Variety (April 1958)

kTtismrr Wednesday, April 2,, 1958 OBITUARIES or another with Conforti ever sine# the mid-Twenties. : He leaves his wife and a step-: W. C. HANDY i “The Invisible Boy,” which was re- Willkun. Christopher Handy, 84, cently released, the “Father of the Blues” and coin-Surviving are his wife, son, par- poser of numerous jazz classics in- enls, and two. brothers, eluding “St. Louis Blues,” died in Funeral , services will be held to- Sydenham Hospital, N. Y.; March morrow <Thurs.) in New York... . 2d. after, a four^day siege of acute —-- bronchial pneumonia. Blind since VICTOR R. BEECROFT 1943 as a result of a fall from a Victor R. Beecroft, 71, English- suhway platform, he had been con-; born character actor who . had ap- fined to a wheel chair for the pastpcared in many Broadway produc- three years but still managed to | tions, silent films and on radio-tv; attend several dinners in his honor, - died March . 25 in Newport News, Son of a. Methodist preacher and ; Va. A native of London, he . came emancipated slave. Handy became ■ to the U.S. in 1908 and Was'first one of the nation’s top songwriters. ’ seen on the American stage in specializing in the blues idiom,. He : “Treasure Island.” entered the music biz via politics After a variety of roles in stock; In 1910 %vhen he wrote a campaign Beecroft went on to Broadway song for Edward H. Crump who where he later was cast, in some 24 was running for mayor of Memphis, plays. His legit credits, included at the time. The song, now known. “The Wookey/’ “Father Malachy’s as the “Memphis Blues,” outlasted . Miracle,” “The Amazing Dr. Clit- Crump. ' ■ terhouse,” “The Last Warning/’ Earlier, at the. age of 15, he. eh-j “Havoc,” “The Last of Mrs, Che- tered a minstrel show which evem - ney/’ and “Journey’s End,” among tually went broke. Later, he rad others. away from home to the Chicagd Beecroft, who preferred the stage World’s Fair of 1893 and wandered to the screen, nevertheless-, ap- around the country down on his peared in several silents. These pix heels. He eventually wound up iii were such yesteryear features as St. Louis, jobless, broke and hunt “The Dawn of a Tomorrow,” with gry, and out of that experience hd Mary Pickford, and “Temptation,” wrote the classic “St. Louis Blues’? . with Dorothy Phillips. Three years in 1914. That song launched d i ago: he retired to live In Norfolk, whole new cycle of blues songs. • j Va., where he was stage manager Among songs Handy wrote are' and an actor with the; Colonial “Roosevelt Triumphal March,” “In Theatre stock company. in 1914, The Cotton Fields of Dixie/’ “Yel-Z Surviving are his wife, four sis- low Dog Blues/’. “Joe Turned t^rs and two brothers. • . Blues,” “Beale Street Blues,” “Hes-; ■ / . ’ " Rating Blues,” “Ole Miss.” “Hook- ED SCHEUING ing Cow Blues,” “Annie Love” (a: Edwin W. Scheuing, one of the waltz), . “Hail To The Spirit o£ original heads, of the NBC Artists Freedom.” “Aframericari Hymn/’ Bureau, in New York, in the cradle “Harlem Blues,” “Basement Bilies,” days of the then radio network, “Loveless Love.” “Careless Love/’ later personal manager fbr Rudy and “C-hantez Les Bas.” In addi- Vallee. and latterly operating a turn. he wrote musical settings for : phonograph-diskery shop under the various poems, and Lincoln’s “Get-, name of Richmond Hill Record tysburg Address.” and a symphony Centre, died of a heart attack early based on several of his blues Monday (March 31, 1958) morning themes. He also authored his biog-: at his Long Island home. He was raphy, “Father of The Blues,” and! 56, and is survived by his wife and ■- ■- - . : • ' '_ j\ two boys. Carl Scheuing, also a Henry H. Hamilton 13.7.6 - 1955. Alice W. Hamilton 1874 - 1953 In. Loving Memory-—"Boy"; j record shop, owner, his only broth- : er, also survives; • Scheuing complained of illness : when he woke up Monday mbming ; but died before medical aid could ] come; He had been a cardiac vic- ; tim for the past few years. • Because of his. NBC and, Vallee 'connections,'and other Show biz * activities, he was widely known in edited several anthologies of blues; the industry: For a nuntber uf songs. 1 years he was program director, of. Handy set up his own publishing* Music Corp. of America in New company, .Handy. Bros. MUsie ; . as. York arid also served in the N. Y. an affiliate of the . American Soci- radio departrnent of the State Dept, ety of Composers, Authors & Pub-* . Ushers in t which he was a writer! ERWIN KALSER member. He was also a member of Erwin Kaiser, 75, German-born o^ C i r ^ a ^ tede A a V 0tl of. Musicians; sta?e actor who appeared in sev- era! Hollywood .films, died March : S n ^ a , s / he ivas active in behalf -i 26 in Berlin. Born in Germany he n.i Iandy ?oundatlon i launched his career in Munich F d ; ki- : shortly after the turn of the cen- . Handj s last public appearance t turvv He left Germany. for .Switzer- \ pla , ce In ’New .York on Nov. 17; f lan * d in 1933 to work in the.theatre 'm en ^ segments °C show ; there _ He first visited the U. S. in biz held a dinner in his honor.; 1937 and returned in 1940, becom- Telegrams from all over tlie world, : in „ a c iti z eh including one from President Ris- i ui.. tt c * fiirns include "Kings nropri of b h- honor i “Address Unknown,” “Berlin Cor- '‘4i T P nnfc nmi: » fi r? ?i b £\i respondent.” “Girl in White” and w , lth Na * | “Dressed to Kill.” He appeared on Tving Cole playing the Handy part. R road ,i.av in “Another Snri” arid in Yonkers today -l Wed.L : .' Handy { add r ‘ lis , ’ ome in Voiikers formany | Vs; . J fe , Hollywood film writer y ■no* fo iv t r |irmgard von Cube, and a son N. Y. fefe Konstantin Kaiser whom lie married four years ago. I ' _____ She accompanied Handy every-1 where. Other survivors are a ? „ _ TOM DROWN . ; daughter and two sons by a pro-! Tom Brown. 69, one of the P.io- vious marriage, and a brother, rneer jazz, musicians credited with Additional details on Page 2. ^having spread Dixieland outside _____ : : of New Orleans, died of pneumonia NICHOLAS NAYFACK i March 25 in New Orleans. At one Nicholas Nayfack, 49, film pro- ;time. Brown figured in a controver- ducer, died Monday 431) of a heart * sy as to the authorship of “Tiger, attack at his Beverly Hills home. which he claimed was taken Nayfack. who entered the film-Negro tune^^“Number 2. business in 1934 as a lawyer, was ^However, Nick La Rocca obtained a nephew of film pioneers Nicholas ‘the copyright. . and Joseph Schenck. Born i n 3 'Brown, a trombonist helped m- Brooklyn. he graduated from the : 1 ohuce jazz into the. Chicago area, U. of Pennsylvania and Columbia i The - Musicians Union issued a Law School. He was working for \ statement .that jazz . was being the old Fox Film Co. at the time 1 P^yed at the Lambs Club (not tne of its merger with 20fh Centurv, V theatrica l. organization) where; he which was . organized by Joe' • wprking m 1915. The public. Schenck and Darryl F. Zahuck. , ca P 1e in heavy numbers: to hear Nafack became an. executive at ; * tllls new form, of music: Metro in 193^6. Nicholas Schenck ji —— was then president of Loew’s Inc. I] ARTURO VERCESI He did not enter production until |j Arturo Vercesi, 70, longtime fig- his return from the sendee in /ure in Pittsburgh’s night life, died World War II during which he iMarcli 25 in. that city. He migrated served with the Navy as a Veuten- ;jto this country froin Italy more ant commander in the South Paci- /than a half century ago. fic. He produced his, first picture. ; For years, Vercesi. was the head “Border Incident.” ’in 1949 and waiter at Tony Conforti’s old Nixon subseouently made 11 other pic-1 Cafe, , and aifter that popular Pitt tures lor. Metro, among theiri being j room went out of business in 1949. “Escape From Fort Bravo.” “For-;he Worked in a number of other bidden Planet" and “The Power [ spots, including a stretch as maitre and the Prize.” Nayfack recently f'd‘ ■ of the Monte . Carlo:. At the formed his own company. Pan Pro- /.Nixon, which was razed to make ductions. and had a finan-'ing and/Avay for the Alcoa skyscraper, he distribution deal with Metro on ,had been associated in one capacity CHARLES H. STRUB Dr. Charles H. Strub, 73 r builder and organizer of Santa Anita (Cal.) Park, died of a stroke March 27 in i Los Arigeles. Starting as a. dentist, he moved into sports ventures !n association .with members of the j film colony. Bing Crosby was at I onetime, an officer at Santa Anita. • Dr. Strub’s investments included a share of the San Francisco team : of the Pacific Coast League; organic ; zation of the St. Francis Jockey > Club in 1933 prior to his founding : of , Santa Anita. In 1939 he w r as :riianaging direemr of the Golden iGate International Expo. In 1946 ; he was listed as one of. the coun- ; try’s top. money earners with an iricome of $396,901: . I EMERSON WHITHORNE j Emersbn Whithorne, 73. com- ; poser, who based much of his work r on Ariierican themes, died March ! 23 in Lyriie, Conm ; .His Works wfere perforrried by leading orchestras both here and abroad/ In London, he composed incidental music for Lawrehce Irv-: ing’s production of a play called ‘‘Typhoon,” and in New. York wrote the incidental music, for : Eugene O’Neill’s “Marco Millions/’ in which Alfred Lunt; appeared in 1928. He composed symphonies, piano suites, tone poems and. nu¬ merous songs. Wife,son and sister survive. DONALD HENDERSON CLARKE Donald Henderson Clarke, 70, author and foriner newspaperman, died March 27 in Delray Beach, Florida; after a long illness. He wrote numerous books, sev¬ eral; ;of W'hich Wound up as screen productions, including “Louis Ber T etti,” made into the film, “Bom Reckless’ and “Impatient Virgin," Which wound up as the pic, “Impa¬ tient Maiden.” He spent, the early part of his career as a reporter for the old N.. Y. World, the New York Times and the New York American. 'His wife, daughter, two brothers. . and a sister survive.. MRS. PAUL V/ GORDON Mrs, Anne Ross Gordon. 44. who was associated With the production of numerous Broadway iegit shows, died March .30 in New York. She was until recently head of the play department of Kermit. Bloomgar- den Productions: A former actress with Eva Le Gallienne’s Civic Rep¬ ertory Theatre, she later was a member of the. playreading depart¬ ment of the Theatre Guild. Her husband actor-director Paul V: Gordon, father and mother sur- VARIETY BILLS WEEK OR APRIL 1 Numtral* In connection with bills below Indicate opening day of show. NEW YORK CITY Music Hall S I Mallnl music ttaii s Lucilo Cummings Corps de Ballet Rockettes Great Barton { Glee Club MELBOURNE TivOII 7 Shirley Bassey Vic Hyde Lili Berde . Clifford Guest Curibas ' (4>. George Holmes Neal & Newton Eleanor Gunter Joe Martin 3 Winds Jimmy. Jeff David Stbrie Irene Bevans. Rae Morgan BIRMINGHAM . Hippodrome 31 Johnny Duncan A & V Shelley Reg Prlestman Norman Thorpe SYDNEY TIvoll 7 Larry Griswold Johnny Lockwood Eagle & Man A Robins Rayes 4 Faye: .Anny Berryer Medlock St Marlowe Winnetou & Squaw B & D Stuchberry Jimmy Parkinson . Edit !Juhasz Frank Ward: LONDON . Metropolitan 31 : Dave Gray 4 BombslieUs MorCcambe 4 Wise Melfi Kids Carlo Sis Southlanders . Manetti 2 Freddie Earle ■ BRIGHTON . Hippodrome 31 Ronnie Hilton Anton 4 Janetta "Timmie Rogers Pan Yue Jen Tr. Hackford 4 Doyle Joe Black Matanzas FINSBURY PARK Emigre 31 Max Miller Margo 4 John Nordics Boger Came Johnny. Mack. J 4 J Dawson Lloyd 4 Vy Day HANLEY Royal 31 G. H. Elliott Hetty King. Randolph Sutton Billy Danvers Morris 4 Cowley ; Parnell 4 Ashton Jill Jayes . Terry Doogan LEEDS Empiro 31 Ken Dodd Fuller 4 Janetta Kordites Tilths Bros. N 4 C Carta Mike Coyne Liss Lennon LIVERPOOL Empiro 31 Willie Harris Jerry Harris Les Hobeaiix Most Bros; . Tony Crombie Jive Hostesses Princess Amina Valerie Hunt Pete SmaU MANCHESTER Palace 31 A1 Hibbler Gilbert 4 Sylvia Smoothey 4 Layton Duo Russmar Richman 4 Jackson Pierre Bel : Hill 4 Billie NEWCASTLE Empire. 31 Michael Holliday De Vere Girls Hal Monty Bernie .4 Barbara Peter Crawford 3 Jolly Jesters El Grahadas NOTTINGHAM Empiro 31 Marty Wilde McKinnon Sis Edna Savage Sonny Boy Teenagers Hollander 4. Hart Roy Lance SHEFFIELD Emprrd 31. Alma Cogan ; N 4 N Grant Ward 3 3 Paulos Billy. Stutt Don" Arrol Ray Alan Ron 4 Rita SUNDERLAND Empire 31 Jimmy CUtheroo Miles Twins Cox Twins Duncan’s Collies Alicia Dells Jack Watson- Maurice French Bert Lindon . Cabaret Bills NEW YORK CITY ORVILLE T. BRIGHT Orville T: Bright, 46, vice-presi¬ dent and general manager uf Bell & Howell (Canada) Ltd., manufacr tiirers of motion picture cameras arid, projection equipment, died March 21 of a heart attack in Evanston, Ill. He was returning to his Toronto home, with his wife, after attending a B & H convention in Chicago. Born in Chicago, Bright cairie to Toronto in 1954 to head his company’s Canadian sub¬ sidiary.. : Survived by his wife. DANNY WILLIAMS Danny Williams (Andrew McWil- liam), 75, -Vet stage, comedian and singer, died March 22 in Strathca- thro, Scotland. A native of Aber¬ deen, he appeared in vauderies and in concert ! party units in Scotland for years. Williams was on vaiude layouts with the late Harry Gordon, Sir Harry Lander, Marie -Lloyd and others; When he retired from show biz a number of years ago; he set up in business as a tobacconist. EOLI GAMBARELLI .. Eoli Gambar.elli, 46, died of a heart attack in New. York recently. She had sung in opera, in the U. S. and in Italy, first under the name of Yola .Galli arid later under her own name. She was the sister of Maria Gambarelli, longtime bal¬ lerina with. “Roxy’s Gang” and lat¬ terly in legit and . pictures, notably in coproductions in Rome. Another sister, of the Gambarelli & Davito (Swiss Colony Wine) .fam¬ ily, and a .brother also su:vive. LEW LAKE Lew Lake, 56; v owner of Collins Music Hall,. Islington, North Lon- ; don, which he. inherited from, his father in 1939, died in his sleep March 24 in London. Collins Music Halt, established in 1846 and re¬ built in 1897, was one of the few remaining vaude theatres in Lon¬ don. Lew Lake inherited the lease from his father butbought the theatre outright in 1946. Since: then he struggled to maintain the (Continued on page 75) . Blus Angel George Lafaye Evelyn Knight Shelley Berman Dorothy Loudon Bart Howard Jimmie. Lyon Trio: Bon Solr Sylvia Syms Phil Leeds Jorie Remus Three Flames . Jimmie Daniels Casanova Donna Dunn Margrit 4 Adrienne Chateau Madrid Beatrice Kraft Dcrs Jose Duval Candi Cortez Ralph Font Ore Panchito Ore ; Copacabana Vic Damone Betty Kean Ron Fletcher Ted Morrell Mimi D 4 G- Prior Michael Durso Ore Prank Marti Ore Downstairs Room Julius Monk Ronny Graham Ceil Cabot Ellen Hanley Jean Arnold Gerry Matthews Stan Keen El Chico Marlsa Terol Lucerite Tena Carlos 4 Myrna Mellitas Del Campo No. 1 Fifth Ave. Cedrone 4 Mitchell Undine Forrest Bob Downey Harold Fonvllje Joan Bishop . Hotel Pierre Stanley MeJha Ore Joe Ricardel Oro Betty Benee i Hotel Plaza Jane Mason Ted Straeter Ore Black Orchid Shecky Greene. Diahann. Carroll i Joe ParneUo (3) Bide Angel Princess Abilia 4 King Christian Lord Christo Mighty Dictator Antonio Jimihez 4 Pepita Martinez Blue Note Earl Bostic (5) Cloister Inn ' Eddie Higgins Trio Beverly Kelly ■ Ramsey Lewis Trio Sammy Wolf. Joan Kayne ■ Dick Bernie Ivan Lane Ore Coconut Grove Tony Bennett The. Leslies Freddy Martin Oro Crescendo Louis Armstrong Dorothy Donegan SSI Club Annette Warren . Johnny Walsh -. interlude Cal Tjader Quintet Largo Connee Boswell . Doodles Weaver fld. Larry Potter's Supper. Club Phyllis Inez Sandy Sims Mocambo Keigo Imperial Capri M. Alverez Mera Luisa Chorens Somavilla Ore Calvet Ore Hilton Xionara Alveres . Nacionat Georgia Gibbs. Parisien Dncrs Dancing Waters W Re.ves Ore Riviera Ted Lewis Eddie - Chester Cathy Basic 1 Beverly Marshall Sol Klein Ore Elen? Del Cueto Manolo Torrents Lasker Steinberg Mercedes Valdes Arminda Martinez Maria Magdalena Japanese Dncs Frankie Sands Trie Paul Hebert Oro Moulin Rouge Helen Kane De Castro Sisters Donn Arden Line Royal Guards Dick Stabile Ore Slate: Bros. Jimmy Ames Ann Hathaway Gil Bernal 4 Statler Hotel Lucille Norman Lucille 4 Eddie Roberts Ed: . Bergman Ore The . Seville Lecuona Cuban Boys Steven Peck 4 Lite Ye Little Club Abbey Lincoln Guzman Singers Rivera Ore. : Sans Soucl Tony Foster Gloria 4 Rolando Victor Alverez- Miriam Barreras Elena' Burice Raquel. Mata Kary Russi La Serle Ore Ortega Ore ": Tropicane Erlinda Cortes Alberto Rochi Blanc? Varela : Gladys 4 Freddy Riveros, Guaracberos . ■ Monica Castcd Tropicana Ballet S Suarez Orq 4 Romeu. Orq LAS VEGAS Desert Inn "Newcomers, . 1928" Paul Whiteman Harry Richman Rudy Vallee Buster Keatbn Fifi D’Orsay Louis Prima-Keely Smith Louis Basil Oro Beachcombers Sands Nat King Cole . Carlton Hayes Ore Allen 4 DeWood Dunes Frankie Lain? Jack E. Leonard The Belmonts • . . Dunes Dancers Copa Girls Antonio Morelli Ore San Sowd "Midnight in Paris" Bobby Morris Cee Davidson Orel Pat Moreno _ El Cortez Ray Parsons Dubonnet Tno Sherry Shone Dick Saunders Cindy 4 Alberto Marcie Miller Jeanne Masson Deedy 4 Bill Mile. Zabuda El Rancho Vegas Bobby Blue Ore Eartha Kitt . Shownoet. Morey Amsterdam Hank Penny Barry Ashton Dncrs Shirley Scott Mark Monte Ore. Hotel Roosevelt Sammy Kaye Ore Hotel Statler Xavier Cugat Ore Hotel Toft Vincent Lopez Ore Hotel St. Regis Ginny Simms Milt Shaw Ore Ray Bari Ore . Latin Quarter Alan King See Hee FamUy Dior Dancers Chandra Kaly Martha Ann Beqtley Jamel Twins India Adams Bob Kennedy . Jo Lombardi Ore B Harlowe Ore Lo Cupldon Sheila Reynolds Old Romanian Mac PoUack Ore McKenna Line Harvey Stone June Perry Bob Brooks Town A Country Denise Darcel Bobby Van Dave Barry Burnell Dcrs Ned Harvey . Ore Sicaris Ore : Viennese Lantern Kitza Kazacos Ann Tori Ernest Scboen Ore Paul Mann village Barn Tony Lavelli Pete Pederson Marshalls Larry McMahon Piute Pete Bobby Meyers Ore Village Vanguard Roger Price Thelonius Monk. Waldorf-Astoria Varel 4 Bailly Chanteurs De Paris Emil Coleman Ore Bela Babai. Ore' Drake Hotel : Pat O'Day : Jimmy Blade Ore Gate of Horn P Amaya 4 .. C. Torres Stan Wilson London House Teddy Wilson (3) Mister Kelly's Lee Wiley Kingston Trio Marx 4 Frigo Palmer House Carol Channing Chiquita 4 Johnson Ben Arden Ore Dick Rice Orch Flamingo Tony Martin . Alan Drake • Don Kirk Flamingoettes ‘ Jack Cathcart Ore Fremont ..Hotel Jodimars .Make Believes Magnetics Shirl 4 Earl Mor- tensen . Golden Nugget Harry Ranch Jig Adains Charlie Boyer L 4 F Maynard Riviera Mickey Rooney Joey Forman Lancer? . Novelites . Cavanaughs Ray Sinatra Oro Sahara Bob Crosby Ames Bros. Garr Nelson Showboat Girls Vic Artese : Ore Silver Slipper Hank Henry Annie Maloney. Peggy Dieterick Kim Athas Jimmy. Cavanaugh. Sparky Kaye . Mac Dennison Geo. Redman Ore -Thunderblrii Frank Gusto Joe Fornaro Tropicane . •Jayne Mansfield Mickey Hargitay Elaine Dunn Cathy Crosby Johnny Puleo 4 ^Harmonica Gang Dante D’Paulo George Chakirls Lizanne Truex Sean Garrison Jack. Ackerman Nat. Brandywynne MIAMl-MIAMr BEACH Americano i Flip Phillips Mindy Carson Paragons Billy Williams 4 I Lucerne R. Layne 4 Velvel | Havana Mardl Gras Jackie Heller Lee Martin Ore Maya Ore • Avalon . Rip Taylor Hal Winters Bobby Dnkoff Ore Anita Boyar Red Smith 3 Balmoral , Charlie Farrell Irving Fields 3 Billy. MitcheU Mickey Gentile Jose Curbelo Ore Deauville Dan Dailey Collins Kids Four Guards Camille Williams Clark 4 Cross Johnny Silver Bob Regent Tito Puente Ore- Eden Roc Myron Cohen Los Chavales Trini Reyes Jonah.Jones Rascba Rodell Mai Malkin Ore El Patio Wingy Manone 4 . Rudy Ferguson 3 Bobby Sherwood Fontainebleau Sarah- Vaughn Morty Gunty The. Szony? Sacasas Ore Pupi. Campo Ore Jonnina . Buddy Rich 4 . Harolds .Club Jodimars Knox 4 Korral Wilder Bros. Harrah's King Pins Carmeh LeFave Lou Styles 4 Stylists Jan Stewart 4 Diosa Costello Milos Velardo Don Casino Tonis Fibres Tony 4 Francella Juan Romero David Tylef Or# Luis. Varona Or* Nautilus Larry K. Nixon Holly Warren Carlos’4 Yvonno Syd Stanley Oro . Sans Soucl Mickey :Katz Freddy Calo Ore Paul Seers Saxony Geisha Girl Revuo Ming 4 Ling Toy 4 Wing M. Shuree Tony Toyads Tong Bros. Kabouki Dncrs. Charles 4 Faye Henry Levene Ore - Seville Barry Gray . Dolores Leigh Pete Brady 3 • ’ Marty Franklin S Bob Sennett Murri 4 Ruth Shelbome Cappiellos Leonard Young Len Dawson Ore Lord Flea Calypso Voyager. Daniita Jo Berj Vaughn 4 1 Roy Branker Holiday Barons Eddie Bush . Maoes Skyroom Kay Martin , Woo Woo Stevens Jack Melick 3 . Riverside Mills Bros. Starlets Bill Clifford Ore SAN FRANCISCO LOS ANGELES Avante Garde Ben Biue's Ruth Olay . Ben Blue Don Adams Kay Cee Jones Eddie Cano Trio Barbara'Heller 44S Club 4 Sharps Lenny Brae Gloria Padilla .Backstage ' Joanne Beretta Bernard Bragg Blackhawk Lurlean Hunter Vido Musso Easy Street Vork Murphy Oro (Continued on page 75)