (251a Pitt St., Sydney) Bid being made to boost night baseball in Adelaide. Sam Snyder’s “Water Follies" doing a second run in Melbourne. “High Society" (M-G) swings into its 22nd week at the Liberty, Sydney. David N. Martin winding up good Melbourne run with “Witness for the Prosecution." “Pajama Girl" away to good start at Her Majesty’s, Melbourne, for J. C. Williamson Ltd. Lee Gordon has announced that he will dicker for more U.S. talent during his present trip to America. David Martin will bring his “Olympic Follies" into Tivoli, Sydney, this month. Julia is starred. Cliff Holt appointed prexy of the 47-Club of Aussie advertising execs. Holt is publicity chief for Hoyts’ pic loop here. Government is expected to relax more import restrictions by next June as the Aussie trade balance sv/ings into the black after long¬ time red. Norman Adams will go in as Paramount’s publicity chief, re¬ placing Herman Flynn who resign¬ ed after 36 years. Adams was formerly with J. C. Williamson. Harry Wren, pr^xy Celebrity Theatres, is spotting his revue, “Good Old Days," at Rivoli, Mel¬ bourne, by agreement with David Martin. Revue stars oldtime vaude faves. British Empire Films, distributor unit under the Greater Union Theatres-Rank banner, will take on some Continental field pix next month in addition to handling the Rank product. Lonaon (Temple^ Bar 5041/9952) Pearl Bailey opens a month’s cabaret run at Cafe de Paris next week. Channing Pollock electbd to honorary membership of the' Inner Magic Circle,^ Richard Burion signed by Paul Graetz for his upcoming production^of “Bitter Victory." Deborah Kerr arid David Niven named by Otto Preminger -for the leads In “Bonjour Tristesse.’’ Ken Giniger honored at recep¬ tion tomorrow (Thurs.) hosted by directors of Rainbird, Maclean. Andrew Stewart named Scottish controller to the BBC, succeeding M. Dinwiddle, who is due for re¬ tirement this summer. Important show biz contingent on the Queen Elizabeth from N. Y. included Robert S. Wolff. Pearl Bailey, Leo Genu and Walter S. Lord. Copa’s first British production, “Seven Waves Away," with Tyrone Power, Mai Zetterling and Lloyd Nolan starred, gets its world preem at Odeon, Marble Arch, March 7. Albert Sidi, named champion manager of Associated British cir¬ cuit, gets a twoweek trip to New York with his wife as prize. Stan¬ ley Warner circuit will play host. George Raft ankled his role in “Morning Call" in which he was due to co-star with Bella Darvi. Miss Darvi also left the cast; being replaced by Ron Randell and Greta Gynt. Miami By Lary Solloway (1755 Calais Dr.; UN 5-5389) Jackie Miles signed a five-termer deal with the Americana; Gene Baylos a four-timer for next year. Victor Borge had to nix the $20,000 offer for week’s stand by the Americana; couldn’t clear the April date. Grade Fields cocktail-partied by Arthur Blake Monday (25) at his new spot, London Toivne in Vendome hotel. Manie Sacks In for several days; the NBC programming top¬ per visited with Tony Martin and Cyd Charisse at Fontainebleau. Errol Flynn and Huntington Hartford 3d down from Palm Beach to help Nils T. Granlund (NTG) choose showgals for his new show to be presented soon in Las Vegas. Anita Ekberg and Tony Steele still houseguestin^c with the Horace Dodges, but staying out of public places since front-page publicity on row with sculptor from Havana at recent Heart Ball, Ida Cantor spent several days at Miami Heart Institute, following mild coronary attack after attend¬ ing last week’s birthday celebra-^ tion dinner for Eddie. Okay now. Rome Latest American legit on the Roman boards is “A Hatful of Rain." Anna Magnani off for Hal Wallis production, “Obsession," in Holly¬ wood on Cristoforo Colombo. Rosanna Podesta and husband, director Marco Vicario, off to film in Portugal before going to Holly¬ wood. George P. Skouras held press conference before Continental pre¬ miere of “Oklahoma" and ToddAO at the Adriano. Isa Miranda, who was in “Sum¬ mertime," doing Jean Cocteau’s experimental dramatic piece, “Ate¬ lier 212,” in Belgrade. Ben Hecht, two of whose scripts, “A Farewell to Arms" and “Leg¬ end of the Lost" are shooting here, arrived on Christoforo Colombo. Ava Gardner, now a 'blonde, do¬ ing Bricktop’s and the Cabala with Walter Chiari whose musical show, “Buona Notte, Bettina," is playing here. David O. Selznick joined his wife, Jennifer Jones, who is pre¬ paring for shooting of “A Farewell to Arms" in the Dolomites and here. Henry McLemore, Ruth. Waterbury and Pilar Palette (Mrs. John Wayne) all arrived here prior to visiting “Legend of the Lost!' on location in Libya. lisa Peterson, Swedish actress who works .here, off for Saigon to appear in “The Quiet American.” Company returns here for interiors late in March. Madeleine Renaud-Jean Louis Barrault company will begin tour of Italy under auspices of Remigio Paone first week in April following return from U.S. Robert Strauss begins shooting in first chapter of new “GI." series at Tirrenia for Harry Saltzman this week. Scripter Jim O’Neill in and out on a quick visit. Federico Fellini, director, and Giuletta Masina, star of “La Stra Ve^negday, February 27, 1957 da" Oscar nominee, ily to U.S. March 15. She will confer, with M-G and 20th-Fox execs on con¬ tract offers. Madrid (Pastellana Hilton; 3722()0) By Ramsay Ames Charles Trenet opened at Caba¬ ret Pasapoga for live days. Ingrid Bergman’s “Elena and the Men" directed by Jean Renoir, is in its third big week at the Palacip de la Prensa.'' Mrs. Ambassador Lodge has a protege, a young Spanish dancer named Carmen Albeniz, Yesterday she gave a recital at the Teatro de la Zarzuela. Actresses May Britt and Ivy Bless came to Madrid to attend Neils Larsen’s mammoth cocktail party for John Mather, who is opening Spain’s first international talent agency, to be managed by Larsen. Starting the end of February, Spanish television will have daily newscasts from CBS in New York, with more of that company’s pro¬ grams to follow later on. CBS European representative, Henri Grundman, is here now dubbing five shows (“I Love Lucy," “The Whistler," “San Francisco Beat" “You Are There,” “Tales of the Foreign Legion”) for Latin Ameri¬ can distribution. Mexico City By Pete Mayer (Tel: 189000 Tlalpan 264) Yma Sumac, Lass Vegas bound, will take a N. Y. vacation first. Denise Darcel into swanky Chanteclair nitery in Hotel Reforma. ^ Universal’s fpreign chief, Americo Aboaf, in to visit with his brother. Shooting starts this week on Sil¬ via Finals’ first as a producer-star, “Lend Me Your Body." First Mexican Cine Encyclopedia goes on sale here this week. Tome took two years to prepare. Institute of Fine Arts director Celestino Gorostiza organizing the first Pan-American Theatre Fest. Only two local films getting Cannes Festival consideration, “Land of' Men" and “A New World." Producer-director Joselito Rod¬ riguez, having just completed his latest pic in 10 days, 1^ now laid up with a broken leg. 20th-Fox checking all the local bullfighters in hopes of finding someone to play opposite Ava Gardner in “The Sun Also Rises." Producer Alfonso Patino Gomez off to Cuba, Santo Domingo, Ven¬ ezuela, Colombiji and Panama for further filming on his “United in Song." Boston By Guy Livingston (344 Little Bldg.; HAncock 6-8386) Joan Bennett in “Janus" current at the Plymouth. Frankie Laine current at Blinstrub’s through Sunday (3). Duke Ellington, current at Storyville, feted at press party in the Rickshaw Tuesday (26). Gene Allen current at A1 Taxier’s Bradford Roof, where song¬ stress Gaye Dixon is held over. Don Guy, AP photo ed of Hub bureau, back from Antarctica ex¬ pedition after five months writing and shooting stint. WNAC-TV got a State Depart¬ ment request for their film on the Hungarian refugee situash, shot in Austria and on the border, “World Sorrow.” W. G. Gavin, former managing editor Boston Traveler, now as¬ sociated with Hub artist Jack Frost in big “1958 Yankee Homecoming" promosh. (jarroll Baker in to nab Har¬ vard’s Hasty Pudding Club pot, symbol of their “Woman of the Year" award and opening of “Sin of Pat Muldoon" at Colonial Mon¬ day (25). Pittsburgh By Hal V. Cohen Calgary Brothers replaced Elsa and Waldo in show at New Nixon. Playhouse opens “Teahouse of August Moon" for a run March 31. Bandleader Jack Purcell and his wife celebrated 11th wedding anni. Andrini Bros, back for first time in years for two weeks at the j\lllCdF£l . Civic Light Opera dancer Nora Ann Reho signed for the chorus Of “Shinbone Alley." Bill Zeilor. Penn ’Theatre man¬ aging director, on sick leave and ■convalescing in Atlantic City. Nejla Ates will double into Copa for last two nightly shows next week from “Fanny" at the Nixon, Casino stripper Patti Waggin’s husband, Don Rudolph, getting tryout as pitcher with Chicago Whitesox. Hollywood Air' Force kudosed George Gobel. James Stewart returned from Latin American vacash. Mike Todd did the after-dinner bit at the L.A. Press Club^ Red Buttons returns from, Jap location on “Sayonara" March 2. Patrice Wymore propping an April 22 concert with Spanish Phil¬ harmonic at Palma. Kay Harrison, Technicolor Ltd. managing director, planed back to London headquarters, Boris.. Karl(^ heads for Alaska .next month to reprise his “Ar¬ senic and Old Lace" role. John Raltt will appear opposite Mary Martin in “Annie Get Yoiir Gun" for Civil Light Opera Season. George J. Schaefer set as pro¬ ducer’s rep for Henry FondaReginald Rose's “12 Angry Men." Ronald Reagan tees off East coast tour of 13 cities on March 11 in Trenton for General Electric Theatre. Jim Mulvey getting unofficial credit locally for purchase of L.A, . Angels baseball team by Brooklyn Dodgers. Oatune star Rex Allen will make his legit debut at the Sombrero Playhouse, Phoenix, in “Bus Stop" this spring. Jane Russell toplines Johnny Grant’s troupe which tours GI installations in Korea and Far East during March-April. Ned Moss checked into RKO as studio publicity director, replacing Mervin Houser who moved to David O. Selznick studio. Walter Winchell, due to his late roving hours, gets 1 p.m, call instead of customary 8 a.m. sum¬ mons for “Helen Morgan Story." Fred A. Niles, prexy of Hollywood-Chi animation-teleblurb out¬ fit, joining with Robert L. Fierman to form European branch of firm. Author-actor Charles Williams, now recuping at his Lido Hotel apartment, has finished the first draft of a new play, “The Profes¬ sor Skips A Class.” Berlin By Hans Hoehn . (760264) ' ^ “Salt of the Earth" is said to be shown over East German tele. Marcel Marceau again will ap¬ pear at Titania Palast this month. Mario Tuala, Swiss singer, off to West Germany for various commit¬ ments. Several Humphrey Bogart pix, .such as “Sabrina" (Par) and “Caine Mutiny" (Col), have been reissued here. Germari* actor Hardy Krueger given contract by J. Arthur Rank. Contract includes five pix within five years. “Captain of Koepenick" (Europa) has been acquired . by DEFA and will soon be shown in East Germany, it is reported. New U.S. pix in town include “Baby Doll" (WB), “Between Heav¬ en and Hell" (20th), “Meet Me In Las Vegas" (M-G) and “Walk the Proud Land" (U). Charles Kalman’s operetta, “The Great Tenor," slated for April in Nuremberg, has been postponed until May owing to indispositions of participating singers. Annemarie Dueringer returned from Hollyood where she signed a contract with 20th-Fox. She will be starred in “Fraeulein,” to be directed by Henry Koster. Ivan Desny here to synchronize his role of Prince Paul in “Aijastasia" (20th) into German. In the German “Anastasia" pic, Desny portrayed the male lead opposite Lilli Palmer. Lilli Palmer came tq Berlin to .attend preem of her pic, “Between Time and Eternity" (Europa), at Marmorhaus. She is co-starred with Willy Birgel and Carlos Thompson in this. Boy Gobert, local stage player and new face in German pix, is looked upon here as the actor who will make one of the biggest do¬ mestic (film) careers in 1957. He’s currently in Central-Europa’s “Vik¬ tor & Viktoria." Chicago Bernie Glickman’s Hickory House damaged by fire last week. Balaban & Katz prexy John Balaban sojourning at his La Quinta resort outside of Palm Springs. George Bond, formerly with Eddie Sligh talent agency, set up his own artist rep and booking office. Producer Hal Zeigler in to check the layout at the Eighth St. Thea¬ tre where his “Matzo Ball Jam¬ boree" opens March 29. Sammy Davis Jr., currently at the Chez Paree, feted by the Mul¬ tiple Sclerosis Foundation today (Wed.) at luncheon launching its ’57 fund drive, v