Variety (April 1959)

78 CHATTER John and Marjorie Raitt are due from the Coast tomorrow (Thurs.). John Forsythe in from the Coast this week to catch the Broadway shows. Leon Fleisher, Columbia concert pianist, now on faculty of Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. Marlene Dietrich Night at the Museum of Modern Art last night (Tues.) with the perennial frau- lein there. United Jewish Appeal tendered a dinner last night (Tues.) to Max Asnas, Stage Delicatessen prop., at the Hotel Pierre. Mexican actress has arrived in New York to appear in Ted.Ap- stein’s play, “Come Share . My House." Michael Callan in Manhattan (last with “West Side Story*! after finishing “They Came To Cbrchira” on coast for Columbia Pictures. Jan Peerce’s concert April 13 at Carnegie is his first there in 10 years. Meanwhile spreading all over the world, mostly recently to Alaska. Robert Downing will have an article on history of The Players Club in the April 13 issue of The Playbill, distributed in NY legit houses. Overseas Press Club has Hilde-" garde April 10 (French-American Correspondents night) while she’s in Manhattan to record for Design disk label. Four daughters of late Mr. Elon Huntington Hooker put up coin for Met Opera’s new mounting next season of “Tristan and Isolde.” A “first” in this sort of memorial? Anita Ellis, currently in “Flower Drum Song,” has recorded the Alan Ginsberg-David Amram song, “Crazy Daisy,” for the soundtrack of the forthcoming Jack Kerouac film “The Beat Generation.” African Heritage Exposition Inc. has been authorized to conduct an entertainment business in New York. Capital stock is $20,000, $100 par value. Roy T. Spraggins, 2153 Seventh avenue, was filing attorney at Albany. Fleed-Wing Newspaper Delivery Corp. has been authorized to con¬ duct a newspaper delivery business in New York, with a capital stoek of 100 shares, no par value. Jacob Jancourtz and Nathan R. Goldman are directors and filing attorneys. Chinese honiface - about - town Richard Mei (ex- Freeman Chum’s, etc.) opened his King Dragon restaurant on upper midtown Third Ave. yesterday (Tues.) after nightly series of 10-course trade and press previews which started previous Friday. Three American singers who are currently making their living in Europe—Cesare Curzi, Leonardo Vfolovsky and Kathryn Harvey— are starring in a centennial per¬ formance of Gounod’s “Margue- rita” at the Fuerth Opera House for a German-American Friend¬ ship Week appearance. Random House will handle dis¬ tribution of product from new publishing company formed by Art Linkletter and other Coasters, Star Press Books, with first issue to hit stands this Fall. Initial pub¬ lications will include Linkletter’s “The Secret World of Kids,” and Groucho Marx’s autobiog. Partnered with Linkletter in firm are Marx, Mark Goodson, Bill Todman, Rob¬ ert C. Temple, John Guedel, Ber¬ nard Geis and others. Ph3adeip]iia By Jerry Gaghan (319 N. 18 th St.: Locust 4-4848) Walter “Chief” Palumbo opened his new supper club in Delair, N.J. last week (1). Rita Watson, formerly in the Latin Casino line, now doing a pantomime routine at the Capri. Bill Rodstein, owner of the Lati¬ mer Club, came up with a new gimmick — gift certificates at a nitery. Skip Homeier has settled In Ard¬ more, Philly suburb, for indefinite stay. Also plans to enter hospital for checkup. Bassoonist Anthony Checchia named general manager of Ru¬ dolph Serkin’s summer music camp at Marlboro, Vt. English bandleader Humphrey Lyttleton will accompany Clara Ward and her Gospel Singers on tour of British Isles this month. Wilbur Evans putting on “Stars of Tomorrow” cocktail sessions at Warwick Hotel, Wednesdays. He doubles in the evening at New York’s Pierre. Gene Arcade is producing “The Mercer Girls.” musical to be pre¬ sented by Philadelphia Entertain¬ ers Memorial and at Camden Musk Fair Ten:, May 25-20. Bill Criss, local musician and first oboe with Met Opera for years, leaves for the Coast to go into biz. He’ll be replaced by Marc Lifschey, Curtis Institute grad. Joe Helprin, manager of Willow Grove Park for the last four and a half years, submitted his resigna¬ tion to the new Hankin Brothers management. He will continue as prexy of the Pennsylvania Parks and Pools Assn. Morris Singer, Bristol clothing man, took over the Fountainhead, New Hope spa on Route 202. Latest in a long line of owners which began with James Michener, Singer Plans to reopen it April 7, as a cafe and swimming club. Violinist Arnold Steinhardt, who; will be graduated from the Curtis i Institute of Music, goes to the Cleveland Symphony to replace Anshel Brusilov, who joins the Philadelphia Orchestra in the fall as concertmaster. By Lary Solloway (1755 Calais Dr.; UNion 5-5389) Johnny Mathis at the LaRonde. The Hy Gardners at the Eden Roc; he’s taping two tele shows while here. Universal’s Bob Ungerfield press¬ cocktailed Susan Kohner of “Imita¬ tion of Life" cast at the Sorrento. Joe E. Lewis heads for New Or¬ leans Roosevelt date (with Marion Colby) following 10-day run at the Roc, ended Sunday (5). Maurice Chevalier, Joe E. Lewis and George Jessel post-midnight show regulars at the Murray Franklin-Paul Gray funnery. Local songstress Arlene Fontana booked for a London Palladium date. Jack DeLeon pacted by owner A1 Burnett for a late-spring run at his Stork Club there. Deauville shuttered its Casanova Room again, following the Buddy Hacket-Lilo 10-dayer, and reopen with a weekly-change of show pol¬ icy on April 24 with Cab Callo¬ way’s revue. Country’s largest Passover holi¬ days services will be held at the Exhibition Hall here April 22-23 with 4,000 expected to attend the Jan Peerce conducted nightly dinner festivals. Palm Springs — By A. P. Scully (Fatrview 4-1826) Ray Hastings did okay at Chi Chi’s. Joan Caulfield came out of head- on collision with minor injuries. Paul Springs models are cheese- caking for Sacramento ball players who are training here. John Holland teamed with K. T. Stevens in “Kind Sir” which got good notices at Playhouse. Andrea Leeds Howard headed benefit Of “Lightin’,” starring Charlie Winninger for. Our Lady of Solitude Church. Clark Gable goofed up as a Tyrolean for beer party honoring Ray Ryan at El Mirador. Bill Gar- gan, Charlie O’Curren and Patti Page among the seidel-swinging set: ‘Anatomy’ Suit — Continued from page 2 == Voelker and his publisher ap¬ proved. Subsequently, after van Druten died, the novelist and publisher are asserted to have confirmed in writing that Specter still had the stage rights, which included a share of the film and other sub¬ sidiary rights. Later, after “Anatomy” had become a Book-of- the-Month Club selection and was a bestseller, Voelker and St. Mar¬ tin’s Press were allegedly per¬ suaded by Preminger to sell him the film rights and deny Specter’s rights to the stage version. The suit declares that Premin¬ ger and his associates were repeat¬ edly warned that they could not proceed with their projected film production in violation of Specter’s rights. During that period, it’s claimed, Voelker and Preminger negotiated a deal with the van Druten estate for the play version prepared for Specter, and "a sub¬ stantial payment has been made by' them to the van Druten estate.” Specter says he intends to go ahead with a stage production of “Anatomy.” He is already asso¬ ciated with Kermit Bloomgarden in the Broadway production of “Look Homeward, Angel,” a co- producer with George Gilbert of “First Impressions,” a musical ver¬ sion Of . “Pride and Prejudice.” Specter Productions was formerly known as Theatre 200, Inc. P'Sriett London (COVent Garden 0135/6/7) Betty O’Neil opened a cabaret fun at the Colony last Monday (6). Alexander H. Cohen due in to survey the West End theatrical scene. Charles Manna, currently at the Palladium, skedded for a Savoy cabaret date next month. Victor Knight celebrated his 10th anni as secretary of the Songwrit¬ ers Guild of Gt. Britain last week. Alan King, who opened a Palace vaude season last Monday (6), was guest of honor at a society press reception the previous week. The Variety Artists Ladies Guild is staging its annual concert at the Princes Theatre May 24. Grade Fields has agreed to appear if she is in the country at the time. Janet Munro on loanout from i Walt Disney to co-star with Tommy Steele in a new Associated British musical, “Tommy the Toreador,” which goes on location in Spain next month. James M. Coltart, managing di¬ rector of Scottish Television, named chairman of Independent Television News, an office which rotates annually among all the commerical tele toppers. Alan Bates and Avice Landon were this year’s winners of the Clarence Derwent Awards for best supporting roles in “Long Day’s Journey Into Ni«?ht” and “Not in the Book” respectively. Walt Disney arrived here over the last weekend for a three-month stay and will finalize casting for his filmizatioh of Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Kidnapped.” He sub¬ sequently goes on to Scandinavia, where he has another pic in pro¬ duction. Boston By Guy Livingston (342 Little Bldg.; DE 8-7560) Roy Hamilton booked for Blin- strub’s opening April 13. Julius LaRosa topping bill at Blinstrub’s. . Lester Lanin opens Hampton Be^ch Casino April 4. Keigo Imperial Japanese Danc¬ ers current at the Bradford Roof. Fran Corcoran. WBZ-TV flack, upped to Community Relations Di¬ rector. Boston Reoertory opens Graham Greene’s “The Power and the Glory” at the Wilbur, April 6. Dave Merrick in for Boston open¬ ing of his musical, “Destry Rides Again” at the Shubert. Ellis L. Gordon exited Contin¬ ental Films distributorship to go indie as Ellis Gordon Films. Erroll Garner booked for George Wein’s Storyville in his only nitery stint this season, April 10, for ten days. Victor Riesel, labor columnist, to speak at Boston Press Club’s ninth annual dinner at Sheraton Plaza Saturday (4). Off-Broadway “Fashion,” Import¬ ed by Jerome Rosenfeld as a Show of title Month Club production, opens at Little Opera House April 14 for two weeks. Jerome Rosenfeld importing the off-Broadway comedy, “Fashion” to the Little Opera House for two weeks opening April 14 as a Show of the Month production. Peter T. McLaughlin elected prexy of New England Assn, of Amusement Parks and Beaches at 33d annual convention at Parker House. Howie Fitzpatrick, former Bos¬ ton Post radio-tv ed, named pub¬ licity director of new Pleasure Is¬ land amusement park now under construction in Wakefield. Cardinal Cushing at preem of “Embezled Heaven” sold-out bene¬ fit at Louis Richmond’s Kenmore theatre. Monday (30), for Card¬ inal’s Trip to Lourdes for Excep¬ tional Children. Paris By Gene Moskowitz (28 Rue Huchette; Odeon 4944) Japanese film contingent of stars and producers in from special film weeks in West Germany. Marcel Amont to London to appear on “Chelsea at Nine” pro¬ gram on tele for ITV. Four oldie Laurel & Hardy comedies playing alternately at a small arty here for two months now. Hit legit version of Reginald Rose’s pic script for, “Twelve Angry Men,” hits the road this week. Boris Vian adapted Brendan Behan’s “The Quare Fellow” which opens at the Theatre De L’Oeuvre next Week. Micheline Presle to London to star in Joseph Losey’s thriller “Blind Date," opposite .Hardy Kruger. Thc-n she goes te Cannes Film Fest on the jury. Lars Schmidt to produce the Sam Taylor-Cornelia Otis Skinner comedy, “Pleasure of His Compa¬ ny” next season, with Fernand Gravey in' the lead. “Ulysees in Nighttowri” added to the Theatre Des Nations season. It bows in July as an Anglo entry of the Arts Theatre. Zero Mostel stars with Burgess Meredith direc¬ ting. Brigitte Bardot will impersonate a man in her next pic “Do You Want to Dance With Me?” How¬ ever, this improbable affair will be only, a gimmick as she looks for a murderer to save her lover. Possible French entries for the Cannes Film Fest,-April 30 to May 15, are to be selected from four films, “Les Cousins,” of Claude Chabrol; “Orpheu Negro,” of Mar¬ cel Camus; Jean-Pierre Mocky’s “Les Drageurs" (The Girl Hunters), and Alain Resnais’ “Hiroshima Mon Amour.” Berlin 1 By Hans Hoehn (760264) Paramount’s “Hot Spell” preemed at Delphi Palast. Anatole Litvak here on a short stay to show his pic, “The Journey” (M-G), to local press. Artur Brauner (CCC) acquired the surprise disk hit, “Petit Fleur” (Chris Barber), for his company. “Cat On Hot Tin Roof” in its fifth week at MGM Theatre, an unusually long run at this house. Emil Burri and Johannes Mario Simmel writing script for UFA’S forthcoming “Light From Beyond Street.” Ruth Leuwerik came to Berlin to attend local preem of her pic, “Trapp Family in America” (Di- vina-Gloria). The Belgian full-length docu¬ mentary, “Les Seigneurs de la Foret,” preemed at Filmbuehne Wien. Paramount has two Sophia Loren starrers in release here, “Black Orchid” at UFA Pavilion and “Desire Under Elms” at Atelier am Zoo. CCC started shooting “Mr. Kettle and Mrs. Moon,” after the J. B. Priestley’s comedy. O. W. Fischer and Ulla Jacobsson are in the leads. Columbia tossed a press recep¬ tion for Ernest Borgnine who cur¬ rently is working here in compa¬ ny’s “Secret File M.” (tentative title.) Karlheinz Boehm and Johanna Matz, stars of “Three Girls’ House” (Erma - Aspa - UFA), drumbeating the pic in Brussels, Antwerp, Ostende, Bruegge and Luxembourg. Philips drumbeating its Nana Gualdi as the “German Doris Day.” Miss Gualdi, whose passport reads Italian, was particularly successful with the German version of Doris Day’s “Everybody Loves Lover.” Las Vegas By Forrest Duke (DU 4-4660) Jennings Lang, the MCA veep, relaxing at El Rancho. Betty Grable in for Harry James closing at the Flamingo lounge. Beldon Katleman’s family joined him at El Rancho Vegas for Easter holidays. Joy Blaine, who has the rare distinction of having been born in Las Vegas, joins the showgirl line at the Tropicana. Kim Sisters, Korean sensations of the “China Doll Revue” at the Thunderbird, winged into L.A. immediately after they closed for a recording session with Columbia. Lookit Manhattan Continued from page 3 Justin’s first full-fledged solo pro¬ duction credit, is being put forth as an example of what can be ac¬ complished production - wise in New York, which is putting on a strong drive for increased film- making activities. The picture was a last-minute selection. Only com¬ pleted on Feb. 16, it was viewed in a rough state by the Motion Picture Assn, of America commit¬ tee after Favre Le Bret, head of the Cannes festival, happened to view the film on his way back to Paris from Hollywood. The MPAA committee and Le Bret saw the film without music and sound ef¬ fect. Writer Paddy Chayefsky, director Delbert Mann and Kim Novak, who stars with Frederic March, are ex¬ pected to go to Cannes for the festival. Meanwhile, Justin is working feverishly.around the clock to get the production technically perfect for the Cannes showing. Wednesday, - April 8, 1959 Hollywood Henri-George Clouzot here from Paris. Steve Bailey under treatment for severe eye injury. Sig Arno in town after couple of years on Broadway. Sammy Fain hospitalized from auto accident injuries. Harry Mines switched from H-H-L to Hal Wallis flackery. Susan Kohner enroute to Lon¬ don to bally “Imitation of Life.” Dirk Bogarde in from London for William Goetz’ “Magic Flame.” Sol C; Siegel to be guest speaker at ninth annual dinner of Amer¬ ican Cinema Editors April 28. Ed Fleming in Tokyo on three-' week swing through Orient for special news commentaries over KNXT. Minneapolis circuit owner Sol Fisher vacationing here after at¬ tending the Variety Clubs Inter¬ national Las Vegas convention. George Stevens accepted scroll from L.A. City Council commend¬ ing Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences for its annual awards. Leon Uris kudosed by Los Angeles Authors Club fdr his cur¬ rent best-seller, “Exodus.” Award was made to Uris “for writing the most significant book published during 1958 by a Southern Cali¬ fornia author.” Committee of filmites has pro¬ duced a 20-minute short, directed by Michael Curtiz, for the United Jewish Welfare Fund. Film re¬ ports on conditions in Israel, de¬ livered by Reuven Dafni, Israeli soldier and first Israeli consul in Los Angeles. Participating in pro¬ duction were Jack Karp and Sam Frey, Paramount; Sid Solow, Con¬ solidated Industries; Larry Glick- man. Pacific Art Tites; and Wil¬ liam Gordon. Chicago (Delaware 7-4984) Helen Forrest current at the Chase. Diane Running new press agent for the Cloister. Orlando, Chi harpist, playing re¬ turn date at Nocturne Club. Ice Cap’ades opens a lO^day stand at Chicago Stadium tomorrow (Thurs.). Jack'Higgins retiring as Chicago Park District drama supervisor April 14 after 25 years. Sarah Vaughan topping new stageshow at Regal Theatre, which opens next Friday (10). Harry Davies here in advance of “Les Ballets Africains,” opening next week at the Blackstone. Jim Monos directing a produc¬ tion of “The Fourposter,” which is touring organizations and women’s clubs locally. Minneapolis Paramount branch manager Jess McBride attended the funeral of division manager Harold Stevens here. Loop site which includes the Great Northern Theatre and Ma¬ jestic Hotel, onetime hospice for show trade, has been purchased, by the U.S. government for the con¬ struction of a new federal court building.. • , Atlantic City By Joe W. Walker Lily Pons here for Community Concert appearance in’high school. Jack Southern, Club Harlem manager, back from a two-month stay at Las Vegas. Connie Carroll playing the 509 Club, with owner Skinny D’Amato looking them over in Miami. Sid Hartfield opened his board¬ walk spot after annual vacation in south, which is tipoff that season is near. . National Headliners frolic opened Friday (3) for three, days bringing in news, tv, radio and photogra¬ phers from all parts of the country for awards. Reno By Art Long (FAirview 3-4121) Jo Ann Jordon Trio in at the Riverside. George Gobel signed for July 16 starting show at Cal-Neva Lodge at Lake Tahoe. George Burns makes his nitery debut at Harrah’s (Lake Tahoe) club May 4. Nick Lucas, departing the Holi¬ day today, signed for return date in June. Mapes Hotel Sky Room slated to open in June, with Sammy Davis Jr. .on summer entertainment list Jimmy Lederer, Universal-Inter¬ national news photog, in town for the Nevada-California legislators* battle on the golf links.