Variety (October 1958)

QctpJb^r .15^ 1958 OBITUARIES PAUL MORTON Paul Morton, believed around 75 and one of the once-famous origi¬ nal Four Mortons, died recently of a cerebral hemorrhage in Detroit. He had been retired from the the¬ atrical profession many years, being latterly a manager in a de¬ partment store. . The Four Mortons consisted of Sam and Kitty, the parents, sister Clara and the deceased. Another sister, Martha, appeared with the turn at a later period. She mar¬ ried Walter Greco, long in charge of the Yankee Stadium grounds. Paul Morton in later-decades did a class twosome on the bigtime cir¬ cuits with Naomi Glass from whom he was subsequently divorced. His second wife survives as does one of his two children, now Mrs. Mur¬ ray Morrisfcy. In the early years of the century the Four Mortons were only less affectionately regarded than the other family act, the Four Cohans. Sam MOrton was one of the foun¬ ders of the first Vaudeville actors’ union, the White Rats, DOUGLAS G. HUBBARD Douglas Gar Hubbard. 35, actor, writer apd director, died of cancer Oct. 11 in Spokane, Wash. He was a member of Eva LeGallienne’s apprentice group and made his act¬ ing debut on Broadway in “Coun¬ terattack.” starring Paul Muni, in 1943, He had been a playreader for 20th-Fox and ANTA and had taught at the Irvine Studio, N.Y. After several seasons as a direc¬ tor in San Jose, Cal., and in Engle¬ wood, N.J., he directed “Misalli¬ ance” for the Eauity Community Theatre. Since then, he had de¬ voted most of his time to legit and television writing. His adapta¬ tion of Henry James’. “Daisy Mil¬ ler” was produced on the Coast in 1953. His mother and four brothers survive. HARRY W. CRULL Harry W. Crull, 79, former news¬ man and theatre manager, died Oct. 3 in Miami. Born in Nobles- ville, Ind., he started. In the news¬ paper business with the Anderson, Ind., Herald. Later he left the edi¬ torship of the Kalamazoo, Mich., Gazette to enter the theatrical field with W. S. Butterfield Theatres. Crull subsequently went to New York with B. F. Keith and later to Providence to manage E. F. Albee’s interests in Rhode Island. In the late 1920s he joined Fabian Thea¬ tres and introduced stageshows as well as a band policy at the Bran¬ ford Theatre, Newark, and Stanley, Jersey City. Thereafter he man¬ aged the Fox Theatre, Washington, and Empire in London for Loew’s. Surviving are his wife, two sons and a sister. BRADFORD N. COLEMAN Bradford Noyes Coleman* 68, vet¬ eran West Virgipia' showman, died in Pratt, W. Va., Oct. 8 after a short illness. A former river boat owner, he operated the Gallagher, W. Va., theatre at the time of his death. In the early part of the century, Coleman and a Cincinnati man, William Merike, operated the showboat Sunny South on the Ohio, Mississippi, Illinois, Kanawha and Monongahela Rivers. He was also the treasurer for the Miller Broth¬ ers 101 Ranch Wild West Show, which featured Jess Willard, the heavyweight boxing champion. Coleman likewise spent some time as a ticket agent and advance man for the Ringlirig Bros. Circus. His wife and three daughters sur¬ vive. ROBERT M. JENKINS Robert M. Jenkins f 56, board chairman and treasurer of the Smith, Taylor 6c Jenkins ad agency in Pittsburgh, died there Oct. 6 after a brief illness. He began his advertising career with a Pitts¬ burgh newspaper shortly . after graduating from Penn State Col¬ lege in 1926, and in 1938 became a member of Smith, Hoffman tc Smith. Three years later when the business changed its corporate name to Smith, Taylor & Jenkins, he was made v.p. in charge of In¬ dustrial accounts. He was elected treasurer and chairman of the board JO years ago. He leaves his wife, father and two brothers. VERNE R. YOUNG Verne" R. Young, 49, radip-tv at¬ torney in Washington, died^ Oct, 4 in Arlington, Va. A native of Bush- ville. Ill., he came to Washington in 1930 to work with the Federal Radio Commission, predecessor of the Federal Communications Com¬ mission. , Young resigned from the Gov-, eminent, in 1935 to enter private law practice, specializing in com¬ munications law. At the time of his death, ‘he was a member of the executive committee of the FCC Bar Assn., a group of Washington attorneys practicing radio-tv law. He was with the firm of Loucks, Zias, Young & Jansky. ALBERT VON REMPERT Albert Von Rempert,.German ac¬ tor, died recently from injuries sus¬ tained during shooting of the Ger- man-Spanish co-production, “Slave Caravan.” His death stemmed from a staged fist fight with screen actor Jose Guardiola. In the scene. Von Rempert is beaten and falls off a low cliff onto a pile of hay. After three unsatisfactory tries, director Ra¬ mon Torrado ordered a fourth take. Following the fall, Von Rempert remained inert and died later with¬ out regaining consciousness. His wife and three-months old son survive. STUART V. DAWSON Stuart V. Dawson, 58, v.p. of Point of Sale ad agency, Las Vegas, died Oct. 4 in Evanston, I1L He started in the radio business as an announcer 30 years ago, and was later program director , of the CBS Central Division. Following that he became radio director of Young & Rubicam, and Foote, Cone & B elding, Chicago. He was active in the radio-tv packaging field before moving toLas Vegas in 1953. Survived by wife, son, brother and sister. MURRAY NADELL Murray Nadell, 53, with the Gale Agency for the past 15 years, and before that with Clifford C. Fis¬ cher, died Oct. 3 in his New York home. He was manager for the Ink Spots for many years, un¬ til they left the Gale Agency. Re¬ cently he was company manager for name bands and vocalists cn one-night stands. Surviving is his wife, Marion, who, in the 1920s was- billed as “Baby Marion” in vaudeville. JAMES BENDER James Bender, 41, legit and tele¬ vision actor, died in Massapequa, L.I., Oct, 9. Among his Broadway credits were “Anniversary Waltz” and “Detective Story,” and during the week of his death he hid a role on the teleshow, “The Verdict Is Yours.” He also had operated sum¬ mer theatres, last season in Fal¬ mouth, Mass., and previously in Maine and Florida. Surviving are his wife, actress Ruth Bryant, and two children. DORIS N. DOUGLAS Doris Nesnow Douglas, at. one time with the Theatre Guild and formerly treasurer Of -the Martin Beck Theatre, N.Y., the old Hippo- drome and various Broadway thea¬ tres operated by the Shuberts, died Oct 12 in New York. Al¬ though she had beeni in retirement for Several years, she retained membership in the Treasurers & Ticket Sellers Union, TATSE. Husband, three brothers and: three sisters survive. MARGARET SCUDAMORE Margaret Scudamore,'73, actress and mother of Michael Redgrave, died Oct. 6 in London. She made her first West End appearance at the Garrick in 1912 in ‘“The Fire Screen.” She appeared with Henry Irving at the Savoy Theatre and the New Shakespeare Com¬ pany at Stratford-on-Avon in 1921. Her -last stage appearance was. in “The Young Elizabeth” at the New Theatre in 1952. VICTOR WOOD Victor Wood, 44, an actor, died recently in London. .His last West End appearance was in “The Egg.” He was in the cast of the Broadway production of “Faithfully Yoiirs,” costarring Robert Cummings and Ann Sothern, in 1951-52, and two years ago had a principal role in the tv dramatization of “A Night to Remember.” His mother survives. FAT DIXON Pat Dixon, 54, radio and tv pro¬ ducer, died Oct. 9 in. London. He had been a radio producer, for the BBC since 194ft and had produced “ITMA,” “Hancock’s Half-Hour,” “The Goon Show*” and “These Foolish Things,” along with other, highly rated light entertainment programs. He is' survived by his wife and son. BERTHA JANCKE Bertha Jancke,-52, vet publicist. '••I s " 79 No Dull Moments in Todd lives 7 ——, Continued from pace 2 — died after, a long illness In Holly¬ wood Oct, 8. Starting her career as a pub secretary, she worked variously with Paramount, Metro, Columbia Pix and 20th-Fox; last was with House of Westmore. Her husband, George Luck, sur¬ vives. .- JOSEPH KATZ Joseph Katz, 70,-advertising and radio executive, died Oct. 13 in Baltimore, Md. He founded and was head of the Joseph Katz ad agency operating in Baltimore and New York. Katz was also hoard chairman of radio station WWDC, in Washing¬ ton, and KMBR in Jacksonville, Florida. BILL KENT Bill Kent, vet vaudeville agent, died in New York, Oct., 12, age 69. His wife, non-pro, survives. Mrs. Bernice White, 48, coowner of Ideal Pictures Co., Dallas,, died Oct. 8 in that city. She and. her husband once operated the Texan Theatre,. Mesquite. Survived by her husband, father, brother and three sisters. Jessie Rosella Michaels, 50, Chi¬ cago nitery chirper the past 30 years under the pro name of Jes¬ sie Rosella, died Oct. 10 in that city.. Survived by husband, two- brothers and a sister. Victor Tyrrell, 34, manager of the Gorey Cinema, Gorey, Ireland, was killed Oct. 3 in a car crash near his home. His wife and four children survive. Wilbur (Bud) Lolljer, 65, former head of Fox West Coast real estate department, and former chief barker of Variety Club tent 25, died Oct 10 in Hollywood. Walter Waddell, 71, vet film edi¬ tor, died Oct 8 in Hollywood. He had been with Metro for inore than 25 years. His wife , and two Sons suryive. Father, 64, of Larry Holofcener, lyricist and librettist, died Oct. 6 in Miami. Also surviving are his wife, two other sons and a daugh¬ ter. . Aice E. Beaudoin, 73, former owner of the Scenic and State The- atres in Rochester and Dover, N.H.; died Oct. 8 in Rochester. Charles Collier, 88, harpist with the Halle Orch, Manchester, Eng., died recently in that city. Mother, 54, of actor - Robert Easton, died of a heart attack Sept. 30 in Hollywood. MARRIAGES Wanda DePre^to Jack Warden, Las-Vegas, Oct 10. Both are thesps. Rita Davies to Ian MacNaughton, Helensburgh, Scotland, Oct 6. Both are tv thespers. Petronella Ryriies to Garry Hope, Pitlochry, Scotland, Oct.' 4. Both are thespers. Gwyda DonHowe, to Norman Kean, New York, Oct. il. She is an actress; he’s a stage manager. BIRTHS Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Heideman, son, Hollywood, Oct. 3. Father is scripter of “Flight” teleseries. Mr. and Mrs. Alan Boal, son, Pittsburgh, Oct. 5. Father’s a new- caster at KQV, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Karl, son, Pittsburgh, Oct. 2. Mother used to be secretary to Don Trageser, KDKA radio sales manager. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Marks, son, London, Sept. 4. Father is a stage and tv comedian; mother, is tv comedienne Paddy O’Neil. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Kalish, son, Forest Hills, L.I., Oct. 6. Child is grandson of Al (Doubletalk) Kelly, vet vaude performer. Mr. and Mrs. William C. Moly- neux, son, New York, Oct 6. Father is a tv and motion picture art director. Mr. and Mrs. Si White, son, Phil¬ adelphia, Oct. 9. Father is a night club comic; mother is an accor- i dionist | Lt. Col. Guy and Mrs. Camp¬ bell, son, London, Oct. 9. Mother is | Lizbeth Webb, actress and singer. Mr. and Mrs. Stan Jarvis, twin son and daughter, Glasgow, Oct. 6. Father is assistant manager of ; Glasgow Empire. - Mr. and Mrs. John Chapman, ' daughter, Houston, recently. Father is promotion manager at KTRK-TV in that city. -Mr. and Mrs. Harry Sheppard, daughter, New York, Oct. 10. Father is vibraharpist with Sol Yaged Quintet • the Showman of the Year. His untimely death at 51, 49, 47—his “statistics” got shorter on the count as his ebullience in battling middle-age grew stronger—will not diminish that honor. A legend in his own time, his showmanship, has already taken its place with Bar- num and Ziegfeld. Future space- showmanship will see him cast as the Diamond Jim Brady of this era, such was his personal flair for the lavish living. From Avrom Hirsch Goldbogen, the poor Minneapolis urchin, to Mike Todd, the showman, the third-of-a-century of his mature life plays like a Actional script. A floating crap' game operator, a mil¬ lionaire at 19 building Hollywood soundproof studios, his active en- terpreneurship touches on the life and times of the contemporary “greats” in all walks of the lively arts. He also was Big Business in action but concluded that when he put over a sharp deal he was voted a “con man”; when the industrial-, ists, who were in with him on Cinerama and Todd-AO (and eased him out of both), put over a similar deal, they were called “astute i business men.” j Bootleg Reading Todd lived his nine lives to, the fullest. They were replete withi melodrama and mellowness. A hustler, yet he was “an Oxford scholar disguised as a mugg,” in George Jean Nathan’s opinion. His i “bootleg reading,” as Nathan called it, gave Todd an erudition denied him through conventional scholastic pursuits. A tough trader, he was a softie to pals—and par¬ ticularly . in his relations with Michael Jr. In the opinion of one of Todd’s most veteran angels, Jack Dietz, “ f it wasn’t for Junior, M ks would be a bum.” His legit show business career embraced the production of 16 ventures which grossed $’8,000,- .000. In one year he had. four shows concurrent, and h's take- home profit was $20,000 a week. He was elected Abbott of the Friars and that theatrical retreat, already his second home, became his . home-base for gin rumrry gambling at $10 a point and losses of $50,000 a session. He was Broadway's prize pigeon at ca v ds. When he wound up a bankrupt for $1,105,616.78, he observed, “What do you want ire to do. cut down on my cigars?” While broke and ow-: ing he- entertained lavishly at his Irvington-on-Hudson estate, with John Blondell, his second wife, and promoted $200,000 to float further theatrical ventures. Barouches & Broughams He took his “Up in Central Park”; first night audience from the Cen¬ tury Theatre to the Tavern-on-the Green in barouches, fiacres, broug¬ hams and c'vrWe* for a cliam- pagne-and-caviar party, just to top Billy Rose's pcsi-wrerniere cham¬ pagne shindig'in the basement of his Ziegfe’d Theatre cn the occa¬ sion of “7 Lively Arts.” He was almost the victim of a Chi “match.” because he refused to work with the “mob” (yet his throwaway line Tor some Broadwayite that “He’s one of the mob” was the complete accolade). He “promoted” astute business men, and also Mrs. Lorraine Man- ville Gould Aldao Dresselhuys, with whom he was romantically linked. His life touched intimately on Muriel Page, Chicago “flame dancer,” whom he payroHed at $65- a-week and sold to the Casino tie Paree, N.Y., at $750. Later it was Joan Blonde!!, Mae Y/est, Gypsy Rose Lee, Marlene Dietrich, Evelyn Keyes—and . “Meet Miss Lizzie Schwartzkopf,” asf he kiddingly in¬ troduced Elizabeth Taylor to pals in Hollywood, New York, London and Parift. Down the Middle This is no glorified obituary. His Boswell has maintained a scrupu¬ lously detached perspective. To those who knew Todd over the years, certainly longer than did Art Cohnr the biographer rates a post¬ humous salute for his keen percep¬ tion, although it is not surprising considering Cohn’s rich newspaper experience. Cohn has made the biog a curi¬ ously contemporaneous work about a recently demised subject; it’s as living and vibrant as if both were still on earth. The publisher wise¬ ly left it that way. The saga fades out on the Acapulco honeymoon cottage Feb. 2, 1957. Cohn seemingly had a photo¬ graphic word mind and memory. His reportage of Toddisms is phe¬ nomenally faithful. He has captured the flavor of the flamboyant showman in every faith¬ ful detail. His reportage gives _ “Nine Lives” a fictional bounce ~ which should make the book time¬ less ift its appeal. It is compelling reading. Showman By Instinct The sideline observer will emerge with mixed emotions about Todd. He was, of course, an in¬ stinctive showman. He was sharp, betimes bordering on the illegal but no matter the degree of his aggressive resourcefulness, he was never dull. Todd was a stimulus and, more important, he was stimulating unto himself. From his lowly carnival. pitch days, through the. N.Y. World’s Fair, to Broadway, to his abortive Hollywood film production span, until he finely hit the jacknot with Todd-AO and eventually his monu¬ mental “Around the World,” Todd Was lavish in everything he did. When, in a single week, in June of I9fi7, be bought a half-million dollars worth of jewels and paint¬ ings in Paris for his bride, his son Michael Jr. admonished, “Dad, you’re going now like you did when you didn't have it.” . / For almos/ 10 years since “Up in Central Park,” his last big hit in 1945, Toi'd had parlayed himself into the roorhouse. In that span Bertha Fievhman Todd, his first wile, cied under tragic and quasi- mysterious circumstances which, further badgered the beleagured producer. lie had lost his Del Mar (Calif.) Racetrack, fiascoed his film Pfccluciicn cpportu.ni y, had gone into bankruptcy, had been eased out cf Cinerama and Todd-AO. Birth of ‘80 Days’ Then he saw “Around the World in 80 Days.” in Sir Alexander Kor¬ da’s office in London. Latter told him to bre-k away from it; that he had even had Orson Welles shoot some test footage; it was too tough, exocimve, etc. The rest is history. In the AVelles-Todd imbroglio as to how the idea of filming the Jules Verne clss-ic was spawned, bio- rt rar>’'er C?-bn "Ir.v.s i* down the middle by paralleling each of their veriion:. In like manner, he quotes a crors-sc-ciioh of Todd's pals (in¬ cluding this reviewer), but per¬ haps the shrewdest closeup on the showman is that of Evelyn Keyes: “He has a strong persecution com¬ plex working against him. It’s un¬ worthy of him and infuriates me.” Todd’s aphorisms and colorful speech are already part of the Bve~('.\v'” l^ce-'k A square was a “civilian.” Todd’s lingo made him automatic good copy and he knew it. “Money is only important if you havef/i : ot .' \vr- a favorite ax¬ iom and T< Twee! by it. “Do you hear me good!” was his admon- kr.ment fer emphasis. The menu was the “scra’ch-sheet.” The items thereon “the entries.” To him “the groceries” always had to be good. Advice to a Commissar “Educate me, ♦ he tpld an asso¬ ciate, “and we’ll both he out of work.” When he was on the USSR cultural kick he told Vladimir Sr.ri::, the Vice-Minister of Cul¬ ture, whom he entertained at his Park Ave. penthouse where the Broadway bunch got a closeup on the vodka kid, “You Russians have the wtop'* rlti’ude. Be a man, Vladimir, but also treat others like men. Learn to say 'Can I?’, not T want.* - ” Slogans like “In Todd we trust” and “Uncle Todd’s Cabin” were Broadway naturals. Latter had to do with the time he was touring Bill Robinson in “The Hot Mikado." Todd’s production career wasn’t all “tall dames and low comedy.” He was on a "problem play” kick with an ill-fated “Pick Up GirL” When he produced the Maurice Evafcs “GI version* of “Hamlet,” Tools Shor declaimed, at intermis¬ sion, “I’m the only crum-bun in the theatre that don’t know how il ends and I’m going back to find out”