Variety (January 1959)

UfiRlEifY 95 Wednesday, January 14, 1959 OBITUARIES OCTAVUS BOY COHEN Octavus Roy Cohefi, 67, one of the short story greats who also wrote plays, motion pix and radio shows, died Jan. 6 after a long illness in Los Angeles.. He gained fame first for his Florian Slappey stories in the SEP, which continued for many years, and he also had to his credit nearly 60 books and 30 motion picture scripts. During the heyday of “Amos ’n’ Andyy be contributed much ma¬ terial, in line with the humorous style he created during his Post writing. Entering newspaper work in 1911, Cohen served as reporter for such papers as the Birmingham (Ala.) Ledger, the Charleston (N.C.) News and Courier, Bayonne (N.J.) Times and Newark Morning Star. He once was admitted to the bar in South Carolina and prac¬ ticed law for two years. A son survives. DR. CHARLES L. COOKE Dr. • Charles L. Cooke, 67, cele¬ brated Negro composer and ar¬ tinued on KDKA-TV, the successor to WDTV. In 1956, Wood left Pittsburgh to go with WTVN-TV in Columbus as a news editor and newscaster. More recently, he had been a tech¬ nical writer at the Army’s Colum¬ bus General Depot. Wood had taught radio, drama and speech at the Universities of Maryland, North Dakota and Pittsburgh at various times.' He leaves his wife and three children. DR. HANS BREDOW Dr. Hans Bredow, 80, “father” of the German radio network, died Jan. 9 in Wiesbaden, Germany. After World War I, when he was an official of the Reich Post Min¬ istry, he began building up a gov¬ ernment-owned radio network in Germany, starting with an eco¬ nomic service and expanding it to include entertainment broadcasts. By 1926 he was in sole charge of the entire radio network of the German republic. When Hitler seized power in In Memory OUR DEARLY RELOVED BROTHER WILLIE HOWARD J«u 12. 1949 EogcM, Sam aad Celia ranger, died Of" a stroke Dec. 25 in Wurtsboro, N.Y, A native of Louisville, he earned his degree of Doctor of Music from the Chi¬ cago College of Music. Treasurer of the Rae-Cox & Cooke Music Corp., he also was staff composer for several Detroit music publish¬ ing houses. Dr. Cooke later held executive posts with'RKO, Radio City Music Hall' and the W. C. Handy Publish¬ ing Co. While in Chicago Be oranized and conducted his own and at White City known, as “Dr. Cooke and His 14 Doctors of Syn¬ copation.” He did orchestral scores and arrangements for Such. Broadway musicals as" Mike Todd’s “Hot Mikado/* “Cabin in the Sky,” “Follow the Girls” and “Boy Friend.” Among his songs are “Loving You the Way I Do,” 1933, Bredow resigned. He was later arrested by the Nazis and held for some tune. After World War II he served briefly as gov¬ ernor of Wiesbaden District and later was a board member of the Hesse State Radio. HUGO' C. CLASSEN Hugo Charles Classen, dean of magician managers, died Jan. 4 in Rochester. N. Y. ‘ He managed world tours of such inagicos as Carter The Great, The Great Ni¬ cola, LeRoy-Talma & Bosco, Dante, George Stillwell, Long Tack Sam and Henry & Chee Toy. Classen also piloted the Wem¬ bley Rodeo and Wild West, Hugo Bros. Negro Minstrels,. The Marcus, Show and Hariustons Circus/ among others on global tours. He was credited with introducing American talking pictures to the In Loving Memory ALLEN SPARROW Jimmie and Allyn (Wife end Daughter) “Blame -It on. the Blues” and “Messin* Around.” Surviving are his wife, sister and two nephews. ROBERT P. HOLLIDAY Robert Paul Holliday, 64, board chairman of West-Holliday, nation¬ al advertising firm representing 140 newspapers, died at his Hollis¬ ter, CaL, ranch of a heart attack Jan. 1. A' native of Ohio, he began his newspaper career on the Ari¬ zona Democrat and Arizona Repub¬ lic at Phoenix. After World War I Infantry serv¬ ice, Holliday came to California, where he became managing direc¬ tor of Kellogg Newspapers’ west¬ ern division, publisher-editor of the Santa Monica Evening Outlook and associated with the Copley Press as managing director of the Hollywood News, Venice Vanguard, 1 In Memory of FRED FISHER Jan;. 14, 1.942 -Jan.* 14, 1959 Anna aad tka Children Sawtelle Tribune and Culver City Star-News. ^ In 1930, he became publisher of Hearst’s San Francisco Call-Bul¬ letin. She years later he joined with Paul West to form the nation¬ al newspaper agency which bears their names. Wife survives. EDGAR WOOD Edgar Wood, 40, former Pitts¬ burgh radio and tv newscaster, was. found dead of .a fractured skull, apparently suffered .in a fall, in Columbus. 0„ Jan. 8. A native of Connellsville, Pa., he joined WCAE in Pittsburgh shortly after World War n, in which' he served as an infantry lieutenant and received the Piirple Heart at Anzio, and later moved to WDTV. He con¬ Far East. While in Shanghai he also produced the first sound pic¬ tures in the Chinese language. Surviving are two Sisters. His wife,' the former Josephine Jordan who was a sister of James (Fibber McGee) Jordan, died in 1953. NORBERT STERN Norhert Stem, 66, president of Associated Theatres circuit in Pittsburgh and of the Drive-In Theatre Assn, of Western Penn¬ sylvania, died in that city Jan. 1 after an illness of several months. He was also head of the Inter¬ national Finance Co. Stem built the first drive-in in the Pittsburgh district 14 years ago on a site near South Park, and since then had added several more ozoners to Bis Associated chain. He had large real estate holdings in ^Pittsburgh, too, and was Jong ac¬ tive in work Of. Tent No. 1 of Variety Club. • Survivors include two sons, who are active in the Associated outfit, his wife, a daughter and two brothers. MINNIE ROONEY Mrs. Hermine (Minnie) Rooney, 68, former bareback rider with the Singling Bros. Circus, died Dec. 27 in Toledo. Her parents operated a circus in Europe. Until 20 years ago she was featured with the Rid¬ ing Rooneys troupe, an act with the Ringling Bros, and later Hagenbeck & Wallace circus. Until her illness about three months ago, Mrs. Rooney traveled the country with a trained dog act known as Minnie Rooney and Her Pets. A brother, Joseph Hodges, known professionally as Joe Hodgini, and his two sons, are bareback riders. Also surviving is a sister, Mrs. Hattie McCree Keesbury, a former bareback rider. .WILLIAM PHILLIPSON William Phillipson, 50, an inde¬ pendant tv producer, died Jan. 2 in New York, after a short illness. After World War II, he joined* r m ABC-TV in N.Y. and in California, and at one time was vice-president in charge of its western division. Later, he was a partner in Henry Jaffe Enterprises, specializing in gathering talent for such shows as the “Texaco Star Theatre” and “Producers Showcase.” Two years ago, he co-produced “Jubilee of Light” with David O. Selznick, a tv show in tribute to the electrical industry. His wife, daughter, mother, brother and sister survive. JOHN T. DIETZ John T. Dietz, 48, an account executive with WSAV-TV, Savan¬ nah, for the last three years, died Jan. 7 in Savannah Beach. A native of Marietta, O., he was a producerdirector with CBS Radio from 1942 through 1955. He handled such shows as “SusDense.” “You Are There,” “Crime Photographer” and Gang Busters.” He had started originally with CBS engineering and was one of several there, in¬ cluding the late Irving Reis, founder of the Columbia Work-, shop, to become program directors. Surviving are his wife, son, step-, son and a brother. STUART ROBERTSON Stuart Robertson, 57, onetime actor anj radio and concert singer, died Dec. 25 in Elstree; Herts, England. He was a brother of Anna Neagle and was married to Alice Moxon, with whom he used to sing. Since retiring from singing, Rob¬ ertson had been an executive . of Herbert Wilcox’s Imperadio film company, was director and chair¬ man of the Theatrical Profession Insurance Ltd., and had just formed SR Film Productions Ltd. with the intention of producing tv films. Survived by wife and two chil¬ dren. DAVID LIB ID INS Davi<l Libidins, 54, died Dec. 22 of a stroke in Manhattan.. He was a former concert singer who spent bis latter years in concert management His clients at the time of demise included the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, Vladimir Horowitz, Wanda Ladowska, Ania Dorfmann, Alicia Alonso. Concert Artists Inc. will handle the affairs of these artists foi* bal¬ ance of the present concert season. Libidins was born in Istanbul, Turkey of Russian family. He is survived by his widow, a onetime dancer. ALBERT WEISER Albert Weiser, 68, retired vaude performer who toured the world as a member of the comedy jugg¬ ling and boomerang hat act of Moran & Wiser, died 'of cancer Dec. 31 in Orange, N.J. A team for 40 years, Moran & Wiser played New * York’s Palace Theatre 17 times. Before illness forced his retire¬ ment in 1943, Weiser was a cast member of Olsen & Johnson’s Broadway production of “Sons O’ Fun.” Surviving is a daughter known professionally as Francine Dey. , WILLIAM X. TYROLER William X. Tyroler, 74, former opera maestro, musician and ac¬ companist, died in Torrance, Cal., Jan. 4. In semi-retirement for past 10 years, his career included terms with the N. Y. Metropolitan, Chi¬ cago Civic Opera Co., and San Francisco Opera Co. As an accompanist, Tyroler worked with such artists as Mme. Schuman-Heink, Enrico Caruso, Rosa Ponselle, Bidu Sayao, Ezio Pinza, and. later Yvonne de Carlo, Betty Hutton and Nelson Eddy. Wife and daughter survive. JOSEPH G. FIRLIK Joseph G. Firlik, 72, pioneer film carrier who started his business in eastern ‘New York some 40 years ago, died Jan. 6 in Tampa, Fla. Founded as the Firlik Film Service, it operates from the Albany-Troy area to the Canadian border and .western Vermont. Surviving are two sons, John F. and Joseph Jr„ and. a daughter, Mrs. Rita Casper, all of whom are associated with the company. It’s now known as Firlik Express Serv¬ ice Inc. OTTMAR OSTERMAYR Ottmar Ostermayr, 72, a pioneer of the German film industry, died Dec. 15 in Munich, West Germany, following a lengthy illness. Borp in Munich, he began Bis career with Eric Pommer la, the new UFA, Became production chief for UFA; then worked with Terra, and after the war with Bavaria Productions. He handled the pro¬ ductions or his brother, Peter Ostermayr, from 1950 until ill health forced him to retire. ARYDENHERTOG Ary den Hertog, 69, Dutch play¬ wright and critic, died recently of a heart attack in A * Among his plays was a 1933 pro¬ duction of “Ex-King Peter.” In later years he wrote drama criti¬ cism for the weekly magazine, Haagse Post, and was a commenta¬ tor on Radio AVRO. He also was director of the Netherlands Thea¬ tre Council and curator of the Amsterdam Dramatic Academy. His wife and daughter survive. HANS MAY Hans May, 67, composer, died in Beaulieu, France, Jan. 1. He com¬ posed the music for many British films, including “Madonna of the Seven Moons,” “The Wicked Lady/’ “No Room at the Inn” and "Brigh¬ ton Rock.” He also wrote the scores of several West End shows, includ¬ ing “Carissima,” “Waltztime” and “Wedding in Paris.” He is survived by his wife, thea¬ trical agent Rita Cave. LILLIAN T. BROADHURST Lillian Trimble Broadhurst, 75, onetime Broadway director ahd widow of playwright George Broad¬ hurst, died Jan. 7 in Santa Barbara, Calif. Her husband once owned the the theatre which bears his name. She directed many productions including ‘/The • Crimson Alibi,” and her own plays “The Wonder¬ ful Thing,” with Jeanne Eagels, and -‘Three Wishes.” WILLIAM A. GRAVES William A. Graves, 76. onetime show biz publisher and dance -hall operator, died Jan. 7 in Washing¬ ton. A retired Bureau of Engrav¬ ing employee, he managed the old Lincoln Colonnade dance hall at Lincoln Theatre for 20 years and published the Gaily News, a mag devoted to show folk in Washing¬ ton area. Surviving are a daughter, brother, sister and niece. MATTHEW M. KONCZAKOWSKI Matthew M. Kon&akowski, 69, veteran Buffalo theatre owner and operator* died there • recently fol¬ lowing a heart attack. At one time h& owned and operated six neigh¬ borhood houses, the Circle, Mar¬ lowe, Senate, Walden, Grand and Regent, where the Todd-AO proc¬ ess was' developed by American Optical Co. At his death he was operating the Circle and Marlowe. His wife and three sons survive. HARRY F. JOHNSON .Harry F. Johnson, 58, former vaude singer, died Dec. 31 in Chi¬ cago, where for the past 22 years he had been associated with the 40 E, Oak Hotel. At his death he was assistant manager. Johnson, a tenor, capped his vaude career in 1929 with a stint in George White’s “Flying High” on Broadway. Survivors include his wife and three sisters. WILLIAM C. DOOLEY William C. “Billy” Dooley, 54, drummer, entertainer and former bandleader, died Jan. 3 in Boston. He had worked the night of Jan. 2 at Hotel Continental, Cambridge, with Harry Marshard’s Orch, with which he had been associated for more than 20 years as drummer. Prior to that he had his own orch. Police said his death was caused by a heart attack. Surviving is his sister. VERA BLOOM Vera Bloom, 60, author and daughter of the late Representa¬ tive Sol Bloom, democrat of Man¬ hattan, died Jan. 4 in Baltimore. She joined her father during his 26-year tenure in Washington and wrote two books, “There’s No Place Like Washington” and “The Enter¬ taining Lady.” She also wrote the lyrics for the song “Jalousie” and was a member of ASCAP. CHESTER BEECROFT Chester Beeeroft, 77, former actor, newsoaper man and pub¬ licist, died Jan. 7 in Clifton, S.L At one time he did oublicity for the St. Moritz Hotel, N.Y. He also held promotional posts with sev¬ eral film comoanies. More recently he was a quarter¬ master with the American Presi¬ dent Lines. CHARLES IL McGARRY Charles 77. McGarry, 60, last of the six McGarry' brothers, tap and buck and wing dancing vaudeville entertainers, died Dec: 23 in To¬ ledo. The brothers performed on most of the major circuits. In his. later years, McGarry had a trained dog act and appeared in theatres and on tv. Two sisters survive. . EDDIE MEDLEY Eddie Medley. 65, onetime vaude headliner (Medley & Dupree) who had lived in retirement since de¬ mise of vaudeville, died of a heart attack Jan. 2 \n HoPywood. | Wife and daughter survive. I rO FOX ~ 59, longtime tailor in Chicago to show biz and sports figures, died there Jan. 4 after a prolonged illness. He retired last summer after more than 30 years in the business, first on Michigan Ave., then in the Hotel Sherman. Survived by a brother and two sons. ROBERT E. WASSMAN Robert E. Wassmann, 89, oldtimer vaude magician, died Jan. 5 in .Chicago. He came to the U.S. from Germany in 1896, and played the old Lyceum and Chautauqua circuits until some 30 years ago. He Operated a toy store in Chi up to a few years ago. Wife survives. . B. D. OCHSE B. D. Ochse, 66, Dutch film pio¬ neer, died recently in Amsterdam. In 1945 he brought together the Polygoon and Profilti. companies which produced a weekly newsreel and several hundred documenta¬ ries. He also produced a feature film, “The Dike is Closed.” His wife survives. LAURA BICE-PENN Laura Bice-Penn, 67, vet stage . and vaude actress, died of a stroke Jan. 5 in Hollywood. She had been in retirement for the past 25 years. A son, actor Bob Bice, survives. MARRIAGES Sheila Waite to Leslie Sturdy, Scarborough, Eng., Dec. 27. Bride is a singer; he’s a composer, song¬ writer and organist. Cynthia Scott to Allen Ash, Chi¬ cago, Dec. 21. Bride’s a copywrit¬ er at Herbert Baker Advertising in Chi.; he’s a salesman for National j Telefilm Associates in the midwest. I Violetta Elvin to Dr. Fernando Savarese, London, Jan. 2. Bride is a ballerina. Jeanne Davis to Bill Elder, New Braunfels, Tex., recently. He’s manager of the Laurel Theatre, San Antonio. Annette Stevens to Charlie Van, San Antonio, recently. He’s a disk jockey on. staff of KTSA in that city. Diane Florey to Charles Roy Pritchard, Chicago, Jan. 9. Bride’s an actress, he’s an actor; both are in the revised touring company of “Romanoff and Juliet.” Yolanda Pelletieri ’to William Keenan, Allentown, Pa., Jan. 10. Bride is a model; he’s head of crea¬ tive talent dept, at General Artists Corp. LaVema Ford to Paul Moorhead, Las Vegas, recently. He’s leader | of band wliich has played at Omaha’s Paxton Hotel since 1942. Cleo Ann Harrington to Casey ! Tibbs, Sturgis, S.D., Jan. 2. Bride j Is Miss South Dakota of 1954; he’s ! former world’s all-around rodeo j champion and a tv actor. BIRTHS Mr. and Mrs. George McMurray, daughter. Fall River, Mass., Dec. 30. Father is with the Carl Byoir public relations office in New York as press rep for the tv “Hallmark Hall of Fame” series. Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Adler, twin sons, London, Dec. 30. Father's director of National Broadcasting Co. International; mother is Kit Adler, tv producer and former actress. Mr. and Mrs. Osborne Smith, daughter, Chicago, Dec. 30. Father is a cafe singer. Mr. and Mrs. David Berglas, son, Hampstead. England, Jan. 3. Fa¬ ther is a tv magician. Mi*, and Mrs. Randy Clay, son, San Antonio, Dec. 29. Father is sports director for WOAI-TV in that city. Mr. and Mrs. John Penn, son, Pittsburgh, Dec. 29. Father’s manager of Carlton House Hotel. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Nellis, daughter, Pittsburgh, Dec. 27. Father and mother are ex-Playhouse actors. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Allen, son. New York, Jan. 6th. Father is a film producer at Army Pictorial Center, Astoria, L.L Mr. and Mrs. Bill Matkowskl, daughter, Inglewood, Cal., Jan. 1. Father is a KNXT film dept, staffer in Hollywood. Mr. and Mrs. Morty Gunty, daughter. New York, Jan. 8. Fath¬ er is the comedian. Mr. and Mrs. Ted JEtich, son, Hollywood, Jan. 2. Father is in editing dept, of Desilu. Mr. and Mrs. William Whalen, son, Yonkers, N.Y., Jan. 8. Father is in WRCA-TV’s sales department. Mr. and Mrs. William Alpert, daughter. New York, Dec. 30. Mother is the former Helen Mills, daughter of Jack Mills, head of Mills Music. Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hoey, son, Van Nuys, Cal., Jan. 3. Father is a sound editor at Walt Disney Studios. Mr. and Mrs. Herman Groves, daughter, Inglewood, Cal.. Jan. 8. Father is assistant producer at Metro-TV.