Variety (February 1959)

62 CHATTER' Broadway Sardi’s East (54th) Incepting cuffo Carey car service for dinner' guests who have to mate theatre curtains. Pressdgents Madi Blitzsteln and George Boss got married under semi-secret conditions—on Dec. 22 during the newspaper strike. Michael Sean O’Shea, legit p.a„ •will handle preSs for the American Theatre Wing’s 13th anni Tony Awards skedded for April 12 at the Waldorf. "Big Joe” (Joe Rosenfield Jr.), the ABC post-midnight commenta¬ tor ("Happiness Exchange”), into Knickerbocker Hospital for a kid¬ ney stone operation. Plawright collaborators Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee and latter’s actress-wife. Janet Waldo, in this week from the Coast for a couple of weeks on business. MCA board chairman Jules C. Stein will be in Presbyterian Hos- j pital (Harkness Pavilion) another two weeks recuperating from sur-| gery, an operation to cut out a polyp. Dan Hickey, executive v.p. ofi Zeckendorf’s Commodore* 'Chat¬ ham and Drake hotels, upped to ditto title of entire chain including: Astor, Manhattan and Taft on the west side. Danton Walker and Walter Slezak being feted at the first affair held by the newly formed Order of Yankee Doodle Dandy in an afternoon event at the Head¬ quarters Bestaurant. Joey Adams will preside. Jan Peerce, the Met’s, and once Badio City’s, tenor, will do a con¬ cert March 28 at Anchorage, Alas¬ ka, and repeat March 30 at Fair¬ banks. Anchorage has a new mil- lion-dollar aud. Frank Brink is the involved impresario in the 49th State. Columnists- Earl Wilson, Frank Farrell, Hy Gardner, Nick Kenny, Lee Mortimer, Louis Sobol, Rob- Sylvester, Ed Sullivan, and Danton Walker handling fete for- comedian Joey Adams for bis work with the March of Dimes campaigns throughout the years. French comedienne Genevieve has applied for *U.S. citizenship. Before she goes into rehearsal m George Abbott’s "Hell On Wheels*’ next August, Jerry Wald (20th- Fox) is writing her into "The Bohemians” and while on the Coast with Jack Paar’s TV*er, she will tape another tv show with Jack Benny. Jeanne Gilbert, longtime p.a. for the Savoy Hotel, London, now back in New York doing personal pub¬ licity, working on her autobiog having to do with her career in Mayfair and other posh environ¬ ments. She’ll probably title it "Piccadilly Hillbilly” or "A Hill¬ billy in Mayfair.” She was bora in the Kenntcky hills.- Dorothy Strelsin hostessing an offbeat birthday dinner-party for her industrialist spouse, Al. Friday night (27). A motorcade of limou¬ sines will take guests from their 5th Avenue penthouse to O’Henry’s in the Village for dinner followed by the Taboo Bevue at Jim Paul Eilers’ Showplaee, also in the Vil¬ lage, as post-dinner entertainment N. Y. Sunday News gave Dore Schary the lead story that, since leaving Metro as production chief, he will have his name concurrently on three Broadway marquees, two click legiters (“Sunrise at Campo- bello” and “A Majority of One”) and his UA indie pic, "Miss Lone- lyhearts” slated for the Victoria next week. He authoried "Campo- bello” and coproduced both plays in association with the Theatre Guild:* Rome By Bobert F. Hawkins C Stampa Estera ; Tel 675 .906) Anna Magnani writing her mem¬ oirs. In-and-out-of-Bome: Femandel, ADnamaria Pierangeli. Eossano Brazzi guested and sang on "II Musichiere” on BAI-TV. Enrico Maria Salerno to return to acting, now set for several tv stints. o B. D. M. Odgers, Bank,Overseas general manager, flew'back to Lon¬ don after 10-day Italian visit. EAI-TV’s “Lascia o Raddoppia” quizzer is four years old this month. Mike Bongiorao has emceed all 369 shous to date. S. J. Perelman here to work on Titanus’ upcoming project; "The Saint Who Lost His Halo/’ to shoot this year here, probably in June, • Favre LeBret, Cannes Festival topper, back to Paris* -after few days in Borne to view new local product for upcoming Riviera event. Antonella Lualdl to Nice to start pic opposite Christian Marquand, titled "J’lrai Cracher- Sur Vos Tombes” (I’m Going to Spit'on Your Graves). Folco' Lulli signed by/ Claude j PBasiEfi ^Wednesday, Febrnar^25, 1959 Aqtant.Lara for “Lea Begates de San Francisco” which locations in Nice April-May. Busy thesp does "La Nuit des Traques” before that and is also up for Marcel Game’s “The Prisoners.” Aldo Fabrizi presented Anna Magnani with 13-diamond pin on behalf of "13 Art Club’* of Borne, for h e-r outstanding thesping throughout the years. Actress leaves soon for U.S. and "Orpheus Descending” pic opposite Marlon Brando. Pittsburgh By Hal V. Cohen (ATlanUc 1-6100) Mafv Ackerman quit the Copa to join staff of Holiday House. Joan Paul resigned her post with Stanley Warner Theatres to await motherhood. Gayle Green, Tech drama stu¬ dent, playing opposite Burt Brin- ckerhoff in "Blue Denim” at Play¬ house. Ibsen’s "Wild Duck,” directed by Allen Fletcher, at Carnegie Tech Drama SchooL Al Violi replaced Darrel Zwer- ling in "Hole in the Head” for remainder of Playhouse run. Lou Fordan, manager of Memo¬ rial Theatre in McKeesport, and his wife vacationing in Hawaii. J Ray Ginsburg opened' new cock¬ tail ery, Black Magic, in Oakland with Orland Raimondo in charge. Worries for Bams i Continued from page 1 two entries, the French catalog in¬ cludes "Summer of the 17th Doll,” “Who Was That Lady I Saw You With?” "Under Milk Wood,” "Blue Denim,” "Time Remembered” and "The Visit.” AH were done in New York last season. “Visit” resumed on Broadway for several weeks this season for a total Broadway run of 24 weeks. The others, were all flops. "Sum¬ mer,” incidentally, was- released on a limited basis last season. The new French list also includes a number of shows that Hopped on j Broadway this semester. They are ! "Howie,” ‘Handful of Fire,” "Drink io Me Only,” “Man in the Dog | Suit” (a strawhat tryout last sum¬ mer), “Shadow of a Gunman” and “Comes a Day." The list also includes “Power [ and the Glory,” which was pre- j sented at_ the Phoenix Theatre, i N. Y., and “Clerambard,” another ! off-Broadway -entry. "Garden Dis- j trict,” which' also preemed off- j Broadway, has. been acquired by French, but is hot available as yet Other new properties in the catalog, but presently unavailable for stock, include “Dark at the Top of Stairs,”. “Sunrise . at Campo- bello,” “Look Homeward, Angel,” “Girls in 509,” “Disenchanted,” "Make a Million,” "Gazebo,” "Third Best Sport,” "Once More With Feeling,” “ J. B.” and “Warm Peninsula.” Besides “Bells,” "Abner” and "Girl,” recent Main Stem musicals available for initial stock produc¬ tion this season are “Body. Beauti¬ ful’ and “Say, Darling,” both flops. “Abner” and “Darling” have been active this season. The latter re¬ cently ended its Broadway run and begins a two-week revival at the N. Y. City Center tonight (Wed.). A buS-and-truck company of "Ab¬ ner” is currently touring the hin¬ terlands. Other new musical releases this year include a revamped versimf of the R* chard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart oldie, "Babes in Arms,” and a British original, "Salad Days.” which had an unsuccessful off- Broadway run this season. “Babes” will he done as a package under th° supervision of Rodgers. Packages of “Abner* ’and “Bells” are planned by Stanley Prager, who’ll also be partnered with James Hammerstein in the produc¬ tion of a “Carmen Jones” pack¬ s' 1 ? f^r v o + h music tents and pros¬ cenium theatres. “Oh Captain/’ a Broadway flop of last season, is also available for stock this year, hut technically it belongs in last summer’s lineup since it was availably at the tail end of the season. Actually the 1957-58 season produced only tfrree hit musicals on Broadway. -The trio, still active on the Main Stem and not yet released for stock, includes “Music Man,” "West Side Story” and "Jamaica ” . . Of the new musical stock pro¬ perties, "Abner,” ‘"Darling” and "Salad” are Tams-Witmark re¬ leases. “Girl” is in the Music The¬ atre catalog, “Body” is handled by Samuel , .French and "Babes” is r corlr6red hy Rodgers. TanjS-Wit- fcJs'Q’ licenses “Captaib” .and Bells” ' - ‘ * — r , 3 ’ 4 : j ^ London (COVent Garden : 0l35-6-7) J. S. E» Todd appointed director of Granada Group. Glenn Ford in town visiting friends and relatives. Variety Club of Great Britain held their shindig at the Dor¬ chester. Alicia Markov? planed to New York enroute tc^guest appearance with Tulsa Civic-Ballet. — Producer Maurice Cowan to Amsterdam and- Rotterdam ' for preems of his pie, ‘‘Operation Am¬ sterdam.” ■* iI * Producer George Brown on Spanish prowl seeking locations for Ms Tommy Steele pic, “Tommy the Toreador.” Peter Coe, from Queen’s Thea¬ tre, Hornchurch, Essex, signed as first resident director of soon-to- be-opened Mermaid Theatre. Carl Foreman dickering for screen rights to “No Love for John¬ nie,” controversial political novel by late Wilfred Feinburgh, M.P. Dan Dailey and director Don Chaffey plaited to Paris to -shoot location scenes for. Sapphire’s telepix series, “Four Just Men.” Polan Banks, Hollywood writer- director, in for a few days finaliz¬ ing arrangements for tv series. Then to Spain for huddles on new feature film. Eric Sykes* comedy scriptwriter and actor, is freelancing after two years ‘'with commercial tv. First BBC date is “Saturday Spectacu¬ lar,” March 5. Frankie Vaughan signed for six weeks’ vaude season at Palladium, beginning March 20. It will be longest topllner Palladium stint since Danny Kaye. Mai Zetterling returns to Lon¬ don stage next Tuesday (3) for first time in two years. She’ll play in Strindberg’s “Creditors” at Lyric, Hammersmith. Rank’s “A Night to Remember” and AB-Pathe’s ‘T Was Monty’s Doublet-will be UK/s official en¬ tries at Argentine film fest, March 10. British Lion’s “Orders to Kill” will be screened by invitation. Berlin By Hass Hoehn (760264) Author Erich Kaestner given* Federal Cross of Merit “Two fob the Seesaw” preemed at Renaissance Theatre. Actor Bernhard Wicki to direct forthcoming DFH pic, “The Bridge.” Dutch entry, “Glass,” first-prized at recent Oberhausen short film festival. Frederic Kohner wrote sript for CCD’s forthcoming "Grand Hotel.” Pic stars O. W. Fischer. Schiller Prize of city of Mann¬ heim went to Swiss dramatist Friedrich Duerrenmatt Jaoanese films shown at Japan¬ ese Film Week in Munich (March 6-11) will be screened here March. 2-5. Billy Vaughn’s “La Paloma” led West German hit parade in Janu¬ ary. Perez Prado’s “Patricia” runner-up. SFB Berlin will telecast show starring Williams, Everly Bros, and Chordettes, April 18. Cad¬ ence artists were recently here * Heart ailment forced Curtis Bernhardt to skip directorial as¬ signment on CCC’s “Grand Hotel.” Gottfried Reinhard may take over. La's Vegas By Forrest Duke (DUdley 4-4660) Treniers* open March 4 in Rivi¬ era lounge. M. A.’Riddle, Dunes prexy, vaca¬ tioning in Palm Springs. George Gobel and Georgia Gibbs set for Riviera March 13 opener. Billy,Snyder, Trop lounge host, into L.A. for appearance on Lux video show. Jerry Levy, manager of Joey Bishop, in from N.Y. for client’s Sands opening. Jack Southern, of Atlantic City’s Harlem.Club, guesting here at Stardust, and looking for sepia talent;. BurTriWgs/^ who brings his own comedy shoteJnto the Flamingo in April, dickering, with Shelley Ber¬ man to be comedy star. Dave Apollon, ’fixture .in lounge at Wilbur Clarkes Be^eri; .Inn, pur¬ chased a home bene next to Las Veeras Mayor C. D/Baker. Gene Austin, ^ho now lives in Las Vegas, wijbhe “local boy who made good’.V March 4 when he opens in Tjhpicana lounge. - Sophie ^Tucker and Ames Bros, took time out from their Sahara opening*to tape appeals to be aired in St. Lpu ; s for assistance to those left homeless by ; the recent tor-, hado; * ? * ■■■. c- - - - * ; “La Npuvelle Eve” at El -Rancho. Vegas is wanted by Fontainebleau i It! JO , £: in Florida, and two clubs* In South America.' Because of brisk biz, El Rancho boss Beldon Katleman* held it over until April'7. Lyricist Bob Russell huddling with Thunderbird’s Marty Hicks about- special number for Jackie Cain, of Jackie,, & Roy. While here, Russell is aliso showing spe¬ cial material to Kim Sisters, Ko¬ rean trio in “China Doll Revue of 1959.” Paris By Gene Moskowitz (28 Rue Huchette, Odeon 49-44) Betsy Blair to London for legit, and pic confabs. Anglo actor Ian Bannen in for his first Parisian looksee. ‘ Jean Anouilh wants his new play “Beckett” preemed in London. Bill Shelton in ogling French film 'fare for Yank distrib pur¬ chase. . Alfred ° Hitchcock’s “Vertigo” (Par) breaking first-run records at three houses. Jacques Dumesnil joins cast of Eugene O’Neill’s “Long Day’s Jour¬ ney Into Night.” Robert Siodmak in for opening of .his German pic “Night, .When the Devil Comes.” Lester Young now at Blue Note, In line with boite’s policy of bring¬ ing in Yank jazz names for short runs. Lee Payant and Gordon Heath, owners and performers in nitery L’Abbaye, return home to U. S. for a visit Leo Marjane back after a long absence to nitery singing scene, at the Scheherazade. Ditto Mouloudji at Drap D.’Or.- Project for Jacques Tati to play Don Quixote with Federico Fellini directing on again. Tati would also be co-producer. Sacha Distel, Brigitte Bardots fiance, losing out to- Laurent Ter- zieff for top role in Claude-Autant Lara’s new pic, “Les Regates de- San Francisco.” Add: Don’t Invite Continued from page 2 siia talize on his name and drawing power. When asked if Davis played op¬ posite her. Miss Kitt replied tes¬ tily. “That role is played by Hen¬ ry Scott — a real actor. Sammy sings the soundtrack. They wanted to utilize his name for all that it is worth so- they just gave him more time and footage.” According to the columnist a femjne secretary with Eartha chimed in. "They could have used more subtlety. Sammy’s business detracts from Eartha’s emotional scenes. I think some of the critics felt -that- and resented it.” Miss Kitt told the reporter she had a percentage in the film. The coincidence of Davis* suc¬ ceeding her at the Latin Casino (20) led him to comment indirectly on the news article. In the open¬ ing show Sammy gave a big build¬ up to his forthcoming “Porgy and Bess” (in* which he plays the role of Sportin’ Life) and also tossed in a plug for “Ann? Lucasta,” which opens Friday (27) at the Stanton. “It’s got that girl in it,” the ac¬ tor said, and laughed as he failed to remember the name. Later, however, he made reference * to Miss Kitt in the picture, but made no comment about her ptrfonn.- ance. Of his own, he said. “I have a small role, but it’s consistent” Metro Joins ANICA Continued from page 3 RKO and Republic, there are those who openly regret the move. Their argument is that Metro’s standoffish stance has been a boon, to the industry in many respects." Metro continues to abide • by its rule in other countries, such as 1 Germany, but, with the exception of Italy, the pressure for it to come in isn’.t particularly great. In Italy, Eitel Monaco, the head of ANICA, has long chafed under Jh«s Metro policy. One-of his fears has been that some major U.S. outfits might follow suit. Metro’s decision to come into ANICA Was made known; jointly by Monaco and Morton "Spring, v.p. of Loew’sTn- teraational. . ' < / Those who are familiar with the- Metrp operation say-the decision to join ANICA'is J just one more proof that the company is willing to part with traditf.qn under., its new management. Metro now also is going in for co-production, and it is handling, foreign- .-films, . ill comparatively ^recent developments, for the outfit v; - hLJiwt saxor. .iriia gs • < .Hollywood James Hill back from Mexico City. ♦ -Morris Lefko here for cotipla days. David Niven returned from Stockholm. Corinne Griffith honored by L.A. City Council, Bob Hopes celebrated their silver anni Feb, 19. Walter Brennan vacationing in Falls Church, Va. Mel Hulling in from Frisco for talks with Allied Artists toppers. Frank Sinatra and Peter Law- ford opened'new hash house, the Ruecini. " Jack Lenny in from. N.Y. to cast for eastern summer theatre circuits. Ex-Variety stringer Col. Barney Oldfield in town from his Colorado Springs Air Force base/ Frank Capra will sneak his UA .release, “A Hole in the Head/’ in N.Y. and Conn, this week. Tex Jackson reelected prexy and Bill Holbrook biz rep of Motion Picture Grips, Local 80, IATSE. George Golitzen joined Walt Disney as associate producer after resigning last week as UI produc¬ tion manager. Herschel Beraardi, operated on for. leg fracture sustained in auto' accident, may‘be hospitalized two to three months, according to physician. Red Buttons, Milton Berle and Rosalind Russell , share emcee chores at Hollywood Foreign Press Assn/s annual Golden Globe Awards, March 5. Sammy Calm and Jimmy Van Heusen lauded by L.A. City Coun¬ cil for their “outstanding contribu¬ tion to that facet of American cul¬ ture—the popular song.” (Delaware 7-4984) Comic Beraie Beras toplining at Hollywood Club. Billy Carr, vet showman, ailing at Columbus Memorial. Chase booked Lou Carter, highly publicized singing hackie. Alfred Hitchcock adressing Ex¬ ecutives Club Friday (27). Santo Fecora’s dixieland' band replacing intime acts at Cafe Con¬ tinental. Frances Langford due next Tues¬ day (3) for four days to bally Amer¬ ican Legion. -George Debqr in before “Lil. Abner,” bus-and-truck tourer which opens two-week stand at Black- stone March 26. Van Clibura cancelling out of Opera House recital tonight (Wed.) because of finger infection. Im¬ presario Harry Zelzer trying to sked future date. “South Pacific” (20th) holding at McVickers till April 20 instead of March 23 as previously an¬ nounced. “Diary of Anne Frank” follows on hard ticket basis. Charles Hogan, who used to book Oriental Theatre stageshow, now booking live displays for the Regal. Indie booker Si Griever will do film buying for southside house. By A. P. Scully . (Fairview 4-1829) Align Jones around. Tab -Hunter rode a hunter at Date Fair. Crazy to.wn-planning: Sunset is east of Sunrise here. Liberace installed 88 motif and piano-shaped pool here, too. Donald Woods in to,star in “Holi¬ day for Lovers” at Playhouse. Monte Montana did his rope tricks in all of town’s schoolyards. Charley Farrell in group that bought out Par’s (a Telemeter) tv cable. Ace Balkins switched from Desert Air piano bar to Romanoff on the Rocks. Hon. Mayor*. Bing Crosby, put kibosh on golfing pal Milt Hick’s rock-crashing plant for Palm Desert. ' Sid Tomack tutored son Mike for young lover role in Martin Beck’s production of “Visit to a Small Planet.” Reno By Art Long (FAirview 34121) Harr ah’s Club to marqpee Turk Murphy jazzmen in April. The Edmond Sisters, triplet blonde lookers, at the Holiday bill. * -Riverside? inked ; Jaye P. Morgan for May 23 preem in the Olympic Room. ....... Tfie Kingpins and- Bob Braman .Trio: at Harolds^ Fmr Room doing okay biz. ■ . Frank Libuse, comic waiter, headlining at Olympic Room, booked in for double frame. 'Georgia Gibbs and Rowan & Martin follow*.-Xavier Cugat & Abbe Lane at HarrahTs Club, Lake Tahoe. »; / * . - : [O DQUtumcrj an fljuou non j ag u