Variety (December 1957)

79 Wednesday* December 4, 1957 RAYMOND GRIFFITH Raymond Griffith* 70, former film comedian and producer until his retirement in 1940, died of . a heart attack Nov, 25. He was stricken while dining at the Masq- ers Club in Hollywood, where he was a charter, member. Griffith entered the film indus¬ try ini 1914, becoming a comedian with Vitagraph and Kalem. During silent film days he was known as a sophisticated, silk hat comedian. He worked with Mack Sennett, both as an actor and a writer-di¬ rector, and was associated with Marshall Neilan, Samuel Goldwyn and Universal before becoming a star at Paramount. Advent of sound forced Griffith; back to production since he had a throat condition which did not allow him to talk above a whisper. He worked at Warners ai$ an assoc¬ iate producer, supervising such films as “Golddiggers of 1933” and “Voltaire,” and then joined DaT- iyl F. Zanuck when the latter set un 20th Century Films in associa¬ tion with Joseph M. Schenck. Grif¬ fith was an associate producer with. Zanuck and later produced a num¬ ber of films for United Artists. When Zanuck combined with Fox to form 20th-Fox. Griffith went along, remaining there until his re¬ tirement. Wife, son and daughter survive. passenger train struck the car be was driving. Native ,of Cliarkesville, Ga., Fry began his theatre career while a student at Georgia Tech. At one time he was assistant manager of the eld Capitol Theatre in Atlanta and the 4,400-seat Fox Theatre there when the latter was under Loew’s management. He held managerial posts in Loew.Theatres in Nashville, Louis¬ ville^ and.. Memphis. He. came £0 Atlanta to manage the Loew house there. After a wartime hitch in the Navy, he returned in 1946 to resume managership of Loew’s Grand. More recently he was a hotel publicist. Surviving are his wife, two daughters, mother, sister arid four brothers. viva! of interest in organ music. There are no survivors. Jack brown John Jack Brown, 51. cinema scribe,, died Nov. 26 in Glasgow:. He had specialized, in cinema trade writing , for almost 2D years, and covered; , the early talkie days' in Scotland; writing weekly articles in the Evening Times, Glasgow, udder, the pen name of “Kinoman.” Survived, ty his wife and two Sons.: ERICH W. KORNGOLD Erich Wolfgang Korngold, 60, former child prodigy and winner of two Academy Oscars for musical scores, died in North Hollywood Nov. 29 as the aftermath of a cere¬ bral thrombosis suffered, last win¬ ter. At the age of seven in his native Moravia (Czechoslovakia) Korngold composed his first work, a ballet, “The Snowman,” which Emperor Franz Josef ordered : performed. Later, . he composed two operas, “The Ring of Polycrates” and “Vi- "olanta,” both preemed in Munich by conductor Bijjtno' Walter. His best-known opera was “The Dead City.” . Brought to Hollywood in 1934 by the late Max Reinhardt to make arrangements for “A Midsummer -Night’s Dream,” which the impre¬ sario presented in the Hollywood Bowl, Korngold remained to make his home and frequently received film assignments. He won Academy awards for “Anthony Adverse,” 1936, “The Adventures of Robin Hood,” 1938, and also was associ¬ ated with , the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera Assn. Surviving are his wife, two son$, mother arig brother. BENIAMINO GIGLI Beniamino Gigli, 67, operatic tenor formerly with the Metropoli¬ tan. Opera, died Nov. 30 in Rome; Italy. * Gigli made his operatic debut in Italy in 1914. He made his U.S. debut at the Met in 1920, in a re¬ vival of “Mefistofele.” He remained with the Met through , the season of 1931-32. He made several ex¬ tensive recital tours throughout the U.S. and appeared in several Italian and U.S; films. Gigli sailed for. Italy in 1932 and returned , to the U.S. in 1938, ap¬ pearing in The San Francisco Opera Co;’s production of . “Andrea Chen¬ ier,” and. later giving 2^ concerts. His last appearance in America was in 1955; when he gave three concerts at Carnegie Hall. . Wife, son and daughter survive. G. RALPH BRANTON G. Ralph Brantbri, 61, /veteran circuit, exec, veepee and director at Allied Artists, died Dec. 2 in Hollywood. . Branton became. affiliated with AA in 1950 after disposing of mid¬ west theatre interests. He was also prexy of Inter-State Television Corp.,. an AA subsidiary. He en¬ tered the film industry as member of the trade paper. Greater Amuse-: ments, in Minneapolis and later became manager for Educational Films there. He also headed operations for the Finkelstein and Rubin circuit in Minn., the Dakotas, and in 1934 helped organize the partnership between Paramount and Tri-State Theatre. Circuit, operating in Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois. He remained there 16 years until selling inter¬ ests and moving to Hollywood. Wife 1 and tw.o daughters survive. ADA MITCHELL Mrs. Henry I. Marshall, the for¬ mer Ada Mitchell, among the last of the surviving old Hippodrome (N. Y.) girls, died in. Plainfield <N. J;> Hospital Dec. 1, age 72, after a protracted illness. .Mrs. Marshall was in Edward Temple’s “Trip to Mars,” one of the Hipp extravaganzas, when she married songwriter Marshall. Latter, also ailing, since last Au¬ gust from a stroke, resides at Bum¬ blebee Lane, Scotch Plains, : N. J. t renamed by the community in honor of one of . his songs, “Will You Be My Little Bumblebee.” He and a daughter, Mrs. James O. Johnson, the former Ardath Mar¬ shall, also;at one time in show biz, survive. Services today (Wed.) in Scotch Plains. ART SYDNEY Art. Sydney, 42, former WHAS, Louisville, radio producer and Writer and head of his own film; and radio production firm, Signa¬ ture Productions, died of complica¬ tions of high blood pressure Nov. 29 in Louisville. He had a Varied * career in radio, newspaper Avork, and entertainment before he came to Louisville in 1952. . Sydney had Avorked for Warner Bros, in New York and had. been a sports writer for the Birming¬ ham, Ala., Post. He also had been continuity director for WHHH, Warren, Ohio. He was a member of ASCAP, and received du Pont, Freedom Foundation, and Peabody Wards for his radio work. He Avrote several mystery stories under the pen name of Bert Arthur and authored the theme Songs for the WHAS-TV shows, “Here’s Tmy” and “Hi-Varieties.” He was a native of Great Barrington, Mass. Surviving are his Avife, daughter, his mother and a brother. BOYD E; FRY ;Boyd E; Fry, 44, former manager of Loew’s Grand -- —Theatre in Atlan¬ ta, was killed recently in ai grade crossing accident near Atlanta. A KENNETH B. CARNEY Kenneth B. Carney, 53, onetime program director for NBC in San Francisco, died Nov. 23 in; Honor lulu after; a several weeks' illness.' He held the NBC post from 1932 to 1937. During World War II, Carney Avrote and produced the “Hawaii Calls’* broadcasts and later headed his own'morning radio show- In 1950, he joined Don Woodrum in an ad agency that was dissolved last July. Surviving are his wife, two daughters, a son, his mother arid a brother, retired Admiral Robert B. Carney; former Chief of Naval Op- rations. PETER B. KYNE Peter B. Kyne, 77, creator of “Gappy Ricks” and author of 25 novels; died in San Francisco Nov. 25. A: native San Franciscan, he never got past grade school,; saw action in , the . Philippines during the Spanish-American War. was ri| gold miner, oil driller, rancher arid fortune-seeker, before starting a “brevities”' column in a Frisco Aveekly, then turning to short sto¬ ries, novels and even a play or two. He wrote 12 best-sellers in a row, and thousands q£ short stories. Two brothers, survive. T EDWIN G. KELLEY Edwin G. Kelley, 78, S veteran in show., business for more than half a century, died Nov. 25. in Pittsburgh after a long illness. As a youngster, he was in vaudeville as Ed Kelly, Boy Whistler, arid la¬ ter was a theatre manager, agent, film salesman, booker and distribu¬ tor of theatre busiriess stimulators. For some years he had been con¬ fined 4o his home with arthritis. His wife and daughter survive. C. SHARPE MINOR C. Sharpe Minor, 72, organist, who pioneered organ concerts in film houses during the silent days, died Nov. 23 In Hollywood. He was a featured organist at such Los Angeles theatres at Graumari’s Chinese, the Million Dollar and the Uptowri for several years. Ill re¬ cent years he had recorded some indie disk albums keyed to the re-1 ORLEY C- SEE ‘ Orley C. See,. 72, founding con¬ ductor of the Oakland, Cal-, Sym¬ phony; died Nov. 26 in San Jose, Cal. A native Ohioan; he played in; the Cincinnati Symphony before coming west to join, the San Fran¬ cisco Symphony. He founded the Oakland orchestra in 1933. Wife survives. NATHAN STORCH Nathan Storch; 57, president of Westchester Country Theatrical. Stage - Employes Local 366 since 1930, died Nov. 28. in Mount Ver¬ non, N. Y. At the time of his death, he was electrician for “The Rope Dancers” at the Cort Theatre, N.Y. Wife, mother, brother and sister survive. GEORGE GRANT George. Grant; 39 r dance band bass player and a member of the Edmonton Symphony, died recently in Edmonton, Alta.. U. S. born, he had toured the U. S. arid Europe with top stage personalities. Surviving are his wife, son, daughter and parents, KATHARINE BARNES Katharine Barnes, 74, literary and musical, properties librarian at Metro, died in Hawthorne; Cal., Nov. 26 following a heart attack. She had . been at the studio 32 years. Widower; Marinus Van Her Spek, arid a sister survive. FRED SEARS Fred Sears, film and tv director, died Nov. 30/ in Hollywood; His film credits include “Rock Around Clock,” "Cha Cha Cha Boom,” “World Was His Jury”.and “Going Steady.” Wife, daughter and sister survive. ROBERT BRAZY Robert L. H. Brazy, 40, prexy of Pan American Broadcasting Co. of Los Angeles, died Nov. 29 in Palm Springs; Cal. ' He also was head of FM Development Assn, of America, Surviving are his wife,: son, daughter and his parents. Robert B: Mattorin, 68, director of the Opportunity .Drama Guild and prominent in Toledo theatrical circles for 46 years, died Nov. 26 of a heart attack in that city. His wife, three daughters and two sons survive. Joseph W. Keever, 70, chief radio broadcast supervisor for the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. the last 30 years, died Nov, 22 in Oak¬ land, Cal. Wife, son and daughter survive. Father, 69, of Sydney Gross, Times. Films ad-publicity, chief, died Nov. 23 at the Nassau, hospital, L.I., following a heart attack. Also suryiving are. two other sons. George H. Bauer, 64, who Avis associated Avith Chakeres Theaters, Inc., Springfield, O., for the last 30 years, died Now 23 in Springfield. He designed theaters for Chakeres iri Sidney, and Fairborn, O. Rebecca R. Baker, 62, onetime leader of an all-women’s orchestra in Providence, R; I., died Nqv. 24 in Derry, N. H., where she. had taught music for years. Earl; W. Clements, 59, v.p. and account exec with Campbell-Ewald ad agency in Chicago.; died Nov. 26 in Riverside, Ill. Wife, son. and four daughters Survive. David K. Tudor, 60. Secretary- treasurer of OK Theatres for the- last 30 years, died recently in. Dal¬ las. His wife survives. . Charles J. Buckley, 71, onetime musician who. more recently oper¬ ated a music store, with his broth¬ er, died Nov, 23 in Albany. A sister also survives;. Henry L. Jepson, 69, sound en¬ gineer for the Des Moines Theatre Supply Co., died of a heart attack Nov. 25 in that city/ Survmng are his wife, son and daughter.. Henry 'L. /Walker, 58, resident stage manager at the Grand Thea¬ tre, Leeds, Eng., for 30 years, died there recently. ; Simone Silva, , 29; film actress, was found dead In. her London apartment Nov. 30; apparently she died of natural causes: Jack Gardner, pianist who at one time was featured with the Harry James band, died Nov. 26 in Dallas. . Dr.. Orley See, 72, founding con¬ ductor of thje Oakland (Calif.) Sym¬ phony Orchestra died Nov. 26 in Sari Jose, Calif. jack Gardner, 50, pianist for¬ merly with Harry James and other name orchs. died Nov. 26: in Dallas. Survived by a brother. i John Fay Smith, 67, member of the stagehands union died Dec. 3 in Jackson Heights, New York City: Wife and . daughter survive. . Charles T. Wilkerson, 76, long¬ time vaude star, died Nov.. 25 in Sari Angelo, Tex Mother, 68, of opera singer, Ren¬ ata Tebaldi, died NoV. 30 iri New York. Ernest Sanborn Watson, orches¬ tra leader arid musician, died Nov. 27 in Burlington, Vt,. Continued from page 2 ^555 type of hat becomes the collecting box of jewelry stolen in Warsaw trams and buses, is told Ingenious¬ ly arid skillfully keeping the laugh¬ ing public well in suspense: Popu¬ lar stage and screen comic Tadeusz Fijewski gives the leading role an excellent performance which shows his great and still unexploited pos¬ sibilities. . .* “Encounters,the second feature made by Jan Lorentowicz (the first; “A Winter Dusk,” was an interest¬ ing failure), presents three short stories , of love by three, known Polish writers while a fourth story forms the frame of the film. “En¬ counters” roused very different, opinions but though very uneven iri acting and directing is. an am¬ bitious piece of work with inter¬ esting ideas and good dramatic stuff. Heavy atmosphere, intense over¬ acting arid strained plot mix with good photography and ingenious dramatie^olutions in Antoni Bohd- zlewicz’s “Charcoal Drawings” made after a popular short.story by Poland's, great 19th century No¬ bel Prize novelist Henryk Sien- kiewicz. The film was released NoV, 25 with fair success. Two main characteristics can be noted about those ’ five recent re- leases-4-the prevailing gloom of all films with the exception of genuine entertaimrient in “Mr. Anatole’s Hat,” the delicate, slightly skepti¬ cal sentimentalism of “Encoun- 42d SI. Theatre mSSSSS Continued from pace 1 shuffle toward thje cashier's win* dow. On the screen is a murky image, attesting to the age of the print. The title credits on the nudist film read in part “A Jewel Production produced by Samuel Cummins, narrated by Edward A. Gallner.” Although the picture, carries the line, “copyright 1953,” most of file footage apparently is of pre-Ava? vintage to judge by brief shots of outmoded cars and airplanes. * Those patient enough to sit through, this nudism “epic” may ob¬ serve scenes of nudists frolicking, exercising and' disporting them¬ selves in three camps—in the U.S., France and Germany. The camera fpeuses almost exclusively oh the derrieres. There are practically no sequences involving the full female figure save for an “arty” scene captioned “They Danced at Night to the Rhythm of the Waves.” On the lower half of the bill is the aforementioned “International Burlesque.” Produced by Arkay Productions, it's distributed by Cuminins and has been booked from time to time iri various sex? ploitation houses. The title’s par¬ tially a misnomer. There are nitery scenes of unbilled “strippers” pur¬ portedly in Istanbul, Rio ;de Jan¬ eiro etc. but no raiment is doffed —at least not on the Times' screen. There’s also some alleged comedy handled by a f unmalting contingent headed by Vince Bar¬ nett, MARRIAGES Anne Scrivner to Lewis R. San¬ ford, Houston, Nov. 29. He’s trans¬ mitter engineer for KGUL-TV i that city. Mrs. Merle Montgomery to A. Walter Kramer, New York, Nov. 28. Bride’s an author and music teacher; he’s a composer and ASCAP board member. Doris Braverman to Murray Ben¬ son, Newark, N. J., Nov. 30. Bride is Steve Allen’s secretary; he’s sales manager of CBS Television Enterprises. Anita Berriacqua to Paul Kraus. Philadelphia, Nov* 39. He’s a WVUE film director. Joan Baugh to Jay Perri, Wash¬ ington, Nov. 30. Bride’s an -ex- staffer at indie station WEAM; he’s a tv announcer at WTOP-CBS. Li Li-hua to Yien Tsun, Hong Korig, Dec. 1. Both are Chinese film, actors. Chita Rivera to Tony Mordente, Dec. 1, New Hyde Park, L.I. Bride is a featured dancer-singer in the Broadway musical, “West Side Story,” he’s also in the show. ters,” and the total lack of any political and propaganda accents. Coproductions With Alexander Ford finishing his “Eighth Day of the Week,” , co¬ produced with. West German CCC Co., starring Germany's Sonia Zie- mann, Polish Avriter S. Lem’s nov¬ el, “The Astronautes,” will be shot in Berlin by a Polish-French-East German, team. A Poiish-Czeeh “Ask My .Wife” is receiring its final, cuts in Prague. Ariotlier new coproduction is the British proposition of an Anglo- Polish film on Polish-horn sea novelist Joseph Conrad. Producer Maxwell Setton is now iri Warsaw with two. scriptwriters. The final script is to be done , by John Cres- well vrith ‘Polish playwright-scen¬ arist Zdzislaw Skowronski whose “Mr. Anatole’s Hat” /directed by J. Rybkowski) is the big success of the day. .No final decisions as to the director and cast of this film have been made. Conrad’s birth¬ day centenary touched off this project. Settori. Forms Prod. Firm London, Nov. 26. Producer Maxwell Setton has tied up with South African indus¬ trialist Abel Shaban in forming a neW film productioji company called Setfair Productions; First chore will be a pic based on the life of Polish author Joseph .Con¬ rad,'which'Will be partly financed by the film department of the Po¬ lish government. Setton and scriptwriter John Creswell already have left for Warsaw for huddles on. the. Conrad project 'which will he filmed on location arid in a British studio. Setfair has several other pix lined up, including “Monty’s Double,” starring John Mills; “The Innocent Gunman” A. J. Cronin’s. “Beyond This Place,’’ "Too Much Mari,” and “Full Cir- cle^’’ BIRTHS Mr. arid Airs. Jay Michael, daughter, Pittsburgh, Nov. 22. Fa¬ ther is No. 1 deejay on WCAE. Mr. and Airs. Tom Vawter, son, Pittsburgh, Nov. 24. Father is a de¬ signer at Playhouse. Air, and Mrs. Alarvin Samuelson, son, Pittsburgh, Nov. 25. Father’s a booker-buyer with SW Theatres in Pitt. " Air. and Airs. Bob Cook, son, Pittsburgh, Nov. 21. Father’s on Nixon Theatre staff. ’ . Mr. and Airs. Drew Snavely, son, Pittsburgh, Nov. 23. Father’s with Los Latinos band at Vogue Terrace, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Finan, son, Cleveland,' No\v 16. Father is KYW, KYW-TV personality. Mr. and Airs. Tom Fannings, son, Washington. Nov. 16. He’s an engi¬ neer at WTOP-TV, CBS affiliate in the capital. Mr., and Mrs. Bob "Aiaugher, daughter, Philadelphia, Nov.. 28, Father is WFIL business office manager. ^ Mr. and Airs. Dick Gideon, twi sons, Camden. N. J., Now 23. Fa¬ ther Is statistics director for the Triangle, Stations.- Air. and Mrs. Gordon R. (Bud) Eraser, daughter, Los Angeles, Nov, 27, Father is director of mer¬ chandising for Capitol Records. , Mr. and Airs. Boh Brock, son, Dallas, Nov. 25. Father is radio-tv editor of the Dallas Times-Herald. Mr, and Airs, Chuck Pittman, daughter, Houston, recently. Fa¬ ther is an engineer at KTRK-TV in that city. Mr. and Airs. John Fawcett, son, San Antonio, recently. Mother is head of the promotion department of KITE in that city, Air. and Airs. Don Epstein, daugh¬ ter, New York, Nov. 29. Father is with General Artists Corp. AIL and Airs. Edward: Nassour, son, Hollywood, Nov. 25. Alother is former actress Sharon Douglas; father Is a film producer and oper¬ ator of Nassour Studios.