Variety (December 1960)

Wednesday, December 7 Broadway Doubletalker A1 Kelly and his Mrs. are noting their 35th wedding anni this month* Herbert Barrett Management, concert bookers, has added Alex¬ ander Haas, long with National Concerts, as west coast veep. Vet vauders Jim & Marion Harkins 50th wedding anni. He used to be on Fred Allen’s staff and is now with the William Morris Agency. N.Y. Times city staff reporter Milton Esterow has been moved into the drama department to cover night clubs. He was at one time in the paper’s film section. Gene Voit, ex-Plaza, marks his third anni as the g.m. of the Savoy Hilton this week, during which period he facelifted and/or inaug¬ urated The Columns, the new Savoy Room, Trader Vic’s, plus a new cocktail lounge called Le Petit Jardin. San Juan Opera in Puerto Rico has set Frank Forest as artistic director starting next Sept. 12. Four works will be mounted for two performances each. Forest goes to island after his own Em¬ pire State Music Festival at Bear Mountain, N.Y. The four-month-old son of actress Patricia Neal is in % critical condition at Lenox Hill Hospital alter a taxi, which passed a red light, crashed into its baby-carriage on Madison Ave. and 82d St. Mon¬ day afternoon (5). Father is British author Roald Dahl. Holding company for “Camelot” is called Jenny Productions Inc., coined from “Guenevere” (or ■“Jen¬ ny”' as King Arthur affectionately calls his bride in the new musical. Jenny Prods, is otherwise Alan Jay Lerner-Frederick Loewe-Moss Hart; with C. Edwin Knill as g.m. Pat Windsor fills out the fifth week at the Persian Room because Lilo, due to prior commitment, can’t hold over. French comedienne did a pinch-hit for the ailing Jane Froman. originally slated for the five-week stretch, but forced to cancel because of illness. Roberto Iglesias and his Spanish Ballet come in, per schedule, the week alter. Perhaps the poshest firstnight turnout of the season attended the “Camelot” preem, with almost all migrating to Jan Mitchell's Lu- chow’s for a post-theatre party. Galaxy of freeloaders indicated that the rest of Gotham niteries that Saturday night must have suf¬ fered at tjhe till because these were the key spenders and gadabouts. American Negro soprano Gloria Davy appeared in “L’Africaine” at Aachen Opera in Germany, then in concert performance of “St. Cecilia Mass” at La Scala, Milan. Before her dates at Met Opera in N.Y. she’ll concertize all-Edgar Varese scores at Metropolitan Mu¬ seum of Art under Frederic Wald- man. Toy tycoon Louis Marx, w.k. in show biz. first nixed a George Fra¬ zier feature for Esquire and also has spurned a Putnam’s biog of his career. He wrote one author, “I am not interested in any pub¬ licity directly or indirectly, and would prefer not to have my name in print if I can possibly avoid it. except in the Obituary column whenever that time comes, and then only in a minor U’ay.” Actress Claire Luce, w.k. in Lon¬ don as well as on Broadway, de¬ buted her one-woman art show Mon. <5) at the Newton Galleries, entire¬ ly devoted to “Impressions of Fam¬ ous Roles in the Theatre.” Miss Luce is a director of “Ai” (mean¬ ing love in Japanese), new perfume which Bronzini <N. Y.) will mer¬ chandise. She will also have her memoirs published this year and starts tutoring a drama course at the Piscator' Institute for students of Shakespeare. Last issue’s item under Births identifying John F. Kennedy Jr. as “child is grandson of Joseph P. Kennedy, former president of Film Booking Offices and RKO Thea¬ tres” was widely picked up and quote on tv. radio and press. More so. apparently, than two previous Va.RTETY inner-shco witticisms both o r which,’whep Rita Hayworth mar¬ ried Aly Khan and when Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier III. identified the grooms as “nonpros.” The^e, two, also got wide press quotes. Karachi Rome’s Jerry Chierchio here to sock new exotic recipes for his Luau. Amateur plays in English good , 1960 for a week’* run. Attraction now on tap: “Blithe Spirit.” Caledonia Balh social highlight, brought out the Scots, as well as° the British, and much of the Eng¬ lish-speaking colony for .a shindig which lasted until dawn. Live talent, imported from Eng¬ land, U. S. and Orient, is restricted to four hotel cabarets—Metropole, Beach, Palace and Miramar. Bands are Italian or local in all cases. Michael Chinigo, of King Fea¬ tures, and wife off for New Delhi and Bombay prior to spending Christmas at home in Champaign, Ill., where their newspaper and tv station is located. Hotel Metropole, as run by Cy¬ rus F. Minwalla, is “the” meeting place. Its inner patio resembles sophisticated Oriental bazaar and now abuilding is a three-level bam quet and convention hall. Pakistan National Exposition, 1960, which runs until Dec. 31, is planned as an annual to give this land’s fast-developing 'economy a boffo display. Carny attractions have their own corner. Top film attraction of fall is Marilyn Monroe in “Let’s Make Love” which is in for long run. First runners include six U. S., three Italo productions, with one each from Britain, France, India and Russia. Pakistan International Airways, which runs the airport, has added its jet service to those PA A, TWA and a dozen other international lines W’hich make this the main stop between Europe and the Far East. Contingent of Italian film • beauties On inaugural flight Palm Springs By A. P. Scully f Tel.: FAirview 4-18281 Mac Maurada in town to spruce up Patti-Moore-Ben Lessy act. Palm Desert forking up acreage for a. legit house. Doris Day and Marty Melcher at their Silver Spur’s place. Nunez Bros, orch supplanted Bobby Ramos at Riveria. ! Madelyn Fio Rita, now Mrs. Cor- i nelius Cole II, honeymooning in j desert resort. j Sally Eilers (Morse), Randy Scott ' and Hoagy Carmichael at Thunder- j bird facelift unveiling; I Jayne Mansfield, back from | Greece, resuming old publicity tie¬ -ups, posing with tennis champs, etc. I Bob Taliaferro swung over from [.managing Desert Inn to ' Howard i Manor, which is also under; new j management. • Patti Moore. Ben Lessy, and Paul ! Gilbert have followed The Marks- ! men, Clifford Gues't and Floyd and | Marianna into the Chi Chi. Ginny Simms down from her ] Seattle club for a round of her old : haunts. Merwyn V. Bogue, with her on the old Kay Kyser show, | now managing her Ocean Shores i hotel. ; Carol Matheson, third grade ! teacher from Pasadena, who hit final round of Salton Sea beauty contest, actually can swim. Vicki Davenport of Palm Springs was the winner. Mexico City By Emil Zubryn (Acapulco 2-27-26) Xavier Cugat .and his soloist wife Abbe Lane expected in Mexi¬ co for Christmas holiday engage¬ ments. Maria Felix plans an extensive tour of Mexico next year to. build up public following she fears she lost after last two pictures. Rebeca Iturbide readying to ap¬ pear in several American color tele shows, one headed by Bob Cum¬ mings and other by Peter Lawford. Pina Pellicer turned down acting chore in “And God Called It Earth,” because one scene re¬ quires her to appear in a semi¬ transparent night gown. Frank Sinatra being offered a reported $5,000 a day for Christ- mas-to-New Year date at the Na¬ tional Auditorium which can house yp to 12.000 with some crowding. ^ Katy Jurado, suspended from National. Assn, of Actors member¬ ship by virtue of not having worked in any entertainment medium in Mexico for two years, may be re¬ instated by accepting a film role. James Dalton script of “Monte¬ zuma” is to be submitted to Mexi¬ can historians for checks on au¬ thenticity. Kirk Douglas also will seek Jorge Ferretis’ approval so i shooting permit can be obtained • or Mexican locations. John Huston I w ill megaphone this. y&eiEff London (HYDe Park 4561/2/3) The Queen saw the hit British musical, “Oliver,” at the New The¬ atre last week. Alexander H. Cohen to Prague and Paris on a quickie before head¬ ing back to N.Y. John Davis named chairman of A.„ Kershaw & Sons, a subsid of the Rank Organization. Gower Champion due tills week I for prelim talks on upcoming West 1 End presentation of “Bye Bye Birdie.” Peter Rogers gave a press lunch at the Mirabelle last Thursday (1) following the screening of “No Kidding.” Carl Foreman on a four-day quickie to N.Y. for confabs with Columbia on release plans of “Guns of Navarone.” John Davis hosting a midnight supper party at the May Fair to¬ night (Wed.), following European preem of “Spartacus” (U) at the Metropole. Lord Rudolph, 16-year-old son of Duke of Bedford, makes his act¬ ing debut in “Shadow of the Cat,” now being produced at Bray stu¬ dios by B.H.P. Films for Universal. Robert Webb, newly appointed head of Associated Television's education department, guest of honor last Thursday tl) at a re¬ ception tossed by the network board. Bandleader Sidney Lipton this week celelirating his 27th year as Grosvenor House maestro. He is currently with two of his ship orchestras on the maiden voyage of the Oriana to Australia. John Spencer Wills, chairman of Associated-Rediffusion, will handle the opening ceremony of an ex¬ tension to the Barn Theatre at Rose Bruford Training College of Speech and Drama on Dec. 15. To mark their debut as produc¬ ers in the feature field, John Le- morit and Leigh Vance poured at a Kettner’s reception last week. Their film, “The Frightened City, ’ is for release through Anglo-Amal¬ gamated. By Eric Gorrick (Film House, Sydney) Hoyts’ circuit and Warners have pacted a new deal for product. “Can-Can” i20th) swings into 30th week at the Paris, Sydney. United Artists and Hoyts’ film loop still at loggerheads over new contract terms. “Psycho” (Par) continues to out- gross “10 C’s” (Par) at Prince Edward, Sydney. “Story of Ruth” (20th) slow biz- getter at the Athenaeum, Mel¬ bourne, for Hoyts. Tivoli chain brings in “Artiste and Models” at Royal, Sydney, this month on deal with J. C. William¬ son Ltd. Cyril Ritchard and Cornelia Otis Skinner winding up a good run with “Pleasure of his Company” at Royal, Sydney. “Candida” did a quick flop at the Elizabethan, Newton, for Eliza¬ bethan Trust. Next in will be revival of “Charley’s Aunt.” j Universa i-International put¬ ting on smash campaign for “Spar¬ tacus.” Pic follows “Porgy & Bess” at Forum, Sydney, for Greater Union Theatres. Merle Jones, prexy of CBS-TV stations, here for huddles with ace Aussie tele operators. Columbia product seen here includes “Gun- smoke,” “Rawhide,” “Have Gun Will Travel,” “I Love Lucy,” “Colonel Flack” and “Perry Ma¬ son." Paris By Gene Moskowitz (66 Ave Breteuil, SUF 5920) “Zazie Dans Le Metro” racking up good biz in two first-runs. Michel Subor plays opposite Brigitte Bardot in her next pic, “The Loose Reins.” About $13,400,000 will be [handed out in Film Aid by the [government next year. John Wayne’s “The Alamo” <UA) will have an Xmas opening at two important first-runs here. [ Michel Safra says that Marcel Camus will do a version of Arab in a-nighter, “Sheherazade,” for him. | Arthur Lesser moving his mu- [sical, “Impasse De Xa Fidelite,” from file Ambassadeurs to the ABC. Louis Annj-trorig to give two 1 concerts on New Year's Eve and New Year’* Day at Pal ala Dea Sports. Colette Renard ankled the mu¬ sical “Zoum,” about the making of a screen, star, saying it was not for her. Edith Piaf, Juliette Greco, Da- lida, Lucienne Boyer and her daughter Jacqueline Boyer all set for singing chores in Warsaw this winter. - Spanish pic director March Fer- reri in to talk with Serge Reggiani about playing the lead in the film version of Franz Kafka’s “The H. G. Clouzot’s. “The Truth,” with Brigitte Bardot, breaking rec¬ ords at two houses here. Also do¬ ing fine is Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” (Par). Paris-Match, top weekly news mag, and Cinemonde, the leading film mag, commemorating \ first anni of the death of noted leading man Gerard Philippe via long [stor¬ ies about him. ! Edith Piaf already has appeared on tv and now probably will do her Olympia in-person engagement which was interrupted during the last year by a severe illness. She is pencilled in for a Dec.% 15-29 stint. Frankfort By Hazel Guild (24 Rheinstrassc; 725751) - William Thiele back in Germany and making his first German film in 28 years. It’s “Der Letzte Fus- sgaenger” (The Last on Foot). “Blut” (Blood) is the title of a film about the Eichmann matter, which is planned by Boston Films of Switzerland. Script is by Meyer-Levin. “Leda and the Swans” will be made next year by German direc¬ tor Rolf Thiele, filming in Rome. German actress Naja Tiller likely; will play the lead. German film and television choreographer Jorn Schapar signed as soloist with the Nouvelle Eve Revue in Paris, and set for later date in Las Vegas. German actress Ruth Leuwerik signed contract with Telefunken to put music from her film, “Ich Brauche Zum Leben die Liebe” (I Need Love to Live) on a platter. Taunus Films spending about $1,000,000 to expand facilities in Weisbaaen, to include five studios for film production, where, it’s planned for films to be made for tele. “Die Ere des Herrn Mississippi” • Marriage of Mr. Mississippi), based on the play by Friedrich Duerrenmatt, will be filmed next January in Switzerland by the Swiss Praesens and the German CCC Films. Parisian. primaballerina Yvette Chauvire and first solo dancer of the West Berlin City Opera, Gert Reinholm, have founded the Ger¬ man-French Ballet Group, which makes its first appearance in Ber¬ lin this month. By Bob Rees (4009 Xerxes Ave. So.; WA 6-6955) Denise DarcSl into Hotel Rad- isson Flame Room. Minneapolis Repertory Theatre opened season with “The Boy Friend.” Augie’s has exotic dancers Tami Blue, Dina Desoto and Penny Ante with Dick Page trio. Tennessee Williams’ “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” next offering of the Theatre-iri-Round Players. French pianist Samson Francois made first Twin Cities appearance with Minneapolis Symphony. American Shakespeare Festival’s “Midsummer Night's Dream” at St. Paul Auditorium Dec. 5-6. New suburban Old Log profes¬ sional theatre preemed with “Mar¬ riage-Go-Round,” first time here. Schubert Club sponsoring con¬ cert by German pianist Hans Richter-Haaser in St. Paul Audi¬ torium. WCCO personality Bob DeHaven set to narrate Tchaikovsky’s “Nut¬ cracker Ballet” with Minneapolis Symphony in special performance for smallfry on Dec. 8. Narration, written by DeHaven and former symphony conductor Antal Dorati, is being repeated for eighth time. Circuit owner Ted Mann, in N.Y., on picture deal mission, has laud¬ ed both “Spartacus” and “Exodus.” • One of these hard-ticket attrac- j tions will go into his Academy, after “Ben-Hur” and the other into his recently-acquired Pan. Latter ■'hov house will be modernized and will have 70m equipment installed; CHATTER 85 Hollywood Taint Elg back, from Rome. Harry Caplan to Tokyo to join Steve Parker for “My Geisha.” Ed T. Estabrook reelected prexy of Cameramen’s Local 659, IATSE. Burton E. Robbins here from N.Y. on National Screen Service biz. Alfred Santell, vet director, in Good Samaritan Hospital with a stroke. Pete Bumess swung from UPA to Playhouse Pictures 'as animation director. Hal Shafer moved from Donald¬ son Agency to Maurine Olivet & Associates. Mike Frankovich arrives today from London for Columbia Pic¬ tures confabs. Sol Halprin, 20th-Fox camera department head for 43 years, re- pacted by studio. Frank Sennes on N. Y. and Eu¬ ropean talent trek for his Ciro’s and several Las Vegas spots. Robert Cohn appointed chairman of Screen Producers Guild’s Mile¬ stone Award dinner March 5 at Bevhilton. Walt Disney named general chairman of 1961 Junior Achieve¬ ment Fund Campaign for Southern California. B. Gerald Cantor returned from European junket to scout diversifi¬ cation projects for National Thea¬ tres & Television. Lou Rusoff set as production veepee of Alta Vista Productions, filmmaking arm of American International Pictures. George Thomas Jr. resigned as publicity director of Stanley Kra¬ mer Pictures to become a partner in Blowitz-Maskell pub relations firm. Ralph Mann swings from £JBC post of talent and programming director to veepee of Broadcast Management Inc., headquartering in N.Y. Vet exploiteer Scoop Conlon re- cuping at his North Hollywood home following an operation for cancer at the Stanford Hospital, Frisco, performed by Dr. Robert Scarborough. Chicago (DElaware 7-4984) Gold Coast jass band on tap Monday nights at Gate of Horn. Disk seller “Little Al” Temaner, area’s top platter retailer, opened his 10th shop in suburban Berwyn. Le BTsJro in the “French Village” changed, management. Used to be run by the Trade Winds nitery ops. Goodman Theatre doing Christo¬ pher Fry’s “Venus Observed” with British thesp Tom Helmore starred. Jack McGuire, who used to pub¬ licize several show biz projects, tapped to handled boat show Jan. 14-22. Town’s newest modern jazzery is the Counterpoint in Chicago U. district, with Lurlean Hunter and Donald Byrd combo as initial bill. IBEW Local 1031’s anni Xmas show is on tap all this week, with Ray Bolger, Jaye P. Morgan, Ford & Hines and Guy Lombardo orch. Martha Raye in “Solid Gold Cadillac” at Drury .Lane set the stock theatre’s second highest gross during Thanksgiving week. She will have racked up longest stand yet for the house—five weeks. Tokyo By Dave Jampel (Imperial Hotel, Ext. 160) “Psycho” (Par) broke house rec¬ ord at Hibiya for non-70m film. Delta Rhythm Boys slated for third Nippon tour early next year. USO show “Broad way-U. S. A.’* starring Joan Rivers in 12-week tour of U. S. bases in Pacific area. Togeki shuttering for a few days to install 70m equipment for “The Alamo” (UA) which bows around Xmas. Impresario S. A. Gorlinsky, who is taking a 70-member Japanese show to British Isles, said he may follow with the Takarazuka trouce. Hal Wallis’ “Tamiko” to s.ar Lawrence Harvey with John Suir- ges directing for Par, pushed back from stalled spring locationing to next fall. Pearl Buck’s indie, “The Big Wave.” completed location lensing, now dubbing under director Tad Danielewski and Allied Artists’ Lester Sansom. Carroll Baker and Jimmy Shi- geta of Metro’s upcoming “Bridge to Sun” here for 40 days of loca¬ tioning in Kyoto. Etienne Perrier directs and Jacques Bar is produc- i ing.