Variety (May 1957)

74 CHATTER p$mm Wednesday, May 15, J .957 Broadway ' Loew’s prexy Joseph R. Vogel returns from a two-week survey of the studio today (Wed.). Cesare Valletti, Met opera tenor, off to sing at Florence, Italy, Fes¬ tival via Sol Hurok. Due back for Tanglewood July 24. Passing 6f Ezio Pinza was marked in-the “Congressional Record’! last week, by one of the basso’s friends, Rep. Albert P. Morano (R„ Conta.). Prof. Jean Gagen of Women’s College, Greensboro, N/ C., to Cambridge U. to study 17th cen¬ tury drama on American Assn* of University Women fellowship. . First recipient of Seventeen mag’s newly-launched “Picture of the Month” plaque was Paramount ad-pub chief Jerry Pickman who accepted the award last week in behalf of “Funny Face.” Ed and Pegeen Fitzgerald honor guests at Lenox Hill Hospital’s 100th anniversary dinner at the Waldorf which is keying its second century to a new $4,000,000 addi¬ tion. 'Enrico Leide, musical director and conductor of the Long Island Opera Co., sailed Saturday (ll) on the S S. Caronia for a six-week Eu¬ ropean business-pleasure trip. He’ll look for talent before re¬ turning to the U. S. on June 24. Ralph E.* Donnelly, once a- Variety editorial office boy, now manages film theatres in Bellmore and Oceanside, L.I., and is about to add a third in LeVittown, LJ. They’re all. 600-seat, single-feature houses. Stuart Weber, who’s' with his father, talent agent, Will Weber, and singer Fran Leslie are setting up the marital mould, for June ce¬ menting. Met at Bradford Roof, Boston, when young agent went to catch client Don Rickies. • In Puerto Rico fqr the Casals Mu¬ sic Festival: Howard Taubman, Sam Falk and Jane Cianfarra of N. Y. Times, Jay Harrison of Her- ald-Trib; Stuart Hampl# of Buf¬ falo Courier; Marcia Marks of Christian Science Monitor, 'Henry Raymond of U. P. Sheraton chain threw a series of cocktail parties in all cities in - which their inns are located on Friday (10) marking the 20th anni of the founding of that chain. Gotham soiree was held in the north ballroom of the Sheraton- Astor. , 'John Wayne, John Ford, Andre Mertens, Columbia Artists v.p.; Jean Wetzel, harmonica virtuoso; VareL & Bailly, vocal duo; legit ’director Jose Quintero and concert pianist Karl Schnabel sailed for Europe • last week on the S.S. Liberte. Authors League of America pro¬ moted Alvin Theatre rent-free one afternoon last week for its “con¬ vention” but . Stagehands Union wouldn’t allow installation of mi¬ crophone and meeting was spoiled because most of audience couldn’t hear. , Martin Levine, Brandt Theatres exec, chairman of- sixth annual film industry golf tournament sponsor¬ ed by Cinema Lodge of B’nai B’rith at Vernon Hills Country Club, Tuckahoe, N.Y. June 13. Officers of Cinema Lodged headed by Para¬ mount Theatre managing director Robert K. Shapiro, will be installed at a luncheon at Toots Shor’s Friday (17). Bernadine Tendler, profession¬ ally Bernadine, a dancer, believed now to be about 65, being sought by Lurton & Co., Chicago realtors, in connection with a vacant lot she once owned but which has been foreclosed for non - payment of taxes and. sold. Title will, pass shortly to the new owner but Ber¬ nadine still has an equity in that realty..* ' T ’ The Charlie (20th-Fox) Einfelds’ daughtet * Lipda engaged to wpd : John Butler Hirsch, 'stepson' of .Frederick Spiegel,. veepee of. the Chi mailorder house of that name. Barbara Weiss, daughter of Irving Weiss, service manager of the foreign dept, of Universal-Interna¬ tional Films, to marry Perry Tirschwell. Both are students at Cornell Univ. Medical College. Rome By Robert F. Hawkins (Archimede 145; Tel 800211) Loretta Young received by the Pope in private audience. Giulia- Rubini and Teddy Reno planed to Berlin to work on Italo- German pic to be directed by Hans Deppe. No title set yet. Federico Fellini is suing the lo¬ cal commie weekly Vie Nuove, for .an article .he claims defamatory, published recently. Audie Murphy to Leghorn for Some exteriors of “The Quiet American.” * Yoko Tani, Jap thes- er living in Paris, is latest ad- ition to cast.- . ASIA, an Egyptian production company, finished shooting in¬ teriors of “Rod Kalby” (Give Me Your Heart) in . Rome’s Titanus Studios. Don Murray here at Hotel de la Vffle. Plans to look into support of more refugees he met some years back when he worked in Ital¬ ian refugee camp; Yves Montand and wife (Simo'ne Signoret) in from Paris; He ap¬ pears opposite Alid* Valli in “Squarcio,” about to*' start shoot¬ ing at Titanus Studios, with Ma- leno Malenotti and Stefano Gillor directing. , Teatr-o de Servi, newest legiter in Rbme, closed after three days by police order. : Seems proper per¬ mits were not taken out, as site is part of church building. Theatre was staging Eduardo- DeFilippo’s “Vincenzo de Pretore.” Alaska By Ricardo-Brown Fairbanks Little Theatre pre¬ sented “Outward Bound” by Sutton Vane. Richard ‘ Dyer - Bennet, folk singer, clicked at Anchorage apd Fairbanks. J Wanda and Hery Little * Grass Shack, plus two other strippers, at the Top Hat Club,, Fairbanks. Don McCune, manager of KFAR- TV the'past three years, resigned" to move to San Diego, Calif. He worked in radio and television in Fairbanks for eight years. The Empress, oldest. theatre in Anchorage, reopened after exten¬ sive remodeling. Balcony removed leaving main floor clear of posts and new seats installed. Theatre first opened in 1917, Farthest North Press Club re¬ organized at Fairbanks with KFAR news editor Don Bullock as presi¬ dent. Club’s purpose: to break down news barriers,in a territory under tight Federal control. U.S. marshal Al Dorsh knocked cold when he tried to break up fight at Pauline's Rainbow Room,' outside Fairbanks. TWo hostesses mopped marshal's brdw With wet bar rags in attempt to revive him. Dorsh suffered broken nose. One man later tracked down, and jailed. „ Radio Anchorage, operators of KBYR, recently purchased 51% of KFRB at Fairbanks, contingent on FCG approval. Radio Anchorage had planned to build a third radio station in Fairbanks to compete with KFRB and KFAR.. Music, sports and news is the motto since the station changed hands. Richard H. Garvin new manager. Munich By Karin Thimm The Paris Boys Choir gave series of concerts in Munich and other Bavarian places. Paul Hindemith finishing a new opera on astronomist Johannes Kepler. Supposed to be first shown in Munich this year. Negro conductor Dean'-Dixon had extraordinary success with a Mu¬ nich concert . (Brahms, Sibelius, Richard Strauss). ^ In Stuttgart Carl Orff’s new “'Comoedia de Christi Resurrec- tione” had premiere. Wieland Wag¬ ner, grandson of Richard Wagner, was director. Producer Ernst Neubach sent team to film “Die Prihzessin von St. Wolfgang” (The Princess of St. Wolfgang) to Cannes, France, for some exterior shots. The Bavaria is seeking a young girl for main part in “Meine schoene .. Mama” (My Beautiful Mama). Tests are made in several towns of Western Germany; The film is based on a much; discussed noveF, published last year by' a Munich' daily. Until now . nobody knows who is hiding behind-, the. author’s pseudonym, . M^thilde Walewska.. Chicago (Delaware 7-4984) Singer Frances Faye here, .vaca¬ tioning in her hometown. Dan Goldberg resigned as head of Studebaker Theatre Corp. Lassie and Lone Ranger slated to do four-day Western show at Wrigley Field, starting May 30. Lyle Talbot and Bill Henry mak¬ ing commercial film at Wilding Studios herei Bill Dwyer, longtimer at Club Alabam, now singing at the Noc¬ turne Club. Preston Foster, wife and daugh¬ ter in this week to do vaude act on WBBM-TV’s “In Town Tonight.” King Page exited as producer of Hinsdale Summer Theatre* oper¬ ated'by Sidney Blackmer and Fay Roope. Linda Darnell and John Cassa¬ vetes planed in for the Boys Town of Italy benefit at .the Aragon last Thursday (8). Three perennial Chi comics back in town, Manny Opper at the Fla¬ mingo, Billy- Falbo at Casino, and Joe Conti at Mangam’s Chateau. London (Temple Bar ,5041/9952) "Playwright John Osborne going to Moscow, where his play, “Look Back In Anger,” will be staged during the World Youth Festival in Jiffy, Sal Chianti,’ Leeds Music exec, recently returned from five week Continental 0 . 0 ., scheduled to leave England for home July 4, Dickie Henderson out of “Plai- sirs de‘ Paris” af the' Prince of Wales for* several weeks with mumps; comedian Harry Worth subbing. Jack Mills, Mills, Music topper, planed out for Paris last week on three-week Continental, biz trip; accompanied;by Mack Stark, gen¬ eral manager. Title of recently completed Ray¬ mond Stross production, “Not For Love,” .finally changed to “The' Flesh is Weak/’ Pic co-stars Milly' Vitale and John Derek. Norman Marshall, head of Asso¬ ciated-Rediffusion’s drama depart¬ ment, planed to Nairobi last week at the invitation of cultural organi¬ zations there to judge the finals of East African Drama Festival. Kenneth Carter, Associated-Re¬ diffusion’s senior variety producer, due back from Australia this week; after a seven day visit to discuss a new series with Richard Hearne, currently appearing in Sydney.; Princess Alexandra will attend world preem of Warwick’s' “Fire Down Below” at the Odeori, Marble Arch, May 30.-Preem is sponsored by the Variety Club of Great Bri¬ tain, proceeds going to Greater London Fund for the Blind. ' Sir Laurence Olivier’s produc¬ tion of “The Prince and the Show¬ girl,” which co-stars Olivier and Marilyn Mqnroe, is to be preemed at the Warner, June 2JL Proceeds will be shared-between the. Actors’ Orphanage and Variety Club’s fund for underprivileged children. By Edythe Ziffren (Tel: 31645) Friar Jose Mojica aired to Buenos Aires. Manolo Gonzalez back from Punta del Este. Ludovico Kohn, ex-RKO man¬ ager, building a new picture house for own operation. Jack Brown, Chilean warbler, whose real name is Caupolican Montoya, back from U.S!A. Royal Quen Bee Jelly, publicized as newest Ponce de Leon pick-up, a pop topic. “Carmen Jones” (20th) ran up flush five weeks at the second-run York. Oscar Fernandez, choreographer oL“Bim Btom Bum” revue, Suffered a broken leg when he was hit by a car. Everything back to normal after recent violent demonstrations against inflation, .with pic and legit houses on normal schedules. Mauricio Sescovich’s “Humilde Rebeldia” (Humble- Rebellion) snagged first prize in Chilean Book- 1956, Santiago del Campo 'and Fran¬ cisco Flores del Campo completed script and cleffing*bf their musical comedy, “La Pergola de las Flores” (Pergola of Flowers). ' Minneapolis By Les Rees ' Tito Guizar into Hotel Radisson Flame Room, Philadelphia Symphony here for concert. - - Gay 90’s again holding over Count Bravo Calypso show. Two JNotes and exotic dancers Kandy Kane and Charmette on tap at Augie’s nitery. ’ Will Mastih Trio with Sammy Davis Jr„ show, set for Lyceum here June 2. Diamonds and Les Elgart orch. played Prom Ballroom one-night- ers. “Slapsy Maxie” Rosenbloom with songstress Kitty- Muldoon launched floor entertainment policy at Os- terberg’s supper club. Harry Blons host at party for press, tv, radio, etc., to celebrate Mercury and Zephy releases of his new Dixieland band album and start of third year at Williams’ nitery. Boston By Guy Livingston (344 Little Bldg.; HAncock 6-8386) Buddy Thomas Line into Casino burlesquer, Guy Marks current at Frolic, Revere, through Saturday .(18). Jaye P. Morgan current at Blinstrub’s through Sunday -(19). Sid Gaesar in for Boston Press Photographer’s ball at Sheraton Plaza Monday (13). Pat Mathews, calypso piper, back in town after Montreal dates and prepping for invasion of N. E. ball¬ rooms opening at John Dineente Hampton Beach; fl.H„ Casino, Saturday (18). Film crix Leo Gaffnel; Record; Elinor Hughes, Herald* apd Marjory Adams, Globe, back from Holly¬ wood rounds for “Teacher’s .Pet,” new Perlberg-Seaton film, In which they participated in newsroom scenes. . Mike'Kavanagh, former Shubert general manager here; now direc¬ tor of theatres for Mike Todd, planed in to handle “Around World” at the Saxon for next six weeks. Max Gendei, who press- agented opening weeks, planed, to St. Louis to handle film exploita-' tion there. ; ’Freddie Hall inked to return to the Show Bar, where he em.ceed for TO years, opening June 0, fol¬ lowing a tour of Maine hotel filter ries in Waterville and Olfltown. Bernie Wayne, song clteffer, in from N.Y. to confer with Lee Morris, Hub’s history teaching tunesmith, on new numbers. 7 By Ramsay Ames ‘ (Caste liana Hilton; 37-22*00) Hildegarde Neff incognito at the Castellana Hilton.. She plans to re¬ turn next month. T New version of “41 EsCandalo” (The' Scandal) will; star Armando CalVo hrthe role of Fabian Conde. Italy’s Antoneila' LUaldi and hus¬ band Franco Inte Jenghi due in any day for As Films’ “La Cenicienta y Ernesto” (Citiderella and Ernest), . Most talked-about - picture of the’ year is “Les Di&boliques,’.’ H. C. Clouzot opus which opened at the Cine Capitol. Michanou Bardot, sister of Bri¬ gitte, -in Malaga shooting exteriors on a French film, directed by broth¬ er-in-law -Roger Vadim. French Embassy here, Boston's Priscilla Fortesque here to do some tapes on ..Spanish per¬ sonalities. “Joan of Arc In the Bonfire” is being sung at the Teatro de la Zarzuela by Claude Nollier, Henri Doublier, and Paul Claudel. Com¬ pany is under fhe patronage of Pic is B alcazar Productions’ ■‘Bon Jour, Amour, In which Miss Bardot costars with Louis Jour- dan. Franco Rossi is Spanish co- -director. Mexican singer Andy Russell ap¬ pearing on local TV. Braniff Airlines gave gala din¬ ner to inaugurate new Bogota-New York service., •?. . Argentine singer Raul Iriarte re¬ tired - from show biz add opened restaurant here. Swiss pianist Albert Farber giv¬ ing series of concerts with Colom¬ bian National Symphony at Colon Opera House. Dennis Smith In from Cuba to .take over managership of Westrex branch here, replaces Miles Storm who returns to Caracs. Universal-International opened own distribution offices here after .many years of using Caribe Films as agent and distributor. . Ramon Garcia in from Cuba as first man¬ ager. National • government price freeze on theatre admissions final¬ ly lifted. “Anastasia” (20th) at Co¬ lombia Theatre, Bogota, was first pic to charge upped admission price of 35c. • Other first-runs ’Will soon foiled 'through, but distribs are planning to be careful and only charge increased prices.for block¬ busters pix> until public becomes acustomed to new scale. Australia’ By Eric GorriCk (Film House; 251a Pitt St., 1 x Sydney ) . Nat Madison here'to star jn and produce -“The Diary of Anne Frank” for J. C. Williamson, Ltd. f ‘Tammy” IU) hit the'b.o. jack¬ pot in Tasmania'via Greater Union Theatres. Emrys Jones coming from Lon-, don to star in “Double Image” un¬ der the Williamson banner. Preem .will be in Melbourne, Metro has opened a new ozoner in Perth with plush returns. Gives Metro three drive-ins Down Under, with more lined up. Premier Joe Cahill will be guest speaker at 47rClub„ luncheon to celebrate Normaii B, Rydge’s 20 years in pic biz next June. British Empire Films to distrib¬ ute official full-length Olympic Games pic made by Atlas Produc¬ tions, Paris., , : 'About 4,000 Yankee sailors in -town for Cpral Sea Battle celebra- tioni^-TVtth^plenty of spending coin, Yanks brought back • mem¬ ories of' the lagt World War days. David Martin’s “Olympic Fol-. lies” will fun around T5 weeks at Tivoli, Sydney. Richard Herne and Julia starred. Troupe will tour New Zealand next and then go through' Far East. Hollywood Cameron Mitchell minor surgery. underwent Ifir Carol Reed arrived from London for talks with Harold Hecht. ... v Organizational meeting for Wesi Coast. chapter bf ANTA set for May 19. Vet Variety' film critic Bill Brogdon (Brog) hospitalized for observation. * Friars Club negotiations to buy Ciro’s got nowhere so outfit is mulling building its own clubhouse in Bevhills. Tokyo By. DayidM.’ Jampel (Press Club; 270161) . “Stopover Tokyo” cast, including Robert TYagner, Edipond O’Brien, and Joaii Collips, due here soon. Ned Seckler, Rl£O Ear East su¬ pervisor, transferred his headquar¬ ters from Tokyo to Hongkong. Two press agei^r /and 10 tech¬ nicians here, to produce and coor¬ dinate showing of'color tv for RCA at the. International Trade Fair. Japan-is first country outside of U. S. to witness'such-^ 'demonstra¬ tion. Irving Maas, Far Eafct supervisor for the MPEA, is cohtinuing on a “day to day basis” tQ cement nego¬ tiations for the u: S, film indus¬ try's remittance loan of'$6,060,606 to Japan’s power development projects. ‘ v ■ Toei is seeking interested U. S. animators to co-produce cartoon tele films. Company, which set up new animation studios in January, said these facilities are open to qualified U. S. cartoon men with fresh ideas for Japanese video product. Toho complained that Foreign Ministry is applying unfair “double standard” in its method of licensing importation and ex¬ hibition of Cinerama. Company labeled as a “disregard for prece¬ dence” the special deal worked out last year which tags 75% of b.o. take as distribution receipts and 25% as operating costs. , • • By Lary Solloway (1755 Calais Dr.; Uniph 5-5389) AGVA national convention to be staged-at Delano hotel in June. 'Former' strippfery, the Little Club; installed Babe Baker’s revue. Allan Drake, a click this week, pacted for two future dates by the Fauntainebleau. Julius LaRosa inked for week’s stand in ; August by Eden Roc’s Harry Mufson. Edward Everett Horton playing at Coconut Grove Playhouse in “Reluctant Debutante.” It's last of subscription Series this year. 'Jackie Heller taking time off frojp Americana’s * Bal Masque chores week of Jiine 3 to attend graduation bf'son from Villanova. Leon Enken moved his Leon & Eddie’s from Miami, across the bay to the Beach and site of old Pad- dock club. Cotton Club* revue may wind up at Ciro’s, (which, ran as Olsen and Johnson’s last winter) when, it is brought backHfor next season. * Jackie Heller renewed by Amer¬ icana -as efiicee-host for its Bal Masque, contract extending until next summer.- Paris By Gene Moskowltz (28 Rue Huchette, Odeori 4944) Gypsy Markoff now appearing at the Florence nitery. Jazi; at the Philharmonic SRO at two concerts at the immense Salle Pleyel. Danielle D&rtieux and Gerard Philipe to co-star in Julien Duvi- vier’s pic version .of Emile Zola’s - “Pdt Boullle,” v * Victor Stoloff in from Denmark where he was arranging exteriors for his forthcoming, indie pic, “The 1 Eagle Flies Alone.'! . Thornton Wilder to Brussels for the preem of'the Gallic. adapta¬ tion ofi “The Matchmaker” , by Louis Ducreux. Gallic title is “La Marieuse,’’ \ , * Paul Graetz to make his next ; pic in French and. English. It is “Qui Est LTnjnocent?” and will be directed by Andre Cayatte with : Jean Gabin, Curd Jurgens, Ray¬ mond PelLegrin and. Bella Darvi, , This is Cayatte^s-first comedy. ; French are not against Jules ; Dassin’s second, Gallic pic, “Celui ■ Quv Doit Mourir” (Ho Who Must Die), being the offipial French film at Cannes Film Fest, but point out \ that besides an American direc¬ tor, it Was taken from a . Greek : novel, adapted-by-Canadian, made entirely in .Create;.: and' has Bel¬ gian,. Greek, .Austrian and Turkish actors artipng thoseplaying the leads.