FILMS . . • . • • * 1 « • . *. . * . i rnrnmmmmmm M IJSIC ■ , * * «.j ^ a STAGE Published Weekly at 154 West 46th Street. New. York 36, N. Y.. by Variety. |rtc. Annual subscription $10. Sin'll* copies, 33 cents. Entered as seQond class matter December 22, 1905, at the Post Office at New York. N. Y„ under the act of March 3. 1879. COPYRIGHT. 1954, ' BY VARICTY. INC.. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED VOL, 196 No . 5 NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1954 PRICE 25 CENTS Hollywood, Oct, 5. I CBS was still trying to get out {font under this week as result of the web's top level tv execs in Hol- lywood being caught with their in- tegrity down. I Fact that Lanza showed up for VShower of Stars?' when the bet- ting was against it drew the scald- ing bathwater for CBS, Show up he did, but without his singing voice. Then the roof caved in. '' What made matters all the worse was that sponsoring Chrysler flew in 100 tv editors and columnists from all over the ?ountry for f ’Shower” premiere. They all must Have filed something to their pa- pers on how CBS falsified /to , the press, Web stuck to its guns until the next day, when the other cheek —the truthful one— was turned. All the press wanted to know of the CBS hierarchy was whether Lanza’s actual voice was pre-recorded or whether the Victor records he made three years ago were used— for a reported $40,000 fee from Chrysler. EyeryOne at CBS swore Up and down it was Lanza’s voice pre- recorded five days before the tele- cast, but the scribes had. heard it differerjtly. Earl Wilson (N; Y. Post) and a dozen other metropolitan press figures were told point-blank they were . wrong in supposing such a hoax was practiced. Next day J. L. (Continued on page 28) N.Y. Scribes ‘Butchers’ To Brit Critic; Another Likes Yank ‘Toughness’ Now the London critics have joined the perennial controversy Over the toughness of New York legit reviewers and audiences; Two of them got into print about it re- cently, • and at least by implication they were in direct disagreement. ‘ Cecil Wilson, London Daily Mail atsle-sitter currently in New York;, filed several dispatches- to his pa- per, ’including a report on the '‘cold shower” of reviews of the Old Vic production of “Midsummer. Night’s Dream’', oh Broadway, and a fea-; ttire piece about the “axe of the . Hew York critics and the apathy of the! American ’public.” ' More or less simultaneously, Kenneth Tynan; in his weekly crit- ical column in the London Observ- er, used occasion of two flop open- ings to contrast the generally low quality of British shows with those of Broadway. He urged “higher critical standards” for the London theatre. Commenting on a recent Sunday column in which Walter F. Kerr; critic of the N; Y. Herald Tribune* reported approvingly of the ready London public for both top quality and. ''family trade” shows, Tynan suggested, “politeness forbade him to draw the obvious conclusion: that, critics and public alike lower (Continued on page 75) Sing Out the News Hamilton, Ont M Oct. 5. A “Songs, of Our Times” medley was featured on CKOC here yesterday (Mon.). Times Were “Joltin’ Joe pi- Maggio,” “Marilyn,” and “Don’t Cry Joe, Let Her Go.” Film company presidents have turned a deaf ear on the idea of an international film festival to be held in Hollywood. The subject was introduced at a meeting of the Mo- tion Picture Assn, of America in N. Y: last week by Theodore Black, Republic v.p.-courisel. Black’s mere mention of such a fest was the extent to which the matter was aired at the session. Not even one other MPAA board member would pick it up conver- sationally and it was quickly dropped. * Company heads have been anti any staging of a pic fest because of the costs which would be en- tailed, the relative insignificance of foreign product (which would be competing) in the U. S., as com- pared with the importance of Yank pix abroad and doubtful val- ues generally. The Motion Picture Industry CqUncil in Hollywood has been making an all-out pitch for an an- nual International Film Festival. Target date is the fall of 1955 for the teeoff. The cost for setting up the event, according to present es- timates,* would run about $500,000. Kay Lenard, MPTD prexy, is cur- rently iri New York to drum up in- terest in the idea. American Dehut of Scot ‘New John McCormack’ The Rey, Sydney MacEwan, Scotland’s “Singing Priest," is be- ing heralded as the “hew John Mc- Cormack” as lie walks down the Mauretania gangplank today (Wed.) for his first visit to this country. Some of the bally on the Roman Catholic cleric’s boxoffice prowess is fabulous, but since the padre’s holiday from his Scottish parish, Lochgilphead Argyle, near Glasgow, is being sponsored here by the nonprofit and cultural Na- tional Arts Foundation, the “pay attention” tag is indicated. Father MacEwan will “break in” his act, as far as the U. S. is con- cerned, in Anderson, Ind., with his concert-style 12-date itinerary, booked by Elwood Emerich Man- (Continued oh page 66) By FRED HIFT Mounting anger e x pr e s s e d against the Hollywood film produc- tion cbde by European film pro- ducers, and American importers handling such product, may result in a retaliatory code being adopted in Europe and applied to LJolIy- wood-made features. Tit-for-tat code’ would reflect the complaint that' (1) Hollywood’s censorship machinery automatically hurts for- eign films in the American market and (2) the Hollywood censorship system operates “easy” on US. producers and “tough” on foreign, especially Italian and French, pic- tures, and is not impartial. At the next meeting in Madrid of the International Federation of Film Producers a resolution deal- ing with the American code’s eco- nomic injury to European product will come up for discussion, with! the code-for-code strategy then supposedly moving into operation. This drastic scheme is but one of several pending counter-measures against the American “seal of ap- proval,” withholding of which can cost a foreign film thousands of potential U. S. theatre bookings. Lengthy memorandum, drawn (Continued on page 16) Frankfort, Oct. 5, Nobody is willing to be quoted as flatly saying so but it is now jClear that film studio personnel which has occasion to commute, between Frankfort v and Berlin is under unofficial instruction to go by airplane. View ■ here is that it is especially dangerous for American citizens to travel the autobahn, There- is a distinct chance of being nabbed by Soviet piinions, who frequently seize Yanks just for 'sporting blood’s, sake. .The tactful comment of German film executives Is that when bound for Berlin “it saves time” to take . a four-motored conveyance. Negro World Fair for *63 Bridgeport, Oct. 5, A Negro World’$ Fair, pegged on the centennial of Lincoln’s emancipation proclamation, is planned for 1963 at pleasure Beach, Bridgeport's municipally- operated amusement park, by the Emancipation Day Assn., head- quaVtered. here. Top' Negro stage, radio-tv and film talent will be booked during the event, which would carry on for an extended period. Sing, You Citizens Hollywood, Oct. 5. Songstress Connie Haines was guest performer at an “I Am An American Day” show here recently to greet new American citizens. She intro- duced her number by saying she would sing something ap- propriate to the occasion. The song was “Sing, You Sinners.” NBC's telertiobile color unit will “hit the road” from California next January to tint up college cam- puses for at least one 13-week cycle of programs involving name, bands and other talent. The college trail will follow a webbed tintcast of the Plagued for years by a serious week-before-Christmas slump, thea- tremen are doing some longrange soul searching to cpme up with gimmick to lick this worst patron drought period. Many exhibs, who have weighed the problem over and over fpr a number years, have frankly admitted, d e f e a t , thrown in the towel, ' and have either shut down their houses or operated on a curtailed basis dur- ing this" no-business stanza,. A clarion call “not to sit down and take the beating without a fight” is now being issued by sev- eral exhib orgs. An idea, suggested by Allied of West Virginia, has spread to the Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio and probably will be mulled by other exhibitor units. It. is suggested that first-run product not be dissipated during the period and that theatres rely on gpod repeat pictures or re- issues “that for some reason or other mis-fired in your town.” These* pictures, it’s noted, should be, exhibited during a period of one-day changes. Among the pic-, tures suggested for the program- are “Roman Holiday,” “Stalag 17,” “Lili,” etc., or even going back to such product as “Show Boat.” It’s Tburriament of Roses in. Pasadena, same as done last New Year’s Day ' Stressed, too, that “it might be a amid NBC’s west-to-east hoopla. A different school will be picked up each Saturday, tied up with strategic athletic encounters; up- coming sports festivals and bashes, and other “do or die” galas linked with the nation’s ivy and near-ivy college circuit. Colorcasts of a half-hour are planned, under sponsorship iri whole or iri part, with Motorola re- portedly interested in shelling out the coin for a portion of the deal and with the web sharing tne orch and some other talent costs with the sponsor. (Schools^ would chime in with glee Clubs; their own stand- by bands, etc.) NBC and the check- payer would also send put a cicw to promote the tintcast a week in advance, with sponsor hitting , its distributors, dealers, arid, the like. good idea to shave the admission price a little.” In outlining methods to conduct' this policy, ITOO points out that the program should be kept , to a minimum running time to accom- modate. the, busy Christmas shop- pers, with the features and the previews being sufficient.. “Lower feature cost,” it’s pointed Out, “should more than offset additional cost of shipping and advertising,. Get a trailer to the effect that you are doing the public a favor by bringing back the good ones and cutting the show time in. order that they might have a chance to see the feature picture.” Prices for Pix Raise Some Beefs But Fatter B.O. Is Reaped Mobile Film Units For Al Fresco Classroom Use Washington, Oct. 5. The U. S. is cooperating to firing extensive use of motion pic- tures to remote areas of the Philip- pines, Asia and South America for educational purposes. A group of 24 mobile outdoor classrooms is being provided by the Foreign Op- erations Administration, Each unit consists of an out- sized jeep, equipped with a gen- erator and electronic, equipment to present motion pictures and slides for adult education, agriculture, health and sanitation. i Admission price scales are on the rise in the picture business as a direct result of the new Hollywood economy that demands more mo- ney out of fewer films. Charles P. Skouras, president of National The- atres, stated in N. Y. last week that the b.o. tariff upswing is. now at an even level with the general con- sumer price index. For years thea- tre tickets had been short of the pace of increases in prices for everyday goods and services. A check at the Criterion Theatre, N. Y;, over the past week showed morning admission of $1.25 and a maximum of $2,20 at night. Some public squawking was heard but apparently there was not too. much resistance, for the theatre, in its first stanza with Paramount's “Sa- (Continued on page 75) MISCELLANY BOY TV FILM WORT' The television screen is too* small to accommodate a show of “spectacular” range, according to Otto Preminger, who is bringing in the first of NBC’s Monday- night color specials On Oct. 18. The Hol- lywood and Broadway producer-di- Washington; Oct. 5 rector-actor, in New York to tune Approximately 100 Republican up the Monday punch starring candidates for Congress have 61- Gihger Rogers with, other names in ready purchased prints of “Report support, w6s talking specifically i to the People,” the 27-minute GOP about the Max Liebman colorama j film designed both for television fronting Ann Sothern * “Lady in the- Dark.” Without going into the artistic phases of the . production, he said that the 15-inch tinted screen on which he viewed the show couldn’t possibly suggest the weep and dimensions of the stag- ing, and production numbers. A 21-inch screen represents an im- provement, he said, but he indi- cated he still wasn’t sure that the ‘-spec fever” as pushed by its pro- and, for screenings at political, civic and farm meetings. The 16m picture is being offered at $35 in black and white and $86 in Kodachrome. It has already been televised twice— in Ohio and Mich- igan— and is slated for showings in nearly all 48 states between now and election day. Film consists of a series of short reports b.v President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, all members tago.msts would also catch on with j of the Cabinet and Republican the customers. I leaders of the House and Senate. Preminger, in Gotham on mul- ! “Report to the Nation” was tiple missions (for example, the ! turned out by the Congressional first Preview on “Carmen Jones,” ! radio-tv facility at a cost of less which he produCed-directed for 20th-Fox, and has bought the Con- tinental legiter, “The Vintage Years,” which F. Hugh Herbert is translating under Preminger’s Broadway banner),., said his go at the specolas will not.be a “special” as that word has been generally de- fined in its application to tv. “We are trying for- a nice evening’s en- tertainment,” he said. It’s Now ‘Producers’ Showcase’ That the “spec” terminology will be jettisoned or at least watered down is reflected in new overall labels. , For instance, Preminger was rushed in as a guest producer to handle “Tonight At 8:30,” Noel Coward’s three-in-one done on ’Broadway, some years ago, when Leland Hayward’s illness prevented him from continuing with the Mon- (Continued on page 75) than $2,500. Professional level nar- ration bridges are the voice of Robert Cdar, superintendent of the radio-tv facility Which serves mem- bers of Congress, irrespective of political party. Coar, a : one-time Hollywooder, believes this type of film will be used extensively in the 1956 Presidential campaign. Grand Order of Water Rats Companions of Order By HARRY REGENSBERG London, Sept. 28.. Joking in earnest and sly digging are the order at all the Grand Or- der of Water Rats functions. This latest one (Sept. 26) was as a tribute to The Companions of the Order. These are important per- sonalities who . cannot under the GOWR rules become regular mem- bers. These include Viscount. Alex- ander, Major G. Lloyd George, Sir Alan P. Herbert, W. E. Butlin, Sir Louis Sterling, Val Parnell, Jack Hylton, Tom Arnold, E. Berry Web- ber, Dr. A. P. Magonet and Lord Douglas of Kirtleside. The occasion was used to invite some heads of. the Variety Club (Continued on page 66) Paris, Oct. 5. As the- record bumper of tourists begin to \yend their way home- ward, Paris girds, for a new show biz season. The October Automo- bile Show packs this town with provincials, and new entries are aiming for this. However, legit- wise the pace is lagging, with terp perking, films still at a norm and niteries opening up with new at- tractions to make the lure to cash in on the autoites who also usually like to drive by night. Chanson- niers are staple and will do their usual lush business, with the out- (Continued on page 75) Burt Lancaster’s ’Contempt’ For Directors Bars His in Guild Hollywood, Oct. 5. Burt Lancaster’s sudden blast at Screen Directors Guild, coming 30-40 days after the Guild had re- 1 plied to his application for mem- | bership, aroused suspicion in some quarters here the producer-actor I might be thinking In terms of pub- licity more than anything else. Working in Hecht-Lancaster’s “Kentuckian” in Owensboro, Ky., Lancaster said Guild, denied him membership “because of his con- tempt for directing profession, ’ Deborah Kerr in U.S. Deborah Kerr arrived in N.Y. 1 yesterday (Tues.) oh the Queen ; Mary following her femme star as- J signment in David, Rose’s film pro- duction of “End of the Affair” for Columbia release. Actress, shortly will hit the road 1 v—.-i-r ---- — - - , to join the national company ofthej adding it had granted A legiter, “Tea and Sympathy,” in ! waiver so he could finish directing the same role which she originated I his current film. ■ in the Broadway production. Joan | Joe Youhgerman, SDG exec sec- Fontairie is continuing as her re- retary, revealed JLancaster appiiea placement in the N. Y. run. (Continued on page 67) Subscription Order Form Enclosed find check for $ Please send VARIETY for y*". To ............................ (Pleat* Print Name) Street City. ..... .... ... ......... Zone. State. . . Regular Subscription Rates One Year— $1 0.00 Two Yaars— $1 S.00 Canada and Foreign— $1 Additional per Year P&RIETY Inc. 154 West 46th Street New York 36. N. Y. HORACE) HEIDT . Box 472 Van Nuy.’, California , Wednesday, October 6, 195 4 . (From Walter WinchelVi Oct. 3 ABC-iy Broadcast) Mr. and Mrs; United States — “This is National Newspaper Week dedicated to the 1st Amend- ment and the 4th Estate. From Benjamin Franklhfto Ernie Pyle, American newspapermen have not only written the nation’s history, they have helped make it. Every reporter ,Jknows it is not what he writes that counts, it is .what his readers , believe. That explai why the American prCss is so jealous of its integrity. It is th only way it can honor the trust of its readers. “Berij amin Franklin was speaking as an American journalist when he said that honesty is the best policy. He knew; as an editor, that nft lie ever stands up arid that when it falls it takes the liar down with it. The American press, because it, is the voice of the American public, has grown from the 4th Estate to the 4th and the final branch of our Government. The same Constitution which established the other three branches. chartered forever the freedom of the press and you the people must share in the credit for you are the silent partners of the daily newspaper. From the Colonial days to the very next: edition, you the people have supported the . press with flint rock rifles and atomic cannon because you know that no dictator— right or left — can cohie in while America’s news- papers continue to come put; “And so, as.a newspaperman, this is tq tell you— thank you and to renew a pledge— the trust with which you receive our millions of daily newspapers in your homes is the trust we shall never fail in our hearts. Oh yes, the very next time you happen to be near a newspaper building ask them to let you in so you can hear the roar of the presses; You will hear the melody to the ‘Star . Spangled Banner.’ ” / Paris, Oct. 5. The inimitable Maurice Cheval- ier. Whose straw hat remai as famous a syriibol of Paris as the Eiffel Tower, returned last Friday S (1) to the Theatre des Champs- Elysees for .his 55th — and;. per- haps farewell — recital. Kidding his rumored avarice (“They -say I’ve been' using the same straw hat for years”) and. his age (“They’ll tell you I began with Mistinguette when she was 16 and I already 40, so figure it out”), he went into his opening number, new one, “Tomorrow I’ll Be 20.” Spry -as ever and looking excep- tionally fit, the king of the boule- vards had his chic firstnighters in the palm of his hand from start to finish; the irnagic of th veteran entertainer sweeping the house like wildfire. Displaying his versatility in a per- fectly balanced program, his one- man show runs the gamut from his hilarious imitations_pf singing cow- boys (in “At Las Vegas”), croon- ing styles (in “Monotony”), Brit- ish clubmen (in "A Gentleman”) and ladies who have something of the, irresistible hoochie-coochie charms about them ( in “The Ori- ental”), to a dramatic, music-less monolog (“Face in Mind”— "Une Tete daris La Tete”) and from a ' fresh, catchy new song “Mon Petit Moustique” ( “My Little Mosqui- to”) by Andre Hernez and Henri Betti, to the encore of such oldies as “Ma Pomme,” “Louise,” “Place Pigalle’’ arid “Seems Like Old Times. .” The Chevalier show Is just what it should be, having all the neces- sary ingredients, humor, ingenuity, lightness, variety and proper touch of nostalgia. Fred Freed does a fine piano accompaniment, switching to clarinet for one number and to accordion for another.. Preem was a gala benefit for the Old Actors Home and was followed by a char- ity dinner at Restaurant Laurent which was arranged by N.Y. -Paris couturiere Rosita Heine, and which had most of smart Paris in at- tendance. At the;, dinner,; Chevalier encored with “Oriental,” “Louise” arid “Seems Like Old Times.” Ad- vance sale is a record, arid nego- tiations to take Chevalier to the U.S. in his present rep have com- menced. Curt. Few Show Biz Offers To Swimmer Marilyn Bell Toronto, Oct 5. Marathon Swimmer Marilyn Bell, the 16-year old youngster who Swam Lake Ontario, is back iri' school with possibilities of show biz offers very dim. Miss Bell her- self seems unconcerned with this development, but promotional han- dlers have evidenced keen disap- pointment at, failure pf Hollywood to come through With, any king- sized offers. Sple likelihood remains the pros- pect of joining the Guy Lombardo production at Jones Beach, N. Y., “Arabian Nights.” Lombardo, or- iginally: from Canada, was ap- proached to put her in the display. He hasn’t made a final decision as yet. Bob Hope’s Par Exit Hollywood, Oct. 5. After fulfilling a. commitirient for one more film Bob Hope .will terminate his • 17-year association with Paramount. He will conduct future motion picture production under aegis of Hope Enterprises, shooting two films annually. No release set. Recently completed “Eddie Foy“ biopic for Paramount was in part- nership with Mel Shavelson aria Jack Rose; Preem activities of Warner Bros. “A Star Is Born” at the Pararnount and Victoria Theatres, N. Y. Mon- : day (11) will be focused on Judy Garland who is arriving in New York for the dual opening. Accord- ing to present plans, Miss Garland will appear in the lobbies of both theatres for tv and radio inter- views. Miss Garland left the Coast yesterday (Tues.) by train. Fol- lowing the N. Yi, preem, she heads for Chicago for “Star’s” bow there Oct. 15. The New York bows, based on the demands for tickets and the growing celebrity list, is expected to equal the lush Hollywood open- ing last Wednesday (29). The Coast preem served as a nationwide trail- er for WB, since the lobby festiv- ities at the Pantages Theatre were telecast coast-to-coast ovef Steve Allen’s “Tonight” show. . Local tv coverage will be han- dled by WABC-TV with a half-hour show from 8 to 8:30 p.m. Cameras will be placed in both theatres With George Jessel as irt.c, at the Para- mount and Marti Block* at the Victoria. NBC will carry the event in a coast-to-coast radio hookup, and a . special broadcast for the armed services has also been set, Special permission hag been ob- tained to reserve the area on the west Side of Times Square, be- tween the Paramount at 43d St. and the Victoria at 46th St., for premiere activities* “ Four huge billion-candlepo wer searchlights will be stationed in front of both theatres, A red carpet (Continued on page 66) JESSEL'S BOOK OPTION • George Jessel. has taken an op- tion of Louis Zara’s novel, “This Blessed Land,” keyed to the 300th anniversary of the landing of the first Jews in ... America, Which he plans as a film. . Producer has been talking to Ben Hecht on the screenplay, 1 » 4 , London, Oct. 5. J ust two years after it , set Broad- way talking and began, to. pave the way for the new widescreen tech- niques, Cinerama has come to London. “This Is Cinerama” opened a regular, run at the Casino Theatre last Friday U) following a charity presentation the previous night sponsored by the Variety Club to aid the Empire Rheumatic CounciL It netted upwards of $5,500. Taking into account the two-year time differential, Cirierama has made a bold and definite impres- sion on the British scene; and gar- nered bifi-scale national newspaper coverage after the private ;press screening last Wednesday (29). Critical, reaction was mainly lauda- tory, but even the dissident scribes wrote sufficiently controversial re- views to intrigue the general pub- lic. As in New York, advance seat sale before the opening perform- ance was only nominal, but leading ticket brokers now are .showing keen interest and -expect to buy . up large blocks of seats. The slow start has not discouraged th* Cinerama execs who are here for (Continued on page 66) Larkin Finds British Pix Labor Anything But ’Uncooperative’ Twickenham Studios, London, Editor, Variety: Here since February, producing tv films, “Fabian of Scotland Yard,” for Charles Wick and Telefilm Enterprises of N, Y. Just completed 26 episodes in 21 weeks— one every four days— and came in two hours ahead of Sched- ule and $30,000 under budget. The films couldn’t have been madg anywhere else because each one calls for about 20% London exteriors arid we had the coopera- tion of the London Metropolitan Police Dept. It’s been a great experience. I (Continued on page 66) DAWN-TO-DUSK, 85c Drive-In Unreels Seven Features — Serve* Refreshments . . Springfield, 111., Oct.. 5. “Moviethon” is. the latest bit of gihimickery by the 66 ; Drive-In Theatre which staged a dawn-to* dusk filip fest last weekend. Pro- cession of seven features was un- reeled for single 85c admission. Lineup had “Thunder Pass,” “Queen of Sheba,” “Abbott and Costello In the Navy,” “The. Raven,” “Canyon Passage,” “East Side of Heaven,” and “Seven Sin- ners.” Free coffee and donuts were served from concession, stand at dawn. P.S. There were no short sub- jects. I Wednesday, October 6 , 1954 PICTURES FILMS’ UNCOMMON STOCK JUMP Remember when television was going to put the picture busi- ness out of business? How can you charge for something they see free at home? was the fearful and fearsome panic cry* Then Hollywood did a buckle-down-Winsocki, and came up with sock pictures^ The rest is history. Some graphic compara- tive figures herewith* on the appreciation of film stocks, best tells the story. ' Not. that the electronics aren’t enjoying the same bullishness; But so is AT&T, automotive and other industrial shares. Just because .there’s a phone in the house one isn r t forever calling up uncle Max to ask what time it is. The tv set in the. home is now as much an accepted prop and appurtenance to; the advanced standards of American family life as electric refrigeration, the electric light and the Ameche. Arid while the public has been digesting tv as another midcen- tury plus, the picture business has been fighting its way through With more aggressive showmanship. Slicker merchandising, and above all better pictures. Variety's tv- editorial on the video “peepshOws” created delight in the motion picture business, Comment, was that Hollywood Was long overdue for a nod oh its enterprise and spectacular en- tertainment— eclipsing video’s current attempts at spectaculars in spectriims. Remember when it was fashionable; “Haven’t seen a movie iri six months?’* You now.hear r “Haven’t turned on the tv for days.” A9el Hidden Plug for N.Y. Republicans — Exhibs May Run Film Because of Pique Against Bob Wagner By GENE ARNEEL Stock market valuation of the 10. publicly*pwned major film and theatre corporations; has shown a phenomenal rise of $162,707, 000 in just the past year. At around this time in 1953, thie*total dollar value of the 10 common stock issues on the N. Y. Stock Exchange was $362,134)050. Currently the total is $524,841,000. Highest on the evaluation list is Loew’s, with 5,140,000 shares listed on the big board and trading at the $18 level. Number of shares mul- tiplied by the price brings the total to $92,520,000. This picture of Loew's worth is not to endure, however. For the company has yet to list separate stock, issues for the picture and theatre outfits which go their in- dependent ways with divorcement. With separate securities on the market for the exhibition end of Loew’s, probably in about a year, the value of each of the two con- cerns, it’s presumed, will be about half of the present market status obtaining* for the one corporation as now constituted. RKO Pictures is not included in the roundup, since it is now pri- (Continued on page 18) SCREEN ACTORS SPREADING Florence- Marston Hitting Eastern Production Centres "Jfc Hollywood, Get. 5, Screen Actors Guild exec board has created post of - eastern and midwestern regional director, with Mrs. Florende Marston, exec secre- tary of guild’s N.Y. branch, named to fill the job! Harold M. Hoffman, former exec secretary of the: eastern branch of Theatre Authority, suc- ceeds Mrs. Marston as N.Y. exec secretary. He was formerly assis- tant exec secretary of the N.Y. local of AFTRA. Guild is. enlarging its national organization setup as a result of expansion of activity in eastern and midwestern states, due mainly to telefilm production. Mrs. Marston will be in charge of SAG activities in Boston, Chi- cago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, De- troit, N.Y. and Pittsburgh, and will headquarter in ‘Ni Y. New York State Democrats are reading political implications in a 10-minute short subject being of- fered theatres by the state’s Dept, of Commerce. Short; ‘‘This Is Your State,” points up the economic, industrial, social ■ and agricultural advances made in the state. It’s all handled straight in a March of Time manner and no' actual credit is given the Republican ad- ministration., The only identifica- tion with the GOP is the line “Produced by the State of New York, Thomas E, Dewey, Gov- ernor.” The film was offered theatres last week. Although no specific request was made for October playing time, the Democrats feel that the. timing constitutes a sub- tle form of electioneering. Com- merce Dept. is offering the film gratis as a public service film. A State representative made a, per- sonal pitch for the film with the two exhibitor organizations rep- ping New York City theatremen — the Independent Theatre Owners Assn, and the Metropolitan Mo* tion Picture Theatres Assn. Since theatres receive hundreds of requests from government, charity and other agencies to show special shorts, the ITOA and the MMPTA have set up special screen- ing committees to view all these films and to act on the requests. The MMPTA has already okayed •‘This Is Your State” while the ITOA group still has it under con- sideration. According to one theatreman Wlio has been active In the fight against N e w York City’s 5% Ad- mission tax, many houses will show the film because they are burned at the city’s Democratic administration for imposing the levy. ' Clouded Title An Out For Real Estate But Not on Story Contract Los Angeles, Oct. 5. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Federal Judge James M. Carter’s decision against Metro, which had sought to cancel a. $15,000 story purchase on the ground that the title was not free of incumbrances. Story involved was “Case History,” by Eric and Virginia Wolff. Studio contended that a third patty had claimed an interest in the literary property, thereby clouding the title, but Judge Car- ter ruled that stories are hot real estate, and that the real estate rule does not apply. Upsurge In Film Corporation Values Loew’s Par 20th ... AB-PT VVB Stanley Univ . RKOTh NatTTh Outstanding* 5.140.000 2.215.000 2.770.000 3.970.000 2.480.000 2.370.000 1.107.000 3.225.000 2.760.000 760,000 Price Level _ Yr, Ago Current 12 % 2714 WA 1534 . 12 % 10 % 16% 43/4 63/4 17% TOTAL 18 34% 27% 19 21 19 28 8% 9 31% Yr. Ago $ 64,375,000 63.356.000 50.545.000 63,000,000 30,567,600 26,309,250 15,484,800 17.860.000 "18,562,000 12.075.000 . $362, 134, 050 Total Dollar Value Current $ 92,520,000 76,417,500 76.175.000 75.430.000 52.080.000 45;030,Q00 30.996.000 .27,412.500 . 24.940.000 23.940.000 $524,841,000 ♦Number of shares outstanding changed in some instances over the year, In .1953, Paramount had 2,325,000 out; RKO Theatres, 3,760,000; Stanley Warner, 2,475,000; Universal, 960,000, and Columbia, 690,000. Motion Picture Export Assn. last week was. offered an Italian proposal under which it would be assured of at least on third of the votes in the distribs section of the Italian producer-distributor or- ganization, ANICA. Decisions would then be made on the basis of a two-thirds majority.. This was one of the many points , discussed between MPEA and Eitel Monaco, ANICA prexy, and his group. Others were; 1. An Italian proposal for a film title registration exchange be- tween MPEA and ANICA. MPEA has such an arrangement with the British. Code considerations ham-r per the Italo plan. 2. MPEA’s. Italian banking rangements. 3. Italy’s request to get U. S, color printing for its labs, with MPEG members agreeing to sub- mit test- negatives. 4. Availability of nine pix for indie Italian distribs. MPEA pro- vided Monaco with a list . of som 30 films to pick from. 5. Question of the “ceiling” on MPEA remittances under past film agreements and the. Ameri- cans’ transfer overage, in the light of the fact that the new paejt doesn’t impose a similar limita- tion specifically. It does, however, provide for official remittances Up to about $4,500,000 only. Consid- (Cohtinued on page 16) Goldstein Co. Reactivates Hollywood, Oct. 5. Leonard Goldstein Productions program, suspended When the pro* ducer died in July, will be reacti- vated by Robert Goldstein and Robert Jacks with the filming of “Robbers. Roost,” based on a novel, by the late Zane Grey., Sidney Salkow Wilt direct the George Montgomery starrer, to be filmed in Eastman-color, starting. Get; 27. United Artists will re- lease. HELLER FUND TO ENLARGE Chicago Factor Impressed By Boxoffice Climate Hollywood, Oct. 5. Walter E. Heller & Co., Chicago backer of indie film producers, has a revolving fund of $3,000,000 for that purpose and is contemplating an increase at the epd of this year because of the favorable boxoffice situation. Among . the films Heller & Co. are financing at present are Stan- ley Kramer’s “Not As a. Stranger,” Russfield-V oyager’s “Gentlemen Marry Brunettes,” and Paul Greg- ory’s “Night of the Hunter.” National Boxoffice Survey Series Clips Biz; ‘Sabrina’ No. 1, ‘Egyptian’ ,2d, Brando, ‘Cinerama/ ‘Brides/ ‘Window’ Next Ann Holstan Gill, widow of the late Howard T. Gill, an attorney, sued United Artists, Ava Gardner and the producers of “The Bare- I foot Contessa” last week for one- third of the producers* share of the pic’s profits. Action Was brought in N. Y. Su- preme Court, charging that Gill, along with Guido Orlando arid George D. . Randisch had been in- strumental in securing Miss Gard- ner’s services for the film, in re- turn for which they were to get a. third of the profits. Mrs., Gill, as executor of Gill’s estate, charged that the producers, Robert Haggiag and Angelo Riz- zoli, had reneged on the deal. They allegedly asked Gill to procure an internationally-known picture per- sonality for their filrn back in May of 1953, an endeavour in which he 1 Was successful. Hot, humid weather and the WorM Series hurt film biz this stanza. To many exhibs, too, it is sort of an in-between week since many will not be launching their biggest fare until around Oct. 12 for Columbus Day. Big lineup of nex pix just getting tested this Week hints a bigger b.o. shortly; . “Sabriria’* (Par) is taking first place again, making top position for two Weeks iri a row. “Egyptian”; (20th) is winding up. second, same as a week ago. “Waterfront” (Col) is moving up to third position. Mar- lon Brando starrer was fourth last round. “Cinerama” (Indie) will finish fourth, holding so high in rankings despite playing in same 11 keys; “Seven Brides” (M-G), eighth last round, . is capturing fifth.,, spot. “Rear. Window” (Par) is ; taking sixth money although in holdover or extended-run in most spots. ; “Magnificent Obsession” (U), fifth last stanza, is taking severith place. “Betrayed” (M-G) dropped down to eighth after being sixth a week ago, “Naked Alibi” (U) is taking ninth position while “Susan Slept Here” (RKO) rounds out the Big 10 list. “Duel in Sun” (SRO) (reissue), “Black Shield of Falworth” (U), “Vanishing Prairie” (Disney), and “Dragnet” (WB) are the runner-up pictures. Of the big lineup of new pix, “Star Is Born” . (WB) is easily stand- out. It registered new highs in both Detroit, and L.A., and was terrific in Frisco, Where another record is possible. “Barefoot Con- tessa” (UA) looms smash opening week in N. Y. at the Capitol, “Woman’s World” (20th) also shapes as potentially big boxoff ice- wise. Smash in Chi, it is rated sock in. N. Y. and terrific in Den- ver where leader by a wide mar- gi “Suddenly” (UA) is nice in Detroit, lively in Buffalo and fast in. Frisco. “Brigadoori” (M-G); another new pic, continues fine in third, week atN. Y. Music Hall, is tail in Cleve- land, okay iri . L.A., but mild in Chi; “Rogue Cop” (M-G), smash in Philly, loonis good in L.A. and fairish in Cleveland. “Sitting Bull” (UA) looks big iri Portland arid hefty in Philly. “Shanghai Story” (Rep) shapes stout in Buffalo after getting smash returns in two. Bos- ton houses last rourid. ■‘Living Is Up” (Par) looks solid in Louisville. “Bounty Hfcnter” (WB) lean in K.C., is fair in Bos- ton. “Pushover” (Col) is perky in Chi- “High and Dry” (U), brisk in Chi, shapes big. in N. Y. and St. Louis. “Private Hell 36” (FM) is fine iri Washington. “Karatiioja” (Hall) is great in Portland. “Human Jangle” (AA) looms neat in L.A. (Complete Boxoffice Reports on Pages 8-9) Trade Mark Registered FOUNDED BY SIME SILVERMAN Published Weekly by VARIETY. INC Harold Erichs, President 154 West 46th St. New York 30. N.Y JUdson 2-2700 Hollywood 28 6311 Yucca Street - Hollywood 9-1141 Washington 4 1292 National Press Building STerling 3-5445 Chicago 11 612 No Michigan Avo. DElaware 7-4984 Condon WC2 B St; Martin’s PL. Trafalgar Sq. Temple Bar 5041 SUBSCRIPTION Annual $10 Foreign $11 Single Cdples 25 Cents ABEL GREEN. Editor INDEX Bills, Chatter ... Film Reviews House Reviews Inside Legit Inside Pictures ... . . Inside Radio-TV International Legitimate Literati Music . /. , "New Acts .... Night Club Reviews. Obituaries Pictures' .... Radio-Television Radio Reviews Record Reviews Rodeo. Review Frank Scully . . Television Reviews TV-Films Vaudeville Wall Street DAILY VARIETY (Published in Hollywood by Daily Variety. Ltd.) $15 « Year. $20 Foreign PICTURES Pfa&mfr Wednesday, October 6, 1954 This is Where We came in. Or, 4 here we go again, boys. Another deal has beeh,.cooked up looking to the purchase of the full backlog of RKO films for presenta- tion ori television. Prospectiy buy- er this time out is Eliot - Hyman, head of Associated Artists, who has made an offer reported at $16,- 000,000 for the library. Word of the projected buyout circulated in top industry circles this week and, it 'was noted, by some trade execs, Hyman is sufficiently equipped to follow through on his end of. financial obligations if. Howa r d Hughes, would hold still long enough for the deal to be actually formalized. Proposition calls for the payment, of 25% in cash With . the. balance to be represented in notes. While there’s always a possibility of Hughes, eventually, entering kind Of a sellout, past ex- perience has tradesters doubting that Hyman has much of a chance. For the RKO bossnian has Often- been represented as inclining to- ward a wrapup of. a sale but he never ' has been pinned , down to execution of same. On the Coast yesterday (Tues/,. RKO prez James R. Grainger stat- ed without qualification there’s to be no disposition of the library. On-, another front, still regarded as hotsy in ..some quarters, is the rumored disposition, by Hughes of his entire empire of picture com- pany, brewery, .tool outfit, airline and aircraft manufacturing hold- ings. All at a price loosely placed in tlie lofty n ei g’h bo r h o o d . . of $ 4 0 0 000.000. 'Early, speculation on this had Spyros P. Skouras, president of 20th-Fox,.as the master agent bring- ing the . various parties together. On the buying end Were William Zeckendorf, Lawrence Rockefeller and Aristotle Anasis, Skouras. ad- mitted ori the Coast over the past week that he had seen Hughes in Las. Vegas but he insisted the sub- ject of such a mammoth deal had pot been disoussed. He and Hughes talked of an “industry matter,” said Skouras, without, further ex- planation.; SKOURAS SEES HUGHES What’s It All About?— He Can’t Say Hollywood, pet, 5. Spyros. Skouras, who recently held a conference with Howard Hughes in Las Vegas, denied the report that its purpose Was the purchase of JJugiies’ vast business interests. That proposed deal biew u weeks ago, he said. As for the purpose of the meet- ing, Skouras said it was about an “industry matter/’ but refused to go into details. ’STAR’ 7 A J. SHOWING WITH San. Francisco/ Oct. 5. Coffee and doughnuts were served the earlybirds who attend- ed the 7 a m. showing of “A Star is Born” on its. opening day at the St. Francis Theatre Friday.. Manager Earl Long had over 200 people at this first show. “A Star is Born” is playing five shows a day after a seven show opening day that lasted until 5 a.m. Saturday morning, Late mati- nee and evening, shows were lock- outs and turned away hundreds who. sought entertai ment in other Market street theatres. . At the 2 fiun, show, an unusual crowd of show biz people hurried- frpi .their , own jobs via cab to. see Judy Gar- land. Hollywood, Oct;, 5. Superscope, Widescreen theatre projection, method due to make its public bow Dec. 21 at world preem of RKO’s “Big, Rainbow,” at Fox Theatre in St. Louis is compatible with Cinemascope projection- equipment whether an exhib uses a C’Scope projection lens or any other anamorphic lens for C'Scope pix, RKO yeep.ee C; J. Teylin re* ported. Said the fact the process is com- patible with C’Scope has been a well-guarded secret. System can take the negative, of a, film lensed for widescreen showing, making anamorphic print, of it. Cuffs For Cinderella Louisville, Oct, 5. Diana Lynn, on location witlj Rurt Lancaster in “The Ken- tuckian,” was accosted by an 18-year-old far,. Curtis Lind- seyj son of a Baptist minister, when she walked into the' lobby of Owensboro, Ky., hotel in. costume. Young Lindsey handed her a pen,. She wrote her autograph, arid as she did so he clamped around her left wrist one'ring of a set of hand- cuffs. The other, was locked around his right wrist ' Actress screamed for the police who finally ‘found a key to unlock, the cuffs. Lad said , he just Wanted to keep Miss Lynn, near so he could talk to lier. 2D TRIAL FEB. 7 Luxor Action Vs, 20th-Fox Gets Federal Rehearing Second trial of a $3,400,000 suit against Skouras Theatres. 20th- Fox, George and Spyros P. Skouras •has been set to; '.begin 'in. N. Y. • Federal Court next Feb. ; 7. Suit at. first, was dismissed but, on, ap- peal, the U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled for the re-hearing. Plaintiff is J. J-. . Theatr , oper- ator. of the Luxor Theatre, ' the Brorix. Complaint .alleges . that 20th unfairly favored 'the Skouras chain’s. Park Plaza Theatre over the Luxor in licensing product. France Gets MPEA Kick Against Turnover Tax On Gross, Remittances Meeting a Sept. 30 deadline, the Motion Picture Export Assn, last Week filed With its French counsel, a lengthy memo stating its posi- tion on France’s threatened 8.55% turnover tax on’ both the U. S, gross and. remittances. Memo based its arguments against the tax on the premise that fa) the French had been unduly tardy in attempting to collect the levy Which had been on the books for years, and (b) the U. S. com- panies rightly or wrongly had re- lied on an administrative ruling that had protected them from col- lection of the tax,, The French tax was first im- posed on Paramount. Later other companies also were served. If actually collected, it would run to anywhere between $8,000,000 and. $10,000,000, . That includes penal- ties of -200% on amounts past due. An. MPEA tax committee went Id France earlier this year to study the situation. It cajpe up with a number of proposals, one of them bringing up the possibility of a changed status for the distribs’ French, offices; The Whole tax is- sue is currently in the French : courts. " " Dick Dickson’s Post Hollywood, Oct. 5. Dick pickson has been appointed by George Skouras to post of gen- eral manager of the Southern Cali- fornia division of United Artists Theatic Circuit Iric, He succeeds Fred Stein, who resigned two months ago to take over west coast distribution of several indie pix but who remained in the UATC post until a successor was set. REP living Maas Hollywood, Oct. 5. After a year of negotiation, la- bor and management have agreed on a pension plan covering 18,000 workers in the Hollywood motion picture industry. Plan goes into ef- fect Oct. 24 and involves more than. 40 unions arid, guilds and 200 em- ployers. Agreement specifically, in- cludes member companies of the Association of Motion' Picture Pro- ducers, the Society Of Independent Motion Picture Producers, the In- dependent Motion Picture Produ- cers Association arid the. Alliance of Television Film Producers. . Both management and labor will contribute alike to. the pension fund, each paying, in two cents for every “straight time” hour worked. The Only difference is that employ-- er contributions are retroactive to Oct. 26, 1953, when* negotiations began. First possible pension pay- ment of $20 per month will be Jan. T, i960, to allow sufficient time for an adequate fund to be established. Before collecting a pension an em- ployee must be 65 and have worked a . minimum of 20,000 hours and 20 “qualified’’ years in the industry. A “Qualified” year is one in which the employee has worked at least 400 Straight time hours. Employees eligible for individu- al company retirement plans of Loew’s, 20th-Fox and RKO May choose between the' company arid industry pensions but cannot bene- fit by both. A board of 16 directors, equally divided between workers and em- ployers, will administer the plan. First board consists of George J. Flaherty, IATSE, chairman; Ralph H. Clare, teamsters union, vice-' chairman; B. J, Ellerbrock, AMPP, secretary, and Eugene Arnstein, LMPPA, treasurer. Other board members are James D. Tante, IATSE; John W. Lehners, IATSE; Herbert Aller, IATSE; Alan Jackson, IATSE; Henry Wads- worth; AFL locals not in IATSE, Norman Lowenstein, independent guilds, Charles Boren, AMI*P, E. L. DePatie, AMPP; Fred S, Meyer, AMPP; George Douglas, AMPP; Bonar Dyer, SIMPP, and Basil Grille, ATFP. slated to be coi the Motion Picture Export Assn.’v Far Eastern rep with headquarters in Tokyo. Maas, former head of the, MPEA ■When- it was active in. the. Iron Curtain countries, has Jjeen Far Eastern supervisor at MJE*EA head- quarters in N. Y. However, he lias spent a great deal of his time of late in Japan, Indonesia, Formosa and other Far Eastern trouble spots. . Eric Johnston had considered another man for the Far Eastern field spot; but this man is in gov- ernment service and unavailable. It’s not certain yet Who’ll replace Maas in N. Y. .In Maas’ absence, his chores have been taken over [by George Vietheeiv Hollywood, Oct.; 5. Deal for United Artists to- handle: Stirling Silliphant’s “5 Against the House” blew up suddenly yes- terday (Tues.) arid ’negotiations have begun with Columbia to dis- tribute ; film on which production Was to have started Monday (4). Firm deals have been made with Guy Madison, ; Alvy Moore, Roddy McDowell, Robert Horton to top- line and with Peter Godfrey to direct; He replaced Frank Tashlin who . exited Sept. 20 along with his wife, Mary Nosta, who was to have enacted femme lead. Talks since' have been on with Milly Vitale to assume her role. COPY FOR BANK SIGH ‘This Way to the .Motion Picture Cashier’s Window’ As newly-appointed head of the motion picture department of the Bank of America's. N.Y. office, Peter W. Geiger has the job of sell- ing independently-made films, now owned by the bank through fore- closure, in various global areas. Bank’s portfolio includes a flock of pix such as “Body arid Soul,” “Arch of Triumph,” “Double Life,” “Macbeth,” “One Touch of Venus,” “The Senator Was Indiscreet” and “Bel Ami,” Deals already have' beeri set for U. S. television rights with General Teleradio and reissue through -Favoritp Attractions. J However, some of the films have yet to be, played theatrically throughout the foreign market. Germany, Italy, Japan and other countries are still virgin territory fof the product and Geiger is aim- ing for releasing arrangements with local distributors at each Geiger had been assistant to the bank’s special N.Y. rep, Tom Walk- er, the * past four years. He moved up this week upon Walker’s bow- put. Prior to the bank tieup, he was associated with RKO and Edward A. Golden Productions. London, Oct, 5. Plans; for a reorganization of the J. Arthur Rank, org Were dropped from the agenda- of the annual stockholders meet next Friday (8) following protests from Spyros F, Skouras, 20th r Fox prexy, it was disclosed here. Shareholders were told that the move to revise the Gaumont Brit- ish articles of association Was aban- doned at the request of the Ameri- can directors and that a later meet- ing would be convened after the stockholders- had had their say. 20th is the major shareholder in Gaumont British. Par Shows Practicality Of Horizontal Method With Its VistaVision Hollywood, Oct. 5. Paramount yesterday (Mon.) demonstrated the practicality of adding horizontal projection to its VistaVision system — that is, run- ning the print sideways through the projector with the picture framed at two and a half times the conventional size. The effect is to preserve sharpness and picture brilliance when the images are blown up to accommodate king-size sereens. Miss Lenard’s Presidency Hollywood, Oct. 5. .New president of the Motion Picture Industry Council is Kay Lenard, who had been acting in that capacity since the resignation of Ed Ralph last July. Miss Lenard will not only fill out Ralph’s une.xplred term- but will also serve as president next year. Y. Frank Freemari, studio topper, and Loren Ryder, chief technician at Pari, explairied that this innoya-^ yatiori is designed to benefit drive- ins and -•, tli e . few indoor houses whose screens range from 50. to 100 feet in width. Silent -clips from. “To Catch a Thief,” “Strategic Air Cdmiriand,” “Two Captains West” and V’Vi- sion travelog were shown With striking effect on a screen 60 feet wide by 32, feet high. Normal pro- jection on a screen of such giant dimensions Usually means loss of definition and light; the' V’ Vision way prevents this,. Converting to this method would require . extra, booth equipment, of course, including horizontal projec- tors at a cost of $2,000 each. This could go down to $1,500 via. mass production, said Freeman, He stressed that Par is “not trying to put something oyer/’ meaning that exhibs could Still play straight V’Vision without any new appara- tus or could elect to install for the horizontal picture throve They have their choice. The feel of depth is heightened in the expansion method but Par makes no 3-D claims, (stated Free- man. Resuscitation of the German film industry as an inteririational force could be quickened by way of N. Peter Rathvon, A mer .ican film financier now operating abroad, Who disclosed in N. Y. yesterday (Tues.) a plan to bring three Ger- man-made productions into the U. S. Rathvon, former board chair, man of RKO, said the first two of the trio, already made, had been intended only for presentation in Europe.* , Now, he adds, they’re being grooved for U. S. distribution — re- leasing deals are now being angled for— -and it’s regarded as -a cinch that any such arrangements will be watched by the entire German industry, which is eyeing such worldwide tieups as an economic must, Rathvon ' feels the outcome of handling the pictures in the Yankee market could show the way for other German producers. Actually, states, Rathvon, the German product on his sked fig- ures to recoup Its negative in. the German market alone and revenue from the outside Will be sheer •profit.. His representative in the U ,. S. is John G. McCarthy, . former Motion Picture . Assn. . of America v.p. on the foreign end. Latter has a wide-range job . extending from casting of the Rathvon films to the setting of distribution deals. The two completed films are “No. Way Back/’ voted the best German entry in the Berlin Film Festival, and ‘‘Double Destiny/’ a French- German coproduction. “Back/* which has been, dubbed... for show- ing at' the Edinburgh Fest, was directed by Victor Vicas, hereto- fore an unknown, who gained Con- tinental, attention via the pic. The (Continued on page 16 ) Europe to N. Y. Miles Bell Robert Casadesus Anton. Dolin Si Fabian ; David Farrar Gloria Fokine Hal Hackett Harry Kalmine Boris Karloff Deborah Kerri Maurice Kinn Gaetane Daniel . Anita Loos Fr. Sydney MacEwan Winthrop Palmer Louis de Rochemont • Carle. ton Smith Astrid Varpay L. A. to n. y. Max Alexander Robert Alton Hall -Bartlett Edmond Baumgarteft Greg Bautzer Earl Bellamy Tony Bennett Jackie Coogan Jean Dalrymple Robert Emmett Dolan Henry Ephron Nina Foch Reginald Gardner Judy Garland Bernard Gates Walter Hampdea Don Hartman Marcia Henderson George Jessel Danriy Kaye,. .Peggy Lee Sid Luft Merle Oberoa Merrill Pye Ginger. Rogers Lou Smith John Sturges N. Y. to L. A. Raymond T. Andersen Jeff Chandler Sid Garfield Lester Gottlieb Miriam Hopkins Eric Johriston Joseph Kaufman Robert Middleton Fred J. Schwartz Cecil -Wilson Max E. Ybungstein N. Y. to Europo Richard Altschuler. George Arnold George K. Arthur Marlon Brando Bebe Daniels Lili Darvas Brian Donlevy Gina Lollobrigida Ben Lyon ^ EiteT Monaco Dimitri Tiomkin Spencer TraCy Wednesday, October 6, 1954 PSxi&Tr ricTUBES s \ “Popcorn, candy, ice cream and soda" may sound like a barker’s chant at a ballpark, but to theatremen they’re, subjects for dis- cussion at the Concessions forum : of Theatre Owners of America and the International Popcorn Assn, at the TOA combined trade show and convention in Chicago, Oct. 31-Nov. 4. Forum, which will climax the 1954 TOA confab v will be moderated by Bert Nathan of the Theatre Popcorn Vending Corp,, Brooklyn, Experts in all fields of theatre concessions Will, offer advice and answer questions from the floor. By the way, a concession subject not in a barker’s lexicon will also be discuSsed--“drive-in operations.” jack A. Farr, newly elected Prez ar the Texas Drive-In Theatre Owners Assn., has asked the membership of the organ- ization to forward, to. him de- tailed complaint when any film distributor says it cannot book a pic on the proper availability for that house. Farr intends to assemble this in- formation to present to a directors meeting Of the organization to be held in December for permission to submit the findings to the Sen- ate Small Business^ Committee and other branches of the Federal gov- ernment; Tiie request for the information followed at blast at the distributors whom Farr accused of showing favoritism to the indoor houses to the dertiment of the ozoners. “Sales policies,” he stated, “have always favored the indoor theatre yet drive-ins continue to attract more patrons to the box office and today drive in revenue to the. film companies amounts to 40%.’’ Farr called . upon the distributors to publish full information on the number of prints earmarked for each attraction, and the number of prints for each exchange area, He stated . that the “phony print shortage*' is killing the incem tive of Owners to build new thea- tres or to modernize their present holdings. Status of Joseph I. Breen, the Production Code administrator, will be discussed' on the Coast by Eric Johnston and the Motion Pic- ture Producers Assn, board, the MPAA prexy disclosed yesterday (TuesJ, just prior to departing for the Coast. . Johnston said no changes were imminent and that even after the matter had been settled on the Coast, he would still have to bring It up with the board in N. Y. He acknowledged that there had been discussions regarding a retirement fund for Breen, but said the Code topper hadn’t indicated any def- inite date when he wanted to hand over his job to Geoffrey Shurlock, now the^Code’s second in com- mand. ' ALLIED TO SEE MANCO Extruded Aluminum Screen Touted For Drive-Ins A new drive-in Screen, said to give 300% more light as compared to freshly painted white screen, will be demonstrated at the Allied States Assn, convention in. Milwau- kee Oct. 12-14. Drive-in operators Will be invited to view the screen at the Victory Drive-In Theatre in Milwakee. It’s the first screen of Its type to be installed in an ozoner. Known as the Manco-Vision ex- truded aluminum screen, the unit is said to be a development which followed two years of research’ by the Motion Picture Research Coun- cil. The extrusions for the. screen are manufactured by the Alumi- num Corp. of America and finished by the ’Manco Plating Co. of Los Angeles.. TRICKING THEIR INTEREST Exhibs Preview Only Filins They Anticipate as Personal Fun Columbia is putting together a special 30-minute trailer depicting clips from a, number of its up- coming films. Plan is to call ex- hibitor attention to the product via screening of the trailer at trade association meetings and the like. Cob like other companies, has long since found that, while trade show- ings of pix are a legail must, they're only attended by theatremen if the films are outstanding. Excerpts from this lineup Of new pix. will be incorporated in the trailer: “Phfft,” “End of the Affair,” “Tight Spot,” “Black Knight,” “Prize of Gold,” “Three for the Show” “Violent Men,” “Long Gray Line,” “Joseph and His Brethren” and “Man from Laramie.” The multi-pic trailer idea has been, put to use sporadically in past by various companies. Columbia board at a N; Y. meet- ing yesterday (Tues.) declared a walloping common stock dividend of $1 per share in cash plus a 2V£ stock divvy. Last year the payoff to stockholder was 25c in cash and a;; stock divvy of 2V2%. At the same time the company announced net earnings of. $3,595;- 000 for the year ended June 26, equal to $4.41 per common share. This compares with a profit of $942,000, or 90c per share, in 1953. Roard also declared the regular divvy of $1.0614 oh the $4.25 cumulative preferred stock issue. ALLIED EXHIBS BREAK RANKS ON ‘CAINE’ 50% Minneapolis, Oct. 5. Although its president Bennie Berger refuses to concede it, the. industry here feels that . North Cen- tral Allied took a jolt when seven of the 11 independent Subsequent run local theatres in. the earliest 28-day clearance slot — most of them NCA members — lost no time in booking and playing “The Caine Mutiny”, day. and date on a 50% deal and now; also, that the later runs, are grabbing it off. Allied had employed two pickets to march in front of the Columbia exchange carrying, banners ' accus- ing the company of being “unfair to independent theatreowners” be- cause, bf the “Caine Mutiny” terms and because of Columbia sales manager’s alleged ‘‘arrogant” treat- ment of a National Allied commit- tee that called on him for film ren- tal relief And Berger had ex- pressed the hope that no indepen-, dent exhibitor . would cross the picket line to buy or book any Columbia picture. But Berger says now that' the ac- tion of “these particular members” isn’t making any dent in his or*' ganization’s “fight against Colum- bia.” By HY HOLLINGER Allied States Assn., in its usual fighting mood, convenes for its an- nual convention starting Tuesday (12) at the Schroeder Hotel in Mil- waukee. The 25th anni session of the exhibitor organization will be preceded by a board meeting be- ginning Sunday (10). The upcoming meeting, as pre- vious Allied palavers, is expected to touch off a. barrage of fireworks aimed, at distributor policies in the selling of pictures. Allied is billing the meeting as one of the most important in its history and is in- timating that in the decisions made at the confab will rest the future of many theatres associated with Allied. The product situation,, including the shortage, of films, the cost of available pictures, and the “artifi- cial” print shortage, will be the foremost topic of discussion. Allied has termed the get-together a ‘‘product convention,” and the. agenda of the meeting will: “ sider the strongest possible action" in backing the stand of the nation- al board. In a meeting at White Sulphur Springs, W. Va„ the board issued a “declaration of emergen- cy” and considered the possibility of Government intervention. It has been charged that the distribs by demanding higher film rental* f° r pictures are confiscating the" bene- fits of the recent tax relief which, it’s claimed, Congress specifically granted to aid the smalltown ex- hibitor. Myers’ Keynotes Board chairman Abram F. My-, ers, who will deliver the keynote address of the convention, has Com- pleted the draft of a hill to regu- late interstate commerce in films." He will ..present the bill for con- sideration to the national conven- tion. Drafting of the bill was au- thorized by the board at the White Sulphur Springs meeting, in Au- (Continued on page 20) SI FABIAN'S LAURELS New Jersey Honor Oct. 12 — New York Salute Nov. 12 S. H. (Si) Fabian, prexy of Fabian Enterprises and the Stanley War- ner Corp., is down for dual honors. First, Paterson, N. J., his homer town, will pay “a community’s trib- ute to a favorite son on his 40th anniversary in show business” on Oct. 12. Then on Nov. 12, at the 16th annual showmanship dinner, of the Motion Picture Pioneers, Fabian will be kudosed the “Pioneer of 1954” at the Hotel As- tor, N. Y. It was in Paterson, that Fabian’s father, Jacob, launched the family in exhibition with the opening of the Regent Theatre in 1914. Charges of an allegedly deliber- ate print Shortage are being used by exhibs as “a convenient qlub” since this is where it’s very difficult to prove anything, a company sales topper complained in N, Y. last week, He termed as “silly” any allega- tions that distribs would cut down on print, orders as a means of up- setting availabilities and added that it was, after all, as much in the interest of the distributor as of the exhibitor to get a picture played off. “Our print orders are way up,” he declared. “Sometimes we get stuck and have a lot of expensive prints sitting oh the shelf. At. other times, w;e’ve got trouble get- ting enough prints to play off all the. contracts. But it’s never a mat- ter of deliberately going out to de- 'SHORTAGE' BY-PRODUCT Eric Johnston Office Faces Problem Of Shrinkage of Fees Possible need for raising the fees charged producers for Produc- tion Code services was seen in 'N. Y. last week by Motion Picture Assn, of America prez Eric John- ston, now on the Coast. Johnston* acknowledged that the. sharp drop in Hollywood produc- tion activity had affected the Code administration’s budget and .that this would be one of the problems he would, discuss with the pro- ducers. He said he couldn’t tell to what extent, the Code fee would have to be increased; Code now charges on the basis of negative costs. While the latter have generally gone up, they’re not so much higher that they’d make up f of the loss of volume. MPA A prexy also acknowledged that he’d be concerned with prob- lems of Academy Awards financing, ' a recurring headache which was solved last year, when Oldsmobile sponsored the Awards telecast, Johnston said it was his under- standing it hadn’t saved any coin on the arrangement. ‘B’ For ‘Barefoot’ In Legion’s Book “The Barefoot Contessa,” Ava Gar d n er-H u mph rey Bogart costar- rer which was written arid directed by Joseph L, Mankiewicz, has drawn. a “B” rating from the Na- tional Legion of Decency. While resentful of the film on many counts, the Catholic reviewing group’s reps said these were not sufficient to make the film - demnable.” Legion’s “B” classification means a film in morally objectionable in part, but is otherwise not given a spotlight, whereas a “C” (for “condemned”) usually sends a pic into a storm of Controversy, such as that encountered by “The Moon Is Blue,” Legion said “Contessa” is un- suitable as entertainment for the. general public because of its moral tone, its “fatalism” and its “mis- representation” of Church prac- tices. Last point refers to the sequence Wherein, a male character enters marriage despite his ,im- . potency. prive anyone of their right to a picture/’ He opined that some exhib lead- ers Were latching on to the print shortage question as a convenient issue to rouse their membership “since it’s 6ne of those things where it’s very easy to fling charges' without having to be too specific. Exhibitors don’t seem in the. least concerned, over our problem with .prints, and they , either can't— -or don’t want to— understand that there’s something like an eco- nomic ‘point of no return’ on print orders.” Policy adopted by his company; he said, was to. order: a normal vol- ume of prints and to increase it gradually in line with the perform- ance of the. picture in the field. Problem is that the labs aren’t al- ways in a position to make, imme- diate delivery of tint prints. By HERMAN LOWE Washington, Oct. 5, Disclosure that Allied States As- sociation has prepared a bill for Government regulation of moti picture films in interstate com- merce, has caused considerable eyebrow-lifting among: Federal of- ficials here who see no wisdom to such controls. One official, with background in the film, business, has this to say: “While I understand -that the purpose of such a bill would be to put a ceiling on prices charged by distributors, I wonder if these exhibitors have thought through on the implications of government control. I wonder if they realize why industries almost never seek such control, including the small business men of those industries. “Assuming that such a bill could pass Congress, it would hardly get through in the form submitted by one group with a specific axe to grind for its own benefit; It would be changed to provide protection not only to small, independent exr hibitors but also to large theatre I chains, and even to the companies, which produce and distribute the movies; “Such legislation could very well clamp controls on the theatres, themselves, which could prove onerous to the theatre owners who are now protesting. “Where would such controls stop? In telling a theatre the ceil- ing it should pay for a picture, it might also dictate the floor prices and these could be higher than they are today. What is to stop government regulation from spreading to control of the stories (Continued on page 66) Film ; industry is trending toward longer and longer pictures. With the new accent on bigness, running time of two hours is becoming com- monplace and films of greater length are no longer rare. Warners’ “A Star Is Born” goes slightly over three hours. Walt Disney’s “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” upon final editing likely will be another in the same mara- thon league. Nearly all major com- panies. have at least one long-dis- tance epic on their future sched- ules Other entries tunning long, com- pared with the onetime Average of 90 minutes for an “A” pie, include “Caine Mutiny,” 125 minutes; “High and the Mighty,” 147; “King Richard and the. Crusaders,” 113; “Rear Window," 1 12; “Sabrina,” 113, and “White Christmas,” 120. Especially unusual because it’s an independent production is Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s “Barefoot Con- tessa'’ at 128 minutes. Record holder is David 0. S.elz- , nick’s “Gone With The Wind,” which fakes 222 /minutes to unreel. - important trade angle in the number of longer films is the. likely effect they’ll have on double fea- ture programming. Obviously, ex- hibitors will have a kingsize head- ache in trying to squeeze a second pic into a three-hour . show When , the first pic is two hours or more. It’s already apparent that the cur- rent trend has cut dowri oh dual policies in some areas. Toasting Chas. Boasberg Numerous exhibitors and film company execs are slated to joi in” a testimonial luncheon, for Charles Boasberg, sales v,p; of Dis- tributors Corp. of America, at the Hotel Astor, N. Y., Oct. 21. He re- cently switched from the top dis- tribution spot at RKO. Luncheon chairmen are circuit operators Walter Reade Jr., Sam* Uel Rinzler and Joseph Seider. Call Exhib Leaders Tricky in Playing Up Idea of Any ‘Plot’ to Upset Availabilities FILM REVIEWS Wednesday, October 6 , 1954 Beau Bravtmell (COLOR) Opulent costume drama, fairly entertaining, with good names, ballyhoo angles, Hollywood, Oct. 5. Metro release of Sam ZimbaUst produc- tion. Stars Stewart Giariger, Elizabeth. Taylor, Peter Ustinov; features Robert Morley, James Donald, James ■ Hayter, Rosemary Harris, Paul Rogers, Noel Will-, man. Directed by Curtis Bernhardt. Screenplay, Karl Tunberg; based, on the. plav Written Jor Richard Mansfield by Clyde Fitch; camera (Eastman' Color), Oswald .Morris; editor,. Prank^. Clarke; music. Richard Addinsell; played by Jhe Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; conducted by Muir Mathieson. Previewed Sept. 24, *54. Runnihg .time. Ill MINS.. Beau Brummell Stewart Granger Lady Patricia, . . . . . . . . Elizabeth Tayioi Prince of Wales .......... Ustinov King George HI Robert Morley Lord Edwin Mercer ....... James Donald .Mortimer ' . Jarnes Hayter Mrs. Fitzher ..... Rosemary Hams Lord Byron ........ Jioel Willman Midger ........... Peter. Dyncley Sir Geoffrey Baker ...... Charles Carson Doctor Warren ... . *> • • Ernest Clark Mr. Fox . . . . . . . . . • ... • ... ■ Peter Bull .Mr, Burke . ... .... •• • • ■ Martt .Uignam Colonel ............. Desmond, Bober ts Sir Ralph Sidl*y. .... , w ;. -Baton truman Mr Tupp B.rooK*Jones. Doctor Duboi ^George De Marfaz Doctor Willis , . . ., • • Honjy-Oscar Mayor ..... . , . • Harold Kasket This is an opulent, fairly enter- taining; period drama based on the career of England’s famous dandy and amateur politician. The mar- quee dressing provided by the fa- miliar iiames $ of Stewart Granger and Elizabeth Taylor, along With a number of exploitation possibili- ties, should shape it for okay returns. The Sam Zimbalist production is drawn from the Clyde; Fitch: play Which served Richard Mansfield as a legit vehicle; The -lensing took place in England to give its period settings an authentic look, an in- tent also carried out by the British casters, so everything, is in keeping through the overly long 111 min- utes. Some rather obvious process scenes are . permitted to contrast sharply with those that are real. The Karl Tunberg screenplay gives Curtis Bernhardt's direction ample opportunity for romantically emotional scenes and he gets a good- effect: from them with his players.. Also effective are . several dramatic sequences dealing with the relationship between Beaii Brummell and the Prince of Wales, and the final, deathbed scerte that reconciles the dying dandy and his prince, now king. For those, who like to be plunged at length into tearjerk, the climax is made to order. Others Will find Brummell a long time dying. General appeal for the masses probably would have been greater had the motivations behind the Brummell character played by Stewart Granger been more clearly established. As it is, one is never quite sura whether' he is. patriot or opportunist as, he cultivates the Prince of Wales. Sad he been more heel, or more hero, viewers would have known whether to .love him or hate him. Result of this’ is to throw the major sympathy to the Prince, a more Understandable person as superbly interpreted by Peter Ustinov; Miss Taylor, too, is a vic- tim of motivation obscurity as the beauty attracted to Brummell; first tur ing him down and then being turned down by him when she does decide to surrender. . Plotwise, Brummeli’s self assur- ance intrigues the Prince of Wales, who sponsors him in society and listens to his advice against Prime Minister William Pitt. While under the prfhee's favor, Brummell rises to be something of a style-setter arid favorite. lira beruf fled era, he goes in for simple elegance and . is well on his way to an earldom until the scheme he has cooked up to have the prince declared regent fails arid the two friends fall out Brummell flees to France and there, as the years pass, falls deathly ill. A, forgiving prince— • now king— searches him out and they . reconcile before Brummell dies. This is Clyde Fitch history. Excellent type performances are turned in by Robert Morley, the prince’s mad father, James Hayter, Brummell’s faithful valet; arid Rosemary Harris, as Mrs, Fitzher-: bert, the woman the prince loves but cannot -marry. Paul Rogers, as Pitt; James Donald, as the lord who gets Miss Taylor, and Noel Will man, as Lord. Byron, are among others doing good work; ■ The Eastman Color, printed by Technicolor, is used to advantage by Oswald. Morris’ ; lensing. Other technical credits are capable. Brog. Sftip Weshner on 'Contessa’ David E. (Skip) Weshner has been named producer's sales rep for "The Barefoot Contessa.” . Pic was made under the Figaro, Inc., banner .with Joseph L. Man- kiewicz as writer and director. United Artists is the distributor. Lovers, Happy Lovers! (’Monsieur ‘RipoJs’) “Lovers, Happy Lovers!" was reviewed in Variety, May 5, .1954 under its original tag "Monsieur Ripois/’ Cinedis re- lease of Transcontinental Film production, starring Gerard Philipe, Valerie Hobson and Joan Greenwood, is being re- leased in the U. S.i by A.F.E. Reviewer Mosk opined “Mon- sieur Ripoiis” is a fake, a Don Juan, a victim of his times, debauchee, but whatever he is, this film adds up to a tour-de- force in direction and thesp- ing. A callous subject is pre- sented in a comedic, brilliant vei It emerges a satirical and engaging adult film. There may be some censorship; trou- ble,. but this may be easily glossed over, and word-of- mouth and crix are sure to give this a push.” ('armen Jones (C’SCOPE-COLOlt) Stirring, . colorful film ver- sion of the smash Broadway musical; healthy b.o. + Hollywood, Oct. i. Twentieth-Fox. release of an Otto Preminger . production. Co-stars Dorothy Dandridge; Harry Belafonte, Olga. James, Pearl Bailey, Joe Adams. : Directed by Preminger. . Screenplay, Harry Kleiner, fromi book by Oscar Hammersteln, - 2d; music, Georges Bizet; lyrics Hammersteln; camera, Sam Leavitt; editor, Louis R. . Loefler. Color by DeLuxe. At Studio, Sept, 22; '54. Running time,. 105 MINS. . Carnien ... . Dorothy . Dandridge Joe Harry Belafonte Cindy ; Olga James Frankie Pearl Bailey Myrt :. . ... ........ .... . . . lahann CarroU Rum ... . Boy Glenn Dink Nick Stewart Husky Joe Adams Sgt. Brown Broc Peters T-B'one -. . . . — , ... . . .: . . . . Sandy Lewis Sally Mauri Lynn Trainer DeForest Covan Aiid the voices of Le Vern Hutcherson, Marilynn Horne, Marvin Hayes. . ( Aspect ratio i 2.55-1 ) . As a Wartime legit, offering "Carmen Jones’.’^-the modernized, all-Negro version! of the opera ‘ ‘ Ca rme n’ ’ — was a long-run hit both on. Broadway and on the road. Now, Otto Preminger has transferred it to the screen with, taste and iriiagi- riation in all opulent production that has a healthy boxoffice out- look, although as an all-Negro film, it. will encounter difficulty in some situations. Preminger has made -sonie changes from the legit version, but none of the basic elements have beeri removed and the sexy situa- tions inherent in the original story are retained to make this perhaps the first picture in both Cinema- Scope and Sensuoscope. Excision has been skillfully handled and might even have been carried further with at least one more riot too familiar aria removed to per- mit the film to unspool without a lag. At its present 105-minute length, it is perhaps ten minutes too long. Harry Kleiner's screenplay close- ly follows the lines Of the stage libretto by Oscar Hammerstein, 2d, in 'hich Carmen is a pleasure-, loving southern gar who works in a Dixie parachute factory, where Joe (Jose) is a member of the army regiment on guard duty. She lures him away from Cindy Lou (Mi-:' caela) and he deserts with her after a fatal brawl with his sergeant. Eventually^ Carmen tires of him and stakes up with Husky- Miller (Escamillo) the fighter and Joe kills her when shie refuses to re- turn to him. In the legit version,; he stabbed her; in the film, he* strangles her. (Credits blithely ignore the fact that the original creator of “Carmen” was art author named Prosper Merimee. Does pro- fessional courtesy stop at the grave?) "As in , the wartime legit version, the standout sorigs— as a result of Hammerstein ? s lyricizing — are “Stand. Up and Fight”, (the Torea dor spng), “I Go. For You, But You’re Taboo” (Habanera) and "Beat out the Rhythm on the Drums.” . . Preminger has directed with a deft touch, blending the comedy and tragedy easily and building his scenes to some suspenseful heights. He gets fine performances from the cast toppers; notably Dorothy Dandridge, a sultry Car- men whose performance maintains the right- hedonistic note through- out, andf' Harry Belafonte, who is an extremely convincing Joe. Olga James is seen comparatively brief- ly as Cindy Lou, but makes the most of her footage and Joe Adarhs (a coast dee jay) is good as Husky Miller. Pearl Bailey stands out as i Frankie, scoring a. particular tri- j umph since she has only one song I the "Drums” number with which : to showcase her voice. Off-screeri j voices were used for Miss Darid- I ridge, Belafonte and. Adams, the. [standout being Marvi Hayes' handling of the latter, for the stir- ring “Stand Up and Fight/’ Dub- bing throughout is excellent. Of the supporting players, Dia- hana Carroll is glimpsed briefly as Myrt arid Roy Glenn and Nick Stewart Bach turn in a fine per- formance as Rum and Dink, the manager and manager's manager attached to Miller, ♦ Fine camera work by Sam Lea- vitt, the color by Deluxe, musical direction by Herschel Burke Gil- bert,, costumes by Mary Ann Ny-' berg and settings by Edward L. Ilou all contribute strongly to the film’s appeal. Kap. Hansel ami G ret el (SONG— COLOR) Unusually well done puppet film that should mop up With the moppet trade. Strong b.o. contender with Proper 1 han- Mlchael Myerberg production. Stars the voices of Anna Russell; Mildred Dunnock, Frank Rogler, Delbert Anderson, Helen Boatright, Constance Brigham and . Apollo Boys' Choir. Directed . by John Paul.. Screenplay by Adelheid Weft; adapted by Padriac Colum; camera (Technicolor), Martin Munkacsi; settings, Evalds. Dajev- skis; costumes, . Ida Vendicktow; editor. Jamas F. Barclay; head animator, Joseph Horstmahn; characters designed by James Summers; production manager, William F. Rodgers Jr. Previewed in N.Y. Sept. 29, '54.- Running time, 75. MINS, Rosina Rubylips : Ann RuSsell Mother . . . ... . . . . . ... i. Mildred' Dunnock Father . . ; . . ; , ..... . . . . . . Frank Rogler Sandman . ... . ... . . . . . Delbert Anderson Dew Fairy Helen Boatright Angels and - Children ., Apollo Boys' Choir Hansel: A Gretel , Constance Brigham IJberty for IJs (A Nous La Llbcrte) “A Nous. La Liberte/ r tho Rens Clair film classic which Is scheduled to preem Oct. 6 at the Art Theatre, N. Y,, was reviewed from . France by Variety May 31, 1932. The French import stars Henri Marchand, Raymond Cordy, Rolla France, and has been especially reedited by Clair for reissue which Joseph Burstyn Inc. is releasing pic in the •uy s/;' ' Reviewer Kauf opined " ‘A ; Nous La Liberte’ is. grand satire film. Intellectually it probably reaches a new high in film fare, although neither satire nor intellect belong in money films. More important is the sound. Every scene is musically underlined. There are but a bare dozen spoken Sentences throughout the film; And what there is spoken is so obvious as to be immediately understandable to anyone in; the audience, whether knowing French Or not. No doubt left, at the. end of the film’s show- ing, that Rene Clair is an out- standing film personality.” It’s been quite a while since any- one bothered making . a direct pitch for the moppet trade via that trick- iest of all media, the puppet pic- ture. Now Michael Myerberg has filled the void with "Hansel and Gretel,” a skilfully produced and wholly delightful puppet version of Humperdinck’s . tuneful opera of the same title, Unless youngsters of today are too preoccupied with, space cadet yarns t6 find enjoyment in simple, musical fables such as this, "Han- sel and Gretel” can’t fail to charm its way into the hearts of many millions. It shapes as a potent b;o. contender. Here is the answer to: all those parents and! educators who complain that Hollywood, ignores the young. Done in exquisite Technicolor that underscores the great crafts- manship that has gone into this filtri> "Hansel and Gretel’’ is un- usual npt only fpr the tasteful and imaginative way in which it tack- led its subject' but =• also for, the "actors” themselves. The Myerberg puppets— he calls them “Kirie- mins”— are a triumph in them- selves. For one, in decided contrast to Other puppets used in films in the past, the Myerberg figures are pleasing to the eye, even beautiful; They’re capable of changing their facial expressions .and do, too, with very good effects. Their movements appear awkward and . jerky at times, but on the whole they have remarkable grace arid Convey the kind of realism not achieved be- fore. The credit goes to Myerberg arid sculptor-painter James Sum- mers who designed them. If the merits of "Hansel and Gretel” are high, the Kirtemins themselves have considerable exploitation value that ought not to be over- looked by exhibitors. The fairy tale and the Humper- dinck music are the perfect subject for a puppet film and the produc- tion makes the best possible use of its opportunities. It has visual beauty, but it has also movement, and music and, from the younger set’s point of view, sortie lively excitement in the form of the witch Rosina Rubylips who looms, but without the. customary, empha- sis on horror. Here again, the fine moulding of the Kirtemins and the deft execution of the staging help to make the story come alive with- out overemphasis on the more 'frightening part of the tale. Every character in the film is a puppet. They take ori an added human quality via the voices which, wisely, haven’t been distorted but come through much as they would iri the opera. Constance Brigham does herself proud in the double role of Hansel and Gretel*,' Anna Russell excels as the witch; ! Mil dred Dunnock is perfectly cast as the mother and Frank Rogler does wonders with the voice of the father. As the Sandinan, Delbert Ander- son gives aural support to one of the most charming scenes , in the picture, Helen Boatright is just fine as. . the Dew Fairy, and the Apollo Boys’ Choir sounds fresh and beautiful. John Paul’s direc- tion is faultless, seeing, to it that the transition from stage to screen is smooth and expert in its feel for the. necessary balances. Padriac Colum, well-known Irish poet-playwright, did the screen adaptation of the. play, making the dialog Jit the simplicity of the Sit- uations and brightening it with occasional touches of humor. A 60- piece . symphony orch plays the Humperdinck score under Franz Allers’ firm batoning. Humperdinck’s opera has been a favorite all over the world for riiany years. , In bringing it to the screen with such a fine Sense for the; demands of the medium, Myer- berg deserves a vote of thanks from millions . of youngsters who can’t get to an opera house. If he Cleans up with it, it’ll be a just reward for a job well done. Hift. Passion (COLOR) So-so early California, action drama , with mild b.o. outlook. Hollywood, Oct, 5. BKO release of Benedict Bogeaus pro- duction. Stars Cornel .Wilder Yvonne De Carlo; features .Raymond Burr, Lon Chaney. Rodolfo : Acosta. John Qualen, Anthony Caruso,. Frank de Kova. Directed by .AUan. Dwan. Screenplay, Beatrice A. Dresher, Josef Leytes; adaptation, How- ard Estabrook; based on a story by Beatrice A. Dresher, Miguel Padilla, Josef Leytes; camera (Technicolor), John Alton; editor, Carl Loda to; score, Lodis Forbes; Previewed Sept. 30. '54. Running time, S4 MINS. Juan Obreon Tonyg Rosa Rodriguez Castro Sandro . . . . Caspar Munoz Martinez Colfre Escobar ; . . . . Don Domingo ... Grandmother . . . . Senora Carrisa Manuel Felipe Marca. ........... Maraqulta Bernal .......... Don Rosendo .... Padre . . . ... . ; . , ( Aspect Carnel Wilde Yvonne De Carlo . . . . . . . Raymond Burr . . . , ... ; ... . Lon Chaney . . .. , . . , Rod olfo Acosta ... > ..... . . John Qualen ..... . Anthony Caruso . Frank .de . Kova . . Peter Coe ......... John. Dierkes. .... Richard Hale Rozene Kemper Belle Mitchell Alex Montoya ......... ; Zon Murray ....... . Rosa Turich . . . . . . . Stuart Whitjnan ...... James Kirkwood ...... Robert Warwick ration 1.85-1) Bob Mothloo Story Mtecneotment^of story of dou- ble .winner ^of Olympics De- cathlon. Athlete and wife play themselves in good family trade programmer with tieup and ballyhoo angles. Hollywood, Oct. 5. Allied Artists release. Of William E Selwyn production;' .Btars Bob Mathias.* Ward Bond; features Melba Mathias...: Howard Petrie, Ann Doran. Directed by Francis D. Lyon. Screerfplay, Richard Col- lins; camera, Ellsworth Fredricks; editor, Walter Hanneman. Running time, 79 ' Mil NS. Bob' Mathias , , . , . . . .... Bob Mathias Coach Jackson ; . . . . . ; . . .. . ; ; . Ward Bond Melba Miathias .... /. . . , . Melba Mathias Dr. Mathias Howard Petrie Mrs; Mathias Ann Doran Pat Mathias lane . Jergcns Andrews Paul Bryar Allied Artists has a good family programmer in story of Tulare, California, lad who twice won decathlon at Olympics games. With Bob Mathias playing himself, and actual footage from two Olympiads used, some situations may realize extra coin from exploitations op- portunities. Pifc opens with Mathias, aged 17, training for 1948 Olympic tryouts at Bloomfield, N. J., then off to Wembley, England; to win with amazing 7,139 joints; Narrative then carries him to prep school struggling to make up points to enter Stanford. Despite his all round prowess as college athlete on . gridiron,- as well as track, Mathias decision to marry child- hood sweetheart, Melba, also play-, ing herself, nearly caused him not to enter 1952 Olympics at Heir sinki, where he was first athlete to win two. decathlons. Racking up 7,887 points. Narrative closes with his entry into U. S. Marines. . Mathias’ personality is pleasing and he fulfills acting job with less, awkwardness than could be ex- pected. Wife Melba displays good screen presence and scenes of two together are appealing. , Francis D. Lyon’s sympathetic direction helped amateurs over hurdles. William E. Selwyn Productions makes good use of Olympics clips of Mathias and other stair athletes for strong sports interest. Story behind track deeds, is told with . minimum schmaltz as scripted by Richard Collins’ ’’Plot” is neces- sarily meagre. Ellsworth Freder- icks lensing is also a sturdy con- tribution. Ann Doran and Howard Petrie, as parents of Mathias; Ward Bond,: as his highschool coach, and Diane Jergens, as kid. sister, are among Casters helping family entertain- ment values. Brog. Flip© Over Africa (COLOR) Authentic background settings of Tangier do riot make up-for unconvincing story. Some rather routine action dra- matics, in an Early California set- ting, are being offered under the misnomer of "Passion.” It has okay star names and Technicolor, but the entertainment is such that only mild boxoffice Shapes. .Cornel Wilde and Yvonne D6- Carlo topline in the Benedict Bogeous production; he as the hero wlio takes a 'vengeance trail after his family is wiped out by terror- ist, and she as his dead wife’s twin who helps pick off the killers^ Allan Dwan’s direction does what it can to keep the 84 minutes of footage moving, but there are too many slow spots for the film to hold interest overall. Script by Beatrice A. Dresher and Josef Leytes,. from a story they wrote with Miguel Padilla, runs to .flow- ery, stilted dialog arid the: charac- ters in it never become real. Terrorists, led by Rodolfo Acosta, are seeking to drive out ranchers from lands claimed by Richard Hale under an ancient grant. They attack friends of Wilde’s, with whom his wife arid baby are stay- ing, during the hero’s, absence arid Raymond Burr, police head, cannot act against the killers because he lacks sufficient evidence. Wilde takes the law into his own hainds and gradually picks off all the killers but Acosta; Climax of the story .takes place in the snow-cov- ered mountains between California and Nevada, with Wilde trapping a fleeing Acosta arid, in turn being caught by . the pursuing Burr. Acosta confesses all in time for Burr to hear and there’s the fade- out promise the hero will go free. The characters ate such tha\ the stars and' others can only turn in regulation performances, adequate to the light deriiiinds made upon them. John . Alton’s Color lensing and the other technical assists, including the background, score by Louis Forbes, are handled c° ably, . Brog. Columbia release of Frankovlch-Sale production. Stars Maureen O'Hara and Macdonald Carey. Features Binnie Barnes, Guy Middleton, Hugh McDermott and James Lllburn. Directed by Richard Sale. Screenplay, Robert Westerby; camera (Technicolor), Christopher Challis: editor, A. S. Bates;:' music; Benjamin Frapkel. Previewed in N.Y. Sept. .23, '53. Running time, 84 MINS. Joanna, Dane Van Logan .... .. Frisco ...» Soames Howard Richard Farrell Danny Boy Augie Paul Dupont . . . , , Mustapha Pebbles . . . . . . . . . Potts Cronkhite . . . . . . . Rodrigo ......... Signor Amato . . . Monsieur Ducloir Maureen O'Hara Macdonald Carey . . Binnie Barnes . . Guy Middleton Hugh McDermott . . James Lidburn . . . . Harry Lane , , Leonard Sachs. Ferdy Mayno . . . . > Eric Corrie . . . . Bruce Bceby ... . . Gerard Tichy . . Mike Brendall . . . Derek Sydney Jacques Cey Macdonald Gafey gets shot once in the head arid twice in the chest 'and, without any apparent medical care, gets up to continue some, hair- raising adventures. A group of cus- toms officials, international police and secret agents from Various countries are stymied iri their forts to uncover a smuggling ring in Tangier when someone gets the bright idea that what the. situation needs is a beautiful femme agent. The American rep says, "Boys, your worries are over. I’ve got just the gal. She’s ori her way here now. We’ll keep this thing real secret. No one will know who she: is. She’ll report directly, to me.” The U.S. rep’s insistence bri se- crecy, however, backfires since he's knocked, off before the Mata Hari arrives iri the person of Maureen O’Hara. This is some of the anachronistic dime magazine stuff dished up in "Fire Over Africa,” a Mike Ffarikq- vichrRichard Sale indie production being released by Columbia. It’s strictly for the bottom rung of dual situations. 1 The only ring of authenticity ih an otherwise incredulous film is the background lensing which ef- fectively captures Tangier and its environs. The streets arid people of this exotic North African city and the scenic splendor of the har- bor are caught just right by the ( Continued on page : 22) Wednesday, October 6, 1954 PICTUBES 7 United Paramount Execs Looking Into This and Other Aspects of Video Advertising Standing committee to study ad- vertising approaches was created at the recent meet of United Para- mount Theatres execs at Shawnee, Pa. Grpup’s first job is to com- pile a report on the use of tv to sell pi'x. ' ' Committee, consisting of about a dozen UPT. district heads, will report on its findings at the next UPT powwow which is set to fol- low the Theatre Owners of Amer- ica meet in Chicago, ph Nov. 4. Following the tv analysis, the mat- ter of newspaper advertising may be taken UP- Purpose of the tv study is to give the UPT affiliates the benefit of theatres’ experience with tv all over the country. Also, UPT reps have been contacting the ad-pub toppers of all the distribs in N. Y., eliciting info on the extent to which tv is being used and the general effects : of over-the-air plugging. One of the questions raised at the Shawnee meet was why it was so difficult fo sell romantic themes via tv.. Emphasis to date has been on plugging action pix. One of the answers to that one would be that films of that type must be pro- moted on the air in what might be called the “logical" spot, i.e., a slot following a program carrying a (Continued on page 16) Human Birth 3 Sets of Lovers | Cinemascope plots come In threes, 20th-Fox followed this policy in “How to Marry a Mil- lionaire” (Marilyn Monroe and David Wayne, Betty Grable and Rory Calhoun, and Lau- ren Bacall and Cameron Mitchell); in “Three Coins in the Fountain" (Clifton Webb and Dorothy McGuire, Maggi McNamara and Louis Jourdan, and Jean Peters and Rossario Brazzi). In 20th’s latest, “Woman's World," it’s three couples again , with June Allyson and Cornel Wilde, Lauren Bacall and Fred MacMurray, and Arlene Dahl and Van Hefii Oil Wells On 20th Property Promise Much Oil is getting to be big business at 20th-Fox. In a report to the stockholders, mailed out last week along with a 40c- share dividend check for the third quarter, 20th prexy Spyros P. Skouras disclosed that the company started drilling on a third well last week (1). Albany, Oct. 5. Portrayal in a motion picture of a human birth is not “iridecent"; a review of the legislative history of Section 122-A of the Education Law, enacted in 1954, indicates that such portrayal is ‘‘not con- sidered objectionable by the New York State Legislature, and there- fore not prescribed by Section 122 " So Henry J.. Fox, president of Capitol Enterprise Inc., declared In a petition prepared by Attorney Ephraim S. London, of New York, and received at the State Education Department here Friday (i), ap- pealing to the Regents from a de- cision by Dr. Hugh M. Flick, di- rector of the Department’s Motion Picture Division, ordering deletion of “all views of the woman’s geni- tal region" in a “Mom and Dad" sequence. Dr. Flick directed on Sept; 9 that the deletion be made in an “abridged’ version, the orig- inal Version was rejected for li- censing in this State five years ago. Fox claimed that the birth scene, is vital to the picture, whose theme he described As one of “the need for educating adolescents on matters relating to sex and sei hy- giene." The sequence entitled “Normal Birth," was filmed in a hospital “under appropriate medi- cal direction'’ and “elaborate pre- cautions were taken to avoid ex- posure of any part of the mother’s body, which was covered by sheet- ing during the entire sequence," Pox explained. “There are no scenes in the se- quence," he added, “in which the woman’s genitals exposed to view." Ray Andersen to Coast Raymond T. Andersen, member of the Bankers Trust Co.'s amuse- ment industries division; Coasted, over the past weekend. He wants to see Walt Disney’s newly-completed “20,000 , Leagues Under, the Sea” and will call on Allied Artists, Fred Brisson and other Bankers clients. “We are happy to report the suc- cessful completion of the second well on our studio property in Bev- erly Hills," the* report said. -‘The results of tests . indicated su- periority oyer the first well." Both wells have been shut in and will be placed in production “when necessary facilities have been, in- stalled." Skouras said third quarter earn- ings would be close to $1 a share with the outlook for the fourth quarter equally optimistic. Rental collections for the third quarter set a record both at home and abroad, stockholders were told. Do- mestic rentals are understood to have run to a high of $20;000,000. Earnings for 'the first 26 weeks of 1954 were $3,096,545, or $1.17 a share, compared to a net of $158,- 309, the equivalent of 6c per share, for the comparable peirod in 1953. Skouras expressed his apprecia- tion for the support from stock- holders, exhibs and other sudios in the introductory stages of Cinema- Scope, He reported that some 100 C’Scope pix should be produced during, the next 12 months. i Film industiy is contenting itself with the role of television “hitch- hiker." Picture company execs are delighted With tieups such as Ed Sullivan’s “Toast of the Town” show on CBS but still refuse to spend: money for ballying pix via any telecast sponsored by the trade itself. Outside of spot announce- ments for specific product, the pro- ducer-distributors prefer the “free ride” route. Latest evidence of this concerns a plan advanced for the Council of Motion Picture Organizations, whose membership comprises all film business segments. COMPO sometime back proposed a public poll to determine the ‘‘best” film and players, this to be conducted Cither quarterly or annually. A- major part of the project was to be an hour-long tv show aired once every three months, the first being blueprinted for this fall. The pro- gram was designed to stimulate interest in. the poll, to acquaint the public with the details of balloting Industry executives not imme- diately a part of the. fight to kill the 5% admissions tax in N. Y. City are expressing the conviction that this goal can best be achieved via an effective, lobby on the legis- lative end, not in the courts. They make the point that the Council of Motion Picture Organizations has shown the way, With the nation- wide campaign for law-makers’ sup- port that won the halving of the 20% Federal levy. Plan recommended by a couple of theatre execs not located in N. Y. calls for a direct pitch to the solon's in Albany for repeal of the enabling act under which May- or Robert Wagner’s administration imposed the 5%-er. It’s underlined that Governor Thomas E. Dewey has .already expressed opposition to the Gotham tax and, this feeling is. doubtless shared by other Re- publicans. In view of the upcoming elections, the suggestion is made that the sympathy of all candidates be sought. Attack upon the levy through the courts has been an uphill strug- gle right along with, so far, only discouraging results. Major setback developed last week when. N. Y. Supreme Court Justice Percy Stod- dart ruled the tax as constitutional. The jurist, on another point, sug- gested that a higher court, on ap- peal, should decide on collection of “breakage" money. The “breakage" angle has been given strong spotlight in the, court contest. City Tax Collector (Continued on page 18) Chides Disney Minneapolis, Oct. 5. In a letter to Charles Weiner, sales representative, for Walt Disney Productions here, an'd made public, Bennie Berger, North Cen- tral Allied president, assails the “must percentage policy regardless of the situations’ size" for “Living Desert" and “The Vanishing Prairie." Berger declares that such a policy, in the smaller-grossing situations is “inhuman, indecent, unfair and extortion" and “harm- ful to the exhibitor, distributor and to the public." If the Disney company dis- regards What Berger calls his philosophy — “that all theatres in the land are entitled to jjlay all the good pictures at prices they really can afford to pay" — it Will be acting “like an ostrich," the NCA president avers. / at theatre, lobbies, and to upbeat the business generally, $296,000 Tab Since the plan had approval at least on committee level, ‘"COMPO, investigated costs,, found that a thorough job of blanketing the cpuntry would run to $296,000 in time charges; Production expense was figured at relatively small for the reason that clips from new pro- ductions would be used exten- sively. Film company presidents, it’s npw clear,- want no part of such tv bankrolling. There hasn’t been any official vote on the idea but the lack of enthusiasm among the chief execs has been taken to mean a pocket veto, COMPO-ites are now. mulling a Substitute, “hitch-hiking" arrange- ment whereby a major tv show, as part of its programming, would focus on new features from Holly- wood, via the use of clips, and spot- light the “best pic" sweepstakes, COMPO still hopes to conduct the ,

. 10. “Caine Mutiny" (Col), 11. “Susan Slept" (RKO). 12. “Prairie" (Disney). To Withdraw Frankfurt, Oct, 5. German Culture FilrivTProducers’ Ass’n. has decided : to no longer present films at international fes- tivals. With documentaries costing from $7,000 to $12,000 to produce in Germany, they feel inadequate to meet international competition without help from the government. This, despite their winning two seconds (“Golden Garden of the Americas" and “Little Louse Under the Microscope") and ah. honorable mention (for short on Volkswagori production) out- of their four entrants at the Venice Fest. In a four-point complaint, pro- ducers pointed out that there was ■Cl) .no- state support to help re- build their' corner of the industry after the War, (2) inadequate im- port rules since 1945 to restrict foreign competition, (3) no plan to “force" exhibitors to show shorts (in pre-war Germany, it was com- pulsory to show a culture film with every full-length feature,) (4) taxes are too high. Industry’s output from 1945 through 1953 was 1,200 short and full-lengths by 250 different pro- duction firms. -f The fall picture season was launched in auspicious fashion, with September’s new product au- guring a strong 1954-55 season at the boxoffice. In Variety monthly coin sweepstakes; the top five films grossed close to total of $6,000,000. Six of the boxoffiqe pacers were in color, two in Cinemascope. “The Egyptian” (20th), which was groomed by 20th as the near- - est thing to its initial C’Scoper, “The Robe,” captured first place. Pic was leader a couple of weeks and among the top four all month. “Rear Window" (Par) contested “Egyptian" for top laurels, and was a big second-place grosser. “Seven Brides For Seven Broth- ers" (M-G).,. which started great early in the month, slipped, subse- quently but Was third for the month. It lasted eight weeks at the N. Y. Music Hall, where it caime very close to the record mark of same company’s “Great Caruso" (M-G), made in 10 weeks. “Cinerama" edging up a bit de- spite the length of engagement, held fourth (was. fifth in August). “Dragnet" (WB) copped fifth post-, tion. Drew, strongly on openings but tended to taper swiftly in most keys. Write your own television sermon! . “Magnificent Obsession" (U), which was second. in ' August, showed stamina, clinging to niche among top eight in four different weeks. “On the. Waterfront" (Col) wound up seventh, weakened by absence of play dates. “Broken Lance" (20th>, fourth in August, displayed unusual strength to cop eighth money. “Gone With Wind" (M-G (reissue), which fin- ished sixth in August, took ninth (Continued on page 20) Stars Help Bay Scouts Hollywood, Oct. 5. Sixteen Hollywood names have recorded a series of appeals to be used by the Boy Scouts of America in the forthcoming annual fund drive. Volunteers were Jack Benny, Eddie Cantor, Richard Carlson, Bing Crosby, Bob Crosby, Cecil B. DeMille, Ralph Edwards, Van Hef- lin, Bob Hope, Danny Kaye, Gfoucho Marx, Den'his Morgan, George Murphy, Pat O'Brien and Jack Webb. balloting in. January with the audi- ence asked to select Hollywood’s best for all of 1954. Thereafter, it would be run on a quarterly basis. J Oldsmobile Echo This recalls the Academy Awards tv-er of last March. Many a thea- treman at that time wondered but loud why the studios allowed an “outsider," Oldsmobile, to pick up the check for a show that was so basically Hollywood in all respects. It was Widely felt that the major lots lost a good opportunity to plug new product, whereas the “sell" centered on automobiles. 'Oldsmobile is pencilled In as sponsor of the Oscar show again next year. In another instance Where the film outfits couldn’t get together on their ‘‘own" tv-er the projected tieup With American Broadcasting Co. is regarded as now scuttled. In- stitutional and. individual-pic pro- motion was to be the payoff from a weekly; ABC network series. (Continued on page 18) ! It appears to be mostly a case of “take your pick" when it comes to getting a count of U. S. thea- tres. / Hard on the heels of a general sales managers committee report showing 19,528 conventional and. drive-in theatres in the country, comes a Sindlinger & Co. break- down putting the total of “active” situations at 18,351. Earlier, there had been a 20th-Fox survey show- ing 20,365 theatres. The Sindlinger tabulation, dated Aug. 1, 1954, broke the 18,351 total down into 14,301 hardtoppers and 4,050 ozoners: The sales man- agers found 15,585 fourwallers and 3,943 drive-ins. The figure has already been challenged by some companies who say, in at least one instance, that their possibilities in a given exchange area are higher than the total found by the ex- change area chairman. Sindlinger's count was made at the behest of the Council of Mo- tion picture Organizations and Ills count was verified via checks with, all available Sources and records on the changing status of houses. The total number of theatres active as of March 1, 1954,. was 17,464, Sindlinger reported, break- ing down into 13,710 regular houses and 3,754 drive-iris. The survey put new construction and reopenings since March 1, .1954, at 309 definite arid verified and ’943 likely to be verified. Theatre closings between Jan, 1, 1947 arid March i, 1954, were put at 6,280 (5,816 regular arid 464 ozoners). The Sindlinger showed the larg- est number of operating theatres in Texas (1,362), Pennsylvani (1,095), New York (1,091) and Cali- fornia (1,064). Theatre closings since March 1, when the Federal admissions tax relief became effective, were put at 365 whereas 309 were verified as definitely haying reopened after having been closed. Wednesday, October 6, 1954 PICTURE GROSSES Chicago, Oct. 5. Theatre traffic is nice along the •:'Htrai.h"Stem v tiiis week aided ' by ; four hew pix being unveiled. “On Waterfront” is a socko $51,000 in first week at redecorated Woods for best total in five years at house; while “Woman’s World” is . wow $48,000 at Oriental. ■The Surf’s “High, and Dry” . is registering a big $6,000. “Side Street Story” looks lively $4,500 at the World. “Sabrina” coupled with stage- show topped by McGuire Sisters at the Chicago continues in giant strides for second week at the Chi- cago with $69,000. “Egyptian” is lusty in second round at the. State- Lake. Reissue of “Duel In Sun” at Roosevelt shapes nice also in, second. In third, “Brigadoon” is slipping to a mildish figure at McVickers. “Gone With Wind” is hefty at United Artists in fifth while “Van ishing Prairie” winds up its run at Loop in seventh with a goodly take. “Cinerama” continues fast in 62d week at Palace. Estimates for This Week Chicago (B&K) (3,900; 98-$1.25) — “Sabrina”- (Pari .with McGuire Sisters onstage (2d wk). Hotsy $69,000.. Last week, $85,000. Grand (Nomikos) (1,200;. 98- $1 251— -“Pushover” (Col) and “Bul- let Is Waiting” (Col). (2d wk). Perky $10,000. Last week, $17,000 Loop (Telem’t) (606; 90-$1.25)— “Vanishing Prairie” (Disney) (7th wk). Nice $7,300 after $7,200 last week. * McVickers (JL&S) (2,200; 65- $1.25)-^*“Brigadoon” (M-G) (3d : wk). Mild $20,000. Last week, $25;000. Monroe. (Indie) (1,000; 65-87.)—^ “Malta Story” (UA) (2d wk) $4,500. Last week; $10,000. Oriental (Indie) (3,400; 98-$1.25) —“Woman’s World” (20th>. Lusty $48,000 shaping. Last week, “Brok- en Lance” (20th). (6th wk), $15,000. Palace (EiteD (1,484; $1.25-$3.40) ; — “Cinerama” (Indie) (62d wk). Fine $30,000 after $31,000 last week. Roosevelt (B&K) (1,400; 65-98)- — “Duel In Sun” (SRO) (reissue) (2d wk). Tidy $17,000. Last week, $19,000. State-Lake (B&K) (2,700; -98- $1 ; 50)— "The Egyptian” , (20th) (2d wk). Fast $40,000. Last week, $60,000. . Surf CH&E Balaban) (685; 95)— “High and Dry” (U). Brisk $6,000. Last week, “Laveridar Hill Mob” (Indie) and “Tight Little Island” (Indie) (reissues), $3,000. United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 98- $1.25)— “Gone With Wind” (M-G) (reissue) (5th wk). Great $18,500 Last week, $28,000. Woods (EssartesS) <1,198; 98- $1.25)— ‘On Waterfront” (Col). Mighty $51,000 for Brando pic; Last week, “Susan Slept Here” (RKO) (7th wk), $15,000. Estimates Are Net Film gross estimates as re- ported herewith from the vari- ous key cities, are net; i. e., without usual tax. . Distrib- utors share on net take, when playing percentage, hence; the estimated figures are net. * come. The parenthetic admission prices, however, as indicated, include the U. S. amusement tax. 'Egyptian’ Exciting 15G, Cincy Standout; 'Susan’ Slick 12G, my’ Cincinnati, Oct. 5. Two hotsy entries among three tiew bills are lifting downtown trade this stanza. Exhibs here are happy over Giants* four-game Wrapup of World Series Which had fouled up, matinee biz. “Egyptian” is showing the way. at Keithfs with’ a wham week. “Susan Slept Here” is pleasing the Palace to a pleasing cession. “Valley of Kings” is sluggish at the Albee. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (3,100; 50-90) — “Valley of. Kings” (M-G). Fairish $11,000. Last week, “At Water- front” (Col), $17,000 at 75-$l scale; Capitol (Ohio Cinema. Corp.) (1,376; $1.20r$2.65) — “Cinerama” (Indie) (16th wk). Tall $27,000 looms after $25,500 last week. Grand (RKO) (1,400; 75-$l) — “Waterfront” (Col) (m.o.). Okay $7,000; Last week, “Dragnet” (WB) (m.o.) (2d wk); $6,500 St 75-$1.10 scale. Keith’s (Shor) (1,500; 75-$1.25)— “Egyptian” (20th). Lengthy run- ning time retarding this bjut hefty $15,000, anyway. Holds. Last Week, “Rear Window” (Par) (5th wk), $8,500 windup of great run. Palace (RKO) (2,600; 50-90) — “Susan Slept Here” (RKO). Smooth $12,000. Last Week, “Magnificient Obsession” (U) (2d Wk), $11,000 at 60c-85c .scale; Boston, Oct. 5. Not a lot of action here this week With newcomers not making much of an impression. ' “Bounty Hunter” at the Paramount and Fenway is mild while “Weak and the Wicked” at the Met is ditto. However, “Sabrina” still , shapes terrific in second week at the As- tor. “On Waterfront” in third week at the Orpheum and State is holding nicely. , “Shanghai Story!’ spurted, late in week to rock up a sock total last round at Fenway and Paramount, topping “Johnny Guitar” here. Estimates for This Week Aster (B&Q) (1,500; 70-$1.10)— “Sabrina”. (Par) (2d wk); Still ter- rific at $22,000 following $25,500 in first week. - \ Beacon Hill (Beacon Hill) (800; 74-$lJ — “Vanishing Prairie” (Dis 'ci| m I ney) (3d wk). Oke $7,200 after $9,- 000 in second. Boston (Cinerama Productions) (1,354; $1.20-$2.85) — “Cinerama” (Indie); (40th Wk). Sturdy $18,000 against $17,500 in. previous week. Exeter (Indie) (1,300; 60-$l)— “Mr. Hulot’s Holiday” (GBD) (4th wk)i Good $5,500 after $6,800 in third; Fenway (NET) (1,373; 50-90)— “Bounty Hunter” (WB) arid "Hell Raiders of Deep” (IFE). Good $4,500, Last week, “Shanghai Story” (Rep) and “The Outcast” (Rep), built to solid $8*300, way over hopes. Memorial (RKO) (3,000; 50-$l)— “The Egyptian” (20th) (5th wk).. Will wind four days of fifth, week With neat $10,000 after $16,000 in fourth. Metropolitan (NET) (4,367; 50-90) : — “Weak and Wicked” (AA) and “Return From Seas” (AA). Mild $10,000. Last week, “Gambler From Natchez” (20th) and “Fight- ing Pimpernel” (indie), same. Orpheum .(Loew’s) (3,000; 65- $1.25)— “Oh Waterfront” (Col) (3d wk). Big $16,500 following; $21,- 000 in second. Paramount (NET) (1,700; 50-90) -^“Bounty Hunter” (WB) and “Hell Raiders of the Deep” (IFE). Fair $11,000. Last week, “Shanghai Story” (Rep) and “The Outcast” (Rep), spurted to great $17,600, Way ahead of expectancy. Pilgrim (ATC) (1,700; 65-95)— “Naked Alibi” (U) and “Meet Dan- ny Wilson” (U). Nice $10,000. Last Week, “Crossed Swords” (UA) and “Gog” (UA), $11,500. State (Loew’s) (3,500; 65-$1.25)-^- “On Waterfront” . (Col) (3d wk). Nice $9,000 after $12,000 in second. Keiimore (Richmond) (450; $U— “Filial Test” (Conti) (reissue). Looks big $5,500 or ‘WORLD’ TERRIF 25G, DENVER; 'SABRINA’ 16G Denver, Oct, 5. “Woman’s World” is capturing top coin here this round, packing them in at the Center Theatre. It stays on indefinitely* “Sabrina” set a record for a second week at the. Denham, and naturally holds again. Other biz is fair to good. Estimates for This V^eek Aladdin (Fox) (1,400; 50-85)— “Africa Adventure” (RKO). Good $3,000. Last week, on reissues. Centre (Fox) (1,247; 60-$!)— “Woman’s World” ; (20th). Giant $25,000. Holds, natch! Last week, “Broken Lance” (20th) (5th wk); $7,000. Denham (Cockrill) (1,720; 50-85) —“Sabrina” (Par) (2d wk). Big $16,000. Stays agai Last week, $ 20 , 000 . Denver (Fox) (2,525; 75-$1.25)- i — “Egyptian” (20th) (3d wk). Fair $9,500. Last week, $14,000. Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 50-85) — Betrayed” (M-G) and “Thunder Pass” (Lip) (2d wk). Fairish $7,500. Last week,. $10,000. Paramount (Wolf berg) (2,200; SO- BS)^— “Human Desire” (Col) and “Black Dakotas” (Col). Good $12,- 000. Last week, “Duel in Jungle” (WB) and “Diamond. Wizard!’ (UA) (6 days), $9,500. ' Vogue (Pike) (442; 74-90)— “High and Dry” (U) (3d wk). Okay $1,800. Last week, $2,100. Launching of on Broadway is six new pictures looks to get a fair $37,000. Stays giving. ; the box- for three days; of a second week so office a fairly healthy appearance that. "Star Is Born” (WB) can be currently, despite a return to hot, Opened with a special preem. Mon- humid weather, the World Series day (11) night. “Star,” which will competion and an abrupt dip. in Play dayrdate with Victoria, opens Detroit, Oct. 5. /The fast pace of downtown biz, maintained in recent weeks, is slowing up; except at the Madison where “A Star Is Born” is packing them in for a new all-time house record. “Suddenly” is fair at the Palms. “About Mrs. Leslie” shapes poor at the Michigan. The hold- overs,. “Egyptian” at the Fox, “Seven Brides, Seven Brothers” at the United Artists and “Betrayed” at Adams look weak to nice. Estimates for This Week Fox (Fox-Detroit) (5,000; $1- $1.25)— “The Egyptian” (20th) (3d wk). Slow $24,000. Last week, $31,000. Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000; $1-$1. 25)— “About Mrs. Leslie” (Pat) and “My Heart Goes Crazy” (Indie); Poor $14,000. List week, .“Francis Joins WACs” (U) plus Esther Williams onstage, $26,000 but biz dipped late in week. Palms (UD) (2,961; 80-$l)— Suddenly” . (UA) and “Scarlet Spear” (UA). Nice $20,000. Last week, “Black Shield Falworth” (U) arid “Two Guns and Badge” (Lip) $20,000 in nine days. Madison (UD) (1,900; $1.25-$1.50) —“Star Is Born” (WB). Mighty $35,000. Last week, “Stalag 17” (Par) arid “Roman Holiday” (Par) (reissues), $8,000. Brodaway-Cajpitol (UD) (3,500; 80-$l) — “Dawn at Socorro” (U) and “Operation Diplomat” (Indie). Slim $9,000. Last week, “Bounty Huiiter” (WB) and “Boogie's Bump” (Indie), $11,000. United Artists (UA) (1,938; $1- $1.25)— “Seven Brides” (M-G) (3d wk). Nice $11,500. Last week, $15,000. Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 80-$f%— “Betrayed!’ (M-G) (2d. wk). Good $7,000. Last week, $9,700. Music Hall (Cinerama Produc- tions) (1,194; $1.40-$2.65)— “Cine- rama” (Indie) (81st week). Solid $17,500. Last week, same. trade Monday (4). The Giants’ battle to become baseball champs sloughed matinees at nearly all first-runs, being particularly rough on Saturday (2), final game of the series. Sunday boxoffice was rriuch stronger than usual, a$ compared with Saturday, results in many lo- cations. Off to a roaring start, “Barefoot Contessa” is heading for a terrific $87,000 opening round at the Capi- tol. “Woman’s World” is smash at $68,500 at the RoXy. “Naked Alibi” looks like fair $37,000 at the. Paramount. “Africa Adventure” wound up with an okay $7,000 in first week at the Normandie. “Black Dakotas” with vaude shapes trim $24,000 at the Palace. •Sixth new entry, “Jesse James’ Women,” is getting a lightweight $6,500 at the Globe. Pic, stays a couple of days past the first week to open “Adventures of Hajji Baba” on Friday (8).. “Sabrina” continues its giant strides in second session at the Criterion with $54,000, after a record week. “Brigadoon” wi.th stageshow is down sharply from the second stanza with a nice $127, 000 probable for the third week at the Music Hall. It goes a fourth session to round out its run, “White Christmas,” first Vista- Vision production, replacing Oct. 14. “Rear Window” continues its great run at the Rivoli with a lofty $28,000 likely in current (9th week. regular run Columbus Day; In ahead, "Rogue Cop” (M-G) got $38,000 in second round. Paris (Pa the Cinema) (568; 90- $1.80)— “Bread, Love and Dreams” (Indie) (3d wk). Second stanza ended Sunday (3) held in great .style with $17,000 as against $17,- 700 opening week. Continues indef. Rivoli (UAT) (2,092; 85-$2)— “Rear Window” (Par (9th wk). Current session, ending today (Wed) looks to hold with lofty $28,000 or near after $32,000 for eighth. Stays on. Radio City Music Hall (Rocke- fellers) (6,200; 95-$2;7:»— “Briga- doori” (M-G) and stageshow. (3d wk). Still nice with $127,000 in prospect for week (3dt ending to- day (Wed.). Stays a fourth. Second week was . $156,560, over ex- pectancy, with trade soaring - TuesT day and Wednesday (28-29). "White Christmas” (Par), first Vist.aVisiori pic arid new stageshow, set to open Oct. 14. Roxy (Nat’l. Th.) 15,717; 65-$2.40) —“Woman’s World” (20th) (2d wk). Initial stanza concluded Monday (4) hit sock $68,500 despite some- what' uneven crix appraisal; Excel- lent Word-of-mouth helping here. In ahead,. “Egyptian” (20th) (5th wk-6 days), $39,000’. State (Loew’s) (3,450; 78-$1.75)— “Black Shield of Falwor.th’\ (U). Opens today (Wed.). In ahead, “Be- trayed” (M-G), slipped off to fair $14,060 after $21,000 in third. Sutton (R&B) (561; 90-$1.50)— ~ . .. , ..... .. . “High and Dry 7, (U) (6th wk). Fifth On the^ Waterfront” likewise still frame ended Monday (4) held with Indians’ Loss Sloughs Cleve.r Cleveland, Oct. 5. Shellacking that the N. Y. Giants gave the Cleveland Indians in the World Series - riot only saddened the natives but kept them away from first-runs in droves. One of few new entries to do much is “Rogue Cop,” fairly good at the State, . '‘Brigadoon” is. doing fancy trade on movement at the Stillman. But elsewhere, it’s a ease of too much . gloom to appreciate the | cinemas. Estimates for This Week , Allen (S-W) (3,000; 60-90) — “Pushover” (Col) and “Human De- sire” (Col). Modest $10,000. Last week, “King Richard Crusaders” (WB), $13,000. Hipp (Telem’t) (3,700; 60-90)— “Francis Joins WACS” (U) and “Dawn at Socorro” (U). .Weak $8,- (Continueid ori page 1 18) H.0s Slow Pitt Albeit 1, 2d; 'Million’ Moderate 10G Pittsburgh, Oct, 5. Big football weekend, with Pitt- Minnesota drawing 33,000 Satur- day afternoon arid . Steelers-Red- skins nearly 25,000 that night, to- gether with World Series, Sloughed business, downtown; with a rather dismal, session likely, Holdover of “On .Waterfront”, is leading the city at the Harris with a great take; ‘-The Egyptian,” also in second week, at the Fulton is dropping more sharply than; antici- pated, but still good. Both are staying on. Only new pic is “Man With Million” at Penn, but it’s going nowhere despite fine notices. Third week for “Rear Window” at Stanley is offish. Estimates for This Week Fulton (Shea) (1,700; 65-$1.25)^ “Egyptian” (20th) (2d wk). Dipping rapidly. May go over $10,000, still very solid. Stays on. Last week, $18,000. Harris (Harris) , (2,200; 65-$1.10) (Continued ' bn page 18) is smash, getting $32,000 in 10th round at ; the Astor. “Dragnet” is down to an okay $12,000 or; less in seventh week at the Victoria, with “Star Is Bbm” supplanting Monday (11) night at a special preem. “Star” opens the same night at the Paramount for day- date run with the Vic. “Suddenly” opens tomorrow (Thurs.) at the Mayfair while .“Black Shield of Falworth” is preeming today at the State, Estimates for This Week Astor (City Inv.) (1,300; 50-$1.75) — “On Waterfront” -(Col) (11th wk). The 10th round ended last flight (Tries.) ’held with: sock $32,000 after $37,000 for ninth week. Continues. Baronet (Reade) (430; : 90-$1.55) "Hamlet” (U) (reissue). First week: ending tomorrow (Thurs.) looks to hit nice $4,500. Stays on. In ahead, “Odd Man -Out” (Indie) (2d wk-4 days), $1,800. Capitol (Loew's) (4,820; 85-$2.20) — “Barefoot Contessa” (UA). Ini- tial session ending today (Wed.) looks to soar to a terrific $87,000 or near. Opened with special ben efit preem Wednesday (29) night. In ahead, “Caine Mutiny” (Col) (14th wk-6 days), $13,000. Criterion (Moss) (1,700; 80-$2.30) — “Sabrina” (Par) (3d wk). Initial holdover week ended last night (Tues.) held, with giant $54,000 after new record of $65,700 for opening week. Stays on indef. Fine Arts (Davis) (468; 90-$l,80) —“Vanishing Prairie” (Disney) (8th wk). Seventh stanza ended Sunday (3) held with fancy $8,100 after $9,600 for sixth. Holds on, Globe (Brandt) (1,500; 70-$1.50) —“Jesse. James’ Women” (UA) (2d wk). . First frame ended Monday (4) was mild $6,500. Stays three days to bring in “Adventures of i Baba” (20th) Friday (8) Guild (Guild) (450; $1-$1.80)-^- “Mr. Hulot’s Holiday” (GBD) (8th wk). Seventh round here ended Sunday (3) continued big with fine $6,500 after $7,500 for sixth, “‘Mairr tin. Luther” (Iridie) opens popscale run Oct. 15, Mayfair (Brandt) (1,736; 79- $1.80M-“Puel in Sun” (SRO) (re issue) (5th-final wk). Looks to fin- big $10,000 after $10,500 for fourth. Continues on, Trans-Lux 60th St. (T-L) (453; $1-$1. 50)— “Little Kidnapers” (UA) (6th wk) . Fifth round ended : last night (Tries.) was niee $7,400 as against $7,500 in fourth. Trans-Lux 52nd St. (T-L) (540; $1-$1 .50)^ — “Lili” (M-G) (83d wk). The 82d stanza ended Monday (4) edged up to big $6,300 after $5,700 for 81st week. • Victoria (City Inv.) (1,060; 50- $1.75)— “Dragnet” (WB) (7th wk). Down to okay $12,000 or less in present round ending tomorrow (Thurs.) after $15,000 for sixth. Continues for three days of eighth week, with “Star Is Born” (WB) opening Monday (11) flight with big preem. Plays day-date with Para- mount. Warner (Cinerama Prod.) (1,600; $1.20-$3.30) r- “Cinerama” (Indie) (70th wk). The 69th week ended Saturday (2) hit big $39,500 after $36,400 for 68th session. Stays on. ‘Duel’ Fast $17,000 In Toronto; ‘Socorro’ Neat 10G, 'Egyptian’ 20G, 2d Toronto, Oct. 5, World Series on tee-vee plus local rain storms dented biz here this session. But “The Egyptian” still is topping the city with socko returns in second stanza. “Duel in Sun” also is big in four-house combo. Otherwise, no newcomers, with exception of “Dawn at Socorro” which is rated neat. Estimates for This Week . Downtown, Glendale, Scarboro, State (Taylor) (1,059; 955; 698; 694; 40-70) — VDrie.1 in Sun” (SRO) (reissrie) and “Stronghold of: Wild” (IFD). Sock $ 17,000. Last week, “Drums Across River” (U) and “Terror Ship” (Card), ,$13,000. Imperial (FP) (3,373; 60-$l) — “Egyptian” (20th) (2d wk). Holding, at smash $20,000. Last week, $29 500, Loew’s (LoeWO (2,090; 65-80) - — Brides’ ‘’Seven Brides” (M-G), (5th wk). ish^firial sesSion t6dky“(Wed.rwith Fine $11,000. Last week, $13,500.. mild $6,000 after $9,000 last week. „Odeon (Raflk) (2,390;. 75-$D — ’‘Suddenly” (UA) opens tomorrow Magnificent" Obsession” (U) (6th (Thurs.). Normandie (Trans-Lux) (592; 95 $1.80)— “Africa Adventure” (RKO) (2d wk). First stanza ended Mon- day (4) hit healthy $7,000: In ahead, “Congaceiro” (Col) (4th wk ,6 days), $2,000. Palace (RKO) (1,700; 50-$1.60)— "Black Dakotas” (Col) and vaude. Week ending tomorrow (Thufs.) is heading for fine $24,000. In ahead, “Shanghai Story” (Rep) with vaude, $27,500. Paramount (ABC-Par) (3,664; 70 $L75)— ‘Maked Alibi” (U). First week ending tomorrow (Thurs.) wk). For final four days fast $7,000. Last week, $13,000. Shea’s (FP) (2,386; 50^85) — “Sabrina” (Par 1 ) (5th wk) Big $8,500. Last week, $11,000. Towjie (Taylor) (695; 60-80) — • “Green Scarf”, (IFD): (5th wk). Okay $3,500. Last week, $4,000, University. (FP) (1,558; 50-80) — "Susan Slept Here” (RKO) (4th wk). Held over for nice $6,000. Last week, $7,000. Uptown (Loew’s) (2,745; 65-80)— “Dawn at Socorro” (U), Neat $10,- 000> Last week, “Randorii Harvest” (M-G)' (reissue), $8,500. yyrzTL r J!.-w ‘ 10 Wednesday, October 6, 1954 / Wherever you go in Hollywood today you'll hear them say: THE HOTTEST LOT IS M-G-MI” Here's aii "On -The -Scene’’ Report for the Exhibitors of America! RIGGER AND MORE! M-G-M’s got the pictures! We’ll tell you about a few of them here, Current, coming and in pro- duction, M-G-M attractions are leading the way in the industry upbeat. Bigger productions and more of them is the keynote as the World’s Larg- est Studio works day and night to bring you Big Money Shows! "DEEP IN MY HEART” (coM From its first sneak Preview, the word spread like wild- fire that Leo’s big new musical is something to ROAR about. Sigmund Romberg’s life and songs come to the screen truly as “The Musical With A Heart” with 22 Romberg song hits from 11 of his greatest operettas presented by the most imposing roster of star enter- tainers ever. Jose Ferrer superb as Romberg; Merle Oberon at her best as Dorothy Donnelly; songstar Helen Traubel one of the world’s great entertainers. (See balance of great cast below.) Producer Roger Edens. Director Stanley Don en. Screen play by Leon- ard Spigelgass. Plus: Doe Avedon, Tamara Toumanova, Paul Stewart, Isobel Elsom, William Olvis, James Mitchell. And Guest Stars: Walter Pidgeon, Paul Henreid, Rosemary Clooney, Gene and Fred Kelly, Jane Powell,. Vic Damone, Ann Miller, Cyd Charisse, Howard Keel, Tony Martin. From the book by Elliott Arnold . Print by Technicolor . * "BEAU BRUMMELL” (Color) Says Film Daily* “One of the most read about movies in years* A # feud’ between cities as to which has the best dressed and most chivalrous men is snowballing around the country,” One city after another protests that they have the leading “Beau Brummells.” 500 newspapers published the Associated Press story of Washington, D. C.’s challenge {White House Bern Brummells Eisenhower and Nixon)* Just part of the promotion for a terrific picture. A magnificent spec- tacle in color, a powerful love story starring Stewatt Granger, Elizabeth Taylor, Peter Ustinov with Robert Morley. Producer, Sam Zimbalist. Director, Curtis Bernhardt. Screenplay by Karl Tunberg. Based on the play written for Richard Mansfield by Clyde Fitch . Print by Technicolor . C 'IIIPITER’S DARLIHG” (C/nemoScope-Co/or) Eye-filling spectacle* screen magic on a gigantie scale, comedy, wonderful satire, great song numbers. Daz- zling scenes: Hannibal’s army crossing the Alps with his elephant cavalry; the clash of armies in the attack on Rome; Roman statues coming to life for an under- water spectacle; Dance of the Elephants; and many more. Top cast: Esther Williams, Howard Keel, Marge and Gower Champion, George Sanders, Richard Haydn, William Demarest~and hundreds more. A beautiful Roman girl diverts Hannibal from his assault on Rome and falls in love thereby. Producer George Wells. Director George Sidney. Screenplay by Dorothy Kingsley; Yes, the coming darling of the screen, eye- filling in its CinemaScbpe and Color magnitude, is “JUPITER’S DARLING.” Based on the play u Road To Rome” by Robert E. Sher- wood . Choreography by Hermes Pan . Songs by Burton Lane, Harold Adamson „ "THE LAST TIME I SAW PARIS” • ■ i . * {Technicolor) A wonderful ticket-selling title; A real love stpry, heart-stabbing, compelling, absorbing. They meet in the chaos of V-E Day celebration in Paris. She gives him a fleeting but passionate kiss. They find each Wednesday, October 6, 1954 Pft&i&rr 11 other again and marry after a mad courtship, Engulfed by the social whirl, the drinking, the flirting, tragedy strikes. But an irresistible compulsion brings back the strayed lover to the scene of his first flaming meeting. Starring Elizabeth Taylor, Van Johnson, Walter Pid- geoiv Donttd Reed with Eva Gabor, Kurt Kasznar . Pro- ducer Jack Cummings. Director Richard Brooks. Screenplay by* Julius J. and Philip G. Epstein and Richard Brooks, based on a story by F. Scott Fitz- gerald. A screen masterpiece filmed in magnificent Technicolor ifi real Parisian locations. "BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK” (Cinemascope — Color) Spine-tingling suspense, the kind that makes movie hits, takes place* amidst a brooding row of houses in a tiny desert town (especially constructed near Lone Pine, Cal.) . Virtually every one of its handful of citizens is involved in a murder during a brutal out- burst of mob violence. Four years later a stranger arrives. What happens is something for the goose- pimples. Great Cast: Spencer Tracy, Robert Ryan and Anne Francis, Dean Jagger, Walter Brennan, John Ericspn, Ernest Borgnine, Lee Marvin, Russell Collins.. Producer Dbre Schary. Director John Stages. Screenplay by Millard Kaufman. CinemaScope and Color give bigness, to a big theme. Adaptation by Don McGuire based on a story by Howard Breslin. "THE GLASS SLIPPER” (Color) As beloved “Lili” continues to enchant New York after a year and a half, the same star, producer, director and writer (who did ballet librettos, lyrics and screenplay) have collaborated on a new triumph, Appealing Leslie Carbn, Edwin H. Knopf, Charles Walters, Helen Deutsch have done it again— aided | ; ' » • . o by co-star Michael Wilding with Keenan Wynn, Elsa Lanchester, Barry Jones, plus the work of dancer genius Roland Petit featuring his World-famed Ballet de Paris. Leslie Caron is utterly adorable as the lonely scullery maid who overcomes untold obstacles of poverty and mistreatment and the competition of the favored girls to win the prize catch! Drama and dance and delicious humor, sadness and sigh-inducing romance to the music, of Bronislau Kaper will keep audiences enthralled and uplifted. "ATHENA” (Co/or) Aptly described as “The Nature Girl With The Body Beautiful,” “ATHENA” is a refreshingly different kind of musical comedy enacted by a group of effer- vescent personalities who keep things fast-paced: Jane Powell, Edmund Purdom, Debbie Reynolds, Vic Damone, Louis Calhem with Linda Christian, Evelyn Varden, Ray Collins. Written by William' Ludwig and Leonard Spigelgass. Produced by Joe Pasternak. Direc- ted by Richard Thorpe. Print by Technicolor. Athena is one of seven daughters of a faddist colony and into this setting comes a pompous young lawyer, who soon learns uninhibited and primitive ways of life arid love. Beautiful nature girls, hilarious activities of the faddist colony, add up to an appealing love story, an attract tion for young and old. Songs by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane. "THE PRO0IGAL” (Cinemascope — Color) One of the great film spectacles of all time, Lana Turner is the pagan beauty. Edmund Purdom is the prodigal son. Co-starring Louis Calhern with Audrey Dalton, James Mitchell, Neville Brand, Walter Hampden, Taina Elg, Francis L. Sullivan, Joseph Wiseman, Sandra Descher. Breathtaking scenes: Heathen Temples of the ancient Idol-Gods, Baal and Astarte; the teeming streets of Damascus and all the fabulous settings that occupy more than 400,000 square feet outdoors and four of the world- s largest indoor stages. There are 18 speaking parts and in its spectac- ular scenes 4,000 extras are employed. Producer Charles Schnee; Director Richard Thorpe. Screenplay by Maurice Zimm. Prepare for a CinemaScope and Color attraction beyond your wildest imagination. Adapta- tion from the Bible story by Joe Breen f Jr. and Samuel James Larsen. IN PRODUCTION! “HIT THE DECK’ 1 (CinemaScope-Color) — - Not since “Anchors A weigh” such rollicking entertainment. Three sailors on the loose in ’Frisco meet a night club singer* an actress and the Admiral’s daughter. Starring Jane ' Powell, Tony Martin, Debbie Reynolds, Walter Pidgeon, Vic Damone, Gene Raymond, Ann Miller, Russ Tamblyn with Kay Armen, J. Carrol Naish, Richard Anderson, Jane Harwell. Screenplay by Sonya Levien and William Ludwig, based on the musical play “Hit The Deck” by Herbert Fields, presented on the stage by Vincent Youmans from “Shore Leave” by Hubert Osborne. Joe Pasternak, producer. Roy Rowland, director. 14 top songs from the master, Vincent Youmans, Lyrics by Leo Robin, Clifford Grey arid Irving Caesar, choreography by Hermes Pan. “MOONFLEET” (CinemaScope Color)— Great story of daring ploits with its background of rugged English Coast and its story of a young boy and the mail he idolizes, brooding adventure in a strangely contrasting triangle of exotic women. The cast: Stewart Granger, Viveca Lindfors, George Sanders, Joan Greenwood with Jon Whiteley; Melville CoopeE Screen- play by Jan Lustig and Margaret Fitts based on the novel by «J. Meade Falkner. Producer John Houseman. Director Fritz Lang. “IT’S ALWAYS FAIR WEATHER” (CinemaScope Color) ■- Another Big musical under way. Gene Kelly, Dan Dailey, Cyd Charisse, Dolores Gray and Michael Kidd. Producer Arthur Freed. . Directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen. Written by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. “INTERRUPTED MELODY’’ (CinemaScope-Color) - Curtis Bern- hardt, director, and Jack Cummings, producer, are making a picture with the promise of “The Great Caruso.” It ‘is based on the dramatic fife story of Marjorie Lawrence, opera star, Who overcame disaster at the height of her career. Starring Glenn Ford, Eleanor Parker with Roger Moore and Cecil Kellaway. Written /by William Ludwig and Sonya Levien. fn the Cutting Roomt: “GREEN FIRE’’ (CinemaScope-Color) — High ad- venture in the efuest for an emerald mine. Filmed in South America, it stars Stewart Granger, Grace Kelly, Paul Douglas, John Ericson With Murvyn Vye and hundreds of others: Andrew Marion, director. Arniand Deutsch, producer. Written for the screen by Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts. “MANY RIVERS TO CROSS” (CinemaScope-Color) ~ Fast-moving action picture rich with laughter, romance/ suspense. Colorful backgrourid of pioneer America. Starring Robert Taylor and Eleanor Parker with Victor McLaglen, Russ Tamblyn, Jeff Richards, James Arness. Producer, Jack Cummings. Director, Roy Rowland. Screenplay by Harry Brown and Guy Trosper based on a story by Steve Frazee. SOMETHING TO REMEMBER: Preparing “BEN-HUR” in the fabulous dimensions of CinemaScope, Color and with Stereo- phonic Sound! YOUR FUTURE: Hitch your wagon to the Studio of the Stars! 12 INTERNATIONAL PfatlETY 'VARIlTY'i' LONDON OFFICI . • ft. Martln'i Place* Trafalgar Square But Juliet’ Limps to light $7,000; 'Sabrina’ Sock 11G, Brando 10G, in 3d London,' Sept. 28. 4 Having had their most successful postwar summer, West End first- runs have, started the fall season in lively style, with a constant flow of topnotch product keeping the w.ickets busy. With only a few days of sunshine in the last, few months the pre-release houses have had the big advantage ' constantly. ..'A. succession of highgrade pix from British and Hollywood studios, of course, helped. With only one major exception, the pace has been maintained dur- ing the past stanza. The Plaza’s “Sabrina Fair” hit' ;a fancy $11:000 in its third session “On the Water- front” in second round at the Gau- mont looms great $10,000, while “Pui pie Plain” is hefty in a second week at the Leicester Square The- atre! “Suddenly” is stout $7,000 in second round. Third stanza of “Demetrius, and Gladiators” looks neat. $9;00.0 at the Odeon, Marble Arch. z The one disappointment was the Angio-Italian production of "Ro- meo and Juliet” at the Odeori; Leicester Square, Where light $7,000 looms opening session. Estimates for Last Week Carlton (20th) (1,128; 55-$1.70)— “Coins ’ Fountain” <20th) (6th wk). Fine $8, 300. Previous week was $9,300. “The Egyptian” (20th) opens Oct. 15. . Empire (M-G) (3,099; 55-$1.70)— “Her 12 Men” (M-G) and. “Men of Fighting Navy” (M-G). Good $13,- 000 or near. Gaumont (CMA) (1,500; 50-$l. 70) — “On Waterfront” (Col) (3d wk). Great. $10,000. in final week after $11,200. previous week for Marlon Brando starrer. , “Belles of St. Tri- ian’s” (BL) preems Sept. 30. Leicester Square Theatre (CMA) (1,753; 50-$ 1.70)— “Purple Plai ” (GFD) (2d wk). Hefty $10,500 after $11,300 opener. Stays a third. London Pavilion (U A) ( 1,21 7;, 50- $1.70)— “Suddenly” (UA) (2d wk). and “Gog” (UA) (2d wk).. Start round $7,000 after $7,500 in open- ing! week. “Modern Times” (UA) opens with royal preem Oct; 7. Odeon, Leicester Square (CMA) (2,200; 50-$l. 70) • ‘‘Romeo and Juliet” (GFD). Opening to the big- gest campaign, of new season and to controversial press notices, this Angio-Italian opus is a big disap- pointment. First days hit a mild, pace, with a light $7,000 in pros- pect for first round. Odeon, Marble Arch (20th) (2,- 200; 50-$L70) — “Demetrius and Gladiators" (20th) (3rd \vk). Neat $9,000 or close after $10,000 for second. “The Egyptian” (20 th) preams Oct. 14. Plaza (Par) (1,092; 70-$1.70) — “Sabrina” (Par) (3rd wk). Fancy $11,000 or more. Second week was $12,800. Holds. Ritz (M-G) . (432; 50-$1.70) — “Flame and Flesh” (M-G) (5th wk). Steady $2,800. Stays on, Studio One (APT) (606; 30r$1.20) —“Living Desert” (Disney) ( 19th Wk). Fast $3,000. Run. already has grossed over $73,000. Continues. Warner (WB) (1,735; 50-$1.70)— “High and Mighty” (WB) (4th-final wk). Pleasing $7,500. “For Better, For Worse” (AB-Pathe) opens Sept. 30. 3d A1 Moravia Novel Set for Italo Filming Rome, Sept. 28, Novelist Albetro Moravia’s liL erary product, long on the Italian best-seller lists, recently has be- come sought-after script material. Two Of his best-known novels, “La Provinciale” (Wayward Wife) and “La Romaria” (The Woman of Rome) already have been; filmed, both starring Gina Lollpbrigida.. Now a third, based on a story of Moravia’s called “The Fanatic,’’ has begun shooting at Cinecitta studios. Alessandro Blasett is di- recting, Still another Moravia pic, “Roman Tales,’* is slated for filming. Moravia, who recently gave up his 1m critic post on Europe, has lately collaborated on several scripts. His novel, “Two Adoles- cents,” wasf sought, for purchase some time ago, With Robert Rossen interested. For Com’l, Ad, TV Pix London, Sept; 28. 'Formation of a new J. Arthur Rank company which will coordi- nate activities in commercial, In- dustrial and advertising filmmak- ing and which will branch out into commercials for the new comi cial video network, was bounced last week. New company is. to be known as J. Arthur Rank Screen Services Ltd., with G, A. Hpldsworth as managing, .director. He holds simi- lar posts with Theatre Publicity Ltd. and Screen Audiences Ltd., both Of which are in the same group. In ah official statement, frorii the Rank homeoffice it was. stated that the organization does not, at the moment, intend to apply to become a program contractor for the. new commercial television web. . .Paris, Oct. 5. For the first time since 1947 the Centre Du Cinema has released some optimistic figures on film- going trends ' here this yean Sta- tistics show that patronage in- creased by 13,000,000 this year which denotes a return to normal at the film theatres of France. Main contention of the perennial crisis, moaning here, in film circles, has always been the falling off of film attendance and iack of .adequate government aid. Notv that the spir- al is going upwards in both aspects, and many; hefe say it denotes more stable film industry in the future. Back in 1947 there were 420,- 000,000 filmgoers but the mark fell to 356,000,000 in i952. Now it is up to 368,000,000. Breakdown shows that key cities were responsible for. most of this income with Paris, possessing 350 of the 5,400 film houses, furnishing 29% of the take, the greater Paris region, 14%; Mar- seilles, 13%, Lyons, 11% and Lille and Bordeaux with. 9% each. In the gross division the attend- ance by type of pix broke down as follows: French and French co- production pix were still the top grossers with 48%. of the take with the U.S. second at 35%. Then fol- lowed the Italians with 7.8%, and the JSnglish with 3.8%. The Rus- sian pix did only Q.2% of the, total. ACT Sec. Elvin Suing London Sheet for Libel London, Sept. 28. George H. Elvi , general secre- tary of the Assn.' of Cine Techni- cians,. has issued a writ for libel against the Sunday Pictorial and has retained, /Lord Hailsham, Q. C., as his Counsel! The action is based on a frontpage story Sunday, Sept. 19, headed “Dangerous Voices,’’ in which several people were named as Communist sympathizers, Elvi is a prospective Labor can- didate for Oxford. Before succeed- ing to the title Lord Hailsham was Quintin Hogg; M.P, Conservative Member for Oxford. BLACKPOOL SHOW SET FOR LONDON PALACE Blackpool, Eng., Oct. 5. Jack Hylton concluded a deal her with James Brennan, local im- presario and cinema exhib, to stage his Blackpool holiday show, “Off the Record,” at the Victoria Pal- ace, London, Opening NOV. 1. Revue, headed by Eddie Calvert, has been playing to top biz at the Queens Theatre here, with hun- dreds of potential patrons turned away.. Artists transferring . with the. show, are, Nat Jackley, Eddie Cal- vert, Marianne Lincoln, Jeffrey Lenner, Jimmy Ciitheroe and American singer Ronald Rogers. Arthur Worsley, vent from. John Sapstack’s Central Pitr show here, also has been inked for the Lon- don run. Italy’s Show Biz Mulls Effect of New Shakeup In Govt.; Ponti Top Man Rome, Sept. 28: The Italian entertainment indus- try is currently mulling the pos- sible consequences of a pew gov- ernment shakeup, caused by the resignation of Foreign Minister Piceiorii, which has . abolished the office of the Undersecretary for Entertainment, and; left Minister Giovanni Ponti in sole charge of three sectors of Italian life— Enter- tainment, Tourism and Spurts, For- merly, Undersecretary Giuseppe Ermi upped to Mi ister of Edu- cation in the shakeup, was in di- rect charge of entertairiment under Ponti. Exact setup of Ponti’s Min- istry has yet to be approved, but almost certainly will see Nicola De Pirro continuing as head of the en- tertainment branch; The local industry, which has al- ready seen two undersecretaries, Teodoro Bubbio and Ermini, follow Qiulio Andreotti in the key slot in a year’s time, is wondering how the changes will affect promises made to the fil mites this spring by Ermini that the government will follow through 1 its protective pol-! icy towards the Italian film indus- try. Specifically, Ermini promised that if. ho new protective law was passed before, expiration of the old one Dec. 31, legislation, would be extended until such a time as the new pact could be considered. ’ On this promise of continued aid and protection, local roducers gave_ the go-ahead to their stalled production schedules. It’s felt gen- erally; however, that Minister Pon- ti, as he has Stated in the past, re- mains definitely in .favor of a pro- tective law, and that there is no cause to believe that premises Won’t be kept. Also the first im- pressions of the shakeup are, favor- able, with observers feeling .the new ministerial setup is clearer- cut than the previous one. Before being named minister, Ponti was for.' many years president of the Venice Biennale, which runs the various city festivals and art shows. ‘Via Flaifiini^’ to Get Tryout Run in London London, Sept. 28. “The Girl on the Vi# Flaminia,” an Off-Broadway production last April, starts a London tryout run at the New Lindsey Theatre Oct. 12. If successful, it will subse- quently transfer to the West End. The leads will be played by U. S. actors Miriarq Laserson and Leo Penn. .Latter will recreate his original role. FADES AS VETS VAMP Paris, Sept. 28. The Rue L’Echiquier, oldtime French Tin Pan Alley, is slowly fading to a mild clang as music companies steadily move to more spacious quarters. Decline ; pf this section. is mostly due to its inac- cessibility because of changing traffic Conditions, one-way streets, etc., plus a need for bigger quar- ters by the companies. Latest: move is.,, the Publications . Francis Day, repping the U. S. Big Three here, who have moved to 5 Rue De L’Opera. For the occasion, reps from six of the Continental offices of Fran- cis Day descended on Paris for: a week of convention and house- warming presided over by prexy Jack Denton. Studio May Go to Tele London, Sept. 28. Another British film studio is likely to be lost to television. BBC- T V is negotiating for the takeover of the Riverside Film Studios. The lot comprises two stages with a combined floor space of more than 12,600 ft. The' mai BBC studio at Lime Grove Was formerly, one of the lots controlled by the J. Arthur Rank group, but was sold for tele- vision a few years back. More re- cently the BBC took over the Shep- herds Bush Empire, a former vaudeville house, which is now Used as si television theatre. In the same vicinity, the BBC is now building its wh tv city the White City side. Rome, Sept. 28. . Report released by the SIAE, the Italian Society of Authors and Publishers, shows that Italy con- tinues as the only European coun-r try in which the picture boxoffice figures- increase regularly every year. The society’s figures for 1953 again show a gain over the pre- ceding stanza, with the 1953 total of $150, 000;060 topping; 1952’s by an approximately $17,600,000. A rise in theatre attendance paral- leled the b.o. surge, according to the SIAE report, which showed the 1953 total of 768,200,00 attendance ahead of '.'the previous:, year’s by about 30,000,000. A careful study of, the report, however, shows that there has been a slight general slowdown in the Italian filmgoing habit. The rise in. ticket sales, percentagewise, showed decrease, with 1952-53 having a 4.9% rise as against 5.9% from 1951 to 1952. Further- more; much of the total boxoffice increase may be ascribed to a 4!l% increase in the number of film the- atres over the previous year, and of 25% over 1950. The per-theatre attendance rate for the period re- mained almost stationary, Rome topped Italy's filmgoing cities, with a 64,100,000 ducat total for the year, followed by Milan with 43,000,000 patrons. Some in- teresting figures contained in , the authoritative report reveal that only 9:6% of Italy’s theatres total a daily gross of over $160, An amazing total of 33.4% of Italy’s cinemas rarely top the $15 daily gross figure. Also of interest, is the report’s conclusion ■ that despite the con- tinued rise in boxoffice grosses, entertainment is not very high oh the average Italian’s total of “ex- tra” expenditures, ranking only in eighth, place behind alcohol, tobac- co, trips, betting, hobbies; coffee, tea, and cocoa; and books arid mag- azines. Concert picture, in England is very bright, according to British impresario S. A. Gorlinsky. Con- cert biz has been going up, year by year, since the war, he says, while opera, not popular before the war, has now caught on. ...Vet manager, generally regard- ed, as the top impresario in Europe, was in N. Y. briefly recently i connection withr the tour of the Obernkirchen Children’s Choir, which he manages. He’s bullish on the British concert scene; for U. S; as well as European artists; He has been using American talent for his country, and plans to bring more overseas attractions here. Gorlinsky, ‘who promoted 200 concerts in Britain last season, says that single artists (names) are still the biggest draw. .Pianists Eileen. Joyce and soprano Joan Hammond have the largest puli i England. Video doesn't affect concerts, he states. First place, -it’s quite new, •.and certain areas' still have none. First four weeks after a station opens in an area, there is a certai sales resistance. After that, tv no competition. Three Opera Companies British troops stationed in or around Italy toward the war’s end fostered an interest in England in opera, says Gorlinsky, who adds that 2,000,000 j troops passed through Naples alpne. As result, England today is opera-minded, and. has three companies, Covent Garden, Sadler's Wells and the touring Carl Rosa. As for concerts, they went on all during the blitz. Prices are rea- sonable; a 90c top for recitals i the provinces, $1.75 top in London. A. downstairs seat for a symphony is 35c. ' Concert managing In England differs from America. There are few if any local riianagers, so that a London empresario has to book his own attractions in a town, hir- ing the hall, etc. There are 10 main concert centres throughout Eng- land. Last season Gorlinsky pre- sented Beniamino Gigli, Burl Ives, Alicia Markova, Yugoslav Folk Ballet, Italian Opera -Quartet arid others throughout Britain. lyes, he says, was a terrific draw. Under his management are Miss Markova, Miss Joyce, Sir John Barbirolli, and his. Halle Orch, Byron Janis, - Miss Hammond, Efrem and Ed- mund Kurtz, and the Obernkirchen Choir. / Last-named- was. a find. Gorlin- sky brought the kids to England from their native Germany last Easter for 10 concerts, during their school recess, for sock results. Cur- rent U. S. tour of the group was one of the fastest bookings in His- tory, having only been broached in May. Kids* choir seems to have |, caught on here* too, with three N. Y. concerts given a couple of weeks ago, the last one drawing such a b.o. line, that an additional concert had to be skedded for Oct. 31, just before the kids fly home. Curt Weirihold, of Columbia Art- ists Mgt., is handling their tour iii the U. S/ Grade Fields’ Concert Trek Glasgow, Oct. 5. Gracie; Fields is set to play con- cert dates here and in Edinburgh and Dundee during a 15-city tour of Britain this month and next. She is slated to sing in the 3,000- seat St. Andrew’s Hail here Nov. 4. French Cinema Week in Lisbon Lisbon, Sept.- 28. A French cinema week will be held by Unif ranee Films here Oct. 25-31. Seven pix, hew in the Penin- sula lbcrica, .will be shown. ^ J.. Arthur Rank’s Cinema S. Jdi’ge announce the presentation of V“Rqmcq.. : |ihfi Jul^t,.” gjvep,. first prizg at the Venice Filth Festival, Vet London Firstrun Sold for Store Bldg. London, Sept. 28.; Under a property deal closed i last week, the Marble Arch Pavi- I lion, one of the first super; ci - mas in the West. End here* has been sold . : for development pur- poses. Its site has been acquired by a London fashion group which has applied for licenses to build a new store. The theatre was acquired some time ago from the J. Arthur Rank Organization by a multiple firm of tailors Who have turned over the site to a'.wthcr Company, For _ some time past it has been leased j to Archway Film Distributors for screening of Continental imports; Meantime* another West End theatre is to be used as a for- eign films showcase, starting with the Italian entry, “Siano Donne,” starring Ingrid Bergman and Ahna Magnani on Oct. 30. The house, now known as the Oxford Street Nqws. Theatre, is ; to reiv.ert id . its prewar tag, the Cinephone. Ease of Restrictions Scot Building Glasgow, Oct. 5. Building of new Cineihas is being hypoed by the relaxation of gov- ernment restrictions , in Scotland. An Edinburgh firm of cinema own- ers will build a big house, seating 1,500, at the new Scot town of East Kilbride. Other new cinemas are planned at. Glenrothes in Fife and in Edinburgh. Electric Theatre, longtime thea- tre in Dumfries and formerly known as the Theati'e Royal, is up for sale. It is one of the oldest houses in Britain, the poet Robert Burns having attended first-nights there. Move is afoot to have it taken over as a legit theatre. lit recent years, it has been a cinema. $300*000 Deluxer Barnsly, Eng., Oct. 5. A $300,000 luxury cinema is to be built here to replace the Gau- mont, destroyed by fire last Janu- ary, New building will : seat about 1,300. Construction will require a year. A large new cinema also, is to be ] built on the Speke housing , estate at Liverpool; Wednesday, October 6, 1954 PfaUETY PICTURES 13 Despite • initial setback due iri->- troduction of new lensing systems and general industry, uncertainties in the face of the new methods, Technicolor, expects : to wind up 1954 with a healthy $2,200,000 profit, Herbert . K< Kalmus, Techni prexy, prognosticated in N. Y. last week. , Color lab 'last week reported a net of $707,560 for the three- month period ended Sept. 30, vir- tually triple the $259,000 net for the second quarter. The $767,5^0 figure is equivalent tb 40c per share on the new stock outstand- ing and compares with $495,500 — > 25c per share— for the same quar- ter in 1953. Techni board declared a 25c per share . divvy on the new $1 par common' stock and 50c on the old no-par common stock, not exchang- ed, The final ’54 net should equal $1.12 per share, with Kalmus predicting on the basis of business at hand that the, fourth 1954 quar- ter would bring earnings approxi- mately the same as the third quar- ter; he. about $768,000. Kalmus said his lab had 114 fea- ture pix on the books for 1954, an increase over the 106 clocked for 1953; Showing is remarkable in that, with the oncoming Cinema- Scope, there’s been a swing to Eastman Color lensing and print- ing, with 20th-Fox, Metro and Warner Bros processing some of their own pix. “Technicolor *^w getting a sub- stantial volume of print orders from these three companies along with the rest,” Kalmus declared, adding that Technicolor is doing some imbibition, printing of .C’Scope pix. At . the start, the lab had difficulties getting the neces- sary sharpness from C’Scope nega- tives. However, said Kalmus, that condition has now been corrected, and the fact that all of the stu- dios were' ordering imbibition prints of their Scopers spoke for itself. Stresses Lab Research Kalmus observed that it was, af- ter all, possible to get only so much sharpness on the screen and that a great deal depended oh pro- jection, focusing, etc. He thought that, primarily, the burden of ex- perimentation with prints should be carried by the laboratory and not by the set (“it's too expensive per minute”) or the- theatre, pro- jector which is out in the open. Techni has been cooperating with all the new processes, including Vista Vision, Todd-AO, Cinerama and the rest. Kalmus said the experimental Work was continuing and that, in view of this, no reduction in. the Techi print charges could be ex- pected. It’s now 5.25c per foot for imbibition printing. On the Other hand, he observed, the rates were not due for a hike, either. Among , the developmental work now going on at Techni is the re- duction of CinemaScope prints to standard version, and vice Versa; the projection of film with eight- sprocket frame running horizon- tally through the camera, and the perfection of color prints' for. tv. Asked whether TC had any plans to enter the* film financing field, Kalmus said the lab had never been in it and had “no immediate plans” for doing , so in the > future. He observed that, in; his opin- ion, the industry. was on its way to a 100% conversion to color and commented that there was still room for an improvement in the use of color by the producers so as to make it adaptable to all types of subjects; Acknowledging that Techni has bad bids from' India and Italy to establish Techni labs there, Kal- mus said such expansion was in the realm of possibility, but that like- ly nothing would be done until the operating results of the new French plant are in. It’s expected to start manufacturing prints in 1955 and Techni engineers are on the spot supervising, its construc- tion and equipment. As for De Luxe, which has been licensed by Techni, Kalmus said that project was 'still hanging fire pending determination by the 20th- Fox subsidiary of an out-of-town location. It’s understood that De- Luxe intends to move its entire facilities, out lOf^-N.Y, > . — . OOq l I I STATUS FOR 'CHASE’ PIC .Honolulu, OOt. 5. . Tramp steamer Margaret Scha- fer, ^rented for scenes for John Wayne starrer, “The, Sea Chase,” had to qualify for Coast Guard dis- penSation •'before it could take aboard 100 actors and technicians. A freighter legally can’t carry more than 12 passengers, but Coast Guard inspected the ship and -is- sued a short time excursion per- mit. Filming, at least when there’s a full crew aboard, has to be in- side the 15 mile limit, however, Coast Guard ruled. 40 Year Mark Banquet For Par’s Ulrich Smith Philadelphia, Oct. 5. Ulrich F. Smith, who has been with Paramount Pictures for -40 years, will be honored at an indus- try dinner in the Belle Vue-Strat- ford, Nov. 8. Smith started with Paramount in the shipping depart- ment and advanced to head book- er, then sales manager, and in 1941 was named branch manager. George Beatty, film buyer for Goldman Theatres, is chairman of the dinner committee, and Jay Wren, city zone manager for Uni- fied Paramount Theatres, is co- chairman. pinner Will also pay tri- bute to Oscar Morgan, Par short subject gerteral sales manager of New York, who also celebrates 40 years with company. First Omaha film Ban Since ‘Ecstasy’ in 1930’s Hits ‘The French Line’ Omaha, Oct. 5. “French' Line" has been quietly banned here. Film played some drive-ins outside city limits and was set for a nabe house in Omaha.. City Welfare Officer M. J. (Mike) Timmins said /he decided film was “too off-color,” It’s One of few general bans in Omaha’s history: Last case anybody can recall was “Ecstasy” in 1930s. All Omaha Chains said they’d abide by Timmins’ “request.” PAR’S OCT.-TO-APRIL Ten features, including one re- issue and one . pre-release, will be distributed by Paramount from the current month through next March .- The six-month lineup compares with Par’s previous sked which averaged about two a month. In the new slate the. company is groupings releases in a two-month span, rather than the usual one. For example", listed for handling in both October and November are "Rear Window,” “Sabrina,” the reissue of “Reap the Wild Wind” and. the, pre-release of “White Christmas.” Same obtains with December and January during which “Three Ring Circus” and “Bridges at Toko- Ri” are to be sold. “Mambo” and “Conquest of Space” go in Feb’rU- .ary/and “Ulysses” and “The Coun- try Girl” are set for March. Jack Rose in N,Y, to Put Foy Track on Foy Bio Jack Rose, now producing “The Eddie Foy. Story” for Paramount, arrived in N. Y. from the Coast last week to. supervise recording of commentary for the film by Eddie Foy Jr. Latter is now appearing in “The Pajama Game;” legit click. N AMES COL IN 300G PIRACY SUIT Los Angeles, Oct. 5. Piracy suit involving the film, “Affair in Tri idad,” was filed in Superior Court here by writer Wy- ott Ordung, with Columbia and six John Does named as. defendants. Plaintiff asks $150,000 , exem- plary damages and $150,000 punitive damages. Ordung declares “Trinidad” com tains portion of his own story, “Gibraltar,” wmh he submitted to Columbia in .1951. Complaint says the film, starring Rita Hayworth, netted more than $500,000. Wick Seeks Accounting From, Hall, Langford Hollywood, Oct. 5. Charles Wick has filed a breach of contract suit in Superior "Court against Jon Hall and Frances Lang- ford claiming coin due him under terms of agreement signed in 1949. He asks accounting and declaratory relief. Says under three year pact he’s entitled to share of pair's , earnings from existing contracts signed un- der his guidance. Deal made 1949 based on his leaving William Mor- ris office to receive mimroum 5% Of their gross earnings; lVi%- if gross earnings exceeded by $25,000- $50,000 their gross for two years preceding contract; 10% if earn- ings. exceeded previous take by more than $50,000. I LOTS OF SELL ON SCREEN AND HIGHWAY IN TRICKY, TAX-STAMPED ITALIAN ADVERTISING— THRIVING AMERICAN RADIO PROGRAM FACTORY IN ROME ANOTHER FORM OF ‘CO-PRODUCTION’ » ♦♦♦+♦♦♦ ■ ♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

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JAMES INFIRMARY iTARS D FItl ON ALABAMA stealing apples nlUUCD tKlES THAT AIN ' I that tumble*oown shack in \ athione day in 1 THERE'LL BE A w l- t „^e, M ?&g about a THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT AN THERF'S^OMETHING NICE tHm'S E EVtRY°THlNG NICE ABOUT you tormented TRUCKIN' ^ rAi »c twenty-one years TWO DIRTY LITTLE HAND* typewriter, the WArriN'°POR THE EVENIN’ mail 1 vyiiiA CAT. In® ITIP' • * m ar gie MARY lOU MAZIE MICKEY d ° N ,?”^c HER MINNIE THE MOOCHER S Mi^WHNSON p H°NED again today E mistakes mom-e-i* mooch, THE mood indigo iS MOONGIOW MOONLIGHT d ffsts when my SUGAR WALKS I W down THE street w I SSSsr- girl? ^ raW W 0 E U°iDNTBEBlUE who's sobrt^nov^ne^y TOO YA°A N KA HUIA HICKEY DUIA s^Sr 6 ' YOU'RE NOT THE KIND / / AMERICAN ACADEMY OF MUSIC, INC. PAMPA MUSIC PUBLISHING ASSN., INC. THE B. F. WOOD MUSIC CO., INC. MILLS MUSIC LTD. GOTHAM MUSIC SERVICE, INC. RANGER MUSIC, INC. Representing Such Distinguished Foreign Publishers aii ALFRED LENGNICK & CO., LTD., London FRANCIS, DAY & HUNTER, LTD. (Classic JOSEPH WILLIAMS LIMITED, London EDIZIONI CURCI, Milan MILLS MUSIC is also proud of its associations, past and present, with LAWRENCE WRIGHT MUSIC CO. LTD. ice), London ILLS MUSIC. INC 1619 BROADWAY, NEW YORK 19, N. Y, JACK MILLS, President • IRVING MILLS, Viee-Pres. • SIDNEY MILLS, Gen. Pro t Mgr. 9 BERNIE POLLACK, Prof. Mgr. CHICAGO HOLLYWOOD i! LONDON 6533 Hollywood Blvd. 24 Gt. Pulteney Sf. 64 E. Jackson n ?4 ft Vik’fcV* * * W40th A$CAP ANNIVERSARY Wednesday, October 20, 1954 Wednesday, October 20, 1954 40tli ASCAP ANNIVERSARY lOlh ASCAP ANNIVERSARY Wednesday, October 20, 1954 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ASCAP! ERVIN DRAKE • JIMMY SHIRL SOME SONGS WE'VE WRITTEN FAITH 1 Believe My Friend One God The'Gentle Carpenter POPULAR Sonata Beloved, Be Faithful Delilah Rickety Rickshaw Keep an Eye on Your Heart I Wuv a Wabbit Nearer My Love to Me This Too Shall Pass LATIN Tico Tico Come to the Mardi Gras Made for Each Other Play the Play era Vem Veiti Yo Te Amp Mucho (And That's That) JAZZ Castle Rock Perdido Shenandoah Shuffle Louisville Lodge Meeting Be My Baby You Blew Out the Flame Good Morning, Heartache FOLK Across the Wide Missouri I Remember You, Love The Flying Dutchman Three Things (a Man Must Do) Iron Horse SOME TELEVISION SHOWS WE'VE WRITTEN THE JANE FROMAN SHOW SING IT AGAIN THE TERESA BREWER -MEL TORME SHOW THE MIKE TODD -BOBBY CLARK COLGATE HOUR SONGS FOR SALE THE MERV GRIFFIN - BETTY ANN GROVE SHOW Best Wishes to ASCAP on behalf of Francis Day S.A., Paris Day SAB., Bruselles Francis Day N.V., Amsterdam Francis Day SAL, Milan .B.H., Frankfurt ■* 4VIH AStAr A11A1IAIISAH1 FAniETY Wednesday, October ztl, 1V54 We Salute ASCAP for 40 Years of Progress Jack BREGMAN Rocco VOCCQ Chester CONN Bregman, Vocco and Conn, Inc. Triangle Music Corp. Supreme Music Corp. Lombardo Music, Inc. DAVID HUGHES Britain's "Mr. Heart-Throb" Extends Happy Anniversary Greetings to ASCAP I'll Be Seeing You Soon Personal Management: Olive Bridges and Dorothy McAusland Ltd., 75-77 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W. I., England Wednesday., October 20, 1954 ’AKIETY 40 th ASCA 1 » AX.XIVF.nSAttY fim *jrw YORK orr» AV.NU. new y°"i MU. B- 364 ° PICTURE®’ IH C September 29 TEX>« 0 - 331 ' ng 1#i r vs Mr. Lou Z Sl^ger *** Dear Hy LoU: . vour "LITTLE t have heard all °i * ls that *» » - 3? they all too load or t0 ° ^e who Cann0 The^^who ^^^ieVO them, *J» •. ; 8 SL* tg^R ^.Si ».*■ ■• r;s*K ss* *«**• jou - Sincerely » ^ OSCAR hammwstein, u SHP «g LITTLE SONGS ON BIG SUBJECTS published by ARGOSY MUSIC CORP. 40 th ASCAP ANNIVERSARY Wednesday, October 20, 1954 1 TO THE GREAT HEARTS AND WISDOM OF THE MEN WHO FOUNDED ASCAP 40 YEARS AGO, MY GRATEFUL APPRECIATION ARTHUR FREED (Abs On Its FROM THE COMPOSERS OF SE LTD. ITS 40th ANNIVERSARY (A. P. R. A.) 66 Pitt Street, Sydney, Australia DIRECTORATE E. Lashmar (Chairman) L. Evans A. F. Albert B. J. Grant R r E, Bare F. Hutchens G. S. Cooper W, Ryder H. Saunders EXECUTIVE T, S. WOODBRIDGE ( General Manager ) B. R. Stevens ( Secretary ) Keith Prowse & Co., Ltd. London, W. 1 Wednesday, October 20, 1954 r&mrw, 4Mh ASCAP AXSIVEBSAKV PSaUETT Wednesday* October 20, 1954 AL MARTINO lit Vaudeville in Great Britain Takes Pleasure in Extending His Best Wishes to ASCAP On the Occasion of Its 40th Anniversary European Representatives: LEW & LESLIE GRADE, Regent House, 235-241 , Regent Street, LONDON, W. 1 American Representatives GABBE LUTZ & HELLER, 1619, Broadway, NEW YORK 19. HAROLD ARLEN m BURTON o 98 40th AM AP AAXIVPBSARV 'A-RIETY Wednesday! October 20, 1954 It’s Been a “SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY” Since “ALABAMY BOUND” with countless hit StOpS along the way — including: I LOVE MY BABY THAT'S MY WEAKNESS NOW. AWAY DOWN SOUTH IN HEAVEN . DO SOMETHING . YA GOTTA KNOW HOW TO LOVE IN MY GONDOLA. I'LL ALWAYS BE IN LOVE WITH YOU CONGRATULATIONS . OH BOY, WHAT A GIRL! GOOD LITTLE, BAD LITTLE YOU SWINGY LITTLE THINGY DREAM SWEETHEART YOU FIT INTO THE PICTURE DAY AFTER DAY FLAT FOOT FLOOGIE THE MAN WHO COMES AROUND MORE THAN EVER MOONLIGHT ON THE RIVER. YOU SHOWED ME THE WAY . . . ONCE IN A WHILE and on the horizon: TWO LITTLE SUNBEAMS JUST FOR TODAY IF I EVER GET LUCKY . SMALL WONDER "TAKES TWO" and, ASCAP, WE'RE WITH YOU! AL HOFFMAN tind DICK MANNING Current Songst PAPA LOVES MAMBO SOMEBODY GOOFED G/LLY GIUY OSSENFEFFER I CAN T TELL A WALTZ FROM A TANGO Wednesday, October 20, 1954’ 40th ASCAP ANNIVERSARY 100 40(h ASCAP Ali.MVKltSVIlV • i y • W«dnesd«j. October 20, 1054 Lyrics By MITCHELL PARISH Congratulations IStf# JOHNNY GREEN GENERAL MUSICAL DIRECTOR M.G.M. 40th ASf AP ANNIVERSARY AND IS HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THESE HITS PAPA LOVES MAMBO IN THE CHAPEL IN THE MOONLIGHT SKOKIAAN I WANT YOU ALL TO MYSELF SHAPIRO, BERNSTEIN t CO. INC. MUSIC PUBLISHERS RADIO CITY, NEW YORK 20 102 40th ASCAP ANNIVERSARY Vcdntidar, October 20 t 1954 104 40th ASCAP ANNIVERSARY Wednesday, October 20, 1954 JIMMY McHUGH ^4c <2 Ho. 1 Hove. Botujl tho Would “I’m In The Mood For Love” “I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby” By JIMMY McHUGH AND DOROTHY FIELDS The "Caine Mutiny" Theme Song I Can't Believe That You're in Love With Me I CAN'T GIVE YOU ANYTHING BUT LOVE, BABY ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET I COULDN'T SLEEP A WINK LAST NIGHT I FEEL A SONG COM IN' ON IT'S A MOST UNUSUAL DAY I'M IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE I MUST HAVE THAT MAN DREAM DREAM DREAM YOU'RE SWEETHEART m EXACTLY LIKE YOU SOUTH AMERICAN WAY I'M SHOOTING HIGH CUBAN LOVE SONG DINNER AT EIGHT LET'S GET LOST MY O W N m DIGGA DIGGA DOO LOST IN A FOG WHERE A R E YOU DON'T BLAME ME T HE MUSIC S TO P P E D CAN'T GET OUT OF THIS MOOD SPRING CAME EARLY THIS YEAR mn.«i THANK YOU FOR A LOVELY EVENING m COMIN' IN ON A WING AND A PRAYER WHEN MY SUGAR WALKS DOWN THE STREET THIS IS A LOVELY WAY TO SPEND AN EVENING WHEN MY SUGAR WALKS DOWN THE STREET Sung by JUDY GARLAND in the Warner Broil Picture “A STAR IS BORN” 40 YEARS O George M. Cohan and ASCAP GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROADWAY MARY'S A GRAND OLD NAME FORTY-FIVE MINUTES FROM BROADWAY HARRIGAN YANKEE DOODLE BOY SO LONG MARY YOU'RE A GRAND OLD FLAG ALWAYS LEAVE THEM LAUGHING WHEN YOU SAY GOOD-BYK GOOD-BYE FLO 1 GUESS I'LL HAVE TO TELEGRAPH MY BABY I'M AWFULLY STRONG FOR YOU IN A KINGDOM OF OUR OWN INDIANS AND TREES I WANT TO BE A POPULAR MILLIONAIRE I WANT TO HEAR A YANKEE DOODLE TUNE I WAS BORN IN VIRGINIA LIFE'S A FUNNY PROPOSITION AFTER ALL LOVE DREAMS NELLIE KELLY I LOVE YOU OH. YOU WONDERFUL GIRL THEN I'D BE SATISFIED WITH LIFE UNTIL MY LUCK COMES ROLLING ALONG A DARN GOOD CRY VENUS MY SHINING LOVE VOICE IN MY HEART WHEN WE ARE M-A-double R-l-E-D YOU REMIND ME OF MY MOTHER AND 400 MORE ★ ★ ★ THE MUSICAL COMEDY MAN Score (Not Yet Released) GEORGE M. COHAN MUSIC PUBLISHING CO., Inc. 1776 Broadway, New York 19, N. Y. SOLELY OWNED and OPERATED by THE COHAN FAMILY Wednesday, October 20, 1954 40tU ASCAP ANNIVERSARY 105 to ASCAP on its 40th ANNIVERSARY May it continue to protect copy- right for all composers, authors and publishers, serve its customers and the public. SAUL II. BOURNE 106 40th ASCAP AIVMVKRSARY Wednesday, October 20, 1954 SOUTHERN MUSIC PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC. LA SALLE MUSIC PUBLISHERS, INC. CHARLES K. HARRIS MUSIC PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC OF MAMBO IN THE YOU'RE NOBODY 'TIL SOMEBODY LOVES YOU SOLE SELLING AGENTS SOUTHERN 1619 Broadway I CO., Inc. New York 19, N.Y. For your forty years of t devoted unselfish service to the American people and to all phases of the amusement industry. For the protection, inspiration and security you've given our country's creative genius; the men and women who write music and lyrics: ANDY RAZAF Author of "IN THE MOOD/' "HONEYSUCKLE ROSE," "12th ST. RAG," "STOMPIN' AT THE SAVOY," "SPOSIN'," "CHRISTOPHER CO- LUMBUS," "BLACK AND BLUE," "MEM- ORIES OF YOU," "MAKE BELIEVE BALL- ROOM," "ON REVIVAL DAY," "THAT'S WHAT I LIKE 'BOUT THE SOUTH," "AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' " AND MANY OTHCiRS. I am proud to be a contributor to the mighty works of ASCAP. Following is a partial list of my songs: SAVE YOUR SORROWS FOR TOMORROW NO! NO! A THOUSAND TIMES NO! POTATOES ARE CHEAPER-TOMATOES ARE CHEAPER WHEN I'M THE PRESIDENT (WE WANT CANTOR) COMES A-LONG A-LOVE 99 OUT OF A 100 YOU GOTTA BE A FOOTBALL HERO ON A DEW DEW DEWY DAY HO-HO, HA-HA, ME TOO ON THE BEACH AT BALI BALI OVER SOMEBODY ELSE'S SHOULDER ROSES REMIND ME OF YOU GOT THE BENCH-GOT THE PARK PRETENDING MARCHING HOME TO YOU (Step by Step-Mile by Mile) FOR SENTIMENTAL REASONS WEAR A HAT WITH A SILVER LINING EVERY NOW AND THEN WANNA EAT? WANNA EAT? WANITA -r Symphonic Works — SOUNDS OF SEQUOIA FEATHER SUITE AL SHERMAN 108 4MMh ASCAP ANNIVERSARY Wednesday, October 20, 1954 AL STILLMAN W Writer of: SWEET AND LOVELY • MISS YOU • IT'S A LONESOME OLD TOWN AT YOUR COMMAND • NO REGRETS • WAIT FOR ME MARY • SAIL ALONG SIL'VRY MOON k $SZ%L 412 » f I i < . ! I m » ? I ^ ( 1 1 f l 1 1 1 1 n r 1 1 | , > M ) » ' . ' , * * * > 7t > 40th ASCAP ANNIVERSARY IIS 40lh ASCAP AXMVEItSAnV Pfa&IETY Wednesday, October 20, 1954 Gold Pan Alley of Song Continued from page 1 had to be played and replayed, and With the passing, of time, the re- petitive plugs of Youmans and Kern, Herbert and Friml, Porter and Romberg, Rodgers and Berlin, or name anybody you want, like- wise have created the. durable songs. These are our great stand- ards. And nobody— neither the producer and least . of all. the writer— knows what he had until such plugging takes place. I re- call the pannings we got “As Thousands. Cheer,' a Music Box show, but in time 'Heat Wave’ and ‘Easter Parade' .emerged, despite the Broadway critical opi . that ‘there isn’t a good tune in the f “Sometimes it takes an inter- pretatioiv to do it, which is where the records now play so important a role, because Cole Porter's ‘Be- gin Jhe ' Begui * meant nothing originally in his ‘Jubilee* until an Artie Shaw recording gave it the proper lustre. True, sometimes these ‘interpretations’ become a little ridiculous, as the time I was intrigued with one of those ‘pro- gressive’ bands. ’ I listened to their record style, was impressed by some fancy noodling, and was frankly surprised to discover they Were playing my ‘Blue Skies.”’ ‘Jbe-Humanlzing' of the Business The “de-humanizing” of the mu- sic business is one of Berlin's salient observations because of the disk development. He recalls how writers, and pitiggers and perform- ers were a clannish, warm and in- timate group. They discussed their songs On a man-to-man basis in yesteryear eating-greeting spots like Wolpin’s and Freeman’s in New York (pre-Lindy’s), . Henrici’s in Chicago, Coffee Dan’s in Frisco, and in the many more then exist- ing theatrical clubs where vaude- Villiaris congregated. The writers and pluggers personally saw what a performer could or couldn’t do with a new song at its break-in at the drpheum or the Palace, Ham- riierstein’s. or the Winter Garden. The electronic evolution in today’s show biz has taken the music biz into the same impersonal stride. In another era Some writers spe- cialized in ballads, some in rag- time; some were known for their novelty and comedy flair and some had a knack for tailoring a song especially for some headliner, knowing that if Jolson or Nora Bayes, Belle Baker or Van & Schenck clicked with it, it was good for plugs right down the line in the length and breadth of vaude- ville. A Tough Business The unique intra-trade reputa- tion that “it’s a tossup whether Berlin is better businessman than songwriter, or vice , versa'’ is:] not denied by Berlin. “Songwrit- ing is a business, and a hard busi- ness,” he states; “and a good songwriter stays up there for a long time only if he averages out good, such as Jolson and Crosby, Cantor and Lauder, and. in more recent days, Como and Eddie Fisher figure to stay up there -a long time. “One 'Sh-Boom* or ‘Oop-Shoop’ doesn’t make a hit writer, and on the other hand a guy like Vincent Youmans, who wrote only a hand-, ful of tunes, had that durable quality which makes him as popu- lar today when 'Tea for Two’ or ‘Time On My Hands’ or ‘Great Day’ first started, if not more so.” Berlin’s appraisal of the music business is (1) that the audiences haven’t changed; the change has been chiefly intra-trade; and (2), this thing .called “standards” is not. restricted 'to the yesteryear songs. There's no telling What will be- come a standard. It’s Still the Same Pattern “Gus Edwards' ‘School. Days’ and ‘Sunbonnet Sue,' ” says Berlin, “would click with the kids today as they did 40 years ago, so. don't let us say that the public’s tastes have changed. The business has changed, yes. It is more competi- tive; there are more songwriters and more music publishers, There are more record labels, and there I are more people interested in mu- ] So maybe it takes longer for: j som^hing to breai ; through, just as thanks to this network of disk jockeys, born of the many phono: graph record manufacturers^ on the market, there is greater oppor- tunity for a ‘Sh-Boom’ and some | new artist to become a hit. But we had our. ‘ ut songs’ and novel- ties in another era too, so that is no great, surprise. ■ ‘They talk about hillbilly and cprnba.il songs. What do you think ‘The Last Roundup' and ‘Home On The Range’ are? They’re hillbillies, but they’re also now great American, standards. Just like ‘Goodnight Irene’ and ‘Ten- nessee Waltz’ [both BMI catalog items— Ed ] will become standards too in time. “True,” he continues, “today an interpretation means more than a sortg. And then I’m not so sure if that differs so much, from what Jolson could do with- a song — his was an ‘interpretation’ too and it made many a song.” That “Compulsory License” This brings Berlin to one of his pet gripes about the Copyright Act in relationship to the compul- sory license. “Once anybody cuts a record everybody else may do so by merely filing a ‘notice of user.' Not only does this force us into competition With ourselves but the Government even puts a pricetag limitation on the com- petition; This isn't true of any other creative artist who invaria- bly can control the merchandising of his own material. Paradoxical- ly, if this philosophy of ‘notice of user’ were carried through, then if I granted Metro the synchroni- zation rights of one of my works or scores (for a negotiated fee, of course ) , that should permit Fox or Paramount to do the same. It’s a paradox that we can control all our rights, excepting that one lit- tle thing, compulsory license.” (This doesn’t take in the trade aspect where any diskery could, at will,, back up a Berlin or a Porter hit with . p.d.-^public domain tune-— dr some other “dog” it may. have bought outright for a few bucks. Which has been knoWn to happen. Disk labels have even uncoupled previously selling back- I’to-back tunes* and substituted am other item on the ‘B’ side for eco- nomic reasons of their own. ) Beilin's stance on ASCAP ties in with his forthright attitude that “writing songs is a profession. We have good songs and bad songs, good shows arid bad shows, there are good editions of Variety and sometimes they’re not as good, but it all averages out on- the upside if you know your business, “Songwritirig has become a business because that’s what it is for over 3,000 professional writer- members of ASCAP* and over 7,000 publishers. .We’re living in a com- mercial country, so economics is the barometer of success in our profession as it is in any other business. What produce is worthy of its -hire. But without ASCAP’s perform- ance revenue I couldn’t survive. Without those quarterly remittances from a performing rights society like ASCAP I would have to close shop and. see my 30-yeqr-old Or- ganization go down the drain be- cause sheet music arid records arid revenues from foreign affiliates no longer can keep a publisher going, But ASCAP is jusf as good for the user of music, as it is for the writers and publishers^— it is a con- stantly replenishing reservoir that never runs dry or can be permitted to run dry.” For 24 years I've been PROUD to be a member in l«ppy Doer it By JIM WALSH Judging, from ..the number of pop songs turned out, the Brill Build- ing contingent In general appears to favor baseball over football. Ditties turned out about the so- called “national sport” are count- less but those devoted to praising the glories of the gridiron pastime are few in comparison. This statement leaves out of con- sideration the hundreds of songs written by college students or alumni in honor of the football teams of their alma maters* even though some Of the numbers have become so popular with the gen- eral public they almost rate as standard pop songs. Typical are “The Washington and Lee Swing,” by Thornton Allen, M. W. Sheafe & C. A. Robbins (slow down the tempo a bit and it sounds a lot like “Chinatown, My Chinatown”); “A Ramblin’ Wreck From, Georgia Tech,”; Frank Crumit’s memorable “Buckeye Battle Cry,” and W. T. Purdy’s “On, Wisconsin!” which, with simple changes in the lyric, appears to have furnished the foot- ball songs for half the high schools in the country. . Probably Yale’s "Boola Song” deserves rating as a bonafide pop-, ular ditty, even though nobody seems Sure who Wrote it. The ditty has been credited at different times to A. M. Hirsch, Cole. Porter arid “Sonny” Cunha. Shortly after it appeared in 1901, it was introduced into a comic talking record of the type so popular in the early days of talking machines. The record, “A Night Trip. to Buffalo; or Two Irishmen in a Sleeper” contained a scene in which there was some loud rah-rahing, leading to an iratri inquiry from a sleepy pas- senger, “Well, porter, who are those howling maniacs?” The por- ter replied, “Dem’s de Yale Col- lege football boys, suh, celebratin’ derft victory over de Harvard boys!” It might have been a good idea to make a second version of the record in which the Crimson re- joiced in its victory over the Blue, to please those with Harvard pref- erences. That sort of a stunt was pulled by an English comedian, Eric Foster, who made allegedly comic monologs arid “descriptive specialties” for the Edison Brill Co. 40-Odd years ago. Foster waxed a series of platters about Imaginary football games. If the label read “Newcastle vs. Manchester/’ New- castle won the game. If it- said “Manchester vs. Newcastle,” Man- chester walked off with the vic- tory. Probably the biggest selling foot- ball “specialty” of all time- is Andy Griffith’s-" What" It Was, Was Foot- ball,” of a year ago, first issued by a small record company in North Carolina and then picked up by Capitol. Griffith, a Carolina school teacher, succeeded at least momentarily in reviving # the great monolog days of “Uncle Josh,” “Flanagan,” “Casey” and “Cohen.” Going half m century farther back into history, Charles Zimmer- man wrote a song called “Foot- ball,” cung by the late Dave Mont- gomery and the still current Fred Stone in “The Wizard of Oz.” Like many latter-day critics, it described football as a combination of skull- duggery, skull cracking and may- hem. Elsie Janis’ Number In 1909, Elsie Janis was ap- pearing in a musicomedyi “The Fair Coed,” by Gustave Luders. One of the production numbers was a football song, “The Day of the Grime.” It was recorded for Victor by the Peerless Quartet, . (It isn’t on record that Miss Janis wrote a football Song, but in 1912 she authored “That Fascinating Baseball Slide.”) About the same time, Cecil Lane and C. M. Chapel came through with a ditty called “Rah! Rah! Rah!” but in spite of its collegiate title it didn’t refer directly to the pigskin parade. /Many other songs, treating col- lege life With irony or humor could be quoted, . but their asso- ciation with football is usually slight, including perhaps just a passing mention. “Collegiate” in 1925 set off the trend. It was fol- lowed by “The Collegiate Blues,” “Freshie,” “Speedy Boy,” “Th Whoopee Hat Brigade,” “Oh, How We Love Our Alma Mater,”. “Ha Ain’t Never Been to College”' and “Doin’ the Raccoon.” Years earlier, there had been many others of the., same general type. Represen- tative specimens are “That College Rag,” “What’s the Matter With Father?” “College Life,” “He’s a College Boy” and “When It’s Night Time in Italy It’s Wednesday Over Here,” the latter’s hero being “ rah rah college boy.” However, there Wasn’t any doubt about the football flavor of “I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream,” defied in 1927 by Howard Johnson, Billy Moll and Robert King (Bob Keiser.) The lyric told of the prowess of the gridiron warriors of the Eskirrio college team of Oogie Wa Wa. Arid half a generation 'after, “Collegiate” made the tunesriiiths college-con- scious, there were a couple of (Continued on page 122) Congratulations MALCOLM BEELBY BOBBY TROUP I am proud to be associated with such d great bunch of guys. NELSON RIDDLE INEZ r , . ,. . BUDDY JAMES igr at ulations. Wednesday, OctoW 20, 1954 MUSIC 119 ^ "V A HIT A Fort Knox For Creators Living in, a nation which measures success by the economic factors,, there is no reason why any organization of music ators should have any other yardstick. The utilization of music for merchandising of wares over the air, in canned or synchron- ized form and in person, brooks no lofty approach. The Music Business is just that— a realistic business despite all its artistic overtones and . creative values. The 40 years of progress by the American Society of Com- posers, Authors & Publishers is an American success story all its oWn. Unlike the legendary itinerant peddlers or the doughty frontier-breakers who became merchant princes and railroad tycoons, not all of the visionary nine stalwarts, who founded ASCAP in 1914, lived to see the occasion seven years later' when some $24,000- constituted the first royalty melon in 1921. But they had founded a potent dynasty of great substance: Perhaps they never envisioned the rich ore in America's music lore just as most of the. covered wagon pioneers didn’t realize the full po- tential of the American frontier; The dollar-sign Saga of ASCAP is unavoidable because the succession of legal test suits by potential music 1 licensees put a large economic yardstick on the usage of music for public per- formance for profit. That it must be worthy of its. hire is best answered by the $5,500,00(1 per annum that the Society realized in' 1940; and twice that a decade later; and almost thrice that as of this writing. More Important is the Society’s function as a custodian of the creative property rights of a group of' more than 3,250 song- smiths. arid over 700 music publishers whose 500,000 copyrights have resulted in what a recent Nation’s Business article summed . up as “Music Industry Plays Billion $ Tun!*” to quote that finan- cial monthly’s exact headline. But that “billion $” covers the whole works from disk sales, on which the writers and publishers collect only 2cr per side, to the grand rights. ASCAP controls only the performance values of the “small rights,” which may appear to be a misnomer in view Of the current year’s expected $16,000,000 distribution. But maybe on second look, this music bill isn’t s b large when it’s considered that it averages out to under j$3, 000 per annum per Titer on the ASCAP roster. ^ ASCAP’s service has been analyzed time and again. There no question that a Stephen Foster could never have died penni- less were there an ASCAP in his time. We have no* state-owned or subsidized agencies for the lively *its— -music, drama, ballet and the like— as obtains in many European and South Ameri- can countries. We don’t need it. Artistic patronage must appear to. many as dangerous in putting t$e creator at the, will and whim of some affluent bureaucratic agency or individual. ASCAP is a more realistic source of patronage because it is controlled by its ; creator-members. The more they put in the more they realize with the successive years, as the new forms of show biz merchandising flourish. There have been periodic interruptions by legal decree and industry variations, but the economic chart of ASCAP best tells •the story that, as American industry segues from radio to tele- vision, as performing rights from Hollywood and ballrooms, theatres and niteries, and all Other users increase or diminish, one or another segment comes to the fore as a greater contrib- utor for the use of the Society’s rich treasury of music in the form- of public performance for profit. After 40 years, ASCAP looms as a Gibraltar in the American entertainment industry because, as vaudeville and the silents experienced eclipse; the new show biz values have emerged as greater giants, able and willing to avail itself of the Society’s rich fountainhead of. music. Thus, the music biz emerges as perhaps the strongest single segment in show business — this de- spite the incursions into its other intra-trade problems, which run the gamut from shattered music sales, an obsolete compul- sory licensing proviso under the 1909 statute, and not forgetting that ole debbil jukebox. With it all, the Society is a sunny Fort Knox- type umbrella that shields its membership against economic clouds for most of their lifetimes.. This is indeed a healthy note that reverber- ates 40 years later after nine visionary gents shuttled between the old Lambs Club and Luchow’s on Wth Street— and came uptown to Shanley’s Restaurant for that now historic Victor Her- bert test case. The indie diskers are now join-' ,n 8 the swing to 45 rpm piatt.ers f °r their cuffo disk jockey services. Some of them are doing -it because ■ the cost-savingS involved in bsfog the. 45s, but other indies are fyding they have no choice but to *° a \ on g with the 45 rpm trend.- This “coercion” stems from the ac t that the major disk compa- which do most of (he pressing °r the indie labels, are now con- centrating on the 45 rpm platters, ne indie labels discover they can’t fast action from the pressing Plants if they want the oldstyle (Continued on page 123) MDSE. TIEUP FOR XMAS An indie disk .company, Prevue Records, is pushing its own mer- chandise tieup with one of its releases for the Christmas market. Titled “I Want A Puppy In My Stocking For Xmas,” the disk is being sold in conjunction with a toy French poodle also marketed by Prevue. Total price is slightly under $4 for. the disk and poodle. Prevue is operated by Joe God- ridge; who also is co-writer on the tune and publishes it via his own Dray Music firm, a BMI affiliate. ASCAPV Braille Plug The American Society of Com- posers, Authors & Publishers is sponsoring the October issue of the Braille Musician mag. According to Stanley Adams, ASCAP pi’exy, the Society ’ will make its sponsorship of the mag an annual affair. By HERM SCHOENFELD Tbe story of ASCAP as the back- bone of the modern pop music business is graphically underscored in the money figures; While the. take from sheet music sales has virtually declined to the vanishing point and the 2c per disk side makes neither publisher nor tpne- smith rich, the growing revenue from ASCAP has filled in the in- come gaps. In short, without, per- formance money, the pop music biz could not survive today. V In straight cash terms, a top tune of. the stature of “I Believe” or “O Mein Papa” earns around $12-$1 5,000 for its publisher from ASCAP performances at the peak of its popularity. Beyond the cur- rent performances, moreover, a hit song has deferred values in contributing eventually to a pub- lisher’s availability and seniority ratings. For an ASCAP writer, a hit song means a .quick $4,fiO0 to $5,000 in the bank if he does both words and music (with proportionate splits for collaborating tune- smiths). In addition,, a hit makes important contributions to the long- term classification brackets and will give the writer approximately another $20,000 spread out over many years. Paging The IBM’s Since the 1950 antitrust consent decrees, ASCAP’s distribution sys- tems have undergone complex mathematical revisions, calling for International Business Machine’s computations, but the fundamental unit of calculation still is the plug — the music biz foundation stone. During 1953, ASCAP’s log showed a total of some 35,000,000 (Continued on page 127) Ozoners New Tyro Singers Drive-in theatres have opened up a new in-person outlet for tyro singers. With hardtop presentation houses on the wane the past few years, young disk talent has been hardpressed for “live’Vshowcasings. The ozorier circuit now offers them the opportunity to get out of the recording studio and. perform in front of an audience.. The drive-in belt is being trail- blazed by crooner Glenn Taylor. For the past three months, Taylor has been one-nighting in ozoners through New England. Taylor booked his own dates with the ozoner operators and worked on a percentage basis. The drive-in bps pitched in- on thie exploitation of the date by buying spots on local radip stations and by promoting Taylor’s disks on the dee jay pro- grams. Several ops already have booked Taylor for return dates next season. Taylor etches for the indie Pri- mos label. His current release is “You Send Me” and “Please Re- turn,” which he co-perined with A1 Roggio. DAY-10VE ME’ AS COL’S NEXT BIG SOUNDTRACK Hollywood, Oct. i9. Columbia’s next big soundtrack album will be “Love . Me or Leave Me,” from the Metro musical star- ring Doris Day. Plattery got the package automatically, since Miss Day is under contract and neither James Cagney nor Richard Ander- son, other top players, have any disk commitments. “Love Me” is the biography of Ruth Etting; one of the top femme singers of the post World War I era. Score will include top hits: of tlie late 1920s and early ’30s. Rhymes With a Reason One of the top examples of ASCAP’s public service in song is best exemplified by the contribution, of twp of the Society’s writers, Hy Zaret and A1 Singer. Team, called “the Rodgers & Hamiperstein of Public Service Songs,”' have penned such topical items as “Little Songs On Big Subjects” (on Americanism), “Little Songs For Living Longer” ( safety). The public service songs have received numerous awards: r fflg Off on Platters The record companies are begin- ning to pave the way for publish- ers to get a double crack at the hit lists by giving the same firm both sides of the platter. This is a de- parture from previous coupling practice, . and the diskers who’ve given the pubs the two-sided break have discovered that it’s; paying off. ' Heretofore, the disk company artists & repertoire men believed that splitting the disk between two firms would get the platter a dou- ble-barrelled promotion- They’ve since discovered, .. however, that a lot of publishers had been sneaking in on the back of hit sides without putting any effort at all in pushing their song. Once a publisher dis- covered that the other side was breaking through, the diskery could get no cooperation from him to exploit his side. The diskers now figure that if a publisher is on both sides of an etching, he’ll spend more money on promotion and even if one tune seems to get an edge, he’ll not relax his effort to push the slow side. E. H. Morris’ music firms have been playing an important part in beating down the diskery reluc- tance to back-to-back the same publisher. In the past couple of months, Sid Korriheiser, Morris* general professional manager, set tne firm’s “Mr. Sandman” and “They Were", Doing the Mambo” with Vaughn Monroe at RCA Vic- tor, “Come Of Age” and "Every Time I Love. You” with Joni James at MGM, and “Mr. Sandman” and “I Don’t Want to See You Crying” with The Chordettes at Cadence. The Warner Bros, firms also got in on the two-on-one kick with Le- Roy Holmes’ MGM coupling of “Tara’s Theme” arid “Jamie.” + A motion comes up for argument tomorrow (Thurs.) in N. Y. Supreme Court to strike out the fourth separate defense by George Paxton Inc., Ervin. Drake, Jimmy Shirl, Radio Corp. of America and Music Dealers Service Inc. to the large damage suit brought by Kingsway Music Corp., Joseph Diamond and Paul Cohen. Latter want twice $250,000 dam- ages on the allegation that Cohen and Diamond gave Drake and Shirl the' idea for “My. Friend,” which Eddie Fisher recorded for RCA. Victor. Cohen also wants to be declared one-third collaborator of the song, because it was his “idea” and Kingsway (which is owned by Diamond, who is also an attorney) wants declaratory relief and 75% . of the estimated $250,000 profits, or $187,500, for also having first given the idea to Drake and Shirl in “friendship, trust arid con- fidence” iri the expectation that the sorig ' idea— the friendship of man with God — -would be ceded to Kingsway, Diamond and Cohen. When Paxton published the song * - Doris Day .Denise Lor ... Connee Boswell t Dinah Shore Eddie Fisher ( Rosemary Clooney j Sammy Davis, Jr, Perry Como Rosemary Clooney I Crew Cuts l Stan Freberg Don Cornell ( Ralph Mafterie Four Lads . Louis Armstrong R.ay Anthony Bill Haley-Comets Les Paul-Maty Ford . Columbia .Majar . . . . Decca . . Victor ’ Victor , Columbia . .Decca .Vi . Columbia . . Mercury > . . Capitol . . Coral Mercury . .Columbia .Decca . . . Capitol .Decca Capitol X HIGH AND THE MIGHTY SMILE FORTUNE IN DREAMS HONEY LOVE I CRIED GOODNIGHT, SWEETHEART, GOODNIGHT MUSKRAT RAMBLE OOP-SHOOP THEY WERE DOING THE M'M!3d f’JVI A FOOL TO CARE 1 Pictures , *n parentheses indicate number of f Victor Young J LeRoy Holmes , 1 Johnny Desmond 1 Les Baxter \N : at . (King) Cole . } Sunny Gale Kay Starr ( Vicki Young l Drifters Patti . Page ( McGuire Sisters j Sunny Gate. ( McGuire Sisters ( Matys Brothers Crew Cuts Vaughn Monroe • : • Les Paul-Mjary Ford weeks 'song Has been in the Top 10] » M » ♦♦»♦♦♦ 44-4 . . . Decca v . , . ... .MGM Coral ; . . . . . Capitol Capitol . . : , . Victor : Capitol . . . . . .Capitol . .Atlantic Mercury . Coral , . . , . . Victor . . Coral , Essex .... .Mercury Victor Capitol r«.i t . n i i* 10 The top 30 songs of week (more in case of ties), based on copyrighted Audience Coverage Index & Audience Trend Index. Published by Office of Research, Inc., Dr. John Gray Peatman, Director. Alphabetically listed. Survey Week of October 8-14, 1954 Cara. Mi ...... ...... . Feist . Count Your Blessings— ( "White Christmas” . . , , , . .Berii Fanny— * "Fanny” . .... ‘ ..Chappell Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight .. . ;Arc Hajji Baba — ^"Adventures of Hajji Baba” , . Remick Heaven Was Never like This , , , . . . . Famous Hernando’s Hideaway— .♦"Pajama Game” . Frank Hey There- — *"Pajama Gartie” . . . .... . . Frank High And The Mighty*— t “High And The Mighty” Witmark Hold My Hand — t "Susan Slept Here” .......... . Raphael I Have To Tell You Chappell I. Need You Now . , ... ....... ....... Miller If I Give My Heart To You . .Miller I’m A Fool To Care -... ..Peer In -The Chapel In The Moonlight ,-i .. ...... . Shapiro-B Little Shoemaker Bourne Love, You Didn’t Do Right — t "White Christmas” .Berlin Man That Got Away — 1“A Star. Is Born” Harwi Mood Indigo . , ........ ... .... Mills Muskrat Ramble . Simon Papa Loves Mambo - Shapiro-B Sabrina— (‘"Sabrina ’ Famous Sh-Boom . . . H & R Skokiaan Shapiro-B Smile .... ... . '....Bourne Song Of Barefoot Contessa— ("‘Barefoot Contessa” . . Chappell Sway ........ . ... ... ... ... peer There’s A Small Hotel — *"On Your Toes” Chappell This Ole House Hamblen You’re Nobody ’Til Somebody Loves You ..Southern Top 30 Songs on TV (More In Case of Ties) Count Your Blessings — t"White Christmas’! Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight ,. . . . . . . Hernando’s Hideaway — ^♦“Pajama Game” Hey There— ♦"Pajama Game”.; ...... High Arid The Mighty— f"High Arid The Mighty I Cried' A. V. Ar.'v ■. I Need You Now .> . . .... . ... I Wpiildn’t '.Walk Across The. Street' If I Give. My Heart To You .... I’m A Fool To Care . .... , . In The Chapel In The Moonlight . . JOCy ...... i .. r i - . , . . , ; , Little Shoemaker ..... Mama Doll Song Man That. Got Away— t" A Star Is Born” Muskrat Ramble ....... Never ynderestimate One Arabian Night Papa Loves Mambo Sh-Boom Shangri-La .... i ... . . Sisters— ("White Christmas” ...... Skokiaan Smile .■ .. .. . . , . - -. . Steam Heat— ^ ♦"Pajama Gartie” . . . . . , .... , . . Sway Teach Me Tonight • They Were Doing The P.l This Ole House Uno . . . Berlin . . Arc . . Frank . . Frank . . Witmark . . Meadowbrook . . Miller ... Hawthorne ..Miller . . Peer . . Shapiro-B . v Lowell . . Bourne . , Lear . . Hartvin . i Simon . . Laurel . .Meridian , . Shapiro-B . . H&R . . Robbins . . Berlin . . Shapiro-B ... Bourne . . Frank . .Peer . . Hub M a yf a iY . . Hamblen ...'Peer t Filmusical. * Legit musical Wednesday, October 20, 1954 . MUSIC 121 .000.000 HI-FI BIZ Hollywood,. Oct. 19. 4 Only a handful of po)p artists have made the grade in the kidisk field as well, but those who have can depend on ‘‘annuities” for many years to come. Beyond that, however, it's one of the “most, satisfying aspects of recording,” according to Rosemary Clooney who is one of the, top children's record artists as well as one of the top pop artists on the Colum- bia label. Miss Clooney has recorded ap- proximately 4 00 kid sides ‘since she hit the top as a Single. Once the original cost of the date is paid off, the. royalties come in at a pleasingly regular pace. “About one third of my record income,” Miss Clooney reveals, “comes from children's records alone,” Field is one' that poses constant problems from the standpoint of material. Kids generally don’t get to hear a record until after it's purchased, - so largely the material depends upon parental tastes. Pop may buy it and bring it home but there's ; no way of telling, after- ward, how often it’s played. Working In Vacuum “It's, disconcerting sometimes,” Miss Clooney says, ‘‘because the field is so different from the pop one. There are’ no disk jockeys playing the childrens’ records and no charts devoted exclusively to how they’re being received around the country. You never know how you’re doing.” In theory, of course, an artist with top many disks that the kids don’t dig will soon find sales ] slipping-^a circumstance parallel- ing what happens, in the pop field. Since the. purchaser isn’t the con- sumer, however, this is no real criterion.. From the recording standpoint, the big problem is in finding the. proper material. ‘‘People submit children’s, tunes to us all the time, but it’s difficult to find things we think will really fill the bill. When we do, we hold on to the tune and when we can get four of- them, we cut a session. “They must be simple and they must be logical. Kids have very definite ideas • on the subject. Someone once wrote one about ‘Francis, the Talking Mule’ , arid it seemed like a cute song. We tried it out on a youngster, how- ever, and got a rejection. She didn’t want to hear about Francis, she wanted to hear Francis.” One of, the -biggest stumbling blocks, however, Miss Clooney has overcome with ease, as the 100 sides attest, “For some reason,” she points out, “children aren’t too fond of a woman’s voice on records. They prefer that their material be recorded by men. Maybe it’s because they associate a woman’s voice with mother's all-day-long discipline.”' Hollywood, Oct. 19. Trend Records,/ Coast odd-label, is Undergoing a period of reodgani-^ miph and may wind up as a co- operative platter outfit. Prexy Al- bert Marx already has huddled with several disk artists in an ef- fort to learn When they will be free of existing contracts and whether they would be interested hi joining Trend on a participating Outfit currently has Jerry Field- ing: and Herb Jeffries under con- tract and recently released the Lancers to Coral. Mana-Zucca’s Pops Mana-Zucca, composer of longhair and standard numbers •her big hit is “I Love Life”), has 3ust had two pop -tunes published, /Jennie” and “I Know, I Know Its Love.” Mazica Records recently issued the tunes, with Jimi Beni as. vocalist and the Ernie Warren Trio backgrounding. Composer has also just com- pleted a violin concerto for the longhair trade. Youth Will Be Served While bigname concert artists find it difficult to sell out for a. single concert in N, Y. in a sea- son, a group of German school kids, the Obernkircheh Children’s Choir, is setting some sort of rec- ord in N. Y. Making their U. S. debut with three concerts in Town Hall, N. Y., in late September, kids sold Out all three, before going out on tour, and had to sked an extra concert Oct: 3i. Now they’ve had to add a fifth Town Hall concert, on Nov.: 7, plus a concert in Brooklyn Nov. 5, before sailing home, Kurt Wein- hold, of Columbia Artists Mgt., is handling the U. S. bookings. > Hollywood, Oct. 19. Taking a leaf from the “loanout” book Of the motion picture com- panies, several diskeries have given an unprecedented okay to ;credit the iristrumentalists who made the Private Hell 36” soundtrack from which Coral has assembled an al- bum . for release early next month. Score was written arid conducted by Leith Stevens and is one of the first all-jazz scores for a motion picture. Because of the quality of the work. Coral wanted to give liner credit to all the instrumentalists who participated, including some of the best known jazz men on the coast. Other labels agreed that credit would be permissible and clearances were granted. Personnel on the soundtrack in- cludes Sal Franzella. and Leonard Niehaus, alto saxes; Bob Cooper and Jirii Giuffre, tenor saxes; Bob Gordon, baritone; Bud Shanks, bass sax;, Paul Sarmerito,, tuba; Pete Candoli, Charlie Grifford, Shorty Rogers and Carlton McBeth, trum- pets; Milt Bernhardt, Harry Betts, Bob Enevoldsen and George Rob- erts, trombones; John Graas, horn; Claude Williamson, piano; Shelly Manne, drums and Joe Mondrag- on, bass. Liner lists Guiffre, Cooper ahd Williamson, courtesy of Capitol Records; Rogers, Bernhardt and Franzell, courtesy of RCA Victor; Gordon and Shanks, courtesy of Pacific Jazz, and Manne and Nie- haus, courtesy of Contemporary Records. . George Cates, Coral’s Coast re- cording director, called it the “greatest example yet of coopera- tion between record companies.” Label may also issue one part of the score as a single. ON ‘BOY FRIEND’ ALBUM Coral Records will lock horns with. RCA Victor, via its album of “The Boy Friend,” current click on Broadway. Coral will buck Vic- tor's original cast set with a special package of the score featuring Teresa Brewer, Don Cornell and Paul Whiteman. Bob . Tiele, Coral’s artists & repertoire topper, is banking ori his name pactees to give the original cast set a run for its money. The Victor album features compara- tive unknowns to the U. S; disk market, since the majority of the featured players in the musical were imported from England. . “Boy Friend” was written by . Sandy Wilson and was produced by | Cy Feuer and Ernest Martin. Score ) ia published by Chappell. Thd hi-fi boom is still curving sharply upwards. The high-fideli- ty equipment makers, who shared in a $100,000;000 gross in 1953, will , hit the $200,000,000 sales marker this year and, according to present indications/ will move into] the $300,000,000 bracket in . 1955 when a tapering off process is expected/ to occur. The prosperity sign was evident at the Audio Fair at the Hotel New Yorker, N. Y., which woujnd up a four-day stand Sunday (17 j after at- tracting a record crowd of 30,000 potential customers. As against some 120 exhibitors last year, the 1954 Audio Fair housed about 150 exhibits this year. . One significant feature of this year’s Audio. Fair was the entry of German manufacturers into the American hi-fi market for the first, time. Vp to now, Americans and British have had a virtual monopo- ly on this .field. The Germans, how- ever, were represented by several equipment manufacturers, such as Telefunken, the Sicilians group, Grundig-Majestic International and others. Lowprlced Tapes While few technical innovations- were shown in the hi-fi field, the emergence of lowpriced hi-fi tape machines was a notable feature of the fair, Engineers pointed out that the quality of $150 type ma- chine today _was only available in $300 machines a couple of years ago. Primarily responsible for the rise in quality among the low- priced units has been the avail- ability of cheap, but good recordr ing heads. Haynes-Griffin, Madison Ave., N. Y., record, shop, conducted an experiment of selling hi-fi disks at the fair. Sales activity was unusu- ally high, with Haynes-Griffin liquidating its exhibit costs via the; sales and, at the same- time, get- ting its advertising message across. All the major disk labels, such as RCA Victor, Columbia, Capitol and Mercury* wwe represented with exhibs, both Victor and Col also showcasing their hi-fi equip- ment lines. Victor had the most ex- tensive layout with exhibits in four rooms: displaying their full line of readymade sets and component parts. Robert Stephens, of the Stephens Manufacturing Corp., displayed a microphone designed for . video and film studio purposes. Mike is designed to be carried in a pocket, with a built-in transmitter. Unit eliminates the need for audio booms ah Variety.: Re your editorial on motion picture theme songs, if you take .a look at the current crop of them starting with “Ruby,” "Moulin Rouge,” “Moon Is Blue,” “High 'Noon,” “High and. the Mighty,” “Three . Coins,” “Woman’s World,” and “Song of the Barefoot Con- tessa” one things stands out. These are all good songs, With distinct' possibilities Of. becoming stand- ards. If these movie themes can help elevate the musical standards of the current pop Hit Parade songs, I say Amen. Anything is better than “Sh-Boom” and “Skokiaan.” I agree that movie themes can be carried too far, but one “Laura” is worth six. put of seven Of the current Hit Parade. Nice musical themes may help, to restore some quality to oUr much abused pub- lishing biz. Hi J. (Buddy) Robbins. Frazier’s Liner Continued from page 120 to the Indians” (“Too Many Girls,” 1939). Conceding this torchanteuse’s adult manner of style and intel- ligent lyrical; interpretation, Fra-, zier’s profile is by no means ordi- nary verbiage; Firstly, it is the most uninhibited exposition by a seasoned observer of the passing Show biz scene, done in earthy lan- guage, yet to adorn an album which theoretically is designed for broad home- consumption. There are no four-letter. Words; but the lusty language Frazier employs to paint his affectionate word picture of a favorite thrush seems to have been influenced by the F. Scott Fitzger- ald and Hemingway references which he interposes in word-paint- ing some, obviously sentimentally nostalgic days of his own early years. It is a sweetly profane harkback to what is patently a memorable segment in Frazier’s life and times in Boston and Man- hattan, before he became entertain- ment; editor of Life magazine, which post he resigned some years ago to freelance. . This tangent review of a profes- sional scrivener’s “liner” is as un- orthodox in what should be tech- nically a “disk review” as is Frazier's own jacket notes. Hence it, is a notable trade observation, fOr Frazier may well have pio- neered another new pattern in an VARIETY Wednesday* October 20, 1954 BETAR DISK BEST SELLERS “ -p'SteiETY Survey of retail disk best sellers based on reports ob- tained from leading stores in 21 cities and showing coin- parative sales fating, for this and last week. National Rating This Last o 0 >» a- w 1 u ■O PH « 9 ) w *H o. u 0) X-> ■ b. w 9 ) a P VI w i IS •S •s e$- k 8 o CO 3 a a> A ■ wi o c 3 S o CO ■p : >» a o O' * c < % tt «* o fi Vi. 'c B a> > 0 : .J. 1 w £ fl- •we i V 1 a o 45 w TJ (x O O ,a> Ph Vi- to* O a) a w. 6 a ..a o 45 .CO. t O ■ ■ cj. 0) tf .2 Fx CO S *3 o- 01 to S Q V). a •fe fa w. i w ■a § o CO 3- a a>. .45 . o U o .b 03 «.x PH 0 6 ■.« w 1 I % 9 u m o. Oh fl 8 •o s w i a « co I" I t m B (V =s d co- 9 ) H fi- O' Q: l •m I ct o . o. O o '53 S' a co . B ■ 33 ' .b -E? . toOrt O' 3 2 B 4> :P V B « • O; U % O B .03 9 ) 45 CO. 1 ( 9 . t) T O T A L P 0 1 N T 1 TTB* 1 ROSEMARY CLOONEY (Columbia) “Hey There”. . . . 1 i t 2 :■ 4 ' • 4 1 « • • • i 1 1 3 fl 1 3 2 1 2 153 2 2 EDDIE FISHER (Victor) “I Need You Now” . . 2 6 3 5 « • ,,.2'. 4 4 6 1 7 2 3 5 2 4 i 2 7 5 4 9 133 3 5 DON CORNELL (Coral) “Hold My Hand” ......... 5 4 5 4 • ; • . 5 : '" 4. 1 2 4 • 3 2 io 6 9 9 •7. 2 4 9 10 108 4 3 ~CREW CUTS (Mercury) “Sh-Boom” . .. .......... 6 '■7 i 4 9 9 10 3 4 4 5 4 4 2 5 5 2 4 9 2 4 97 5 4 RALPH MARTERIE (Mercury) “Skokiaan” v .T 5 • 4 • 1 3 ■ k 4 p • 5 • • 6 4 to. 3 3 6 3 3 6 • •• 4 81 6 6 DORIS DAY (Columbia) “If I Give My Heart to You”. ...... 4 9 4 . < 4 « 4 1 5 • . '*• • . 10 4 • » 4 * 4 5 6 3 V 5 .. 79 7. 7 ROSEMARY CLOONEY (Columbia) “This Ole House” 3 ... 3 • 4- • • (‘ ’ ■\2 • • 5 7 to • 8 ~1 2 io 5 1 . > '• 8 77 8 9 BILL HALEY— COMETS (Decca) “Shake, Rattle and Roll” 9 3 • p. ... 5 » • 6 • • • • 5 • 9 1 .7 10 10 r.to • 5 51 9 11 PERRY COMO (Victor) “Rapa Love's Mainbo”. .... 8 2 2 2 .. 7 10 4. .• 10 • •. ... io • V to 'to to 4. 4 10 • • 45 10 10 VICTOR YOUNG (Decca) “High and the Mighty” ...... • • ■ « » • ' 4 7 9 ‘•4 ■ m •.4 4 2 9 • . • 6 * > • 8 ' J .. 8 • '• 28 11 14 CREW CUTS (Mercury) “Oop-Shoop” . . . . * • • v; ... * • • • ; '• # • 6 • * 8 4 4 • •• • • • to to. * • 4 ... • ' • 7 7 23 12 12 FOUR LADS (Columbia) “Skokiaan” .- . ... . io • • t'; • * 3 ■*. •; ... • ' • • • • ' • to .« ••to to ’• ». to to • . ; • to to ' ’• • 3 21 13 20 DAVID WHITFIELD (London) ‘^Cara Mia” : . . — . . ■ • »■ • ♦ • « • • . •■ • • -• • • ■ . • • • • to 4 • to « • . • •«. • to to ' » • 9 8 4 3 20 14 8 GAYLORDS (Mercury) “Little Shoemaker”. ... ...... . , . '■ • • '* « *. ■ • ' • 4 • 4 » • • • 4 . * ♦ 8 7 1 • 4 .ft to • . •: • •; 7 • • 16 15 19 DENISE LOR (Ma jar) “If I Give My Heart to You”. ..... • • • • ... 8 i 4 • 4 4 • 4 4 to • to to - 9 4 to to • to ••' to to • .• 4 to ‘ to. -ft to 15 16A 23 CHEERS (Capitol), “I Need Your Lovin’ ” . ; • - • . * • . * • • ♦ « *• 4 4’ 2 .. • • • V $• . .. to • • to 8 • 4 . •' to 14 16B DeCASTRO SISTERS (Abbott) “Teach Me Tonight” . ... . ; ... • • « • • 7 • • • ■ 4 • • • * » ..to • to. • to • • • • .« •' to to to 4 4 ‘ » 1 14 18 13 RICHARD MALTBY (Label X) “St. Louis Blues Mambo” . . . . • • % • 1. i • •• 4 .4 •’ • ■4 • • 1 to • .. 10 • • to • • • 11 19A 20 NAT (KING) COLE (Capitol) “Smile” . . ; » •' - ■ • • 10 4 4 • • 6 • • •to • -to to • ■ • 9 8 • .to' • • 10 19B 24 STAN FREBERG (Capitol) “Sh-Boom” . . . : . ^ . • '• • » • > • ■ • to • to • to. • . to • 1 • • Iff 21 A SAMMY DAVIS, JR. (Decca) “Hey There” ...r- * •• • *■ 8 • 4 # • ‘ • • * • * « • to- • • • • ■; # ♦ ‘ • • .to '• '• to 5 -to • # 9 21B /• » PATTI PAGE (Mercury) “What a Dream” « • 4. 4 7 • • 6 • • . to • • • • • to • . to • to • • •' •» to* 9 21 G 4 • McGUIRE SISTERS (Coral) “Muskrat Ramble” . . • • ' * *« * -• * 4 « ' ■ • • ■ • • • • 7 to • • • to; • •to •*• P • V • • • • to • • 8 9 24A 25 PAUL— -FORD (Capitol) “Whither Thou Goest” , . • • ' 8 4 4 «' • 4 4 • • • » • • 9 8 • • • to ft • • • • • • • 'to* • • • 8 24B 15 NORMAN PETTY TRIO (Label X) “Mood Indigo”. .... . ■ » • • to. • « • .• 7 7 ■ • • • • • • • 8 • i ■' 2 3 .4 5 4 SIX TOP ALBUMS STUDENT PRINCI Mari Victor .. LM 1837 ERB 1837 MUSIC, MARTINIS AND MEMORIES Jackito OUasan Capitol W 509 EAP 1, 2, 3, 4,-309 SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS ilm Soundtrack M-G-M E 244 X 244 GLENN MILLER LIMITED EDITION, II Gltonri MilUr Victor LPT 6701 EPOT 6701 SWING KASY Frank Sinatra Capitol H 528 EAP 1, 2-528 PAJAMA GAMI roadway Cart Columbia ML 4840 A 1098 already adult development of al- bum “notes.” They have long since ceased to be blurbs, because the discriminating public appreci- ates an authoritative and savvy in- terpretation of an album’s contents. But for the record (no pun in- tended), this accent on Frazier’s Storyyille 10-inch LPer* (a George Wein “presentation”) is born of his own distinctive literary contribu- tion to an otherwise distinguished album. PS — besides trumpeter Braff’s boff brass assist, the rest of the combo comprises Jimmy Jones at the ivories, Jo Jones on the skins 1 and Bill Pemberton on string bass. Abel/ Victor Inks Scott Jazz clarinetist Tony Scott has been taped by RCA. Victor. Scott previously waxed for Coral Rec- ords, Victor already has cut several Scott singles. Meantime, the clarinetist hit the road for a date at Squeezer’s Musical Bar, Roches- ter. He began, his engagement there yesterday (TUes.). Ethel Smith’s Concerts Ethel Smith kicks off %er fall- winter concert tour Oct. 26 with a date with the Indianapolis Sym- phony at the Murat Theatre/Indi- anapolis. Stand marks her third ap- pearance with the orch. Can. Thrush, Cleffer On N ew Label X Disk Ottawa, Oct. 19. Second of Label* X’s releases in Canada is a coupling by a 27-year- old thrush from Vancouver* billed as Juliette (Sysak). She now lives in Toronto with her husband, Tony Cavazzi, clarinetist With Canadian Broadcasting Corp.’s orch. Sides are “Let Me Remember,” Written by Gloria Fleming of Windsor, Ont., and “Am I Wasting My Time;” . Juliette has been visiting Windsor, Detroit and Dearborn dee jays four days recently with Jack . Perry* who’s BMI (Canada’s) U. S, rep “Remember” is a BMI tune; Slicing of that and previously released “I Can’t Smoke You Out Of My Heart,” a Tin Pan Alley ef- fort to cash in' on the cigaret-men- ace publicity marked the first time a U. S. diskery had come to Can- ada to record. Label X’s Eddie Kissack supervised the session with Denny Vaughan’s orch backing, Camarata Joins Merrill Kelly Camarata has Joined Bob Merrill’s music firms as profession- al manager, Pubberies, , Golden- bell and Rylan, were set up a few months ago by tunesmith Merrill and dee jay Murray Kaufman. Camarata previously had been on the professional staff of Sam Fox, He’s a brother of conductor Tutti Camarata. i Tin Pan Alley Passes Pigskin Continued from pax* 118 numbers with real football atmo- sphere, “Ya Gotta Be a Football Hero” and “The All American Girl” — the latter the story of the luscious femme’ who had a boy friend oh every outstanding college team. More recently, there has been “Mr. Touchdown,. U.S.A.” But, just as the sum total of football songs has been scant In comparison with those about base- ball, the. names . of kickers and passers are seldom remembered by the laity longer than a year or two after their “immortal” per- formances. Anyone Interested in sports cart rattle off the names of scores of major league ball play- ers whose exploits have become part of American history, but the average man would be stymied if you asked him to name a dozen Oldtime football stars. Many songs, too, have been Written about Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio and Willie Mays,, but how many have, there been aboutt say. Red Grange or Pudge Heffle- finger ? Yet more than 20 years ago Vic- tor produced a football record of permanent historic interest. On one side the Notre Dame Univer- sity Band plays the “Notre Dame Victory March,” On the other the late Kniite Rockne is heard talk- ing to his team on “The Spirit of Notre Dame.”. The personality of the almost legendary Rockne is vividly conveyed in the record, making it a souvenir Worth keep- ing, if you are lucky enough to ■find a good copy of what has now become a rare, recording. ' Merc Artists in Latmo Splash; Adds Staffers In line with the current mamba splash around the country, Leonard Green, prexy of Mercury Artists Corp.i is expanding his Latino de- partment. Added to the percen- tery recently- were Leonard Dis« ton, Mike Barker and Larry Meyers. Merc’s Latino department is headed iip by Charles Green. According to figuras released by. Green, the mambo vogue has Upped the Latino biz by more than .150% in the past year, In addi- tion to booking ballrooms and niteries, Merc is now pushing its talent in the concert package field. A flock of the agency’s pactees have been set for “Mambo USA,” which kicks off its nationwide tour at New York’s Carnegie Hall Oct. 22. Wednesday, October 20, 1954 MUSIC 123 RCA yictor will train its pro* motion and publicity guns on Eddy Arnold in January to celebrate the hillbilly, crooner’s lpth year with the label; Victor’s drive Will in- clude four new .disk items recently cut by Arnold as well as a special promotion kit on exploiting the merchandise. Several 10th anni parties are being prepped by the iabel in key cities around the country.' Initial fete, which Wiir .be held in New York in early January, wiil. be hosted by Frank M. Folsom, RCA prez. NBC also is readying a coast- to-coa st program salute for Arnold. It’s estimated that Arnold has racked up close to 30,000,000 disk sales- in his 10 years with Victor, Noble in London On Pic To Write Songs Again Ray, Noble, bandleader-song* smith, is currently in London on a possible film deal. But more im- portantly, says British music pub-; Usher Reg Connelly, who returned to England last week after a lonth’s sbjourn in the States, is “that maybe I’ll succeed in getting Noble to. write more once again.’’ The maestro had quite a few in- ternational hits before he became a U. S. citizen and joined the American Federation of Musicians to officiate oh a number of top- flight radio-tv shows. But since the latter chores he had given up his composing. Perhaps “Cherokee” has been his major U.S.-written ef- fort whereas, when be was making records, for HMV (Victor in the U. S.) in England, he had authored “The Very thought of You,” “Marching Alone Together” and quite a few -others. Connelly had been his collaborator in years past and also his publisher. SONG, PAGE ROY ROGERS Hollywood, Oct. 19. If the State of Nevada needs an official, state song, there’s finally one available— thanks to the Roy Rogers radio show. . i Format of the show as set up by writer-director Ralph Rose has each ’ show built around a song which Roy Rogers arid Dale Evans sing as a production number at the' windup. Wheri a recent show was localed in Nevada, Rose and musi- cal director .Frank Worth ..-re- searched ' for weeks looking ’for a Nevada song that was anything but “Rerio, The Biggest Little City in the World.” They finally ran across an old Lawrence Welk recording of “The Virginia and TruCkee Line” which mentioned Nevada, and they used that. , Liast week; Rose wrote another show with a Nevada locale. Know- ing in advance that there wasn’t anything in the way of a song to use, he arid Worth sat down and knocked out art original called “Nevada.” Rogers liked It and will record it after introducing it on the air .next month and a publish- ing deal is being finalized. Heath’s Personal Pitch To on London, Oct. 19. Ted Heath, top orchestra-leader here; took the musical bull by its horns' last week in an effort to. get some action on the vexing -^and long-delayed band-exchange Im- passe. On. his own, he wrote to James C. Petrillo, president of the Amer- ican Federation of Musicians, ask- ing him to let the Heath band into the States for a trial period of four weeks* in exchange for an American combination for the same period, -arid “let’s see how it works OUt.” He said he thought “a more broadminded outlook to the whole Problem can only result in gain to our profession as a whole,” and hoped his suggestion would help in the establishment of “a sound basis being worked out for the benefit of the musicians on both sides.” * OF TOP TALENT AND TUNES Compiled from Statistical Reports of Distribution Encompassing the Three Major Outlets Coin Machines Retail Disks Retail Sheet Music as Published in the Current issue NOTE: The current comparative sales strength of the Artists and Tunes listed hereunder is arrived at under statistical system comprising each of the three major sales outlets en merated above. These findings are corf elated with data from wider sources, which are exclusive with Variety. The positions resulting from these findings denote the OVERALL IMPACT de- veloped from the ratio of points scored, two ways in the case of talent ( coin machines, retail disks) and three ways iii the case of tunes (coin machines, retail disks, retail sheet music),. TALENT POSITIONS This Last Week Week ARTIST AND LABEL ROSEMARY CLOONEY (Columbia) . 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 4 5 6 8 9 10 TUNE [Hey There * ) This Ole House i fl Need You Now EDDIE FISHER (Victor) . . . . \ Count Your Blessings (Heaven Was Never Like This fSh-Bobm CREW CUTS (Mercury) ^ Oop-Shoop [Crazy ’Bout You, Baby DORIS DAY (Columbia) If I Give My Heart to You DON CORNELL (Coral) , Hold lAy Hand RALPH MARTERIE (Mercury).. ... Skokiaan (Papa Loves Mambo ‘ " * ' ' * ’ ) Things 1 Didn’t Do PERRY COMO (Victor) POSITIONS This Last Week Week 1 2 3 8 9 10 1 2 3 7 6 10 8 BILL HALEY-COMETS (Decca) LES PAUL-MARY FORD (Capitol) VICTOR YOUNG (Decca) TUNES (♦ASCAP. fBMI) TUNE ♦HEY THERE . ♦IF I GIVE MY HEART TO YOU ♦I; NEED YOU NOW fTHIS OLE HOUSE ♦SKOKIAAN ♦HOLD MY HAND fSH-BOOM ♦PAPA LOVES MAMBO ♦HIGH AND THE MIGHTY f SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL Shake, Rattle and Roll (Whither Thou Goest / I’m a Fool to ' Care High and the Mighty PUBLISHER Frank ........... Miller . Miller ........ Hamblen , . Shapiro-B Raphael Hill & Range Shapiro-B Witmark essive Derby Records, indie New York disk label which recently was hit with a triple damages suit by a group of top publishers, has filed petition of bankruptcy in N. V; Federal Court. Liabilities were j, listed at $213,000 .With assets of $18,93.5. One claim of a $100,000 debt is made by a singer, Andy Castro, but 'Derby is disputing thii claim. Larry Newton, head of Der- by Records, has now closed shop and disconnected the office tele- phone. Newton’s worries began a couple of months ago when attorney Jul- ian T. Abeles, in behalf of Harry Fox, publishers’ agent and trustee, filed suit against Derby,, charging that the diskery had not been, pay- ing publisher royalties on its plat- ter sales. Suit was part of a con- tinuing drive by : Fox’ . arid Abeles, in behalf of the major publishers, against fly-by-nighters in the dustry. Clear Martin, Damone For MGM’s ‘Heart’ Album; Label’s Top Soundtrack Hollywood, Oct. 19. MGM Records made a deal for clearances for Tony Martin and Vic Damone last week to green- light what Will be the diskery’s biggest soundtrack album to date —the 12-inch LP packaging of “Deep In My Hearty the Sigmund Romberg biopic. RCA Victor okayed Martin’s album participa- tion and Mercury granted, a clear- ance for Damone. Others who’ll be heard on the platter are Jose Ferrer, who has done some Columbia recording with his wife. Rosemary Clooney, and ’is the; only other member of the cast in any way tied to a disk pact; Mme. Helen Traubel, Gene arid Fred Kelly, Jane Powell, Ann Miller, William Olvis and Howard Keel. Score will consist solely of Romberg melodies, nothing new having been added. Among them, however, will be several, which are not too well known and were writ- ten early in the composer’s pro- lific career. Indies Swing To 45 Cuffos Continued from page 119, 78s, so they order the 45s for their disk jockey service. It’s expected that by next year, the 45 rpm ebnyersion will be vir- tually completed. An Increasing number of stations are installing equipment for the slow speed plat-: ters, both 45 and 33; and the few outlets that opposed the switch in the first place ~are now yielding ground. As was originally pointed out by the major coriipaniesj the stations arid jockeys would have to come along if they wanted to play the current hits. ■ Explaining the switch of the indie Dot Records label to 45s, Randy Wood, head/Of the diskery, notified jockeys that the “action is necessary in view of the fact that we are unable to obtain -the 78 rpm records from any manufac- turer in the entire country.” — 1 Q Coast Deejay ‘Revolts’ Hollywood; Oct. 19. Mounting disk jockey resentment over 45 rpm disks broke out into the open when Larry Finley, KFWB deejay, angrily announced that the diskettes could stop send- ing him complimentary copies . of the seven-inch platters. Finley’s blowup came after “I had to offend 23 artists in the space of six hours by taking their records off because the quality was so poor that I wouldn’t play ’em.” Finley, whhse 54 hours bn the air reportedly make him the busi- est deejay in the country, contends the promotional disks sent out are of inferior quality and have a tend- ency. to warp on the turntable. “I don’t want any more of ’em,” Finley announced yeserday (Mon.) with an air. of • finality; “If the record Companies don’t Want to send me 78s, they don’t have to send me anything.” Deejay .pointed out that' he. gets, a total of about 60 new releases a week from the major companies. “Only about eight or 10 of therii are any good anyway,” he declared. “If necessary, I’ll go down to the corner store and buy what j need in 78 Speed.. It will only cost me about $10 per week and I’ll be giv- ing my listeners the best iri fidelity and I’ll avoid offending the artists. “The record companies can take it from here.” REMENIH'S CHI EXIT Chicago, Oct. 19. Tony Remenih, assistant to Chi- cago Tribune radio-tv editor Larry Welters, is leaving the daily .next month after .12 years lb join the Foladare, Greer & Bock public re- lations firm in Hollywood. His Chief function will be writing fea- tures for the radio-tv talent in the FG&B stable. John Fink takes over, the No. 2 [ spot on the Trib radio-tv desk. Lawrence-Lee’s ‘RR Hour’ Muslplays penned, by Jerome Lawrence and RobertLee for NBC’s “Railroad Hour” are being pub- lished in folio form by Harms, which plans to issue two Lawrence- Lee muSiplays a year. Kicking off the project is- “Annie Laurie,” a story of Robert Burns* Folio will be priced at $1,25. -Writing duo is due in New York this week from. the Coast enroute: to England where they’ll prowl a “singing Ronald Colman” for their upcoming legit musical; “Shangri- La,” which Courtney Burr arid John Byraris . will, produce; Latter is accompanying them to Europe. St. Louis Symplt’s 75th Season to Tee Oct. 23 St. Louis, Oct. 19. The 75th or diamond anniversary season of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra will tee off- in the Kiel municipal auditorium Oct. 23. Vladimir Golschmann will be en- tering his 24th season as. conductor, with Harry Fbrbriian' starting his 13th season as ebneertmaster and assistant maestro. Season will offer 26 guest artists, new faces including Grant Johan- neseri mid Maria Tipo,. pianists; Andres Segovia, guitarist; Oscar Shumsky, violinist; Shirley Russell, Ilona Kpmbrink and Helen Phil- . lips, sopranos, and David Lloyd, 1 t.erior. Hollywood, Oct. 19. Coast promoters who can afford to come up. with guarantees for big packages are feVv and far between, so the elements of the second Nor- man Granz touring concert of this season will be seen on the Coast as single attractions next ' month. Duke Ellington and the Dave Bru- beck and Gerry Mulligan quartets are due back here around Nov. 8 after the . extensive junket. They split up immediately. Ellington will play a one-niter in Fresno, Nov. 9 to launch a new gig trek. Brubeck plays Pomona Col- lege Nov. 10 and teams with Mulli^ gan for a one-nighter Nov. 12 in Stockton promoted by KXOB dee- jay George Westcott. Bi.ubeck then goes off on a series of dates and Mulligan comes back to town for a six-week location at the Haig, starting Nov. 161. MATP’ $8,600, Mpls. Minneapolis, Oct. 19. . Annual one-nighter engagement- of “Jazz at the Philharmonic” at the local Auditorium music hall section, for its exclusive Twi Cities’ appearance, resulted in $8,600 gross, about par for it here. The 5,700-seat house was scaled at $4 top. Col Adds New Package In ‘Confederacy’ Cantata Columbia Records is continuing: its splurge in the package field. Latest entry on Col’s slate is “The Confederacy,” ah original cantata by Richard Bales Which will be ped- dled with a 32-page bboklet oh the south penned by Bruce Catton arid Clifford Dowdey. The musical piece, whiph in- cludes popular Civil War themes, was etched on one 12-inch LP by Bales and the National Gallery 124 MUSIC P^RIETY Wednesday, October 20, 1954 Wl z N PJi = « hi z cs H 'S s* 0, © $ & e H ftO^ZftW ATP &3IBT: HBS— ' nVH— *P®» ®u*®At puBHJOd— 1 1XH— ' «®ff sb 93 a seq — iwajtr - Sso U U *1 joMiaa— auo- unriK qog puB[i(BO— AVOHM— «!I3 o 3 ssn^ H pooMiCnoH — XNH — «ouB|iea Hist ( ( xiuaoq^iXXH— 1«»qilO >Pia N 50 39HaBM.n]Ar-*JWia/U'— stfiHFHJ qonqo : opaiox— 1 10 XM— snia ^pna r- ; «n BqBcuo— HiVVOH— 1 u®sqa«f XpuBs J OT N sincrj qs— 1 IA 1 — qanqa J N co eo AjD sbsub^j — HHAY — WHS »U'£«Al|oe> ^ «o •sidW-l^M - ‘IS— NITCAi— “ 0UUB 0 ® ; 3 uisub7 — JVIfAA— -qooqg fj«p|. ; 05 N * I ^roj^aQ — HHPiU — P®*a»W “o'd| r " spxdBH lepap— OHOa - J» 3 u|iS ^P«*S n H oBeaiqp— NE>AV— II»AVoa »fx«S ^ puouiqoju— TtN'HAi— J»uj»jqos *«h| ! r 3U0JJ0M— hoNAV^-uosoioai ®qili ; SBliea — HHAV — a'voq Aunaif aqiAuaajo— 3MVAV-“«®sAv»{a nifl ai[iAspran— A3HA1— BUBapio ^aM— XIXA1— uosij/Vi iC4JBi|oo qBUUBABS— AVSAV— Ul l°f ' B],UB[1V— IXbAl— UOSJBAI qoff BjnqsiapdE 'IS — NiJAl— s®h tv uoiSurqsB^V— 1 IV WAV — Buojjs itanq^a^BAv— A«aAi-“^ni»H P3 31.I0A MaM— SMIAV — sdfmqx pvjfl .S|§S.S|| tgS§§: I 3 s w«“.S£ w § sS | *o I, *1 8** ■ I o § ° s « & 8 -s i § . * 2 . o , s € 05 2 P'S BU ►« u fe : ; .ii *r* w ^ s: I M S rtf ^ O -2 i^gS^s S^-8 i &§ H.2-S 3 1 ^ S ^ CJ o § I (i »> e § » g ^ oi .,^.3 +S • ns • fl « *) S3 «J >> XI 5 H g ►, s 4) O « • • 3. 0 , • 1 1 : •Sr Pi 5- if. o 0 S3 O m V ■ V C* t'* •FH • • v-< £3 n c • 43 b —I cl 3 CO •J 'o S u u § : 3 9 44 Jc a rt ^ | 03 a *• JS SSI-. 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U U >» & • : 2 5 ■** 4) ■a ^ t >> b s J *** oi sj Iki. XJ S w « O 1 2 •— H S3 tf U H M O 00 CO M Mon N Tf H FT 00 05 CO eo « w n Wednesday, October 20, 1954 •y\ ' M&"' ijMt: GREAT NEW EDDIE FISHER RECORD... ft. *■■ . •'-...• • ■ 4&y_ v. Sfo. .-X; ,* ^ , ■"- !!■>,#. . , < «s a fall-winter hit, when all the fleet the ratio of income Teceived big network shows are one the air, from video, and radio.. At the pres- and whether or hot it’s a “pef- ent time, the revenue is about the forniance” song. A song with a same, but the video performances, 'lyric .generally gets far more pet- are only .one-third that of radio, formances than instrumental; Hence the tv value of one tv per- although tli ASCAP formance is triple that of a radio bonuses for a lyric performance, plug,) Ballads also tend to get more per- A performance on an independent formances. than rhythm tunes or tv station earns 45 points. (Same novelties because they are favored procedure is used on the indie by the top radio-tv programmers radio spot-check logging with the and because they stay up on top value of the indie tv plug tripled for longer periods, oyer that of radio.) Standards’ Important Payoffs For the publishers, the calcula- By the same token, standard tiqri is slightly varied. Per network numbers accumulate tremendous radio station, publishers get one values in the ASCAP payoff. A ppint per performance on a bight- song like Hoagy Carmichael's tiiiie commercial show, % />f a “Stardust,” one of the most fre- point for a daytime commercial. quently performed oldies in the plug, and 1^-point her iustainer ASCAP catalog, has, in some years, plug, whether d&y pr flight.-. In tv, .equalled current hits with over the network pings are calculated 40, 000 performance points. In this the same way as for radio with the peak category are also such tunes same weighting system as for the as “Tea for Two,” ‘‘Begin tlie Be- MUSIC 127 WnlArc 1 1 ? t ocaouiidi iiuuiucid suui pa iiv ' %t ^ w*. . 'ing Berlin's “White Christmas,” or W ritersjsoc; Pubs^24c Johnny Marks’ “Rudolph the Red- Tor Writers, oitie .performance Nosed Reindeer” earn_over 20,000 ppint' is worth ' about ,8c, ; white Tor publisher points annually while publishers, it’s about 24c. Both “Easter Parade,” plugged within a figures However, ajiply cniy jto: the shorter holiday period, may get current ■ performance categories in 15,000 points, th writer and ' publisher payoff The ASCAP payoff differs radi- systeitis. cally from that of the other ma- For writers, current perform- jor licensing operation, Broadcast ances account for only 20% of his Music Inc. While ASCAP is a non- total ASCAP income, The remain-;, profit ' organization owned by its ing 80% is divided as follows: 30% members, > BMI is a privately- for a five-year performance aver- owned 'corporation which can make age; 30% for availability which Is its .own deals with publishers and also based on a sustained perform- writers on guarantees and , per- ance average with built-in cushions forniance value credits, designed to prevent drastic income Basically, however, the BMI pub- drops; and the final 20% for sem- fisher system has a 6c payoff- for network plugs and 4c for indie plug$, irrespective of whether It’s uvyij. fct , commercial or sustaining, daytime 1 ; " or nighttime, BMI’s' logging pro- ■ ^ Aiappia 1 cedure is Completely different from ■ . ASCAp’s in that it accents 1 indie J t UH L L|l stations to' a . high degree and hence a plug on and indie station that’s Program Today Yoitorday's logged by. BMI may count, for 300 • performance points against ASCAP’s 15 points, A BMI tune that’s strictly, a disk • hit, such as “Botcha-Me,” of a »*...* **..*..» couple of years ago, Oould tike in MILLS MUSIC, INC. from $5-$7,000. A BMI hit on ' naie Brooilwao liow Yarki disks x and in live performances, uei.T Broadway, New Torkl such , as “Till I Waltz Again With tmmmmmmLmm—mm— — J 1 You,’’ earn over $15,000.' Program Today Yoitorday's MILLS MUSIC, INC. il 4i,9 Broadway, New York) Anti-Sleep ‘Sandman’ A1 (Jazzhp) Collins* WNEW, N. Y„ disk jockey, went on a' platter spinning rampage s Thursday night (14) plugging The Chordettes’ etching of ; “Mr. Sandman” on the- Ca- dence label. Collins kicked off the. spinning spree when he went 6n the air, at midnight aqd played the Kdisk 32 con- secutive times'. Station’s - switchboard was. jammed with squawks and Collins even got a reverse payolo bid from, dial-.. ers Who offered him money if he’d stop spinning the record. Collins pulled similar marathon spinning: §tunt sev- eral years ago when he was deejaying for KNAK, Salt Lake City, Platter , then' Was Art Mooney’s “Four Leaf Clover” on MGM.- MORRIS WILL CUFFO ‘PAN’ MUSIC AT PREEM In an unusual plugging .maneu- ver on. a legit musical score, E..H; Morrjs will distribute, cuffo profe$- sional copies at the opening of “Peter Pan” tonight (Wed,) at the Winter Garden, N. Y. It’ll mark the first time that sheet copies of the . show’s tunes will be made available at a Broadway ' preem. Theatre managements bar the sale of sheets on opening nights to avoid confusion. Morris got the okay to distribute the souvenir package of six tunes from tlte Shuberts, Who own the theatre. Fifni also made a special deal With the theatre's vendors to hand out; the folio to first-nighters .after the final curtain; Score, for the show was penned by Carolyn Leigh and Mark Charlop. Addi- tionaL songs were written by Betty Comden, Adolph Green and Jule Styne. Longhair U. of Minn, Sets Dixieland Band Tour Minneapolis, Oct, 19. The usually longhair U. of Min- nesota concert, theatres and lec- ture service, for the first time in its history, is booking a dixieland band throughout this area. Outfit -is the local “Doc” Evans Dixieland Band, which is playing a long engagement at a theatre bar here. The university is sending it on the longest tour, five weeks, ever arranged by it for a musical attraction. It’ll play one-nighters in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Nbrth and South Dakota under the U. of Minnesota auspices, Evans’ band also has made suc- cessful appearances at the WaUcer Art Center, Minneapolis Institute of- Fine Arts and the U. of Minne- sota convocation. Programs are called “History of Jazz.” University service also sends a number of plays on tour through-? out tlie northwest and other sec- tions during the fall and winter. Still Expanding Audivox Adds Sorrell Trio to List In line with its talent’ expansion program, Audivox Records has added, the Frank Sorrell Trio to its roster. The instrumental combo's first sides for file label are being rushed into release. The Audivox stable already in- cludes Raymond Scott . and Dorothy Collins, who were the diskery's ex- clusive etchers for the past 18 months, and the recently-pacted vocal quartet, The Hurricanes. San Antone Symphony Readies 16th Season San Antonio, Oct. 19. The San Antoni Symphony Orchestra will open its .. 16th sea- son here at the Municipal Audi- torium Nov. 6 with the first of 15 subscription concerts. Victor Ales- sandro is: conductor. There will . be 14 guest, artists and two ballet companies pre sented together with the sym- phony orchestra., . ■Season’s guest conductor will be Max Rudolf, for the Jan. 29 con- cert. Baritone George London will open the season • Nov. 6 as first guest. The annual Max Reiter Me- morial Concert, will be presented on Dec. TO* Deluxe album packages, which have been hitting a good sales ^ pace over the counters, have be- come programming staples for the dislc jockeys. The big platter lay- outs, at prices from: $25 upwards, have; been tagged “disk Spectacu- lars” and in -several instances, jockeys in the same city have been, vying with each, other to get a “first” • an. exclusive on the air- ing. Bing Crosby’s, five-platter wax biog for Decca, “Bing,” $27.50 package, has been getting exten- sive layouts on numerous indie stations across the country a$ well as getting cream time network slots on CBS and NBC Radio. Jockeys have been airing high- lights from, the Crosby album in segments ranging from a half- hour to two-hour spreads.. , In Philadelphia, two stations pro- grammed the: full album. ' " * The Glenn Miller Limited Edi- tions,; volumes orie and two, also have been on tlie receiving end of several top dee jay showcasings. RCA Victor execs give the jockeys major credit for the sellout of the first Miller edition. Currently, jockeys are using the. second vol- ume for full programs. NBC Radio devoted 90 minutes to the second Miller edition Sun- day night (17), with Dave Garro- way emceeing the show. This was an elaborate show, with GaiToway interspersing interviews with per- sonalities xfrho knew the- late band- leader. Among those heard on the show were Frank Sinatra, Ray Eberle, Jerry Gray, Benny Good- man, Johnny Desmond, ‘ Paula Kelly of the Modernaires and June Allyson, who played the band- leader’s wife " in -the Universal biopic, “The Glenn Miller Story.” Victor is promoting the idea of album sllowcasing; by the disk jock- eys by making available . its 26-plat- ter EP set of the “Honor Roll of Hits” to jockeys and stations who want to use it. Larry Gentile, WJBK disk jobkey In Detroit, builtr a Show around this album series and considerably hypoed sales, in this .area.. : West Germany is opening up as a new area for U. S. record com- panies to push their product. Anjerican-made disks' recently have been put on the “liberalization list” by the German government With a flock of other consumer items and German importers no longer need a special permit to bring In U. S. pLatters. ^ The U. S: diskeries are also ex- pecting an- upbeat in German sales via the jukebox stimuli. Many Ger- man entrepreneurs have been send- ing out feelers about the opera- tion of the juke industry here with an eye to setting up jukebox hang- outs in their own stamping ground. Interest right now is mainly on used American jukeboxes which they would like to import through Belgium. The. coin machines, un- like the disks, aren’t classified as consumer goods and can’t be brought into Germany direct from the. U. S. It’s undecided yet whether the: jukes ''ill go into . the Getman beer halls, since it’s believed that, many of the steady customers may resent the intrusion of canned music. However, there’s been steady increase in the number of icecream parlors in the country and it’s possible that the German juke business may begin there. The jukebox industry in . the Scan- dinavian countries has been thriv- ing in the icecream parlors and the Germans are thinking of fol- lowing that example. WITH SCHOOL IN PITT Pittsburgh, Oct. 19. Nat Nazarro Jr., former musical comedy and vaiide dancer and since 1939 secretary of the local chap- ter of AGVA, is branching out into the dancing school business here. Nazarro will retain his union post. Staff includes; Lisle Martin, oil ballet; Sandra Walsh,* on tap, and Rudy Montez, ballroom instructor: who will also be in charge of fenc- ing. Nazarro will* be assisted in the. operation, by his wife, the for- mer Marge. Nelson, onetime nitery singer and now a clubdate and ban^ quet booker around town,. RCA Victor Huddles RCA Victor execs have been holding top level 'discussions this week to map plans for 1955. Pow- wows are covering budget alloca- tions for various departmental ac- tivities of the diskery. : ... Label X, the . RCA subsid launched earlier this year, is also involved in the discussions. A Solid Hit! If I Give * :My Heart. To You MILLER MUSK CORPORATION f: #?>>■ MY SON, MY SON 1501 & 45-1501 th Wit A 128 MUSIC New York Eydie Gorme repacted to Gen- eral Artists Corp. for another three years' . , Rrisemarie, nifery. comedienne, teaming with lyricst Leo Robbins' sister Ruth as song- writing duo . Danny Winchell began a week’s engagement at the Sans Souci, Miami, yesterday (Tries.) . . Chuck Darwin back in town after an extended Detroit stayY He’s now managing blues singer Carolyn Hayes and rhythm & blues combo The Four Jokers . . . Georgie Shaw currently, at . Chubby’s, Camden, N. J. ... Bill Farrell holds Over at, the Cabin Club, Cleveland, until Oct. 25. He opens at the Flame Show Bar, De- troit; Nov. .1 . .Karen Chandler, Coral Records thrush, slotted for a profile' in Cosmopolitan mag’s December issue Jack Plcis, Decca Records’. musical director, heading for the Coast, to join MiU Gabler, diskery’s a&r chief, on. some recording sessions . . . Mar- tha G’Taser, Erroll Gamer’s mana- ger, due back in town this Week from Detroit . . . Bob Anthony inked to a three-year personal management deal by Jolly Joyce. Crooner recently sold two masters to MGM Records . . Bob Stewart into the. Pelham Heath Inn Friday (22) for a three-day. stand . . Joni James pegged for the Town & Country Club, Brooklyn, Nbv. 5 and a return date the following week (12) . . Betty Madigan opens at the Boulevard, Queens, Nov. 5 . The Smith- Bros., Label X combo, and Giiiny Gibson, MGM Records’ thrush, put on a two-hour show for the Red Feather Cam- paign in Teaneck, N, J., last week (13) Verna Leeds back in town after a dee jay trek, through the midwest . . . A1 Morgan set for the Seven Seas, Omaha, N6v. 12-25 . . . Mitch Miller, Columbia Records’ a&r chief, back at his desk this Week after a 10-day hiatus in Mexico. London Sarah Vaughan stars at a concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London, Oct. 24, with Coleman Hawkins, Il- linois Jacquet and orch , . . The dispute, between the Musicians Union and bandleaders Eric Win- stone and Billy Ternent has ended amicably . . Canadian Singer, 20- year-old Stephanie Wise, signed up to sing with the Oscar. Rabin Band at the Lyceum, Strand, within 24 hours of arriving in Britain... Songstress Eve Boswell, who col- lapsed while rehearsing for a re- cent BBC “Forces Show,” has been ordered to take a complete rest, and has cancelled variety dates at Edinburgh and Newcastle . , Harry Roy to lead a speciality quartet at the Cafe de Paris. Qhicagp Ted Lewis takes over Edge water Beach floor Nov. 5 for two weeks ... . Eddy Howard slated for month . at Aragon Ballroom begin- ning Nov. 12, and followed by Chuck Foster Dec. 25-Feb. 18 . . . Don Reid band reorganizing . in November when maestro’s vocalist- spouse, Gwen Parke, recovers from childbirth. String of one- niters. are set for late November and orch takes over Rice Hotel, Houston, Dec. 3 for four-week en- gagement . . . Ralph Marterie set for Melody Mill, Chi, over Thanks- giving week and again for t\ie four-week Christmas period . . . Ernie Rudy playing fortnight at Aragon beginning Oct. 26 . Salt Lake City Five taking over Crest Lounge, Detroit, Nov. 2 for two frames. Pittsburgh Johnny Pineapple's band and show open an engagemeht tonight (Wed,) at the Bali-Kea . . Reid Jaynes, pianist, into the Belmont Bar in Dormont for a run . . Bill LeRoy's band, landed Homecoming Ball at Slippery Rock State Teach- ers College . . George Kramer, Pitt student and member of the university’s . marching band, added to Baron ERiott trumpet section . . Deuces Wild held over ut Sun- rise Inn . Mambo-rumba show featuring the. Joe Loco Quintet booked for one-rtight at Syria Mosque, Oct. 29 > . Jack' Purcell orch played Governor’s Ball at Pennsylvania. State Kiwanis Club convention. Purcell’s a- Kiwaniah himself . . Jack Mahony combo in Cuddle Brendel’s Northside spot for a stay .. • . Herman Middleman’s orch staying on at Colonial Manor . Bill Owens on sax and Red French on drums back in -Howdy Baum’s pit band at the Casino, lo- cal burlesque house which has re- opened after an eight-month shut- down . . Marty Fallon foursome back into the' Bali-Kea following the Jack Teagarden booking. San Francisco Rudy Salvini debuting a hew big band at the Bermuda Palms Hotel in San Rafael . . the Four Fresh- men due at Fack’s Nov. 8. The Kings Four closed after a success- ful month the Modern Jazz Quartet returns to the Black Hawk Nov. 10 for a second stand . . . Marnbo U.S.A. concert package of- fered for the Bay Area Nov. 19-20 . . . George Shearing opens at the Black Hawk Nov. 26 for 10 days. Omaha Freddy .Martin orch to play Ak-Sar-Ben Ball Saturday (23) . . . Jerome Clines, Metropolitan Opera basso, Opened Sioux City, la., sym- phony orch’ concert series Sunday (17). .Rise' Stevens will end sea- son there March 27 . ; “Grand Ole Opry” unit featuring Little Jimmy Dickens, Johnny Johnson aind Marty Robbins played City Aud here last night (19),. with door price set at $1.50 . . . Pianist Alex- ander Brailowsky to open Omaha Symphony concerts Nov. 1-2 . . . Millard Musil orch playe.d Hangar Dance at Sidney, Neb., Airport be- fore capacity turnout . . Robert Shaw Chorale (29) and concert en semble (13) drew sellout crowd at Central High Aud here . . . John Beecher orch featuring vocalist Sue Morris , . . Marian Anderson booked for Oberfelder Celebrity Series at Denver’s City Aud Feb. 19 . . Music Box here, trying Latin Nite's, featuring Sal Costro combo. Yiolinist Jascha Heifetz will have a new accompanist for the coming season,, in Brooks Smith. Young pianist made his debut in 1950 at Town Hall, N. Y. Heifetz’s coast to-coast concert’ tour will start in January. ASSOCIATED BOOKING CORPORATION JOE G LASER, Pres. Nt‘.v York j Chicago j Hollywood ■’■o 7) f : I A » i- PI 9.1600 | ? 0 3 No Wabash | 8619 Sunset Blvd. I^&RIC^rY .Wednesday, October 2 Q, ,1954 ' i " ■ 1 E i. ■ .ii A i !'■. i ' - ■■ - i . ■ - . p «■ - . • Best British Sheet Sellers (Week ending Oct. 9) London, Oct. 12. V Things Mean a Lrit Robbins Goins in Fountain . . Feist My Friend Chappell Hold My Hand ....... . Wood Cara Mia . .Robbins Smile ... . Bourne Story' of Tina- Macmelodies Must Be a Reason . . Connelly I Give My Heart . . . Robbins Gilly Ossenf effer , . . .A .Spier Sway .. . . ... . . .Latin American Little Shoemaker .Bourne Second 12 Sky Blue Shirt. Wright Happy Wanderer Bosworth My Son Kassner Never Land .... Keith Prowse Make Her Mine . Wood Sh-Boom ..Aberbach West of Zanzibar ..Bluebird This Ole House. .Duchess Wait For Me . . Lafleur Secret Love. . Harms-Cohnelly Young At Heart Victoria Heart of My Heart . F.D.&H. Now Set for Comm’l Sale Hollywood, Oct. 19. Programs of Hollywood’s Hymn & Hangover Society, the informal choral group consisting of some of the be^t known names in the music business, will be available commer- cially on records next year for the first time. Outfit has pressed one LP, which Decca turned out on a gratis basis about two years ago, and the platters are distributed to guests in homes where the, choris- ters make their annual appearances. In \the past, recipients have made donations to the Michael Burke Foundation, named for the late son of Decca’s Coast recording director Sonny Burke, which purchases cardiograph equipment for hospi- tals. Next recording, however, will be etched independently and then of- fered to the majors as a package for distribution. Proceeds would continue to go to the charitable causes which have benefited in the past from the work of the purely volunteer group, formed almost ac- cidentally after a festive Thanks- giving • songfest at Burke’s home eight; years ago. Members Of the group , work for several different record companies. No difficulty is anticipated, how- ever, in obtaining releases to per- mit them to function as members of the group, now known more sedately, as “Voic'es of Christmas.” Les Brown (Coral) is conductor and Vic Schoen (Decca) is arranger and baritone. Capitol is also rep- resented via Margaret Whitings who sings alto, and other members include Eileen Wilson, Axel Stor- dahl, June Hutton and Lucy Ann Polk. Group also includes saxist Stumpy Brown; Mr. and Mrs. Bob Breckner (he’s KTTV program di- rector), actor Ray Kellogg and composer Jeff Clarkson. More Cartoon Songs «. Vinton, Va. Editor, Variety: Although my story in Sept. I Vabiety on songs Suggested by comic strips wasn’t represented as all-inclusive there were a couple of omissions I regret and to which I’d like to call attention. One Is “Foolish Questions,” a 1909 comic number by James Lee t rid A. Baldwin Sloafte, suggested y Rube Goldberg’s “Foolish Ques- tions” cartoon panel. The other is. “I’m the Guy,” with words by Goldberg and music by Bert Grant, which repeated many of the catch phrases, such as “I’m the guy who put the salt in the ocean,” which Goldberg had made popular . in his drawings. Perhaps some of the young oldtimers among Variety’s readers can remember when small boys wore red or blue buttons in their lapels, asserting they were the guys who put the leaves on trees or did some other remark- able feat. Goldberg also sang, -or rather re- cited a Pathe record of a connc number ' written by himself, “Fa- ther Was Right.” Jim Walsh. The Tattle Tales, new vocal combtS, have been pacted to Colum- bia Records. Group's etching of “Boolya Bottin Bottin Baby (Huh?)” already -is on release. inside Stuff-Music Continued from page lfcs * . i . diate rehearsals with the girls, prior to making her debut early in the New Yoar. She told Variety that one of the reasons that decided her to leave Britain for a permanent job in the States was. the apathy of the BBC. She said that she was lucky to get a broadcast once every, few months there, whereas, in the States, she already has a string of firm radio and tv dates lined up. / • ..... • “Teach Me Tonight,” tune which Janet Brace etched for Decca some nirie months ago, suddenly came out of obscurity in recent weeks as four other labels, jumped to covet it. De Castro Sisters cut the tune for Abbott Records, . Modernaires for Coral, Helen Grayco for . Label X, and most recently Jo Stafford for Columbia. As result, Decca is reissuing the Brace biscuit, which had slipped behind in favor of her “Popcorn For You,” in order to get back into the sweepstakes. New organization for jazz fans has been set up by Howard LuCraft, former British bandleader, and sponsored by Stan Kenton. Outfit, to *be known as Jazz International, will have a monthly bulletin in which aficionados can. exchange ideas and make their voices heard in selection of music on records, in concert or on radio and. television. Lucraft has beeh 'living on the Coast for the last four years, working as an arranger and serving as rep for various jazz publications. In its recording of the original cast album of the current Broadway legiter, “Boy Friend,” done recently, RCA Victor departed from the usual practice of using a 40-piece orchestra for backgrounding. ■Instead, Victor cut with the ' legiter’s 13-piece theatre crew in order to get the period flavor of* the 1920s in the. iriusical sound. Victor also cut the shoW in its 24th Street studios in N.Y., rather than its usual locale for show albums, the Manhattan Center on 34th St. The “Recorded in. Spain” label is clearly, imprinted on four more big Decca packages due for release this month. Two are by the Jose Greco dance troupe, one fagged “Jose Greco Ballet” and the other “Fiamerican Dances.” Flamenco music and singifig and castanet spe- cialties highlight the two 12-inch LP packages. Other pair, tagged “Fiesta In Madrid” and “Ole; Ole,” was cut by the Orquesta Zarzuela.^ -.i One of the early jazz musicians, portrayed on the recent CBS-TV. “You Were There’’ program on jazz, has turtied up in Washington where he has been living in retirement. He is 69-year-old Louis Mjtchell,'T'fegro drummer who introduced Jazz to Paris, arid who was portrayed on the CBS show by Cozy Cole. Mitchell, untiL fairly recently, had operated niteries in Washington, The late Walter' JDonaldson’s last unfinished melody is hitting the disk market this week via Russ Morgan on the Decca label. Tune, tagged “Whisper,” was completed by Morgan who also . collabbed with Mack David on the lyric. Morgan got the okay ,to finish the melody from Donaldson’s widow. .The tunesmith died about 10 years ago. Song is being published by Famous Music. ' Columbia Records has launched a new department to coordinate the production schedule between the Bridgeport (Conn.) plant and the homeoffice in New York. The department, which will be tagged Artist & Repertoire; Data arid Scheduling, will be managed by John Lothrop. Lothrop had been with the diskery’s recording operations division for the past five years. Report in last week’s Variety that the Norman Petty Trio has been inked by Mercury Records is denied by execs of Label X, -the RCA Victor subsid diskery. 'Combo is still on the latter company’s roster. Thrash Vema . Leeds Is promoting her new Jubilee Records tune, “Come Back,” by, distributing boomerangs to the nation’s disk jockeys. Boomerangs are miniature, but workable plastic models of the 'real thing. Mitchell Extends Brit. Trek Until December Guy Mitcheil is extending, his trek through the British Isles un- til December. Crooner began a scheduled eight-week tour of Great Britain early in May, but requests for bookings from promoters in the provinces forced the. extension. . After his return Jo the U, S. late in December, Mitchell is ex- pected to head out on a tour . of Australia and Japan. He’s slated to return to the Coast by February for the . Paramount pic, “Covered Wagon,” in which lie'll costar with Alan Ladd, Gene Krupa Trio begins a two- day stand at the State Theatre, Hartford, Saturday (23), Combo then returns to New York for a two-week engagement at .Basin Street/ which starts next Tues- day (26). THE PERFECT AFTER-VACATION SONG Sfyne and Cahn’« “THE THINGS WE DID LAST SUMMER” Styne and Cahn Music Co., Inc. WILL OSBORNE AND HIS ORCH. Now 31 it Week Now Golden Hotel, Reno Mqt. MILTON DEUTSCH A«.ther BMI *Pb Up* H» WHITHER THOU GOEST . t Recorded by les Paul a mary padb * MARION MARLOWE * • • Caplfo mita robbins , . * • coiumbu MASS/NGILL A ORCH ' 4 • • . Vlctoi LAURIE LOMAN ./ MO,©, MORGAN * ANITA robllNml hf (RENNER MUSIC, INC C<,ll "" bl ° mm ( Wednesday, October 20, iftas wBff VAUDEVILLE 129 « r Amt ’+ ■ S •y •f A new booking gimmick, now be- 4 ing practiced by the Miami Beach hotels, is expected to strengthen the hotels to the detriment of the local nightclubs. Several of the Beach inns are now booking what- ever names; are in , Florida on a one-night basis, giving the hotel a hew show every night. The coin for- that date isn’t munificent blit an act doesn’t make out too badly: The newrShpw-nightly angle has the net effect of keeping the guests inside the hotel, . and the inns are; getting a good amount of revenue they wouldn’t otherwise get. The talent agencies are frankly worried about this development For one thing, it doesn’t bring them the revenue they might' or-? dinarily get out of Florida. , It also endangers the weekly bookings in hotels, and more important the niteries during season will be yelp- ing even more loudly at the in* juries being done them by the ho- tels: The talent agencies will bear the brunt of these complaints; since they .will get the beefs from both the hotel and nitery owners as well as fropi acts# who may be evenly, divided on the efficacy of working the one-nighters. The percenteries will soon haye to. face the problem squarely. Thus far, the season hasn’t opened, and when it does, they’ll have to estab- lish a &rmal policy on- that score. When the nightclubs start full- scale buying, it’s expected that they’ll'want assurances that the ho- tels wo'n’t get acts for . One-night stands. Of course, the agencies Will cite the assurance that the talent will not appear elsewhere for the 30-day period guaranteed in the contract form issued by the AmerU can Guild of Variety Artists. How- ever, they cannot, guarantee that many Who do come down in antici- pation of club dates, will not be picking up these jobs. The hotels 'have found these one- niters a tremendous help. Operat- ing udder reduced rates in the summer, they have been forced to j make every avenue of .revenue pay ! off. Agent Sid Harris has been helpful in getting some of the . acts to work these "stands. He’s cur- rently in New York loQking over talent and shows for Florida con- sumption. JACOBS SELLS MIAMI ' SPOT FOR $1,500,000 ■Walter .‘Jacobs, for many years operator' of the Lord !TarletOn Hotel, IVIianii Beach, and the. Tarle- ton, Pike,' N. H:, has sold out his Florida inn to the Waldmah hotel interests, which now runs the Muri- da Hotel, Long Beach, N. Y. Deal was Closed last week for $1,500,000. This is the second .time that Ja- cobs retired from the Florida opr eration. Some years ago he leased out the inn, but returned to the site after: several seasons. The Lord Tarleton is a long-es- tablished haunt for snow biz perr sonalities. Future plans of the Jacobs clan (Walter and All - was not revealed with announcement of the sale of the hotel, but it has long been Un- derstood that they are eyeing a choiee location for erection -of a new hostel that can compete with the more modern edifices erected in the past few years. There’s still a possibility, however, of their pur- chasing one of the gro«p. in time for the *55-’56 .season. Jessel Begging Off Cafe Dates for Radio-TV Deal Georgfe Jessel is begging off On all nitery assignments so that he can take on a radio and tele deal now being proffered him on the Coast. He has cancelled out of the Chase Hotel, St. Louis, and has asked, for postponement of the Latin Quarter deals in New York ®nd Miami Beach. • Paul Winchell has- been substi- tuted at the Chase. Gambling Case Jails Atlanta Nitery Op Atlanta, Oct. 19. H. C. Harden, Jr., nightclub owner, pleaded guilty to two gam- bling charges and was sentenced to nine months in prisqh and fined $300 in indictments charging him with keeping a dice table and pos- sessing a gambing device. A third charge against; him for keeping a card table was dismissed. Harden's guilty plea came after special Judge Walter B. Jones re-, fused his demand for a new Bus- sell- -County jury list, a request predicated on the contention that the present jurors were biased and prejudiced against accused racket- eers to the extent that the defend- ant couid not get a fair trial# Chrysler s All-Out In Auto Debut Detroit, Oct. 19: Extent of auto industry’s use of top talent to hypo interest in its cars Was demonstrated . again .last Monday (11) when Chrysler Corp., in one of the most lavish and spec- tacular displays seen here, laid at least $100,000 on the line to enter- tain 500 of the nation’s newsmen. Figure includes eats, cocktails, travel and hotel expenses,, etc,, but a sizable portion — as yet unde- termined by the firm’s bookkeepers who say, wearily, “the bills are still coming in” — was spent on show biz talent. Headliner was Danny Thomas, the. Dodge Division’s “Make Room for Daddy” tv entry, who was flown in from the Coast. He wowed the newshounds in a show-stopping per- formance during an evening pro- gram in the Sheraton-Cadillac Hotel. Featured were, the Billy Williams Quartet, Darvas & Julia, Carsony Bros., Manhattan Rockets (8) and Dave Farley’s 12-piece orefe. Earlier in the day, when the 1955 cars .were being unveiled at an ex- clusive private school for boys, 100 performers participated in adding color to the event. These included 30 models, 15 dancers, eight choral groups and a 12-piece orch. The models and dancers jumped from the cars and cavorted either around the aiitos or on a specially constructed stage in the huddle of the tent arena. They also were used to point out various styling features of the cars as mention was made of them by the commen- tator. . It was a colorful display, with choreography by Peter Gladke, and direction by Allen Zee. Producer was Amos Parrish, who brought the . performers . from New York es- pecially for the show. Detroit, which is more and more the scene of. these press and sales- men parties as atfto competish gets stiff er, is adding plenty of .green- backs -to entertainers’: bank ac- counts. The latest Chrysler effort i was just about tops In. the expendi- ture: bracket of anything seen here to date. Dominoes Are Lopped In Mastin Philly Holdover Holdover of the Will Mastin Trio at the Latin Casino, Philadelphia, for an additional three days neces- sitated the cutting down of the show topped by Billy Ward’s Dom- inoes. Latin^Casino ops had been doing close to capacity biz with the first group and asked the Dominoes to cut down from a. week to four days. They opened at the' Philly spot on Thursday (14). Deal for the abbreviated stand was worked out by Dallas Gerson and Dave Dushoff, nitery ops, With Joe Glaser’s Associated Booking Corp, and Rose Marks, latter per- sonal manager of the Dominoes. Roadshows are faced with the 'prospect of hitting occasional box- office Vacuums during their tours. The number of unemployment pockets has reached substantial proportions in several areas, which until last season provided pros- perous grosses for "various type of promotions. ~ The biggest sufferers are likely to be the large arena shows; such as icers and the big name .units. The location of the labor surplus areas are such that it would be im- possible to bypass them unless ex- tremely. long jumps are made from time to time. If- the latter step were taken, then the show* by necessity, would ;have to follow al- most immediately into a territory where a siipilarr kind of show had been playing a short, time pre- viously. According to statistics, released by the Dept, of Labor, the worst hit areas, classified as 4-B, in Which a '-very substantial labor surplus” exists, and 4-A (substan- tial. labor surpluses) have reached the total of 51 .areas. Included in the 4-B category are many New England cities, including. Law- rence, Mass. Others are Muskegon, Mich.; Johnstown, Scranton, Al- toona, Wilkes Barre and Hazelton, all in Pa., and Charleston, W. Ya. The 4-A areas include, Fall River, Lowell, New Bedford, in Mass.; Rock Island, Peoria, Moline and Joliet, 111;; Detroit and Battle Creek, Mich.; Canton, Toledo, Steubenville, Ohio; Portland, Ore.; Duluth, Minn.; South ' Bend, Fort Wayne, Evansville, . Terre Haute,' Ind.; Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Erie and Reading, Pa., and Albany, Troy and Buffalo, N. Y. Hard Hit Industries Industries hard hit are automo- bile, textile, rubber, coal and farm- ing, latter because of falling prices. Butte, Mont., is hard-hit because (Continued on page 132) MontT Vice Probe Jabs At Niteries But Wide s\ vi« n.#n ■« a Montreal, Oct. 19. The long-awaited decision hand- ed down last week by Justice Fran- 1 cois Caron on vice, corruption and protection in . Montreal exploded mainly within senior police ranks and took (several jabs at local nifc eries. The probe, which covered all forms of vice in the city and which has been in preparation for the past four years, was lengthy and ex- plicit (it covered- eight full news- paper pages when reproduced in the Montreal % Star) i The niterie's mentioned, which have long been closed, weie all minor beer stubes but connected with operators who are still in business and running some of the major spots now open. AIT were cited as prostie hangouts and the usual business of ignoring closing hours, etc. ^in' a followup to the official probe, lawyer Pacifique Plante, who was one of instigators of the probe, said vice is still flourishing, the books are still going and the girls are still available in several Uptown clubs, although they are harder to find than they were a few years ago. (In 1944, the Cana- dian Army came close to putting Montreal out of bounds for all troops because of conditions). The probe and. the subsequent charges have had little of the ex- pected effect on Montrealers. It is commpn knowledge to anyone who frequents the after-dark spots that everything is still “on tap ’' One uptown spot noted for the prosties who worked, the room finally de- cided to clean house, .but biz fell off so much that they have let them come back in and things are back to normal. Several lounges with Small combos entertaining are wide open as in past years- indicating. Obviously enough, that the protec- tion continues despite ; the probes. * By LES BROWN Atlanta Hdtel Unveils O wn Er Morocco Spot Atlanta, Oct. 19. Bill Cartledge, Of Charlotte, N. C., Friday (15) unveiled El Morocco;- smart new dining and dancing lounge, in the Peachtree Manor Hotel, Sixth and : Peachtree Sts. New club is decorated like New York’s EL Morocco, with black and White scheme included in cement, sidewalk that leads to main en- trance. Spot occupies space for- merly known as Flamingo Room and has been' remodeled and re- furbished. Cartledge also .operates an El Morocco in Charlotte. Club here will accommodate 100 patrons; Ralph Gibbs’ vocal and instrumen- tal trio are featured. T?here is no cover. The first anni of Julius LaRosa’s split with Arthur Godfrey was marked yesterday (Tues.). Failure of LaRosa tp have sufficient “hu- mility” has resulted in his earning $302,714 in television and personal appearances during the year. In addition, LaRosa raked in a con- siderable amount because of his activities in thp i-ecording field with Cadence- Records. Hit tune “Eh Cumpari” brought in consid- erable coin. LaRos^ had been guaranteed gross hookings of $100,000 by his agents, General Artists Corp., dur- ing his first year. He tripled that guarantee . with fees running as high as $10,000 weekly. According to GAC spokesmen, his average • date now calls for over $7,500, and they say his only dud was at a one- nigh ter in Milwaukee many months ago. But otherwise, it’s claimed that he made money for everybody he worked for. According to GAC, the first year Was a fairly precarious one for LaRosa in several respects, the major one evolving . around his contract with CBS Radio. For that he was getting $500 weekly for three transcribed shows. However, it soon became increasingly diffi- cult for the singer to run back to New York weekly to tape the pror grams. This commitment/, accord- ing td- the agency, prevented his taking some lush bookings. They hoped CBS would forget about it and fail to pick up the option. The option has now expired, GAC Was emphatic in declaring that they never solicited his renewal, nor had they been notified that he was being dropped. . GAC stated that LaRosa recent- ly broke the attendance record at the Chase Hotel, St. Louis. In ad- dition, he’s still on . a series of lush bookings, latest one being at the Laurel Hills Supper Club, Colum- bia, S. C„ which is using record •names consistently. He’s also, set for a repeat on the Ed Sullivan show Nov. 14. Jersey Shore Ice Arena] Casino Ice Arena, Asbury Park, N. J., now being refurbished, is ex- pected to be ready by Thanksgiv- ing. Hoiuse, originally built in the 20s,’ was recently acquired by a group of the resort’s businessmen, Who are pouring an additional $300, OOP into alterations, The Casino Will have a perma-> nent ice plant able to freeze a floor- space of 75x175 feet. For ice shows there will be a 3,000 seating capaci- ty. For other affairs there will be fi.OQO seats. Pete Cary.ef, formerly with “Holiday on Ice/* will be, gen- eral manager# Chicago,. Oct. 19. What had reigned, during the war years and before* as one of the wooliest honktytonks this side of the Sierras is now struggling to keep its neon. Smudges alive, with the cheapest possible girl displays. Clark St, strippers’ row on the fringe of Chicago’s Loop, has been growing dimmer and dimmer ever since the city administration found it fitting to .turn the heat on sev- eral years ago. The whilom romp- ing place of . conventioneers and other goodtime Charlies now is practically forgotten part of town. No wpnder. The strips, in; the main, are more bizarre than, sexy. Joints that survived the mass shut- tering, irt recent years are present- ing, in many cases,- a lineup of non- pros, many of them immigrants from Mexico or Puerto Rico who haven’t the vaguest idea how to strut it, much, less tOss in a bump or a grind. What once were gaudy* playing three-piece -hands, how have been clipped to a single pianist and sometimes merely to a jukebox, Costumes are plain and unimaginative for, the most, and when the gals, peel they’ve got to keep covered to the navel. There’s more dainty flesh to be seen on the b?ach for free, or on televi- sion. Still Clark St. with its “cheapie” spectaculars, has fared better than another Chi stripper street, West Madison. That one still retains the old L&L, blit practically no other. The So-Ho' Club Is hoarded, and the. once . endless string of small- er clubs now are either ordi- nary saloons or hardware stores# The blight of nearby Skid Row is spreading. ; Out to Suburbs What has happened to Chicago burlesque, is that it’s moved out to the suburbs where it is safe from Windy City cops. Dozens haye sprung up in Cicero, and those are the rawest ones going, while Calu- met City keeps its title, as the strip kingpin of the midwest. Strip shows have moved to other parts of Chicago/, too, where they’re I (Continued on page 132) REGAL ONE-FRAMER TO ChicagOittPct. 19. While no Windy City theatre Is with stageshow this week, for the first time in anyone's memory here, Balaban & Katz has booked a one-framer for next week into the southside Regal Theatre. An- other one is on tap for mid-No- vember, and these will be the only house bills until “Stair Is Born” winds up its run at the Chicago Theatre, which has given up vaude temporarily because of the pic’s length. . Regal bill headlines Will Mastin Trio, featuring Sammy Davis Jr., and also lists Trixie,; Leonard Reed, Barbara Da Costa, Dyerettes and a local band. Show will be; racially mixed. Bill Miller^ Cocoanut Grove Booking Deal Gold Hollywood, Oct. 19. Bill Miller and the Cocoanut Grove of the Ambassador Hotel here called off a deal for him to bpok the spot. He’ll concentrate on the Sahara/ Las Vegas. Cancel- lation by mutual agreement termi- nates the deal after only six weeks. Miller booked the current Ames Bros., and had also booked Alina Maria Alberghetti to follow Qct. 27. However, she cancelled due to' the pressure o'f film ’work.' , Ambassador veepee-genefal man- ager Joseph Hoenig, who’ll book at least for the time being, is trying' to put together a replacement show, probably “headlining Estelita. There’s no change in plans to build a new grove early next year# 130 VAUDEVILLE PfatJEff Wifcdiiesdd^ October 20, 1954 ’ ' ■ i in n to The National Board of the Amer- ican Guild of Variety Artists faces sober meeting when it convenes next Monday (26) at the Henry Hudson Hotel, N. Y. . The two major items on the agenda will be the continuing, fracas with the American Federation of Musicians arid its effect in Canada, and the recent defection by Dick Jones, former eastern regional director, noW attempting to organize an in- die union in Philadelphia and Bal- timore. Meeting is expected to complete plans to isolate Jones from contact with actors. It may be that charges of aiding and abetting an “enemy of the union” may be preferred against two board members, Frank Richardson, of Philadelphia, and Mae Daniels of Baltimore. Ques- tion. is expected to be resolved within a few days. Both are charged with .having ided Jones in his “rebellion” against AGVA. A third board member, joe Cainpo, else of Philadelphia, has long since split with Jones. The hassle with the AFM is still a serious threat to the union, espe- cially since it "has lost considerable employment in Montreal niteries. Union administrator Jack Irving and prexy Jackie Bright recently conferred on the situation with George Meahy; American Federal tion of Labor prexy, and they cope to have some indication of what action Meany may take by the time the board convenes. The .meeting will also attempt to explore new avenues of employ- merit among other items. Agenda will • be, completed by the end of the week!" NESBITT TO PRODUCE VEGAS DUNES DISPLAYS Hollywood, Oct. 19. Robert Nesbitt, who has produced many shows in England, has been retained * to produce, the floor-dis- plays at the > Dunes . Hotel, Das Vegas, which is slated to open sometime in February. Nesbitt has produced nearly 40 revues, 1 many for the top houses in Englapd, including the Palla- dium,. London. The deal was set by the William Mortis Agency. See COMEDY MATERIAL All Branches ..of Theatricals FUN-MASTER ORIGINAL SHOW-BIZ GAG FILE (Th# Service of the STARS) First 13 Files $6.00— All 35 issue* $35 Singly; $1.05 per script. • 3 Bks. PARODIES, per book. .110 • • . MINSTREL BUDGET.. $25 • • 4 BLACKOUT BKS., •»bk...$25 # • BLUE BOOK (Oegs for Stags) $50 • HOW TO MASTER THE CEREMONIES $3.00 GIANT CLASSIFIED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF GAOS, $300. Worth over a thousand No C.O.D.'e BILLY OLASON 301 W. 34th St., New York It— Dept, V Circle 7*1130 & >0>> Wmm JIMMY and GENE J IMA E Just Returngd froni 2 Yaar Concert Tour Around tho World WATCH FOR US 1 When In Buffalo. Stop at tha ROANOKE APARTMENT HOTEL An Apartment for tho prico of a Room Complete Cdoking Facilities M. Lenchner, Mgr., 204 So. Elmwood Av. Sheraton Signs For $17,509,000 in 1 Wk. For Two Top Hotels The ^Sheraton hotel chain in one Week signed for $17,500,000- for two hotels. Firm last week took Over the 1,500-rooni. McAlpin, N.Y., for $9,000,000 and on Monday (18) closed the deal for the Palace, San Francisco, for $8,500,000. The Mc- Alpin was sold by the Jamlee Co;, headed by Joseph Levy, head of Crawford clothing chai , which has the ground floor at the Mc- Alpin, while the staid Palace was taken over from Mrs. William B. Johnston, grandaughter of the builder, the late Sen. William Sharon, who. amassed a fortune from the famed Comstock Lode. The McAlpin is now leased to the Tisch chain, which has re- ceived its notice of termination, and Sheraton takes over in May, The purchase price Will be paid over a period of time. There’s a $3,000,000 mortgage held by the New York Life Insurance Co. Ac*, quisition of the McAlpin gives the Sheraton four hotels in New York. Others are the Astor, which it took over several weeks ago, the Park Sheraton and the Slieraton-Russell. The Sheraton chain is on an ex- pansion binge,; other recent take- overs including the Blackstone, Chicago, and Ten Eyck, Albany. The McAlpin, built in 1912, had been leased until 1952 to the Knott chain. The Tisch outfit has a lease funning until 1958, but a clause permits termination in the event of a sale. Dallas, Oct. 19. State Fair of Texas, midway in its 69th annual 16-day run, Oct. 9-24, racked up what’s claimed to be a new world’s record for single day expo attendance Saturday (16) when 296,784 visitors, at 60c each, packed the 187-acre fair- grounds. Total topped the previ- ous claimed record attendance of 296,500 set by the Canadian Na- tional Exposition at Toronto Sept. 28. Previous high here was 289,- 307 on Oct. 14, 1950, Record dray/ here boosted the halftime attend- ance total to 1,308,241, well ahead of last year’s 1,222,700 draw for the first eight days, and fair execs are confident this year’s turnstile total will top 1952’s record of 2,- 387,400 payees. Top entertainment lure is "The King and I,” in for 25 perform- ances in the 4, 300-seat expo audi- torium at $1.20-$4.80 scale. Extra chairs have been added for four sellout houses and the Rodgers & Hammerstein piece, with Yul Brynner and Patricia Morison, has a heavy advance sale for the final 12 showings, "Ice Cycles of 1955” is headed for a new indoor attendance rec- ord, if ticket sales in this final week hold .up to the first 14 per- formances. More than 70,000 per- sons,’ an average of 5,000 per show- ing, saw the 10th consecutive showing of "Cycles” in its first eight days at the . 5,560-seat Ice Arena in the expo grounds. Seats are scaled at $3.30 top. New York Myron Cohen and the Kean Sis- ters will replace Dennis Day, who cancelled out of the Copac'abaria, N. Y., because of tele commit- ments, They play the spot Nov. 18 ..... . Eileen Barton Set for the Mo- cambo, Hollywood, Nov. 12 Howard Lanin Agency to produce the show for the Combined Daily Industries convention at the War- ner Theatre, Atlantic City, Oct. 27. Herb Shriner, Martha Wright and Earl Wrightson are topping the layout . . . Sam Levenson to play a, four-day stand at the Sheraton- Cadillac, Detroit, Oct. 27, prior to opening at • the Chez v Paree, Chi- cago, Oct. 3i . Borrah Minevitch Rascals into the Sands Hotel, Las Vegas, Oct,. 19 . . Don Cornell to the Monte Carlo; Little Ferry, N. J., Nov. 12 . Latin: Quarter, N. Y., chorine Beverly Richards fined . $50 and had her license re- voked for leaving the scene of an accident following an auto crash. Four Lads pacted for the Copa- cabana, N,Y., Oct. 28, for. the bill headed by Nat (King) Cole . . . Ethel Smith into the Congress Hotel, St; Louis, Oct. 28 . George Tapps tapped for the Chez Paree, Chicago, Nov. 21. FREDDIE REDDI TV'S SPARKLING NEW PERSONALITY Oct. 22 - DEBUT - Oct. 22 *HAS CLEAN T SHIRT WILL TRAVEL Quick Down Under Date Set for Satchmo Band A . quick concert tour was ar- ranged Monday (18) for the Louis Armstrong band to tour Australia. Armstrong was originally set by Joe Glaser, head of the Associated Booking Corp., to tour Down Under next March. However, the Australian promoters flew/ to the U. S. last week for conferences with ABC Hollywood topper Bob Phillips, then with Glaser in, Chi- cago. Further palavers were held for three days in New York and now Satchmo will fly over Sunday (24) for his first' concert two days later. They'll give a series of 12 concerts on this fling. Also booked for Aussie tours are a repeat for Johnnie Ray, and jaunts for Nat (King) Cole and Frankie Laine. Negotiations are also on for three concert pack- ages by Glaser, Rio Resigns Coast AGVA Post to Book Talent At Chicago Al Beletti unit, just signed by AC, opens Pla-BOl in Calumet City this week and plays through Nov. 8. . . . Hamish Menzies cut. four sides independently at Universal Recording Studios here last week with nine bongo drums backing before opening three weeks . at Towne Room, Milwaukee, . with Sylvia Syms . . Pearl Eddy set for couple of weeks atMonteleohe HoteL.Nety Orleans ... Dick Kerr and Sian Fisher pegged for Eddy’s, in Kansas _City beginning Nov. 12. Omaha Joaquin Garay. opened last Fri- day (151 at Don Hammond's Seven Seas, to bo followed by Shecky Greene on 29th . . Johnny Vana Trio continues at the Cottonwood Room of Blackstone Hotel ... Joe Maize and his Cordsmen in for two weeks at Colony Club .. . . Panto Mimics weekend attraction at Grand Bar. * ■ • i Hollywood, Oct. 19. AGVA board meets Oct. 26 to pick a successor to Eddie Rio, Coast head of the vaude union who resigned to become entertainment director of the new Royal Nevada Hotel, Las Vegas. ' AGVA rep here Six years, he said his resignation is effective, as soon as a successor is picked. Under pact signed with Frank Fishman of the hostelry, Rio will produce and : book shows for the new hotel, due to open soon after the first of the year. Grady Setting Talent Plans for 43 Cruises James Grady, cruise booker, is currently mapping plans for a total Of 43 cruises for 1955. Grady cur- rently books the jaunts to. Nassau arid for the French Line boats. Grady currently has a talent tie- in between the S.S. Nassau and the British Colonial Hotel ih Nassau. Another talent tiein is in the works with another hostel in the area. W I N G N0W MAGIC INN SEATTLE (Thanlu. JOE DANIELS) Dir.: JIMMIE HUSSON AGENCY 119 W. 57th St„ Now York QUINTET EXCLUSIVE BOOKING CONTACT IRV NAHAN 1015 Chostnut St. Phlla.. Pa. WAIntit 2-7722 WHEN IN BOSTON It's fht HOTEL AVERY the Home of Show Folk Avory A Washington Sti. CAB CALLOWAY "now— eighth Week HOTEL SAHARA LAS VEGAS Mqt. (ILL MITTLER. Hit Iraadway. New Y«rk LUCKY LEWIS AMERICA’S YOUNGEST ECCENTRIC DANCER MY THANKS TO FRANK SENNES FOR MY FIRST NIGHT CLUB ENGAGEMENT AT THE OULIN ROUGE SHOWPLACE OF THE WORLD THANKS ALSO TO LEONARD BARR FOR HIS ROUTINES Personal teacher and advisor SID TRACY Rainbow Studios — Hollywood Wednesday, October 20, 1954 Oh — Mr. Dior, You and your flat lookl r ' ' * ", s \ ' ' /* \ fc 1 Mfv/v'*. •> N> ? •* BW *\V v v ^ s ' \/ ' V !&.«• 4 V' -V s v •* V , ^ ^ *• s/ V f \ / f &,?■'■■ V /• ■ •' ; 'S ^ / s' s / . % .* S ■* S JU A*"-* *. W 0 x^> ' ' ' V s " ^ / ■* m 1 ' 1- ls \ / N I'"! t I v 3 ' N *' A I '*! 'll Es** V *- V V ' "'■/<^/ s S s '/■'•' , ■> "Sqme wise f|lm b producer could have a female Martin and; Lewis in; this clever comedy dub." LOUELLA O. PARSONS "Betty and Jane Kean, the distaff answer to Martin and Lewis, literally tore up the Mocambo opening nighK and practically destroyed the jaded audience with hysteri- cal laughter." JIMMY STARR L.A. HERALD-EXPRESS "It's fast listening at the Mocambo while the Kean Sisters disport themselves with their melodics and good brand of clown- ing. Their 35 minutes onstage is quick- tempoed and breezy, loaded with laughs and the material they dish out is fresh and topical for good reception . . . Femmes sharp in their timing and know how It's a bright turn with slick overtones." VARIETY "Betty and Jane Kean's brand of humor is wild slapstick that would be sensational for a situation comedy series on Y.V." HOLLYWOOD REPORTER My lister has a head to match! "The Kean Sisters are bringing down the house every night at the Mocambo." GOBI N A WRIGHT LA. HERALD- EXPRESS "Betty and Jane Kean, those good looking comediennes' are panicking the audience at Mocambo." LOS ANGELES TIMES "Two top-notch entertainers Betty and Jane Kean opened with fast moving and brand new material which is amazingly funny and reflecting today's headlines." CITIZEN NEWS ■ <&/ *■ fy i BETTY and JANE KEAN Just Closed FLAMINGO HOTEL Currently MACAMBO Hollywood Next CQPACABANA New York Material: ELI BASSE and DANNY SHAPIRO Gowns; KATHRYN KUHN Representation: WILLIAM MORRIS AGENCY 132 VAUDEVIIXE October 20, 1954 New Acts ANNIE CORDY Songs 20 Mins. Olympia, Paris Lively fetching blonde comes under the heading of “fahtaisiste” here, This means inventive, off- beat interp, dynamism ana a voice to boot. Femme, has all of these, and sassy looks and material, that make her of . interest for U. S. revue possibilities* tv and espe- cially nitery spots. Hoydenish as- pect comes Out in first song which deftly satirizes the oo-la-la effects of the ’20s. as she hies up her skirts and gives out throatily. She does takeoffs on various subjects sUeh as the cowboy’s' daughter, a love- lorn gal who takes to drink and others; which all attest to her solid verve, bombast and aud appeal. Gal did a 'long stint in the succes- ] ful musical here, “La Route Fleu- rie” (“The Flowered. Way”), at the ABC. Mosk. NIKKI & NOEL Dance 10 Mins. ‘Palace; N. Y. Nikki & Noel are an a&ractive ballroom pair who mix a variety of routines to form a good net effect. They are perhaps too youthful to successfully but put over their sophisticated routines at the outset, but they do well at the close of For the Finest of Your Career: r— use the amazing new Shuro Wireless Microphone System..* \ - M (Ssrfl mi N j : .C- - . Nc i 1 No Cperalors License Ni'i'tied Shore brings you d "Magic Wand" that frees you from the fixed -position microphone, the con- finement and irritation of cable-dragging— frees you to concentrate on giving the finest perform- ance of your career! Tho revolutionary VAGABOND "88” is the first practical wireless microphone system ever made! And hereV the proof: Ao broadcast license needed! No cables! No ‘body wiring! Another wonderful feature is the fact that the Vagabond "88” Microphone can pitss from person to person or rest oiva floor 6tand . . . providing a flexibility not attainable .with any Other wireless micro- phone— a flexibility that is equally useful for solo or group performances. NIGHT CLUBS THEATRES Slim and balanced/ the VAGABOND is effort- •. 2 FM Rocoivoi lessly carried, and, in effect, becomes a bond • 3. Stand Addp between you and, the audience. * 4. Lavdltor C ♦ Clip If you are a Vocalist, Instrumentalist, Impres- • 1 *•» of Bat ist or Master of Ceremonies, d want to • ^! <# * vJn ® improve your styling dramatically, buy a J /’ Cemplata In Vagabond ”88” and— wherever you go— you’]! be • Instructions distinguished by "Having the Finest!” eooooooboa INTERVIEWS • VAGABOND "88” * SYSTEM INCLUDES: 1. Mlcrophono-Trant- mlttorin Jawal-Typa Casa 2. FM Racaivar 3. Stand Adaptor 4. lavaltor Cord and Clip 5. 1 Sat of Battarl 6. Receiving Antanna Wirt /.Complete Installation dfflllilk Vagabond --Net Price $700.00 WSHURE BROTH&tS, Incorporated , Manufacturers of Microphones and AcowtfaDeyjces 225 W, Hurori Sti, Chicago TO, Iff, CahloAddreis: SWJREW&tQ Please send me detailed information Wireless Microphone System. ADDRESS about the Vagabond ”88* l am interested in the Vagabond for the following application(s) their act when they emulate cou- ples on tho dime-andance floor. Their costuming is good and their overall dance style is . one that in- dicates ultimate, bookings in most Visual media. Jose. MELITTA Songs 15 Mins. Le Kuban Bleu, N. Y. Melitta is a soft-spoken Spanish looker and an easy working bal- ladeer, who delivers her numbers with a good, deal of charm and in a disarming manner. The sirigle- mqnickered femme . accompanies herself on a guitar. Hef tunes are predominantly in the Latin vein, although she throws in a few num- bers in French and English. Melitta’s spoken precedes to her numbers pave the Way for her. For example, prior to the initial tune,, she confides that it’s not the right number for an opener since it has a slow tempo and it ends on a soft note. These easy confi- dences pay off. The song selections are good and she reaches her au- dience easily, Jose. CAROLYN CARPENTER Songs 15 Mins. Arele’s New Roumanian, N. Y. Carolyn Carpenter has, devel- oped a type of act that goes well on the casuals. Miss Carpenter, who does an okay pop, majors in a medley which calls, for songs in several languages with a concentra- tion on Italian, However, since the . audience, in . this spot is all- Yiddish, she puts on a heavy over- lay of tunes in that language with a liberal dosage of liturgical chants at the end. Of course, the novelty of this non-coreligionist working in Yid- dish is considerable. She does well here. Jose.. FREDA FAYE Dance 10 Mins. Arele’s New Roumanian, N. Y. Freda Faye needs to learn more of the basic facts of show business’ life. She shows considerable skill at aero dance, but spends the greater part of her time singing in an uncertain voice. However, her major fault is her getup, which is purposely contrived to be as un- attractive ' as possihle. She comes oh the floor with no makeup and blacked out teeth, and a costume supposedly, representing a hoyden. Her tunes call for her to make ad- vances to the male diners. Please, notVhile they’re eating. Jose. GIVENS £ SWEETY PIE Songs, Dance 20 Mins. Arele’s New Roumanian, N.Y. Negro couple are good operators in situations where a lot of time is required. They have sufficient visual and audio values to keep customers interested. They show a lot of bright spots such as the femme's singing. She indicates a lot of skill in that department. They keep a drum on stage which when not used for solo work by the male, supplies a good back- ground for their taps. They dis-. pense a lot of energy in that field and some of the steps- draw ap- plause. They get off to a good mitt. Jose. Treniers to La Martinique In Cafe Society Delay The Treniers were added to the floorshow at La. Martinique, N. Y., last week because of the failure of Cafe Society Downtown to open as per. schedule. The Treniers were pacted for the Village spot, and were to have started last Monday (11), but alterations there haven’t yet been completed and aren’t likely to be for a couple of weeks yet. Both the LaM and CSD are under the same ownership. The Negro jazz act, therefore, went on salary as of the contracted starting date. They were moved into the uptown site to work out their salary; Clark St. Honkytonks ssssssss Continued from para l29acsBSSSS doing well enough. Curly Fish- man’s Crossroads, on the southeast end of the Loop, has a pretty good show, as the strips go, with a three- piece band and a lineup . of pro- fessional peelers. This is operat- ing in the area where Minsky’s Rialto, now defunct, . used to cap- ture the flesh-happy. Silver Frolics is still the most deluxe girl show in town, with an excellent vaiide- strip spread, posh interior and a stiff minimum charge. Backstage, a circular bar on the northside, has six strippers, and two singers and seems to get away ; With more skin display than most of the other joints. (Biz here is about as good as it always was, and it was always pretty good. The 606 Club on Wabash Ave. has a slick show and a. $2.50 minimum, and this club and the Silver Frolics are now the major conventioneer spots*. On Clark St., the standard price of beer is 60c, and beer is still the .favorite potation of the guys at the bar. Considering that there’s any kind of entertainment, the li- bation is almost a bargain. Piano players alone, in more than a few spots, are worth it. Hungry Jazz Pianists Most of the keyboarders are. hun- gry jazz pianists, and .their work on the 88s is not to be jeered at. In. fact, these, musicians have con- tributed as much as any other thing to changing; the. flavor of the Clark St. shows. Gone is the standard strip music library of tunes like “Sophisticated Lady,” “Tea for Two,” “Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody,” and that ilk.. In- stead, it’s hep, improvisational. blues stuff and they play without the steady throbbing beat. This partly accounts for the passing of the bump and grind. f gals worked sans inspiration and without a sense of climax. They left the stages wearing more than a biki '. To all appearances early in th everting, “B-girling” or drink- hustling doesn't go on. But at one 6f the foremost spots, the gals be- gin peppering the joint en masse qifter 11:30, * apparently the time at which the heat goes off. Sig- nificantly, at just about that time, the first navel pops into view, too. Burley , girls say they get 15c per stick as profit. A stick is a swizzle rod which the bartender saves for every drink the gals hustle from a customer, One stripper told Vari- ety she can pick up from 30 to 40 sticks per night when the heat’s pot on, “which isn’t very good.” A really good mixer, she said, cap get between 100 to 150. ** 500 // CLUB Roadshows Face Continued from page 129£sss= of a prolonged strike of Anaconda Copper.. Presently, there are no areas in which there is a labor shortage, although there were three such, spots last year, Only 17 have a bal- anced supply as against 64 last year, and there is a moderate labor, surplus in 81 areas as against 64 last year. Latest figures indicate that unemployment is beyond the 3,000,000 mark. Other factors in this pessimistic picture include a drop in corporate profits before taxes of $4,900,000,- 000 in the first half of the yeai\ While total personal income is close to that of last year, wages dropped more than $3,300,000,000 below 1953. Naturally, the pockets of unem- ployment will undoubtedly reduce gates in many areas. However, a spokesman for one of the trav- elling shows declared that it’s been his experience that in these de- pressed towns, the advance is slow. But if word-of-mouth and news- paper reviews are favorable, then there’s a pickup at the boxoffice, which nearly makes up for the de- cline in the advance. As far as show biz is concerned, it's conceded that there are about a dozen shows on the road that are likely to be hit in any prolonged tour. However, local talent employ- ment as well. dancebands on one-niter tours, iterles and club dates fall off tremendously. There is some hope that the picture will change for the better after the elections next month. NICOLE and PHILIP The Puppet Masters “KNIGHT Dir.: DICK HENRY MISS NAOMI "Chants With a Chuckle" Held Over, AGAIN L A KE C L U B Springfield, III. (Thanks HUGO, HAROLD and PAUL) ir.: JIMMIE HUSSON AGENCY 119 W. 57th St.; New Yark CORBETT MONICA Per. Mgr.: HARRIS GIGER Dir.: e.rbar-W.lu, N. Y. CO 5-86»0 EX-SHOWGIRL wanted to run busy checkroom •f high ola»i mjdtbwn restaurant. Must b* 24 - 28 , attractive, with torn# oheeklng •xpsrl- incs. B days, na Sat. trSun., 1 1 : 80-8 P.M, •alary 1 100 »r mere per week. slut ineale. OUTSTANDING JOB FOR RIGHT .'GIRL, Interview! Saturday 8 - 5 , 130 Weet 36 th St. BUD AND CECE ilijlTTKliKl Currently VOGUE ROOM HOLLENDEN hotel CLEVELAND Direction: MCA LOU FOLDS MAGICAL JUGGLER Currently SUTLER HOTEL HARTFORD, CONN. Thanks to DAVE BAUMGARTEN and ED and WILMA LEARY Wednesday, October 20, I9$4 133 Senator Hints ‘Czar’ For TV Continued from page 1 are indifferent to our responsibili- ties on programming. On the con- trary, we . are actively concerned with; and constantly alert to as- sure, a properly balanced program schedule of entertainment, infor- mation and education, while ob- serving the rules of good taste and moderation/’ On the subject of violence, especially in westerns, Jones said, “It- is an important part of our history, our folklore,', our tradition, and of the Antierican people’s cur- rent taste Jin ^entertainment/’ He pointed out the violence in Shake- speare, in Mother Goose,' and Other classics. ,. Films Not Censored Jones gave a long, detailed ex- planation about how CBS Self-cen- sors, but admited that it did not censor films which are independ- ently produced for tv but which CBS Television Film Bates, Inc., distributes for the producers. In its presentation which Opened the hearing, the committee staff presented a film, nearly an hour Jong, containing scenes of violence from films shown ; on the four Washington stations, over a one- week period, during the hours 4 to TO p,n>.— the children's watching hours. Jones pointed out that, while some shots were undoubted viola- tions of the tv industry code-, the scenes shown ran 60 minutes. While the four stations in question put more than 10,000 minutes of programs oh the air in that period. Jones also took the position that there was. a definite difference be-, tween violence in the old western films and that shown in modern crimp pictures. Senator Hendrickson commented, “It would be a wonderful .thing” if the whole industry lived up fo the cpde and asked how all might be gotten to subscribe and follow it. Jones said he knew of. no special way to get this, done, but said progress is being made. It Was at this point that Hendrickson asked whether Jones didn’t believe a “czar” would be. a good, thing for television. The CBS veep strongly, disagreed. One point by the . committee staff was that the network had no specialists in child education and psychology to aid in the .web’s cen- sorship from the point Of the juve- nile audience. Earlier in the session, Hen- drickson also aired his idea of a czar for the industry who would pass on suitability of material, just as the* Production Code Admin- istration does for Hollywood. No ‘Children’s Hours’ Washington, Oct. 19.. Two. additional witnesses - were heard today (Tues:) by the Hen- drickson committee on juvenile crime. John Hayes, manager of WTOP here, said there is. no “uni- versal hour” when kids "watch tv, that moppets do viewing up to 10 p.m.- and later, adults, along, with them, and hence stations will al- ways be confronted with a pro- gramming problem/* on the time slot element alone. Sen. Hendrickson, putting in a “plug 1 ' for th industry ' code, asked Hayes if he thought the “old westerns” were more moderate than the “new oa tiers, to which Hayes replied that many of the old films “we saw as boys” are playing on tv currently. The com- mittee brought out, incidentally, that several complaints had been received V that NBC^TV’s “Satins and Spurs” spec starring Betty Hutton last month was “too sexy for children.” Other witness Was James V. Ben- nett, director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons and formerly secretary to a now defunct com- mittee of the American Bar Assn, studying influence of mass media on .the admi istration of •justice. He. noted the distinction between westerns and the programs deal- ing with "actual crime,” .such as tv's whodunits and. thrillers, where the details, hie said, were “blue- printed/’ Juves . can tell the dif- ference, Bennett declared, observ- ing also that westerns have no ef- , feet upon thena. Bennett suggested that the tv in- d us try /get together to (1) support * research bureau to test the effect o! programs -on ’children, and <2) • < asserting, Jhe* didn’t.bav*;,tQo.. much faith in the. industry's code, rec- ommended the setting up by Presi- dent Eisenhower of/ an advisory commission to work with Federal agencies that control mase media. Asked Whether this couldn’t be done through the FCC, he said that wouldn’t work “because, of the present' law/’ As affinal thought, Bennett said that in a program poll of prison^ ers taken a few years ago, 50% of; the shows mentioned by. them were those dealing with crime, indicat- ing that, this was the type of pro- gram they retained in their minds. ■■tsssss Continued front page 2 Simca and Renault. Prices are still higher than foreign models of the same type, but the exorbitant duty of 57%. keeps the French makes cheaper. .- However, the new gov- ernmental policy , of lowering tar- iffs has led to ensuing' cuts in local product. Though hornblowing is; outlawed here, the French still make plenty of noise about autos and their prices. Jet-Propelled Cars Drawing biggest crowds are the new French Fords, Vedette and Versailles, and the experimental ■ General. Motors jet-propelled car, the XP21 Firebird. This jet job can do. over 200 miles and looks like a rocket on. wheels. Also star- ring are the specially-designed Cadillac Rapier designed by Brooks Stevens, the Raymond LoeWy Studebaker, the elegant English Jaguars, Bentley and Rolls Royces as well as the strength and dignity of the Mercedes. The vari-r oiis offbeat. little jobs of two and three wheels herald the loss of parking problems here because of their litle space requirements. The expensive but beautifully designed Italo Ferrarris and Alpha Romeos are' feasts for the eye if not the; pocket-books. English Rootes group made a big pitch with the appear- ance of Sir William Rootes him- self to inaugurate the. unveiling of. two new Hillman models. Low pricing and special features of. these compact family cars . were also of great interest. Overflow crowd gave Paris a holiday air as well as aggravating its already crowded traffic condi- tion. Taxis were hard to find and latecomers to legit shows became a habit here. Niteries did boff takes as well as the. many new legiters. Pix also got a nice take on these visitors who combined business arid, pleasure; and made Paris hum for a couple of weeks. Now, as they all trail homeward, the artificial stimulus will be off and show biz will go back into its normal groove. Doughty Dutch 'Sm Continued from page 2 intact. If a Russian chess; team could visit the U. S., wliy not four leftie members of an otherwise orthodox 100-piece Dutch band? Concertgebouw musicians are also still plenty riled; they ; don’t like Germans; even oboists. Their vet ; conductor, . Willem . Mengelberg, world-renowned maestro whose name was synonymous With Con- certgebouw fbr decades, was kicked out directly after the war’s .end on charges of collaborating with the occupying Nazis. A Fine Welcome Canie the Concertgebouw last . week to Niew Amsterdam. (New York), named originally after its hometown, to meet with a week of muggy, oppressive, inhospitable 85- degree heat. Also to meet with a further inhospitable threat from National Concert & Artists Corp., rival booking office to Columbia. [A $15,000. suit was slapped last' week against the Amsterdam crew by NCAC, and rumors were flying that the musicians' , instruments wefe going to be attached, and that the Carnegie Hall date might be called off. NCAC execs. Who were dickering in 1950 to bring the Dutch symph here, claim $15,000 .ig due them for expenses, when arrangements for that tour broke off. Wednesday afternoon, prior to the Carnegie concert, a sum of $10,000 was placed in escrow to insure against any .seizures; 9 pos- sible. scandal was .avoided, and the concert went on. NCAC, which claims it lost prestige a’s well as expenses (by the fact that Columbia got the orch for the tour instead of them), also avers it never intended to attach the Patch 'instruments. Situation is a little confused by the fact that the organization with which NCAC dickered in ,1950 is no longer in charge of the orch, and that the 1954 tour was negotiated with, a different group/ But it's reported that the Dutch government, which is sponsoring the tour of. the . orch' as a goodwill gesture, wanted to avoid any unpleasantness, and stepped in, although giver of the escrow coi is withheld. Anyway, despite all types of heat, the Concertgebouw artisti- cally gave a beautiful exhibitiori last Wednesday 'night of wonderful discipline, superb cohesion and clean, refined playing. Orch— the strings especiallyr-^-has a beautiful tone quality. They play in relaxed style; their conductor never drives, them with the style U. S. maestros maintain. Eduard von Beinumi their regular conductor, led them through a. choice, linhypoed read- ing of the “Freischutz” Overture; a performance of the; “Daphnis & Chloe” Suite No. 2 that Was ex- quisite, if riot as highly dramatized as is done in U. S. concert halls, arid a Brahms First Symphony that had majesty, sweep and wanning simplicity. Double-Trouble in Troy Troy, Oct. 19. The Concertgebouw Orchestra’s concert at the R.R.I. Field House Friday night (15) wasr marked /by dual misfortune-some 1,500 can-: cells, lions; in an expected audience of 4,000, due to radio arid news- paper reports about onrushing hur- ricane, and the metropolitan area truckers’ strike,, which impounded the van carrying , the Dutch musi- cians’ evening clothes. An audience- pf 2,500, at $1.50 to $3.50 scale,, enthusiastically, ap- plauded the 100-piefce group, the majority r of whom played iri shirt- sleeves. Rafael Kubelik,, alternate /maestro with Eduard Von Beinurri oh the tour, conducted the concert in a. light blue leisure coat and dark trousers. A few of the men wore street coats. WEEK OF OCTOBER 20 Numerals Ip connection with' bills below Indicate, opening day of show whether full or split week ' icate's circuit. Tlvolri (W); Warner NCW YORK CITY. Music Hall (I) 21 Jacqueline Langee . Edward. Ruhl Les MafcelUs Gloria Ware Chet Clark Rockettes Corps de Ballet Sym Ore Palace (R) 22 Honey Girls.. Raymond & Lee Duke ' Dorrell 1 Stylers Hilton Sr Lee Kurt Dances Stump: A\- Stumpy Lemke's Chimps CHICAGO Regal II Nitwits Max Bygravea 2 Sterlings Rita .Marteli Lorraine . Dick Calkin 2 Boris MANCHESTER ^ Hippodrome (S) II Bill Johnson Bonal Colleano • ■ Wilson Keppel L B Chris CrosS Nixon & Dixon Beryl A Bobo Morgan & Manning Palace (M) II Tommy Trinder Woods A Jgrrett. Sallci Puppets Flying De Pauls Anne Harf^ Harry Moreny' Jimmy Berry 2 Arvings Freddie: Dexter Geb Mitchell 4 L Gordon Girls Dorothy Duval . NEWCASTLE! Empire (M) II Nolman ■ EvUhs Betty : J umcl 5; . Skyllners Victor Scaforth Bil A Bil J A S ’Lamonte J Tiller Girls NORTHAMPTON New (I) IB Frankie Vaughn Audrey Jeans Alan.Roe Keither Bros, Annette Bill- Maynard Shane A ’Lamar M- Murray A Kaye . Bill Wareham A B NORWICH Hippodrome (I) 18 Jack Haig • Harkness A Williams Eddie Hart Moira Briody . [ Gene Rio Laura Pearsons Girls Co NOTTINGHAM Empire (M) II I Cu.v Mitchell Rey . A Ronjy Austral Johnny Laycick J Palmer A Doreen Vera Cody Co Les Spanglers Joe Crosble SHEFFIELD Empire (M) 18 Ray Ellington Morecamhe & Wise Gary Miller Mayfgors . Norman Vaughri Marvels Manning A Lee Les Marthys SOUTHAMPTON . Grand (I) 18 Diana Decker * Jack Watson Monty Norman Authors A Swinsoh Tommy Riley, Gerry Limb ' Krandon A . Kama Kay & Katrina" WOLVERHAMPTON Hippodrome (I) 18 Royal - Kilties Jcs Betty Driver Hylda . Baker Flying Voleros Freddie Stobbs . WOOD. GREEN Empire (S) II David Hughes Cardew Robinson Len Marten Billy. Thnrburri Skating Vogues Carozellas . Dower & Rogers. Allen A Albee Sis YORK Empire (I) .Terry Cantor Ken Barnes A J Noble 'A Dencstfer Joy Harris . Janette Fox Lake A Rolls Nudes No. 1 Fifth ve Helena Bliss Boh Uowney Harold Fonville Hazel Webster Hotel New Yorker Ralph Flanagan Ore Belmont Plexa. Joan Bishop A1 Castellano. John Barney Hotel Pierre Hildegarde' . Jack Whiting Gene. Bone Howard Fentoii Stanley .Melba Ore . Hotel - Plate' Genevieve J & J. Belmont Ted Straeter Ore Mark Monte. Ore ; Hotel. Pk Sheraton i Irving Fields Eddie Laytoh Hotel Roosevelt Guy Lonibardo Ore Hotel St Regis Fernanda Montel Milt Shaw Ore Ray Bari . Hotel Statier Vaughn Mohroe R: Hayman Ore Hotel Taft Vlncfenl l.nppr Orir La Martinique Rose.Mavif Lenny Kent Alan Dale C . Kaly . Dncre Tl’Cniers . POpi Campo Ore Latin (Ruartar M?e West Jane Morgan Ashtons Debonairs Golden Mermal Ralph Young Plroska Art Wanei Ore B HarloWi* . Ore Le Ruban Bleu « Julius Monk Norman Paris 3 Irwin Corey ' Dorothy Louden Melita Marshall Izen Two Guitars Kostya Poliansky Misha XJsdanoff Marusia Sava' Vet sallies “Bon Voyage” Paul Grey Louise Hoff Tommy Wander Margaret Banks Rosemary O-Rellly Carl Conway Betty. Colby Ann Andre Rain Winslow Danny Carroll Danny Desmond Don Dellair Jim Siico Salvatore Gioe Ore J'anchitn .Ovv . Viennese Lantern Helene Aimed Dolores Perry Bela Bizony i .... Ernest Schoerr : . Paul. Mann Charles Albert Village Barn Hal . Graham Jack Wallace . Mary 'Ellen Trio Rachel . Ellen Waldorf-Asterla Los . ChaVales De . vEspnAa ' ' Trinl Reyes Nat Brand>vyAne Misoha Borr Village . Valuer Robert Clary C Williams Trld CHICAGO Black Orchl Tito' GiilZar Nino Nanni Teddl King Rudy Kerpays Duo Blue Angel . “Calypso Festival" Duke of Iron • Mary Ann Trinidad Joe. : Calvin Ifarlgan Victor Manuel D'Lacy Qrc Angela .San Blue Note Bob Scobey Bjind . Chez Patee Vagabonds (4) Maria Neglia Martha A Bentley Dunhills (3) Brian FarnoA Ore Cloister Inn Chris Connor Lurlene Hunter Ralph Sharon Conrad Hilton 'Skating Stars' Margie Lee Cathy & Blair Shirley Linde Weldemanhs Polo Perky Twins Jimmy Caesar Eileen Carroll Ray. McIntosh B Dears. A Dons Franlcle. Masters Ore Edgewnter Beach Frank Fontaine Francis Brunn . Dorothy Hild Dcrs Bob Kirk Ooh Palmer House Jean Carroll Robert Maxwell Empire Eight Charlie Fisk Ore LOS ANGELES Ambassador Hofei Ames Bros (4) Mario & Floria Rex Koury rc S«nd Box Billy Gray Leo. Diamond Dorothy Claire Nicco A Barba Larry Green Trio of Music Wesson Bros (2) Kilt, Carson C Callinicos Eddie Oliver Ore Tony Martinez Ore Blltmore Hotel Moore & Lcssy Walton A O^Rourke Mary Raye A Naldi Hal Derwln Ore CIro's Marilyn Maxwcil Mathurins Skeets Minton Bob Street Judy Brent Joe Paz Dick Stabile OrC Bobby Ramos Ore ; Charley . Fov'l Wally Vernon Charley. Foy Mary Foy . Sid HurwitZ, Ore Crescendo Diotc. Contlno Margo Good .Jack Nye ■: Ore • Mocambo L Finley Rev Will Jordan Payl Hebert Ore Moulin Rouge Frank Llbiise Margot Brander Szoiiys (2) CharliVqls (3) Miss Malta A Co Doub’lcdaters (4) Mme Ardelty Jery LaZarre Ffolllot Charlton Tony, Gentry Gaby Wooldridge Luis Urbina Eileen Christy Bob Snyder . Ore . Statier Hotel Cheerleaders Allan A Ashton Skinnay Ennis -Ore MIAMI-MIAMI BEACH Clover Club Sherry Britton Luis Torrent Harold A Lola I Baron Buika 3’ony. Lopez Ore . Seima Marlowe Line Woody Woodbury Leon A Eddie'* Lois De Fee. Lynn Star Rose Ann Rita Marlow Charlotte Watere .' Nautilus Hotel Eddie Snyder Ahtone & .Ina Sid. Stanley Ore Black Orchid. Jo Thompson . Richard Cannon . Sans Soucl Sacasas Ore Ann Herman Dcre Anne Bai'nctt Saxony Hotel Grade Barri Tano A Dee Nirva Mandy Campo Ore Johnny Silvers Ore The Patio Sammy Walsh Nelidn . . Pat Paulson Bombay Hotel Patty Lynn Link Andrews Peter Mack . Dorothy Vincent iAs Vegas, Nevada Cabaret Bills NEW YORK CITY Bon Solr Tony A Eddi Ciel Cabot Thelma Carpenter.. Norene Tate , Jimmy Daniels Three Flames Blue Angel Dwight Fiskc Susan Johnson Dick Drake Geo La fay e- Bart Howard Jimmy Lyons Trio Chateau Madrid May g Ore CopaCabana Joe E Lewis Barry Si Four Joes Bob Sweeney Peter ConloW Jean Stevens M Durso Otic . Frank Marti Ore Gale'* Alan Gale Jackie Haller Warner & McG.Ulre Larry Fosler i Teddy King Ore Flamtnge Beh Blue Debi'H Paget . Les: Brown Ore / silver Slipper Sally Rand ! ' Buddy Baer : Kalyntan Hank Henry Desert inn . Betty Hutton Sahara Marlene Dietrich Last Frontier Benny Goodman Buddy Lester ■El Cortez ■Harmonlcats Golden -Nugget Gas Lights A Pink Tights Sand* P L . Hayes A M Healy ' Clark Bros .El Rancho Vega* Lillian Roth S Gibson Rod Caps Showboat ; ' Minsky's Follies of 1955 Thunderblr Gaylords Davis A Reese. RENO |. Mapes Skyroom j patty Andrews Joey Bishop D. Arden Dancers ! E Fitzpatrick. Ore New Golden Four Lads llejkie Style* Tanya A B/agi Will Osborne Ore Riverside' Kay Starr Jqnes Boys Starlets Bill .Cliffor 134 REVIEWS PfitRmfr Wednesday, October 20, 1954 Ambassador Hotel, IV. V. ChaunCey Gray and Jani Sar ■ kozi Orchs; $3.50 and $5 minimum. Serge Obolensky, . now prez of the Ambassador Hotel, to Which he has transplanted himself from the. Sherry-Netherland which he formerly headed until its concur- rent program of conversion into one of those “cooperative" deals, will soon put his new Embassy Club on tile map— 4f he hasn’t done so already. An innate showman, with vet ex- perience at the St. Regis (he was then married to owner Vincent Astor’s sister), later at the Plaza and then the S-N, Col. Obolensky has gravitated the plush Gotham hostels and perforce picked up beaucoup ideas. He: spent this sum- mer abroad, studying Continental hotel methods with a further eye to pepping up the Ambassador, long a dignified but - not particu- larly spectacular Park Ave. hotel operation; All the Park Ave. glamor seemed focused into the Waldorf- Astoria Obolensky obyiously j>rimed his fall premiere with an'lsye to “the 4,000” who comprise the cream of the international set's nitery rounding, and > decided that even that bunch doesn't like a 20% nitery tab for the privilege of din ing out, thus he staggered his en- tertainment policy to . circumvent that and yet achieve the best all- round results. For the later stayeruppers he snared away Chauncey Gray, long- time danspation fixture at El Mo- rocco; so that he's sure of getting a segment of that crowd. This is when the 20% cabaret tax goes , with dancing. For the dinner Crowd, until 10 p.m., there is the crack Jani Sarkozi ensemble (“arid his Royal Hungarian Orchestra," is the billing) and this dominantly strong septet, with the maestro- -fiddler at the helm, can give the famed army of strolling fiddlers at Paris' . MonseigneUrs plenty of .competition. Maestro Sarkozi is a soothing gypsy violinist who really knows how to make his violin cry, and his seven Romany aides are ultra iri musical Support. Sarkozi is a Cinch for a Strong personal draw, especially for the dinner trade. Gray, of course, is perhaps the best known cafe society bandleader extant. With himself at the ivories, and a six-man team . 'comprising trumpet, three reeds, string bass and traps, he mixes up the current show and pop Crop with the melo- ly foxtrot ballads of the 1920s and 1930s. For some reason these pops and show standards *do have greater perennial substance — and gets ’em out on the floor as if , on cue. That’s always been Gray’s ' metier— anybody who can’t terp to his pert tunestering just ain’t in- terested.’ There’s no couvert, but a $3.50 minimum weekdays and Sunday; $5 on Saturday; Mondays closed, Sarkozi shifts into an hour’s dansa- pation from 10, and at 11 until 3 a.m — in itself an unusual late- hour hotel policy — Gray will hold forth. Incidentally, Sarkozi’s ances- tors helmed the first gypsy orch- estra to play at the court of Em? peror Franz Joseph of Austria- Hungary— it says here in the fac- tual Alexander (Sascha) Tarsaidze’s dope-sheet; he, too, incidentally is another important aide Obolensky took over with him 'from the Sherry-Netherland. In short order, and with a scientific eye to the ultimate (class trade) Consumer, Obolensky and his g.m., William C. Tonetti, have achieved a successful pattern.. They have decored their room in an 18th century salon atmos- phere, credited to Count Edward Bismarck, grandson of Germany’s Iron Chancellor. The Embassy Club is situated in the grill, under the Ambassador’s old Trianon Room, henceforth for banquets, dominantly, with its spacious outer lounge. In the basement location it follows the pattern of the Plaza’s Rendez-Vous and the St. Regis .Maisonette, giving it a sort of class hideaway aura. In design it is said to be a replica of the so-called “Ambassador’s Room," ; -one of the suites of the Schonbrunn palace of the days of Austria’s Empress Maria Theresa. Cuisine is French and Imperial Russian, with accent on the flam- ing-sword viands. Henry (now Gallicized into Henri), is the head- waiter, long a familiar at the Sherr^-Nethcrland's Carnaval Room and has been wisely annexed; by Obolensky to officiate similarly at the door. Henri probably knows the hotelier’s following better than anybody. Abel. serving her apprenticeship abroad, has gained poise andTa sureness in delivery to make her a fitting sta- ple in this U.S.-owned boite, which also features Lil Armstrong in her fine-fingered piano jazz breaks. Kansas Fields fills out well on the drums arid a Gallic quartet, Mar- tial Solal, gives adequate dance and listening music. Mote jazz would help this club’s atmosphere. ^ Miss Rainey is a well-stacked femme who offers selected sophisto rep of proven and little-known bal- lads. She gives these a. throaty and sugggestive going over that the pa- trons want. Though her voice lacks a highpowered range, it more than adequately caresses and dresses her offerings. Drinks are reason- able and club gets a young Gallic and American clientele, plus show biz people in passage. Mosk. 1111 (more Hotel, L. A. Los Angeles, Oct. 12; J£irby Stone Four; Nanci Crompton; Nita & Peppi; Biltmore Starlets (12); Hal Derwih Orch (10); $1 cover. There’s ino great draw i this latest package for the downtown hostelry, but there's enough enters taihm.ent to satisfy the average ringsider, Headli ing is the Kirby Stone Four, a unit 20% weaker in man- power since last Seen here in town but just as strong eritertainrtent- wise; Outfit, formerly, a- quintet, hasn’t, lost any of its zing through the departure of “Cbw-Eyes/’ now a single, and socks over a succes- sion of special material items spiced with an occasional standard like “I Got Rhythm," to which they add their own material. A few of their one-line gags could be dropped, since they’re too sectarian arid riiore in keeping with the heeds of Billy Gray’s (where the quintet was last seen), but there’s little else to complain about. Boys play a variety of instruments, and well, and clown easily- and with no Waste motion. Petite- ballerina Nanci Cromp- tpn is back with her rapid toework that continues to rate 1 as a crowd pleasing routine. Succession of pirouettes and some ballet style terping are good for solid returns and she makes up in showmanship what; she lacks in technique to merit the response. Opening act is a. fast aerbtum, Nita & Peppi They’ve got some excellent stunts that give the act a European flavor arid they get. the show off to a wal- loping start. Moro-Landis gals are seen in three production numbers, well conceived ^and executed and eye fillingly costumed to evoke inter- est. Hal Derwin's orch continues to backstop. > Kap. Sheraton-C/arltoii, Wash. Washington, Oct. 13. Carl Brisson, Joe Ricardel Orch; cover '$2, Saturdays $2.50. They’ve upped the cover charge Jor Carl Brissori’s two-week stand in the Harlequin Room, but the customers get their money’s worth as the durable, blue-eyed Dane turns on 'the charm. Although it’s been more than three years since he Was last, here, Brisson has not been' forgotten arid gets a fine Wel- come on his return^. The old master of the supper club circuit dishes up a combina- tion. of romantic and comic songs, jaw breakers, audience participa- tion, romancing the gals and kid- ding the husbands, topped off with a gardenia for each Woman .; in the audience in keeping with his theme song Of “White .Gardenia." For opening night here, Brisson did one long show, instead of the customary two. He tees off with a medley from the film, “Hans Chris- tian Andersen," and then really gets to the -audience with “Ring Around. Rosie’s Finger.” As he sings he walks around edge of the floor, shaking hands with, everyone Within reach and occasionally greeting old friends by name. This is a small room, enabling Brisson to get closer to his audience than otherwise. It is all to the good, since the. entertainer works more intimately with the payees than al- most any other top act in the field. After the warmup there are a group Of songs ranging from the romantic “With These Hands” to the mildly risque “Little Manicur- ist.” Next he interjects a tongue twister song, offering a bottle of champagne for anyone who can re- peat it after him. Brisson hauls a mike oil a long cable out among the tables to all the payees who want to try,, until he finally 'hits a winner. This gets beauedups laughs and. lots of applause for the successful man. Entertainer follows up by lead- ing the audience in a chorus of “Let Me Call You Sweetheart" and then swings into a comic Texas number which he sings while on his favorite perch, .the back of a chair. Thence back to the romance mood, and goes off strongly; Lowe. South Seas, Honolulu Honolulu, Oct. 4. Vicki Young, Gil Lamb, A Veveiros, Lindsay Lovelies (4) Wally Ryerson Trio; no cover, no minimum. Desert Inn, Las Vegas Las Vegas. Oct. 12. Betty Hutton with Jerry Antes Jack Regis, Nelson Riddle; Lottie Brunn; Don Arden Dancers (20), with Art Johnson; Carlton. Hayes. Orcli. and “Orange Colored Sky.” „ Miss Hutton gives both Antes, who > sings ~a solo and then duets “You’re Right for Me" With Miss Hutton, and Regis, who indulges, in a softshoe routine, individual opportunities. Antes, who is an- nounced as a Columbia Pictures prospect, : appears to have the brightest future, his applause mov- ing Miss Hutton to say “I feel like Arthur Godfrey— and I hope you have humility.” Up ahead of Miss Hutton’s. hour the show runs 33 minutes and its a lulu production by Don Arden who, between his high score at the Desert Inn and at the L. A. Moulin Rouge, appears destined to be the new Ziegfeld. His ideas, costuming and staging are bigleague, and his opening production, number here, titled “Framed,” a courtroom melange with sex Overtones like no magistrate has ever seen, gets a rousing reception from the audi- ence. Art Johnson is the , judge- singer, and good, too, but better for the libido are the curvy prison- ers, at the dock, all of whom gyrate as though they have ants in their pants. It all evolves in a jailbreak, and any warden whd’d keep so many cuties under lock, and key is selfish. A second Arden number is a holdover gypsy affair to tziganer melodies and it, too, is fine for the eyes. In between' the two Arden routines; and the only other act in the show, is a rarity, a female juggler. And what makes Lottie Brunn even more unusual is that she’s a flrstrate handler Of the clubs, hoops, balls, etc., working very fast and without slipup. The well-gammed novelty act gets ex- cellent audience resporise. • Poney Sheriff arid Phil Moody are billed, for the special music arid lyrics for the Arden numbers; Mme. Berthe for the costumes (and they are excellent), and the Carl- ton Hayes orch plays the- show ex- pertly, but gives up the- baton to Riddle during Miss Hutton’s, tenure on the Stage. Opening night, at the first show, there Were a couple of music miscues, and a stage-wait 'Caused by a mechanical defect iri a curtain, but none of it detracted from the entertainment, nor. did they diminish in any way the certainty that Miss . Hutton is not only a tOpgrade personality' and. entertainer, but also much too ; young to retire. Scho. Ringside, Paris Paris, Oct. 19. Pat Rainey, Lil Armstrong, Martial Solal Quartet; $2 minimum. Pat Rainey,. U.S, dusky chirper, The combination of Vicki Young and Gil Lamb not only Smashed opening-night records at this beach bistro, but on the following evening- set a new Saturday record by crowding in four shows. The perennially funny Lamb had headlined the previous fortnight, but held over three nights to help Miss Young get off to a gala start, Both of them have, proved terrific draws, Miss Young hitting fame in Honolulu by virtue of her “Honey Love" recording, It’s one of the chirp’s few nitery engagements,, but she comes off in socko style. She scores solidly with frenetic songs such as “Cell Block No. 9," then varies the pace with “Stormy Weather” and “Tears on My Pillow ” Her comic takeoff on “I Love Paris," accompanying her; self on banjo, draws heavy laughs. Lamb; doubling as emcee, runs through his versatile array of an- tics and keeps audience howling for more. He “swallows” a har- monica, makes like a frantic be- bopper; does an adagio “team" dance (by himself), and— most ef- fective' of all — sings a nursery rhyme in styles of various com- posers. A1 Veveiros, local baritone, opens the show with sudh songs as “Granada," his best; “Three Coins” and “The Thrill Is Gone," then makes way for the Lindsay Love- lies, whose costumes are more spectacular than their precision dancing. Gals have lots of flash — and lots of -flesh — a surefire for- mula that warms up the Navy trade. Wally Ryerson Trio backs the entire show most capably. . Incidentally, only insiders know that Miss Young is carrying on the “she must go on" adage. Her only child died a few days before she planed iri to keep this date. Walt , This is presumably Betty Hut- ton’s valedictory to show business. If she’s retiring because she’s sick at heart of the arduous life of an entertairier, or because she’s so bloody rich she no longer has to work, or because she has an honest- to-goodness yen for total . domes- ticity, Who can quarrel with her? But if she’s quitting because she thinks she’s “washed up,” she’s suffering from delusions. Opening night here (12) her Swan Song had the melody of Success rather than failure. At the end of her first show— and she’s on the rostrum for a full 60 min- utes — a good portion of the 320 patrons who filled the cabaret gave her a standing ovation. It certain- ly looked mote like a welcome than goodbye. If Miss Hutton needs more of a convinces she got this audience response despite the fact that she was singing with a voice evidently tired from strenuous rehearsals, and in face of the .obvious that her act is not as Well-rounded and routined as last gear’s turn. This time around, Nick Castle is her stager arid; all he put with and behind her are two singer-dancers, Jerry Antes and Jack Regis, whereas last year Miss Hutton had the Stariighters, a mixed singing quintet: They had more versatility to spell the star. Difference now is that she’s on virtually all of the 60 minutes and belting all the way. It’s just too much for her, the audience and her voice. Some of her material is familiar, such as “Little. Rock Rhythm” and “Let’s Go On With the Show,” and she gives credit to Ray Evans and Jay Livingston for her song mate- rial, which also includes a couple of her past record hits, “The Rock- ing Horse Ran Away", and “Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief,” As last year, she does a takeoff on Benny Fields and Blossom Seeley, key- noted by “The Lullaby of Old Broadway” arid “Melancholy Baby,” and up pear the finish she again pays tribute to Sophie Tucker by whamming “Some of These Days.” “Sexy Sadie” is an other special song holdover, that pleases, and she scores at the close, when she does an afterpiece in a robe as though she got an audience call from her dressing room, by hopping a piano, tinkled by Nelson Riddle,, to sing “It Had to Be You" Blue Angel, Chi' Chicago, Oct. 11 j “ Calypso Festival ,” with. Duke of Iron, Trinidad Joe Dyson, Cal vin Harigan, Mary Ann, Angela, San Juan, Victor .Manuel, A D’Lacy Gypsy Orch (5); $3;50 minimum .weekends, $2.50 week nights. Focus of the present West Indian revue, which will be rooted iri this intimate calypso cavern for . t.h y e next eight weeks, is almost who)' on the lighthearted balladeering of the Duke of. Iron. The giant calyp- sonian, making , his first Chi nitery appearance, has penned, some, of the better-knowri ditties in the idiom, like “Matilda," “Ugly Wom- an" and “Out De Fire,” hone of which he offers here. : The Duke represents the biggest name the Blue Angel has showcased ever since it turned to Calypso some 18 months ago. Strumming a uke, he. opens the show with a humorous trilogy, sung warmly with an appealing lilt that makes audience participation no problem. He wraps up the format the same way with a bluish omnb bus on male-female relations that satisfies the need for both song and mirth. A distinct trial , which he doesn’t surmount, unfortunate- ly, ft how to. .keep all the calypso airs from sounding alike. Never- theless, he shakes a goodly quota of laughs from the. crowd, keeps their ears bent, arid has them blithely shouting choruses of “Rum and Coca Cola.” . Despite an eyecatching costume' splurge, rest of the bill shapes weaker than most of the previous shows here, affording, little in balance or novelty as nearly all the other performers are dancers. The mystic shake dance of Joe Dyson and “Mambolina” of Angela Ban Juan are both torrid tidbits, arid the Island Street Dance executed by Calvin Harigan and Mary: Ann is sensual and properly anxiety- ridden. Terpers, using front stage, back stage and the aisles for their shaker antics, tee, off the spread and join the Duke in a sock bacchanalian finale. Midway in the show, romantic Latin tenor Victor Manuel breaks the dance concentration with.“Piel Cariela” and “Begin the Beguine. He also breaks the festive calypso mood, and the audience buzz throughout his stint testifies he’s out of place on this format. A1 D’Lacy Gypsy orch provides prim itive percussion accompaniment behind the calypsos and plays okay dance and dinner music. Les , Sahara, tag Vegas Las Vegas, Oct. 12. Marlene' Dietrich, Bernard Bros. (2), Mary Raye & Naldi, Saharem Dancers (12), Gee Davidson Orch (15); no cover or minimum. Returning to the scene of her nitery debut, Marlene Dietrich proves again to be a solid attrac- tion if a not so solid singer. Her chore, an unexciting 30 minutes, spans an unusual entrance and exit wherein the; glamorous grand- ma, wearing a strikingly-draped White chiffon gown, is caught in the line of fire from' an offstage wind machiiie and the billowing material makes an effective pic- ture; The gown is fairly revealing in its suggested transparency and in it the blonde-coiffed la Dietrich holds the audience by the Sheer magic of her personality. She is still svelte pf figure and; With her fabulous face to' riigtch is a must- see. Actually, the gown worn this time around is more alluring than the bosomy eye-catcher worn by the star last year. Voicewise; however. Miss Die- trich must be forgiven, for she has been accepted by audiences the world over for her other, more obvious requisites. Her singing voice may be deep, bassy or even brassy, but she still .gets her flirta- tious and romantic messages across despite a soso selection of song& In the space of less than a year, she has established herself as one of the world’s biggest cafe draws with considerable credit' to Jean Louis, who executed her wardrobe. The headliner opens with a throaty “La Vie En Rose” and “See What the BOys In the Back Room Will Have," guaranteed , to : give .music teachers ulcers. “Naughty Lola” and “Look iyte Over Closely” are sprightly and spicy. “Laziest Gal Iri Town” is not delivered like Pearl Bailey, perhaps, but it’s commercial as de- livered by Dietrich. “Go Away From My Window” gives the star the opportunity to cry a liftle. to the 18th-century folk-song; Sh brings back “Jonnie” in Germari lyrics, then does “Lili Marlene” and her inevitable “Falling In Love.” Buddy Cole, renders yeo- man service as the star’s conductor of *the Cee Davidson orch, aug- mented by a quartet of violins. The Bernard Bros., comedy pan- tomimists, are a strong click With their zany antics to recordings of the Andrews Sisters, Kirsten Flag- stad and “Figaro,'.’ Wearing moth- er hubbards and little else, the duo scores with knockabout routines that include a stuttering carbon of Mel Blanc in “K-K-Katy.” High- spot is “You’re In Love,” from “Call Me Madam,” a clever Ethel Merman mime that winds with one brother as a nurse using a butter- fly net to whisk his straitjacketed partner off. Mary Rgye and Naldi return with graceful adagios and waltzes to thrill and please. The dance vets get fine applause response i ’ their two sessions, as they return following their stint in a George Moro production of “The High And the Mighty.” The line back- ing the pair is strikingly costumed arid the number is well staged and deserving of the kudos. Both Le Rikban Bleu, K. Y. Irwin CoreV, Marshall Jzen, Dorothy Loudon, Melitta, Julius Monk, Norman Paris Trio; $4, $5, minimums.. The supper spot operated by the Meles, pere et fils, has a bright display this session With a series of turns that are familiar in the lntimeries. The show is one that packs a lot of entertainment and holds up well. Julius Monk, who . tdnfereri.ciefs and is. in charge of the talent op- ( erations, again shows, a lot of 1 gemiity in contrasting various tex- tures of comedy to produce an'eri-. tertaining blend. Comic Irwin Corey . contrasts with Marshall . Izen, whose puppet manipulations are on the arty side. In the sing- ing line Dorothy Loudon, in the pop and standard Vein; also offers plenty of distinction from the soft- voiced arid easy - flowing. Melitta,: who majors, in Latin tunes. The singularly-named girl is further described under New Acts. Corey’s absent-minded professor routine is standard and yock-pro- ducing. He has a. collection of zanyisms. that the chichi gentry go for. There are ’no gags per se, but his ramblings produce a net effect that brings on a lot of ap- plause. Corey is Wise enough to restrict his appearance in any sec- tor of town, so that he retains his novelty when he returns. Izen’s top numbers are in the arty spectrum. His material seems restricted to. the higher IQ set, since it deals with takeoffs on opera, and other iteriis that deal with longhair music. His big item on show caught was a rib of the (Continued on ifege 135) Wednesday, October 20, 1954 Music Hall, N* Y. " Showtime,” with Gloria Wa re, Charles Whiteley, Tony Saverin, Hal . ‘ Norman, Elvin Campbell, Jacqueline Langee, Eddy Ruhl, Chet Clark, Rockettes ( dances by Emilia. Sherman), Glee Club ( Raymond Paige, director, Ralph Hmter, associate), Music . Hall Vocal Ensemble, Corps de Ballet ( Margaret Sande, director) , S\pm phony Orchestra (Paige, conduc- tor; Leon Zawissa, John Dosso, associate conductors). Settings by James Stewart Morcom; costumes designed, by Frank Spencer, exe- cuted by Louise Bayer; lighting, Eugene. Braun; stage manager, John Jackson; production assist- auty Nicholas Daks; special lyrics, Albert Stillman; assistant to the Rockette director, Emilia Sher- man; grand organ, Ashley Miller, Raymond Bohr, Cecil Bentz; “White Christmas” (Par), re- viewed in Variety, Sept. 1, '54. With Irving Berlin’s “White Christinas’’ oh the screen and Paramount’s V ista Vision makirfg its bow, the Music Hall’s new stage show has latched bn to . an, appro- priate theme, “Showtime.’’ pro- ceedings are in the best tradition of the Hall and should- leave the custoriiers with a feeling of having got plenty entertainment returns on their admissions. Since the theatre’s revue by now has frozen into an accepted and expected . pattern, it’s surprising that the staff still manages to come up with shows that are so dis- tinctly different and so appealing in their composition. “Showtime” is one of those song and dance potpourris that just hits the spot with a bang. It’s in a way, a tribute to one Of the great figures of show biz, Irving; Berlin. As usual, the Music Hall Sym- phony Orchestra, under the direc- tion of R&ymond Paige, gives out with a. competent rendition, in this instance the. Overture to “Mig-. non." It’s a familiar piece and one well suited as a curtain-raiser. Otch gives it standard treatment. Overture leads into a short in- tro sung by Gloria Ware, with Charles Whiteley, Tony .Saverin, Hal Norman and Elvin Campbell terping In the background. Rock- ettes then come on stage for their “Fashion Showcase’’ number, dressed i glittering white. Gals are in. top form and handle their assignment with the usual astound- ing precision. Stanza, staged by Emilia Sherman,- gets heavy hut- ting from the audience, which also is a Hall tradition. “Stage. Struck,’’ combining bits from, “Carmen,” “Pagliacci" and “Rigoletto,” is next in line, featur- ing the voices of Jacqueline Langee And Eddy Ruhl. It’s the kind of spoofing that, done with ah imaginative barbershop setting, goes over very big. It’s got laughs, good Voices and an overall zing, -that contributors to a fine show. . Les Marcellis, fast-working aero team, come on next for an act that has the customers, holding their breath one moment and roll- ing in the aisles the next. : Their stunts are very clevely worked out and the boys are tops in their class. Wisely, they also go off be- fore they wear out their welcome. The Marcellis, working with noth- ing more than a cable and two chairs, are a mighty poteht attrac- tion. Chet Clark is featured with his mouth-prgan Solo of the ”St, Louis Blues” in the “Between Acts” bit, and he brings. the. house down with a virtuoso rendition. Backed by the vocal ensemble, Clark does a cracker jack job in : jiving up the blues. Final two scenes.- of '’Showtime” age tops in every respect ‘Miss Liberty,” highlighted by a replica of the Statue of Liberty slowly rising Into view, features'the Corps tie Ballet in a sock number that's outstanding for its costuming,, with the gals Wearing frocks glittering silvery on the one side and red on the. other* Margaret Sande's direc- tion of the; dance is an expert bit of staging. Hift. Apollo, N. Y. Coleman Family (4),. Margie McGlory, Five Keys, Bobby Or- ton’s Teen. Aces. (6 ); 'Chico O’ Far* rill Orch; “Veils of Bagdad*’ (XJ). The Harlem Vctude/flagship is on a semi-mambb kick this session,. With the Latino beat being pro- vided by Chico O’FarrilFs mambo band and Bobby Orton’s Teen Aces> The Orton lads are talented drum beaters who provide frenzied rhythms as they work over the bongo, timbali and Congo drums. They’re a- showmanly group and continue the reception they re- ceived on Broadway in “Two’s Company” and at the Th underbird in Las Vegas. They're the hit of the show, although hot in the top bracket billing. ‘ The Five Keys are the marquee lure and give; put with more than satisfactory harmony. For this engagement, the Keys have mul- tiplied to six, featuring^ a former member for the brunt of the solo work. Lads have tailored their act for both sight, and sound and display interesting movements in shifts for mike position. Their numbers could be spaced better, by alternating the. rhythm and blues tunes. The Coleman Family, made up of mom, pop, b r °ther and sister, have a degree of aud recognition via. several tv outings. It’s hand- some family; group that combines song and terpology to good effect. Margie McGlory is a song im- pressionist. Her carbons of Billy Daniels, Lena Horne, Pearl Bailey and Louis Armstrong please the pewholders. She is particulary effective, in her Armstrong im- presh. There’s no objection to the Daniels’ one, but his song style seems to be overworked by the imitators. O’Farrill’s band , at show . caught, appeared to be unsure of its cues in backing the show. It does okay, though, when it has the spot- light for solos. Holl. Palace, X. V* Wilfred Mae Trip, Gene Bianco, Ladd Lyon (2), ’Nikki & Noel, Rex Weber (2), The Renowns (3), Artie Darin, Louis & Oliver Sisters (3); “ The Bob Mathias Story ” (AA). The Palace 'bill is, a well-con- structed affair this week, with most; of the acts having done well at this vauder on previous occasions. The standard act value is topped by Artie Dann, in his next-to-clos- ing slot, and fresh interest is pro- vided by Gene Biaiicq, a jazz-harp- ist, new at this house, but who. has been around. Dann has a likeable set of rou- tines and gets hi^’ message over in this emporium. His gab on his; oversized sch ' and his under- sized frame provide a good focal point for laughs, and his observa- tions on a fairly broad field of subjects do well for him. This particular bill goes heavy on acts that Carry comedy with it. Ladd Lyon, aided by a femme plant in the audience, carries out a good brand of aero mixed with laughs. The balancing turn* holds up the trey spot well. The Renowns, a trio comprising two males arid a femme, show up well in the comedy dance field. Their routine still needs consider- able tightening for maximum im- pact, but they hit a salvo for what they show. Rex Weber does a ventriloquist turn without dummies. He’s helped for orie brief period by a femme, who purports to be singing, but walks off leaving Weber holding down the mike without moving his lips. It’s a good novelty that’s well appreciated. Bianco is a fine harpist, who does well with the Lyons & Healy on a series of jazz numbers. He does a punchy “Limehous.e Blues” .And hits a hot mitt with a rendition of boogie-woogie. '. The fore and aft, sections are by Wilfred Mae Tito, with two girls' 'and a male in series of. juggling pf hoops, that’s well, liked, ; and Louis & Oliver Sisters, who have a lively balancing arid hand- to-hand turn that makes for a fine curtain. Nikk5 & Noel are listed under New Acts.- Jo Lombardi showbacksr sharply. Jose * Olympia* Miami ? Miami, Oct. 15. • Molly Picon, Nazzaro, Great Glasso, Edwards & Lorraine, A.I- den & Ettore, Les Rhode House Orch; “ Passion ” { RKO ). Components of this week’s bill- make for well-balanced vaude, with added novelty for the regu- lars here being the fact that, none of the acts has played this house before r~ a departure from the. custom of repeating talerit semi- annually or annually. r Molly Picon’s only previous ap- pearances in this area have been - on the Beach side for the Israel bond drive, Booking here seemed art odd prie for the type of patron attracted, but the vet trouper . comes through in fine fashion to win solid response. Her compote is artfully devised, albeit some of the material has been kicked around. Knowhow and showmanship negate that facet and 1 wind ijitb her “Tale Of The Shawl,” topping th me-i P'Akiety REVIEWS 135 lange pf stories and special song bits to walk her off a winner* .Novelty work of Nazarro, an off- trail impressionist, sits well. Works his body into the act to aid on the facial work. Circus stunter, the Great Glasso, is another plus fac- tor in the proceedings, his balanc- ing stunts keeping the gaSp-mitt meter . rising, sensational one- finger stands wrapping up for him. Ducting arid solo, vocalistics by Don Ettore and Jurie Alden are also aud-pleasers with their ver- sions. of the standards and musi- comedy arrangements well han- dled. Edwards & Lorraine offer up in- telligently conceived ballroomolgy With mixture of Latino and state- side patterns. Les Rhode and house orch handle the sho whack Chores in apt manner. Lary. Science Helps; Golden Wedding Annis Specialty Of Lone N.Y. Kosher Cafe The wonder drugs of the past 10 years may yet prove the savior of the last remaining strictly kosher cabaret in New York arid possibly in the United States. Little did Sir Alexander Fleming arid Selig Waksman realize that their booris to humanity with the discov- ery of the antibiotics and the use of cortisone, ACTH, etc., ; wpuld have as important byproduct the rescue of Arele’s New Roumanian, the lone nitery citadel where di- etary laws are observed. The brothers Goldsteiri, Dave & Nat, operators of the spot on the lower, east side, point out that the bulk of their trade is in family -functions. The strong family ties on the Hebrew elements in New York, of late, have created a myri- ad of family circles and oousins clubs, and then of course, there’s the usual round of weddings, en- gagements, barmitzvahs, anniver- saires, etc. However, a new nugget of business has been appearing of late. There have been more golden wedding anniversaries than prac- tically any other type function. It’s become, an importarit source of coi , sez Dave Goldsteiri. This catering to the very old and the very young (iatter With barmitz- vahs) provides the biggest source of revenue. The Goldsteins explain; that with the changing character of the lower east side in which Puerto Ricans have displaced ■ many of the Yid- dish . eleriierits,': .there is virtually no drop-in business. Most of the trade is a result of solicitation, and nego- tiation. Consequently, -they know almost the exact amount of revenue that they’ll take i . For their reg- ular customers, explains Dave, they need no mi imurii cards. But. some- times, when some strange faces ap- pear, they’ll trot out the minimum cards ori the table. The cafe had been closed for; the summer and recently reopened. They had been on a weekend policy, but now they’ve got Michel Rosenberg, one of the stalwarts in the Yiddish the- atre. The surrounding show has a trio of acts comprising a Negro song and dance pair, Givens & Sweety Pie, dancer Freda . Faye, arid singer Carolyn Carpenter. Rosenberg is one of the genuine stage humorists. He has a rich vein of folk humor which draws on the Yiddish homelife on the . lower east side, but which is not only ap- plicable to the. Yiddish life else- where, but has universality as well. Rosenberg has; any number of stories which he tells bilingually. Some of the yarns dealing with his long service in the • Yiddish theatre are howlers. Indeed it may be that the humor that Rosenberg purveys may be the fountainhead of the Yiddish comedians that moved up- town. But here the stories are at the peak of richness. His skill at the tales deserves a wide sweep- of uptown trade. v I'he brothers Goldstein have to make concessions to the younger element that frequently find them- selves i this spot, maybe as part pf a family circle celebration or something, and for that reason the Jivey turn of Givens Ac Sweety Pie, a Negro couple, who play the. drums, and have a good line of song and dance, serve their func- tion well. More of them as well as the Misses Faye and Carpenter un- der New Acts. Of course, the New Roumanian, (not to be confused with the Old Roumanian, owned by Jack Silver- man) is operated for a numerically smaller Yiddish community. But apparently they bank on a rebirth of Jewish interest, which has been evidenced for the past few years. Jose. . Night Club Reviews ^ Continued fi Le Kuban Bleu* IV. Y.. Italian , opera. He’s a skilled per- former. with proficiency in several fields, inc!uding -singing; ivorying and doll manipulation. His operatie satire's are funny, but for a limited audience. This is one of the rooms that he fits into nicely. Miss Loudon has a good bounce in her deliveries. At‘ show caught she did a variety of oldies and novelties to put her ahead. She indicates a lot of promise and once her style matures she can expand her operations to the larger halls.: The Norman Paris Trio remains one of the top instrumental groups. They offer a lot of musical excite- ment. Jose. Chez Siizy Soli dor, Paris 4 Paris, Oct. 19. Suzij Solidor, Georges Henri Martin, France Noel, Jacques Reverdy, Andre Gueri; $4 mini - m After absenting, himself from the Paris nitery scene for two sea- sons,; Suzy Solidor conies back in her own boite on the Rue Balzac pff the Champs-Elysees. Walk- down Club has been furbished ifl a rococo, offbeat style in keeping with the milieu being catered to She is aiming for the monied and show hiz set, with her following of friends also coming in. Boite is decorated with paintings of Miss Solidor by the many artists she’s known. It makes on interesting, if specialized frescoing. Tabs . are a high $4 arid there are two shows, one for the. early comers at 10 p.ni. and anbther at 12. Club Js small arid any success will depend on the Solidor draw. She is in fine voice and her song- alog benefits from her poise,, in- terpretation and savvy and han- dling and rep. Her injected poems are also of the high calibre. Georges Henri Martin takes sec- ond spot with his titillating finger dances as masks cover his hand to let him dance a ballerina, a ’20s flapper and an oldie-type Betty. Bdop-voiced song-and-dance girl. This is a very diverting stint in a small boite and mitts are big. Rest, of Show is strictly of f-the- beaten-path and for the habitues. Two people recite and a third gives a shaky mime dance, ftecitations are by ex-boxer Andre; Gueri and actress France Noel. Gueri is in- teresting if -a bit grotesque in his poetry on the man in the ring while Miss Noel adequately mouths a charming Colette poem. Jacques Reverdy Is a West Indian who does a series of wiggles and con- tortions. Next few weeks .will tell if there is a place here for this intime styled, 20s-type nitery. Mosk. Bar of Music, I,. A. Hollywood, Oct. 9. Dick & Geiie Wesson, Kitt Car- son, Cdnstantine Callinicos & Freddie Katz, Eddie Oliver Orch (5); $2 minimum.- In bowing at this L\ A. nitery as. a team, the Wessons, . Dick and Gene, come up with enough comedy impressions to rate a good hand. Back together as a brother act following a six-year split, their 27-minute stint is brightened with amusing antics which compensate for lack of name draw. For the. record, Dick appeared as a single several years ago, but this time around he has his brother for straight-man. Impersonations , and patter are the Wessons’ stock , in trade, and they do it suavely and in perfect timing. With a flip of a wrist and a few facial changes they turn to ex-President Trunian, Liberace — who seems good for any body’s, im- pression these nights — Slapsy Maxie Rosen bloom, etc., for top rCsporise. Current layout’s . opener is the piano team of Constantine Callini- cos— former musical director frir Mario Lanza— and Freddie; Katz, on for l'iye excellent numbers. Kitt Carson, blonde blues warbler With a capable voice, provides di- staff interest with some throaty renditions, Eddie Oliver and his orch hold over to dispense tuneful dance rhythm. Whit. Hotel Roosevelt, "S» B- New Orleans, Oct. 10. Russ Morgan Orch (16), Nor* man Brooks, Tim Herbert, Pah Merriman; $2.50 minimum. The customers come out in full force when Russ Morgan and his musical aggregation make their pe- riodic stand in this spot. Add to these the tourists and other btfn- regulars and result is capacity biz. It's Morgan’s music that gets top billing. The big, husky maestro, a om page -I3 ^a s a. longtime fave here, serves a choice musical menu that appeals to the sentimentalists and nostalgic, pa- trons; Tableho’ders just don’t, stay anchored to their seats when the Morgan crew is around. They flock lb the fleor durihg the knee-action sessions. The “Morgan manrier” portion of the' .. .ertai ment -features the leader, with assists from Maugene Hughes, a capable thrush; A1 Jen- nings, his slide trombone, sidekick, and Eddie Wiltser, pianist, who also, trots out a unique slide cornet for a couple of numbers that evoke : accolades. Morgan’s own trombone stint arid lively banter provide showmanly touches. Topping the floor acts is Normari Brooks, making his debut herb. He’s a handsome chap who posses- ses a natural, unstudied voice that bears a resemblance to the late A1 Jolson. Naturally he sings some of Jolie’s . songs to; please . his, audiences, but he has rio intention of being typed. Tim Herbert, tooth-flashing conric, turns in happy routine of hoke, gags, songs and dancing to net a nice ha rid. Pari Merriman, one of the most exciting dancers to play the Blue Room in months, shows a fast line of precarious stunts in which her aero abilities' get full play* She performs flashy, handless cartwheels,, body bends and flips , that draw,, plenty of palm pounding. * Morgan also, emcees the show nicely. liuz . ' Black Orchid, Clil Chicago, Oct. 12. Tito Guizar, Nino Nanni, Teddi King, Rudy Kerpays Dud; $4 mini- mum. '■ A1 Greenfield has done admir- ably with balancing another all- song format in his intimate. supper club, all members of which are playing their first dates in the room.. Headliner Tito Guizar hasn’t been ... in town in yearis, and his draw here should be ample. Spread gets diversity from Guizar’s La- tino mode; Teddi King’s American., modern, and Nino Nanrii’s spe- cialty song yarns that have a com- edy impact. In black Mexicano garb and with guitar held vertically, Guizar takes quick dominion of . the room through a winning potpourri of Spanish standards. He has ingen- ious charm Which shows up espe- cially in his- lumbering intros, his ungainly but honest Way of coax- ing the audience to respond. The crowd buys -this approach, charg- ing it probably to Latin effusive- ness, and buys his virile songalog equally. Nino Narini has a delectable lirie °f .Patter, song and keyboarding which he delivers warmly iri a deep distinctive voice, Guy’s material is almost all in the same key, fraught with cliqko sex innuendos, but it’s choice entertainment for this room. Much of his output is special ma- terial, some of it overly long, but it all lands solidly. Teddi King is under New Acts. Rudy Kerpays and Dave Poskonka provide excellent piano-base back- grounds for the acts* Les. Drap 0’Or, Paris Paris, Oct. 19. Dany Dauberson , Leo Fuld, Carmen De Santana, Lili Bon- temps, Jean Marc, Drop D’Or Orch ( 6 ) ; $5 ^minimum. After A ine-month hiatus, the Drap D’Or is opening its plush doors again to try for a place on the nitery scene. Headlining is Dany Daubersdn, swathed in a form-fitting, glistbh- ing dress, that makes her easy on- the eyes, but her repetitive rep of’ husky, pounding, downbeat songs are. not .enough-, to give her an' in- dividuality arid class needed for a top spot. She needs a change in pace and songs with more expres- sive hand and body movements be- fore she can be considered well- rounded and versatile enough. Leo Fuld has a big voice and good pres- ence; and adds an offbeat note with his Hebraically melodious songs. He has a way With an audience and knows his way around a novelty tune, with the result that his stint is in for good; palms. Carmen De Santana supplies some carioca shakes which are more nitery than . flamenco, but makes an acceptable entry in style, dyriamics and looks. • Lili Bontemps is a soubrette of impish and pleas- ing mien, and her dips into oldie chants are a welcome spice to the program. Jean Marc supplies a competent magico tour, and the Drap D’Or Orch (6) is okay in the dance and accomp category. Mosk, 136 LEGITIMATE Uahiety Wednesday, October 20, 1954 Treasurer assignments at six of- the 17 Shubert theatres in New York have been switched for the new season. Shakeup had been expected as a followup to J. J. . Shubert’s takeover of the Shubert firm after the death of his brother, Lee Shubert, last December. Shuf- fling in b.o. appointments for the 1954-55 season also takes in subordinate personnel at, other Shubert houses, Treasurers affected are William Rinaido, who's been moved from the Majestic to the Broadhurst; Max Sager, Broadhurst to Im- perial; Aaron, Helwitz,. Winter Gar- den. to Longacre; A1 Hildreth. Century to National; William Goldhart, Imperial to Winter Gar- den, and Abe Baranoff, Mark Hel- linger to Majestic.' BaranofZ. is the only one of the six n«r employed at a Shubert theatre last season. He had a con- tract calling ..for 52 weeks' pay at the Anthony Brady Farrell house, In the case of Hildreth, the Cen- tury is no longer functioning as a legit showcase, having been leased by the Shuberts to NBC-TV; Present staffs at Shubert houses,, with last season’s assignments in parentheses, follow: Broadhurst, Rinaido, Benjamin Chasin (Sager, Ch’asin);.. Imperial, Sager, Helen Monroe, Richard Surace .(Gold- hart, Miss. Monroe, Arthur Feine); Longacre, Helwitz, Herman Fallick (Murray Lang, Dan Melnick. Also Majestic, Baranoff, Mary Ackley, Frank Youngs, Gerard Connell (Rinaido, Miss Ackley, Fred Gasida); National, Hildreth,: Abe Potal (Anna Hirsh, Gerard COnnell, Lewis Melnick); Winter Garden, Goldhart, Anna Yurxlin (Aaron Helwitz, Fallick, Kathryn Walsh). Also Barrymore, Betty Barker, Jack Melnick, GaSida (Barker, Miss Melnick); Belasco, Cora Gibbs Margaret . Hildreth (Miss Gibbs, Richard Surace); Booth, Jack Pearl, Lewis Kasfen (Perl, Youngs); Cort, Genevieve Stewart, Georgia Fursman (same); Golden, Nellie Beamish, Mitchell Kanter (same). Also, Plymouth, Constance Coble, Philip Kenney, Irehe Bolte (same); Royale, Harold Stehle, Essie Friedman (same); St. James, Charles Thomas, Harry Steinberg, Arthur Meyers (same); Shubert, Murray Helwitz, Josephine O’Brien, Helen Glenmore (same). Remaining Shubert theatre, be- sides the Century, is the Broad- way, which has temporarily switched to films, with the current showcasing of the puppet pic, ‘‘Hansel and Gretel." Assignments at non-Shubert houses for the new season follow: Alvin, Gordon Cramer, Luis Valle (Cramer, Rod MacMahon, Valle); Bijou, Catherine Low, Camille Jacovine (same); Coronet, Clifford Whiteman, Marvin Roth Williams (same); 46th Street, Charles Bow- man, Paul Meyers, George Handy (same). Also 48th Street, Julius. Spector, Harry Goldhart (same); Fulton, Ylerman Lewin, Robert Burke, Wil- liam McKenna (same); Lyceum, Lillian Peabody,. Mildred Anker (same); Martin Beck, Dora Chamr berlai , Ethel Archer, "John Kiefer (Misses Chamberlain' and Archer); Henry Miller, Frank Frayer, John Bowman (same); Morosco, J. Michael Onoroto, George Beatty (same),/: Als Music Box, Hugh Mc- Gaiiley, Walter O'Connor, Ray Metz (same); Mark Hellinger; Charles' Walters, Jerry Sheehan (Baranoff, Sheehan, Walters); Playhouse, Thomas Bortherton, Marie Dickson (Same); Ziegfeld, Lewis Harris, Irving Morrison, Louis Berge (same); .City Center, Angelo Casslini, Pearl Keyser. William . Weigand, George Bald- 'in (William Jakob, present staff). Paul Green W rites New Drama, ‘Wilderness Road* Berea, Ky., Oct. 19. Paul Green is writing a new his- torical drama, “Wilderness Road," which Will be presented for a 6Q; performance fun beginning next June 29 as the highlight of a cen- tennial celebration next year of Berea College. Play will be staged in a 1,500- seat amphitheatre now under com struction on Indian Fort mountain the college-owned forest just out- side town. Actors Fund Sec’y-G.M. Warren P. Munsell was appointed last -week secretary and . general manager of the Actors. Fund. He succeeds Robert Campbell, who died, recently/ Appointment is ef- fective until next May, when the annual election will be held.. Besides his Fund duties, Munsell' will. continue his Broadway produc- tion and managerial activities, be- ing currently partnered with Ken- neth Banghart. in the scheduled production of . William. 'McGieery’s “Running Mate," to star Faye: Emerson. He also, has Other pro-/ ducer-manager plans. Walter Vincent is Actors Fund president, with Gilbert Miller first vice-president, Katharine Cornell second vice prez and Vinton Freed- ley treasurer. Opens North American Tour With O.K. Troupe Montreal, Oct. 19. . Excellent principal dancers; a good ensemble, a repertoire loaded with old; laves and added commer- cial attractions should make the. North American tour of London’s Festival Ballet a b.o. cinch. Tour started Oct. 12 at Quebec City to solid biz, moved to Ottawa for a one-nighter to capacity, played three days and four per- formances in Montreal to okay re- turns and is currently in Toronto at the Maple Leaf Gardens. First U. S. appearance is next Thursday night (21) in Detroit, and the troupe moves from there to the Coast via Chicago. Opening night in Montreal was given over, to a full-length version ol : “La Esmeralda," a heavy-handed adaptation of Victor Hugo’s “Hunchback , of Notre Dame," .with choreography by" Nicholas Berio- soff, sets by Nicola Benois and music by Cesare Pugni,. This is a ponderous vehicle, with little to recommend it other than a brilliant second act which could easily be- come a standard offering in an evening of ballet excerpts, Tamara TounYanova, as guest star, and. John . Gilpin, the. company’s leading male dancer, are the only saving graces. The pyrotechnics of Nora Kovach and Istvan Rabovky, particularly in “Scheherazade," are outstanding! Dancing as Zobeide and The Negro, her favorite, the duo display amaz- ing technique, but stretch the line between, ballet and acrobatics pret- ty thi In “The Nutcracker," with Vi- olette Verdy, John Gilpin and Nicholai Polajenko dancing leads, the company is in its element and presents a first class performance throughout. Toumanova’s “The Dying Swan" scores over a ill-de- vised “Don Quixote 1 ,’' with Oleg Briansky, Most other ballets, such as “Prince Igor," “Petrouchka," “Les Sylphides" and “Napoli" get credit- able performances. Artistic direc- tor . Anton Doli appears briefly in “Esmeralda," and a. full orches- tra under the impressive baton of Geoffrey Corbett and guest con- ductor Robert Zeller ably backed this talented troupe. Newt: Migatz Will Try Fall Season at Fox Valley Chicago, Oct.. 19. Marshall Migatz, operator of the Salt Creek Theatre, Hinsdale, 111., and the Fox Valley Playhouse, St. Charles, 111., is trying a fall season for the latter house. Schedule of six weekly productions starting tonight (Tues.) is being, under- written to the .extent of $9,000 by St. Charles business men. Migatz is on the. prowl for name stars and recent Broadway plays not seen here; Hollywood* Oct. 19. National ..tour of the “That's Life” will open Nov. 8 at the Alca- zar (United Nations), San Fran- cisco. That will be two weeks after the revue closes an 18-week run at Lais Palmas Theatre here. Show has thus far earned back around $16,000 of the original $24,000 cost. Much of the recouped coin, how- ever, will- be needed to revise the production for the tour of conven- tionally-sized theatres. “Life" will go on a full Equity footing instead of the present little theatre basis, and. will thus -need :a larger bond. Additional coin will also be needed for orchestrations, etc. Show has been operating at Las Palmas on a weekly nut of around $3,500. In contrast, it will need around $11,- 500. for its end on the road. ' Producers Danny Dare and Sam Lewis figure to tour the revue east, in easy stages, arriving in New York late this, season. Colette Marchand Star Of New Szilard Ballet; Japan Tour Next Month New dance troupe, the Paul Szilard Ballet of N.Y., has been formed by dancer-choreographer Szilard, and will be off next month for a tour of Japan. Colette Mar- chand, former Roland Petit Ballets de Paris star who also played lead in the pic. “Moulin Rouge," and in a couple of recent Broadway musi- cals, will be. principal dancer, along with Milorad MiskovitcH, Maria Angelica and .Michael Lland. Jac- ques Bazire, Miss Marchand’s : hus- band, is musical director. Other dancers include Barbara Ann Gray, Rochell Balzer, Janet Miller, Stuart Fleming and Victor Reilley. Group will fly Nov. 16 to Japan for dates in Tokyo and three other cities. A Japanese corps de ballet of 24 will be engaged, to support the principals. This will be Szi- lard’s third visit to Japan, he hav- ing appeared there both in 1952 and 1953 as guest choreographer with the Komaki Ballet of Tokyo. Norah Kaye joined him for the ’53 date. Szilard plans a ’55 *56 tour of the U.S., when a U S. corps de ballet will be -chosen. Samuel Lurie is American rep for Szilard. EDDjE BLUM WITH 'FANCY' . Eddie . Blum, who recently re signed from the William Morris legit-tv department, has joined Richard Kollmar and James Gar diner as production assistant anc casting director on them upcoming musical, “Plain and Fancy.” Tuner goes into rehearsal Noy. 1 and opens Jan, 20 on Broadway, .. Boston, Oct. 19. Hub ballet fans had a merry-go-round during the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo stand at the Opera House here last week; Main foulup apparently stemmed from an ulcerated tooth of Frederic Franklin, who was skedded to appear in the pFeem of Massine’s “Harold in Italy." The piece had been postponed at both the Washington and Baltimore stands, but was slated for unveiling here Tuesday (12). However, Tuesday night customers, instead of attending the promised world preem, wound up sitting through a program of oldies including “Coppelia,’’ “Scheherazade" and the pas de deux from “Don Quixote." * On Wednesday night (13) the “Don Quixote’* pas de deux was substituted for the announced “Black Swan," and “The Mikado " which had been presented Monday, was repeated. “Harold in Italy" finally made its appearance Thursday (14) with Leon Danielian subbing for Franklin as leading dancer. Things had reached such a state of confusion by that time, how- ever, that prior to the performance a lobby rumor was-.rampant that Massine might dance the leading role himself. Inside Stuff— Legit As predicted in Variety last week, Herman Levin Is the new presi- dent of the League of N! Y. Theatres, succeeding Leland Hayward, who resigned due to ill health, He was named at the annual, meeting last Thursday. Reelected were Louis A. Lotito, vice-president; Herman Shumlin, secretary* And Gilbert Miller, treasurer. Attorney A. L. Berman and producer Alexander H. Cohen were elected to the. board* succeeding theatreowners Irving Berlin and Irving Maidman. Reelected board . members were Mrs. Martin Beck, Herman Bernstein, Kermit Bloomgarderi, Alfred de Liagre Jr., Max Gordon, Lawrence Langner, Dorothy Leblang, Ben Marden,: Richard Myers, Arthur Schwartz, Irene M. Selznick and Robert Whitehead.- James F. Reilly continues as executive director and Milton R. Weir as attorney. Rules covering the makeup of the board of governors was changed. Instead of pro- ducers and theatre owners being equally represented, board members may now be chosen without regard to category. Theatre Associates, new investment syndicate with a $24,000 stake in the upcoming Saint Subber musical, “House of . Flowers," is headed by Donald H. Coleman and Howard Merrill. Latter, a radio-tv writer? producer, is currently scripter of NBC’s “The Adventures of the Abbotts," co-creator and program supervisor of CBS-TV’s “I’ve Got a Secret" arid associate producer of. ABC-TV’s “The Name’s, the Same.” Latter two shows are Goodson and Todman Productions, Coleman at one time was associated with Ballet Theatre and until partnering with Merrill was. a practicing attorney. .Besides its investment in “Flowers" firm is planning its own productions for Broadway this season. Backers of the Martin Gabel-Henry M. Margblis production, “Reclln- ingy/Figure,” at the Lyceum Theatre, N. Y., include co-producer Gabel, $11,800; his actress-wife Arlene Francis, $9,200; film producer A^rmand Deutsch, $1,500; attorney Morris M, Schrier, representing Music Corpu of America, $750; actor Hume Cronyn, $750; Abe. Burrows, the show’s director, $750; co-producer Margolis, $22,500. Production * capitalized at $75,000, with provision for 20% overcall. son Lehr-May Freedman comedy, “So Much Velvet," with himself as star and John Gerstad as stager , ... Film director William Wyler has Withdrawn as stager of Kermit Bloomgarden’s scheduled produc- tion of “The Lark," the: Lillian Heilman adaptation . of Jean Anouilh’s drama about J oan of Arc, for which Julie Harris is set as star; ' Robert Lewis will stage the Broadway production of Agatha Christie’s melodrama, “Witness for the Prosecution,’’ which Gilbert Miller will present in partnership with 'London producer Peter Saunders, with a cast including Francis Sullivan, Ernest Clarke, Patricia Jessel and Una O’Connor. . . . Richard Aldrich, co-producer with Richard Myers of “Dear Charles," planed to London over the weekend to discuss a possible film sale with co-authors Marc- Gilbert Sauvajon and Alan Mel- ville. London production of “King and I” has passed the one-year mark at the Drury Lane, being the fourth successive Rodgers-Hem- merstein musical to do so. Shows, with the number of performances of each, have been “Oklahoma" (1,513), “Carousel" (566), “South Pacific" (792) and “King and, J” (417 through last week) ... Sam- uel “Biff". Liff has resigned as production stage manager of “By the Beautiful Sea" to take a simi- lar stint with the new Sidney Kingsley . play, “Lunatics and Lovers." Len Bedsow has. moved up from stage manager of “Sea" to succeed Liff, with Dennis Mur- ray taking over as stage, manager and Charles Millang remaining as assistant. Incidentally, the Liffs have adopted an infant son. Wolfe Kaufman has resigned as president of the Assn, of Theatri- cal Press Agents & Managers to go to Paris to live. He’s being lunebeoned next Friday 7 (22) at Sardi’s restaurant, N. Y. ,. , . Coast; producer Edwin Lester, in for to- night’s (Wed.) premiere of “Peter Pan;" returns immediately to at- tend the San Francisco opening of the Old Vic’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream," under local Civic Light Opera sponsorship, but wall be back to New York in about 10 days. Gateway Stock Co., stock opera- tion at the Great Smokey Mt. Na- tional Park, Tenn., will give two performances of “Ah Wilderness’’ at the Brandon House, N. Y., next Tuesday - Wednesday (26-27) . . , Carol Bruce returns to New York from London in midrNovember fol- lowing. a seven-month West End run in “Pal Joey," which winds- up Oct. 30 at the Prince’s Theatre . , . George Schaefer, associate pro- ducer of“Teahouse of the August Moon," will direct John. Hunting* ton’s production of John .Cecil Holm’s “Southwest Corner,” slated to open on Broadway in January. Evie Hayes baeje in New, York after three years in Australia as star of “Annie Get Your Gun," “Oklahoma" and for the last year in “Call Me Madam" in Brisbane . . . Jerome Cowan, currently star-’ ring in the George Brandt road company of ‘“Moon Is Blue," ex-' pects his family to join him for the Angel Casalini new boxoffice head at N Y. City Center, succeed- ing William Jakob, resigned . , . Julian Olney, manager of the Paul Gregory Booking Office, has. switched his headquarters from White Plains, N.Y„ to Hollywood, but. is due back, east in December or January; Chicago: Bits Chicago, Oct. 19. Paul Groll, company manager of the touring ‘“Wonderful Town,’*’ has enrolled as a student at Roose-* vfelt College, Chi. . ... Jim McKen- zie, owner and former producer, at Dobbs Ferry (N.Y.) Playhouse, ' the new publicist . at the Showcase Theatre, Evanston, 111. r - His aetress J wife. Jeanne Bolan* is featured with Gavin Mooney in “The Family Up- stairs," which opens, at the spot tonight (Tues.) . . . Producer Leon- ard. Sillman, busy doctoring “Mrs. Pattersbn,” has cut 10 minutes from the Eartha Kitt-starrer. try- ing out at the Harris. JULES PFEIFFER WELL, READYING ROADSHOWS Chicago, Oct! 19. Twpfer specialist Jules Pfeiffer, recovered from an illhess that idled him for a couple of months, is back 'in action again. He's starting re- hearsals in about 10 days With a touring production of “School for Brides," opening Nov. 4 at the Court Square Theatre, Springfield, Mass. It will star nitery-vaude comic Jackie Kannon. Pfeiffer is also negotiating with, the Theatre Guild and author Wil- liam Inge for the rights to “Pic- nic," having bought the scenery of the touring version which closed recently here* He hopes to tour the Pulitzer and N. Y. Drama -Critics Circle prize-winner, again. Prpducer’s illness which forced the delay in launching “Brides’* apparently cost him most of tha midwest and western bookings ha had lined up. The route was tiiken over by Danny Goldberg, his partner in the three-year “Good Nile: Ladies"' expedition, who has -sent but a farce called “Naughty Natalie," * Danilova Opens Tour With Own New Troupe Ballerina Alexandra Danilova, who for years headed the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, began the first tour last week with her own small troupe under the Hurok ban- ner. Mmei Danilova played Orch- estra Hall, Chicago, Oct. 12, for her breakin date, hardly suitable spot for ballet, but drew good notices. Danilova, whose group Includes Michael Maule, Roman Jasinsky and Moscelyne Larkin, and pianists. Richard Ellis and Dan Gordon, will play 44 dates ih the 11-week tour Sol Hurok has booked; . The com- pany then goes to Honolulu and Japan. Elliott Nugent. mulling a Broadway production of the Wil- . % Christmas holidays, when show hits Cincinnati enroute to the Coast; Wednesday, October 20, 1954 " W 1 l 1 — LEGITIMATE 137 CHARGE ACCOUNT SHOW TRIPS i Minneapolis, Oct. 19. “Naughty Natalie,’? touring farce playing a break-in engage- ment at. the Lyceum here last week on twofers, is a “horrid, travesty on the theatre arts,” according to the Minneapolis Star reviewer. Notice by George Rice, pinchhitting for regular critic John K. Sherman, gave the show one of the most severe paps i local stage history. Asserting that he could think of nothing the body civic had done to merit Such a show. Rice suggested that the . public “deserves an apology.” He continued, “To, describe this thing i any terms common to the theatre would be laughable. ' It is poor burlesque house walk-on dragged over three ‘acts,’ - It tasteless, asinine thing with two ingredients: mistaken identity and female impersonationi” He concluded, “The opening night crowd was small.” Show was scaled here at $3.90 top; but sold on ,two-for-ones. Danny Goldberg is touring the Neil E. and Caroline Scliaffrier farce to take over dates previously booked by Jules Pfeiffer for “School for Brides;” 'When Pfeiffer became ill some time ago, “Brides”, was shelved. London, Oct. 19. - History is about to repeat. The opening of “Can-Can” at the Lon- don Coliseum last Thursday (14) received only one favorable review and ya host of pans from the na- tional press the following morning. Nevertheless, it has all the appear- ances of a *bOxoffice smash and bright prospects of a healthy run. . Apart from the solitary rave by Alan Dent in the News Chronicle, the London reviewers were critical of the book and considered the Cole Porter score to be below his standard. They generally praised the dancing and lauded Jerome Whyte’s direction.. Most of the critics also gave the nod to Irene Hilda, the French star, who made her London legit debut in this production. They also praised the two male leads, Edmund Hockridge and. Alfred Marks. The Daily Express notice by John Barber was headed “Smart, Slick, Empty,” and commented that the show “has the frantic gloss with which producer Jerry Whyte Slicks up every job into a routine smash hit. But ‘Can-Can’ merely a triumph of smart pack- aging. There is nothing inside the (Continued on page 140) Oakdale (Conn.) Tent Hit 170G Season Gate Wallingford, Conn., Oct. 19* Oakdale Musical Theatre has put its first season in mothballs, having surmounted practically every ,kind of stumbling-block that ever threatened such an operation. Producers Ben Segal, Carl Spear and Bob Hall had an uphill battle to raise the initial coin . on the project, .but accomplished it a bare three Weeks before the July 3 cur- tain-raiser* Tent Theatre then ran into spell of unfavorable weather, including one actual hur- ricane and one threatened one, in- volving one cancelled perform- ance arid; property damage. Climaxing the headaches was a post-season lawsuit tossed by a stockholder who claimed a mixup on percentage of ownership of the project. This stockholder, New Haven wholesale drug exec A. Allen Johnson, sued for $75,000 damages, alleging that his $5,000 initial investment, plus a $12,000 loan, entitled him to a orie-fourth interest. Despite such headaches, Oakdale had a click first season in a setup new' to Connecticut musical fans. Original 10-week sked was ex- tended to 12. Capacity houses were plentiful, and final figures showed an estimated total attendance of 90,000. and an overall gross of $170,000. As evidence of the favorable Im- pression created locally, prior to season finale several hundred citi- zens of Wallingford turned Out at a shindig in town’s leading hos- telry, St. George’s Inn, as' a good- will party for the Oakdale person- nel Old Vic’s Vet Emcees 40th Anni Celebration London, Oct. 12. -• Andrew Leigh, who was a mem- ber of the Old Vic’s original Shakespearean company, which opened, with “The Taming of the Shrew” on Oct. 5, 1914, emceed a , 40th anni celebration' at that thea- tre last week. Hutin Britton (Mrs. Matheson Lang), who .played the Shrew ori that occasion, was among the artists who took part in the special presentation* The celebration took the form of a private performance to mem- bers of the Vic-Wells Assn. The artists who participated included Claire Bloom, Alec. Guinness, Miles Malleson and Michael Redgrave. Berger Thwarted Again As ‘Town’ Bypasses Mpk; Minneapolis, Oct. 19. . Latest crusher for Bennie Berger, operating the Lyceum, is the routing of “Wonderful Town” away from Minneapolis. After the booking of “Caine Mutiny Court Martial” into St. Paul instead of here, and the cancellation of a fall date here for “King and I,” that’s three in a row on the chin for Berger. i Having taken oVer the Lyceum in the middle of last season from James Nederlander, who had op- erated it for five years, Berger has had tough going with the local legit flagship. He’s found it much more difficult than buying product, for his film circuit. The annual $20,000 rental is a hurdle from the start, he says. Except for a twofer flop, Berger so far has been able to book only one legiter so far and has nothing in prospect for the rest of the year. Also, the single regular booking, “Picnic,” was in mid-August, when the weather was still hot for . the non-air-conditiOned . house. The Theatre Guild's promised subscrip- tion season of Seven offerings isn’t materializing, Berger notes. “King and I” was “tentatively” set for a November fortnight as a Guild subscription offering and on the strength of that arinounce- ment (many subscriptions were sold. But the show’s management decided not to play Minneapolis until after its Chicago run, which may continue through the current season. Meanwhile, “Wonderful Town”, was routed to ‘the Coast through Kansas City, with Minneapolis eliminated on the assumption that “King" would be playing here. Be- cause the “Town” contracts have been sighed, the dates can’t , be changed. “Town” is now promised for next May, but then the weather likely will' be warm arid conditions may be less favorable, Berger feels. There’s also a question Whether Carol Channing will re- main as star of “Town” that long. By HOBE MORRISON The legit theatre could conceiv-r ably get its biggest biz hypo in years from- a new company to operate show junkets to Broad- way by. train, bus and air and from New York for out-of-town tryouts. Another of the- outfit’s numerous projects is a plan for charge ac- counts for tickets for all Broadway shows. Latter should be in opera- tion next week. Unlike show trains and show buses conducted by various groups from time to time in the past, the new plan calls for frequent' trips on a large scale, all with the charge account feature. For ex- ample, a show train Would be run from Atlanta, with sleeper accom- modations instead of .■ the lounger. seat cars generally used in the past. All tickets will be for or- chestra seats, Atlanta junket would cost around $130 per person and would include roundtrip fare, five days and four nights in New Yurie, with accom- modations at hotels like! the Para- riiount, Taft, Edison, dinners at Sardi’s and Lindy’s, etc., attend- ance at two musicals and two straight plays, a late evening at the Latin Quarter and two sightseeing (Continued on page 140) i Apparently unauthorized use . of a U. S. comedy sketch iii a recent London revue may stir up an in- ternational copyright dispute. Facts in the case aren’t definitely estab- lished, but the Dramatists Guild is investigating in behalf of the sketch author, Arnold B. Honvitt. Skit in question, titled “The Ac- tress,” was used, in the revue, “Cockles and Champagne,” which had a three-month run at the Pic- cadilly Theatre, London, and has since reopened at a non- West End house. Show’s program credited authorship to Arnold Aubach, pre- sumably meaning Broadway scrip.t- er Arnold Auerbach. Horwitt, whose “The Actress” sketch, has never been produced in the U. S., had authorized New York agent Kenneth Later to sub- mit it to London managements However, as far as the author and Later know, no deals for the ma- terial were ever concluded. Hor- witt learned only last week of the use of the “Actress” skit in “Cockles.” A Mi d aa miv nnn ifpt *‘Tonight iini - Samarkand,” * Bruce Becker-Robert Ellis Miller produc- tion to costar Paul Henreid and Mai Zetterling, is budgeted at $61,- 200, including bonds, plus $23,300 for reserve tnd tryout loss. It’s figured likely to break even, at around $17,000 weekly gross. Project is being capitalized at $ 100 , 000 . Rehearsals are slated for early December, with Herman Shumlin directing. There will be a four- week^ tryout, with the New York opening planned for late January. The Jacques Deval drama has been adapted by Lorenzo Semple . Jr. Musical ‘Huck Finn’ Greensboro, N. C., Oct. 19. “Huck Finn,” a musical comedy based on the Mark Twain classic, “Huckleberry Finn,” will be pro- duced at Catawba College, Salis- bury, N.C., during November, with a brief tour of the state to follow. Piece has been adapted by Ar- nold Colbath, drama professor at the college, with 13 songs by Billy Burke, of Salisbury. Seen in Shuberts League Bowout College Theatre Troupe Returns From Army Tour Granville, O., Oct. 19. Denisoh Players have returned to their home base at Denison U. here after a 10-week tour of mili- tary stations in Europe, backed by the Defense Dept, It included Germany, Italy, Austria and France. Group of 12, including students, drama teachers arid pros, was headed by Prof. Edward A. Wright, director of drama at Deni- son. ! Unit, gave a total of; 66 perform-, ances of “But Not Goodbye,” “I Like It Here” and “Hay Fever.” Foldo of Hero’ “Home Is the Hero,” Walter Macken drama which closed last Saturday night (16) at the Booth, N.Y.,. after a 29-performance sub- scription run, involved a loss esti- mated at about $30,000. It was pro- duced by the Theatre Guild and Worthington Miner, with the latter doubling as stager; Play was produced for $26,415, including $6,227 for the scenery, $543 for props, $1,065 for costumes, $1,034 for electrics and sound, $475 director fee and expenses, $6,019 rehearsal salaries and expense, $4,174 preliminary advertising and . publicity expense, $1,250 for gen- eral manager, $1,250 for legal fees and expenses, $486 carting, $1,233 transportation, $450 for cancelled actor contracts and $702 for the tryout, at the Westport ( Conn. ) Country Playhouse. The production was capitalized at $40,000. Cast included the author, Peggy Ann Garner, Glenda Farrell, J. Pat O’Malley,. Art Smith, Ann Thomas and Frances Fuller (Mrs. Miner). Macken sailed Sunday (17) with his wife for Eire. He will go to his home in Galway to “lick his wounds.” ACtor-novelist-playwright has a new novel, “Sunset Through the Window,” due for publication iri London soon and in the U.S. next spring, and he has the idea for a new one oil which he hopes to. begin work shortly. He has no im- mediate plans -for a new play or any acting. TO DOUBLE ON LIGHTS Demand for a $425 minimum pay hike for designers who double on lighting is the principal snag in current negotiations, between the United Scenic Aftists and the League of N. Y. Theatres. Union wants the present regular minihiuiti upped from $850 to $1,275 if the designer doubles on lighting. Present contract doesn’t call for additional payment for doubling. Mi imum for designers who do Only sets . would remain $850, and the minimum for doing just lights would stay at $450. Increase for the double-duty workers would re- late only to the first set* Payments for additional sets would remain at the present scale of $400 each for the next four and $250 for each thereafter. New St. L. Muny Prez St. Louis, Oct. 19. Execs of the Municipal Theatre Assn,, sponsor of alfresco musicals in the Forest Park playhouse, last week elected investment broker Albert M.. Keller as prez. They also revised the bylaws whereb^ the tenure of the prez in \the future will be limited to two one-year terms, 1 Keller succeeds Jacob M, Lashly, who served 12 years and declined 1 to run again. Prospect of future complications in the legit union setup on Broad- way and perhaps the road is seen in the recent exit of J. J. Shubert from the League of N. Y. Theatres, It’s expected that the Shuberts will hereafter insist on negotiating sep- arate deals with the unions in many case?. As members of the League, they were formerly repre- sented by the producer and tltea- treowner organization union matters. it’s feared that producers book- ing Shubert theatres , may be in a spot if, as might happen, they were bound by a League contract with a union, while the Shuberts Were either still in negotiation or Were in a dispute with the same employee outfit.. Such a situation could readily, involve the stage- hands’ or musicians’ ions, for example. Unless and until the Shuberts produce another show,, there’s little prospect of a stymie of that kind arising in connection with Ac- tors Equity, the Dramatists Guild or perhaps the scenic artists’ union. Negotiations between the latter group arid the League are currently in progress. Although the Shuberts have not officially held membership, in the League for some months, there was apparently not ari open break, and it was generally assumed that they would in normal circum- stances abide by union agreements (Continued on page 140) How to Find Lost Hound: Legit Director Takes To Tele to Locate Him According to his friends, legit director arid drama critic. Harold Clurman generally takes a dim view of television. But when his dog was lost last week, his first thought was to turn to video to get it back. What’s more, tv did the job, locating the purp and haying it returned pronto to Clurman and his wife, actress Stella Adler. The Clurmans were at Darieri, Conn., for the weekend when the. poOch, which film-legit star Marlon Brando got in Venice last year and brought them as a present, disap- peared. After scouting the neigh-: borhood by motor and telephone without success, Clurman. fantically called his friend. Howard Teich- mann, co-author of “Solid Gold Cadillac,” who Was a tv-radio scripter before collaborating with George S. Kaufman on the legit comedy success. “You know about tv, Tike,” said Clurman after a preliminary word of greeting and an explanation of the loss of the cherished canirie. “Get them to announce it .on the; air. You can offer a reward,” he added.. After trying vainly to con- vince the stager that it might be difficult to. get item . like a strayed mutt on a crowded news program, Teichmann agreed to try. He hung up, sat and stared out the window for a few minutes arid then phoned his friend Kenneth Banghart, the tv commentator-an- nouncer (and spare-time legit pro- ducer). There might be an un- usual news story, he suggested, in the fact that the noted theatrical director Harold Clurman had lost a rare arid valuable dog, a Lahassa terrier, and would give a part in his next Broadway show to th finder. Banghart didn’t have a scheduled news show that night, but he gave the info to his NBC^TV colleague John Wingate, Who put it on the air soon afterward. Teichmaiiri and Banghart figured • that the . high- ways to Connecticut would be jammed with cars filled with ac- tors hoping to land a stage job by finding the pup. But a Connecticut resident, not an actor, picked up the prized anirhal and returned it to Clurman, so that the director presumably won’t have to make good on Teichmami Y reward offer* 138 LEGITIMATE PTESnSTr- Wednesday, October 20, 1954. on Tlie: Tender Trap Clinton Wilder production of comedy, in three acts, (four scenes) by Max^Shul- man and Robert Paul Smith. Stars Robert Preston, Kim Hunter, Runny. Graham; features Janet Riley, Jack Mannin .Julia Meade. Parker McCormick. Joey Faye. Staged by Michael 'Gordon; scenery • and lighting, Paul Morrison; costumes; Anna Hill Johnstone. At Longacre,: N;Y.. Qct. 13. '54; $5,85-94.60 top (S5.90 opening). Ronny Qrahajn Charlie Reader Poppy Matson Joe' McCall Jessica Collins Sylvia Crews .Julie. Gillis Earl Lindquist Sol Schwartz Parker McCormick. , : Robert Preston Julia Meade ..... Kim Hunter Janet RUey .. . . . Jack Manning" Joey Faye Some funny things are said by some unattractive people ‘ ‘‘The Tender; Trap.’’ Before the evening Js over, the authors manage to make every character so unpleasr ant that the audience -is inclined not to care much what happens to anyone. That’s practically a defi- ition of an unsatisfying show. On that basis, ’.‘Trap” is a ques- tionable bet for Broadway, al- though the show’s moderate cost and operating nut, combined with Its heavy theatre party hookings and the revenue from its pre-pro- duction film sale make it a reason- able prospect to pay off. If Metro, which owns the screen rights, , can make the characters a bjt more likable, it might get an amusing picture out of the yarn: The play’s title refers to a. gabby young gal who snares a gadabout but cagey young New York bache- lor. The big town, according to co- authors Max Shulman :and Robert | Paul Smith, is overrun With man- hungrv career girls who scamper in . and out of bachelor^ apart- ments at all hours, including Sun- day breakfast; keep the sofas rumpled, the phones ringing and their, nv'le "rey. deluged with. pres- ents and affection. The whirlwind - happy h e r o spreads his masculine, attention among Such eager candidates as a. balmy lass who presents him With a whitefish caught by her father, a southern accent number who brings him. a large cheese, an NBC Symphony violinist who gives him recordings and comes around to cook his Sunday breakfast, and the non-stop, talker . and weeoer who finally has him headed for the altar at the finale. The girls-chase-man routine is varied by a domesticated business associate and schooldays crony who arrives as the bachelor’s house guest and is soon ready to ditch his wife and three kids back home for one of the on-the-make- girls. This so unnerves the bache- lor that he gets 'engaged to two girls at once. There are some undeniably funny jokes in the script, but ‘‘Trap” can’t rise above its un- savory characters. After awhile, it just doesn’t matter which selfish guy gets which predatory gal. They pretty much deserve each other. Some, ingratiating actors make game but futile efforts to put across the unpr&possessihg ma- terial. Robert Preston is particu- larly engaging as the visiting medi- cine man who tries tq sample big- city sin, but the part finally, be- comes so lowlife that it’s no audi- ence hardship when he goes, hack to wife and kids. Kim Hunter gives a skillful per formance as the amorous fiddle player. ... although it’s hardly con ceivabie that such a good-looking. Intelligent and self-respecting girl would be hard up for a man. But the authors ultimately cross her up, too, as it turns out that she merely wants a husband and is ready to settle for almost anything In pants, if only, he can be ma neuvered or tricked into marry- ing her. Even so; she takes the play’s slight remaining interest with her when she •f inally exits. Ronny Graham, as the bachelor who never had dalliance so good back in Indianapolis, is moderately disarming in a grinning, jittery way, but the authors ultimately make him just a slaphappy kind of jerk, so he’s an audience dud, too. Tile various transient , girls, in- cluding Janet Riley as the human talkathon,: Parker McCormick as the daffy fish-giver and Julia Meade as the down south accent, remain pretty much incidental* de- spite their acceptable perform- ances, and there are competent hut relatively unimportant portrayals by Jack Manning as a lovelorn chemist and Joey Faye as a hilari- ously hopped-up jive musician. Michael Gordon has staged the comedy adequately, Paul Morrison has designed an interior setting suitable for- bachelor depravity, and Anna Johnstone has provided decorative clothes. Kobe. Fragile Fox \ Paul Vroom (In assn, with Barnard : Strauss) production of drama in three acts (five scenes), by Norman A. Brooks. Stars Dane Clark. Don Taylor; features James Gregory, Andrew Duggan, Rich- ard Carlyle. Crahan' Denton. Clem Fow r lev. Jason Wingreen,. Lionel Wilson. Addi- son PoivelL Directed, by, Herbert Swope Jr.; sets and lighting; Ralph Alswang. At Belasco, N.Y., Qct. 12, '54; $5.75-$4.60 top. Cabt. Ersklne’ Cooney. . . .Andrew Duggan Corp; Jackson Lionel Wilson 1st Lt; Joseph Costa Dane Clark 1st Lt. Harry Woodrurf. . ; . . Don Taylor Lt. Col. Clyde Bartlett ... James Gregory Pfc. Bernstein Clem Fowler pfe. Snowden - , . . .. Jason Wingreen Tech. Sgt. Tolliver Crahan Denton Capt. Gerstad Addison Powell Pfs, Herman Ricks Richard Carlyle Pvt, Jacob Abramowltz. .William Hellinger Tall German Eugene Smith Short German .......... • Leonard Bell Pvt. Sneider Robert McQueeney “Fragile Fox/’ despite its nariie, is a frequently sturdy melodrama about officers and Gls during World War II. Familiarity of the subject-matter and '. the . cliche- pattern of certain incidents and dialog,, however, militate against its Broadway chances, and a cer- tain slickness in its presentation also doesn’t help. Odds are against its b.o. success. . This first play by Norman A. Brooks, reportedly based on> per- sonal experiences of the author, has a lot to commend it. Starting a little slowly, it picks up plenty pace in the tense and exciting second act, and continues its mood and suspense to the end. But flaws in characterization, certain exag- gerations in speech or incident,, crop up too often, to curb enthu- siasm and interest. The humor* in the first act (as with the attempt of a Gl to get to Paris for a date) is repetitious, forced and hackneyed, although there are funny moments in the second act* Oddly enough, they still seem humorous though closely associated with grimness and death. The story revolves around two young lieutenants, loyal to the Gls under them, and constantly in fric- tion (openly or overt) with their two superiors; One of the latter is cowardly,, drunken captain and the other is a materialistic colonel who protects the captain because he needs the help of the latter’s father to further- his future politi- cal career back home. The captain is responsible for the death of sev- eral men through his Cowardice, and in a final scene, when he is about to surrender more men to the Germans, he is shot by one of the lieutenants. What makes the drama persua- sive are the fine performances by the all-male cast, good direction by Herbert Swope Jr. and excellent Ralph Alswang sets. Dane Clark brings drive and conviction to the part of a rough-hewn first louie, embittered over the needless death of rhen due to the captain’s cravenness, and determined to make him pay for this — even though the part is overwritten and distraught towards the close, Don Taylor impresses as the thoughtful schoolteacher turned lieutenant who tries to curb the impetuo&s Clark, yet who himself shoots the captain at the finish. Andrew Duggan is generally con- vincing as the yellow captain until the scripting, too, gets away from him, and Janies Gregory , is effec- tive as the blustering, tough and opportunist colonel. Crahan Den- ton brings quiet authority and strength to the part of a moun- taineer sergeant,,; and there are some other good' supporting per- formances. Some of the GI figures, however, are too stock. Bron. Sing Me No Lullaby „T. Edward' Hambleton ■ and 'Norris' Houghton production of drama In three acts . by . Robert Ardrey; Features Larry Gates, Richard Kiley, Jessie R6yce Landis, John. Marley, Beatrice Straight. .Tack Warden, Marian Winters. Staged by Paul Stewart; scenery. Ben Edwards; costumes, Alvin Colt; lighting, Klaus Holm. At Phoenix, N.Y., Oct. 14, '54; *3.45 top (*4.60 opening), Christine CoUlnger . . Ben CoUlnger Mike Hertzog ...... Clay Dixon Abe Levene. .. ... Maddy Hertzog Fanny CoUlnger .... Johnny Colton Smith Parrish cellent choice for limited-engage- ment presentation at the? special- 1 public Phoenix, it’s a dubious pros- pect for transfer to Broadway. This is the play that, it’s under- stood, Ardrey has been writing on and off for about eight years. Dur- ing that period it has presumably undergone some of the author’s changing convictions in changing times. But it still is fundamen- tally a statement of a citizen’s re- sponsibilities in a republic and an argument that compromise is the essence of democracy. In a way; the drama’s thesis of- a condition of intellectual terror-; ism. in the U. S. is refuted by the fact that “Lullaby” has been .pro- duced. But it has been done un- der the special Phoenix . aus- pices, : not on Broadway; More- over, the tone; of almost hysterical denunciation in some of the no- tices supports the play’s premise. As should surprise no one, there 1 is some line writing in' “Lullaby/’ When Ardrey finally gets past the awkward first two acts, with their unnecessary, confusing flashbacks, the drama crackles with action and conviction; Its final passage is elo- quent and genuinely stirring. However, the first act, in particu- lar, fritters away so much, time and tension and exhausts audience pa- tience, that the play never entirely recovers. In . general theme, “Lullaby” is slightly suggestive of the anti-es- capism of the same author’s 1939 drama, “Thunder Rock.” It is the story of a disillusioned liberal who finally becomes so aroused over the repressive tendency of the country that he goes back into, public life to fight for. his beliefs. His cur- tain speech is to the effect that right is not an either-or choice of extremes, but some middle ground with room for everyone, The play’s complicated structure seems diffuse and weak. The de- vice of gathering the leading char- acters together in a small town Il- linois cottage at various key points in their lives appears arbitrary and incredible. Moreover, some of the pivotal characters seem insuffici- ently motivated or explained. , But such scenes as the FBI man questioning two f r i e n d s of a suspected scientist . and by plain implication trying to black- mail them into turning against him and each other, the sequences in which shortwave contact is estabr lished with a Soviet, agent in* New Zealand, and the affirmative finale are taut and gripping; Under Paul Stewart’s sympathe tic but slightly restrained direc tion there are effective, perform- ances by Richard Kiley as the li beral who finally accepts responsl bility; Larry Gates as a political manager who wavers under threat of guilt-by-assdeiation smear, Bea trice Straight as the liberal’s ill-ex- plained wife, Jessie Royce Landis in the imperfectly defined role of a reactionary matriarch, Jack War- den as a former Commie sympath- izer a Unable to escape that stigma, Marian Winters as his distraught wife and John Marley as a cool BI man. Ben Edwards has de- signed a properly primitive looking farm cottage interior and Alvin Colt has supplied the costumes. “Lullaby” will almost certainly have the distinction of 'infuriating the reactionary and lefty extrem- ists, but unfortunately it’s unlikely to have commensurate popularity with general audiences. For a realist like Ardrey, it must there- fore be rated a failure. Hobe. Quadrille Boston, Oct. 14. John C. Wilson and H. M. Tennenti Ltd. Pardon Our Antenna Chicago, Oct 16. •Broadway . Productions presentation of production of comedy,, in three acts ii n « ct i L h 2 (seven scenes), by Noel Coward. .Stays Lynn Fontanne, Alfred Lunt, Edna Best. .Brian Aherrie. Directed by Lunt; scenery and costumes, Cecil Beaton. At Colonial, Boston,. Oct. 14; '54, v *4.95 top. French Woman' , Madeline Clive French. Man Byron Mitchell Buffet Manageress . . Patricia Quinn O'Hara Rev. Edgar Spevin . , . His WHe .. . ........ His Daughter .... * Walter Courier ..... ... ..;.... Marquis of Heronden. Mrs. . Axel Dlensen'. . , , Catchpolo Footman ... .Marchioness of Heronden . . Lynn Fontanne Lady" Harriet Ripley . . . Brenda Forbes. Foster Mildred Clinton Axel Dlensen ........ Alfred Lunt Countesss of Bonnlngton . DorothySands 2d French Woman 2d French Mail by . Ole. Olsen and Chic Johnson. Stars' Olsen and Johnson; features Marty May, June Johnson, Johnny 1 Bacbemirt, Eileen O’Dare, Eileen end Elsa Nilsson* Sid. Krofft. JOy Lane, Nina Varelas Directed by David Tihmar; -music and lyrics, Michael and Nova Simpson; additional dialogue, Eugene. Conrad; special music Paul Jordon, Paul Severson, Paul Crum- baugh, Frank Panico and Olsen; scenery,. Manqel AviUa; costumes,. Harry Bosen and Paul Brune; musical director. Jack Cavan. At Selwyn, Chicago, Oct. 16, '54; 94.50 top. Cast also 'includes Scat Man Grothers, Bobby May; Les PhUmer, Earl Renard, Howard - Tong; Richard 'Wright, Tom O’Horgan, Donn Lester, Marlene *. Lind, Shula Bass, Evelyn Cavan, Mary . Dale, Pat Garber, Susart Hartman, Mary Roe. . rich, Arlene Schwab, Dana Sosa, Eleanor Stattin, Dorothy . Macey, Kenny Davis, UU Miidred^CHnton I Hartley Karns. Emmanuel Wlhston. An- ...Jerome Kilty Phyllis Connard , . . Nina Reader Bruce Webster ichard Longman . . Brian Aherne ..... ; Edna Best Harold Crane Rhoderlck Walker . . Beatrice Straight .... Richard Kiley Jack Warden . . ... .... Larry Gates .... Michael' Lipton ■ . Marian Winters Jessie Royce Landis . . .'. * , . .John Fiedler ...... John Marley Robert Ardrey, a respected name in legit Without ever quite clicking at the b.o., has returned from sue cess in Hollywood with a drama of contemporary significance, “Sing Me No Lullaby.” it’s the first pro- duction of T. Edward Hambleton’s and Norris Houghton’s second stock season at the Fhoenix The- atre, on N. Y.’s lower east side. “Lullaby” is perhaps the most serious drama of recent seasons. Despite its obvious and consider- able flaws, it is an important play. As a propaganda piece, its effect must be measured primarily by its popular acceptance, and on that basis it cannot be rated a success. For while the play seems an ex- The special charm of “Quadrille” Ole Olsen and Ghic Johnson ies in the mingled personalities have patched together an uneven of Alfred Lunt and Lynne Fon- and untidy revue that’s supposed a nostalgic whiff of the to lampoon television. It opens with Noel .Coward of ^two decades ago v t . r . • , and the fragrance of designer Cecil a crac k Liperace and. only Beaton in his richest ajid most ele- rarely gets^out of left. during gant vein. It is ai fragile distilla- the .remainder of its course, which tiqn; but to anyone under the spell ^ opening night ran a long 150 of : these two superb people, it is miI *utes, saris intermission, a delightful experience. Although avowedly imed for Even the most enamored, how- o^terprise seems ever, will always be aware that the headed for the ashcan. There _ just play is more a slow and stately ^ an t fie that many theatregoers sarabande than a lively quadrille. comedy Yet once a Singularly appealing an ^, sniCKeri i*S sex gags. American railroad pioneer appears . The two afcts are a conglomera- in tlie drawing room of the Mar- tion. of skits, most of them feeble chioness of Heronden to confront takeoffs on tv shows; several night her with the fact her husband has club acts tossed in as is, and a eloped with his wife, the old magic, series of production numbers; The begins to cast its spell. The Lunts video allusions, like “Gagnet” and are on the stage again. ‘Love Lucille,” are pegs for some The rest is as inevitable, as the' ^ virtuosity, Together, they face the ^ ca ^ seems badly jdated by the eloped pair at their Cote d’Azur villa. And this one act gleam* with S 1 ®™; ” £ the small jewels of repartee hardly ^ dimmed by their reminiscence of f.^5 e is ^ I lne ® as raiy^as Private Lives” and “Design for P^ uc ^ e d chicken used as a prop. Living.” In the end the gruff but What honors of the evening there good-as-gold railroad man with a are belong to vaude-nitery per- Wliitmahesque flair for reciting formers Johnny Bachemin and Sid the grandeur of young America Kfofft. Bachemin dashes off a fine carries off the Marchioness* warm song - dance - keyboarding routin* heart. and Krofft displays marionette It is all very smooth, very civil- ized, very elegant and at timos very and June Johnson con- dull. At odd intervals the sugges- tion of the earlier Coward is a little sad, yet there is a romantic after-glow that, like a fall sunset, is as warm as it is melancholy. Still, as a frame for the urbane though essentially noble qualities of the Lunts both as personalities, it is hard to think how it could be improved. Months of refinement abroad have given; their characterizations a subtlety, a lustre and an expres- siveness without trace of ostenta- tion or conceit. That will carry the play for the steelier members of the audience, while softer hearts, especially those of maturer women, will melt. Contributing to . this situation, tribute featured .cheesecake and acro-dancer Eileen O’Dare helps ’em get the scenery changed With an okay turn, Nilssop twins work hard for a few .laughs in a smeary face cream demonstration- bit. Marty May’s chief function is to keep things in motion between blackouts. He’s an expert upfront singleton, but most of the material is . from the bottom of a stacked deck. Production pieces range from fair to laborious. Mambo number featuring the Jose Bethencourt orch and the “Lately, No Love Lately” displays spotlighting Miss Lane have their moments. Music and lyrics by Michael and NOva Simpson are suitable for the occa- London Shows London, Oct. 19; (Figures denoto premiere dates) After the Ball, Globe <6-10-54). .Airs Shoestrln*, Royal Ct. (4-22-53). All For Mery, Duke York (ft-9-54). S ell, Book, Csndlo, Fhoenix (10-3-54). ofh Ends Moot, Apollo (6-0-54); Boy Frlond, Wyndham's (12-1-33). Csn-Csn, Coliseum (10-14-54). Dork Light Enough, Aldwych (4-30-54). .Day By Tho Sea; Haymarket (11-26-53). D'Oyly Carte Opera', Savoy (0-13-54). Dry Rot, Whitehall (8-31-54). Duenqa, Westminster (7-28-54). Folies Bergore, JPr. Wales (9-24-53). Hippo Dancing, Lyric . (4-7-54). I Am a Camara, New (3-12-54). Intimacy At 1:30, Criterion (4-29-54). Joyce Grenfell, St. Mart. (6-2-*4). • Keep In Cool Placo, Savllle (8-16-54), King and I, Drury Lane (10-8-53). Lovo Match, Viet Palace (11-10-53), Manor of Horthstead; Duchess (4-28-54). Mousetrap, Ambas* (11,25-52), • Never Too Late; Strand (6-3-54). No Nows Fathtr, Cambridge (9-15-54). Old ViC Rep, Old Vic (9-9-54). Pal Joey,. Princes (3-31-54). Party Spirit, Piccadilly (9-23-54). Relations Apart, Garrick (8-3-54). Skbrlna Fair, Palace (8-4-54). Sa r ^d Days, Vaudeville (8-5-54). Separate Tables, St. James's (9-22-34). Teahouse Aug. Moon, Her Mat. (4-22-54). Wedding In Paris, Htpp. (4-3-54), Witness Prosecution, W. Gard. (10-28-53). You'll Bo Lucky, Adelphi (2-25-54). and vastly, to*, is the jSSSSS. ^ scene. Few plays even approach the are properly gaudy. _ . . • opulence of Cecil Beaton’s ex- quisite settings and costumes. Every detail, from the golden hues n C P . ° r of the Marchioness’ sitting room in P er ^aps a generation too late, a Belgrave Square mansion to the uave. sun-bathed plan of the Villa Zodiacque, Is a masterly re-crea- Naughty Natalie tion of high Victorian splendor, set Minheanolia Oct 11 off by costumes of the richest fash- ion of the period. The contempla- thfie actf. ly .nd^Caroims tion Of these beauties, indeed, Schaffner. Staged by Harry Miriturn. At often sustains the interest in the to£ eu,n * Minneapom, Oct. li. '*4; *3.99 less rewarding aural moments. ; Tommy Brigg* William stout .... Art Kassul , j i , ,r .. . , jiv»i Ervll Kay Hart. good deal of the dialogue was in- Thomaslna (Tommy) rigga audible in all parts of the house. Wt , „ Pamela Printy Brian AhAmA ac Natalie Neaome ..... Francyne Semmona .Brian Anerne, as me pnilanaermg Juniper J. Juniper George Womack aristocrat, though he looked the Jimmy Wilson Ray Hilton part and played it excellently, was particularly apt to speak too fast, “Naughty Natalie” ; is obviously but the Lunts themselves often designed as a two-f or-one offering, tossed a line away. This will cer- Threefer or fourfer or maybe tainly be corrected before the play freefer would be niore suitable, leaves Boston, for the superlative t»i*« k,. n,nmr eviddnt* 1 0f Lvnt “ ^ erywher s Gdldbwg, erstwhile tartn?r , 0 T ' . ‘ . . .. . Jules Pfeiffer, to take over the Edna BesL completing the four- latter’s “School for Brides/* dates s « n lu’ con ^ r ^ u ^ e ^ a lively portrait called off because of Pfeiffer’s ill- of the petulant Bostonian wife of ness. It’s just plain terrible, the railroad builder. Only three hi other performances need mention. J® jf ^? r i?. on l arJ C t r ^ These are by Brenda Forbes in a w ^ick the cast works hard; It sharp and aniusing characterization a s ^ 0 , r ^ a , executive who of the Marchioness’ confidant; acquires a bogus wife and child Jerome Quilty, in a notable sketch 5? Per the edict of his board of of a harrassed provincial parson, directors that employees must be and Dorothy Sands, whose bit as a ia c mi }y men Coincidences, a couple libidinously preoccupied old coun- of female impersonations and a tess is contained in a torrential and gratuitous kidnaping provide him comical monolog. Other brief w i th n°t one, but three apparent speaking parts, capably accounted wives and kids. It all simmers down for, are givgn by Phyllis Connard, to an off-color curtain gag* Nina Reader and Bruce Webster. Single set is obviously a cheapy. All in all, it would seem that with sleazy drapes and a couple the Lunts’ numberless admirers of ramshackle door frames repre- will happily overlook the words senting an apartment. In the title for the music. The words are often Part, Francyne Semmons is an at j Phnrt and npf*a«inr>nltv 'hrilHn'nf . tractive , blond. With Plenty Of SCHEDULED OPEN! Wild Ooos* Chas«, Embassy (10-19). Jdah of Arc, Stoll (10-20). Book of Month, Cambridge (10-21), Matchmaker, Haymarket (11-4-54). good and occasionally brilliant, but tractive blond, with plenty it is the music of tlie.Lunts’ own figure, William Slout is creditably persuasive perssonalities mingled harried, Ray Hilton does what he so beautifully here that will carry can with a femme takeoff, this play. Elie. Mur/. Wednesday, October 20, 1954 P&RIE& LEGITIMATE 139 Following are the comparative figures based on Variety’s box- office reports for last week (the 20th week of the season) and the corresponding week of last season: BROADWAY This 1953-54 Season Season Number of shows current , . v , 23 19 Total weeks played so far by ail shows 332 296 Total gross for all shows last week $669,700. $558,300 Season's total gross so far $9,143,000 $8,661,100 ' Number of new productions so far li ’ 12 ROAD/ Excluding stock Number of current shows reported 21 24 Total weeks played so far by all shows 242 240 Total gross for all shows last Week ‘ $476,500 $449,800 Season’s total gross so far $6,392,800 $5,574,700 r Chicago, Oct. 19. Loop biz continued to improve last week. A good gain was regis- tered by “Wonderful Town,” and “Mrs. Patterson” opened strong with Theatre Guild subscription support. The future bookings include Nov; 8, “Saint Joan,” Great North- ern, on subscription;' Nov. 15,- “Fifth Season, Erlahger, indefi-. riite run; Nov. 23, “King and I,” Shubert,* on subscription, indefi- nite. run; Dec: 6, "Oh Men, Oh Women,” Harris, subscription, ■indefinite run. Estimates for Last Week Mrs. Patterson, Harris (1st wk) ($5; 1,000) (Eartha Kitt). Nearly $24,600 for first seven perform- ances and one preview; opened Oct. 12 to tWo pans (Kogan, Sun-Times; Dettmer, American) and two qual- ified pans (CdsSidy, Tribune; Har- ris, Daily News); Pardon Our Antenna, Sehvyn ($4.50; 1,000) (Ole Olsen, Chic Johnson). Opened Saturday (16)/ to unanimous pans; grossed, around $3,800 for first, performance. Wonderful Town, Shubert (15th wk) ($4.60; 2,100) (Carol Cbannirtg). Over $33,400 (previous week,.. $31,- 900); moves out Nov. 20 to re- sume tour. Boston, Oct. 19. As exppcted, the Ballet Russd de Mofite Carlo, in spite of program- ming snafus,, pulled a hefty gross on its single stanza at the Opera House last ' week. “Quadrille,” which jopeiied last Thursday (14) at the Colonial, also went clean, with the house reportedly sold out for. tile remaining two weeks, of its tryout. Estimates for Last Week Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, Opera House (single- wk) ($4.00; 3.000). Mammoth $53,000; house is dai’k Getting. Gertie's Garter, Majestic (4th wk) $3.30; 1,500).. Not too bad at near $9,000 - oil twofers; con- tinues. , . . Quadrille, Colonial (ist wk) ($4.95; 1,576) (Alfred Lunt. Lynn Fontanne, 'Edna Best, Brian Aherne). Opened Thursday (14) and nabbed nearly $19,000 for four performances; tryout is in for two Weeks more. Shows in Rehearsal Keys: C (Comedy), D (Drama), CD .(Comedy-Drama), R (Revue), MC ( Musical Comedy ), MD (Musi- cal Drama )\0 (Opera), OP ( Op- eretta ). Bad Seed (D)— Playwrights Co.,- prod.; Reginald Denham, dir;; Nancy Kelly, star. • Black-Eyed Susan (C) — Gordon w. Pollock-JAmes Go.odman-Everett Hart, prods.; Gregory Ratoff, dir,; Vincent Price, star. Flowering Peach (D) — Producers Theatre,. Inc., prod.; Clifford Odets, dh'-:. Menasha Skulnik,. star! Living Room (D): — Gilbert Miller & Donald Albery, prods.; Hugh Hunt, dir.; Barbara Bel Geddes, slm\ • On With the Show (Mh-Eiiza- bo.h Mieie, prod.; Charles W. CMristenberry Jr. & Byrle Cass, Irra Petitta, star, ortrait of a Lady (D) — Lyn Ails- \ * nromas Noyes-*-Producers The- ‘ -. 'orods.; Jose Quintero, dir.; 'ni.'.'er Jones, star. ''’f-ing Breakfast (C-D)— Ker- !). oonigarden, prod.; Herman hhumli dir,; ‘Hut’ 5G, Balto Baltimore, Oct, 19.- Hurricane Hazel hit Don: Swann’s winter stock^operation here at the Hilltop-Parkway, forcing the can- cellation of the Friday (15) per- formance of “The Little Hut” with John Newland. The first week in a proposed 27-we’ek . season gar- nered a fairish $5,000. Current bill is “The Stronger Sex” with Charles (Buddy) Rogers. “Time Of The Cuckoo” with The Continental (Renzo Cezano) is set to follow. ‘GINGER’ OVER $17,400 IN 4 MIDWEST STANDS Kansas. City, Oct- 19. “Time Out for- Ginger,” with Melvyn Douglas as star, grossed a total of over $17,400 in sfeven per- formances spread over four stands last week. The Rdnald Alexander comedy drew nearly $3,900 in a one-nighter Monday (11) at the Iowa, Cedar Rapids; added almost $3,300 in a single show Tuesday night (12) at the KRNT Theatre, Des Moines; picked up nearly $4,300 in two showings Wednesddy- Thursday (13**i4), arid got a . final $6,000 in three performances at the KMBC Playhouse here Friday-Sat- urday (15-16). After- an added matinee and evening hCre Sunday (17), the re- ceipts for which Will be included With the current Week’s total, the show will divide the balance of the semester between Topeka, Wichita and Denver. Lockhart-‘Dulcy’ 16fG For Week in St Louis , St. Louis, Oct. 19.,. One- week stand of “Dulcy,”-with June Lockhart and John O’Hare in the top roles, Wound up at the Ansell Bros. Empress Sunday (17) with * a $16,500 b,o. score. - The piece was scaled to. $2,50. Ft was the third successive week that Miss Lockhart has been, in this house this season. ' “The Show Off,” with Joe E. BroWn, Frances Helm and Ann , Dere heading the cast, tees off a two-week frame, tonight . (Tues). The American. Theatre, other lo- cal legit house, op>ehs its season next Tuesday (25) With “The Moon Is Blue,” the piece remaining for a fortnight. It will be the third time the. play has been presented here." ‘Okla.’ 23G, Mont’i Montreal, Oct. 19. Bus-truck production of “Okla- homa” grossed nearly $23,000 at a $3.38 top at the 1,704-seat Her Majesty's Theatre here. Jose Greco dancers opened last night (Mon;) for. a week's stand, and the touring edition of /‘Caine Mu- tiny Court Martial” is due the week of Nov. 15. Greco 1 4G» ^Toronto Toronto, Oct. 19. Engagement of Jose Greco and his Spanish Dancers was heavily hit by Hurricane Hazel, with biz sad on last two. days and west end of city cut off by washed-out bridges. Earlier biz was okay but week’s gross was $14,000, with Royal Alexandra, 1,525-seater, scaled at $3.50 top with tax. Previous engagement grossed $18,000. ‘Moon’ Hangs Low at 91G For 3d Pittsburgh Visit Pittsburgh, Oct.. 10. Third time back for “Moon ; Is Blue” is the only possible reason for the so-so business it did in first of two weeks kt the Nixon. No- tices for the production headed by Jerome Cowan Were excellent, as good as the show got on its first visit, and twofers ate figured an okay factor, too. But attraction wound up at around $9,500, and advance for current and closing session is only soso. However, it's generally believed that the driving rain Friday night • (15) when the town Was virtually flooded by the edges of Hurricane - Hazel knocked “Moon” for a loop, since the show had- two evening performances scheduled, at 7 and 9:30, and ex- pected to do well on the pair. However,, nobody ventured into the Golden Triangle and there was ho business at all. So With any kind of a break in weather' this Week; comedy should pick up at least a little. .Nixon will likely be dark for a fortnight,, lighting Nov. 8 With “Fifth 1 Season” and maybe shuttering for another stanza preceding “Wonderful Town” Nov. -22 for two weeks. Philadelphia, Oct. 19. Despite official warnings to the public to stay at home because lof Hurricane Hazel, there was SRO biz at “Fanny” last Friday night (15), same as the* rest of the week. Theatre Guild subscription and heavy mail order had sold out the musical tryout before the. opening curtain. , “South Pacific,” still getting all the house will hold, has extended its engagement at the Forrest, an additional two weeks, through Nov. 20. Geraldine Page had the critics throwing, their hat siritb tlie air in “The Rainmaker,” and -the show also profited from word-of-mouth. In prospect are: Nov. 1, “Fifth: Season,” Shubert, one week, and “Getting Gertie’s. Garter,” Locust, on twofers, ' three . weeks;. Nov. 2. “Wprid Of'Sholem Aleichem,” Wal- put, three weeks; N.ov. 22, “Silk Stockings,” tryout, Shubert, four weeks; Mask & Wig Club!s “Tem- pest in a Teapot,” Locust, one Week, and .“Lunatics and Lovers,” tryout, Walnut, two weeks; Nov. 24, “House 'Of Flowers,” tryout, Forrest, two weeks, and Nov.. 2p “Black Eyed Susan,” tryout, Lo- cust, one week. Estimates for Last Week South Pacific, Forrest, (MD) (3d wk) ($4.80; 1,760) (Iva Withers, Webb Tilton), Still a scalper’s holi- day, with, run being extended each time boxoffice starts to go clean; Over $43,500, Rainmaker, Walnut, (C) (lst.jvk) (1,340; $4 ; 20) (Geraldine Page). Favorable , reviews helped to fair $10,000; current week is the finale for this tryout. Fanny, Shubert, (MD) '(lst wk) ($6; 1,870) (Ezio Pinza. Walter Sle- zak). Good, if hot rave reviews, and ! favorable audience reaction greeted new tuner; drew, standees over $46,600; repairs still being made during the final fortnight. , DET.; . Detroit, Get. 19. “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” grossed $21,000" in its second and last week at the . 2',050-seat Cass. Top was $2.30, a markdown from the posted price of $3.85; Theatre is dark currently, with Jose Greco scheduled for two weeks beginning Oct. 25. “Saint Joan,” starring Jean Ar- thur, grossed $16,000 in thie first week .of a 'fortnight's stay at the 1,482-seat Cass. Portland, Oct. 19.. Eddie Bracken in “Seven .Year Itch” grabbed a neat $20,000 in five evening performances and one matinee at the Civic Auditorium here lari Tuesday-Saturday (12-16). The 4,000 .sealer was scaled at $4.80. . “Itch” started slowly, but gained with each performance. William Duggan is presenting , Melvyn Douglas in “Time Out For i Ginger” next Biz on Broadway ' jumped last week. Boosts were registered by all shows except the already-solid. smashes. Threat of hurricane Hazel last, Friday. (15) faifed to clip the b. o. seriously. Four .openings last week in- cluded “On Your Toes,” “Fragile Fox,” “Tendei* Trap” and “Sing Me No. Lullaby.’* Sole opener this week is “Peter Pah,” which preems tonight (Wed.). .Initial flop of. the current sea- son,. “Home Is the .Hero,” folded last Saturday (16). Estimates for Last Week Keys : C V Comedy) , D (Drama) , CD ■ ( Comedy-Drama ) , R "'( Revue / » MC ( Musical-Comedy ) , MD"< Musi- cal -Drama), O (Opera), OP (Op- eretta): Other parenthetic desigiiafidus refer, respectively, to. weeks played, number of . perforhiances through last. Saturday, top prices, number of seats, Capacity gross and stars: Price includes 10% Federal and 5% City tax, but grosses are ‘net: i.e., exclusive of "lax.. All Summer Long, Coronet (D) (4th Wk; 28, $5,75-$4.60; 1,027;, $30,000. Over $15,400 (previous week, $12,300); -moves Nov. 1 to the Booth. Anniversary Waltz, Broadhurst (C). 28th wk; 219; $4.60; 998; $28,O0O) (Macdonald Carey, Kitiy Carlisle). Nearly $24,100. (previous week, $16,800. Boy Friend, Royale.fMC) (3d wk; 20; $6.90; 1,172; $38,200). Capacity at $37,600, with take cut by theatre party commissions (previous week, $38,200). By the Beautiful Sea; Imperial (MC) (28th wk; :220; $6,90; 1,400; $50,300)' (Shirley: Booth). Nearly $32,900 (previous week, $28,100). Caine Mutiny Court Martial, Plymouth (D) (39th wk; 308; $5.75- $4.60; $33,331) Lloyd Nolan, John. Hodiak, Barry Sullivan). Almost $33,200 (previous week, $33,000). Can-Can, Shubert (MC) (76th wk; 604; $6.90; 1,361; $50,160). Sellout, just $50,400 (previous Week, $50,600). Dear Charles, Morosco (C) (5th wk;r 37;* $6.90-$5.75-$4.60; $29,850) (Tallulah Bankhead). Another sell- out, over $29,900 (previous week, $29;900). • - Fifth Season, Cort (C) (81st wk; 643; $&60? 1,056; $^5,227) (Chester Morris, Joseph. Buloffh Over $12,600 (previous week, $10,300); closes. Oct; 23, to tour. Fragile Fox, Belasco (D) (1st wk; 7; $5.75; $4.60; 1,077; $28,300) (Dane Clark, Don Taylw). Opened Oct. 12 to two affirmative reviews (Hawkins World-Telegram; Mc- Clain, Journal- American) and five negatives (Atkinson, Times; Chap- man, NewS; Coleman, Mirror; Kerr, Herald Tribune; Watts, Post); grossed almost $11,000 for first self en performances. Home Is the Hero, Booth (D) (4th Wk; 29; $5775-$4.60; 766; $22,- 000) (Walter Macken, Peggy Ann Garner). Almost $12,600 (previous week, $10,000); closed last Satur- day (16) at an approximate loss of $30,000 on a $40,000 investment. King if Hearts, National (C) (29th wk;. 226; $5.75-$4.60; 1,172; $3l;30 : 0) (Donald Cook, Jackie Cooper). Over $16,7000 on twofers (previous week, $15,400). Kismet, Ziegf eld (OP) (46th wk; 364; $6.90; 1,528;- $57,908) (Alfred Drake); Capacity at over. $57,900 (previous^ week, $55*800). Midsummer Night’s Dream, . Mel Opera . House (M) (4th wk; 29; $6; 3(612; $93,553) Robert Helpmann, Moira Shearer, Stanley Holloway). Had standees; but failed to get ca- pacity at $77,900 (previous week, $89,400); only unsold tickets .. were those marked obstructed or side, view. Closed to tour last Sunday (17), with Tuesday-Thursday (12- 14) performances omitted to p]ay the Academy of Music, Phila- delphia. Profit on limited engage- ment was approximately $136,000. Oh Men, Oh Women, Miller (C) (44th wk; 358; $5,75-$4.6.0; 920; $23,248) (Lloyd Bridges). Over $12,200, with some twofers (previ- ous week, $10,400); closes Nov. 13 to tour. On Your Toes, 46th St. (MC) (1st wk; . 8; . $8.05-$6.90; 1,319; $48,547). (Vera Zorina, Bobby Van). Nearly $43,7.00 for first eight per- formances. .Pajama Game, St. James (MC) (23d wk; 180; $6.90; 1,571; $51,- 717) (John Raitt, Janice Paige* Ed- die Foy Jr.). New high for show, • $52,117 (previous Week $51,700). i Rec’ininsr Figure, T.jceurn. ( C) J (2d wk); 12; $5.75-$4.60; 995; $23,- 389)/ Nearly $17,500 (previoiis week, $10,400. for first four performances. Seven Year Itch; Fulton .(C) (100th wk; 797; $5.75-$4.60; 1,063; $24,000) (Elliott Nugent).; Nearly $23,600 (previous vveek, $21,000).. Solid Gold Cadillac, Music Box A4,UUU IOT inree , a cost of about $40 per person. In Indianapolis Stand Arrangements to obtain the tickets Indiafiapolis, Oct. 19. have already been made with the ~ . 1 ; ^ shnhf»rfc rtfu Pi>ixrViniieac< . Paul- Douglas, Wendell Corey Shuberts, City Playhouses,, and and Steve Sodie iiT^Caine m£ Martin Beck theatres 1 and bteve • die ’ in ■ aine Mu tiny Court Martial,” grossed $12,- Tickets will be purchased at the 000 at $4 top ($4.40, tax included) boxoffice, without discount re- in three performances to. open the turn privilege. This will not in- roadshow season at the Murat here volve competition with the brok- Oct. 14-16. ers, as tickets will not be obtained House will get off to a faster for individuals, but only for groups start than last season, with nation- attending together as part of a al company of “Seven Year Itch” junket. It's hoped that the trips set for three days, Nov. 1-3, and will bring 75,000 new legit patrons BaBe t Theatre for tw ights, Nov. to New York during 1955, 4 " 5, ... $250,000 Stock Corp. n i l l i \ r a Project is being worked out by scheduled N.I. UpeniRgS Theatrical Subsidiaries Inc.; formed '* last week as a $250,000 stock eor- (Theatre indicated if set ) poration, with producer Alexander Mhinwiv and Peter Pan, W. Garden (10-20). A P V ? alph Traveling Lady, Playh’se (10-27). n aS vl(?e? P resi 4ent, Laura Rainmaker, Cort (10*28). D. Williams, secretary, and an ad- Quadrille; Coronet (11-3). yisory board including producers Fanny, Majestic (11-4), Herman Levin, Robert Whitehead, Wedding Br’kf’st, 48th St. (11- John C. Wilson, Arnold Saint Sub- 16). ber, Cheryl Crawford, Herman Living Room/ Miller (11-17). Shumlin. and theatre executive Hot Rock- (11-22). Louis A. Lotito. One Eye Closed, Bijou (11-24). TSI also plans puBlishlng a cata- £!f 6 , ^ , affable for. legit and Qll with Show, Hell’ger (12-2). television shows, etc., on a gratis Shoemaker’s Children (wk., ADVANCE AGENTS! COMPANY MANAGERS ! W. have been serving theatrical show* for ovar 42 years. Ours is tha oldest, most reliable and ax- p.rianced transfer company on the West Coastl • Railroad prlWIigii for .handling ■hows and theatrical luggage. • Complete Warehouse iadliti • Authorized in California., Equipped to frontier and haul anywhere in V. S I • R ATES ON REQUEST I Atlantic Transfer Company GEORGE CON ANT 1100 East 5lh/ Street Los Angelas 13, Calif. Mutual 1121 or OXford f-4764 loan basis irqm manufactures, | 1 2-3). Flowering : Peach (week of 12-6). Witness For Prosecution (12-8); Portrait of a Lady, ANTA Play- house (12-9). Lunatics & Lovers, Br’dhurst (12-13). Festival (12-15). Running Mate (12-15). Between Friends (12-16). Black-Eyed Susan (12-16). Stars Person’s Backyd. (wk., 12- i9i; <* Anastasia (12-22). , What Every Woman Knows, City Center (12-22). House of Flowers, Alvin (12-23). Film Flam (12-24). Painted ‘Days (Wk., D10). Silk Stockings, Imperial (12-30). Grand Prize (wk., 1-10). Plain & Fancy (1-20). Desperate Hours (1-26). OFF-B’WAY Stone for Danny Fisher, Down- town Nat’l (10-21). Slightly Delinquent, Blackfriars (10-25). Dybbuk, 4th St. (10-26). Sandhog, Phoenix (11-23). rate special rates! Metre is comfort plus convenience — spacious,, home-like rooms, and excellent facilities in a hotel that's right in the center of Philadelphi ' ight clubs and theatres. k John Bar tram Hotel tH, BkO^D AND IOCUST STREETS WM. H. HARMED, CM Mar. Wet. 18-30) Caine Mutiny Court Martial (Paul Douglas, Wendell Corey, Steve Brodie)^-Aud;, E. Lansing (i8); Central H. S., Kalamazoo (19); State Toledo (20-21); Hill Aud., Ann Arbor (22-23); Cass, Detroit (25-30). Fanny (Ezio Pinza, Walter Sle- zak) (tryout)— Shubert, Phila. (18- 30) (Reviewed in VAniETy, Sept; 22; ’54). •' Fifth Season. — Shubert, Wash, (25-30). Gentlemen Prefer. Blondes — Royal Alexandra, Toronto (18-23); Erlanger, Buffalo (25-30). Getting Gertie’s Garter— Majes- ; tie, Boston (18-30). j v King and I (Yul Brynner, Par tricia Morison)— State Fair, Dallas (18-23); Aud., Memphis (26-30 >. Living Room (Barbara Bel . Ged- des)— Shubert, New Haven (28-30). Midsummer Night’s Dream (Rob- ert Helpmann, Moira Shearer, Stanley Holloway) r— Indiana U. Aud.; Bloomington <19-20); North- rop Memorial Aud., Minneapolis (22-23). Moon Is Blue (Jerome Cowan) — Nixon, Pitt (18-23); American, St. Louis (25-30). Mrs. Patterson , (Eartha Kitt) (tryout)— Harris, Chi; (18-30) (Re- viewed in Variety, Sept. 29, ’54). Naughty N atalie— KMBC Play- house, K. C. (19-24); Memorial Hall, Joplin, Mo. (25-26); Convention Hall, Tulsa, Okla. '(27); Arcadia, Wichita (28-30). Oklahoma— Capitol, Quebec (18- 19); Capitol, Barre, Vt. (20); Strand, Plattsburg, N. Y. (21); Utica, N. Y. (22-23); S R. H. S. Aud., Glens Falls, N. Y. (25); Pi*octor, Schenec- tady, N- Y. (26-28); Oxford, Plain- field, N. J. (29-30) (Reviewed in Variety ; Oct; 13, ’54). . Quadrille (Alfred Lunt, Lyxin Fontanne, Edna Best, Brian Aherne) (tryout)— Colonial, Bos- ton (18-30). ' Rainmaker (Geraldine Page) (tryout)— Walnut St., Phila. (18-23) (Reviewed in Variety, Oct. 13, ’54). Saint Joan (Jean Arthur) (try- out)— Cass, Detroit (18-23); Cox; Cincinnati (25-30) (Reviewed in Variety, Sept. 22, ’54). Seven Year Itch (Eddie Bracken) —Capitol, Salt Lake City (18^19); Aud., St. P’aul (22-24); Iowa, Cedar Rapids (26); Pabst, Milwaukee (27- 30): - South Pacific (Iva Withers, Webb Tilton)— Forrest, Phila: (18-30). Time Out for Ginger (Melvyn Douglas)— H. S: Aud., Topeka (18); Arcadia, Wichita (19); Aud., Den- ver (21-23); Capitol, Salt Lake City (25-26); Marlow, Helena; Mont. (28); Bow, Butte, Mont. 29); Fox, Billings; Mont. (30). Traveling Lady (Kim Stanley), (tryout)—- Harina, Cleve. (18-23) (Reviewed in Variety, Oct. 13, '54). . Wedding Breakfast — Playhouse, Wilmington. Del. (28-30). What Every Woman Knows (Helen Hayes) — Huntington Hart- ford, L. A. (18-23); Curran, S. F. (25-30). Reviewed in Variety, Sept. 29, ’54). Wonderful Town (Carol Chan- ning)— Shubert, Chi. (18-30). World of Sholom Aleichem — Parsons, Hartford (28-30). Shuberts-League sssss Continued from past 137 worked out by the League. How- ever, the Shuberts are now out of the organization both officially and actually; and are apparently inclined to act independently in union matters, J. J. Shubert’s withdrawal from the League followed the group’s refusal of his demand that Milton R. Weijr be dropped as League counsel. The attorney had for many years represented Shubert’s brother, Lee Shubert, Until the lat- ter's death last winter. The. Shu- bert brothers had carried a bitter feud for some years. Apparently under J. J. Shubert pressure, Weir resigned from the Klein & Weir law firm that repre- sented the Shuberts. William & Jacob Klein thereupon took in Adolph Lund as a hew partner to take active charge of the Shubert legal affairs, and the law office was moved into the space formerly occupied by Lee Shubert in the Shubert Theatre building. Weir, meanwhile, represents Lee Shubert’s estate and is attorney for Milton Shubert, nephew of Lee and J. j. and the designated suc- cessor of Lee under the latter’s will. However, shortly after Lee’s death, J. J. forced Milton out of the Shubert firm and ousted him from his office in the Shubert building. AS the sole surviving partner, J. J: has full control of the Shubert interests. London ‘Can-Can’ Continued (com page 137 sisimmm box except that fury of leggy, joy- ous, Indecorous dancing girls,” Maurice Wiltshire, in the Daily Mail, quoted a line from, one of the Cole Porter lyrics, “But it is alt right with me,” and went on to add, “With me it was not quite so all right;” He found nothing mem- orable * any of the music, al- though some of the lyrics were cyn- ically bright and amusing; He opined that the evening went to Miss Hilda, “the only real Parisian thing of the show except Motley’s exquisite and thoroughly: convinc- ing sets.” . S . .. Sauce and Sex’ Daily Mirror critic Eve Chapman suggested that the production has: “little else but the ‘Can-Can.’ The program said Cole Porter wrote the music; but this is not the vintage Porter. In spite of its first-night faults, it will be a. success, because it supplies spectacle, sauce and sex.” " The. Daily Sketch review by Harold Coriway was spread over four columns with this heading: “Oh, What a Dull Can-Can.” He thought it was a case of Broadway turning the clock back 30 years to the days when plots were a nui- sance and only the dancing mat- tered. “Jerome Whyte’s produc- tion,” he declared, “has the skill and artistry he usually reserves for a Rodgers and Hammerstein show. But it is far from being that.” The Times criticism, unsigned as Usual, concluded with the comment that* it. was a .disappointing evening in which 'the scenery, .deservedly . comes in for more spontaneous ap-. plause than anything else. The re- viewer noted that “the Composer’s relative failure is the more marked and the more disappointing since the story he is working on is a curiously charmless affair.” W. A* Darlington, veteran critic of the Daily Telegraphy asserted that the show does not rank very high; “in the long and magnificent list of musicals that America has sentois; but it has one invaluable claim to popularity, it gives chance after chance to a highly expert team of dancers." Paul . Holt’s notice in the DaHy Herald was headlined “Can-Can Just Can’t.” He commented, “It is probably the poorest show Broad- way has sent us since the war. The tunes, if you judge them by Cole Porter’s standards, are second-rate. There is not a big hit in the show.” Alan Dent raved. His notice was Show a ’Triumph’ headlined “Cole Porter Show Is New Triumph,” and he described it as “witty” and added, “The whole delightful production is an im- provement in both attack and vi- tality on the one still running in New, York. The evening’s chief triumph here, as. there, belongs to Cole Porter.”, He referred to the composer’s “10 , excellent songs,” and makes a play on' one of his lyrics, “I Love Paris,” concluding with the Comment “We Love Porter every, season of the year.” The three London evenings on Friday were divided two-to-one, against, with the one favorable n(K tice coming from the News. Chron- icle’s stable companion, the Star. Milton Shulman hit hard in his Evening Standard review, insisting that “Can-Can” falls far short of the standard of accomplishment “we have, now come to expect from this type of transatlantic import. Tril lyrics by Cole Porter and the lines by Abe Burrows, I’m afraid, maintain a consistent level of banality rising to Occasional peaks of mediocrity,” Stephen Williams, the Evening News critic, asserted that the au- thor took Herculean pains to be funny and. rated the Cole Porter | music surprisingly undistinguished. In D.C. for American Bow; LuisiDo Star Standout Washington, Oct. 19. Ballets Espagnols, Spanish dance company, which began its Ameri- can tour There last night (Mon.), appears set for certain success in the U. S. Following its one-week Washington stand, it moves to New York for a month and then heads for the provinces. Company, starring the team of Teresa & Luisillo, 'operates , along the same general lines as the Jose Greco troupe, and will benefit by the fact that Greco has been pop- ularizing this type of attraction, throughput the U. S. • in the past few years. Ballets Espagnols is more defi- nitely the ballet and classical com- pany of the two, although the sec- ond half of the program is just as light, fast moving, and , popular as anything offered by the Greco company. There is no duplication of material between the two com- panies. . Luisillo, star of the troupe; is as fine a Spanish dancer as has been seen on these shores, good ehough to dance Greco off : any floor you care to name. Another standout is Maria Vivo, young, singer and dancer.' Gal displays a fine .sense of comedy. Troupe as whole shows flashing grace and charm and can be rated with the best of its type, Loice. ‘Evai^eline’ Reading On NX Stage as Video Test Staats Cotsworth, legit-radio-tw actor, is experimenting in adapta- tions of classics, for stage and video. Having drummed interest last year in a treatment of “Mac- beth” designed to show adaptabil- ity of classics to the ty medium by use of a modified platform-reading technique, CotsWorth is at present polishing a lectern-concert presen- tation' of Longfellow’s “Evange- line,” with four actor-narrators and a singing-speaking chorus. Presentation of the concert-read- ing of “Evangeline.” Is planned for a late November stage date in N.Y. with music and choral arrange- ments by Charles Paul, and a cast including Muriel Kirkland, Paul McGrath, Horace Braham and Alexander Scourby as the nar- rators, Cotsworth Will direct the production. Equity Show (Oct. 18-31) Fallen Angels— Lenox Hill Play- house, N. Y. (20-24). Stock Tryout fact. 18-30) Shoemaker's Children, by Phoebe and Henry Ephron— Bucks County Playhouse, New Hope, Pa, (25-30), common stock The Compknjr will employ its funds in a diversi|fied entertainment enter- prises connected with television,, motion pictures, and the theatre. Price SOI « shove I Hourwooe anchs, imc. D#pt . V ; I 2t West IBM St., M.y. iJ, N. P jTRafalier 4-1119 I Ssnd Free Offering Circular Without cost I iancy kenyon Currently on TOUR ROMBERG FESTIVAL INC AC) Wednesday, October 20 , LITERATI HI N. Y. Nm* Aatbon Loiue The N. Y. Daily News devoted its entire Sunday (17) editorial to its own talented crew of book writers, captioning it “The News Authors’ League”. Vet radio-tv editor Ben Gross’ Just - released memoirs, “Looked and I Listened” was the kickoff raison d’etre for the piece With his. thubibnail cut, along with other New? staffers Jimmy Pow- ers (sports), J.ohn Chapman (drama) and Robert Sylvester (Broadway heat), illustrating ...» the editorial. The News also kudosed Hy Tur- kin, Dick Young, Joe Trimble, Carl Warren, Ruth Reynolds, Jack lams (copy desk, who authors whodunf: its), Kermit Jaediker and Robert Parker (ditto), Lowell Limpus, Maxwell Hawkins, Antoinette Don- nelly; Elinor Ames, Willella de Canipi, /who have written on sports, politics, theatre, fiction, fashions and eitiquette.' Even ad- man Vincent Sullivan has found time to turn out “How To Sell Your Way Into The Big Money” (Citadel; *3,95), due off the press this week. Concludes the News: “Does this prove anything? Probably not. Plenty of top-grade newspaper people never> write books, and plenty of book-writers couldn’t qualify for newspaper jobs. But it takes a. lot of stuff to be good in both categories. We’re proud of the big News authors’ league, and to ail of them, present and, expec- tant, we wish the best of luck and the most obese of royalty checks.” \ - feed alien’s press communique In characteristic Fred Alien man- ner, the covering note to the press, in connection with his new book, “Treadmill to Oblivion,” reads (in trademarked lowercase ' Style) as follows: "i have written a book, , this is the first all-purpose book ever written, it isn’t the . book of the month, if you have no time. to read it this month this book ;is quickr frozen— it will keep until next ipnth. - “most boohs can only be used for reading purpose, this .book can be used as a coaster for glasses at cocktail parties, it can be slipped under a short child at the dinner table; if you have a cold in the- head the thin pages of this book can be used as Kleenex, it makes an ideal door-stop, this book has damp pages," during cold weather you do not have to wet your finger to turn them. “this, is also the first no-cal book, if you are trying to reduce, read one chapter a day on an empty stomach, watch the pounds disap- pear. “i am asking little, brown t who published ‘treadmill to oblivion,’ to send you a copy*, i hope you will enjoy it.” ■' Bonelli’s Bomb . When William G. Bonelli re- cently let go with a blast at the L. A. Times in a bbok entitled “Bil- lion Dollar Blackjack,” everybody waited for the ‘other shoe, to drop. They thought surely the Times would drop it, and on Bonelli’s head. .. 4 •Last- week It dropped. But the Times didn’t .drop it. Bonelli did. He dropped it on the head of the Times m the form of a $1,000,000 libel suit. Worsjt charge was that the. paper sought to tie Bonelli up with the Mafia gang. Suit said the paper had been given, ample, oppor- tunity, to retract the libel . and so far had not seen fit to do so. Normally Coast rags do not .print libel actions,; figuring it . only en- courages crackpots tp follow suit. But the Hearst papers thought it was news and gave .it quite a play, even giving Bonelli’s. bopk a plug m the news columns, r Bonelli’s family has lived in Arizona for generations. They came originally from Switzerland, not Italy,. - firm bearing his name, who same up with the idea a year ago. First issue will contain articles by Thurman Arnold (“Personal Liberties Are Indivisible”), Chester Bowles (“Asians Fear Our Foreign Policy”), Philip Wylie (“America-^ The World’s First. Pediarchy”), Herbert Weiqstock (“ -What Makes a Conductor Great?”), Richard B. Morris (“The McCarthy s of Yes- terday”), Dr! Norman Vincent Peale (“What Really Worries Peo- ple Today?”) and others, Editorial approach. It’s said, “is that of a book published” with the idea of printing articles of “permanent value on important ideas and issues/’ i New Pocket Mags Fresh entries for the pocket-size mag field are being groomed by the Berkley publishing Corp., a newly formed outfit. First tp hit the stands will be News, T5c weekly. Its initial edition is due next Tuesday (26) with an editorial format aimed at' the tabloid reader market. Some two months later will be the debut, of Chic, a 15c monthly described as aimed at the women’s market, Berkley is headed by Fred Klein, former veepee and circulation chief of Avon Publications, and Charles Byrne, also v.p. and editor- in-chief of Avon, Editorial Staff of News is topped by Jack Conway. Long with Cowles Publications, he was with Quick, a pioneer in the pocket-size, mag field, and later managing editor of Tempo. Editor of Chic is Margo Korda, former producer and commentator of fash- ion shows. vertising .Acceptability rad in the Monday (18) editions of the N. Y. Herald Tribune * and, the Washing- ton Post. Paperbacks Up Again?^ Great debate over the state of the paperback industry continues, with a new voice added to the fray, Theodore Pratt, one of the more volumiriously-represehted' of the paperback authors, claims “that despite what others who are behind the times say, the paperback busi- ness is on the rise in sales again, now that the field has settled down.” Pratt reports that his paperback original, “Smash-Up/’ has already sold 80% of its first printing after only a month’s dis- tribution, and that a reissue of “Handsome” appears to be on its way to duplicating the feat.- Pratt is currently in Boca Raton, Fla,, where at the Southern Gov- ernors Conference last week the state of Florida presented each delegate with a copy of Pratt’s Florida novel, “The- Flame Tree,” autographed and presented by the author. Clark’s British Post T. Fife Clark, public relations adviser to the British government,. |s. leaving his Downing St., post td Become director-general of the Central Office of Information. tie succeeds Sir Robert Fraser, wno was recently named director- general of the independent Tele- vision Authority, which will oper- ate Britain’s first commercial tele- vision web. v Pocket Books Into Mag* . Pocket Books Inc.,, one of the Paperback .pioneers, is entering the B?agazine field with the publica- jjjpn Oct. .25 of the first issue of tne Pocket Book Magazine, a a,?.-, rized quarterly . containing articles by w.k, writers in a. variety fields; Editor will be Franklin watts, president of the publishing Columnist Digest .Quick Digest, hew 25c monthly pocketsize mag, is on the stands, with features by top columnists and others in its- first issue (dated December). Contents of about 40 articles include Walter Winchell's “Killers I Have Known,” Earl Wil- son ’s * ‘MMMore About MMMarilyn . ’ ' Billy Rose’s “The Next Time I See Paris,” Ed Sullivan’s “Tbe Man Who Scared America,” etc. Editor-publisher is Hy Steirman, With Ruth Taylor managing editor. Louis Sobol Encores . Louis Sobol has signed another two-year contract with King Fea- tures and the N. Y. Journal-Amer- ica. •Jt takes him into 1956 and marks 25 years on. the evening sheet as a show biz columnist. Pros Sc Cons, On Gillmor Book Morris L. Ernst panned “Fear, The Accuser”, by Dan Gillmor (Abelard - Sehuman) on Barry Gray’s radio program , (Sept. 25) as “biased/' Arthur Garfield Hays, co-counsel with Ernst on the board of the American Civil Liberties Union, praised the book highly in his review of it in The Nation Oct. 16, Gray called it a “great; new hook.” The N. Y. Times rejected a full-page ad on. the book for Oct. 17 Sunday Book Section, without giving any reason to the publisher or the Waters ton &, Fried agency, which placed the copy. . The ad quoted from the' Hays review. The book is all about Congressional .in- vestigating committees and wit- nesses before them. Author Gillmor began his writ- ing career under the tutelage of the late O. K. Bovard, managing editor of the St. Louis' Post- Dis- patch. He was a pilot in the Army Air Force, in World War II, and is a son of an Admiral in the U. S. Navy. Meanwhile, smaller ads with es- sentially the same text, according to a representative of' the .pub- lisher, as the full-page ad ’rejected by the Times’ Committee on Ad- CHATTER Ted Patrick, editor of Holiday mag, in from Paris Monday. (18) on the Flandre. Irving Kramer, formerly with Look . mag, appointed art director for Popket Magazines. “The Gertrude Lawrence Story,” by. Nancy Spain, being serialized in the Evening News, Glasgow. Michael Clark, foreign corres- pondent of the N. Y, Times* . re- turned to Europe last week on the SS United States. Richard A, Thornburgh ‘pro- moted to executive director and John S. Gilen to managing editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Max Winkler, prez of the Long- champs' Restaurants, has. authored “The Longchamps Cookbook,” for November publication, by Harper’s. Bill Smith, an associate editor of Billboard for 11 years, has. resigned to go into personal management. He specialized in vaudeville and nitery coverage, Mort Frankel, tv freelancer -and former CBS editor, makes his na- tional magazine debut Sun. (24) with an article in This . Week on the 50th ; anniversary of New York’s subway system. Edward L. Bennays among, four “outstanding” news and public re- lations men awarded certificates of commendation at a recent seminar, held by the School of Journalism of Florida U. Ira Peck named editor of Screenland and Silver Screen mags by publisher Ned Pines. Peck continues in his present post as editor of Pines Publications’ new projects division. Charles Jasper Sisson, Asst. Director and Senior Fellow , of the Shakespeare Institute, Stradford- ori-Avon, has compiled the com- plete. works of William- Shaker peafe for' Harpr publication. Program of foreign- films not regularly sliown to the American, public is being readied by the For- eign Press Assn, of Hollywood. Imports from Japan, South Africa, France, England and Canada will be shown to members and invited guests.. ^ Alfred A. Knopf has added a new book by CBS-TV’s “Omnibus” emcee, Alistair Cooke, “A Com- mencement Address,” to the fall list. It will be published Nov, 8. The address was given to the graduating class of Smith College in June this year, Tom Mahoney, a former editor of Look and Fortune, has authored “The Great Merchants,” for Har- per’s, detailing the success stories of institutions such as R. H. Macy, Filenes, Marshall Field, Sears Roe- buck, A&P, Orbach’s, Neiman-Mar- cus, Breritario’S, Brooks Bros,, Tif- fany’s, F. & R. Lazarus, et al. Collection pf magazine articles being published by Scribner’s this week, “A Guide to Successful Mag- azine Writing,” contains two show business pieces. They are Kate Smith’s story as told to Martin Abramson in the American Maga- zine, and a piece on Strates Car- nival by James Poling, published in the Satevepost. Variety’s oft-quoted headline ■ of Oct. 30, 1929, “Wall Street lays an egg,” leads off John Gray’s article, “The Day A Whole Generation Went Broke” in Mac- lean’s magazine, . Toronto. U. S.- born Gray has just moved to St, John* N. . B;, as' mag’s ‘ Maritimes staff, man. Wife Araby Lockhart, Toronto stage and tv .actress* moved with ! him. While fiackihg the proposed $75,- 000,000 Back. Bay Center in Boston for producer-realtor • Roger, .L, Stevens during the past year, press-, agent Bob Viand was himself bit- ten by the real estate bug. He and brother Dick bought a pic- turesque carriage house in nearby j Cohasset and, converted it into a home. Natch, it’s being called “Barn Yesterday.” Oscar, pystel, president of Ban- tam Books Inc. , last week returned to N.Y. from the Coast, where he conferred with studio executives, on pix-book promotion tieips. Fu- ture Bantam tieins will include “The Bridge At Toko-Ri” “East ol' Eden” (Warners), ““Lord Vanity” (20th) and “Man Without A Star” (U). The first three will be pub-, lished by Bantam in January. Special “Pacific” edition of Sat- urday Review has a number of bright pieces, notably Irving Hoff- man’s. “Hongkong— a State of Never Mind,” a closeup of that Oriental crossroads as will never be found in any Baedeker; J. P. McEvoy’s '“I’ll Take Manila”; Leonard Lyons’ “Hawaii— the . Des- sert Islands”;, and James Mich- ener’s' “The Sea of the Talented Traveler.” Hollywood. As soon as the cycle of crooked cop pix runs its full 360 degrees, which should be any century* pow, because Jthe taste of fans tires so easily, I should, think a fruitful field would, be shady sportswriters. Those operating in amateur sports would provide the scripticians with better story material because tlie contrast . between pro-writers, and am-players would provide a ready-made black, and white basis, for conflicts Just before the current football season 'began, California professed to be scandalized by a highschool star whose father screamed that, his boy had been the victim of double-dealing lucrative promises not kept, and so on. As a result, he pulled the lad out of one college hungry to increase its Monday morning standings in the AP and UP polls, and enrolled, him in another which could afford, to make good on what it offered because it was already, up at the top. Sports.writers, who generally kept things of this sort under cover, lest exposing them would cut down their quota of free meals or extra passes for important people not above these venial forms of bribery* played the scandal up for a while and then dummied Up. I have had little experience in this stuff, and that in homeopathic dosage* Which proved rather heady, I once ’ :rote a piece for the old Liberty called “Stumblebacks.” The thesis was that you didn’t have to be a halfwit to be a halfback, but if you were a halfback long enough you would be a halfwit. A legman, who Was the fastest typist, fastest runner and fastest conclusion-jumper, filled in part of the. mogaic by .supplying me many, case-histories (himself among them)! of light but. fast backs Whose brai liad been bashed out of shape from hitting 200-pound tackles, ' A Stumbleback Stumbles One of the case-histories he supplied me nearly got us into a juicy > libel suit. The ticket was ultimately fixed by having some ghost write a short story and having .the battered brain sign it* thereby proving that the case-history in. question couldn’t possibly have referred to him* I acquiesced to this,' as the cost of proving the point’ by "psy- chiatrists in open court Would have run- to a fancy figure. The only other footnote I could supply to any story dealing with these .'knights of the sports-desk in tarnished armor happened 40 years ago, It was while I was an undergraduate at Columbia. Though .‘Sid Luckman is generally hailed as Columbia’s . first pro-- fessional in the field of football, I’m afraid diligent research would give ’me a priority. Many of my classmates, notably M. Lincoln Schuster,. Howard Dietz, Si Seadler, Merryle Stanley Rukeyser and George E. Sokplsky, have attempted to place on my shoulders the whole responsibility for the return in 1916 of amateur football to. Morningside Heights: But I am confessing to nothing of the sort.- All I am admitting, and riot even that under oath, was that I was the first to make any money out of it. It happened that before I went to Columbia I had worked on The Sun, which in those days rose in the . morning and had quite a standing , in New York journalism. I had arranged that when I wept to the school'' ''of journalism I should be the campus correspondent for the downtown daily. Sun correspondents were , paid $8 a Column and the secret of success was to get long enough strips to. paste up at the end of the week to make a living but of it. The Greener Faroff Fields I , soon discovered that While correspondents from other • colleges were cleaning up on football in the fall of the year, South Field was practically the Forest Lawn of the East as far as activity was concerned. Other colleges were teeming with activity as soon as the academic year started and very little of it was in classrooms. Yale had built its bowl out of the profits of amateur football. Harvard and Princeton had their stadiums. Indeed,, almost every campus, save Columbia, was making money out of football. . To make any kind, of 1 living I used to cover games out of town as a second-string sportswriter: I got pretty weary of trekking to other colleges and extolling their Skill and courage, and besides, I wasn’t pn a. swindle sheet and travel expenses cut father deeply into that $8 a column; , So I got myself elected class president and began a campaign to restore football to Morningside Heights. The game had been heaved off the campus in 1905 because too many stevedores were enrolling in September and flunking out on the first quizzes in November, after which, if they were still all of one piece, they returned to the docks, “Crystallizing Public Opinion” It was a tough assignment to prove that the university had suffered because it had been without football for 10 years. In fact, all the convincing arguments were on the other side. It Had grown to be the most eminent University in the World without any football at all, with an enrollment around 30,000. But I kept pounding, stimulating mass meetings, quoting my own; fiery remarks: In my own dispatches and otherwise loading the news in a way that is far more common today than it was then. Finally the authorities gave in. They threw limitations around the return of the game, however. No students of professional schools were to be allowed to play. That paid ‘off Scully arid' the power, of the press. In fact,, the game was to be limited to Columbia College and only to about 600 students (h that area of learning. We accepted the limitations with good grace, which was a great disappointment to President Nicholas Murray JBut.Ler. He had rather hoped we would kick up a new row at the, brushoff so that he could say, “Very well, in that case you’ll get no football at all.” But. Who Was On First? The first game was , an iriterclass affair r Charlie Hahn of Halyard * who Was studying at Columbia Law, coached orie, group, and Arthur Howe, an all-American .quarterback from Yale* who was studying at Union Theological, coached the other. The game resulted in a score- less tie. There were no * fights, no injuries, np trouble of any sort.: That opened the. Way for intercollegiate football. A couple of pro- hibitionists 'were imported from Oberliri to coach the team! T.oi Thorp; Columbia's last All-Am erica n before; the game was abolished and after that a sportswriter for the HearSt papers, helped out. Sq ; did; Ham Fish, Harvard’s All-American isolationist. Five games were played that season arid Columbia won them all. The last was with New York U. and it’ was a humdinger. The final score, as I remember it, was 19 to 16. When the, season, ended, I tallied up my take and discovered I had made $485 more than I had., made ail the previous year and thus i ad become .Columbia’s first pro since the days when longshoremen came uptown, played but the bone-crushing Season and then returned to the easier work of loading arid unloading steamships. The Chaise Lounge Sportswriter This increase of nearly $500 bucks, remember, was clear profit. 'There were no taxes, nb expenses, save a 5c Subway ride, and miieh of the work could be done frorri my dormitory window without everi going on the field at all. It was, it is true, only money and I didn’t exactly steal it. All I did was to encourage others to work like dogs .on a gridiron for nothirig so that I might make a nice living out of exploiting their willingness to die for dear old Columbia. * ’ If riiy motive were only a little higher I’d feel better about the. whole thing. To those who feel that the effort to restore football to Columbia was certainly worth it, I shrug my shoulders arid shamefully agree. It , was for me; at any rate. 142 CHATTER Veincsdajr, October 20, 1954 Broadway Gregory Ratoft back from Eu- rope yesterday (Tues.) on the Queen Mary. Don Hartman, Paramount exec producer, back to the Coast follow- . ing the J White Christmas” bow at the Music Hall. Ira Blue, show biz attorney, lias been reelected vice-president of the Federal Bar Assn, of N.Y„ New Jersey & Conn, for another .year,. Robert Shapiro, managing direc- tor of N, Y. Paramount, and Ed Hyrrian, ABC-Paramount veepee, planed to the Coast Sunday (17) to look at new product. Rudolf Bing, general manager of the Metropolitan Opera, flew last Friday (15) to San Francisco to atr tend several performances Of the San Francisco Opera. - He returned to New York Sunday. Actress — singer Elise Rhodes and her roommate Meredith Anderson’s apartment on Lexington Aye. made the police blotter when $7,825 in furs and jewelry were stolen this past weekend. Miss Anderson is a freelance writer. Anna and Maria . Calouta, a Greek singing-dancing sister-team, arrived in N.Y. front Athens last Thursday (14), to give a series ol concerts on behalf of Greek relief organizations throughout the U,S., to benefit victims of the recent earthquakes in Greece. Lou (Latin Quarter) Walters’ daughter, Barbara, who has been With , NBC when not associated with her father’s enterprises, went over to Paris June 1 ‘‘for a few weeks’’ and may come back in November with the LQ showman Who is flying over for the Nov. I Command Performance in London. Hurricane Hazel .contributed* to the untimely death of publicist David E. Green's father Friday night (15) when he missed his footing while alighting from a Broadway bus near his home in the 80s, causing him to hit his head on the sidewalk. He died Within a .few hours from shock and concus- sion. Roy Rogers and Dale Evans nahied co-chairmen of the first Na- tional Retarded Children’s Week, scheduled for Nov. 14-23, accord- ing to Martin F. Papish, who heads the organization. Purpose of the week is to inform the public on needs of the mentally retarded child and. to raise funds for handi- capped children. Brooklyn Society 1 of Artists, prexied by Nancy Ranson, stages its 38th annual exhibition at River- side. Museum Qct. 31-Nov. JJ1. Special feature of this year’s ex- hibition is forum on “Art and Atomic Age” moderated by Bert- ram Goodman On Sunday after- noon, Nov. 14. Artist is wife Of WMGM publicist . Jo Ranson. When Gene Mori (Garden State Racetrack near Camden) hosted The Skeeters last Wednesday (13), he also unveiled his new Cherry Hill Inn, at nearby Haddonfield. It was a show biz reunion for many Who greeted Pepind (& Rhode), who danced at the Central Park Casino, Waldorf, etc., and Who is how headwaiter at Mori’s country- style inn. ‘ Leonard H. Goldenson, ABC- Paramount proxy, was named hon- orary “Pennsylvania Ambassador” last Week by the Pennsy Chamber of Commerce for “outstanding achievement in the best tradition of the Commonwealth.” Former resident of Scottdale, Pa., he was chosen for his efforts on behalf of the United Cerebral Palsy Assn., which he organized and heads. After 7V£ years, Ed and Pegeen Fitzgerald aren’t sure of their Hay Island (Conn.) summer retreat be- cause William Ziegler, who ^owns that large tract, thinks that Bill Jr. and fiis family should settle there next year, and stay closer to the family. The Fitzgeralds, who Used to alternate their ABC radio shows from there; and N. Y., will now Originate 100% from their East 78th St. town house. hist philosophies and will be ap- proved by India government before production starts, Pakistan government expects to release 10 Indian films now held by customs. Further release would depend on settlement of trade agreement with the government .of India while Pakistan Interests are against importing any In ■ \n. film, “Knock on Wood” C smash at the Madras Odeo. in its first, week. Film held a second week and may go longer. “Knock. 1 !’ did out- standing business at Bombay’s Eros fpr four weeks and at Calcutta’s Lighthouse for two. India Indian Drama Festival opens Nov. 15 and runs a month in New Delhi. “Roman Holiday” (Par) hit, record by running for 27 weeks at Calcutta’s Tiger Cinema, Midland Theatre in Madras, which has been showing Metro films exclusively fpr the last few years, pulled down for reconstruc- tion and reopening as an air-condi- tioned house in November; Delegation of film artists and technicians led by WriterrDirector Ehwaja Ahmed Abbas left Madras for Moscow in connection with Fes tival of Indian films scheduled, to opeil there and other principa cities of Russia. First. Japanese-Indian pic ven- ture being set by Toei Mtoion Pic- ture Company arid A. J. Patel Story deals with Hindu and Budd- By Gene Moskowitz (28 Rue Huchette ;. Odeon 49-44) Frankie Laine into the Alhambra or a two-shoW stirit, “Porgy and Bess,” getting rave reviews, seems In for a solid run. Xavier Cugat and troupe head- ing for the U.S. after a boff Euro- pean tour. . Terence Rattigan here working on the screenplay of his legiter, The Deep Blue Sea,” “White Christmas” (Par) will be the first VistaVision pic to play here, now being pencilled in for January. ’ RKO having its SuperScope un- veiling this week for press, and producers and distribs from all over France. , Roger-Pierre and Jean-Marc Thi- bault, two young riitery comics, inaugurating their first ty show here, “News for Laughing.” Jean ~ Louis Barrault - Mareleine Renarid Rep Co. has another smash bn their hands in revival of Antort Tchekov's “The Cherry Orchard” (La Cerisaie). Bureau Du Tourism figures show that more U.S. tourists Visited France in the first eight months this year than ' in like period of 1953 or 12% more* La Rose Rouge goes back to its revue shows with “Les Carnet De Monsieur Daninos,” directed by Ives Robert. Freres Jacques also come back to this bolte. Artur Rubinstein will . spend his time evenly between New York and Paris to be able to fulfill his many international concerts every year. He now has a house here. Maurice Chevalier publishing sixth volume of his memoirs in conjunction with his 55 one-man shows, now. going on, to commem- orate his 55th year in show hiz. " La Nouvelle Eve closes down this month Until next February while its present spec revue goes on tour. Lido also shutters down for two weeks to enlarge its stage capacity for the new show, “Ca- prices/’ due in December. By Hazel Guild (24 Rheiiistrasse; 76751) Columbia set to release London Noel Coward is doing a return date at the Cafe de Paris. John Pertwee planes to Korea Nov. 1 to entertain the troops there. Reilly ' makes her local debut this week at the Betty cabaret Colony. After 30 years, Keith, Prowse Music Co, is moving from Poland St. to the more select Bond St. Lloyd .Williams, BBC-TV pro-, ducer, quitting to become tele con- sultant to an advertising agency. ■Jean Sablon flying from Paris to appear in a BBC-TV edition of “This Is Show Business” on Oct. 25. Muriel Berkson sailed last Fri- day after a six-month tour of Eu- rope. She was in “Summer: House” with Judith Anderson. Several L o n d o h columnists *planed to Le Havre to interview Marlon Brando after it became known he was by-passing London. Raymond Stross acquired film rights to: Charles Terrott’s new comedy, “An Alligator Named Daisy,” which was published last month. Ron Randell, now in the Palace production of, "Sabrina Fair,” inked for the role of. American in the British filmization of “I Am . A Camera.” Sydney Phillips, who quit .Decca Records to join the Phillips label sometime ago, has returned to Decca. Len Smith resigned as recording manager. Arthur Christiansen, Daily Ex- press editor, will he guest of honor; at tomorrow’s (Thurs.) luncheon of the Variety Club to celebrate his 21 years with that paper. To New York: Gregory. Ratoff via the Queen Mary; Sir Kenneth Clark,- chairman of the. Independ- ent Television Authority; on the lie de France; Eastman Boomer and Anna Russell by plane. Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin, who ended their ballet partnership a year ago, are to appear together in “Where The Rainbow Ends” which opens a holiday season at the Royal Festival Hall Dec. 27. production of Clare Booth’s “The Women.” . Michael Gough back to London for lead in “The Immpralist,” Ruth and Augustus Goetz: adaptation of Andre Gide’t description of his honeymoon. Noel Coward is to supervise new production of his “Blithe Spirit” at Olympia, Dublin. Play' has Kay Kendall; Dennis Price and Margpt Grahame In leads, and Will tour England after its debut here, The Second Life,” German-French co- production, In Berlin’s Cinema Theatre Oct. 30. Pix opens 14 days later in other key cities. “Fruhjahrsparade/' life of Ger- man composer William August Jureks, starts shooting by Erma Films next year. Ernst Marischka scripts and directs. Herzog will distribute in Germany. Walter Reich, who megged “Die Mucke,” planed back to Hollywood after the preem to Write a Marilyn Monroe pic for 20th-Fox; returns to Germany in 1955 to direct “Mid- nightsun” for Europa Films. German Film Censorship Board lists 594 put- licensed for release as of Sept. 30, including 26 from Universal, 34 20th-Fox, 33 Colum- lia, 28 Metro, 23 Paramount, 21 RKO, 24 United Artists and 20 for WB. The first two-version German- French Cinemascope pic started Oct. 4 in Morocco. German partner is Roxy Films. Titled “Oasis,” it stars Michele Morgan, Carl Rad- datz, Cornell Borchers, with Yves Atlegrets directing. Rome By Robert F. Hawkins ( 149 Archimede; 87443 ) Nyta Dover, is new at the Kit-Kat Club. Marie Baxa, N.Y. tele songstress, hooked into Rupe Tarpea. “Caine Mutiny Court Martial” opened to strong reviews, at the Valle. Sixteen dancers here to take part in the first Italo-Jap coproduc- tion of “Madame Butterfly.” Robert Haynes, expected in Rome for stint in “Wives and Lov- ers ” pic Which Sergio Grieco is to direct. Ingrid Bergman in England after finishing German pic work in “Fear,” directed by her husband, Roberto Rossellini. Podrecca’s Puppets held over in local stand at the Italia Theatre. Open Dec. 5 in Paris, with new. repertoire, for world -tour. Hernigio Paone, Italo legit star, may tour “Porgy and Bess” .in key Italian cities, following its recent, hit preem at Venice’s Music Fete. Mel Ferrer and Audrey Hepburn switched plans, now staying in k a 20-room Alban Hills villa while Ferrer finishes pic work in Cine- citta studios. Cristine Carrere here from Paris to co-star with Giho Cervi, Frari- coise Christopher, Pietre Cressoy fn “Donna Libera/' Marcello Pag- liero will direct. Nathan Milstein due here for opener concert (Oct. 23) in Rome University’s Aula Magna. Also booked there are . Edwin Fisher, Elizabeth Schwartzkopf and Mezz Mezzrow. Palm Springs By Frank Scully . . Ellsworth Vines is resident pro at the Tamarisk. Yera-EUen, on busman’s holiday, dancing at Doll’s House. . Jerry Lewis gave last of his jaundice the old sun treatment. Marjorie 'Pohl back at Racquet Club p.a. after 9,000-mile trip around country. Bob Hope, couldn’t make it for the CV amateur golf tilt after that Cleveland debacle. Ralph Kiner Umpired ball game to help Mickey Finn’s Boys Ranch, which ex-L.A, copper runs here, Alex Evelove, Bill Best of« UP, and ChOlly Angeleno (Lynn Spen- cer) gave 100 villagers skull session in publicity. Victor McLaglen gave Tom Hull a birthday cake, the Hollywood Roosevelt owner resting here be- fore plunging into an $8,000,000 Vegas operation. . Ray Anthony band into Prom ballroom Friday night (22), . Henry Youngman held, over at jimmy Hegg’s Starlight Club after fine biz in initial two weeks: . Scheik’s Cafe singing sextet, now well into fourth year of con- tinuous yun, packing them in with program of gypsy airs; produced by Glyde Snyder. Sally • Sweet, zither player and folk singer, into. Covered "Wagon nitery for two-week* date, with Harry Zimmerman, local radio fig- ure, as comic and MC. Edyth Bush Little Theatre, St. Paul, Noy. . 4, will open three- week production of “Life With; Father.” Poll indicated tv show revived interest in veteran stage comedy. ,, Norman Granz bringing modern jazz concert into Minneapolis Audi- torium Monday (25 ) \ with Duke Ellington band and Dave BrubeCk, Stan Getz and Gerry ; Mulligan combos. Granz scored 10 days ago with his Jazz at the Philharmonic at same spot. By Emil W. Maass (2 Grosse Schiffgasse; A4504.5.) J osefstadt Theatre will- produce “Caine Mutiny” in 1955. San Francisco cellist Analee Camp gave concert in Schubert Hall, Raimurid Theatre plans Robert Stolz operetta, “Dreams in Blue,” for Xmas. It’s a remake of a 1934 work.-. Radio reporter Heribert Meisel inked by Paula Wessely film for her next production,, “The Way Back.” Melodie-Donau Film working on “You Are Right One” after com- edy, “The First Mrs. Selby.” Erich Engel is directing. Carl Milloecker’s classical oper- etta, “Gasparone,”* being filmed in the Rosenhuegel Studio (Russian zone), with Karl Ptoryla in the lead. Ida Lupino laid up with an In- jured knee. James Cagney celebrating 25 years in films. Helen Traubel suffered another attack of laryngitis. Francis X. Sullivan applying for American : citizenship. Tay Garnett and Mart Aldon re- turned from London. . Greer Garson recovering from ismergency appendectomy. • Anna Magnani arrived from Italy for her first Hollywood picture. Vic Damone and Pier; Angeli set their wedding date for Nov. 25. Fred Sweeney seriously ill at Motion Picture Country Hospital. Albert Marre in from N.Y. seek- ing talent for new play,. “Festival.” Fernando Lamas and Arlene Dahl moved from MCA to Williai Morris, Hoagy. ; Carmichael arid . Lucy Marlow will appear at a benefit in Pasadena. George Jessel will emcee: the eighth annual Panhandle Dinner of the Publicists Guild. Tribute to Joe Pasternak for 30 years of film accomplishment will be staged in the Coconut Grove. Film cartoonists tossipg a party to honor Walter Laritz on his 25th anni with Universal-International. . Roy M. Brewer addressed Mo- tion Picture Industry Controllers on ‘‘How ; Hollywood licked the Communist problem.” . By Gordon Irving (Glasgow; Kelvin 1590) Ray Ellington; rhythm quartet leader here in vaude. Grade Fields set' for Scot con- cert dates and milling trip to U.S: this winter. ' David Whitfield, British singer, pacted for vaude at Glasgow Em- pire in November. Regal Cinema, Kilmarnock, cel- ebrating 50th anni, was formerly the King’s Theatre. Joy Nichols, Australian chirper and radio star, set for vaude week at Glasgow Empire, - Jimmy Logan, Scot comedian, touring rural locations with unit under the James S. Kerr (Robert Wilson) banner, Bobby Limb, young Australian comedian, after successful suriimer. season in “Half-Past Eight” revue at Alhambra; Glasgow, joining new. Ted Heath vaude unit, “It’s a Rec- ord,” for British tour. Ronalds. Bros, current at Pre- view Lounge for an indefinite run. Alan Dean, MGM singer, in town , for two weeks to do Howard Miller deejay show. “Peer Gynt” extended at Play- wrights Theatre . Club with “Sea Gull” to follow Oct. 26. Irene Castle Enzirtger, -of once famous Irene and Vernon Castle dance team; leaving home in Chi- cago for retirement cottage in the Ozarks. Black Orchid Jr., new cocktail lounge: adjoining the intimate nitery, opened last Sunday (17) co- incidental with birthday of boni- face A1 Greenfield, likewise cele- brated by firstnight guests. -Bonnie Kroll, former promotion gal aria deejay pusher for Mercury Records, joined Sampson. Co. in promotion capacity for Columbia Records, vice Nat Hale who’s now With Liberace flackery. Marty Hirsch, former assistant to Kenny Myers at Merc, succeeds Miss Kroll. By Maixweli Sweeney (22 Farney Pic.; Dublin 64506 ) Ballet Rambert in for season at Gaiety, Dublin. Warbler. Cavan O’Connor cur- rently on tour here. Artur Rubinstein inked f6r longhair recital in Dublin Nov. .13; Jack Aronson will stage season at Gate, Dublin, starting in Novem- ber. Grade Fields pacted for Thegtre Royal, < Dublin, arid Savoy, Cork, Oct. 28 and 29. Terence Rattigan’s “Deep Blue Sea” added to fall sked for Olympi , Dubli . Robert Gallico, son of novelist Paul Gallico, named assistant stage manager at the Dbblin Globe The- atre. Brian Durnin, former Radio Eireanri gabber, named first secre- tary of Irish embassy in Washing- ton. Derek Bond and Bernadette O’Farrelt in for leads in John Dighton comedy, “Who Goes There?” Bostonian Vivian Eckstein cast for Edith role in current Dublin By Richard H. Larsh ( Press Club; 27-0161) Metro plannirig Tokyo sales con- vention of its Near and Far East reps the latter, part of October. Jean and Wally Nash, Australian, dance team, appearing at the Latin Quarter. He also plays the multi- chord. By the end of January, 1955, there will be at least 105 C’Scope- equipped houses in Japan. There are 49 now and 19 more will be completed by end of the month. Sir v Malcolm Sargent, British baton wielder, guest conducting a series of concerts with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra and the Kan- sai Symphony Orchestra in Osaka. Porthnd, Ore. Amato’s Supper ' Club has Nel- son Eddy for one week. Mrs. J, J. Parker,' film theatre exec ‘here, recovering, from near pneumonia. Eddie Bracken in “Seven Year Itch” at Civic Auditoriurri. for Wil- liam Duggan four days last week. Florence Pickett, ace choreogra- pher for the Amato line, making a name for herself as Konny G. Worth at station KGW. By Jerry Gaghan After two weeks of band policy, Embassy Club returned to floor- shows. , The Barton Sho-Bar' changing name to Club Mambo for a try at neW *craze. Gil OrloWitz, local playwright, will have his drama, “Stephanie/ 1 ’ tried out by Group One, oif-Broad- way Theatre. Australian former figure skating champ Melanie Magnan heads .new rink revue at Hotel Benjami Franklin’s Garden Terrace. Norman Granz ’playing return quick date at Academy of Music with Duke Ellington orch and combos of Gerry Mulligan, Dave Brubeck and Stan Getz. Philadelphia Civic: Grand Opera signed two Metopera stars for sea- son’s opener, “Samson and Deli- lah,” Oct. 26, with Ramon Vinay and Jean Madeira in title roles. By Florence S. Lowe Mills Bros, current, at Casino Royal nitery. Sande Williams orch back at it» stand at Hotel Shorehairi’s Palla- dian Room. ‘ r *':"' , The Eugene Van Dees, MPAA’s Rome rep and wife, here to visit the Eric Johnstons.. “The Crucible,” big click at Arena Stage, held over for sixth week, which delayed : skedded preem of "Androcles and the Lion”' to Oct. 19. By Glenn Trump Acts at Ak-Sar-Ben Rodeo hero included Jay Sisler; Slivers John* son; and Connie & B'/rort Hendrix. Tex Beneke sworn in as: hon- orary fire chief at Offutt Air Force Base here while playing dance for airmen. Jack Duffield feports.his Thearle- Duffield Co, of Chicago Will pro- duce fireworks for 21st Orange Bowl celeb at Miami Jan, 1 Art Briese will be in charge, Don Romeo of Paul Moorhead Agency back from Chicago where he inked Herb Shriner to head Auto Show slated for new City Auditorium here in February. ^edn1954 143 ARTHUR WINNER'. Arthur Wisner, 54; manager of the Kansas City Philharmonic Orchestra, died qf a cerebral' hemorrhage in K. C., early Mon- day (18), lie went there in Novem- ber," 1952, after a Splitup with Com- munity Concerts Inc., where- he had spent niuch of .his business career. One of the organizers of Columbia Artists Mgt. and its Com- munity Concerts; adjunct, he spent, lost of his adult life in the con- cert business. Bom jn . Athens, Mich., he graduated r Michigan Business & Normal College.. First with the Redpath Chautauqua & Lyceum Bureau, he "“helped to orf Still "THE KING' AL JOLSON MAY 24, IMS OCTOBER 23. 1950 Al Jolson Memorial Club gariize Columbia in .1930, He was at one. time a performing musician. Survived by wife and three sisr ters. ' ' ” ’ B. IVINFRED MERRILL B> Winfred Merrill, 90, former iicert violinist, composer, music textbook writer and dean emeritus of the> Indiana U. School of Music, died Oct. 17, in Bloomington, Ind. In 1880 he founded and . directed the first high school orchestra in the U. S. at East Aurora, 111, Joining Indiana’s faculty in 1919, Merrill became dean of the new school of music, in 1921 ' and served until his retirement in 1938. Throughout his 19 years with the university he conducted the I. U. Symphony Orchestra. Surviving are his wife and a daughter, Prof.: Winifred Merrill, of the I. U. School of Music. RICHARD TEMPLE Richard Teriiple, 81, vet actor and a panel member on “Life Begins at 80,” tv show, died of a IN MEMORIAM In Loving Memory of Our Brother SAMUEL LIEBERT COMEDIAN Diod Oct. 24, 1945 AT REST heart attack Oct. 14. in New York. Born in:England, he was the son of Richard Temple, who originated roles in all of the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas when they were first produced, The. younger Temple was brought to the U. S. by the Shuberts, and appeared in many of their productions. ; Temple performed in Chicago in “The Better ’Ole,” with De Wolfe Hopper and in Shaw’s “Pygmalion,” with Ruth Chatterton. His other appearances included roles in “She Stoops to Conquer,” “Rebecca” and “Sons O’ Guns.” ERNESTO SABATINI Ernesto Sabatini, 76, veteran actor-manager, died in Milan, Oct. 6, of a > heart attack, In recent years he had been, working in Italian radio and tv. From 1910 to Fred E. Abler! per: 20th. 1953 In Loving Momory MILDRED, RICHARD, FRED, JR. 1940, . he played leads with top Italian touring companies and also headed his own road company. Although Sabatini- .appeared in some 50 films as a featured player, he never achieved stardom. A mem- ber of an old theatrical family, he was a doctor of medicine be- fore embarking Upon a stage ca- reer. EDWARD R. NORRfS Edward R, Norris, 53, who had managed the boxoffice of. the Na- tional Symphony Orchestra in Washington since that organization commenced in 1931, died in D. C. last Oct, 13 after a long illness. Norris, a native Washingtonian, had previously worked the box- offices at the old Belasco and Poll’s Theatres there. . He was a member of Variety Club of- Washington and the •; Cirgps Saints 'and Sinners there. /Surviving are this wife, a sister and brother; HERBERT V. ANDERSON Herbert V, AndterSon, 47, ac- count executive with NBC-TV’s net- work sales dept., died Oct. 14, in Manhasset, N. Y., after a long ill- ness, He joined NBC in April, 1944, ih the spot arid local sales dept. Upon formation of the tele- vision network sales dept, in 1950, he was named an account exec. A native of Falconer, ,N. Y., Anderson is survived by his wife, Mrs. Anne Wright Anderson of the J. Walter Thompson Go.; his par- ents and two sisters. „ ALFRED GRADSTEIN Alfred Gradstein, 51, Polish, com- poser, died Sept. 29, in Warsaw He studied at the Warsaw > Con- servatory of Music from 1922 to 1925, and at the State. Academy of Music in Vienna from. 1925 to 1926. Best known for his songs for children and for popular music for yoiqe and instruments, Gradstein .Wort two state 'prizes for his works’ : for chorus. Among his other com- positions are a piano concerto and a number of mazurkas. HARLEY SADLER Harley Sadler, 62, longtime tent showman, died of a heart attack Oct. 19. in Stamford, Tex. A state senator at the time of his death, he was stricken, i Avoca, Tex., where he had gone to judge a talent contest. Sadler traveled with various stock companies in the midwest and southwest arid also acted on Mississippi, showboats. RICHARD RICCARDO Richard (Ric) Riccardo:, 51, own- er-operator of the Chicago restau- rant bearing his name, died there Oct. 11. He had been in poor health for nearly four years. A painter himself, Riccardo opened the eating place in 1935. It later evolved into a. combination restau- rant arid art gallery that became a favorite 'hangout: for the radio-tv and ad agency crowd. Survived by a son and daughter, HALLIAM BOSWORTH Halliam BosWorth, 79, actor in many Broadway , stage productions, died of a heart attack Oct. 10 in New York. At the age of 16 he played a super in William A. Brady’s “The Things That Count.” On Broadway Bosworth later ap- peared in “The Hawk” “Treasure Island,” “Lombardi, Ltd./’ “Top- aze,” “Trick For Trick,” arid “It Can’t Happen.” His wife survives. THOMAS FLETCHER Thomas' .Fletcher, 82, retired vaude performer, died Oct. 12 in New York'. At one time he toured with a number of vaude song and dance shows throughput the coun- try. Later, with his wife, he formed a team known as “Fletcher and Bailey.” More recently he had appeared on the tv show, “Life Begins at 80:” Surviving are tw HENRY STANTON Henry Stanton, 68, senior veepee of the J. Walter Thompson ad agency, died Oct. 7 in Palo Alto, Cal., of a heart ailment. In partial retirement, he maintained an of- fice in the San. Francisco branch of the agency, with which he had been connected; for .40 years. His wife and four children sur- vive, Lou Morris Lou Morris, 65,. prominent in- dependent exhibitor,, died in a London ; hospital Oct. II after a short illness. He was taken: ill with food poisoning the previous week and suffered a stroke a few days later. ’ Survived by wife arid. two sons. LOUIS C. SNYDER Louis C. Snyder, 68, violinist and composer, died Oct. 10 in Chicago. He wrote several hit tunes includ- ing “Dreani Book,” “Gypsy Cara- van,” and “Dear Friend, Gentle Heart.” Wife survives. v. - “ Mae L. Zimmerman, 61, retired vaudeville performer, died of cancer, Oct, 5, in Cleveland. Some 35 years ago she was featured with Roland Travers who specialized in magic and illusions. Surviving are her sister, Cecilia Emerick, and father-in-law, Edward E. Rudolph Jr., 56, Re- public Pictures salesman, was killed in an iautp 1 accident Oot. 5, near Salem, 111. He operated the Studio” Theatre in St: Louts, and the. State Iti Columbia, 111.,' before joining Republic j. Ellsworth Sliker, 68, singer on ‘ eai'.ly’ " NBC radio pyogratiis; was ‘ .found dead Oct. 12 At his home in Easton, Pa. He directed the ..Easton Oratorio Society, and "his failure to appear for a rehearsal of the group led to discovery of his body. • - . V >• HedWig B. Smith, 81, who for more than 50 years 1 conducted a costuming business for profes- sional, and’ amateur theatricals from her’; home in Albany, N.Y., ! died suddenly there Oct. 3. A sis- ter survives. Widow, 80, of John J; McGuirk, pioneer film theatre operator and ■ president and chairman of the board of the Stanley Co. of Ameri- ca, died Oct, 15, in Philadelphia. Two daughters survive; Continued from page 2 ; Joseph Tavani,. Sr., 70, motion picture projectionist with Warner Bros, fof 32 years until Iris retire- ment a few years ago, died Oct. 10; in Philadeiphi , His wife, seven sons and three daughters survive. Frederick T. Ifyskell, 84, founder of the Pacific Coast Advertising Assn.,, died Oct. 13 in Hollywood. Surviving is his son,. Dean, Fox West Coast advertising executive, Ercole' Marchisio, 71,’ former proprietor and co-owner of the o’d Marguery Restaurant, known to many showbiz figures, died Oct. 13 in Teaneck, N. J. Mother, 76, of Mrs. Richard Rodgers, wife of the composer, died Oct. 11 in New York, after a short illness. Surviving, besides, her daughter, is a son, H. Evan Williams Jr., 55, music and drama critic f or the old Akron Times-Press, died' of a. heart ail- ment, Opt. 13, in that city, Sur- viving are his wife and a son, -• ' •>' • Arthur Edward Reeves, 62, film cameraman of long standing and owner of a camera supply store, died Oct. „1Q in Hollywood. His wife and two daughters survive. Father, 82, of Paul J, Miller, manager of radio station WWVA in Wheeling, W;Va., died Oct. 13 in Zelienople, Pa. Irifant, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack M. Warner, died Opt. 14 in Hollywood.. Father is a production executive at Warners. Mme. Emmy Ifeiin, 69, former singer and a voice teacher at the Royal Conservatory of Music, died Oct. 12 in Toronto. Infant daughter of Thomas A. Power, news editor of radio station WMUR in Manchester. N. H., died in Worcester, Mass., Oct. 9. Doiph Bleiler, 29, drummer with, the Rainy City Jazz Band, Seattle, died in that city Oct. 13 of a heart attack. Joseph A. Norm, 71, sculptor and makeup artist at Metro, and Warn- ers for 31 years, died Oct. 10 in Los Angeles. He retired last year because of failing health. Joseph W. Gutzweiler, 79. vet- eran exhibitor! died Oct, 12, ih Jasper, Irid. He .owned the Astra and Tivoli Theatres there. BlgTHS Mr. and Mrs. Frank P. Rosen- berg,; , Hollywood, Oct; 8. Fa-: ther is a Warner producer. Mr. and Mrs-. Don Reid, son, Memphis, Sept. 25. Father is danceband : leader; mother, Gwen Parke, is Vocalist with the. band. Mr. arid Mrs. Bill Veeck, daugh- ter, Los Angeles, OPt, 14. Mother, is Mary Frances Ackerman, for- mer p.a. for “Ice Capades.’ Mr, and Mrs. Alec Coppel, son, Hollywood, Oct. 12. Mother is the former British actress, Myra Mor-. ton; fathef* is a Screen Writer. Mr. arid Mrs. Allen Fletcher, son, Pittsburgh, Sept. 28. Father’s a g rector at J* the Carnegie Tech rama School. Mr. and Mrs. Dick Trapp, daugh- ter, Bronxville, N ; Y., Oct. 11. Father is, CBS-TV sales service staffer. Mr. arid Mrs. Richard Stark, daughter, Oct. 13, in Englewood, N.J. Father is an account exec with ABC-TV. . Mr. and Mrs. Ben Halpern, daugh- ter, New York, recently. Father is assistant to Samuel Coheri, foreign publicity manager of United Art- ists. Mr, and Mrs. Leon Feldun, son, Brooklyn, Oct. 16. Father is With United Artists’ liomeoffice foreign dept. away to the avid Anglophile • the tremendous advantage which Amer- ican, entertainment ha's in the Brit- ish market. Take motion pictures. There is in existence an Act of , Parliament which stipulates 30% quota, for British product, with reliefs arid exemptions allowed under the Act shaving this to about 25%. In ac- tual performance, the countrywide average is not .much; above. 20%. Interpreted in: the logical way; roughly; 80% of the British screens are filled with Holly wood product. .Who says now the British are anti- American? , .. Yet only a month ago, J ; Arthur Rank reported that British .pix in the U.! 3. didn’t . gross 1% of the total American revenue. He in- sisted that the only hope he had of getting a. fair deal was to ac- quire his own chain of theatres.. Irrespective pf the .rights and wrongs of his arguments, they niake wonderful copy for the . An- glophile. : Legit Situation What’s the situation concerning the legit theatre? At any time there’s always a wide choice ■ of Broadway hits which have been trans-shipped to London, frequent- ly with American stars, often staged by U. S. directors, with set- tings by a Yank designer. In the postwar era, th e Broad way musical has become one of the sights of London. Currently there are three such sights on view at key West End theatres. They are “King . and I,” at the Drury Lane; “Pal. Joey,” at the Princes; and “Can-Can,” at the Coliseum. This impressive total is in addition to the array of straight legit hits such as “Teahouse of the August Moon,” “I Am a Camera” “Sabrina Fair,” and “Bell, Book and Can- dle.” How does this record compare to the current Broadway scoreboard? One British, musical. “Boy Friend,” incidentally the first, in years, and one comedy, “Dear. Charles,” which is of questionable BritHih origin. (The latter first played on Broad- way before being translated into the French,, from which it was translated into English.) In addi- tion, ^there was the limited run of “Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Metropolitan Opera House arid now on tour. • ' In the last couple of years com- paratively few British plays have reached the big time in America, arid a few local hits have proved to be dismal failures. “Escapade” ran fof a. year in London, but sur- vived for little more than a week in New York. “Women of Twi- light,” which had a profitable sea- son here, lasted for only eight performances on Broadway. “Dial M for Murder” on the other hand was a success on both sides and, as the proverbial exception, “The Fourposter” did far better in New’ York than originally in London. Two-Way Street Admittedly, there has been a greater two-way traffic in legit than in most other entertainment media, and that not all the exports from ■the. Main Stem have been hailed ! along Shaftesbury Avenue, but it must be conceded that Broadway has collared the bulk of the West End’s musical trade, leaving little room for local talent. Even “Wed- ding. in Paris” which has been jamming the. Hippodrome since it opened in February was authored by an American (Vera CaSpary) although it’s being tagged as a British tuner/ Not.; Since “Fi inn’s Rainbb.w” failed to make an impact several years back has there been a flop Broadway musical in London, and the lineup of current West End at: tractions is only part of the gen- eral pattern. There’s still a tour- ing company, of "Oklahoma!”, out on the road, although it’s more than fouf ' years since it was re- placed at the Drury Lane by “ear- ousel.” The principal failures from America were “Stalag 17” and “The Shrike,” both of which had short lives at the Princes and “Bruno and, Sidney” which lasted six performances at the Phoenix. As. it only survived five shows in America, this was one example where the people and the critics of both countries delivered the same verdict. Yank Vaude Superior There’s never been any question about American superiority in the vaudeville field ever since Val Par- nell introduced his policy of i. f ter- national variety at the London Palladium several seasons back, And this naturally leads into the Success of U.S. rds in the Brit- ish market; as many of the Pal- ladium headliners were pre-sold solely on the basis of, their record- ings. By (lie same token, there has been a strong Yank, domination -among the best sellers- for disks and sheet music. The importance of American tal- ent in vaude, and a tribute to th part U.S. artists, have played making, the Palladium the world’s premier vaudery, is demonstrated by the inclusion pf a : number of Hollywood stars among the galaxy of talent recruited lor this year’s Royal Command gala. Bob Hope, Frankie Laine, Guy Mitchell and Howard Keel have been chosen lor royal honors, arid wiri appear the Palladium stage Noy. 1. Cabarets; Too Even in the , more restricted cabaret field, American performers have had their full' share, of the available gravy. London’s premier nitery, the Cafe' de Paris, has con- sistently booked the cream of’ U.S; talent; the Colony Restaurant on Berkeley Square lias always had a generous quota of Yarik acts, while other restaurants and clubs.. have regularly signed American stars ' as cabaret headliners. Agreed that, a number of British act have succeeded in breaking into the American nitery field, , it must nevertheless l>e conceded that the traffic mainly has been in a single direction; Broadway will always make, attractive, bids for top talent ’ the Noel Coward category. , America is not so enthusiastic, however, towards the “bread-and- butter” acts of. show b[/., \vhich would benefit from the prestige of an American season as well as be- ing able to use the cciii, U. S. artists in this category are nearly, always sure of a .warm welcome and plenty of v/ork when they come to thi^ island. Undoubtedly, deep down in the true British hearts, there must be some envy of the firm grin which the U.S. holds on every facet of. entertainment. But to be- envious of America and Americaiis is vast- ly different from being^ariti-Ahior- ican. Plenty of local, girls may be envious of Audrey Hepburn, one of the many British, artists 'who has made her . name in .Hollywood. None would be against her. Rogers, Autry 'SSS Continued from paK0 1 their films from being sold to tele- vision. W’ithout extra recompense. First instance was reported in Variety in a front page yarn as early as July, 1935, when Edna Ferber refused to sell her novel, “Come and Get It” to Samuel Goldwyn unless the contract spe- cifically reserved radio and tele- vision rights to her. . Since then, the studio guilds and the AFM have fought the televised iise of pictures made by their mem- bers for theatrical use, unless par- ticipants received extra pay. Lawyers Nonplussed , Hollywood. Oct. 19. Fred. Sturdy, Roy Rogers’ at- torney, is undecided whether he will ask U.. S. high, court to recon- sider. , Gang, Kopp &. Tyre, Autry attorneys', has no present : intention of seeking such reednsid: eration^ Latter sgyj‘- •“H^ann.er ,iri . vyiiieb--- Republic can Use pix still is not completely decided.” MARRIAGES Edith Finkenstein to Bernard Hiller, Long Beach, L. I,,.N:Y., Oct. 9. Bride is secretary to Robert Ferguson of Columbia. Pictures’ ad-, pub dept. Ruth .Hampton to. Byron Palmer, Hollywood, Oqt, 17. , Bride’s a screen actress; he’s on television. Kathrjm Parks to Arthur Lack, Pittsburgh, Sept. 26. Bride runs a dancing school; he’s a Pitt report- er for the Wall Street Journal. Barbara Young to Johnny Oxley, Edinburgh, Scot., Oct. % "Bride’s a danceband chirper; he’s a musi- cian. Daphne Walker to Richard Hoyle, Johannesburg, South Afri- j ea, recently. Bride’s an English ' ice-skating s‘tar. j Jo Ann Greer to Stiin Stout. La j Canada, Cal., Oct. ^9. Bride's a vo- ! calist; he’s a trumpeter w,'th Les 1 Brown's band. 144 'Joi 18 Jrl— . Wednwdayt October 20, 1954 r .w.-. -/X - ^ Jfc^A \ * * ..** 1* «* Jo* £** top W** ie ottets> AlW Trvo one S w 0I 1^ 4ttne AttJtstntnent ^tto W*n \S */*%* cops open e gVii v» t Rt0 . out tot c ^eettn8 gwhU* * ct ^, bee J\vvc only oo' .y.e pl»V a7, *L to pU‘ v ’ cS^° :-*£?? ?•» ieM S&»“g£. tavotite Joe ® t ton. t «**??*; taV0 I vv\een B**" slsed . s fc<>* ' e **f 2 S i uttte in4 ttve * 3*1 ^ostfe.^totlost sUfHETY '■ "Miss Barton is an undenvablfv click of law ghg^ag'neve r here-i ?ar n eer SM’ssTtoscJle 't&se Las I Vegas heightsnow, her current 29 -minute stint at the Copa.” — RADIE HARRIS Hollywood Reporter . SrsSgM g?sv^ss» s? , ^S ?L h “ been through the years ( who arra e n n ge g d V H,i C / e h dit ‘° lh * suy routine lor her^Z^ZlTi.^ V/-. . * ■> ■-•'■/vl it**™?™ 0 ™ ‘hcfo/tSe^/?* E. Lewis is ' big surprise nrfh 1 ® ^ 0 see ' but the BARTON. Thi'^fhow is ErEEEN local fixture fL ss has been a ?be’s making peop uftak ^ ut now ^e^ajen notice of r - HY GARDNER N. Y. Herald Tribune 1 “An energized bundle, of talent named Eileen Barton. Eileen, who’s been chanting tunes all the way. back to when she was a youngster] on the Horn & Hardart radio re- vue, stopped the show so cold at the Copa. Miss Barton demon- strated that she’s now ready for anything the entertainment world] has to offer from a top spot in teevee, the Palace, or a legit mu- gene knight N.^ Y. Journal-American i “Eileen Barton, in her first CoDa appearance. A tremendous per-< for man cc by a young trouper, who i* fagtcoming into her own.” I -'t A',-- ^ .s\ . ft . ,iML v® ✓v , ;■ -Xki Just Concluded ,ca: New York Opening Nab. 2nd CM Hollywood LEE PINES at th%Piano Jx" -< •:.sviv.' «•< .•<«v*»wr»V |rv® M »“ ror nd Eileen Bar- ■m «‘joe E. i floor Show ^ EARL WILSON I* * N. *• •TTL I wU and Euew N. Y. Post # m “Joe E. greatest floor f 110 * “Eileen Barton’, blackfaco Jolson» ^“-.^CoSaC^^o^ °U *e type act at the Copa, is the newest EILEEN . B ^ 0 ut in show Sensation/’^ ^ JJ ~ with 1 business. Wf.Vo^yvoice, they’ve , her lush » n 4 Tft the chumps into cot to straitjacket tM c d m ght fhe cWs- ThenonThur ^ SfaSoSTrnm tje ^ c ^rttfp»t ^r“o^wr» tr ^ BAffl?s?iWr5 ot singinf. * e 5 personality. L S»» the nation.” TED GREEN Ba "Eileen lly Barton. the .peppmr ( thrust who f --ggSUST^.1 the patrons at th? Copaem a ^ ^ih^ureartst joung sttr, to come I Sfoilg §n "he show business scene m^earX’— ** JACK O’BRIAN N. Y. Journal- American _ We've all knwon for years! * E ± en , Barton wouI d make it big I some day soon, and now she has* gce^jr 0 " dertul ^M, j FRANK FARRELL - N Y World Telegram and Sun “Thrush Eileen Barton looks so n e tite, yet sounds so majestic witnj her new supper club foutme. in the E. 60th St. basement. Her medley of Harold Arleri tunes, 1 ? a fascinating one-gal musical re- vue.” — — DANTON WALKER N. Y. Daily News ”The sensational act that Eileen Barton has whipped up for her- self, -which almost stole the show, in her Copacabana debut.”, J BILLBOARD ■ Bart0 n who 1 «... It wa ^ c ^ imash. The cute | was the surptisymas^ buslhess | r^rA^flnge c c UPS. It was . real act, a 8 r Bill Smitlu mo *1 to Appear on 6 Forthcoming LIEBMAN SPECTACULARS” NBC-TV Oireciiom Willi AM MORRIS AGENCY R E C ,0 R D S ♦ / Starred In Univertal Film Musical (Just Released) "COLLEGE CAPERS" Pergonal Managementt "WYNN LASSNER & PRANK MILITARY Published Weekly at 154. West ,46th Street. New York 36, N, Y,; by Variety/ Inc. Annual, subscription $10, Single copies, 23 cent*. I XTT* J if Ji I M ' TilnmUi I I ^Biil IM i • fJsJ j i I 'll iTTnR u'm M f MV-^rUBvi-yi'^B COv ^^Bvl VOL, 196 No. 8 iTTTn rjw i rr^vxR *■■'7 \> FTYm <1 COPYRIGHT, . 1934, f BY VARIETY. INC;, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1954 PRICE 25 CENTS They’re calling it the .“dirtiest” biennial election campaign in mod- ern times— and maybe of all time— . and naturally a ’ good deal of it spills over into “quick sell” tv as 'well as “old reliable” radio. Next c Tuesday will tell the story whether . dirt versus dirt, like ciggie versus (add soap, . aiutos, et . al.), Ciggie, cancels each other out, so that in . the end the man in the ballot booth pi his decision on what he ' thought were the issues in separat- ing the wheat from the brickbats as he. saw and heard them on the • networks and locals. ■Rarely in JJ. S. history has there been so much soul-searching, some . of it wtih a wattage angle, as wit- ness Douglas R. Stringfellow’s own “expose of his; Wartime derring-do ‘r and his exit* as a- Congressional ' candidate from Utah. That String- vfeilovv’s “exploits” were reprised on NBC-TV’s “This Is Your Life” • by Ralph Edwards (and dramatized on CBS-TV's “Suspense”) merely ! ‘demonstrated the long obvious tru-^ ‘.ism that tv 'is not immune from- in- ■ 'fallibility when tackling “true” ma- • teriah Curiously, while it was a newspaper, the Army Times, which • is credited with unmasking the 'Utahan, the latter ' elected to own (Continued, on, page 12) Hard-Luck Tunes in Vogue Before WaH St, Laid Its Close Figuring .Omaha, Oct. 26.. Pawiiee, Neb., County Fair Board, is no slouch at close budgeting. •This year’s Fair financial re- port showed a $6.04 overdraft. In 1953 the overdraft was 65c, By JIM WALSH If there’s any. idea on which the tv ical American is sold it’s the be- lief that, given the breaks, he could ..make a house full of money and • be a big shot. Even more firmly Axed* however, -Is homo sapiens' idea; that he • doesn’t get the breaks but is the < hard luck champ in person. And no doubt this belief in. one’s own unique personal misfortunes is the ; key to the boffo success of the '-songs, of, self-pity that, have per- colated for generations d ,o w n ' through American pop music; In so perking, they have done battle ifh . the opposition ' optimistic ; school which insists that you can . paint ther clouds with sunshine, “A ■ Smile Will Go a Long, Long Way” and that you should “Pucker Up 'and Whistle Till the Clouds Roll • By." .j- These reflections were inspired • by the 25th anniversary of the 1929 : ‘ atock market bust that inspired Var j ety to One of its most- ( luoted headlines, “Wall St. Lays An Egg.” But* oddly enough, the stock market debacle didn’t inspire . many songs — few at least that are , remembered today. Probably the 1 best known was the*doieful “Broth- r v ’ w an You s P are a Dime?” by E. • ^•-Harburg and JayGorney, which , didn't come out until 1932,, A cou- E le years earlier Bill Curtis and • r ank Crumit had. bravely treated (Continued on page 54) .Local 802, N. Y. section of the American Federation of Musicians, has given the word to the major hotels arid niterics that it, wants a five-day Work week for musicians. Demand was- made in negotiations last week and, although talks are set to continue amicably, the fiver day. demand is expected to run into some stiff opposition. Demand for a five-day week is aimed at spreading employment among more Local 802 members and follows a pattern set a couple of- years ago in Chicago. The hotels and niteries don’t like the proposal, because they see a hike in their operating eosts in having (Continued on page 25) Clooney-‘Hey’ 1st Show Tune in Yrs. to Pass 1 , 000 , Asian countries as well as Aus- tralia and New Zealand, 1 , are in- creasingly echoing European coun- tries in charging that too many Holly woodrihade features are un- healthily loaded with detailed phys- ical brutality. Mobster stuff is bad enough but sadistic cruelty on the part of police officials is profound- ly, shocking to many foreigners Who cannot understand this rough stuff in a democracy professing leader- ship of the free world. Cry of “too much violence” is not new. But it is spreading. Con- siderable embarrassment is irnplicit on (1) the economic level, since the foreign markets provide the profit margin for American films, and (.2) the political propa- ganda level, since American bru- tality as pictured in American fea- tures tends to make academic the Yankee argument that Russia is a brutal police state without re- spect for individuals. Usual, defense of Hollywood “vi - lence” is that it honestly shows a struggle between good . and evil in which good invariably triumphs. However, foreigners point out that there is strong criticism of such film plot violence in the United States itself and that “mature” fea- tures do not resort to ’ primitive torture for kicks. , Violence, not sex, forms the basis for most of the foreign scis- soring of American films. Euro- peans generally object to violence, Which their films rarely contain. Angriest beefs, however, come from the government of the under- developed countries^ particularly in Asia. There, it’s feared, the type of screen entertainment which American audiences accept under the "action” tag might well serve (Continued on page 25) f S pec’ a D irty W or d ? Quizzed re the industry's new flock of new film “spec- taculars,” i.e., multi-million- doll a r budgeted productions, an eastern v.p. commented: “Things are going, too nicely; don’t- use that word on us.” His point, being that televi- sion’ “spectaculars” so far this season have been short of smash. “Hey, There,” plug time from the Broadway musical, “Fa jama Game,” is the first showtune in many years to crack through the 1,000,000 sales mark . on disks. The Rosemary Clooney etching of the tune passed the 1,200,000 sales bracket last week and is still travel- ling at a fast pace. In the . past few years, tunes culled from legituner scores have made poor showings in ’ the disk field, A few. however, racked up impressive Sales ; marks but none reached the “golden disk” circle. Earlieh this year “Stranger, in Paradise,” from “Kismet/* got a .700,000 disk sales ride ‘ ‘Tony Bennett’s Columbia slicing. Last year Perry Como’s “No Other Love” (Victor from ‘‘Me and Juliet” hit close to . 800,000 -disk sales, Eddie Fisher’s workover of the title song of the Harold Rome musical, “Wish You Were Here” (Victor), has been credited with giving the show a boxoffice stimu- lus but. it only racked up an es- timated 750,000 platter sales. Even Como’s cut of “Some. Enchanted • Evening” a few years ago fell short * (Continued on page 54) Miami* Oct. 26. Miami city solons this week will consider a drastic ordinance de- signed to eliminate “tea parties” for’B-girls in local bars, according to Mayor Abe Aronovitz, who drafted the proposed law. The bill, almost certain to be passed, will curb clip joints and tighten controls over the fringe spots that cater to the guys looking for gals - — a Considerable group, considering the many- conventions which meet in Miami .through the year. Included in the proposed ordinance are rulings which would; require B-girls or other employees drinking with patrons, to be served exactly what they order and to down the drinks; there Will also be a “stop” on the number of drinks such employees could’ consume, the limit to be 10, with all such drinks to be listed separately on the customer’s check. The Mayor’s ordinance also will require posting of all employees' names on a large card prominently displayed on the (Continued on page 20) By GENE ARNEEL Hollywood, too,, has its “spcctac- ‘ulars.” Major studios currently are investing unprecedented amounts of coin in new product, to the ex- tent that gross business of $8,000,- 000 to $9,0p0,000 on certain pi would be insufficient to break even, and that kind of money infrequently reeled ‘ . As television is risking astr nomical revenue (for that medium), so, too, some -film- producers, quest of mammoth producti values, are gambling enough Capi- tal on a few pix to finance an en- tire legit season on Broadway; A budget, of $3,000,000 on a single negative had been outstanding in past, arid anything much- higher than that was rare; David O. Selz- nick’s “Duel in the Sun" and Metro’s “Quo Vadis” were the ex- ceptions of; the past few years. Last year “The Robe” was added to the list, of monetary giants. Now, numerous of the new films either finished or in.work or in bluer print stages are in the. ultra-high- cost bracket. Some RKO publicity of the past few weeks loosely uses $6,000,000 as the budgetary figure (Continued on page 32) Columbia has become first of the major film companies to unload a sizable package of oldie pix to television. Outfit disclosed in N. Y. yesterday (Tues.) that an unspecified nuinber Of westerns arid cartoons are going to Hygo Corp., pic distributor in the 'tv field. It’s understood about 20 oaters and. 50 black and white, single reelers are involved, Jack Cohri, Col’s' exec v.p., stressed that disposition of these pix “in no way .alters our com- pany’s polipy of not releasing our features for television showing.” He added that the westerns arid animated product peddled to Hygo “long -since outlived their theatri- cal value and have no further po- tential for reissue.*' , The westerns, it was said, date- back 15 years or more arid some of them star BUI Elliot and- Russell Hayden. ‘Eve’ Sellouts; Victor’s LQ Buyout Sets Trend New York niteries are already looking forward .to capacity houses for New Year’s Eve. A major nightclub has been taken over for the big night by , an appliance firm as ' prizes to dealers and certain workers arid executives. Others, feel that with more than 650 seats already off the market, they will be in position to sell out very earjy, .and perhaps get higher tariffs than in previous years. x The Latin Quarter has been sold . out to. . RCA Victor for the big ^Continued on, page 70) JIISCEI.IAW’ Pfoftutrr Wednesday, October. 27 , 1954 By ABEL GREEN Veteran showman Nate J, Blum- berg, east on one of his : periodic trips, but getting less regular since he assumed the board chairman- ship of Universal Pictures, is of the opinion «1>, that picture stocks are the most : underpriced issues on the market, just as (2), the pic- ture business - ‘will always be with us”. The success story, of. U. \vith.its credo of ’-making ’em af a price”, even in the doldrum days ^ of the industry when .many within . .arid without the industry Ave^e ’'writing the picture business out of. exis- tence,” . make him an unique authority, For . thing, U’s ‘‘bread-and-butter” pictures; in the downbeat days of grosses, always saw his company turning a profit; And in its recent evolution, with the Decca Records takeover of U control, the stock upbeat in both diskery and the picture company issues has been marked. Above all, Blumberg, a vaude Stoky’s Gold Platter Leopold Stokowski was handed a gold platter last week by RCA Victor’s general manager, Manic Sacks, for selling 1,000,000 copies of his ‘'Blue Danube Waltz” record- ing. He became the second Red Seal conductor to get into the golden circle of bestsellers. First Victor maestro to get a gold disk was Arthur Fiedler, whose recording of “jalousie” with the Boston Pops passed the 1,000,000 marker in 1952. Frank Farrell’s Radio Eye-Opener as Divorce HORACE HEIDT BOX 472 Van .Nuys,v California York World-Telegram & Sun columnist Frank Farrell vet from ’wav back,, is bemused by ( staged one of those, cafe society • • ‘ • ' .ii_ e. ' _ _ ■ j _ 11 j. . i,' .L:* ' A T> /~+ C 1 ... his, personally favorite credo that [ eye-openers on his ABC Sunday “the pio?e show business Changes [ ight “Critics Choiice” segment last the more it remains the same.” ‘ week (24 > by bringing on three of He sees it now with television and the four principals in the year’s spectaculars and color— “the s^me - hottest divorce suit. Guests were thing; we went through in the film singer Juliana Larson, he? oilman business until we found that adfi- husband, Bedford Sharpe, and jew- eler Louis Arpels (Van Cleeff), a lotta star-power or color isn't the, insurance against a poor (Continued on page 25) A * f- ^ ?? * threesome -. . \vhiie tn tabloids: were carrying 21 while th hot 'n' heavy coverage about Mme, Arpels’ divorce suit, against her ■ a . . husband naming Miss Larson co- routine:,. which left listeners puz- zled as to its purpose and/or mean- Hollywood, Oct. 26. Plaintiffs in the $51,750,000 blacklist suit against the major ing, blit Farrell later explained _ 4 1 ! • l i‘ j ■ l •% Jl •_ .. ‘ ‘ studios and many independent pro- that from his viewpoint it was a ducers have filed notice of appeal matter of good journalism in get- irpm dismissal of the action last ; ting in-the-news people together July. At tliat v tirhe Superior Judge i (Continued on page 20) case, ruling that employers have [ a u if n 1411 . a right to refuse to hire persons . tcuiS llSFFy L0DH IflOSt who have declined to answer ques* __ f . iniauo c n onceniing Comi ™ nistic af Maligned In Hollywood Plaintiffs, 23 in all. are former Hollywood, Oct; 26. film people involved in Congres- ; Fortnight magazine out today sional probing of Reds in Holly- ! ‘26* booses Harry Cohn as only wood, They include Gale Sender- j filmland personality to be included gaard, Anne Revere and Michael : in compilation of 27 “top perforni- New York, Oct. 19. Editor , Variety: If only to prove to you that I read Variety from cover to cover each week, you will remember that I called you after I had read yourr very interesting editorial, “Peepshow in Reverse,” in the is- sue of Sept, 29. I thought it stimulating and pro- < vocative but I also felt it was on : the wrong page; that I didn’t be- llieve what Variety had to say should have been addressed pri-, marily to television people but rather to picture people. It seemed to me that everything you said about television was ac- j curate but that the most important thing the piece, had to say is. that (Continued on page 79) Glynis Johns’ US. lead Hollywood, Get. 26. British actress Glynis Johns has ! York’s Coogan’s Bluff that was By JOE SCHOENFELD r’ Hollywood, Oct, 26. Last Wednesday night (20) at Hillcrest Was like an echo Off New been signed for her American film debut opposite Danny Kaye ih “Court. Jester,” Dena production which rolls next month at Para-, mount lot. She’s due here next week for rehearsals. Ike Asks Eddie Fisher To Sing So He ‘Counts His Blessings’ Via Berlin Time A “dream” plug, under the top- most auspices, . that of the Presi- dent of the United States, was a { Thomas, Tony Martin, Ned Cronin, long time arriving. The. roar of the •Polo Grounders., tasting Indian blood was counterpoint ed by the laughter of more than 400 slag members and guests who jammed the country club . for Leo Durocher Night. It was ribald and funny, and at times there was an unmistakable note of tender affection for. arid by the tough leader of the Giants who fractured the Cleveland Goliath. The dias- was one of the “bright- est” since the old days in the N Y. Friar’ 48th Street monastery. From toastmaster George Jessel, through Jack Benny, Danny Kaye, Groucho and Harpo Marx, Danny spontaneous happenstance to Eddie Fisher and Irving Berlin’s ‘’Count Your Blessings.” Song is from the latter’s “White Christmas” fiimu- sical currently at Radio City Mu- George Burns, Charlie Dresseh and Fred Haney, was expected dazzling wit, but most of it came ih four- letter words. Dignity started and ended with Hillcrest prexy t*eli sic Hall. It happened at the Jew- ! Juda’s intro of-Jessel. Of the come- ish Tercentary Dinner last Wednes> day night (20) at the Sheratonr Astor Hotel, N. Y., where the President was the honored guest and where both Berlin and Fisher, were to perforin. (Hans, only Groucho; who was on too early to get the cu'e, stayed fairly clean and gave out with the most 6rigirial gags. Kaye, who ; had no jokes but a hilarious takeoff on Horace Stoneham, provided the Having rushed over from his [ biggest laughs, and Harpo, minus own tv show to sing the National ; ^ red fright wig and playing it Arithem With a choir from the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, Fisher somehow* was overloo^d^Tin^harp solo. Only other hiu si for the nonce, the choir of- ficiated with ... the “Star-Spangled Banner” and Berlin sang his “God Bless Arherica.” When the President learned there still were five minutes before radio-tv time, he requested Fisher to singing “anything,” The young straight, gave out with the most novel entertainment for a stag— (Continued on page 20) MAE WEST INKED FOR MIAMI COPA AT 15G Mae West has been signed to u ■ -a ■ * - *ui pla - v Gopa City, Miami Beach, baritone, rose to the occasion with | starting Jan: 8. She’ll be getting lTin a » ' ia>nn a/iaI m m a«I **4k a ^ ~ ^ ^ • •. _ w ‘ ° Wilson. Valerie Hobson. Retiring, But Not Immediately London, Oct. 26. Valerie Hobson, w starring in the London production of “The King and I,” may retire from the stage when she weds John Prp- fumo, a junior minister in’ the gov- rnment. However, she recently, re- newed her contract for the Drury Lane musical through August next year and has not asked to be re- leased. It is thought her intention is to retire only on completion of her existing, commitments. She is also active on screen, radio and tv. . ers of year.” Article" says Cohn, “one of most maligned men in Hollywood,” fooled his detractors by coming out With three great successes in One year — “Caine Mu- ] tiny,” “On the Waterfront” and forthcoming “Long Gray Line." With “Eternity” still going strong, Cohn was “Movie Man of Year.” Berlin’s London Bally Irving Berlin continues his song- plugging and exploitation pitch for Bing Crosby Attorneys Fight U, S. Tax Claim Washington, Oct. 26. Bing Crosby is fighting a Federal tax claim in the U, S. Tax Court here; He has filed suit against an action cf the Internal Revenue Service which claims the gro^ner owes an additional. $17,710 on his income and that of his late wife, Dixie Lee. Dispute is over the amount of i „ ... - i taxes due on $300,000, which the Wliite Chnslmas, with an over- t Crosbvs received for selling a one- sea P uext Monday (Nov. 1) fori third interest ill Decros- Corp., a a fast, wefek in London, meeting recording compalny, to Decca Rric- music and film critics, interviews ords. Crosby said the $275,000 with the BBC disk jockeys, and in ! netted was a capital gain arid not general follow the sarrie pattern as • annual income, on his recent U. S. deejay tour., | Revenue Service also refused Songsmith has a Orie-third own- to allow: dependency deductions erririp in the film with Bing Crosby • claimed; for Mrs, Crosby’s parents, and Paramount; and this is; frank- .- This v. a$ not contested by Crosby ly a commercial exploitation tour, ( and his wife’s estate. SHAPE NOV. 21 FETE TO SCHENCK BROTHERS Hollywood, Oct. 26, Screen Producers Guild has ap- pointed a special committee to ar- range details of the Fourth Annual Milestone Dinner Nov. 21. It is composed of Buddy Adler, Robert Arthur, Louis F. Edelman, Walter M. Mirisch arid Lewis J. Rachmil. Dinner will be held to honor Nicholas and Joseph M. Schenck for their contributions to the film industry. Darryl F. Zanuck was recipient of the Milestone Award last. year. what was acclaimed “the Tight thing to say at the right time” — especially since it was all so unex- pected— and observed, “This is the ‘Command Performance’ of all command perforriiances, and since $15,000. It’s the first major talent acquisition by Murray Weinger, who’s buying for the Spot, Weinger has been attempting to get a string of film and tele -names for -.the cafe in an effort to induce this command came from the Presi- , tele networks to originate a Sat 10 27 Subscription Order Form Enclosed find check for $ Please send VARIETY for One Year Two Years To Street (Pleas* Print Name) • #. • •' Zone. . . . State. , . . . . . Regular Subscription Rates One Year— $10.00 Two Years^-$18.Q0 Canada and Foreign— $1 Additional per Yeer t'SniETY Inc. 1 54 W*i» 4iMi Street * New York 34. N. Y. Bea Lillie Set For Three-Week Scot Tour . Glasgow, Oct; 26. Beatrice Lillie is set to play a iveek at the King’s Theatre open- ing Nov. 1 ‘ her “An Evening With Beatrice Lillie.” In first half of the show Miss Lillie will be supported by Leslie Bricusse (mem- ber of Cambridge University Foot- lights Dramatic Club), Constance Carpenter arid John Philip. Eadie & Rack, the Mr. & Mrs. team who •acconipanied Beatrice Lillie in the U: S., will be at the two pianos. Miss Lillie’s last show in the United Kingdom .Was “Better Late” at the Garrick Theatre, London. Current show is set for weeks at Edinburgh and Manchester before playing the West. End of London. I. Basso’s Prof undo Hamilton Basso’s new novel, “View From Pompey’s Head,” includes a blind novelist who is disintegrating, and his high- ly protective wife,. Although the book is fictitional and any resemblance to real persons is denied, legit oldtimers around Manhattan think they ' detect the “models" for these two characters in the late play- wright Eugene O’Neill and his wife. Carlo tta Monterey. The speculation is given some plausibility because Bas- so has researched the O’Neill' story.' Mrs. O’Neill is said not to share the view that any re- semblance exists. Now resi- dent in New York City,. she. is jpracticMIy incommunicado. dent of the United States, this is one more blessing in my life, so I'll sing Irving Berlin’s ‘Count Your Blessings.”' - The Chief Executive apparently was so impressed that when he got on mike and camera he interrupted the proceedings to tell the public, “I was so touched by the song that I would like Eddie Fisher to again sing one. chorus of -Count Your Blessings' before I start iriy speech.” At the dinner, incidentally, Ber- lin’s introductory to “God Bless America” was to the effect that; like the pioneer Dutch Jews who first settled in Nieuw Amsterdam 300 years ago, - he too came to America, the son of a rabbi, from Russia, and this is his (Berlin’s) ex- pression of his love of America. Ms Theatrical Version Sheldon Reynolds, is planning a theatrical version of his “Foreign Intrigue” telepix series, tb be filmed in Paris next spring. Reynolds is currently in New York negotiating a financing-distribution deal, with three major studios reportedly in- terested in the project. Aside from the “Intrigue” .film, Which would mark Reynolds' bow in feature-length production, he’s planning, three other features for lensing during next summer in France. Trio comprises a melo- drama, a love story and a comedy. He’s already : scripted one of the three. urday or Sunday liight series from the Beach cafe/ Major Donald .Neville-Willing, who sailed, from London on: the Queqn Elizabeth Thursday (21), ar- rived in N. YTyesterday (Tuesj to continue negotiations for Mae West to headline at the Cafe de Paris after New Year’s. Preliminary overtures have already taken place and, while Miss West reportedly is receptive, she’s indicated she wants to come with the complete entourage with which she appeared at Las Vegas and the Latin Quar- ter, N, Y. ' Neville* Willing’s mission is main- ly concerned with trying to per- suade hey to pome alone, with the promise, that extra talent, includ- ing the necessary musclemen, could be recruited in London. Neville- Willing, who handles all American “bookings for the Cafe de Paris, Will be returning to Lon- don a few days ahead of Rudy Vallee’s opening end of next month. More Closed-Circuit TV Fifty units of specially-designed big-screeri tv units for hotel closed- circuit television has been pur- chased by Nate Halpern’s Theatre Network Television from General Precision Laboratory. Purchase is said to represent the largest tv, I equipment transaction outside the broadcast field. The new equipment is to make possible simultaneous business meetings in as many as 50 hotels in 50 different cities from coast to coast. Box Office Television, , rival closed-circuit outfit, has a Ideal; with the Sheraton. Hotels and { has a number of units installed in Chile Cardinal Urges Bari on Tolies’ Visit Santiago, Oct. 19. Cardinal Jose Maria Care pub- [the chain’s hotels. In addition, it lished a declaration today urging j maintains portable stand-by equip - the Chilean government to follow m ent for other situations. Approx^ the example of the Peruvian Gov- | ma tely 100 theatres throughout th country have closed-circuit equip* ment of their own which is con- trolled by neither TNT nor BOTV. Equipment, purchased by Hal- pern, is known as model PB 610 and it provides adjustable pictures dalous arid perhaps the worst seen [ ranging in size for 4x6 feet t to Paramount after* the film, being’ produced by Frederick Brisson, under the Independent Artists banner, had been in preparation on the RKO lot the past several; months. Odium controls the Bris- son company. The “official” explanation out of Par was that “Girl Rush,” slated for lerising in VistaVision, would benefit from that company’s re- search and technical handling of the new, screen process. BrisSon moved his unit to Par Monday (25). Yet, this is the second instance whe-e RKO lost out and where Odium had a connection. Walt Dis- ney Production disaffiliated from the Hughes company a couple of months ago with the decision to distribute its multi-million-dollar “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” among other films, through its ow subsidiary. Odium’s invest- ( Continued on page 18) Chicago, Oct. 26. Continuing to search for new sources of revenue past the ticket windows, as many theatre owners are inclined to do these days, one circuit here, is mulling prospects of venturing into the boin machine biz. Alliance Theatre. Co. feels it can fatten its take by buying its own vending machines instead of settling for a 50-50 split With con- cessionaires. Alliance vending department heads, Qlen Packard and Nick Stassen, attended last week’s coin (Continued on page 18) RKO'$ ^usan* Big Although RKO on a full-year basis is continuing its opera- tions at a loss, the company has had a couple of single- month periods in the black, A backlog of product swinging into release abroad proved a strong plus factor. On the ..domestic front, “Susan Slept Here” has been doing hefty business. In the light of returns so far, this Debbie Reynplds-Dick Powell comedy looks to rack up $2,500,000 in domestic gross. Senate subcommittee investigat- ing juvenile delinquency will probe the motion picture industry next. Hearings expectedly will be held in Washington in December, Senate group, which is headed by ^Sen. Robert C. Hendrickson (R., N. J.), began its probe of tele- vision last week with the stated aim of ascertaining how tv pro- gramming influences the behavior of youngsters. Hendrickson dropped the hint that perhaps tv might need a "czar” to restrain the industry against, unsuitable material on the air. The understanding at this time is that the Senate unit’s interest in Hollywood centres on the op- eration aiid efficiency of the Pro- duction Code Administration. Per- sons close to the matter indicate that Hendrickson and his associates are starting out, with a “friendly” attitude toward pix and want to See how the self-censorship prin- ciple of the Code might be put to work in other fields, mainly the comic book industry. Trade Marks Time; ‘Star’ First for Second Week,: ‘World* 2d, ‘Cinerama 1 3d, ‘Waterfront* 4th 'DAYBREAK* BROKE Bankers Trust Redeemed $9,960 On Negative — Lost $126,749 Los Angeles, Oct. 26. As an aftermath to the foreclo- sure sale of a film called “Day: break,” originally owned by Shoiw time Properties* Inc,, Bankers Trust of N. Y. won a deficiency judgment amounting to $126,749 in Superior Court. Recently the bank was awarded $134,135, due. on notes* and then sold the film for $9,960. Deficiency judgment represents the differ- ence, pins legal fees* Music HALL'S XMAS SHOW ‘Deep In My Heart’ From Metro Viewed on Coast , “Deep In My Heart,” Metro's musical, has been set as the N.Y. Music Hall’s Christmas picture. This followed Russell Downing, Hall’s managing director, return from the Coast* where he looked at the latest ’ Hollywood product. “Heart” had been tentatively con- sidered earlier but Downing Wanted to see the completed negative first as to suitability to accompany the annual Music Hall Christmas . stageshow. The Jose Ferrer-Merle Oberon starrer likely will open Dec. 9 or Dec. 16,. depending on the length of the run by “White Christmas,” now in its second week at the Hall. Trade in key cities covered by Variety this stanza is slipping be- low last week mainly because there doesn’t appear to be enough , big. Strong pix to go around. In one respect, it is a transition period, with numerous theatres awaiting the arrival of fresh fare, Some of which is due next week. Few ex- hibs show any inclination to at- tempt launching bigger films in direct competition^ with “Star Is Born,” (WB), preferring to coast along temporarily. ' “Star,” champ last session is standout in first place again this Week with $536,000 gross in prin- cipal keys. It is playing in 19 key cities covered by Variety. “Wom- an’s World” (20th), second last round, again is capturing second position. “Cinerama” (Indie) is moving up from fourth slot of a week ago. to third. “On Waterfro'nt” (Col),: with additional playdates, is finishing fourth, being okay, to great in some eight key cities, “Brigatfoon” (M-G), which was 10th last stanza, is winding fifth; “Sabrina” (Par) is taking Aixt.li spot While “Rear Window” (Par) is seventh place winner. “Sudden r ly” (UA) is moving up to eighth place. . “Egyptian” (20th), long high bn the list, is showing enough to cop ninth, with “Human Jungle” (A A.) founding out the Big 10 list. “Sit- ting Bull” (UA), “Vanishing Prairie” (Disney), “Rogue Cop” (2VLG) and “Hajji Baba” (20th) are the runner-up pix in that sequence. “White Christmas” (Par) is giv- ing further evidence of its great grossing potential this week by landing a terrific, total in Denver to easily pace that city. Initial VistaVision picture is displaying its stamina by holding , near the first week gross in second stanza at the N. Y. Music Hall, where a huge $171,000 looms. It did $175,- 000 Opening week, “Barefoot Contessa (UA), also new, ; is heading Tor a stnash $30,- 00.0 opening round in Chi, It still is socko currently on its longrun at the N. Y. Capitol. “Beau Brum- mell” (M-G), another newcomer, is big in N. Y., fine in Cleveland, smart in Philly but slow in L-A ‘'Bengal Brigade”(U) looms neat in Toronto and fast in Philly. Pair of oldies, “Notorious” and “Farmer’s Daughter,” both RKO, are doing nicely in Boston and Providence. “Shanghai Story” (Rep), just get- ting around, is big in Chi and good in Toronto. ; “Betrayed” (M-G), trim in Bos- ton, is rated brisk iri Chi, “King Richard and Crusaders” (WB) is Okay in Toronto. “High and Dry” (U). good in Balto, shapes nice in N. Y. as well as Chi and big in Boston, “Hulot’s Holiday” (GBD) looks fine in long- run in Frisco. "Black Knight” (Col) is sock in Frisco. “Valley of Kings” looms neat in St. Louis. ( Complete Boxoffice Reports on. Pages 8-9) Policy at RKO moved a step hearer crystallization over the past week with the acquisition of dis- tribution rights oh a world-wide basis to Michael Myerberg’s pro- duction of "Hansel and Gretel.” Film has already opened its N.Y, run at the Broadway Theatre. Company is aiming to move In on new product from all directions. In the case of “Gretel,” only 1 straight percentage distribution deal Was involved on a pic already completed. RKO, it’s said, also is angling for deals whereby the studio will arrange for financing in varying amounts for indie prod- uct, will set up the entire produc- tion fund if a producer has the “right” package or will consider other tieups with indies whereby the studio and distribution facili- ties will be made available. Further, the company Will con** tinue to engage in production on its own, that is, hiring a producer to lens any choice property that is come upon. RKO’s new pact with producer Edmund Granger reportedly en- compasses only studi rental and (Continued on page 18) Columbia Q.T. ’Peace’ Conference Aims to End Allied Exhib Roars Columbia is in the process of getting off the Allied States Assn, hook. Behind-the-scenes talks took place last week between Columbi sales chief Abe Montague and an eastern Allied leader; A Col spokesman said Montague had made no concession on terms and that the confabs merely concerned a customer-seller relationship with one individual and did not involve Allied a whole. However, the Allied “customer” in this case is a director of the exhib org and i$ (Continued on page 22) Trad* Mark Registered FOUNDED BY SIME SILVERMAN Published Wookly by VARIETY, INC Harold Erichs, President 154 West 46tb St. New York’ 38. N.Y JUdson 2-2700 Hollywood 21 0311 Yucca Street Hollywood, 9-1141 Washington 4 1293 National press Bull STerling 3-5445 Chicago 11 012 No. Michigan Av*. DElaware 7-4984 London WC2 8 St. Martin's PI.. Trafalgar Tempi* Bar 5041 SUBSCRIPTION Annual $10 Foreign $11 Single Copies .... 25 Cent? ABEL C.REEN, Editor Voi; 196 No. 8 INDEX Bills 72 Chatter ...... 24 Film Reviews 6 House Reviews 72 Inside Radio-TV 34 International 16 Legitimate. 74 Literati 20 Music 50 New Acts 73 Night Club Reviews . . . . . .; 71 Obi tu 79 Pictures 3 Radio-Telcvesi 26 Radio Reviews 34 Record Reviews 50 Television Reviews 28 TV*-FiIms 43 Vaudeville « 58 Wall Street 22 DAILY VARIETY (Published in Hollywood by; Dally Variety, Ltd.). $15 A Year.. $20 .Foreign PICTURES Wednesday, October 27, - 1954 House Set for 2d Cinerama; ■r'i * aw National magazines will break*' reviews and. publicity pn ' “Ciner- ama Holiday/’ tKe, second picture |h thie widescreen medium, in their November issues although Stanley Warner, holder: of the production . and exhibition rights to the me- dium, still hasn’t decided when to install the; Louis de Rochemont production in Cinerama theatres. It was originally planned to open ‘’Holiday” in NeW York in Novem-. bei% but biz for the original! film, “This Is Cinerama/’ has been hold- ing up so well at a solid $40,000 or thereabouts weekly that SW execs s are reluctant to pull the first at-. 1 traction — although they are aware that they might lose the im- pact of the national publicity . breaks. Mag editors and reviewers caught “Holiday” several months ago ’ order to prepare editorial matter for the anticipated Novem- A Superstitioh Is Born Hollywod, Oct; 20. Anthony Mann, director of “The Man From Laramie,” has discovered, how to. end a drought. “Just send an ex- pensive production on loqa- . tion/’ he says, “and it’s sure to rain.”; That is what happened, to his troupe in New Mexico where a heavy three-day rain ended a long dry spell and caused floods. * Via Shipbuilding Co. Lira U.S. Film Firms Secure New compensation deal With m Ma w usage. The last .two Finmeccanica The New World, official Cathol c deals were made at 735 lira to the ‘ newspaper for the Archdiocese of dollar T „ t official. exchaIige iate Chicago, is. otter the picture indus- is g30 only company not partici- try egain. A frontpage itein thls .p at j ng in the most recent swap is H a ^ d A m f Sues Fireman’s Fund Co. For Refusal to Payoff On Alan Ladd Injury Hollywood, Oct. 26. Difference of opinion over the terms of an insurance policy is the basis of a $59,725 lawsuit filed jointly by Columbia and . Alan Ladd’s Warwick Pro duct io ns against the Firemen’s Fund Insur- ance Company in Superior Court.. Plaintiffs contend that they had a policy covering the possibility that Ladd might be unable to start “The Black Knight” according to schedule, Just before the starting date last year, Ladd fractured his foot, causing a delay. Now, they declare, the firm refuses to pay on the ground that the policy did not cover accidents. BRITISH LION 20 Deal for Eliot Hyman to acquire theatrical and tv rights to; 20 British Lion pix is in the closing stages in N. Y. Deadline is Nov. 1. Talks ^between Hyman and B-L started, after the British outfit went into receivership. Package originally included only 13 films* but that total later was raised to 20. That’s said to be the largest number of British pix to be put on the block in Some years. Motrs Helprin reportedly is repping B-L. Price . being asked by the British runs to around $500,000, it’s said, with Hyman acquiring the films on a flat basis for. a given number of years. He’s expanding ;his distribu- tion org in anticipation of taking on the British flock. Ace in the deal is “The Heart of the Matter,” with Maria Schell and Trevor Howard. Film has already been tentatively booked into the Normandie Theatre, N. Y. by Hy- man; Other promising films in the package include “The Intruder” and “Front Rage Story,” both Jack Hawkins starrers; “Bells of St. Trinian’s,” which opened in Lon- don recently, and “An ; Inspector Calls, with Alistair Simms. N. Y. to L. A. Eileen Barton Anne Baxter Sara Berger Anthony Dearden S. H. Fabian Max Fellerman Vera Ferguson Freddie Fields Mary Jane Higby Ben Kalmenson Harry. Kalmine Boris Karloff Edwin Lester : George Minter Richard Myers Bill Watters Lawrence Weirigarten. Europe to N. Y. Harold Boxall Ernest Clark Sir Kenneth M, Clark Constance (Collier Linda Darnell Maurice Eisenberg Robert Flemyng Otto Harbach Osie Hawkins Jara Kohout Joseph Krips Toni Lander Emmet La very Moura Lympariy Patricia Medina Guy Mitchell. Valerie Noble John Ortiz Norton V. Ritchey Cesare Vallettl Royce Wallace Caroline .Woffort ; A $9,000,000 suit brought in N. Y. Supreme Court by four great grandchildren; of composer Robert Schumann - against Loew’s, Inc., was dismissed last week by Justice William C. Hecht ,on th$ .grounds tjiat their “right lo privacy”; had not been invaded by the film com- pany^ 1046 production of “Song of Love.” Court,; however, permitted the plaintiffs to .file a third amend- ed complaint within 20 days. Descendants of the composer charged that distribution of the film represented an : unlawful inva- sion of their right to privacy, in- jured .their property rights as well as those of Schumann and libeled; the memory, of the noted musician. Some $5,000^000 is asked .^Qr ap- propriation Of the Schumann name, $2,0.00,000 by Which Loew’s alleg- edly earned from the picture, $1,- 000,000 for libel and $1,000,000 for invasion of privacy. . In a lengthy opinipii Justice. Hecht held that “even: in those States where a right of privacy is recognized, the right 'is a peVsOnal right and cannot, as a general (rule; be asserted by any one other tliaii by him whose pfivaey is invad- ed/ ” Court added that rights of the Schumann kin Were no better on their claim that the film libeled them. For the complaint, Justice Hecht pdtnted out, admits that Robert Schumann and his sister Were in- sane as shown in the picture. Thus, the jurist wrote, “no cause of ac- tion in libel is made out where the complaint shows that the article' complained of was true.” Court held that the plaintiffs had failed to prove that Loew’s had misappropriated the name of Rob- ert Schumann and also denied, their claim that the major has been “unjustly enriched” by profits made through exhibition of the film. In any event, the bench ruled,. Loew’s did not obtain some- thing of value to which it was not entitled. Four Schumann kin who are pressing the suite include Robert Schumann of San Francisco, Wal- ter Schumann of Bronxviile, N. Y.; Mrs, Mari Personius of Elmira, N. Y., and Mrs. Robert White of East Northport, L. I. L. A. to n.y. Eddie Albert Robert Aldrich June Allyson Barney Balaban D. J. Bloomgarden Frederick Brisson Joseph S. Duhi Lillian Gish Stewart Granger William Holden Mervin Houser George JeSsel Betty & Jane Kean Phil Krasne Edwin Lester David A; Lipton Maggie McNamara Carmen Miranda Paula Morgan Charlie Morrison Arnold Moss Ona Munson Nicholas Nayfack Max Nosseck Kim Novak Robert Palmer William Perlberg Dick Powell Tyrone Power Gene Raymond : Ted Richmond Jay Robinson Mike Romanoff Charles Schnee George Seaton Dave Sebastian . Geoffrey Shurlock Rehert Strauss Helen Traubei Benay Venuta Jean Wallace Allan Warshauer' Cornel Wilde Collier Young N. Y. to Europe Irving Berlin John Byram Marian Byram John van Druten Joan Greenwood. Irving' Hoffman Joseph Kaufman Jerome Lawrence Robert E. Lee Raymond Massey Edmund Purdoin jean Simmons By ROBERT J, LANDRY 1 Film director. Alfred Hitchcock W as defendant, and victor; in a strange, precedental case which has 'just ended after 11 days before Judge William Bondy in N. Y. Fed- ra l Court. Art action for $750,000 damages (reduced from $1,125,000) on five counts (reduced from seven) was brought by one Irving Fiske. Actor Cary Grant was also named in the. complaint, but never served. The case involved “slan- der of title" and consisted, i the main, of a charge that a publicity statement made' by Hitchcock in 1945 ruined and aborted “plans" to produce a play of . Fiske’s called “Hamlet in Modern English" which he wrote between' 1938 and 1941. Recognized, by film, stage and show biz attorneys as a case that “had to be won" else the door be opened to all sorts of similar . liti- gation. Fiske vs. Hitchcock ended when the judge directed the jury to find the case not. proven, By then the stenographic minutes were up around 850 pages of argument and testimony. .Fiske’s case consisted, almost en- tirely of a series of newspaper lippings concerning a modern ver- sion of “Hamlet" which Hitchcock had once considered as a possi- bility with Cary Grant as the Dane. HitchcOck never went beyond, the. publicity handout: Thus Fiske, an author, was setting up the unique claim that a mere “maybe" an- nouncement infringed- copyright and introduced unfair competition Cf of Fiske’s charge was a phrase by publicist Bert Margolies, “Hitchcock said this is the first really modern Hamlet to be done," (i.e., to be planned). .Newspapermen Called Although tediously prolonged, much of the testimony proved col- orful. Fiske’s attorney, Louis Pit- man, subpoenaed tv actress Joan Chandler and asked her .concerning her ex-husband’s desire, to play Hamlet; Hitchcock’s attorneys, Joseph Levene and John G. Grif- fin, argued that every young actor wants to play Hamlet. Would she, Miss Chandler, like to play Ophelia? Not in the Fiske version, said she. Several newspapermen were subpoenaed to tell about items nine years old of which none could remember anything. Earl Wilson of the N. Y. Post recalled interviewing Hitchcock at the St. Regis. The di- rector discussed diet and said he hated fat men and Scotch,- but not gm (Hitchcock was in Hollywood at work throughout the N.Y. trial). Leonard Lyons of the Post, Miriam Quimby of Time, Robert J. Landry of Variety and Sherman McNally of the AP, were others called to shed light on faded news items. A byline piece by Rosalind Shaffer, former AP columnist, pres- ent whereabouts unknown, was at issue and there was much palaver as between opposing counsel and the judge as to what was, and was not, “quotation.’* The bench took the position generally that a news- paper clipping itself was not ad- missable without direct testimony from, the reporter involved, Fiske took the stand and testi- fied that, two actors; identified as Barrie and McKay, had been pre (Continued on page 22) New ' 1 HUSBAND-AND-WIFE DEAL Hollywood, Oct. 26. Samuel Goldwyn is rounding up a hew bevy of Goldwyn Girls for his tunefilm, “Guys and Dolls.” $u.ch first appeared in “Whoopee" With Eddie Cantor in 1930 but have not been seen in actibn since “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” in 1947. Goldwyn Girls of the past cliided Lucille Ball, Virginia Mayo, Laraine Day, Virginia Bruce and Frances Gifford. (Chesapeake Industries, parent firm of Pa the Laboratories and the defunct Eagle Lion Classics, has been named defendant in a $1,250,- 000 breach of contract suit brpught in N. Y.. Supreme Court by the Selznick Releasing Organization, Action charges that Chesapeake failed to use its best efforts in dis- tributing some 10 Selznick films under a three-year release pact Which expired last year, SRO. also seeks an additional $100,000 oh the claim that- it was given an erro- neous accounting, Chesapeake made a general de- nial of SRO’s charges and counter- claimed for $70,000. It maintains that it Was deprived of that amount when SRO allegedly violated the distribution agreement by making' its own settlements with exhi- bitors. Suit -came to light yesterday (Tues.) when Justice Felix Ben- venga reserved decision on SRO’s motion for a bill of particu- lars on the Chesapeake counter- claim. Among Selznick pictures in- volved in the case are “The Third Man," “Duel in the Sun," “Portrait of Jennie" and “Since You Went Away." a Position of the British film in the U.S. market appears to be . in for some improvement as exhibs hail the quality of upcoming Holly- wood product and in the same breath complain of the shortage of it. Impression is gained in N.Y. that there is, at the moment, unprece- dented distribution interest in the British imports, with exhibs them- selves angling for their distribu- tion. Competish for the grade films is heavy, and so are the guarantees being asked for them. Feeling— -Long nurtured by the British— persists that British pix, made with multiple appeal to vari- ous U.S, audience strata and prop- erly presehted, are the logical mar- quee successor to any; void that may. be created by a. shortage of available American: films. .Contributing to this optimistic outlook is the. activity currently evolving around British imports. Among the developments are: (1) A reported plan for co-pro- duction between J. Arthur Rank and Republic,, with Rep handling the pix in the western hemisphere. This, it’s understood, will be a topic of discussion between John Davis, Rank managing director, (Continued on page 25)' as Features Aldo Ray Flits Holly WoQd, Oct. 26. Aldo Ray considered the. role of ‘•The Wreck” in Columbia’s re- make pf “My Sister Eileen" too unimportant and. walked out on it. As, a result he is off the pay- roll. Ray’s replacement is Dick York who has been appearing in “Tea and Sympathy" on the N. Y. stage. ‘Salt’ Okay in Mex; Mexico' City, Oct, 26. “Salt of the Earth,” the pro- posed exhibition of which in Mexico provoked much fuss, . is playing quietly to fairly good biz at the Teatro Iris here, which dur- ing the past two years has been the showcase for arty Russian pix. Regular exhibition followed a one- day test screening at the Iris. Most pic critics raved over “Salt" — -but mostly on the ground that it’s so different from other Yankee films some critics used the highly insulting name “gringo" that an element down here is so fond of branding Americans. “Salt" is being considerably pub- licized, including streamers on trams, Which the city government now owns-operates. . “Salt" finally got the nod of the National Cinematographic Board, which decided there’s nothing communistic about the pic and that it’s suitable for all ages. Hollywood, Oct. *26- U. S. State Dept’s policy state- ment opposing foreign- film sub- sidies,, met with high approval in a resolution adopted by the Holly- Wood AFL Film. Council. Eric A. Johnston and Ellis Arnall were also praised, for their agreement to bar subsidies in future foreign pacts. Last July the Council declared it was opposed to such subsidies by American producers because of their adverse effect on production and. employment in the Hollywood film industry. Arnall Relaxes Ellis Arnall, Society of Inde- pendent Motion Picture: Producers prez, formally advised the Federal Trade Commission last week that he was no longer interested in pressing subsidy charges against the Motion Picture Export Assn. Letter, dated Oct. 19, said with- drawal of the SIMPP complaint was based on assurances from MPEA prexy Eric Johnston that his vievys — opposing subsidies to foreign film industries— now have the support of the MPEA board, In view of this, wrote Arnall, “there is no difference existing between us. We now assume a united front in opposing the grant of gratuities, subsidies and sub- ( Continued bn page 25) LATIN REPUBLICS YIELD U. S. FILM BIZ OF TOTAL DOLLARS-IN-N. Y. Marline Carol to 20th Along With Christian Jacques Hollywood, Oct. 26. Twentieth-Fox closed a two-way ®eal with Martine Carol; French actress, and her director-husband, Christian Jacques, calling for ohe film annually for seven years. Con- ti^act starts next sqmmer with Miss Carol starring in the screen version “Can-Can." . Although Jacques has directed “! s wife in her last four French films he will not function in “Can- Can" but will start his contract *Uh her second picture'. Growth of the Latin American market — actual and potential — has the U. S. film companies (eye- ing the South-of-the-Border terri- tories with ai new Interest. Some in the industry feel that not enough attention is being paid to the development of the area in the light of its continuing growth. American distribs in 1954 will have gotten out of Uatirt America a total of close to $45,000,000, or 25% of its total worldwide “dollars- in-N.Y.” revenue which this year should run to approximately $175,- 000,000. The $45,000,000 include two windfalls, dne for $20,000,000 from Brazil this year, and the other the $5,000,000 compensation deal fpr $4,000,000 in Argentina; Film biz in Latin America is still held down by government-imposed ceilings in many of the republics, However, as the standard of living rises, it’s expected that" these shackles will gradually be removed. Restrictions have already been eased in Brazil and, recently, also- in Argentina. While L. A. has tv, it doesn’t seem to affect the thea- tre business since, for the moment lit least, it’s out . of the economic range of the average individual. A. Chase. National Bank publica- tion covering Latin America mar- ket spells out the promise of the market in detailed statistical terms. It’s “one of the world’s fastest growing markets," says the publi- cation. “Production of goods and services in the republics now. adds up to more than $40,000, 000, 000 a year. It has doubled since the mid- 1930’s. Imports have doubled/ too. The population is increasing twice as fast as the world average.” Looking ahead to 1970, the pub- lication predicted production in the neighborhood of $100,000,- 000,000 a year; a pdpulation rise of some 60% to 275,000,000, and imports from U, S. at between $6,000,000,000 and $7,000,000,000— twice the current rate. “European producers will try to outsell U. S. firms, to win a share of the area’s dollars," the bank warned. And its booklet continues: “In most of Latin America there is still a wide gulf between urban and rural living standards. Many rural areas are still outside the market for manufactured goods, That ...be- ing so, it's important to note that the cities are growing almost twice as fast as the total . population of 23 of the biggest cities rose 45% from 1940 to. 1950, while total pop-« ulation climbed 25%. This is seen by U. S. execs as an open invite tp- secure their future position in the market via expand- ed theatre holdings . and other methods,. Robert Corkery, the Mo- tion Picture Export Assn.'s Latin American supervisor^ just back from a long swing through the re- publics, observed in N. Y. that the industry had a real future in Latin America and that plans should be laid in accordance with the mar- ket’s known potential. While the $45,000,000 received this year from Latin America are not a true gauge of the actual in- come-due to the transfer; of ac- cumulated coin in Brazil and Ar- gentina— the market nevertheless makes a potent contribution to the industry’s overall foreign revenue. Country-by-country breakdown for 1954, given in tei’ms of actual re- mittances, shows the following: Argentina, $6,000,000. Brazil, ap- proximately $20,000,000. Chile, $1,000,000. Colombia, $1,500,000, Cuba, $2,000,000. Mexico, $4,500,- 000 (affected by the devaluation of the peso). Peru, $1,000,000, Ven- ezuela, $3,800,000. Central Ameri- can republics, between $2,000,000 and. $3,000,000. Paraguay account- ed for about $250,000. Country showing the most rapid improve- ment this year was Colombia, e^ecs in N.Y. say. Impressed with the European re- sponse to his animated cartoons,, shorts producer Walter Lantz is planning to provide some of his up- coming subjects With continental backgrounds to add to their for- eign appeal. Lantz, who’s marking his 25th anniversary pf releasing his reelers through Universal, told In N, Y. last week (22) of the enthusiastic reception accorded' cartoons in Eu- rope' by boith exhibs and audiences. Held just returned from a survey trip through that market. He also stressed the economic problems of the shorts producers in the face of apparent apathy on the part of U. S. theatremen and their unwillingness to up the ante for the one and two-reelei*s despite the sharp rise in production costs. May Trim Footage Planning a program of 13 hew animated, color items, for. the new year, Lantz emphesized that con- tinued exhib. resistance to higher rentals for his product might force, him to Cut the length of his reels from the current six to Only five minutes. “If we can’t get more money, and since we want to main- tain the quality, we’ll just have to trim tile footage," he declared. Lantz explained that his car- toons cost him anywhere between $30,000 and $50,000 and that, on a per foot basis, “they cost as .much .as our expensive features." Fur- thermore, he disclosed, it takes him four years to recoup his nega- tive cost on anyone of his shorts. The only independent cartoonist left in the field— he’s been at it since 191& — Lantz disclosed that 30% of his income cam® from his license#! business (comic strips, etc.). “Without that and our re- issues,” said the man who’s made the Woody Woodpecker characters a part of the American shorts scene, “we couldn’t make ends inept." Lantz and Irving Sochi , U shorts subjects sales manager; agreed that, were American exhibs to sell shorts more aggressively, “there would be more of an audi- ence response." In Europe, Lantz reported, theatre ops play the car- toons big and exploit them, along with the feature bill. “Why Couldn’t they do that here?” he asked. Rentals Unbudged Sochin, who earlier in the week had reported that U would have a lineup of 51 shorts in 1954-55, ob- served that the success of cartoons had to expand along with the suc- cess of the feature product. “How- ever," he said, “exhibitors don’t want to give us a fair shake. In all these years, cartoon rentals haven’t increased a dime. They don’t real- ly , want to give us a chance - to expand;" Philip Gerard, U’s eastern pub- licity topper,, said U intended to back up ' the Lantz shorts i the coming year with a solid -promo- tional campaign tying in with, ag- gressive merchandising of the subjects. SOUNDS LIKE SALEM, 1692 Strict Censor Nbt Strict Enough But Wishes He Could Be Memphis, Oct. 26. A woman judge here last week complained that the Memphis cen* sor, erratic 88-year-old Lloyd T. Binford, isn't “strict enough" ' his film scissoring. Judge Eliza- beth McCain told the Better Films Council that “some pictures in Memphis are on the same plane with horror comics," Binford lost no time replying. In a letter to the Judge he said “we wish we cotild be still stricter in banning films from showing here." The trouble is, complained the man whose eccentric censoring has brought him nationwide attention, the Memphis board “lacks the au- thority to be more severe.’ 1 Wednesday, October 27, 1954 Black Widow (CINEMASCOPE-COLOR) Smartly produced murder story with Ginger Rogers, Van Heflin/ Gene Tierney and George Baft as salable names to help initial draw. Good payoff indicated; 20th-Fox .release of Nunnally,' Johnson production* Stars Ginger Rogers. Van Heflin; Gene Tierhey.. George. R?ft. fea- tures Peggy . Ann Garner, Reginald Gaidi>. n.er, Virginia _Leithr Otto lecn Nesbitt, SKIP Homteier.’ Hilda Simms. Directed by Johnson. • Screenplay,-. Jpnn*. son;, .from story by r Patrick cafnera (color by De Luxe Labs) Ctonles G. Clarke; editor, Dorothy Spencer, music, I,cigh Harjine. Previewed N.Y., Oct. 20, '54. Running time, 95 NUNS. . Ldttie inger Rogers p®te r Van Heflin Iris . . .* .-•• .C! , •> . Gene Tierney Detective Bruce George Raft - ' . Penny Ann Garner .. Reginald Gardiner .... Virginia Leith , .•■. .... ; Otto Kruger . . . Catbleeh Nesbitt . . ... Skip Homeier ....... Hilda Simms ....... Harry : Carter Geraldine Wall .... Richard Cutting .. Mabel Albertson .... Aaron Spelling ....... Wilson .Wood ..., Tony De Mario Virginia Maples . . Frances Driver ..... James P, Stone ..... Michael Valion 2.55-1) Nanny Orel way Bkian . Claire' -Ling Lucia ...■•>•>•>• John Anne Welch ........ Miss Mills; i . . . .. Sgt. Owens . ; . . . Sylvia . . .... , Mr. ..Oliver 1 — Costume Dcsi Bartender ...... 'Model Maid... ....... . . . . St age Doorman . Coal- Dealer . . i (Aspect factory. However, closer scissor work might have served to correct ■ the' slowness 1 in the early Se- quences, Charles; G. Clarke's, cam” era work (color by De Luxe) man- ages to achieve intimacy despite the big' screen, There are a few instances, though,, wherein closeup tensing of dialog exchanges be- tween (He story's characters must be followed in a fashion somewhat akin to watching a tennis- match. Gene. Operation Manhunt Spy metier with documentary flavor. Iftcploitation value of Igor Gouzenko • (Ex-Soviet file clerk) helps fair b.o. prospects. United Artists release of Fred Feld- kamp production. Features Harry Townes, JacQuet Aubiichon. Will Kuluva, Irja Jen* sen. Directed by Jack Alexander, Screen- play, Paul-Mon'ash; camera, Akos Farkas; narrator, Westbrook Van Voorhees, Tradeshow* N.Y., Oct, 21, '54. .Running time, 77 MINS. Igor Gouzenko . . . ; ■ Katya Gouzenko .... . Voiov . . . ... Victor Collier . ...... Chertok Jean Gouztnko • , . .... Stephen Gouzenko - .. RoStovich ... . . . , Inspector. Boucher : . . Epifogue The up-front reels spin off some- what slowly as the plot ground* work is laid but once the business of murder is gotten down to "Black Widow'- takes a firm arid unrelent- ing grip on audience attention/ The title is a lure; name values are strong and the subject matter rep- resents a welcome change of pace for the widescreen, intimately, played whodunits having become alinost rare in the "new era’' with its accent On- bigness. TLooks like good b.o. Nunnally Johnson’s production is attractively, set in a swank upper Manhattan apartment a good deal of the way. A few scenes in Green- wich Village also are interestingly- lensed backdrops for the action. Johnson's screenplay, based on a Patrick , Quentin story, has suffi- cient suspense as it builds to the unexpected climax. Flashbacks are worked in smoothly in relating how a young girl comes to Gotham with a yen . to break into the bigtime arid winds up the murder victim. Peg- gy Apn Garner, as this 20-year-old aspiring writer, gives such inno- cence and bright-eyed eagerness to the part that a note of near in- credulity is struck as it’s later re- vealed she was a "purpose girl’’ capable of sordid escapades de- signed as stepping stoned to the top. Brought into the web spun by Miss Garner are: Ginger Rogers, a top-rung legit actress and shallow character who finds evil delight in meddling into others' lives; Van Heflin, producer of Miss Rogers’ current play, whose assistance to Miss Garner backfires into odious involvement in her murder; Gene Tierney, as Heflin’s wife and also a prominent stage actress, and George Raft; the detective on the prowl for a murderer. Miss: Rogers, beautifully garbed, gives an accurate portrait of a dis- tasteful, phoney, theatrical star Heflin gets across a competent per- formance as the producer Who, while under pressure of the mur- der rap, veers to near panic as he seeks to find the missing pieces in the homicidal jigsaw puzzle. Miss Tierney, with a loss significant part in the yarn, is a plenty nifty look- er and' nice to have around if only for decorative purposes; Particuar- ly well cast is Raft, authoritative and forceful as the. cop who, after some gumshoe work, can spot riiurderer when he sees one. Reginald Gardiner is effectively miable and timid as Miss Rogers’ ‘‘kept’’ husband whoso surrepti- tious pursuit of an identity of . his own leads to illicit- affairs with Miss Garner, Others . show pro- fessional know-how in lesser spots, including Otto Kruger as a legit player and , uncle Of Miss Garner's; Virginia Leith, a Village artist who befriends Miss Gatridr at the start; her ..brother,, Skip ; Homeier, a law ., student w^o falls for Miss Garner Hilda Simms, sepiari hatcheck gir in a dimlit Village bistro (who reg- isters 1 strikingly although she’s in only one scene), and Cathleen Nes- bitt, as the rriaid employed by both Miss Rogers arid Miss Tierney. Under : Johnson’s d i r e c t i o n. "VVidowV plays out plausibly and with some solid tense moments. The audience i$ kept properly con- fused as to who the actual mur- derer really is. The. climatic un- masking is cleverly brought about, although' left open to guesswork is how the murdered girl could have been strung up in attempt to give the crime the. appearance of sui- cide. AlsOj near the final fade, Miss Rogers’ hysterical embrace of her husband looks a little ludicrous, , Music nicely 'underscores the dramatic high points and other technical credits are highly satis- . ; Harry Townes ....... Irja Jensen Jacques Aubuchon Robert Goudier. Albert Miller . . . . . Caren Shatter. Kenneth Wolfe ...... Wiir Kuluya . . . . Ovila Lagare Igor Gouzenko Illicit Interlude “Illicit Interlude,’*' Swedish Import currently at the Plaza Theatre, N. Y., was reviewed in Variety NoVv 28, 1951, under its original title of "Sommarlek.” The .. Sverisk Filmindustri production and release stars May 1 Blritt, Alf Kjeliin, Berger Malsten, arid is being . distributed in the U. S. by Gaston Hakim Productions Inc. Reviewer W inq opined, "A film by Ingmar Bergman is usually filled with .an influence of the hopelessness. He usually 1 has the actors speaking words which hardly could pass any censorship. But here he tells a simple story in a wholesome way. Gunner Fischer’s camera- work is of highest ‘ standard. His shots of the ballet and its dancers are outstanding.” Purported experiences of Igor Gouzenko/ the code clerk in. the Soviet Embassy in Ottawa, who ex- posed a Red spy ring 'in Canada some nine years ago, form the basis of "Operation Manhunt.” Just where fiction begins, and fact ends or vice versa is impossible to de- termine, but. on the whole this United Artists, release shapes up as an unpretentious meller with air grossing prospects in the pro- grammer market. Writer Paul Monash, assigned, to cook up a script by Matty Fox’s MPTV Corp., came up with an. original screenplay that throws the spotlight on Gouzenko’s life as a Canadian citizen, following his break from Communisrii. Some, do- mestic scenes show his romping with his two children and hiking with his wife, at a sno^y retreat in the Canadian hinterland. But marring this pleasant facet of Gouzenko’s existence' is ani at- tempt by the Soviet Embassy to locate him and liquidate him as a defector to tjbie West. Their re- lentless search is afforded a docu- mentary touch by location shoot- ing in the Qttawa and Montreal areas as well as by introductory narration by ; narrator Westbrook Van Voorhees. Unexpected switch at the .finale finds Gouzenko’s as- signed killer also defecting to the West. ■producer Fred Feldkamp and director jack Alexander, long identified with the old "March of Time” series, as was narrator Van Voorhees, further accent the docu- mentary flavor by use Of a pre- dominantly Canadian cast. Sus- pense builds nicely under Alexan- der’s guidance and: the players make a good try in making it all believable. Harry’ Townes, who portrays Gouzenko* is self-effacing yet a man of firm principles when the occasion demands it. Jacques Aubuchon is well cast as the MVD agent assigned to kill Gouzenko; Will Kuluva is some- what stereotyped as a Soviet colo- nel in charge of eliminating the ex-code clerk while Irja Jensen, as Gouzenko’s wife, .shows profes- sional promise in a minor role Supporting players competently handle the demands of the script. Camerawork of Akos Farkas, often low key, adds to the film’s at tempted realism. Gouzenko, him self, is on the screen at the finale- in a brief epilogue. Gilb. has a lineup of generally familiar names. Three separate stories arb told during the' 80' minutes of footage, but are tied In by using the same prison background with Paul Kelly, as Warden Clinton T. Duffy, intro- ducing each episode. .The enter- tainment is spotty and , slowly paced as directed by Walter, Doni- ger, and mostly oh the grim side, although the.> opener; "The Chef,” is in - a lighter 1 * vein. Berman Swarttz arid Doniger, co-producers on the United Artists release, did the. script for this one;- which has Waiter Slezak, a violent-tempered chef, fraihpd by a gourmet fellow-- inmate so he would have to con- , tinue presiding ' over; the prison ! kitchen. It’s the best of the trio. j "The Hostages,” scripted by Oliver Crawford' from a story by Doniger and Swarttz, stars John Ireland arid . Lawrence Tierney; with Lyle Talbot, as prisoners who plot an abortive jail break and die violently. Guy Trosper scripted "The Face,” a story by Scott Lit- tioning with the. Clyde Beatty Cir- tleton, which concerns an agnostic cus are accorded lush definition by painter, serving life, who finds dif- the VV cameras, which director ferent values, and in turn helps Joseph Pevney uses to fine advan- a young priest find himself. Heri- tage in effectively catching the neth Tobey plays the painter and antics of the stars. While comics Arthur Franz the priest, as a team, are cast in characterize- Incidents from "The Sari Queri- tions somewhat less zany than in tin Story,” book by Duffy and the past, Lewis as an aspiring Dean Jennings, are used- for the clown who finally makes the grade trilogy and the general theme is carries both humorous arid some- to show the three things prisoners times emotional appeal. When most want— -a little comedy, free- he’s performing as an aerial artist dom and spiritual solace. Helping 1 * 1 .. . . • _ .t • • w J ‘ Wi ii.. 1 ' xi ' * : j 9 ■ ’ • _• cr.. ' a . again, making a tough little hom* : bee aa a rough-and-tumble -guar- dian of the law. ; HupjbrtUe fits in welt as- the head marshal ' while Miss Bascom gives evidence of learning how to act. Support is excellerit, with Kenne Duncan out- standing as the. undercover manip- ulator of the Outlaws. ’ The two songs .are typical west- erns f ‘.'Thinking of You” being best. Rudy .DeSaxe has provided smooth, Ortginal music; John Fuller’s editing is commendable while William. C. Thompson has. done smart • work ! witlr his -camera- Wear. The Ann* Cross (RUSSIAN-!— COLOR) Soviet shift to "subtle” propa- gayida in filmization of popu- lar Chekhov short story. De- picts upper class ' ,lif e- in pre- revolutionary times/ Artinko Pictures . release of Gorky Film Studio production, Screenplay and direc. tion by I. Annensky;, based on Anton Chekhov’s story; camera (Sovcolor); . G. Reisgoff; music, L. -Schwartz. At Stanley Theatre, N.Y., Oct.: 23, '54. Running time, 95 MINS. Anna Anna Larionov Pyotr Leontievich, -her father A. . Sashin-Nikolsky Modest Alekseyevich - • • . . .Mikhail ;Zharov Prince ..... . '. . . ; . . , . . . . , . . . A. Vertinsky Princess N. Beievtzeva Mavra Grigorievna I. Murzayeva before an imaginary audience and again while trying to make a solemn little girl in braces laugh at an orphan’s benefit, he manages considerable appeal. For his part, Martin scores in the straight role; as well as with trm.utea ny jonn Alton, ana vosepn his singing. His rendition of John Biroc with Chester Schaeffer, and Three Ring Cireits (COLOR) Martin and Lewis in a lively Big Top comedy good for okay returns. Hollywood, Oct. 22. Paramouhf. production of a Hal Wallis production. Stars Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis; co-stars Joanna Dru, Zsa Zsa Gabor; features. Wallace ..Ford, Elsa Lart- chester. Directed by Joseph Pevney. Story-screenplay, Don McGuire; camera (Tcchhicolor), Loyal Griggs; editor/ War ren Low; music, Walter . Scharf. Pre- viewed Oct. 15,. '54. Running time, 103 MINS. ‘ r Pcte‘ Nelson Dean Martin Jerry Hotchkiss Jerry Lewis Jill Brent . . . , . . ........... Joanne Dru Saadia . . . . , . Zsa Zsa Gabor . Sam Morley Wallace Ford i Schlitz .... . . ... Sig Ruman )-Puff6 .V. Gene Sheldon Timmy ‘ Nick- Cravat Bearded Lady. ....... — Elsa Lanchester (Aspect ratio: 2-1) Circus background of this ex pensively-mounted Hal W^lis pro- duction gives Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis $lick opportunity to disport themselves along familiar lines. Handsome in Technicolor comedy is lensed in Par’s Vista Vision, admirably suited to sub ject; which shriuld ring up satis factory returns for all concerned Authentic production values dished up by Wallis through loca Slezak on the comedy in the first episode are George E. Stone arid Alan Mowbray. Seen briefly in this one is Maureen O’Sullivan, as Mrs. Duffy. Lensing of the episodes was con- tributed by John Alton, and Joseph singing Rox'S "It’s a Big, Wide, Wonder ful World” is an attraction, and team socks over a comedy song by jay Livingston and Ray Evans, Hey, Punchinello,” for one of highlights in film. Their co-stars, Joanne Dru and Zsa Zsa Gabor, supply plenty of flash arid femme splendor in respective roles of cir- cus owner and, star aerialist, and Wallace Ford is tops as the bark- ing but sympathetic circus man- ager. The Don McGuire script pro- jects comics straight from Army uniform to the Circus, where ewis reports as a lion tamer’s aS- Everett Dodd doing . the editing. These credits and Other technical assists are routine. The Lawless Rider Good plot. western with standard United Artists release of ai Royal West proidiiction. Stars Johnny Carpenter: fea- tures Frankie Darro, Douglas Dumbrille. Directed by. Yakima Canutt. Original story, screenplay by Johp. Carpenter; camera, William C. Thompson; editor, John Fuller: music, Rudy DeSaxe; origi- nal song, ■' ‘Thinking of You,” by Mar- guerite McFarlane. Previewed in N.Y,, Big Red Nancy Janies Freno Frost ........ Sheriff Brown - . . . Texas Rose. Bascom Tulso -.. ...... Black Jack .'. Red Rooks Bill Andy Young Marsha] Frank Carpenter . ... . Noel. Neill . . .Ken he Duncan Weldon.: Bascom Rose . Bascom . . . Bud Osborne . . Lou Rbberson Bill Coontz . ... -. . Bill Chaney .... Roy Canada Tap Canutt Hank. Caldwell and his Saddle Kings Oct. 22, '54. Running time, 42 MINS _ .Tohnhy Carpenter, sistant in the hope he- 11 get to be.. Rod Tatum Johnny Carpenter a clown, Martimtags klong/ catch- ' ’ * ' •' •••'Dougu« n i^mbrfiie mg the eye of the beautiful but — “ - - ~ - temperamental, trapeze artist, who makes him her cissistant.”- He takes oyer Miss Dru's place when sh’e leaves the circus— she’s in love and keeps fighting with him — but all is happiness again after the children’s benefit which Martin forbids at first due to circus’ time schedule. Narrative frequently gives Lewis an opportunity to dis play his best comedy, one of top routines catching him in the lion’s cage. In support, Sig Ruman delivers in latter scene, as the lion tamer, and Gene Sheldon is good as a drunken clown whose place Lewis takes after he's fired. Elsa Lan* Chester also is in for a funny se- quence, as a: bearded lady about to get a shave by Lewis. Technical credits rate highly, particularly Royal Griggs’ color ‘The Lawless Rider" is an oats meller which follows much the ac- cepted pattern for this type of western. It is helped by the fact that Yakima Canutt, long a star rodeo performer and typical west- erner, directed the production- He gives it a taste of authenticity so often lacking in these horse operas; Pic will fit in nicely where western adventure subjects are sought by the patronage. Besides JoJinny Carpenter, the , , . . , . cast numbers Frankie Darro, photography. Walter- Scharf^ music Douglas Dumbrille and Rose Bas score definitely is an assist. com, trick rope champ. At first Whit. - The Steel Cage Three "featurettes” drawn from . Warden Clinton T. Duffy’s "The San Quentin Story” and tied together. Slow and dull. Hollywood, Oct. 26 United Artists release of Berman Swarttz-Walter Doniger production. Stars Paul. Kelly, Maureen OfSullivan, Walter Slezak, John Ireland, Lawrence Tierney, Kenneth Tobey; Arthur Franz; features :Alan Mowbray, George E. Stone, Lyle Talbot. Directed by Doniger; Based, on the book, ’‘The San Quentin Story” by. Clin- ton T. Duffy and Dean Jennings; screen- play or “The Hostages,” Oliver Crawford, Darro seems a bit uncongruous as a tough cowhand but he makes the transition from a city toughie irito a western player with ease. Car- penter* of course, again plays U. S. sheriff role, only that later in the picture he disguishes him- self as Rod Tatum, a notorious cowboy gunman Carpenter also . is credited with doing the original, the screenplay and helping on the production alorig With Alex Gordon in the lat- ter' capacity. This, follows rather familiar pattern of cattlemen-outlaw raider pictures. Here it is a well ^organ- ized group of raiders which terror- Previewed Oct, Running tithe, 90 Ml NS. Paul Kelly Maureen O’Sullivan . . . . ; Walter Slezak | , . . . John Ireland, Lawrence Tierney . ... . Arthur Franz . . . i George Cooper Ned Glass ftS £ y ‘ and Swarttz; screenplay of ize the ranchers, killing the own- The Chef,” Swarttz and Doniger; screen- _,, c a _j, nff with vaiuahlp play of “The Face/' : Guy Trosper, story, eiS ailqt niaKing Oil Wlin VaiUEDie Scott Littleton; camera, John Alton, cattle. And per usual, it takes the B n n °H C ;i ed P t r^1uSI 1 H SC 99 ef ^15’ gallant Carpenter as a marshal to Everett Dodd. Previewed Oct. 22. roun d U P the outlaws; Yam rings in more fisticuffs than customary in : such six-shooter mellers. Some place along the line Carpenter has learned to handle his mitts as wel as his revolvers and rifle. There is a slight romance between him and .Miss Bascom. Latter is forthright western femme if there ever was one. t Fact that she is so adept in manipulating the ropes and twirl ing the hemp naturally rings in a local vaude show at the end. This top, serves as a climax which sees the badmen fighting .it out with the reps of the law and finally wind ingup in a gun battle. Director Canutt has done a nice job in maintaining interest and in jectijig considerable suspense. A) of his cowboy characters are hard bitten types. Carpenter is himsel Warden- Duffy Mrs. Duffy The Chef ; The Ringleaders. Kenneth Tobey Alan Mowbray. . . George E. Slone Lyle Talbot Herb Jacobs Elizabeth Fraser Henry Kulky Stanley Andrews . . . ... Charles Nolte Morris Ankrum .............. Gene Roth Don Beddoe .............. James Seay Robert. .Bice ... .... Charles Tannen George Chandler . . Ben . Welden While this prison trilogy has the appeararice of having been ini- tially made in separate parts for television release, it should round up a fairly satisfactory number ot lowercase programmer dates as a theatrical feature. In its favor Is the present shortage of secondary product for regular double bill situations arid the fact that the cast (In Russian;: English Titles ). This newest Soviet import, al- ii ough a plodding arid poorly- edited film, i$ nevertheless a sig- nificant departure' for the Russian film industry. The. Red film-mak- ers,' rioted for their heavy-handed propaganda pieces, have at last re- sorted to a degree of subtlety in the filmization of one of Chekhov’s most popular short stories; It was a sensational success in Russia but, except for the .curious and stu- dents of the Soviet mind, its chances in the U. S. market praictically nil. . According t0‘ ‘ a recent dispatch from the correspondent of the New York Times, "The, Anna Cross” at- tracted lines of a block long when it opened simultaneously ..at 24 Moscow, houses. The picture’s ap- rieal for the Russians is obvious, for here is a film which, perhaps for the first time, depicts every- thing that was symbolic of the re- gime which the Bolshevik revolu- tion overthrew. Accustomed to a diet of. farm cooperative yarns' and ballet and. opera films, the Rus- sians were given a chance to see the life of the upper classes before the November days of 1917. ' There are noblemen and handsome offi- cers, lavish dusk to dawn cham- pagne parties, lush balls given by the royalty, moonlight boating par- ties. and gypsy singers. The storiy, of course, aims io show the callousness of this pre- revolution life. It. concerns a beau- tiful young girl who is forced to marry an old government official for his money. She becomes fh? belle of society arid kicks over. her. former, environment for the hedon- istic life. She breezes, through th . snow-covered streets with her cur- rent lover while her father and two young brothers are being evicted from their home. As her sled disappears down the street, with her old father stumbling and call- ing after her, the picture ends, leaving the ‘ audience to draw its own moral. Anna Larionova, who portravs the Anna of the film, is a remark- able blonde looker and, if it weren’t for the Iron Curtain, American producers would prob- ably be after her. The direction is heavy apd the editing, as holed previously, is extremely bad. . The Sovpolpr is hazy as if the. erUir picture were shot in a fog. Hotl U’s 40 Contract Players, Largest H’wocd Roster Roster , of Universal contract players now includes "nearly 40” on term deals and about 20 under contract for a specific number of pix, Robert Palmer, U’s talent de- partment chief, said in N. Y. yes- terday (Tues.). Company has the largest contract player list in Hol- lywood, he observed, but other studios now are also beginning to sign talent again; Palmer acknowledged that very small percentage of those we sign up ever breaks through,” but thought that even one success a year was a distinct boon for the studio. The U talent topper is in the east to p.o. potential candidates for th Mary Magdalene lead in' the upcom-- ing "The Galileans.” Palmer and Maurice Bergman, U's eastern story editor, having picked three European candidates, intend to scour the.U, S. for other girls, who might fit the part. Search kicks off in another mynth. Wednesday October 27, 1954 Edward L. Beraays, the public relations counsel, has organized a committee of citizens to support the U.S. Information Service and help it get more money from Congress. He states! this is a wholly voluntary activity, and there is no client involved. The National Committee for an Adequate! Overseas Information Pro- gram will meet regularly and formulate suggestions. Meanwhile, a .Washington Star story that the head of the USIS ought to have, "cabinet rank” is described by Bemays as not his idea. The current incumbent of the directorship is Ted Stre'ibert, onetime general manager of station WOR, N.Y., who has stated that he would not hold the post indefinitely. “Cabinet rank" slant raised eyebrows iii newspaper ajxd! public relations circles. The management of the Metro- 4 politan Opera House having re- versed its policy against any N. Y. theatre carrying 1 the closed-circuit theatre telecast of its Nov. 8 open- ing nighty Nate Halpern’s Theatre Network Television has signed two home city theatres— Fabian’s Fox iri Brooklyn, a 4,000-seater, and the RKO Fordham in the Bronx, a 2,300-seater. In. addition, Halpern has rented' the Guild Theatre, 400- seater in Rockefeller Center, for specially invited guests. Met decided to end the. N. Y. ' blackout when it learned that the opera House Would sell out. At first it was feared that many of the regular opera patrons would bypass the preem because of the popular-type program (a Series of excerpts, of w.k. operas) which the Met decided to present especially for the closed-circuit audience. Depending on last-minute line clearance, it appears that Halpern will have a hookup of 30 theatres for the telecast. The seating ca- pacity, based on reports of advance sales, already exceeds that of the experimental “Carmen" telecast two years ago. Lesson’learned from tli ‘-Carmen'' presentation ‘is be- ing put to use, particularly oii scal- ing the admission tab. Many thea- tres over-priced the event, with the Guild in N. Y. asking . a $7 top, al- most equal to that charged by the Met,, a short distance away. The Guild, as a result, did only so-so biz, as did other theatres which overestimated-the ability to pay of opera lovers. Upcoming telecast has been scaled from $2 to $3.60. Early Buildup In Albany . Albany, Oct, 26. Paul Y. Wallen broke newspaper copy (Thursday (21) for the video presentation of “Opening Night at the Metropolitan Opera" in the Grand Nov. 8. Theatre .Network Television origination is scaled at $3.30 and $2.75 in the orchestra and first balcony; $2.75, in boxes; $1.65 and $1.10 in second balcony. Grand, one-time F.- F. Proctor vaudeville house, is considered to have the finest acoustics of any Albany theatre. It played TNT’s first Metropolitan telecast, of a full-length opera, under Fabian operation. Hollywood, Get. 26. Fewer but' better pictures Is the new watchword among Mexican producers, according to Ruben A. Calderon, executive director of Azteca Film, Inc,, distributors of Spanish language films in the United States and Canada. "Because of the success of qual- ity films made in Hollywood,” Cal- deron said, "a similar movement is taking place in Mexico Where for the ' first time the producers are Paying particular attention to the story values of the production. The star is still important, but produ- cers are working more closely with Writers so that in the end they will nave a fast, compact picture." Nkit Pery a V.P. Nick Pery, Columbia Interna- uonal’s managing director for Europe and the Near East, has peefn elected a v.p, of the organ- ization. Pery several months, ago suc- ceeded Lacy W. Kastner in the K' ope : Near East post, headquar- i ei 'ing. in Paris. Kastner, now exec •P * is stationed at the hohiepffice. William Goldman, Philadelphia circuit owner; William Zimmer- man, film attorney, and William L. Snyder, pic importer, have formed a new company to engage in ac- quiring foreign product f or release in the U. S. plus the production of television films for children. Out- fit is called William Films, Inc. Short time ago Goldman formed Gregory-Goldman Enterprises, - to produce pix and legit shows in association With Paul Gregory. Zimmerman is v.p; and general counsel for this company. Films which Snyder has brought irit'6 U. S. distribution include "Emper- or’s Nightingale" and "White Mane." Wasserinan Awaits Kibbee Script for ‘Big Mike’ Hollywood, Oct. 26. Lew; Wassermari -will handle complete packaging of "Big Mike,” currently being prepped by three partners, /William . Bacher, Wil- liam Hawks and Nicholas Ray. It’S slated to roll after Bacher-Hawks’ "The Tall which Clark Gable, will do after "Soldier of Fortune.’’ First script by, Roland Kibbee will be completed end of Week and turned over immediately to Wasserman. Spencer Tracy and Gene Tierney ire under con- sideration for star roles in period piece about Mississippi river keel- boaters of 1800’s. Ray will direct script based on an original idea by Bricher and on novel "Mike Fink.” Tea and Sympathy’ Talks .Playwright Robert Anderson is due on the Coast in mid-Npvepiber for discussions with: Metro execs on "Tea and Sympathy." After that he’ll return to N. Y. to start work on the screen treatment of his hit: play on which Metro has in option. Anderson said in' N. Y. Monday (25). that he had vno definite ideas as yet on how he’d circumvent pro- duction code objections to his legiter. Under his arrangement With Metro, he didn’t have to start work on the screenplay until he had launched his play "All Sum- mer Long" and had groomed the road company of "Tea." ! Code execs, when they, saw "Tea" on Broadway, said a film based on the legit version without major changes couldn’t get a seal. Both Anderson and Metro feel/they can overcome code objections Without multilating the play or dimming its effectiveness. Anderson said that, in the spring, he may return to the Coast to de- liver the finished treatment and take it Up with code execs. There’s no burning* hurry about it since his contract with Metro provides for Sept., 1956, as the earliest re- lease date for any flim version of "Tea." * Schary’s Defense Dept. Call Dore Schary, Metro v.p. in charge of . Production, will take time out from N, Y; homeoffice confabs this week for a quickie to Washington. Production boss said he’s going to the capital to cdhfer-with De- fense Dept, officials on a number of possible film projects involving the armed forces. Schary previ- ously helmed "Battleground" and "Take the High Ground," both Army y arris, as personal produc- tions. - I EXHIBS CRY TOLL-TV AIMS Exhibitor opposition to toll-ty will tajee the twin line of question- ing the (i). competency, of the Fed- eral Communications Commission in the subscription-tv ' field and (2) attacking pay-as-you-see on the basis; that it isn’t in the public in- terest. Detailed strategy hasn’t ; been worked out and further meets of the Chicago-formed "Joint Com- mittee of Toll-TV" ore being put off pending contact- with *other in- terested groups."- The committee was created .by Theatre Owners of America and Allied States execs. It was stressed, at the time that it was open "to ail groups interested in preserving free home television." A member of the group said in N, Y. last week that the "public in- terest" angle was very important inasmuch as the FCC had made it plain that this' would have to be onip of the basis on which, "pay-as- Voa-see telecasting could get its commercial authorization. He added further that exhibs intended to es- tablish the exact scope of the Com- mission in this matter and to what extent it required special consent from the Congress To change 'the. status of the "free", air. "What these fee-tv people really want to do is to eliminate the .mid- dle-men, served; the theatre," he ob- Even as toll-tv proponents hold that it’s all one big misunderstand- ing, that the theatres could well work with a new tv system;, exhibs continue to give evidence of real concern. In Peoria, 111., last week* George Kerasotes, a TO A leader, stated flatly that "Coin-in-the-Slot. tv, as currently proposed by the pe- titions pending before the. FCC, is a very real and ominous threat to our business. More Local Monopoly? It’s a menace, he said, "because it will permit the' stations to tele- cast firstrun movies and to collect a. charge through the medium of coin-operated decoder attachments on the. tv sets; This will create a new communications monopoly in the hands of -a few stations, most of which already are owned by in*' dividuals or firms that already con-! trol the radio and newspaper out- lets . in ’their communities. Such a monopoly Would soon put motion pictures under the supervision of the Federal government/’ As exhibition drew together last week in what appears, like a com- mon stand vs. toll-tv, the three ma- jor subscription-tw companies re- frained from forming a common front, an attitude Which, while .ex- Toll television, now nearing the top of the list of the. trade’s most controversial subjects, will be in-; troduced for discussion at the Nov. 15-16 N. Y. meeting of the Council of Motion Picture Organ-, izations* board of directors. It should set off some fireworks. COMPO is restrained from tak- ing action on any matter unless it has the unanimous approval of member organizations. Since ex- hibitors are hotly opposed to sub- scription tv and at least ope dis- trib, Paramount, is investing in it via Telemeter,, there cannot be, of course, any such uniform endorse- ment. Then Why give toll tv. the COMPO airing in the first place? Indications are that exhibition elements are playing an "angle." They’re seizing upon the all-indus- try org’s meeting as , a means of having all the film companies "stand up and be counted." The theatremen are out to ascertain how each distrib, and not alone Par, stands on the subject of toll tv. However, there seemed some doubt that even this can be brought about. The companies, ever mindful of the antitrust statutes, are not likely to take an official position on any trade mat- ter collectively. Wide range of items is on the fixed agenda for the COMPO com ference, including: suggestions for another whirl with "Movietime, U.S. A-" or some other, means of further enlivening the public’s in- terest in pix; an industry-sporisored television program tied in with an audience poll naming the "best” pictures and players; a Hollywood seminar in which reps of produc- tion, distribution and exhibition would participate; action on na- tional and local levels against ad- missions taxes, a program of group insurance for theatres, and dis- tribution and exhibition of "This Is Your Army," film produced for the Department of Defense. New Year’s Eve Ball For N. Y. Variety Tent Charity Plans are being set for the sec- ond annual Celebrity Ball of the United Epilepsy Assn, in affiliation With the Variety Club of New York. According to Mrs. Seymour D. Hesse, head of the women’s com- mittee, the event will be held again in the Sert Room of the Waldorf- Astoria, N. Y„ on New Year’s Eve. Proceeds will go to the United Epilepsy Assn., which supports the Variety Club Clinic for Children with Epilepsy at the. Columbia- Presbyterian Medical Centre. ‘LOVERS, HAPPY LOVERS’ Motion Picture Assn, of America board will Consider an appeal from t producer Paul Graetz for a code Seal for his film, "Lovers, Happy Lovers/*"* Board’s decision is ex- pected to come late this week pr next week. Graetz on Monday (25) had a lengthy powwow with code admin- istrator Geoffrey Shurloclc. As a result, outlook for "Lovers’* getting code approval is said to be con- siderably brighter. The English-language film, , re- leased in Europe under the title "Mori. Ripois,” is current at . the Little Carnegie Theatre, . N. Y.; When Graetz first ' applied for a seal for his production, he Was turned down. "Immorality" of the film's theme was cited as the rea- son. „ Graetz, who claims an invest- ment of $900,000 in his pic, main- tains that it is the type film which must get bookings in commercial houses — rather than the arties — if he’s to recoup his money. He can't get any widespread circuit dates without the seal, he holds. Ephraim London is acting as Graetz’s legal rep in the matter. "Lovers" has been nixed by the code as well as the National Le- girip of Decency, Latter first hand- ed the film a "B” rating, then changed its mind and put it into the "C", ; condemned category, ac- ( cording to Graetz. Code , seal issue concerning "Lovers" has served to highlight European producers' unhappiness With their position via the code setup. Latter, they complain, is a lot tougher on imports than on do- mestic product/ Graetz hirriself is on . record as favoring separate code classifications for foreign pix. His "Lovers" passed the N.Y. state censor without a single deletion. UA-Aritold Case Settled 1 Shortly before it was scheduled to go- to trial last week before N.Y. Supreme Court Jtistice Henry Clay Greenberg, a $370,568 damage suit brought by Arnold Productions against United Artists was settled arid discontinued. Action involved three films produced by the late Arnold Pressburger arid assigned to UA for distribution in. Germany, Italy, and several other European countries. Arnold Productions charged UA gave an improper accounting of the earnings of "Hangmen Also pie," "It Happened Tomorrow" and "Scandals , in Paris." It also sought return of tv rights . to "Scandals.” Answering the com- plaint, UA claimed it was unable to remit from Germany because of "many difficulties/' Settlement is subject to terms and conditions now beihg negotiated by attorneys for the respective litigants. nttUBES 7 plainable in its comptetitiveness, is seen hurting tiiem when the FCC calls Its hearings, Stating that exhibs had declared "open war" on subscription-tv, Arthur Levey, prez of Skiatron Electronics & TV Corp., saw the row "a war of misrepresentation/' Theatteowners, he said, are so ap- prehensive because they're vulner- able; arid .they’re vulnerable "be- cause -they are fighting a rearguard action against progress in the en- tertainment world. The theatre owners' crusade is an undeclared war against the public’s demand for better tv entertainment." Like Zenith’s Eugene F. McDon- ald before him, Levey scored the "remarkable inconsistency" of ex- hibs in fighting now for "free" home tv which they battled for so long. Levey Climaxed by stating that it would "take far. more than a declaration of war against toll-ty to persuade the public that it should be denied! the freedom of choice conferred by subscription television/’ McDonald had said exhibs were "trying to stop the Wheels of progress with a fly swat- ter” via their opposition to toll-tv. Toll-TV Divided It’s obvious by now that, when the Commission holds its hearings on toll-tv, the pay-as-you-see in- terests will be a house divided.. In his application to the FCC for a commercial license, Matthew Fox — for Skiatron TV-urged a license Which, for a three-year period. Would restrict subscription-tv to UHF stations-. There are strong indications that this is not a view shared by other pay-as-you-see pro- ponents. All appear agreed that, whatever its form, subscription-tv would' and should be a supplementary service to free home-tv, allowing programs beyond the economic reach of tv Sponsors. The Fox petition was based on the difficulties being ex- perienced by the nation’s UHF sta- tions which have beeri finding it, difficult to compete with the estab- lished VHF outlets. Neither the. broadcasting nor the film production interests are as yet officially in the subscription-tv act. As far as Hollywood is concerned, the longer it can remain on the sidelines, the better it’ll like it. There is unmistakable sentiment among a good many Coast pro- ducers in favor of toll-tv or at least experimentation with it. Opinions along this line were voiced in N. Y. recently by two indie filmtriakers — Otto Preminger and Walter Wang- er. Both observed that,, if it works; fee-tv might be an ideal Way for getting their investment back a lot faster. Both said they’d be inter-, ested in' making pix for toll-tv. Samuel Goldwyri. in the past also has spoken with interest of pay-as- you-see. While many of the producing Outfits are genuinely interested in "slot-tv"; method and its potential, they’re loath to. say so for fear of offending their exhib customers. Reply to McDonald Film exhibition's Joint Commit- tee on Toll /Tv . this week raised the spectre of totalitarianism in defending its position vs. subscrip- tion tv. Replying to- a blast from Zenith' prexy Eugene McDonald, who had ridiculed the film men’s sudden defense of; fi*ee tv, the committee said use of the free air for toll-tv "must be prevented at . all costs" since "it must be remembered that the first step toward totalitarian- ism is the control of all communi- cations systems, as would result with the establishment of slot machine tv/' In a joint statement, Alfred Starr of Theatre Owners of Amer- ica and Trueman T. Rembusch of Allied said ; A majority of the pres* ent vhf stations supported the ex- hibs’ stand vs. free-tv. They also derided McDonald’s assertion that toll-ty would strengthen free-tv. "(He) does not explain what lis- teners seeking free tv would do for entertainment in a one station market when, that station was be? irig used by toll-tv operators," the committee declared. “Nor does he explain what Would happen to free television in a two or three station market when through competition all stations would be forced into toll-tv at choice broadcasting hours, depriving listeners of meager means of ail available television broadcast channels." PICTURE GROSSES Wednesday, October 27 , 1954 New Pix NSG in LA; ‘Streets’ OK Los Angeles, Oct. 26, Overall first-run grossing out- look in current week is compara- tively moderate, with nothing out-, standing, among the new bills. An okay $21,000 is shaping for “Down 3 Dark Streets” in three theatres, "Sitting Bull” looks to get a medi- um $19,000 in three sites. "Three Hours To Kill’* is going: for a light $11,000 in two houses, but it is garnering, okay added coin, in seven ozoners; Rated good, as "Julius Caesar," back for its first popscale run and expecting $8,000 at the Hawaii; Among the holdovers, “Star Is Born" is pushing up to a fine $29,- 000 • in fourth week at Pantages while ‘'Egyptian," with $26;000, and “Sabrina," With $12,000, ,are tops by substantial margins. Estimates for This Week Los Angeles 'Paramount, Vogue, El Itey (ABPT-FWC) (3,200; 885; 861; ,70-$1.25) — "Down 3 Dark Streets" (UA) and "Victory At Sea” (UA), Okay $21,000. Last. Week, in different units. Warner Downtown, Wiltern (SW) (1,757; 2,344; 70-$1.10)— "3 Hours to Kill" .(Col) and "Miss Grant Took Richmond” (Col) (reissue). Light $11,000. Last week, nth New . Fox, .“Magnificent .Obsession” (U) and' "The Cowboy” (Lip) (2d wk), $11,800. Hillstreet, New Fox, Uptown (RKO-FWC) (2, 752; . 965; 1,715; 60- $1.10)— "Sitting Bull” (UA) (with 2d-run support). Medium $19,000, Last week,. in different -units. . Hawaii (G&S) (1,106; 80-$l)-- "Julius Caesar" (M-G). Good $8,- 000. Last week, with Hillstreet (6 days), "Rogue Cop" . (M-G) and "Houe of Blackmail" (Indie) (3d wk), $6,300. State, Egyptian (UATC) (2,404; 1,536; 70-$1.10)—‘ ‘Beau BrummeU” (M-G) (2d wk). Slow $11,000. Last Week, $17,000. Los Angeles, . Ritz, Iris, Loyola (FWC) (2,097; 1,363; 814; 1,248; $1- $1.50)- — "Egyptian" <20th) (2d. wk). Neat $26,000. Last week, $36,500; Orpheum, Hollywood (Metropol- itan-FWC) (2,213; 756; 70-$1.10)— "Rear Window” (Par) arid "Terror Ship” (Indie) (2d Wk). Fair $12,- 000. Last week, $20,600, plus $4T,000 in 5 ozoners. ? Chinese (FWC) (1,905; $1-$1.75) —"Woman's World” (20th) (3d wk). Modest $11,500. Last week, $13,500, Four Star (UATC) (900; 70-$1.10) —"Suddenly" (UA) and "Diamond Wizard" (UA) (3d wk). Light $2,000. Last week, with L. A, Paramount, Vogue, $15,000. Pantages (RKO) (2,8i2; $l-$2.25) —"Star Is Born" (WB) (4th wk); Fine $29,000. Last week, $27,800. Hollywood .Paramount (F&M) (1,430; $1-$1.50)— "Sabrina” (Par) (5th wk). Stout $12,000. Last week, $12,800. Warner Beverly (SW) (1,612; 90-$1.50)— "Brigadoon” (M-G) (7th wk). Slim $4,500. Last week, $5,200. Fine Arts (FWC) (631; 80-$1.50) — "Vanishing Prairie" (Disney) (10th wk). Steady $2,500. Last week, $2,400. Warner Hollywood (SW) (1.364; $L20-$2.65) — "Cinerama” (indie) (78th wk). Into current frame Oct; 24 after good $24,200 last week. Broadway Grosses Estimated Total Gross This Week .... $659,900 (Based on 22 theatres.) . Last Year ... . ,$665,100 (Based on 26 theatres.) Providence, Oct. 26. ‘‘Rogue Cbp” at Loew’s: is cop- ping the biggest total first-run coin this week but it is only good at this big house. Best showing is be- ing made. “Sabrina,” sock at Stran, and holding. On the fairly good side is RKO Albee’s “Notori- ous,. on reissues. Five-day stand of “The Raid” at Majestic is only fair. ■ Estimates for This Week. Albee (RKO) (2,200; 50-75) — “Notorious” (A A) and “Farmer's Daughter” (A A) (reissues). Fine. $8,000. Last week, “Bounty Hun- ter” (WB) and “Riders to Stars”. (UA), $99,000 in 8 days. Majestic (Fay.) (2,200; 50-75) — “The Raid” (20th): arid ‘‘Retiirh From Sea” (AA). Fair $6,000 or near in 5-day run. Last week,, "Woman’s World” (20th) (2d wk), $ 10 , 000 . State (Loew’s). (3,200; 50-75) — Rogue Cop” (M-G) and "Yellow Tomahawk” (M-G). Peppy $12,000. Last week, "On Waterfront” (CpI) (2d wk), sock $18,000. Strand (Cilverman) (2,200; 50- 75) — "Sabrina" (Par) (2d wk). Opened Monday (25); First session was sock $13,500. ‘SUDDENLY’ LUSTY 9G, PORT.; ‘WORLD’ 10G, 2D Portland, Ore., Oct. 26. Town is bogged down with hold- overs this session. “Rear Window” and “Woman’s World” continues big for *a second frames. “Star Is Born” holds over for a. third in- ning after taking a nosedive in the second round. "Suddenly,” lone newcomer except, for two re- issues at the Oriental,, shapes lofty. - Estimates for This Week Broadway (Parker) (1,890; 90- $1,25) — "Brigadoon” (M-G) (2d wk). Good $7,000. Last week, $10,-. 300. Fox (Evergreen) (1,536; $1-$1.25) —‘‘Woman’s World” (2Qth) (2d wk). Solid $10,000. Last week, $11,000; Guild (Indie) (400; $1)—“ Van- ishing Prairie” (Disney) (4th wk). Neat $3,000. Last week, $4,800. Liberty (Hamrick) (1,875; 75-$l) —“Suddenly” * (UA) and “Lone Gun” (UA). Tall $9,000. Last Week, “Rogue Cod” (M-G) and “Scarlet ►ear” (UA),. $7, 800, Oriental (Evergreen) (2.000; 65-. 90)— "Girl Fori Joe?’ (WB) . and “Guy With Grin” JWB) (reissues.) Okay $1,600; Last week, ‘‘Egyp- tian (20th) (6th Wk); $2,000. Orpheumi (Evergreen) (1,600; $1- $1.50)— “Star Is Born” (WB) (3d wk), Torrid $8,000 after $10,000 ldst week Paramount (Port-Par). (3,400; 75- $1)— “Rear, Window” (Par) and ‘‘Hot News.”. (AA) : (2d wk). Fancy $10,000. Last week, $12,000. Det. Off; ‘Brigade’ Mild $1 1,000, ‘Brigadoon’ 10G, ‘Star’ Bright 17G, 4th Detroit, Oct. 26. Biz shapes slow this stanza, at downtown houses; "Brigadoon” looks fair at the Adahis. “Hajji Baba” is slim at the Fox. "Bengal Brigade” is moving mildly at the Michigan: Among, the holdovers, “Star Is Born” continues to glitter in fifth week at the Madison. “Rear Window” is fancy iri second round at the Palms. "Woman’s World” looms' in second United Artists frame. ; Estimates for This Week . Fox (Fox-Detroit) (5,000; $i-$l .25) — "Hajji Baba” (20th) and "Unholy Four” (Lip). Dull $22,000. Last week, "The Egyptian” (20th) (5th wk), $26,000. Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000; 80-$l)— "Bengal Brigade” (U) and "Four Guris to Border” (U). Mild (Continued on page 25) ‘Star Brilliant $20, Cincy; ‘Star’ Great 17G In 2d, ‘Bounty’ Oke 7G Cincinnati, Oct. 26. ♦‘Woman’s- World,” hefty new- comer, is boosting overall take of riiaj or stands this week and war- ranting further tenancy at the Pal- ace, "Bounty Hunter,” the only other new bill, is piling up an. okay total for the Grand. ‘‘Star Is Borin,” in second stanza- at Albee, holds lead for total coin With a socko marker. Keith’s is winding up win- ing run with '‘Egyptian” while "Cinerama” is climbing to a ter- rific total in 19th, werik at iCapitol. Estimates for This Week Albee (RKO) (3,100; 90-$1.25)— "Star Is Born” (WB) (2d wk). Socko $17,000 in wake of $24,500 preerii; Holds on. Capitol (Ohio Cinema Corp.j (1,- 376; $l,20-$2.65)— "Cinerama” In- die) (19th wk). Autumn upswing and . increasing juve and group trade points up to smash $25,000 after last week’s $23,300. Grand (RKO (1,400; 50-90)--- “Bounty Hunter” (WB) and ‘‘Cham- pagne Safari” (AA). Okay $7,000. Last week, "Dragonfly Squadron” (AA) and "Arrow In Dust” (AA), $ 6 , 000 , Keith’s (Shor) (1,500; 75-$1.25)— “Egyptian” (20th) (4th wk). Wind- ing up profitable engagement with likely $5,000 or better after $6,000 third frame. Palace (BKQ) (2,600; 75-$l)— "Woman's World” (20th). Hefty $13,000. Holds for second week. Last week, "Rogue Cop” (M-G) (2d wk), $8,500, •‘WORLD’ 46, 3D Omaha, Oct, 26. First-run pace continues mild her this week. However, "Sabrina,” topping the city currently, is solid, at the large Orpheum. .‘‘Rear Win- dow,” moved from Orpheum to. Omaha for third: stanza, is kill fancy. "Woman's World” remains good in third week at the State. Estimates for This Week Brandeis (RKO) (1„000; 50-75) — "They Rode: West” • (Col) and, "Blades of. Musketeers” -(Indie). Mild $3;500. Last week. "Passion” (RKO). and “Shadow Man” (Lip), $4, ,500. Omaha .(Tristates) (2;.000; 70-90) --“Rear Window” (Par). (M.O.). Fine $5,500 in move from Or- pheinn for third downtown Week; Last week, “Duel in Sun” (RKO) (reissue) arid “Little Fugitive” (In- die), $7,000 at 50c-75c scale. Orpheum (Tristates) (2,890; 70- 90)— “Sabrina” (Par). Solid $12.- 000. Last week, “Rear Window” (Par (2d wk), $9,500. State (Goldberg) (875; 55-90) — "Woman’s World” (20th) (3d wk). Good $4,000 or close. Last week, $5,000,. Over hopes. ity Grosses Estimated Total Gross This Week ... . . $2,831,300 ( Based on 24 cities, and 224 theatres, chiefly first runs, eluding Y. ) Total Gross Sama Week Last Year . . , $3,224,100 ( Based on .25 cities and 231 theatres.) Boston, Oct. 26.' Although “A Star Is Born” at the Met is easily the big noise here tliiS stanza, biz is reported a bit below expectations. Other new- comers are spotty with "Hajji Baba” at. the : Memorial sluggish and “Betrayed” ; at the State, and Orpheum just good. Balance Of town is holding Over with “Sabri- na,” stout in fifth week at the A'stor. "Notorious” and "Farmer’s Daughter” look nice for oldies at Fenway and Paramount. Estimates for This Week . Astor (B&Q) -(1.500; 70-$1.10)— "Sabrina” (Par) (5th wk>. Off a bit but still stout . at $12,000 following $17,000 in fourth. Beacon Hill (Beacon Hill) (800;. 74-$l)— “Vanishing Prairie” (Dis- ney) (6th ■'wKL 0 Final’ week looks good $4,000. Last Week, $5,200. Boston (Cinerama Productions) (1,354; $1.20-$2.85) — "Cinerama” (Indie) (43d wk), Sturdy $17,000 after $18,000 last week. EXeter (Indie) (1,300; 60-$l) ■ "High and Dry” (U) (2d»wk), Big $5,500 following $7,000 first week, Fenway (NET) (1.300; 50-90) — "Notorious” (RKO) arid "Farmer’s Daughter” (RKO) (reissues). In. for 9, days with nifty $7,500 shaping. Memorial (RKO) (3,000; 50-$l)— "Hajji Baba” (20th) arid ‘‘Black- out” (Lip). Sluggish $11,500. Last week, "Black Shield Falworth" (U) and "Operation Diplomat” (Indie) (2d wk), $11,000. V Metropolitan (NET) (4,367: 80- $1.50) . — ‘‘Star. Is Born” - (WB). Lofty $40,000 or near, Last week; "Woman’s World” (20th) and “Se- curity Risk” (AA) (2d wk), $15,000 in 8 days. Orpheum (Loew’s)’ (3,000; 50-90) —“Betrayed” (M-G arid "Yellow Tomahawk” (UA). Good $17,000. Last week, "On Waterfront” (Col) (5th -wk). 'Waterfront” (Col) (5th wk), $12,000, Paramount (NET) (1,700; 50-90) —"Notorious” (RKO) and “Farm- er's Daughter” (RKO) (reissues). Nice $17,000 in 9 days. Pilgrim (ATC) (1,800; 65-95) -r- "Rogue Cop” “M-G) and "Fast and Furious” (Lip) (2d Wk). Solid $10,- 000, following $16,000 for first. . State (Loew’s) (3,500; 50-90) — “Betrayed” (M-G) arid "Yellow Tomahawk” (UA). Good $9,000, Last Week "Battlegrouhd" (M-G) and "Asphalt Jungle” (M-G) (re- issues), $5,500. Denver, Oct, 26. "White Christmas,” first Vista-. Vision pic to play Denver, had no trouble copping top money here, packing the Denham with long lines. Terrific session looms, and the pic is holding, of course. Otheris holding are "Star Is Born,” fine in second week at the Denver, and "Brigadoon,’’ which was trim on first. Orpheum round. "Human Jungle,” also new, is good at Para- mount: Estimates for This Week Aladdin (Fox! (1,400; .50-85)4- "Martin Luthier” (Indie). Fair $3,000. Last week, on reissues. Centre (Fox) (1,247; 60-$l)— "Woman’s World” (20th) (4th wk). Fine $10,000. Last week, $15,000. ...... Denham (Cockrill) (1,750; 70- $1.25) — "White Christmas” (Par). Great $25,000. Holding, natch! Last week,. "Sabrina” (Par) (4th wk), $8,000. Denver ; (Fox) (2,525; 75-$1.25)— "Star Is Born” (WB) (2d wk). Firle $14,000. Stays on. Last week, $17,000. Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 60-$i) — "Brigadoon’' (M-G) and “House of Blackmail” (Indie); Nice $13,000, and holds. Last Week, "Rogue Cop” (M-G) and "Terror Ship” (Lip) (2d wk), $5,000. Paramount (Wolf berg) (2,200; 50-85)— "Human Jungle” (AA) and "Security Risk” (A A). Good $10, 500. Last Week, "Suddenly” (UA) and "Khyber Patrol” (UA), $10,000. Vogue (Pike) (442; 74-90)— "Mr. Hulot’s Holiday” (GBD) (3d wk). Fair $2,000. Last week, $2,200. ‘Waterfront’ Wow 171G, Balto; ‘Brigadoon’ 9G, ‘Sabrina’ Hotsy 11G, 3d Baltimore, Oct. 26. Fresh product and ideal weather are combining for pleasant grosses here this week. "Oh Waterfront” shapes smash at the Hipp follow- ing a censorship skirmish. "Rear Window” looms tall at the Play- house. "Brigadoon” is pleasing at the Century. "Star Is Born” is holding firmly with nice takings in its second week at the Stanley Sabrina” continues Very big in third round at the Film Centre. Estimates for This Week Century (Loew’s-UA) (3,000; 25- 95)^-“Brigadoon” (M-G). Nice $9, 000. Last week, "Betrayed” (M-G) (2d wk), $6,000. Cinema (Schwaber) (466; 50-$ 1) —"High and. Dry” (U) (2d wk). Okay $3,500 after $3,800 opener. Film Centre (Rappaport) 960; 50-$l)— "Sabrina” (Par) (3d wk) Solid $11,000. .Last week, $12,000 Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,100; 35-$l)— "On Waterfront” (Col); Smash $17,500 or near. Last week ■‘‘Sitting Bull” (UA) (2d wk), $6,500 Keith’s (Fruchtman) (2,400; 20- 46-80) — ‘‘Human. Jungle” (AA) (2d wk). Mild $6,000 after $8,000 opener). Little /(Rappaport) (310; 50-$l) — "Long Memory” (U). Opened yes- terday (Mon.). Return of "Man In White Suit” (U) and "Promoter (U), was good $3,300. Mayfair (Hicks) (980; 20-70)— “Princess Of Nile” (20th), Starts tomorrow (Wed.). "The Raid (20th), mild $3,200. New (Fruchtman) (1,800; 50-$l)— "Woman’s World” (20th) (3d wk) Good $7,500. Last week, $10,000. Playhouse (Schwaber) (420; 50-$l) — "Rear Window” (Par). Tall $6,: 000. Last week, "Hobson’s Choice” (UA) (6th wk)*, $2,800. Stanley (WB) (3,200; 50-$1.25)— “Star Is Born” (WB) (2d wk). Stil rosy at $18,500. Last week, $24,500, Town (Rappaport) (1,600; 35-$l) — "Black Widow” (20th). Opens to morrow (Wed.). Third week o: "Suddenly” (UA) was mild $5,500. Kansas City, Oct. 26, Strong pix. being offered here currently, and: biz shows it. Leader is “Star Is Born,” sock at the Paramount, and holds; Strong money. Is coming in for “Sudden- V’ at the Missouri/ “Brigadoon" at the Roxy and ”Qn Waterfront” at the Midland. “Woman’s World" in ' .second Orpheum week arid Hajji Baba” in the four Fox Mid- west houses loom nice. Weather is typical Indian Summer vein. Estimates for This Week Klmo (Dickinson) (504; 85-$ 1) — Man with Million” (UA). . Fancy $2,800. Stays, L?st week, "Always Bride” (Indie) (3d wk), $1,200; Midland (Loew’s) (3,500; 65-904— “On Waterfront” (Col). Fine $11,- 000. Holds. Last week. "Ber 12 Men” (M-G) and “Lone Gun” (UA), $6,500. Missouri (RKO) (2,650; 50-80)— 'Suddenly” (UA) and “Malta Story” (UA). Hefty $10,000. Holds over. Last week, “Human Desire” (Col) and “Bullet. Is Waiting” (Col), $8,000. Paramount (United Par) (1,900; 75-$l)— “Star Is Borin” (WB). play- ing at upped scale. Great $20,- 000. Holds; of course. Last week, "Sabrina” (Par) (3d wk), $8,000: ' Orpheum (Fox Midwest) (1.913; 75-$l )— “Woman’s World” (20th) (2d wk). Holding near pace of first week, fine. $11,000. Stays on. Last week, $13,000, Roxy (Durwood) (879; 70-90)4- ‘Brigadbon” (M-G). Bomvy $8,000. Holds. Last week. "Rogue Cop” (M-G) (2d wk),‘ $3,500. Tower, Uptown, Fairway, Gra- nada (Fox Midwest) (2,100; 2.043; . 700; 1,217; 65-85)— “Hajji Baba" (20th) ‘and “Twd Guris and Badge" (AA). Good $14,000. Last week, Vanishing Prairie" (Disney) and Return froiri Sea” (AA), $16,000, oyer expectations. Vogue (Golden) (550; 75-$l)— Melba”* (UA) • (2d wk). Okay $1(300: Last week, $1,600. ‘Brigadoon’ Smooth 15G, Big 10G W Mighty 22G, 2d Pittsburgh, Oct. 26. Stanley Is still blanketing the. town* with second week of "Star Is Born” Penn apparently has its best bet in some time with ‘.‘Briga- doon” despite adverse notices. “Woman’s World” is doing enough to rate a holdover at Harrjs. Squir- rel Hill has latched onto another sinash in “Vanishing Prairie,” and it’s bound to be around, fot some time. Estimates for This Week Fulton (Shea) (1,700; 65-$l)— Black Shield Falworth” (U). Crix liked this derring-doer bu they aren’t buying. Mild $6,000. Last week, “Egyptian” (20th) (4th wk), $5,500. Harris (Harris) (2,200; 65-$ 1) — “Woman’s World” (20th). Not quite up to hopes but still big $10,- 000 or over. Looks to stay at least another stanza. Last week, "On Waterfront” (Col) (4th wk), $7,000. Penn (Loew’s (3,300; 65-$l)-r "Brigadoon” (M-G). Notices won’t help but should hit trim $15,000. May stick. Last week, “Rogue Cop” (M-G), $11,000. Squirrel Hill (SW) (900; 65-85)-^ "Vanishing Prairie” (Disney). A natural for this arty naber. Great $5,000 or near. Last week, “Edge of Divorce” (Indie), $2,000. Stanley (SW) (3,800;. 75.-$l. 25) —“Star Is Bom” (WB) (2d wk). Holding up well with spek $22,000 likely. Stays again, natch! . Last week, $28;000. Warner (SW) (1,365; $1.25-$2.65) "Cinerama” (Indie) (47th wk). Get- ting close to celebrating first year ;here, and at this stage of run do- ing remarkably well since this isn't ordinarily a long . run town. Fine $11,000, sligthly under last week. ‘Wiridow , Hefty 11G, Gleve.; ‘Star’ 19VzG, 2d Cleveland, Oct. 26. ( Best of .new pix this week if "Rear Window,” rated hefty at Loew’s State, Assistance of sunny Indian Summer weather making localities more theatre - minded. “Star Is Born” at Allen in second stanzg is .getting biggest coin in city. "Human Jungle” looms tor- rid at Hipp, Estimates for This Week Allen (S-W) (3,000; 90-$l:25)— "Star Is Born” (WB) (2d wk). Socky $19,500, following $29,500 last Wepk Hipp (Telem’t) (3,700; 60-901— "Human Jungle” (AA). Hot $14,- ( Continued on page 25 ) Wednesday* October 27, 1954 ‘World* Whopping 20G, \ Toronto ; ‘Brigade’ 116 BulF ICG, Socko in 2d Chicago, OCt. 26. Three new entries bode another brisk firstruh Week although biz is spotty with the holdovers. “Bare- foot Contessa" Vis stepping oft to smash $30,000 at United Artists. Combo of “King Richard and the Crusaders” and “Shanghai Story” promises strong $20,000 at Roose- velt Action duo, “Southwest Passage’* and “Khyber Patrol," looks mild $6,500. at the Monroe. Golden Jubilee of Light blamed for thinned boxoffice Sunday (24). “Star Is Born” continues lofty in second round at Chicago. Grand sees another strong session With “Sitting Bull” while Me Vickers looms brisk with “Betrayed,” alsp in second. Third week of “Rogue Cop” shapes tidy at the Loop. “On Waterfront,” ip fourth ses- sion at Woods, still is Sock, “Wom- an’s World” winds , up run with nice return in fourth round at the Oriental. “High and Dry" con- tinues nice at the Surf also in fourth while "Egyptian’- shapes good in the fifth at State-Lake. •'Cinerama” continues in the chips in 65th stanza at the Palace. Estimates' for This Week Chicago (B&K) (3,900; 98-$l. 50) -“Star Is Born” (WB). (2d wk). Keeps shimmering at $60, 000/ Last .week, $70,000. v Grand (Nomikos) (1,200; 98- $1.25) “Sitting Bull” (UA) (2d :wkv. Hot $10,000 looms. Last week, $20,000. ;< . Loop (Telem’t) (606;-90-$1.25) — “Rogue Cop” (M-G) (3d wk). Tidy $ 9 , 000 , Last week,. $9,500. Me Vickers (JL&S) (2,200; 65- $1.25) — “Betrayed” (M-G) (2d wk). Brisk $15,000. Last week, $20,000. Monroe (Indie) (1,000; 65-87)— . Southwest Passage”' (UA)' and •‘Khyber Patrol” (UA). Modest $6,500. Last week, “Crossed Swords’* (UA) (2d Wk), $4,500,' Oriental (Indie) (3,400; 98-$1.25) ^“Woman’s World” : (20th) (4th wkk Finishing with fine $18,000. Last week, $21,500. Palace (Eitel) (1,484; $1.25-$3,4Q) — ‘Cinerama” (Indie) (65th wlc). great at $32,000. Last week, $29,500. ~ ' . Roosevelt (fi&K) (1,400; 65-98)— ‘King Richard and Crusaders” (WB) and "Shanghai Story” (Rep). Stout $20,000. Last week, “Human Jungle” (AA) and “Raid” (20th) (2th. wk); $16,500. State-Lake (B&K) (2>700; 98- $1.50)--“Egyptian”. (20th) (5th wk), pit tp fair $17,000 or near "after last week’s $22,000. Surf (H&E- Balaban) (685; 95)— High and Dry” (Indie) (4th wk). hice $3,000. Last week, $3,500. United Artists (B&K) (1,700: 98- $1.25)— “Barefoot Contessa” (UA)/ Grabbing a smash $30,000. Last week, “Three Hours to Kill” (Col) and “Black Dakotas” (C61), $17,000. . «r°. ods (Essaness) (1,198; 98- /A? 5 — “°n Waterfront” (Col) 4th wk),.. Smash $30,000; Last veek, $37,000. M«ls.; 'Duel’ Hot 8G, 'Star’ Tall 9G in 3d Minneapolis, Oct. 26. Wth 15,000 teachers here attend- *ng a convention and many spend- n? their spare time at the cinemas 'Public schools are closed during jnis conclave), loop boxoffiees Doomed over the weekend. One comer, “Hans Christian Ander- back,, for second time but at regular scale, is : fine at Lyric, .ongadoon” stacks up as the top grosser at Radio City With a stout p,MV- on ;, . “Adventures Robinson vmsoe is good at the Gopher. ^It’s^the fifth week for “Ota Waterfront” and “Sabrina.” “Star ih? 01 ’ ” still is bright in third Or- P'lemn round. Estimates for This Week i£™tury . (S-W) (1.140; $1.75- wk ^ '^inerarria”' (India) (28th e * Helped by teachers' prsc- affo’ even matinees went clean s eo ^ ven tipn opened. Still $25,000 at $20 ’ 000 * Last, week, "& h ? r (Ber Ser) (1,600; 65-80)— (t t * V c n t ure s Robinson Crusoe 1 ' Uiopd $5,000. Last week* Cop (M ‘ G) (2d wk) > Chrkn C (Pa r ) 000; 65-85)— “Hans rim lar L, Andersen” (RKO) (2d downi^ Firs !f regular admission harni wn showing of pic which u long run, at tilted scale. Light 'Continued on page 25) • i Estimates Are Net Film gross estimates as re- ported herewith fromi the vari- ous key: cities, :are_. net; \. e. ? without Usual tax. Distrib- utors' share on net take, When playing percentage, hence the estimated figures are net in- come.: The parenthetic admission prices, however, as indicated, include the U> S. amusement tax. Frisco; ‘Buff 11G San. Francisco, Oct. 26. Newcomers are not as strong this round as they, have been recently, and most of them will move on after one week. “Sitting BulL” is rated fine at United Artists; “Black Knight” looms very big at Paramount but stays only nine days, With /“White Christmas” supplanting on Friday. “Star Is Bom” still, is solid in fourth Week at St. Francis. “Wom- an’s World”; continues good in third Fox week. Estimates/ for This Week Golden Gate (RKO) (2,859, 80- $1) — “Bob Mathias Story” (AA) and “Return. From Sea” (AA); Okay $10,500. Last week, “Bounty Hunter” (WB) and “Security Risk” (A A), $9,500. Fox (FWG) (4,651; $1.25-$1.5W— “Woman’s World” (20th) (3d Wk). Godd $12,500. Last week, $15,000. Warfield (Loew’s) (2,656; 75-$l) — “Brigadooh” (M-G) (3d wk). Oke $8,500. Last week, $13*006. Paramount (Par) (2,646; 90-$D— “Black Knight” (Ool) and “Thun- der Pass” (Lip). Sock $19*000 in 9 days, "White Christmas,” (Par) opens Friday. Last week, “Private Hell” (EM)- ' and “Three Hours to Kill” (Col), $12,800. . St. Francis (Par) (1,400; $1-$1.50) —“Star Is Born” (WB) (4th wk). Solid $16,060. Last Week, $18,500. Orpheum (Cinerama ^Theatre, Calif.) (1,458; $1.75-$2.65)— “Cine- rama” (Indie) (43d wk). Fat $21,- 500/ Last Week, $22,000. United Artists (No. Coast) (1,207; 70-$l) — “Sitting Bull” (UA) and “Challenge Wild” (UA). Fine $11,- 000 in 8 days. Last week, “Down 3 Dark Streets” (UA) and “Lone Gun” (UA), $11,500. Stagedoor (A-R) (400; $1-$1.25) — “Little Kidnappers” (UA). Good $4,300. Last week, “Man With Million” (UA) (6th wk), $3,500. Larkin (Rosener) (400; $1) — "Hobson’s Choice” (DA) and “Last Holiday” (AA) (5th wk)* Trim $2,700. Last week, $2,900. Clay (Rosener) (400; $1) — “Dreams of Loye” (Indie) (3d wk). Mild $1,700. Last week, $2*300. Vogue (S.F. Theatres) (377; $1) — “Companions of Night” (Indie) (3d wk). Light $1,700. Last week* $1,900. Bridge (Schwartz-Reade) ; (399; $1-$1.20> — “Hulot’s Holiday” (GBD) (7th wk). Present stanza ending Wednesday (27) looks to hold at fine $2,500, same as sixth round. . Holding two weeks longer and delaying preem of “High and Dry” (U), originally set for Oct. 28. ‘BRIGADOON’ HEP 13G, ST. L; ‘WORLD’ BIG 10G St. Louis, Oct. 26. Biz is spotty this frame with holdovers much in limelight. Per- sonal of Eddie. Fisher and Debbie Reynolds at the Fox for the Har- vest Moon Festival cut into grosses.. “Brigadoon,” good in second round at Loew’s, shapes as best coin grabber: “Woman’s World” con- tinues lusty, in third, frame at the St. . Louis. “Pickwick Papers” looms fine at two arty theatres, “Cinerania” still is st'irdy in 39th stanza, at Ambassador, Estimates for This Week Ambassador (Indie) (1,400; $1.20- $2.40) — “Cinerama” (Indie) (39th wk). Nice $13,000 after $15,000 last week. Fox (F&M) (5,000; 50-75)— "Ben- gal Brigade” (U) and “Four Guns To Border” (U). Opened today (Tues.). Last week, “Duel in ( Continued on page 25 ) • Toronto, Oct. 26. Of newcomers this week, “Briga- doon” is off to a wham start to turnaway biz on a six-a-day policy at Loew’s. “Woman’s World” looms wow at Odeon.. “Bengal Brigade” shapes neat at Uptown. "Caine Mutiny” is big in two houses in third stanza. Estimates for This Week Downtown* Glendale, Scarboro, State (Taylor) (1,059; 955; 698; 694; 40-70) -T- "Shanghai Story” (Rep) and “Capt. Kidd, Slave Girl” (UA). Good $13,000. Last week, “Silver Lode” (RKO) And “Jungle Gents” (A A), $14,500. Eglinton; University (FP) (1,080; 1,558; .50-80)— “King Richard Cru- saders” (WB), Okay $15,000. Last week, “Dragnet" (WB) (2d wk), $13,000. . Hyland (Rank) (1,354; 60-80)-^ “Doctor in House” (Rank) (8th wk). Near-capaCity $7,500, Last. Week, same. Imperial (FP). (3,373; 60-$l)— “Broken Lance” (20th). / Big $18,- 000* Last week, “Egyptian” (20th) (4th wk), ,$9,000. / Loew’s (Loew’s) (2,090; -60-$l) ; — “Brigadoon” (M-G), Wham $25,- 000. Last Week,. “Apache” (UA), $15,000. - Nortown, Shea’s (FP) (959; 2,386; 75-$l)— "Caine Mutiny” (Col) (3d wk). Hotsy $18,000. Last week, $24,000. Odeon (Rank) (2,390; 75-$l)— “Woman’s World” (20th). Wow $20,000. Last week, “West of Zanzibar” (Rank), $7,000. Uptown (Loew’s) (2,745; 60-80) — “Bengal Brigade” (M-G*. Neat $11,000 or near. Last week,. “Rogue Cop” (M-G) (2d wk), $7,000. Philadelphia, Oct. 26. Bulk of trade this stanza is being limited to weekend takes. “Sa- brinA” shapes as best of newcom- ers, with a terrific total at the 500-seat Trans-Lux. “Bengal Bri- gade” is rated fast at the Gold- man. “Star Is Born” . is still smash i second Mastbaum week for big- gest coi in town. “Suddenly” con- tinues sensational for small Trans- Lux World. Estimates for This Week Arcadia (S&S) (625; 80-$1.35)— “Rear Window” (Par) (9th wk). Sturdy $6,700. Last week, $7,800. Boyd (SW) (1*430; $1.25-$2.60)— “Cinerama” (Indie) (55th . wk).. Okay $12,000. Last week,- $14,000. Fox (20th) (2,250; 99-$1.49)— “Hajji Baba" (20th) (2d wk). Fair $14,000. Last week* $21*000. Goldman (Goldman) (1,200; 65- $1.30)— “Bengal Brigade” (U). Fast $14,000: Last week, “Rogue Cop” (M-G) (3d wk), $10,000. Mastbaum (SW). (4,370; 75-$1.30) —“Star Is Born” (WB) (2d wk). Terrific $30,000. Last week, $38,000. Midtown (Goldman) (1,000; . 74- $L30)— “Beau Brummell” (M-G) (3d wk). Smart $9,000 or near. Last week, $11,000. Randolph (Goldman) (2,500; 74- $1.49)— “Woman’s World” (20th) (3d wk), . Off to oke $9,500. Last week, $13,000. Stanley (SW) (2,900; 74-$i;30)— “Seven Brides” (M-G) (3d wk). So- so. $9,000 in final 5 days. Last week, $19,000. Stanton (SW) (1,473; 50-99)^ “Passion” (RKO) and “Africa Adventure” (RKO). Dull $6,000. Last week, “Jamboree” (EPI) and “Utopia” (EPI), $4,200 in 5 days, Trans-Lux (T-L) (500; 80-$1.50) —“Sabrina” (Par). Terrific $16,000. Last week, “Hobson’s Choice” (UA) (5th wk), $3:600: Viking (Sley) (1,000; 75-$1.30)— ‘‘Brigadoon” (M-G) (3d wk). Neat $10,000. Last week,- $12,000. Trans-Lux World (T-L) (604; 99- $1,50)— "Suddenly” (UA) (2d wk). Sock $17,000. Last, week, $18,000. ‘Duel’ Fancy $10,000 In Seattle; ‘Star’ 12G, 2d Seattle, Oct. 26. Not. much here this week at the boxoffiees with a surplus of hold- overs cutting in while some new- comers are failing to measure up. “King Richard and Crusaders” . at- Music Hall and “Naked Alibi’* at OrRheum both shape very slow. “Star Is Borrt” is still great in second round. Top new entry is “Duel in Jungle,” big at Coliseum. Estimates for This Week Coliseum (Evergreen) (1,829; 75- $1)— “Duel in Jungle”, (WB) and “Bounty ; Hutater” (WB), Big $10,-. 0.00 or over. Lf>t week, “Suddenly” (Continued on page 25) Strong pix and arrival of big gridiron games and football crowds in town are giving the Broadway film boxoffice a healthy tone this, session; There is only one im- portant new straight-filmier, hence the de luxe houses are depending almost, exclusively , on holdovers and extended-runs for the strong showing. Last Saturday (23) was especially sock at the wickets while some theatres did even bet- ter on §unday. “Beau Brummell” looks lofty $29,000 at the State, /and, of course, is holding. New vaude plus “Personal Affair’’ is heading , for fine $24,500 at the Palace. “Star Is Born” and “White Christmas” continue competing for top laurels. “Christmas”, plus stageshow shapes to get very close to opening week’s total in second session at the Music Hall, running even with first week .in first four days of second round. Second week, winding today (Wed.) probably will hit wow $171,000 as against $175,000 opening stanza. “Star” finished the second week, day-dating at the Paramount and Victoria, Monday (25), with a com- bined total of smash $131,000 at the two houses, . Judy Garland- James Mason starrer landed a ter- rific $92,000 in second round near the: total for the first seven days. “Star’’ is doing nearly as well com- paratively at the; Vic.. With socko $39 000. “Barefoot Contessa” is pushing up ahead of the third round in cur- rent (4th) week with a sock $42 000 in prospect at. the Capitol. “Sud- denly” is holding at fine $20,000 in third stanza at the Mayfair. “Hansel and Gretel" held at a great $34,000 in second week at the Broadway. “On Waterfront” continues long- run champ* Winding its 13th sesr sion last night (Tues.) with smash $28,000 at the Astor. ahead of 12th week. Stays on. “Sabrina” con- tinues sockeroo at $31,000 in fifth round at the Criterion, and is now ita its sixth week. “Rear WindoW” still is nice with $16,000 in 12th and final week at the Rivoli. “Carmen Jones” opens its regular run ah this house Fri^ day (29) after' an invitational preem tomorrow (Thiirs:) night. “The Detective” preems at the Fine Arts next Monday (1). This arty house still was doing nicely at $6,000 with “Vanishing Prairie” in the 10th stanza ended last Sun- day. It plays through the 11th week. Estimates for This .Week Asior (City Inv,) (1,300; 50r$1.75) —“On Waterfront” (Col) (14th wk). The 13th stanza ended last night (Tues.) held with great . $28,000, slightly over the. $27,500 of the ■12th week. This is amazing coita for this stage or run. Stays on in- definitely. Broadway (Myerberg) (1,900; 74- $1.50)— “Hansel and Gretel” (Myer- berg) (3d wk), First holdover ses- sion ended Saturday (23) was great $34,000 or near the opening week’s total after deducting $14,000 preem coin from the first round’s $40,000. Now appears definitely set for a longrun for this puppet pic. Baronet (Reade) ' (430; 90-$1.55) —“Hamlet” (U) (reissue). (4th wk). This frame finishing tomorrow (Thiirs.) likely will hold with fancy $3,500 after $3,600 for third. Stays a fifth, with next film’s opening delayed. Capitol (Loew’s) (4,820; 85-$2.20) ---"Barefoot Contessa” (UA) (4th wk). . Current roiind/ ending today (Wed.) is pushing tip to sock $42, r 000 aftfer $40:000 in third. Holds on. Criterion (Moss) (1,700; 50-$1.85) -‘-“Sabrina” (Par) (6th wk). Fifth session ended last night (Tues.) was very big $31,000 after $35,000 for fourth week. Continues on in- def. Fine Arts (Davis) (468; ,90-$1.80) — “Vanishing Prairie” (Disney) (11th wk). The 10th stanza ended Sunday (^4) was fine $6,000 after $6,700 for ninth week. Continues, with “The Detective” (Col) open-, ing Nov. 1; Globe (Brandt) (1,500; 70-$1.50) —“Adventures of. Hajji . Baba” (20th) 13d-final wk). Holding very Well with $7,000 or over. Second week,. $10,000. “Black Knight” (Col) opens Friday (29), . . Guild . (Guild) ; (450; $1-$1.80)— “Martin Luther” (Indie) (2d wk). First holdover session ending to- morrow (Thurs.) looks to hold with fast $6,000' after $10,000 opening week. Stays on. . Mayfair (Brandt) (1,736; 7.9-$l. 80) —“Suddenly” (UA) (3d wk). Third frame ending today (Wed.) likely Will hold with fihe $20,000 or near after $25,000 in second week. Con- tinues. Normandie (Trans-Lux (592; 95- $1.80)— “Runaway Bus” (Indie). Opened last Saturday (23). In ahead, “Yellow Balloon" (Indie), mild $4,500 in 11 days. ^Palace, (RKO). (1,700; 50-$1.60)— “Personal Affair” (UA). and vaude- ville. This week winding Up to- morrow (Thurs.) loolcs fine $24,500. In ahead; “Bob Mathias . Story” (AA) and vaude, $21,000. Paramount (ABC-Par) (3,664; $1- $2)--“Star Is Born” (WB) (3d wk). Initial holdover stanza ended Mon- day (25) held with terrific $92,000 after $115,000, straight film record here, for opening week. After de- ducting preem night coin, second session’s total is very close to first week. Now get to run through Nov. 16. , . Paris (Pathe Cinema) (568; 9(1- $1.80)— “Bread/ Love and Dreams” (Indie) (6th-wk). Fifth frame ended Sunday (24) was smash $12,000. after $13,000 for fourth, week. Rivoli (UAT) (2,092; 85-$2^ — “Rear Window” (Par) (12th-final wk). Present round ending today (Wed.) looks nice $16,000 after $19,- 000 in 11th week. “Carmen Jones" (20th ) opens Oct. 29 after invita- tional preem tomorrow (Thurs.) night. The 12-week run of “Win- dow” was a highly successful one, an outstanding engagement in many weeks here. ' Radio City. Music Hall (Rocke- fellers) (6,200; 95-$2.75) — “White Christmas” (Par) and stageshow (2d wk). This stahza ending today (Wed.) is heading fdr>great $171,- 000. Ran neck-’n’-neck with first round first four: days of week. First week for this initial VistaVision pic was terrific $175,000, over hopes. Stays on. * Roxy (Nat’l. Th.J (5,717; 65-$2.40) —/Black Widow” (20th). Opens to- day (Wed.). Last week, “Woman’s World” (20th) (4th wk-8 days), okay $39,000 after $43,500 for third week, to finish out a very good run. State (Loew’s) (3,450; 78-$1.75)— “Beau Brummell” (M-G) (2d wk). First session ended last night (Tues.) was big $29,000. In ahead, “Black Shield Falworth” (U) (2d wk), $12,500. Sutton (R&B) (561; 90-$1.50)— “High and Dry” (U) (9th wk). The eighth week ended Monday (25) was stout $7,000 after $7,800 for seventh round. * Trans-Lux 60th St*. (T-L) (453; $1-$1.50) —v “Little Kidnappers” (UA) (9th wk). Eighth week ended last night (Tues.) was lusty $5,600, almost same as $5,700 of seventh frame. • Trans-Lux 52nd St. (T-L) (540: $1-$1.50)— “Lili” (M-G) (86th wk). The 85th stanza ended Monday (25) was good $4,800 after $5,500 for 84th week. Victoria (City Inv.) (1,060; 50- $1.75)— “Star Is Borrt” (WB) (3d wk). Holding with sock $39,000 in first holdover* session ended Mon- day (25) after $46,000 in first week. Warner (Cinerama Prod.) (1,600; $1.20-$3 ; 3O) — “Cinerama” (Indie) (73d wk). The 72d stanza ended Saturday (23) was smash $38,000 after $41,000 in 71st week. “Cine- rama” yesterday (Tpes.), hit. new record for a . pic on Broadway by going into its. 109th week in N.Y. It established this mark with the run here and initial weeks at the Broadway theatre. D.C. Down; ‘Star’ Smash $29,000, 2d, ‘World’ Tall 10G, 3d, Brando 7G, 6th Washington, Oct. 26. There’s not a single newcomer here this session, and general box- office average is correspondingly low. Holdovers and long runs have become prevailing pattern. "On Waterfront” shapes sock in sixth Trans-Lux week; “Star Is Born" is second, stanza at Ambassa- dor and Met continues to top the city. “Rear Window” is sturdy in eighth, session at playhouse. “Woman’s World” continues stout in -'third Palace round.; Estimates for This .Week Ambassador (SW) 1,400; 90-$1.25) —“Star Is Born” (WB) (2d wk)/ Strong $11,000, and stays on. Last week* $12,500, big but below hopes. Capitol (Loew’s) (3,434; 75-95)- — “Brigadoon” (M-G) (3d-final wk). Disappointing $13,000 after oke $17,Q00 last week. Columbia (Loew’s) (1,174; 60-80) — ‘Rogue Cop” (M-G)' (2d wk). (Continued ort page 25) 10 PICTURES PjfcRIETY Wednesday, October 27, 1934 Trans-Lux circuit has set up 4 Trans-Lyx pictures Cftrp. as a dis- tribution outfit for foreign films. It's part of a deal, signed in N. Y. last week,, under which Trans-^Lux acquired a half-interest in the western hemisphere rights of forir British Renown pix. Trans-Lux Pictures is headed up by Percival E. Furber, with Rich- rd Brandt as v.p. and operating head. Brandt is prez of the Trans- Lux circuit. Arrangement with George Minter, Renown prexy; is the start of a continuing associa-. tion since Trans-Lux will have an. interest in other .films in the 1955 Renown program. Involved in the current -deal are “Our Girl Friday,” which 20th-Fox -is taking on for distribution; “Grand National Night,” “Dance, Little Lady” and "Trilby and Sveri- gali.” ,0n some future. Renown productions, Trans-Lux will put up the dpllars for the American talent. >Iinter is planning to slant his out- put directly to the U. S. market. Renown topper arrived in N. Y. Sunday (23). He expects to go to the Coast for discussions with , 20th on CihemaScope. Minter report- edly intends to make one C’Scope film a year. Deal with Trans-Lux was negotiated in N. Y. by Rich- ard Gordon, Minter’s U. S. rep. Trans-Lux is required tor seek ma- jor distribution for the Minter pix wherever possible. At the same time, the arrange- ment assures TransrLux, operator of many arties in N. Y., Washing-'] ton; etc., of first-run product if it needs it. ’ On a similar basis, negotiations for British pix are also under way by Frank Kassler, an associate of AValter Reade. Product Lack Pushing Parks Into CinemaScope; 286 In of Area’s 600 Minneapolis, Oct, 26. This territory's C’Scope installa- tions haye risen to' 286 out, of a 600 potential and will be swelled, con- siderably during ensiling months by a late rush of ozoners to the projection technique, according to present indications, o With comparatively few excepr lions, the outdoor theatres have been staying, on the sidelines away from C’Scope, giving as a reason inability to meet pictures’ percent- age terms. However, it’s now evi- dent that the. product situation is driving them into the fold. Eddie Ruben installing the one track optical sound C’Seope in all is 13 ozoners. The Triangle cir- cuit, which installed it late this season in Minot, N. D., is following suit in its other two stands a Man- kato and St, Clous, Minn. Before closing for tlie season the Belle Fourche, S. D,, outdoor, theatre completed its installation. New 3-D Demonstrated .. Hollywood, Oct, 26, First demonstratipn. of a new widescreen 3-D process of photography Was shown here by Stereocolor Corp. Novelty of the new system is that it requires the use of only a sin- gle strip of film in one camera, and a si/igle. projector. . Alfred: Landau, veepee of the company, said the cost of filming in Stereocolor is about the same standard produc- tion. Distributors are as far away as ever from any plan on consolidat- ing, their facilities for the physical handling of films for purposes of. economy, This, despite statement on the Coast earlier this month by Eric A. Johqstbn, president of the; Motion Picture Assn, of America, to, the effect that the. companies were nearly ready for such joint operation with N.Y. as the starting point. Sales execs said , this week the project never got much beyond the discussion stage and, as of now, the whole idea has; been abandon- ed. It may be tried at some future date again but. the distribs do not see this as a likelihood, The plan that had been afoot called for a setup whereby all com- panies would have pic inspection, storage and shipping work done under the one roof. There would be no actual selling involved. However, many problems cropped up that the project was dropped. Personnel to take on the work, office space and the com- panies* present leases on space for this physical . work all represented factors militating against the mu- tual . agency, Further, and impor- tantly, some company lawyers, ever dreading the possible consequences of any .kind of joint operation, feared' the setup might be con- strued as running afoul of the anti- trust laws. Pathe-Cinena of Paris SHORTS SCHEDULE AT UNIVERSAL, 20TH Universal and 20th-Fox last Week put out their shorts lineup for the season and the year. Maintaining the release pace of prior years, U in ’54-’55 will have 51 shorts including 15. tworeelers and 36 onereelers. Six of tire lat- ter are reissues, of Walter Lantz Technicolor Cartunes. Onereelers also include "Speed Sub-Zero,” U’s first short lensed in the ana- morphic Vistataiha process. ; At’ 20th, shorts subjects sales manager Lem Jones said he would have 26 C’Scope color shorts in 1955, eight more than in 1954, HONOR FILM EDITORS Gene Milford, Bob Leeds, Lynn Harrison Spotlighted First annual Critics’ Awards, in- stituted by the American Cinema Editors for the best film editing of the year were presented to Gene Milford; Robert M, Leeds and Lynn Harrison. Milford edited Sam Spiegel’s Co- lumbia production, “On the Water- front.” Leeds and .Harrison edited Mark VII’s filmed television show “Dragnet.” Arties in Eastern U.S.A. Expansion of its theatre holdings in the U. S. continues as a part of Pathe-Cinema plans for the fu- ture, Duncan McGregor, prez of the American Pathe Cinema sub- sidiary, said in. N. Y. last week on returning from a trip to, his Paris homeoffice. McGregor reveals, that the So- ciete Nouyelle Pathe-Cinema, the. French outfit for which he .runs the Paris and :5th Ave. Playhouse theatres in N. . Y., feels that thea- tre expansion in the eastern U. S. would be desirable “if we can find the kind of situations that lend themselves to our type of .opera- tion.” The French Pathe-Cinema is co- producing and distributing between six and eight pix a year, McGregor reported. Not all of them are suit- able for the U. S., and the French realize this. While it owns the two N. - Y, showcases, Pathe-Cinema doesn’t insist that they launch its pix in N. Y. Choice, of bookings is left up entirely to McGregor and Lillian Gerard, who is the operat- ing head of the theatres. They’re having some difficulties finding enough suitable French product' for the 5th Ave. Still For the French McGregor disagreed with; the views of some indie, distribs in the U. S. that the French, and.' other European producers copying U. S. techniques and themes and: that this, loses them their own unique, appeal. "French producers still primarily produce for French audiences,” he said. “If they make a gangster film, and it’s very suc- cessful, they naturally have a tend- ency to go in for ‘cycles,’ just, as Hollywood does.. But that’s not sur- prising. It’s just good business.” , Pathe-Cinema, while interested in entering the tv film market, has found its plans styrtiied due to the very large investment required. McGregor said the French outfit had lensed three pilot pix for t^, in English, and that they cost about .$17,500 each.; “You. can’t sell a se- ries of films on the basis of a few pilot samples,” lie opined. “And we can't invest in making a series of .26 'on spec’.” His French parent company is very anxious to coproduce With American interests, McGregor said. The last time such a deal was con- summated Tvas when it joined hands, with RKO in the making of .“Silence Is Gold,” Film, starring Maurice Chevalier, wasn’t success- ful in. the U. S. */*+♦+ ♦ ♦ + ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ > ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ » + ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ -.4 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ 4 ♦ ♦ ♦ 4 ♦ ? An upcoming production from Hal Wallis “Summer arid Smoke,” taken from the Tennessee Williams play. Title registra- tions at the Motion Picture Assn, of America show that Samuel Goldwyn has a property listed as “Smoke” arid Walt Disney has “Summer” . From Pete Martin r s profile on Grace Kelly in the Saturday Evening Post: “You can be more, colorful With, a love scene played by a lady than one played by a hussy,” said Alfred Hitchcock; "With a hussy; such a scene cam be vulgar, but if you put a lady the same circumstances, she’s exciting and glamorous” , . . Judy.Garland staying east additional week while Sid Luft huddles oft a prospective tv series for 1955. Sol Hiirok and Italian. Films Export, have picked the Little Carnegie Theatre, N.Y;, to launch their opera film, “Aida.” Preem is skedded for Nov. 11. It’s Hurok’s first film presentation . . JArthur Rank’s John Davis said to be interested tv deals for Rank pix. Davis is due to discuss the matter when he gets to N.Y,.- Nov. 17 Nicole Maurey (France), Myriam Verbeeck (Bel- gium) arid Giovanni Scala (Italy) are the three candidates for the part of Mary Magdalene in Universal’s “The Galileans.” Gals go to the Coast tomorrow (Thurs.) . . . Paramount and the producers: of; the legit; “Sabrina Fair” a-feridin’ and a-fussin’ over the amount Par owes for. the play’s screen rights; Issue may go to arbitra- tion . ,. Look for Ilya Lopert to let riff a blast vs. film-making conditions in Italy where he’s making “Time of the Cuckoo” with Katharine Hepburn * Venice. An Italian court has confiscated his prints as. part of a legal action against him by a featured actress . . Foreign distribution of “Carmen Jones” a headache for 20th. Story is in the public domain in U.S;— but not iri Europe. Charles P. Skouras, who died Friday (22), was in Gotham a few weeks ago. for rneetirigs with stock analysts and the press. Who’d take over National Theatres if he were tri bow out, Skouras was asked "You mean if I die?” he asked back. He didn’t specifically name anyone r c ..New Howard Hughes production. starring Jane Russell is going out as "Underwater!” Why Hughes insists upon the exclamation point raises a question mark . . . Columbia’s deal to buy the office building at 71 1 5th Ave. brigged down in legal- istics but still looks to go through, NBC, incidentally, used to be located on this spot; Radio station WMGM is a current tenant A . . Cheese, f oft du parties Will becorne the nation’s latest rage, if Lynn Farnol has his way, The public relations man is spotlighting the Swiss treat as part, of the campaign for “Cinerama Holiday,” in which a couple of amateur actors are seen enjoying the dish on their visit to, Switzerland. Fondu and “Holiday” are given double- page attention in the November Woman's Home Companion.. Ad Agency Traced 77% Loss of Patronage Due to TV in One Town— -With Subsequent 17% Recovery ‘Miss Film Row’ St; Louis, Oct. 26. For the .punch, event at the Nov. 9 dinner of tlie MiSsouri- Illirtois regional unit iri .Thea- tre Ownersof America, one of the several hundred gals em- ployed iri the various ex- changes here will be spot- lighted arid prize-laden as "MisS Film Row.” The scene: . Hotel Chase. Open Fire on 10% ^Pittsburgh, Oct. 26. Theatres in this city, saddled with a iQ% admissions tax, have opened a' campaign for relief from the "discriftiinatory” levy. Appeal has been made to the mayor arid m, embers of the city council . . -Allied Moti Picture Theatre Owners rif Western Pennsylvania is spearheading the drive. In a. letter to Mayor David L. Law- rence, Harry Hendel,. exec, secre- tary of the Allied unit, declared that the city of Pittsburgh has ex- ceeded its limit of the 1% of the total assessed real estate value as provided by the State Enabling Act and urged the city administra- tion “to relieve the local movie theatre of the burdensome arid confiscatory 10% admissions tax.” in a dramatic appeal, Hendel said “the power to tax is the power to -destroy and rarely in all the centuries’ old history of taxation has the truth of this Statement been so clearly demonstrated as it has been by the Admissions tax and its effect upon our neighborhood movie theatres.” Holidays Lose Status As Pivots of Film Sell; Hyman Bullish on Biz Time has passed when the film companies could afford to concen- trate their top releases around holiday periods, Edward L. Hyman, American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres v.p., said this week fol- lowing an b o. of production activ- ity on the Coast. Impressed with the pix he had seen, Hyman commented he “couia not help but again feel proud of our industry;” And he added: “There is nothing on the market today in any device that the mag- nificence and scope of our wide screens, color and fine sound can- not equal or surpass.” With specific reference to the Thanksgiving to Christmas period, Hyman observed: “There are far too many good attractions available: and our business has expanded far beyond the four holidays of the year for the studios to confine their product to give us a flood of pic- tures for the holidays and a dearth of product during the year. There are no seasons ’ in our business, Ours is not unlike the department store business— they have Christ- mas sales,, and immediately follow- ing, January white sales, so . there is soiriething to interest the public every week of the year.” ' Hyman said that, on the basis of the product previewed, “we . look forward to a healthy fourth quar- ter in 1954 and an even more ac- ceptable first quarter in 1955. We know,” he said, “that we rinist maintaiii this . basis of quality. The demand ... is for quality pictures.” He suggested that exhibs “take up the challenge With the studios’* to. properly apprise the public that trip attractions are available. Also, tri let the public know that “this is a grown-up industry; that the lagging of the last few . years is past.” The circuit exec urged fur-- . ther that theatres let the b.o. de- termine the length of run. . Chiming in with an opinion ex- . pressed frequently by Lerinard Goldeftson, AB-PT prexy, Hyman emphasized the need for publicity continuity to bridge the gap be- tween the completion of a film arid its release. “This tailor-made ex- ploitation will be of great benefit,” be stated. Universal has in \york a program designed to come rip with som scientific answers on why. the pub- lic attends, or doesn’t, attend,' mo- tion picture theatres. The job has been assigned to . Gerald Tasker research v.p. of the Crinnirigham & Walsh ad agency. tasker stated this Week the sur- vey will look iritb all aspects of at- tendance: Who goes to what kind of theatres, why are first-runs or drive-iris or neighborhood houses preferred, Who in tjie family selects the film to be seen, what the public thinks about certain pi and players, etc. The agency exec said a certai city will be selected “Movie- town” and its residents are to be the ones interviewed. The pulse-; taking Will be coriypleted by next month, he added. Same ad agency disclosed its findings in study of television’s effects on theatre business. In this, New Brunswick,. N. J., was chosen as -the sample ^ city— and named “Videotown” for the purpose— be- cause its residents can receive such a wide variety of tv programs from N. Y. and N. j; stations; Film attendance fell 77%, re-, ported Tasker, after tv hit . the town. He said ihe survey Went on for : five years. But; the turning point was reached ih 1953 with a 17% gain and -this year’s attend- ance is doubling last year’s, he added, There was no breakdown on the type of theatres covered. ' , , ‘ ■ Maryland Sees ’Waterfront’ After Junst Okays It With ’Go to Hell’ Line Baltimore, Oct. 26; CpluriibiaV“On The Waterfront” opened last Friday (22) at L M. Rappaport.’s Hippodrome here after a tussle with , the Maryland State Board, of Motion Picture Censors over the lirie of dialog iri which the young lbpgshrirerrian played by Marlon Brando tejls a priest to “go to hell.” Following the usual pattern srit by censorship disputes locally, the censor hoard headed by Sydney Traub, refused to sanc- tion the film with the lirie in ques- tion but was forced to do so after the distributor appealed the case. Judge James S. Cullen overruled the board’s decision that the line was “indecent,” pointing Out that indecency as defined by criminal statutes is confined to “sexual 'im- morality.” Representatives of Columbia offered overwhelmingly favorable reviews, and letters of commendation, from . clergymen lauding the film as evidence that the board’s decision reflected only a Small portion of public opinion. In testimony prior, to the release of the judge’s , opinion, censor board chairman Traub stressed the problem of considering youthful audiences in the board’s decisions. His objection to the dialog in the Columbia release also involved the fact that the line was directed at a “mail of the cloth.” He also tes- tified that “the first thing you know you’ll have a man telling a woman to go to hell,” often re- ferring to the later designation as “that warm place.” Judge Cul- len” retorted with the . opinion that the chairnian's “standard of mo- rality is extremely high.” Judge Clulen’s veto follows a siriiilar upset of the board's ruli ngs last year when Judge Herman Moser authorized the statewide ex- hibition, of “The Moon Is Blue after a hotly contested battle be- tween United Artists and the un- daunted' censor board. CENSORS RELIEVED Mgsons (Cancel Lease, for French Firm Auspices Columbus, Oct. 26. State film censors located her were, uneasily reading advertise^ ments for “Group 16” which haa rented the Masonic Auditorium m Cleveland to exhibit five “uncen- sored” French films between Oct. 23 and Feb. 16. Ostensibly private, “Group 16” Used paid space to sell memberships at $50, problem has now evaporated; the Masons having gotten jittery . arid, .cancelled the jeasri- Wednesday, October 27, 1954 TWO IMPORTANT lirw^iyr ■' wlmCw .JF^kwr #"%■ Lif^DLiliii FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON ! BOTH POWERFULLY ■ m M ■, ^br W W ■■111 w'Ib.IhI PRE"SC3LP BY SPECTACULARCOLOR VMMMMMaMaMBnMBnaaMMaManMMHaaa^^ / / | I J I ^ \ | \ ^ \ ADS IN NATIONAL M AG AZI N ES I ! V will see the pre-selling ad campaign which includes DOUBLE TRUCK FULL PAGE and FULL COLOR ads on the pages of: ATTILA ... STOOD A WARRIOR’S MIGHT AND FAITH a*' 1 ' AGAINST HIS RUTHLESS PAGAN ■ ■ ■ THE POWER WOMAN’S LOVE &mv.\ OnemaScopE M \\ *%:■ Stf-fc. < &•> '">• ' *> Sre fte .36 & vj ■ ' 4 $ K 4 *Sg^. yy *£***f?v * ^ S\^ ri te ... 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OF 1954" MYRNA HANSEN 1 a universal international picture , , Y ' ::y PUBLICATIONS will pre-sell the readers of LIFE... LOOK... AMERICAN WEEKLY; PARADE... THIS WEEK'. . . SEVENTEEN . . . REDBOOK . . . COSMOPOLITAN . . . FAMILf . .. V.V. . s\< >u v. >: *} / vV advertised in the capi- >?. s .. dailies.’ Hull’s Cinema de kf* 11 ? 1 . full-week French dou- ° , bills as a steady policy, draws P enty of French-Canaclians from Ule capital every night TOA Check-In Big Chicago, Oct. 26. Chicago headquarters of TOA-TESMA report that ad- vance reservations for upcom- ing joint conclave at Conrad Hilton Hotel here are 25% ahead of .last year’s. ‘ Convention tees off on Get. 31 for five days. V w Asked to Hear How TOA Works Minneapolis, Oct. 26. In a letter inviting the territory’s exhibitors to a luncheon here Oct. 29 to meet and hear Walter Reade Jr. TOA president, and. other of the organization’s officials, Harold Field and E. R. Ruben, local circuit owners, announce that “the TOA approach to industry problems” will be explained, They state that they feel that that approach “is most construc- tive and beneficial.” ^ . The letter relates that both are “firm believers in exhibitor organ- ization.” They point out they were Allied members for a great many years, but for the past year and a half have been TOA members. . One of the reasons for inviting Reade and the others tyere is be- cause this, territory; always an ex- clusive Allied stronghold, “has never heard anything but the Al- lied approach,” according to the letter. Chicago’s Clark Theatre Lines Up Another Of Its ‘Film Festivals’ Chicago, Oct. 26: Clark Theatre is prepping! its sixth semi-annual film festival for Oct. 31 kickoff with 30 films of high merit or historical renown being unreeled in the 15 day series. House is the only theatre in the country to . stage a “classics” series with daily changes of program. Two Academy Award winning pix will lead off, “High Noon” and “African Queen.” Clark general manager Bruce Trinz, who booked the series, is also pairing such well- known musicals as “Top Hat” (1935) and “Three Smart Girls” (1936),'* action gems like “Little Caesar” and “Public Enemy,” com-? edy comparisons like “Bank Dick” and “Mr. Blandings Builds His pream House,” and cowboy entries like “Westerner” and “Red River.” A- total of 16 American and for- eign wards are represented in the series and all of the pix have been adjudged outstanding in atr least one of several categories. Previous film fests here . have turned out enormously successful, House is. open 22 hours a day and even in normal operation changes dualers daily. Altec Units Out Nor. 12 Altec, which has been licensed to manufacture Perspecta sound in- tegrators, will start delivery of the first units pn NoV. 12 and will con- tinue delivery at a , regular .pace from that date on. Units are now being manufactured by Newpatlis Inc., one of Altec’s manufacturing subsidiaries. Distribution will be through the regular theatre supply channels. Altec is currently active in the technical supervision of theatre installations of Perspecta sound. . s' Pete Smith’s “Pedestrian Safety” short subject was handed a merit, award by National Safety Congress in Chicago. Some leaders of Theatre Owners of America are- going to the organi- zation’s annual convention in Chi- cago with the conviction that the distributors have yet to be reached with the “message” about product and prices. TOA’s plan, which is apparently lqosely drawn at this point, is to somehow more forcefully impress upon the companies exhibition’s claimed need for more pix at. less rental. Reps of this theatre outfit say they 1 believe the roars that came out of Allied States’ con- clave in Milwaukee earlier this month fell upon deaf ears so far as distribution officials are con- cerned. The TAO-ers stated they’re not looking for any bout with Al- lied but are convinced the latter’s approach Was strictly vocal con- demnation of the- pic companies and experience over th J years shows this “emotional” approach,, rarely has had the proper effect. One TOA man said the Chicago meet, which opens Sunday (31), will seek to “open the distributors’ eyes to ; the logic and economic wis- dom" of relaxing sales policies. He added he hopes that some sort of device to accomplish this will be seized upon at meetings among the directors and full membership as well. In any event, it was made clear that TOA get together, like Allied’s, will focus largely on the availabil- ity of product and the so-called seller’s market. As part of this pro- gram, considerable discussion will centre on means of encouraging new production and distribution sources, presumably such as the recently-formed Distributors. Corp.. of America. , Meanwhile, reservations for the convention as of the past weekend indicated unusually large atten- dance. The Portland, Ore., area alone will have 15 delegates and the total turnout probably will ex- ceed 600. This is exclusive of nu- merous non-TOA members who Will be looking in on the trade ex- hibits. Threaten Minn. Boothmen With December Shutdown Minneapolis, Oct. 26. * A North Central Allied commit- tee handling negotiations with rep- resentatives from the AFL projec- tionists’ unions on terms of a new three-year contract to replace the present one expiring Nov. 30 for local indie nabe houses has not been able to make any headway toward an agreement. As A result, the possibility of wholesale shutterings of nabe houses here in December is grow- ing stronger, according to Allied. The exhibitors’ committee has ; countered the union’s pay boost demands, amounting to approxi- mately 25%, with a demand for a cut in that amount. It cites the al- leged fact that “most independent neighborhood theatres here are not getting by at present.” Exhibitors are . reported to have signed an agreement to abide by whatever decision their committee reaches regarding the new contract and shuttering of their theatres. Harry Ij&randt Had Rapped Lawyer as Fomentor of 'Industry Strife But Not Himself in Industry TOA Okays Kaye Inaugurating a series cf an- nual awards for the “star , of the year,” Theatre Owners of America has selected Danny Kaye as the first recipient of the honor. Comedian will be guest, of honor at the exhib org's banquet Nov. 4. Conrad Hilton Hotel, Chicago, at the windup of the annual conven- tion. Kaye was named by TOA’s board of directors/ represent- ing 27 units and about 8.000 theatres. Hollywood, Oct. 26. What the film industry needs at this time is a renewed awareness of the vital necessity for continu- ing technical progress as the brisis for a healthy growth. That was the keynote expressed by Herbert Bar- nett, retiring president of the So- ciety of Motion Picture and Tele- vision Engineers at the close of its 76th sbmi-annual Convention. Bar- nett will be succeeded in January by John G. Frayne. Urging the maintenance arid en- couragement' of re-awalcened inter- est in all segments of the motion picture and televisi industries, Barnett said: “The contributing influence of the engineers in the revitalized motion picture business under- scores once again what other in- dustries have come to realize— that research and* development engi- neering is the lifeblood of economic Advance. The convention was (Continued On page 18) Trim 27 Minutes Off Judy Garland Film For House Turnover With smaller theatres fearing a cutdown in their take because of a smaller turnover, Warner Bros, lias decided to trirn 27 minutes from “A Star Is Born,* which now runs three hours and two minutes. New prints will be available for engagements after Nov. 1. How- ever, the present version; now showing in some 20 key cities in- cluding New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, will remai un- changed for 'these dates. Trimming, it’s understood, was accomplished by tighter editing of the dramatic story and some sriipr ping of Judy Garland's many musi- cal numbers. u Since the picture opened, War- ners, both in N. Y. and the Coast, has been plagued by unsolicited advice for and against cutting. Di N. Y , the publicity department re- ceived many calls from ordinary fans urging the company to leave the picture as originally presented. Charge by Harry Brandt, prexy* of the Independent Theatre Own- ers Assn.,rthat Allied States Assri. fyoard chairman Abram F. Myers* was “deliberately fomenting strife in our industry” was termed “gross- ly unfair and unjustified” by Al- lied prexy Ben Marcus. Brandt made the statement in commenting on Myers’ proposed bill for Gov- ernment regulation of the industry. He further accused Myers of not wanting ’ peace and constantly de- siring to maintain a state of civil ■War. Marcus’ defense of Myers was contained in a letter sent to, Brandt ! ast. week. The Allied topper said Brandt was entitled to his opin- ion in terming 'the bill “an abor- tion” since ‘.‘in our free system of enterprise, we are all entitled to our free expression and thought.” Answering* JJrand’t remark that Myers did not own a single thea- tre, Marcus said that, "for a man who has no personal, holdings in our industry, he (Myers) has con- tributed more than any other in- dividual during the past 25 years to the welfare of the independent exhibitor and the industry as a whole.” Marcus assured Brandt “that all of the Allied leaders acted upon this measure, only after many tedi- ous hours of careful deliberation, and were not taken in by anybody nor had been influenced by any professional policy makers as per your statement.” He stressed that “none of us were, or are we now, overly eager for Government control, but as an exhibitor, you should know that we. have tried every avenue of ap- proach, but distribution to this day refused to give us any worthwhile relief.” Warners 21 For New tentative release slate set by Warner Bros, calls for the dis- tribution of 21 pictures for tlr annual stanza extending froi Sept., 1954. to Sept.. 1955. In- cluded in the total is a*, reissue package consisting of "Saratoga Trunk” and “The Big Sleep.” scheduled for re-release De- cember. Eight of the 21 pictures are C’Scopers, including “A Star Is Born,” “Drumbeat.” “Track of the Cat,” “East of Eden,” “Battle Cry,” “Strange Lady in /Town," “Land of tl\e Pharaohs,” arid “The Sea Chase.” Although the Judy Garland starrer, “A Star Is Born,” is currently being played in key situations throughout the country, it’s not set for general release un- til January. Release dates of some of the top attractions are: “The Silver Chal- ice,” December; “Young at Heart,” January; “East of Eden,” March; “Battle Cry,” April; “Strange Lady in Town,” May; “Land of Pharaohs” and “Sea Chase.”. July; “Mr. Roberts.” August, and Jack Webb's “Pete Kelly's Blues,” Sep- tember. Broadway’s Long-Run Films An all-time- long-run record for Broadway was set yesterday (Tues.) by “This Is Cinerama,” first film in the medium. Picture enters its 109tli week, topping the mark previously held by the British film, “Red Shoes,” which ran 108 weeks at the Bijou Theatre. Cinerama opehe.d at the Broadway Theatre on Sept. 30; 1952, and shifted to the Warner on June 5, 1953. It has grossed about $3,700.- 000 to date in its Gotham run. Only other Current film that has completed as much as one year in the Broadway area is Metro “Lili,” in its 85th week at flic Trans- Lux 52d St. “Open City,” the post-war Italo entry, tops its record with 91 weeks. Other pix that have had extended runs are “The Big Paraoe” (66 weeks). “Hamlet” (61 weeks), “Paisan” (51 weeks', “Bitter Rice” (47 weeks) and “Gone With the Wind” (43 weeks). MERGED INTO ‘ALLIED’ Chicago, Oct. 26. Alliance Theatre .(circuit of Illi- nois and indiana merged last week with its state of Washington sub-, si diary; Midstates Theatres, under the overall name of Allied Theatr Corp.* Headquarters will be in Chi- cago. Resultant changes in the exec I hierarchy have hoisted P. J. Dee j from president to chairman of the board, Former exec v.p. S. J. Gregory has been named prez, and James Gregory stays on as general manager. 16 I.VTERXATIOXAL Variety 'VARIETY'*' LONDON OFFICI • ' It. M»rtln'i Placi, Trafalgar Iqiiirr Paris, Oct; 19. 4 It is fairly symptomatic of the current legit season that the hits are either,, revivals or adaptations of foreign plays. The purely GalUc success Has not evolved yet as the many legit ,’ openings denole a certain facility and lack of depth in most of tlic current fare. Some offbeaters have added, a good' fringe note. At present the hits are the reprise of • Jean Cocteau’s 1934 “La Machine Infernalc”; Jcan- Louis, Barrault’s . rendition of Georges Neveui's adaptation of Anton Tcheckov’s “The Cherry Orchard” George Minter Seeking A Yank Sydney Carlton London, Oct. 26. George Minter, head of Renown Pictures, planed to New York'Sat (23) en route to Hollywood to negotiate his company’s first Cine- riiaScOper which will be based on Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities.” He will confab with 20th- Fox execs to ensure that adequate equipment is available in Britain for his production, At the same time, Minter will be on the prowl for a Holly wood star to enact the Sydney Carton role, which was played by Ronald Cplman in the original U; S. pro- duction about 20 years ago. . -1 ; • • - . CN.Y, Stock Exchange) For. Week Ending Tuesday (26) Net 1954 Weekly Vol.Weekly Weekly Tucs. Change High Low in 100s Hiffh Low Close for week 2 1% 14% Am Br-Par Th 191 19% 19 19 — ' 77 . :41 5 /a CBS, “A” 59 77 72%. 75% +274 .77% 41% CBS, “B” .35 77 72% . 75% +3 33% 19% Col. Pix. '36 28% 26 * 26% —1 1434- 9% Decca 177 14% 14 1 4 • 3 / /■ 63% 4634 Eastman Kdk., . 154 59 57% •5734 —1 19% 13% Loew’s 235 17/ 16% 16% -rf' %. 10% 6% Nat. Thea. 106 9 85/a; 834 — - V 3574 26% Paramount 68 3374 32% 32% —1 37% 28 v Philco 213 36% 347/a 35% + %. ■ 35%. 22% RCA 684 . 35% 337/8 337/a — - % .7 27/ RKOPicts. ' 50 6% 6% GV 1/ ^ / 9% 41 / RKO Thea. 415 9% 9 9 57/a 3 Republic 76>— r- 5% 4% 474 — 34 127/a 10% Rep,, pfd. ... 13 1^ 3 4 12% 12% % 19% 11% Stanley War; 114 18% 17% 17% — ■% 287/ 183/4 20th-Fox 170 27% 25% :25r + I" 29.5/ 18% Uriiv. Pix; 28 28% ; 2634 27 —I/ 81 6334 Univi, pfd. ♦170 81 80% 80% + ’/ 21 V 13% Warner Bros.. 97 19% 13% 183/ 77;3/ 6374 Zenith 63 76% . .74% 75. + // American Stock Exchange 0 3% Allied Artists 36 4% 4% :45/' — % 1034 10 Ail’d Art., pfd. il 10 % 10 10 _ 1 ' 1434'. 9% Du Mont 144 • 13 V 12% 13 ■147/ ' 11-y Technicolor 167 1474 3% 14% 14% -f % 33/ ,23/ ; - Trans-Lux .. i 3% 3% _ — ' Over-ihe-Counter S ecurities Bid Ask Capitol Records .. . . 11% 12% + V Chesapeake Industries 374 • 4% • Cinerama Inc. 2 2% — Cinerama Prod. 4 -.4%' % '• Polaroid . . . 41% 43% +1 •• U* A. Theatres 13% 14% _ 34 Walt Disney 15 16 + Y * Actual volume. ♦ Actual Volume. ( Quotations furnished by Dreyfus & Co.) Hitchcock Sued For Handout Continued from page 5 ^ what was sound! evidence, Quipped at one pointy “If I met an actor Columbia-Allied Continued frorti page 3 iss' known to have reported his dis- cussions to ..Other, members of Allied, Attempt Was made to receive a counter offer on the terms for pic- tures, particularly “The Caine Mu- tiny,” to which the exhib org has Strenuously objected. Especially onerous to Allied has been Mon- tague’s introduction: of the 50% floor for the 70-30-10 terms for “Cai The Allied rep has*' been seeking a commitment from Mori-, tague.to sell “Caine” at flat rentals, similar to the policy followed, by Metro and 20th-Fox. Latter com- panies; are selling flat to situations that gross $1,000 or under weekly. Montague reportedly has. agreed to come down on the percentage terms for the smaller, grossing spots, but said to be fighting against flat rental terms. The . Col spokesman vehemently denied that Montague ever sought a cut of’ exhibs’ concession business, a claim made by an Allied committee which met .'with the sales chief before its recent annual, convention. Mon- tague, tire spokesman said, made a joshing; passing reference to 'the concession take, and the Alliedites picked it up , ouf of context and blew, it, up out of proportion. “Co- lumbia,” the spokesman, said, “has no intention of.^seeking any part of the concession business.” Montague arid Col have been Allied’s prime targets in its fight against high film rentals. In a company by company appraisal, Col was listed as the ‘‘most . unpopu- lar,” and its sales chief was bitterly, denounced for not appearing at the convention to answer questions about his company’s sales policies. Several Allied leaders stated open- ly that they Would not buy Col. pic- tures and the hint was dropped that, other Alliedites follow suit. Although . official action was taken at the' confab, there: was art inference that Allied members .would' avoid Col product if they could do without it. Breen’s Economy Footnote on Joseph I. Breen’s; switch fi* rri head of the Produc- tion Code Admi istration to semi- active , status: Because of PCA’s troubled economics, Breen volun- tarily cut his salary in half during the final six months Of his tenure in office. The. exec, had been drawing $65,- 000 annually; he shaved .it to $33,000, parfcd to invest $5,000 in . Fiske’s “Hamlet” ft assured of playing the ; star role. Ii was also argued that “The Boys From Syracuse” anu “Kiss Me Kate”, proved, that mod- ern Shakespeare could, be profit- able.: Attorney Levene, opposing, said that neither work was in any sense, save plot skeleton, and hardly even that, Shakespearian. There was a to-do during trial concerning a statemefit, that Fiske - s- play had been rehearsed by Genius, Inc. (the Walgreen drugstore crowd) at the St. James Theatre. .Upon questioning, this turned out to be the St. James Hotel. Attorney Levene, for Hitchcock, cited an action of the late playwright J. Hartley Manners against Triangle Films. Latter had produced a fea- ture called “Happiness.” Mariners charged infringement of his one- act play of the same title which had been presented . at a series of eight matinees. The judge ruled for ' Triangle, reasoning that such ’limited exposure did not give “sec- ondary meaning,” essential to property rights, in the title to Manners. ’ Other provocative citations by Levene and Griffin included tlie suit of an aviator-writer’s widow, against Metro for the title '‘Test Pilot.” Court held a “mere descrip- tive phrase” cannot be eppyrighted. Extended < analysis of Fiske’s dialog as against Shakespeare’s occupied the jury. Fiske had re- vised the Bard to read in modern idiom; “If I only had the guts to kill myself . . this, whole world is. nothing, but a garbage dump.” And so on. Prof. Oscar James Campbell, emeritus oL Columbia, testified of many earlier tamperings with Shakespearian text. Sir Henry Irving had shifted “Hamlet” around like Triad. One McClure in 1922 had attempted a modern version’, as had thie Southern Methodist U. of all places. Maurice Evans on Stand Although Maurice Evans, was 1 scheduled to follow as a witness for. Hitchcock, the college prof told the jury that his own favorite Hamlet Was John Gielgud: Evans was on the stand over two hours and probably clinched the base for the defense, “The principle asset of Shakespeare, in my opinion, is his verse. Shake- speare has lived through the . ages because of his poetry rather than . because of his plots,” said the actor. Under cross-examination, Evans said very little was known of Shakespeare “beyond his dislike of lawyers arid the courts in gen- eral.” Judge Bondy, commenting; on one night at the theatre arid said I enjoyed him thaif would be on thing, but under oath I might have to say he was rotten.” Evans recalled that his “Ham- let” on ©roadway had cost $65,000 to produce in its day, but to dupli- cate it today would need $200,000 financing. Presently attorney 'Levene brought up the $64 question. What did Evans think of “Hamlet in Modern English” by Irving Fiske? Evans answered: "As .an actor I would riot want to play it; as a pro- ducer, I would think- it. would be a disaster.” Dore Schary asm Continued from p.xge s asaaa tell him how to fun his busi he said, “he’d be in trouble. And if I, as producer, let him tell m how to run mirie I’d get into trou- ble.” Schary noted that, there tendency to forget that the ingredi- ents that make up a hit picture are a mystery- “It consists of such things as special talent, tii ing, hunch, and luck — all hidden words that turn a picture . into a hit,” he said. ' U -It we in production discussed every project with exhibitors or with others, for that matter, we might be discouraged from making a particular picture, 'Seven Brides For Seven Brothers’ is a case i point. On the surface it might halve Seemed another hillbilly picture or a ‘Ma and Pa Kettle.’ Had. we dis- cussed it with outsiders we might have been talked out of it.” Schary disputed the charge that the market for screeri originals is disappearing and that studios are only looking for pre-sold proper- ti , “It’s just as good as ever for' originals,” he emphasized. “The normal balance of 50% originals and 50% from plays, books, and magazine stories may have shifted temporarily, but it’ll be back to the normal, average again,” The stu- dios, he said, are exami ing each property more, intensely, and that at. present the balance may have shifted to 60-40 in favor of the pr sold stories. Production chief, Who has com- pleted “Bad Day at ; Black Rock” under his own . banner, has no im- mediate plans for another personal production and will devote his time to the supervisory work. He’ll re- main east for another week before returning to the Coast,. 8 M m. •••v . • . :w. .**v>/.\v <'>' life Sfc Consider the star. The color negative captures her qt her brilliant loveliest. Here, time for processing the film is a minor consideration. But in release prints | she must be “re-born” in all her original \ beauty, again and again, at money-making speed. To do this— faster— calls for meticulous attention to printing and processing . . . , for color printing control systems, for example, that not only provide exposures at rates up to 200 fpm, but take care of scene-to-scene variations in negative density and in color balance. Problems such as this are being solved by the industry. As a means of co-operating in all areas— especially in film selection, film processing and projection— Kodak maintains the Eastman Technical Service for Motion Picture Film. Branches at. strategic centers. Inquiries invited. Address: Motion Picture Film Department EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY Rochester 4# N. Y. East Coast Division 342 Madison Avenue, New York 17, N. Y. West Coast Division 6706 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood 38, Calif. Midwest Division 1 37 North Wabash Avenue, Chicago 2, Illinois > v 24 CHATTER Broadway Arine Baxter to the Coast follow- ing her return from Europe. the Raymond Masseys off to London yesterday (Tues.) on the Mauretania. Robert Vogel, studio rep for Loew’s international, in town for homeoffice confabs. Helen Traubei back from the Coast after completing "Deep in My Heart” for Metro. Whitney Museum, long in Green- wich Village, now West 54th: St., back of the Museum of Modern Art. . Louis BV Mayer, Who. had been in Gotham for a Cinerama Pro- ductions board meeting,, off to Florida. , Globetrotting columnist Irving Hoff mafi to Hamburg and Paris . after a week in London. He leaves next week. Metro, producer Nicholas Nayfack in : from the Coast with; technical crew to film upstate locations for ‘The. Scarlett Coat.”, ' Orton Hicks, Loew’s 16m direc- tor, guest , speaker at annual dinner of the Industrial Audio-Visial Assm yesterday (Tues.: . Stanley Warner prexy S. H. (Si) Fabian and general manager Harry Kalmine to • the Coast for the Charles P. Skouras. funeral. Otto Harbacjr, songsmith and past prez of ASCAP, back from Paris tomorrow i Thors.) on the Likerte accompanied by his family. New Jersey Allied holding full membership luncheon meeting to be followed by annual beeksteak dinner Nov. 18 at Ritz restaurant, Passaic; ' v ' Vera Ferguson, tv actress, re- turned to the Coast Monday (25) after a six-week visit with Her father, Dave Ferguson, exec sec of the Jewish Theatrical Guild. Robert Aldrich, who. directed “Apache” and "Vera Cruz” for . Hecht-Lancaster, in from the Coast to cast several femmes for UA’s “Kiss Me Deadly;” his next direcr. torial chore. Count Basie’s 20th year in the band biz will be celebrated with a dinner at the Waldorf Astoria, N. Y., Sunday (31).. Group spon- soring the shindig, h tagged itself “Friends of Basie.” Joseph Krips, new conductor of the Buffalo. Symphony, flew in Monday (25) from Europe. He’ll be guest conductor with the Mont- real Symphony Nov. 2-3, before his Buffalo season opens Nov. 7: Met tenor Mario del ; Monaco in from Rio Monday (25). After a year’s leave of. absence from the Met to perform at La Scala, Milan, and the Rome Opera, he’ll sing at the Met’s opening night, Nov. 8. . Jesse Block (& Sully) becoming a customer’s man with the Ira Haupt brokerage at 111 Broadway. Vet vaudevillian has been, in semi- retirement of late, save for his Friars’ Club banqueting, activities. Norton V. Ritchey, Allied. Artists foreign chief; Harold Boxell, man- aging director of- London Films, film actress Linda Darnell and legit actress Constance Collier in from Europe yesterday (Tues.) on the Queen Elizabeth. Karl G. Macdonald, v.p. of War- ner Bros. International, reelected prexy of the Warner Club. 0thers named include Larry Leshansky, Ruth Wei$berg, Don Cherry, Harry Mayer; yeepees; Harry O’Connor, treasurer, and George Schiffer, secretary. Cynda Glenn bought a 45-acre estate at Lyme., Conn., for her mother (it includes eight acres oh the Connecticut River); plans clos-. lng her. N. Y. apartment to spend the winter in Paris, which has been the comedienne’s annual Custom in recent years. The Grand Ballet of the Marquis de Cuevas ; U. S.-owned and staffed troupe currently playing .an en- gagement at. the. Theatre Sarah Bernhardt in Paris; celebrates its iOth anniversary Saturday (30). Marquis’ wife and backer is grand- daughter of the late John D; Rocke- feller. George Murphy due east Nov. 15 for three speaking engagements, including the. annual convention of Theatre Owners of North and South Carolina, at Charlotte; the Motion Picture Pioneers Dinner, New York, and the annual conven- tion of Florida Theatre Owners, Jacksonville. Frank Hunter (& Percival), who was badly burned last February and, after recovery, suffered a stroke and a heart attack, may Re- written to at 252 Diamond Spring Road, Denviile. ,.N. J., under his \ real name of Frank Turpi . His ' condition remains poor, and his nurse suggests mail from old friends. Large segment of Broadway, in- cluding many from Universal Pic- tures, moved downtown to the Na- tional Theatre and the nearby; Moskowitz &. Lupowitz restaurant on the lower East Side last Thurs- day (21) for the preem of “Stone For Danny Fisher,” based oh. the novel by Harold Robbins, who is a U homeoffice statistician staffer. By Hal V. Cohen Molly Picon coming here NoV. 8 for a Bonds for Israel luncheon. Karl Krug, Sun-Tele critic, cele- brating . 35 years of local aisle- sitting. DeCastro Sisters booked into Lenny Litman’s Copa the week of Nov. 15. Phil Richards’ ice show closes at the Ankara Saturday (30), and will go on tour. . Charlie Eagle, manager >of Stan- ley, and his wife celebrated their 34th, wedding anni. “My Three Angels” gets another holdover at the Playhouse, this time through Now 6. Bernard Simon . in ’ town ahead of "Fifth Season,” which the Nixon gets the week Of Nov. 8. Phil Doyle, biz agent for stage- hands union, went home from hos- pital after a heart attack: Morty Henderson elected Tent No. 1 delegate to Variety Club con- vention in L. A. next spring. Charles Werner Moore directing TCch’s. first major drama produc- tion of the season, “Lysistrata.” Ben Steermah, -Stanley-Warner biggie, and his wife, Miriam, celi- bated their 20th Wedding- anni: Dave Wagner, longtime head- waiter at old . Carousel, now at Park Room of William Penn Hotel. Local actor-singer Johnny Kirby signed for his second pic, “Air Strike.” First was “Annapolis Story.” Bill Elder, recently transferred from Penn here to the Warfield in San Francisco, has taken his family to the Coast; Tech drama school graduate Nancy Marchand set. for "The Shoemaker’s Children” with Doro- thy Stickney. By Gene Moskowitz (28 Rue ; Huchette^Odeon 49-44) Jean Mercure’s adaptation of Graham Greene’s "Living Room” looks like a hit here, Marlon Brando here and being sought by European producers of- fering him P.ix contracts. ; Maria. Schell here to star in Ger- man pic being made in Brittany, “Master of Life and Death.” Errol Flynn here for a breather before he starts his three-yerir pic stint in England under a contrac- tual setup with Herbert Wilcox. Rene Clair working bn a new screenplay, “La Grande Ma- noeuvre,” to star Gerard Philipe, Film is skedded to start in March. Ceiisorship again rearing its head, with the film on prostitution, “Les. Impures,” banned; “Madame Du Barry” may be nixed for ex- port. Showing of “The. Desert Rats” (20th) caused no trouble here be- cause portrait of Rommel was con- sidered heavy enough for popular tastes. Gilbert Becaud, one of the top pop singers here, off to the U;S. to appear in radio show, “Pano- ramic,”. based on his reactions to the U.S. Marc -Allegret has given up his project ;to film D. H. Lawrence’s “Lady Chatterly’s Lover,” arid starts “Futures Vedettes” (Future Stars) with Jean Marais in Novem- ber. ' Andre Gillois’ “Le Marche. Aux Puces” (The Flea Market) being tried out in Brussels before hitting tlie boards here. Play, will probably be adapted into English by Anita. Loos. ’• “L’Heure Eblouissarite” (The Dazzling Hour) comes on again at the Theatre Antoine to replace the Gallic version of “The Man Who Came to, Dinner,” Which flopped quickly herev Both were adapted by Henri Jeanson.' By Jerry Gaghaii George White’s “Scandals” signed for two weeks with options at Latin Casino, starting Oct. 28. Eddie Fisher signed for a per- sonal appearance, with the Kansas City Philharmonic, Nov. 13. .Turk . Murphy, San Francisco Dixieland specialist, is making his debut here at the Rendezvous. Patricia Bowman' Will be the lead ballerina at the Philadelphia .Civic Grand Opera’s opener, ‘Sam- son and Delilah,” this week. Harry Belafonte will join Marge and Gower Champion when they appear here under. Philadelphia Forum; auspices at Academy of Music (Jan. 18). * t London Arthur Loew, head of Loew’s International, due in from the Continent on a periodic survey. Janette Scott, British child star, signed for a 10-year lortgtermer. by Associated British Elstree Studios, Googie . Withers canceling out of next week's Royal Command show because of a telefilm commitment, in Munich. Maureen Beck, 19-year-od daugh- ter of film publicist . Horace Beck, inked to seven-year pact by. Syd- ney. Box. W. M acqu een Pope, theatre his- torian, broadcasts a radio tribute On Sunday (31) to Dan Leno, on the 50th anni of his death. David E. Rose, the Coronado, topper; made his - 100th air cross- ing of the Atlantic last week when he returned to London from N. Y. Irene Hilda and Edmund Hock- ridge, “Can-Can” stars, filling the cabaret spot at a Dorchester din- ner on Saturday (30) to raise funds for Israel. ; Arthur S; Christiansen, Daily' Express editor, presented with a silver tankard at a Variety Club lunch to celebrate his 21st year in the editorial chair, George Pearson, vet British film director, presented with a scroll of honorary membership in Assn, of Cine Technicians by Anthony As- quith, the union’s prez, Irving Allen, Warwick’s execu- tive producer, planed to N.Y: over the weekend enrqute to Hollywood with a rbUgh cut of its new Rich- ard Widmark starrer, “A Prize of Gold.” . Final title of the British pic, abased on the stage hit, “To Doro- thy a Son,” ' “To Dorothy a Son;” This. Shelley Winters starrer pre- viously had been named “That’s My Baby.” Harold Bo.xall, managing, direc- tor of London Film Productions, sailed on Queen Elizabeth last Thursday (21) on • three-week rou- tine trip to N. Y, Fellow passen- gers were Norton V.. Ritchey and George Clarkson and Gail Leslie, By Les Rees Ray Anthony into Prom Ball- room for one-mighter.. Northwest Variety club to hold annual election of officers Nov. 1. Oscar Johnson, “Ice Follies” co- owner, here for dinner of former boyhood pals. “Biggest Show of 1954,” With Billy Eckstine,. set for the Audi- torium Nov. 5 with $3 top, Trio de Camera , chamber music group, formerly a local nitery act, now’ giving concerts in convents. Herbie Fields orch opens at Vic’s night club Nov. . 15 . for its first local but fourth Twin Cities’ date. “Seven Year Itch,” Which played a week at Lyceum here last season, finished a four - performance St. Paul Auditorium Twin. Cities re- turn date. Figuring that the tv version of “Life With Father”, has renewed interest in it, Edyth Bush Little Theatre is reviving this play for fortnight run. Norman Granz, whose “Jazz at the Philharmonic” just finished an engagement here, bringing in his “modern jazz concerts” with Duke Ellington’s band and trio of in- strumental quartets to 'Auditorium Oct. 28 for one-nighter. Omaha By Glenn Trump James Melton to. open O’Neill, Neb., Community Concert season .Nov. 5. Local ad agency exec Morris (Bozell &) Jacobs purchased res- taurant and hotel combo here. Cheyenne County Fair at Sidney announced its 1955 dates as Aug. 25-28 despite $1,600 deficit in this year’s expo. Alliance, Neb., : Rodeo Assn. Inc., disbanded, after this year’s event dropped some $4,800. Sev- enty; Alliance businesses and in- dividuals had invested $8,400 in the show. Michael Kirby, ex-Sonja HeniC partner, now giving skating lessons at River Forest, .111., a Chicago sub- urb. Mrs. Kirby, former .Nora McCarthy of the “Ice Fellies,” is assisting in the tutoring. By Hans Hoehn iPhone: 76-02-64) O. E. Hasse has title role in Mama’s “Cartaris.” Josef von Baky pacted to di- rect . CCC’s new film,. “Hotel Adlon.” . CCC studios currently running at full capacity with seven pix being made at same time. Lionel Hampton orch due to ap- pear at Sportpalast. It will be oreh’s second postwar • appearance here. Renato Baldini, Italian actor, Wednesday, October 27, 1954 will play the male lead in the Ger- man-French-Italian coproduction, DEFA invited 30 West German film and cinema technicians to visit its studios at Babelsberg, once Ufa property. “Sauerbruch,” local biopic of the late German surgeon, was the big- gest grosser in September in eight German key cities. Recent U.S. pix preemed here include “Naked Jungle” (Par), “Back to - Bataan” (RKO), “Jungle Drums of : Africa” (RCp), “Personal Affair” (Two Cities), and “I the Jury” (UA). ’ Boston Anita 0 ? Day at the Hi-Hat for & one-weeker, The Mayfair, closed si last spring, has reopened. Turk Murphy’s San Francisco jazz band at the Savoy; group in for four weeks. The Hotel Buckminster has opened a MamboCasino. Spot for- merly housed George Wein’s IStoryville. Making the Hub his first stop in a tour of the U.S., Mantovani spent a day here meeting the presser and visiting local deejays. , British mae- stro hopes to line up a concert tour fbr next season. Madrid By Ramsay Ames (Castellan Hilton; 37 : 22-00) Wife and. son of Mexico’s ex- president Miguel Aleinan due for a visit here. Marisa de Leza beginning a new film, “El Sol Sale Para Todos” (The Sun Shines for Everyone). Orson Welles will be ah actor again in Nieves Cohde’s VE1 Emi- grante”. (The Immigrant) to. be made in Spain. Ettore Gianini, producer of “Ne- apolitan Carrousel,” expected in Madrid next month to prep his “Spanish Carrousel.” Spanish film producer Benito Perojo signed contract with Car- men Sevilla, Mischa Auer and Francisco Rabal for “La Picara Moliriera.” Lines are still three-deep for “Mogambo,” which opened here last week; ditto “Roman Holiday,” which is being proclaimed the “must” of the year. Spanish-Italian “La Ciudad. Per- dida” (The Lost City), starring Corsetta Greed and Fausto Tozzi, filming exteriors on the streets of Madrid; then more shooting in Italy in November. Spanish producer (IFI produc- tions) Ignacio Iquino due here from Barcelona where he just finished filming “La Pecadora” (The. Sin- ner), to look for actors for his pic, “Good-Bye Sevilla.” “El Escandalo del Siglo” (The Scandal of the Century); theatrical drama based on the now famous Wilma Montesi case, opening in Levante with the Martin-Sabatini company, and in Havana with Otto Sirgo. The 170th work of the late Span-, ish author Benavente, “Por Salvar Su Amor” (To Save His Love), in rehearsal now, opens soon in Madrid, with Pepe Romeu, Irene Lopez-Heredia, Maruja Guerrero and Vicente Soler. Before leavfng for Rome and a Suevia Films pic with Vittorio de Sica, Spanish actress Emma Pen- nela will film “El Guardian del Paraiso” (The Guardian of Para- dise) here, eo-stafred with Fer- nando Fernan-Gomez; N director, Arturo Ruiz Castillo. Rayito, the matador who dedi- cated a bull to Mrs. Estes Kefauver in a Madrid bullring a few weeks ago, invited the Hilton’s Walter Schnyder,. publicist' Vic Rueda, actor Peter Damon, Mildred Pfei- fer, and your correspondent to at- tend a benefit corrida in Villar- amiel, a tiny pueblo near Palencia. Rayito’s bull was dedicated to all of us, and to complete the after- noon, * Villaramiel’s one cinema they were, showing “Malvaloca,”'in which Peter Damon costars with Spain’s Paquita Rico, . By Lary Solloway Xavier Cugat set for four-week date next February by Saxony hotel owner George Sax. Robert S. Taplinger associates newest addition to the publicity contingent in the area; Helen Baum is in charge of their new office. Bea Kalmus appointed entertain- ment director Ar Di Lido hotel’s Moulin Rouge cafe; she’ll double as midnight disk-gab conductor via indie station WlNZ-AM. Hoofer Jerry Brandow’s (Condos Si) foray into ring-world did not score with press and public at the Beach Auditorium. Understood an- other match with a more suitable middleweight is being arranged for January. Hollywood Paul Herireids m'oving to N Y. for the winter. . John Cafradine in St. Louis for stage engagement. Barney Balaban in town for Par- amount confabs. William Beaudi celebrated their 4Qth wedding, anni; Prof. Apostolos Descalakis of Greece visited 20th-Fox lot. Herbert J. Yates resting at home after kidney stone surgery. John Ford recovering after oper- ation for gall bladder ailment. : Greer Garson home from hos- pital after emergency appendec- tomy. Universal-International held its. 16th annual dinner-dance at the Ambassador. Dan Dailey postponed his dance numbers in. Metro’s “It’s Always Fair Weather” (because of injuries. [ Betty Franklin : returned as Acad- emy librarian after five months as [ consultant in. the Library of Con- gress, Mambo City now operating five days instead of three. Shipstad and Johnson’s “Ice Follies” opened last Thursday . (21) for 11 days. Agent ^Milo Stelt to Florida for two weeks to lookover territory for Mutual Artists Corp. Warren Ketter made new mid- west; promotion manager for Decca Records vice Ray Ludtke. Black . Orchid, Jr., cocktail lounge adjacent the intiriie. nitery, . operating as another key club. Lou Monte in town this week for dee jay bally of new Victor disk, “When I Hold You in My Arms,” Eick Hoylman is keyboarding, in sixth year at Jim Saines, still on crutches after auto wreck several months ago. » Germa n soprano Elisabeth Schwartzkopf making American orchestral, debut with Chicago Symphony tomorrow (Tliurs.). • Streamliner scrapping straight jazz policy for two weeks, spot- lighting femme . folk singer Katy Lee who’s playing her first riitery date. Dan Belloc, Ralph Sharon Trio, Max Miller . Quartet and Chet Roble giving jazzconcert for St. Ignatius Teen Club with Blue Note boniface Frank Holzfeind em- ceeing. Mister Kelly’s Lounge unveiled new Parisian piano-rama bar last week arid featuring keyboard chanters Audrey Morris and Buddy Charles, latter being stepson of orch leader Muggsy Spanier .and brother of former Chi Variety mugg Tommy Gries. By Florence S. Lowe Fifi D’Qrsay and the Crew Cuts sharing top billing at Casino Royal nitery, Mrs. Carl Brisson here with hus- barid during latter’s current stint at Hotel Sheraton. Carlton’s swank Harlequin Room. John “Caine Mutiny” Hodiak due here Nov. 7 to star in a “spe- cial show, highlighting American Jewish Tercentenary observance. “Mambo U.S.A.” Latin-American music-dance fest, due into Nation- al Guard Armory for one night stand next "Sunday (31) under Su- per-Music aegis. Helen Richards, house manager of Carter Barron Amphitheatre last summer, (back in town as ad- varice-gal for the Broadway-Jaound Ballets Espagnols. Department of Commerce film topper Nathan Golden off on a cross.-country junket blanketing trade conventions; wound up with SMPTE confab in Hollywood. . Latest additions, to local Variety Club roster include Scott Kirk- patrick, manager of National Thea- tre; Charles Dillon, prexy of Wash- . ington Broadcasting Co.; and Dari Cavalier, veepee of radio station WGMS. International entertainer Carl Brisson ..honored with traditional “key to the city,” usually reserved for visiting heads of state, in unique ceremonies during show at. Harlequin Room of Sheraton-Carl- ton Hotel. Barcelona By Joaquina C. Vidal-Gomis iAngli, 43; 240.018) Bolero nitery has Miguel de Ios Reyes Ballet,. Windsor Palace held preem for “Glenn Miller Story” (U). Ming Chu, Java Princess, with her dances at the Monterry nitery. Comedia Theatre playing “Love of Four Colonels,’’ with Maria J. Valdes and Jose M. Mompin, , “Tutti Frutti,” musical show, how past 100th performance at Comico Theatre. Leads are played by Carmen de Lirio, Maruja Blanco and Mary Santpere. Wednesday, October 27» 1954 DETROIT (Continued from pagjp. 8) $11,000. Last week, "Sabrina" (Par) (2d wk), $16,000. . ■. , Palms (UD) (2,961; 80-$l)— “Pear Window" (Par) and "Over- land Pacific" (Indie) (2d wk). Good $14,000. Last week, $19,000. ■ Madison (UD) (1,900; $1.25-$1.50) —“Star Is Born" (WB) (4th wk). Sparkling $17,000. Last week, $19,000. Broadway-Capitol (UD) (3,500; 80-$l)— "The Raid’' (20th) and “Key Largo” (WB) (reissue). Weak $9,000. Last . week, "Human Jun- gle" (A A) and "Security Risk!' (AA) (2d wk), $9,000. United Artists (UA) (1,938; $1- $1.25)— “Woman’s World" (20th) (2d wk). .Fine $11,00.0, Last week, $14,000. 1 Adams (Balaban) (1,700; $1- $ 1 .25)— ‘Brigadoon" (M-G). Fair $10,000 or. near. Last. week. “Rogue Cop” (M-G) (2d wk), $5,800. Music Hall (Cinerama Produc- tions) (1,194; $1.40-$2.65)— “Cine- rama" (Indie) (84th wk). Leveling off. at solid $15,500; Last week, about same. Buff.; 'Brigadoon’ 15G Buffalo, Oct. 26. Not too many newcomers here this session but biz-.looms good. Top new pic is "Brigadoon," nice at the Buffalo. "Human Jungle" is rated good at Century while the oldie. “Reap Wild Wind” is okay at Paramount. "Star Is Born" shapes lofty, is second Center week, ' Estimates for This Week: Buffalo (Loew’s). (3,000; 50-80)-^ "Brigadoon" (M-G). Fine $15,000 or over. Last week, "Woman’s World" (20th), same. Paramount (Par) (3,000; 50-80)— "Reap Wild Wind” (Par) and "Miss Body Beautiful" (Par) (reissues), Okay $12,000. Last week, “Pri- vate Hell 36" (FM) and "Cog" (UA), $11,000. Center (Par) (2,000; 90-L25)— ■ "Star Is Born" (WB) (2d wk.) Lofty $20,000.. Last week $25,000. Lafayette (Basil) (3,000; 50-80)— "Three Hours to. Kill" (Col) and "Untamed Heiress" (Indie). Mild $7,500. Last week, "Unholy . Four" (Lip) and "Silent Raiders" (Lip), $7,000. Century (Buhawk) (3,000; 50-80) .—“Human Jungle" (AA) and "Jungle. Gents" (Indie), Good $10,000. Last week, "Hajji Baba" (AA),. ditto. CLEVELAND (Continued from page 8) 000. Last week, "3 Hours to Kill” (Col) and "Black Dakotas" (Col), $10,500. Lower Mall (Communit3 r ) (585; 60-90) — "Vanishing Prairie" (Dis- ney) (3d wk). Nice $4,000. Last week, $3,500. Ohio (Loew’s) (1,200; 60-90) — Asphalt Jungle" (M-G) and "Bat- tleground” (M-G) (reissues), Prov-? ing sleeper, big $11,000 for oldie. Last week, “Rogue Cop" (M-G) (m.o.). 4 Palace (RKO) (3,000; 60-90)— "Woman’s World" (20th) (2d wk). Oke $7,500. Last week, $15,000. State (Loew’s) (3,500; 80-$l)— Rear Window" (Par),. Hefty- $11,- 000 or over. Last week, “Beau Brummell" (M-G), $10,000. Stillman (Loew’s) (2;700; 60-90) --“Beau Brummell" (M-G) (m.o,). Fine $10,000. Last week, “Her 12 Men” (M-G), $5,000. MINNEAPOLIS (Continued from page 9) $2,800 or near: Last week, "Rear Window!' (Par) (4th wk), $5,000. Radio City (Par) (4,100; 85-$D— "Brigadoon” (M-G). Stout $15,000. Last week, “Woman’s World" (20t li) (2d wk), $9,000. * RKO-Orphcum (RKO) (2,890; $1- .$1.25.i_L»Sta r . Is Born!’ (WB): (3d wk'. Continues tall at $9,000 .Last ' qy & 43rd St, VICTORIA. 'way. & 46ih St.. _BIGtO CITY MUSIC HALL ^ Rockefeller Center 11 : urn BERLIN'S “WHITE CHRISTMAS” II ► in VhtaVIslon starring L| BING CROSBY • 0ANNY KAYE ffl ROSEMARY CLOONEY • VERA ELLEN ] ’ Color by Technicolor * A Poramqunl Piciura [1 and SKCTACHUR SIAfit NUHNUTim |l CHARLESBICKFORD CAICCN RUAT 0V FRObuCCO or 10SS HART • SIDNEY LUFT RADIO-TELEVISION fTARIElr VT VUllCDUaj^ VvIVUC 1. « J.yr V A ROBT. Q AGAIN SRO Washington, Oct. .26. 4 Competition of .new VHF stations. Is cutting down the lush profits which operators in pre-freeze single station markets have been enjoying for nearly five years. This is one of the outstanding disclosures from the final report of the FCC last week on financial operations of the tv broadcasting industry in 1953.. (Preliminary figures issued in May Showing industry, profits of $68,000,000, were borne out in the report. Final figures on gross reve- nues were $432,700,000* compared to $430,800:000 estimated in the earlier data.) \Vhiie most of the new VHF out- lets which started last year in pre- freeze single station areas were in. operation three months. Or less, the -Commission's report showed that. " even in this short length, of. time they had their impact on the older stations. It is significant that ..in nine of the 40; pre-freeze one-sta- tion markets Where VHF competi- tion came in the: average revenue increase of the nine stations was . But in the other 31 former one-station cities which were With- out VHF competition or had only UHF competition the average gain in revenues, of the V’s was about 34%. Although the FCC data is neces- sarily inconclusive because of. the short time the new V’s were on the air in 1953, it does suggest that if they had been in operation the full year they, might have cut down the increase in the revenues of the pre-freeze monopoly Stations to around 10%. And this in the. first- year of competition. Tabulation Significant The impact is accentuated in a tabulation in the report which shows that in three, former one-sta- tion cities in which VHF competi- tion appeared in two. Of the mar- kets the average revenue increase ©f the pre-freeze^ stations was un- der 109' However, in four orie- station markets in which VHF com- petition appeared in only one of the four the average, revenue gain -©f the pre-freeze outlets was ©ver 50%. . The data is considered- important because it definitely, means that the lush clays of the pre-freeze single- ( Conti lied on page 32). Hollywood, Oct. 26. Lack of facilities to feed color to the network from Hollywood has cued a decision by Fred Wile, NBC program veepee, to transmit the Frank Sinatra' section of Max. Liebman's spectaculars in. black and white. It will be first time- a Liebman show has not been fully tinted.. " ' Decision was reached after nego- tiations with KTLA Collapsed and filming in color was also discarded. NBC in N.Y. . decided against send- ing a mobile unit here because of the /time element. Sinatra’s half-hour inserts from here: are scheduled for Nov. 7 and Dec. 5. and will probably be pro- duced by Bob Banner, currently producing the Dinah Shore series. Format of cut-in is undecided. to From Harwyn Club, N.Y. ■ Igor Cassini will originate his 40-minute pre-midnight. Sunday show on WRCA-TV from the Har- wyn Club, posh N. Y. eatery launched some time ago by ex- /employees of Sherman Billings- ley’s Stork Club, with which it’s been carrying on a feud. Cassini started the season as an. emanation from the Ambassador Hotel and in recent weeks has originated from one of the station’s studios on West 67 th St. It’s reported that Serge Obolen- sky, prexy of the Ambassador, has differed with Cassi oa show’s format and production, and thus the parting. TV The Bread w inner Washington, Oct. 26. Increasing importance which tv has assumed in the business of the networks (including their o.&ri: stations) is shown in the final report of the FCC on video financial operations i 1953. Of total broadcast rev-, enues of the nets last year of $324,300,000, report shows that $231,700,600 was accounted for by* tv,. Similarly-, of total prof- its (before taxes) of $27,400,- 000, vidieo was responsible for $18,000,000. In other; words, two out of every three dollars of network profits now come from tv. Report reveals that while network AM profits last year were about 1 0 % off from 1952 their" tv profits nearly doubled those of the previous year. Likewise, network AM. sales fell while tv revenues jumped 28%. Return of Pine-Sol (Milner Prod- ucts) to the Robert Q. Lewis show gives that CBS Radio entry SRO status. Pine-Sol has ( pacted the 11:15 a,m. quarter of the hriurlong Saturday morning stanza .starting Nov. 6, via Gordon Best agency out of Chicago. Lewis’ other clients are Chicken of the- Sea Tuna Fish, Royal Crown Cola arid Helene Cur- tis; Pine-Sol entered network radio via the Lewis shoyv a year : or so ago. ; The web has . made a couple of other sales, but these are short- termers. Wrigley’s goes twice-week- ly on “Amos ’n’ Andy Music Hall” through Nov. 24 and Buick takes one-shots of. “Music Hall” and the Tennessee Ernie show on Nov. 15 and 17. Gould’s 'Reviewing Only’ Status As N. Y. Times NBC-TV has been raking i a near-$2,000,d00 / spot business, over the last couple of weeks that already has. been launched or Will be played out on “Operation Triad!’ as represented by the web’s “To- day,” "Heme” and “Tonight” par- ticipation packages. Dqw Chemical as of the middle of next month will have come through with 156. plugs for its Saran-Wrap alone, .and at about $6,000 gross apiece that’s plenty of wrapping. The chemi- cal outfit, which this Season be- came a fullfledged program spon- sor via its Monday ^night “Medic” series on the network, is also ac- centing some . of its other products, such as Styron; Latex Paints, and anti-freeze, with 109 participations to year’s erid, arid upcoming on “Home” Dow Order for 84 spots; Telechron, a division of General Electric, is down for 78 shares of stock on “Today*” and previously one of the biggest sales effected was the 39-each earmarked for the threesome of shows, by Northam- Warreri, making the latter the ini- tial “Clean Sweep” client. Latest to enter the web’s morning sweep- stakes on a major scale is Bissell Carpet Sweepers, which has had a modest campaign on “Today,” is upping its stake in that show as a result of its baptismal click and is. set for a big ride on the “Home” show, via N. W. Ayer. Fred Allen’s Tiptop The New York Tidies is setting: up its radio-tv. department in separate editing arid reviewer components with Jack Gould* up until now in that doubling capa- city, continuing in his critic’s post on airi exclusive basis. Brought over from the legit theatre side as editor is Joseph P. Shanley,. . Val Adams becomes No. 3 man in the echelon, and presumably will take over the. Sunday' news column which for years has; been under the byline of Sidney. Lohman. Lat- ter is moved out of the department to become a night makeup man. Taking over Shanley’? theatre- side duties will be Times feature writer Arthur Gelb. Status quo on the daily arid Sunday logs are Tom Kennedy arid George Gent; Indicated by the “divorcement* and shifts is a daily appraisal column by Gould — heretofore on a Mopday-Wednesday-Friday basis — plus the regular Sunday pillar, with Saturday probably vacant ex- cept for news items. This would make the Herald Tribune the sole daily in Gotham with a skip-day reviewer setup via John Crosby’s column. But a ‘‘cross-the-board” move, by the Times is figured to bring the Trib under the same scheme. It’s not kriown who would offi- cially boss the new setup, but Gould’s longtime radio-tv berth plus an ,4 unWritten” Times policy in other departments such as legit (Brooks Atkinson) and music (Olii* Dowries) would indicate that the critic-in-chief calls the shots. Ait least it’s the critics who enjoy the prestige inside and out- side regardless of ‘the intramural administrative levels/ In the pioneer, days of television, which is only, six Qr seven years ago, but it does sound like the medium is already hoary, the Holly wood" comedians used to say, “Let the others build the house and when it’s ready we’ll move i .” By now all the/comics are in, and almost every contiguous branch of the picture . busi- ness has tasted the wiles and woes- of the iconoscopes and the image orthicons. The producers are about the lone holdouts. The writers, have moved in; the directors ditto, and of course almost all the acting, talent. Many a former SWG and SDG Credit has joined the SAGs-gone-AFTRA. But the producers are far from joining the parade. David O. Selznick has been the first major Hollywood name, and he followed close on the heels of Otto Preminger’s excursion into video. (Lelarid Hayward must be considered dominantly a legit recruit, in the same idiom as. Max Liebman), Hollywood figures that first,, if it joins tv i .the fullest sense it will have to come via the vast backlog of major studio residuals. That’s still far from a realization. ...As for the actual production brains* the Selznick-Ben Hecht; team eyidenced that the' Holly wopd savvy can be utilized to ultra effect if given a proper script. A two-hour industrial .cavalcade is; enough to try any larrimister from Romanoff’s, and DOS arid his “child of the century’’ byli , as Hecht so wistfully billed hiriiself in the actual production credits, were tried and found Wanting. What does it all prove ? That television is for. the video, crafts- men, and Hollywood is for the picture-makers. And . maybe that’s why, with the Coast creators having gone, through the. crucible, pictures are. better than , ever, and business is ditto. And maybe the twain shall never meet— -in itself a good idea— excepting for supplementing arid complementing, each other-r-arid not to usurp . or supplant another. Abel Harkback to Radio Era By ABEL GREEN Fred Allen’s “Treadmill to .Ob- livion” (Little, Brown; $4) is the history of radio! the hucksters, a cross-section of Americana arid his personal memoirs all in one. From Sal Hepatica to . “Allen’s Alley,” from -‘Town Hall Tonight” and notorious l’affaire Eagle (who wouldn’t come down to roost in front of the mike) to “Stop the Music” ; and Allen’s frustration (“How can you. compete when an icebox is the headliner?”), the wry comedian has indicated it as a chronicle of the days of our years. Taking his scripts chronologically, sparing nobody, Allen re-echoes his gripe against “the echo men of the advertising agencies”. (Madi- son Ave’s counterpart of the Hollywood yesmen). He is brittle in his appraisal of one agency top- per, a former quarterback who con- tinued his adman’s calling in the same. crouching football huddle for- mation— “and there are only two things lower than a quarterback,” 1 (Continued on. page 32) THEATRE GUILD AS ABC-TV CONSULTANT ABC-TV last week signed the Theatre Guild, . Which produces the web’s “U. S. Steel Hour” for, U. S. Steel, as program and talent con- sultants to the net Under a long- term exclusive deal. Pact was some six months in the making, and it reportedly gives ABC-TV first re- fusal on any Guild legit properties which it wishes to convert to video, either as the basis for seriesf or an individual one-shot, It’s doubtful whether any such properties will get the tv treat- ment this season, but the agree- ment calls for. Theatre Guild to consult “in the development of talent arid programs;”. This latter phase . goes into operation imme- diately, with plans calling for a program board consisting; of .Thea- tre Guild toppers and ABC-TV program chiefs which would meet once week (on Thursdays) in what one web exec calls a “brain- picking session.” It’s likeiy that the three Guild partners, Lawrence Langner, Theresa Helburn and Ar- mina Marshall, will rep the Guild On the joint board, while the net will be represented by programs- talent veep Bob Weitman and pro- gram chief Bob Lewine, Educ’l B’casters Meet Th National Assn, of Educa- tional Broadcasters convenes its annual meet today (Wed.) with a reception by N. Y. Mayor Robert F. Wagner at City Hall, Following that a board meeting will be held, at the United Nations. The meeting will continue {through, Saturday at the Hotel 1 Biltmore. Nixing Tab; Chevalier on Dec. Show Marilyn Cantor, -Eddie’s daugh- ter, has been pacted as sidekick for Gene Rayburn, who heads up sky’s the Limit;” a parent-arid- kid quizzer being launched next Monday (1) on WRCA-TV, N. Y. Show will be a quarter-hour strip in the 6:30 p.m. time formerly held by Faye Emerson-Skitch Hen- derson. . ‘ In de Lara Axing Station WWRL, N. Y., insisted ao political pressure was brought to bear in a decision to fire news- caster Mario de Lara for deviating from Associated Press copy in de- scribing Defense Secretary Wilson for his Spanish-speaking radio au- dience. De Lara, on the other hand, implied something must have been behind his axing because it hap- pened so sudderily.. In defending firing De Lara after 10 years with the foreign language outlet, topper Miss Edith Dick de- clared that when De Lara ap- praised Wilson, as “a Republican millionaire and former president of General Motors Co.” it was not the first time he. had rewritten AP copy, despite the fact that it was against station policy. She said that Jose .de la Vega, DeLara’s superior, (Continued on page 32) Guaranteed Ratings New Lebhar Strategy As WATV Sales Chief Radio and : video stations have on rare, occasions toyed with mag-con- ceived guaranteed ratings to adver- tisers, but WATV, Newark, is the first operatiori to throw its entire vidcast day open*' to the system. Heretofore, the whole thing has been looked upon skeptically by broadcasters. , The move, the first major strate- gy on the part of Bertram Leb- har Jr., the tele station’s new sales topper (recently shifted from N. Y. radio indie, WMGM), deals almost entirely with the sale of spot an- nouncements. Most of the stanza bankrollers at WATV have package arrangements of long standing and, in the rest of the cases, programs (Continued pn page 32) London, Oct. 26, Just to put the record right/ Bob Hope wants tp make it clear that the vacant hour spot on NBC-TV on Nov, 9 is riot, due to his own walkout but due to the refusal of General Foods to foot the extra cost of his projected international telefilm which he is to Idris in Europe, This would have upped the production budget by around $55,000 to a trial of $180,000. Hope, now in London for his royal cominarid vaude appearance at the Palladium, next Mori. (1), told Variety on his arrival last week that he had “intended to pass,” but was persuaded by Pat Weaver, the NBC boss; to go ahead with his European film venture >vljich would include Maurice Chevalier, fiea Lillie; the Vienna Boys Choir and other famous tal- ent, in addition' to hiriiself. Now this program is being switched to the Dec. 7 date which had , origi- nally been allotted to Cole Porter. Present arrangement is that NBC is taking a 50% cut Of Hope’s in- ternational film venture, the come- dian himself is taking a substantial chunk and the BBC will .be taking a more modest slice. Part of the program will be aired via BBC-TV. The plan has developed to the point at which Maurice Chevalier is definitely committed to come to London on Nov. 4 to film his part of the show. Bea Lillie, now on the road with “An Evening With (Continued on page 32) RCA and subsidiaries amassed an ; all-time record of $660,435,000 fo^ the first nine months of. this year, a hike of 8.4% over the cor-, responding period of 1953, it was disclosed in board chairman David Sarnoff’s report on Monday (25). Earnings before 'Federal taxes were $56,423,000, against last year’s $53,651,600 for the like pe- riod. After taxes, net profits reached $27,557,000, compared to $25,152,000 in ’53, for an increase of 9.6%. . After payment of preferred divi- dends, net earnings on common stock for the nine months are gaited at $1.80 per share, against last year's $1.62. RCA products and services hit a peak volume of $215,976,000 for the third quarter, with pre-tax earnings amounting to $16,820,000. compared with $14,- ' 842,006 in the ’53 -• period. Net profit was $8,289,000, compared with $6,967,000, an up of 19% f° r the quarter/ . Third quarter com- mon is 54c per share, compared to 44c in last, year’s third. Wednesday, October 27, 1954 RADIO-TELEVISION 27 GOD BLESS OUR NIELSEN’ Two shows a night would have been duefc soup for Eisenhower, the military hero, but apparently the multiple-performance circuit is too rigorous a regimen for Eisenhower, the President. Ike & Co. marked a "first” on Monday (25) as the tv and radio networks brought -the Presidential Cabinet meeting direct to the American hearth for a half-hour at 7 p.m. Several hours later he delivered an address at the annual meeting of the National Security Indus- trial Assn, opening with the routine salutation that’s always par for the course — paying respects to the chairman, to the man making an award to the President, to the Chief Justice of the U.S. and “my fellow Americans.” But the President, apparently with the lemory of the earlier "preem telecast” still lingering on, slipped in . tire name of "Mr. Stanton” in the introductory portion. The” intention was to . name Frank M. Folsom, prexy of RCA, since it was Folsom, as chairman of the citation committee, who handed the President the James Forrestal Award, named after the first Secretary of Defense. Tripping off his tongue instead was "Mr. Stanton” — Frank Stanton, prexy of CBS, Inc, (Stanton was riot present at the ceremonies at. this point, having come in later.) ' ■/ The Cabinet telecast came about on a tip transmitted unilater- ally to CBS that the White. Hbuse would not be averse to such a coast-to-coast treatment. CBS news and pj^bliii . affairs vp. Sig Mickelson said in Washington that the tip was received by Stanton, along with the information that Presidential press secretary James C. Hagerty would be the pivotal man on clearance. Acting on this "pave the way” information, CBS stepped in. and Hagerty sealed the deal Monday morning. CBS supplied the facilities for the pooled telecast. ' Whether the "first on tv” Cabinet session was aimed at "bend- ing” next week’s elections in the Administration’s favor was being kicked around • by the political pundits. On the returns in so far, the idea of televising a Cabinet meeting in that manner met with criticism for the most part, but whether an actual "ad libbed” session- — -if that is possible— would receive similar reaction is a matter of speculation. i c Wouldn’t Be Averse to Some Prestige Billing In Spotlight Ads Gaining momentum: among the "production credits” partisans is a united front "movement” to persuade ty network advertisirig departments, ad agencies, etc., that a little printed credit regularly ( when space permits )-,-. or at least on a "now and then” basis (when space is limited) would be wel- come. Listing of producer, direc- tor, writer, choreographer, et al., is rare in video ads except when a Robert E. Sherwood, a Ben Hecht, r a name book author or Holly- wood or legit producer is involved. Thus a Paddy Chayefsky, Robert Horton Foote, Robert Alan Aur- thur. Reginald Rose— to name only a few: writers who made their reputations in television — is sel- dom or never among the advertised ‘.'mentionables,” whereas the stars in the cast will invariably be 24- sheeted. Legit and Hollywood practice is to give full pre-preem play from the producer down, although some of this comes about through speci- fic clauses in contracts. There’s also been dissatisfaction expressed around the networks and . agencies as to the “aura” of ads, with some saying that the displays should take on more of a legit or feature film "look” instead of being re- plete with "cold” copy. One school of thought advocates more and better illustrations to, arrest attention, with the text as a coi - plement. Latter is akin to the Broadway and Hollywood pattern* particularly the latter, on the paid space. Kraft Foods, which has a major ttake in the nighttime tv program- hung sweepstakes with its brace of hour-long dramatic stanzas (NBC and ABC) representing time-and- talent billings of $8,000,000 annu- JJh’. is now in the market for a kid show. Pood company has a variety of products aimed at moppet, appeal, such as caramels, marshmellows, etc., and feels the time is ripe for a video campaign. Understood com- pany has been looking into net- work availabilities, although show hasn’t been blueprinted yet. • I - Walter Thompson is the agency. Buffalo, Oct. 26. Buffalo Mayor StevCn Pankow has designated Oct, 26-Nov. 1 as "NBCtWGR Week” in a proclama- tion that includes the oldest civic act in the world— turning over the keys to the city. Accepting the mythical metal in behalf of the web was exec v.p. Robert W. Sar- noff, who was guest of honor today (Tues.) of the Greater Buffalo Ad Club as latter kudosed the network and station. WGR got launched in tv two months ago as NBC’s new basic here although the radio end goes back three decades. Other local channel is WBEN on the CBS-TV side. It looks like the Madison Ave- nue-to- Jersey City commuting of the CBS high command is due for some hectic reprising in the near future — object, of course, being to convince Colgate prexy Joe Mc- Connell (ex-NBC prez) to stop ag- gravating himself over the Sunday night "COrnedy Hour” and shift allegiance to Columbia. The same moves were initiated some months back, when there was considerable doubt, as to whether Colgate would return for this sea- son’s ride on "Comedy Hour.” At that time CBS was pitching up the hour-long "Climax" Thursday bight series, which subsequently (Continued on page 32) As Time Goes By Grey Advertising Agency has just announced its appointment to handle the Gruen watch account, thus terminating— at least for the moment— the unprecedented shift- ing around of the timepiece bill- ings. Scorecard to date: Bulova biz ($5,000,000) from Blow to McCann- Erickson; Benrus account ($1,500,000) from Cecil & Presbrey to Biow; Gruen billings ($2,000,000) from McCann-Erickson to Grey, By GEORGE ROSEN Now that the initial Nielsen re- turns are in oh the major tv net- works’ ’54-’55 entries, the rating situation has hit a new high in confusion. Particularly they pertain to the spectaculars and the NBC-TV top-budgeted • Max Lieb- man productions, the early Niel- sens have the effect of lifting the pall of gloom that had descended over the network when the suc- cession of overnight 10-city Tren- dex returns registered a calami- tous "no look” for the first three Liebman specs. NBC was making no effort:, to cohceal its jubilation over the No. 4 Status in the Top 10 Nielsens en- joyed by the "Lady in the. Dark” spectacular, whose 39.1 rating (and audience of 11,347,000 homes) Was topped only by "Dragnet”, Milton Berle and Jackie Gleason, whereas the on-the-spot Trendex added up to a virtual repudiation of the spec in terms of audience pull. • Similarly, NBC proudly flaunted a 38.7 (11,000,000 homes) Nielsen for the "Satins and. Spurs" Betty Hutton spec, which the network had ordered on its own, and which would have commanded a Noi 5 status had it been incorporated in the Top 10. Yet here again it’s re- called all too vividly the miseries encountered by the network when the 10-city Trendex of overnight telephone checks practically Wrote off "Satins” as an audience puller in contrast to the rating registered by the competing “Toast of the Town.” (It was on the. basis of the Trendex that Hazel Bishop sped sponsor Raymond Spector yelled "let me out” on the premise that nobody was watching). Trendex a ‘Monster*? Thus today it’s the Trendex that has emerged as the monster in the eyes of the tv networks. Trendex has never made any bones as to its primary function, which is not to indicate how many U. S. homes a show has penetrated, as the Niel- sens reveal, but to serve simply as a guide to the program depart- ments in the relation of show to its competition. As a r ul$ it cuts little ice with the client and the agency, who rely on the more all-encompassing Nielsen for a true competitive evaluation. But tv being what it is, geared to a frantic "we-gotta-know-right- away”tempo, it’s the • networks themselves that have built up the Trendex beyond its true meaning and into its present "monster sta- tus.” Let a Trendex rating make even the slightest inroad on the competition, and the network is bn the phone the next morning to shout out the news to all and sun- dry, even though recognizing that it is my no means an accurate indi- ' ( Continued on page 32) Coca Shuffle Convinced that With the right format aiad once it gets off the ground the ImogenC Coca display can spark the Saturday ni^ht 9 to 9:30 period ., as one of the qualitative tv entries, NBC-TV has already put in motion a sweeping re- alignment of the show’s staff. As result, Marc Daniels has exited as producer-director with other changes also on tap. Ernest D. Gluckrnan is being brought in from the Coast to helm the show, temporarily. Show* may also switch to a situation comedy format in- stead . of its present variegated components, with NBC itself taking hold at the come- dienne’s request. The taierit agencies, notably Music Corp. of America and Wil- liam Morris, are siphoning off a' big chunk of ex-network tv pro- gram builders in the current ex- pansion which today finds the per- Centaries practically dominating network programming. Alexander (Sandy) Stronach, who exited ABC as its tv chieftain a few weeks back in the general $l,000,000-a-yeaf cutback affected by the network, is going to MCA as one of its tv execs. Latter agency, it’s understood, has blueprinted a major personnel expansion pro- gram cued to its multiple activities in video. Another ABC-to-MCA maneuver was also engeered this week when Jim Stifton resigned as director of Chi operations for ABC-TV to join the talent agency as a widwest exec. Meanwhile, Charles R.. (Bud) Barry, who. recently settled his contract with NBC, is reported moving into the William Morris setup upon his return from Europe, where he’s visiting his daughter. It’s known that Morris factotum Abe Lastfogel has been anxious to bring Barry into the agency fold in an. exec status. * Strictly aiside from “Operations Experiment” on the spectaculars* it’s practically conceded by one and all that the new television semester of traditional program patterns thus far has added u^ to virtually big fat nothing. De- spite all the pre-season excitement, generated by the reshuffled pro- gram blueprints and "promises of new faces, actually, with perhaps one exception, the doldrums have, already set in, with many express- ing keen disappointment over the dullness, lethargy and “here-we-go- again” overtones attending ’54-’55 programming. Practically all the shows that brought on new personalities this season failed tb create the antic- ipated spark, with even the . net- work execs lamenting (though not out loud) what’s been happening. Lone exception appears to be George Gobel, who shapes up as the ° one new, refreshing note in. comedic talents (His click perfor- mance on Sunday night’s four-net- work Light Jubilee program prac- tically clinched his status.) NBC had . hoped . that Mickey Rooney (in the B to 8: 30 Saturday night slot) would be the answer to stemming the Jackie Gleason sweep, but he’s failed to make it* with Gleason actually piling up even greater inroads. Celeste Holm’s new one and June Havoc’s "Willy” situation comedy filmer, both on CBS-TV, have taken the critical count on initial install- ments as major early-season dis- appointments. . Actually, the boys in the trade are taking keener delight in ap- praising the w ee kto-wbek intra- mural rivalry on the rating fluc- tuations than in the shows them- selves, ' As for the splitup of Imogens Coca and Sid Caesar, latter with his wn hour Monday night show and the former berthed in. a 30- minute format on Saturday nights, NBC argues "it’s too early to tell” even though audiences generally have pretty much resolved their own. pro and con thinking. Fact that Red Buttons, now selling Pon- tiacs Friday ights on NBC-TV, forged ahead of its "Mama” m- petition on the second Trendex, is translated by NBC as a definite) plus for the comic. NBC also takes heart from’ the response generally on the Peter Lawford "Dear Phoebe ’’series and the Tuesday night “It’s A Great Life” telefilm series. Year-long hassle between the Empire. State Bldg, and New York’s seven television stations over their antenna rentals was finally brought to an end this week when the outlets signed' a new 15-year agreement under which they’ll pay more than $11,- 000,000 for the use of the tower. It breaks down to about $733,000 a year for the seven outlets, ’ an average of. slightly over $100)000 a year for each. Settlement of the hassle came only a couple of weeks after Col. Henry Crown took over ownership of the world’s tallest building. It involved a rent increase of approximately $20,000 per station per year. Announcement of the settlement, incidentally, took on the nature of a hush-hush project, with the Benjamin S.ohnenberg office, handling the building’s account, saying there’ll be no com- riient bn the hassle until later in the week, although the new contracts Were signed Monday (25). Battle over terms of the new lease took on such proportions •that during the summer the stations took the management, to court, asking for a judgment putting them under the Emergency Busi- ness Space rent control laws, which would entitle the Empire to only a 15% increase. N.Y. Supreme Court ruled against the stations, but Col, Crown, apparently desirous of getting his man- agement of the building off to a clean starts negotiated the new deal, which involves increases of about 15%. Lease expired last April, and has been the subject of negotiation, arbitration and litigation since. - Under the new lease, WRCA-TV and WCBS-TV, the respective NBC and CBS flagships, will pay the most, about $2,000,000 each over the 15-year period. WOR-TV also will be among the heavier contributors, since it leases studio space besides housing its antenna along with the others atop the building’s 1,472-foot tower. CBS-TV, hard-pressed to. convert its “Life With Father” into, a winning entry since it initially preemed last season for Johnson’s. Wax as the, Sunday night at 7 at- traction, is dropping its live format and is going film. Program is now slotted Tuesday nights at 10 with Johnson’s Wax and Pet Mjlk shar- ing the tab. As an indication of its tough going, the latest Nielsen gave it an 8.4 in contrast to the 32. 1 enjoyed by the NBC-TV competi- tion, "Truth Or Consequences.” Film series will begin the latter part of December, with the net- work hopeful that the celluloid ver- sion Will permit for greater flexi- bility ‘ story content. Show is produced on the Coast by Fletcher Markle. Mike fioscia Under Knife Mike Boscia, executive assistant to director George Crandall of CBS Radio press information, en- tered Memorial Hospital Monday (25). for exploratory diagnosis. The 40-year-old veteran of the web (about 15 years of service) ie skedded for major surgery, tomor- mow (Thurs.). 28 TELEVISION REVIEWS Wednesday, October 27, 1954 By GEORGE ROSEN The Hollywood filrri hoys, with David O Selznick as the guiding . spin t, took: practically the Whole coast-to-coast video spec- trum for two hours Sunday night (24) to commemorate the climaxing of the 75th anniversary celebration : pf Edison’s: invention, of th electric . light, Not in a lontli of spectaculars will you LIGHTS DIAMOND JUBILEE With Joseph Gotten, . narrator; Judith Anderson, Lauren. Bacall, Walter Brennan, Joseph Cotteri, Dorothy Dandrldge, Brandon de >Vilde, Eddie Fisher, George Gobel, Helen Hayes, Guy Madi- son,. Thomas Mitchell, David Niven, Kim NoVak, others. Producer: David O. Selznick Directors: Alan Handley,. Alan Yorki , : Cliristien Nyby, King- Vidor, William Wellman - codie across the kind of marquee j Script: 1 Beii Hqcht, David O. Selz- values as .were superimposed over this $1,000,000 land plus) jumbo “Light’s Diamond. Jubilee” attrac- tion. More’s the pity, then, that it had to wind up largely as a glori- fied paean of faith in the American individual more uggestive of “Voice of America” programming,; And it seemed to go on intermin- nick Music composed and directed by Victor Young # Executive Assistant; William Phil- lipson Asst, to Producer: Arthur Fellows Production Designer; Furth Ull- man Tcleplay by Ben Ilecht from stor- ies arid material by Robert Bcnchley, Arthur Gordon, Irwin Shaw, Max Shulman, John Stein- beck, Mark Twain, Gilbert Ches- terton ; Fil tried dramatic episodes directed by: King Vidor, "William Well? man, Norman Taurog, Roy Row- land, Cliristien Nyby . | Staged sequences directed by: Aldn Handley and Allan Yorki n .Camera: Ray June and James Wong Howe ‘‘Jubilee’’ started out as though the pix studio gang were deter- mined; to show the tv impressarios how to put. on .a show. For about 40. minutes or so it . had all the elements of some hangup enler- .tainment-^-a nice blending of live and ,. film documentary plus enter- tainment components with just , _ , .. .. „ . the right note of humor in a. slick j Sketches: “The Leader of the Peq- Af n-*. \ pi >>' by John Steinbeck with Walter Brennan and Brandon, de r . , Wilde “dramatics, whimsicalities and ora- “A Kiss for the .Lieutenant,” by torical flights < ith some oc- Arthur Gordon with Guy Madi- casiorial music).”- But unfortun- son, Kim Novak . ately in the latter half Selznick- & , “Chance for Adventure,’ by Max Co, \vere a dedicated lot as they I Shulman with . Helen Hayes, dovetailing of its many-faceted Components. . It was then that it justified. “Jubilee’s” preamble, of Thomas Mitchell, Dorothy Dan- dridge “The Girls In Their Summer Dresses,” by Irwin Shaw with Lauren Bacall, David Niven Other features Helen Hayes por- trayed a. school teacher. Judith Anderson played model for the Statue of Liberty. Eddie Fisher sang. George Gobel described the electric brain (17. W. Ayer) hammered way at the “hard sell”— not on behalf of the,. spon- soring light companies, but on the “faith and freedom” theme at the expense of all round solid enter- tainment values. You can kick the word “un- precedented” .around from a va- riety of standpoints, including the largest station lineup in video an- nals as all four networks brought the show to '310 interconnected stations. (Thus, iny.urn, aggravat- ing tlie FCC poser as to whether j REPORT FROM RUTGERS any program, whatever its, con- | ■ witli Remigio Pane; Nat Shoe tent, has the right, to practically j halter, announcer monopolize all coast-to-coast air- time for 120 minutes.) It brought Selznick into tv for the first time in the. most costly, venture thus far (including time and commer- cial preemptions); it boasted SUCK. . .... • „ , auxiliary production talents as | Rutgers., gelded no new dimension Ben Ilecht, Victor Young, King i to. common vari ty classroom lec- Producer: Shoehalter Director: Peter Brysac 30 Mins;, Mon., 9;30 p,m. WATV, Newark Unfortunately, “Report. From. Vidor, Christian Nyby, Carey Wil- son, Norman Taurog, Irwin Shaw, Roy Rowland and John Steinbeck oft the topshelf of the pix studio: and literary marts; for performers it had Joseph Gotten (doing- the narration);. Helen Hayes, Brandon de Wilde, Guy Madison, George Gobel, Thomas Mitchell, Lauren Bacall, David Niven, Kim Novak, Judith Anderson, Eddie Fisher., Walter Brennan, Dorothy Dand- idge— among others. All this. With that $:i;000,d00 assist., cer- tures. The current pycle of 13 pro- grams via the Newark outlet is conducted by Prof. Remigio Pane, chairman of Rutgers Department of Romance Languages, and while he did have a great deal of infor- mation at his command, it was preferred to vidviewers in parti- cles. To further numb the viewer, no imagination, not even in the way of camera angles or other mi- tainly should have sparked more nor but’ helpful production tricks, entertainment for the viewer. j was used to make Pane’s lecture One cannot argue if Selznick . seem like fun. On Monday ,(25), the casing con- cerned "Pane, a round-faced, bald- ing mail, who chose as his subject the city of Milan, this being one of the several Italo municipalities he will discuss over the weeks, He dusted off an old, fat volume of history, ..philosophy (in Vague doses), early industry and art;- he ' plowed through the ages, from the chose to hold up the torch of U. S. enlightenment, in this -instance in the field of electronics-scientific advancement. That’S good program fodder; anytime. But (and particu- larly with so. much good talent lurking in the background) enough of* a good thing .is enough. The panoramic sweep of light’s impact on the nation and the world stem- - ■ , . .- , ,-.... ling from the. Menlo Park wizard- •fri^ cehtury^ . and Constantine to ry WaS captured ‘ .Stunning 12th century apd the ( hardly kaleidoscopic fashion in the intro, remembered Lqnibard League, and and toward the ertd there Was An him ended up fighting to keep jus equally, effective recap of an atomic , vievycrship.. The endles succession er in peace and War, culminating i. bl names, of dates of balops^ with . • President Eisenhower’, “faith * surprising oneness ^about them.. and freedom”; exposition, but .thc/.cP^PJred ag-a.ihst sustained ; iptet- repetitive variations on -.the- -the riies . Erudition alone was mistaken were carried out to the point of i *- or entertainment. Art. distraction. If anything, Sel.z ick demonstrated that bringing a two-hour show of well-rounded en- tertainment, components is al- lost insurmountable feat. Of the live sequences, there was a cpmpleteiy. delightful turn fea- turing George Gobel “charting” an (electronic, brain, a bit that pro- jected Gobel to the top of the present-day comedy heap. There was a nicely-fashioned college prortt sequence with Eddi. Fisher registering strongly in several numbers. A nitery-backgrounded Dorothy Diandridge doing “You Do Something to Me”, and “London Town” similarly .showed her to good advantage. But oveiall Selz- nick fared considerably better in the film integration keyed to the “light” motif. (The revival of a Robert Benchley film short on. the '€«r« and feeding of babies, While eluding the show’)? thematic trend, was nonetheless a high point in, hilarity.) A Helen Ifayes-Thomas Mitchell sketch of art elderly midwest Couple, on a New York fling (in- tended,, as a sort of - “Light on the American Hearth” sub-theme) was far from impressive; ditto a Bran- don de Wildb-Walter Brennan sketch. A Lauren Bacall-David Niven playlet of a guy who can’t keep- his eyes off a pretty dame (perhaps as a “light in the eye" .sub-theme) was as divorced from the rest of the show as it was pedestrian. The threads of “Jubilee” Were woven together with a professional skill on a par with Hollywood know-how in the continuity depart- ment. And Victor Young’s musical arrangements rate a bow. FOLLIES OF SUZY With Jeanmaire, Dick Shawn, Stevie Allan, Connie Russell, Cliff Norton, Paul Whiteman, Harrison Muller and Jean Eliot, Charles Sanford orch, others Producer-Director: Max Liebman Associate Producer-Director: Bill Hobin 1 Writers: William Friedberg, Fred Saidy, Neal. Simon, Will (Hick- man, William Jacobson Choreographer: Rod Alexander 90 Mins.; Sat., 9 p;ni. OLDSMOBILE NBC-TV, from New York (D. P. Brother) For his second 9Q-minut.e color" spec in the Saturday night series for . Oldsmobile, Max Liebman troduced jeanmaire to the Ameri- '• [can: television audience as a new and exciting personality. "Follies of. Suzy,” as Libbman tabbed this one for want of something better,, certainly failed to offer the dimin- utive ballerina the scope for full expression as did her ex-legit mu- sical, “Girl In Pink Tfglits,!’ but even a Jeanmaire on the run try- ing to battle a poor excuse for a bopk can make rewarding review- ing.. Her Chari and considerable: talents, particularly on the hoofing assignments, cam through de- spite the fact that most everything else about the sho.vv seemed to con- spire against her. Actually “Suzy” as executed by Liebmah’s five, writers, was one of those, woefully- contrived affairs that, had to find so m reason for bringing op the. various turns;. If, aside from the Jeanmaire appear- ance, “Suzy” will show, up on the reference files, it’s because it also definitely established’ pick Shawn, as a comic of no mean talent. In his second time up before the tv cameras, Shawn, a comparative newcomer to show biz with prin- cipally a nifery-vaude background, allayed, fears, that Ire was a .“ one- shot mbnoiog” fluke in bringing, to early, fruition the recognizable . po- tentials many, ascribed to his tv debut a couple weeks earlier. He’s an. ingratiating, likable personality who can put over a comedy line with the best of them and is par excellence in mugging without offense. On the other hand, “Suzy” rele- gated Stev.e Allen to an unfortu- nate role which found him, in his periodic appearance before the tv cameras, seated behind a type- writer (just as (hough he we re ..told to keep out of. everybody’s way) while dreaming up a producer’s Way of transporting .Suzy Roget to America. Thus is conjured up in succession three elaborate eras in Cabaret Americana. First there’s Jeanmaire. in the modern-tempoed, gangster-ridded “Club Parakeet” (with auxiliary excursions Into Li- lac Louis’ (Shawn) penthouse, for one of those Trixie-Weasel-Pete- Lefty sequences borrowed out of “Guys and Dolls”). . Then there’s Jeanmaire in a throwback, to the ’20s with the in- evitable college prom, the: “Varsity Drag,” “Moanin’ Low” as executed by the Flench star, and Rod Alex- ander; "Vo Do Di Do,” Dick Shawn’s “Doody Doo,” Jeanmaire’s. “Theres A Little Bit Of Bad In Every Good Little Girl.” etc. Even Pops Whiteman had his brief in- ning with “Avalon,” The middle portion vignettes in the Charles- ton-Black Bottom (Which probably portends a rash of such tv reincar- nations in the wake of the ‘(Boy Friend” legit click) provided some of the show’s best moments'. As the wr'ap.u.p of the three-era visu- alization, Jeanmaire Was spotted way back at Rector’s in an elabo- rate reproduction of the tufn-of- the century, spot. ; Liebman didn't stint, produc- tion^-wise, and both costuming and staging were on the extravaganza: scaib . .Here was one spec that benefitted materially from the added color dimension, notably in the Rector’s, sebuence .(in which Jeanmaire performed a Tango, with Shawn) and Connie Russell and a male chorus executed “Be My, Little Baby Bumble Bee.” Like “Lady In the Dark;” “Suzy” pi topshelf rainbow treatment, Charles Sanford: rates a special pod for his excellent background- ing of what essentially was a 90- minute reprising of an. .oldtimers’ hit parade of standards (“That.'s My Weakness Now,” “When My. Sugar Walks Down The Street,” “Give Me A Little Kiss,” “Ain’t ■Misbehavin’,” etc.). Connie Russell registered strong on the “Misbehavin’ ” number. Her Associate frorti her ex*Chl days, Cliff - Nprton, tinfortunat^ly had little opportunity to demopstratr his talents,' Oldsmobile ' commercials again enjoyed the benefits' of 'some click prismatic Showmanship. Rcse. Form Chart on Hour Dramas Sunday-^-Philco-Goodyea-r ^Television Playhouse” still stocked with the fodder nf the “Unhappiness Boys” but, with the largest stable of writers in the business, always a threat as it leaves the barrier. Monday— More often than not a choice "Double” at the windows in ‘‘Robert Montgomery' Presents” and “Studio One”; some tomers irritated, by the fact that part of the time the horses running on two different tracks. Tuesday— t-J ockey Alex Segal, carrying the silks of U. S, Steel, makes a fine race of it whenever he leads “Hour” to the post; can’t win all the time, but place or show for sure. Alternating; stablemate. “Elgin Hour” only a yearling and too early to judge stride shown thus _far. Wednesday— Kraft “TV Theatre” okay in any weather; not much color, but steady. EVery-fourth-Wednesday “Best of Broadway” has formidable training via Westinghouse money and grooniirig is tops, but judged on its pair of outings, tires too early, though an important entry on the. style in which it is saddled; Thursday— Another Kraft “good conformance” edition in the most congested sweepstakes of the week; a half : hour’s overlap in the. three-f br-f our “Climax” (the fourth being "Shower of Stars” out of the sarne Chrysler farm), which is yet to get into the money despite the star-studded banners (as,; for ‘instance, last week’s cloak-and-daggery, “Casino Rpyale,”. fronting Barry Nelson; . Peter Lorre and Linda Christian, which ahd^ who drew, laughs along the course by running with all legs off the ground); “Lux Video" fail- ing to live up to its early promise; has exchanged the stud ar- rangement. with Paramount Pictures for more ”originai” breeding and frequently has to limp to the judges’ stand with the help of a head pole. Not much change off pace, either, considering that Lux goes to the post tomorrow (Thurs.) with a twice-told-on-tv “September. Tide” foaled by Daphne du Maurier. Trau. HALLS OF IVY With Ronald Colman, Benita Hume, Mary Wickcs, Herb But- terfield, James Todd, others Producer: William Frye Directors: Norman Z. McLeod, . William Cameron MenzieS Writers: Don Quinn; Barbara Mer- lin 30 Mins., Tues., 8:30 p.m. INT’L HARVESTER, NATIONAL BISCUIT CO (alts.) CBS-TV, from N.Y. (film) (Leo Burnett, Y&R, McCann* Erickson) There’s a class of radio proper- ties; which have lost much of their charm on being translated into tel- evision: “Halls, of. Ivy,” to judge ] from the first filmed episode,' un- fortunately appears to fall into this category. The addition of sight to the dulcet Ronald Colman & Co. tones appears to rob the show of much of its comfortable warmth, and that, above everything else, was the; quality that made the show a hit ori radio. ' Not that the . Colmans (Ronald and. Benita Hume) don’t dress, up a tv screen. They’re still a hand- some couple that fit easily into the roles of a college president and his ex-aetfess wife. And producer: Wil- liam Frye (and all those associated in the production, from Edward. Small and Young & Rubicam v.eep Nat Wolff down: to Don Quinn, the show’s creator and head writer) have framed the series in ;. beau- tiful collegiate setting, with ivy- covered buildings and a comforta- ble prexy’s home. . But the zing is missing; First episode, which had the Halls (Col- mans’ name in the series) anxious- ly awaiting his reappointment as prexy, was a rambling and rather dull affair, with nary a flash of hu- mor throughout the proceedings. The dialog, another ingredient that made the ayemer successful, was flat though still high-flown. Use of a million-dollar vocabulary without endowing it with meaning or wit is purposeless, and that’s just another of the faults of the first show. On the face of it, the new vid- pixer defies classification— and ap- pears to lack purpose. It’s not a situation comedy, because there was little comedy. It’s certainly not a dramatic entry. It might be classified as a “family show,” but that, doesn’t mean anything. Pro- ducer Frye, directors Norman McLeod .and. William: Cameron MenzieS; arid writer Quinn, all of them, topflight; filmmaking-broad- casting pros, need to give “Halls of Ivy” much more) direction, pace and hurndt before it can even be- gin to compare to its radio counter- part. Ch Lotsa Talent on Tap As ABC-TV YWr. Telethon Fetches Palsy Fund 501G There’s probably no point to having a telethon for the aid of cerebral palsy victims if the punch- es are going to be pulled. The tele- thon technique is to hit ’em hard and often and if the message i strong enough, the pledges are sure to come in, The technique, worked for the Cerebral Palsy Fund over the weekend (23-24) in a 17-hour marathon' on: W ABC-TV (N.YJ. Coin pledge total when the show signed off Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. was $501,000, This match- es last year’s total when the show had two hours more funning time. Dennis James -.was the cliieL pitchman for the Cerebral Palsy’s .'fourth anniial telethon^ He put plenty of heart and time into his assignment and his hit; ’em over the head selling technique can be forgiven in view of. the worthiness, of the cause, Jane Pickens and Maria Riva also put in plenty of air time with a smoother and easier-to-take approach. Virginia Graham also put in a 'hefty day’s work for the cause and fates a bow from all concerned. Best pitch- men; however; were the palsied kids themselves. Just watching them. in. front of the camefa is enough to soften a hard heart and open a tight ppeketbook. As usual; the show . .biz. folk pitched .in, in spades. From the 10:30 p.m. kickoff, through th night and until mid-afternOon the next day, they came through with specialty stints and phone-answer- ing chores. About 150 celebs gbt a chance before the cameras and for name-hungry viewers it was a treat. The affair ran smoothly through- out, a credit to producer Ardine Rodner and director. Billy Balaban. Gros. JACK CARSON SHOW With- Claire Trevor, Ricardo Cor tez, Connie Towers, Gloria Gor- don, others; music director, Vic : Schoen; announcer, Bud He! stand Producer: Mann Holiner Director: Jim Jordan Jr. Writers: Leo Solomon, Cy Rose 30 Mins.,, Fri., 8 p.m. PONTIAC MOTORS NBC-TV, from H’wbOd (MacManus, John & Adams) The “picture transmission inter- rupted” sign was posted five times during the last quarter-hour of Jack Carson’s preeming every-fourth- Fr id ay entry in ; the Red Buttons “three for me” slot. Opening quar- ter established Car son in his Val- ley home on the Coast, worked in Connie Towers in a vocal spot, and brought on guests Claire . Trevor and • vet pic .heavy Ricardo Corte$ (Continued on pago 30) ' MEET MR. WIZARD With Don Herbert, Buzz Pod e well Producer: Jules Power Director: Don Meier 30 Mins.; Sat., 6 p.m. CEREAL INSTITUTE NBC-TV, from Chicago Now in its fourth, year, “Meet Mr, Wizard” continues. -to .'-set'-the pace as a grade, school educational public servicer. It’s tv teaching at its best and tjhe sort of thing that should be required viewing for: kids in well regulated homes. Arid it should certainly rank as a, potent industry antidote to the current Washington investigation into video’s juve influence. Format has remained essentially unchanged with Don Herbert, as- sisted by youngsters Buzz Podewell and Susan Levin on alternate weeks, conducting basic scientific demonstrations. Chapter viewed (23) had to do with farming and was an obviously well planned lesr son ^ith plenty of visual values to hold teen and sub-teen interest, Herbert’s young helper this tii . was Buzz Podewell and the pair did a .fine job breaking down into understandable components such highly complex subjects as soil chemistry and plant growth proc- esses. . ’ . Series is underwritten : by the Cereal Institute which comes ill for a midwhyplbg 'dh the benefits of- a hearty breakfast. Dai'e. Wednesday* October 27* 1954 RADIO-TELEVISION 29 ■Television stations, that are ordering color equipment for future installation are tending to, keep their plans completely secret locally; There are several reasons. First, it confuses the public. Second, it vexes dealers with large black-andrwhite inventories to liquidate. One telecaster put it this way, referring.to Indianapolis: .“When you talk about television in color ' a community where only three color receivers are known to exist, it’s just plain silly to stress color. It’s for. the day after tomorrow. But meanwhile management has to think ahead,’’ ; Washington, Oct. 26. 4- •If the Senate Juvenile. D.eliri- SubrCommittee was after proof that television is sinful and a cause of juvenile delinquency, its mountainous, two-day hearings ol' last week seem to have labored jul delivered' the proverbial mouse. Sessions developed several dead ends and confusions. Sen. Robert C. Hendrickson (R., N. J.), the committee chairman, asked witnesses over and over whether they didn’t think televi- ion needed, a czar to censor video programs, similar to the Breen Of- fice in Hollywood. At the same time, the committee staff centered Its attack ^lipon " the' violence arid crime in th old films which are shown on tv. Incongruity was that virtually all such films carry the seat of ap- proval of the ' Green office and had a Iso been okayed by state and. local censorship boards all over the U. S„ prior to their theatrical runs. When Hendrickson asked whether the FOG ought to be the censoring body, Commissioner Rosel H. Hyde reminded that this wouldn’t be com stitutional under the Supreme Court’s rulings against motion pic- ture censorship, and added em- phatically: “The maintenance. Of adequate program standards cannot, , and should not, be attempted by estab- lishing the Federal Communica- Commissipn, or any other Govern- ment agency, as a censorship board to which all stations must submit their programs for prior. approval or which is empowered to impose specific restrictions or limitations on the contents of such programs. The Commission is expressly pro- hibited by the Communications Act from exercising any powers of cen- sorship over the contents of radio programs, and we think the Con- gress was wise in enacting this provision.” Result was that Sen. Hendrick- son reversed his field, explained he wasn’t pushing for a “czar” or any- thing. similar. He said he was just asking for information. When Senate committee staffers and others made the point there should be special antiseptic pro- grams, sans crime, violence and (Continued on page 38) to Lansing, ' Mich.. Oct. 26. WJIM-TV will dedicate its new $1,000,000 radio-tv center with an hOur-lorig show Sunday (31) head- lining Eddie Fisher and George Gobel. Featured will be Janis Paige, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey and orch, McGuire Sisters, Bud and Cece Robinson and Janice So- mers, Michigan State College beau- ty Who placed: fourth in the Miss America .contest this year. Gregg Garrison, director for Milton, Berle, Ray Bolger arid others will come from New York to produce and direct the W.JIM program. Hollywood, April 26. Sweeping retrenchment on the ABC high level, which unseated several top execs, in N. Y. a few vyeeks ago, swept into . Holly wood last week and claimed two 'casu- alties. Donn B. Tatum, director of tv affairs for the. western, division, nd Phillip G. Caldwell, chief eri- gineer. terminated their associa- tion with tlie network. Ken Craig, former. tv program di- rector fpr the division, assumes most of Tatum’s duties in his new role of national and regional tv network program coordinator. Cam Pierce, chief technical engineer, moves into the newly-created post of engineering coordinator of the division. Ralbh Deriechaud will be bis administrative assistant Court- ney McLeod, traffic supervisor for .ibe ; yaflj tiv^k, -adj$,4y t tQ his .duties. ,-*j,*;* Washington, Oct. 26. With FCC hearings bn . the Ed- ward Lamb case resuming this week after , a one-week recess, , Ex- aminer Herbert Schrafman today (Tries.) heard testimony from . a former Communist who was char- acterized by attorneys for both sides as the most credible Witness to take the stand thus far. Witness was Eugene Stoll, of Swanson, O., whose testimony covered two in- cidents, one in 19$4. and another this past June. Stoll testified that iri 1944 Lamb was a mdmber of a committee in Toledo which sponsored a perform- ance of “Band Wagon,” a variety show (not the legiter), to raise money to support President. Roose- velt’s bid for a fourth term. The local Democratic organization had refused to Sponsor the show be- cause Earl. Browder had appeared during intermission in one of the show’s eastern appearances and the Democrats thus felt it was Com- munist-inspired, .Stdll said that several members of the sponsor- ing committee of which Lanib was a member belonged to the Coi - munist Party, and added that sev- eral members of the cast have since been, “unfriendly witnesses” before Congressional investigating committees. . Second part of his testimony re- lated to a meeting he had with .Lamb in the latter’s office- on June 9 of. this year, arranged by Mrs. (Continued on page 32) When CBS ; corporate prexy Frank Stanton moved into Milwau- kee arid , walked out last week With a deal to buy- WOKY-TV as the first of two UHF. stations , in the new “five plus two” ownership regrilatipris ■ (five V’s and two U’s), it was probably only the* prelude to a whole checkerboard pattern . oft maneuvers. While obviorisly it!s all designed to strengthen CBS’ po- sition in the owned-and-operated sweepstakes, . the significance of the “coming events” lies in the ef- fect it’s bound to have in the sta- tion ownership-affiliation picture generally and, as it relates to. Pittsburgh, points a big question^ mark as to DuMont's future status. Even before the ink was dry on the Milwaukee purchase (still sub- ject to FCC approval),. CBS was already earmarked as the “villain’’ by the Hearst group, which has Milwaukee aspirations of its own in bidding for the V channel there and thus hoping to establish a CBS affiliation. NBC, .of course, ’ out of the question for Hearst, should the latter get the nod on its ap- plication for the relationship be- tween the "network arid Walter Damm (WTMJ) was never rosier. And. with CBS moving in with its own o&o- U operation, it puts the Hearst group in a tenuous position in its bid to expand its television empire. (Hearst radio station WlSN in Milwaukee is a CBS affiliate.) Aggravatirig the situation even more, Milwaukee’s other and more prosperous TJ (WCAN-TV.) loses orit .on’, its present CBS-TV affiliation, with the ownership smarting tinder the blow. This, however^is nothing compared to what’s on tap if, as re-; ported, CBS finalizes its deal to move into Pittsburgh (eighth larg- est market)., with **n o&o station through purchase of the nearby Steubenville VHF station on Chan- nel 19. (When Stanton revealed a couple weeks back that a V pur- chase was imminent, it’s presumed he meant Pittsburgh,) Subsequent- ly Stanton last week announced CBS had withdrawn from the Bos- ton competition for a V channel. With Pittsburgh in the bag, it would leave one V to go — and CBS still has a St. Louis gleam in its tv eye to round out the V picture. Thus a lot of interesting ques- tios are posed oil the Pittsburgh front. Only last week officials of KQV (which recently bought back the minority interest CBS had in the local station) confirmed a merger of the five applicants for Channel 4 at nearby Irwin « was on tap, which would mean another V for Pittsburgh within the next six months. Channel 4 is one of two V’s . allocated to the Pitt .district, ( Continued on page 32 ) STARS TO ROLL IN NEW CHRYSLER CAR Hollywood, Oct. 26. All Chrysler television salesmen are being lined up for the star- studded “Shower of Stars’- Nov. 18, when the sponsor unveils new mod- els at the auto show here. Groivcho Marx, Danny Thomas, Eddie Mayehoff, Bill Bishop, Mi- chael O’Shea and James Dunn will be on tap for the show Which Ralph Levy will produce. Seymour j Bern^ will direct, (.'..►Betty. -Grable^and (Harry > James, I aretalej.seU for, jlRe* GBS^TV show. DuM’s Please Buy ‘Please’ . DuMont is playing it's hand down to the last card in an effort to get a bankroller for “One Minute Please.” That suStainer’s gotten rnore support front net topper Ted Bergmann than received by any other of like cost on the network roster. Strategy on the panel stanza is a departure from recent standard op^ crating procedure at the net. “Min-' ute” has been kept on longer than . any other sustairier costing in ex- cess of. $2,000. Few of any kind last j more than 13 weeks, but this casing j is in its 18th week. Moreover, the program is being given the con- tinued benefit of Tuesdays (consid- ered the strongest DuMont night because of Bishop Sheen’s 8 p.m. leadoff), despite the fact that a few networkers would like to try something else in the new “Min- ute” at 9 time. The panel stanza, chiefly habitated by Herpiione Gin- gold and Ernie KovaCs plus Alice Pearce and others on less frequent occasions, is in the “near miss” cat- egory: Within the past few weeks Pharmaceuticals, through the Ed Kletter agency, nearly took it in- stead of “The Stranger,!* but a last- minutSe c^ahgq.Qfjmjncl finished pff v Ulikt tfeaJL, Hollywood, Oct. 26. Only on the megacycles a few vyeeks; NBC’s highly-touted “Me- dic” is already suffering from in- tra-mural ills. Bernard Girard, di- rector of the show since its in- ception, has exited following dis- agreement with, creator-writer Jim Moser over conception of treat- ment on the next 13 telefilms.,,. Girard asked for and received his. release from his longterm pact, but will retain his percentage ownership of this year’s program, which is sponsored by Dow Chemi- cal. Girard megged the first 13 telefilms. Girard .said he. will announce his future plans very soon. Reports of axings on the topmost executive echelon at Mutual Broad- casting have been circulating for over a week with observers link- ing some of the “economy meas- ures” at the radio net with the ultimate departure of one or two board members- Two weeks ago it was noticed that budgetary cutbacks of per- haps as much as .10% had begun. The .initial move in that direction came . when two execs from pro- gram promotion and one from sta- tion relations were lopped off the payroll. Since then -other- signifi- cant personnel' lopoffs were made. Within the past few days, it’s been revealed that Bea Marschner, head of web personnel, and Ruth Herid- ler, office manager, were given the heave. The net lately described the axings not as budget moves but as a “matter of pruning along Ines of the network’s future plans,” O’Neil said that department heads have been asked to suggest changes to “keep up with the times." Misses Marschner arid Hendler were under the aegis of financial veep Jim Wallen, and their walk- ing papers were taken as a sign to networkers that Wallen was in jeopardy at Mutual. Wallen, who had denied that he might be one of the v.p.s to be dismissed, is seen as a victim of accumulating cir- cumstances. Not only were two key figures in his own area of power fired from under hii , but there have been previous maneuveririgs that have' increased his precarious-. nesS in the eyes of outsiders. Prexy Tom O’Neil has handed a hefty share of Wallen’s financial, duties to his own administrative assistant, ( Continued Oil page 32 ) Kenjmn & Eckhardt is riding wide and handsome these days with tv billings hovering around $21,500,000— $5,000,000 of that alhount siphoned, into national, and local, spots— an alltime high for the Bill Lewisrprexied agency. Top programming item on the IC & E agenda, of course, . ' the Lincolh- Mercury “Toast of the, Town”, '..rep- resenting an annual ..outlay of ap- proximately $5,5(00,000,' However, running it a close second, are th combined, Ford-RGA billings for sponsorship of. the every-foUrth Monday 90-minute Fred Coo- helmed spectaculars, plus RCA’s participation iff th threC-weeks- outrof-foiu: .Sid Caesar hour 'show. FprdrRCA lay it on tlie line to the tune of. more than $4,000,000 for tlie program collaboration. As the agency which took the K & E Lincoln Status J Although, under the new Ford^plan to set up different divisions for Lincoln and Met- . cury (just as General Motors and Procter & Gamble does), the Kenyon & Eckhardt com-; bined billings look headed for separation, as far as “Toast of th Town” is . concerned. The agency is prbtected through [“' the ’55 season, which has ahr ready been, committed.. It’s reported Young & Ru bi- cam Will get the Lincoln biz, with K & E sticking on Mv»i> cury. At any rate, it’s under- stood nothing wilL happen until October, ’55. 1 rf FAWCETT EXITS BBC TO ‘GO COMMERCIAL’ London, Oct; 26. The. exodus from BBC-TV to commercial television continues. The latest to ankle the state monopoly service is Eric Fawcett, one of the top drama producers vvho has joined a J: Arthur Rank subsidiary and will take charge of production of comrnercials, For the whole of 1953, Fawcett was on a loanOut. from the BBC to Norman Collins where he helped in the pioneering of the High Defi- nition electronic film system now in use of Highbury, Studios. Fawcett is the fourth producer to quit the BBC for commercialism during the past few weeks and many more resignations are ari- ticipated immediately the Inde- pendent Television Authority, has announced) ■ the-. program contract tors# I *• - v -. 'i- initial bows a couple seasons back for the first of the tv spectaculars, (the FOrd 50th anni hoopla with Mary Martin and Ethel Merman)* which many concede lias yet, to be matched* K .& E has: one of the major stakes riding the NBC-TV spec concept today via the Ford- RCA teamup for the Monday night exUavagynzas. . Too, the manner in which K & E initially integrated “Toast” emcee Ed Sullivan into the whole Lin- coin-Mercury rnerchandising-salesf exploitation framework (to the ex-, tent that he now has a personal identity with the product and the automobile cofnpariyj is setting a pattern generally in the agency’s overall merchandising scheme. Thus Sid Caesar is establishing an RCA relationship in much the same manner, being scheduled for a Philly appearance before RCA dealers in November as No. 1 on the hit-the-road roster. Even his wife, Florence, is being channeled f Continued on page 32) Toast’ Burns As Pittsburgh, Oct. 26- Dissatisfi.ed with its off-again, on- again status on DuMont’s o.&o. WDTV, Pittsburgh’s lone VHF op- eration, “Toast of the Town” has. pulled out of the alternating set-up witli “The Comedy Hour”, and placed the program elsewhere . in this area. In fact, it’s going on two stations oh a regular weekly basis, WENS* UHF Channel; 16 here, and WSTV-TV, which is VHF Channel 9 in Steubenville, O. For . some time, the Ed. .-.Sullivan program, prodded by Liricoln-Mer- cury dealers; in this area, has been champing at the bit because of tlie irregularity with wlilch. it’s been carried in Pittsburgh and blowoff came when the pre- emptions were increased by WDTV because of the frequency of the Sunday night Spectaculars in the '^Comedy Hour” slot. Permanent switch takes place Sunday (31). As yet, WDTV doesn't know whether it will carry “Com- edy Hour” as a regular thing of alternate it with some other, filmed programs which have for ji long time . been $ryipg , desperately to ‘.get. into, this jnaiUwt. * «-« Wednesday, October 27, W54 P'kniETY 31 It happened. Anyone with half an eye can see for himself. The first Nielsen' ratings of the TV season are in ; ratings that tell you how many homes in the entire United States were reached by each sponsored television program. That’s what the advertiser must know : the circulation . of his program, the homes reached. TAKE A WIDE-EYED LOOK: The two top shows are NBC shows. Then comes Jackie Gleason. ♦ • And the next four shows are NBC shows. Six out of seven for NBC, as the season begins. Here they are, with ratings, as reported by Nielsen for the two weeks ending September 25 : Dragnet (NBC) 51. 2^ Buick-Berle Show (NBC) 50.1 J ackie Gleason Show (CBS.) 43.3 Lady In The Dark (NBC) 30.1 Colgate Comedy Hour ( NBC) ...... ..... . 38.6 You Bet Your Life (NBC) 37.7 Ford Theatre (NBC) 37.7 EYE OPENER We know they’ll change as the season wears on. They always do. But when we remember how well \ we made out last year, we can’t really fret. And meanwhile . . . not a bad way to begin the TV year, is it? Another thing. There has been a lot of talk about NBC’s bold program ideas. TAKE A WIDE-EYED LOOK: As you see, “Lady in the Dark”, with no audience-habit to build it up, is right there on the list. It captured 4th place on its own merits, and- oh the general sense of high excitement that NBC Spectaculars have instilled into the new season. It topped “Satins and Spurs,” although not by much-ra special Nielsen shows that “Satins” reached 11, 300,000 homes and would have been the 5th if it had been rated as a regular program. “Lady in the Dark,” Nielsen teils us, reached 11,347,000 homes, which means 31 , 000,000 viewers. Not bad at all. SORT OF OPENS YOUR EYES. i 32 RADIO-TELEVISION Pfissi&Tr Wednesday, October 27, 1954 Shift To D.C. In ‘ By FLORENCE S. LOWE Washington; Oct; 26. A mai moth moving job that has taken over four months and $.2,.- : 446,000 of Uncle Sam's cash, is cur- rently 'itS ' final stages at the. gover menVs Health, Education, and Welfare Building.. Transplant- ing the Voice of America from its far-flung operation in New York, where it was housed in four differ- ent buildings, to a single floor in the capital, has been a back-break- ing, br. -racking task. Although the job will not be finally com- pleted • until April, 1955, when the master control Operation , will be ntircly centered here, Voice of m ica, for all practical purposes, now happily— 1 and hectically- settled in its new home. Moving started months before last June, when the physical proc- ess actually teed off, with a corps of engineers making exploratory lirVeys, and blueprinting the hew single-roof format. The first half of the Near East Division arrived, on Sept. 10, starting the trickle pf program staffers, announcers arid scriptcrs who junketted here in sections: the first broadcast in the new studios, beamed to India ' and in tile Hindu language,, put the. new streamlined operation on . the ' • on Sept. .23, By now, eight of the total 14 studios are in opera- tion on a round-the-clock basis, sending 75 separate programs via shortwave daily in 38 different lan- guages. Amazing part of this piece- meal. moving job is that not a sin- gle show has been cancelled in the process.. Physical, setup of the new VOA plant would be the answer to. an engineer’s prayers. Centered (Continued on page 47) Bob Hope Continued from page 26 Bea Lillie,” will come to London front Glasgow to film her sint on Nov, 7. The Vienna Boys Choir are currently here and will $P. their part of the program at a convenient tint As a result of. his itial over- tures, Hope has, become increas- ingly enthusiastic and is hoping that he can negotiate with other name European, talent to provide the basis Of second 60-mi ute program. He is talking a deal with Line Renauil hd the Paris ballet rnong others. Hope ..left. London yesterday (liloir.)- for a four-day stand at Liverpool and after his royal show and his film chore, planes to North Africa on. Nov. 9 to entertain Gls. From there: he flies to Paris for a big show at Orly Airport, part of which may be filmed. He antici- pates leaving for the U. S. round Nov. 12-13. K&E Continued from page 29. into the setup and is slated for talks before women’s groups, etc, K & E’ “the star and the prod- uct” format, extends also to the commercials,' for just as Sullivan has .long been the ace tv salesman for Lincoln-Mercu ry , such person- al ilies as Vaughn Monroe; Leo- pold Stokowski and. Arthur ^Fiedler have been pacled on an exclusive basis for the RCA “sell,’' Rounding out the K & E biilings picture, Lincoln-Mercury shells out nearly $1,000,000 on. an; annual basis for its Guy Lombardo WRCA-TV, N. Y., sponsorship. with .Ihc agency’s National Biscuit Co. down in the books for a $1,750,000 outlay for its sponsorship of the ABC-TV "Rin Tin Tin” series. Practically the same amount is earmarked- ’in the K & E books for Hudnut’s participation in the Sat- urday night NBC-TV “Hit Parade”, as an alternate-week client, with American Tobacco, K & E, too, has a flock of undef-$1.060,000 clients, such as Chase- National Bank’s $500,000 tab for the weekly “Sherlock Holmes” sponsorship on WRCA-TV, . N. Y.; Welch’s $500,- €00 every-olhor-weck participation in, “Houdy; Doody” and the Na- tional Brewing Co.’s sponsorship of the Baltimore and Washington ballgames locally K fc E spot biz finds Mennen splurging to the tune of $1,000,000 on . more thin .100 stations; with RCA, Beech Nut, Lincoln-Mercury, Amazo’s Instant Dessert among other major 1 clients rounding out the $5,000,000 spot total.' Ed Lamb : Continued from page 29 SUnne Miller, manager of WTOD, Lainb’s Toledo radio station. Stoll said that Lamb told him that he was disturbed by the FCC charges, which had placed him in a bad moral light ind had put a stigma on his family,, and that he (Lamb) would do anything to clear his name. ! Stoll said he told Lamb that hi was under the. impression that the attack on Lamb was politically in- spired but that so far as he : (Stoll) was concerned, his primary inter- est was to expose the Communist menace. He said he had asked Lamb if lie had ever been in the Communist movement, and he quoted Lamb as replying, “As God is. my witness, I have rib connec- tion with the Communist . move- ment. I never had any and I don’t intend to have any.” Later, in reply to a question, Stoll testified that there had been some mention at the meeting with Lamb , of the FCC’s having contacted hirn. NBC’s ‘God Bless’ Continued from page 27 '.ss cation br big. enough sample to re- flect U. S. audience viewing habits. If, as has thus, far happened with the NBC specs (on which -$20, 000, r 000 in sponsor coin is riding), the Trendex is strictly downbeat, then it’s the competing network that shouts its joy over the phone to let the world know it came out on top. Either Way, depending on which web has taken the count, they haven’t got a chance because of Something they themselves have perpetuated. What makes it so serious is that the biggest gamble in tv annuals has been placed in jeopardy; not only in terms of the $20,000,000 in NBC sponsor coin and the $7,* 000,000 riding on the CBS “baby specs”, blit in frustrating the at- tempt to inject,., via the spectacu- lar concept, an element of excite- ment and showmanship into a medium sorely in need of a new and imaginative approach. Continued from page 29 Roy Danish. Then, O'Neil has also removed other responsibilities from Wallen and handed them to Wilton Gunzendorfer, Don Lee exec who’s been, at the N. Y. Mutual headquarters in something of an advisory capacity for the past sev- eral months.. It's reported that Gunzend orf er has or ' will ’ shortly take over one of. Wallen’s chief supervisory categories — network purchasing. O’Neil has denied that the board of directors will uridergo the same tightening that’s been hitting lower orders in the network opera- tion. In the latter insta , it’s estimated that better. than another 40 staffers will be,: cut within a short time.. Tire major huddles . seem to have been limited by and large, to O’Neill; his number one veep at General TeleradiQ, J, Glen Taylor, corporate lawyel* Jack Pobre and at times. Gunzendorfer. Continued from page 27 were sold to Chrysler, when Col- gate decided to give the Sunday comedy-music stanza another whirl. However, the Colgate apprehen- sions and anxieties appear to be mounting,, with McConnell report- ed, in a week-to-week lather over the unorganized state of ‘‘Comedy Hour,” which is practically being ad libbed from stanza to stanza. Whether Colgate Will stay with it for the balance of the season seems to be a moot point, despite contractual commitments, but it’s considered a sure bet that the CBS boys will be -stepping up their cam- paign in an effort to persuade Mc- Connell & Co, to embrace the “Co- lumbia formula." NBC, for one, has been unhappy With the show’s results; Network lias been, nursing its own particular peeve over the fact that Colgate turned virtually the whole pro- duction roster over to the- Bates agency. NBC is now saying: “Look how organized arid better the show was last year!” *. Continued from page 26. station operators are almost over, except for a few markets where additional VHF channels are not available or substantial UHF com- petition is unlikely. Relating the data to a break- down of the 11 prerfreeze stations which: lost money last year, the FCC figures may throw light on the question of how many stations a community can support, It is noted that no pre-freeze, station lost, money in any of the former orte- station or two-station markets. But one was in the red last year in a pre-freeze three-station market and two. lost money, in the two pre- freeze four-station markets (Chi- cago and Washington). Couple this with the fact that eight of the 14 VHF stations in New York and Los Angeles (the only pre-freeze seven-station rnar- kets) lost money last year (there were nine losers in 1952), the FCC report , establishes one absolute conclusion; there is.no proof as yet that a city can support four tv star tions— VHF or UHF. Fred Allen .Continued from pad* 26 Des Moines— Central Broadcast- ing Co., which operates WHO and WHO-TV, has. moved into its new quarters. The company spent ap- proximately $500,000 in remodel- ing the leased building that for- merly was a roller skating rink. The company owns the building it has vacated blit has not announced what disposition will be made of i the property. he observes, -‘a sandhog.on the job and a man looking out of a man- hole;” Interlarded with: his frank Vexa- tions with the l5-and-2% crafts- men is much good humor at- tendant to his prograiris and the guests thereon. Then genuine af- fection for show biz is dominant, as he generously salutes the con- temporary funnymen, his writers (notably Herman Wouk and Arnold Auerbach), reprises the phoney Jack Benny “feud,” runs the gamut from Mrs. Nussbaum and Titus Moody to Ajax Cassidy and the flannelmouth Senator Claghorn. Allen’s “Treadmill to Oblivion” is a sort of companion to another contemporary tome, Ben Gross’ chronicle of 30 years of radio and tv, “I Looked and I *Listeried.” Whereas, the dean Of broadcasting critics is statistical, 1 historical and anecdotal, Allen subjectively analytical, betirfics caustic, but in. the main entertaining; It’s a com- pelling book .which may bring Some of the executive, and sponsorship fraternity up short, as Allen sits in captious .iqdgment on their peccadillos arid ulcerous uncertain- ties, but it will never bore them. It is. funny reading, and -such will enjoy wide audience. Fortune Pope, who divides his time between his ownership- management of. N.Y. foreign language indie WHOM, his II Prog- resso Italian daily, and the Pope family’s Colonial Sand Co. (the largest concrete combine in the world) has found a way to fill in his spare time while also taking up the slack in radio station operations generally. . Pope this week on the eve of his eighth anni as owner -of WHOM, , finalized a deal for takeover of the Fulton Recording Co. in New York, which will now become part-and-parcel of the: Coastal Re- cording Co. Latter outfit was founded by Pope back in ’49 as an adjunct to his WHOM operation, renting out studio space at the station’s West 52d St. quarters in N.Y. to clients, agencies, and others for pre-taping of commercials arid recording work generally. To- day it’s a flourishing round-the-clock enterprise that, under the managerial aegis of Pope and Arthur Shaer, and combined with the new acquisition of Fulton studios and ^facilities, practically gives Coastal a topdog status in the Pope broadcast -enterprises. Clients today number scores of top national arid local advertisei in radio;./. As still another offshoot of his station captaincy, Pope is now embarking en an ambitious merchandising enterprise for a host of products (razor blades, etc.) bearing the Pope-made: stamp. dor,” which he translated to mean “investigator.” He said the objec- tion, which came from an outsider and not a station exec, hinged on the fact that implication is that “inquistadOr” also means “punish- er,” after the judges in the Inqui- sition. De Lara said that neither this nor the Wilson rewrite were done fvith malice. Observers feel that the incident was brought on through a station fear of being labeled politically- biased, especially during an elec-: tion period, rather than because of any direct political pressure against WWRL. Continued front page 26 Which are not station produced are excluded from guaranteed ratings. Going into, effect Nov. 15, .the rate system sets a maximum cost of $2,000. per hour in prime time (4 p.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays and two houi§ earlier Weekends). But, as with all hours under the guaranteed rating setup, under- writers can get off with less: the station is providing maximum cost of $1.25 per commercial minute per 1,000 homes, coming to a 6.0 rating for prime hours. Rating gu raritee on 20-second spots is 75 cents pei* 1,000 homes and on 10-second spots it’s 45 cents. Lebhar points out that all his com- piitati are based on five One- minute commercials per half-hour program. The setup calls for WATV deliv- ery. of the 6.0 in A time;' a 4.5 in B time (approx. 1 to 4; p.m. and 11 p.rii. to midnight); a. 3.0 in C time (all other times, with the exception of 8 a, in. to noon weekdays, latter being cheapest and, parenthetically, slated in entirety as Italo program- ming time). Should the station ex- ceed guaranteed ratings, it will not increase sponsor costs. WATV ratiifgs will be guaranteed via Telepulse only, according to Lebhar, and. deficiencies draw, at the bankrpller’s wishes, either a cash or time credit. Incidentally, pash and ti.me will be equal. H’wood’s Own Specs CBS Checkers Continued from page 29 Continued from page 26 bad warned the latter on a number, of occasions for changing AP copy. On this point too. Miss Dick and De Lara were in sharp contradic- tion : to each other. The: ex-em- ployee declared that he and de la Vega, had talked of cbpy many times but only “in a friendly way.” He said de la Vega never made any statements that could be 'construed as war ings. Only once did De Lara recall that anyone had an objection to his adjectives in describing names in the news. Last spring lie called Sen. Joseph McCarthy . an “Inffuista- the other being. Channel 11. West- inghouse,. WWSW and WJAS re bidding for this one. If, Westing- house gets . it it would wind up with an NBC affiliation. Out of the KQY pooling had: hoped to come a CBS affiliation, but in. view . ef the. reported CBS purchase of Channel 9, they , know now even, in advance of the official merger that, it leaves them out in the cold insofar as a two-major- network identity is concerned. But the real poser is: what about DuMont and. his WDTV7 .Obviously the lush single-station bonanza , is : just about over, and what, it’s be- ing asked, will happen should lie lose both, NBC and CBS program- ming? Will/ he sell? Some close to the picture, say it s inevitable. (Re- curring reports keep cropping up; were eveni stepped up over the past couple of weeks.) It’s estimated that WDTV, as it stands, today, is worth about $10,000,000 to some- one who grabs off a major rietwork affiliation with it. But it’s under- stood DuMont, when and if he sells, wilt be only interested iri dumping the whole network Continued from page 1 sas for “The Conqueror,”- which Dick Powell produced for the studio. More, conservative .(and realistic) estimates place the investment at $4,000,000. But this is plenty blue chip arid means the pic requires blockbuster business if there’s to be a payoff. (Sales execs underline that draw- ing $3 ,000,000 in "* gross returns from the domestic market is some- thing of: a struggle. That is, unless the picture happens to 'be “The Robe” or “From Here to Eternity” or a similar entry that right fit the outset proves boxoffice smash. They: add there’s often an uphill fight for yields over that amount.) AVow Moneymaker “A Star is Born” is the most ex- pensive property turned out by Warners. Having cost close to $6,000,000— -this figure, which has been widely quoted, is more truth than fiction— “Star” needs a world- wide take of about $9,500,000 to avoid the red ink. “Star,” so far, has been -a wow money maker and if the pace is. I maintained there’s a gbod chance | for fancy profit. . It’s too early to predict thih with any accuracy,; of. course.' But many a Sales official, with bitter experience with mar- ket whims, might shudder at the possibility that “Star” might have turned out to be a commercial flop. A lemon of this size M ould be mur- der on what otherwise would be a profitable year for a film company. Walt Disney’s “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” is another example Pi- the shoot-the-works attitude of some filmmakers. This item was brought, in at around $5,000,000. The “extras,” l.e., costs of prints and advertising plus distribution expense, bring the the break-even income to near $8,000,000. It’s to | be noted that lesser-priced pix in- quire gross business Of about one and four-fifths times the negative cost in order to move into the black. The percentage of gross over negative expenditure goes down when unusually high budg- ets are involved. For example,, prints, o,n a 100-minute film cost /tri.f* same regardless of whether th negative is. $1,000,000 or $4,000,000. Just about every major studi has an entry, dither present or slated for the future, in the how- hlgh-is-up? sweepstakes. At Para- mount, Cecil B. DcMille’s "Ten Commandments” will be shootirig On and off for nearly a year; it’s hot likely to cost much less than $5,000,000 and Could go well over that level. . “Oklahoma,” now rolling ip the Todd-AO process, is budgeted at $5,900,000. “Guys .and Dolls” looks to be shaping as Samuel Goldwyn’s biggest, the screen rights -alone costing a mi iriium of $1,000,000 on a percentage formula. Metro’s “The Prodigal,” 20th’s “There’s No Business Like Show Busi ” Moulin’s. “Moby Dick,” Columbi ’ “Joseph and Ili* Brethern,” etc. — these are klohdike projects. Couple of years ago the new policy of fewer but costlier pro- ductions was adopted. This was taken to mean the end of the “B” product in the $300,000, or so, category. On the basis of these aforemehtipned tall money ven- tures, the word “colossal” ought to be coming back in vogue. And this time Hollywood will mean it. Wednesday, Octol>er 27, 1954 RADIO REVIEWS: PSfMJtfr Wednesday, October 27, 1954 BREAKFAST CLUB’ With Don McNeill, Fran Allison, Sam Cowling, Johnny Desmond, Eileen . Parker, Cliff Petersen, Eddie Ballantine orch Producer: Petersen . . ( Director: Lynwood King 60 Miris.; Mon.-thru-Fri., 8 a.m. Participating ABC, from Chicago ABC’s morning , cornball express continue? to .rock along although the tv side of the simulcast now being hot kinnied to the Coast has yet to earn the- sporisbrial support that’s, made the. radio version a 22-year breadwinner. Hour long strip currently has blit one: quar- ter-hour open on ABC radio but has only the. final 15 minutes sold each day on ABC-TV. During its nine-month run with iglit added, the technical prob- lems of handling the numerous AM.-only commercials have been pretty well smoothed out and more of. the true flavor of the Don McNeill . - helmed group C o m e s through the cameras. But there's still- the early morning •audience Splitup with NBC-TV’s "Today” and CBS-TV’s “Morning Show” to be reckoned with videowise, while radiowise the jamboree has the na- tional airlanes all to itself. “Club” revisited (2D) was a typi- cally informal session with toast- master McNeill chatting with stu- dio guests, Fran Allison’s “Aunt Fanny” insert, some comedic by^ play by Sam Cowling and. Cliff Petersen, and some pleasant, chirp- ing from singers Johnny Desmond and Eileen Parker, Added attrac- tion this day was Burr Tillstrom accompanied by Kukla and Oliver J. Dragon; ; It made for good fun as Kukla and Ollie “helped” f TRIBUTE TO SIGMUND ROM- BERG , With Oscar Hammerstein 2d; Ed Herlihy, announcer Producers: Andrew Love, Parker Gibbs 60, Mins., Sun,, 7 ^.m. Sustaining NBC, from Hollywood . This show properly belonged in the NBC; “Best of All” series qn Monday nights when music from major filmusicals is Spotlighted. “Tribute To. Sigmund Romberg” was a musical salute to one of the great showtune writers and tied in with the' upcoming Metro hippie of Romberg. "Deep In My Heart.” In fact the music on the show was taken from the upcoming RCA Victor album of that title, a set of .his top numbers which Romberg batoned shortly before his death a few years ago,. From the Coast, Oscar Hammer- stein 2d, a collaborator with Rom- berg on several show scores, gave the highlights, of the composer’s carder in: between the musical se- lections, Hammerstein told of Romberg’s association with the Shuberts. for whom he wrote 40 Of liis‘ 79 shows, of Romberg’s meet- ing With Lillian Harris, later to be his wife, and of sundry other anec- dotes about his life. Ed Herlihy handled the song introes in an ebullient manner, Herrri. McN.eiU with couple of . inter- views. All in all, it was the kind of breezy "let’s not take ourselves too seriously” high jinks that has kept McNeill working steadily at his trade for more than two decades. And there aren’t many other radio headliners who can make that boast these days. Dave. says thank you for another HAPPY ANNIVERSARY At the start of my 10th year in New York, I want to ex- press my gratitude to the following for their confi- dence, judgment and faith that helped to make the past year my most successful one , PATRICIA ALLEN MICKEY ALPERT CHARLES BASCH ROBERT BELL JOHNSON BRISCOE HENRY C. BROWN PHIL CAMERATJ ROBERT CHAMPLAIN ANDREW CHRISTIAN RICHARD CLEMMER REX COSTON SAMUEL DATLOWE HENRY DENKER DON DEVORE MAURA DOONAR SHERMAN H. DRYER HERMAN ENGLE NORMAN FELTON BOB FOSHKO JOHN FRANK BRAD FRANKLIN RALPH BELL FULLER DALE GARRICK MEL GOODMAN PAUL GUMBINER MARY HARRIS DON HASTIE ROBERT HODGES ROLAND HOWE, JR. FRANK HUBER JACK HURDLE ERIC JENSSEN WILLIAM KALAND PETER KEANE CHARLES KINNEY HECKY KRASNOW PERRY LAFFERTY MITCHELL LEIGH DAN LEVIN SIDNEY LUMET ARLENE LUNNY KAY MacMAHON ROBERT DALE MARTIN LUCILLE MASON TED MILLS WILLIAM MOGLE JOE MORONE JACK MURPHY PAT MURPHY MERRI NORTHRUP AL PALLADINO TONY PAN STANLEY POSS DORIS QUINLAN MAX RICHARD BOB ROMM MARVIN ROTHENBERG JACK RUBIN SHOLOM RUBINSTEIN WALTER RUCHERSBERG RUDY RUDERMAN HARRY RUDDER FRANCES SCOTT DORIS SHARP JOEL SPECTOR E. J. SPIRO LELA SWIFT ROBERT E. TAYLOR ETHEL TER|tY JEAN THOMAS GEORGE TOMPKINS ROGER WADE TOM WARD ANITA WASSERMAN AMANDA WEBSTER FRED WEIHE HERBERT WOLF 30th ANNIVERSARY SHOW - With Eddie QaUaher, Wally Ol- sen’s Orch, others Producer-director: Bob McKinsey Writers: -Charles Sarjeaht, Jim . Bormann, McKinsey 8$ Mins.: Thurs. (21), 7:30 p.m. WCCO» Minneapolis If any station is entitled to toot its own horn, WCCO radio surely qualifies. .In public service, top-; notch promoti extensive pro- ducing of its own high quality shows and . all-ai'ound; .excellent programming, it always has been among the preeminent; Moreover, refusing to allow video to push it into the background, it still con- tinues to be an airwave power and topper. So that this 30th anni- versary, show, a salute to itself, and to radio generally, seemed entirely apropos and. not in the slightest immodest. Unfailingly, WCCO’s own pro- duced shows are sterling examples of topdrawer scripting, producing and direction and this birthday program, reflecting its staff’s skills, didn’t let dialers down. While 85 minutes is a considerable amount of time to sustain, the feat was accomplished with a well con- cocted spread, of song, music, com- edy and interesting peeks, into a. lively and eventful past. .Reconstructing slices of popu- lar yesteryear shows and recalling some of the station’s outstanding public services as the Northwest’s “good - neighbor” and . friend, as Well as reanimating historical events which its broadcasts : brought into more vivid . perspective, for the community, the birthday cele- bration provided much engrossing nostalgia. Reminiscently, WCCO assem-. bled a number of Oldtime favorite performers to participate in the. show’s live portions, recalling their earlyrday contributions that helped popularize the station. Transcrip- tions did the rest in reconstruct- ing the past and tracing the . sta- tion’s history and growth. AH made for an impressive presenta- tion. Eddie Gallaher, one of the sta- tion’s first leading personalities and now : a WTOP, Washington, D. C,, staffer, was brought back to. emcee and he turned in a smooth narrator job. Some of the other oldtime performers present in the flesh were Cedric Adams, Bob De- Haven and Halsey Hall (still WCCO staffers) and Jerry Harring- ton, the Wheaties Quartet, Selma Erickson, Betty Brewer and Herb Paul. There were telegraphed tributes from neighboring states’ governors and Minnesota governor C. E, Anderson took the mike to. toss bouquets. Speaking for his. own “friendly competitor,” KSTP, and other stations; Stan Hubbard also was on hand to remi isce and. hand out praises. Rees. McMAHAN’S AND WADE’S PRACTICAL TV MANUALS CBS won’t contest in any way the decision of its 10-man continuity department to use the new Writers Guild of America as its bargai ing. agent.. The web legal and labor relations staffers will recognize th power of WGA, at least until next spring when the now defunct Television Writers of America control of continuity at the network would have ended. ....... The current friendliness between CBS and WG A isn’t shared, ironic- ally, by all members of the continuity staff. That group, shepherded by few diehard TWAer?, didn’t sign with WG A until last week when the Newspaper Guild failed in an Effort to test its. supremacy.- There are still continuity writers at CBS who haven’t yet indicated ‘ allegiance with WGA. One explained that, when he does sign it will only be, what with the majority wish, because he has no other choice. Haydn Evans, general manager of WBAY-TV in Grefen Bay, Wis., Was in Manhattan last week seeking professional counsel on whether to establish a cooking program. The verdict was unanimously negative. Seems that many tele'casters are. convinced . that a cooking program is strictly a “first year on the air” item, and not a lasting, staple for local Video. . ^ WBAY-TV is currently sold out in .prime time, with more prograi knocking on the door than time to accommodate them. Station grossing ovrir $75,00(1 monthly; Says Evans: “We are lucky in ha vi rig channel 2, which creeps along the ground, so that we deliver . a good signal in the remote upper Michigan area' which will perhaps never have a television: station of its own. This gives us ian added potential audience of around .200,000.” WRAY is owned by the St. Norber.tine Fathers, White-robed V.dcr originally from Belgium, Green, Bay having many Belgians along with. S\yiss and Germans in its population, WRC A-T V’s (ex-WNBT) widely-acclaimed educational feature pro- duced With Princeton U. is expected to go network on NBC-TV shortly after first of year, under title "Princeton ’55.” Series will be extension of “Princeton ’54” series which , was presented earlier this year, and which, starts repeat via kines this Sunday (31) on WRCA-TV. Network series will- be. locally produced, with Harry, Olesker who produced “Princeton ’54” and James Elson, director, handling same assignments. Dick Pack, who \yas exec producer of original series and conceived the program, is now national program manager for Westinghbuse Broad- casting Co. Although it received kudos as an outstanding educational tv’er, Princeton prbgram were produced on small budgets.; • The screening committee, of Television Advertising Bureau will pow- wow Nov 4 to decide on the organizatioh’s chief administrative exec; according to latest reports. The matter of a topper for TVB has boo pending for the past few months since nArTB. members merged with indie tele operators to form the new sales promotion unit. The com- mittee having -the filial sayso. includes Clair McCullough, Campbell Arnoux and Roger Clipp. Dotty Mack; the WCPO-TV; Cincinnati, pantomimist who’s been miming records locally and on the DuMont and ABC networks for the past five years, has finally made one of her own, She .cut her first disk a couple of weeks ago, a number titled “Loaded With Love.” Other side is sung by Bob Braun, another pantomimist on her show. Miss Mack, who’s never taken singing lessons, claims that, through her panto work she’s, learned the proper phrasing and breatliirig technique?. CBS-TV’ . “Wiriky Dink & You” ( Saturday and Sunday morn- ings) went into its second year after, notching a sale of 1,250,000 kits for the inaiden twelvemonth, according to the web’s calculators. Kids use the- kits in drawing pictures on the face of their telescreens. CBS regards the two-pronged program and kit package as among its top merchandising efforts. Stanza is a, joint effort with Barry, .Enright & Friendly. Jack Barry is host. Richard »F. Hess, research director of: CBS Radio spot sales, has started distribution of the latest edition of its Market Book to 14 repped stations, all SS account ejeecs and other key personnel. The book, pushed as the most detailed of its kind to date, is a 21-section, 157-page work featuring major-city media info for each market cov- ered, including base rates for radio and tv stations and newspapers. Two practical television manuals have just been published by Hast- ings House, as part of its “com- munication arts books” and both should prove worthy i textbooks. Both are by pros and give the low- d£wn on their respective, subjects. Harry Wayne McMahan, authored “The Television -Commercial,” which is subtitled “How to Create and Produce Effective TV Adver- tising,” and that about tells it. He’s a Vet in the medium, a frequent speaker at Ad Clubs the country over ancf recently joined McCann- Erickson as veepee and member of the copy plans board in charge of telecommercials. : Robert J. Wade’s “Staging: TV Programs arid “’Commercials” is in the same idiom and it, trio, tells its purpose in the subtitle; "How to Plan arid Execute Sets, Prqps arid Product! Facilities.” He is an NBC-TV vet, ’ black-and-white arid color, with a flock of imprest sive top shows credits;- He au- thored: “Designing for TV” pre- viously. Fred Coe did the fore- word, Both are generously , illus- trated. McMahan’s . book; is a $5 item; Wade’s $6.50, and both a good money’s worth for the pur- pose intended. Abel. Albany Radio Cellist Joins Monk Order at 69 Albany, Oct. 26. John Trdmbini, Albany concert cellist, featured on WGY in the Schenectady station’s - pioneer days, bnd later a member of the ‘'musical staff at WOKO, lias joined a Fran- ciscan order at the age of 69. . He is studying to become a lay brother at the St. Francis Seraphic Seminary in Lowell, Mass. CBS-TV Affiliates Advisory Board, in New York last week for semi- annual meet chaired by Glenn Marshall Jr., chose the following as regional reps: Marshall, g.m, of WMBR-TV, Jacksonville; E. K. Jolt, v.p., and director, WMAR-TV, Baltimore; James C. Hanrahan, v.p.-g.m:, WEWS-TV,' Cleveland; Clyde W. Rembert, g.m., KRLD-TV, Dallas; Philip G. Lasky, g.m., KPIX, San Francisco, arid Owen L. Saddler, v.p.-g.m., KM.TV, Omaha. Neil Schaffner and his wife Caroline have operated a tent repertory company for .30 years in the villages and towns of nrirthwesterri Mis- souri and lower. Iowa, Earlier this year ^the Ford Foundation sent, a crew to ..Perry, Mo., to sperid a week photographing the operation in full > ■ j & I ,«£?* .V 1 .• .. t 'v #=■ »a>»C O 0 > 'S . . -W' < ^ ( / ■ >. J# /* H&LwV 77 , S' fc, v'* * / tt 6> , ' A * y ' , WAir DI$NtY t>ROOUCtl RADIO-TEI.E VISION Wednesday, October 27, 1954 IN NEW YORK CITY Jerry Franken, sales chief of the Lester Lewis packaging Office ' (he’s also co-producer of NBC-TV’s "Greatest Moments In Sports”) rushed to Doctors Hospital last week for emergency appendectomy CBS Radio visitors here last week included Frank McLatchy, sales mgr. of KSL, Salt Lake City; William Shaw, g.m. of KNX and Co- lumbia Pacific Radio web, with sales mgr. Bert West; Arthur Hull Hayes, v.p. of web’s Frisco office. With Jules Dundee, ad and sales director of KCBS there .. . WRCA’s Steve White and Bill Berns out- of-tow ing last week on audience survey Bill Leonard missed his WCBS "This Is N.Y.” program last week on a flu rap, making it the first absence in his nine years at station . Mark down Claude Calli- son (WRCA and tv) and Joyce Dance (Warwick & Legler) for a Nov. 4 marriage . . John Karol, CBS sales v.p;, speaking today (Wed.) at Boston radio-tv ad execs club , . . Given Mahle added tO WRCA and WRCA-TV traffic dept. ! WCBS’ Lanny Ross sings with St. Paul Symphony on Nov. 3 , . Georgie . Price paired with author Laura Z. Hobson on Monday (25) on . CBS' “Make Up Your Mind," playing host, to Mia Slavenska, Frank Gifford, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, Caleb Hammond and Alice Pearce WRCA director Bill Malcolm vaca- tioning on Long Island . Vincent Meade named WCBS account exec Theresa Lewis to Young & Rubicam as; story ed of radio-tv dept. . . Harry D. Goodwin has resigned as general manager, of WVNJ in Newark, a .post . he's occupied since the Newark News purchased tiie station last November. lie joined the News in 1948 as. manager of WNJR, then owned by the paper . . Bill Castle now spelling Gene Stuart on Sundays in the latter’s all-night WABC deejay stint . Lee Cooley, director of Perry .Como’s tv’er, named radio-tv chairman of the N.Y. March pf Dimes 1955 drive. Jack Lacy, longtime WINS gabber, got a new five-year contract from manager Bob Leder . David Yarnell moved from WNEW’s- publicity department to take up as administrative assistant under Bill Kaland’s. aegis in prograriiming at the indie . . Sky Coach Airlines and Old Gold have become new underwriters in WLIB’s Negro program block. Ip the meantime, Tip top Bread expanded its announcement sked .. . George Ball became father of a girl, Rahdi Ellen, Oct. 18 . WO V has fixed up. the studio booth at Harlem’s Palm Cafe . . . Dick Pack, national program chief for Westinghoiise Broadcasting CO. planes to West Coast, today (Wed.) for first i look and listen to WBC stations there — KPIX (TV) in San Francisco, and KEX (AM) in Portland. IN CHICAGO Frank McGivern exited his WBKB sales berth for veepee and ad manager stripes at the KeKo Corp. . . . Dick Faulkner switched from WMAQ sales to George Diefenderfer’s Chi NBC sales force. Bob Loeber moved up from the WMAQ ad-promotion staff to fill the local sales opening Eileen Mack departed her WCFL publicity and femme gabber berth with Beity Mattson taking over her morning airer . . , Evelyn Vander Ploeg, ex-Schwimmer & Scott, new timebuyer at the Meyerhoff agency . . Chi NBC’s news s^aff covering a 14-state area for the network next Tuesday night (2). Alex Dreier will gab the midwest web inserts , . . Don McNeill and "Breakfast Club” gang Will originate the ABC morning simulcast from the Hotel New Yorker’s Terrace Room next Week . . Wilson & Co. bankrolling six i5-minUte A f v % »•* < that’s the GROUP WLW WtW-A WLWC WS.W-D WIiW-T Radio Atlanta Coltimbns Dayton Cincinnati Sale* Offices: New York, Cincinnati , Dayton, Colufribus, Atlanta, Chicago TV Juve Probe : r Continued from page 29. sex, during the watching hours, for youngsters (4 to 10 p.m.), they were reminded that large numbers of adults also watch t VcTuring those hours, and what is a station sup- posed to do about that vast audi- ence of grownups? No member of the Senate Committee team offered a. solution for that dilemma. When Enid. Love, assistant direc- tor Of school broadcasting for the British Broadcasting Corp., told how careful BBC was about the kind of programs offered for chil- dren, she. added voluntarily: "But I must stress that no one in Britain, has ever seriously contended that tv, Or. radio by itself, can either cause or cure juvenile delinquency. All available evidence suggests that the major causes of these tragedies are to be found in maladjustments, insecurity or neglect at home.” The Senate Committee took the position that all mid cowboy films in which there is shooting (which should be : 10,0% of them) are. films Of violence and therefore question- able fare for junior if not, indeed, downright harmful to hii This view was. buffeted by umber of witnesses Who. said youngsters take such . things with, a grain. of. salt, recognize them as theatrical' en- tertainment and nothing more, and are not dragged down men- tally and rhorally by thei , even When the villains get killed,. Roughest industry comeback Was delivered by Robert H. Hinckley, ABC veepee, He teed off on James ,V;. Bennett,, director of the Bureau of Federal Prisons, who had recom-. mended . a commission, appointed by the President, to generally over- see the calibre of tv programming. . "He suggests a kind of Watch and Ward Society to scan the movies and television,” said Hinckley, "If such a group is established, it should be to watch every medium of communications, ft should, also monitor the activities of public Of- ficials, especially at the local levels where the most graft is. You should call it a Public Conscience. Commission ‘ and it should even hold up to scorn adults who try. to get a traffic ticket fixed.” This pretty well terminated further d Is* cussi of censorship by govern- ment commission. segments weekly on Bill Evans eyeopener on WGN . . ... WMAQ-WNBQ program director George Heinemann, WMAQ-WNBQ musical super- visor Don. Marcotte and WNBQ music coordinator Larry Johnson to judge vocal auditions for Sun-Times’ annual Harvest Moon Festival slated for the Stadium Nov.' 20. Deejay Howard Miller and Sun-Times columnist Irv Kupcinet will emcee the autumn Jamboree . . . Ed Joyce added to the WBBM annouiicery . . Janet Kern, Chicago-Amerjcan radio-tv editor, starts her fifth year On the daily next week . . . Johnny Desmond, singer on ABC’s ^'Breakfast Club,” making series of campus personal appearances. IN WASHINGTON ... , .>/■ .* Tom Taussig, who recently, ankled WTOP-CBS after three years as tv program director, goes to Young & Rubicam in New York as account rep . . . Judith Anderson due in this week to make pilot-f ilms of Bible readings at the Capital Film Studios . . . Motorola unveiled its new 19-inch color receiver at a party at studios of WTOP, a CBS affiliate, coupled with showing of fthe NBC spectacular, "Follies of Suzy” . . . William E. Linden Jr. has been promoted to director at WTOP-CBS . . . Bob Reed, WRC-NBC "Timekeeper” trekked to Annapolis past week to -highlight the U. S. Naval Academy’s football pep rally . . . Hecht Co., town’s largest department store, has tied in with WGMS, capital’s “Good music” station, in a unique promotion stunt to hypo interest in store’s eight-day hi*fi-tv-orama « . . Wania McGinnis, former film coor- dinator for WTOP-CBS, now a freelanze radio consultant, With chores on the Edgar Bergen airer alSo On her agenda . Elinor Lee, WTOP femmecaster, has added a mid-rhorning % show to her early morning station chores. IN CLEVELAND ' Walfierg Brown, former NBC musical director here, inning special disk show on WDOK . . . Ex-WSRS news editor Bob Engel doing news for KFSD . . WGAR’s Reg Merridew ailing . . Wayne Mack doing news for WJW . . Brooke Taylor subbing for newscaster Bob Lang on WXEL’s Gray News George Jessel skedded as emcee for Press Club-Nevvspaper Guild annual frolic . . Ohio Story which climbed to fame over WTAM returning to outlet after switchover to WERE and WGAR,. . . WNBK*s Bill McGaw and Don Rumbaugh in Chagrin' Falls’ production “Mister Roberts” . . Mary Lou Barnum left v NBC for TV Guide F16 Roth doing Ballet Theater promotion IN PHILADELPHIA Ralph Brent, WIP sales director, addressed meeting of Ohio Assn, of Radio . and Television Broadcasters (22) in Columbus ... Dr. Edward Janosik^ assistant professor of political science at the U. of Pennsyl- vania, will assist WIP staffUn analyzing Election returns (Nov. 2) . . . Paul Taylor, KYW newscaster, acted as panelist at monthly meeting of World Affairs Council (25) , y John Vandercook, ABC commentator, originated nightly news broadcast from WFIL (26) ! John Franklin KYW newscaster, is pressing for State legislation to make it illegal to discard iceboxes without removing hinges or hooks to prevent child suffocations . . Joe McCauley, featured disk jockey on WIP’s allhighter "The Dawn Patrol,” switches to a morning show "Start the Day Right,” Thanksgiving week, replacing Mac McGuire who gOes to KYW in., the wakeup shakeup . Carl and Ralph Lopaitin, WPTZ news cameramen, both were in auto crashes during Hurricane Hazel ahd both escaped without injury , . WPTZ ’‘Television. Kitchen” presided oVer by Mrs, Florence Hanford, clocked up fifth consecutive year; last week making it the longest running continuously-sponsored program in local tele- vision. • IN MINNEAPOLIS WCCO-TV and Clellan Card. one of its ace personalities, have the distinction here of Originating the first color telecast and being the first local airwave star to appear on it, respectively. Station color televised the regular black and white Card show, "Axel and His Dog,” a smallfry program. Card also had been the first Twin. Cities’ per- sonality ever to appear on a local black and white tv program. WCCO- TV’s color camera is Upper Midwest’s only one, as far as is known . . . WCCO radio staged and hour and a half show Thursday night (21), much of it nostalgic in nature, to Celebrate its 30th anniversary . . Black Hills Broadcasting Co. t operating, two Rapid City, S. ’D. f radio stations, seeking a tv station permit for the town . . After more than 11 years with WTCN radio and tv here, disk jockey Jim Boysen picking up stakes and trekking to Pacific coast where he’ll seek a video connection . . WTCN-TY launched bingo ("marko”). game late Satur- day night show with an auto supply house as sponsor and a tieup with grocery stores that distribute the "marko” cards , . . WMIN-TV and WTCN-TV combining the present annual cerebral palsy telethon from Minneapolis State and St. Pa.iil Paramount theatres’ stages Nov. 27. WCCO-TV carried it from the State here last year. Saturday (23) on the “The Folliei of Suzy” spec . , . Patricia Peardon into a featured role on ABC-TV’ "The Mail Story” tomorrow (Thurs.) . . , Shirley Eggleston into a running part on CBS-TV’s "Val- iant Lady” . . Marcel Hillaire did a lead last night (Tues.) on "Armstrong .Circle Theatre” . . . Naomi Riordan into "Studio One” Monday (1). John Magiius, produced with United Cerebral Palsy and formerly of NBC, ABC and WGY in Schenec- tady, is leaving- this week for a news and sportscaster job at the new Milwaukee outlet, WTVW . WATV’s four-man property shop just joined I.ATSE . ... Don MorroW yesterday (Tues.) did the first video commercial for. Emerson. It marks the return of the firm— o.ut of tv for the past four years. Mor- row also did a 'special three and a half minute pitch for Lincoln-Mer- cury Via WNBT’s Guy Lombardo vidcast Fri. (22).. Chicago Everett Mitchell will emcee NBC-TV’s telecast of the final judging of the International Live Stock Exposition Nov. 30. Allis- Cha liners will lift the tab of the hour-long show for the sixth straight year ., . , WBXB news an- alyst Austi Kiplinger addressed the. Chicago Junior Assn, of Com- merce monthly luncheon meeting yesterday (Tues.) , Dinny Bruce subbing for , honeymooning Lee Phillip on her afternoon WBBM- TV crqssboarder . . . John W. Tay- lOr, exec director of WTTW, Chi’s educational station, on the prowl for a chief engineer . . . Jim Flem- ing comes out next week to handle the midwest cutins on . 'NBC-TV’s. election night coverage . . Saler- no-McGowen . Biscuit . sponsoring Mel Bellairs’ ‘(What’s the' Answer” Saturday nights on WBKB . Clown Nicky Francis has returned to the ABC-TV "Super Circus” cast after recovering from a recent operation . WNBQ hung the SRO sign On its; local inserts on NBC-TV’s "Tonight” with .Turner Clothirjg and American Chicle grabbing up the last. two availabili- ties Kansas City — Shelby Storck, long prominent in radio and tv here, is taking off from the local scene to take over as a manager of KETC, St. Louis educational tv station on Channel 9. New York WRCA-TV’s Tex Antoine, oldest continuously* sponsored weather- caster in local tv, marks fifth anni Nov, 5. Crossboarder has ‘ been underwritten by Consolidated Edi- son since Nov. 8, 1949 . . Ella ("Janet Dean”) Raines ‘ making guest appearatices in behalf of Damort Runyon. Cancer Fund . . . Betty Sue Albert pacted for Syl- vania commercial on "Beat the 1 Clock” . . Jackie Robinson, Carl Braun, Les McMitchell and Frank Gifford to sub for Marty Glickman on WRCA-TV’s "Junior Cham* pions”. as Glickman ewers NCAA basketball games . . Up from Washington, Ron Cochran will take over for Robert Trout on WCBS- TV’s "News of the Night” (includ- ing the' Saturday segment), but Trout sticks with "6 O’clock Re- port” plus his upped radio chores . i . WRCA-TV sales mgr. Jay Heitin to Frisco 'and L.A. fo.r IQ- day biz. trip. Station’s "Guy Lom- bardo Show” this Friday (29) will feature guest Bibi Osterwald in her w.k. "Casey Jones” , , , Ten danc- ing dolls bearing built-in music boxes to pair off with live mop- pets on WRCA-TWs "Children’s HOur” . in ekt Sunday (31) . . . Frank Ford into one of the production numbers of NBC-TV’s "Hit Parade” ... Dean A.. Myers, Columbus Dis- patch radio-TV ed, Into; New York for a week of t*v interviews! After a couple) of years based thataway on West 57th St., CBS* TV press Info moves to the re- furbished fourth floor of 485 Mad- ison Ave. hq. latter part of this .week . •... It’ll be two top ad libbers versus, each Other as Fred Allen squares off with Steve Alleif on latter’s. NBC-TV "Tonight” show tomorrow (ThUrs!) . : . WCBS-TV hosting luncheon on Friday (29) honoring Dr. Frank C. Baxter, the Shakespearean scholar, at Savoy Plaza , General Mills . .and .its "Lone. Ranger” looking ahead to Feb. 12, 1955, when the Saturday western series will extend tb a full hour (one-shot) as an anniversary gala on CBS-TV. Attorney Morty Becker, of the Jafle & Jaffe office is recuperating at the New Canaart (Conn.) home of scripter William Kendall Clark after a setback following his dis- charge from the hospital, where he was treated for a severe cold and general exhaustion. Franklin Schaffner, alternate di- rector of CBS-TV’s "Studio One,” cited last week by alumni associa* tion of Franklin Marshall College (he’s class of ’42) for his "con- tributions to television.” Award was . a printed foolscap in a blue leather binding . , . Arlene Francis- fcmceed "Army Soldier Parade” on ABC-TV gets trimmed to a half- hour starting Sunday (31) in switch from its. Wednesday full hour! Show replaces "Dr. I. Q.” and is for four weeks only since the new Gpodson-Todman stanza is ear* marked for the Sunday slot under Revlbn auspices/ Tom Avera chalked up his 35th Mar Liebman v ir production last EDITH DE LYS VOICE TEACHER FOR POPULAR SINGERS DICK SHAWN Stor of Max Llebman's TV Spoctaciilari $iudltt Excludvoly with MADAM DE LYS 19 WEST 56th STREET COlumbus '5-3077 Vll MIND YOUR STORE ! Right-hand man to Show Biz Bxocu- tivo; 20 yoars' ox|aarloncc In all branches of. ontortalnmont world: mu- sic, movlos, ■ stage, radio and TV. Writing, casting, creating. Currently a story editor with mofbr movie com- pany but would like chang*. Know business procedures. I can bo your Unlvac. Lata Thirties, won't frighten children. Box V-2015, Variety, 154 W. 44th St., New York 34. For Sale-New Jersey I .rm. ; d«lux« rtn«h home, I'Y Undfcapid vrit— llv. rn>., 14’ pUtur* wliidaw— randam Mk paaiad fleer, flraplar*, full dining ratni. 20x20 tarrata, autdaar kltehan. 3 raama in natural waad flnithaa, 2 air.tand. unite at- aludad, > milt* , fram fiaarga Wgatiingtan iridH. 440,000. Phana CLaitar -5-2460 ar CL .0- 1505 W,,; . . - 7. Wednesday, October 37, 1954 MmETf RADIO-TELEVISION S* television Reviews Continued from pace 3ft come bashfulness in meeting young men. ^ The last half-hour reverted to a considerable extent to the old stand up lecture technique, using few props*. The topic was “Our Changing Earth: The Geology of Michigan.” Dr. James H. Zumberge, encum- bered as he. necessarily was with having to define strange geological terminology which, described the pre-ice age period that was the subject of the lecture* did a rea- sonably competent job. The use of ' Classroom students” to asjc questions might work to good advantage here to stimulate in- terest by cutting up the monolog into more digestible segments. This course will continue for seven weeks. Show is kinescoped in univer- sity’s studios at Ann Arbor. It is presented weekly at. 1 p.m. Sunday over WWJ-TV, Detroit; and later in .afternoon or in the week over W JI M-TV, Lansing; WKZO-TV, Kalamazoo; WWTV-Cadillac. and WPAG-TV, Ann Arbor. Tew. jig-type number to folk tune back- ing. in a county fair, sequence, Up- pacing of show would help it a lot. Miss Harmer’s solo bits were all in the. mood category. They in- cluded items like “Man I Love”, “ffey, There!” and a dragging in- troduction to speedier chorus job on “Of Thee I Sing.” Insertion of one or two livelier arrangements arid better staging would showcase her okay pipes to much better ad- vantage. Don Garrard's clicko; bass-baritoning- of “I Got Plenty Of Nuthin* ” arid drincer Don Gil- lies’ presentatiori, with an unbilled femme; of a routine to “Taking a Chance on Love” lifted the show nicely.; Recorded greetings from Paul Whiteman were presented during the show to “Showtime’s” batoner, Howard Cable. Future stanzas will have dance team Alan 4 nd Blanche Lund, and announcer Herb May will alternate with femme gabber Pat Patersori on commercials; Gorm. DANCE PARTY With Joe Grady, Ed Hurst Director: Dennis. Kane 40 Mins., Mon. 11:20 p.m. ARTHUR MURRAY WPTZ, Philadelphia Joe Grady and Ed Hurst, long- time pros with a large teenage radio following, easily carried their fans with them to their ‘sock Sat- urday morning tv disk session. In “Dance Party”, they make a pitch for the 40-plussers, but stay on the same sure ground. An engrossed SRO studio audience sat content to watch the Arthur Murray in- structors and their student terpers. 'Dance Party” doesn't seem to have the abandon of the matinee crow d. The participants have more purpose. A fast-stepping retired oldster, queried by the diskers as lie danced, explained that his so- cial life was much improved, thanks to Arthur Murray and his own high regard for the samba. Another student used the lessons as therapy for her arthritis; Not all the danc- ers iensed, however, were old and halt, The ; , staffers on the floor were agile and proficient as they, glided, about to the master of Tony Simone at the organ console. Dee j a y pair swing enough weight to get the best in town — morning, noon or midnight. Joni James made the long trek from Sciolla’s outlying, spot in North Philly. to lip-sync “Mama, Don’t Cry at. My Wedding. A restrained Jack, E. Leonard (Celebrity Room) engaged in 'some, hunor banter and insults with the boys. Dave Appell and his Applejacks (quartet), did a run through on a brace of their record- ed numbers. “Dance Party” isn’t likely to have the all-out appeal of team’s juve programs, since grown- up loyalties are apt to be divided. Show is best try for Arthur Mur- ray studios on the local level. Drawing power will depend in large measure on Calibre of guests and deejays can certainly swing this feature.. Gagh. WATV's 'Frolics' Coin With the sale of time to Nestles and TV Time Popcorn, WATV, Newark, has expanded its “Junior Frolics” juve stanza into an hour- long program. As of last Monday (25), the cas- ing was lengthened from its origi- nal 5 to 5:30 time up to 6 p.m. MIDWEST B0W0UT Cincinnati, Oct, 26. Wendy Barrie's one-year con- tract With the Tristate NetWork was terminated last week, with pay to the unexpired period end- ing Dec; 31. Her one-hour parti- cipating show, Monday through Friday, originated at WHIO-TV, Dayton, O., and spread to WKRC- TV," Cincy, , and WTVN, Colurn- bus, O. In announcing that the actress would he replaced by Don Wil- liams, puppeteer and ventriloquist. Who . was her co-emcee, will take oyer the chief role; U. A. Latham, WKRC-TV general manager, said “as long as we were not going to renew the contract, We decided to end it.” Williams is supported by Bar- bara Rettig, Jeff Carter and an orchestra. Turns is shopping around the various tv networks for ji full hour of : Christmas Day time for a spe- cial holiday showL Same sponsor did a Xriias special last year and it’s recalled that the Turns commercials (with Basil Rathbone doing the sell) practical- ly brought down the wrath of the industry on its head. Shows to Regional OHFers What amounts to all-UHF net- work (with but one station excep- tion, WPIX), has gradually been taking shape. Ten video stations along the upper east coast with WPIX, the N. Y, Daily News-owned VHFer as the key, are already tele- casting a limited number of the same programs in order to cut down production costs and simul- taneously attract regional sponsors. In the near future another five outlets will join the network. The setup, identified by WPIX as simply a “program relay plan,” had its experimental start last bas- ketball season when the Gotham tele operation relayed its game pickups chiefly to stations in Allen- town, Pa., and Adams, Mass... Unlike CBS-TV, NBC-TV, Du- Mont or-ABC-TV, the new web. uses neither microwave relay nor coaxial cable to transmit programs from one point to another. And it doesn’t look like it will ever grow beyond regional stages, since it ! s all done via relay on the basis of transmitter strength .alone. WGLV-TV, Easton, Pa.; WTVU, Scranton, Pa.; WmGT, Adams, Mass.; WATR-TV, Water- bury, Conn., are the “one hoppers,” i picking the WPIX program directly from the Empire State Building transmitter. W.HUM-TV, Reading, Pa., in, turn, picks up WGLV’s sig- nal. To further intensify coverage, it will be picked up by a third string of stations; presently includ- ing WCMB-TV* Harrisburg, Pa., and WNOW-TV, York,. Pa. WMGT Will feed to WKNY-TV, Kingston,. N. Y. (although closer to WPIX it has terrain problems which pre- vent; direct relay) and to WWOR- TV, Worcester, Mass. It's tf carefully planned opera- tion. The first four stations ar actually outside WPIX’s basic cov- erage area, but special antennas and “hopped -up” equipment enable dii^ct pickup. A definite sales operation has been organized to lure regional and local (via co-op) bankrollers. Called Telepool, Inc,, and headquartering in Stockbridge, Mass,/ it already has Young & Rubicam for Piel’s as underwriter of the 69 Madison Square Garden events being tele- vised by WPIX. Head of the U Sales outfit is James W. Miller. The Telepool network is plan- ning now to feed occasional pro- grams back to WPIX. And of the WPIX originations, the station fig- ures it won’t stop simply at trans- mitting sports but intends expand- ing to other program types. CGE SHOWTIME With Shirley Harmer, Don Gar- rard, Don Gillies, Showtime Singers (8) and Dancers (6), Howard Cable Orch, Herb May, announcer Producer: Harvey Hart 30 Mins., Mon.; 8 n.m. CANADIAN GENERAL ELEC- TRIC CBS-TV, from Toronto ( MacLaren) Upped to name status by M-G-M records and Paul Whiteman, Cana- Ojan-born Shirley Harmer is top-- hilled in this season’s “CGE Show- iime ’ series on Canadian Broad- casting Corp.’s television web. kevue type of show, airer scattered planters and terpsers across its W^h abandon sans much co- pulation or sparkle, but some of inis could have been, in fact looked Pieem nervousness and teri- * Trouble was, everybody, iri- f r: dltl £ Miss Harmer, seemed unsure . although gal loos- a bit towards the end of ne st .anza to better ' effect. Rf.S r, M ner . a l s Q suffered from di- £ off-screen noises as • of . wped props, inadequate sound tin Ing i es P. e cially between orches- i n a Md voices, lack of originality, i choreography and. some light- bi? , U( > aknesse s, not all attributa- fnr 1° night jitters. Terpsing, tin* c , xam Plo, so, closely resembled : v L •! lcln 'S: in other CfiC-TV re- th e - , L. 11 Save the impression that Show- egroU P went from show; to Shn,i 'V lth the same routines, dicio.ui routine here, was a brief Bring the and be sure of continuous true High Fidelity It is i mpossible to obta i n High from aiiy phonograph unless the record is played at the exact speed at which it was recorded* No phonograph can continuously play records at the exact speed at which they, were recorded, except by the use of a speedometer and a speed regulator. Only zenith has these; therefore, only zenith record-changer phonographs can conti ously give you true High Fidelity. It is a surprisingly little known fact that even the finest ..record players vary turntable speed at time of mamifactur and get worse as they grow older. A varia- tion of only one rpm in turntable speed will make aft LP record sharp or flat by a full quarter tone. Zenith’s Stroboscope, which is its speedometer, and zenith’s variable speed regulator, both of which are built into our high fidelity. reco.rcL-diapgQi*. phonogiui#lys, enable ft'i-Child ‘to -4'egidatef the* Speed: and-. set zenith phonographs at exactly 78, or exactly 45, or exactly 33Y or exactly 16% revolutions, pet ■•minute. 16% rpm is the new Talking Book- speed. Without a 'Speedometer and a variable speed regulator, no phonograph can. give you continuous true High Fidelity. De- mands zenith if you want true High Fidel- ity.- Get your Zenith dealer to demonstrate the Zenith Custom Super-phonic today. Zenith Super-phonic ha* dll matched component* needed for true Hjgh • Fidelity reproduction: Dual speakers with 7 woofer, v . Cobra® Tone Arm with barium titanale pick-up gives fre- quency response of 25-20,000 CPS. E. elusive Lid Lock makes whole cabinet acoustically sealed sound chamber.. DuaLneedle cartridge with. I -mil and 3- mil styli for simple, finger-tip selection of eorrec t needle for LP and standard records, tpi (ra-lftrig playing 4 i 4 ?npp(l stylus . arid A6 > JIEM spindle/ optimnd aKsflight extra cost. The Cuitom Super-phonie In Mahogany finish, Model Hl'IUSK, $149.95.-* ■ In Blondt; fj'nitili, Model HI’RJoE, $159.95.* The Super-phpni siarls at $129.95.* fggyffL ® RADIO The royalty of television and ilfllrlw acked by 36 years of Experience in Radionics Exclusively ALSO MAKERS OF FINE HEARING AIDS Zenith Radio Corporation, Chicago 39, JHinoi e •^Aapoigcfurer’s jup^aUe'd retail price, Sliflhtly hipher^ In' Far ^#$7 and 'South. . Prldrt 'and' ipeeificattqnc 1 . *il> , j«d''tbAK^ho e : Without 'noli cop"-, Wednesday, October 27, 1954 P'Snmff * 4** % i : - Vy Ailfe ■IIP ^!F < mm d * , ;l -^v: * , - : ' <■ # a . .,. >• < . V.-:<’< :•:•.•.■ & *k ' x. ^ ito is RESPONSE When WDSU sent out invitations over the air, over 60,000 attended WDSU. Night at Pontchartrain Beach. Thousands more fans were turned away. For a station to draw the largest crowd in the 26-year history of an amusement park shows an unusually high measure of .audience response. Such. response can. only be built on outstanding com- munity acceptance. And this in turn depends on lead- ership in staff, in facilities, in enterprise. • >#$* 4* ■SC; W«(fne*lay, October 27, 1954 YOU ASKED FOR IT... HERE IT IS! TV TIC-TAC-TOE the most fabulous, the rich- est* the greatest assortment of prizes ever offered in broadcasting history I supported by over 100 million PROMOTIONAL PIECES in the big. gest, most diversified, most com- prehensive merchandising pack- age ever Offered . . anywhere, anytime! COST? ZERO! THIS IS NOT A PwpuitK. . . i MILLION DOLLARS IN PRIZES I m^m WL I Mm ELl? ^ , .•.% . ■ .v.v.: i * r S>" /- V s > V THIS ISA NTA SERVICE . . AVAILABLE TO ONLY 100 STATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES wSs % ....M*..., < ^ s / f *. * V.SVO.SV.vIV^.SSV.V .‘.SV.V.V.W.V.V.’.V.V V.'iV.V.V.'.V.V.'i ^ , ' , V > ' ■. THIS PROMOTION HAS EVERYTHING! / . . IXCITIMINT . • .. , prolonged for 0 21 -week period, leading up to O grand contest climax. , ACTION . » . . » . every week a new contest, with everyone in your market eligible. SIMPLICITY . ... no captions to read! no box tops to handle! no : 1 slogans to judge . . Our master plan makes it as easy as a-b-c. REWARD .. the greatest audi “Pied-Piper'd” into station. Brings you , . . keeps for you . . mor national, regional and local sponsors than you've ever had before. PRESTIGE . . / . • solidifies present billings with powerhouse merchan- dising plan .. .puts, you in direct contact with huge national advertisers. ' r • v ''>i *,, v ' ' m or the )o mMw.EOfcsUMEBi who whi be RtBHIEiOOTHTO RETfld STORES Ml OVER THE COUNTHr EVERT WIE* -TO- BET Tfillft "‘TV TIC4AC40E” CM&ST s , * - , , v s S' , : s 'v /fcAU $00* WA MAN TOO AY i He's Only M!n»t+s Awpyt ij’A'.v/v.V/.'.'.W.' V-O" ' m ^Copyri - ; - ' . - * , , ,7 AVENUE, NEW YORK, H. %, Hm 5-S3WTO s' t ■. ' ■X ^ x o ' > * Wednesday, October 27, 1954 — • ~ -a Pfoti&rr '** V TV-FILMS 43 Prevalent belief that there’s a famine of feature films available to television is belied by the latest Broadcast Information Bureau compilation, which shows a total of 3,046 acceptable features ort‘ the market, plus an additional 992 westerns. Titles are listed in BIB’S new TV Film Program Directory— -Feature Films, tohich is being released today (Wed.). ’ „ Totals don’t include two categories of available features, thoie - subject to copyright litigation, and some 500 titles which were previously listed /but .now are characterized as havirig "quality now judged insufficient- for telecasting.” . Many, features, accord- ing to. BIB editor Judy Dupuy, have outlived their copyrights or leasing-for-ty agreements, and are i the hands of distributing organizations which though they have physical possession of the prints, don’t necessarily have legal title to them. Woes; In Tiz Over Colbert ’s liz’ Rockhilh Productions has made- demands upon -Gross-Krasne (Unit- ed Television Programs), vidpix packagers oh the Coast, for the return of a pilot film held to be in the possession of G-K with latter, as the "innocent party” in an al* leged unauthorized transfer . of property. This and other incidents relating to RockhiU’s current finan- cial woes were aired last week;. by Janet Taylor, president of Rock- hill The seriousness of the; situ- ation— Of which physical "dispos- session” of the pilot and prints of it constitutes but one phase in a series of elaborate : charges- and events — is indicated in Rockh ill’s retention Of Warren S. Tenney, a New York attorney, to handle the case. Tenney was, assistant to Dis- trict Attorney Frank Hogan, until a few uteeks ago and is now in private practice/ Filin involved Is "Leave It to Liz,” made with Claudette Colbert, as the star and projected as a three-year series with the Toni Co. signing as the sponsor arid a time slot arranged on NBC-TV. Hitch developed, however,, when ; Miss Colbert nixed the deal saying she would hot pitch the commercials,, nor even introduce the announcer who would make ’the formal plugs. Rockhili’s investrrient in “Liz” was ‘‘upward of $50,000.” Last week, Rockh ill wrote to Gross-Krasne that ’ a "certain prop-: erty is now in your possession . . . obtained pursuant to a purported purchase and sale between you arid E. J. Leven. r ’ The latter is de- scribed as not Owning the film and Without any right to dispose of it since "he is not an officer of the corporation” and has riot been in an officer capacity "at any time.” Rockhill is currently unrepre- sented on tv. Its leading property is "Tom Corbett, Space Cadet,” not now aired but still a key vehicle on merchandising-licensing factors> and it also- has, a major telepix project in "Jet Fighter.” ’Plundered’ According to its statement, Miss Taylor returned to. her office re- cently after a serious illness to discover that the company , had been ‘‘plundered” in her absence. "She found, ,K the declaration con- tinued, "that the Claudette Colbert pilot film wal missing arid appar- ently disposed of, corporate monies Eone and 'unaccounted for, cor-! (Continued pn page *47). „ Package of 13 Princess Pictures nriade-for-tv” features which have been distributed by Vilapix won’t go over to Guild Films under the Guild . Vitapix agreehient. Am nouncement of the agreement had Guild -taking over all Vitapix prod- uct, but Princess, headed by Burt “alaban, has recovered the 13 fea- tures and »is now negotiating a dis- tribution; deal with Other outfits; with a firm commitment for a new vist rib. reportedly due within the Week. •• Other Vidfilm properties, ‘all of Which will be handled by Guild, *re (he Johnny Mack Brown West- cins and the VitdpiX wrestling •now from Hollywood. Alicoate Joins Wicks John C. Alicoate has resigned as eastern sT31es chief of the TeeVee Co. to join Charles Wick’s. Tele- film Enterprises in the same.chpac- ity. Telefilm also added Alexan- der J. Cline to the new post of film traffic manager. ^ Alicoate, a member of the trade- paper family, joined TeeVee this spring, after serving with Guild Films as assistant national sales manager., Cline was formerly with Siheli. Oil, where he was film li- brary and traffic manager. , WOR-TV,: N. Y., has pulled the rating guarantee off its 16 show- ings weekly of each of the 30 fea- tures purchased from parent crirp. General Teleradio;. As ai matter of fact, it was learned, that the last two of the eight sponsors inked to pay for the expensive package — • N; Y. Telephone and. Duffy Mott— did not sign on the basis of a guar- anteed 70 cumulative rating each week. The first rating’ oh the month- old multi-run casing, before the two last sponsors, signed, was 70.7. In a Telepulse of Oct. 8 to. 14, the 16 showings of the pic got an 84.2 cumulative rating, putting WOR- TV into N. Y.’s number three spot, on the basis of quarter-hour av- erages behind NBC ^and CBS flag- ships, for the second lime in as many ratings, but this time from 6 p.rri. tfhtil midnight instead of 7 to 11:30 WOR only made the 70 guarantee to attract sponsors to the $4,125 : a-vveek deal. It’s doubt- ful,: according to some observers, if ratings fall below 70 that the guarantee will be reinstated. ! TOURIST ATTRACTIONS’ INSTITUTIONAL VIDPIX Now the "tourist attractions have started bankrolling their own in- stitutional vidpix., Luray Caverns, Va:, has pacted with Hollywood Television. produc- tions for one 15-minute vidfilm arid Ponce de Leon Springs, Fla., is. go- ing to make six of the same length through the same producer. The de- cision to underwrite completely their own public service stanzas is seen as an outgrowth of satis-, faction with participation iri the 10-month old "Guided Tour” quar- ter hour made by HTP. That show Contains features from several tour- ist attractions , each week, and is distributed gratis to 209 tele sta- tions/ HTP . has realized gross of $100/000 this past year in produc- tion and distribution of industrials or travelog-type pix. Ship ’N’ Shore Blouses is. iri , for the third year with six quarter-hour pix at NTP; international Silk Assn. Is doing four more; Coty is inked for two; Suzy Perrette (dresses) is also pencilled for two. Other NTP ac- counts include Edison Ediphones,. Underwoods .Typewriters, Pennsyl- vania Railroad* ' “''V v. VS By BOB CHANDLER The first shot in what promises to be a long and drawn-out. battle between the networks and the film syndicators was fired last , week via the announcement of an "agree- ment” between Guild Films and Vitapix under which the former will provide some $12,000,000 worth of first-year programming for national spot sponsorship over a lineup of some 60 present and future Vitapix stockholder sta- tions. V The Guiid-Vitapix agreement, though couched to the press in cautious* terms, left no doubts that this proriiises to be the ; stations,’ major thrust against -the network rate structure. That a filmed net- work in which the stations could keep 100% of their rate v card via sales 71 of network-quality filmed ( shows to national sponsors lias, been a gleam in the eyes of top station- operators is no secret. And; that the. Vitapix member stations, Among -which number more, than 20 CBS basics and^ i4 NBC basic af- filiates, have given unqualified sup- port to the Guild enterprise is also no. secret, although Reub Kaufman and Frank E. Mullen, the respec- tive prexies. of Guild and Vitapix, were careful to state that no sta- tion under their license, can “trade away its time.” That the . stations, after three /Years of comparative inactivity un- der the Vitapix banner, are playing for keeps, is inherent in the Guild production plans, Which call for five new half-hour nighttime shows, including “The Goldbergs”, and Paul Coates’ "Confidential File,” a longtime toprated local show in Los Angeles. In the daytime sphere,: Guild Will turn out four quarter-hour strips, comprising 20 quarter-hours weekly, which* in- clude Dr. Norman Vincent Peale in a twice-weekly format, Connie Haines as a three-a-weeker, "It’s Fun to Reduce,” as a cross-boarder and "Bride and Groom” as a sec- ond cross-boarder. Kaufman is currently negotiating for the other three nighttime segments and the one daytirner, with top names and properties reportedly ip the works.” Rate Card Big Factor Guild , and Vitapix see several distinct advantages in their favor in the upcoming battle for station and advertiser allegiance. One is the rate card factor, under which the stations will get 100% of their national spot rate instead of 30% of their network rate. On the ad- vertiser side, the Vitapix station lineup will cost about 25% less to a sponsor than the same lineup bought on a network basis. (That’s because stations have set their net- work rates higher than their na- tional spot rates, since they only get 30% of thelir network rate.) Third, the film factor permits greater programming -. clearance flexibility for station and sponsor. Fourth, stations don’t have to give free hours to a filmed network. Fifth, in the. long run, Webs will continue to have to pay ,up to $100,000,000 a year for. line charges while the GuildVitapix front pays* only print and shipping charges. (Continued on page 47) MCA-TV To Syndicate ‘Pride of Family’ Reruns Reruns on "Pride of the Family,” the Paul Hartman starrer that was last year sponsored 'on ABC-TV by Armour arid Bristpl-Myers, being placed into syndication by MCA- TV, it’s been . reported. The dis- trib outfit is working up. regional and local deals now. In the meantime,, producer Joel Kaufman signed oyer to MCA dis- tribution rights on the Aussie-pro- duced 39 tinters of the "Long John Silver” series. Pix, starring Rob- ert; Newton, Will not be released, however, for A year after release of a full-length feature on the same topic, per Kaufman-MCA contract. That’ means the telepix should be available around Xmas '55. i Reynolds’ Switch After more than three years of filming "Foreign Intrigue” and l a 1 1 e r 1 y "Sherlock Holmes” abroad, during which time he’s built up a rep as the top American producer f ilrriirig in Europe, Sheldon Reynolds is pulling a switch. His next tele-, pix series, “The Saint,” .will be shpt in New York. ! Reynolds has the rights to the Leslie Charteris character, and can proceed with product tion Whenever he wants. How- ever, the press of producing ; "Intrigue” and "Holmes,” plus piaris for the production of fea- ture films abroad, makes the starting date. "The Saint” indefinite. However he insists it will be done in N. Y M . de- claring that “no fone. has reaily taken advantage of the N; Y. backgrounds and gotten the feel of N. Y. in their films yet.” London, Oct. 26. A color series of at least 26 hour- long pix, each of which will be lensed in different capitals, has been launched jointly by Harry. Alan Towers and Henry Caldwell. Latter is the BBC-TV producer of "Cafe Continental, ” "Lime-Light,” "Shop Window,” etc. First iri -th series, entitled “Moulin Rouge,” has already been filmed in Paris and a color print is now being edited.- Production, which stars the Wiere Bros, and Richard Hgarrie ("Mr: Pastry”) t was produced; ‘directed arid scripted by Caldwell. It was made in East- man Color and was filmed in four- and-a-half days. Second in the series is now in preparation and will be lensed either in Spain or Italy. After ex- hausting the European capitals the producers will film in more dis- tant parts of the World. Distribution of the series is being arranged through the Towers or- ganization, Towers of London, and deals are already being negotiated for most of the television webs in existence in Europe. It Is claimed that the pix. employ a technique which makes -them suitable for screening in any coun-. try without dubbing. They re being released under the tentative umbrella title of "International Cabaret.” % ‘FORD THEATRE’ TO CUT BACK ON TINTPIX Hollywood, Oct. 26. Despite the growing conviction that /‘all' telefilms will be in color, before too long,” Ford has decided to. cut back its. use .of tint for. the current "Ford Theatre” series.- Screen Gems has made 15 of the vidfilnis in color thus far. r J. Walter Thompson, on behalf of Ford, notified Screen Gems, to liiriit color to every third picture henceforth. Color cost has risen to $45,000 per film as against $35,- 000 for black-and-white. OF’s ‘Secret File’ Deal Official Films will distribute 13 more "Secret File, U. S- A.” films starring Robert Alda under an agreement reached last week •with Arthur Dreyfus, who’s pro- ducing the series in Amsterdam. Dreyfus planed into N.'Y. to huddle with official prexy Hal Heckett/ who. agreed to bring the total of "Secret File” pix up to 52. First 39 are currently in production at the . Cinetone Studios in Amster- dam. " Official has sold the series in. 48' markets so far, including 12 mid- western oneA for Ohio Oil; First instance of the establish- ment of a. telefilm distribution com- pany underwritten by bank financ- ing is the syndication Operation of Sheldon Reynolds Productions, which was formalized last week. On an informal basis, the firm, op- erating- through the William Mor- ris office,: which reps Reynolds per- sonally, pas already written some $650,000 in Contracts since Aug, 15 on firstruns of the hew "Foreign Intrigue” series and reruns of the second, year’s production under the title "Dateline Europe.” However, papers were signed last Week naming the Morris office ex- clusive sales representatives for Sheldon Reynolds Productions, and it was disclosed, that the Cherriical Bank & Trust Co. underwrote the entire establishment of Reynolds’ distributing company,. Chemical is financing the current “Intrigue” series, which Reynolds owns lock- siock-and-barrel for the first time, and part of the $1,000,000 financing agreement decided that it liked Reynolds’ idea of ' setting up a firm, to cash in on the “in- trigue” iduals, Prior to this year Reynolds was partnered with Ballantine.’S, via the J. Walter Thompson agency, with the brewery, sponso ing the show in several key markets and sub- licensing it in others*. Reynolds never controlled distribution. When his deal with Ballantine’s .was re- newed this year, a new contract giving him, distribution rights i non-Ballantine markets and also giving him the right, tp. sell’ reruns was signed. Sheldon Reynolds Pro- ductions was then set up as a dis- tribution company with the Morris office’s Bob Cinador assigned to handling it. Formal assignment of the Morris agency as sales reps w signed last week. This, incidentally, marks the first time the agency is actually out selling in the Syndicat-. ed marts, Reynolds said his next project, “The §aint,” will probably be handled througlxJJie new com- pany. His current "Sherlock Holmes” is a coproduction deal with Motion Pictures for Televi- sion and is being syndicated by MPTV’s distribution arm, UM&M Inc. Hollywood, Oct. 26.. Pre-release sales on "Mayor of the Town” total more than $600,000, it's reported by United Television Programs sales p. Wynn Nathan. Thomas Mitchell stars in series being produced by Rawlins-Grant at California studios in association with Grosg’-Krasne, Inc. Buyers; of series thus far include Richfield Oil,: in 11 western states; Iyennecott Copper, Schmidt Brew- ing, Seallest Dairy. Gill Coffee, United Gas arid Mcister Brau Beer. DUB ‘RACKET SQUAD’ FDR SPANISH MARKET First Spanish-ianguage telepi dubbing to be done in Spain lias been Completed on one of the "Racket Squad”' idpix, arid ABC Syndication is currently dickering a couple of major Latin American deals on the basis of what it calls a highly successful .job. If the deals jell, it will go ahead with dubbing of all 98 "Racket” half- hours, making back the cost through the deals in the Latino markets plus other safes it can wrap up south of the border. Thus far., Ziv has been the only tele- pixer to invade Latiri America \yith any success. Pilot dub job was done in Madrid, at the Cervantes Studios, with Henri Grundman supervising. Dubbing, it’s said, Was done after extensive research into Latin American dialects. & !■ BADGE 714, starring Jack Webb ANY ONE OF TV’S Adventures of THE FALCON, starring Charles McGrow Wednesday, October 27 , 1954 INNER SANCTUM ADVENTURE PR can sell K ' > A ‘ 'i \ v / t /M: -i - ' M'- if, |% M '! wJkk * > « **- v < ^ ill Kjs ■ V ;< l ><' > * 4 l K« r,; f :% iM^ii r f <' 3 V/*y ' vn ** 4 M ;*/ • L«mm >% 4 '« C'WiWm; \ «vV . . ** Wiqfever you sell . . . from beer to banking ... . automobiles Supermarkets . . . appliances to soff drinks . . . theie !Toven-great programs have delivered enormous local wdiences for similar sponsors. Iwoys, the cost per thousand has been unusually low . . . •oracteristic of NBC Film Division shows. L NBC FILM DIVISION F*WNG ALL SPONSORS . . . SERVING ALL STATIONS r|JU* DIVISION — 30 tockefollof Plato, Now York 30, N. Y. • , Mtrchandlso Mart, Chicago, III. Vln« St*., Hollywood, Calif. • In Canada:RCAVIrtor,225 Mutual St.,Toronto;l 551 *ljhop3t.,Mgntr«cd 46 TVFII.MS Pft&IETY Wednesday, October 27, 1954 and National Spot Film Chart VARIETY’S weekly churl of city-hy-city ratings of syndicated and tional spot film covers 40 to 60 cities reported by American Research Bureau oh a monthly basis- Cities will be. rotated each week, with the 10 top-rated ■ film shows listed ih each case, and: their competition, sf town opposite,. All ratings are furnished by ARB, based on the latest reports . TTiiV V ARIETY chart represents a gathering of all pertinent informa- Hon about film in each market, which can he used by distributors , agencies , stations and clients as. an aid in de'ermivine the .effectiveness of a filmed show in the specific market. Attention shouldhe paid to lime — day and time factors, since sets-in-use and audience composition vary according fo time slot, i. ,, a Saturday afternoon children’s show, with a low rating, may have a large share and an audience composed largely of children, with cor- responding 'results for the sponsor aiming, at the children’s markeL. Abbre- viations and symbols are as follows: ( Adv ,), adventure; (Ch), children’s; (Co), comedy; (fir), drama; (Doc), documentary ; (Mus), musical;: (Myst), lystery; (Q), quiz; (Sp), sports; (W), western; (Worn), Women's,. IS umbered symbols next to station call letters represent the sta- tion’s channel; all channels above 13 are Vl IF, Those ad agencies listed as distributors rep the national spot sponsor for whom the film is aired. ■ ■■ ■ .. . , . ■■■■■■■ - • - * • ■■ ■ _ ■ TOP 10 PROGRAMS DAY AND SEPTEMBER SHARE SETS IN I TOP COMPETING PROGRAM AND TYPE STATION DISTRIR. TIME RATING USE | PROGRAM STA. RATING ivrw VAnir A g . . a 1 7 c nnrt * W CBS (2) , WNBT (4), WABD (5), WABC (7) JNLW lUKK Approx, bet Counts — 4,175,000 Stations — WOR (9), WPIX (11), WATV (13) 1. Superman (Adv). WNBT. . . .Flamingo. ....... . ... Mon. 6:00-6:30 . . . . . : 17.1 55 ' . . . • , • * 3,1.4 6 O’clock Report , . . . 5.2 Early Show . . . , WCBS 9.3 Z, D. Fairbanks Presents (Dr) WNBT ..Wed. 10:30-11:00 /; . .‘ 44 6 . . . , . ; ... 30.... • • • 48.4 Best of Broadway WCBS or>4 3. Badge 714 (Adv). IVOR . . NBC Wed. 9:00-9:30 12 5..;.., , ... 19.... 66.9 Kraft TV theatre -. „ ...... . WN p T "9.2 4. Favorite Story (Dr) . WNBT. ... . .Ziv. . .Mon. 10:30-11:00 . . . . . . .11.5 .... 26. .. 44.5 Summer Theatre . . . . |VCBS °7.6 5.. I Led Three Lives (Rr) WNBT ; Ziv .... . .Sun. 10:30-11:00 . 10.8 . . , . . . . 21,:,.. 4 • »\ 52.1 What’s My Li .... ..wc^s 9R.9 6. Abbott and Costello (C ;wcbs. MCA... . .Sat. 11;30-J2:00 ., ....... .165. . 78.... 13.4 Channel 4 theatre 'WNBT , ( 1.6 7. Cisco Kid (W). WNBT:. Ziv . . Fri. 6:00-6:30 . . . . . . ; . , .10.2 . , 34, 25.3 6 O’clock Report WCBS 4;6 « * ■. Earlv Show WCBS 9.5 8. Annie Oakley (W) . . WABD. : CBS ; Sat.: 7:30-8:00 9.8 . . 24.. .. 41.2 Beat the C’ock. WCBS 20.2 9. Range Rider (W). WNBT. « .CBS. Sat. 6:30-7:00 9.4 ... 42.,.. 22.7 Saturday Show WCBS 3 9 Show; Rain or v WCBS 4.3 Wild Bill Hlckok (W) . WNBT, ....... . .Flamingo. . . .. . .. . . . Wed. 6:00-6:30 9.4 . . 31 . , ... 30.0 | 6 O’clock Report WCBS 7.5 EarTv Show WCBS, . 10.8 DETROIT A [porox. Set Count — -1,150.000 Stotioris — WJBK • 3*. (2) , WWJ (4), CKT W (6), WXYZ (7) 1* Badge 714 (Myst). , WWJ. .... ... NBC « Sun, 10:00-10:30 . . . 39.0 , . 76.... 52.6 City Kid WXYZ .8.9 Z. Waterfront (Adv) . WXYZ. ....... . .UTP . . Tues. 10:0040:30 .30.4., . . . . ,. . 61..,. , . i. 49.6 Motor C,ity Fights WWJ 3. Racket Squad (Adv). . WWJ ........ABC...... Tues. 9:30-10:00 ... 26.4. . ... . ... 44... 60.0 Stop the Musi WXYZ BE 4. Amos ’ * Andy (Com) . WXYZ. * CBS'. ...... . Mori. 10:00-10:30 . .21.9 ,.. 51..,. 45.3’ Showcase of Stars . . . . ;.,.„WWJ . .14:4 5. Mr. District Attorney (Myst) WWJ. . Ziv . Wed. 9:30-10:00 ... . . . . . .22.7 36.,, •* 64.0 Best of Broadway WJBK 6. All Star Playhouse (Dr) . y. WWJ/. ABC Sun. 10:30-11:00 .. /•. 19.7 ... 64.... 306 Place the Face WJBK 7.6 1 Cisco Kid (W). WXYZ. Thurs. 7:00-7:30 . . ; , ... .17.8’ ...... ... 34.... 52.7 You Bet Your Life WWJ .31.5 3, Liberace (Mus) . . wwj.; , . . > . Guild •. ..... ... Fri, 10:00-10:30 , . ; . . . . .16.0 . . . 35 . . , . 45.3 Black Spider WXYZ 17.1 9. I Led ThriC Lives (Dr) . WJBK: ....... ..Ziv Thurs. 9:30-10:00 15:1 .... 24,... 62.8 Lux Video Theatre WWJ 10. Aiinie Oakley (W) . WXYZ CBS. . Sun. 5:00-5:30 . 14.2 .... 78.... 18.2 Wings Over the WorM WWJ 3.6 WASHINGTON Approx. Set Count— 585.000 Stations — WNBW (4), WTTG (5), WMAL (7), WTOP (9) 1. Badge 714 (Myst) . . . WNBW . . . NBC. . .... Wed. 7:00-7:30 .,18.8.. . . 71.,. 26,5 Mark Evans .WTOP 43 2. 1 Led Three Lives (Dr) . . . . WNBW , . . , ... . Ziv. Mon. 10:30-11:00 . . 17.3 . . . . ..... 40. 43.6 Summer Theatre WTOP . . .18.0 3. Wild Bill Hickok (W). . . .WNBW '. . . . Flamingo Thurs. 7:00-7:30 .13.9 73... 19.2 Safevvay Comedy Hour WTOP 3,7 4. Superman (Adv) . WNBW . .... . . . . Flamingo TuCs. 7:00-7:30 ....... . 13.2 . . . . 74 ; 17.9 Curtain Time News — J. Daly WTO' 5 WM A t. 2:3 26 5. Hopalong Cassidy (W) . WNBW. . ...... . . . NBC Fri. 7:00-7:30 . .12.5 54 23.3 Amos ’n’ Andy 9.9 6. Foreign Intrigue (Dr) . ....... . WNBW. . . . Sheldon Reynolds , . Wed. 10:30-11:00 . .12.4 , 27 46,1 Best of Broadway .22.0 7. Eversharp Theatre (Dr) .... WNBW. . . . Ziv ; . . . . .. Mon. 7:00-7:30 . .10.6 . . . . .... 53 i 20.2 Mark. Evans WT^ - * 5.7 8. Amos V Aridy (Com). WTOP. . . . CBS , Fri. 7:00-7:30 9.9 . . 42 23.3 Hopalong Cassidy . .'WP’V . . .12.5 9. Front-Page Detective (Myst) WMAL .. Consolidated...... Fri. 10;30-1 i:00 8.7 21 . ........ 41.5 Person to Person WTO 0 ■ t . : 21.0 10. Mr. District Attorney (Adv) 'WMAL. Ziv Fri., 10:00-10:30 . .. 7.5,... 15. 51.4 Cavalcade of Sports . ,'WNBW .19.7 CINCINNATI Approx. Set Count — *40,000 Stations — WLW-T (5), WCPO (9), WKRC (12) 1. City Detective (Myst) . WKRC, '. .MCA. . ..: .Wed, 8:00-8:30 .32.0 65. . .. 49.8 Strike It Rich WCPO .'12.9 2. Mr. District Attorney (Myst). WLW-T. Tues. 9;30-10:00 .30.2 . . . 54. 56.1*. Stop the Music WCPO 18.7 3. I Led Three Lives (Dr), . .WLW-T. iThurs. 7:30-8:00 . . , . .26. 5.6 * • * » * • *. 46.8 Four Star Playhouse WKRC .17.3 4. Boston Blackie (Myst) .WLW-T. • h. • • . » 1 V • • S * « • • • » > *' # * r Sat: 10:00-10:30 .20.5 47,/.. 43.9 Front Page;, Weather WKRC .17.6 Movie at 10 ..:... wcpo 10.5 $. GiscO Kid (W). . . . WCPO. * •. i « Z'lV < • < ■ * • • Sup. 5:00-5:30 . . V : . . .17.6 .. . „ 30;4 Meet the Press WLW-T 12.5 6. Favorite Story (Dr) . . , . , . . .WLW-T . , ..Ziv.. Tri. 8:30-9:00 .17.0, *34.; 50.6 Our Miss Brooks*.... ... . .. WKRC 7. Badge 714 (Myst). , WLW-T NBC'., . . . Sun. 6:00r6:30 . . . . v;, . . . 15.8 . . 44.... 36.2 You Asked For It WCPO 14.2 8. Superman (Adv) . WLW-T . . . .Flai ingo. . ,. . ., Tues. 7:00-7:30 ....... .13.9 . . . •; . .... 43; .. 32.4 The Goldbergs WCPO 12.2 9. Cowboy G-Men (W) . . . WCPO. flamingo. . . . . ; . . . Sun. 1:30-2:00 ........ . 10.2 . . . . 25; 14r.l Sunday Matinee WLW-T 2.6 10. Wild Bill Hickok (W) WLW-T , .... Flamingo . ... .-. , . , Sat. 6:00-6:30 7B .. . . . . ... 38.;....... 20.4 NCAA Football WCPO 11:9 COI.UMBUS ■ ■ ' — - - -• ' : Approx . Set Count—— 346,000 Stations — WLW-C (4), WTVN mm |P 1. Racket Squad (Adv). ... . WLW-C • • • • • • ■ ABO * • * ». i". * .■ * Tues. 9:30-10:00 .27.1 53 . 51.8 See It Now . . ......WBNS 2. Boston. Blackie (Myst) . . . . WLW-C 7\\t • «••••• 1 » • • f.« *•*,.* • • 9. » * fi .Sat. 10:30-11:00 .25.7 77.. 33.3 Adlai Stevenson WBNS 7.3 Duffy’s Tavern..; , .... . WBNiS 7.8 3. I Led Three Lives (Dr) .... . . WBNS. • * * • • .• l V- » t » v' • 1 i a .« • ,« « Tues. 8:30-9:00 .... . . . . .24,7 . 44 1 4 *. » • « « .( 4 54.3 Circle Theatre .* .WLW-C 2fi.3 4. Eversharp Theatre (Dr), WLW-C Ziv. .Sat. 10:00-10:30 ... .21.0. . . . . ../. 68..;...... ii.o Film Short . . . , . . WBNS 4.9 Adlai Stevenson. . . WBNS 6.9 5. Mr. District Attorney (Mj. t). . . WLW-C Ziv. .Wed, 9:30-10:00 . 20.6 , > . . . ... . 41. 50.4 Best of Broadway WBNS 25.9 6. Royal. Playhouse (Dr), . WBNS', . UTP........ ...... Sun. 9:00-9:30 .18.4, 35. 52.9 Loretta Young WLW-C r,3.5 7. City Detective (Myst) , WBNS . , .Thurs. 9:30-10:00 ... .. .17.4 . . . ; . ... 36...,:....- 49.0 Lux Video Theatre WLW-C, *'5.5 8. Counterpoint WBNS. . Sun. 8.30-9:00 .15.5.! . ... 29.... 53.0 Television Playhouse WLW-C n 0.4 9. Amos 'n’ Andy (Com) . . WTVN. Mon. 7:30-8:00 .... . 13.1 22.. ....... 60.0 Godfrey’s Talent Scouls WBNS 41:8 Superman (Adv) WBNS . . Wed. 6:00-6:30 .13,1 79, 16.6 Theatre-News WTVN 4.5 ivfarge & Jeu. ..... WTVN 0.8 ' Wednesday, October 27, "1954 TV-FILMS 47 WHERE WERE YOU? With Ken Murray* guests Producer:, Bing Crosby Enterprises Producer: Murray Director: Ralph Staub Writer: Jean Holloway 39 half-hours . Pistrib: United Television Pro- grams This is a show biz legend come true — the one about the comedian, wli wanted to do something, seri- In this case, tlie comedian is Ken Murray." Unfortunately, . his idea of something serious turns out to. be a dreary hodgepodge of newsreel clips held, together on the thin thread, of a single idea^— where- Ava's the viewer 'hen sin. im- portant news event Was taking place. ,, To refresh setside ye.ijoilec- tion, Murray has amassed a collec- tion of clips, none Over 30 seconds in length that he stretches out for an interminable. 20 minutes be- fore coming to the point and iden- tifying his mystery guest— the femme ejevator operator who fell : 7 1 floors and two . basements when i a plane, hit the Empire State Build- ring in 1945. Her three minutes of recollection provide the only : teresting segment of a program t that includes some dramatized se-^ quehces designed to recapture the feeling of the period. Chief difficulty with the pres- entation is the Jean Holloway script which Veers from the ir- ritating to the inane. Particularly annoying are the repeated flash- backs ,to the elevator operator and the , ‘‘she-was-in-an-excitirig-news- event-where-were-you” narration that goes with it. and some of the interpolated scenes. ... Director Ralph Staub’S pacing of the drama scenes is. on the slow side. Lensing by Lucien Andriot is average:. As far as local, consumption is concerned, program: is Paul Coates “Flashback’.- with an attempt at a personalized, gimmick. Kap. ! of New York and. -Chicago, and in . the present membership is only one UHF outlet. Staff Expansion FOUR STAR PLAYHOUSE (The Wallet) Those little human touches that give an ordinary piece of fiction a glow of warmth has', rescued many shopworn tale in this series arid, blacked out more than one of its stars;. It’s an old trick of Charles Boyer’s to put the story in its place and take off from there, Here he does it with finesse and eclat, tlie saying grace of an other- wise unoriginal vehicle that gets its only excitement from hi$ suave pretending and. Without him would have been as uninteresting as the title. An impoverished heacl waiter, Boyer, is torn between his affection lor an ailing wife and a hatred of their soil’ who rebels at home sur- roundings with a yearning for more modern things. In despera- tion to keep his wife out of a char- ity ward in the hospital, Boyer fails, in his efforts to raise the necessary money ' and decides to salvage something out of his pride and honesty, A wallet, left at the cafe with $3,400 won at the track intrigues him after he had offered: its return without thought of re- ward.. Meanwhile the kid gets touched by his mother’s plight and makes off with company money. .When: Boyer berates him as a thief, he takes inventory of his Own con-, •science. He’s a thief, too, if he doesn't return the wallet. It comes off With a sugar coating arid all ends well With Boyer treating the women in the ward with what you’d expect a head waiter- to- buy With his last 40 bucks— caviar and . other delicacies. Boyer’s tender sentimentalities are balanced , off for dramatic ef- fect by the irascibility of . William Campbell and Maria Palmer’s in- stinctive understanding of the clashing elements. Director Robert Florey also gets good perform- ances from teh other motivators. Helm . ' csss. Continued from page 43 === As of the moment, the situation stands this. Way. Guild is pitching its shows at national sponsors while Vitapix is clearing time on the sta- tions for national buys. According to Mullen, . times being considered are fringe time, 7-7:30 p.ni. and 1 0:30-1 i p.m. He said stations are not. being asked to forego their af- filiate contractural relations, But for the future, the Guild produc- tion plans call for' more ighttime shows than Will fit into “fringe” time, and if .Guild can come .up with a, strong lineup of shows arid sufficient'’ sponsorship coi it’s likely the battle will be drawn; Under the Guild-Vitapix agree- lent, exact terms of which weren’t made clear at the press conference Friday (22) announcirig the wed- ding. Guild Will take over all pres- ent Vitapix product for sales and distribution, while yitapi? con- tinues as an entity for the purpose of clearing time, doing time and programming research and working in the sphere of station relations. Vitapix currently has 37 member slalionSi but pending membership, applications will bring tile total up to 60. Virtually every major mar- ket is covered, with the exceptions On tap. is a .vast expansion pro- grarii . for Guild, including the tripling, of present production facil- ities on the Coast and the construc- tion tit Guild’s own studio there withi months, the establish- ment of New York production facilities (“Goldbergs,” Dr, Peale, "Bride and Groom” arid ”Fun to Reduce” will all, be shot in N.-Y.), and the expansion -of Guild’s home- office staff fivefold., Firm has already leased new Park Ave. of- fices and opened three new sales branches. Production starts im- mediately on the new shows, with all of them to be released by Janu- ary. Production coin for the new pro- grams is coming from “Guild’s own; resources,” according to Kaufman, which is to say that the stations aren’t contributing, Kaufman did indicate that “Guild’s resources’’ included banks with which: the firm has done business. Guild recently raised $1,000,000 through a stock issue (now haying a market value of over. $2,500,000), but that sum was applied to wipe out existing debts. There .was no exchange of stock in the . Guild-Vitapix agree- ment, according to Kaufman, nor no joint ownership agreerrients, but the two firms will be represented on each other’s boards, with iCauf- nian joining the Vitapix board and an unnamed Vitapix rep sitting on the Guild board. As to current Vitapix personnel, Miillen said he’ll continue on as Vitapix prez, but exec v.p. Bob Wormhofidt is having his contract settled and national sales v.p. Ned Koenig quietly re- signed a couple of weeks ago. . Vitapix lineup includes KTLA, Los Angeles; KRON-TV, San Francisco; WBZ-TV, Boston; KLS-TV, Denver; WDSU-TV, New Orleans; WJAR-TV, Providence; KSTP-TV, St. Paul; WBNS-TV, Columbus; KOIN-TV, Portland, and others. John E. Retzer.is Vitapix board chairman; other board members include J. Leonard Reinsch, Joseph E. Bau- dino, Kenyon Brown, Stanley Hub-' bard, Bob Swezey,. Charles Crutch-" field, O. L, Taylor and. Howard Lane. All of them have been among the most; influential station operators in network-affiliate delibr erations. OFs Tune-0’ Sponsor Official Films, landed its first bankroller for 'tlie new “Time for Tune-O” musical bingo-quiz, pack- age in a 52-week Buffalo deal which it expects, to set the pattern for future sales of the Series, Deal is With the. Nu- Way Stores, a gro- cery chain subsid of the American Stores, which has bought the show uiider an arrangement that calls for corop advertising with top na- tional food sponsors on the seg- ment Nil-Way will air the show one- weekly at first, going later to three times Weekly, via WGR-TV. Chain, comprising 80 stores in the Buffalo area, has already ordered 200,000 tune-o cards, which are necessary to play the game and which are distributed at point-of-sale. Par- ticular manner in which Nu-Way is handling the show is being pitched by Official at other food chains and outlets throughout the country. 1ST FILM COMMERCIAL « Sterling Television has come up With what shapes as. the. first syn- dicated mercial ( distin- guished. from national spot ad- vertisements). It’s of. 65 30-second “programs” on household hints With Jean Alexander, with Sterling pitching them to stations as items into arid around which local ad- vertising can be built. However, if the stations, just buy them as filler without the thought of seek- ing sponsors for them, they will mark another first by becoming •what is believed the shortest series of video shows on record. -i* ’Finders Keepers’ For Syndication as Vidpix '“Hollywood,- .Oct,. -26’,. “Finders Keepers,” the audience- participation quizzer which had an NBC radio ride in 1944 and was a live tv’er on. WRCA-TV in "N; Y; in .1951, is being, converted to film as a syndicated offering. Show will be filmed for syndication by Holly- wood Star Productions, Deal was set by Maggy Fisher, owner of the show, who leased the i rights for five years to Nick Seva no arid Arriie Mills of Gabbe, Lutz .& Heller, Miss Fisher, no longer in production, will nonetheless act as an adviser on the show. SSmiamSi Continued .from page. 32 •around the 'reception desk, com- plete with a handsom .mural ex- hibit, operation fans out along gleaming corridors to a coordinated network of studios, recording rooms, librari master: control room, and offices. The 14 s'tudios, three of which “showcase” rooms, with full view windows to accommodate the; many touring grodps expected, boast the: latest in custom design arid equipment. Since virtually all live broadcast-, ing is lingual, rather than, musical, special techniques had to. be. used to develop absolutely clear sound, Music shows are packaged in re- cording studios, theri transmitted via relay stations to blanket the Middle East, and - parts of USSR and. the satellite ’countries. Taping studio has. 4Q. recording machines in .10 booths, and is- sO devised, that there is a two-way. feed between it and the. studios. Iii the case of package shows, en- tire unit can go directly to master control and out on the transmitter, A master control room, still in an incomplete state, has been designed to take programs from 100 different sources, and to handle 26 shows simultaneously. Six. playback rooms in which editors can work on tapes; 24 disk recorders; 16 tape record- ers; a streamlined, library setup covering recording, and transcript tions are just a few of the features in this broadcasting Utopia, It's Cool, Too Pride and joy of the outfit; how- ever, is the super-perfect air con- ditioning system, specially, de- vised contrivance apart from the general cooling- system for the rest of the building, in order to assure sound-proof qualities along with summer comfort, the studios in the wing over the air conditioning unit are suspended on rubber blocks, over which concrete has been:: poured, and. tiles laid. In this way all. floor vibrations are avoided. In addition, each studio is equipped with its own power plant and ther- mostatic heat and air control. The engineering marvels under- laying the vast new plant are likely , to .escape the average, visitor. .Bourtd to be an eye-catcher, how- ever,. is the' variety of dress worn, by VGA staffers. The saris of India, the turbans Of Pakistan, the color-, ful garb of Indonesia, the native dress of faraway lands, mingle with western, motif in this modern Tow- er of Babel. There are refugees' from behind the Iron Country, victirtis of the Nazi horrors, and even a bonafide princess of Thai- land, the' granddaughter of King Mongkut, the “king” of “Anna and. the King of Siam” and the Broad- way musical, “The King and I,” on the VGA roll-call. Sole exception to th VO A mi- gration is the tv staff, part of which will remain in New York to be near the center of production. Henry Fonda to Do Emmett Kelly Series Henry Fonda has been . signed tp do a half-hour telefilm bio of Em- mett Kelly,, the Ringling Bros, and Barnum & Bailey clow It’ll be done insert on the General Electric . program. Film will be pro- duced by Music Corp. of America’s Revue Filins, It’ll mark ’Fonda’s, t el e bob’. ' Also i the works for. the same series is a batch of telefilm-firstsv Under negotiation . are deals with Jimmy Stewart,, Alan Ladd, Gary Cooper, Clark .Gable, Joan Craw- ford, Jane Wyman and Tyrone Power. MCA’s Freddie Fields left yes- terday (Tues.) for the Coast to. work on the first . GE show to ema- nate from there; He’ll be gone; about three weeks. Geo. Reeves Returns To ‘Superman* Lead Hollywood, Oct. 26. George Reeves,, who left his long underwear behind and exited the lead as “Superman” when he couldn’t get a hefty raise, is back at it again. Reeves and producer Whitney. Ellsworth . have reached . agreement on a. new contract, with the actor receiving an uppance in coin, but not anything like his original de- mands. Series resumes Nov. 15 at California, studios, with Harry Ger- stad directing vidpix which will be in. tint. Rockhill Continued from page 4a — porate minute books and Other cor- porate -documents’' missing, con- tracts cancelled' and back accounts closed, to say nothing of locks forcibly removed fro in desks arid cabinets. All these activities (were) carried ion apparently by a group who seemingly took over the com- pany in her. absence.” Rockhill ’s current situation has an involved background. Statem ent points out that some months ago Miss Taylor started to form . a syndicate to purchase the controll- ing. stock interest in Rockhill held by her associate. A New York at- torney approached her with a plan, for syndicate that included offi- cers or heads of three corripanies, “all highly reputable people of substance arid business standing.” The syndicate wa"s to help. Miss Taylor in buying the stock of her associate, and “would benefit the Company and all the stockholders, by putting huge sums of operating capital into the corporation, fi- nancing the production of tele- vision films, using their, important contacts in the industry for. selling Rockhill shows, and by establish- ing substantial credit for other ex- tended corporate operations,” On th assurance that Rock- hill would benefit, the company installed ( principals of the syndi- cate) on the board of directors. “Within the first few days,” - cording to Miss Taylor, “the . group did, in fact, live up to their asr jSertions by establishing $7.50,000 credit for Rockhill Productions, Inc, ” A short time later, Miss Taylor said, She learned that the credit had / been withdrawn “and meanwhile none of the other prom- ises materialized.” George S. Gladden is ankling his post as head of J. Walter Thomp- spn’s motion picture/ and tv-film department to join Academy Pic- tures, commercial film producers. He’ll serve in an administrative capacity at Academy. Gladden had been with the Thompson agency for the past 14 years. . George L. George, onetime Academy Award-winning director in the documentary field, has joined Slurgis-Grant Productions, the N. Y. commercial and indus- trial filriim.akihg outfit, as associate producci* and director. Hollywood, Oct. 26. United Television Programs will syndicate four hew vidfilm series, involving a total production outlay Of approximately $5;00b,000, for lo- cal and regional sponsorship next year, while six riew. series will be presented for national sponsorship in the same year, exec v.p. Lee Savin said here... Six shows; to be offered for na- tional; sponsorship ■ vvill consist of a . variety of programs from situa- tion comedy to draihatic, Four new syndicated series each will have 39 half-hour stanzas. “Authors Playhouse,” with four vidfiliris already canned; arid. “O. Henry TV Theatre.” are two of the shows to be offered: nationally. Others haven’t yet been selected. Brewster ’ Morgan and Eugene Solow . produce “Playhouse.” A. Edward Sutherland Will produce “Henry!’ for Gross-Krasne, Inc. / In addition; UTP. syndicates “Lone Wolf,” ‘‘Mayor. of the Town,” “Where Were You?”, “Water Front,”’, arid “Rocky Jones, Space Ranger.” Plans for : expansion , mapped at series of homeoffice sessions. ^Present wefe Philip Ni Krasne.. Jack J, Gross, Noel Ryba- loffs Dale Sheets, Savin and sales v.p. Wynn. Nathan; of the home- office, and Aaron Beckwith arid; Tom McManus of N. Y,. and John P.vRbhrs of /Chicago. Nathan will add 10 now’ salesmen to his staff in the next few months to handle the increased product. ZfVS 135 MARKETS ON CORLISS ARCHER’ Ziv Television. Prograriis has reached the 1 35-market mark on “Meet Corliss .Archer,” and the firm’s 90-day sales drive on the comedy segment makes it tlie sixth Ziv telcpix entry to go over 135 riiarkets.. Latest regionals which pushed the Show, over the mark Were a 10-market sale on the Coast to Brown & Haley candies arid five -market sale to. Safeway Stores. Other Ziv shows over the 135 mark are “Favorite Story,” “Mx\ District Attorney,” "I Led Three: Lives,” “Boston Blackie” and “Cisco Kid;” ETC’s ‘Rainbow’ As 1st Europe-Made Tinter European Television Corp., whose “The Little Match Girl” hour-long feature received wide Christrriasdime distribution last year via RCA Thesaurus, has com- pleted production on a second feature for television* “Rainbow After the Rain.” Film, shot in Germany, is the first tv-film to be produced in color in Europe, Paul Gordon, ETC topper, ar- rived in Now York recently with the first prints of the film and wilt. .screen it till mid-October, when lie returns to Berlin. Pic, which stars Maxi and Ernst Baier* A Frank Sawdrs and Lydia Veicht, features ballet, and iceshow se- quences. and will be distributed i the U; SV * World: TV Fill Corp, James, Pamela Mason Star Daughter in Vidpix .Hollywood, bet: 26. Portland Productions, owned by James Mason and. his wife. Pamela, Will shoot a series of 12 15-minute vidpi starring - their six-year-old daughter, Portland, at the Gold-, wyn studios beginning Nov. 20. Mason will direct arid appear bHefly in some of. the frames and be . and his wife will write the scripts. Each. isode depicts Biblical or historical event as seen through the eyes of a kid. LAZAR TO GOVERNOR TV Connie Lazar, who ankled Unity Television Corp; a few months back after a long tenure as the. firm’s Coast rep, has joined Arthur Ker- man’s Governor TV Attractions as head of the Coast office. At the same time, Kerman signed MAC Studibs in Chicago, headed by Howard. Grafniari, as his midwest- ern sales rep. Governor has a total of 71 fea^ turcs arid some. 250 short subjects. Wednesday, October 27, ,1954 t app T JLhat s^he name of a movie a lot of people thought was pretty good. It was made by Columbia Pictures. They made a few other “pretty good” pictures, too. Oscar -winning ones like “From Here to Eternity” Or “The Caine Mutiny” and “On the Waterfront” Now, “it” really happened one night a few years ago. On many occasions before, the management of Columbia Pictures Corpo- ration had discussed Television, a more than passing problem for film producers. They were optimistic and intrigued by the challenge this new him medium presented* They made a decision. It was decided to tap Columbia’s reservoir of thirty years of showmanship talent and entertainment experience to produce first-rate television programs on film. This decision and faith was backed by cash-on-the-line when they created their tele- vision subsidiary — SCREEN GEMS. SCREEN GEMS knew from the start that it would be neces- sary to have extensive production facilities on both coasts. In Hollywood, Columbia Pictures already had outstanding studios. Immediate steps were taken and complete facilities were set up in New York, the world’s advertising capital. Then, SCREEN GEMS was ready to give to the television advertiser A truly unique and long-needed service - a one-stop film source for: 1 . custom-made entertainment to attract the widest possible audi- ence on a national basis and produced at our studios in Holly- wood, or in New York. 3 . quality syndicated entertainment made available* through our own organization, for local or regional advertisers ; and 3 . commercials, to complete the services for all advertisers. National Shows « { ' Today in Hollywood, SCREEN GEMS produces Tht Ford Theatre, for the Ford Motor Co. through l Walter Thompson Company; Father Knows Best for P. Lorillard and Co., through Young & Rubicam, Ine. yCaptain Midnight for General Mills, Inc. and The Wander Co. through Tatham-Laird ; and The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin for thl National Biscuit Co. through Kenyon & Eckhardt. In New York, we produce The Big Playback for The Ethyl Corporation through Batten, Barton, Durstine & -Osborn. Commercials Although some SCREEN GEMS commercials are produced in Hollywood, most are produced in Neff York where the advertisers are located, and when the agency TV directors can participate in pro* Wednesday, "October 27, 1954 P'fi&IETY ction all along the way. We have a complete and competent staff prodiicens, directors, writers ancl technicians. And we have our n animation artists . and department. Our clients for commercials are the Honor- Roll of advertising encies. During the past few months, in 1954, some of the adver- ts for whom we have produced commercials, both live and ani- decl, include : ■cku Strike Cigarettes * U. S. Steel ' Blatz * Borden's * Pall Mall Wvettes. RCA Victor Canie.o Stockings Helene Curtis ■dtine Continental Can • I pan PieVs Beer • Schaefer Beer 'vkm Silver • Jello • Frostee * Helena Rubinstein • Ford Dealers (krd Hudnut • Cities Service • and dozens of others. S y ndlc a 1 1 on | SCREEN GEMS maintains its own nation-wide syn- dication service for local and regional advertisers. ^L . - , . . _ A We have sales offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, San Francisco and Hollywood in addition ®ur Metropolitan and Eastern regional office* located in New fk with our home offices. The programs we are now syndicating are Your All Star Mre,: Celebrity Playhouse , The Big Playback, Jet Jackson, Rin fftn, and in some markets, our other shows. We're also offering of 1955, the syndicated version of the current Fireside . Theatre , which we; were invited to market for Procter & Gamble, through The Compton Co. SCREEN GEMS programs have achieved highest audience rat- ings. Unexcelled showmanship may be expected of a company which has complete and interchangeably flexible production, fa- cilities on both coasts. Every day that passes proves that with SCREEN GEMS any advertiser, large or small, can make sales through television film at the lowest cost. Why not call us in the next time you. have any Jcind of a TV film problem. We think you’ll enjoy working with us-and we’d Welcome being of service to you. You can write directly to us, telephone or wire collect if you wish. Television Subsidiary of Columbia Pictures Corp. * 233 W. 49th St, N. Y. 19, N. Y. • Cl rcie 5-504.4 The only company which provides advertisers with Hollyxvood . nil New York custom-produced national sh rcials, nd syndicated ■ programming* : 50 MUSIC P^RIETY Wednesday, October 27, 1954 ,By HERM SCHOENFELD- Jimmy Boyd: “I Saw Mommy Do The Mambo” - “Santa . Claus Blues’’ (Columbia)., The mambo side is a clever takeoff on last year’s smash, "I Saw .'Mommy Kiss- ing Santa Claus Last Night.” Jimmy Boyd, about brie tone low- er, also does this side and could ride it into another big one for th Xmas trade. “Santa t Claus Blues” combines a juVe lyric with., a sophisticated blues rhythm arid it . doesn’t exactly jell. ' , Sarah Vaughaii: “Idle Gossip”- “M a k e Yourself Comfortable”. (Mercury), This is the most com- mercial platter that Sarah Vaughn lias riiade . in . some time. .“Idle Gossip,” a . fine ballad that, has been around for some , months, and which has clicked irt England, ,is given a superlative /rendition by this standout song stylist. On the flip. “Make Yorirself .Comfortable” Night” (Decca). “Triumph Of Love,” a tune that stems from the non-fiction work by the same title, is an attractive inspirational tune with a catching rhythm beat and a lyric that never grows cloying while getting, the message across. Kaye Ballard handles it deftly and sincerely while maintaining the svVing tempo. “Where Were You Last Night” is a quasi-folk tune with a repetitive musical idea Doubtful chances. Mae Williams: “My Lover Who Lied”r"Human Desire” (American), Mae Williams, a Hollywood nitery thrush and ex-Tommy Dorsey vo- calist, Impresses on her first sides for. the American label. “My Lover Who Lied” is a fine ballad with . a simple folk appeal which, she pro- jects sensitively. On the flip, Miss Williams gives' powerful, low- down vocal of a bluesy tune from JIMMY BOYD (Columbia) SARAH VAUGHAN ( Mercury \ I SAW MOMMY DOING THE MAMBO . . Santa Clans Blues. IDLE GOSSIP . Make Y ourself ^Comforta ble ' is a neat idea cleverly executed and this side could also step out, Peggy King also has a good vei- . ion for Columbia, both slices us- ing the multiple dubbing tech- icjue. Jane Froman:. “Song From Desi- ree”-“Finger Of Suspicion” (Capi- tol i. “Song From Desiree” is . the latest classy pic theme to turn up on wax. It’s a big ballad that Jane Froman gives an appropriate work- over, with her legit singing style. Flip is a change of pace, a . rhythm number which. Miss Froman bounces with commercial appeal; Bill Darnell-The Smith Bros.: “We Wanna See Santa DO . The Mainbo”-“Too Fat To Be Santa Claus (Label Xi. Still another mambo tune that’s latched to the Xmas- theme. “We Wanna See Santa” is a swinging rhythm num- ber with good chances, Label X. evidently liked . this tune because two more platters are slanted for the hillbilly and' the r&b markets by Terry Fell and John Greer. On the Bill Darnell flip, “Too Fat” is a calypso-type entry that’s also catching. Tony Martin: “My Bambino”- “Rcsticss Heart” (Victor).- “My Bambino” is a pretty Italo-gfOovecl lullaby . that Tony Martin projects in top form. It’s an appealing side with strong commercial potential. “Restless Heart.” from the. legit production, “Fanny,” is a material number that Martin gives a dra- matic treatment, but' it doesn’t come off as a pop . side. Kaye Ballard: “Triumph Of Love” - “Where Were You- Last the Columbia picture of the same title, a number that’s excellent special material for Cafe per- formers. Russ Morgan: “Whisper”-" Yes Dear” (Decca). It’s doubtful' if “Whisper” will make much noise commercially but it’s a delightful number that deserves deejay re- spect. It has a lingering old- fashioned quality that’s easy on the ear and the Morgan manner was never better. “Yes Dear” is an innocuous item that won’t offend anyone but won’t get much play. The Rover Boys: “Show Me”-- “You’ve Got. It" (Coral). If the vocakgroup vogue continues to sus- tain its hot pace, The Rover Boys have good chance to cash in. Group has the sound and the ma- terial on “Show Me” and the spinners and disk-buyers should .'eat it up. Trine and delivery fol- low the eccentric driving formula that’s become popular, but the boys have -that' 'extra harmony zing that should push ’em through. "You’ve Got It” is a less successful attempt with similar merchandise. V Ritter: “is There A Santa Claus?” - “Old Tex Kringle” (Capi- tol). Francis B. Church’s classic Yule editorial for the N. Y, Sufi has been turned into a pleasing plat- ter fo rthe Xmas sales push by Tex Ritter. Hillbilly crooner gives it, a recitation treatment with plenty of warmth and no hoke. The Word stress will limit its jock and juke spins but the parents Will surely buy it for the kiddle turntables. "Old Tex Kringle” is just another version of the Santa legend but LAWRENCE WELK and his CHAMPAGNE MUSIC 163d Consecutive Week, Arapon Ballroom, Santa . Monica, -Calif. Exclusively on Coral Records THERE’S A SMALL HOTEL end SAW YOUR EYES this time with ap alfalfa flavor, which confines its spinning spread. Gary Crosby: “There’s A Small Hotei"-“Ready, Willing and Able” (Decca*. The . Rodgers & Hart oldie, “There'S A Srnall Hotel,” currently' revived on Broadway in “On Your Toes,” gets a fresh, peppy workover via Gary Crosby’s pleasant piping attack. His style is bright and breezy which excellenty fits into the lilt of the melody and lyric. Young Crosby gets a bit too stylized on the flip side but it’s a catchy item and rates, some atten- tion. Album Review* Paul Whiteman Orch: “All Time Dance Party” (Coral).. For some reason or other, show business and fashion have been casting a nos- talgic eye to the 1920s. The “flat look” of that period may not hold up but the music doeS^at least is ' presented by Paul Whiteman and the “hew Ambassador Hotel or- chestra” on this 10- inch longplay package. The period pieces such as “Whispering,”. “Japanese Sand- man” and “I Love; You” are dc ,: v- ered .with the enchantment* c' ’20s but it’s, just right for tc s. terpsters; . Roma “Sympho-Pop” Orchestra: “The Magical Melodies of Savino” (Kapp). A package of the melodies, of Dorrienico Savino has been a long time a-coming. His composi- tions are lush and colorful and the Roma “Sympho-Pop” orchestra haridles ’em all with proper spirit. The 12-inch LP is a natural, for late-hour jocks. : Sam Rosey has joined, Russ Mor- gan’s enterprises as personal man- ager. Rosfey formerly was an agent in San Francisco. PT^rjety J 1. IF I GIVE MY HEART TO YOU (7) , , . . 2. I NEED YOU NOW (8) i. HEY THERE (14) I 4. PAPA LOVES MAMBO (3) | 5. HOLD MY HAND (4) 6. THIS OLE HOUSE (9) T 7. SKOKIAAN (9) 8. SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL (2) 9. SH-BOOM (15) 10, WHITHER THOU GOEST (2) HONEY LOVE $ HIGH AND THE MIGHTY SMILE , . . IT'S A WOMAN'S WORLD CARA MIA THINGS I DIDN’T DO FORTUNE IN DREAMS Muskrat ramble on Doris Day Denise Lor Conn'ee Bosibell l Dinah Shore Eddie Fisher \ Rosemary Clooney } Sammy Davis, Jr. Parry Com Don Cornell Rosemary Clooney { Ralph Mprterie Louts Armstrong Four Lads Ray Anthony Bill Haley’s. Comets ( Crew Cuts . I Stan Freberg Les Paul- Mary Ford . . Columbia , . Major . Dacca ■ Victor ' Victor . . Columbia .Decca Victor . Coral . Columbia .Mercury , . .Decca . ..Columbia . . . Capitol . Decca . . .Mercury . . . Capitol , . . Capitol $ Vicki Youn l Drifters 'Victor Young : ^ LeRoy. Holmes . . ’ ' Johnny Desmond Les Baxter ....... ... . . i Hat; ( King ) Cole • ‘ ’ * ’ ' ’ “ l -Sunny Gale Four Aces ......... Whitfield-Mdntovani ., . . Perry Com Kay Starr .... .( McGuire • Sisters ...... .{ Matys Brothers f GOODNIGHT, SWEETHEART; GOODNIGHT McGuire Sisters ;; THEY WERE DOING TIIE. MAMBO ] A , , i . . . ( Fioures in parentheses indicate number of weeks song has been in the Ton 101 Capitol T Atlantic 19 . .Decca . . .MGM , . Coral . Capitol < ’ .Capitol 4 " Victor .Dacca . London Victor Capitol . . . Coral Essex . , Coral ^ . , Victor . Victor . Strauss: Rosenkavalier (London). Sumptuous Version of the melodi- ous opera (complete), with Vienna State Opera soloists and chorus, and Vienna' Philharmonic, under the. knowing baton of Erich Klei- ber, giving the work, style, flourish and authenticity. Hilde Gueden is especially choice as Sophie, Mar- schallin is. Maria Reining, Sena Jurinac the. Octavian, Ludwig Weber the Baron Ofchs, Berliozi Te Deum (Columbia). Rarely-he.ard oratorio is lyrical beautiful iri spots, with strong dramatic climaxes, yet restrained tones, all of it well brought out by Sir Thomas Beecham, the Royal Philharmonic and choirs, v- Beethoven: Sonatas No; I' m F Minor, No. 3 in C (RCA Victor). These early works have solidity in Solomon’s sensitive readings. The F Minor is serious, often moody; No. 3 iri ,C : iS'a gay, bubbling work. Chopin: Concertos No. 1 & 2 ,(W estminster). Atti’active perform- ances bj r pianist Paul Badura- Skodai assisted by the ^ Vienna State Opera Orch under Artur Rodzinski. Readings are gracefully chiseled, not too emotional, a little too sharply accented at times, but always clear arid clean. Ravel: Bolero, Tombeau de Cou- perin, Pavane Pour Infante (Angel). Choice readings of both the rhythmic “Bolero” and delicately shaded impressionistic pieces by Badiodiffusion Orch undei 1 Andre Cluytens. Andres Segovia Album (Decca). “Chaconne,” plus shorter Bach pieces, and charming bits by SJors, Villa-Lobos and Rodrigo, beauti- fully played by the master-guitar- ist. Austere “Chaconne” comes off well, without loss of musical values Contemporary American Music for Strings (MGM). Representative modern works, diverse in style lyric, rhythmic and appealing under Izler Solomon’s batoning with the MGM Orch.' There’s an early Copland work; and pieces by Diamond* Persichetti, Goeb anil Porter, all substantial.. Sibelius: Symphonies No. 3 & 7 (London). The happy, light C Major (No, 3) ;arid melodious, classic 7lh in expressive readings by the 'Lori-" don -. Symphony under Anthony Collins. Bartok: Concertos No. 2 & 3 (Westminster). . The No, 2 is bold,' angry and pulsing; No. 3 more serene. Two important works well performed by pianist. Edith Far* nadi, aided by the Vienna State Opera Orch under Hermann Seher- chen. , Copland Album (Westminster). Three of Aaron Copland’s finest scores, the exotic “El Salon /Mex- ico” fravorsome “Billy Kid” arid- pastoral “Appalachian Spring.” in vivid, highly attractive readings by the National Syriiphoriy under Howard Mitchell. Bron. NEW DET. RCA DISTRIB V.P. Detroit, Oct. 26. Clarence A. Malin has been . named veepee and manager of trie Detroit branch of the RCA Victor Distributing Co., /Succeeding Ned A. Corbett, who takes on similar duties at the Chicago branch. Malin formerly was home instru- ment sales manager of the De- troit branch. The top 30 songs of week ( more In case of ties), based on copyrighted Audience Coverage Index & Audience Trend Index. Published by Office of Research, Inc.. Dr. John Gray Peatman, Director. Alphabetically listed. Film. * Legit musical. Survey Week of October 15-21, 1954 Anyone Can Fall In Love Weiss Cara Mia / ...... ..Feist Count Your Blessings— t“While Christmas” Berli Fanny— *“Fanny” . ... i ..... . . Chappell Hajji Baba— -•“Adventures. of Hajji Baba” ...... . . Remick. Heaven Was Never Like This Famous Hey There— *“Pa jama Game" , . . .Frank High Arid The Mighty— f “High And The Mighty” Witmark Hold My Hand— v“Susan Slept Here” . Raphael I Have To. Tell You— *“Fanny” . Chappell I Need You Now . .Miller If I Give My Heart To You Miller I’m A Fool To Care .. ........Peer It’s A Woman’s World— - “Woman’s World” : . Robbi Iri The Chapel In The Moonlight . . ... Shapirb-B Little Shoemaker . ... Bourne Love, You Didn’t Do Right— •’-“White Christmas” .Berlin Man That Got Away— i “A Star Is Born” Harwi Mood Indigo . . Mills Muskrat Ramble . ........... Simon Papa Loves Mambo ’ Shapiro-B Sabrina — -"("“Sabrina ' Famous Skokiaau . . . . , . . ..... Shapiro-B ...Bourne Sway- ....:. Peer Teach Me Tonight .... . . . . ... . , .......... Hub There’s A Small Hotel— *“On Your Toes” : Chappell They Were Doing The. Mambo. Mayfair This Ole House ... . . . . . ... . . . Hamblen Time Wails For No One, . .Remick- Top 30 Songs on TV (More In Case of Ties) • • • 0 • r • • - 0 .'$ • # • . * • Cara' Mia ...... . ... ,.j Count Y ou r Blessings-^f ‘White Christmas Fanny— *‘‘Fanny” Gee, j Wish I Was Back—t White Christmas’ Gilly, Gilly- Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen. . ... . Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight , .... Hernando’s Hideaway — *“Pajama Game” * . , . . , . Hey There — ♦“Pajama Game” ........ . . ... . . High And The Mighty— i‘ “High And The Mighty” I Need You Now ....... I Want You All To Myself . . . . , . . I Want’cha Around. . ; If I Give My Heart To You . .. In The Chapel In The 'Moonlight Lila . . „ ' ' ; . . . ' Little Shoemaker . ... Man That Got Away— 1“ A Star Is Born”. ....... Muskrat Ramhle . Papa Loves Mambo Restless Heart — ♦“Fanny” Sh-Boom . , . , Shake, Rattle And Roll. . . Sisters— if “White Ghristnias’ Skokiaan Smile Teach Me Tonight Tell Me, Tell Me . ; Things I Didn’t Do This Ole House . . Venl, Vidi, Vici... • *f* • • p . • • ••••«"•> 1 1 » 1 «« • > «« • • » I » ifi M « I ! I « . Feist Berlin . . Chappell ... Berlin . . Beaver Arc . . Frank . ..Prank , . Witmark . .Miller . , Shapiro-B . . Joy . . Miller . . Shapiro-B . . Garlock-S . . Bourne . . Harwiri . . Simon ... Shapirb-B .... Chappell . . H&R . . Progressiv . . Berlin . . Shapiro-B . . Bourne . . Hub . . (Golden Bell . . H & R , . Hamblen .. Hawthorne -A,. "A*. Wednesday, October 27, 1954. usssnsTt MUSIC 51 CHI JOCKS SLAP ‘OPEN PAYOLA’ . .♦ The Christmas spirit hit the -f uisic industry this week. Pub- lishers arid disk companies began tin owing their new Yule material into the market in the annual sear Soria! scramble for the break- through tune. Despite general disk jockey an- tipathy to spinning Xmas platters so early in the year, the diskeries started mailing dee jay copies Of their new Christmas platters late last week and the publishers are beginning to hit the road to con- vince the disk Spinners to give th ir tunes an early start. Pubbers’ appeal will be based on fact that it now takes more than two months to get a tune rolling, and if the (leejays wait until after Thanks- giving Day before programming: Christmas, etchings, their, new product: won't be - given a geLoffr tli e-ground chance, Accent, on Christmas disks this year is in- the novelty groove. Many publishers figure that si -.sea- sonal. novelty has better takeoff opportunities than a ballad. They believe that the standard .Christ-, ■ mas ballads are pretty tough. . to buck, but; a novelty has a chance ’ to crack through any year, Xmas Reprises Among the new novelty platters being pushed this season are “I, Saw Mommy Do the Mambo With You Know Who” by Jimmy Boyd (Columbia); .‘‘-We Want To See. Santa Do the Mambo” by The Smith Bros. (Label X); “I Want Eddie Fisher . for Christmas” by Betty Johnson (New Disc), and “I Got a Code in the Node for Christ- mas” by Gayla Peevey (Columbia). Publishers with Xmas tunes that have made their mark in the past Will continue their annual drive on each for. performances and sheet sales,, Among ' the established Christmas items are “White Chfist- That’s Charting It Over at the Hotel Rosevelt, N. Y., was this unusual dead- pan songplugger's: hypo for his tune to Gliy. Lombardo: “My song came out of no- ... where to the 62d spot ori the bestseller charts.” • n)j\s,” “Winter W o n d • 1 a n : d,” “Frosty the Snowman,” “Silver Bells,” “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” and “Rudolph the Red- Nosed : Reindeer.” Eartha kitt, who broke through last year with “Santa Baby” (Victor), is back again this, season with: the ..same tune and a- new lyric tagged “This Year's Santa Baby” for the same label. The disk companies also are going all out on new Yule albums. Since the package biz has zoomed in the past year, the diskeries fig- ure the Xmas sets will account for a hefty chunk, of th seasonal platter billings. Late Tan Disking RCA Victor was stymied in its move to cash in on the rave notices for the new Broadway musical, "Peter Pan,” by rushing its original east album production this week. Mary . Martin, star of the show, said she was too. tired to maike the albui this week, so Victor, execs have .scheduled the sessions for next Tuesday (2). “Peter Pan” : is the seventh origi- nal cast album set by RCA. Victor this season. Others are "The Boy Friend,” Mrs. Patterson,” “Fanny,” ‘‘Sillc Stockings, ’A “Ninotchka” and "Midsumriier Night's 1 Dream.’* Vic- tor also is . issuing the soundtrack fl ’om the 20th-Fox filmusical, “Car- men Joneis.” Victor has practically cornered the original cast album market this year. Columbia Records has nabbed ®hly one show this year, “House of Flowers,” the Harold Arlen- Truman. Capote musical due on Broadway in December., 'MAMBO U.S.A/ COAST DATES Hollywood, Get. 26. Gene Norman has booked the Mambo U.S.A.” package for four Coast dates, including a concert the Shrine Auditorium Nov, 26. Other three dates, Npv, 24-25-27, dl be for dances on the Coast. The three major video networks and g^oup Of -top viclpix pro* ducers wrapped up a new agree- ment with the Music Performance Trust Fund, No. 2, last week that will run for five years, retroactive to last Feb. 1,. New agreement, which replaces the three-year agreement which ran out Jan. 31, will give the Fund approximately $1,000,000 more to distribute this year among unemployed members, of the American Federation Of Mu- sicians. Signatories to. the new deal are the ABC, CBS and NBC networks,: Desilu Productions, Studio -Films, Walt Disney Productions arid Ziv Television Productions. Pact calls for a payment to the Fund of 5% of the gross revenues -received, from fhe sale of vidpix or 5% of the station time charges; which- ever is less, on sponsored films. On .sustaining films, the first' fun on any station can be made for nothing; Payment to the Fund for each subsequent run will be on the basis of 2% of the film’s . produc- tion cost. . Payments to th Trust Fund from Vidpix producers have zoomed sharply since i951, when the orig- inal agreement was made. In the first year, ending April, 1952, the vidpix producers shelled out. $164, r 800 to the Fund; this climbed to $363,000 the following year arid more than, doubled the year after, when the Fund collected $709,500. On all pix produced before Feb- ruary this year, the vidpix pro- ducers pay under the old schedule. Samuel R. Rosenbaum is trustee both for the disk industry and vidpix Trust Funds. Via coopera- tion with AFM locals around tlie country, the Fund allocates coin for cuffo concerts in parks, hos- pitals. auditoriums, etc... with the musicians getting paid regular scale. Lena Horne, who lias been ab- sent from the disk picture for the past couple of years, will likely join the' RGA Victor foster shortly. Songstress is currently talking with Victor execs about a new deal, and may do four sides for the label on a one-shot basis if a longterm pact can’t be worked out. . Columbia Records almost nabbed Miss. Horne a couple of weeks* ago, but she refused to do the songs assigned to her. Jack Lewis Doe to Head Victor’s Groove Label Jack Lewis, head of RCA Vic- tor's jazz, operation, is slated tp take over the artists & repertoire assignment for Victor’s, rhythm & blues label, Groove Records, short- ly. Danny Kessler headed Groove until he exited the company last spring, and since then Lewis has handled the r&b assignments with- out having the title. It’s understood Lewis will also continue to direct Victor’s jazz output Chicago, Oct. 26. Certai deejays here are at- tempting to quash .the efforts of the. DJL (Disk Jrickeys & Librar- ians) to enroll Chi record spim nefs for fear that the new organi- zation’s “deals” would demean the disk jockey profession. The DJL is a Coast outfit, headed by Jean Dee and Charles Burton, which is seeking to team the country's dee- jays With small diskefies i an arrangement that would net jocks and ’record librarians a cut of the indie record companies’ profits. It’s figured by the DJL that jocks around the country could make a hit of any disk if they all g'uiged up on it at once. Bruce Dennis, program director of radi station WGN, a Mutual affiliate owned by the Chicago Tribune, issued a “needless to . say” memo to 'staff deejays, advising them ail to lay off. WJJD spin Stan Dale said he felt an organi- zation like this “corrupts the ob- jective purpose of the disk jockeys, which is to play What the audience would like to hear. To . subscri be tp a thing like the DJL is to lay yourself wide open to a lot, of junk, just because you think you’re going to get some, kind of. payoff, and to jeopardize a genuine fol- lowing which' is worth a thousand times more than' the payoff of an outfit like this.” Howard Miller, the city’s most radio-and-tv-saturated jock, called the DJL an “openfaced payola'.” Miller, best-known jockey in town and a real influence, said he would do everything in his power to get all stations he works on to ban the DJL affiliated disks, A sampling , of Chicago deejays had 100% of them shaking their heads to the tune, Of “nix on (he DJL and its kind,” but there’s still no. question that some are nibbling at the hook; General feeling among jocks ‘here is that hungry ' hinter- land: .".-record. spinners will go lor the plan wholesale* Tape It, Natch In the lobby of New York’s Brill Bldg., the No. 10 Down-, ing St, of the music biz, last week, two 'publishers were talking about .Capitol Records’ new Coast headquarters, which is built in the shape of a record. “What’ll they . do with it,” one publisher asked,: “When the industry converts to tape?” Pop: platter biz last week snapped out of a bad slump that started early in September and Soured ex- pectations of a big fall, turnover this, year: But . while pop platters were slowed down, /the market for packaged griods has remained solid for the past couple of months. Activity on pop singles began perking sharply last week for no explicable reason. The Christmas season is still more than a month away and the current pop hits have remained relatively unchanged for the past couple of months.. The current biz hike, in fact, is coming at a time when disk execs normal- ly expect a lull before the rush ; that usually , begins around Thanksgiv- ing Day. Sheet music . sales, meantime, continue to hold at relatively low levels. While a couple of years: ago. a big lfit could be 'expected to move over 400,000 copies, publishers now regard a 200,000 seller as a smash, Hollywood, Oct. 26. Capitol is readying a new Frank Siriatfa jazz album in which the singer will be backed only by .* rhythm section. Package marks a complete switch for Sinatra, who usually has a big band background for his vocals; Initial four sides have, been cut for the platter, with the rhythm group utilizing nothing but “head” arrangements to supply the back- ing. Only thing on paper at the recording sessions are the titles. Sam. Goody, leading discount op- erator in the disk field, dropped a legal decision in the U. S. Su- preme Court Monday (25), but it won’t affect his operation at all. Goody had challenged the New York State Feld-Crawford Act be- fore, the Court, but the latter re- fused to review the lower, court’s decision and hence,, in effect, up- held the constitutionality of fair- trading laws. However, none of the disk companies is considering fair- trade agreeriierits to fix the list prices of their products. Goody’s action before the Supreme Court stems from a suit .originally brought against him by Cetra-Soria Records arid Capitol Records, which distributed Cetra*- Soria. Latter companies won an injunction, against Goody in N. Y. Supreme Court, prohibiting him from selling its platters. Under list. Goody then appealed to the Fed- eral Supreme Court but, several months ago, Capitol withdrew its coriiplaint against Goody and per- mitted him to sell Cetra-Soria be- low. list. Goody, however, decided to get a High CoUft ruling that would conclusively decide the validity of fair-trade laws. Fact that Goody lost before the Supreme . Court, be- comes academic in view of Capi- tol’s withdrawal Of its Original ac- tion against the retailer and in view of the rest of the major com- panies’ neutral attitude towards price-cutting. 4- Disk biz execs are focusing at- tention on a .new sales pattern currently shaping up in several midwest cities under, the aegis of a major chain store distributor, Handleman Drugs. Latter company supplies numerous standard items . to chain stores and supermarkets and, in the last few months, has added platters to its line. A similar project has been in operation in the east for the past year Under Billot Wexler, Wex- ler’s outfit, however, has been dis- tributing platters exclusively, while Joe. Handleman’s company has. added the platters to its. other commodities. Significance of the difference lies in the fact that Handleman’s overhead on. his disk distribution Is considerably lower; and hence he doesn’t have to ask for special discounts and deals from the manufacturers. (At the present tirrie, Wexler is suing both Capitol and Decca for alleged price discrimination against, his company by not giving him a distributors' Cut). Most major disk, execs regard ex- pansion into the: syndicate stores and supermarkets as the way to tap a new market potential; While disk retailers ate hostile to th idea, major sales execs generally believe that there will be no con- flict between regular disk outlets and the chains.; Latter would sell only the top hits and would at- tract a whole new sector of shop- pers who rarely go * into record stores, but might stop to pick one, off a supermarket rack. Handleman’s . operation, which headquarters in Detroit and cover* Chicago and .Cleveland, may pro- vide the answer to the problem of how to sell more pop: disks. With some 25,000,000 machines now i circulation, disk execs see rip rea- son why iriore recrirds. do not hit the 1,000,000 -marker and why the top clicks do not do three or four, times their , present turnover. It’s now believed that the biggest fac- tor limiting sales is the relative small number of outlets handling disks. If the number of disk out- lets, ppw numbering about 12,000, were doubled via the rack distribu- tion methods,, the trick of selling more records would be consider- ably facilitated. BBS & BURGUNDY COS. DO A STUDE-PACKARD In an era of mergers between major automobile firms and banks, the indie diskers are now on a consolidation kick. Burgundy Rec- ords, recently formed company, in Detroit, Is merging with BBS Records, a Philadelphia label. . Art Sutton headed Burgundy and Bill Borelli operated the BBS company. The two execs will also collaborate as song writers. New company;, called BBS. Bur- gundy, will headquarter in Detroit,, with Philadelphia as the eastern branch centre. Arnold Sully has been nairied to handle promotion for the east while Terry Shaffer Will continue in the midwest pro- motion spot. Teri Josefovits at the keyboard in the Ben Franklin Room of Leighton’s, Ardsley, N.Y., for tile fall-winter season. Blows His Top and Sues Los Angeles,; Oct. 26.. James Campbell, trumpeter, says i he can’t blow hffe* top notes any more, so he is suing Arithon Corpi, Billy May Orch. Inc., and five Does for $9,287. Plaintiff declares he was hired by Billy May and was to have re- ceived $175 a week and an accident insurance policy; He contends, that the insurance was not forthcoming j for an accident while traveling with the band. The injury, he said, prevents him from playing a. high. .trumpet without Severe headaches, * <• • *» Swing to EPs In jukeboxes The jukebox industry is hopping on the extended play disk band- wagon. Coinbox move to EPs i being made on a gradual scale to stimulate biz, which, has been lag- ging for the past couple of months. The majority Of disks going into the machines are *still. 45 rpm speed, but operators are beginning to insert about 10% of a 50-platter machine with EPS. The EP ' disk gives the customer, two tunes for one. nickel. , The ops figure that the. two-for- ofie buy will stir up the biz tliat.’.s : been on thfe downgrade since the McCarthy televised hearings in tlie summer.. Take hasn’t picked up since and they hope the EPs will be an effective come-on. . The ops plan to continue using the EP lure as a steady practice even if biz shows an upswing. Ops in the New York area initiated, the swing to EP and juke men around, the country are beginning to follow suit. i Hollywood, Oct. 26. RC*A Victor unveils* a “new” Frankie C aide next month with the release of the first of four sides he cut last, week in a “new sound” experiment. Disks feature Carle with big band — 22 pieces — and some string arrangements back- grounding his keyboard work. Vocals on the sides are handled by Bob London. Wednesday, October 27, 1954 $ M»T aoiua n •nbjanbnq.iv 7 ^J3a5t^-m!A9JJ niff w" jaAuag— kmim— suinJ^j Xb» iq ®SOf UBS—Orsk— ua|4«b quiu^ popAvAlitOH-i-O JWM—aiiBqS3«W uqof . aiepuaio— A3IM— ai«IS HIV . ao^ne/wnH— JJW3A\— SBUioqx qq©X sum xnois^-oiax— iiBii »«®o • •nqumpo— OHAAl-T-uosqoBf aaunviq w TreuuPV 1 ?^— OJpM~-saAiB(X mg w •sidK-inBd: ^S—JXSM— si-uoK ituuqOf Pnop ;s— WV3X— aqs«ia yav *' ‘ * * 1- — — j * — , — J— , t ^q.i]9(I— Xf AV— PPU ™«I3 eo u.i aqj Baa— H IttX AV—mo ut X *S ujqoa tow sag— XNXH— liag- «oq co O^BOiqO-— bVWAi'T'J^inWI piBMOll I ft sa|BZUOQ— IXOM— q«qs]BAi.. »A«» . B t UB IVV — IXbM— ^ a ljio'D qoa m BduiBj,— vaJAV— sjnquieqo |*j ^ opuBiJO-^ZXOAA— Pl!U3i|BX Xuuqor w yiu b I H— w V b Al— SU4 na nia N .Taiub3;uoi(\[— AOOAV— J»M 3 nx quwj • »nqoH^-VT[VAl— uosduioqx ipmqQ . * ' . . . . . * ' •« ;jodA\ajsi— MaVAV— lap^H ®0f w qSanqsnTd-^ayOAl— I9Bq»IW ^«f :• BfqdiapBiiq^— jiav— ajjnpaM d*k ui UMovia^BAV—ANMiVl— Jaisoj uqbf •tpon— -’iVXAV — aii-ivs nox jajsaqooH— daXAl— uosqof^ qojrt N Aid. 3 nd E iw — cuwai— r»iqo®a *x i^a . ja;saqouBj\[— aiiwiAl— a^PlJqiV «®X pp.usqpds— aasAV— r>»Ji«a ®iP/»o0 .TnqqoiTj[— wpjAV— P ooh I«X jomijiBg— 0V3A1 : puBnJ°d[— XOaM-^-pJBuoaa aiAvou uo^S UiqSB AV—qO Ai— 1U«40 tl!K u»abh Ava^i— ZAVAi— pXon' -g qoa pjojv^tt— OI1AV— JaiHW «MH 31.TOA Maw— woitfAl— piaqifS n(fl • .m : CO I .Cl © r-i ^ oo eg • o -oo. >• M c/a mmr IgSlsj! **1**81. ; ° 1 >$ *3 *S o y > 8 s o §. c «»» 1 S §Sg-|6| v'llll ° a § ^r^o. 3 . -.a.ISl.Bgg w - £ ® I Isi 8'2-f-8a- I ^ 5 K £ £ .Ij M K' # S i J 3 I s m ©■ > U +» O - e S" 8 0.0 S cjrS-?,:3 k ^ C. V •3 g % ■ a <0 P » w Ots o > C g . .S iJ in j; O ^ 5- M ■5 *»..s k >> y w ’■C b SoP g +-■■ >Es o 8 1 1 1-^ S * • u .• I ll •S I » « •m t 3 e ra o W 0 . ►». •• 4) • a ■ § « : £ « ! n aj I s t ■ is S ' * 0 0 4) # U Bk i!| e - *S l"“ Wednesday, October 27, 1954, P&RtETr MUSIC S3 "Hit Parade’ Lineup (On Oct. 23 NBC-TV Show) 1. Hey There .. ..Frank 2. This Ole House . . Hamblen 3. I Need You Now. .. .Miller 4. If I Give My Heart . . Miller 5. Skokiaan .Shapiro-B 6. High and Mighty . * Witmark 7v Papa Loves Mambo'; , . . S-B Martin Block, ABC flee jay, took a slap at the record biz again last week ( 21 ) over his afternoon airer. Block flared up at diskeries which copy • arrangements of click disks. Block targeted the Lancers’ _cut of v 'Mr. Sandman’’ -for Coral and after showing its similarity to The Ghordettes’ etching of the same, tune for Cadence' said, "I don’t object to various artists taking., a tune that has been given big start by someone else, a tune that .looks like; it’s going to be big, .and climbing on the bandwagon. But, for. heaven’s sake, at least let them show a little originality, spend a few backs and hire an arranger to produce a little different version. “Copying the same arrangement isn’t competition, not in the true show: business sense. It’s just grab- bing star and hanging On for the ride. After all, the, original ar- ranger gives his life’s blood to create something different and then someone else cops it from him •when it looks good.” LIBER ACE CRACKS W, VA. TOWN MARK WITH 276 Huntington, W. Va., Oct. 26. In a one-nite concert stand here last Friday (22), Liberace cracked all records for the Huntington Memorial Field House, with a $27,000 gross and an: attendance of 7,828. The .pianist, for the fiijt time, played in the middle of the are nil to all four sides. Presentation was such a click that he may use this arrangement wherever possible. COL INKS HILLBILY Port Arthur, Tex., Oct. 26. Frankie Miller, Texas hillbilly singer,, has just inked a recording contract with Columbia. His first two sides are ‘.‘It’s No Big Thing To . Me” and ‘‘Hey. Where Ya Going’?” Miller writes much of his own material. Victor leagues’ Kidisk Album to Tie in With Pic; Not a Soundtrack Hollywood, Oct. 26. RCA Victor has completed a kidisk album based on *‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and will issue it in time tp tie with the exploitation campaign for the Walt Disney film version of the Jules Verne classic. Disney feature, which stars Kirk Douglas and Peter Lorre, is slated for Christ- mas release. Victor package, a Little. Nipper Story Book Alburn, is not. a sound- track offering. It stars William Redfield, with sea Chanties sung*by William. Clauson and. several pages of dialog excerpts to set the story line. It was produced for Victor by Steven R. Carlin, Tieup with Disney permits a cover designation as the ‘‘official” album of the film; Single, sides of tunes from the film will be available via Decca, for Whom Douglas recorded the numbers' last week. ; Religioso Songplug Hollywood, Oct. 26. 1 Know’ any tune touts with dignity? Century Fjlrtis is looking for a sbrigplugger with the proper approach to plug a hymn. That’s right, a h.vmn. Daniels Amfitheatreof has written a hymn titled ‘‘Day of Triumph” for the indie out- fit’s religioso film of the same title. To exploit the film, they want it plugged. But with dig- ity. Salty Holmes, harmonicist who has been inactive: on wax for the past couple of years, has , bean pacted by Decca Records, for which, lie formerly, worked. He joins the diskery’s country western talent roster. COL GIVING BUTTONS Columbia. Records is giving Red Buttons a crack at the kid mar- ket. Diskery is . releasi ng a, new moppet version of ‘‘The Ho-Ho Song” and ‘‘Strange Things Are Happening.” Both tunes previously had beeh waxed by Buttons for the pop field. The kid adaptations were penned by Jack Wolf and Joe Darion. “7" RETAIL DISK BEST SELLERS P^RIETY Survey of retail disk , best sellers based on reports ob- tained from leading stores in 22 cities and shovhng com- parative soles rating for this and last Meek.. National Rating This Last o P o td -S'- -as w o St V OT ■ •rt ' h Pi 4). 4-> C ■ W . t-i . m ft p co. a ,o ho. .s re O o o •H (/) * P. S; .0) pp W O ■S B 5 1/1 © o co P- s (h O), t-r P O : d. cd > : a « re. 6 re £ .re-. £ .£ O >”S 03 *£' ft 9) T3 03 (h re. T3 £. o o 4) 43 ' ho ' u B &■ ot o £ •■to r» £ cd E 4) > O P E 03 43 bO C W ft • o 43 c n. •a (h o CJ 4> pci tn “v 4) • ft CO 03 -. ,»4 JOT . lc o ot ' P; u> u 4) fe:' w *»— S' I s - o • n^ ; CO ■p •W 4-) ■43 * I 03 . 5 - :« o O o. "£ cd •H f U o. E cd 4— < < X ... B. O 4- B < ■a ot w o 05 '.£ D co T3 '£ X O bo (d a o 2 « 4) 0< 4 . •o ft cd S cd . *^4 fi >» u cd, 4> P O' O. Q e- ■ a cd 9) B. JS ■ 5 O P 6 •pH CO 3 Ui C ■ X c 0) 1-3 OT cd- OT B cd 4> OT 3 O X V. •H w. 3 m • H T3. 3' X OT S ■e. cd-. % - u o «- 4) ■n B cd p* 9) > 4) r d.. (3 cd TD O O . CL) X M B 9> O -43 P .o • H . CO •3 s X 9) PN 4) bo B OT e ■ . OT .3 ' S cd 43 E 3 ►—3 O P X ■ o OT • H o ■B- : Cd' . fe . B' Cd w O O. O' >> Q Ih - 0) > § Q- u ■ 4> > B 9i 'P. a *. a a 1 \ a- a 4 a . a a . . 12 22 .... STUART HAMBLEN (Victor) “This Ole House”,.. ' a 'a .a • • a a *a a 9 a- a 4 a 4 • .a a a . 2 .4 •* 11 23 JOHNSTON BROS. (London) 'The Bandit” . . . .. .I. .. . ; z \ . • a V a a • a-, a'.’ a' 4 4k • 6 a 4 a a *'4 9 '• 8 ;24 * 14 GAYLORDS (Mercury) “Little Shoemaker” . ! • .‘a a * k •• a -1 .7 . < 4 • A * a. . 'a a 9 ..4 4 ‘ * • * a • a • 10 4. • 7 25 • 4 PAUL— FORD (Capitol) “I’m a’ Pool to Care” . . . a’ • •. • ' « * • • 1 1 '• a, 10 9 8 a ' • • a ♦ • • * • V 9 • • 4 9 6 ALBUMS l 2 ‘ 3 " 6 4 ' STUDENT PRINCI MUSIC, martinis^ SEVEN BRIOH FOR GLENN) MILLER A STAR IS BORN ■PAJAMA-GAMI UO" * AND MSMORIH ; SEVEN BROTHERS LI tTED EDITI II mm n a x . • . hckl* CImmii * • *4 ; ^ * * , , Film . S*unPN CO ■C3 •a CO - C vH X . P • .41 • 1 U to . : a’ ■ S: ft ■ .ft : ■P W3 t o ■ 9P^ w 1 ■CO i. •3 ' O . u • OD 0 '•p4 w 'i c (8 B . , a, 4> fi'- 1 4) « he -S ■ & J 0~s o . • pM - ■ 'CO '.3* a ■ 0 •Si . ft • ca ■ U 1 .9) ♦a «8 4) OD T -o T A L P 0 1 N T S PTARIETY Survey of retail sheet rriusic best sellers based on reports obtained from leading stores in 12 cities and showing coin- parative sales rating for this and. last, u’eek. * ASCAP t BMI National Rating This Last wk. wk. Title and Publisher i ' 2 ♦If I Give My Heart to You (Miller) 3 i i 1 1 3 1 2 2 2 1 5 ' ' 2 3 rThis Ole House (Hamblen) 1 9 5 : 2" ■.4 ; : aai 3 6 1 1 3 i 86 3 1 ♦Hey There (Frank) . . .. v 9 2 6 ; 4 2 2 4 mi 3 2 6 71 .. 4 5 ■ *1 Need : You Now (Miller) . . 5 5 5 5 4 1 4 5 7. 2 "67 5 . ,4 . ‘ High and the Mighty (Witmark) . 8 3 3 3 i 8 8 . . '' 4 4 . . 57 6 8 “Hold My Hand (Raphael) . »'•••' 9 ■'+ •, . . . 3 • ‘ mm Efifl a . 8 .7, . 5 3 41 7 . 11 ♦Count Your Blessings (Berlin) . . 2 .. 4 2 8 6 ; ■ 9 # . 36 8 ' 1. ♦Little Shoemaker (Bourne) . . 4 8 8 . 7 6 • • •.. 8 6 9 "34 9 io ♦Papa Loves Mamba (Shapiro-B) . . 6 8 7 . 10 5 3 9 .. 10 30 ■El ;6 ♦Skokiaan (Shapiro-B) . . ... • . ' 8 ...6 2 9 6 9 • 7.." 29 11 13 ♦Chapel in Moonlight (Shapiro-B) . * . * 9 .7 . 9 5 m 8 » .- 17 :■ 12 ♦Teach Me Tonight (Hub); . 7 ■ •' 9 • 4 ... - . . . « • . * . . 8 14 13 9 r Sh-Boom (Hill & Range) ) . i • . 9 9 3 ► 13 1 14A . ; ♦Cara. Mia (Feist) . , .. ■. ../• '■ . .. •' < . 7 -.9, • .. 4 U. | 14B tShake, Rattle & Roll (Progressive) •: 5 6 11 Hard-Luck Tunes j Continued' from page. 1 m the big'bust as a subject for. humor in “A Tale of the Ticker." Our forefathers revelled in songs of self-pity, such as “Nobody’s Dar- ling pn Earth,” in which a poor little orphan girl wanders the streets and begs a penny for bread. The biggest’ self-pity binge start- ed just about 10 y eats before the Wall St. crash — When World War I was in process of being wound up arid the nation was still enjoying wartiine prosperity. This, of course, excepts the songs that have always been popular about Unre- quited love and other sentimental misfortunes, with “The Curse, of An Aching Heart" as a classic ex- ample. The type meant now is the one in which the singer simply feels sorry for himself on general principles, because he’s convinced he was born under an unlucky star or with two strikes on him. The general idea Was summed up in the old Negro spiritual, “Nobody. Knows the Trouble I See." ‘Chasing Rainbows* In 1918, Harry Fox appeared in the musicomedy, “Oh Look!” whose hit number, “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows,” kicked off. the big self- pity* cycle. The words were by Joe McCarthy, while Harry Carroll, who knew a good tune when a classic composer had written one, lifted the melody from the middle section of Chopin's “Fantasie Im- promptu." The ditty made a wad of money for the, publishers, Mc- Carthy & .Fisher, arid it gave a lot of other cleffers the idea that there was gold in groans. Notable among those who got the idea were James Kendis, Nat Vin- cent and James Brockirian. So a few months after “Rainbows" swept the. country, the nation Was favored with probably the biggest of all the self-pity hits, “I’m For- ever Blowing Bubbles," the sad story of the. chap who wasted his' tinie blowing bubbles instead of getting down to work and doing something obstructive, such as Writing a song about people who frivoled their time Way blowing bubbles. Soon the high-pressure self-pity orgy was on. “In the Heart of a Fool," .by Max O. Freedman & Harry D. Squires, was more on the “Curse of an Aching Heart" idea, but Arthur Anderson did his part to point out'the futility of blowing bubbles in “Bubble Land,” and Isharn Jones chipped in with “Blowing Bubbles All Day Long." Arthur J. Lamb, who specialized in writing lyrics for H. W. Petrie’s sea songs, designed to. be sung by hairy-chested guys with big bass voices, joined forces with W. C. Polla to lament, “My Castles in the Air Are Tumbling Down." Jimmy Lucas and Albert Guitible com- plained of “Heartaches." Jack Ma- honey and Fred Fisher filled a mi- nority report in which they took a more cheerful point - of - view: “While Others Are Buildirig Ga§- tles in the Air (I'll Build a Cottage for Two.") - Concurrently, J. Keirn Brennan, Paul Cunningham & Bert Rule were bucking the self-pity procession with “Have a Smile . for Everyone You Meet (And Everyone Will Have a Smile for You.”) Haying prospered by lamenting their bubble blowing proclivities Kendis and Brockman again did reasonably well by insisting “All I Have Are Sunny Weather Friends.” It wasn't long before Kendis and Brockman were working the so- sorry-for-myself side of the street again. This, time their Woe begone hero proclaimed “I’m Like a Ship Without a Sail.” This did only fair- ly well, and in 1923 Jack. Yellen and Abe Olman , used the ship theme to better advantage in the still popular “I’m Waiting for Ships Thqt Never Come In." Eugene West & Harry Jentes came through in 1921 With “All By Myself," and virtually at the same time Irving Berlin had a niuch more successful number of the same title, Harry Von Tilzer, Ber- lin’s rival in those days for the honor of being the . Alley’s No. 1 tunesrnith, may have been razzing the self-pity cycle When (with Billy Jerome doing the words) he turned out one of the charripion odd titles of all time, “You May be the World to Your Mother, But You’re Only an Oil Can to Me.” The self-pity parade began to tapfer off around 1922, after many other cry-baby compositions not successful enough to be mentioned here had been ground out. Robert King handled the idea In a comedy vein with “I Ain’t Nobody’s Dar- li ’ " which added, “And I don’t give a good gosh-darn.” But in 1923 Benny Davis and Abner Sil- ver were inquiring, sadly, “When Will the. Sun Shine for Me?” The narrator confessed his life was “a blunder,” but promised to riiuster up energy to ’'phone, the weather man and see When will the sun shine for me?” Continued from page 1 of the “golden disk" by about 200,000 disk sales. Hefty sales rackup of Miss Clooney’s platter is being at- tributed to the fact that it’s a two- sided hit. “Hey There” is backed by “This Ole House,” a jump- ing spiritual-styled number, and tradesters figure that the platter Is appealing to two different markets. “Pajama Gam€" score was penned by Jerry Ross and Dick Ad- ler, who also turned out another disk winner in “Hernando’s Hide- -away," from the same show. Archie Bleyer’s Cadence disking of the tune already has passed the 750,000 sales mark. Miss Clooney topped ; the 1,000,000 sales mark once be- fore for Col with her etching of “Coma On-A-My House.** J Criterion to Publish ‘Sea’ Pic Original Score Hollywood, Oct, 26; Guitarist Laurindo Almeida and harmonicist George Fields have teamed for a double-duty stint, composing and playing an original background score for “The Naked Sea,’’ a color feature produced and directed by Alan Miner. Fields is best known for his background score work on “Ruby." Mickey Goldsen’s Criterion Mu- sic will publish , the score;, which consists of six original thetnes, in- cluding the main title song, “The Naked Sea Ballad.” Odd-Label Cal. Distrib Los Angeles, Oct. 26. State R e c o r d. Distributors has be,en formed here by Lee Silver, formerly with eastern indie labels, to handle Southern; California dis- tribution for a number of odd- labels. Outfit will handle rhythm and blues and pop releases in both singles and long playing records.. NAT "KING” COIE Capitol #2949 REMICK MUSIC COlif, NewYoA, H. T. - It’s Music by Program , Today Yesterday's mills music, inc. .(141V Broadway, N.w Yorfcl Wednesday, October 27, 1954 yfiRlETY COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS INSTEAD OF • y m ' i GREAT NEW jc r\ r"\ i c 1 Emb L/ I Chi FISHER RECORD... ■4 % «* from the fabulous Broadway musical “FANNY 1 with Words and music by HAROLD ROME \ 20/47-5871 RCA V. CTOR Recorded in “New Orthophonic” High Fidelity Sound "HIJ¥«U»rV6iCl* / Wednesday, October 27, 1954 “Lullaby of Birdland,” jazz in- strumental composed , by , George Shearing, will get unorthodox packaging via RCA Victor which is giving the tune a 12-way spread in one albui Diskery currently is prepping a. set whichUI include 12 different versions Of the time. Already in the can are interpreta- tions by Barbara Carroll, Shorty: Rogers, Andre Previn, Tony Scott, Perez Prado and Ralph Flanagan. Tune, which, was written two years ago, already has developed into a jazz pop standard. There are 28 records of the tune now . on the market and the sheet COpies re selling at the rate of 1,200 a week. It’s been cut i England. France, Germany and Switzerland and. the disks are racking up hefty sales in thOse countries. The long- hairs are even hopping on the “Birdland” bandwhgon with etch- ings by the Boston T*ops and the London Symphony Orchestral in the offing. A lyric version was added recent- ly by B. Y. Forster and has been etched by Ella Fitzgerald for Dec- ca. Shearing, who cut the first in- strumental side two years ago for MGM, is cutting it again for that label, with Ray Charles singers working over the lyric. Tune was inspired by Birdland, New York jazz nitery* and is pub- lished by Patricia Music. Inci- dentally, Morris. Levy, who runs Birdland, also operates Patricia. Thaxter Joins Tape Co. On Marketing, Sales Roger L, Thaxter has been named director of marketing and sales for Magne-Tronics, New York outfit, which produces lohgpiay mu- sical tapes for background Use by commercial establishments, Magne- Tronics recently made a deal to acquire Capitol Records’ transcrip- tion library for transfer to tapes. Thaxter was formerly .with Mu- zak as promotion manager. Percy L. Deutsch heads Magne-Tronics, HMV’s Paintings With next month’s release of three platters, RCA Victor will ex- periment with a fancy packaging program for its HMV (His Master’s Voice) disks imported from Eng- land. Each disk will be individu- ally boxed with plastic windows behind which there will be prints jpf w.k. paintings suitable for fram- ing. This idea was tried on the Arturo Toscanini set of Bee- thoven’s “Missa Solemnis,” Price for the HMV platters will remain the same at $5.95. THE PERFECT AFTER-VACATION SONG Sryne and Cahn’i “THE THINGS WE DID LAST SUMMER”! Styne and Cahn Music Co., Inc. Scoreboard TOP TALENT AND TUNES Compiled f rom Statistical Reports of Distribution Encompassing the Three Major Outlets Coin Machines Retail Disks Retail Sheet Music as Published in the Current Issue NOTE: T1ie current comparative sales strength of the Artists and Tunes listed hereunder is arrived, at under a statistical system comprising each of ,the three major sales outlets enu- merated above. These findings are correlated with data from wider sources, which are exclusive with Variety. The positions resulting from these findings denote the OVERALL IMPACT de- veloped from pie ratio of points scored, two ways in the case of talent (coin machines, retail disks) and three ways in the case of tunes (coin machines, retail disks, retail sheet music}. TALENT POSITIONS This Last Week Week ARTIST AND LABEL TUNE ROSEMARY CLOONEY (Columbia) j^fs oirilouse fr Need You Now EDDIE FISHER (Victor) . ; , . {Count Your Blessings [Fanny DORIS DAY (Columbia) If I Give My Heart to You DON CORNELL (Coral) . . . . * ... . . . . ..... . . . ;/Hold\My Hand ^ \ (Sh-Boom CREW CUTS (Mercury) . ... PERRY COMO (Victor) RALPH MARTERIE (Mercury) .... BILL HALEY’S COMETS (Decca) LES PAUL-MARY FORD (Capitol) )Oop-Shoop (Papa Loves Mambo {Things I Didn’t Do Skokiaan (Shake, Rattle and Roll ) ABC Boogie (Whither Thou Goest /I’m a Fool to Care POSITIONS ThlaT Last Week Week WHITFIELD-MANTOVANI (London) , v ,.Cara Mi TUNES (♦ASCAP. * fBMI) 9- 10 10 9 TUNE ♦IF I GIVE MY HEART TO YOU . ,. ♦HEY THERE . ♦I NEED YOU NOW. . . ... . . . . . f.THIS OLE HOUSE ♦HOLD MY HAND. ...... ... ♦SKOKIAAN ♦PAPA LOVES MAMBO fSH-BOOM fSHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL ♦HIGH AND THE MIGHTY. ...- Hoop-la for Singer Hollywood, Oct. 26. Abe Saperstein, founder-owner of the Harlem Globetrotters bas- ketball team, has turned his at- tention to music, importing An- toine (Tony) Ponce, a French operatic tenor. Saperstein intro- duced the diminutive singer (five foot three) to Coast music critics at an informal Beverly Hills hotel concert over the weekend. Ponce last spring won first prize as leading singer in the compe- tition at the Cannes Music Festi- val. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ i ■ i ■ TRANSCONTINENTAL CONCERT TOUR OCT. 14 THRU NOV. 8 DUKE ELLINGTON DAVE BRUBECK GERRY MULLIGAN • i ■ i ii ■ i ■ ■ u |l ■ N ¥ ¥ ASSOCIATED BOOKING CORPORATION JOE GLASER, Pres. New York .1 Chicago 7 4 5 5?.‘i A ve PL 203 No Wabash JU'i'Cl OIVQ Andrews Sisters’ Big ‘Threat’ From Orig. Disks The remaining Andrews Sisters, Maxipe and La Verne, are getting ready to launch their new act with Dorothy Squires, but there’s mounting indication that their big- gest competition* on .disks at least, may come from the original. An- drews Sisters. “She’ll Never Know,” which the ; sisters cut with Red Foley three years ago in Nashville, has jumped into ninth spot for Decca nation- ally In just two. weeks. But what makes the threat of Andrews Sis- ters competition really tough— un- less Decca keeps the platters, on the shelf — is that the, trio cut a total of nine sides in. that session with Foley. And five of them, ac- cording to Maxene and LaVerne, have a greater hit potential than “Know.” Coral Tees Off New Indie Distrib Setup in Seattle Seattle, Oct. 26. Andy Hufflne, an employee of Decca for 15 years, has gone into the independent distribution field here, starting with Coral Records, Decca subsid, as. his first account. Outfit will be known as the Hufflne Distribution Co. Distrib’s activities were launched with a cocktail party* presided over by Decca Joe Perry, Coral’s Coast sales exec, who flew here from i Hollywood for the occasion. PUBLISHER ........ .Miller Frank .Miller .. .Hamblen ... ..... ... ... .Raphael . . . , , . . .Shapiro-B Shapiro-B .... .Hill & Range Progressive Witmark Cap’s EP Job on Cole Hollywood, Oct. 26. In What is the first such "pack- aged” cover job in the plattery’s history, Capitol is rushing out an EP album of Nat (Kirig) Cole sing- ing current hits. In addition to being an unusual cover item, pack- age dispeis the idea that there's such: a thing as a “Cole song” as opposed to pop stuff. EP consists of “Hold My Hand,” “Papa Loves Mambo,” “Teach IVIe Tonight,” and “If I Give My Heart to You.” San Francisco, Oct. 26. Norman Granz’s ’‘Jazz at the Philharmonic” pulled in 6,000 payees for a $20,000 rackup at a Saturday night (23) bash at the Civic Auditorium here. Crowd was one of the quietest on record but the gross was only slightly behind last year. Package played Without Buddy Rich, who was downed by a virus attack in Portland, The following night (24), in Oak- land, “JATP” drew 3,300 people for a $10,000 gross. Both the Fris- co and Oakland dates played to a $4.50 top. Other “JATP” grosses during the past week were $8,250 at the Denver Auditorium (20);' $12,850 at the Seattle Municipal Auditori- um (21), and $9,200 at .the Port- land Civic Auditorium (22). Concert package winds its tour tomorrw (Thurs.) in Sacramento. Unit’s proposed hop to Australia has been cancelled. Owen, Top Brit. Arranger, Injured in Auto Crash London, *Oct. 26. Reg Owen, top British danceband arranger, was seriously injured in a motor-accident Oct. 16. On his way from London to Bristol the automobile which he Was driving crashed into a wall at Wick, Gloucestershire. He was* badly hurt, his injuries including a frac- tured skull. Owen, who is staff arranger for the Ted Heath orchestra, is mar- ried to American pianist-singer Virginia Somers, arid was on his way to meet her after her Week in variety, at Bristol when the ac- cident occurred. Latest reports are that Owen is showing slight improvement, and may be moved to a hospital in Lon- don in d week or so. It’s Fall, Officially Hollywood* Oct. $6. Josef Myrow’s “Autumn Noc- turne” serves as title tune for a ne\v seasonal package to be issued by MGM Records next week. Twelve-inch LP features the voices of the Ray Charles Singers on a number of tunes associated with the autumn season. In addition to Myrow’s “Noc- turne,” package includes “Autumn in New York,” “Autumn in Rome,” “Autumn Leaves,” “Early Au- tumn,” “ ’Tis Autumn” and "Sep- tember in the Rain.” Plaftery or- dered a s special autumn scene painting for the cover. Capitol Records* singer Bob Manning ankled the management firm of Gersh & Wecht. HEADING FOR THE :1 SPOT! MOOD INDIGO V NORMAN PETTY TRIO "X". OTHER GREAT VOCAL RENDITIONS JUST RELEASED B IF T Knl i)f . ! A ftf - ’ 1 -v n .' ’ * >'C. p 1 fi: f SH ‘.I i MODE RNA'kt'J Li L'S :■ : i.'.D >. Nt-L HEFT. »/.« IKii'.:’! MILLS MUSIC, INC. UTS IN A ROW!! OH BABY MINE, (MELROSE) (E. H. MORRIS) WORDS and MUSIC BY PAT BALLARD (ASCAP) ( Also writer of 248 lousy songs ) Wednesday, October 27, 1954 PffiRIEfY MUSIC 57 New York jiilic Chester, Mellin Music plugger, on a dee jay tour .through the midwest . . Alan Dean booked into the Ranch House, Johnstown, r h, beginning Nov. 23 . , . Stan- ley Styne in town for tv produc- tion work . . Richard Hayroan orch slated to play at the Police Dept. Honor Legiori Ball at the Sheraton- Astor Hotel Friday (29) . . Howard Lanin orch booked for the ninth consecutive year for the West Point Cadet Corps Dance at the Benjamin Franklin Hotel, Philadelphia, Nov. 27 . . The Four Tunes into Montreal’s Downbeat. Club tomorrow (Thurs.) .- . Tom- my Reed orch currently at. the Statler Hotel, Buffalo .: . Dee- jay Mel . Bernani switching from WKYW, Louisville, to WHB, Kan- sas City . . Record Collectors Shop sponsoring a jazz concert at Town Hall Saturday (30) . . Crew Cuts returning to the Casino The- atre, Toronto, Dec. 30. Group bows in the New York area Nov. 24 at the Boulevard, Queens . Epic Records celebrating its first anni with a cocktailery tomorrow (Thurs.) .. ... . Thrysh Peggy "Talor's special material- for her nitery stint at the Chez Paree, Chicago, which begins Oct. 31, was penned by Bryan Blackburn, of the Lon- don Daily Mail . . George Shear- ing into the Crescendo, Los An- geles, for two weeks beginning Nov. 12. Chico O’FarriH’s orch begins a two-week, stand at the Blue Note, Chicago, today (Wed.) . . Paul Gilbert, formerly with George Evans’ publicity office, joined the Marvin Drager flackery . Eddy Arnold oh a string of one-niters through the midwest Guy Mitchell back in town from a tour of England' for Columbia recording sessions . . Mario Nascimberie composed the score for the UA re- lease, "The. Barefoot Gontessa,” hot Ulpio Minucci, as reported in last week’s Variety. Chicago Harmonlcats making film short for Universal in Hollywood this week and coming into Chi for club dates through December . . . Fred Dale orch, Coral diskers, currently playing one nighters in midwest ... Les Brown and Benn Sharp orchs . : playing Sun-Times Harvest Moon Festival on Nov. 20 . . . Cass Harrison to Jefferson Hotel, St. Louis, Nov. 13 for seven weeks . ... Ken Harris opens nine frames at Town Club , in Corpus Christi on Nov. 2 . ; . Commanders cemented for 23 straight midwest club dates before opening five weeks at Meadowbrook in New Jersey on RECORDS The finest sound on record WATCH SANTA BABY COME 4 WAYS THIS YEAR ! ! ! Nov. 18 , ; . Paul Neighbors to Roosevelt Hotel, New Orleans, Nov. 4 for five weeks. Pittsburgh A1 DiLernia Trio closes at My Brother’s Place,, formerly Jack Heller's Carousel, tomorrow (Thurs.) and goes back into the William Pehn Hotel the follow- ing night. They’ll have a new bill- ing there . . . The Continentals, with Julie Melman, a violinist . .■ . Jon Eardley, of Altoona, joined Gerry Mulligan quartet here at Mosque during their engagement with. Duke Ellington jazz package. Like his father, who Used to be with Paul Whiteman and Isham Jones, Eardley ’s a trumpet player. Elder Eardley now heads a fi- nance company, in Altoona . . . Reid Jaynes and Bobby Cardillo have opened as a piano team at Town and Country Lounge of Carlton House downtown. They were to^ gether for several months at Dorje’s Restaurant, but Jaynes has lately been at the Belmont Bar in Dromont and Cardillo with the Vic. Powell combo at Midway Lounge , . . Harry Ziegler, pianist, back at the Radio Cafe after surgery.; Howdy Baum pinch hit for him', . . Spike Jones plays here for Shrine Nov, 16-17-18 for four perform- ances, including a matinee . , . Matys Bros, are switching from the Blue Moon to the Twin Coaches on Monday (1); Kansas City Next musical group into Eddys’ Restaurant the Mello-Larks, opening Oct. 29 for two weeks. They’re on the bill with rnagico RUssell Swann ... . . Tiny Hill has his orch trouping through Iowa and Illinois on late October dates, closing the month at the Royal Palais, Galena, 111. . Joe Vera has his orCh back in the Picardy Cafe, Hotel Muehlebach, returning about six months after his former year-long stand there, taking turns during the evening with the Zig and Vivian Baker violin duo . . Naomi Stevens in tpwn for a few days with the home folks between singing dates at the Congress Hotel, St. Louis, and. Country Club, Springfield, 111, . . . Don Roth Trio back in town at the Kansas City Club, one of its regular stands . . . Bill Harris Orch in from downstate Missouri to take over the stand in the Drum Room, Hotel President, succeeding the Virg Mason outfit. Omaha Organist Dean Shoft playing at Roller Bowl, which celebrated its first anni Friday (22) . . , Bill Al- bers orch pacted for Doane Home- coming dance at Crete Nov. 6 . . . Jimmy Palmer played King's at Norfolk last -Sunday (24) . . . Ray Backirian orch handled Omaha U. Homecoming dance last Saturday (23) . . . Tiny Hill and Bobby Mills orchs at Peony Pork over weekend . , . Mai Dunn Orch completed four-day stand at Music Box Sat- urday (23) . . . Davq. Alexander combo in at. Happy Hour . . . Yma Sumac show booked for Para^- mount Theatre Nov. 6 . . , Paul Moorhead orch remains a fixture at the Pax Room, Paxton Hotel. . . Earl Graves combo, featuring Jun- ior Ragglin, at Copacabana . . . Pat Hamilton Trio playing between- shows sets at Colony Club. Best British Sheet Sellers (Week ending Oct. 16)* London, Oct. 19. My Friend . . Chappell Things Mean a Lot. . .Robbins Hold My Hand. ...... , .Wood Smile . ....... ,, . . ..Bourne Coins in Fountain;., Feist Story of Tina. .Macmelodies Cara Mia . . . . . . . Robbins Must I-le a Reason . . Connelly Sway . .Latin American Sky Blue Shirt. . . . ... Wright I Give My Heart ; . , . . . Robbins Gilly Ossenfeffer. . . . .Spier Second 12 My Son ... ......... .Kassner Happy .Wanderer. . . .Bosworth This Ole House . . . . , . Duchess Little Shoemaker . , . . . Bourne Make Her Mine .... /Wood Sh-Boom . . . , . . . , Aberbach Never Land. ... .Keith Prowse Wait For Me . ... . ; . . ; Lafleur West of Zanzibar . . Bluebird Secret Love. . . Harms-Connelly High-Mighty Harms-Coftnelly Heart of My Heart : . .F.D.&H. COL IN RESHUFFLE OF In a reshuffling of its field sales setup last week, Columbia Records upped William Gallagher to re- gional director of. its eastern area. Gallagher previously had been division manager. Arnold. Klein Was named regional sales manager, for the eastern area, reporting to Gallagher. In other moves around the coun- try, Merle Weiss was appointed regional director of the midwest- ern territory with Kenneth Glancy as regional sales manager. In the southwest territory, Tom Cade was promoted to regional director: from division manager, with , Fred Wilmot assisting as sales manager. On the Coast, Paul Peppin will take over as regional director. Quick click of The Chordettes* “Mr. Sandman” (E. H. Morris) gives Archie Bleyer’s relatively new Cadence label two fast ones in a row, initial, smash being ‘‘Hernando’s Hideaway” with the trick- castanet sound. Bleyer slaps his knees in the current sleeper arid author- composer Pat Ballard points out that knees have figured in his two ‘recerit hits. ' The original demo of “Oh Baby Mine, I Get So Lonely” had Ballard playing rhythm on his knee using a pair of horn-rimmed specs as a clicking rhythm sound which helped sell the tune to Capitol, Bleyer’s. “knee playing” kicked up a lot of amusing dee jay talk which may have helped the initial sendoff of the tune. Mercury has covered the song with Buddy Morrow, and Coral has an etching in the works. Stanley Warner and Warner Bros, were dismissed as defendants by N. Y. Federal Judge Alexander Bicks last week in. Leo Russotto’s claim that his arrangement for “Kol Nidre” was used in the WB pic “The Jazz Singer.” Plaintiff alleged that he had written a new ar- rangement of the song which was copied for the. pic. Judge Bicks ad- vised Russotto that he could file an amended complaint against WB but must include a true copy of his “Kol Nidre” arrangement. , Although A1 Stillman and Robert Allen cleffed the new Christmas tune, “I Saw Mommy Do The Mambo (With You Know Who),” they had to cut British songwriter Tommy Conner, i on the song. Conner wrote last year’s smash, “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” which inspired the mambo takeoff. Jimmy Boyd, Columbia Records’ juve singer, sliced both tunes and Harmon Music is publishing the numbers. In the AS5CAP section of last week’s issue of Variety on page 43, the last paragraph of the article by Vernon Duke was inadvertently misplaced at the end of the article by Leopold Stokowski, M OF /44*r RECORD RATINGS BY THE TRADE PRESS Teagarden On 1st Disk Urania Records, an indie label that heretofore has been specializ- ing in longhair works, is moving into the jazz field and has named Sidney Gross as its artists & rep- ertoire chief for jazz and pop music. Gross is a British jazz ex- pert and has a disk jockey spot on the ABC network. Jack Teagarden, who hasn’t re- corded since 1951, will head the first Urania jazz release, .due early next month. Company Will issue two longplay disks each month in addition to an occasional single for the pop market. Scotland Kitty Kallen?s waxing of “Little Things Mean a Lot” still topping Scot hit parade, with. Frank Sinatra’s “Three Coins in the Fountain,” on Capitol, a close sec- ond ... Joan Regan, English/re- cording chirper, will top vaude at Glasgow Empire Nov. 1 . . * Xed Heath and his Band set for con- certs in Glasgow Nov. 25 . . . Frankie Laine doing SRO biz at Empire, Glasgow . . .-The Kordites in for week’s vaude stint at Glas- gow , . . Ian Gourlay arid Cliff Hanley, Scot cleffers, composed a novel, “Two-Note Blues.” America's- Fastest f Selling -/Records! Raphael to Publish ‘Sailor’s’ Legit Tune Hollywood, Oct. 26. . Fred Raphael Music makes its debut in the field of publishing the score from a legiter— -with the interpolation of a song into the comedy, “Sailor’s Delight,” which bows here next month for a pre- Broadway tryout. Eva Gabor stars in the English adaptation of a French comedy, as she did in the original strawhat tryout last year. Richard Myers, who will co-pro- duce with Richard Aldrich, cleffed the music and Jack Lawrence add- ed lyrics for the tune, entitled “I’ve Heard.” Team currently has “Hold My Hand” near the top of the bestseller lists. “Delight” will open at the Hunt- ington Hartford Theatre here for a limited run,- then move to San Francisco before heading for New York. Llessur’s Own Unit Chicago, Oct 26. Relga.t Llessur, drummer protege Of Lionel Hampton, has formed a unit of his own under Hampton auspices. Llessur’s quintet is inters racial, with Joe Pernell on piano, Bill Joseph on bass, Emmett Spicer on guitar and Johnny Thompson on tenor sax.. Group has already booked a small string of , niters and club dates. Coral’s New Pickard Pact Hollywood/ Oct. 26. Pickard Family* one of the oldest folkmusic groups in the business, have sighed a new contract with Coral and will begin recording this week. Family debuted on NBC back in 1926. Pickards will cut only singles at first, specializing in American folk- music. AT LAST YOU UNDERSTAND (Kencee) THREE CHUCKLES ("X") DADDY’S LITTLE GIRL (Beacon) JIMMY SAUNDERS-LENNY HERMAN QUINTET (Jay-Dee) GLORY, GLORY (Ludlow) HAL THOMAS & CALIFORNIANS (Trend) I DON’T WANT TO SET THE WORLD ON FIRE (Cherio) LES ELGART ORCH. (Columbia) KISS CRAZY BABY (Sheldon) JOHNNIE ft JACK (Victor) THE CRACKERjACKS (Kapp) LAND OF DREAMS (Meridian) HUGO WINTERHALTER ORCH. (Victor) LONELY AGAIN (Peer) TOMMY MARA (MGM) LOVE ME (Quintet) DE MARCO SISTERS (Decca) KAY BROWN (Crown) BILLY ECKSTINE (MGM) GEORGIA GIBBS (Mercury) THE FOUR ESCORTS- (Victor) CONNIE RUSSELL (Capitol) billy Williams quartet (Coral) WOODSIDE SISTERS ("X") RAINFALL (R«gent) PERCY FAITH ORCH. (Columbia) RUNAROUND (Regent) THREE CHUCKLES ("X") SUDDENLY (Brenner) JO STAFFORD (Colunibia) WATERFALL (Hill A Range) LEO DIAMOND (Victor) WE’LL BE MARRIED (Wynne) THE FOUR COINS (Epic) WHEN I HOLD YOU IN MY ARMS (BMI) . LOU MONTE (Victor) WHY DID YOU STEAL MY SWEETHEART? (Simon) THE BARRY SISTERS (Cadence) WIDE-SCREEN MAMA BLUES ” (Moytime) STAN FREBERG (Capitol) BKOUH’.VST Ml SIC. INC. M ' r. a k Billboard Cosh Box Variety Spotlight Sleeper of the Week Good 75 (Good) B (Very Good) 73 (Good) B (Very Good) Good 71 (Good) ■+ . * (Excellent)' Spotlight 71 (Good) Bullseye of the Week 76 (Good) B. (Very Good) Good 72 (Good) Sleeper of the Week . Good 73 (Good) Sleeper of the Week Good 70 (Good) 76 (Good) 72 (Good) 74 (Good) B (Very Good) Disk of the Week B (Very Good) B (Very Good) 8 (Vory Good) Very Good Good 78 (Good) C + (Good) Spotlight Sleeper of 1 the Week Very Good (Excellent) Disk of the W ee ^ 74 (Good) B (Very Good) Satisfactory 73 (Good) Sleeper of the Week 72 (Good) B (Very Good) 78 (Good) Sleeper of the Veek c IF TH AVENIE »OP!< " ■< w — *, ' : f 4 i 58 VAVJDCVKUJS Wednesday, October 27, 1954 A date at ;the Copacabana, N. Y., Is still the aspiration of virtually every variety performer in the business. An act playing here for the first time finds out whether he's got it to scale the heights. It’s still the most; reliable, ba- rometer of talent in the business. Many a fledgling who debuted at Jules Podell’s bistro, either at the top of the bill or in the secondary spot, learns with: the first salvos whether he’s in or not. It matters little whether the act has been around for many years or whether it’s a nejycomer. Copa audiences alone decide whether they, have seen a star or whether it’s just an- other act: The Copa’s starmaking potential was evident from the start when Monte Proser, soon to open Lai Vie eri Rose, Ni Y.. and Jack Entratter, now the Sands Hotel, Las Vegas g.m., started with Podeil in the Copa. How Podeil is doing a solo here in the starmaking department. Eileen Barton, who thought she had made it with an indie disking .of “Baked a Cake,’’ found that her rep started and stopped with that pressing— until a couple of weeks ago when she Opened at the Copa. She unfortunately had to drop out because of laryngitis but new hori- zons opened for* that, singer, A couple of years ago Johnnie Ray, am unknown to New York au- diences, with a rep for weeping out tunes found an audience that came prepared to scoff. They left ap- plauding a new star. Schnoz and Martin & Lewis The lightning that makes stars first came to this spot with Jimmy Durante, who’s constellation was a bit dimmer when he came to the Copa for the first time. Here the Schnoz found anew the commodity; that made him the greatest comedy dame of the Prohibition : He has maintained a top saloon posi- tion ever since his first Copa date. The Copa Was the first important nitery stand for Dean Martin & Jerry Lewi True, they formed their partnership at the 500 Club, Atlantic City, by the mere accident, of being on the same bill together. But shortly afterward they played to empty houses for a real long time at the now (defunct Hayana- Madrid, N. Y. Other niteries had the dubious honor of playing them (Continued on page 70) RAY IN USO-CS CUFFO AT MILITARY HOSPS Johnnie Ray is scheduled to do Of cuffo appearances in military hospital installations un- der USO-Camp Shows auspices. In the unit with Ray will be Singer Cathy Carr, comic; Gary Morton and dancer Betty Luster. Included in the Ray package tour, which will start Nov. 17 for five days, are institutions at Chel- , Mass.; Geneva, N. Y.; .Ft. Bel- voir, Va.; Walter Reed Medical Center, Washington, and Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, ,Md. Eckstine-Duke Conflict Gets Both in Red in Pitt Pittsburgh; Oct. 26. Unfortunate booking which had Norman Granz’s Duke Ellington jazz package and Billy Eckstine- Peggy Lee “Biggest Show of ’54” riieeting head-on here last Thurs- day night .(21); at \ Syria Mosque and Gardens, respectively, proved costly to both of these attractions. Each one took it on the chin for plenty. Liberace Write-In* Omaha, Oct. 20. Next week’s election will have, the usual number of comic write-in ballots, Elec- tion Commissioner Herman Kuppinger fears. Currently the most coffuflon written in, according to Kup- pinger: Liberace and Joe Blow. “Yes, even the silly ones are counted,’’ he added: Mae West is proving to be nearly as potent a lure for the femme trade as Liberace. The “Diamond Lil” thesp has been drawing loaded houses at the Latin Quarter, Ni Y., three times a flight at a $6 mini- mum, with many parties exclu- sively female.. Curiously enough, there are. few stag males in the house at any time, most being towed (willingly) by the femmes. ., The Latin Quarter has been giving three shows nightly on Wed- nesdays, Fridays and Saturdays with complete turnovers at each performance. The regular show has* been cut down considerably in- or- der to meet the rigorous time schedule demanded. The LQ has also been Jorced to make some operational changes so that the necessary turnover can be achieved. The major one. is the absence Of all dance music the early part, of -the ing and. between shows. This is done in Order to clear the house, and to discourage loitering. Table Cards announce that those staying over for a second show, are subject to a second $6 miniinum. This activity has the net effect of 'lowering individual checks; The major gravy comes When the extra drink is~ Ordered at the end of the show Or between dance sets. With no such incentive, a lot of that revenue is lost, but with the minimum for the next batch at $6, the compensation is sufficient. At, any rate, Miss West is doing a record-breaking business at the: Latifl : Quarter. The lines frequent- ly extend into the street. The es- tiiffated gross during this engage- ment will go into six figures per week. Bea Kalmus Doubling As I Miami Gabber-Director Miami Beach, Oct. 26. : New entertainment head for the DivLido hotel here is Bea Kalmus, who’ll combine her directorial work with a midnight interVieW- gab-record session nightly Over indie station WINZ, following same format of her New York program. Her appointment also brought news that the big hostel — Which opened last year with the Ritz Bros, teeing off lineup of talent — is re- turning to the highly competitive cafe field here after a sixmonth hiatus, with initial booking a Wally Wanger line, for production back- grounds. Miss Kalmus handled the same chores for owners Irving and Saul Cohen at their New Jersey re- sort, the Hollywood in West End, last summer. Expected that she’ll go after the better young names that , can fit into tli budgetary setup. AGVA Welfare Fund Ellington was the slightly better, of the two, but not enough to speak of. He drew a few. more than 2,000 at the nearly 4, 000-seat Mosque for a net. of around $4,200, while Eckstine-Lee in the Gardens, Which can accommodate around 6,000, played to under 2,000 and a net of only $3,400, The two enterprises shelled out a heavy bundle for advertising, too, Which splashed the red even more extensively, Each attraction tried hard to do a rerouting . job that would have prevented the conflict here, but it couldn’t be arranged, When the show was available, the auditorium wasn’t, and vice versa. Handles 490 Claims The American Guild of Variety Artist’s Welfare Trust Fund has to date processed 490 claims amount- ing to $238,500 for. injuries and death benefits as a result of its present accident insurance pro- gram. As Of Oct. 13, the fund had closed 262 claims for injuries and had paid out two claims each for $7,500 as a result of accidental death. In addition, 70 AGVA mem- bers are currently receiving pay- ments for injuries Sustained du.r- ihg the course of work or travel to and from an engagement. Astric to Pari* Montreal, Oct. 20. , Ricky As trie, director of enter- tainment for Monte Carlo, France, planed to Europe today (26) fol- lowing a short stay in Montreal to Assist his wife Vicky Autier, who opened last Wednesday (20) at the Ritz Carlton Hotel’s Ritz Cafe. Singer-pianist joins huSband in' Paris Nov. 15, when she opens at the Dinarzade Club there; • l» llie Paramount Theatre, N.Y;, will install its first stageshOw in a couple of years When Jackie Glea- son goes in With one of the biggest companies ever to play the Par. Gleason, ' Who'll come iff for two Weeks starting Nov. 17,. will bring in the leads of his CBS television Show, Art Carney and Audrey. Meadows, along with the 36-girl June Taylor line and a 50-piece band which he’ll conduct; In addition, GleaSon will avail himself of the services of a pro- ducer, With a company of nearly 100 on stage, the Par Will use its full stage facilities since the pit band policy went into effect about two decades ago. As a result, the problem of laying out the show Will be considerable. Paramount circuit booker! Harry Levine is attempting to get other toppers into the house. Deals are- in the works for Perry Comp: and Eddie Fisher, among others: Deal is also on for Rudy Car- denas and Lou Wills Jr. to be among Gleason’s supporting acts. He’ll be getting a reported 70% of the take, 'ith the house guaran- teed at least 10% of the gross as. j its margin of profit. WALTERS SKEDS O'SEAS HOP TO HUNT TALENT Latin Quarter., N; Y„ operator Lou Walters took off for Eu- rope Monday 125) for a talent gan- dering expedition and will return shortly after, the Command Per- formance in London Nov. 1. He’ll be back in time for the opening of the Latin Quarter Revue at the, Desert Inn, Las Vegas, Nov. 9. Prior to the European takeoff, he Went to St. Louis for the open- ing of that revue at the Chase. Hotel, Friday .(22). Bd. of Governors Slate Nominated by ARA Artists Representatives AsSn. will elect its slate of officers at a meeting to be held Nov, 8 at the Victoria Hotel, N. Y. Agency org nominated for the board Of gov- ernors on its regular slate Nick Agneta, Hattie AlthOff, Ben Bart (University Artists Bureau), Milton Berger, John Dugan (Music Corp. of America), Eddie Elkort (Lew Sc Leslie Grade Agency), Joe Glaser (Associated Booking Corp.), Leon- ard Green .(Mercury Artists Corp,); William Kent, Nat Lefkowitz (Wil- liam Morris Agency), Billy Shaw, Lester Shurr, Art;. Weems (General Artists Corp;), arid Charles V. Yates! ... Associate members put into nom- ination are Lloyd LaBrie (McCone- key), Josh Meyer (Jack Davies) and Abe Newborn (Baum-Newborn). Officers Will be elected from the roster of those elected to the board of governors. Other nominations to the board are possible by peti- tion. CHRISTMAS OVERSEAS Committee Recruiting Entertainers Iff Enlarged Quotas Hollywood, Oct. 26. George Murphy, head, of the Hol- ly Wood Coordinating Committee, has appointed a special committee to carry out the request 1 of Major Gen. Herbert N. Jones for an in- creased number of performers for Christmas overseas entertainment. Plan calls for seven units, four of Which will be sent to Korea. “The job of entertaining over- seas personnel,’’ Gen. Jones said, “is more important now than dur- ing actual combat." Richardson, Mae Daniels on Carpet MCA 9 * Big Staff Exit Hollywood, Oct.. 26. -Lon Boutin, of MCA’s band and act department, is the fourth agent to leave that or- ganization in four days. In the last two years more than 20 agents have moved out. Shortly before Boutin’s exit, BOb Walters and Harris Katle- man of the story departffient left, followed by Robert Ma- hakian of the tv department; + . The national board meeting 0 f the American Guild of Variety Artists, which started a threeklay session at the Henry Hudson Hotel N. Y., yesterday ( Tue$. ) , will be highlighted by charges against two members of the board, Frank Richardson, of Philadelphia, and Mae Daniels of Balitmore. Both are accused of conduct prejudicial to the union. Both are alleged to have aided and abetted Dick Jones , in an at- tempted revolt against the union, Jones is a former eastern regional director who' has now founded a rival union, 1 Actors . International Union. With headquarters in Phila- delphia. [ Philadelphia, Qct. 26. Two former officials ., of the Arnerican Guild: Of Variety, Artists, . Dick Jones,, former eastern region- al director and Charles Garvey, ex-Philadelphia branch manager, •■are seeking to divert 1,200 local members of the variety actors union into the American Federa- tion of Musicians. A mass ffiailing to the member- ship asking that they make the Switch was sent out this past week- end over Jones’ and Garveys’ sig-. matures, and 200 have already signed up as members of the Auxiliary Of AFM Local 149, To- ronto. Switch is easily negotiated, since the AGVA membership can be eligible for the Musicians Auxili- ary just by shaking maraccas or hitting clavas; Movement into the AFM settles speculation as to Jones’ plans. ■* Switch has another advantage for Jones, since it makes the AGVA secession a jurisdictional matter Which must be brought up before the American Federation of Labor. Sentiments of the musi- cians locally was evidenced when local AGVA rep Nicholas Porreca (Mickey Diamond) got into dispute with Jimmy Marcy, comedian, now. a member of the Auxiliary. Romeo Celia, president of Local 77,' AFM, promptly warned Porreca against interfering with any “musical” act. Jones first aired his mass move- ment into .the Musicians Union Auxiliary at a riieeting : of the AFL’s Central Labor Unioff here. A . letter from Jack Irving, secre- tary of the AGVA, asking that Jones and Garvey be barred as delegates to the CLU, was read, but the meeting took no action on it. Mae Daniels, AQVA rep from Baltimore on the National Board, will be brought up on charges to- day Tues!) for backing Jones. Her iels’ answer will be to ask the union; to fire Irving. Jones : also plans to call for an AFL investiga- tion of alleged un-American activi- ties by top echelon members of Associated Actors Sc Artistes of America. Embassy to Stay in Brit. Nitery Scene; Bows Nov. 3 London, Oct. 26. After making elaborate arrange- ments to remodel their Embassy. Club into a restaurant, and change the naiffe, Barnett Bros. & Abe Aaronsohn have changed their mind and will revert back to the Embassy, name, with class .-enter- tainment arid, two bands. . Spot reopens Nov, 3 after ex-_ terisive alterations, with' Johnny Blythe, well known in British films, as emcee. Band of eight, headed by Billy Shroud, with rhurrifla band yet to be engagedy will look after the ballroomers.. Management, which put bookings in the hands of Lew & Leslie Grade, Will specialize in several acts of medium price instead of top solo headliners as formerly. Amer. Hotel Assn. Meet The American Hotel Assn, will hold a confab at the Commodore Hotel, N.Y., starting Noy. 5. Top hotel talent buyers are expected to attend the meet; Included will be Merriel Abbott, buyer for the Hilton chain, and Seymour Weiss, of the Hotel Roose- velt, New Orleans. Richardson’s roster Comprises li charges, including actively solicit- ing membership tor a variety union opposed to ACn/A, aiding and abetting Jones’ conspiracy in the formation of a new actors union in opposition, to AGVA, idihg Jpnes in an. attempt to undermine and discredit AGVA with the As- sociated Actors Sc Artists of America, and the American Fed- ; eration of Labor. it’s also charged that he parti- cipated in the consparacy to under- mine AGVA on the latter’s prem- ises, violation of trust as a board member by his participation, and violating his trust by failing to present any facts or corn plaints to the. national board. He’s said to have written the 4As without the permission: of his union, and hav- ing discredited his position as in. AGVA member by using “profane and anti-racial language in the AQVA. Philadelphia office.” He’s also accused of. having discredited his position by behaving in a man- ner unbecoming a member when he appeared at a N, Y. branch membership meeting Sept. 8 for the purpose Of . fomenting dissen- sion. While AGVA has charged Rich- . ardson with 11 counts. Miss Daniels is charged With six. They are; aiding Jones in an attempt to dis- credit AGVA, violating trust as. a board member by support of Jones, violation of trust as board member by communicating with the 4A9 without permission from AGVA, joiniffg the conspiracy without presenting the union with the facts, Or complaint to the na- tional board, violating her trust by Usurping the rights . of the na- tional board in. writing the 4A» and the AFL, and. discrediting her position by joining with Jones and Richardson on the Sept. 8 meet- ing in New. York. The other major item on the agenda will he the hassle with thi Arnerican Federation of Musicians, which is now before George Meany, president of the AFL Both unions are fighting over the jurisdiction of musical acts. YATES' FULLTIME STINT FOR BRO -IN-LAW WILLIS Agent Charles V. Yates has vir- tually a fulltime assignment in lin- ing up a new career for his brother- in-law, William Willis, Who rode an 18 by 35-foot raft out of Callao, Peru, "to Pago-Pago 115 days later. Willis returned to N. Y.; by plane Sunday (24) to cash in on his ad- ventures via the lecture, circuit ana Writing assignments. Willis is no stranger to writing, haying previously authored a tome on Devil’s Island; and having lived a generally adventurous-type eX * istence: Some years ago Willis end -his Wife Teddy, Who is a sister of Mrs. Yates, and had been Yates secretary for many years, were lost in boat they were sailing off Antigua during a hurricane. The Coast Guard sent out rescue missions for them. Willis has frequently done othef ; writing assignments, some of them in the theatrical vein at the a*' rection of Yates. Yates is planning a tele series for Willis, probably on fil* 11 / addition to lecture and writing as- signments. Marge' Nelson, ex-cafe singer, who is an active club-ban ■ Miami Beach, Florida Opening Oct 28 ( For 3 Weeks I THUNDERBIRD Las Vegas, Nevada Contact CEDRIC HOWARD TRafafgar 4-2869 New York #1 Dance Specialist NIGHT CLUBS— HOTELS— MUSICALS Bert Jonas, 1650 Bdway. CO 5-0808 LAS VEGAS STARDUST Hollywood, Oct. 26. Harry Delmar, yet producer- hooker, former hoofer and onetime production chief of USO-Camp Shows, was signed to book and produce shows for the new Starv dust Hotel to open April 1 at Las Vegas, owned by Tony Corner o, who once operated the gambling boat Rex off . Santa Monica, The Stardust will be biggest on the Vegas strip, having 1,032 rooms 'and a dining room-riitery With 1,000 capacity. Delmar is figuring on 12 Shows annually. They’ll be big girl pro- duction units. New Kaye Ballard Turn Kaye Ballard will open at the Hollenden Hotel, Cleveland, with a new act Which will include two boys, Jack Pierce and Al Sullivan. Lehn Berger will provide piano accompaniment. Ray Charles com- posed the, music for the turn. She’ll intro the abt riext mbntR. ASCAP'S Youngest Member (Week of OCTOBER 29th) PALACE THEATRE, New York Composer of BALLERINA (Dedicated to. Ed. Sullivan's "Toast of the Town") FIESTA BELLS (Instrumental) Published by * . SOUTHERN MUSIC PUBLISHING GO., ING. 1619 Broadway, New York 19, N. Y. i Wednesday Oclober 27,1954 y'j «v; ta ■ i \ * * ifs L' t l 1 •ii* 1 ' r 5! "i. U 1 •<> ft , - \ . B AND ececonvE om«~ CHICAGO 1. lLU October 13> 1954 «..*•»»> ‘* s,#0 xs/.r Hire Sisters The a Theater . ChicaS 0 ia and Dorothy* CMI ^ '■S e n“.«S S“»« w * & c1 ® 3 ®’ of y«>ur t& 3 - tremett^ous success played YiiilioJi S®* 0 9 n - 7 ttSriy a J u a,yiar» *° | u |^f tS $S5S?s?ff r06l5M xoX -g/SS* ^ •j'f 3 tS»? ^SM» U “.rtMs£» M oxceliaa ^uing, + will lose star * 4 and smooth * ^ that ^Ytrifl* «« “g^”U !«“ M ” ’ S.S rift *• , ^“ 5trM /Lmt*, JO BB Thank you Mr. Balaban THE McGUIRE SISTERS 70 VAUDEVILLE P^RIETY Wednesday, October 27,- 1054 Podell’s Gopa Miami Beach,. Get; 26: The operations of two of the major iteries here problem- atical this The Beach- comber and Clover Club, two of the major talent buyers in the area, are still mulling the big question of whether to open arid with what kind of. talent, Norman Schuyler, Beachcomber operator, is ailing and would, like to take it. easy. Problem is whether to get someone to lease .the spot or find a skilled general-manager who knows the business. He’s re- ported to have Offered the spot to Alan Gale, now functioning in New York. So far, there’s no deci- sion. Schuyler is also trying to de? fermine just what kind of names are available arid if he could get enough top talent to make a run. It’s reported that he has been after Betty HUtton with a $20,000 offer. So far, he’s been told that Miss MEMO from I'm very happy to report that I'll be singing at The. CASINO THEATRE in TORONTO, week of Oct, 28th. (Toronto Papers please cover) ; * . Week of Nov. 8th, BRADFORD HOTEL, in Dear OLD BOSTON, I'm very glad to get back to Bos- ton and ail these nice SPOTS . . . Here's hoping I'll be singl- ing for you soon in your SPOToo ., Direction: FIALKOFF r A SSOCIATE S 1 560 Broadway, New York 36, N.Y. JUdton 2-4037-8-9 MISS "Chants With a Chuckle" Held Over, AGAIN and AGAIN LAKE CLUB Springfield, III. ( Thanks HUGO, HAROLD and PAUL) Dir.; JIMMIE HUSSON AGENCY 119 W. 57th St., New York COMEDY ACTS 5 different acts. Can be used .anywhere. AM for $3. An Introduction to the most helpful writing service In the Held of entertainment. A. GUY VISK Writing Enter 196 Hill Street “Creators of Hutton plans, to retire following h. current Las Vegas stand. Jack Goldman, Glover Club top- per, is making no bid for names, lie’s running with a burley policy.. Sherry Britton is his current lure and Kalantan is booked for Oct. 31. Goldman,, it’s reported, would Tike to sell out and devote all. his time to operations in Las Vegas, The two .major Beach cafes, then, may be Gopa: City, for which operator Murray Weinger try- ing to get a, parcel of names, and Ciro’s. Latter’s Red Pollack is cur- rently conferring with the talent agencies for headliners. However, it’s recognized that even two niteries can start a full- scale price War, which would in- crease talent budgets to the break- ing point. The competition from the hotels will also be consider- able. Consequently, 1 it’s evident that the Florida spots Will still be forced to spend money for talent, on a level with that of previous years. Whether grosses Will justify such .expenditures cannot yet be determined, although Miami Beach just concluded one of its best summer’s’ in history. SEGUES TO MIAMI TV Pittsburgh, Oct. 26. George DeWitt, nitery comic who played the Ankara here the last two weeks, is pulling out of cafe cir- culation shortly, except within Florida commuting distance, to launch his own tv shows on WTVJ iri Miami- Beginning Dec. 6, De- Witt will be on twice a day Mon- day through Friday, for . half an hour in the daytime and 15 min- utes, which may later be doubled, at night. DeWitt tested the Miami tele- vision atmosphere during the sum- mer as a warm-weather replace- ment on WTVJ and liked it so well he decided to make the deal permanent when an offer came his way.. He’s moving to Miami bag arid baggage with his wife and two children. They’ve already bought a home there, and DeWitt plans to concentrate mostly on club dates which won’t interfere, with his video commitments. “ Continued from i-age 58 Dance-Stager Sues MCA, El Rancho Vegas on Pact Las Vegas, Get. 26. Gene Summers, leader of a dance troupe, filed suit for $17,505 in District Court against Music Corp. of America and El Rancho Vegas, charging "threats and coercion” to reduce her price on a contract. Complaint declared she had a | contract with MCA to stage dances at the hotel for five weeks at $2,350 per. week but El Rancho refused to sign it She contends that MCA made a false representation dr the hotel broke a contract. She wants, $10,000 damages arid $7,050 for loss of wages. CAB CALLOWAY NOW-NINTH WEEK HOTEL SAHARA LAS VEGAS Mgt. BILL MITTLER, 1619 Broadway. New York to virtually no returns, but it hasn’t happened to them since the Copa took them in; Joe E, Lewis has made this spot his New York home. He had achieved a reputation of sonie de- gree in show business. He had to . supplement his cafe dates with stands at vaude houses; .Loew's State was one of his regular stands. He made the , vaude circuits regu- larly but he hasn’t bothered much with theatres since he played the Copacabaria. Niteries, where he shows up to much bett er advan- tage, .have been taking: up. all his available time. Sid Caesar, Hayes Sc Healy Sid Caesar got his first major showing in New York at the E: 60th St. spot just after his discharge from service- Copa audiences also decreed that Peter Lind Hayes and iris, wife Mary Healy, should be among those at the top. Kitty Kalleri scored her first -major hit there. Some performers, were ..originally developed elsewhere,, byt the Copa. brought out their: full potential, This applies to Frank Sinatra, Dan- ny Thomas, Lena Horne, Billy Eck- stine, Desi ArnaZj Mitzi Green, Mondy Carson, . Toni Arden, Kean Sisters and a few others; Top Showcase It’s still the top showcase in New York. Janis Paige was piaying at the Copa when she was eyed for .‘■Pajama Game.” When. Eddie Fisher did the production tunes here, he showed enough to indi- cate: that he had considerable promise. Julie Wilson was first a chorus girl here, and then she. graduated to the production tunes. Among the chorus girls here that have gone on to Hollywood are June Allyson, Lucille Bremer, Olga San Juan, Pat Hardy, Joanne Dru, Mae Wynn, Martha Stewart and Janice Rule. Boniface Podell has found a very prosperous form of revenue for the Copa in the operation of the Up- stairs lounge, The disk jockey pol- icy having petered out, Podell re- built the lounge’s reputation with a late show coming after the finale in the downstairs room. The sing- ing talent moves upstairs for a late show and it’s been paying off tremendously, The upstairs lounge also showed its star-building potential. Nat (King) Cole evidence his promise initially in that room as did Sarah Vaughan. In the line of choreogra- phy, Don Loper & Maxine Barrett danced at the Copa before moving on to Hollywood as a couturier. Podell takes pride in the Copa's importance as a name showcase, although he’d rather be known as a restaurateur. The kitchen is his especial province. He's proud of the fact that he can shell out a full dinner under $4, and he at- tempts to operate ori the basis that food is still important in the night club business. He's also an im- portant. contributor to iriany chari- ties, Once, every year he. donates a night in December to the cerebral palsy fund. Three or four nights a week there’s a table of disabled vets who get no check. He’s a soft touch for a lot pf legitimate chari- ties. According to ilery actuarial tables, 15 years is a fairly advanced age for a nightclub. In that Lime a spot is expected to have devel- oped some kind of tradition and .reputation, The Copa has this tra- dition 1 as a starmaker, and a reputa- tion that, makes it an important entertainment; stop for the visiting firemen of the nation. There's a Copa road company in many cities, tribute enough to the New York operation that imitation again is: the sincerest form of flattery. Saranac Lake By Happy Benway Saranac Lake, N. Y., Oct. 26. The Will Rogers hospital lourige room is now a real entertainment haven for the patients here. A large, new tele set has been in- stalled, thanks to Murray Weiss, Will Rogers exec from Boston; a modern jukebox donated by the IATSE boys from N. Y, via the ef- forts of Herbert Johnson,’ a long- player and records, gift from Manie Sacks, latest picture pro- jection outfit installed by Ballan- tyne Theatre Supply Co, of Omaha and the National Screen Co. of N. Y, Sam Smith of Stewart-E.verett Circuit, Charlotte, N. C., into the General for major operation; now back at the Will Rogers recuper- ating, ; The John McKerriins back to N. Y. arid the St. Regis hotel after spending three weeks vacationing at a bedside of their brother, Tom McKernin, now resting and under observation at the Will Rogers here. A double birthday shindig was tendered to Louise Riso, of United World* Films, and to Jack Kelley; manager with the Walter Reade Theatres. Write to those who are ilL , ‘Eve’ Sellout Continued from .page 1 while another firm is dickering for the takeover of the. Copacabana. To the bonifaces, the more im- portant facet of : the sellout lies in the fact that a . trend is In the making. Last year, the LQ was closed to the public because of the takeover, also by Victor. The fact that commercial firms have latched onto the Eve as part of its in- centive program assures the night- clubs of a maximum income. With the firms picking up the tabs, the celebrants will not be worrying about the tab at the end of the night. The bottles placed bn the table at the beginning of the . evening will probably be re- placed before the night is over. It’s a known feet that when the joint’s cuffo, everybody is a little more lavish than they would be if they were paying for the stuff. With the Eve very much in demand, the cafe is in position to charge trip prices per head. Again, with two: appliance firms bidding for dealer goodwill with a night out, it’s logical that other companies Will follow suit, in order to stay on the good side of the dealers. Firms in other, lines are also expected to get into, the bidding with an evening out. It looks like New Year’s Eve will be a sponsored shindig, iri many niteries before long. . Trouble is that after the top spots are sold out, then the com- panies will be at a' loss, since It would be loss of prestige to book the second-rate spots. They may have to be left for the general public, who will have been denied access to sortie of the top spots because of sponsorship. Fact that the booking of the Latin Quarter has. occurred so early is an indication that the firm buying out the cafe were fearful that others would move in, so they acted fast. It’s, a delightful prospect for bonifaces, since they’re not only assured of maximum revenue, but they will be spared the prob- lem arid expense, of. selling for the big night. Vaude, Cafe Dates New York Lisa Kirk signed for the Persian Room, Hotel Plaza, for late Decem- ber or early January . . . Larry Starch tapped for the Nautilus, Miami Beach, DeC; 22 . ,. Micki Mario to the Sans Souci, Miami Beach, Dec. 7 . . . Marshall & Far- rell set for-the PrevUe Club, Col- linsville, 111., Nov. 4 . Hamilton Trio into the Hoilenden, Cleveland, Nov. 22 . . . Billy Shepard, current at the Casino, Toronto, moves to the Bradford, Boston, Nov.: 8 . . Valerie Noble, who returns from USO-Camp Shows jount, Saturday (30), into the Bradford, Boston, Nov. 15 . . . Dick Kallman to El Rancho, Las Vegas, Dec, 22. Eddie Albert & Margo spotted for the Waldorf-Astoria, N. Y., in March and for the Palmer House, Chicago, in April Denise Dar- ed inked for the Monte Cax-ld, Palm Beach, in February . . Kean Sisters and Charlie Applewhite in the Latin Quarter, Bostori, show Nov. 18 . . Marshall & Farrell signed for the Latin Quarter, N. Y. p starting Novi 28. Holger & Dolores on the : same show. The Ju>t Concluded 2nd Contacutiva Yaar touring fair Barnat and Carruthan . (Thanks SAM LEVY) Wish to qnhouflco with pridt thtir first eastern appearance Week of OCTOJRER 29th PALACE Now York (Thanks;. DAN FRIENDLY and PAUL GRAY) then: WESTERN ELECTRIC SHOW Chicago (Nov. 16, 17, IB, 191 (Thanka: STU McCLELLAN) then: BROWN HOTEL LoNlsville, Ky. (Nov. 26 for 2 WEEKS) (Thdnka: CHESTER LORCH, LARRY LUX) Exelualva Dlrectian: fiutarn RapratantatWa: Chloaga I, III. II* Wait 37 8t. ; N. Y. Daarbarn 2-7413 Clrela 6-2433 SHE'S DYNAMITE! Currently CASEES Toledo, Ohio Direction MERCURY ARTISTS WANTED PORPOISE TRAINER Prafar man with experience in trai - ing sea lions or chi Ago 27 to 45. Permanent position. Contact W, F. Roljeston, Marina Studios, Ma» rinaland, Florida. Currently playing club dates in the Northwest. Week of Nov. 1 5th, Amato's Supper Club, Portland, Ore. JOE DANIELS Orpheum Theatre Bldg., Seattle, Wash. RONALD ROGERS SINGING STAR OF PARLOPHONE RECORDS OPENING NOVEMBER 1st, starring in "Off the Record" Revue VICTORIA-PALACE THEATRE, WEST END, LONDON for jack Hyltpn, following a record breaking 22 weeks at Queens Theatre, Blackpool BOOKED SOLID SINCE MARCH 7TH — PERSONAL MANAGEMENT: ROSE ADAIR 7 Wait 44th St., New York City MU 7-3829-3157; Cl 7-3900 “American Singer RONALD ROGERS has the looks and voice to ensure him his own special niche among the season’s male attractions.” B. B, EVENING GAZETTE. "RONALD ROGERS hasn't a hit film behind him to boost his discs but he has something else, a glowing stage personality al- lied with the 1 really rare gift of lyrical song;” WEEKLY SPORTING REVIEW. —Show Business — Sept. 17, 1954, “As a formidable rival to the Tony Martins . corues RONALD ROGERS (now a big hit in ’Off the Record,’ Black- pool.) Rogers has a fine voice Sc lntpnation, sings in perfect English . . . “Three Things” ... a record which could easily make RONALD ROGERS huge favorite with the disc- fans here.” RECORD MIRROR, London. Wednesday, October 27, V Hotel Plaza, Y. Genevieve with Luc Poret, John & June Belmont; Ted Straeter arid Mark Monte Or chi; $2 and $2.50 couvert. Genevieve continues the French invasion of the American nitery scene, a gamin type of chirper in the.Piaf tradition who will register once she gets the hang of Yank standards. Judging by her North American break-in, .both in Mon- treal and at the Caribe Hilton, Puerto Rico, where she impressed better on the visual aspects, it is surprising that she handicapped herself in the manner Jliat she did at her Persian Room debut with poor dressing. The skirt and sweater-blouse effect noted by Variety's Canadian critic when he caught . her last spring , at the Hitz Carlton, Montreal, is obvious- ly so much the better idea. The accent ; on the physical ac- coutrements is dominant because, was revealed at the opening ight, her black-beaded costume rade for almost a. grotesque, ap- pearance in this class room. It is the more to the credit Of her art- istry that she overcame it as she progressed. She has an attractive gamin face, pert and appealing, and her domi-* mantly French repertoire is loaded with the proper amour-amour for the best b,o. impact in the plush hotel circuit. She helps, things along with .. a brief introductory which, despite her limited English, is a, big plus for the mon-Gallic customers.: She is a Montmartre product, said to have sung in her own bistro in the same manner that Patachou got Started. Genevieve’s penchant, is torch songs, and there’s a little too much of it with the same monotone, of style. Re- sult is a spotty reaction. It’s best when her ballads ate simpler, less idiomatic and more melodic. She should gear her repertoire eordingly. "Give Me a Dream” and "I Am Happy” are on the plus, side, in this connection! Guitarist-composei* . Luc Poret. ; is a nice assist, in simple neo-rue de Lappe getup-^sev.ere black blouse —■and the hardworking Ted Strae- ter crew even more so, as they group themselves into suitable string ensembles, with the maes- tro-pianist. doing a competent job from the Steinway. Openers are John and June Bel- lont with assorted ballroom and acro-terp routines, making a nice entr’acte to the diseuse. Abel. Palmer House, Clii Chicago, Oct.. 21. Jean Carroll, Robert Maxwell,. Empire Eight, Charlie Fisk' Orch; $2 cover. Absent from the Chi nitery scene: for two years, Jean Carroll wowed a packed houseful of first- ight .(21) conventioneers with a prolonged gab session that foments conviviality. Show is held to two acts and two smart numbers by the' house line as Miss Carroll does more than usual time oh the floor. Femme is sophisticated looking, with a touch of class, and there- fore It’s a trifle disarming, though pleasantly, that she should speak with homey Brooklynese inflec- tions on such mundane topics as the trials of housewifery. This in- congruity of looks and personality is the key to her showmanship, and she holds the crowd in her palm every inch of the way. . Monolog centers on domestic problems, rearing of children, pro- gressive education, horseraces and a variety of silly happenstances that touch off more than a laugh a minute. Yet, Considering that this posh inn usually hosts kids for the dinner shows, her bluish innuendos — not to say the down- right purple stuff 4-have to be. compromised. Long-winded rou- tine could also stanff a music break r two in its course, as Miss Car- roll had always done in the past. Except for a few bars at wraptip, she scarcely .airs her rich throaty pipes at all. and they’re missed. Robert Maxwell, a harpist with plenty flourish, clicks in the pre- ceding slot wfth fluid fingerings; personable mien and well plotted selections. Energized Empire Eight, two males and six femmes, kick off AVith a snappy "Little Shoemaker” production and delight again with colorful "Gone With the . Wind” fantasy between' acts. Charlie Fisk’s showbacking is of high or- der, and so are his dance sets. Les. One Fifth Ave., IV. Y. Helena Bliss, Bernie West, Bob powney & Harold Fonville, Hazel Webster; no cover or minimum. Now that Qne Fifth Ace., Green- wich Village intim.ery, has stowed its 20th anni celebration under its velt, room is settling down to its usual formula of dishing out a pleasant blending of song, comedy and- nifty keyboard work. Initial post-20th anni. show head- lines songstress Herena Bliss and comic Bernie West. Bob Downey, Harold Fonville and Hazel Webster are still at their piano posts and whip out some intriguing melodies, mostly of the showtune genre, be- tween the headliner stints. Miss Bliss comes bountifully equipped, in voice and looks, to sell her wares. She’s got a solid set of pipes and knows what-., to do with a number whether it be bal- lad, rhythm or special material. Her vocalistics are. plussed by -a charming stage ' demeanor which makes her an easy winner. She's also a looker who knows how to wear clothes. She comes over strong in this small room but there’s rio doubt that she’d score as easily in larger, more chic east- sidsrics Her turn, for the most part, was put together by Robert Wright and George Forrest, arid they’ve done an okay job for her. They’ve over- loaded her with special stuff which slows her Up somewhat but it’s iriostly bright and tuneful. She’s at her best, however, when she sticks to the straight song material, as. "Baubles, Bagles & Beads’- and "Bill,” and some additions along this lime Would help round out a slick nitery stint, Bernie West, formerly of Ross & W'est, admits to being. lonesome , up front. The sblq. work isn’t rie\V to him because he started out that way but the partnering years prob- ably deCoriditiohed him for the solo fling. However, once he gets the "single” feel agai , he’ll be a good bet for steady work along the nitery route. West is a sharp satirist and builds strong yocks albng the way. He . takes Holly wood films, radio-tv jingles, commercials, etc., over the verbal coals, hitting hard but with ribtickling results. He’s got a style that’s, alert and casual at the same time. He also wears large, horn- rimmed glasses which rnakes him a natural for tv emcee bids. Gros. Statler, Hartford Hartford, 6ct. 22; Ahoy ” with Jeri Boone, Wilma & Ed Leary, Jan Van Or- man, Ice Bldde-Eties (4), Lou Folds, Steve Kisley Orch (11 ) with. Dee DrumMond; $i : cover. Mon.-thrwThUrs $1.50 cover Fri- Sat. . Originally booked in for six weeks, this ice unit is playing an additional two frames. Current layout . has been changed to in- clude a couple of new personalities, arid a new name for the unit on the marquee, "Ice Ahoy.” Statler Terrace Room is having trouble, drawing for the second, shows week nights, but the first are doing Very well. s Saturday matinees afe for moppets and mothers, latter getting a fashion show through tieup with local de- partment store, G. Fox & Co., forcing patrons to reserve two to three weeks ahead. Blade unit work is in the top- drawer category,. The Ice : Blade- Ettes line is eye-appealing for their looks as Well as for their ice capers. Costuming of line and principals is very colorful. Currently toplining impressively is Jeri Boone, a Coast importation and former Pacific Coast figure skating champ and U. S. gold med- alist. The show producers, Ed & Wilma Leary, single and duo for artistic bladework. Jan Van Or- man, a holdover, also scores with polished ice skating. Lou Folds, comic juggler and oldt-ime vauder, sells his varied offerings with .ease to strong re? ception. Also works on the blades. Backing the well-blended offering is the . Steve Kisley orch. Band thrush Dee Drummond . is also a saleable product with her vocal merchandising. Eck. Chaiidiere* Ottawa Ottawa, Oct. 22. Kaye & Aldrich, Jack Marlin, Margie Dare,' Miriam. Sage Dahc- ers (5), Benny Greenberg Orch (.8) ; $.1 admission. Male arid femme with a comic aero and gab routine, Kaye & Aldrich are standout in the ;Chaudiere Club's Rose' Room, Mix- ing socko lifts and balances into a bright but slightly overlong stanza, pair drew good mitting from a tough audience at opener (21). Femme harries the laugh load with okay lines and mugging as male capably straights. Margie Dare, small blond canary, registers with “I Love Paris,” "Black Magic,” antUothers. . Jack Marli , who also emcees, shows . okay pipes but needs stronger comedy material. He solos with gabbing and songs , in- cluding impressions-and a calypso bit. Gorm. U&RimY Cafe de Parls, London London, Oct. 19. Noel Coward, with Norman Hackforth; George Smith Orch, Harry Roy & Lyricals; minimum $9 opening night, thereafter, $6.50. Some fancy adjectives are needed to describe Noel Covzard’s contin- ued cabaret? triumphs; Year, after year he is the .headliner at the Cafe de Paris, attracting the social elite as Well as the chichi segments of society and each success is as fabulous as the past.. Not by any means a star vocalist* Coward, has his own surefire for- ihula for success: "Something old, something new, something bor- rowed, something blue.” That’s always been the pattern of his rou- tine and it has never failed to delight. The packed; opening-night celebrity audience was proof of his high boxoffice rating, and the fact that he has been booked outright for six weeks is indicative of the confidence of . the Cafe manage- ment. A master showman who uses his hands with expressive effect, Cow- ard exploits all the professional tricks he has acquired in his long, varied experience as an actor, pro- ducer, director, novelist and lyricist. Having established a reputation as an ultra-sophisticate, he has fash- ioned his , act accordingly. With only a single exceptiori his entire 40-minute: stint is flavored with a sharp arid biting satirical tang and the one attempt to break from tradition, although obviously aimed' at achieving a balance, seems sur- prisingly out of place. . . Admittedly, the customers like something new, blit Coward always caters to the nostalgic segment and his past hits are received With growing enthusiasm;* In this cate- gory alone there ‘ the delightful ditty about "Poor Uncle Harry” ("He’s a Missionary Now”),. "Jo- sephine,”. "Mad Dogs 'and English- men” arid "Bad Times Around the Corner.” . .. His main new entry, "The Pic--' cola Marina,” is charming in itself but a little below standard, and from the archives, under the over- all heading of "Things I Have Loathed,”, he has dug up a number of curios including a Scottish bal- lad, an early English spring song arid the sort of number always sung by a purser at a ship’s concert. This provides an amusing contrast to the general pattern of the enter- tainment. • As for something blue, that gap is handsomely, inoffensively filled by his own witty lyrics to the tune of "Let’s Do’ It,” in which many famous names on both sides of the Atlantic come in for gentle razzing. This has beOn brought up to date with telling . effect. . Norman Hackforth, who regu- larly accompanies, the star on his cabaret appearances, does sterling work on the ivories alongside the resident George Smith combo. A new Harry Roy outfit shared the darisapation sessions in polished: style, Myro. El Rnnelio* Las Vegas Las Vegas, Oct. 20. . Lillian Roth ( with Dick Wess); Lilt St. Cyr, Jackie Kannon; Steve Gibson-s Red Caps . (10), Louis Dance Trio, Dot Dee Dancers ( 1 0 ), Bob Ellis, Orch (11); no cover or minimum. Let there be no tears for Lillian Roth today. She’s had her cry and the tomorrows now' at hand will be filled only with joy of accomplish- ment. Comeback gal is a cinch cafe bet now, with her genuine singing talent and charm her biggest weapons ..for a new career; The ovation givOn Miss Roth is genuine' indication. For 35 minutes the headliner belts in Ethel Merman fashion. Her repertoire includes many nostalgics With a spi'inkling of new material that edifies. From the piano, Dick Wess guides the Bob Ellis orch for the star. Miss Roth toplines, a three-week vaude show (five acts) in which stripper Lili St. Cyr is held over as costar. The revue is raggedly paced and includes a poorly-staged ending that the sho w could do without. This comes after Miss Roth exits on a begoff that leaves a misty-eyed audience en- joying its own tears; With it is a feelirig of exhilaration npt let down. All Of a sudden the chorines are paraded and Miss St. Cyr takes to her inevitable cage for a ; fast ride around the dining room in her divestment routine. This adds a false note to the show, does not do justice to the glamorous stripper and effaces the warm feeling that pervades the room as the result of Miss Roth’s act. Miss St. Cyr, a. surprising hold- over, does her teasing take-it-off bit in her ’Wedding Night,” and bubble-bathes her. way through snickers and laughs in a sexy act that still pleases after her: six- weeks’ tenure./ Jackie Kannon is a clevef comic »•> to. * * .* MCnT CLUB REVIEWS 71 who socks over. Yiddish dialect and innuendo humor* along with more obvious buffoonery to net a warm spot in the revue. Pop song paro- dies segue into gags for. stout audience reaction. His fa!ve egg trick that v never comes off is good for howls' as the little comedian winds a tablecloth arotind his head and describes the trick he learned in India. Steve Gibson’s Red Caps are back to sock rhythm numbers with vocals by Damita Jo and are estab- lished clicks in this spot, although the act is obviously hurried, as is also the brief mambo of the Louis Dance Trio, who don't have much time to establish themselves in the current layout. Bob. Clouds, Honolulu Honolulu, Oct. 23. Helen Forrest, ' Vcrle Henry, Reuben Yap Trio; no cover, no minim \ Everybody told ’em it Couldn’t be done, but three gals, two of them show biz vets, have launched an ambitious irinovation in Hawaii nitery operatioris and brought in Helen Forrest as their first head- liner. Betty McGuire arid Verle Henry, Who used to he with the Bell-Tones, a femme combo: that clicked, in Honolulu, and Anne Lund took over the former Del Mar Hotel, re- iiamed it ‘the Park-Surf, arid con- verted an idle penthouse cafe into a nitery that is both intimate arid swank, Mis$ Forrest, in for three weeks, has drawn turnaway crowds every night, which is something the own- ers need if they’re going to make money, because the roofn has only 26 tables, plus a bar that seats 25; Miss Forrest, whose earlier re- cordings with Artie . Shaw, Benny Goodman and Harry James still get solid disk . jock play in Hono- : lulu, displays jots of personality and versatility as she goes through a varied array . of songs. The ac- cent is on the oldies, but they come across in sultry, sophisticated style. Miss Henry, one of the co-own- ers, scores nicely in comedy songs, and does a Jimrny Durante takeoff that is realistic and startling. Per- sonable MisS McGuire, another co- owner, emcees. ' The rooin boasts the most com-, petent local trip to be developed in some time. It’s headed by Reu- ben Yap, youthful concert pianist, and the combo, (piano, bass, drums) is a cinch to help draw repeat biz. The Clouds makes its debut in the face of unprecedented nitery competition arid the near opening of two $2,000,000 resort hotels just down the street. Operating on a headliner, policy,, the room has a stiff nut to crack,- especially inas- much as it can seat only about 125. customers. But very much on the plus side is the fact that The Clouds reflects smart , showmanship right down the line:. Additionally, there’s a large free parking area just 100 yards away, which is something few Waikiki niteries can boast, Walt. Flamingo, Las Yogas Las Vegas, Oct, 21. Debra Paget, Ben Blue ( with Sid Fields, Sammy Wolfe), Les Brown Orch (19), Flamingo Star- lets (12 ); no cover or minimum. Debra Paget, sporting long titiari tresses, personifies sex and . youth in torrid dances, and although tal- ented in terps chores, and exhib- iting a warm, friendly manner, the best the young filmstar can net in the current three-framer is run- nerup honors; For the beguiling young thesp must vie with cafe vet [ Ben Blue, than whom there are [ few cannier in the hoite belt. This is no disgrace to Miss Paget, who comes off rathei* well in her first nitery try and she’ll get better with experience. (See New. Acts). . Blue, with the aid of his side- kick vets, Sid Fields and Sariimy Wolfe, jokes; and pantomimes in crowd-pleasing and . familiar vein in a revue in which all acts are integrated. Pruning to tighten the 95-minute package is riecessary for the lively show to look its best. Les Brown brings his orch in for co- starring and showbacking spots. Blue is the show’s standout in a park scene with Miss Paget, involv- ing, a little bee. Blue also delivers his oldtime Chandu the Mind Reader bit for guffaws. Fields is a topnotch straightman while Wolfe registers in comedy-singing impressions. The Brown crew leans heavily towards brass and syncopates ear- pleasing sounds in the all-too-brief spot it has to. itself. Butch Stone offers a clever bucolic vocal df “A Good Man Is Hard to Find,” while Stumpy Brown, maestro’s young brother, is a pleasing little clown. Although backing the show is its main chore, the Brown music makes itself felt* pleasantly tJlWghouV., Bob*... Colony, London . London, Oct. 2L Betty Reilly, Felix King & Don Carlos Orchs; $5 minimum. Betty Reilly’s London debut cor inoides with the annual ;. lotor show, and it is the latter which is primarily responsible for the neces- sity to put the ropes out . nightly,. The crarnmed room is, however, fully appreciative of the exuber- ance. and vitality of her perform- ance. Handsomely turned out. arid look- ing attractive on stage, "Miss Reilly is. an uninhibited performer arid, at times, a little too boistevous. She displays a verve and, enthusi- asm for the work and has a snappy lineup of songs more than ade- quate to satisfy the customer de? mand. She is at her best when: in a relaxed mood, singing two to three Mexican numbers while, strumming away on the guitar. "Begin, the Begat,” although heard in this cafe before, is still an amus- ing novelty in her hands; arid she has a boff . entry in "Molasses/’ with its biting impressions of Margaret Truman, Bette Davis and Sarah Vaughan. The Felix King combo does its usual sterling backgrounding; and tne Don Carlos unit caters to the rhythm dance sessions. Myro. Aiiiafo 7 s, Portland^ Ore. Portland, Or Oct. 21. Nelson. Eddy with Gale Sher- wood & Theodore Paxson, Chop Chop & Charlene, Sparkleits (5), Wyn Walker Orch ( lO) with Rene Weiss & Johnny Clement; no mini- mum, $2 cover. A new, versatile NelsOn . Eddy displays his talents smartly to AmatO customers from the time he enters until he begs off gra- ciously 33 minutes later to plenty of palm-wacking. Eddy is in for two weeks and should gain patrons as he goes. The half-hour moves swiftly and. is tightly knit with good tunes, comedy, chatter, and even some hoofing by the star. "My Melody” scores big, as does a medley of his pic tunes. Top- drawer bit is with 88er Teddy Pax- Son, on "Hungarian Rhapsody/’ Blonde, blue-eyed, well-endowed Gale Sherwood is on for some due chirping, much to the delight of the patrons. Gal has a sensational set of pipes, is outstaff&irig in every department and adds plenty to the layout. Chop Chop opens with some betterrthan-avefage magic stuff. Cute Charlene assists. The Flor- ence Pickett. line (5) is on for two neat production numbers. The fresh, long-stem gals .fill the Pickett-designed costumes well and display some good cleatirig. Wyn Walker and the house band play a tough show and set the terripo for dancing. Cute Rene Weiss and Johnny Clement knock out some of the pop tunes during the dancing seshes. The 70-minute layout was well received by the full opening-night house. Feve. Hal Tabarin, N. Y. Kenny Davis, Nina Dabore, Averil & Aurel, Vic Spaddy,. Lou Harold &: Ray Rizzony Orchs, Montmartre Girls (6) ; $2,50, $3 minimwnis. The Bal Tabarin is one of the oldest cabarets . in the Times Square sector. Now in its 21st year, this operation by Johnny & Laurent Hourcle has been able to keep a fairly good level of busi- ness with an atmosphere that looks authentically French and a mod-* estly-priced menu. Surprisingly, the Bal Tab has a fairly high level of entertainment. Naturally, at the prices charged, it’s impossible to v expect names, but booker Jack Lewis gets a show that has a Contirierital tone and with a lot of entertainment values. Furthermore, it’s a well-populated bill with a well-drilled six-girl line who show a trio of good rqutines.. 'Finale, a lively can-pan, provides a worthy closer to this session. Current program has collected a batch of regulars for this spot. Most of this bill have been at the Bal Tab previously, but with the : ex- ception of Vic Spaddy and dancers . Averil & Aurel, haven’t been docu? mented in. the New Act file. Kenny. Davis and Nina Dabore are further described there. Spaddy is an Jmpressionist of promise. He shows a routine here that indicates a strong closer for' the more expensive . situations when he gets this particular bit of business in . better working order. Spaddy does a brace of operatic tunes as they would be perforiried by the. popular singers of the day. . j3e has some fairly good gab in other portions of this routine, and net result is a good mitting! Averil & Aurel are French* im- ports who have played the Mont- real spots prior to hitting the Bal Tab. tliqv .show, a, gallic .gaiety .in .CCopLtfpupfl.Qdi page 73), 72 Wednesday, October 27, 1954 Palace, N. Y. Honey Girls (4), Raymond & Lee, Duke Dorr ell, Stylers (3), Maude Hilton & Marion Lee, Kurt Jons Dancers (3), Stump & Stum , Joe Lemke’s College of Chimps, Jo Lombardi Orch; “ Per- sonal ■ Affair” (VA),' reviewed in Variety Oct. 28, ’53.. New, Palace bill, though compris- ing f6ur New Acts, is one of the better sessions in recent weeks, moving along swiftly and with few dull spots; Coilple of the newcom- ers, Duke Dorrell and The Stylers, are pleasant surprises, and the vet team of Stump & Stumpy in next- to-closing tops off some highly sat- isfactory fare,. . Under New Acts are Raymond & Lee, in the deuce; Dorrell, in the trey; The Stylers in the four spot, and Joe Lemke’s College of Chimps in the closer. Bill is opened by art attractive femme aero quartet, the Honey Girls, who go through a smooth series of cartwheels, flips, etc- Nothing on the socko side, but. well-performed within its limited framework, Maude Hilton, who’s been on the boards with one partner or another for many years, is out this time With blonde Marion Lee in a rath- er routine comedy stint. It's the customary irisult-fested material With Miss Hilton on the delivery end and Miss Lee an okay foil; Best of the business is the ad libs, but the rehearsed stuff is about as old as the Palace. Kurt Jons Danc- ers, reduced to a trio With Jones backed by two femmes, go through their orientai-motifed routines with style and precision. But it’s almost mechanical; there’s neither verve nor excitement to; the act. Good dancers all of them, but lit- tle else to recommend them be- yond their technical facility. Stump & Stumpy are back only two months, but this time in riext- to-elosing. It’s the same routine, to the letter * that they used in their last Palace appearance, but the material and the delivery are good enough to stand up for sev- eral sessions more. They’re both clever comics Who have the ability to combine sophistication with slapstick (as in the “Dragnet” take- off), and their singingndancing are added plusses to an already fine comedy stint. Jo Lombardi Orch provides per-usual pluperfect show- backing. Cfiam only solid entertainment value on a new act; Mainliners, like the Clovers, Edna McGriff and Paul Williams’ tooters, are undisciplined in their respective musical spe- cialties.: The Tapateers (see >New . Acts.) are a terp trio with an exceptional repertoire that lifts the early por- tion of the stanza. Helping some- what is band warbler Danny Cobb; who opens the show. He’s got a colorful wailing- style in r&b ren- ditions of “Rocking Chair Blues” and “It’s All Oyer Baby.” The limited musical appeal of his muf- fled pipes is offset by his sense of humor. As for The Clovers, they deliver five tunes, not one of Which cashes in'. The quintet is best in “Fool, Fool,” but. all. their songs are hindered by a grating bass. Edna McGriff, who came up a couple of years ago, has continuing difficulty with volume' and sometimes her tone Wavers. She is, however, a very smart-looking femme. ... In backgrounding, the Williams band is way off the mark, blit in its own appearances the sidemen offer some neat blowing, in “I, Want Some ; Tootsie Roll’ for one. Trumpeteer-Singer Jimmie Brown, uses his neat tenor to draw a big ihitt in “Masquerade Is. Over.” Rounding out the card are Spo- Dee-O-Dee, frequent Comedy turn at the Harlem flag, and exotic Rosa La Roso (NeW Act). Spo, With the aid of a supporting duo, drags through an overlong 15 minutes with a threadbare burlesk situ- ation. ’ Art, Olympia* Miami Miami, Oct. 22. Joe Howard, Little Jack Little Pitchmen (2 ) , Marianna & Carlos Miranda, Faye i & Andre, -Les Rhode' House Orch; “A Woman’s Face” (M-G), Despite overbalance on vocalis- tics as represented by vets Joe Howard and Little Jack Little in the toplirier spots, plus lack of comedy, current Compote manages to come off in okay fashion, thanks to. knowhow and showmanship of the duo. Working, with a spfyness and grace that belie his venerable years, Howard spells out the charm-mood while recounting his hits, “I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now,” “Honeymoon,” “Goodbye. My Lady Love,” among others, to keep aud Warmth mounting, wind- ing them into, a community sing that leaves: all happy.. He tops matters with a bit of cakewalk for. the big Sendoff. Of a more modern era, but still a vet. Little, a regular in this house, whams across his tricky keyboard ideas, then pliisses im- pact With his almost- whispered in- tonations of the song clicks he’s Written, and .been associated With, themed by “Jealous” arid VShanty In Old Shanty Town-” Amiable approach . arid. . sound protection buttress his roundelays to rack up resounding stubholder reaction.' The Pitchmen. ..now. a duo, offer tip tlieir trademarked screwy- in- strument concepts to maintain in- terest throughout a bright canto. Again, its the knowhow that aids In building a warm reception, Adagio work of Faye and Andre is uninspired, with the standard stunts essayed;' Carlos and Mari-- ..anna Miranda are also in the standard vein, their comedy- mgico routines garner ring mild Tetur Lary. Apollo,N. *Y. • Clovers (5), Tapateers ( 3 ), Ed- na McGriff, Spo-Dee-ODce, Rosa La Roso, - Paul Williams Band (ii'ith Danny' Cobb, Jimmie Brown); “ Stand at Apache River ” (til). The Apollo is disappointing this week, The sesh depends for its Empire* Glasgow Glasgow, j Oct. 15. . The Trinder Shota, with Tommy Trinder, Woods & Jarrett, Salici Puppets, SixiFlying De Pauls, Two Arvings, Anne Hart, Pat Galloway,: George Mitchell Quartet, Larry Gordon Girls (10), Alan D’ Albert Orch. and offbeat kidding in bad taste of Toronto’s recent hurricane and the bombing of Warsaw. Bobby Brant opens the stage stirit with very agile ballet taps and pirouettes, following with a neat modern softshoe routine to “Hot Canary” and acrobatics. Vip Charles is also over on his pup- pets, particularly on little peoples’ trapeze act, a girl doll hootchie- kootchie, and a finale skating act, Sis & Sunny Arthur are also, over big . ori their comedy ballroom dancing and acrobatics, a fine jitterbug finish with somersaults. Whole is a neat stage package. Me Stay. Radio-TV Cleaning Up Continued front page 1 W^EK OF OCTOBER 27 Numerals In connection with bills below Indicate openlnn day of show whether full or split Week Letter in parentheses Indicates circuit, (I) Independent; Loewi Anthony Dexter Ralph Young* Piroska Art. Watier Oro B Harlowe Ore _ La Ruban Bleu Juliu4 Monk Norman Paris 3 . Irwin Corey ASTON . Hippodrome (I) -25 Nat Gonella Leon Cortez Doreen^ Harris Afique Canine Wonders BIRMINGHAM : Hippodrome Kitt Carson . C Callinicos Eddie Oliver Ore Tony Martinez Ore Blltmore Hotel Kirby Stone 4 Nanci Crompton Nita A Peppi Hal . Der win Ore v Clro's. Marilyn Maxwell Mathurins Skeets Minton Bob Street Judy Brent Joe Paz Dick Stabile Ore Bobby Ramos Ore Charley Foy's Wally Vernon Charley' Foy Mary .Foy Sid Hurwitz Oro Crescendo June Christy Margo Good Jack - Nye Ore Mocembe L Finley Rev Will Jordan Paul Hebert .. Oro Moulin Rouge Frank Llbuse Margot Brander Szonys 02) - Charllvels (3) Miss Malta A Co Doubledaters (4) Mme. Ardelty Jery . LaZarre Ffolliot Charlton Tony Gentry Gaby Wooldrldgo Luis . Urbina Eileen Christy Bob Snyder Oro Statlor Hotel Dorothy Shay Ralph A Lorraine Skinnay Ennis Oro miaMi-miami beach Clover Club Sherry Britton Luis Torrens Harold A Lola Baron Buika. Tony Lopez Ore Selma Marlowe Line Woody Woodbury. Leon A Eddie's Lois De Fee Lynn Star. Rose Ann Rita Marlow . , .Charlotte Watere Nautilus Hotel Hal. Fisher . Antone A Ina - Sid Stanley Oro Black Orchid Jo Thompson Richard Cannon Sans Souci Hofei Gillian ' Grey Sacasas Ore Ann Herman Dcrs Anne Barnett . Saxony Hotdl Tano & Dee Nlrva Dan Tannen June Forrest The Archers Freddy Calo Ore Johnny Silvers Oro The Patio Sammy Walsh. NTelida Pat Paulson Bombay Hotel Phil Brito Link Andrews Peter; Mack Dorothy Vincent Johnlna Hotel B S Pully Sam Bari Harry Rogers Ore .. Gloria Hart . . Columbus Hotel .. Arthur Warren- Ore Roney Plaza Jose Cortez Ore IAS VEGAS, NEVADA Flamingo Ben Blue . Debra Paget Les Brown Ore Sliver Slipper’ Sally Rand Buddy Baer ' Kalantan Hank Henry Desert Inn Betty - Hutton Sahara Marlene Dietrich Last Prontier Benny Goodman Buddy Lester. » El Cortez Harmohicats Golden Nugget - Gas -Lights A Pink Tights Sands P L Hayes . A M . Healy Clark Bros El Rancho Vogas Lillian Roth S Gibson Red ,Cap« Showboat Minsky’s Follies ol 1955 Thunderblr Gaylords . Davis Sc Reese RENO Mapes Sky room Alan King Taylor Maids D Arden Dancers E Fitzpatrick. Ore New Golden Four Knights Wallis Sc Carroll Will Osborne Ore Rivers! Ben Lessy Patti Moore Starlets B Clifford Ore Wed tie 8 day, October 27, 1954 i DEBRA PAGET (With Jack . Hannon, . Hon Sky, Sheldon Smith) Song and Dance 1 20 Mins. Flamingo, Las Vegas Debra Paget is interestingly showcased as, a nitery entertainer, and the young film star, now adorned by'titian* shoulder-length hair, emerges solidly as a dancer. Song material is okay and she works well with male partners jack Harmon and Don Sky, but she lacks in the vocal department. The values are great, however, in the terps, An all around good act for the. headliner might be to do an abbreviated flicker scene, or some other narration, and other- wise make with some happy talk and execute her. dancing, for she has a warm personality and a nice- ly modulated speaking voice that holds interest. The high spot finds her at her sexiest in an abbreviated costume of gold chains to simulate the one. she wore in the flicker, /‘Princess of the Nile.”. Her 110-pound chas- sis carries this 60-pound gear as she perfonris a torrid, torso-toss- ing, sinuous dance, from which in- flections, even as she Writhes on the floor, her figure is clearly sug- gested. The “Princess of the Nile” dance is in good taste and well- portrayed and yet has those “ex- otic” .values. Miss Paget works well with her partners in “Wide Eyed And Inno- cent No More,” .although the sing- ing is a letdown compared to the abandon she puts into the. dance; “Don’t Put Off ’Til Tomorrow What You Can Do Tonight,” has a Mae Westian flavor in the lyrics and .Miss Paget gyrates efficiently and pleasingly to “In Havana.” The duo dances well with her and pi- anist-arranger SheldOn Smith is a; strong factor in the star’s favor.- Bob. JOE LEMKE’S COLLEGE OF CHIMPS Chimpanzees 10 Mins, Palace, N.Y< Standard chimp tur , with a high wire, motorcycle, stilts' and several types of bicycles, but there are. four chimps and for some rea- son only two are used. : Other two ar pinned down upstage arid prove a distraction, what with try-; ing to. tangle up the curtains, etc. First thing Lemke and his unbilled assistant should do ’ .either get those extras into the act or train thern to sit still onstage. Act was caught in probably its worst, performance to date, one in which everything sAenied to go wrong and Lemke and his assistant were hard put to go through the normal paces, let alone keep things flowing smoothly. Assistant got into an embarrassing spot when one chimp threw him for a prat- fall while the asst, was removing a stilt. Possible that Lemke and the assistant had a hard time get- ting the chimps accustomed to a stage after outdoor work only. But that pratfall opens the possibility that Lemke could develop this into a high comedy act if he can train the chimps well enough, immedi- ate object, though, is to get the chimps used to working indoors and to make better use of the two spares; Chan. DUKE DORRELL Violin 11 Mins. Palace, N.Y. Duke Dorrell is a refreshing sort of musical act; a trick violinist J with a bizarre sense of humor. He looks-— by intention— as if he'd just walked out of a Charles Addams cartoon, With long black hair; a pale, face and darkened eyebrows, and his actions serve to accentuate and supplement the ap- pearance. Works With a minimum of talks and lots of. panto bits, like throwing away a series of combs after funning them through bis hair, and pulling a hanger out of Jiis jacket shoulders. Trick violin stuff is topnotch too, ivi.th Dorrell putting the bow in bis mouth or between his leg and moving the violin instead of the bow to get- amazing, results. He bscs the castoff, hanger as a sub- stitute bow; ditto for a piece of sheet music he’s found pinned to ms trouser leg- And, to top it off, ooes some straight violining with fl ?shy effect. Pine bet for vaude, mteries and ..telb guest shots.. jEDHi KING Songs 22 Mins, Black Orchid, Chi. Onetime. George Shearing thrush js playing her first major nitery bat^as a single, and her schooling i Jbi e jazz idiom is at: once mani- There’s no quarrel whatever Teddi Kingis voice; it’s a. oeaut, having either an uplifting m wistful quality as her numbers dictate, For disks or other blind media she’s an excellent bet.' What cripples her as an act, though, is something she has no control over at this point. Here is a femme with, mature pipes and so- phisticated singing technique who has the iriisfortune of looking like anyone’s teenage kid sister. Visu- ally she just doeshlt jive with the affairs-of-the-heart she’s selling. Probably she doesn’t even convince herself in the worldwise role, for there’s a noticeable air Of diffi- dence in her stance. She follows a zestful opener with a set of hep standards like “Lady Is a Tramp,” “Gypsy In My Soul” and- “Basin Street.” To look at her, the whole rep has the same out-of-character smack as the in- genue’s, slinky strapless gbwn. Yet it’s the kind of chirping her voice lends itself best * to. Assuming there were , enough topflight little-; girl ditties to rebuild an act upon, Miss King Would still be out of sorts - because her Voice doesn’t have that / cutie-pie ring. ,; As. it shapes, it’s a hapless dilemma. Les. LINE RENAUD Songs 30 Mins. Moulin Rouge, Paris Line RAriaud is one of . the top disk, names here, but this is her first public: appearance in three years; Her stint at this immense house is jairiming it every night, though some of this Overflow is drie to the ihsurge brought by The, Auto Expositiorii. However, Miss Renaud emerges as an. engaging,, fresh, tousle-headed personality who has a fine gamut of emotion and. interpretation that makes hers a slightly different Gallic song-a- log. " She comes on in a. simple black dress to play up her bouncy appeal arid goes into a raucous- voiced “Pam Pou De,” and then into a more moody piece about “Mister Everybody,” theh segues carefully into a blue “Le Spin” She has a good voice that can. easily, take the range and change she gives it and her act is one of balance and versatility. 'She looks like a good bet for; ;U. S, chances in riiteries arid has the verve and thespic ap- peal for revue slotting. She is ably backed by rhythm trio with liubby Loulou Gaste. on the piano and also author of her hit songs. She sings one song in English that ^denotes her ability to adapt into another lingo and make her a more durable bet for that ocean hop. Mosk. DEE PARKER & AVRAM SING- ERS (6) & CO. (2) Songs 30 Mins. Hotel Statle.r, Detroit Dee Parker, former thrush with Jimmy Dorsey and Vaughn Mon- roe, arid for. three years one of the to prated Detroit tv stars as “Auntie Dee” in a moppet talent program on WXYZ-TV, has an all- special material act that . will please the smart supper club set. Doris Fisher has composed a Couple of songs for this Act that have definite hit possibilities. They are “Mama, Stay Away from That Jukebox,” and a very catchy “If I Had a Neon Sign on My Heart.” Act opens with Avram Singers — four guys and two gals— coming on with an . opener telling of the nine Muses of Greek mythology. Miss Fisher adapted this from one of her songs in “Down to Earth,” the Rita Hayworth starrer. Miss Parker joins group with sortie clev-. er and nicely teriipoed terping, singing the praises of Terpsichore; Which gets show off to fast start. Miss Parker then sings “Little Things Mean a Lot’’ with accom- paniment by guitarist Joe Messina. This is well done. Next comes the “Jukebox” nuiriber, With Avram Singers assisting. Clever choreog- raphy by Bill Wilson and plenty of show biz savvy by Miss Parker,- who portrays tot ■ trying to get mother away from jukebox, earns strong mitting. . “I Cried” is soloed for nice re- turns by . Miss Parker, followed by an as yet untitled. Fisher song tell- ing of, the singer’s love for the waltz, rtiamboi ballad and show tunes. Miss Parker shows off her versatile; style for good effect here. Finale is the “Neon Sign” song Which should go places. Avram Singers return holding large, light- ed red hearts and flashlights for a well-staged blackout routine. It is only in this number that the Av- ram Singers— Gene Avram, Gor- don Limburg, Bbb Burrell, Dick Denbroeder, Barbara Wilkes and Janet Trumbo— -show to good, ad- vantage. Act cOuld easily be handled alone by Miss Parker, without los- ing its impact Orch backing by Phil Brestoff, Miss Parker’s hus- band, is good. Act, booked for two weeks, .sets precedent since it marks first time a localite has preemed a show in the Terrace Room. Tew . i THE STYLERS (3) Songs 9 Mins. Palace; N. Y. . Male, trio has all the makings of a top vocal combo. They’ve got a good ensemble style, fine solo voices, a good sense of staging arid are personable. Trio, currently recording for Jubilee Records, needs a new approach to ballads, judging from the . one slow num- ber they did, but ape very strong on rhythm numbers, . Open with “HucklebucK,” then do “The World Is Yours,” which though unimpressive, in the slow part is salvaged by a rhythm-type closing. Bdw off With solid hoked-up spiritual; : “Down . By the Riverside.” Trio is ready for nite- riAs and vaude situations as well as some video' exposure. Chan. PETER SELLERS Comedy 10 Mins. Empire, Glasgow Here's a talented young English comedian, who attempts to give out- fronters something a bit more sub- tle than the usual fun line, arid- clicks with a. considerable section. He already has a large radio fol- lowing from series like “The Goon Show’’ arid “Ray’s A Laugh,” arid thus arrives with advance reputa- tion, Which he now consolidates via a vaude offering, i Comedian has quaint entrance and exit shuffle, makes much com- edy capital from strange mouth sounds, and altogether offers: an unusual act that defies precise de- scription most of the way. Throughout act, he reveals talent for impersonating the accent of various regions.: Okay , for general run Of Vauder- ies * y.K. and Commonwealth, but would have to attune 7 act to Americanisms and speed it u-ri. for U. S. ‘market. Gord. TWO ARVINGS Cycling 7 Mins. Empire, Glasgow -. Male and femme twosome, offer entertaining routine in trick cyc- ling which shapes as useful act for general run of vauderies. After opening antics by the male on a unicycle, he enters on a two- wheeled machine. Distaffer, taking over on this, rides into back of lier. male partner, catches him on front of machine, arid jumps off so that male rides on alone, perched on very front of the con- traption. Male shows dexterity by controlling a high Unicycle from a lofty position and indulging in comedy antics, and there are cus- tomer gasps When the girl leaps on to his shoulders and stands balanced aloft while he keeps the uriicycle in almost Stationary posi- tion. . ' Continental act, though riot tops, rates good applause and has visual appeal with no lingo barriers. Gord. FLYING DE PAULS (6) Tumblers 8 Mins. Empire, Glasgow Six girls, all neatly decked In white, hurl themselves about the stage in cartwheels, tumbles, leaps and somersaults. Fast pace rouses .solid mitting from the customers. Distaffers, who hail from Aus- 1 tralia, are particularly effective in back somrnersaults.' Much applause when one girl engages in flying leap over the other five. Agile and shapely, the sextet also form them- selves into decorative groupings. It’s fresh and slick enough to warrant booking, for tumbling and equilibrist spots in U. S. vaude or tv situations. Gord. NINA DABORE Songs 9 Mins. Bal Tabariri, N.Y, . Nina Dabore, an import, sings in. a variety of languages with a Con- tinental flavor. She has a charm- ing mittel-European accent and an experienced mien with a song. Miss Dabore opens with a French tune arid thence into La- tino and American . pops. All are. done nicely. Her song selection is good being picked primarily ori the basis of melodic content, which is a fairly sound proposition since the bulk of the audience do riot dig foreign lyrics. Jose. JULIETTE GRECO Songs 40 Mins. .■ Bobino, Paris . Juliette. Greco Was for. a long time the muse of St. Germairi-Des- Pres, arid her lank hair, black togs and smoldering Voice soon* became a symbol of this Existentialist hold some years ago. Now St.-Germain is fading as a tourist arid fad lure, but it looks like Miss Greco has come out of this intact, and; has established a special niche for her- self in the cha'ntoosy corps here; Gal now essays a black form-fitting [ woolen dress, the long hair and a new bobbed, nose. | Slightly reminiscent of the girt I in the Charles Addams cartoons, She makes a striking display, and demonstrates an expert use of body, hands and an expressive- physiognomy. Husky voice dips well into a neat, offbeat rep which treads lightly among the . Left Bank laments, the potshots at the stuffy 1 and sanctimonious, and has a fine J undercurrent of impishness arid j impropriety that gives this stint . a more Well-rounded air. She is pri- marily Gallic in appeal, but could be of interest for specialized. East Side spots in N.Y. or, for U.S. tv or vaude for that specialty. Mosk. KENNY DAVIS | Dance 9 Mins. * Bal Tabarin, N. Y. Kenny Davis is a competent hoofer. His taps are- clean and sharp and he has several Routines that Warrant midterm applause. Davis shows a trio of energetic, turns that involves , a lot of * - tricate work. Davis comes on in blank-faced makeup with cap and heavy glasses. However; this serves little purpose as his cleat-work doesn’t carry out that motif. . He virtually has to start all over again after he makes his entrance. However, he does make the grade in this spot and he could work the production in higher-priced situations. Jose. LORRAINE & BRUNNER Songs, Dance 15 Mins. Gatineau, Ottawa Previously paired Only in the line at New York’s Copacabana, Betty Lorraine and Chuck Brunner are ' organized into a ' terps-chant act that shows top. promise. With some trimniirig and : tightening, the duo can make a. solid showing on any nitery floor. Young and fresh with definite dance ability, the team could reduce chanting chores considerably for more; impact and. while male’s brief 88ing is accept-: able it could . be sacrificed to the dancing’s benefit. Brunner has Affective stage presence and Mi$s Lorraine is nicely constructed arid shows it well. Caught at opener (21), act was highlighted by a socka impression of oidtirne (sic) vaudeville* using chants, props, costumes and terps to touch on Clayton, Jackson & Durante; the Charleston era* and the boa-tossing “I Don’t Care” gal. Gorin. FRANK COOK Instrumentals 15 Mins. Medrano, Paris Frank Cook is a U.S: act just back frond a couple of years on the international road; Cook stops them here with a fine offbeat mu- sical turn which consists of a gui- tar and a small harmonica played; entirely with his mouth, no hands. Cook has an ingratiating personal- ity and segues into a well-selected bunch Of Standards and then into jazz numbers and a resounding “William Tell” bit as a finale. Upheld mouth organ and string accomp give this a unique turn and he shapes as a good entry for tv and vaude spotting in the U.S. Mosk. THE ARTUROS Balance-acro 10 Mins, ' I Medrano, Paris Boy and girl go through a se- ries of good balancing , bits that may make this of interest for an aero part of vaude shows. Boy starts things by a one-finger stand on a glass, globe, then With gal partner atop his 'head he climbs a ladder and down again. Act has . bounce and enough dif- ferent qualities to rate. Mosk... THE TAPATEERS (3) Dance 12 Mins. Apollo, N. Y. This trio of Negro terpers is well-costumed, well-trained and each facet of their dancing draws strong aud support.’ ; The Tapateers unquestionably have been around for some time, judging by their ability ahd gen- eral appearance, but they have never gotten the, new act treat- ment! They do a relaxed opener (o the slow-tempoed “Poor,. Butter- fly,” first working in unison and then breaking for consistently slick solo footwork. The initial number benefits, from hokum with ; canes attached to; their arms by means of. hardly visible elastic. In the- next bit, they, do, sortie dazzling solo tapping, rtiixed with Classy aero, for a real pleaser. The only possible weak spot ensues when performers, perhaps, a stall to catch their wind after previous ex- ertions, come up with not-so-funny chatter line. Bowoff is a punchy aero routine that elicits warm re- sponse. Art. HEW ACTS 73 RAYMOND & LEE Whistling 7 Mins. * Palace, N. Y. Mixed team of whistlers does okay with the hand-in-mouth har- monics, flashing off “Mocking Bird.” and another familiar in fine style. But when they do the. bird panto, they run into a little bit of trouble. For one thing, it’s almost an exact carbon of the familiar bit done by the Three Arnauts. For another, it’s hot particularly funny, being executed somewhat crudely and with little aplomb* Best bet for this pair to is to lay aside the. panto . routine and con- centrate on the straight musical whistling, working out some spe- cial material in that department. There aren’t that many straight whistling acts around, and Ray- mond & Lee are among the better in that category, when they con- centrate on it. Ch n. ROSA LA ROSO Exotic Dance 5 Mins, Apollo, N. Y. Rosa La Roso an exotic whose ; chief asset is energy. The dancer’s physical attributes are okay too, but she doesn’t provide enough terp knowhow or variety frorri one. routine to the next. . Femme has a slow starting open- er, consisting of little more, than a walk to music; She segues into frenzied bump a/nd gi’ind stuff in •her deuce, taking off a* diaphanous black skirt and nothing mor . Makes okay filler in vaude and burlesk situations. Sepia strippers are not around, so plentifully. A Nighl Club Reviews Continued from .page 71 Bul Taliariii, X. V. their work.. Their terps are well- designed arid personable, and i dicate considerable .skill. Male’s leaps are excellent, and the girl charms in impressions of the Charleston days. They go over handily. The Lou Harold band showbaeks well and. the Ray Rizzony outfit reliefs^' Jose. BlinsfruBi’s* Boston Boston, Oct. 18. Esquires (4 ) ,. Goetschis ( 3 ) ; Blair & Dean, Franklin & 'Astrid, Rudenko Bros. (2), Michael Gay- lord Orch (7), Lou Weir,, organ; $2 minim m. Answering desperate SOS from Stanley , Blinstrub, who learned early: Monday (18) a.m. that. Kitty Kallen's illness would prevent , her skedded appearance that evening, the Esquires, four local lads, stepped into the breach and scored a solid smash. Although the boys had just wound an out- of-town engagement the previous night Arid were set for a week’s layoff when boniface Blinetrub sent out th‘e call, three were im- mediately available. But the lead singer had taken off for a New Hampshire vacash arid could not be located until about 8 that even- ing. Guy grabbed a taxi for the 50-plus mile ride to the Hub and the boys were onstage shortly after 10 p.m. Sans rehearsal. The boys made their first major nitery appearance here last spring arid the songbag dished out the second time around is essentially the same. Opening with “There’s No Tomorrow,” they also include “There Are Three Things,” a gimmicked “Maharaja of Maga- dore” and “Everything,” their first Cadence etching. Before vocaliz- ing “Chapel in Moonlight,” the spokesman acknowledges ' Miss Kallen's identification, with the number, expressing, a sincere hope the ill thrush would Soon be back in action. Guys are forced to beg off with “Secret Love.” Supporting acts , are all repeats, the Goetschis,. in next-to-closing, also appearing on the bill during the Esquires’ initial, stint here last spring. The three guys are among the toppers in the . trick uriicycle ■ riding field arid their amazing stunts riding two and three high garner hefty applause. Bill tees off With the Rudenko Bros/, a. couple of; slick jugglers who play this room regularly, with Franklin & Astrid, also w k. here, clicking nicely in the second slot with a sesh of hand balancing and aero tricks. Blair & Dean, a graceful terp duo,, as usual; nab warm reac- tion from the customers. Michael Gaylord’s band back- stops nicely and Lou Weir fills in the lulls with -organ melodies. Elie. New eastsiderie in New York, the Chez Carlo, has added enter- tainment after 10 p.rii; Steffen Ballerirti, who formerly worked at the ChAz Vito, N. Y. Will head a vocal group there.. 74 LEGITIMATE * P&RIEff Wednesday, October 27, 1954 Moira on N.Y. Crix: ‘Really!’ Minneapolis, Oct. 26. Moira Shearer/ costar of the . Old Vic’s, touring ‘‘Midsummer Night’s Dream,'- sounded off here last week against New York critics who panned the revival, She said that "the public is ulti- mately the final judge and they’ve been most enthusiastic." In an interview with Minneapolis Tribune staff writer Daryie Feldmeir, the red-headed ballerina accused one of the dissenting New York critics of not even knowing that Mendelssohn actually wrote, the; music or the show.. "He thought we’d simply inserted the ‘Overture’,” she said. "Really!" ■ ' Miss Shearer declared the "Dream" production should be ap- proached as . a: spectaqle — which Broadway reviewers didn’t do. ‘‘Some of them," she said, “were ’ disturbed, because they expected a bare stage and lectern business." "Really, the public wouldn’t sit through, it if it were bored," sorted Miss Shearer. "You've got to approach this without any prejudices. I suppose you always remember the bad reviews. They : stick in your craw."- , f The revival drew favorable reviews and tremendous business in three performances here. By ARTHUR BRONSON The Metropolitan Opera Assn, opens its 70th season in N.Y, Nov. 8 on a highly upbeat note— coin- wise, artisticwise and publicity wise, Subscriptions are running ahead of last year, which was a banner bn& Opening night, always a sellout 1ft upped tariffs for about a$60,000- $65,000 take, will have added value this season, revenue and promotion- wise, from being televised into 30 or more theatres .around'- the. coun- try. Artistically, the Met shapes as in Improved position over recent sea- sons. The hew artists roster looks good. The changes, are for the bet- ter, and casting looks stronger. Repertoire has also been buttressed' by some preems. There were no new works in the rep last season. This year will see the- U.S;. preem of Strauss’ "Arabella,” and the re- vival (in a new production) of Gior- dano’s ; "Andrea Chenier," which hasn’t been heard at the Met in almost 25 years. In Addition, there’ll be an innovation in an orig- inal ballet, "Vittorio," by the Met’s ballet master, Zachary ; Solov, which will have its World preem. There'll be 26 operas in all, in- cluding five of Verdi and foiir of Wagner.: For the first time in Met history, the 1 production opening night Will not be a complete opera, but .seg- ments from several— undoubtedly a sop in deference to the tv audiences. Artistically this may be a cheapening of standards, and the purists are grumbling strongly, but boxofficewise this - should bring in : some badly-needed extra coin. Of more, interest this year than even theatre-tv and premieres is the talent roster. General manager Rudolf Bing has scored a couple of 10-strikes with the signing of Marian Anderson and Dimitri Mitropoulos. Latter is the. electric. N.Y. Philharmonic-Symphony mae- stro, perhaps the most exciting theatrical conductor on longhair podiums. Most unusual event, of course, is the addition of Miss Anderson, first Negro singer to be asked to the Met. (A Negro dancer, Janet Col- lins, Was signed as premiere bal- lerina three seasons ago. She left this season), Breakdown of the .Met’s anti-Negro barrier is as im- portant to the music world as the recent Supreme Court anti-segre- gation ruling is to the world in general. Event should have hap- pened 10 years ago, however, when Miss Anderson was in her prime, but it is still history-making, pav- ing the way for several brilliant young Negro singers * (Mattiwilda Dobbs, Lawrence Winters and Wil- liam Warfield among them), who deserve already to be at the Met. Mitropoulos will also be making his U.S. operatic bow, conducting the aforesaid "Masked Ball," as well as Strauss’ “Salome" and the "Vittorio" ballet preem. Another new Met maestro will be the Ger- man conductor, Rudolf Kempe, while returning as guest batonist again will be the veteran Pierre Monteux. The ballet department has been strengthened with addi- tion of Mia Slavenska as lead bal- lerina.,* Some interesting names ait. among those dropped from the roster this year. Soprano Irmgard Seefried and Contralto Fedora Barr bieri are real losses, these being top artists. Another top departee, tenor Jussi Bjoerling, however, has , been sick off and on 'in recent seasons, and is past his prime. Basso Nicola Rossi-Lemeni, most highly touted of last, season’s addi- tions, is a personality lore' than singer and needed specially tai- lored roles (like Boito’s "Mefisto- fele”) . that were not in the Met’s rep. But he’ll be missed. : Newcomers to the singing roster (in addition to Miss Anderson), however, do include a couple of volatile potentials, as in Sopranos Christ el Goltz and Renato Tebaldi, ’contralto Giulietta $imionato and baritone Otto Edolmann. Other new singers are Laurel Hurley (from N.Y. City Center), Shakeh Vartenissian, Bernd Aldenhoff, Giuseppe Campora, Ralph Herbert, Calvin Marsh, Kurt Boehme, Louis Sgarro and Gioi'gio Tozzi. Re- turnees from former seasons in- clude Della Rigal, Mario del Mo- naco, Hans Hopf, Giacinto Prari- delli, Waiter Cassel (now at City Center) and Paul Schoef fler. Return of the Native Edward Johnson.* .former general manager of the Metro- politan Opera, will make his first public appearance at the . house : since he ieft In 1950 when he acts as emcee for the intermission events : on the closed-circuit telecast opening night, Nov. . 8. Johnson, who was manager for 15 years prior to Rudolf Bing’s tenure and who was a leading Met 'tenor for 13i years before that, emceed the tee- veed opening night of his last seas'on in 1949, Then he in- terviewed his artists backstage in their native tongues,, and made a very favorable impres- sion. Return' to the' house was made at Bing’s special invite. Revived Ballet Russe Rocking Them on Tour; Sock $51,300 for Seven Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, ■ revived this year by Columbia Artists Mgt. (Schang, Coppicus & Brovyn division) after two-year layoff, has been doing sock busi- ness since - start of its: tour Oct. 1. In three performances in Balti- more Get. 1-2, the troupe did $16,- 500, Week following, Washing- ton the terpers garnered $34,500 for ejght shows; Week of Oct. ll in Boston, they rang up a smash $53,500 for eight, in striking Con- trast to a $19,000 gross racked up in the Hub on their previous visit several years! ago. ■Last week, the company did a split-week, with a sock $51,300 for seven showings in three stands. Pittsburgh drew $11,800 for two performances;: Reading, Pa., a huge $7,000 in a single, and Philadelphia grossed $32,500 for four. Another .split-week, covering Worcester, Providence,- Springfield and Hartford, is current. Troupe’s biz this fall has been a general surprise to the trade. Columbia’s prez, Frederick Schang, attributes the draw to three, fac- tors. The troupe has been out of the field two years and audiences are curious f about the revived setup. Also,' Ballet Russia, was always a name that drew (like Sadler’s Wells). Finally, the pres- ence of Maria Talfchief as . lead balleri ’ figured a help, S.F. Summer Boom Ends; New Pickup This Week San Francisco, Oct. 26. San Francisco’s biggest legit summer in years has finally dwindled to a standstill, but ac- tivities have picked up again and indications are for a good fall and winter. Helen Hayes in "What Every Woman Knows" opened this Mpn- ' day- '(25) at the Curran for a four- week run. Moira Shearer, Robert Helpmann and Stanley Holloway in the Old Vic production of "Mid- summer Night's Dream," are due Oct. 27,. at the War Memorial Opera House for 15 performances, under the sponsorship of the Civic Light Opera. Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn open Nov. 1 at the Geary in "Face to Face," a program of readings, and stay through Nov. 13, Melyyn Douglas opens Dec. 6 at the Cur- ran in "Time Out for Ginger" and Jean Arthur arrives Jan. 10 at the Curran in "Saint Joan.” The Dublin Players begin a two- week program Nov, 22 at the Geary, with a company of 20 pre- senting a repertory of. four plays. Greco 18G, Montreal/ Montreal, Oct. 26. - Jose Greco and his company of Spanish dancers drew almost $18,- 000 at Her Majesty’s last week, with the 1,704-seater scaled to | $3.38. Other than occasional one-hight- ers of a local nature, house is dark I till "Caine Mutiny Court Martial” i comes in Nov. 15. Ballet Theatre Repacts Levine; N 4 Scores Disked Joseph Levine, who joined Ballet Theatre in 1952, has been reen- gaged as musical director, Troupe opened its 15th season in Prince- ton last night (Tues.). To mark the troupe's 15th anni, Capitol Records has issued two new disks by Levine and the BT orch. One platter offers Antheil’s "Cap- ital of .the World" and Banfteld’s “Combat." Other has suites from Offenbach’s ‘‘Bluebeard’’ and "Helen of Troy." PGOperafest Yearly In P. Rico 1 + San Juan, P.R., Oct. 26, An annual grand opera project, under semi-official- sponsorship, in- volving a $100, 000-plus, budget,, with personnel headed by Metro- politan Opera stars, is eyolviiig here. Meeting of strategy board last week resulted in a second Opera season beirigt set for next June;; paralleling last spring’s' suc- cessful test stanza. tinder auspices of. the U, of Puer- to Rico, eight to 10 performances of opera will be given June 10-19 at the University Theatre, in - Rip PiedraS; Repertory will probably be | Aida,". “Trovatore,” "Faust,"’ "Manon,” "Rigoletto,” "Barber of Seville;” ‘‘Traviata,” . "Pagliacci” and "Cavalleria Rusticana.” Casts and directors, will be set around Christmas. Original season last June was the brainchild of a N.Y. show biz attorney, Albert B. Gi . many of whose clients are concert people. Working with university authori- ties, he put together a week of eight performances June 11-19. it was the first opera festival the government - sponsored university had ever staged. Gins, as director- general, flew here (and back) a group of soloists, conductors and stage directors; 16 Choristers* eight ballet dancers, with costumes and. sets. University added more sing- ers and dancers. Orch of 50 men was mostly from the N.Y, Met. Gins had Met singers Eugene Conley, Nadine Conner, Robert Weede* Dolores Wilson, Brian Sul- livan, Tomika Kanazawa, John Brownlee, Thomas Hayward, Jean Madeira, Charles Kullman, Frank Valentino* Jan Peerce, Norman Scott, Herva Nelli, Maria d’Attili, and Lois Hunt. The . Met’s Wilfred Pelletier, City Center’s Joseph Rosenstock, and WOR’s (N.Y;) Emerson Buck- ley were the conductors, with the Met’s Desire. Defrere heading the stage directors. The 2,000-seat hall was scaled from $8. Attendance was SRO, with 400 standees each at three performances. The b'.o. was $99,000, with a nut around $97,000. As a result of this venture, Chan- cellor Dr. Jaime Behitez asked Gins back to do a repeat this spring. University group negotiating with Gins were Dr., Jose Gueits, dean of students, and the festival’s local sparkplug; Dr; Alfredo^Matilla, di- rector of social activities, and Dr. Ramon Mellando, vice-chancellor and dean of administration. After the huddles, Dr. Benitez left for N.Y., ( to be guest speaker at Co- lumbia U.’s : Bicentennial celebra- tion. FAYE-‘RUNN1NG MATE’ BUDGETED AT $65,000 "Running Mate," William Mc- Qleery comedy which will bring Faye Emerson back to Broadway this season, is being capitalized at $65*000, with provision for 20% overcall, by producers Kenneth Banghart and Warren P. Munsell. It goes into rehearsal Oct. 28 under the direction of Luther Kennett, will try out Nov. 25-27 at the Shubert, New Haven, and tWo weeks beginning Nov. 29 at the Plymouth, Boston, with: a Broad- way opening Dec. 15, Play, which tried out under the title "The Lady Chooses” at the Westport (Conn.) Country Play- house and the Newport . (R. L). Casino Theatre, is a one-setter re- quiring a cast of 13 (including four major roles), with a locale in a prosperous town about 100 miles from New York. Legit pressagent A1 Spink re- tired last week after 38 years in the business. He made his final calls last. Friday (22) in Columbus, O., as advance man for "King and I" . . . Robert G, Swan, New York and Baltimore ad exec, has written the book, music and lyrics of a musical comedy, "On Our Way," which he is dickering to have pro- duced on Broadway next spring, British film-legit actress Valerie Hobson, femme lead in the London production of "King and I,” will retire from show biz when she is married early in January to John Profumo, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Transport. Burgess Meredith; currently star- ring in the Broadway production of "Teahouse of the August Moon" as temporary replacement for David Wayne, will repeat the Sakini role in thd Howard Lindsay- Riissel .Crouse touring edition of the comedy skedded to get under- way in' mid-December; Signing of Meredith apparently indicates that plans for a touring version of last season's "Remarkable Mr. Periny- paker" have been shelved, since hie had been committed to duplicate his starring role in that production on the road. Arthur Gelb, of the Ni Y. Times city" staff, has been shifted to the paper’s dramatic department suc- ceeding Jack Shanley, who moved over this week to the tv-radio de- partment Emmet Lavery and his wife returning to- their Holly- wood home after a six-week Euro- pean trek ... A road company of the . Yiddish play, "Will They Re- member,” being presented at the Parkway Theatre, Brooklyn, will be sent out as a co-op venture by the Hebrew Actors Union. Mae West and Bobby Clark are being sought by J. J. Shubert, Billie Burke (widow of Floren? Ziegfeld) and Stanley Gilkey for a new edition of "Ziegfeld Follies" . . v Miriam Hopkins will star in "Time of the Cuckoo" next week at the , Fox Valley Playhouse, St. Charles, 111. "Sabrina Fair," with Louise King starred, is current at the theatre, which began a six- week experimental fall season Oct. 19 . . . Tempo Theatre, a new off- Broadway group is skedded to bow Nov. 27 at the Speyer Hall Play- house of the University Settlement Assn,, N. Y., with "The Maids" by Jean Genet, French playwright-' novelist. . "The Girl From Samos," by Ida Lublenski Ehrlich, will preem un- der the auspicies of Everyman’s Theatre at the Labor Temple* N.Y;, next Monday (1) . . . Having re- written the script, Michael Kalles- ser is planning pn a revival of his play, "One. Man’s Woman,” which rah during; the ’20s ... Irving. Cooper is general manager, Nicholas Saunders, stage manager and Richard Shull, assistant stage manager for Gordon W. Pollock’s "Black-Eyed Susan," due Dec. 16 on Broadway. Ann Corlo began a tour yester- day (Tues.) in "Separate Rooms" 1 at the Biltmore Theatre, Miami . .• . New Repertory Theatre . has op- tioned the. English rights to Edwin Justus Mayer’s "Children of .Dark- ness," originally produced in New York In 1930 . . ,. Helen Hayes will open and close the N. Y. City Cen- ter Drama season beginning Dec; 22 with a two-week stand in ‘‘What Every Woman Knows" and wind- ing Up with a fortnight’s run in "The Wisteria Trees," starting Feb. 22. Ballet Theatre Foundation elect- ed Harold Clurman, Broadway stage director and drama critic for the Nation: magazine, as a member; of its board of governing trustees. Playwrights Co/s Walter Alford going out as advance man for Katharine Cornell’s production of Christopher Fry’s "The Dark Is Light Enough." Toni Lander, formerly ballerina of the Royal Danish Ballet, arrived in N.Y. from Europe last Friday (22) to join the London Festival rBallet; British company began a week’s engagement at the Chicago Opera . House Monday (25). Legit Bits Abroad London, Oct. 26. Hyman Zahl leaves for Holland over the weekend to close a deal for Rene Sleeswijk’s revue, "Made in Holland." This is: Zahl’s second' trip and will finalize arrangements for a tour of London and the provinces. Zahl next planes to Wiesbaden to confer with the En- tertainment Chief of the U.S. Forces for setting up several top- ranking units to start their tour in mid-November and end in Janu-. ary, with each unit guaranteed a minimum of 12 weeks. "An Evening , with Beatrice Lillie," currently touring the pro- vinces, opens Nov. 24 at the Globe/, replacing Noel Coward’s musical, "After the Ball.” . . .Laurier Lis- ter’s revue, "Pay the Piper,” sto- ring Elsie and Doris Waters and "at present in the sticks, comes to the Saville theatre Nov. 24, replacing "Keep in a Cool Place,” the Roger. Livesey sturrer. Odhams is publishing Donald Wolfit’s autobiography under the title of "First Interval" early January . . .. Edition Ryan planes to New York on a two-week trip, taking with him a new play, "Tread Softly," by General Savory, for Broadway production. He will also dicker with Elmer Rice for a Continental filming of "Grand Tour" with Anglo-American, coin. Patricia Neal is likely to play the lead. Laurie Lister’s show, "Pay the Piper,’’ currently touring the prov- I inces with Elsie and Doris Waters as stars, opens Dee! 14 at the Globe, replacing 'Noel Coward’s "After the Ball” . . . Harry Foster and Bernard Delfont to Paris for four days last week to scout talent for the new "Folies" at the Prince of Wales in March, and the new Val Parhell and Delfont show at the Lbndon Palladium due in the fall, with Norman Wisdom agai starred. Glasgow Bits Glasgow, Oct. 26. Sketches by Nancy Hamilton, American revue writer whose work i is new to the United Kingdom, will be used in the new Laurier Lister revue, "Pay • the Piper," set for Theatre Royal here Nov, 1. Lyrics and music are mainly the work of Michael Flanders and Donald Swann. Ballets Espapols 13G On Solo Week in Wash. Washington, Oct. 26. Ballets Espagnols grossed shade, under $13,000 for its one- week stand at the National Thea- tre. Audiences were enthusiastic but the terp troupe, opened cold here, completely unknown. Nation- al is dark this week, but the Shu- bert Theatre opened its season last night (Mon.) with a single weeks engagement of “Fifth Season.” Future D.C. bookings include Nov. 1, "Wedding Breakfast,” try- out, National (two weeks, subscrip* tion, . and "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," Shubert, one week; Nov. 15, "Bad; Seed," tryout, Shubert, one week* anjd "Tea and Sympa- thy," National; one week, Nov. 22, “Portrait pf a Lady," tryout, Na- tional, two weeks, subscription, and "Flowering Peach," tryout, Shubert, two weeks; Dec. 13, derfiil Town,”. National, weeks, subscription; Jan. 3, r ‘Re- markable Mr. Pennypacker,’ Na- tional,. two weeks, subscription; Jap. 24, "Dark is Light Enough, tryout. National, two weeks, sun* •scription. Wednesday, October 27, 1954 \ • By JESSE GROSS professional winter/ stock, wjhich ; has been making a comeback, in the- last several years after . a couple of decades’ hibernation, continues on . the upbeat. At least four new, regular-season, ventures are /; r'ently functioning. Another , oper- ation has posted a bond, with Acr tors Equity for a! Nov. 10 opening. . . playwrights. ^Theatre, Chi.* which had stock policy last summer, is also reportedly going 1 to reopen for the .muffler traffic. Additional-. ]v, it’s expected that mpst of last season's ’approximate 25 cold- Aveather Equity stock outlets will, repeat this winter. Included in the quartet of fresh’ stock theatres currently operating is the Bucks^ County Playhouse, New Hope, Pa., normally a sam- pler spot but continuing this year through : November. /The., other th/ee spots are the. /Dramatic Arts Center, Ann Arbor, Mich., which opened last Thursday (21); Glen Falls (N.. Y.) Arena Guild, which began a four- week season Oct. 5, and the Fox Valley Playhouse, an- other. strawliat. which initiated a ix-week fall season Oct. 19. Manager of the Ann Arbor out- let is Joseph Gistirak, while Rich- ard Stem heads the Glen Falls project. Latter ran a similar four- week season at the same locale early last summer. Bucks County is run by Michael Ellis, who’s .ini- tiated a “fall festival” of tryouts, while the Fox Valley showcase is .run by* Marshall Migatz, who durr irig the summer heads this opera^ Mon and the Salt Creek Theatre, Hinsdale, 111; Venture for which a bond has been posted, for a Nov. 10 preem will be at the Memorial Auditori- m, Louisville, Ky., under the man- agement of George Gans, who op- e ates the, Louisville Amphitheatre during the summer. The Town and Country Playhouse, Indianapolis, the Pleasant Mills (N. J.) Play- house and the Red Barn Theatre, Westboro, Mass.; are still- running. So is the Rochester Arena Theatre. . The Arena Theatre, Washington, is continuing, as is the Alley The- atre, Houston. Also, the Sombrero Theatre, Phoenix, and Margo Jones’ Theatre ’54, Dallas, lire ex; peeled, to post bonds soon. Ph ix Theatre; N. Y., began its season . Oct. 14, while the Em- press Theatre, St. Louis, reopened Sept 28. ..The Playhouse; Houston, opened Sept. 26, while the Hilltop- Parkway Theatre, Baltimore, re- lighted Oct. 12. Crowd Fills Nine Acres As Langner Dedicates Stratford, Conn., Site Lawrence Langner, of the The- atre Guild, tvho in his private status as a citizen has been spear- heading the American Shakespeare Festival & Academy at Stratford, Conn., was off, and . into, the ground last Sunday (24) as prin- cipal speaker at the ceremonial start of the /theatre ( by the Housa- tonic River. About 400 people, a niixture of theatrical VIP’s, local officials, commuters, small children and dogs, gathered on the nine-acre tract which will form the setting .for "the . third .Stratford” in follow- up -to England’s and Canada’s ■shrines to the bard. Although the American. Shake- spear Festival breaks ground a year late and will get going in the summer of 1955 Father than last summer, Langner was getting “we never thought you’d make it” con- grats following speeches by Kath- arine Cornell, Maurice Evansj ex- actyess Mary Bragiotti, Connecti- . -'Cut’s Cxractor . Governor John Lodge, and Stratford town council President Tom Morey. ■ liaising money, a task partly en- h'j'xt.ed to Mary Hunter, still the Festival’s exceptive-secretary al- Uuuigh no longer on salary, proved a j ormidable hurdle. The theatre, ^/o cost around $290,000. Firtaii- r lily-weighty members added to the board now include Stanton / ; 'iff is, Lincoln Kirstein, Joseph //rner Reed and Irving S. Olds. • 1( r* Langners ( Armiha Marshall) hm c purchased a residence on the b'fct and given it so tire Festival ; vi -'l have a schoolhouse in addition to the theatre structure. Barrie j Who Dat? Richard Halliday, producer of “Peter Pan,” starring, his wife Mary Marti , ran into, considerable difficulty persuad- ing Hugo Winterhalter, of RCA-Victor, .to. attend .the mu- sical ' at the Winter Garden, FI. Y., before discussing an alburn!/ As.. busy as recording exees usually are, Winterhalter hated to spare a whole evening to “a fairy tale about pirates.” Halliday clinched .the. visit to thrf Winter Garden by re- vealing that,, a rival publisher had offered $5,000 for one duet between Mary Martin and her 12-year old daughter Heller Halliday. Number is one of .the big hits of the show.; “Anniversary Waltz” is in the black. The Joseph Mi- Hyman- Bernard Hart production recouped its $75,000 investment Sept, 11, its 23rd week oh, Broadway. As oi last Saturday (23), profit on the Jerome Chodorov-Joseph Fields comedy totalled around $16,000. Accbrdng to an account- ing, dated Oct. 2, tlie backers had been paid back 55% of their in- vestment, equalling . $41,250.. As of Oct. 2, profit came to $8,277 less an estimated insurance reserve of $587. Profit fof ; the three weeks ending last Saturday (23) is estimated over $8,000. Gross for the four weeks ending Oct. 2 Was $78,251. Net profit for the period was $8,821, plus $400 royalty : pay- ment for a stock production of the comedy last summer at the La. Jolla ( Cal. ) Playhouse. Coin paid back to investors during that pe- riod was $26,250. Macdonald Carey and Kitty Car- lisle costarre* is in its 29th . week at the Broadhurst, N« Y. . DICK GRAY’S PROD. BOW WITH ‘WEDDING DAY’ . The legit musical, “Wedding Day” formerly under option to Clinton Wilder, producer of “The Tender Trap,” has been taken- over for production by Dick Gray, brother of comedienne-singer Do- lores Gray. He has resigned his post as Coast rep for Frank Music to embark on . his maiden legit pro- duction. Score is by Vernon Duke, and lyrics by Ogden Nash. Ilka Chase will work on revising the book, an original by Leonard Gershe, who wrote the “Born in a Trunk” cavalcade for Judy Gar- land in. “A- Star Is Born,” and has just done the script of “The * Girl Rush,” indie for Paramount re- lease starring Rosalind Russell (Mrs. Frederick Brisson) which the latter and Floyd Odium (Atlas Trust) are producing.' Duke” is also writing a ballet, “Girls Dormitory,” a continuation of Johann Strauss’ “Graduation Ball,” for David Lichine and which both are discussing with the Ballet. Theatre. Stock Prod, Sam Hirsch Indicted on Red Charge Miami, Oct. 26. Sam Hirsch, operator of the Bilt- more Theatre, ' local stock opera- tion, has been indicted by the Dade County Grand Jury on charges that' he lied under oath about Commu- nist party connections and mem- bership. * 1936-38.. Charges in- volve possible sentence for; -a total of 160 years in jail under the State maximum penalty of 20 years for each count. He was released under $10,000 bond immediately following His surrender to the state attorney’s - office, Hirsch, a. former assistant profes- sor of drama at: the IJ. of Miami, left that post two years ago on a leave of absence to organize a local repertory group, which staged a summer series of revivals at the Casablanca Hotel. He’s/ been op- erating th Bijtmore since last spring. P'AHIETY Kay Ashton Stevens In $50,000 Suit vs. Airline Chicago, Oct. -26. Kay Ashton Stevens, widow of Ashton Stevens, late legit critic of the Chicago American, has filed a $50,000 damage suit against Ameri- can Airlines. She claims she was injured when she was tossed about on a flight .between Chicago and New York in April ,1953/ ’ i -— Suit asks; $10,000 for loss of tv earnings .. ana the, remainder for loss of personal property and “pain .and. suffering.” Hollywood, Oct. 26." Arbitration last week of a dis- pute over partnership rights in “Once Upon a Tailor” has. paved the way for Broadway production of the folk comedy later this sea- son. The Baruch Lumet play is running weekends at the Circle Theatre here! American Arbitration Assn, panel, ruled that Lou Brandt; who di- rected “Tailor.” in its initial pro- duction at the intimate arena-style . Circle, is entitled to 50% of the net profit of the engagement, . Leonard Horwin, George J. Gott- fried and Harry ,S. Ackerman served as arbiters on the case. Their ruling was that Brandt will have, no part of any future pro- ductions of the play, either here or in New York. Producer George Boroff over the weekend greehiighted .plans for. the N, Y. production in . which, he may partner with the Playwrights Go. Oscar Karl weiss has been mentioned: for the role of the. tailor. Dallas Playgoer Beefs At Unbilled Stand-Ins For ’King and I’ Stars Dallas. Editor , Variety: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “King and 1” has, just finished playing at the Texas State Fair in Dallas. There was a heavy mail order busi- ness before the opening because Yul Brynner and Patricia Morison were , the advertised stars. You. will note from the enclosed clipping from the Dallas Morning News fob Friday, Oct. 212, that up to that time Brynner had been absent from four -performances*. Miss Morison from two. No one can quarrel with the lanagement’s statement (quoted in the Morning News story) that “It would be physically impossible for the two leads of ‘King and I’ to sing and act 24 performances in 17 days.” The State Fair Auditorium seats some 4,500. But why, if 25% of the performances are to be with- out the principals, could not the management have advertised the fact, or eliminated the extra per- formances, or otherwise acted in good faith so that some 24,000 pa- trons wouldn’t fee! bilked? As you can surmise, I was one of the disappointed patrons. I sent in fny $9.60 for tvvo seats early and let the management pick the per- formance, I was more interested in good seats than any specific day. And the main reason I sent for those tickets Was the chance to see Yul Brynner, who was out that evening. I question, also, the manage- ment’s statement that is com- mon practice , in New York, or that Leonard- Graves and Holly Harris are not understudies but alternates. In the program they *are definitely listed as under.- studies. And :as ;I . remember New York practice, alternate casts are always, so advertised. I remember, ' (Continued on page 78) REVIVE ‘FOOL’ AS NEXT AT LAS PALMAS, H’WDOD Hollyvyood, Oct. 26. Next production at the 400-seat Las Palmas Theatre will be a re- vival of Changing Pollock’s “The Fool,” four-acter originally pro- duced in 1922-23., “That’s Lif 6.” a revue, wound up an. 18-week run at the house over .the weekend. “Fool” will be produced by T. R. Joy, who recently purchased the J theatre from Paul Schreibman. LEGITIMATE 71 in Is Denhamholz There? Reginald. Denenholz* associ- ate to pressagent .William Fields at the Playwrights Co., is working on , the production of Maxwell Anderson’s “Bad Seed,”: .whibh Reginald Den-- ham Is directing. There has been some, confusion at: the switchboard on incoming calls, but none in. the Playwrights office, There Denham known as Reggie and Denenhoiz as Denny. London Teahouse’ Nets $3,40# a Wt i. ' . London production of “Teahouse of the August Moon” is paralleling the Broadway original as a money- maker. Both shows got solid rave reviews and have been drawing car j pacity attendance. . However, the b o. scale,. gross receipts and profits on the West End edition have been less than for the New York ver- sion, as usual * In such circum- stances. Produced for $49,616, the Lon- don edition paid off last Aug. 28, after 19. weeks at Her Majesty's Theatre. Since * then it has been averaging a weekly profit of nearly $3,400 on -an average weekly, gross of $12,684. Of those amounts, one-third of the profits and 2% of the gross are payable to the New York com- pany, As of last Saturday .(16) total coin due the Broadway pro- duction was approximately $9,600, based on $1,374 average weekly, share.. Produced in London by William- son Music, Ltd:, (Rogers & Ham- merstein subsidiary) and Prince Littler, the John Patrick -Vern Srieider comedy opened at Her Majesty’s last April 23 and lids been doing virtual capacity biz since then. Weekly profit -on the Broadway presentation, produced by Maurice Evans and George Schaefer, is ap- proximately $6,5(30, bringing the total weekly take, including Lon- don profit, to about $7,874. In addition to the Broadway and West End companies of "Teahouse” a third unit is slated to tour the Coast early next year under the management of Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. A fourth com- pany may eventually be formed by Eyans and Schaefer.- Additional income has been received from the $150*000 Metro film deal. EQUITY ISSUES 7 NEW TALENT AGENCY OKAYS Actors Equity has franchised seven more agents. Of these, six have their own offices. They are Milton Goldman, Ted Ashley, Alec Alexander, John’ Harvey/Henry G. Brown and. Martin. Baum, Jatter being partnered in the Baum-New- born Agency. Other Denny Beach; of the Paul Small office. • Franchises, as others granted dur- ing the past year, ale all temporary pending the formulation of' new Equity rules governing agents. Agt In Jail, Fails To Pay Fee; Opera Is Off Bethlehem, Pa., Oct. 26. Scheduled appearance next Frk day (29) of the . Rome Opera Co. at the highscIiQol here has been cancelled. Outfit failed to make a deposit of half the $140. rental fee, for the school, auditorium last Wednesday (20), the deadline. As a result Clifford Frey, secretary of the Bethlehem School district, called off. the deal. . At the. time the deadline was' reached, Mine. DeGomcz Florelli, advance agent for the opera, Was in jail on charges of defrauding two' hotels of $160 in room rent.. She was released last Friday (22) after, paying the coin,, but; it was (lien too late to make the down payment; 4- By HOBE MORRISON A number of ref brms, including revision of the election procedure, are due under the scheduled mer- ger of Actors Equity and its affili- ate, Chorus Equity. Consolida- tion was voted last week by the combined ..council of the two ■unions, will be submitted to - ferendum within a month and: is. due to become effective next Jan. Under the new election setup, the principal Change will be the scrapping of the former system of nominating committee election of a regular slate, with provision for independent candidates. Instead, nomination Will be by petition oi 20 members in good standing. The vote itself will be by mail referen- dum, dropping the old setup of bal- loting at the annual membership meeting. The nomination-by-petition pro- cedure, similar to that already in use in the affiliate American Fed- eration of Television & Radio Art- ists and the Screen . Actors Guild, is expected ; . to eiimihate a long- standing source ... of criticism, namely, the manner in whiefy or- ganized factions could sometimes dominate a quarterly membership meeting to control the election of the nominating; committee. With nominations by petition, it’s hoped the election of officers and council members may involvs less factional maneuvering, . Simi- larly, it’s expected that election by referendum may increase the num- ber of votes cast and thus involve mere democratic choice of officers and council members, Terms of the merger call for continuation' of the present Equity requirement of 24 weeks of work (Continued on page 78) London, Oct. 26, Percy Cudlipp, News Chronicle columnist, is beefing at having to pay sixpence (7c) for an eight-page theatre program, four pages of which were, filled with advertise- | ments. Admitting to being puzzled as to why a further three had not been let to advertisers, he suggests the worthwhile information in tho program could have been got on to a single page. He outlines how the program was padded: the name of the play appeared three times, and of the author twice; it gave the name Of the licensee, the . manager and box- office manager and of eight offi- cials of H. M. Tenrient, which pre- sents the play (“Hippo Dancing”)— “in none of whom J have the faint- est interest,” “It was also done,” adds Cudlipp, “by x telling rne who supplied the dresses, the suits, the nylons, the furniture, the electrical equipment, the vacuum cleaner, the leather- wear. Whether there are playgoers who, unlike myself, would feel frustrated if these details were withheld, I don’t know. “What I do know is that the vast majority of playgoers would like to be told something about the writing of the play — where and when it was done, how long it took, something about the careers of the author, the actors and the pro- ducer, mething even about the history of the theatre! itself,” Squawks about the fact that the- atres charge for the relatively skimpy programs are an old and familiar . story in London. The mat- ter is. most frequently raised by recent visitors to New. York, Where legit playbills are not only free, but are genei'ally highly .informa- tive, especially with biographical material about the actors. ■ . Y- Littler’s ’Book’ Modest Entry for London Run London, Oct. 26. Emile Littler’s production of “Book of the Month ,” which opened last Thursday (21) at the Cam- bridge as. the only new legit offer- ing of the week, is a flimsy com- edy by Basil Thomas. It should get by for a modest run. Pauline Grant has directed the play with a light: hand and the principal parts are skillfully played by a cast headed by .Hugh Wil- , liams, Judy Campbell. Margaretta I Scott and jane Griffiths. 76 I.KC1T1MATB Peter Pan Richard Halliday presentation o£ Edwin Lester production of musical comedy in three acts, based oh play by James M. Barrie, with lyrics, by Carolyn Leiglv music by Mark- Charlap, additional move by .Tule Styne, additional lyrics. by Dotty Comden and Adolph . Green. Stm.s Mary .Martin'; features Cyril Rltnhr.rd. Kathy Nolan. Mavflalo Gill more. Directed- by Jerome Robbins (Mary Hunter, assistant). Scenery, Peter Larkin; costumes. Motley; Iightincv Peggy /r 'iark; technical direction, Richard Rod'!..; Conductor, Louis Adrian; orchestral arrangements; 1 Albert Scndrey; Indde’-.ial music, Trude. Rittman, Elmer Bcwstein: dying effects, Joseph Kirby, by Peter Foy. At Winter Gar? Oct. 20; ’54; $5.90 top ($9.20. .iWpcFVisicd den,. N.Y;, opening). Wendy John Liza Michael .Nana Mis. Darling Mr. Darling Peter Pan Hon , . . Kangaroo Ostrich Slightly Tootles Curly Nibs , Crocodile Kathy Nolan •Robert Harrington Heller Ilallidav Joseph' Stafford Norman Shelly.. Margalo Gjllmor Cycil Ritohar Mary Martin Ichard Wyatt Don Lurid n Tewkesbury David Bean Ian Tucker Stahley Sicnher Paris Theodore Norman Shelly Twins Alan Sutherland; Darryl Duran Capt. Hook ojfAV. i, i.,' Sihee Tiger Cfecco . Noodler , Jukes Starkyy Mullins ; Wendy Grown-Up Jane Cvril mtchuril Joe E. Marks Sondra Lee Robert Tucker ... Frank Lindsay . William Burke Robert Vnn^dow . Jnmes White . SalHe Brooby Kathy Nolan i rates: Robert' Tucker, Frank L'ndeay; Frank . Marasco, James White, William Burke. Chester Fisher. John Newton. Arthur Tnokoian, Robert Vansclow, Ich- ard Winter. Indians. Robert Bands. Don Lurioi nbert Piper. William Sumner. Richard ’yatt, Linda D’lngcil, Lisa Lang, Suzanne uckc.v, Joan Tewkesbury. Songs: “Tender Shepherd;” , 'Tve Got to- Crow.” .“I’m Flying,” “Pirate Song,” “A Princely Scheme.’’ ‘Indians.” “Another r-incely Scheme." "I Won't .Grow -Up.'’ “To the Ship,” “The Battle,” byLdgb? Charlap, and "Neverland." "Wendy;” “NeVerh'nd Waltz.” “Mysterious Lady,” “Uggra-Wugg.” “The Pow-Wow Polk’.” “Distant Melody;” “Hook's Waltz,” by Slyne-Comden-Green, Janies M. Barrie would probably be more astonished than anyone to discover that be was a Broadway librettist But if he could see this musical version of his “Peter Pan/’ the little Scot sentimentalist would surely be even more pleased than surprised. With Mary Marti as the per- sonification of perennial boyhood, and a brilliantly inspired produc- tion, “Peter” seems the perfect Vehicle for musicalization. How could it have been overlooked so long? -.- Possibly Tinker Bell was Work- ing some of her magic offstage,, for it's evident that someone per- formed a few miracles during the show's , long tryout on the Coast. Anyway, “Peter” is a delightful show that belies . advance reports and captivated the Winter Gar- den’s first-nighters. From a commercial angle, how- ever, this “Peter” is considerably less salubrious: Disregarding its original Coast setup, which was- a separate operation, the show cost about $95,000 to bring to. Broad- way, excluding approximately $30,000 in bonds. It needs between $37,500 and $40,000 weekly gross to break even and; besides the the- atre share, must pay about "25% off- the top in royalties, etc. It can probably earn about $9,000 weekly operating profit at $57,500 Capacity, but Coast pro- ducer Edwin Lester gets the first $35,000 return and, about 25% of the producer’s end thereafter. Also, the San Francisco Civic Light Opera, which originally presented the production as a subscription offering, gets 10% of the net profits. Allowing for these various slices, Broadway presenter Richard Halli- day and his backers stand to get into, the clear with the Venture after about 15 weeks, providing it Sells out. that long. The engage- ment at the Winter Garden is an- nounced for 16 Weeks, ' but is subject to indefinite extension if business warrants. The big question, therefore, . is .whether ..“Peter” -can. do. smash' business- lonfe enough to pay off. That, ; obviously, depends on whether .the show has general or special audience appeal. ' Judging fr m the reaction at. the premiere,, practically everyone will love •“Peter.” But it remains to be seen whether the business lrian trade, expense account boys and visiting firemen will take a night off from girly musicals and laugh plays for a taste of the fantasy and Enchant- ment of childhood, “Peter” has started as a standees-only smash, with the inevitable extra juve demand for matme.es. Although, a few dis- gruntled- purists may object, most audiences are likely to approve of the adaptation, which is frequently, more musical comedy than Barrie,. Moppets, in particular, will revel in the added comedy touches; dance numbers and imaginative, special effects. In fact, this musi- cal edition must surely be the best “Peter” ever produced. li has undeniable enchantment. Miss Martin is so completely right, so believable and infectious as the eternal boy; that, it seems incred- ible that Barrie’ didn’t write the original play for her. From her first, electrifying entrance through the DarLing childrens’ bedroom window to the curtain, when Peter and the three kids, fly away to Neverland, soaring bre.athtakingly back and forth across the stage, it is one of the thrilling first acts in memory. Although that level of excitement is never quite equalled in “the sub- sequent acts,; and the second, act and to some extent the third have relatively prosaic passages that could profitably be cut; the show as Whole remains enormously enjoyable. Virtually all the Barrie Story is retained, •and there; are numerous interpolations, including some hokum comedy bits to amuse adults and panic; the urchins. In addition to Miss Martin's iridescent performance of thE title part, Cyril Ritchard is diverting as the luckless Mr; Darling and rib-spraining in a lampoon por- trayal ..of Capt. Hook; who sings and dances and gets off preposter-; Oiisly funny readings. It’s, a per-, formance that borders perilously on over-exaggeration, and must be strictly restrained, however. Small, bloiid dancer Sondra Lee is a deliciously impish Tiger Lily. Joe E. Marks is brilliantly cast as a horrendously ineffectual Smee, Kathy Nolan is appealing 1 as Wendy, Heller Halliday (daughter of Miss Martin and producer Halli- day) is charming in the greatly expanded role of Liza, the maid, with, an especially disarming duet .in one with the star. Margalo Gill-, more is suitably protective as Mrs. Darling and the . assorted boys, pirates apd Indians are well chosen. The songs, including both the original numbers supplied by Carolyn Leigh and; Mark Charlap and the added contributions ; of Jute Styne and Betty Comden and Adolph Green, aie generally" Un- distinguished. with “I’ve Got to Crow,” “I Won’t Grow Up,” “Ugg- a-Wugg,” “The Pow-Wow Polka” and “Distant Melody” seemingly most notable. HOwever, that limita- tion matters little, since the fact .that theie is music at all, regard- less of its quality, provides a stringboard for the broad musical comedy treatment and the staging inspiration that make this. “Peter” outstanding.,: . Major credit for the brilliant show manifestly; goes to Jerome RObbi , who did the overall di- recting and staged the entertaining dances, with recognition also , due Peter Foy, whose supervision of the flying effects is an obviously valuable asset. In addition, Peter Larkin’s scenery, Motley’s cos- tumes and Peggy Clark’s lighting are clearly helpful. Hobe. Shows in Rehearsal Keys: C. (Comedy), D ( Drama ), CD (Comedy-Drama), R (Revue), MC (Musical Comedy), MD (Musi- cal Drama), O (Opera), OP (Op- eretta), Bad Seed (D) — Playwrights Co., prod.; Reginald Denham* dir.; . Nancy. Kelly; star. Black-Eyed Susan (O—Gordon W. Pollock-James Goodmah-Everett Hart, prods.; Gregory Ratoff, dir.; Vincent Price* star; ... Flowering Peach (D) — Producers ‘Theatre; Inc,, prod.; Clifford Odets, dir.; Menasha Skulnik, star. House of Flowers (M) — Saint Subber, prod.; Peter Brook, dir.;. Pearl Bailey, star. Lunatics & Lovers (D) — May Kirschner, prod.; Sidney Kingsley, dir. On With the Show (M)— Eliza- beth Miele, prod.r Charles W. Chrislenberry Jr. Sc Byrle Cass, dies.; Irra Petina, Star.; . One Eye; Closed (C)-Haila Stod- dard, prod.; Romney Brettt, dir.; Torn Relm.ore, star: Pajama Tops (C) (Rd.)— H. Clay Blaney, prod. Portrait of a Lady (D)— Lyn Aus- tin-Thomas Noyes— Producers The- atre, prods.; Jose Quintero, dir.; Jennifer Jones, star. Sailor’s Delight (C)— Richard Aldrich, Richard Meyers, Julius Fleischmann, prods.; Arthur Sic- ro.m dir.; Eva Gabor, star. Silk Stockings (M)— -Cy Feuer & Ernest H. Martin, prods.; George S. Kaufman* dir.; Hildegard Neff, Don Amecfie, stars. Tea & Sympathy (D) (RD.)— Playwrights Go., & Mary K. Frank;, prods.; .Elia- Kazan, dir.; Deborah Kerr, star. PfistiEfr . .» Wednesday, October 27, 1954 Show Out of Town Shows Abroad bes Uussai’d!) (THE SOLDIERS) Montreal, Oct. 14. Le Theatre dii Nouveau Monde produc- tion of tragicomedy in three acts, by' Pierre-Aristlde Brea!. Features Guy Hoff-- mann, Georges Groulx,. Giselle Schmidt. Directed by Jean Gascon; decor and cos- tumes, Michael Ambrogi.. At Gesu Thea- tre, Montreal. Oct. 7, ‘51; $2.25 top. Joseph Lippi . . . , , • .... • • Ovila Legare. Maria L : :i ,. . . Antoinette Giroux Mine. Ba^Uone Jeanne Demons Raphael i... Jean Dalmain [ Cesar Carotti ...... . . . . . Georges Bouvier Coslma . . ... Giselle Schmidt Giacoma . .... Jean. Gascon.. Elisa Denise Dubreuil Pietro ... ... Gabriel Gascon Ange-Marle Le Gouce; ... .Georges Grtulx Fllcot v . Guy. Hoffmann Le Capltalne Jean-Louis Roux UnSoldat-greffier . . . . ... . ... .Marc Facreaii Le Theatre du Nouveau Monde gets its fourth season away with flying colors, presenting Breal’s tragi-Comedy, “Les Hussards” to solid audience reaction and top drawer performances throughout. This is the first play of any stat- ure, written in recent years, that a French-Canadian company has managed . to acquire. With most Gallic writers keeping in mind the lucrative ,U;S.. legit and film mar- kets for their material, French- Canadian outfits rarely get a chance at a modern French plaiy as the rights,, for both French arid .English arE usually sold as a pack- age. However “Les Hussards” is the exception, with the TNM group getting the French rights and Jose . Ferrer having the English rights for; Broadway, etc, “Les Hussards” is a reasonably thi joke spread out over three acts; but saved in the current of- fering by: the standout thesping of Guy Hoffmann and Georges Groulx as the two confused soldiers, arid the breakneck; pace establish by di- rector Jean Gascon, who also turns in #n admirable performance the village stutterer. Stofy involves two members of Napolean's army in : 1796 during the war with Italy, and the action takes place in a small town some r where in the north of Italy. Local villagers, who know the French are coming, have heafd tall tales of their ruthlessness .arid their treat- ment of Italian women, but the first arrivals are: two forlorn arid weary privates, who enter the vil- lage almost by accident. Giselle Schmidt as a maid who becomes a key figure in the yarn, is lively, convincing! and always at- tractive as she arouses her fearful employers and uses her feminine charms to divert, the soldiers. Gabriel Gascon, as a hostage is suitably Italian in appearance and manner, Jean Dalmain adds spark End contrast as an unsuccessful suitor, and Ovila Legare and An- toinette Giroiix are effective as the patents. As with most TNM offerings, . the cast is letter perfect, but the preem of “Les Hussards” suggests almost too much rehearsing. . Several of the leads sound as if they had had strained their voices, the* constant fast tempo turns some scenes into near shambles. Newt. Mrs. Paftrrson (HARRIS, CHICAGO) Chicago, Oct; 12. After some retooling during its three-week tryout run in Detroit, “Mrs. Patterson” comes tantaliz- ingly close to being a minor suc- cess as a showcase for singer Eartha . Kitt's not inconsiderable drariiatic talents. As it plays now, it's bewildering mixture of charrri and monotony with the lat- ter beating the foriner to the wire. It’s Miss Kitt all the way. She has much to do in the partially co- herent tale of words and song, realism and fantasy. As the 15- year-old Teddy, the love child of a deep , south domestic arid a pass- ing fancy* she flits - between im- poverished fact and ri dream world that’s, a strange composite 61 southern belledom and the big city lures of Chicago. The star sings five songs, a num- ber called “Be Good” having been dropped. While hardly showstopr pers, the ditties are all pleasant enough. It reriiains a question whether they add Enough to break the action. Avon Long has taken over the part of Mr. D, succeeding Alonzo Rosen, and he and Enid Markey, in the title role,' are standouts in a fine supporting group. Ruth Attaway, as Teddy’s hardpressed Mom, comes through ably as does Terry Carter, as a poor boy ad- mirer, Estelle Hemsley cops plenty of laughs in her. portrayal of the Bible-spouting light finger. Helen Dowdy adds a, filip as the blues singing gal from the city. Dave, Joan of Are at the Slake London, Oct. 21. . Muslkart Society Ltd. (by ari-angement with Jack Hylton production of oratorio in one act (11 scenes). Stars Ingrid Berg? man. Directed by Roberto Rossellini; music. A, Honegger; text. F. Claudel 3.83 top. ■ Pete Sidney Pollock Arlene -Sylv-ia Miles Steve , . v Josesph D. Sargent Nellie . Susan Cabot Danny Fisher Phillip ..Pine Sam Cordon . • • • ■ • Bert Freed Mrs. Fisher Jeanette Boony Mlini . • : • • .... v ■, . . BAibara; J oyce Mr. Fisher . . . Wolfe Bar./ell Maxie Fields Zero Mostel Spit ; v, Maurice Gosfield - Ronnie Gloria McGehee Abe Joe Bernard Jack , Alfred Stone Mr. Wiser Robert ibbons A$ a^play, “A Stone For Danny Fisher'’* has some melodramatic suspense, some arresting insights into morbid psychology, some good cracks, and some dandy actoiv: But that’s it, The plot, at least in stage adaptation, emerges as famil- iar reprise of Jewish, family life on Manhattan's Avenue. B, plus neighborhood hoodlums with over- tones of sadism, A main Weakness is that the. "hero” is a weakling, all the way and that Philip. Pine, who tries to evoke audience sympathy, is fight- ing the lines in the script which persistently make it clear that Dartny is devoted to the idea that only crime can cure poverty; All of which makes for unsatisfactory drama. Where the play falls, down in respect to the original novel must go unanswered here. There were rehearsal . difficulties with the script, the backers, and a 1 change of directors. The program credit to ‘‘Francis Kane” aS stager should actually read Luther Adler. Har- old Robbins,- who wrote the prose text, is a still-young statistician at Universal Pictures; this being liis 4th book. (Houston Street play- house was full of U homeollice gentry opening night). These paragraphs. are necessarily concerned with thfc adaptation of Leonard KantOr. It employs a divided stage, alternating scenes, and different time levels. Much, iuse is made of reverie (flashback) and one scene is played in arrested tempo (impressionism!. At the end the family reconcili- ation (the father repents) is. larger, ly robbed of heart-tug by the! audi- ence’s clear knowledge that Danny is plotting the murder of liis brother-in-law, a bigger and tough- er hood than, he is. Although Danny attempts a last-minute switch and grts murdered himself, neither he nor his brother-in-law had the slightest, intention of go- ing straight. Despite implicit sen- timent in both men, its either Danny or the brother-in-law, also played for a sympathy that the lines won't Support, by Bert Freed. Zero JHostel gives a morbidly fascinating characterization ais a softspoken, mock-polite all-round bum who delights. in the highly in- telligent humiliation of his stately girl friend, well played by Gloria McGehee. He calls her his "poodle” and orders her to cross arid Uncross her legs, get up, sit down, kiss her former lover, then undress in front of him 'to show how well she now looks disrobed. Maurice Qosfield rejoices in the sobriquet of "Spit.” He’s a shiv, and strictly for shivers. (A wag has defined a shiv as a violent spiv. Their taste runs to carving up people with a switchblade knife). There are 15 players, all com- petent and several noteworthy. They gave the show a' professional quality,-, as the off-Broadway thea- tre gives them valuable, if perhaps brief, showcasing. Susan Gabot makes the Italian gal appealing. Barbara Joyce as Danny’s Sister who' married a racketeer for money and ended up wanting liis love is standout, partly because the role is meaty. Land , I Feel Wonderful (Theatre de Lys, N. Y.) "I Feel Wonderful” . is the type of revile usually done briefly in hideaway spots rather than an established off-Broadway house like the Theatre de Lys. There’s little iri it for the professional market. Jerry Herman, who Wrote the music and lyrics, is okay in the former category but fails in the latter. Sketches by Barry-, Alan Grael have an occasional bright line, but. the . material, is mostly undergrad stuff. A few members of the generally procast show up Well, Terper Rich- ard Tone is standout in a lively “Jailhpuse Blues”, and also clicks in show’s title number, with ah able, assist from Rebecca Barksdale and Rita Tanno. Former, in a scant costume, spices up the proceedings with some fancy belly . maneuver- ing. Joan Coburn impresses as being able to sell a song, while John Bartis and Jane Janvier are adequate in other piping assign- ments. Skits are genarally run-of-the- mill, with a takeoff on the new Dior fashions nicely handled by Phyllis Newman. Frank' Wagner’s dances have Vigor, while Romairi Johnston's costumes and set design are good. Jess. ’King’ Whammo $100,300 For 10 Shows, Dallas Dallas, Oct. 26. “King and I” grossed nearly $100,300 at the State Fair here in its . final 10 performances ending Saturday (23), ^Entire 24-perform- ance run drew about $250,000. Yul Brynner, who costars with Patricia Morison, has been tempo- rarily replaced by Leonard Graves. Brynner has gone to Egypt for lo- cation shots on Cecil B. DeMille’s "The Ten Commandments” and is scheduled to rejoin the musical Nov. 23, ‘ Chicago. Legit Casting COMMON STOCK | The Company will employr its funds S in diversified entertainment enter- m prises connected with television, motion pictures and the theatre. ffl Price 501 a share 1 1 HoUyWOOD ANGUS, INC. *1 • 29 West 65th St., N.Y. 23, N. V. *>«pt. V4 r • TRalalcar 4-1815 I Send Free Offering itbout cost. I •; I • : I J Aririratt ... ■■ ■ ■ . • - -■ - I. I .C i • ■ , Zone. | ! Pfittn* M* ■ ■ ,.l — 'mi _ _ _ im-m. _ _ _J Abie’s Irish Rose — Ludwig Donath, Neil Fitzgerald. Anastasia • — Joseph Anthony, David J. Stewart. Bad Seed — Patty McCormack, Luella Gear, Eileen Heckart, Thomas Chalmers, Joseph Holland, Joan Croydon, John O’Hare, Wells Richardson, Theodore Mann. Black-Eyed Susan — Ira Roberts, Charles Boaz. Dark Is Light Enough— Arnold Moss, John Williams, Festival — Paul Henreid, Holly Irving, Luba MalinffJ George Voskovec. Flowering Peach— Janice Rule, .William Smithers. Grand; Prize — Betsy. Palmer, June Lockhart, John Newland. House of Flowers— Rawn Spear- man, Jacques Aubuchon, Winston George Henriques & Solomon Earl Green (Do & Don’t), Ad Moore, Enid Mosier, Lunatics and Loyers — •' Dennis King, Jayne Meadows. Oh Men, Oh Women (Rd.) — Ralph Bellamy (replaces Lloyd Bridges). Sandhog— Paul Ukena, Gordon Dllworth, KIRBY’S FLYING BALLETS "Th* Peter Pan Firm" Kirby’s Flyjng Equipment” from London, England, Is Now Being Used With Great Success in: “PETER PAN” Starring and Plying MARY MARTIN “MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM” Starring MOIRA SHEARER LIMITLESS EFFECTS— TV, STAGE, ARENA. COMMERCIAL SHOWS Established 1904 For Information: PETER LAWRENCE 40 E. 49th St., New York City 17 PLdza 8-1425 Mired ’Blondes’ $14,000 In Swamped Toronto Toronto, Qct. 20. ... Manny Davis production of "Gentlemen prefer Blondes,” with Jet MacDonald and Walter Long, grossed a bad $14,000 last week at the 1,525-seat Royal Alexandra at $3.90 top. Hiimcane and flood conditions offset good notices. On a test elimination of Wednes- day matinee and substitution of twinight performances Friday and Saturday (6:30 apdJhOO p.m.), the earlier performances drew poorly, the latter fairly well, Cronyn-Tandy in Coast Stand in ’Face to Face,’ Program of Readings Hollywood, Oct. 26. First husband-wife team to in- vade the growing field of platform theatre, Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy have fashioned a diverting evening out of bits of past suc- cesses arid snatches of reading they’ve liked. Their material ranges from Dorothy Parker to William Shakespeare with way- stops to visit such authors as Stephen Vincent Benet and Thomas Wolfe arid their selections provide a skillful blend of comedy arid pathos. After 10 one-nighters to break in at western whistlestops. "Face to Face” gets its first real test in the current orie-week. stand at the Huntington Hartford Theatre here and a following .fortnight at the Geary, San Francisco. It ; has good commercial prospects and the three Coast weeks should, register a strong profit before the Crpnyns fly .to Florida to begin a series of dates under the NCAC banner. As a theatre evening, "Face to Face” is more than urbarie or witty. It has memorable moments, as for example when Miss Tandy recreates thte poignancy of Tennes- see Williams' "Portrait of a Mal- donna,” which served as the gen- esis for "Streetcar” and which she has done to acclaim before in Coast productions. This time, if falls a' trifle short of the virtuoso past performance, but only be- cause it’s done as a reading ver- sion with distraction created by the style. Another highspot. Croriyn’s handling of the "Oh, What a Rogue” soliloquy from "Hamlet.” Their highly, skilled dueting of proposal scenes from "Hilda Crane” and "Pride and Prejudice,” teamed with the threatened di- vorce scene from "Fourposter” is an effective curtain trilogy. Readings that win sustained chuckles or rapt attention include Ogden Nash’s ‘‘Private Dining Room” and a lumping of Parker- isiris under the title, "General Re- view of the Sex Situation,” plus exderpts from Wolfe’s “Time and the River,” Benet’s prelude to "Western Star” and a fine excerpt from Andre Obey’s "Noah.” Impeccable taste in selecting the material arid sensitive handling of the diverse mood make "Face to Face” compelling stuff. It’s hdn-' died with an informal charm and ease of manner that spell fine re- turns on the Chautauqua circuit and indicate good business for any limited stands undertaken in the larger centers. Kap. Dallas Playgoer Continued from pace 75 ssssss- for instance, alternate boys for the role of Pudge in one of the produc- tions of "On Borrowed Time,” This is to cast no reflection on Graves or Miss Harris, Fm* all I knowvthey may be superior to the chosen leads. But I strongly com- plain about their being given the leads in so many performances with no announcement as to what’s being done until the performance is just about to begi . The management’s statement that, so far only one. person had asked for his money back is thought-pro- voking. ‘ I have never asked for my money back, but if that is the only action that carries weight with management, you can be sure I shall ask for a refund in the future. I don’t know whether this prac- tice is confined to Dallas or is cus- tomary in other road towns. I don’t know whether it is special to Rodgers & Hammerstein produc- tions or all productions. But I don’t like it. Name Withheld. Plays Abroad Continued from page 70 a serious contender for transfer to Broadway. Pauline Grant has directed the play with a confident light touch and, by adroit timing, gets a top laugh reaction from the script. At times, however, the author intro- duces . farce-like situations’ and these do not blend too convincing- ly. The overall effect is satisfac- tory, although the plot droops from strength to weakness as the story unfolds, TliCre is not much substance to the yarn about a teenage girl who Writes a novel caricaturing her family and friends and putting them in comproihlsing situations. There is an intriguing part of the development in the second half of the first act when these incidents in the novel are performed on the stage as a sort of book within a play. The production calls for bright and frothy performances and these are given in good measure by the competent cast. Hugh Williams and Judy Campbell as the girl’s parents; Margarette; Scott as the aunt and Jane Griffiths as the young novelist put realism into the play, but can’t disguise the fact that tiie script has too many cliches, to make it a best seller. Myra. Current Road Shows (Oct 25-Nov. 6) Caine Mutiny Court Martial (Paul Douglas, Wendell Corey, Steve Brodie) — Cass, Detroit (25- 30); Hanna, Cleveland (1-6).. Face to Face (Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn)— Huntington Hart- ford, L.^A. (25-30); Geary, S. F. (1-6), (Reviewed in Variety this week). Fanny (Ezio Pinza, Walter Sle- zak) (tryout)— Shubert, Phila. (25- 30); (Reviewed in Variety, Sept. 22, ’54), ' Fifth Season—- Shubert, Wash. (25-30); Shubert,. Phila, (1-6). V Gentlemen Prefer Blondes— Er- langer, Buffalo (25-30); Shubert, Wash. (1-6). Getting Gertie’s Garter— Majes- tic; Boston (25-30); Locust, Phila. ( 1 - 6 ), King and I (Leonard Graves, Patricia Morison)— Aud., Memphis (26-30); Aud., Louisville; Ky. (1-6). Living Room (Barbara Bel Ged- des)— Shubert, New Haveri (28.-30); Plymouth, Boston (1-6). Midsummer Night’s Dream (Rob- ert Helpmann, Moira. Shearer, Stanley Holloway)— War Memorial, S. F. (27-6). Moon Is Blue (Jerome Cowan) — American, St. Louis (25-6). Mrs. Patterson KEartha Kitt) (tryout)— Harris, Chi, (25-6) (Re- viewed in Variety, Sept. 29, ’54). Naughty Natalie — Memorial Hall, Joplin; Mo. (25-26); Conven- tion Hall, Tulsa, Okla. (27); Arca- dia,, Wichita (28-30); Pabst, Mil- waukee (3-6). : Oklahoma — S.R.H.S. Aud., Glens Falls, N. Y. (25); Proctor, Schenec- tady, N. Y. (26-28); Oxford, Plain- field, N. J. (29-30); Loew’s, Syra- cuse (1-2); Loew’s, Rochester (3- 4); Palace, Hamilton, .Can. (5-6). (Reviewed in Variety, Oct 13, ’54). On With the Show— Shubert, New Haven (4-6). Quadrille (Alfred Lunt Lynn Fontanne, Edna Best, Brian Aherrie) (tryout)— Colonial, Bos- ton (25-30). Pardon Our Antenna (Qlsen & Johnson) (tryout) — Selwyn, Chi (25- 6) (Reviewed iri Variety, Oct. 20, ’54). . Saint Joan (Jean. Arthur) (try- out) — ‘ Cox, Cincinnati (25.-30); Hartman, Columbus, O. (1-6). (Re- viewed in Variety, Sept. 22, ’54). School for Brides— Court Sq., Springfield, Mass. (4-6). Seven Year Itch (Eddie Bracken) —Iowa, Cedar Rapids (26); Pabst; Milwaukee (27-30); Murat, Indian- apolis (1-3); Lincolri, Decatur, III. (4); Shrine Aud,, Peoria, 111. (5-6). South Pacific (Tva Withers, Webb Tilton)— Forrest, Phila. (25- 6 ). : /■' . Time ; Out for Ginger (Melvyn Douglas)— Capitol, Salt Lake City (25-26); Marlow, Helena, Mont; (28); Bow, Butte, Mont. (29); Fox, Billings, Mont. (30); Orpheum, Spokane (1-2); International, Van- couver. B. C. (4-6). Wedding Breakfast— rPlayhouse, Wilmington, Del. (2&-30); National, Wash. (1-6). What Every Woman Knows (Helen Hayes) — Curran, S. F.7(25- 6) (Reviewed in Variety, Sept. 29, ’54). Wonderful Town (Carol Clian- riing) — Shubert, Chi. (25-6). World of ShOlora Aleichem — Parsons, Hartford (28-30); Mosque, Newark (31); Walnut St.* Phila. ( 2 - 6 ). Wednesday, October- 27 , I954 M NG 7G, K.C Kansas City," Oct. ‘.’Naughty Natalie,” Danny i, berg's two-for-one touring f drew a slim $7,000 in an e performance stand last week a? KMBC Playhouse here, at a ni nel.top of $3 .'92. Booked in by John Antonello agency, the ( had been ' expected to do s business during the Royal Anil cafi Livestock show. Next local legit booking i s j, Arthur iri "Saint Joan” in Dece her. ill- Chorus 5555 s Continued from page 75 in two years of membership, least two shows as qualification senior membership and the rl to vote. However, present Cho Equity members will be entlt to immediate senior members rating,, with the right to vo) Hereafter, all new. members, i eluding chorus performers ’ y have to meet the regular requii ments for senior membership. , Expanded Council ; The Equity council, now compr ing 50 members, plus nine r reseritatives of Chorus Equity, be expanded to 70 members, , which 15 must be chorus perfon ers. Instead of the present Cho Equity executive committee, th will be an advisory committee chorus performers; . to assist council On matters relating chorus. The present, setup of a sepal contract for chorus., perform will be retained arid the cho casting department will be tinued. Dues for actor mem will remain at $24 a year, $100 initiation fee* but the cho member dues will continue to $18 for at least another year. : The present officer setup will revised slightly to provide for vice-president to.be a chorus former; The officers will conti to include a president (curren Ralph Bellamy), four vice-pr dents (now Marice Evans, : Ross, Frederick O’Neal and M galo Giilmore), a . treasurer (F Dullz.eli) arid a recording secret (John Effrat). . Ben Irving, executive-secret of Chorus Equity* will transfer the merged union as an assistanl Angus Duncan, Equity exec and all office personnel of Cho Equity will be retained^ It’s derstood, however, that there been no formal discussion as to future status of Rebecca Bro stein, Chorus Equity attorney formerly doubled as Actors Eg counsel, She exited the latter last year after differences the couricil. , Herman* E. Co is now Actors Equity attorney. ‘ The council denied last a recent report in Variety tin faction in Chorus Equity opp merger and favored succe from the parent organization, declared in a statement that thorough examinatioii of the suits of complete independ from Equity would reveal that a course would be extremely de mental to Chorus Equity.” Executive Secreta ¥ Fredwctlon Steratary for thaatrli office. Need reaourceful, thNhl ally experlonced girl far damai Ing |eb. Steretarlol skllli mci • ary, alto ability manuierlptt • office mgmt. Versatile, taclf Age 25-40. Fermanentr Glvt l detalif. Ropiiea hold confidaritl Box V-l 02554, Variety, 154 W. 46th St., New York 36, N Rahearsal Rooms Availab Facilities Used bv butstindlna L *l and TV Shows STUDIO ONE G.E. THEAT* KRAFT BEST OF BROAOW* GOLDERCS FRONTIERS OF FA' CAN CAN ARABIAN NIGH , Modern — SsaelcUi — : Clean W«ll ventllattd ElevaUr-SwItehbbird 8 (fyl Mcdtrata R«ntal( — Flanw . Stvtrsl Alr-C#ndltl»n«d Centrally LF* 1 At CENTRAL PLAZA . / ill 2nd Avt., Naar 7th St., N.Y.c- 2 blocka east of Watiamakers AL itlOt B. Blrns, SALE OR RENT New Modern Summer Theai In Pocene’ Mountains Reiort A Seats 500 — For PartUul Write Harold Amen. Penha., or Phene iiiihklll ! Wednesday, October. 27* 1954 (A VARIETY CHARLES P. SKOURAS Charles P, Skouras, 65, president - of National Theatres who rose from a Greek immigraht hoy to one of tlie . nation’s highest paid execu- tives, died of a heart attack Oct 22 in. Hollywood. Details on Page 4. JULES VON TILZER Jules Von Tilzer, 86, general manager of he Haffry Von Tilzer jviusic Publishing 'Co., died - Oct’ .22 at. his home in the Delmonico Hotel, N. Y. He was the oldest of six brothers, whose . real Sur- name was Gumm, and had. been general manager of the publish- ing firm, founded by his brother Harry, since its inception 52 years ago. * ", : Jules* had a reserved manner ancl generally remained in the background while running the business. He was considered to have been i stabilizing influence GEORGE McMANUS George McManus, 7l, newspaper cartoonist who created the ’‘Bring- ing Up Father” comic strip, died of a heart attack Oct. 22 in' Santa Monica where he had been hospi- talized with, an: infected liver. His career as a cartoonist began in 1904 on the old New York World where he created two strips, “The Newlyweds” and “Let’s Do It.” Moving to the New York American in 1912%. he created “Bringing Up Father,’’ which lias run continuously for 43 years and has been serviced to 750. news- papers by the King Features Syn- dicate. " Surviving are his wife, Florence, and his brother, ‘“Leo F. McManus, an executive in the comic art de- partment of King Features. SHOLOM PERLMUTTER $hdlom Perlmutter, 70; play- wright and historian of the Jewish in the operation of the company during its early years. He had also performed in vaude at the turn of: tlie century.' Only two of *the six brothers are still living. They’re Harold. Gumm, president of the: publishing company, and composer Albert Von : Tilzer. Of the deceased brothers, Wilt Von Tilzer headed Broadway Music and for years was a member of the board 'of direc- tors of the American Society of Composers, Authors , and Publish- ers while Jack Von Tilzer was ac- tive in the radio industry. Surviving, besides his two broth- ers, is his wife, NICK HOLDE Herrmann Nicholas (Nick) Holde, 71, legit company and general manager, died Oct. 21 in Great Kills, Staten Island, Born in Ber- li he was brought to New York theatre, died Oct. 19, in New York. After a brief stint as an actor he turned to play writing. Some of; his works were, produced at the Second Ave; Theatre, N. Y. Among them were “Narishe Tates” arid "Abi Gezundt.” Perlmutter was vice president of the Hebrew. Actors Union, which he helped organize, and was also a representative of the Society of Jewish Composers- arid the Jewish Playwrights League. His book, ‘‘Jewish Dramatists and Jewish Composers," was published last: year. Four sons and a daughter sur- vive. WILFRIED SEYFERTH Wilfried Seyferth, 46, German character actor, Was killed Oct. 9, in an auto accident near Wiesbad- en, West Germany. He began his acting career in 1928, at the Berlin sentative for two years, Rea was one of the group that resigned last month to form the new Actors In- ternational Union. His wife survives; JAMES Ss, TYLER . James S. Tyler, 41, director of advertising and promotion for the Mutual Broadcasting System, died in New York, Oct. 22, shortly after .he collapsed at his desk. He joined the Mutual net in March, 1942, after previous posts with the J. Walter Thompson Co., Advertising and Selling mag and CBS. > A native of Philadelphia, Tyler had also been conducting a column in Advertising Agency mag in addition to his Mutual duties. Surviving are his wife, thrrie daughters, a son and a brother. ROBERT. H. FORD Robert H&mptpn Ford, 47, tv Writer and former film producer, died of a heart ailment, Oct. 20, in New York. Born in Philadelphia, he* parted his scripting, career as a newspaper reporter there' and later worked fpr the N. Y. World- Telegram. . Ford , became associate producer for Cinemart Inc., while ori the Coast in the 1930’s. More recently he turned out documentary films in Spain, Italy and Portugal. „ 1 Surviving are his wife, mother, brother and sister. MRS. FREDRIKA H. WOODFORD Mrs. Fredrika H. Woodford, 64, retired vaude: performer, died Oct! 19, ‘ New York; after a three week illness. With her husband, the late Harry E. Woodford, who EARLE L. McGILL as a youth and practiced law prior to entering the theatre in 1908. He worked for such top Brpadvvay producers as Florenz Ziegfeld, Earl Carroll and *A1 Woods. Shows he was associated with in- cluded “Dead End,” Ziegfelcl’s revival of “Show Boat” and “One Touch of Venus.” In 1913, Holde persuaded the .. Shuberts to Convert a stable . on. 39th St. into the Princess Theatre, where he presented a series of one-act plays. He later .went to Hollywood, where he made silent pix starring Ruth Boland and Jack Saunder£ He returned to Broad- . way in 1931 and became general lanager for Max Gordon. He was also manager for A, C. Blumen- thal and Norman Bel-Geddes. Several days prior to his death, Holde penned a farewell note to his friends for simultaneous re- Schauspielhaus and later was with Heinz Hrlpert’s Deutsche Theatre (Berlin). „ * ' Seyferth made his screen debut in “Schleppzug 17” (1933). After the war, he becking one of West Germany's most versatile character players in films. Among his last films are “Der froehliche Wein- berg,!’ “Toxi,” “Heimweh nach Dir“ and “08/15.” He also had a supporting role in the 20th-Fox film, “Decision Before Dawn.” His actress-wife, Eva-Ingeborg Scholz, survives. ANTHONY HAWTREY Anthony Hawtrey, 45, actor-man- ager, died in a London hospital Oct. 18, following a heart attack the previous night while attend- ing dress rehparsal of his latest play, “The Wild Goose Chase.” It IN FOND REMEMBRANCE JOE BURNS NOV. 3, 194* VERA and MACK GOLDMAN lease with the obituaries. Wife survives. K. 3. FRITZSCHE . ,K. J, Fritzsche, 71 German . mo- tion picture pioneer, died Oct. 12 in Munich after a long heart ailment. He. had been associated with the German film industry since 1910. In 1919, he set up the first Ger- man film export company (Trans- ■ lean). . Nine years later, he . founded Deutsche Film Union,- ■* v;li.ich reportedly was the first German - American coproduction company. After 1935, Fritzsche became economic director and Chief of production Of Tobis, one of Ger- many’s foremost film producing outfits. Shortly after the last war, oe founded the Deutsche London- Film (together with Theo Oster- wind and Johaniies Fischer) and independently produced several *uccess£ul pix. ' ! opened at the Embassy Theatre, Swiss; Cottage, Oct. 19. , A' son . of Sir Charles Hawtrey. he . had been, on the stage since 1930 and, after a walk-on part at the Garrick, joined the Old Vic. the same year. He was first asso- ciated with :the Embassy in 1939 and reopened that theatre in 1945. The current London and Broadway hit, “The Boy Friend,” was pre- sented there Under his manage- ment before moving to Wyndham’s Theatre; AL REA Al Rea, 66, former vaudeville comic, died Oct. 23 in. Philadel- phia. For 30 years he was a part- ner in the comedy act of Jones & Rea, which appeared throughout the U. S. hi vaude houses, includ- ing the Palace, N. Y, Active in affairs of the American Guild of Variety Artists for 15 years and its Philadelphia r,epre-' died last May, she trouped in the song and dance, team of Jarvis & Harrison on. the nation’s top cir- cuits in. the heyday of vaude. Surviving are a son, Harry E. Woodford Jr,, and a daughter; Mrs. Georgeanna Ayres, wife of band- leader Mitchell Ayres. ■ ALBERT M. MORAN Albert M. Moran, 62, who had been associated . with the film in- dustry since he joined the Pathe organization in 1912, was killed when struck by a trueje in Tampa, Fla., according to word received Oct. 14, by his brother, Mayor J. Edward Moran ,of Burlington, Vt. Since the advent of talkies, Mo- ran had been, identified with the sound equipment end of the film, business and traveled throughout the country. H. Herbert Vacheron, inveterate first-nighter at theatrical , and musical events in the Albany area, and onetime manager of Broadway legit companies, died Oct. 16 in Albany. His wife, Harriet A. Jones, former member of the WGY Radio Players in Schenectady, and two brothers survive. Brother, 47, of Mrs, J. Meyer 'Schine, wife of the Schine Circuit and Schine Hotels president, died of a heart attack in Gioversvill , N. Y., Oct. 19, while driving an automobile; Daughter, 26, of Stephen R. Rin- toul, former Albany radio station, manager and now a partner in a New York radio-television repre- sentatives agency, died Oct. 23 in Albany,.. Samuel Woodworth, 58, founder and general manager of radio sta- tion WFBL, Syracuse, died Oct. 22 of a heart attack in that city. Henry Steele Lewis, 54, presi- dent of Norfolk Newspapers Inc. and vice president and treasurer of the WTAR Radio Corp., Nor- folk, died Oct. 24 in that city. Eugene D. Dautell, 74, former actor, died Oct. 17, in Toledo. Dur- ing his youth he was With a travel- ingstock company. His wife, a son and two daughters survive. Stanley Rose, 54, literary agent and former book shop operator,, died of a liver ailnient Oct. 17 in Hollywood. His wife, a son and ttvo brPthers survive, Fred Pape, 63, formerly in charge >pf ( transportation at 20th- Fox, died Oct. 18 in Los Angeles i after a long illnes§. Jacob J. Uhl, 60, violinist with Meyer Davis’ orchestra and mem- ber of. radio station KYW ojph., died Oct. 18 in Philadelphia. His wife and £on survive. - ! ,■ - Alexander Drummond, 56, chair- man of the Scottish Community Drama Association, died Oct, 15 at Brechi , Scot Sarah D. Cuscaden, 81, character actress, died Oct; 18, in. Hollywood, Her husband and daughter sur- vive. Bert H. Delmar . (Albert Victor Hall), 79, vaude arid concert artist, and* writer of comic songs, died Oct. 2 in Morecambe, Eng. Jack Harrison, 70, representative of the British Variety Artists’ Fed- eration in Liverpool, died Qct. 6 in Liverpool.; Sidney Friedman, 76, vet cinema exhib and managing director of the King’s Theatre, Greenock, died Oct. 12 in London. Bobby Stevens, long wtih the Balaban &. Katz circuit, died re- cently in Chicago; A sister sur- vives. • Father; 58, of Ruth Rainy, writer With Kling. Studios, Chicago, died Oct. 15 in that city. Father, 75, of Johnny Victory* Scot comedian* died 'Oct. 14 in Edinburgh. Father of Perry Jubilirer, of Mil- tori Berle’s tv staff, died in Pitts- burgh Oct. 15 after a short illness. . Harry B. Webster, 83, veteran violinist, died in Laconia, Ni H., Oct. 15, after a week’s illness. Al Hardy, 45, pianist, died Oct; 20, of an overdose of sleeping pills in Burbank, Cal. His wife survives. Father of Samuel and Joseph Gel lm an, Pittsburgh theatre own- ers, died Oct. 1 i that city, Mother- of Benn Jacobson, for- mer talent scout for Metro, died in Utica, N.Y., Oct. 7. Father of publicist David E. Green died Qct. 15 in New York following a fall. Mrs. ROSetta Churgin, 64,. retired concert violinist, died Oct. 25 in New York. Rickman Continued from page 2 — j motion pictures are once , again a ,going business, a profitable busi- ness, and. 'a Supremely healthy business’ which is going forward at. full speed. And this you said under the heading, “The Pendulum Swings;” in the issue of Oct. 6. And very clearly, indeed. I feel that the .“message” under “The Pendulum Swings” is vitally important to everyone in show business, and particularly to the wellbeing, of all of us in the picture industry. It is so vitally important that this should be hammered home at. every possible opportu- nity. to the calamity howlers who have expressed fears as to the fu- ture of motion pictures. The whole history of entertain^ ment has shown that every new development and every worthwhile new form of entertainment has not only found a place for itself in the over-all entertainment struc- ture but has, in addition, strength- ened and benefited ail other forms of entertainment. The motion picture industry does not and should not -be afraid of television. Television is another and potentially excellent, medium of entertainment, and should have: a definite plade> in the entertain- ment structure ; of our times. The only disadvantage' i: can. see to television ' at this moment is that it is in the 'position of a plant which has been “forced” a little too energetically arid too quickly. It took motion .pictures a great many years to attain full maturity, ft took radio many years to attain maturity.: Some impatient people have, not been able to understand that television requires exactly the' same intelligently nurtured growth processes. Close cooperation between the motion picture industry and tele- vision will help both sides. -The motion picture industry will bene- fit from the audience appeal Of this great new medium, and. tele- vision will benefit from the years of showmanship and entertain- ment knowledge of the motion picture industry. I am sure you agree with these thoughts. ’ In effect it is exactly what you said first in “Peepshow : in Reverse” and again in “The Pendulum Swings.” 1 feel very strongly that it is absolutely neq- [ essary thpt your reassuring confi- dence aS to the basic, health and solvency of the motion picture in- dustry be hammered home re- peatedly and on a continuing basis to the motion picture Industry it- self. I am sure that “The Pendulum Swings” should inject a little sorely-needed starch into, some in-, dustry backbones which could use a touch of stiffening. And if .-you keep hamrriering away with this same message, it will help our industry achieve the kind of erect posture that lets us look hope- fully and. confidently ahead, our eyes fixed on the high goals w want to reach. Jerome Pickmcin. (Adv.-Publicity; V,P., Paramount Pictures):. MARRIAGES : Nita . Kauffman to Stanley F„ Hodes, Miami, Oct. 22. He’s pro- duction exec vvith Rainbow Pic- tures in that city and son of the late Hal Hodes, . Coluriibia Pictures exec. Judy Johnson to Mort Lindsey, New York, Oct. 9. Bride* is a singer; he’s a disk jockey, cur- rently airing on WABC, N. Y. Mary Anne Bohen to Wayne E, Price, Albany, Oct. 23. Bride was formerly on staff of WPTR there., Knut Stensrud to Olive Roth, San Antonio, Qct. 23. Roth are with the Shrine-Pollack Bros. Circus. Bride is a dancer; he’s an acrobat, Rose Madaline Biegler to Wil- liam John Paisley, Regina, Sask., recently. She’s a former member of ‘Tcecapades.” . Anri. Frances Carroll to Edward I. Hersom, Phoenix, Ariz., Oct. 7. Bride is a member of the. Water Follies of 1954; lie’s, stage manager of same show. Eithne McGrath to Dermot Troy, Dublin, Oct. 11. He’s an operatic tenor. BIRTHS Mr. and Mrs, Steve Glick. daugh- ter, Hollywood,' Oct. 15,. Child is the granddaughter of Hy J. Glick, Republic secretary-treasurer. Mr. and Mrs. ‘Larry Creshkoff, daughter, Boston, Oct. 20. Father is program exec at WQBH; mother is Nancy Harper,- f emcee uf juve shows via same outlet. : Mr. and. Mrs. Max Allentuek, daughter, New York, Oct, 16. Mother is legit actress Maureen Stapleton; father is legit manager currently associated with. David. Wayne's tele series. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Granada, son, Blackpool* Eng., Oct; 7., Pa- rents are .Dotothy and Peter Granada of vaude act known as El Granadas. Mr. and Mrs. John Foster, son, Watertown, N. .Y., Oct; 13. Father is an anriouheer with WWNY and WCNY-TV. ' Mr. and Mrs. George Bonn, daughter, Chicago, Oct. 17. Father is a booking agent in the Windy City. ' Mr. and Mrs. Moody Blanchard, son, Los Angeles, Oct. 17. Mother is Patricia Kaskel, tv actress. Mr, and Mrs. Ronald Thomas, son, Oct. 15,. Cocoa Beach, Fla. Father’s formerly of Silhouettes, Pittsburgh si nging instru men tal combo. . Mr. and Mrs. Bernie Gould, daughter, Hollywood, Oct. 13. Father is producer-director-writer on r^dio. Mr. and Mrs, George Ball, daugh- ter, New. York, Oct. 18. Father is director of public affairs at WHLI, Hempstead, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Bob Gilmore, daughter, West Palm Beach, Fla.,. Oct. 15.* Father is a cameraman with WJNO-TV. . . Mr. and Mrs, Harold E; Wond- sel, son, New York, Oct, 16. Father is president of Sound Masters, l v commercial and industrial filmm.akv irig outfit, Mr! and Mrs. Page Gilman, daughter, Santa Monica, Ott. 22. Father is a radio actor. Mr. arid Mrs. Howie Richmond, son. New York, Oct. 21. Father is a music publisher, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest D. Glucks- inan , daughter, Oct. 1 1 , v Holly Wood. He’s a tele producer and director for NBC; she’s Judy Allen, a dancer. Mr. arid Mrs. Frank Farrell, daughter, New York, Oct. 25. Fa- ther is the N-. Y. Wprld-Telegrai & Sum cafe columnist; Mr. and Mrs. Bob Schultz, son, New York, Oct, 24. Father’s agent. Mr. and" Mrs. Raymond Scott, daughter, ManhaSset, L, I.,. N. Y„ Oct. 24. Father’s • an orchestra j leader; * mother is singer Dorothy ^gollins.^^ ' PfatlETt Wednesday, October 27, 1954 v ■t: Left Vaude and Night Clubs for a bit ...to do my piece in Legit! Now I'm whilin' away my hours as "Madam Fleur' in "House of Flowers'' it t ' f , i .■ 1 h S i Scanned from microfilm from the collections of The Library of Congress National Audio Conservation Center Coordinated and sponsored by M E D I A HESTQRV i: A search of the records of the United States Copyright Office has determined that this work is in the public domain.